A sleuthing chocolatier is the only thing standing between an eccentric seaside town and the deadly plot to destroy it in this cozy culinary mystery for fans of Joanne FlukeWhen Charity Penn receives a letter saying she won a trip to Camellia Beach, South Carolina complete with free cooking lessons at the town’s seaside chocolate shop, The Chocolate Box, she’s immediately skeptical. She never … skeptical. She never entered any contest. Her former prep school friend offers to look into the phony prize—only to end up drowned in a vat of chocolate.
Struck with guilt, Penn heads to the southern beach town to investigate why he was killed. But as wary as she is of the locals, she finds herself lured into their eccentric vibe, letting her defenses melt away and even learning the art of crafting delicious chocolates. That is, until delight turns bittersweet as she steps straight into the midst of a deadly plot to destroy the seaside town. Now, only Penn’s quick thinking and a mysterious cask of rare chocolate can save the town she’s learning to love.
Rich and decadent, Asking for Truffle, the first in a new cozy series by Dorothy St. James, is sure to be a delectable read for fans of JoAnna Carl and Joanne Fluke.
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Asking for Truffle is a splendid twist on the cozy, offering a complex heroine, a coastal town full of secrets, and surprises around every corner. A heady delight for chocolate lovers and an enticing beginning to a new mystery series. I look forward to many more installments from St. James and her heroine, Penn.
Could there be a more delightful pairing than crime and chocolate, at least between the pages of a mystery novel? Asking for Truffle delivers the goods—a heroine you can root for discovering sweet new talents even as she deals with murder most foul. Did I mention there’s a cute if somewhat mischievous canine? And a sexy surfer? And lots and lots of chocolate. If you like your cozies rich with atmosphere and peopled with engaging characters, then this series will suit you to a T (which stands for—recipe included).
An intriguing premise that will draw you in and keep you guessing, a spunky protagonist turned reluctant chocolatier, and the perfect blend of exotic chocolate makes St. James’s new series sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. The mystery of Penn’s past looms in this tightly plotted page-turner. Asking for Truffle will leave you hungry for a cup of creamy, rich hot chocolate and wanting to know what’s next for Penn and her new found family.
Dorothy St. James has crafted a delicious concoction of murder and mayhem in her debut title Asking for Truffle. The spunky heroine, Penn, makes a refreshingly no nonsense amateur sleuth, working to discover who murdered her longtime friend while taking on the delicious task of learning how to make artisan chocolates with her adorable dog Stella at her side. I enjoyed every bite.
Chocolate and cozy mysteries are always a perfect combination, so I just knew that this new series by Dorothy St. James was going to be sweet! (Pun intended. Sorry. I couldn’t help myself.)
Asking for Truffle is the first book in the new Southern Chocolate Shop Mystery Series. We meet Charity Penn and get a glimpse into her complex and at times dysfunctional world. Here are my top reasons to read this book.
A Solid Foundation
This book is a solid foundation for this series to grow on and from. It sets the table and gives us a glimpse as to who Penn is (our protagonist hates her first name – you’ll find out why as you read) and also a look into the community of Camellia Beach, South Carolina where the majority of the story is set.
It’ll Make Your Mouth Water
If you are a chocolate fan (and maybe even if you’re not), the imagery painted of some of the chocolate recipes will have you hungry and craving something sweet. The author does include recipes in the back of the book, so you will have the opportunity to try your hand at some of The Chocolate Box’s creations at home.
Complex Characters and Plot
I was totally surprised by the outcome of the book, and I love that! Even better is, when I reflected back, I had all the clues to solve it myself, I just didn’t see it. I always appreciate when an author leaves enough information so that the reader at least has the opportunity to solve the crime along with the protagonist.
Like the chocolate truffles in the story, this book is one to be savored and enjoyed.
Sit back and let the layers of the story entertain you from beginning to end. You won’t be disappointed.
Series: A Southern Chocolate Shop Mystery
Author: Dorothy St. James
Genre: Culinary Cozy
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
Charity Penn won a trip to Camellia Beach, South Carolina and free cooking lessons at The Chocolate Box. She knows that she didn’t actually win because she never entered. She figures it is just another scam, like so many before trying to get into her bank account. Too bad that the scammers didn’t know how little control she had over her trust fund. Her best friends and former school friend, Skinny offers to look into the situation and ends up drowned in a vat of chocolate.
Charity “Penn” as she is known, hurry’s to the seaside town determined to find Skinny’s killer. As much as she distrusts everyone, and tells herself that she wants to get in and out of the decrepit old town, she finds herself enjoying her time and the people. That is until she gets involved in a second murder and puts her life in danger to solve both.
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Penn is a bit too untrusting and not a very likable character, at least not at first. Her childhood issues continue to plague her and make her into an angry and at times rude individual. Her mistrust of everyone and everything gets in the way of her truly learning to live. She is given the opportunity of a lifetime but can’t accept it for what it is, a genuine gift.
In many ways, the character of Penn is not in the least unusual is the real world. However, the fact that she continues to hold onto her issues in the face of acceptance and love is in no small part the attraction to the character and the story. The reader has to keep turning the pages to find out if she will ever let go of the past and find true happiness, and solve the murder of her friend.
This story is fast-paced, entertaining and filled with possibilities. The twists and turns often leave the reader reeling from the harshness of Penn’s thoughts and attitudes. There comes the point when the reader may want to shout at the character, shake her and tell her to stop living in the past and to look at what is right in front of her.
In the last few chapters, the reader is left with a sense of anxiousness and satisfaction, knowing that they didn’t waste their time reading to the end. The ending gives people joy and an outlook on life that all things are possible even for Charity Penn.
Asking for Truffle is the first book in a new series and is highly recommended for its entertainment value as well as its ability to pull an emotional response from the reader. Those who enjoy a good who done it will love this book.
Yum! Wear a bib when you read this one! The chocolate descriptions and the recipes will definitely have you drooling. An interesting heroine and a town filled with quirky characters, plus chocolate — what’s not to like? Dorothy St. James did a super job.
Asking for Truffle is a story as richly layered as the rare chocolate it features, with interesting and quirky characters readers will love, all wrapped in a lush setting that made me want to stake out a spot in town and stay there. Readers will definitely wish they could visit the Chocolate Box after reading this story.
I won this book from Goodreads giveaway. I was asked to give a honest review, all thoughts are my own. This is a wonderful cozy-mystery, I found that the characters had a very interesting interaction. I feel for Penn, not knowing who her mother, and being raised by family members who treated her like she wasn’t family. Know she has been ask to go to learn how to make Chocolate but in truth she will be inheriting the business. But before she goes her best friend goes down then and then is killed, and there will be a few more through the book.
I fell in love with the cover of this book the very first time I saw it. I adored the pup pictured. Finally, I got the book! It was everything I hoped for. Every bit of entertaining as the cover promised me. I love Stella, the cover dog, even more! There are a few things going on with the story’s main character, Penn. I like Penn a lot. I think her and Stella are a great match. I also liked the other characters to various degrees. I love that the author gave everyone good and bad parts. It made choosing the villain hard but also kept things real. How many people do you know who are totally either good or evil? That’s right. Most people are a mix of good and bad. I really enjoyed this story. I love chocolate so reading all about it was no hardship at all. If you are thinking about choosing this book, my recommendation is to go for it. I got caught up in the story fairly quickly. I hope you will, too.
Charity Penn has been raised to trust no one, so she is immediately suspicious when she receives a letter stating she won a contest for cooking lessons in a chocolate shop in South Carolina – a contest she didn’t enter. When her friend goes down to investigate, he calls her teasing good news and then winds up dead in a vat of chocolate. Determined to figure out what happened to her friend, Penn goes to investigate. But can she trust anyone? What is going on?
This book started out slowly, at least mystery wise, since it had the hard job of setting up the series as well as solving the mystery. However, the second half included some good twists and turns as well as payoff for the set up. Penn is an interesting main character since she is pricklier than we normally see in a cozy mystery, but the reasons for her behavior as fully explained and understandable. I’m looking forward to seeing some growth from her as the series progresses, and we already see some of that here.
ASKING FOR TRUFFLE is the first book in the A Southern Chocolate Shop Mystery series.
It’s a very well written cozy mystery that will have you turning the pages trying to figure out, along with the main character, Charity Penn, whodunit.
The story revolves around the little town of Camellia Beach, South Carolina. Penn, as she wants to be called, get a mysterious letter claiming she won a trip there and free cooking lessons at The Chocolate Box. The first mystery is how could she have won when she didn’t enter when she never enters contests.
Penn has been dealt a raw deal in life. From being abandoned as a baby, to parents and grandparents that seem to loath her much less show her any signs of affection, and it goes on to the worse choice in men including her last one, The Cheese King. All she got from that relationship was a yappy, snipping little dog named Stella.
After talking to her friend, Skinny McGee, he agrees to go to the town and nose around to try to find out how or why she “won” this contest. He gets murdered in the process but not before leaving her a message that he has great news for her and to get there as fast as she can. When the cops claim he was killed in a drug deal, Penn feels obligated to go to Camellia Beach to clear his good name.
Once she arrives she meets a whole host of characters including: the owner of The Chocolate Box, Mabel Maybank and her friend, Bertie Bayes – Bettie’s eccentric daughter, Althea – the Dalton brothers, Harley (attorney) and Cal.
Finding no help with the local law enforcement, Penn decides to take the classes she “won” to try to find out more information. In a very short time she finds she likes Mabel and really loves chocolate and making the candy. Sadly Mabel dies right after the classes are over and leaves the shop to Jenn in her will. But why?
It isn’t until Penn gets to discussing details with Detective Gibbons that her claims and information are taken seriously. They find out they have not one murder but two to figure out. Will they find out before someone tries again to take out Penn. They’ve tried before but didn’t succeed, but she knows that Mabel’s will would play out differently if she were to have an “accident” before five days after the will reading.
This book is full of excitement taking you down different paths almost like a maze hitting one dead end after another but the prize at the end is very well worth all the head butting along the way. Jenn finds a HOME – a place to belong and with folks that really care about her.
Finding out about the cacao beans, chocolate making process and the description of the truffles and candy were enough to make your mouth water. I was thrilled to see the recipes at the back of the book. Loved the cover before I ever read the book, but after reading it I think I can actually smell the chocolate and hear Stella yippty yapping.
I’d recommend ASKING FOR TRUFFLE to anyone that wants a GREAT cozy mystery to read. I can’t wait for book #2 to hit the shelves!
Asking For Truffle A Southern Chocolate Shop Mystery by Dorothy St. James is a scrumptious cozy mystery that delivers an exceptional fun read.
Penn gets a strange letter saying she has won chocolate making lessons at a beach town on South Carolina. She never entered a contest so she asks her friend to check it out but when Skinny is murdered Penn’s guilt for asking him for help propels her to go and find out who killed him? Will she find the answers she seeks or will she become a victim too? Who is trying to scam her and why and did it lead to Skinny’s death?
This is a very fun, engaging read. Penn is a very cautious, inquisitive woman who doesn’t trust easily. She has had her share of rejection and people trying to scam her out of an inheritance that she can’t or doesn’t want to touch. She isn’t always a good judge of character so she tends to suspect everyone of trying to deceive her and want something from her. When she meets the women, Bertie and Mabel who have the Chocolate Box where the letter came from she seems to let her guard down some. Mabel who owns the shop is a person you just can’t help loving. She finds a chip in Penn’s wall and starts wheedling her way in. There are some characters that just make you dislike and distrust them like Jody and Mabel’s children. Then there is the good looking smooth talking Cal that seems to be just a little to chummy and slick if you ask me. Harley seems to be a straight shooter but still you just aren’t sure of him either. The author makes the characters so complex that one minute you love them and the next you are suspecting them and not liking them at all. I always love a mystery that you have to keep reading and guessing to the end which is exactly what this one does. Penn is strong yet vulnerable, a woman who wants a family since her father didn’t want her and her Mother abandoned her when she was born. She is likeable and you find yourself connecting easily with her and hoping she will find her happy ending when all is said and done. The ending is a little predictable but still the journey getting to the end has some twists and turns. I enjoyed this book and look forward to the next book.
All in all this is a delightful, interesting fun mystery with complex interesting characters and a good plot. The chocolate recipes included sound delectable too.
I received this book for my honest opinion and review.
I enjoyed reading Asking for Truffle by Dorothy St. James her first book in her Southern Chocolate Shop Mystery series. This story captured my interest from the first chapter. There is really so much that goes on in the book and just when I thought I had it figured out, something else would happen. Lots of yummy recipes added that I plan to try.
I genuinely enjoyed reading this book and had trouble putting this book down. The story line was riveting and kept my attention to the very end. Ms. St. James does an excellent job keeping her readers on their toes as they read her stories. I highly recommend this book to other readers.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book
This first book in the Southern Chocolate Shop Mystery series is excellent! Within minutes I was attached to Charity Penn and wanted to see things go well for her. Asking for Truffles gives us a good balance between strong characters and a well-developed, complex plot. Based on this taste of her writing, I am anxious to read White House Gardner, Dorothy St. James’s other series.
When a friend is murdered checking out a contest that Penn won without entering, she is sure his death is related to the letter announcing that she has won a trip and chocolate making lessons. Penn heads to Camilla Beach to discover what really happened to her friend. Suspicious of everyone, Penn is amazed to be warmly welcomed to the South Carolina beach town and the chocolate shop that is apparently the source of the letter.
Suspects in the murder of her friend abound but clues are not so plentiful. Few things are as they seem, and her attachment to the people of the town makes it hard for her to see a murderer in the face of any of her new friends, but she knows it must be one of them.
I requested and received an advanced readers’ copy of Asking for Truffle via NetGalley. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and I always review books that I enjoy.
Asking for Truffle by Dorothy St. James is the first story in A Southern Chocolate Shop Mystery series. Charity Penn lives in Madison, Wisconsin with Granny Mae Stoughton who helped raise her. Penn has won a trip to Camellia Beach, South Carolina along with cooking lessons, but she never entered a contest. She is suspicious (fears it is a scam or someone trying to get her money) and asks her best friend, Skinny McGee to check it out for her. Skinny leaves her a message stating he knows why she won the contest and to start packing her bags. He promises to call the next morning to share what he discovered. Unfortunately, Skinny is drowned in a vat of chocolate at the Chocolate Box during the night. Penn along with her dog, Stella (a barker and a biter) heads to Camellia Beach to find out what happened to her friend. Penn visits the Chocolate Box and starts taking chocolate making lessons from Mabel Maybank and her partner, Bertie Bays. But it is not all sunshine and rainbows in this small, island town. Another death occurs and Penn is dropped into the middle of a controversy. Penn needs to find the guilty party before she becomes the next casualty.
Asking for Truffle had such an interesting premise. I liked the Chocolate Box, Mabel, Bertie, Althea, and the luscious sounding chocolates. Penn, on the other hand, is very unlikeable. She is prickly as a porcupine, standoffish and a whiner. Penn complains constantly about her family (I admit they leave a lot to be desired, but I tired of hearing about them), her trust issues, people wanting to get close to her because of her families’ money, her lack of cooking skills, how her grandmother dislikes her, her dislike of anything related to magic, ghosts, crystals, etc. The same details are repeated over and over (I’m surprised someone had not tried to kill her prior to this). Penn states she has learned from her past mistakes, but she keeps making the same ones. Her dog, Stella (a gift from Erik, the Cheese King) is a horror (bites everyone and barks constantly—though it does seem like a smart dog). It might help if Penn actually tried to train Stella or showed her love. Asking for Truffle would have been a better story if the author had made Mabel and Bertie the main characters. The story is too long. If all the repetition had been left out, it would have been a better length. There are actually two mysteries (the murder and a burglary). Neither are difficult to solve. Penn is lacking as a sleuth. She comes to town and spends more time learning to make chocolate than investigating Skinny’s murder. She receives an envelope from the detective with paperwork that Skinny received prior to his death, and Penn does not open it. These are just two examples. The conclusion was very unsatisfying. The author should have included an epilogue to tie up the loose ends. What is the Cheese King doing that is angering Penn’s family? Why did Mabel change her will a month before Penn arrived in town? Who is Penn’s mother? These are just a couple of unanswered questions (very frustrating). I am rating Asking for Truffle 2 out of 5 stars (I did not like it). If you are looking for a good escape book, then I do not recommend Asking for Truffle. There are some scrumptious chocolate recipes at the end of the novel.
Asking for Truffles is the first book in the Southern Chocolate Shop mystery series.
I enjoyed the setting in the chocolate shop, the cooking classes with Mabel and the preparations for the Sweets on the Beach Festival – chocolate, chocolate, chocolate . There is no such a thing as too much chocolate for my taste.
My suspicions regarding the murderer were all over the place and even though I suspected the right person at some point it was still a surprise.
Charity Penn is an interesting main character but her negative attitude towards the people surrounding her is a bit overpowering. It is mentioned commonly that she fears to be conned or has been conned. I hope we will see a lot less of this in future installments.
Stella the naughty little Papillon dog is a hoot and had me laughing a lot.
I requested this book from NetGalley and am thankful that Crooked Lane Books and the author provided me with a copy.