I don’t usually take the trouble to write reviews for books that I don’t rate highly, but this book was actually a chore for me to finish. I persisted, because I was curious about who would turn out to be the culprit, but the grammar was sloppy, the editing left multiple spelling errors and/or typos, and the final scenario was ridiculous. Who buys earrings at a jewelry shop as a gift and then carries them loose in their pocket? They get them in a box or a bag. Not only that, but way too much time was wasted on the main character’s internal angst, and not enough on leading the reader through the clues. One of the best things about reading a mystery is feeling like you have a chance to figure out the murderer before it is revealed by the author. No such luck here. Since this book is one of a 30 book series, I am obviously I the minority in this opinion, but I felt it necessary to put it out there. Maybe the quality improved as the series continued, but I have no desire to find out.
Chocolates with a Side of Murder
by Meredith Potts
Book 1 in the popular, long-running series!
A family tragedy drove Sabrina Daley to study criminology. She planned to become a detective, but put it all behind for a simpler life.
Running her family's coffee shop, Sabrina hasn't needed her crime-solving skills. The deadliest threat at the Daley Buzz coffee shop is mixing up the regular coffee with the decaf. The scariest thing is running out of the shop's signature chocolate muffins!
But then one day, the sleepy town of Treasure Cove is rocked by news of a local murder.
For Sabrina, the murder is extremely local. As in... right behind her coffee shop. Talk about too close for comfort. Sabrina is the one who discovers the body in the alley. She is shocked to the core, and takes a personal interest in the case.
When the local detective, handsome David Carlson, gets stuck on the investigation, Sabrina joins forces to help bring a killer to justice.
As Sabrina works through the clues, she is forced to revisit her tragic past. Is this new crime connected to the cold case that haunts her? Will the answers ever be found? Will justice be served?
Sabrina is determined to solve the mystery. For the victim, for her friends and family, and for the future of the town she calls home.
READERS LOVE THIS COZY MYSTERY SERIES:
"This mystery had me intrigued and the end result wasn't what I suspected. I am excited this is a series. Can't wait for more from her! Get ready to laugh out loud at this story and also start to feel like a detective yourself."
"Light reading that keeps you engaged."
"There's so much to love in this first-in-series. A shocking crime. A mysterious cold case. Secret meetings at a spooky abandoned house. Colorful small town characters. A blossoming romance. An adorable corgi sidekick. And chocolate. Plenty of chocolate. If you love a cozy mystery packed with intrigue, you'll love Chocolates With A Side Of Murder."
"I love guessing who-done-it while I'm reading a cozy mystery. Meredith Potts always provides lots of clues and suspects, plus a twist you never see coming."
"A good clean series suitable for all ages. I enjoy these titles in audiobook so I can listen with younger family members present."
"Through the series, we get to see Sabrina's relationships continue to grow and her family expand."
"Storylines move at a quick pace with twists and turns along the way to keep you guessing and entertained. The characters are likable. Each book can be enjoyed as a stand-alone mystery but reading them in order can help you understand the backstory of the characters."
"It really had me going. The whodunit was surprising."
CHOCOLATES WITH A SIDE OF MURDER is the first in a 32-book series, all available now! Free to borrow in Kindle Unlimited.
Reviews
