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A Chocolate Whisperer Mystery #5
The Peppermint Mocha Murder
It’s beginning to look like a merry Christmas for Hayden Mundy Moore. On vacation from providing her sought-after expertise in all things chocolate, Hayden heads to snowy New England with her friend and financial advisor, Travis, for the opening of his pal’s highly-touted holiday musical. But when the show’s producer is murdered, Hayden trades sampling Chocolate Santas for finding the killer—especially since this time, Travis is the one asking for her help . . . Soon Hayden discovers there’s more to Travis’s chic hometown than mulled wine and cocoa cookies. But that’s just the beginning. Almost no one, including Travis, is quite what they seem. Did the show’s lead have more savage motives than stardom? Could the dead producer’s husband have felt a murderous envy for his successful wife? Getting behind the mistletoe and jingle bells will take all of Hayden’s savvy—along with some super caffeinated Peppermint Mochas—if she hopes to catch a killer with a heart more bitter than the darkest truffle . . . “Chocoholics and food cozy fans rejoice! With prose as smooth and delicious as its theme, this quality debut cozy introduces a smart protagonist with an unusual and tasty profession.” —Library Journal (starred) on Criminal Confections
298 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 25, 2018
60 people are currently reading
227 people want to read
About the author
Colette London
9 books123 followersColette London is the pseudonym of a best-selling novelist who’s published more than three dozen books worldwide. Her Chocolate Whisperer series from Kensington Books features Criminal Confections, Dangerously Dark, and The Semi-Sweet Hereafter, and will continue with Dead and Ganache in October 2017.
Visit Colette on the web at colettelondon.com, friend her on Facebook at facebook.com/colette.london.books, follow her on Twitter @ twitter.com/Colette__London, or circle her on Google+ at google.com/+Colettelondonbooks today.
Visit Colette on the web at colettelondon.com, friend her on Facebook at facebook.com/colette.london.books, follow her on Twitter @ twitter.com/Colette__London, or circle her on Google+ at google.com/+Colettelondonbooks today.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
September 16, 2018
When I saw the title of this cozy mystery, I just had to read it! Peppermint Mocha. My all time favorite flavored coffee drink. I wait every year for the holiday season just so I can get it at Starbucks! Coffee of the Gods!
I love foodie cozies....so this series is right up my alley. The main character, Hayden Munday Moore, is a chocolate expert. She lends her expertise to companies wanting to develop the best chocolate dishes. Restaurants, bakeries, candy makers, special events.....her services are in high demand all over the world. This time Hayden is travelling to Sproutes, MA to help with a premiere party at the request of her financial advisor, Travis Turner. Unfortunately, as usual, Hayden finds a dead body. She doesn't even get to spend one relaxing evening in her lovely, decorated for Christmas, B&B room. Wandering downstairs, unable to sleep, she discovers a dead woman on the floor, covered in spilled Wassail. So much for a relaxing trip to Massachusetts!
I like this series! The background theme of chocolate and baking doesn't overpower the mystery plots. In this newest addition to the series (book 5), the murder mystery moves along at a nice pace, accented by a Christmas theme this time. There are plenty of suspects and some nice twists. About the only thing I didn't like is a developing love triangle sort of situation. This is such an overused trope in cozy mysteries. Ugh. Not another relationship confusion/love triangle trope! Bleck!
All in all, a nice Christmas and chocolate themed cozy! Made for enjoyable reading! I will definitely continue reading this series. The cover art is colorful and festive. Cozies have the most wonderful covers!
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own. Warning: May cause chocolate and peppermint cravings! :) **
I love foodie cozies....so this series is right up my alley. The main character, Hayden Munday Moore, is a chocolate expert. She lends her expertise to companies wanting to develop the best chocolate dishes. Restaurants, bakeries, candy makers, special events.....her services are in high demand all over the world. This time Hayden is travelling to Sproutes, MA to help with a premiere party at the request of her financial advisor, Travis Turner. Unfortunately, as usual, Hayden finds a dead body. She doesn't even get to spend one relaxing evening in her lovely, decorated for Christmas, B&B room. Wandering downstairs, unable to sleep, she discovers a dead woman on the floor, covered in spilled Wassail. So much for a relaxing trip to Massachusetts!
I like this series! The background theme of chocolate and baking doesn't overpower the mystery plots. In this newest addition to the series (book 5), the murder mystery moves along at a nice pace, accented by a Christmas theme this time. There are plenty of suspects and some nice twists. About the only thing I didn't like is a developing love triangle sort of situation. This is such an overused trope in cozy mysteries. Ugh. Not another relationship confusion/love triangle trope! Bleck!
All in all, a nice Christmas and chocolate themed cozy! Made for enjoyable reading! I will definitely continue reading this series. The cover art is colorful and festive. Cozies have the most wonderful covers!
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own. Warning: May cause chocolate and peppermint cravings! :) **
September 20, 2018
This book has me feeling a bit bipolar about it. I very much enjoyed the mystery angle. It kept me guessing right up until the end. It was suitably festive. I loved the chocolate theme as well. It had a great cast of likable (some more than others) characters, and the yummy sounded recipes at the end were a nice touch.
What really brought my rating down was the weird love triangle thing that was going on between Hayden, Travis, and Danny. Any time Hayden was remotely in the vicinity of those two she was either jealous, horny, or claiming she didn't think about them that way. I don't think I have ever read a cozy mystery that was this sexualized, and as I mentioned, I just found it a little off and misplaced. It was also quite repetitive in places.
So a bit of a mixed bag with this one...
December 26, 2022
This was a quickly-forgettable cozy mystery...so I'd better review it for myself before I DO forget it.
Hayden is a consultant chocolatier (Is that really a thing?) who helps clients improve their chocolate products. She travels the world for her clients, so when she has a chance to experience a "real New-England Christmas," in her financial advisor's home town, she wants to dive in to the experience. However, upon entering the B&B, she finds a dead woman and a punch bowl in the dining room. Hayden has had previous experiences finding dead bodies (Apparently, this is book #5 in the series) and her sleuthing instincts kick right in. I prefer books where the murder occurs early, as in this one.
Lots of stereotypical Christmas "fun" and dangerous situations for Hayden and all the others, and way too much description of chocolate, especially since Hayden spends so little time actually concocting the products she is supposed to be making for the charity auction.TOO long w/ too many red herrings, too many characters, hokey situations, and and an unbelievable amount of naivete on Hayden's part about American Christmas traditions. The story needed good editing, and then it could have been a pretty good murder mystery, as I did not know the identity of the murderer until told.
Hayden is a consultant chocolatier (Is that really a thing?) who helps clients improve their chocolate products. She travels the world for her clients, so when she has a chance to experience a "real New-England Christmas," in her financial advisor's home town, she wants to dive in to the experience. However, upon entering the B&B, she finds a dead woman and a punch bowl in the dining room. Hayden has had previous experiences finding dead bodies (Apparently, this is book #5 in the series) and her sleuthing instincts kick right in. I prefer books where the murder occurs early, as in this one.
