It’s beginning to look like a merry Christmas for Hayden Mundy Moore. On vacation from providing her sought-after expertise in all things chocolate, Hayden heads to snowy New England with her friend and financial advisor, Travis, for the opening of his pal’s highly-touted holiday musical. But when the show’s producer is murdered, Hayden trades sampling Chocolate Santas for finding the … killer—especially since this time, Travis is the one asking for her help . . .
Soon Hayden discovers there’s more to Travis’s chic hometown than mulled wine and cocoa cookies. But that’s just the beginning. Almost no one, including Travis, is quite what they seem. Did the show’s lead have more savage motives than stardom? Could the dead producer’s husband have felt a murderous envy for his successful wife? Getting behind the mistletoe and jingle bells will take all of Hayden’s savvy—along with some super caffeinated Peppermint Mochas—if she hopes to catch a killer with a heart more bitter than the darkest truffle . . .
“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
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I need to go back and read all of this series. This is book 5 in 5 of the released series and I can’t wait for the next one. Just enough was mentioned of previous books to tease you into reading the previously released ones but nothing stated that would ruin a previous story. A beautifully built tension between two male characters and the female lead has me completely torn over who likes who as more than a friend and who I want to cheer for.
Now, for the mystery? I was dizzy trying to figure out who the bad guy was! Usually it’s pretty easy but you were left wondering who the intended victim was or if there was more than one victim. If there was more than one victim, was there more than one bad guy? This was REALLY well done. I was left hanging until the big reveal.
The characters were wonderfully developed and the dialogue was fun. The world building was fabulous, you could easily place yourself there. It never got draggy in any places, though it easily could have. Not being much of a cook, I did have to look up some of the terms. Luckily, I just had to highlight the right word for it to clue me in. I definitely recommend this one.
Recipes Included: Peppermint-Mocha Cookies With Peppermint -Vanilla Icing & Candy-Cane Sprinkles, Easy Peppermint-Mocha Fudge, Peppermint-Mocha Dipped Pretzels With Candy-Cane Crunch, Peppermint-Mocha No-Bake Mini Cheesecakes With Chocolate-Cookie Crust, and Supersize Peppermint Mocha.
Thank you to Colette London, Kensington Books, and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to enjoy this wonderful story and share my thoughts and opinions with others.
This is so non-entertaining. I could not follow something so rididulous.
A wonderful read. Can’t go wrong when you’re reading about chocolate.
I liked the characters. Good quick read
I love a great mystery, better still, one that has my favorite food chocolate! The characters were real. You could place yourself right their on the page.
“Peppermint Mocha Murder” earns 4/5 Truffles…murderously Fun!
First, it says ‘chocolate whisperer.’ Next, it says ‘peppermint mocha.” Last, it says ‘Christmastime.’ To me that is the trifecta of cozy entertainment! I started as an eager newbie of Colette London’s work, and she provided more than enough references to background and character connections to keep me engaged and make me a fan. Hayden Mundy Moore travels the world honing her expertise in all things chocolate and lending her talents to clients who wish to develop wonderful chocolate delicacies. However, except for a few traditional chocolate items gracing the holiday season, she knows Christmas is better known for other delicacies and she can expect some well-deserved time off. But what starts as a marvelous opportunity for “New England-style Christmas cheer” with friend/business advisor Travis Turner and maybe a chance to experiment with peppermint mocha truffles, turns into a body found and police thinking it an accident. But, it becomes clear, at least to Hayden, it is murder, and the investigation is fraught with look-alikes, secrets, family mysteries, and a romantic triangles…totally entertaining!
The first-person narrative included delightful descriptions to entertain the senses, and Hayden’s inner thoughts provided tie-ins to the drama and fascinating, not at all obtrusive, historical and culinary facts and information on chocolate. The banter among well-developed characters was engaging with a nice bit a humor. The mystery was traditional cozy, and I figured it out before then final reveal. And my favorite words…recipes included! Along with helpful “Notes from Hayden,” each easy-to-follow recipe highlights peppermint mocha to make your holidays scrumptious: cookies, fudge, dipped pretzels, no-bake mini cheesecakes, and of course, to accompany your treats, the perfect peppermint mocha!
It’s beginning to look like Christmas for Hayden Mundy Moore. On vacation from providing her sought-after expertise in all things chocolate, Hayden heads to snowy New England with her friend and financial advisor, Travis, for the opening of his pal’s highly touted holiday musical. When the show’s producer is murdered, Hayden trades sampling Chocolate Santa’s for finding the killer.
Soon Hayden discovers there’s more to Travis’s chic hometown than mulled wine and cocoa cookies. Almost no one, including Travis, is quite what they seem. Did the show’s lead have more savage motives than stardom? Could the dead producer’s husband have felt murderous envy for his successful wife? Getting behind the mistletoe and jingle bells will take all of Hayden’s savvy if she hopes to catch a killer with a heart more bitter than the darkest truffle.
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Series: A Chocolate Whisperer Mystery – Book 5
Author: Colette London (AKA: Lisa Plumley)
Genre: Cozy/Culinary Mystery
Publisher: Kensington Books
Publishing Date: September 25, 2018
Rating: 3 Books
Colette London is a good writer. She has a vivid imagination and works in the details without missing a beat or distracting from the story. Most of her characters are lively and memorable with enough oddness to make them normal. This holds true, especially in The Peppermint Mocha Murder.
Hayden wants to enjoy Christmas like she hasn’t in many years. She wants it all, snow, carols, lights, and presents. But she learns that things don’t always turn out the way you want them. She is a bit immature, and on occasion can take things too far when she wants information. This is particularly true when it comes to finding out more about Travis’ past.
Other characters in this book are entertaining and at times thought-provoking. In particular, Travis and Danny. There is a bit of dislike and completeness between the two men, and it appears that Hayden may have to choose between them. The tension allows the reader to want to know more about both men and their relationship with Hayden. This gives the book a bit of an edge at times.
For many readers, the constant talk about chocolate can get to be a bit much, even for a chocoholic. Although it is an important part of Hayden’s life, it shouldn’t be the main focus. Also, and this may be a sticking point for me, knowing the law and what a person can get by with, makes Hayden’s inheritance restrictions unbelievable. No one, even someone who is leaving you a great deal of money can put a constraint that does not allow you to settle down in a home on a permanent basis.
Because of the inheritance situation, it also limits what can be done with the character in future installments. It makes it difficult to generate interest in the setting. It might be better if the character must always travel, to place her in exotic locations around the globe instead of a small New England town or other small towns in future editions.
The murder itself is intriguing, and the suspects are credible. The killer is unexpected and yet seems to be appropriate. All the clues are in the story that the reader needs to solve the murder. Some are well disguised and takes some thinking to make sense.
The Peppermint Mocha Murder is a fun read even with a few issues. The premise is original, and hopefully, the author will be able to find a solution to the problems without diminishing the enjoyment of writing the series or reading it.