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A Chocoholic Mystery #3
The Chocolate Frog Frame-Up
For the Fourth of July, Lee McKinney and her aunt debut their latest confections-chocolate frogs-at TenHuis Chocolade. The first customer to buy a croaker is the town crank. But when he later disappears and police suspect foul play, it's a chocolate clue that leads Lee to the killer.
240 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
49 people are currently reading
941 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 125 reviews
December 6, 2009
I am only just starting this book and it's awful. I am one of those people who can't stop reading something once they've started, so unfortunately, I'm trapped.
I keep hearing my elementary school teacher's voice in my head lecturing me on the importance of showing and not telling when writing stories. Why didn't Joanna Carl listen to her teachers? Way too much telling and no showing.
The original reason I decided to read this book was to try something lighthearted and unfortunately, because it is so badly written, it's causing me more stress than if I had chosen something more controversial.
The main character is supposed to be 29 years old and the author dresses her and has her acting like a seventy year old.
Also, the book is filled with ridiculous lines like, "After all, there's no point in being half Dutch if you don't flaunt your naturally blond hair now and again." What? I'm half Dutch and am a brunette...my dad is full Dutch and is the same, as are his siblings, my grandmother, and grandfather. Of all of my relatives who still live in the Netherlands, the majority are brunettes and very few are blond. Why is the author writing in bad, irrelevant stereotypes?
When I finally finish this thing, I'm sure there will be more to add to my outrage so I'm going to stop now. Save yourself the trouble and don't read this book.
So I finished this thing and am glad it's over with.
Yuck.
I keep hearing my elementary school teacher's voice in my head lecturing me on the importance of showing and not telling when writing stories. Why didn't Joanna Carl listen to her teachers? Way too much telling and no showing.
The original reason I decided to read this book was to try something lighthearted and unfortunately, because it is so badly written, it's causing me more stress than if I had chosen something more controversial.
The main character is supposed to be 29 years old and the author dresses her and has her acting like a seventy year old.
Also, the book is filled with ridiculous lines like, "After all, there's no point in being half Dutch if you don't flaunt your naturally blond hair now and again." What? I'm half Dutch and am a brunette...my dad is full Dutch and is the same, as are his siblings, my grandmother, and grandfather. Of all of my relatives who still live in the Netherlands, the majority are brunettes and very few are blond. Why is the author writing in bad, irrelevant stereotypes?
When I finally finish this thing, I'm sure there will be more to add to my outrage so I'm going to stop now. Save yourself the trouble and don't read this book.
So I finished this thing and am glad it's over with.
Yuck.
April 18, 2023
When the town crank disappears, and her boyfriend is the prime suspect, malapropism spouting amateur sleuth begins to investigate.
The stakes seemed awfully low for murder, if you ask me.
The stakes seemed awfully low for murder, if you ask me.
March 7, 2016
It's been a while since I "solved" a mystery in the books I read. I'm happy to have broken that barren spell. The book still rates low to me. But however awful - mind, this book is not that - a book can turn out to be, if it's your favorite genre you're gonna cut it some slack. I'm glad that there diversity in the Chocoholic series. The Joe character is no longer peripheral. He fits well into the fleshing out of Warner Pier. I found the History of early chocolate making tedious, but it's no big deal. The best thing about the main heroine is that, if you don't count Joe, she doesn't have a pet. Further, I'm aware of the many remaining books in the series and I'm amused at how long Lee will keep postponing sex with Joe. The books are pious, but the murders in book 2 and this one were cruel. Anyway I'm glad to be looking forward to the next books left. Cozy mysteries rule.
September 26, 2015
When Joe Woodward gets into a fight with the town crank Hershel Perkins, he becomes the suspect when he is missing. All the clues lead to him but Lee and Joe in he had nothing to do with it. The night of the search, Hershel comes to Lee telling her to tell her Aunt Nettie to meet at the old chapel. He doesnt trust the various people looking for him for one reason or another. Arriving they find his body and Joe following them, wondering why Lee was acting weird. Which still incriminate him. Various attacks on their lives lead them to believe Joe's phone has be tapped. Knowing Joe isn't involved and angry that the chief suspects him, Lee sets out to find the real killer.
While I was surprised by the killer, I didn't really like the motive. But I loved the intense scenes when they were almost pushed off the road. I also love Lee and Joe's relationship. They both have baggage and are trying to come to terms with it all while taking their relationship slow. I can't wait to read the next book.
While I was surprised by the killer, I didn't really like the motive. But I loved the intense scenes when they were almost pushed off the road. I also love Lee and Joe's relationship. They both have baggage and are trying to come to terms with it all while taking their relationship slow. I can't wait to read the next book.
March 7, 2018
Read~February 27, 2010
Well!
My wish (from the last book) was granted!!
Much better storyline, the bad "person" wasn't immediately known (though I had idea's of who it was, it wasn't in the first couple of chapters like in the previous books) and the "why" was interesting as well.
