Criminal Confections by Colette London

Criminal Confections (Chocolate Whisperer Mystery, #1)

by Colette London

Hayden Mundy Moore is an expert on everything chocolate, helping clients develop new products and revamp recipes until they're irresistible. But sometimes, a dash of murder finds its way into the mix. . .

Hayden Mundy Moore has bushwhacked through African jungles and haggled in exotic markets to find the finest cacao beans and the most flavorful blends. It's thrilling work but rarely dangerous--until a colleague turns up dead at the exclusive chocolate-themed Lemaître resort spa in San Francisco.

Adrienne Dowling's heart attack is blamed on an accidental overdose of the secret ingredient used in Lemaître Chocolates' new line. Hayden can't believe that conscientious Adrienne would make that mistake. And between chocolate body scrubs, cocoa mud baths, and a non-stop frenzy of chocolate-based treats, Hayden starts to suspect that she, not Adrienne, was the intended target. Finding a killer among the rival chocolatiers and potential suspects won't just be satisfying--it might save her life. . .

Reviewed by Angie on

4 of 5 stars

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I received an ARC through NetGalley.

Murder and chocolate? Sounds good to me! Criminal Confections was a deliciously fun mystery set at a chocolate retreat. Hayden is known as the chocolate whisperer. Chocolate is her passion and expertise. She travels all over the world working as a consultant to chocolatiers, finding problems with their recipes or helping them develop new ones, or adapt old ones for new markets. Her latest contract is with the company hosting the retreat, so Hayden is expecting a few days of chocolate tasting, panels, and spa treatments. Murder is the last thing on her mind, but then her friend Adrienne winds up dead while working on new caffeinated truffles.

I adored Criminal Confections from the beginning. Hayden is such an upbeat and great narrator. Her passion for chocolate and life really shines through. She never stays in one place for more than a couple months, and literally carries the entirety of her belongings in a carry-on bag. She's also one of those people who meet no strangers, so it's easy for her to start investigating Adrienne's murder after it's deemed an overdose. Hayden winds up uncovering more than just a murderer. She learns of affairs and company secrets! There always some new, juicy bit of gossip cropping up to confuse the evidence.

While the mystery was really fun, I did have to roll my eyes a bit at the big confrontation near the end. Of course, Hayden tries to lure out the killer by offering up something she thinks they want. However, someone unexpected shows up and she can't figure out why they're there. Um, hello! They're who you were trying to fish out! They're the murderer! I felt like those people who yell when someone goes into the basement in a horror movie. Like, don't go into the spa room with the killer!!!

Criminal Confections was just a delight to read. The mystery was fun, and I did figure out the murderer. I couldn't pinpoint why they killed Adrienne, because more secrets! And I feel like I learned a lot about chocolate! I'm super picky when it comes to sweets, but a lot of the desserts Hayden described, I want to try! She also mentions one of my favorite brands: Kinder!

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 23 December, 2014: Finished reading
  • 23 December, 2014: Reviewed