Former actress Becca Ransom lived her dream in Hollywood for seven years before returning to her hometown of Larch Haven, Vermont. Known as the Venice of North America, Larch Haven has canals instead of roads, gondolas instead of cars, and charming cottages that look like they were plucked from the pages of a fairy tale. It’s also where Becca is pursuing her newest passion as a chocolatier at True Confections, the chocolate shop owned by her grandparents, Lolly and Pops.
While Becca’s testing new flavors and reconnecting with old friends, the town is gearing up for the annual Gondola Races, popular with both residents and tourists, with one exception. Local curmudgeon Archie Smith wants nothing more than to keep tourists away from Larch Haven. He’s determined to derail this year’s event and does his best to stir up trouble for the organizers, including Becca’s grandfather.
Following a heated argument with Pops, Archie is found floating face-down in the canal, and Pops finds himself in hot water as one of the top suspects. Becca’s determined to clear her grandfather’s name, but when the case heats up, she could be facing a sticky end.
Sarah Fox, writer of cozy mysteries, was born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, where she developed a love for mysteries at a young age. When not writing novels or working as a legal writer she is often reading her way through a stack of books or spending time outdoors with her English Springer Spaniel.
Sarah is the author of the Literary Pub Mysteries, the Pancake House Mysteries, and the Music Lover's Mysteries.
Six Sweets Under by Sarah Fox is the first book in the new cozy True Confections Mystery series. As with most cozy mystery series Six Sweets Under does contain it’s own mystery that is solved within the book so it can be read as a standalone novel. There will be some character development that will carry over from book to book though for those following from the beginning.
Becca Ransom always wanted to be an actress and for seven years she lived that dream in Hollywood. Becca decided to give up that life and return to her hometown of Larch Haven, Vermont missing the charming little city known as the Venice of the USA. Becca has decided to try on a new career that follows in her grandparents footsteps and becomes a chocolatier at True Confections, her grandparents shop.
Becca is just beginning work with her grandparents, Lolly and Pops, when the annual Gondola Races is gearing up to take place. The event has always been hugely popular and plenty of tourists attend each year which one local resident, Archie Smith, doesn’t want to see happen. What Becca never expected though was Archie would be found murdered and Pops would be the top suspect so Becca vows to find what really happened.
Six Sweets Under is not the first cozy mystery I’ve read by Sarah Fox even though it’s the first in the True Confections Mystery series so I wasn’t surprised to find myself enjoying this book. The setting was a completely charming town that was immediately brought to life as I imagined floating down the canals and who doens’t love chocolate?? After enjoying getting to know these characters too I’ll certainly be looking forward to returning to Larch Haven in the next adventure.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
Becca Ransom has returned home to Larch Haven, Vermont, and has taken over the chocolate making in her family’s chocolate shop. She is loving being around her family and friends again, but she isn’t as happy to see that Archie Smith is still being obnoxious in town, opposing just about everything. When he is found floating in the canals in town, everyone is shocked to learn it is murder. When Becca’s grandfather becomes the prime suspect, can Becca figure out what really happened?
I’ve been wanting to try a book by this author for a while, so I figured the start of a new series was the perfect time to do that. Plus, I can’t resist a chocolate theme. That aspect made me drool. However, the mystery could have been stronger. We got more theorizing than clue gathering, although Becca did still reach a logical solution. Speaking of Becca, I really appreciated how mature she was, realizing her own fault in one particular sub-plot. And I loved her and the rest of the regulars. Likewise, the setting in fantastic – I’d go visit in a heartbeat if it were real. While I wish the plot were stronger, I’m planning to visit again when the sequel comes out.
Becca Ransom left her idyllic hometown of Larch Haven, Vermont for the glitz and glamor of Hollywood. She had some success, staying there for seven years but now has returned to work in the family chocolate shop, True Confections, with a new passion as a chocolatier. Her timing coincides with her grandparents, Lolly and Pop taking a step back from the business to enjoy their lives in new ways.
The town is now preparing for the Gondola Races where tourists and residents, including Becca's brother race through the canals and around Shadow Lake. Becca works hard to keep the shelves of the shop stocked as do all the other shops around town. With all the tourists it is a very busy time. There is one resident not happy about the influx of guests. Archie Smith hates all the people and is working hard making trouble hoping to get the event canceled. He even gets into a public argument with Becca's grandfather about the event.
Later, Becca finds Archie's dead body floating in the canal and soon Pops is at the top of the list of probable murderers. Stunned by this Becca vows to clear his name knowing she could be the killer's next victim. Tempering chocolate and creating yummy truffles may be her passion but her love for her Pops knows no bounds. She may need to draw on her acting chops to get to the truth.
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I really enjoy the Literary Pub Mysteries by Ms. Fox so I couldn't wait to see what she had planned for this new series.
I was immediately struck by the unique setting. Larch Haven also called the Venice of North America is built along a series of canals just like that other Venice. People travel by gondola, boat, or walking. No cars are allowed in the town proper. The homes are unique as well. Like her neighbors, Becca lives in a cottage that looks like it was just plucked out of a fairy tale. The author does a great job of world-building so that her readers can easily visualize everything clearly.
Ms. Fox has also created a fun cast of characters. Becca's life is in flux as she gets resettled at home while leaving her boyfriend back in California. She has her two cats, Binx and Truffles to keep her company. Her grandparents live nearby so she can visit with them daily and they always seem to have something tasty to send home with her. Her cousins Angie and Milo work with her at True Confections and her grandparents and other members of her family drop by often. Desiree Bautista aka Dizzy has been her best friend since they met in preschool. She is a librarian and is very happy to have her friend back home. They also make a great team when a bit of sleuthing is needed. Of course, Officer Sawyer Maguire, who she has also known forever, would like her to keep her nose out of police business but he is also very happy that Becca is back in town. All the characters developed nicely throughout the story. Even the victim, "curmudgeon" Archie Smith was fleshed out well.
The murder investigation was personal for Becca so it was easy to get caught up in its process. The victim had angered so many people with his behavior that there were plenty of suspects to question and alibis to check. This was very well-plotted with an extra little twist or two that scared our protagonist but she didn't give up. I really enjoyed that an old missing person case was revisited and that it could be connected to the current case. Becca's love life also took on a life of its own thanks to the Gossip Grannies. All of this kept me engaged and entertained. I am sure there were clues I missed because I was totally gobsmacked when all was revealed. I truly was on the edge of my seat as the action unfolded.
And yes, there is plenty of talk about chocolate, specifically truffles throughout the book. I really wish each book came with a sampler box of truffles because while reading and still days after my chocolate cravings have not been curbed. The recipes for Mint Melty Truffles and Peanut Butter Pretzel Truffles are included at the end of the story, but it may be easier to take a trip to the local candy shop. I am so happy we have one.
Six Sweets Under has set this series off in a delightful way. The setting will grab you, the people will hold you and the mystery will have you hanging on tight. I am excited to see that book two, Baking Spirits Bright will be released on October 3. I have already saved a spot on my reading calendar.
Mood/Seasonal Reading: summer for sure it has a cute town with boats to get around and some swimming
I don’t know exactly what it was that went so wrong for me with this one but something did. I couldn’t connect to a single character the entire book. Most felt very flat to me. I decided to continue it just so I could give an informed review and see if my opinion changed. It sadly didn’t.
I found there were some interesting side plots that didn’t get nearly enough time (there’s a missing child, a possible sea monster, relationship drama etc.) and while I usually love a jumble of side plots these didn’t flow.
The mystery itself also gave me little to cling to. I just had no interest in it and the reveal brought me little joy.
While the romance aspect brought some reprieve as I read it wasn’t enough to save what was just a dull read sadly.
I will say the writing was decent. As I am currently reading what I am sure will be a 1 star cozy the differences in the writing ability allowed me to at least bump this to a 2.25 stars.
Despite my feelings on this book I will be giving the second in the series a shot. This novel didn’t do anything too awful to scare me away and I love a good winter themed cozy.