I still love these characters. And as she fleshes them out, they really become very enjoyable to spend time with. And yes, the storyline was better, but still, there is PLENTY of room for growth. I am hoping these just continue to grow and flourish as they go on!!
All-in-all,good read!
June 18, 2025
It's been six years since I read the previous book in this series, and it didn't take long to remember why I'd put the series aside. But I needed a book featuring chocolate/candy-making, and I'm close to caught up in Nancy Coco's Candy-Coated series, so I dug this one out of the depths of the TBR pile.
I liked the relationship between Lee, the MC, and her aunt Nettie, and the bits of chocolate history at the end of some chapters were interesting (and being at the end of a chapter made them easy to skip over!). Lee's constant misspeaking drove me crazy, and maybe because this Pennsylvania gal has been surrounded by trees most of her life, I cannot fathom anyone being afraid of trees! There's a word for it, though - dendrophobia - so it must be real. It seems an odd phobia to ascribe to a character living in northern Michigan.
It was easy to see who the murder victim was going to be, and almost as easy to figure out who the culprit was. Even the motive was plain almost from the moment the killer was introduced, so it was a hard sell to finish the book so I can use it for my challenge spot :)
I'm not writing off the rest of the series entirely, as I'm sure I'll need more candy-related books for my challenges, but it will be a very long time before I attempt the next book.
I liked the relationship between Lee, the MC, and her aunt Nettie, and the bits of chocolate history at the end of some chapters were interesting (and being at the end of a chapter made them easy to skip over!). Lee's constant misspeaking drove me crazy, and maybe because this Pennsylvania gal has been surrounded by trees most of her life, I cannot fathom anyone being afraid of trees! There's a word for it, though - dendrophobia - so it must be real. It seems an odd phobia to ascribe to a character living in northern Michigan.
It was easy to see who the murder victim was going to be, and almost as easy to figure out who the culprit was. Even the motive was plain almost from the moment the killer was introduced, so it was a hard sell to finish the book so I can use it for my challenge spot :)
I'm not writing off the rest of the series entirely, as I'm sure I'll need more candy-related books for my challenges, but it will be a very long time before I attempt the next book.
February 15, 2018
Shortly after Hershel Perkins and Lee's boyfriend Joe get into a public altercation at the Warner Pier post office, Lee and Aunt Nettie stumble across Hershel's body on a secluded property. He's been murdered, and obviously Joe is the prime suspect - ever more so as evidence piles up, though that eventually turns out to be an unsuccessful attempt to frame Joe. When the framing doesn't work, the murderer changes his strategy, almost running Lee and Joe off the road and later attacking them when they're out in Joe's boat.
More of the same - entertaining enough, but predictable. Somehow the characters annoyed me even more in this one than in the previous books.
More of the same - entertaining enough, but predictable. Somehow the characters annoyed me even more in this one than in the previous books.
February 25, 2022
Cute cozy mystery. Spotted the killer immediately but still enjoyed the characters attempts.
February 20, 2018
Chocolate Facts and a Story This is the third book in the series and it can be read out of order (I should know this is the 2nd time I have read this series out of order). Lee is the niece of Nettie, who owns the Chocolate shop in Warner Pier. Lee is the business manager and she is dating Joe, an attorney who rebuilds old wooden boats. One day, in town, Joe is attacked by Hershel, the local town problem, in front of everyone. Joe doesn't hurt Hershel, but he is confused by what happened. As they try to figure out what has happened, Hershel's boat is found in the water near Joe's boat ramp. The town is searching for Hershel and just as Joe is getting ready to take Lee back to her van, Hershel appears at her window and says he doesn't trust the people near Joe's shop and he wants to meet Lee's aunt at the chapel. When they get there, Hershel is dead and Joe is accused of the murder. As they try to find out the truth, they are being attacked and now they really need to know what is happening.
I enjoyed the story, but there were some misused words, not related to the malapropisms of the character of Lee. The story would stop so she could describe the chocolates that they were ordering, offering or eating and this would slow the flow of the story. The fun part in the book was all the chocolate facts. There were no recipes, just facts.
I enjoyed the story, but there were some misused words, not related to the malapropisms of the character of Lee. The story would stop so she could describe the chocolates that they were ordering, offering or eating and this would slow the flow of the story. The fun part in the book was all the chocolate facts. There were no recipes, just facts.
July 11, 2011
If you weren't craving chocolate before you will be by the time you finish this book. I loved all the chocolate tidbits and it made me yearn for a candy store that you tend to go to while on vacation. I enjoyed the characters and the mystery was a good one.
April 16, 2016
This was alright. The main character's weird speech thing annoys me. The who in whodunit in this one was pretty damn transparent. Overall, it was okay, but I'm glad I got it from the library and didn't have to pay for it.
October 12, 2025
I enjoyed this story. Joe is the prime suspect in the murder of small town crank, Hershel. Lee and Joe are dating and have few dangerous encounters with the murderer. It was a cute story. It did keep me interested.
October 29, 2016
It was predictable from the time the killer first showed up.