Lots of stereotypical Christmas "fun" and dangerous situations for Hayden and all the others, and way too much description of chocolate, especially since Hayden spends so little time actually concocting the products she is supposed to be making for the charity auction.TOO long w/ too many red herrings, too many characters, hokey situations, and and an unbelievable amount of naivete on Hayden's part about American Christmas traditions. The story needed good editing, and then it could have been a pretty good murder mystery, as I did not know the identity of the murderer until told.
December 14, 2018
4 stelle e mezza
Questa serie mi sta piacendo sempre di più, un libro dopo l'altro. L'unica contrindicazione è che, leggendola, mi viene sempre una voglia matta di sgranocchiare qualcosa di cioccolatoso...
Per quanto riguarda questo libro, confesso che non ho capito niente riguardo a chi e perché avesse commesso l'omicidio, forse perché sono stata più interessata a come procedeva la storia personale della protagonista e dei suoi due amici.
Questa serie mi sta piacendo sempre di più, un libro dopo l'altro. L'unica contrindicazione è che, leggendola, mi viene sempre una voglia matta di sgranocchiare qualcosa di cioccolatoso...
Per quanto riguarda questo libro, confesso che non ho capito niente riguardo a chi e perché avesse commesso l'omicidio, forse perché sono stata più interessata a come procedeva la storia personale della protagonista e dei suoi due amici.
September 22, 2018
The Peppermint Mocha Murder is the 5th book in A Chocolate Whisperer series. Hayden Mundy Moore, the chocolate whisperer, travels to Snowy New England to Travis home town to spend Christmas with him, and to see his friends musical. Danny is also there guarding the star of the show. I loved the interaction between Hayden and her bodyguard/ long time friend Danny as well as her "keeper" Travis. Travis is Hayden financial planner, who she recently met in person. Danny and Travis don't like each other, so this adds to the entertainment of the book. Hayden is also attracted to both men.
This book has well developed characters and plot which kept me guessing until the end, and I can't wait for Hayden's next adventure. Not only do you get to travel to different destinations without leaving your home, you can also drool over the food descriptions. I recommend this cozy mystery book and the whole series.
I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This book has well developed characters and plot which kept me guessing until the end, and I can't wait for Hayden's next adventure. Not only do you get to travel to different destinations without leaving your home, you can also drool over the food descriptions. I recommend this cozy mystery book and the whole series.
I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
December 21, 2018
This book was similar to Death by Espresso by Alex Erickson in more than one way. The titles for both are food-based, the narrators are both somewhat annoying women whose relationships are "complicated", and the secondary characters in both books are from the film industry. The act of revealing the murder was more interesting in this book than it was in Death by Espresso, but I couldn't like it any better because the narrator is clearly in love with two men who are both important in her life; she doesn't know which one she loves better so she dallies between the two of them most irritatingly.
One good point about this book is that it can be read as a standalone.
One good point about this book is that it can be read as a standalone.
August 12, 2020
Hayden Mundy Moore is the "chocolate whisperer." Sounds like my dream job. This is the first Chocolate Whisperer Mystery I've read, and it's good. The characters are interesting (especially the potential love triangle between Hayden, Danny, and Travis). A couple of the characters are annoying, but I think they're meant to be. The mystery isn't terribly complex, but it's entertaining. It's a good, solid, cozy mystery.
May 12, 2019
Hayden Mundy Moore, chocolate whisperer, is excited to take a break from working to spend a good old fashioned New England Christmas in the town of Sproutes, Massachusetts with her friend and financial advisor Travis. Travis grew up in Sproutes and Hayden is eager to learn more about her mysterious friend. Hayden is not so eager to solve the mystery of the woman she finds dead face down in a bowl of holiday wassail. Travis fears the death may have been murder and his friend Albany the intended target. Albany has written a best-selling "lightly fictionalized" memoir and play about her crazy family Christmases and the play's premiere is causing some controversy in Sprouts. When Hayden learns her bodyguard pal is also in Sproutes on assignment, she is eager to spend a merry "friendmas" with the guys. Despite Santa pub crawls, holiday lights and makiing chocolate houses for charity, Hayden just can't leave the mystery of the dead play producer alone. She fears the police are covering up for a murderer and Hayden is determined to find out who the murderer is and bring them to justice.
The mystery part of this novel is excellent and would earn 5 stars except that marijuana IS legal in Massachusetts and people DO smoke it on the streets, in public parks, in their cars, homes and everywhere else. Read Cruel Candy for more details about that sort of thing. There are still dealers on the streets I'm sure and exactly what kind of drugs were involved in this story aren't really named. The mystery kept me guessing. I never did figure any of it out. I was surprised at the reveal. I think this is the best mystery plot in the series.
As for the cozy part of the novel, it doesn't appeal to me as much as the mystery, for a change. I've spent nearly every Christmas of my life in New England and I have never once seen a Christmas of the type that appears in this novel. The description here is straight out of the movies. Also, it rarely snows at Christmastime in eastern Massachusetts but the story could be set in western Mass. It doesn't say. The old-fashioned Christmas celebrations are charming and certainly would attract tourists. I did not like the love triangle between Hayden and her guys. She wants her cake and wants to eat it too. There seems to be a fair amount of lust going on and I don't like the one kinda sorta maybe did they didn't they bedroom scene.
None of the new characters are all that appealing. Albany is self-serving and doesn't seem to care about the mess she's created. Who writes a memoir about their crazy family when they're alive and well to be embarrassed by it? That's the only reason I haven't done it! Albany doesn't respect her family enough. She's gratified by all the fame and fortune coming her way. She gets off on the wrong foot with Hayden and Hayden, being super nice, tries to accept Albany but I just don't like her. Her sister is even worse. Ophelia is a spoiled brat who sounds like the daughter of a certain celebrity caught in a college admissions cheating scandal. Ophelia longs to be a social media influencer instead of going to college. Where Hayden sees Ophelia as waiflike and innocent, I see Ophelia as a selfish go-getter like her sister but worse. Their brother, Cashel, is a mixed bag. Sometimes he's charming and sometimes he's rude. Their mother, Linda, the local newspaper editor, seems to be both kind and formidable at the same time. At home she was a loving mother to her children and Travis but at work she comes across as completely different. I don't like her much. When we finally meet Joe Sullivan, it becomes easier to see why his kids are the way they are.
Tansy, a famous actress going incognito in Spoutes, is Danny's client for the moment. She's stunningly gorgeous and keeps Danny around as "eye candy." I don't approve of objectifying other human beings and found this gross. Apparently Hayden thinks it's OK if it's a woman doing it to a man. She isn't above ogling Danny herself. Tansy is said to be a bad actress and a "Hollywood type" but she seems very sweet and nice for a famous celebrity. Zach, the B & B owner rubbed me the wrong way. He doesn't seem truly shy or introverted but more interested in popularity than running a good B & B. Hayden thinks he's very nice and connects to him but Hayden thinks everyone is nice. Donna Brown, teacher and theater director, is one of the more sympathetic of the new characters. What has happened to her is completely wrong and horrible but she also should have been a little more humble about her past relationship with Albany. I was shocked and saddened by her storyline.
