A Christmas Candy Killing (A Killer Chocolate Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
The book is set in a fictional town, Harriston, Montana.
Crooked Lane Books (October 11, 2022)
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 304 pages

Synopsis

Their chocolates are to die for—but things aren’t so sweet when a real killer comes to town, in this debut mystery perfect for fans of Joanne Fluke and Laura Childs.

 

Identical twin sisters Alex and Hannah are the owners of Murder and Mayhem, a mystery bookshop that sells their famous poison-themed Killer Chocolates. But now, there’s a real killer in their midst. Shortly before Christmas, their septuagenarian neighbor, Jane, confides to Alex that a murderer from a true-crime show has taken up residence in the village. Unfortunately, she’s also shared her suspicions with town gossip Netta. The next morning, Alex shows up at Jane’s house to watch the show, but instead discovers Jane’s body, with a box of Killer Chocolates nearby.

The sheriff quickly zeroes in on two suspects: Alex, a beneficiary in Jane’s will, and Zack, a handyman who was seen leaving the crime scene. But Alex maintains her innocence and sets out to draft a list of other potential suspects—townsfolk who’d recently been seen arguing with Jane.

When Alex gets hold of Jane’s journal, she begins to understand the truth. But a bearer of ill tidings is arriving early this year—and Alex just might not make it to Christmas.

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Review

This is a fun new series because it contains several of my favorite things – chocolate, books, and murder. Ok, so may not the murder so much, but there has to be a mystery somewhere.

While this story features twin sisters, the focus really seems to be on Alex, and her twin, Hannah, seems to be a secondary character. Alex is really the one investigating the murder of her friend, Jane, and is the one that finds herself in hot water one too many times.

I do love the bookstore, especially the chocolate truffles that they sell that are named after various poisons. What a clever idea, and not to worry, there are several recipes at the back of the book that you can try yourself. It is interesting that the bookstore stocks primarily mystery novels. What if someone wants a romance or historical novel? I guess they find one that is a mystery too.

I enjoyed the mystery and trying to decipher who the killer might be. I was able to pinpoint the correct character but not the why. I suspected another character, but it was all a red herring, and it was too obvious to suspect this one character. Alex does find herself in harm’s way a time or two, but thankfully, various friends and citizens come to her rescue.

There is a potential romance between Alex and her neighbor Tom. I had to chuckle when another neighbor, Penelope, would come over and try and get between them. That woman is a mess! There is even a budding romance for Hannah…or perhaps she has two suitors. Only future books will tell.

We enjoyed this book and look forward to future installments. We give it 4 paws up.

About the Author

Christina Romeril loves to plot murders, especially by poisoning. When she’s not plotting how to kill one of her characters she’s coming up with ways to dispose of the body. Since writing her debut novel her husband’s friends have been regularly checking on his well-being.

Christina also loves to read, eat chocolates, and travel when she’s not in her she shed writing. She grew up in Southern Ontario and spent most of her summers in Muskoka swimming, boating, and generally getting into mischief. She’s lived on both coasts of Canada and has a love of being near the water and close to a forest. Thus, it makes perfect sense that she moved to the prairies of Southern Alberta over twenty years ago.

During the warmer months you’ll find her escaping to nearby Waterton Lakes National Park with her cooler stocked full of chocolate and pastries. Occasionally, the once avid hiker will even set out on one of the many hiking trails and hope she doesn’t run into a hungry bear.

Christina is a member of Sisters in Crime and enjoys interacting on social media.

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