The Chocolate Moose Motive: A Chocoholic Mystery - Hardcover

Carl, JoAnna

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0451238028 ISBN 13: 9780451238023

Publisher: NAL, 2012

Synopsis

When Lee hires a free-spirited employee with a tie-dyed, troubled past, she discovers that even the counter-culture can conceal a killer…

As much as the chocolate concoctions at TenHuis can tantalize people’s tongues, Lee’s newest hire is more likely to make them wag. Forsythia “Sissy” Smith is the granddaughter of Warner Pier’s only remaining resident hippie, and lives out at the Moose Lodge—once an informal commune in the forest east of town. But the fact that Sissy is a third-generation flower child is the least of Lee’s concerns.

The previous winter, Sissy’s husband, Buzz, was found shot to death, and local talk named Sissy the number one suspect. Even though her alibi was airtight, the gossips are still pointing their fingers at her. Lee sympathizes with the young woman—even more so when Buzz’s dad, a tough retired Army colonel, threatens to sue Sissy for custody of her son.

Then the chief gossip is found dead, with Sissy on the scene. Was she lured there? Or is she the killer? Lee has a sneaking suspicion that there is someone even more sinister to blame. Someone out to keep a dark secret from coming to light. And they would have no problem killing a certain clever chocolatier who might uncover the truth…

About this title

About the Author

JoAnna Carl is the pseudonym for a multipublished mystery writer. She spent more than twenty-five years in the newspaper business as a reporter, feature writer, editor, and columnist. She holds a degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma and also studied in the OU Professional Writing Program. She lives in Oklahoma but summers in Michigan, where the Chocoholic Mystery series is set.

Reviews

After overhearing a man bully a woman, Lee learns that the woman, Sissy, was accused of killing her husband. Sissy’s father-in-law wants custody of her son and publicly bullies her often. Most of the residents in her small Michigan town, even the sheriff, believe Sissy is guilty, even though she has an alibi. Lee decides to offer Sissy a job in the business department of TenHuis Chocolade. When the angry father-in-law’s housekeeper is murdered after contacting Sissy, Lee tries to help collect evidence clearing her new employee. Then, after Sissy’s house is broken into, Lee attempts to make a cast of some suspicious footprints, only to have her evidence destroyed. As the killer becomes more aggressive, many readers may guess whodunit, but this series continues to maintain likable characters and believable situations flavored with interesting plot twists and mouthwatering chocolate references. Fans of the series will also enjoy those penned by Jessica Beck and Livia J. Washburn. --Amy Alessio

Edition details

• Publisher: NAL
• Publication date: 2012
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0451238028
• ISBN 13: 9780451238023
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 224