June 26, 2018
I didn't finish it because the writing was horrible, there was too much "tell" and not enough "show", and the characters were flat and uninteresting. Lee is way too interested in her wardrobe and her high-school-like relationship with Joe. The murder plot was too predictable. At an early point Lee and Nettie are joking about trees in Texas vs. trees in Michigan. It was a lighthearted exchange, then it was spoiled by this line, "Aunt Nettie and I were joking about our differing feelings about trees because we were nervous." Was that necessary to say? Around the point where Lee is called in to identify a murder weapon, and she picks it up with her bare hands and puts her lips on it and blows....well does that sound like normal behavior in the face of a murder that happened the day before in which this item might have been used to cause someone's violent death? I love a good mystery but this was not one of them.
December 23, 2020
Not bad except for one big thing at the beginning that ruins it for me. In these kind of books, it's usual for people to ignore the smart thing and occasionally avoid or lie to the police. However, early in this one, it goes to extremes. There's a guy missing after it looks like his canoe was attacked. It's also clear that Lee's boyfriend Joe is being framed. When the guy, who is psychotic and violent, pops up to her and says to meet him secretly at an out of the way location, there is zero reason for her not to tell the cops or Joe. Of course, she doesn't. Stretches past sanity and ruins my enjoyment of the book.
The rest is a mystery about why the guy was killed and what's going on with a piece of property, but it can't get over that major flaw.
The rest is a mystery about why the guy was killed and what's going on with a piece of property, but it can't get over that major flaw.
February 14, 2017
Lee McKinney helps her aunt run TenHuis Chocolade in a tourist town. For this year's 4th of July they debut chocolate frogs in a variety of sizes. The only person to buy a large frog is also the town's most annoying citizen and it's the first time he has ever bought anything from them instead of asking for samples. When he disappears Lee's boyfriend is the prime suspect, even though he has no real motive. But there are others who do... relatives who need the money, investors in a secret land deal, and perhaps some folks who have just gotten tired of him looking through their windows.
April 20, 2019
It’s an alright cozy mystery, kinda like junk food reading. But holy crow! I’d put money down that the writer has never really spend any real time in Michigan much less West Michigan. (Seriously it’s the Mackinac Bridge not the Mackinac Island Bridge and I-196 is not always busy) I want to continue with this series cause I just want a potato chip series right now but these “slip ups” might get to me
September 24, 2018
Lee is excited that her relationship with Joe is moving forward, and yet something or someone would appear to be trying to spoil the fun. Who would want to frame Joe for murder? Secrets and hidden agendas seem to be floating all around complicating matters. Another enjoyable read. Good for cozy mystery and chocolate lovers everywhere.
December 29, 2023
This book was really disappointing. The library didn't have the first 2, maybe I would have liked it better if I had started at the beginning. Lee continually using the wrong words when she tries to talk is NOT amusing. That's what stroke victims do and it's not remotely funny.
I really loved some of the author's works in her other persona.
Not sure if I'll try any more in this series.
I really loved some of the author's works in her other persona.
Not sure if I'll try any more in this series.
February 7, 2025
It was solid, well paced and kept my attention throughout the story.
What I could do without are the endless tongue twisters. But I believe that was a complaint of mine in the previous books too. Like in book 2, they make 'sense', but it's still just way wayyyy too often. I hope that lessens overtime.
What I could do without are the endless tongue twisters. But I believe that was a complaint of mine in the previous books too. Like in book 2, they make 'sense', but it's still just way wayyyy too often. I hope that lessens overtime.
July 6, 2019
Okay, the mystery is pretty easy in this one, but the rest is a good story. I like that we get to see more of Lee and Joe's interactions to show how they work as a couple. I also loved some of the new characters like Dolly coming into the series.
February 21, 2023
Done in a day! Easy read, good way to pass the time on a slow day. Not 100% sure about these characters, but I'm reading them out of order because our library only has book 3 as an eBook. I have the 3-book super volume at home (Crime de Cocoa)
November 30, 2023
Wow, this was not great. The lead character, Lee, was quite uncomfortable with her interactions with and thoughts about her boyfriend, Joe. And her using the wrong words all the time were annoying to me. I'm sure some people love this series and the Chocolate Chats were awesome info and trivia. It's just not for me at all!
July 24, 2017
This book has been my favorite in the series so far. The characters were more likable, and the plot was less predictable.
April 13, 2018
Love the setting
September 12, 2018
Another slow and sweet.
November 6, 2018
This book is another good book in the Chocoholic mystery series. Better than the first, glad I kept reading.
November 20, 2018
Funny
I love this series. The people are great and the plots are creative and fun. I really enjoy the malapropisms.
I love this series. The people are great and the plots are creative and fun. I really enjoy the malapropisms.
December 8, 2018
Enjoy her writing for easing reading mystery books.
December 11, 2018
A cozy mystery that takes place in Warner Pier Michigan. The main characters boy friend is being framed in this who-done-it. I like Lees' play on words. Fast paced with a variety of characters.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews