Monday, August 16, 2021

The Chocolate Raccoon Rigmarole - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads:  The Chocolate Raccoon Rigmarole (A Chocoholic Mystery #18) by JoAnna Carl

Rating:  Liked It!
Source:  Publisher

Description: A frantic late-night phone call from her right-hand woman Dolly Jolly brings Lee Woodyard to the scene of a break-in at the Warner Pier jewelry store next door to TenHuis Chocolade. To her shock, the suspect being held at gunpoint by police is Dolly's boyfriend, Mike Westerly, who was recently hired as a night watchman specifically to prevent break-ins. Dolly hopes Lee can help straighten out the crazy misunderstanding.

Even crazier? The thieves took nothing of value from the jewelry store, only swiping some snacks. It's another in a series of break-ins by burglars the media has dubbed the Cookie Monsters. They've been hitting shops selling everything from sunglasses to shoes but stealing only sweets: lollipops, cookies, even chewing gum!

It all seems pretty funny--until the discovery of a dead body. With her friends and community in danger, Lee must stop one very sour killer before someone else comes to a bitter end.

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  I read an earlier book by this author and enjoyed it so wanted to try more from this series.

My Impression:  I didn't remember much from the previous book I'd read in this series other then that I had enjoyed it.  This book features Lee, her husband Joe as they fall into the investigation of just who is breaking into local businesses and stealing only sweet treats.  Lee is a bit more concerned about the local Cookie Monsters the other business owners because sweet treats ARE her business.  But of course the mystery doesn't stay limited to the sweets but soon evolves into assault and murder.  

This is a cozier cozy with a fun setting and likable characters.  Both Lee and Joe are legitimately involved with the investigation and are working with the Chief of Police.  There are chocolate facts and recipes sprinkled throughout and the descriptions of the yummy treats are mouthwatering.  

The mystery is good with some red herrings and some characters with mysterious pasts.  I really wasn't sure who did it until the end which was fun.  This was a lighter fluffier or cozy but isn't so cutesy as to be silly.  Because I'm jumping in at book #18 there were a lot of characters to keep track of it and Lee has a couple of quirks that weren't really explained.  However, these were minor complaints and I enjoyed this one enough that I am definitely planning on rolling this series into my series project!

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Definitely!  I'm looking forward to reading the 16 books in the series that I haven't read yet.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you enjoy cozies that are on the lighter side I think you would enjoy this one!

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review.  As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *

4 comments:

  1. Sounds fun, we don't have raccoons here, but maybe he/she did it! I am sure they like sweets!

    ReplyDelete
  2. That's a fun cover. I think I have this series on my TBR.

    ReplyDelete