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Bean to Bar Mystery #5
A Study in Chocolate
Felicity Koerber's bean to bar chocolate shop on Galveston's historic Strand is expanding, as it has become a gathering spot for the community, despite having been the scene of multiple murders. Artists she met while doing a chocolate sculpture are now working out of the shop. So when Felicity is invited to tea by an eccentric art collector, she's intrigued, especially when she gets asked to pose for a portrait done with chocolate on chocolate. Only, where there is a murder the next day at the same historic house where the tea was held, one of Felicity's artist friends becomes the main suspect.
When the killer threatens that, unless Felicity unravels the murder, one of her two love interests will be the next victim, she finds herself unwittingly at the center of a puzzle, with a Sherlock Holmes obsessed murderer who wants to be the next Moriarty - and wants to cast Felicity as Sherlock.
Felicity starts finding unexpected connects between her friends and acquaintances, and has to deal with the idea that someone who knows her is a murderer. At the same time, she has to keep her business running, despite construction dust and unruly customers - and an unexpected order for thousands of truffles.
Satchmo the retired police dog turned therapy dog returns to help her sniff out a few clues, and the kidnapping of Ruffles, the quirky artist's cat, helps lead Felicity into the puzzle. Can Felicity solve it in time to protect the people she cares about from becoming additional victims?
When the killer threatens that, unless Felicity unravels the murder, one of her two love interests will be the next victim, she finds herself unwittingly at the center of a puzzle, with a Sherlock Holmes obsessed murderer who wants to be the next Moriarty - and wants to cast Felicity as Sherlock.
Felicity starts finding unexpected connects between her friends and acquaintances, and has to deal with the idea that someone who knows her is a murderer. At the same time, she has to keep her business running, despite construction dust and unruly customers - and an unexpected order for thousands of truffles.
Satchmo the retired police dog turned therapy dog returns to help her sniff out a few clues, and the kidnapping of Ruffles, the quirky artist's cat, helps lead Felicity into the puzzle. Can Felicity solve it in time to protect the people she cares about from becoming additional victims?
260 pages, Paperback
Published January 17, 2023
1 person is currently reading
2904 people want to read
About the author
Amber Royer
28 books347 followersAmber Royer writes the CHOCOVERSE comic telenovela-style foodie-inspired space opera series, and the BEAN TO BAR MYSTERIES. She is also the author of STORY LIKE A JOURNALIST: A WORKBOOK FOR NOVELISTS, which boils down her writing knowledge into an actionable plan involving over 100 worksheets to build a comprehensive story plan for your novel. She blogs about creative writing technique and all things chocolate at www.amberroyer.com. Much of this knowledge has come from teaching creative writing for both UT Arlington Continuing Education and Writing Workshops Dallas. She has been teaching and serving as an author coach for going on a decade and a half, and before that she was a youth librarian. Amber lives in Texas, with her husband who is sometimes her co-author – but always her alpha reader and cheerleader. Much of what she writes is to amuse him, or has been inspired by one of her friends. (Check the last names of her protags – they’re often homages.) She grew up in a half Cajun, half German household, which gave her early ideas about fusion cooking, which are still present in her cooking style and recipe offerings today. She loves to travel, and has drunk coffee in seven different countries. Her cookbook, THERE ARE HERBS IN MY CHOCOLATE started as a project for her local herb society, where she and her husband were at the time active members and presenters. If you are very nice to her, she might make you cupcakes. Chocolate cupcakes, obviously.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
February 7, 2023
I have enjoyed the other mysteries in this series but this one suffered with the dreaded love triangle and over-inflated sense of self of the main character. I get that she's made a name for herself solving a few crimes but the people asking for autographs, wanting to paint her, everyone being in love with her, etc. is a little annoying. This story dragged for me, maybe because the love triangle is, and I felt that it didn't flow because of it. I had hoped it would have been resolved by now but it seems it will be dragged out for at least another book. I liked the tie-in with the Sherlock Holmes story but I might need to take a break from this series.
I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.
I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.
January 10, 2023
An entertaining addition to this excellent cozy series. I had fun, the solid mystery kept me guessing, and was happy to catch up with the characters.
Enjoyable, recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
Enjoyable, recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
January 2, 2023
This is the 5th release in the charming foodie series "Bean To Bar" . This is a must read for chocolate lovers and foodies. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the ARC. My review opinion is my own.
The wow factor off this fun cozy series is the chocolate bar. Our protagnist Felicity makes chocolate from bean to bar and her business in Galveston is very popular. She also has a reputation for solving murders. In this next in series she is reequested to attend a tea at a historic mansion in town. The following day when a murder occurs at the mansion one of her friends is one of the top suspects. Felicity finds herself desperate to solve this murder to save her friend . Her sleuthing abilities will be put to the test when she receives threats and has to call on her friends to help.
I love this series for the intriquing well crafted sleuthing, the eccentric charcters and of course the chocolate descriptions. This is a mystery that kept me turning pages into the night to conclusion. Well done to the author. I look forward to the next in series.
The wow factor off this fun cozy series is the chocolate bar. Our protagnist Felicity makes chocolate from bean to bar and her business in Galveston is very popular. She also has a reputation for solving murders. In this next in series she is reequested to attend a tea at a historic mansion in town. The following day when a murder occurs at the mansion one of her friends is one of the top suspects. Felicity finds herself desperate to solve this murder to save her friend . Her sleuthing abilities will be put to the test when she receives threats and has to call on her friends to help.
I love this series for the intriquing well crafted sleuthing, the eccentric charcters and of course the chocolate descriptions. This is a mystery that kept me turning pages into the night to conclusion. Well done to the author. I look forward to the next in series.
March 3, 2023
"Everything about my life had changed, without my consent."
A Study in Chocolate by Amber Royer is a marvelous cozy mystery that covers all the necessary elements of intrigue, murder, multiple suspects, relationship woes, an historical mansion, an emotional support cat named Ruffles, and lots of scrumptious chocolate.
Felicity Koerber owns a specialty chocolate shop in Galveston, Texas, called Greetings and Felicitations, and and she is currently waffling between two love interests: Arlo, a childhood friend and previous boyfriend, and Logan, her current business partner. Love is in the air, but which guy will win out? Murder is also in the air, of course, in Galveston, and Felicity is at the center of this Sherlock Holmes style mystery. With too many possible culprits to sift through and a murderer forcing Felicity to play the “game” to keep Logon from being the next victim, Felicity, Logan, and Arlo are scrambling to piece the clues together and narrow down the list of suspects before the given deadline. With one red herring after another and almost everyone with motives and alibis, the game just seem unsolvable. What would Holmes do?
Amber Royer delivers a classic whodunit and entertains readers with quirky characters and a mystery that resembles both Sherlock Holmes’s A Study in Scarlet and the game of Clue. While A Study in Chocolate is book 5 in the Bean to Bar Mysteries, it can stand alone just fine. Many references to previous murders that Felicity lands neck deep in does not distract from the story but instead will probably make readers want to grab the entire series. As cozy mysteries go, this one is a winner and a chocolate lover’s dream come true.
Despite a few grammatical missteps, this story (and the entire series) is a must read for all mystery lovers, especially if you enjoy a great mystery with a Holmes flair. Another great aspect in this story is that readers find out what is going on right along with the main characters, with the author expertly keeping everyone in the dark for quite a long time. This story is easy to read, the mystery is moderately hard to solve, and the characterization is varied and fun. What's not to love?
I received a free copy of this book from Lone Star Book Blog Tours in exchange for my honest review.
A Study in Chocolate by Amber Royer is a marvelous cozy mystery that covers all the necessary elements of intrigue, murder, multiple suspects, relationship woes, an historical mansion, an emotional support cat named Ruffles, and lots of scrumptious chocolate.
