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kimdavishb's review
4.0
A STUDY IN CHOCOLATE is the fifth book in the Bean to Bar Mystery series by Amber Royer. This delicious new release had me drooling over the descriptions and kept me engrossed in the Sherlockian-style murder mystery. While I haven’t read any of the previous books, Ms. Royer does a fantastic job introducing the characters and the setting, so I never felt at a loss. The protagonist, chocolatier Felicity Koerber, comes across as relatable and someone you’d love to spend time with… especially when she’s working in her bean to bar chocolate shop on Galveston’s historic strand. My only little quibble is her love triangle, which detracted a bit from my overall enjoyment of the story. I thoroughly enjoyed the bits and pieces woven into the story about the process of making chocolate from the cacao bean until it was turned into a delectable truffle. And I was especially intrigued by the mention of chocolate sculpturing and painting portraits with chocolate. These aspects easily segued into the theme of artists and the art world, setting the stage for the murder of a local artist and collector.
Even though Felicity attended the tea hosted by the artist, she really didn’t know him. It comes as a complete shock when the killer contacts her later and tells her she has only a short time to save his life… but she receives the message too late. The killer tries to pull Felicity into the game by leaving her A Study in Scarlet, with the threat that someone Felicity loves will be killed next unless she can solve the crime before it happens. The fast-paced plot kept me guessing and the clues are there for a sharp reader to follow. With a 100-year-old cold case thrown in the mix, I’ll admit I didn’t guess correctly. The edge-of-your-seat reveal was electrifying and unsure what the final outcome would be, I turned the pages faster and faster. Ms. Royer writes a compelling mystery that is sure to appeal to fans of both chocolate and intriguing plotlines.
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Even though Felicity attended the tea hosted by the artist, she really didn’t know him. It comes as a complete shock when the killer contacts her later and tells her she has only a short time to save his life… but she receives the message too late. The killer tries to pull Felicity into the game by leaving her A Study in Scarlet, with the threat that someone Felicity loves will be killed next unless she can solve the crime before it happens. The fast-paced plot kept me guessing and the clues are there for a sharp reader to follow. With a 100-year-old cold case thrown in the mix, I’ll admit I didn’t guess correctly. The edge-of-your-seat reveal was electrifying and unsure what the final outcome would be, I turned the pages faster and faster. Ms. Royer writes a compelling mystery that is sure to appeal to fans of both chocolate and intriguing plotlines.
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
hugbandit7's review
5.0
This newest installment in the Bean to Bar mystery series has me knee-deep in chocolate, murder, and misdirection.
I adore this series for several reasons - all of the chocolate talk, Knightly the bunny, and mysteries that make me think and try to sort out the clue and unearth the killer before that person is revealed in the book. I don't always guess the correct person, but I have fun trying to sort through the clues and try and figure out which ones are red herrings and which ones are fact. I have to admit that I did suspect who the killer might be, but there were red herrings that threw me off and pointed me in other directions. I need to stick with my gut instinct. I appreciated how the story unwinds at the end when the killer is discovered, and everything falls into place.
There are a couple of different mysteries that happen in this book. Outside of who killed Mitch, who isn't who he claims to be, to the history of the Wobble House and the secrets it hides. I love historic homes and the secrets that they hold. There is a lot of interesting architecture, secret passages/rooms, and so much more. These are not things you usually find in today's home. I am sure there will be more secrets discovered over time.
We still have a love triangle between Felicity, Logan, and Arlo. I believe that she is getting closer to deciding, and I am on #TeamLogan. Arlo is comfortable because he is the past, but I think Logan is the future. However, Felicity might have other ideas when she finally decides. Perhaps in the next book? She has said she will make a decision by Autumn's wedding, which is in a month or so. I'll be curious to see who she chooses.
I have enjoyed each book in this series and look forward to more on the island of Galveston and many more chocolate-infused treats. We give this book 5 paws up.
I adore this series for several reasons - all of the chocolate talk, Knightly the bunny, and mysteries that make me think and try to sort out the clue and unearth the killer before that person is revealed in the book. I don't always guess the correct person, but I have fun trying to sort through the clues and try and figure out which ones are red herrings and which ones are fact. I have to admit that I did suspect who the killer might be, but there were red herrings that threw me off and pointed me in other directions. I need to stick with my gut instinct. I appreciated how the story unwinds at the end when the killer is discovered, and everything falls into place.
There are a couple of different mysteries that happen in this book. Outside of who killed Mitch, who isn't who he claims to be, to the history of the Wobble House and the secrets it hides. I love historic homes and the secrets that they hold. There is a lot of interesting architecture, secret passages/rooms, and so much more. These are not things you usually find in today's home. I am sure there will be more secrets discovered over time.
We still have a love triangle between Felicity, Logan, and Arlo. I believe that she is getting closer to deciding, and I am on #TeamLogan. Arlo is comfortable because he is the past, but I think Logan is the future. However, Felicity might have other ideas when she finally decides. Perhaps in the next book? She has said she will make a decision by Autumn's wedding, which is in a month or so. I'll be curious to see who she chooses.
I have enjoyed each book in this series and look forward to more on the island of Galveston and many more chocolate-infused treats. We give this book 5 paws up.
favouritepages's review
3.0
A Study in Chocolate is the 5th in the Bean to Bar cozy mystery series. Our main character, Felicity, owns a craft chocolate shop where she makes and sells craft chocolate.
As happens in a cozy mystery, the main character becomes involved in a murder investigation. This time, the murderer has made it personal, Felicity needs to figure out who the murderer is and stop them before they commit their next murder because it might be someone she cares about.
You'll enjoy this story if you like:
As happens in a cozy mystery, the main character becomes involved in a murder investigation. This time, the murderer has made it personal, Felicity needs to figure out who the murderer is and stop them before they commit their next murder because it might be someone she cares about.
You'll enjoy this story if you like:
royallyreading's review
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
jackievdmwe78's review
adventurous
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
A most enjoyable read! A real page turner.
valeris29's review
5.0
When the tables are turned and Felicity finds herself protecting her former bodyguard will she be as successful as he was in the past? Challenged by her own personal Moriarty to keep Logan alive the stakes have never been higher for our chocolatier. A very intriguing cozy by a new to me author and a must read for a cozy fan!
annarella's review
4.0
An entertaining addition to this excellent cozy series. I had fun, the solid mystery kept me guessing, and was happy to catch up with the characters.
Enjoyable, recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
Enjoyable, recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
homeiswherethebookshelvesare's review
medium-paced
3.0
This was the first book I’ve read by Amber and I did enjoy it.
However, it was quite slow paced & the chapters were long, which is two negatives in my opinion.
The book was relaxed throughout with not many moments of tension, compared to the books I usually read in this genre.
I didn’t have a clue who the suspect was until near the end, I think that suspicions could have been cast a bit stronger throughout the book on certain characters & this would have made it a more enjoyable experience for the reader.
I did enjoy the slight romance side story in the plot too.
Overall, if I had to describe it in one word, it would be ‘okay’.
However, it was quite slow paced & the chapters were long, which is two negatives in my opinion.
The book was relaxed throughout with not many moments of tension, compared to the books I usually read in this genre.
I didn’t have a clue who the suspect was until near the end, I think that suspicions could have been cast a bit stronger throughout the book on certain characters & this would have made it a more enjoyable experience for the reader.
I did enjoy the slight romance side story in the plot too.
Overall, if I had to describe it in one word, it would be ‘okay’.
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