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A Chocoholic Mystery #5
The Chocolate Mouse Trap
Chocolate-shop manager Lee McKinney has had enough of party planner Julie Singletree's cutesy e-mails. Then somebody actually kills the woman, putting everyone on her mailing list on edge. As their connections to the murder emerge, so do more attacks. Lee smells a rat-and it's not made of chocolate. And if she doesn't want to be permanently deleted, it's up to her to trap it.
228 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
35 people are currently reading
787 people want to read
About the author
JoAnna Carl
34 books434 followersJOANNA CARL is the pseudonym for the multi-published mystery writer Eve K. Sandstrom. The author writes about the shores of Lake Michigan and has been reviewed in Michigan newspapers as a “regional writer.” She has also written about Southwest Oklahoma and once won an award for the best book of the year with an Oklahoma setting.
Eve K. Sandstrom is an Oklahoman to the teeth: she was born there, as were five previous generations of her mother’s family. Both her grandfathers and her father were in the oil business, once the backbone of Oklahoma’s economy. One grandmother was born in the Choctaw Nation, and Eve is a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Eve and seven other members of her immediate family are graduates of the University of Oklahoma. Eve even knows the second verse of “Boomer Sooner.”
Eve wrote two mystery series: the “Down Home” books, set on a ranch in Southwest Oklahoma, and the Nell Matthews mysteries, semi-hard-boiled books laid in a mid-size city on the Southern Plains.
But Eve married a great guy whose family owned a cottage on the west coast of Lake Michigan, not far from the Michigan towns of Fennville, Saugatuck, and Douglas. Every summer for more than forty years she, her husband and various combinations of children and grandchildren have trekked to the community of Pier Cove for vacations that lasted from two weeks to three months.
The area features gorgeous beaches, lush orchards, thick woods, and beautiful Victorian houses. Eve grew to love it. So when her editor asked her to come up with a new, “cozy” mystery series, Eve set it in a West Michigan resort town, scrambling up Saugatuck, Douglas, South Haven, Holland, Manistee, Ludington and Muskegon with her own ideas of what a resort ought to be to create Warner Pier.
As further background, she plunked her heroine into a business which produces and sells luscious, luxurious, European-style bonbons, truffles and molded chocolates. Most small towns couldn’t support a business like this, but the resorts of West Michigan – with their wealthy “summer people” – can. The “Chocoholic Mysteries” were on their way.
Eve’s editor requested that she use a pen name for the new series, and Eve picked the middle names of her three children, Betsy Jo, Ruth Anna, and John Carl. “JoAnna Carl” was born. So that’s how JoAnna/Eve became a regional author in two widely separated regions.
JoAnna/Eve earned a degree in journalism at the University of Oklahoma and also studied with Carolyn G. Hart and Jack Bickham in the OU Creative Writing Program. She spent more than twenty-five years in the newspaper business, working as a reporter, editor, and columnist at The Lawton Constitution in Lawton, Oklahoma. She took an early retirement to write fiction full-time.
She and her husband, David F. Sandstrom, have three grandchildren, whom they love introducing to the lore of their two homes – Oklahoma and Michigan.
She spent 25 years in the newspaper business as a reporter, feature writer, editor, and columnist, most recently at the Lawton Constitution. She holds a degree in journalism from the University of OK and also studied in the O.U. Professional Writing program. She lives in Oklahoma but summers in Michigan where the Chocoholic Mystery series is set. She has one daughter who is a CPA and another who works for a chocolate company and provides yummy insider information on the chocolate business.
Eve K. Sandstrom is an Oklahoman to the teeth: she was born there, as were five previous generations of her mother’s family. Both her grandfathers and her father were in the oil business, once the backbone of Oklahoma’s economy. One grandmother was born in the Choctaw Nation, and Eve is a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Eve and seven other members of her immediate family are graduates of the University of Oklahoma. Eve even knows the second verse of “Boomer Sooner.”
Eve wrote two mystery series: the “Down Home” books, set on a ranch in Southwest Oklahoma, and the Nell Matthews mysteries, semi-hard-boiled books laid in a mid-size city on the Southern Plains.
But Eve married a great guy whose family owned a cottage on the west coast of Lake Michigan, not far from the Michigan towns of Fennville, Saugatuck, and Douglas. Every summer for more than forty years she, her husband and various combinations of children and grandchildren have trekked to the community of Pier Cove for vacations that lasted from two weeks to three months.
