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JoAnna Carl
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The Chocolate Book Bandit (Chocoholic Mystery) Hardcover – October 1, 2013

by JoAnna Carl (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars 204 ratings
When it turns out a member of Warner Pier’s library board has been living on borrowed time, Lee is determined to discover who wrote the victim’s final chapter…

Running TenHuis Chocolade keeps Lee McKinney Woodyard busy enough, but now she’s been offered two different positions in the town of Warner Pier—one on the tourism committee and another on the library board. To decide between the two, she goes to Warner Pier’s historic library to check out the board’s monthly meeting.

As usual, rumors are flying through the small town—this time, they’re about the rugged new library director, Henry “Butch” Cassidy, and the changes he allegedly plans to make. Butch is indeed attractive—but Lee doesn’t get a chance to find out about his proposed changes. A few minutes into the meeting, the discussion is interrupted by the terrified screams of the library clerk.

She has discovered the lifeless body of Abigail VanRoostock, a prim and proper retiring member of the board, crumpled in a heap at the bottom of the basement stairs. Suddenly, everyone in attendance, including Lee, is suspected in her murder. And as Lee finds out, they’ve all got something to hide…

INCLUDES TASTY CHOCOLATE TRIVIA!
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  1. Book 13 of 18
    Chocoholic Mystery
  2. Print length
    240 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Berkley
  5. Publication date
    October 1, 2013
  6. Dimensions
    5.79 x 0.89 x 8.55 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    0451239547
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0451239549
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The%20Amazon%20Book%20Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Lee Woodyard, the business manager of TenHuis Chocolade, her aunt&'s sweet shop in Warner Pier, Mich., has an important choice to make in Carl&'s appealing 13th chocoholic mystery (after 2012&'s The Chocolate Moose Motive). Does she join the library board or the chamber of commerce&'s tourism committee? She&'s too busy to take on two new jobs. Before committing herself, Lee decides to attend the library board&'s next meeting, the first for the library&'s handsome new director, Henry Butch Cassidy. At the meeting, just as Butch raises the issue of Sunday hours, a scream from another part of the building interrupts the proceedings. Library clerk Betty Blake has just discovered the body of retiring board member Abigail Montgomery at the bottom of the basement stairs. Everyone on the committee becomes a suspect in Abigail&'s murder, as does Lee. Realistic characters, an engaging plot, and lots of local color distinguish this superior cozy. Agent: Maureen Walters, Curtis Brown. (Oct.)

From Booklist

Lee Woodyard does not expect to find a body at a library board meeting. She also does not expect to be attracted to the new library director. Lee’s personal confusion makes it all the harder to keep up with her sleuthing and, of course, with running the finances of her chocolate shop. When a library staff member is found under a shelving unit of books, Lee knows it’s time to put other concerns aside and dig into the library board and its secrets. The combination of the library setting and the chocolate trivia give this straightforward mystery additional appeal, though one “secret” regarding censorship stretches believability. An entertaining series, especially apt for Joanne Fluke fans. --Amy Alessio

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Berkley
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 1, 2013
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ First Edition
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0451239547
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0451239549
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.5 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.79 x 0.89 x 8.55 inches
  • Book 13 of 18 ‏ : ‎ Chocoholic Mystery
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 204 ratings

About the author

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JoAnna Carl

JoAnna Carl

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JoAnna Carl is the pseudonym for a multipublished mystery writer. She spent more than twenty-five years in the newspaper business.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
204 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers love this book series and find it a great easy read, with one review noting how well the personal narrative style works. Moreover, they enjoy the chocolate content, with one mentioning it's full of delicious chocolate information, and appreciate the mystery depth, with one review highlighting the plenty of twists to keep interest. Additionally, the book features wonderful characters, and customers find it a fun read.

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21 customers mention "Book enjoyment"21 positive0 negative

Customers love this book series and find it to be a great read.