If you're reading this series for the first time, you can read this as a standalone but I wouldn't recommend starting here. Hayden does very little baking/chocolatier work and her recipe for chocolate chocolate peppermint cookies isn't included in this book. I HATE coffee and therefore, do not enjoy mocha. I really want the recipe for chocolate cookies with white chocolate frosting and crushed peppermint. They sound better than peppermint mocha cookies. I did learn a new new baking tips from Hayden and will keep them in mind next time I make cookies.
The mystery part of this novel is excellent and would earn 5 stars except that marijuana IS legal in Massachusetts and people DO smoke it on the streets, in public parks, in their cars, homes and everywhere else. Read Cruel Candy for more details about that sort of thing. There are still dealers on the streets I'm sure and exactly what kind of drugs were involved in this story aren't really named. The mystery kept me guessing. I never did figure any of it out. I was surprised at the reveal. I think this is the best mystery plot in the series.
As for the cozy part of the novel, it doesn't appeal to me as much as the mystery, for a change. I've spent nearly every Christmas of my life in New England and I have never once seen a Christmas of the type that appears in this novel. The description here is straight out of the movies. Also, it rarely snows at Christmastime in eastern Massachusetts but the story could be set in western Mass. It doesn't say. The old-fashioned Christmas celebrations are charming and certainly would attract tourists. I did not like the love triangle between Hayden and her guys. She wants her cake and wants to eat it too. There seems to be a fair amount of lust going on and I don't like the one kinda sorta maybe did they didn't they bedroom scene.
None of the new characters are all that appealing. Albany is self-serving and doesn't seem to care about the mess she's created. Who writes a memoir about their crazy family when they're alive and well to be embarrassed by it? That's the only reason I haven't done it! Albany doesn't respect her family enough. She's gratified by all the fame and fortune coming her way. She gets off on the wrong foot with Hayden and Hayden, being super nice, tries to accept Albany but I just don't like her. Her sister is even worse. Ophelia is a spoiled brat who sounds like the daughter of a certain celebrity caught in a college admissions cheating scandal. Ophelia longs to be a social media influencer instead of going to college. Where Hayden sees Ophelia as waiflike and innocent, I see Ophelia as a selfish go-getter like her sister but worse. Their brother, Cashel, is a mixed bag. Sometimes he's charming and sometimes he's rude. Their mother, Linda, the local newspaper editor, seems to be both kind and formidable at the same time. At home she was a loving mother to her children and Travis but at work she comes across as completely different. I don't like her much. When we finally meet Joe Sullivan, it becomes easier to see why his kids are the way they are.
Tansy, a famous actress going incognito in Spoutes, is Danny's client for the moment. She's stunningly gorgeous and keeps Danny around as "eye candy." I don't approve of objectifying other human beings and found this gross. Apparently Hayden thinks it's OK if it's a woman doing it to a man. She isn't above ogling Danny herself. Tansy is said to be a bad actress and a "Hollywood type" but she seems very sweet and nice for a famous celebrity. Zach, the B & B owner rubbed me the wrong way. He doesn't seem truly shy or introverted but more interested in popularity than running a good B & B. Hayden thinks he's very nice and connects to him but Hayden thinks everyone is nice. Donna Brown, teacher and theater director, is one of the more sympathetic of the new characters. What has happened to her is completely wrong and horrible but she also should have been a little more humble about her past relationship with Albany. I was shocked and saddened by her storyline.
If you're reading this series for the first time, you can read this as a standalone but I wouldn't recommend starting here. Hayden does very little baking/chocolatier work and her recipe for chocolate chocolate peppermint cookies isn't included in this book. I HATE coffee and therefore, do not enjoy mocha. I really want the recipe for chocolate cookies with white chocolate frosting and crushed peppermint. They sound better than peppermint mocha cookies. I did learn a new new baking tips from Hayden and will keep them in mind next time I make cookies.
October 13, 2018
“Peppermint Mocha Murder” earns 4/5 Truffles…murderously Fun!
First, it says ‘chocolate whisperer.’ Next, it says ‘peppermint mocha.” Last, it says ‘Christmastime.’ To me that is the trifecta of cozy entertainment! I started as an eager newbie of Colette London’s work, and she provided more than enough references to background and character connections to keep me engaged and make me a fan. Hayden Mundy Moore travels the world honing her expertise in all things chocolate and lending her talents to clients who wish to develop wonderful chocolate delicacies. However, except for a few traditional chocolate items gracing the holiday season, she knows Christmas is better known for other delicacies and she can expect some well-deserved time off. But what starts as a marvelous opportunity for “New England-style Christmas cheer” with friend/business advisor Travis Turner and maybe a chance to experiment with peppermint mocha truffles, turns into a body found and police thinking it an accident. But, it becomes clear, at least to Hayden, it is murder, and the investigation is fraught with look-alikes, secrets, family mysteries, and a romantic triangles…totally entertaining!
The first-person narrative included delightful descriptions to entertain the senses, and Hayden’s inner thoughts provided tie-ins to the drama and fascinating, not at all obtrusive, historical and culinary facts and information on chocolate. The banter among well-developed characters was engaging with a nice bit a humor. The mystery was traditional cozy, and I figured it out before then final reveal. And my favorite words…recipes included! Along with helpful “Notes from Hayden,” each easy-to-follow recipe highlights peppermint mocha to make your holidays scrumptious: cookies, fudge, dipped pretzels, no-bake mini cheesecakes, and of course, to accompany your treats, the perfect peppermint mocha!
"Disclosure: I received an ARC from NetGalley. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments."
First, it says ‘chocolate whisperer.’ Next, it says ‘peppermint mocha.” Last, it says ‘Christmastime.’ To me that is the trifecta of cozy entertainment! I started as an eager newbie of Colette London’s work, and she provided more than enough references to background and character connections to keep me engaged and make me a fan. Hayden Mundy Moore travels the world honing her expertise in all things chocolate and lending her talents to clients who wish to develop wonderful chocolate delicacies. However, except for a few traditional chocolate items gracing the holiday season, she knows Christmas is better known for other delicacies and she can expect some well-deserved time off. But what starts as a marvelous opportunity for “New England-style Christmas cheer” with friend/business advisor Travis Turner and maybe a chance to experiment with peppermint mocha truffles, turns into a body found and police thinking it an accident. But, it becomes clear, at least to Hayden, it is murder, and the investigation is fraught with look-alikes, secrets, family mysteries, and a romantic triangles…totally entertaining!
The first-person narrative included delightful descriptions to entertain the senses, and Hayden’s inner thoughts provided tie-ins to the drama and fascinating, not at all obtrusive, historical and culinary facts and information on chocolate. The banter among well-developed characters was engaging with a nice bit a humor. The mystery was traditional cozy, and I figured it out before then final reveal. And my favorite words…recipes included! Along with helpful “Notes from Hayden,” each easy-to-follow recipe highlights peppermint mocha to make your holidays scrumptious: cookies, fudge, dipped pretzels, no-bake mini cheesecakes, and of course, to accompany your treats, the perfect peppermint mocha!
"Disclosure: I received an ARC from NetGalley. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments."
