Dangerously Dark (A Chocolate Whisperer Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Publisher: Kensington (September 29, 2015)
Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1617733475
E-Book ASIN: B00RRT323O
Synopsis
“Chocoholics and food cozy fans rejoice! With prose as smooth and delicious as its theme, this quality debut cozy introduces a smart protagonist with an unusual and tasty profession.”—Library Journal (starred) on Criminal Confections
Chocolate-whisperer Hayden Mundy Moore has just arrived in Portland, Oregon, where she’s about to scarf soufflés and sip cacao-based cocktails at her friend’s engagement party. Fresh from nabbing her first candy-covered killer, the last thing Hayden wants to do is mix her love of chocolate with criminal mischief again. But then the groom-to-be turns up dead before beginning his renowned Chocolate-After-Dark tour. .
Hayden’s friends insist that Declan’s death was a freak accident, but she knows there’s no mistaking the bitter aftertaste of homicide. In the midst of habañero hot chocolate and mocha-chunk gelato, a choco-crazed killer waits to strike again. Hayden will need to use more than her extraordinarily gifted taste buds to bring this murderer to justice, but she just might have bitten off more than she can chew in the process. . .
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Recipe
Can’t Miss Hot Fudge Sauce
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1½ cups heavy cream
2 tablespoons light corn syrup or golden syrup
¼ teaspoon kosher salt or flaky sea salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Get ready
Place chopped chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl. Have a lid or plastic wrap ready to fit the bowl.
Making the sauce
In a microwave-safe medium container, combine heavy cream, corn syrup or golden syrup, and salt. Microwave until just simmering, about 3–4 minutes.
Carefully pour hot cream mixture over chopped chocolate. Immediately cover and let stand 5 minutes. Add vanilla extract, then stir until hot-fudge sauce is smooth. Enjoy!
Notes from Hayden
Everyone needs a go-to hot-fudge sauce, and this is mine. You can use any kind of good-quality chocolate for this: bittersweet, semisweet, even milk chocolate. Or be a rebel and try very good quality white chocolate for a blond version! (In that case, look for cocoa butter listed first among the ingredients, to be sure you’re getting an excellent product.)
This hot-fudge sauce will last for up to a week if kept carefully covered in your refrigerator. Your mileage may vary, however—mine never lasts that long!
This sauce will thicken when cold; just rewarm it gently to restore its silky, luxurious texture.
Review
I like my chocolate dark – dangerously dark. The darker the better. – Hayden Mundy Moore
I read the above line and felt like Hayden and I were kindred spirits when it comes to chocolate! I love dark chocolate the best and think that white chocolate isn’t really chocolate.
I thought it was interesting by the author to have this story begin just days after Criminal Confections ended. Hayden is still a newbie “investigator” and when her BFF Carissa’s fiance, Declan, is found dead in her food truck, Hayden believes it is not an accident and there is a killer on the loose. And of course there is Travis – Hayden’s financial advisor that we have no idea what he looks like but she does like to flirt with him, in fact each call begins with “what are you wearing”. There was a funny dialogue between the two talking about his fish and what he was feeding them – fish meal and other things. Hayden is devastated to learn that they are cannibals and of course referenced Finding Nemo. Without getting into the whole conversation, my favorite line here was – “Hey, eat lunch or be lunch”.
I enjoyed this book (for more than just the chocolate!) and of didn’t figure out the killer ahead of time. I did get annoyed with Hayden because it seems like she is ADD and all over the place. Or maybe it was just too much description? We give this 4 paws up and look forward to the next book in this series
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