Six Sweets Under is the start of a new cozy mystery series set in a small Venice-like city in Vermont where the streets are canals and everyone travels by boat! Actress turned chocolatier, Becca Ransom, has given up the lights of Hollywood to return to her small town and make chocolates at the family shop. But when the local curmudgeon turns up dead and her grandfather is a suspect, she tries her hand at sleuthing to keep him out of suspicion.
This one started out well. The setting is fun, but is this based on a real town? And what happens when the canals start freezing? This is in Vermont. Anyway, as I read on, there seemed to be a LOT of filler as we read Becca's musings about who could be a suspect and what questions she wanted to ask them....and then never asked them. But there was very little actual action. Any side stories were thin, at best, and weren't terribly interesting. I probably won't continue this series.
Thank you to @this_is_edelweiss and @berkleypub for providing an eARC. The book comes out February 7th.
Six Sweets Under is the first book in the new True Confections Mystery series by Sarah Fox. Like her Literary Pub series this one takes place in Vermont. But this new charming small town is unique. Canals wind through the town and no motor vehicles are allowed. Fox excels at creating a cozy small town atmosphere in her books, so it’s no surprise that the town of Larch Haven is irresistible.
The main character Becca has left her LA acting career and returned home to work at the family chocolate shop. We get lots of delectable details about the chocolates she is making. Make sure you have chocolate nearby while you are reading!
Becca’s friends and family are likable, especially her friend Dizzy who becomes her sleuthing partner. Becca doesn’t always make the smartest or subtlest sleuthing choices, but Fox does a great job showing Becca’s thought process and how she sifts through suspects and clues. The concluding chapters are exciting and the reveal is satisfying.
All the books I’ve read by Sarah Fox have delivered a warm, cozy feeling with likable characters and adorable settings. I’m especially excited that the next book in this series will be set during Christmas because I know Fox delivers great Christmas cozies!! (An Ale of Two Cities and A Room with a Roux are two of them, if you’re looking to read one.)
Four and a Half Stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭑ Six Sweets Under by Sarah Fox is the first book in her True Confections Mystery series. It’s about a former actress who returns to her hometown in Vermont.
Story Recap: Former actress Becca Ransom returns to Larch Haven, Vermont after a successful career in Hollywood. She lived her dream and now wants a simpler life in her hometown and to help out her grandparents as a chocolatier at their store, True Confections. Larch Haven is a unique small town that boasts canals instead of reads. Travel around the small town is by boat or walking or bicycle. They call Larch Haven the “Venice” of Vermont.
The town is getting ready for the annual gondola races and curmudgeon Archie Smith is vocally against the idea as it brings too many tourists to the town. But, then Archie is found dead, just after a loud argument with Becca’s grandfather, Pops. With Pops as the main suspect, Becca must find the real killer and clear her grandfather.
My Thoughts: I love a good cozy mystery and Six Sweets Under has everything I love in a cozy mystery. The town of Larch Haven is unique and beautifully described, as is the chocolate shop where Becca works.
I enjoyed the characters very much. Becca is very sympathetic and I liked how protective she is of her grandparents. Her friend Dizzy is a great best friend, and together they complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses. The mystery was good, I didn’t figure it out until Becca did. There are a lot of characters in this book, which gave a lot of options for the murderer, but did make the story a bit confusing for a bit. But, I figured everyone out and continued to enjoy the story. Binx and Truffles, the cats were also an adorable addition to the story.
Recommendation: I highly recommend Six Sweet Under to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
4.5 stars The main character of this book is former actress Becca Ransom who has returned from Los Angeles to her hometown of Larch Haven, Vermont to work as a chocolatier. The town has canals instead of roads and cottages that look like something from a movie set. A murder at the annual gondola races has Becca taking on a new role - that of an amateur sleuth to find the real murderer and clear the name of her grandfather who is the prime suspect.
I love the characters but also love the town and the sense of community. I especially like the relationships between the main characters, including Becca and her grandparents, Becca and her best friend Dizzy, and Becca and a potential love interest. Becca and Dizzy make a great sleuthing team and I like the way Becca reports what she learns to her friend, Sawyer, who is a police officer. I love the way the book ends and look forward to reading the next book in the series!
4.5 stars Six Sweets Under, by Sarah Fox, is an absolutely engaging, delightful, thoroughly entertaining cozy mystery and the first in the True Confections Mystery series.
Becca Ransom is a former actress who has come home to the utterly unique Vermont town of Larch Haven. There are no cars or roads in Larch Haven, but there are canals and gondolas, as well as cottages, a forest and lake a chocolate shop and general coziness. Becca works as a chocolatier at the True Confections store, owned by her semi-retired grandmother and grandfather. When the Archie, the town grouch, is found murdered during the annual gondola races, Becca’s grandfather becomes one of the suspects and Becca feels compelled to clear his name.
This story has a sweet romance, a strong female protagonist, an enviable friendship between Becca and her longtime friend Dizzy, and strong family bonds. It also has an intriguing mystery. Six Sweets Under is enchanting and so much fun to read, I cannot wait to carry on to the next book in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Pub for this earc
This was your classic cozy mystery or the way I think about them Hallmark movies with a murder
But seriously, if you’re looking for something super light and something you can finish in few hours, this book is for you.
I wasn’t a huge fan of writing in this one though. I got that the setting is a small town but there was just too much repetition. Between the amount of times Venice Avenue is mentioned (37 if you want to be specific) and Becca doing the same things at work over and over (we really didn’t need to read every time she made chocolate) the story just fell flat for me.
From page one I knew Justin, Becca’s at the time boyfriend wouldn’t stick around. I mean you don’t introduce hot local cop Becca grew up with for nothing, right?
And the mystery itself was not complicated and written really vague. Very few things Becca discovered actually added to something.
Overall, I didn’t expect much from this book and I didn’t get much.
I love Sarah Fox's other series, Literary Pub Mysteries, and since I have read all of those, I thought would try her newest series. To be completely honest, the beginning was a little rough for me. I had a hard time getting into the story but by midway, I was thoroughly enjoying myself. The main character Becca was sweet and seemed like an actual person you could run into. I enjoyed her friendship with Dizzy a lot. The mystery was good and kept me guessing. The burgeoning romance was intriguing, and the side characters were entertaining. All in all, I liked it and will be reading the next one.
The audio of Six Sweets Under by Sarah Fix was such a charming surprise, brought to life by Jesse Vilinsky, one of my faves who I really need to listen to more often. This first in a series mystery follows Becca, a former Hollywood actress who returns to Larch Haven, Vermont—aka the “Venice of the USA,” complete with gondolas and winding rivers—to help run her grandparents’ chocolate shop. When a local is murdered and her beloved Pops becomes the prime suspect, Becca jumps into a cute, witty, cleverly plotted investigation that blends cozy vibes with a fresh, unique setting. A total treat in audio
From Sarah Fox, the “True Confections Mystery” series and book one, Six Sweets Under, gives readers a new series to devour. Former actress Becca came home to start life anew. The town of Larch Haven is picturesque, with canals and gondolas instead of roads and cars. The cottages made visitors feel as if they are in a fairy tale instead of a real town in Vermont. That is until murder interrupts the fantasy and real life comes back with a vengeance.
The characters are well-written, and most will grab readers' attention from the very beginning. You will fall in love with Pops and Lolly, the grandparents we would all love to have. Becca takes some getting used to; I found her slightly hard to warm up to, and as an actress, you would expect her to be a bit more verbose. The town, the gondolas, and the general atmosphere give readers a feel of Venice, Italy, and all of the romance that goes with it.
The murder itself isn’t anything grand, drowning in a canal, but the victim, a man that everyone considered a nuisance and who always complained about anything new or progressive. He hated the tourists and the gondolas, at least the races that drew hundreds of tourists to the town. Many people had a motive to kill him, including Becca’s grandfather. The evidence is crafted in a way to make it almost unnoticeable to the reader until they come to the point in the story that shows where the piece fits in. Becca runs down every clue and, using her actress skills when needed, finds the killer before it's too late. Readers will not be overly surprised by the identity of the killer but will cheer to see justice done.