September 20, 2018
What could be better than a trip to a small New England town for Christmas. That’s how Hayden Mundy Moore, a chocolatier, feels when her financial advisor and friend, Travis, invites her to his hometown. He invites her to join him and his friend Albany for the premier of the musical adaptation of Albany’s recent book.
On her first night in town, Hayden can’t sleep so she decides to make chocolate peppermint truffles to surprise the owner and guests of the B&B where she is staying. Instead of making her way into the kitchen, however, she finds herself in the dining room. There she discovers the body of a woman who she later finds out is the producer of the musical. The police seem to think her death was nothing more than an accident. Hayden has questions though, and she decides to investigate it herself. Along the way she discovers what secrets this little town holds.
I really appreciated the setting for this book. It did a great job of setting a Christmas atmosphere even with a murder hanging over the town. The delicious sounding chocolate treats don’t hurt either. There is a great cast of characters in this book. However, I don’t feel like Hayden was able to ever really able to find out the who, what, when, why, and how about each of the characters. It makes her conclusions at the end of the book seem a little weak. The book was still very enjoyable to read, and I hope to go back and read the first five books in the series.
I think fans of other cooking mysteries will enjoy this book.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.
On her first night in town, Hayden can’t sleep so she decides to make chocolate peppermint truffles to surprise the owner and guests of the B&B where she is staying. Instead of making her way into the kitchen, however, she finds herself in the dining room. There she discovers the body of a woman who she later finds out is the producer of the musical. The police seem to think her death was nothing more than an accident. Hayden has questions though, and she decides to investigate it herself. Along the way she discovers what secrets this little town holds.
I really appreciated the setting for this book. It did a great job of setting a Christmas atmosphere even with a murder hanging over the town. The delicious sounding chocolate treats don’t hurt either. There is a great cast of characters in this book. However, I don’t feel like Hayden was able to ever really able to find out the who, what, when, why, and how about each of the characters. It makes her conclusions at the end of the book seem a little weak. The book was still very enjoyable to read, and I hope to go back and read the first five books in the series.
I think fans of other cooking mysteries will enjoy this book.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.
December 23, 2018
Merry Christmas, Hayden! Here is our sleuth heading to a wonderful holiday when the good mystery strikes. Soon I was enthralled in the murder and suspect list. Now many couldn’t really cry too many tears for the victim but Hayden still gets justice served with a nice cup of cocoa. My love for this book was really the setting, it was just so charming! I know many of the cozy settings seem the same but this one was extra magical for the holiday season. So if you are looking for a read that has the perfect holiday setting here it is!
September 11, 2018
It's beginning to look like Christmas for Hayden Mundy Moore. On vacation from providing her sought-after expertise in all things chocolate, Hayden heads to snowy New England with her friend and financial advisor, Travis, for the opening of his pal's highly touted holiday musical. When the show's producer is murdered, Hayden trades sampling Chocolate Santa’s for finding the killer.
Soon Hayden discovers there's more to Travis's chic hometown than mulled wine and cocoa cookies. Almost no one, including Travis, is quite what they seem. Did the show's lead have more savage motives than stardom? Could the dead producer's husband have felt murderous envy for his successful wife? Getting behind the mistletoe and jingle bells will take all of Hayden's savvy if she hopes to catch a killer with a heart more bitter than the darkest truffle.
--
Series: A Chocolate Whisperer Mystery - Book 5
Author: Colette London (AKA: Lisa Plumley)
Genre: Cozy/Culinary Mystery
Publisher: Kensington Books
Publishing Date: September 25, 2018
Rating: 3 Books
Colette London is a good writer. She has a vivid imagination and works in the details without missing a beat or distracting from the story. Most of her characters are lively and memorable with enough oddness to make them normal. This holds true, especially in The Peppermint Mocha Murder.
Hayden wants to enjoy Christmas like she hasn’t in many years. She wants it all, snow, carols, lights, and presents. But she learns that things don’t always turn out the way you want them. She is a bit immature, and on occasion can take things too far when she wants information. This is particularly true when it comes to finding out more about Travis’ past.
Other characters in this book are entertaining and at times thought-provoking. In particular, Travis and Danny. There is a bit of dislike and completeness between the two men, and it appears that Hayden may have to choose between them. The tension allows the reader to want to know more about both men and their relationship with Hayden. This gives the book a bit of an edge at times.
For many readers, the constant talk about chocolate can get to be a bit much, even for a chocoholic. Although it is an important part of Hayden’s life, it shouldn’t be the main focus. Also, and this may be a sticking point for me, knowing the law and what a person can get by with, makes Hayden’s inheritance restrictions unbelievable. No one, even someone who is leaving you a great deal of money can put a constraint that does not allow you to settle down in a home on a permanent basis.
Because of the inheritance situation, it also limits what can be done with the character in future installments. It makes it difficult to generate interest in the setting. It might be better if the character must always travel, to place her in exotic locations around the globe instead of a small New England town or other small towns in future editions.
The murder itself is intriguing, and the suspects are credible. The killer is unexpected and yet seems to be appropriate. All the clues are in the story that the reader needs to solve the murder. Some are well disguised and takes some thinking to make sense.
The Peppermint Mocha Murder is a fun read even with a few issues. The premise is original, and hopefully, the author will be able to find a solution to the problems without diminishing the enjoyment of writing the series or reading it.
Soon Hayden discovers there's more to Travis's chic hometown than mulled wine and cocoa cookies. Almost no one, including Travis, is quite what they seem. Did the show's lead have more savage motives than stardom? Could the dead producer's husband have felt murderous envy for his successful wife? Getting behind the mistletoe and jingle bells will take all of Hayden's savvy if she hopes to catch a killer with a heart more bitter than the darkest truffle.
--
Series: A Chocolate Whisperer Mystery - Book 5
Author: Colette London (AKA: Lisa Plumley)
Genre: Cozy/Culinary Mystery
Publisher: Kensington Books
Publishing Date: September 25, 2018
Rating: 3 Books
Colette London is a good writer. She has a vivid imagination and works in the details without missing a beat or distracting from the story. Most of her characters are lively and memorable with enough oddness to make them normal. This holds true, especially in The Peppermint Mocha Murder.
Hayden wants to enjoy Christmas like she hasn’t in many years. She wants it all, snow, carols, lights, and presents. But she learns that things don’t always turn out the way you want them. She is a bit immature, and on occasion can take things too far when she wants information. This is particularly true when it comes to finding out more about Travis’ past.
Other characters in this book are entertaining and at times thought-provoking. In particular, Travis and Danny. There is a bit of dislike and completeness between the two men, and it appears that Hayden may have to choose between them. The tension allows the reader to want to know more about both men and their relationship with Hayden. This gives the book a bit of an edge at times.
For many readers, the constant talk about chocolate can get to be a bit much, even for a chocoholic. Although it is an important part of Hayden’s life, it shouldn’t be the main focus. Also, and this may be a sticking point for me, knowing the law and what a person can get by with, makes Hayden’s inheritance restrictions unbelievable. No one, even someone who is leaving you a great deal of money can put a constraint that does not allow you to settle down in a home on a permanent basis.
Because of the inheritance situation, it also limits what can be done with the character in future installments. It makes it difficult to generate interest in the setting. It might be better if the character must always travel, to place her in exotic locations around the globe instead of a small New England town or other small towns in future editions.
The murder itself is intriguing, and the suspects are credible. The killer is unexpected and yet seems to be appropriate. All the clues are in the story that the reader needs to solve the murder. Some are well disguised and takes some thinking to make sense.
The Peppermint Mocha Murder is a fun read even with a few issues. The premise is original, and hopefully, the author will be able to find a solution to the problems without diminishing the enjoyment of writing the series or reading it.
August 26, 2018
3.5 Stars
The Peppermint Mocha Murder is the fourth book in Colette London's Chocolate Whisperer mystery series. The mystery was interesting but seemed to be somewhat overshadowed by Hayden’s obsession, jealousy, and insecurities over Travis and digging into his past. Some details and descriptions seemed to drag on too long, especially the cookie baking with Josh. This is a clean read, with colorful characters and a touch of humor. There’s no shortage of suspects and multiple people who might have been the intended victim.
Hayden Mundy Moore is a chocolate whisperer and travels the world practicing her art. Travis Turner is her friend, advisor, number cruncher, and arranges consulting work and vets clients for her. He also monitors the trust fund her beloved, eccentric Uncle Ross left her. The inheritance has a few strings attached – Hayden’s required to travel at least six months out of the year. Danny Jamieson is an in-demand LA-based security expert, her oldest friend, closest confidant, and bodyguard buddy. Haley and Danny have a romantic history.
Travis invited Hayden to spend Christmas in Sproutes, Massachusetts and attend the premiere of a holiday-themed musical entitled Christmas in Crazytown that’s based on a sensational lightly fictionalized memoir one of his childhood friends, Albany Sullivan, wrote about her life growing up in Sproutes. Zach Johnson, the host of the B&B she’s staying at, agreed to give her free range in the kitchen, so finding herself unable to sleep, Hayden got up early and headed down to the kitchen to make some chocolate treats. She hadn’t made it to the kitchen when she stumbled upon the body woman sprawled on the dining room floor, with a punch bowl nearby and wassail spilled on her. She originally thought Albany Sullivan was the person on the floor, but learned the deceased was Melissa Balthasar, who, along with her husband, Roger, was one of the musical’s producers, and that multiple women were Albany look-alikes. The authorities declared it to be an accidental death, and even though there were no signs of injury or struggle, Hayden, Travis, and Danny, who was there as Tansy Park’s bodyguard, doubted they were right. Hayden can’t resist an investigation and although Danny felt it was quite possible the killer had targeted Melissa, she couldn’t help but wonder if Albany or one of the other look-alikes had been the intended victim. Travis is convinced it was a missed attack on Albany. Besides Melissa Balthasar, the look-alikes included Tansy Park, a world-famous sitcom star and sex symbol who is staring at Christmas in Crazytown and Albany’s sister, Ophelia Sullivan, is Tansy’s understudy and a social media influencer. The trio begins their amateur sleuthing into with too many suspects and look-alikes, hoping to keep it on the down low.
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.
The Peppermint Mocha Murder is the fourth book in Colette London's Chocolate Whisperer mystery series. The mystery was interesting but seemed to be somewhat overshadowed by Hayden’s obsession, jealousy, and insecurities over Travis and digging into his past. Some details and descriptions seemed to drag on too long, especially the cookie baking with Josh. This is a clean read, with colorful characters and a touch of humor. There’s no shortage of suspects and multiple people who might have been the intended victim.
Hayden Mundy Moore is a chocolate whisperer and travels the world practicing her art. Travis Turner is her friend, advisor, number cruncher, and arranges consulting work and vets clients for her. He also monitors the trust fund her beloved, eccentric Uncle Ross left her. The inheritance has a few strings attached – Hayden’s required to travel at least six months out of the year. Danny Jamieson is an in-demand LA-based security expert, her oldest friend, closest confidant, and bodyguard buddy. Haley and Danny have a romantic history.
Travis invited Hayden to spend Christmas in Sproutes, Massachusetts and attend the premiere of a holiday-themed musical entitled Christmas in Crazytown that’s based on a sensational lightly fictionalized memoir one of his childhood friends, Albany Sullivan, wrote about her life growing up in Sproutes. Zach Johnson, the host of the B&B she’s staying at, agreed to give her free range in the kitchen, so finding herself unable to sleep, Hayden got up early and headed down to the kitchen to make some chocolate treats. She hadn’t made it to the kitchen when she stumbled upon the body woman sprawled on the dining room floor, with a punch bowl nearby and wassail spilled on her. She originally thought Albany Sullivan was the person on the floor, but learned the deceased was Melissa Balthasar, who, along with her husband, Roger, was one of the musical’s producers, and that multiple women were Albany look-alikes. The authorities declared it to be an accidental death, and even though there were no signs of injury or struggle, Hayden, Travis, and Danny, who was there as Tansy Park’s bodyguard, doubted they were right. Hayden can’t resist an investigation and although Danny felt it was quite possible the killer had targeted Melissa, she couldn’t help but wonder if Albany or one of the other look-alikes had been the intended victim. Travis is convinced it was a missed attack on Albany. Besides Melissa Balthasar, the look-alikes included Tansy Park, a world-famous sitcom star and sex symbol who is staring at Christmas in Crazytown and Albany’s sister, Ophelia Sullivan, is Tansy’s understudy and a social media influencer. The trio begins their amateur sleuthing into with too many suspects and look-alikes, hoping to keep it on the down low.
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.
December 13, 2025
I'll preface this by saying cozy mysteries aren't really my thing. Maybe all my complaints about this book are genre conventions, who knows. Anyway, the writing was vapid and wordy (I never want to read the phrase "my bodyguard buddy" ever again...). The way she kept switching between spelling it "B&B" and "B and B" made me irrationally angry. It felt like she was just trying to reach her allotted word count any way she could.
The characters were all one-dimensional and annoying, especially the main character, which is a real detriment in a book written in first-person perspective. The murder investigation kept getting pushed to the side for unrelated activities. Also, the "love triangle" between Hayden and her two male friends just got on my nerves. I hated the way the author explained the roles of the two guys every single time they appeared, as if we may have somehow forgotten. I also rolled my eyes really hard at the fact that in this book about chocolate, the main character both talks about loving to eat chocolate at every opportunity, and acts all repentant about eating two whole pastries for breakfast. Miss me with that diet culture bullshit. Your character is a chocolate lover so commit to it, god damn it.
The book only got interesting in the last 50 pages or so, but even still, it used that lazy writing trick I hate seeing in mysteries, where the author simply decides not to reveal to the reader information the characters are discussing. Such as "we all looked to see the evidence I had expected, which put the pieces into place" -- while not telling us what the evidence is. The final confrontation with the culprit was interesting, but a huge part of the mystery hinged on the sleuth forgetting that google exists (literally she says in-text that she didn't remember to google the guy she was investigating until that point). That one interesting scene.
Overall a bad reading experience. One thing I will give it though, is that it includes some great recipes at the back. Those are the reason this isn't a one-star review. I recommend the fudge and the cookies. But as a heads up, you'll want to make each cookie with ~1TB of dough instead of the ~3TB the author instructs.
The characters were all one-dimensional and annoying, especially the main character, which is a real detriment in a book written in first-person perspective. The murder investigation kept getting pushed to the side for unrelated activities. Also, the "love triangle" between Hayden and her two male friends just got on my nerves. I hated the way the author explained the roles of the two guys every single time they appeared, as if we may have somehow forgotten. I also rolled my eyes really hard at the fact that in this book about chocolate, the main character both talks about loving to eat chocolate at every opportunity, and acts all repentant about eating two whole pastries for breakfast. Miss me with that diet culture bullshit. Your character is a chocolate lover so commit to it, god damn it.
The book only got interesting in the last 50 pages or so, but even still, it used that lazy writing trick I hate seeing in mysteries, where the author simply decides not to reveal to the reader information the characters are discussing. Such as "we all looked to see the evidence I had expected, which put the pieces into place" -- while not telling us what the evidence is. The final confrontation with the culprit was interesting, but a huge part of the mystery hinged on the sleuth forgetting that google exists (literally she says in-text that she didn't remember to google the guy she was investigating until that point). That one interesting scene.
Overall a bad reading experience. One thing I will give it though, is that it includes some great recipes at the back. Those are the reason this isn't a one-star review. I recommend the fudge and the cookies. But as a heads up, you'll want to make each cookie with ~1TB of dough instead of the ~3TB the author instructs.
December 18, 2018
A chocolate whisperer.....what fun that must be !!! And this chocolate whisperer has a trust fund that stipulates that she has to travel a lot, she works with people to create chocolate wonders, has a financial advisor, Travis and a bodyguard, Danny who are her closest friends, and she solves murders !!! The Chocolate Whisperer Mystery series by Colette London is a GREAT series to get lost in and The Peppermint Mocha Murder, the fifth book in this series, is AMAZING !!
Even though this was the first book in this series that I have had the pleasure of reading, it felt like it could have been the first. London has a way with her writing to make the reader comfortable as soon as you open the book and start reading. And The Peppermint Mocha Murder has such a comforting setting. You travel with Hayden, the choocolate whisperer as she goes to a quaint little town which happens to be Travis's hometown right before Christmas. Hayden is there for the opening of Travis's friend's holiday musical but before she even gets settled into her room at the B and B she is staying at, she comes across a dead body.....the body of one of the producers for the musical !!
As you read The Peppermint Mocha Murder and get to know Hayden and get aquainted with the people and the surroundings in this adorable little town, you soon realize there is more to the musical and the people it portrays...... But don't worry Travis and Danny will always have Hayden's back and you cannot help but love them for it !!
So grab a copy of The Peppermint Mocha Murder, a nice cup of hot chocolate, your comfy blanket and settle in.....you won't want to stop reading it !!
Even though this was the first book in this series that I have had the pleasure of reading, it felt like it could have been the first. London has a way with her writing to make the reader comfortable as soon as you open the book and start reading. And The Peppermint Mocha Murder has such a comforting setting. You travel with Hayden, the choocolate whisperer as she goes to a quaint little town which happens to be Travis's hometown right before Christmas. Hayden is there for the opening of Travis's friend's holiday musical but before she even gets settled into her room at the B and B she is staying at, she comes across a dead body.....the body of one of the producers for the musical !!
As you read The Peppermint Mocha Murder and get to know Hayden and get aquainted with the people and the surroundings in this adorable little town, you soon realize there is more to the musical and the people it portrays...... But don't worry Travis and Danny will always have Hayden's back and you cannot help but love them for it !!
So grab a copy of The Peppermint Mocha Murder, a nice cup of hot chocolate, your comfy blanket and settle in.....you won't want to stop reading it !!
August 24, 2018
It’s beginning to look like a merry Christmas for Hayden Mundy Moore. On vacation from providing her sought-after expertise in all things chocolate, Hayden heads to snowy New England with her friend and financial advisor, Travis, for the opening of his pal’s highly-touted holiday musical. But when the show’s producer is murdered, Hayden trades sampling Chocolate Santas for finding the killer—especially since this time, Travis is the one asking for her help . . .
Soon Hayden discovers there’s more to Travis’s chic hometown than mulled wine and cocoa cookies. But that’s just the beginning. Almost no one, including Travis, is quite what they seem. Did the show’s lead have more savage motives than stardom? Could the dead producer’s husband have felt a murderous envy for his successful wife? Getting behind the mistletoe and jingle bells will take all of Hayden’s savvy—along with some super caffeinated Peppermint Mochas—if she hopes to catch a killer with a heart more bitter than the darkest truffle
I liked the storyline and getting to know the characters. I had not read the first 4 books of the series but I don't feel like I was missing anything, This authors writing had me yelling at her. So Hayden calls Travis her financial consultant and her keeper, constantly, all in one paragraph, So one sentence would have it so Travis said something to her and the next sentence it would have it say her financial consultant said it to her or her keeper. Why we had to keep getting it drilled in our her throughout the whole book that he was her friend, financial consultant and her keeper was beyond me. Also Danny was her friend but also bodyguard and so the author also did the same thing in the same paragraphs. It only had to be told to us once at the beginning. I don't think i will read anymore of this series.
I received this from NetGalley for an honest review.
Soon Hayden discovers there’s more to Travis’s chic hometown than mulled wine and cocoa cookies. But that’s just the beginning. Almost no one, including Travis, is quite what they seem. Did the show’s lead have more savage motives than stardom? Could the dead producer’s husband have felt a murderous envy for his successful wife? Getting behind the mistletoe and jingle bells will take all of Hayden’s savvy—along with some super caffeinated Peppermint Mochas—if she hopes to catch a killer with a heart more bitter than the darkest truffle
I liked the storyline and getting to know the characters. I had not read the first 4 books of the series but I don't feel like I was missing anything, This authors writing had me yelling at her. So Hayden calls Travis her financial consultant and her keeper, constantly, all in one paragraph, So one sentence would have it so Travis said something to her and the next sentence it would have it say her financial consultant said it to her or her keeper. Why we had to keep getting it drilled in our her throughout the whole book that he was her friend, financial consultant and her keeper was beyond me. Also Danny was her friend but also bodyguard and so the author also did the same thing in the same paragraphs. It only had to be told to us once at the beginning. I don't think i will read anymore of this series.
I received this from NetGalley for an honest review.
August 13, 2018
I never learned so much about Chocolate. At times I thought I smelled chocolate!
It was a very interesting story. Two murders Hayden needed to solve them. She does this every so often, but her main job is making chocolate treats.
In this book she is going to spend Christmas with her two friends in Stroutes, Mass. in the cold north.
She meets up with Travis and Danny her on and off bodyguard. She is excited to spend the holidays with them and in a holiday B and B.
When she arrives she has the use of the BNB kitchen, but then finds a dead body in the dining room!
Then the fun begins, the story is fun, full of holiday decorations and many parties for everyone.
She is at the BnB to attend a showing of a new play, Christmas in Crazytown written by Travis' childhood friend Albany Sullivan.
Hayden ends up investigating everyone about the murders. It is a much read book, to find out who dun it!
It is very well written and enjoyable with all the Christmas activities and decorations.
Well worth the time to read!
It was a very interesting story. Two murders Hayden needed to solve them. She does this every so often, but her main job is making chocolate treats.
In this book she is going to spend Christmas with her two friends in Stroutes, Mass. in the cold north.
She meets up with Travis and Danny her on and off bodyguard. She is excited to spend the holidays with them and in a holiday B and B.
When she arrives she has the use of the BNB kitchen, but then finds a dead body in the dining room!
Then the fun begins, the story is fun, full of holiday decorations and many parties for everyone.
She is at the BnB to attend a showing of a new play, Christmas in Crazytown written by Travis' childhood friend Albany Sullivan.
Hayden ends up investigating everyone about the murders. It is a much read book, to find out who dun it!
It is very well written and enjoyable with all the Christmas activities and decorations.
Well worth the time to read!
October 17, 2018
First off, thanks to #NetGalley & #Kensington books for the opportunity to read an eBook ARC of this title. This is the first book I've read in this series and the cover looked so yummy I couldn't resist it. The setting was great, New England at Christmas and the story was pretty good, even if all the look-alikes were a bit of a stretch. I just didn't care much for the heroine. Hayden seemed obsessed with her financial advisor, Travis. If you could get past her preoccupation with that, it was okay. I might read another of these, but wouldn't rush to do so. (less)
January 12, 2019
This is the first book I've read by this author, and it was fun. I may, or may not, read any of the others in the series but it is a nice "comfort" mystery that didn't insult my intelligence overly much. Nice chocolate recipes!
October 13, 2018
I liked the premise of the book, the chocolate whisperer, the triangle of which man she is going to be with did not go over well with me. I would go after Travis in a Southern girl way; he would never know what hit him; until we were at the altar! The mystery was okay; you knew who the murderer was, just from his absence! As far as chocolate not being a Christmas staple, come to the South! We always a myriad of fudge, preferably dark! Nut Clusters covered in Dark Chocolate, Milk, or White. Dark Chocolate homemade ice cream, Chocolate Chiffon pie, Chocolate fudge pie, Decadent Chocolate Cake, Best Brownies in the World, Double Chocolate Chip Cookies, not to mention homemade dark Cocoa. We eat Chocolate Delight, Chocolate Yummy; I forget some recipes. However, the point is, there is always excellent Chocolate around for Christmas! I found this part of the book poorly researched. I would read another, because of my like for the main characters in this book; only if Travis gets the girl.
Thank you Netgalley.
Carolintallahassee
Thank you Netgalley.
Carolintallahassee
September 29, 2018
Ebook/Mystery: I loved the cover. I loved the description summary. Who wouldn't love getting away from Las Vegas to celebrate Christmas in a snowy B&B. I was all in. And then I read the book. This book is well into a series. It has chocolate, doppelgangers, and unrequited romance. I don't don't why I didn't like it more. Hayden was so dull. She's independently wealthy with a trust fund and not having any real problems, I don't know. I just couldn't relate. I learned a lot about chocolate and I plan to try the mocha recipes in the back. I really can't recommend it. To me, it was less than average.
I did get this book from NetGalley in lieu of an honest review.
I did get this book from NetGalley in lieu of an honest review.
September 29, 2018
This is the 5th book in series and one of my favorites. I love every book in this outstanding series. If you love a good murder sleuth, chocolate and fun charcters you will love this series as much as I do. I highly recommend this next in series for your reading enjoyment. Here is the list of all the books in the series. Each book is a delight of chocolate that the reader can indulge in without the calories !
1. Criminal Confections (2015)
2. Dangerously Dark (2015)
3. The Semi-Sweet Hereafter (2016)
4. Dead and Ganache (2017)
5. The Peppermint Mocha Murder (2018)
In this next in series our protagonist Hayden is celebrating the Christmas season with a trip to a charming New England town. Her friend Travis has invited her to his hometown with another friend for a premier of a musical.
Hayden decides to make chocolate peppermint truffles to surprise the owner and guests of the B&B where she is staying. When she is up during the night baking she discovers the body of a woman who is the producer of the musical. The police seem to think it was an accident and want to close the case. Hayden has questions that she feels lend toward murder and she decides to investigate . As she begins to piece together clues and suspects she finds interesting secrets about the town and soon is on the right path . Soon she manages to be the one solving the murder and with help from her friends and a lot of delicious chocolate she discovers the right suspect!
This is a lovely Christmas setting and perfect for fall reading . There are enjoyable supporting characters that all add to the plot and setting. I highly recommend this next in series. Thank you for the ARC to the author and publisher and Net Galley. I have cross referenced reviews on Net Galley, Good Reads and Amazon for the author under Cozy Cat Reviews. I look forward to the next in series !
1. Criminal Confections (2015)
2. Dangerously Dark (2015)
3. The Semi-Sweet Hereafter (2016)
4. Dead and Ganache (2017)
5. The Peppermint Mocha Murder (2018)
In this next in series our protagonist Hayden is celebrating the Christmas season with a trip to a charming New England town. Her friend Travis has invited her to his hometown with another friend for a premier of a musical.
Hayden decides to make chocolate peppermint truffles to surprise the owner and guests of the B&B where she is staying. When she is up during the night baking she discovers the body of a woman who is the producer of the musical. The police seem to think it was an accident and want to close the case. Hayden has questions that she feels lend toward murder and she decides to investigate . As she begins to piece together clues and suspects she finds interesting secrets about the town and soon is on the right path . Soon she manages to be the one solving the murder and with help from her friends and a lot of delicious chocolate she discovers the right suspect!
This is a lovely Christmas setting and perfect for fall reading . There are enjoyable supporting characters that all add to the plot and setting. I highly recommend this next in series. Thank you for the ARC to the author and publisher and Net Galley. I have cross referenced reviews on Net Galley, Good Reads and Amazon for the author under Cozy Cat Reviews. I look forward to the next in series !
May 4, 2020
It’s beginning to look like a merry Christmas for Hayden Mundy Moore. On vacation from providing her sought-after expertise in all things chocolate, Hayden heads to snowy New England with her friend and financial advisor, Travis, for the opening of his pal’s highly-touted holiday musical. But when the show’s producer is murdered, Hayden trades sampling Chocolate Santas for finding the killer—especially since this time, Travis is the one asking for her help . . .
Soon Hayden discovers there’s more to Travis’s chic hometown than mulled wine and cocoa cookies. But that’s just the beginning. Almost no one, including Travis, is quite what they seem. Did the show’s lead have more savage motives than stardom? Could the dead producer’s husband have felt a murderous envy for his successful wife? Getting behind the mistletoe and jingle bells will take all of Hayden’s savvy—along with some super caffeinated Peppermint Mochas—if she hopes to catch a killer with a heart more bitter than the darkest truffle.
This was the first book I have read in this series. It was a quick read. It had interesting characters. The flow could have been better when what the main character revealed throughout the book.
Soon Hayden discovers there’s more to Travis’s chic hometown than mulled wine and cocoa cookies. But that’s just the beginning. Almost no one, including Travis, is quite what they seem. Did the show’s lead have more savage motives than stardom? Could the dead producer’s husband have felt a murderous envy for his successful wife? Getting behind the mistletoe and jingle bells will take all of Hayden’s savvy—along with some super caffeinated Peppermint Mochas—if she hopes to catch a killer with a heart more bitter than the darkest truffle.
This was the first book I have read in this series. It was a quick read. It had interesting characters. The flow could have been better when what the main character revealed throughout the book.
Read
December 2, 2024Very good book - I don't know why I waited 6 years to read it! Hayden is in her accountant's hometown for Christmas and her friend/bodyguard is there too with a client (who uses him as "arm candy") and wherever Hayden goes (with chocolate to make) trouble follows. This time she awakes early to make the promised chocolate houses for her host and finds a dead woman she thinks is the celebrity hometown girl but turns out to be the producer and wife of the Executive producer. In her quest to ferret out the truth (while fulfilling her promise) she captures a crooked cop, his drug addled killer son and makes a new friend - the hometown girl! She also finds disparaging stories about her accountant that make her head swim - was he a poor orphan that spent days with the aforementioned hometown girl or did he come from a well to do family and just hang out with the girl? The truth was somewhere in the middle and Christmas was merry. Too bad it's the last book in the series as it would be nice to see AT LEAST one more go round for Hayden, but alas the author is onto other series (and names!)
December 24, 2024
I wanted to really love this one. Christmas, chocolate, murder and romance? It had the potential to be a 5 star, but the constant “I know absolutely nothing about how life works” attitude of Hayden got annoying. I get that she grew up in an unconventional home, but no one is that stupid about normal things. She didn’t know what the initials AA were for? Come on. It took what could have been a strong female lead, and made her seem dumb and ditzy. Add in, she always seemed to be able to pull out super complicated boxes of chocolate from her bag, that she “just so happened to have”, yet when did she have time to make them, much less wrap them? If the author had instead written in her making the chocolates at night while working on the case, that would have made more sense. Then finally the “I love Danny, no I love Travis, no we are all friends, but wait, I’m going to sleep with one of them! Oh wait, no I’m not”, got extremely old. I want to read her other books, but if they are just like this, then I doubt it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2018
Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the digital review copy!
I don't think I have ever read a book with so much chocolate involved! The Peppermint Mocha Murder is part of the Chocolate Whisperer Mystery series by Colette London.
I really liked the Christmas themed elements in the story from the Bed and Breakfast to the Christmas in Crazytown production. I also liked the mixture of humor and romance.
What I found to be a bit annoying is the author's overuse of certain phrases to describe the two main male characters in the story. We have Danny who is the oldest friend, best bud, body guard and protector. Then we have Travis who is the financial advisor, keeper, so on and so forth. Almost every time Travis or Danny were mentioned in the story, it was "Danny my best bud" or "Travis my keeper". It just wasn't necessary, we readers understand who is who and what their relationship was to Hayden our main character.
This book is available late September.
I don't think I have ever read a book with so much chocolate involved! The Peppermint Mocha Murder is part of the Chocolate Whisperer Mystery series by Colette London.
I really liked the Christmas themed elements in the story from the Bed and Breakfast to the Christmas in Crazytown production. I also liked the mixture of humor and romance.
What I found to be a bit annoying is the author's overuse of certain phrases to describe the two main male characters in the story. We have Danny who is the oldest friend, best bud, body guard and protector. Then we have Travis who is the financial advisor, keeper, so on and so forth. Almost every time Travis or Danny were mentioned in the story, it was "Danny my best bud" or "Travis my keeper". It just wasn't necessary, we readers understand who is who and what their relationship was to Hayden our main character.
This book is available late September.
April 20, 2019
A small town Christmas can be deadly
Another great read. A plot that covers a small town Christmas where secrets can turn deadly. Okay which guy will she choose - I know she likes Harvard but the Enforcer is sweet too and he seems ready to settle down and be her 24 hour bodyguard.
When she gets an invitation to join Harvard at Christmas, she is eager to go. Not only will she actually see where he grew up but she might learn more about his background. Her jetlag has her waking up at stupid o'clock and creeping downstairs in the B&B where she is staying. Only to find a dead body! The. Three more lookalikes turn up (to the woman killed) with the Enforcer in tow. A book, drugs, poison, an attempted murder, another murder and more activity then Peyton Place have her running in circles. Will she get the killer off the streets? Which man will she go after?
Another great read. A plot that covers a small town Christmas where secrets can turn deadly. Okay which guy will she choose - I know she likes Harvard but the Enforcer is sweet too and he seems ready to settle down and be her 24 hour bodyguard.
When she gets an invitation to join Harvard at Christmas, she is eager to go. Not only will she actually see where he grew up but she might learn more about his background. Her jetlag has her waking up at stupid o'clock and creeping downstairs in the B&B where she is staying. Only to find a dead body! The. Three more lookalikes turn up (to the woman killed) with the Enforcer in tow. A book, drugs, poison, an attempted murder, another murder and more activity then Peyton Place have her running in circles. Will she get the killer off the streets? Which man will she go after?
February 17, 2019
Chocolatier Hayden Mundy Moore is spending the holiday in Massachusetts with Travis, her accountant and they are staying at a bed and breakfast near where he grew up to catch a musical of a friend he grew up with. Unfortunately a murder occurs instead-- a producer is killed before the show opens. Now Hayden is trying to find out why no one seems to be treating this with the sense of urgency they should be, and in doing so, she unravels a whole cast of characters with secrets and motives that complicates things so.
Not only is the chocolate delicious, but so is the budding romance between Hayden and her 'buddy bodyguard' Danny. Hot! These two need to get it together for real in the next book. Thank you to Kensington and NetGalley to read a copy of the book in exchange for my thoughts.
Not only is the chocolate delicious, but so is the budding romance between Hayden and her 'buddy bodyguard' Danny. Hot! These two need to get it together for real in the next book. Thank you to Kensington and NetGalley to read a copy of the book in exchange for my thoughts.
December 15, 2019
This book was pure cuteness. I picked it up on a whim at the library and it had everything I look for in a festive read. It's got humor, a Hallmark movie-esque setting, hints of romance, and a bit of light murder. And even surprisingly insightful comments on sponsored content on Instagram and influencers? On top of all that, there are literal recipes in the back with comments from the narrator. How cute! Even though it's one in a series, I didnt feel that behind picking up in the middle. Also I didn't guess who the murderer was (but that's probably more a comment on my detectice skills than any major plot twists). I think this would be perfect for people who like Great British Bake Off and My Favorite Murder, and are looking for a thematic read this December.
December 29, 2018
I enjoy this series. This is book 5 in the Chocolate Whisperer Mystery series. Hayden is traveling to New England to enjoy a snowy Christmas with her friends and co-workers. She is staying at a bed and breakfast where she will have access to the kitchen to wow everyone with some of her favorite chocolate concoctions. When she finds a dead body and 3 look a likes, she is investigating who was the intended victim. Travis and Danny are both large parts of the story. Can be read as a stand alone and the recipes at the end are easy and yummy. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
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