Felicity Koerber owns a specialty chocolate shop in Galveston, Texas, called Greetings and Felicitations, and and she is currently waffling between two love interests: Arlo, a childhood friend and previous boyfriend, and Logan, her current business partner. Love is in the air, but which guy will win out? Murder is also in the air, of course, in Galveston, and Felicity is at the center of this Sherlock Holmes style mystery. With too many possible culprits to sift through and a murderer forcing Felicity to play the “game” to keep Logon from being the next victim, Felicity, Logan, and Arlo are scrambling to piece the clues together and narrow down the list of suspects before the given deadline. With one red herring after another and almost everyone with motives and alibis, the game just seem unsolvable. What would Holmes do?
Amber Royer delivers a classic whodunit and entertains readers with quirky characters and a mystery that resembles both Sherlock Holmes’s A Study in Scarlet and the game of Clue. While A Study in Chocolate is book 5 in the Bean to Bar Mysteries, it can stand alone just fine. Many references to previous murders that Felicity lands neck deep in does not distract from the story but instead will probably make readers want to grab the entire series. As cozy mysteries go, this one is a winner and a chocolate lover’s dream come true.
Despite a few grammatical missteps, this story (and the entire series) is a must read for all mystery lovers, especially if you enjoy a great mystery with a Holmes flair. Another great aspect in this story is that readers find out what is going on right along with the main characters, with the author expertly keeping everyone in the dark for quite a long time. This story is easy to read, the mystery is moderately hard to solve, and the characterization is varied and fun. What's not to love?
I received a free copy of this book from Lone Star Book Blog Tours in exchange for my honest review.
March 5, 2023
If you love a great murder mystery, this is the book for you!
Felicity is a chocolatier in the seaside town of Galveston, Texas, but she's also built a reputation for solving mysteries, and fans come to her chocolate shop just to meet her.
When a newcomer, Mitch Eberhardt, comes to town and hosts a party, he issues a personal invitation to Felicity and others. While Felicity is curious about the man who bought the historic Wobble House, she's even more intrigued when she learns that Mitch is an artist. Then he proposes that she be his model for a painting in chocolate.
But then Mitch is found dead the next day. The list of suspects is long, and Arlo, one of Felicity's love interests and a police detective, enlists her help in solving the crime. After all, Felicity has established a reputation.
Mitch's killer begins to leave messages in literary form, using a Sherlock Holmes mystery. It's through these messages the killer issues a challenge and makes it clear that Felicity's love interest, Logan, is the next target. But why?
Reading this story was like playing a complex game of Clue as Felicity rules out suspects. And while she wants to solve the murder, even more importantly, she needs to protect Logan, which is a role reversal for them. I get the feeling I would have had a clearer picture of the main characters in the story if I had read previous books in this series. However, there is enough backstory inserted that I wasn't totally lost.
The author did a fabulous job of keeping the identity of the murderer secret until the end of the book. She threw in lots of red herrings. I loved all the references to the Sherlock Holmes novels, the killer even taking on the persona of Moriarty. And while there are lots of characters, the story focuses mainly on Felicity, Logan, and Arlo.
Both Logan and Arlo have proclaimed their love for her, but she doesn't choose in this story. I have a feeling that will be for another book.
If you love a good murder mystery and like the challenge of trying to unravel and expose the killer, you will undoubtedly enjoy this book from Amber Royer! I give it 4 stars.
Felicity is a chocolatier in the seaside town of Galveston, Texas, but she's also built a reputation for solving mysteries, and fans come to her chocolate shop just to meet her.
When a newcomer, Mitch Eberhardt, comes to town and hosts a party, he issues a personal invitation to Felicity and others. While Felicity is curious about the man who bought the historic Wobble House, she's even more intrigued when she learns that Mitch is an artist. Then he proposes that she be his model for a painting in chocolate.
But then Mitch is found dead the next day. The list of suspects is long, and Arlo, one of Felicity's love interests and a police detective, enlists her help in solving the crime. After all, Felicity has established a reputation.
Mitch's killer begins to leave messages in literary form, using a Sherlock Holmes mystery. It's through these messages the killer issues a challenge and makes it clear that Felicity's love interest, Logan, is the next target. But why?
Reading this story was like playing a complex game of Clue as Felicity rules out suspects. And while she wants to solve the murder, even more importantly, she needs to protect Logan, which is a role reversal for them. I get the feeling I would have had a clearer picture of the main characters in the story if I had read previous books in this series. However, there is enough backstory inserted that I wasn't totally lost.
The author did a fabulous job of keeping the identity of the murderer secret until the end of the book. She threw in lots of red herrings. I loved all the references to the Sherlock Holmes novels, the killer even taking on the persona of Moriarty. And while there are lots of characters, the story focuses mainly on Felicity, Logan, and Arlo.
Both Logan and Arlo have proclaimed their love for her, but she doesn't choose in this story. I have a feeling that will be for another book.
If you love a good murder mystery and like the challenge of trying to unravel and expose the killer, you will undoubtedly enjoy this book from Amber Royer! I give it 4 stars.
March 8, 2023
My new favorite cozy mystery series is back and it’s as engaging as ever! Amber Royer’s A Study in Chocolate entertains with its fast pace, scrumptious food descriptions, confounding mysteries (yes, plural), adorable animals, amazing information about several topics, and a huge cast of fascinating characters.
Read my full review on my blog Carpe Diem Chronicles at maidamalby.com
Read my full review on my blog Carpe Diem Chronicles at maidamalby.com
March 14, 2023
Thank you to Netgalley and Golden Tip Press for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review!
A Study in Chocolate follows the female protagonist, Felicity, a bean-to-bar chocolate shop owner as she finds herself constantly being thrust into mysterious murders and the ultimate solving of them. Upon meeting an artist who recently came into the ownership of a historical mansion in Galveston, he inquires about Felcity's help in making a chocolate sculpture, where she would be his muse. Just a day after this encounter, a murder occurs, and Felicity's friends, including one of her potential lovers, are accused left and right. Felicity finds herself digging into a case once more, bringing many other characters into play as they solve the mystery and restore order.
Amber Royer's cozy mystery is quaint and charming with its homey setting and intriguing characters. The story accomplishes what I believe it sets out to do by providing the long-standing readers' enjoyment for the previously established characters and building up the world Royer constructs. With this accomplishment, I feel my own reading fell short as I hopped into this world without any prior knowledge or reading of the previous books. While the book does a good job at catching a new reader up to speed, I still felt as though my enjoyment would only have been increased if I had begun from the first book.
I really enjoyed the way that as a reader I was kept in the dark and solved the mystery right alongside the characters. I also think that the Holmes style/references were wonderfully constructed. The red herrings also kept me intrigued throughout.
Where the story fell flat for me was in the abundance of the characters as well as the love triangle feeling very strung out for me. I understand the love triangle's nature quite a bit in this way due to the series being long and to be continued but was hard to hop into the relationships for the first time as well as come out of the novel still unsatisfied somewhat.
The coziness and chocolatey aspects of the story really prevailed throughout and made this an enjoyable read nonetheless.
A Study in Chocolate follows the female protagonist, Felicity, a bean-to-bar chocolate shop owner as she finds herself constantly being thrust into mysterious murders and the ultimate solving of them. Upon meeting an artist who recently came into the ownership of a historical mansion in Galveston, he inquires about Felcity's help in making a chocolate sculpture, where she would be his muse. Just a day after this encounter, a murder occurs, and Felicity's friends, including one of her potential lovers, are accused left and right. Felicity finds herself digging into a case once more, bringing many other characters into play as they solve the mystery and restore order.
Amber Royer's cozy mystery is quaint and charming with its homey setting and intriguing characters. The story accomplishes what I believe it sets out to do by providing the long-standing readers' enjoyment for the previously established characters and building up the world Royer constructs. With this accomplishment, I feel my own reading fell short as I hopped into this world without any prior knowledge or reading of the previous books. While the book does a good job at catching a new reader up to speed, I still felt as though my enjoyment would only have been increased if I had begun from the first book.
I really enjoyed the way that as a reader I was kept in the dark and solved the mystery right alongside the characters. I also think that the Holmes style/references were wonderfully constructed. The red herrings also kept me intrigued throughout.
Where the story fell flat for me was in the abundance of the characters as well as the love triangle feeling very strung out for me. I understand the love triangle's nature quite a bit in this way due to the series being long and to be continued but was hard to hop into the relationships for the first time as well as come out of the novel still unsatisfied somewhat.
The coziness and chocolatey aspects of the story really prevailed throughout and made this an enjoyable read nonetheless.
February 27, 2025
Even though this was my first book in the series, it worked perfectly well as a standalone story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
It hits all the notes for a cozy mystery, and the plot is twisty enough to keep you turning pages. The story is so involved that it made a great read, although thinking back it's perhaps a bit longer than many books in this genre. It felt like just the right length for the story though, as often cozy mysteries are wrapped up too simply and without the necessary character development to make them a great read. That definitely wasn't the case here though and I'm looking forward to reading more of this series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
It hits all the notes for a cozy mystery, and the plot is twisty enough to keep you turning pages. The story is so involved that it made a great read, although thinking back it's perhaps a bit longer than many books in this genre. It felt like just the right length for the story though, as often cozy mysteries are wrapped up too simply and without the necessary character development to make them a great read. That definitely wasn't the case here though and I'm looking forward to reading more of this series.
January 29, 2023
I enjoyed every minute of this fun and fabulous book. While I enjoyed it, I learned all about chocolate, who knew? Now the most exciting thing is that it is a SERIES! So I loved the book and then I found that out!!❤️❤️❤️
The summary on Goodreads tells you everything you need to know. If you like mystery and suspense, you'll love this.
Sorry, gotta go buy the first four!
The summary on Goodreads tells you everything you need to know. If you like mystery and suspense, you'll love this.
Sorry, gotta go buy the first four!
March 2, 2023
I really wanted this to be a new favorite cozy series, but this is the fifth in the series and has an ongoing love triangle. And it’s the super annoying kind of love triangle where the woman can’t seem to decide between two men that she isn’t really even dating. In this case, Felicity has given herself an artificial deadline by which she must choose one of these men, just to give her a reason to talk about her dilemma constantly without really giving away any real emotion or an understanding of why there’s a dilemma. At one point, she kisses one of them in public and everyone is talking about it, prompting the other to ask who the better kisser is. What are they, twelve? When one is in danger, she has the thought that the other must have mixed feelings about whether or not the threat is carried out because then his competition for her affections will be gone and she’ll pick him. WTF? Both of these guys seem fine with waiting until this deadline (which doesn’t come during this book, so this will drag on into book six) for Felicity to announce her choice. It reminded me strongly of the Hannah Swenson mysteries, which I stopped reading because of an unending annoying love triangle. I suppose some reader somewhere must enjoy this sort of thing, but it isn’t me.
It took me forever to get into the book. There are a lot of info dumps about past books in the series when introducing characters that took me out of this story, and numerous references to the four previous crimes Felicity solved. She half-heartedly claims not to be a detective but then has a true crime podcast about her and “fans” asking for her autograph. There are many references to how often she finds bodies, and this is always a bit of a tightrope with an amateur sleuth. They can’t completely ignore the improbable rate of crime around them, but constantly bringing it to the reader’s attention makes suspending disbelief hard. This book goes in the latter direction.
I love the chocolate business and the details about the roasting, etc. (a big part of why I pushed on). It’s an interesting setting for a cozy series. The cat and mouse game with the killer, the Sherlock Holmes references, the clues left at the crime scenes, were all fun and interesting. Without all the other baggage bogging it down, I think it would have been a really fun mystery.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
It took me forever to get into the book. There are a lot of info dumps about past books in the series when introducing characters that took me out of this story, and numerous references to the four previous crimes Felicity solved. She half-heartedly claims not to be a detective but then has a true crime podcast about her and “fans” asking for her autograph. There are many references to how often she finds bodies, and this is always a bit of a tightrope with an amateur sleuth. They can’t completely ignore the improbable rate of crime around them, but constantly bringing it to the reader’s attention makes suspending disbelief hard. This book goes in the latter direction.
I love the chocolate business and the details about the roasting, etc. (a big part of why I pushed on). It’s an interesting setting for a cozy series. The cat and mouse game with the killer, the Sherlock Holmes references, the clues left at the crime scenes, were all fun and interesting. Without all the other baggage bogging it down, I think it would have been a really fun mystery.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 12, 2023
A Study in Chocolate by Amber Royer was not an enjoyable story to read. It is the fifth a Bean to Bar Mystery and I recommend reading the series in order. There are numerous mentions to the past murders that Felicity helped solve. My trouble with the story began with the first chapter. I had trouble with the writing style. The story is told in the first person. Felicity’s thoughts seemed to tumble around from subject to subject. The descriptions are detailed (which slows down the pacing). The mystery was interesting. The killer seems to be a fan of Sherlock Holmes. A Study in Scarlet is at the center of the puzzle. The mystery was higgledly piggledy. I wish the whodunit had been more of a challenge to solve. The whodunit can be cracked before the murder takes place. Felicity also has two love interests (my biggest pet peeve). She cannot decide between her two beaus. Felicity told the gentlemen that she will make a choice before her friend’s wedding. It does not help that both men are going to be groomsmen. Felicity with help from her investor has purchased the shop next door. This will allow customers to view how chocolates are created (the process from start to finish). I am surprised that a small chocolate shop owner would invest money in such an endeavor. I could see allowing customers to view the dipping of chocolates or the making of fudge at the front of the shop but not utilizing a whole shop for the purpose. Especially with the shop being on an island where your income relies on tourists. My favorite character was Satchmo, the retired police dog who is now a therapy dog. I did enjoy the lushing descriptions of the chocolates (highlight of the book). While A Study in Chocolate was not for me, I suggest you download a sample so you can judge it for yourself. A Study in Chocolate is a molten mystery with a private party, a cat companion, pocketed chocolates, a book clue, a paramour predicament, and a scarlet solution.
April 11, 2023
I had a really good time with this book. Each character was distinct and interesting, I enjoyed Felicity's struggles, and the mystery was a good time! I definitely recommend it to mystery readers, especially those in Texas who want to add more local writers to their reading list.
December 27, 2022
I found this story to be frustrating, it’s all over the place with the suspects and clues. I did enjoy the ending with the suspense of capture of the killer. #AStudyinChocolate #NetGalley
December 21, 2022
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
It was the very sweet cover illustration that first attracted me to this book. I really like cosy mysteries, and thought this looked and sounded like something that I would enjoy.
I thought this was a charming cosy culinary mystery. The protagonist was a person that I identified with, as we shared a love of chocolate, and of mystery novels. Some of the other characters were very fun and likeable too.
There was a sort of love triangle, and I found myself trying to choose between the protagonist's potential love interests, considering which of them I preferred and which of them I would like her to choose. Having said that, the love triangle did not distract me from the rest of the story.
It was a fun and entertaining read. I think it may have made more sense to read the other books in the series first, but I still liked it a lot.
Thank you to Booksirens and the author for a free copy to review.
It was the very sweet cover illustration that first attracted me to this book. I really like cosy mysteries, and thought this looked and sounded like something that I would enjoy.
I thought this was a charming cosy culinary mystery. The protagonist was a person that I identified with, as we shared a love of chocolate, and of mystery novels. Some of the other characters were very fun and likeable too.
There was a sort of love triangle, and I found myself trying to choose between the protagonist's potential love interests, considering which of them I preferred and which of them I would like her to choose. Having said that, the love triangle did not distract me from the rest of the story.
It was a fun and entertaining read. I think it may have made more sense to read the other books in the series first, but I still liked it a lot.
Thank you to Booksirens and the author for a free copy to review.
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January 31, 2023Full review coming in March, 2023, to Hall Ways Blog.
January 26, 2023
A STUDY IN CHOCOLATE
BY: AMBER ROYER
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
‘Dwelling on the past can destroy your future. You’re the one who taught me that.’
A STUDY IN CHOCOLATE is a cozy mystery, that is the 5th book in the Bean to Bar Mystery, but can be read as a standalone. It follows Felicity Koerber who has set up her dream shop – a chocolate shop on this island filled with all kinds of people. All seems well until the host of a tea party she had gone to with friends, turns out to be killed, and the killer has their eyes locked on Felicity to solve it (once again).
I must say I’m not too familiar with the cozy mystery genre but have been excited to try it out, considering I do like a good mystery. I’m not sure if this book is a hit or a miss because there were elements I enjoyed and elements I think could have been developed more.
Firstly, the writing style is simple. It doesn’t take much to understand what is going on. The pacing of the story, therefore, is steady and what you would expect to experience in this genre. However, I found the writing style just fine; it didn’t give much. During conversations, the word ‘says’ was repeated constantly, and I would like to read more fluidity and synonyms to show how the characters talked. Then, it won’t sound so monotone.
At the start, a lot of characters were introduced. Whenever someone new would join the party, a whole paragraph was dedicated to describing who they were and what they looked like. As a result, it was difficult for me as the reader to remember who was who because all these descriptions got thrown at me. However, it did help to get an immediate feel of who was who. My feeling is that if the descriptions were more evenly spaced throughout the scenes, the scene's pacing would be more steady.
The mystery in the end was enjoyable. The author has clearly thought about everything; who, what, where, and why and it was fun to guess along. Felicity as a main character was also refreshing to follow; she reacts lively to all the happenings and even though she is an amateur in solving mysteries, she is aware of what to do and therefore doesn’t make those frustrating mistakes. Her connections with everyone also added a nice personal touch to the story and did make it easier to remember who is who. Even though I wasn’t the biggest fan is the sort of love triangle going on, I can see past that because I know that falls down to my personal taste.
All in all, it was a fun read that delivered what it said it would. The main character was the perfect one to drop into this chaos and even though the writing style wasn’t for me, it still gave a solid enough mystery that wasn’t too boring to follow since it was complete with surprising twists.
BY: AMBER ROYER
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
‘Dwelling on the past can destroy your future. You’re the one who taught me that.’
A STUDY IN CHOCOLATE is a cozy mystery, that is the 5th book in the Bean to Bar Mystery, but can be read as a standalone. It follows Felicity Koerber who has set up her dream shop – a chocolate shop on this island filled with all kinds of people. All seems well until the host of a tea party she had gone to with friends, turns out to be killed, and the killer has their eyes locked on Felicity to solve it (once again).
I must say I’m not too familiar with the cozy mystery genre but have been excited to try it out, considering I do like a good mystery. I’m not sure if this book is a hit or a miss because there were elements I enjoyed and elements I think could have been developed more.
Firstly, the writing style is simple. It doesn’t take much to understand what is going on. The pacing of the story, therefore, is steady and what you would expect to experience in this genre. However, I found the writing style just fine; it didn’t give much. During conversations, the word ‘says’ was repeated constantly, and I would like to read more fluidity and synonyms to show how the characters talked. Then, it won’t sound so monotone.
At the start, a lot of characters were introduced. Whenever someone new would join the party, a whole paragraph was dedicated to describing who they were and what they looked like. As a result, it was difficult for me as the reader to remember who was who because all these descriptions got thrown at me. However, it did help to get an immediate feel of who was who. My feeling is that if the descriptions were more evenly spaced throughout the scenes, the scene's pacing would be more steady.
The mystery in the end was enjoyable. The author has clearly thought about everything; who, what, where, and why and it was fun to guess along. Felicity as a main character was also refreshing to follow; she reacts lively to all the happenings and even though she is an amateur in solving mysteries, she is aware of what to do and therefore doesn’t make those frustrating mistakes. Her connections with everyone also added a nice personal touch to the story and did make it easier to remember who is who. Even though I wasn’t the biggest fan is the sort of love triangle going on, I can see past that because I know that falls down to my personal taste.
All in all, it was a fun read that delivered what it said it would. The main character was the perfect one to drop into this chaos and even though the writing style wasn’t for me, it still gave a solid enough mystery that wasn’t too boring to follow since it was complete with surprising twists.
October 29, 2024
The Bean to Bar Mysteries series reaches an even more delicious depth with A Study in Chocolate, the fifth in Amber Royer's charming lineup of chocolate-fueled whodunits. This book is a must-read for both chocolate lovers and mystery fans who crave more than just a cozy caper—this series has a knack for pulling readers in with decadent detail and a heroine with a sweet tooth for solving mysteries.
In this installment, Felicity Koerber, the skilled chocolatier and accidental sleuth, has her hands full at Greetings & Felicitations, her wildly popular Galveston chocolate shop, where her confections and her knack for uncovering killers have made her a local celebrity. Felicity’s latest brush with danger starts with an invitation to a mysterious tea at the historic Wobble House, now owned by an eccentric artist named Mitch Eberhardt. Mitch’s request? Felicity poses for a chocolate-on-chocolate portrait. But the intrigue doesn’t end with this quirky idea; the very next day, Mitch is found dead, and one of Felicity’s close friends is the prime suspect.
Adding another layer of tension, Felicity receives eerie threats from a self-proclaimed “Moriarty” obsessed with Sherlock Holmes. With a string of clues left in true Holmesian style, she’s forced to play along to protect those closest to her—including Logan, one of her two romantic interests, who has been marked as the next victim. Felicity, alongside her trusty therapy dog Satchmo and the kidnapped cat Ruffles, must dive into a puzzle as rich and layered as her finest truffles.
Amber Royer crafts an engaging blend of humor, suspense, and food for the soul in A Study in Chocolate, making this book impossible to put down. The chocolate shop scenes are delectable, and the Galveston setting adds the perfect seaside charm. With every twist and turn, readers are treated to Felicity’s world, from her quirky customers to the inner workings of her chocolate-making process. The love triangle between Felicity, Logan, and Arlo brings just the right pinch of romance to balance the darker tones of the mystery.
Much like a complex game of Clue, the mystery keeps readers guessing until the last page, with red herrings and plot twists that are both satisfying and surprising. For fans of Sherlock Holmes, Felicity’s Moriarty-style adversary adds a layer of literary fun, echoing the spirit of the classic detective stories in a fresh, chocolate-infused way.
A Study in Chocolate is a fantastic addition to the series, brimming with eccentric characters, clever sleuthing, and yes—more chocolate than you can shake a stick at. Whether you’re a long-time follower or a new reader, this cozy mystery is sure to satisfy every craving for suspense and sweetness alike.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
In this installment, Felicity Koerber, the skilled chocolatier and accidental sleuth, has her hands full at Greetings & Felicitations, her wildly popular Galveston chocolate shop, where her confections and her knack for uncovering killers have made her a local celebrity. Felicity’s latest brush with danger starts with an invitation to a mysterious tea at the historic Wobble House, now owned by an eccentric artist named Mitch Eberhardt. Mitch’s request? Felicity poses for a chocolate-on-chocolate portrait. But the intrigue doesn’t end with this quirky idea; the very next day, Mitch is found dead, and one of Felicity’s close friends is the prime suspect.
Adding another layer of tension, Felicity receives eerie threats from a self-proclaimed “Moriarty” obsessed with Sherlock Holmes. With a string of clues left in true Holmesian style, she’s forced to play along to protect those closest to her—including Logan, one of her two romantic interests, who has been marked as the next victim. Felicity, alongside her trusty therapy dog Satchmo and the kidnapped cat Ruffles, must dive into a puzzle as rich and layered as her finest truffles.
Amber Royer crafts an engaging blend of humor, suspense, and food for the soul in A Study in Chocolate, making this book impossible to put down. The chocolate shop scenes are delectable, and the Galveston setting adds the perfect seaside charm. With every twist and turn, readers are treated to Felicity’s world, from her quirky customers to the inner workings of her chocolate-making process. The love triangle between Felicity, Logan, and Arlo brings just the right pinch of romance to balance the darker tones of the mystery.
Much like a complex game of Clue, the mystery keeps readers guessing until the last page, with red herrings and plot twists that are both satisfying and surprising. For fans of Sherlock Holmes, Felicity’s Moriarty-style adversary adds a layer of literary fun, echoing the spirit of the classic detective stories in a fresh, chocolate-infused way.
A Study in Chocolate is a fantastic addition to the series, brimming with eccentric characters, clever sleuthing, and yes—more chocolate than you can shake a stick at. Whether you’re a long-time follower or a new reader, this cozy mystery is sure to satisfy every craving for suspense and sweetness alike.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 9, 2023
Woohoo, the fantabulous cozy mystery series continues in Amber Royer’s next Bean to Bar Mystery Series, A Study in Chocolate this time with the mystery centered around the art world.
Readers are immediately treated to a who-done-it mystery when a new artist moves to Galveston. Felicity, the main character immediately starts investigating the who and why of their murder. But this time it is a different reason for Felicity to investigate. She gets deeply involved for personal reasons close to her heart. A Study in Chocolate moves like a speeding bullet, no pun intended.
Ruffles, the cat, and Satchmo, the dog have story time in this fifth book. That’s one of the main draws for me to this series is the animals that Royer incorporates into the storylines.
Royer still showcases Fecility as a relatable strong woman, still dealing with hang-ups. Unfortunately, readers of this series are still left with the tortuous question: Logan or Arlo? Who will finally capture Felicity’s heart forever? Now I will have to read the next book in this series to find out.
I read the first Bean to Bar Mystery, Grand Openings Can Be Murder, and the third book Out of Temper, as well as the fourth book, A Shot in the 80% Dark. Readers are not going to be as lost if they miss one book in this series. Royer is a talented writer giving adequate snippets in each book so that you are not lost.
These books are the perfect weekend diversion for wanting to relax in a crazy world with lots of coffee and chocolate. You will soon get enveloped in Royer’s way with words intertwining delving you into a fantabulous, fast-paced story around murder, and of course chocolate.
If you love stories with strong women, chocolate, animals, an emerging love story, and a steadfast mystery then add this to your TBR. To be honest, I hope more of Gently emerges in the subsequent stories. He seems like a character you really want to get to know better. Once again, Royer left me thinking about something that not even I considered before – who is my favorite painter? Do you have one?
I’m off to search for some yummo chocolate. Thanks, Royer! Right now, a Seattle Chocolate Crunchy Peanut Butter Truffle bar is calling my name!
Readers are immediately treated to a who-done-it mystery when a new artist moves to Galveston. Felicity, the main character immediately starts investigating the who and why of their murder. But this time it is a different reason for Felicity to investigate. She gets deeply involved for personal reasons close to her heart. A Study in Chocolate moves like a speeding bullet, no pun intended.
Ruffles, the cat, and Satchmo, the dog have story time in this fifth book. That’s one of the main draws for me to this series is the animals that Royer incorporates into the storylines.
Royer still showcases Fecility as a relatable strong woman, still dealing with hang-ups. Unfortunately, readers of this series are still left with the tortuous question: Logan or Arlo? Who will finally capture Felicity’s heart forever? Now I will have to read the next book in this series to find out.
I read the first Bean to Bar Mystery, Grand Openings Can Be Murder, and the third book Out of Temper, as well as the fourth book, A Shot in the 80% Dark. Readers are not going to be as lost if they miss one book in this series. Royer is a talented writer giving adequate snippets in each book so that you are not lost.
These books are the perfect weekend diversion for wanting to relax in a crazy world with lots of coffee and chocolate. You will soon get enveloped in Royer’s way with words intertwining delving you into a fantabulous, fast-paced story around murder, and of course chocolate.
If you love stories with strong women, chocolate, animals, an emerging love story, and a steadfast mystery then add this to your TBR. To be honest, I hope more of Gently emerges in the subsequent stories. He seems like a character you really want to get to know better. Once again, Royer left me thinking about something that not even I considered before – who is my favorite painter? Do you have one?
I’m off to search for some yummo chocolate. Thanks, Royer! Right now, a Seattle Chocolate Crunchy Peanut Butter Truffle bar is calling my name!
March 9, 2023
Felicity Koerber just can’t get away from murder, can she? In the fifth installment in Amber Royer’s Bean to Bar Mystery series, Felicity finds herself drawn into a mystery worthy of (and inspired by?) Sherlock Holmes himself. The book’s title is a nod to Conan Doyle’s A Study in Scarlet, and as usual, a book is involved in the mystery.
Now people don’t just come to Felicity’s chocolate shop for the delightful confections she sells. She’s got murder groupies. Her reputation as a murder magnet is heightened when she’s drawn into a mystery surrounding the death of the historic Wobble House’s new owner, someone Logan had once arrested. The killer is playing a Holmesian game with Felicity, taunting her with clues and a dare to solve the crime like Moriarty did with Sherlock. And if she can’t solve the crime fast enough? Then someone very close to her will die.
I love the literary angle in this book. The Sherlock tie-in is a treat for any mystery lover, and the threat of another death – one that matters to Felicity – adds a lot of tension to her efforts to figure out whodunnit. It was no easy solve for me, either. Royer deftly gives us one suspect after another, only to turn around and show us why that person couldn’t possibly be the killer. She kept me guessing!
Felicity is still trying to decide between Arlo and Logan. I honestly don’t know which of them I’m rooting for anymore. And even though the deadline she set herself to decide is drawing nigh, I’m not sure Felicity is ready to choose yet, either!
As an added bonus, just this weekend we finally got together with family for a very belated Christmas celebration. One of my gifts was Royer’s cookbook, There are Herbs in My Chocolate (affiliate link – you order and you get a cool cookbook, and I make a little money!). This one has been on my list for ages, so I am thrilled to finally have a copy! Maybe I’ll try the recipes out and share some here when I read and review her next book.
Delightful characters, chocolates that sound scrumptious, a twisty mystery with literary flair – it’s another five-star Royer read for me. Give me more!
Now people don’t just come to Felicity’s chocolate shop for the delightful confections she sells. She’s got murder groupies. Her reputation as a murder magnet is heightened when she’s drawn into a mystery surrounding the death of the historic Wobble House’s new owner, someone Logan had once arrested. The killer is playing a Holmesian game with Felicity, taunting her with clues and a dare to solve the crime like Moriarty did with Sherlock. And if she can’t solve the crime fast enough? Then someone very close to her will die.
I love the literary angle in this book. The Sherlock tie-in is a treat for any mystery lover, and the threat of another death – one that matters to Felicity – adds a lot of tension to her efforts to figure out whodunnit. It was no easy solve for me, either. Royer deftly gives us one suspect after another, only to turn around and show us why that person couldn’t possibly be the killer. She kept me guessing!
Felicity is still trying to decide between Arlo and Logan. I honestly don’t know which of them I’m rooting for anymore. And even though the deadline she set herself to decide is drawing nigh, I’m not sure Felicity is ready to choose yet, either!
As an added bonus, just this weekend we finally got together with family for a very belated Christmas celebration. One of my gifts was Royer’s cookbook, There are Herbs in My Chocolate (affiliate link – you order and you get a cool cookbook, and I make a little money!). This one has been on my list for ages, so I am thrilled to finally have a copy! Maybe I’ll try the recipes out and share some here when I read and review her next book.
Delightful characters, chocolates that sound scrumptious, a twisty mystery with literary flair – it’s another five-star Royer read for me. Give me more!
January 14, 2023
A STUDY IN CHOCOLATE is the fifth book in the Bean to Bar Mystery series by Amber Royer. This delicious new release had me drooling over the descriptions and kept me engrossed in the Sherlockian-style murder mystery. While I haven’t read any of the previous books, Ms. Royer does a fantastic job introducing the characters and the setting, so I never felt at a loss. The protagonist, chocolatier Felicity Koerber, comes across as relatable and someone you’d love to spend time with… especially when she’s working in her bean to bar chocolate shop on Galveston’s historic strand. My only little quibble is her love triangle, which detracted a bit from my overall enjoyment of the story. I thoroughly enjoyed the bits and pieces woven into the story about the process of making chocolate from the cacao bean until it was turned into a delectable truffle. And I was especially intrigued by the mention of chocolate sculpturing and painting portraits with chocolate. These aspects easily segued into the theme of artists and the art world, setting the stage for the murder of a local artist and collector.
Even though Felicity attended the tea hosted by the artist, she really didn’t know him. It comes as a complete shock when the killer contacts her later and tells her she has only a short time to save his life… but she receives the message too late. The killer tries to pull Felicity into the game by leaving her A Study in Scarlet, with the threat that someone Felicity loves will be killed next unless she can solve the crime before it happens. The fast-paced plot kept me guessing and the clues are there for a sharp reader to follow. With a 100-year-old cold case thrown in the mix, I’ll admit I didn’t guess correctly. The edge-of-your-seat reveal was electrifying and unsure what the final outcome would be, I turned the pages faster and faster. Ms. Royer writes a compelling mystery that is sure to appeal to fans of both chocolate and intriguing plotlines.
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Even though Felicity attended the tea hosted by the artist, she really didn’t know him. It comes as a complete shock when the killer contacts her later and tells her she has only a short time to save his life… but she receives the message too late. The killer tries to pull Felicity into the game by leaving her A Study in Scarlet, with the threat that someone Felicity loves will be killed next unless she can solve the crime before it happens. The fast-paced plot kept me guessing and the clues are there for a sharp reader to follow. With a 100-year-old cold case thrown in the mix, I’ll admit I didn’t guess correctly. The edge-of-your-seat reveal was electrifying and unsure what the final outcome would be, I turned the pages faster and faster. Ms. Royer writes a compelling mystery that is sure to appeal to fans of both chocolate and intriguing plotlines.
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 9, 2023
In this fifth and latest book in the Bean to Bar series, Felicity is thrust into a mystery that is based on Sherlock Holmes’s A Study in Scarlet and has aspects of the game of Clue. Holmes is a favorite of mine, as is Clue, so it was fun to see those story elements in this book.
While A Study in Chocolate is the fifth book in the series, it can be read as a stand alone. There are plenty of references to previous mysteries that have fallen into Felicity’s lap, so the reader has a good sense of what has come before, as well as the roles of the various continuing characters.
Overall it’s a good story, offering readers a classic whodunit, some quirky characters and a mystery that takes Felicity and Logan and Arlo down some challenging paths. Along with the mystery, the reader is treated to historic details about Galveston Island, as well as what is involved in the making of specialty chocolate.
Something new in this story is the concept of painting with chocolate on chocolate. I’d never heard of that, and the reference to it intrigued me. In previous books, Royer explained how to paint on chocolate with Edible Art Paint, but this appeared to be something different, and I would have liked to know more.
While I’ve enjoyed the previous stories for the mysteries and the fun characters, especially Gently and his cat Ruffles, the love triangle of Felicity and Logan and Arlo has not been a great part of the series for me. I think the focus on the fact that she has to choose between the two men has always diminished the other parts of the story. Of course, I’ve never cared for the love triangle trope in romance novels either, but at least in A Study in Chocolate, the heroine is not having sex with both men. I applaud Royer for keeping this a sweet romantic part of the story.
Overall, if you like a cozy mystery with some fun folks, and animals, this is a book for you. And oh, yeah, the chocolate. Who could pass that up?
While A Study in Chocolate is the fifth book in the series, it can be read as a stand alone. There are plenty of references to previous mysteries that have fallen into Felicity’s lap, so the reader has a good sense of what has come before, as well as the roles of the various continuing characters.
Overall it’s a good story, offering readers a classic whodunit, some quirky characters and a mystery that takes Felicity and Logan and Arlo down some challenging paths. Along with the mystery, the reader is treated to historic details about Galveston Island, as well as what is involved in the making of specialty chocolate.
Something new in this story is the concept of painting with chocolate on chocolate. I’d never heard of that, and the reference to it intrigued me. In previous books, Royer explained how to paint on chocolate with Edible Art Paint, but this appeared to be something different, and I would have liked to know more.
While I’ve enjoyed the previous stories for the mysteries and the fun characters, especially Gently and his cat Ruffles, the love triangle of Felicity and Logan and Arlo has not been a great part of the series for me. I think the focus on the fact that she has to choose between the two men has always diminished the other parts of the story. Of course, I’ve never cared for the love triangle trope in romance novels either, but at least in A Study in Chocolate, the heroine is not having sex with both men. I applaud Royer for keeping this a sweet romantic part of the story.
Overall, if you like a cozy mystery with some fun folks, and animals, this is a book for you. And oh, yeah, the chocolate. Who could pass that up?
March 4, 2023
This newest installment in the Bean to Bar mystery series has me knee-deep in chocolate, murder, and misdirection.
I adore this series for several reasons - all of the chocolate talk, Knightly the bunny, and mysteries that make me think and try to sort out the clue and unearth the killer before that person is revealed in the book. I don't always guess the correct person, but I have fun trying to sort through the clues and try and figure out which ones are red herrings and which ones are fact. I have to admit that I did suspect who the killer might be, but there were red herrings that threw me off and pointed me in other directions. I need to stick with my gut instinct. I appreciated how the story unwinds at the end when the killer is discovered, and everything falls into place.
There are a couple of different mysteries that happen in this book. Outside of who killed Mitch, who isn't who he claims to be, to the history of the Wobble House and the secrets it hides. I love historic homes and the secrets that they hold. There is a lot of interesting architecture, secret passages/rooms, and so much more. These are not things you usually find in today's home. I am sure there will be more secrets discovered over time.
We still have a love triangle between Felicity, Logan, and Arlo. I believe that she is getting closer to deciding, and I am on #TeamLogan. Arlo is comfortable because he is the past, but I think Logan is the future. However, Felicity might have other ideas when she finally decides. Perhaps in the next book? She has said she will make a decision by Autumn's wedding, which is in a month or so. I'll be curious to see who she chooses.
I have enjoyed each book in this series and look forward to more on the island of Galveston and many more chocolate-infused treats. We give this book 5 paws up.
I adore this series for several reasons - all of the chocolate talk, Knightly the bunny, and mysteries that make me think and try to sort out the clue and unearth the killer before that person is revealed in the book. I don't always guess the correct person, but I have fun trying to sort through the clues and try and figure out which ones are red herrings and which ones are fact. I have to admit that I did suspect who the killer might be, but there were red herrings that threw me off and pointed me in other directions. I need to stick with my gut instinct. I appreciated how the story unwinds at the end when the killer is discovered, and everything falls into place.
There are a couple of different mysteries that happen in this book. Outside of who killed Mitch, who isn't who he claims to be, to the history of the Wobble House and the secrets it hides. I love historic homes and the secrets that they hold. There is a lot of interesting architecture, secret passages/rooms, and so much more. These are not things you usually find in today's home. I am sure there will be more secrets discovered over time.
We still have a love triangle between Felicity, Logan, and Arlo. I believe that she is getting closer to deciding, and I am on #TeamLogan. Arlo is comfortable because he is the past, but I think Logan is the future. However, Felicity might have other ideas when she finally decides. Perhaps in the next book? She has said she will make a decision by Autumn's wedding, which is in a month or so. I'll be curious to see who she chooses.
I have enjoyed each book in this series and look forward to more on the island of Galveston and many more chocolate-infused treats. We give this book 5 paws up.
December 25, 2022
This is an amazing murder mystery. Felicity is a Chocolatier who moonlight as a mystery solver.
Felicity Koerber’s bean to bar chocolate shop on Galveston’s historic Strand is expanding, as it has become a gathering spot for the community, despite having been the scene of multiple murders. Artists she met while doing a chocolate sculpture are now working out of the shop. So when Felicity is invited to tea by an eccentric art collector, she’s intrigued, especially when she gets asked to pose for a portrait done with chocolate on chocolate. Only, where there is a murder the next day at the same historic house where the tea was held, one of Felicity’s artist friends becomes the main suspect.
When the killer threatens that, unless Felicity unravels the murder, one of her two love interests will be the next victim, she finds herself unwittingly at the center of a puzzle, with a Sherlock Holmes obsessed murderer who wants to be the next Moriarty – and wants to cast Felicity as Sherlock.
Felicity starts finding unexpected connects between her friends and acquaintances, and has to deal with the idea that someone who knows her is a murderer. At the same time, she has to keep her business running, despite construction dust and unruly customers – and an unexpected order for thousands of truffles.
Satchmo the retired police dog turned therapy dog returns to help her sniff out a few clues, and the kidnapping of Ruffles, the quirky artist’s cat, helps lead Felicity into the puzzle. Can Felicity solve it in time to protect the people she cares about from becoming additional victims?
Felicity Koerber’s bean to bar chocolate shop on Galveston’s historic Strand is expanding, as it has become a gathering spot for the community, despite having been the scene of multiple murders. Artists she met while doing a chocolate sculpture are now working out of the shop. So when Felicity is invited to tea by an eccentric art collector, she’s intrigued, especially when she gets asked to pose for a portrait done with chocolate on chocolate. Only, where there is a murder the next day at the same historic house where the tea was held, one of Felicity’s artist friends becomes the main suspect.
When the killer threatens that, unless Felicity unravels the murder, one of her two love interests will be the next victim, she finds herself unwittingly at the center of a puzzle, with a Sherlock Holmes obsessed murderer who wants to be the next Moriarty – and wants to cast Felicity as Sherlock.
Felicity starts finding unexpected connects between her friends and acquaintances, and has to deal with the idea that someone who knows her is a murderer. At the same time, she has to keep her business running, despite construction dust and unruly customers – and an unexpected order for thousands of truffles.
Satchmo the retired police dog turned therapy dog returns to help her sniff out a few clues, and the kidnapping of Ruffles, the quirky artist’s cat, helps lead Felicity into the puzzle. Can Felicity solve it in time to protect the people she cares about from becoming additional victims?
March 7, 2023
Amber Royer continues the Bean to Bar Mysteries with her latest Felicity Koerber whodunit. Galveston Island’s Historic Strand District offers the perfect setting for delicious secrets when Felicity secures an invite to Wobble House. Mitch, the host of the tea, surprises Felicity with an unexpected request to pose for painting on a chocolate slab. He suggests this as a cover if she solves the mystery of who threatened him with a message on the wall—she deflects the offer.
The character descriptions get expertly teased out, with Felicity still on the fence deciding between Arlo and Logan proposals. Each of these men has exciting and appealing qualities. Felicity’s friend Autumn thinks Arlo is the right choice. Will Felicity decide by Autumn’s marriage which man to have as her official boyfriend, now that they are both groomsmen? The bakers, tea party guests, and friends are essential to this tale. Each supporting character holds distinctive traits and personalities, adding to the suspense. When Mitch gets murdered, Logan and Arlo offer to help Felicity uncover the guilty party. The suspense ramps up as more mystery related to an old book comes to light.
Ms. Royer writes to appeal to each of the five senses in this page-turner—it smells like we’re submerged in chocolate, my favorite imagery. The unexpected gong of the doorbell startled guests. The myriad of threads sends readers first toward one suspect, then another as the secrets of people and Wobble House get revealed. When you discover the killer, you’ll realize the clues were there for your mind to find. I highly recommend this cozy mystery and suggest a glass of wine and rich dark chocolate while you read.
The character descriptions get expertly teased out, with Felicity still on the fence deciding between Arlo and Logan proposals. Each of these men has exciting and appealing qualities. Felicity’s friend Autumn thinks Arlo is the right choice. Will Felicity decide by Autumn’s marriage which man to have as her official boyfriend, now that they are both groomsmen? The bakers, tea party guests, and friends are essential to this tale. Each supporting character holds distinctive traits and personalities, adding to the suspense. When Mitch gets murdered, Logan and Arlo offer to help Felicity uncover the guilty party. The suspense ramps up as more mystery related to an old book comes to light.
Ms. Royer writes to appeal to each of the five senses in this page-turner—it smells like we’re submerged in chocolate, my favorite imagery. The unexpected gong of the doorbell startled guests. The myriad of threads sends readers first toward one suspect, then another as the secrets of people and Wobble House get revealed. When you discover the killer, you’ll realize the clues were there for your mind to find. I highly recommend this cozy mystery and suggest a glass of wine and rich dark chocolate while you read.
March 9, 2023
Thank you to the author and LSBBT for providing a copy of this book for review. This is the second Bean to Bar Mystery Book that I’ve read. I recommend readers begin with the first book in the series, but this book can be read as a stand-alone.
I love that this series is set in Galveston, Texas, a city I know well. Felicity and her partner, Logan, run a chocolate shop on the Strand, making all their product from scratch. Readers are treated to lots of delicious descriptions of chocolate bars and baked goods. Warning: don’t read hungry!
Felicity has a thing for Logan. Unfortunately, she also has a thing for local cop, Arlo. This has been an ongoing love triangle, which keeps Felicity in a state of perpetual indecision and readers hoping she’ll put us out of our misery. BTW I’m team Logan!
Felicity and her friends attend a tea hosted at the historical home of a art dealer, new to town. After he is found murdered the following morning, Felicity realizes his killer is taunting her, using clues from a Sherlock Holmes book. When they threaten the life of someone close to her, she becomes desperate to solve the murder and unmask the mastermind behind the crime.
The pace of this book is lightning fast with little time to breath between scenes. There is a crowd of suspects and red herrings galore. Royer will keep you guessing to the end, leading you down secret tunnels and underground rooms. At times I felt overwhelmed by the action and had to slow down my reading to absorb all the details.
This is a fun cozy murder mystery in a great setting with a host of great characters. I recommend it to readers who enjoy this genre.
I love that this series is set in Galveston, Texas, a city I know well. Felicity and her partner, Logan, run a chocolate shop on the Strand, making all their product from scratch. Readers are treated to lots of delicious descriptions of chocolate bars and baked goods. Warning: don’t read hungry!
Felicity has a thing for Logan. Unfortunately, she also has a thing for local cop, Arlo. This has been an ongoing love triangle, which keeps Felicity in a state of perpetual indecision and readers hoping she’ll put us out of our misery. BTW I’m team Logan!
Felicity and her friends attend a tea hosted at the historical home of a art dealer, new to town. After he is found murdered the following morning, Felicity realizes his killer is taunting her, using clues from a Sherlock Holmes book. When they threaten the life of someone close to her, she becomes desperate to solve the murder and unmask the mastermind behind the crime.
The pace of this book is lightning fast with little time to breath between scenes. There is a crowd of suspects and red herrings galore. Royer will keep you guessing to the end, leading you down secret tunnels and underground rooms. At times I felt overwhelmed by the action and had to slow down my reading to absorb all the details.
This is a fun cozy murder mystery in a great setting with a host of great characters. I recommend it to readers who enjoy this genre.
June 4, 2025
Felicity Koerber is a chocolatier and amateur detective - though the latter doesn't seem as if it's always by choice. She owns a chocolate shop in Galveston, Texas and her stock sounds absolutely delectable! Pecan pie truffles, horchata, banoffee banana bread, and more I was excited to see the bonus recipes at the end - I will be trying some of these!
This is Felicity's 5th case, which she finds herself unable to step away from the investigation when the murderer challenges her to solve the case or one of her love interests will be the next target.
A Study in Chocolate is the 5th book in the Bean to Bar Mysteries series, but my first from Amber Royer. Like most cozy mystery series, you can pick up any book in the series and appreciate the mystery but for the overarching plot it is better to read from book 1. There are quite a few references to prior mysteries and other characters throughout that I didn't fully appreciate but it wasn't a detriment.
Overall, I enjoyed the story but it did feel like it really dragged along at the end. I feel like the actual sleuthing didn't start until at least the 40% mark when murderer started taunting her.
The murder's ode to Sherlock Holmes was fun but very on the nose, and despite the taunting from the murderer, there didn't actually seem to be many clues, just solving based on vibes.
Although not my favourite cozy murder read, I would pick up the next one and see if it's a one-off.
Thank you to Amber Royer and BookSirens for the advance copy.
Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
This is Felicity's 5th case, which she finds herself unable to step away from the investigation when the murderer challenges her to solve the case or one of her love interests will be the next target.