This new series will be a hit with readers. The writing is top-notch, exactly what you would expect from a seasoned author like Sarah Fox. The characters hold your attention, actress Becca is finding her path, and her family and friends are showing her the way. The town is a living fantasy, the gondolas going up and down the canals ferrying tourists and residents from one place to another, and the community gives readers the perfect setting. The story keeps you engaged with breathless anticipation.
I’ve been a fan of Ms. Fox’s books for the most part so I was very interested in this new series. This was a solid start. Though repetitive at points (how many times can you mention Venice and actress) and the pace slowed in other points, overall it was a solid mystery with lots of red herrings to keep you guessing until the end. Becca is a former actress who left the Hollywood life to open up a chocolate shop back in her hometown. The writing is very descriptive in terms of the town and gives it a feel of little Venice Italy but set in Vermont. When the most hated man in town is murdered soon after an argument with Archie, who is Becca’s grandfather, he becomes the prime suspect. Becca and her BFF, Dizzy, are determined to investigate and clear her grandfather, over the objection (of course) of Officer Sawyer, another childhood friend and potential love interest.
Another short storyline was Becca’s Hollywood BF who came for a visit, and we all knew that wasn’t going to work out well.
Becca and Dizzy connect Archie’s death to another disappearance over 10 years prior, but how? Their investigation is more subtle, there’s not a lot of TSTL moments, the cast of family and friends characters are very diverse, and loyal to each other. Overall a solid read.
I liked this book, and I think it's a good start to a new series. My one big problem, which kept me from giving it 5 stars, is the setting. It is set in a small community that has canals instead of roads, boats and gondolas instead of cars. Great so far, but this town is in Vermont! So every time Becca got in her boat to go somewhere, or watched the gondolas gliding past, I was yanked out of the story to think, this is great for the summer, but what about the rest of the year?! The mystery was good, I liked Becca and her family and friends, and since the next book seems to be set at Christmas, I'll give it a shot. I've got to find out what happens when the temp is in the 30's, which is pretty cold to be out on the water!!
Becca Ransom made a career in Hollywood but missed her hometown. She has decided that she has made her goals as an actress and wants to move back home. So she comes back to Vermont and starts to work in the family chocolate shop. She is happy to see her grandparents and friends every day. It is a cute tourist town set up with canals and gondolas. Summer is here and the tourists are in town, especially for the gondola races. Meanwhile, Archie, the town curmudgeon and pain in the butt is trying to do everything to derail the tourist industry. Just after the gondola races Archie is found floating facedown in the lake. Rebecca is determined to find out enough information to clear her grandfather of suspicion. But she could be the next target.
Six Sweets Under Earns 5/5 Truffle Treats…Clever & Engaging!
Rebecca Ramson needed a quick change after her Hollywood career was cancelled and she suffered a ruptured appendix. She’d decided to return home to Larch Haven, Vermont, qualify as a chocolatier, and with her Pops and Lolly essentially retired, take control of True Confections.
Larch Haven is a popular tourist destination, and every summer tourists flock to town for its annual Gondola Races. Everyone’s in, except the town’s curmudgeon. Archie Smith is against the races, fights the restoration a hiking trail, and as his neighbors will attest, he’s not very neighborly. He also was not against a bit of sabotage, as Becca’s Pops publicly pointed that out. Archie took serious exception to the accusation and the two nearly came to blows with Becca almost collateral damage. That public altercation, of course, will be hard to dismiss when later Archie is found dead. It’s difficult enough for the residents to be dealing with a “never-happens-here” murder, but it’s also the tenth anniversary of the disappearance of seventeen-year-old Lexi Derendorf. No clues, no witnesses, no body, no closure. It may be a small town, but it seems they have some big city problems.
Sarah Fox has spun together an engaging first in her True Confections Mystery series set in a quaint town with a karmic murder and a missing persons cold case. The investigation took on a personal aspect with Pops the official person of interest, and a more complicated endeavor since the victim made so many enemies with his opposition to everything. What started out as a simple murder turned more complex with the victim’s estranged daughter, disgruntled neighbors, aggrieved townspeople, and possible victims of the victim’s secret activities, but Becca herself is dealing with a mystery figure in the shadows ... Fan? Snoop? Killer? The decades-old missing person’s case began as a peripheral incident, but slowly connections are revealed. I resisted fast forwarding to the end to find the killer’s identity, opting instead to enjoy the journey, the intensity, the shocking ending!
Along with small town life, gondola races, chocolate talk, stories from the Gossip Grannies, and interactions with friends and family, romance is always a delightful element. Becca does have her hot shot entertainment lawyer as the front runner, but can the city mouse really enjoy the country? There is her childhood friend Officer Sawyer Maguire who already is acclimated to the country, but can that spark be kindled when Becca keeps interfering with an ongoing investigation? And what about relieving my need for a chocolate fix? Sarah added two easy to follow recipes from True Confections best treats menu: Mint Melty Truffles and Peanut Butter Pretzel Truffles. Yum!
Disclosure: I received an ARC from Berkeley Publishing Group thru NetGalley. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
I don't want to give this book a 2 star rating because I didn't read the physical book. I listened to the audiobook and I couldn't connect with the narrator. So much so, I'm ashamed to admit this, but I DNF'd it at 80%.
There's nothing I can pin point about the narrator other than I felt SAD the entire book. The way she spoke and the rhythm of her speech put me into tears multiple times. It was very weird. That said, I'm very empathic so it's possible she read this on an off day or, perhaps, I'm a little off and kind of crazy?
I had a hard time connecting with the characters because of this I really wish I had picked up the physical copy. I think it would have been a killer book (😉) if I had it in my hands and heard the characters in my own voice.
Either way, don't let this deter you from picking up this book but, may I suggest, pick up the physical copy.
Well, I’ve officially found my ideal town to live in. Larch Haven sounds absolutely adorable and picturesque, not to mention the perfect setting for cozy mysteries. I understand why Justin was Becca’s boyfriend, but in the end, there wasn’t much payoff, so I thought the book started off a bit slow. However, the mystery was compelling and thoroughly fooled me. There were, however, clues throughout, so when I look back, the resolution did not feel unjustified. A very charming new series that I will certainly read more of.
Great setting and characters but only so-so mystery. I liked that she actually went to work (my big pet peeve in cozies) but there was so much filler in this book that could have been eliminated making a much shorter but streamlined story. I’ll read the next one in the series to see if this gets worked out as I like this author’s other culinary cozy series.
Rebecca “Becca” Ransom has returned to her hometown of Larch Haven, Vermont to create chocolates at her family’s chocolate shop True Confections. The town is getting ready for the annual gondola races in which Becca’s brother will be participating. The cantankerous Archie Smith would prefer to keep tourists out of Larch Haven. When Archie is found dead in the canal, Becca’s grandfather, Pops is at the top of the suspect list. Becca decides to investigate so she can clear Pops name. She soon finds herself with a lengthy suspect list thanks to Archie alienating his neighbors and the townspeople. Someone does not like Becca’s snooping and sends her a clear warning. Becca has no intention of stopping until she proves her grandfather’s innocence. Six Sweets Under by Sarah Fox is the debut of A True Confections Mysteries. Becca Ransom was an actress on a popular show before she returned home to Larch Haven. I enjoyed the descriptions of the unique town. Larch Haven seems to be the American version of Venice. Cars are not allowed in the town. People can either walk around the quaint town or traverse the canals via a gondola (or other small watercrafts). The story is told from Becca’s point of view. This allows readers to know her every thought and activity (can be a bit much at times and a tad dull). She gets up feeds the cats, lets them out onto the catio, walks to work going over several bridges, making the chocolates, back home to pet the cats, lunch with her best friend, out in her boat, time with family, off to bed, and the next day the activities are repeated. Did we really need to know every time she made bonbons? There is a significant amount of repetition (Venice Avenue is mentioned over thirty times). Becca being scared to swim in the lake because of the “monster” would have worked if this was a paranormal story. Instead, it came across as Becca being a touch batty. Becca’s cats are cuties. I like that Becca has a catio for them. The mystery was simple. It was obvious that Archie would soon be murdered based on his attitude and activities. Becca’s sleuthing left a lot to be desired. She thinks about who she would talk to and the questions she would ask, but Becca rarely puts thoughts into action. The information Becca uncovered added little to the investigation. The killer can be identified easily. Becca’s Los Angeles boyfriend, Justin visits the town. He added nothing to the story. The storyline played out in a predicable manner. The story moved along at a slow pace until near the end. There was a lack of action (just the same daily activities). While I like the premise and setting, I was not a fan of the end result. My takeaway was a craving for chocolate. Six Sweets Under is a lighthearted tale with delectable bonbons, cats chilling in the catio, a stolen scooter, a murdered curmudgeon, a water worry, a disappointing picnic, and a killer clue.
Six Sweets Under by Sarah Fox True Confections Mystery #1 8h 43m narrated by Jesse Vilinsky, 304 pages
Genre: Cozy Mystery, Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Foodie, Family
Featuring: Recipes, Vermont, Former Actress, Cats, Chocolatier, Family Business, Boats, Burlington, Vermont; Police Investigation
Rating as a movie: PG-13
Songs for the soundtrack: "I Will Remember You" by Sarah McLachlan,
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️¾
My thoughts: 📱19% 1:39:56 Ch. 7 - It started cute, Lolly and Pop, but now it's lacking the charm I expect from a cozy, but I'm going to stick with it. 📱36% 3:05:45 Ch. 13 - I was fearing a love triangle; hopefully, that's not the case. I'm disappointed with the minute amount of time she spends in the shop and on the case, it's more romantic drama than food or mystery. 📱52% 4:32:08 Ch. 20 - I think I'm finally warming up to the MC and village/town. 📱88% 7:20:46 Ch. 32 - Some of the side stories are completely ridiculous. I'm just waiting for her life to be in danger so I can finish this book. I'm not buying Gossip Grandmas.
It took a minute to get comfortable with it, but I think I have found a new series to enjoy. When the moment came, you know exactly how the plot goes, it wasn't stupidity that put MC in that situation and the motive wasn't petty, I found that refreshing and will be reading other series from this author as a result. I wish we spent more time in the chocolate shop. The eaudiobook comes with a PDF of some of the recipes mentioned in the book.
Recommend to others?: Yes! This is a great cozy series, smarter than average.
I love the unique setting of Lake Haven, Vermont and the gondolas. The writing style was right up my alley being very descriptive especially of the Spring and nature. I love the main character Becca and her best friend Dizzy. All of the side characters were very likeable or interesting. I was very intrigued by the mystery although I did call the killer in the first few chapters of the book. Becca has to endure a lot in this first book as well as sleuthing the crime which added heart to the story and made me relate more to her. Definitely have some chocolate on the ready since the descriptions of the chocolate will give you cravings. I can't wait to read the next book in the series. I've heard a lot of good things about it and I believe it takes place in winter so it will be interesting to read the descriptions of the setting.
This story was so cute, cozy, and charming. It was the perfect fall read. It's a murder mystery with a chocolatier and a librarian as the main characters. It is set in a delightful little town in Vermont, and while this story is set during the summer, in my head, it was set during fall. Don't ask me why, I don't know.
The characters are well written. Their job are accurately described for what I know of bonbons making and from my experience as being a librarian. And then, you add book references, cats, and a final plot twist that I didn't see coming.
I loved this cozy mystery, and I will definitely read book two in the future.
I love Sarah Fox’s books and I loved this first book in the True Confections series! What a fun little Vermont town (set on canals!) and interesting mystery. And I’m definitely making those peanut butter pretzel truffles - a vegan version! Looking forward to the next book in the series.
The first book in a new series by Vancouver author (hurray!) Sarah Fox. I enjoyed Six Sweets Under, especially the unique setting and the delicious candy shop. I look forward to visiting Larch Haven again soon!