In this installment of the Chocoholic Mysteries we meet new library director, Henry Butch Cassidy. Our protagonist, Lee McKinney Woodyard, has been asked to serve on the library board so she decides to attend a meeting before she commits herself. Before the director can even start to talk about his proposed changes for the library the meeting is interrupted by someones terrified screams. One of the library staff has found the lifeless body of Abigail VanRoostock at the bottom of the basement stairs. Abigail is the woman Lee has been asked to replace on the board due to her decision to retire. Lee soon determines this was no simple fall it was murder and everyone in the meeting including her is now a suspect. Its going to take more than a truffle or a bon-bon to solve this mystery.

Dollycass Thoughts
I have been a confirmed Chocoholic my entire life and I have loved this series from The Chocolate Cat Caper to the The Chocolate Moose Motive and every book in between. I anxiously await each new story and they never disappoint.

Much of The Chocolate Book Bandit takes place away from TenHuis Chocolade where Lee does the managing and her Aunt Nettie and her staff make the chocolate. It takes place in the old library which would probably tie with a chocolate shoppe for my favorite place on earth.

Everyone in this story seems to be hiding something and the reader follows the clues with Lee to determine which ones secret connects to the death of prim and proper Abigail.

Carls sense of humor shines through in the story as Lee has several things running through her mind as she tries to solve the mystery. That new library director sure is a handsome guy and that makes it hard for her to concentrate and her slips of the tongue, which Lee is known for, are going to get her in trouble one of these days. A few had me giggling out loud.

Joanna Carl writes sweet tasty mysteries, that include fun characters and she always includes some interesting chocolate trivia. As weather turns cool, make yourself a cup of hot chocolate and curl up with this captivating cozy. A wonderful way to chase the chills away.

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Enjoyed this book in the series. Good story and fun reading. Loved to meet up with old friends. The chocolate information is always fun.

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A definite departure from the series...some good things, some not-so-good things. First, great mystery; it really took me until the end to see it and why, so kudos there! On the other hand, don't mess with people's relationships that have taken so long to develop and then short shrift the explanation. Also, what the heck was up with the lying and I'll say, it, cowardice, from Lee? Not a good thing and very out of character. Also, missed some of the regulars. Most of the main players were folks never before heard of in this series, so in that sense, I wasn't invested in the mystery.

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