The area features gorgeous beaches, lush orchards, thick woods, and beautiful Victorian houses. Eve grew to love it. So when her editor asked her to come up with a new, “cozy” mystery series, Eve set it in a West Michigan resort town, scrambling up Saugatuck, Douglas, South Haven, Holland, Manistee, Ludington and Muskegon with her own ideas of what a resort ought to be to create Warner Pier.
As further background, she plunked her heroine into a business which produces and sells luscious, luxurious, European-style bonbons, truffles and molded chocolates. Most small towns couldn’t support a business like this, but the resorts of West Michigan – with their wealthy “summer people” – can. The “Chocoholic Mysteries” were on their way.
Eve’s editor requested that she use a pen name for the new series, and Eve picked the middle names of her three children, Betsy Jo, Ruth Anna, and John Carl. “JoAnna Carl” was born. So that’s how JoAnna/Eve became a regional author in two widely separated regions.
JoAnna/Eve earned a degree in journalism at the University of Oklahoma and also studied with Carolyn G. Hart and Jack Bickham in the OU Creative Writing Program. She spent more than twenty-five years in the newspaper business, working as a reporter, editor, and columnist at The Lawton Constitution in Lawton, Oklahoma. She took an early retirement to write fiction full-time.
She and her husband, David F. Sandstrom, have three grandchildren, whom they love introducing to the lore of their two homes – Oklahoma and Michigan.
She spent 25 years in the newspaper business as a reporter, feature writer, editor, and columnist, most recently at the Lawton Constitution. She holds a degree in journalism from the University of OK and also studied in the O.U. Professional Writing program. She lives in Oklahoma but summers in Michigan where the Chocoholic Mystery series is set. She has one daughter who is a CPA and another who works for a chocolate company and provides yummy insider information on the chocolate business.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
February 12, 2021
I really enjoyed this cozy mystery set in western Michigan near Lake Michigan in a small town of Warner Pier. The MC, Lee McKinney is the business manager at TenHuis Chocolad, a family owned chocolate business. She is in a group of other similar small business owners called the Seventh Food Group - wedding planner, florist, B&B owner, caterers. One of their members is found murdered and all their computers are either hacked, stolen or the e-mails wiped out. Lee noses around and tries to help find out what happened.
I really liked the characters, and I didn't feel like I missed out on anything jumping right into the series on book #5, which sometimes happens with cozies. I also loved the little chocolate sayings and quotes and facts scattered throughout the book. I plan to read more in this series.
I really liked the characters, and I didn't feel like I missed out on anything jumping right into the series on book #5, which sometimes happens with cozies. I also loved the little chocolate sayings and quotes and facts scattered throughout the book. I plan to read more in this series.
December 8, 2020
This cozy mystery is the 5th in the series and it's the first one I've read; however, I didn't get the sense that I missed anything from previous books. If there are characters or other aspects of previoius books it isn't evident. I do this all the time due to challenges.
The story takes place in Warner Pier, Michigan, a small town of 2,503. Locals are well-known and there are quite a few who have formed a group called the Seventh Major Food Group. Lee McKinney is the MC/narrator and shop owner of TenHuis Chocolade and she's engaged to Joe Woodyard. Lindy Herrera is a caterer at Herrera Catering. Jason Foster owns a new restaurant at Warner Point. Carolyn Rose owns Hoses of Roses flower shop. Margaret Van Meter is a cake decorator (and mother of six). And Julie Singletree who ends up murdered prior to the reader meeting her.
Once all of the people in the Seventh Major Food Group find out about Julie's death, they begin to realize that they are possibly next. And, in fact, another member of their group is murdered. The story revolves around Lee and another person trying to figure out who the real killer is. There are quite a few other characters in the story other than those in the close-knit group.
I am not sure why but I wasn't super engaged or curious about the whodoneit in the story. I liked the story and I thought the narrator of the audiobook was really good. Lee had times (possibly too many) where she'd use the incorrect word, almost like malapropism, that was funny but I did think it felt contrived after a while. But I did still laugh.
The story takes place in Warner Pier, Michigan, a small town of 2,503. Locals are well-known and there are quite a few who have formed a group called the Seventh Major Food Group. Lee McKinney is the MC/narrator and shop owner of TenHuis Chocolade and she's engaged to Joe Woodyard. Lindy Herrera is a caterer at Herrera Catering. Jason Foster owns a new restaurant at Warner Point. Carolyn Rose owns Hoses of Roses flower shop. Margaret Van Meter is a cake decorator (and mother of six). And Julie Singletree who ends up murdered prior to the reader meeting her.
Once all of the people in the Seventh Major Food Group find out about Julie's death, they begin to realize that they are possibly next. And, in fact, another member of their group is murdered. The story revolves around Lee and another person trying to figure out who the real killer is. There are quite a few other characters in the story other than those in the close-knit group.
I am not sure why but I wasn't super engaged or curious about the whodoneit in the story. I liked the story and I thought the narrator of the audiobook was really good. Lee had times (possibly too many) where she'd use the incorrect word, almost like malapropism, that was funny but I did think it felt contrived after a while. But I did still laugh.
February 1, 2021
A good, light, read and a fun mystery ... plus I'm really enjoying the characters. A good variety, yet all seem to be "real" people. A little danger for building tension, but no people throwing themselves needlessly into harm's way.
March 7, 2016
I have little to say about The Chocolate Mouse Trap. It's slightly better than the last book in the series but not as good as the first two. The title no longer bears on the actual case. Chocolate is not one of the active actors of the mystery. The romance between Joe and Lee has bloomed. They are planning their wedding, which means - and there is a clue to that as well - they are having sex at last. I must say that the murderer's intent is hazy. He seems to commit murders in panic attacks, yet it almost took the extinction of the seventh food group for the police to solve the case. The identity of the murderer was a satisfaction to realize. The book's style is similar to many cozy mysteries and it doesn't veer off in frowning readability, if you know what I mean.
March 31, 2020
This was your typical cozy mystery. The mystery wasn't too simple to solve but wasn't overly complicated either. The characters were ok but not overly interesting either. However, the book does show us that sometimes you don't really know your friends. Overall, a great way to spend a few hours.
March 17, 2009
This book didn't move along as well as the previous in the series and I just didn't enjoy it quite as much. I expect to try the next one and depending on how it pans out, it may be the last.
That being said. I do like these characters a lot. They are funny and quirky and just what one might expect to find in a small quiet town that is mostly resort. I certainly recommend giving the series a try if you haven't already.
That being said. I do like these characters a lot. They are funny and quirky and just what one might expect to find in a small quiet town that is mostly resort. I certainly recommend giving the series a try if you haven't already.
October 16, 2010
From the moment I started reading this book, I was sure that I had read it before, most likely three to five years ago. I couldn't remember the whole story, but it was all very familiar. And since I couldn't remember whodunit, I figured I'd go ahead and read it again. It was a decent bit of brain candy, but I am making sure that I log this one and give away my book. It's not destined for a third go around!
new word: porte cochere
new word: porte cochere
April 14, 2012
If you love culinary cozies, you'll love this one. Lee McKinney works at her family's chocolate shop. When she discovered that someone killed Julie Singletree, a member of her Seventh Food Group online group, she becomes intrigued by Julie's secrets and her family. A little too close for comfort, someone's targeting her friends and stealing their computers. And before she knows it, she's next on the list, while planning her second marriage. Great suspense.
June 1, 2009
I love, love, love these chocolate mysteries. This one was satisfyingly creepy as far as wondering who the murderer was. JoAnna Carl never fails to disappoint with one or two exciting chase scenes in her stories. I love her main character, Lee McKinney. She's the blond bombshell with a backbone of steel.
May 17, 2020
Interesting.
From other reviews, it is obvious that what appeals to me are books that I don't know the answer halfway through laying out the puzzle. This was one of those! Truly a good book (and its about chocolate!)
From other reviews, it is obvious that what appeals to me are books that I don't know the answer halfway through laying out the puzzle. This was one of those! Truly a good book (and its about chocolate!)
September 21, 2008
I can't wait for the next one to come out! I could read these cozies over and over again.
May 13, 2009
Do you like chocolate?? Once you read this you will. Comes with chocolate trivia and some facts about chocolate. Looking forward to reading the rest of the books in this series.
August 29, 2010
This installment provided the details of making true iced tea. Now that's yummy to me!!!
December 31, 2015
Thoughts to come.
July 28, 2019
This novel was enjoyable, but I think it had a lot of potential that wasn't used. When the premise was introduced (a friend of Lee's from another city is killed), I thought this was going to be one of those books in a cozy mystery series where we see the protagonist outside their normal, small town atmosphere. However, most of the suspects and people involved in the mystery end up basically traveling down to the chocolate shop to see Lee. I did like all the complex characters and continuing stories of the normal characters- learning about Lee's wedding issues, Lindy's family, and Jolly Dolly's advancing chocolate knowledge. I just think this novel could have been the one to deviate from the normal formula in the series.
January 4, 2021
That's two bad, annoying ones in a row. Another and I'm done.
In this one, Lee's in an email distribution group, and the person pushing it is killed. The author seems to think if you get an email you can get a virus. No comprehension that you have to open an attachment. Also, you're driving along a road and you think somebody's following you. Use your mobile phone? Stay on the road and get to the next town? Neither. Pull off on a driveway or small road so nobody can see you other than the attacker. Sigh.
Again, one more try, but I'm just about done with this author. She has a nice writing style, but plot and actions are too often too idiotic.
In this one, Lee's in an email distribution group, and the person pushing it is killed. The author seems to think if you get an email you can get a virus. No comprehension that you have to open an attachment. Also, you're driving along a road and you think somebody's following you. Use your mobile phone? Stay on the road and get to the next town? Neither. Pull off on a driveway or small road so nobody can see you other than the attacker. Sigh.
Again, one more try, but I'm just about done with this author. She has a nice writing style, but plot and actions are too often too idiotic.
January 5, 2024
Being part of a networking group surrounding the entertaining industry, wedding, parties etc is both good and bad for chocolate shop manger Lee. Good to keep in touch but getting multiple emails per day close to Valentines Day is interfering with getting orders out etc. But then the main culprit of excess emails is murdered in her condo. Why? She didn’t seem to have any enemies and seemed a very sweet and kind person. Then the group gets hit with a computer virus that either wipes the computer. Most are able to get their stuff back except the emails. Weird. The Lees friend Lindy, also part of the email group is attacked and her lap top stolen. Lee believes the attack has something to do with Julie’s death but the police don’t really buy into the theory. A good rea.
August 11, 2021
This is a series that makes me smile, a series that I keep returning to over and over. Having initially started in the middle, I’ve been enjoying going back and reading the earlier books. In this adventure, Lee finds herself pulled into an investigation when a member of her email group is killed and others start having computer problems. Per usual, her sleuthing gets her in some hot water but that doesn’t stop her. I always appreciate the chocolate references and trivia as an added bonus to the mystery. It’s also fun to see how the various character relationships started and have continued to grow. I always get a chuckle out of Lee’s word mishaps and enjoyed this fun read.
November 7, 2018
I really enjoyed this fifth book in the Chocoholic mystery series. Romance abounds and not just because it's February.
February 22, 2018
A while ago, local party planner Julie Singletree put together a mailing list containing people working in any sort of party-related fields, including Lee who's had about enough of Julie's constant annoyingly cutesy emails. Then Julie turns up murdered and subsequent incidents involving missing computers or content thereof of others on the mailing list suggests that Julie's death might somehow be related to it.
More of the same - entertaining, but predictable.
More of the same - entertaining, but predictable.
September 23, 2021
I like this series. There’s no one completely obnoxious. They’re totally harmless and feel good and gooey. I did find it strange that they named this one after the mice as they played a very minor role in the book. Julie’s family were all ofd and quirky and not very likable but I’m sure that was the whole point. Strange, too, how I recall a number of other cozy series where the live interest was called Joe!
May 1, 2018
Unfortunately, this book did not wear as well as some of the others in the series. The computer issues that spark the mystery are out of date at this point, making the book less enjoyable. Also, there seem to be a lot of souvenir pins offered by various businesses in Warner Pier. They keep showing up as clues! Still a fun read though
December 27, 2019
I listened to this on Audible and actually didn’t love the voices, so that tainted the book a little. I have enjoyed this series: very much a cozy, simple mystery series with the added bonus of chocolate tidbits and imagery. This book was a little too simple and predictable though. I might continue with the series, but it’s not a priority.
August 13, 2024
Joe and Lee are engaged! Just as they start talking wedding ,big(Joe)small(Lee) they find it doesn't take a wedding to bring family troubles to light. When one of their friends is murdered Lee is torn about who to lesion too.
May 25, 2017
the ending trap was predictable.
June 5, 2017
Fun quick mystery that includes chocolate. What's not to like? I would definitely recommend this book.
April 25, 2019
Delicious
Very interesting plot with twists and turns that keep you coming back for more. The main character Lee always becomes the victim who accidentally solves the mystery.
Very interesting plot with twists and turns that keep you coming back for more. The main character Lee always becomes the victim who accidentally solves the mystery.
June 27, 2019
A sweet bite of a cozy mystery.
June 30, 2019
Great cozy murder mystery series
I love a good cozy murder mystery. They sort of calm me down before bed so it’s easier to sleep. This is a fun one.
I love a good cozy murder mystery. They sort of calm me down before bed so it’s easier to sleep. This is a fun one.
September 12, 2019
Great read and a truly great series. I love the characters and the plot of each book. Will continue reading it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews