The Chocolate Cupid Killings: A Chocoholic Mystery

I have always enjoyed reading JoAnna Carl's books because they are not overly terrorizing and they are entertaining. She does a good job with character development and plot without being too wordy.

This book contains 3 stories/books with JoAnna Carl's usual characters. The more you read, the more you root for the chocolate accountant and her new boyfriend/lawyer/boat restorer. The descriptions of the chocolates are to die for, but the plots keeps you going as well.

The Chocolate Cupid Killings is a chocolate mystery permeated with chocolate trivia and fun as it tells of Lee Woodyard, who finds her own liquer bottle was used as a murder weapon. Add in a romance for Lee and a P.I. determined to help her sand you have a fine story of intrigue and humor perfect for culinary mystery holdings.

I have read all of Joanna Carl's Chocoholic Mysteries. They are "sweet" and satisfying. Lee is a likable heroine and her family and friends are as well. The chocolate factoids sprinkled throughout her books are also enjoyable. Curl up with these and a cup of hot chocolate on a snowy winter day.

Lee McKinney Woodyard is the business manager of TenHuis Chocolade owned by her Aunt Nettie; who is harboring an abused woman in her home. Her friend Sara Jane Harding, owner of a B & BB, is involved in the underground railroad that helps women in danger of being killed by an abuser to obtain new identities, homes, and money in order to start over elsewhere. Currently Christina Meacham who uses the name Pamela Thompson is staying with the aunt and niece until they can find a place for her to begin anew. Pamela's husband Harold ran a chop shop that had mob connections; he released his stress by beating her up. She testified against him in court leading to his sentencing of five years in prison. Now he is free and hunting his spouse. Private Detective Derrick Valentine visited TenHuis asking for Christina; Lee lies, but also knows her ward must leave town immediately. That night Nettie finds a dead Valentine near the dumpster; the women conclude Harold is involved. Pamela leaves town escorted by another woman on the railroad, an underground conductor, but when they assume they are finished with Christina, she returns. Readers should not taste this amateur sleuth on an empty stomach because of the mouthwatering descriptions of chocolates, which lead to snacking. The plot is cleverly constructed with false leads and intriguing twists leaving the mystery unpredictable, plausible and entertaining. JoAnna Carl provides a terrific thriller. Harriet Klausner