A Study in Chocolate is the 5th book in the Bean to Bar Mysteries series, but my first from Amber Royer. Like most cozy mystery series, you can pick up any book in the series and appreciate the mystery but for the overarching plot it is better to read from book 1. There are quite a few references to prior mysteries and other characters throughout that I didn't fully appreciate but it wasn't a detriment.
Overall, I enjoyed the story but it did feel like it really dragged along at the end. I feel like the actual sleuthing didn't start until at least the 40% mark when murderer started taunting her.
The murder's ode to Sherlock Holmes was fun but very on the nose, and despite the taunting from the murderer, there didn't actually seem to be many clues, just solving based on vibes.
Although not my favourite cozy murder read, I would pick up the next one and see if it's a one-off.
Thank you to Amber Royer and BookSirens for the advance copy.
Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
January 21, 2023
A Study in Chocolate is the 5th in the Bean to Bar cozy mystery series. Our main character, Felicity, owns a craft chocolate shop where she makes and sells craft chocolate.
As happens in a cozy mystery, the main character becomes involved in a murder investigation. This time, the murderer has made it personal, Felicity needs to figure out who the murderer is and stop them before they commit their next murder because it might be someone she cares about.
You'll enjoy this story if you like:
🍫Chocolate
🍫Furry companions 🐕🐈🐇
🍫A fun cast of supporting characters
🍫Lots of red herrings
🍫An exciting mystery to solve
If you have read the others in the series, you will probably enjoy this one. I had not read the previous books in the series. You could read as a stand-alone. I struggled at times, though, because there was so much that happened in the previous books that carried into this one, and at times, I felt like I was missing something.
What I enjoy about a cozy mystery is that there might be a romance or a budding romance, but it's usually a fairly closed door. Our main character has two potential love interests, and she has a decision to make. She's told them both that she will have a decision by her best friends wedding. But I didn't particularly enjoy the two love interest part in this cozy mystery. It just seemed a bit distracting to the story.
But, overall, this story kept my interest and was an enjoyable read.
Thanks to NG and booksgosocial for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
As happens in a cozy mystery, the main character becomes involved in a murder investigation. This time, the murderer has made it personal, Felicity needs to figure out who the murderer is and stop them before they commit their next murder because it might be someone she cares about.
You'll enjoy this story if you like:
🍫Chocolate
🍫Furry companions 🐕🐈🐇
🍫A fun cast of supporting characters
🍫Lots of red herrings
🍫An exciting mystery to solve
If you have read the others in the series, you will probably enjoy this one. I had not read the previous books in the series. You could read as a stand-alone. I struggled at times, though, because there was so much that happened in the previous books that carried into this one, and at times, I felt like I was missing something.
What I enjoy about a cozy mystery is that there might be a romance or a budding romance, but it's usually a fairly closed door. Our main character has two potential love interests, and she has a decision to make. She's told them both that she will have a decision by her best friends wedding. But I didn't particularly enjoy the two love interest part in this cozy mystery. It just seemed a bit distracting to the story.
But, overall, this story kept my interest and was an enjoyable read.
Thanks to NG and booksgosocial for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
July 6, 2023
Wow! A novel set on. Galveston Island Texas and it isn't about a. hurricane. We used to go to Galveston when I was a kid and it was so much fun! As a native Texan I am thrilled I had the opportunity to read this book.
I really enjoyed reading this mystery novel. . It is about a chocolate shop and opens with a shoplifting scene. Facility, the owner of the shop then discovers a Sherlock Holmes book, The Sign Of Four on her bookshelf she keeps for customers to brouse and found a threatening message inside warning of death. Too late she discovers. one of her friends who was an artist was murdered and his cat was missing.
In her quest to find tte answer of his mysterious .death we are treated to lots of of chocolates, including a sculpture in chocolate, a cute rabbit, a service dog, a Tuxedo cat and lots of humans who might be the killer.
It was a delicious and delightful summer read . Ms Royer is an amazing author and offered a lot of of possibilities of Whodunit.
My only complaint is some of tte scenes ran a little too long and the story dragged a bit. I can overlook that a little though because of all the many writing projects she does, she is always writing and can't stop. 😀. Very impressing author.
Thank you Book Sirens and author Amber Royer. My opinion is my own and I give it freely and with sincere enthusiasm.
Yay for Texas authors!
I really enjoyed reading this mystery novel. . It is about a chocolate shop and opens with a shoplifting scene. Facility, the owner of the shop then discovers a Sherlock Holmes book, The Sign Of Four on her bookshelf she keeps for customers to brouse and found a threatening message inside warning of death. Too late she discovers. one of her friends who was an artist was murdered and his cat was missing.
In her quest to find tte answer of his mysterious .death we are treated to lots of of chocolates, including a sculpture in chocolate, a cute rabbit, a service dog, a Tuxedo cat and lots of humans who might be the killer.
It was a delicious and delightful summer read . Ms Royer is an amazing author and offered a lot of of possibilities of Whodunit.
My only complaint is some of tte scenes ran a little too long and the story dragged a bit. I can overlook that a little though because of all the many writing projects she does, she is always writing and can't stop. 😀. Very impressing author.
Thank you Book Sirens and author Amber Royer. My opinion is my own and I give it freely and with sincere enthusiasm.
Yay for Texas authors!
August 11, 2023
"A Study in Chocolate" book 5 of Amber Royer's "Bean to Bar Mystery" series is a more obvious mimicking of a classic book than the others. The others had aspects of the classic book that's featured in their stories. Though, how can you not mimic Sherlock Holmes in a book that's meant to have hints towards the original. However, I was fairly certain of who the murderer was the moment they first spoke up after the murder.
I have two issues with this book. First one is, asthma isn't curable. You just go through periods of time when it is more manageable. Felicity's experimental treatment probably just healed the additional damage asthma can do to your lungs. She'll still have asthma problems when exposed to triggers. Just not as severe. Most adults with asthma will always have some degree of trouble. Kids can seem to grow out of it but they still have more potential of attacks or other lung problems as adults. I'm asthmatic and this is a whole area I could go into but not worth in on a book review.
Second issue, the love triangle with Felicity, Arlo and Logan it getting too drawn out. I was hoping it would be over with in this book. Logan lets Felicity be herself where as Arlo is trying to put her in the box she was as his teenage girlfriend. Time to grow up and pick. Though, I'll probably stop reading these if she picks Arlo....lol.
I have two issues with this book. First one is, asthma isn't curable. You just go through periods of time when it is more manageable. Felicity's experimental treatment probably just healed the additional damage asthma can do to your lungs. She'll still have asthma problems when exposed to triggers. Just not as severe. Most adults with asthma will always have some degree of trouble. Kids can seem to grow out of it but they still have more potential of attacks or other lung problems as adults. I'm asthmatic and this is a whole area I could go into but not worth in on a book review.
Second issue, the love triangle with Felicity, Arlo and Logan it getting too drawn out. I was hoping it would be over with in this book. Logan lets Felicity be herself where as Arlo is trying to put her in the box she was as his teenage girlfriend. Time to grow up and pick. Though, I'll probably stop reading these if she picks Arlo....lol.
January 17, 2023
This is the fifth book in the series and a fun read. Our protagonist, Felicity Koerber, owns a renowned chocolate shop in the historic area of Galveston and it is so successful, she has decided to expand. While this is happening, she is invited to tea by an art collector and is asked to pose for a sculpture in chocolate. Wow, really? When a murder occurs there the next day, one of Felicity's artist friends is arrested for the murder. Needing to find out what happened becomes worse when the murderer plays a cat and mouse game with her, threatening to kill one of her boyfriends next if she doesn't solve the first murder. So with Satchmo, the retired police and therapy dog, she sets out to figure out who the murderer is before he kills again. This is not a game, and she's not amused when the murderer plays games with her trying to make her into a Sherlock Holmes to his Moriarty. Will she find the murderer in time? This book has a great amount of red-herrings, and takes you on a roller-coaster ride. A great ending leaves you satisfied. However, we are left to also see who Felicity will choose as her only boyfriend. I can't wait to see what happens next! I received and ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
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