Caitlyn is settling into life as a novice witch in an English village chocolate shop – although she’s finding the hardest magic to master is making caramel sauce without burning it! When two men are murdered, and a mythical black hound is seen haunting the countryside, the village gossips are sure dark witchcraft is to blame. Caitlyn decides to do a little magical sleuthing of her own. Luckily, … Luckily, she has her very own shape-shifter to help her (even if he does come in the shape of a toothless old vampire) not to mention her naughty kitten Nibs, and her sassy American cousin!
But her investigation soon leads to unexpected revelations about the mysterious runestone necklace she wore as a baby. Can Caitlyn find the killer and unlock the secrets of her past? And will she ever convince the dashing Lord James Fitzroy to accept who she really is?
Clean read: no graphic violence, sex, or strong language.
This book follows British English spelling and usage.
The BEWITCHED BY CHOCOLATE series:
- Dark, Witch & Creamy (Book 1)
- Witch Chocolate Fudge (Book 2)
- Witch Summer Night’s Cream (Book 3)
- Blood, Sweets and Tears (Book 4)
- Bonbons and Broomsticks (Book 5)
- Double, Double, Toil and Truffle (Book 6)
- Salted Cararmel Sorcery (Book 7)
more
“Bonbons & Broomsticks” earns 5+/5 Bonbons and Black Dogs…Deliciously Fun!
Caitlyn Le Fey has been adjusting to the fact that she’s a witch, and having been adopted, she has discovered a grandmother, an aunt, and a cousin, who are all witches, too. Apprenticing in her grandmother’s chocolate shop, she is discovering she has quite the talent for manipulating chocolate, yet answers about her birth, her mother, and why she was abandoned as a baby have not been forthcoming, and her necklace with odd rune markings only adds to her personal mystery. Could there be answers in the locked room at the Manor house? Caitlyn and her BFF Pomona may have found something, but the rumors of a phantom hound, the Black Shuck, prowling the forest along with two odd deaths seem to be more of an immediate concern.
Wow! I have been waiting for the next story, and can’t be more thrilled! Once again H.Y. Hanna has devised a clever mystery incorporating a real legend of the Black Shuck, a beast that prowled the area of East Angelia. Throwing us off the scent, we are also given several more corporeal suspects with motives of jealousy and greed. As each clue or witness account is explored, it was hard for my inner detective to hone in on one. Hanna’s descriptions of the forest, the manor house, and townspeople of Tillyhenge, along with the mouthwatering caramels and bonbons fill the senses making this fictional town very real to fans. But, she doesn’t just rely on the narrative. She has penned delightful dialogue putting the reader into realistic banter, even if it’s between Caitlyn and her six-hundred-year-old vampire guardian uncle. Everything works. No hocus-pocus antics. Even with Evie’s comical inexperience with spells and the occasional added ‘umpff’ in the chocolate delicacies, the magic theme works. Even more contemporary are the issues with prejudice. The villagers don’t know the truth about Caitlyn and her family, but their bigotry, fears, and jealousy of that which is different manifests in protests and vicious gossip. People take sides, but it only strengthens Caitlyn’s bond with her family. She even chooses to confide in Lord James Fitzroy, but…well, what would you say if the person you are falling for says they are a witch? Fun! Engaging! I highly recommend this fifth book in the series, and although their are no spoilers to effect reading the books out of order, details are slowing being revealed about Caitlyn’s past. You’ll want to read the rest of the series.
Bonbons and Broomsticks by H.Y. Hanna
Bewitched by Chocolate #5
Caitlyn is still in novice witch murder sleuth mode when she determines to find out how to men died suspiciously. One man was at dinner in a group she ate with and another was a vagrant. There is a creature roaming about that has some up in arms though Caitlyn has met the creature and found it rather harmless. She finds out more about the beast and eventually finds out who the murderer was. With an evil gossip monger out and about, a man she would love to have as her boyfriend a bit distant and someone named Blackmort being name dropped this was an easy cozy murder mystery that also put walking and dancing shoes in a new light for me 😉
Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.
3-4 Stars
good teen girl reading
Widow Mags and family are seeming much more like family, plus Evie and Caitlyn are getting closer. A few possible discoveries were made. The bad person/s was/were caught. Even Viktor was his charming old vampire self. This is probably one of my favorite cutesy magic series.
Just fun. Have a health issue and am reading cozy fun mysteries for the ability to just relax. Nothing to “icky ” Enjoy this series, keep hoping for more.
BONBONS AND BROOMSTICKS, the fifth book in the Bewitched by Chocolate Mystery Series, is a
quick, light read, perfect for summer vacation.
This installment finds Caitlyn worried about the status of her friendship with James after the events of the last book. She feels a bit better when she is invited to a dinner party at James’ manor. Talk turns to the death of a tramp and the resurgence of sightings of The Black Shuck, a monstrous dog of legend whose appearances are said to herald death. Among the guests is James’ neighbor Sir Henry who meets an untimely end on his way home from the dinner. Now Caitlyn has plenty to figure out. In addition to the murders and dog, Caitlyn finds something that might explain the rune stone she has worn since she was a baby, hopefully a key to her past.
I always find time spent with Caitlyn a treat. The descriptions of Widow Mags’s chocolate confections alone are enough to keep me reading. There are a few twists and turns along the way in the murder investigation to keep whodunit in question for a good deal of the story. The inclusion of The Black Shuck is even more engaging, though I did figure out what was going on pretty early on. The bits about the rune stone are interesting, but I am becoming impatient with waiting to learn all of the secrets of Caitlyn’s past.
Caitlyn is a likeable protagonist. She does do some irresponsible stuff, like running into the forest where there might be a dangerous beast in the middle of the night…more than once. Widow Mags, James, and, of course, kitten Nibs and mastiff Bran are all favorite characters. Unfortunately, I have still not warmed up to Pomona. Her constant use of “like” and “’cos” grates; most Americans do not talk this way.
I enjoyed BONBONS AND BROOMSTICKS and recommend it to fans of the series and readers looking for a breezy paranormal cozy.
I received a copy of this title from the author and voluntarily shared my thoughts here.
I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait for the next instalment in the series!! It had just the right amount of mystery and witch craft to make it enjoyable. I hope it gets made into an audible book.
A ghostly hound is being blamed for a number of murders in Tillyhenge, but when the victims autopsy revile poisoned chocolates, it’s up to Caitlyn to solve the murder and the mystery sighting of a demon dog. I love the recurring side characters that join in with the fun and witch craft.
Bonbons and Broomsticks by H.Y. Hanna was another delicious read in her Bewitched by Chocolate series. The plot moves quickly and the characters are becoming more “real” as I read each book. I am always caught up in the life in Tillyhenge with each book. I can always count on Ms. Hanna to pull me into the story with the mystery twists and turns and laughter as Uncle Viktor and Evie have something to add to the story.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. All of the above opinions are my own.