"...However, I did enjoy the book and I don't feel badly for paying hardcover price...." Read more

"...Can't wait for the next book. Plots plus Chocolate trivia make for a great book. The characters almost become friends...." Read more

"I do love all of her books. this one was no different. I also like the facts on chocolate interspersed in the book...." Read more

"Love this book series and am always excited to add to it." Read more

13 customers mention "Readability"13 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read, with one mentioning that the personal narrative style works well.

"...I recommend it for a good read when you don't want something heavy duty or ponderous like a journal article on the Kreb's cycle." Read more

"...Aside from that, the actual weaving of the whodunit is quite well done...." Read more

"Easy read great for late night when u need to relax. Lee is asked to join the local Library committee...." Read more

"I love cozy mysteries and this is one of them. Its' an easy read and one you don't want to put down...." Read more

10 customers mention "Chocolate content"10 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the chocolate content of the book, with one review noting it's full of delicious chocolate information, while another mentions the well-done clues.

"...Her heroine is funny,pretty smart, self depreciating at times but with a good sense of self worth that is truly waranteed...." Read more

"...The clues are well done and the ending is both satisfying and hilarious...." Read more

"...this one was no different. I also like the facts on chocolate interspersed in the book...." Read more

"...is not discussed in great detail and the chocolate chats provide interesting information about chocolate." Read more

9 customers mention "Enjoyment"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable, with one mentioning they love the adventure and recipes, while another describes it as a light-hearted lark.

"This is a light hearted lark with a serious side, namely three murders. The personal narrative style works well for our heroine and for The author...." Read more

"...The clues are well done and the ending is both satisfying and hilarious...." Read more

"...These books are light and fun; this one is no exception. As always, it will leave you wanting more." Read more

"Have all of JoAnna Carl's books. Enjoy all of them. Can't wait for the next book. Plots plus Chocolate trivia make for a great book...." Read more

9 customers mention "Mystery depth"9 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the mystery elements of the book, describing it as a great cozy mystery with plenty of twists to keep readers engaged.

"...the rest of the cast are likable as always, and the mystery comes to a logical conclusion that wraps everything up...." Read more

"...Enjoy all of them. Can't wait for the next book. Plots plus Chocolate trivia make for a great book. The characters almost become friends...." Read more

"I love cozy mysteries and this is one of them. Its' an easy read and one you don't want to put down...." Read more

"...Other than that, the mystery was good. Kept me guessing until the end" Read more

7 customers mention "Character development"7 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the characters in the book, with one mentioning that the heroine is funny.

"...I would definitely read another book by this author. Her heroine is funny,pretty smart, self depreciating at times but with a good sense of self..." Read more

"...Anyway, Lee and the rest of the cast are likable as always, and the mystery comes to a logical conclusion that wraps everything up...." Read more

"...Plots plus Chocolate trivia make for a great book. The characters almost become friends. You want to continue hearing about them." Read more

"This is #13 in the series. Love all the repeat character's. Towards the end I figured out who the murderer was and was surprised...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Sharon Sprouse
    5.0 out of 5 stars excellent read
    Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    This is a light hearted lark with a serious side, namely three murders. The personal narrative style works well for our heroine and for The author. The only down side is the repeated descriptions of the chocolates mentioned in the book. I got it the first time, no need to keep repeating the same theme again and again. I would definitely read another book by this author. Her heroine is funny,pretty smart, self depreciating at times but with a good sense of self worth that is truly waranteed.

    I recommend it for a good read when you don't want something heavy duty or ponderous like a journal article on the Kreb's cycle.
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  • Lizz A. Belle
    4.0 out of 5 stars Not the usual chocolate faire
    Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I would give this three and a half stars but since Amazon does not do halves, I will round up to 4.

    This is not the usual chocolate mystery. It seems Joanna Carl is trying to depart from the kitschy mystery genre and be taken more seriously as a whodunit author, not that I have a problem with that.

    I do not much enjoy when an author creates warm and memorable characters and then neglects them (as is the case here) or phases them out all together (Ms. RM Brown!). I hope such will not be the case with Ms. Carl because characters like Aunt Nettie, Dolly Jolly, Lindy Herrera, et al are those who add to the cozy small town feel of Warner Pier.

    This book has essentially four main characters: Lee McKinney (the heroine and snoop), her husband Joe, "Butch" Cassidy and Ann Vanderklomp. The opening murder is of a character we have never met in the series, let alone in this book and therefore not much sympathy can be garnered from her demise. Lee, as usual, gets caught up in the middle of things and is asked to snoop around by her "step-uncle" Chief Hogan Jones. In doing so, she puts herself in grave danger, as usual. The story is marred by Joe supposedly having an affair and Lee's ginormous crush on Butch Cassidy, which the author discusses every time they meet and a good portion even when they are apart. This gets a wee bit annoying. Think of it as a 13 year old girl going on and on and on about some boy she likes.

    Aside from that, the actual weaving of the whodunit is quite well done. I didn't figure it out and Carl's mysteries are usually fairly easy to figure out the murderer, but not here. The clues are well done and the ending is both satisfying and hilarious.

    Overall, this is quite the departure from her usual "template" if you will. The story even lacks quite a bit of chocolate (though she does not skimp on trivia). However, I did enjoy the book and I don't feel badly for paying hardcover price. If you are a fan of Joanna Carl, don't miss this one but if you are just starting her series, start with the first book because you will be lost in this one.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Mark Baker - Carstairs Considers
    5.0 out of 5 stars Murder at the Library
    Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    In a small town, the willing are always being asked to join various committees, and Lee Woodyard is no exception. She’s currently considering taking a spot on the library committee. It’s a mostly advisory role, but before she takes the spot, Lee wants to observe a meeting.

    Abigail Montgomery is the woman who is stepping down from the board, but when she doesn’t show up for the meeting, her body is found in the basement of the library. Everyone seems to think of her as a quiet, reserved woman. What might she have done to get herself killed?

    Those who know the series will be please with the latest entry. It’s another fast moving story with plenty of twist to keep your interest. I do wish the books were a little longer so we could see more of the supporting cast, but it’s hard to complain about a book you can read in just a couple of days.

    Anyway, Lee and the rest of the cast are likable as always, and the mystery comes to a logical conclusion that wraps everything up.

    These books are light and fun; this one is no exception. As always, it will leave you wanting more.
    Helpful
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  • Jackie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Author and Series
    Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Have all of JoAnna Carl's books. Enjoy all of them. Can't wait for the next book. Plots plus Chocolate trivia make for a great book. The characters almost become friends. You want to continue hearing about them.
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  • Judy A. Gasser
    5.0 out of 5 stars I do love all of her books
    Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I do love all of her books. this one was no different. I also like the facts on chocolate interspersed in the book. Her books bring you into the town as if you know everyone as your own neighbors.
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  • Heather E. Campbell
    4.0 out of 5 stars A second-tier entry in a delightful series
    Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I like the chocoholic mysteries very much. I own most of them, and I reread them. And I do recommend getting this one, especially if you are already a fan (if you are not, start with a better one). However, I think the author is getting to the point where it is hard to keep the books in this series from becoming a bit samey--I think it's a natural problem when the series is set in a very small town (which of course is also one of its charms). Also, this one in particular almost entirely revolves around Lee as a character--unlike many others in which Aunt Nettie, or Dolly Jolly, etc. are also important. It started as if one of Lee's longstanding friends who is peripheral (her best friend's husband) would be more of a main character, which I was looking forward to, but that turned out not to be the case. Some of things that happen made me wonder why Lee didn't see them coming since she's experienced them before in similar circumstances. Also, there is one part of her interaction with "Butch" Cassidy which is inexplicable (and unexplained). As I said earlier, I enjoyed it, and I'm not sorry I bought it. But it is not one of the best in this delightful series.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • k k
    5.0 out of 5 stars Easy Read
    Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Easy read great for late night when u need to relax.
    Lee is asked to join the local Library committee. She finds even the library can be a place for murder.
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  • kay walker
    5.0 out of 5 stars A book for chocolate and mystery lovers
    Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I love cozy mysteries and this is one of them. Its' an easy read and one you don't want to put down. And if you love chocolate, there's info about that subject too.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Juan Sanchez
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!
    Reviewed in Canada on August 19, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Great book!
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