Synopses & Reviews
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…
Review
Review
"A deft mix of truffles and trouble. Chocaholics--this book is for you!" Laura Childs, author of the Tea Shop mysteries
Review
Praise for the Chocoholic Mystery series:
“JoAnna Carl satisfies your sweet tooth along with your craving for a tasty whodunit.” —Cleo Coyle, author of the Coffeehouse Mysteries
“I’m proud to stand up and say, ‘My name is Charlaine, and I’m a Chocoholic!’” —#1 New York Times bestselling author Charlaine Harris
“Lee McKinney sells chocolates and solves crimes with panache and good humor.” —Carolyn Hart, author of the Death on Demand mysteries
“A deft mix of truffles and trouble. Chocaholics—this book is for you!” —Laura Childs, author of the Tea Shop mysteries
"Deliciously cozy."—Elaine Viets, national bestselling author of Death on a Platter
"A heroine impossible to dislike."—Midwest Book Review
Review
“JoAnna Carl satisfies your sweet tooth along with your craving for a tasty whodunit.”—Cleo Coyle,
New York Times Bestselling Author of the Coffeehouse Mysteries
“Keeps you guessing all the way to the end.”—Kirkus Reviews
“[A] fun read…suspenseful and fast-paced, yet filled with wit and humor.”—Fresh Fiction
Synopsis
The ninth delicious Chocoholic Mystery in the national bestselling series It's Valentine's Day at TenHuis Chocolade, but Lee is getting no love from detective Derrick Valentine. He's looking for one of their new employees-an abused woman who Lee and her Aunt Nettie have been hiding. But when Valentine meets his own sticky end, it's Aunt Nettie who is suspect. Now, Lee has to free Nettie of guilt without exposing their innocent guest-and find a killer with a heart that's definitely not made of chocolate...
Synopsis
In her rare free time, newlywed Lee McKinney Woodyard works on TenHuis Chocolade's newest offerings, chocolate jewels. But soon the town of Warner Pier has its very own jewel heist, and then a body is found in the lake. Lee can't help but wonder if the crimes are related. Maybe if she digs up some dirt, she'll hit the mother lode.
Synopsis
Tenth in the national bestselling Chocoholic mystery series...sweet! Ever since Young Blackbeard became the biggest movie of the decade, everyone has caught pirate fever, including the residents of Warner Pier. TenHuis Chocolade is raking in the booty and selling out of chocolate treasure chests, pirate hats and ships.
When Lee McKinney Woodyard and her husband Joe take their boat out on Lake Michigan, they're stunned when a mischievous band of pirates hops on board. Lee's is the first boat boarded that summer, and the town couldn't be more amused by the mysterious buccaneers. But when a body washes up on shore, the pirates' antics stop being so entertaining.
Now Lee has to figure out the truth behind the Warner Pier Pirates, before someone else winds up walking the plank....
Synopsis
Indulge in another Chocoholic mystery in the national bestselling series.
Lee McKinney Woodyard discovers a dusty trophy inside TenHuis Chocolade that belongs to her aunt Nettie and her old high school singing group, the Pier-O-Ettes. It's a trophy that brings back terrible memories of an unsolved murder years ago.
Before Lee takes aim at the past, someone is murdered in the here and now. Lee needs to keep her eyes on the prize, hoping the trophy is a clue to finding the killer-before she's a target herself.
Synopsis
The much anticipated Winter Arts festival is here, and as treasurer of Winterfest, Lee is up to her elbows in mix-ups behind the scenes. When the art show?s guest juror shows up drunk, Lee lets him sleep it off, only to find out later that someone?s put the visiting dignitary into a permanent state of repose.
Lee and Joe were the last people spotted near the crime scene. In a seriously sticky situation, it?s up to them to find the real killer before someone else comes to a bitter end...
Synopsis
Two for one! A delectable double layer of chocolate with two Chocoholic Mysteries, The Chocolate Puppy Puzzle and The Chocolate Mouse Trap, now in one trade paperback volume. In The Chocolate Puppy Puzzle, the lakeside town of Warner Pier has been swept away by a visiting Hollywood producer. He says he's making a movie based on a local author's novel, but the sensible Lee McKinney smells a phony, especially when her sleuthing leads to a dead body...
In The Chocolate Mouse Trap, Lee McKinney's friend goes overboard with inspirational e-mails-enough for someone to permanently delete her! Now everyone on her friend's address list is suspect-or a potential victim. Lee needs to trap the killer, or she might be next to land in his outbox...
Synopsis
Tenth in the national bestselling Chocoholic mystery series...sweet! Ever since Young Blackbeard became the biggest movie of the decade, everyone has caught pirate fever, including the residents of Warner Pier. TenHuis Chocolade is raking in the booty and selling out of chocolate treasure chests, pirate hats and ships.
When Lee McKinney Woodyard and her husband Joe take their boat out on Lake Michigan, they're stunned when a mischievous band of pirates hops on board. Lee's is the first boat boarded that summer, and the town couldn't be more amused by the mysterious buccaneers. But when a body washes up on shore, the pirates' antics stop being so entertaining.
Now Lee has to figure out the truth behind the Warner Pier Pirates, before someone else winds up walking the plank....
Synopsis
Two for one! A delectable double layer of chocolate with two Chocoholic Mysteries, The Chocolate Puppy Puzzle and The Chocolate Mouse Trap, now in one trade paperback volume. In The Chocolate Puppy Puzzle, the lakeside town of Warner Pier has been swept away by a visiting Hollywood producer. He says he's making a movie based on a local author's novel, but the sensible Lee McKinney smells a phony, especially when her sleuthing leads to a dead body...
In The Chocolate Mouse Trap, Lee McKinney's friend goes overboard with inspirational e-mails-enough for someone to permanently delete her! Now everyone on her friend's address list is suspect-or a potential victim. Lee needs to trap the killer, or she might be next to land in his outbox...
Synopsis
More information to be announced soon on this forthcoming title from Penguin USA.
Synopsis
Indulge in another Chocoholic mystery in the national bestselling series.
Lee McKinney Woodyard discovers a dusty trophy inside TenHuis Chocolade that belongs to her aunt Nettie and her old high school singing group, the Pier-O-Ettes. It's a trophy that brings back terrible memories of an unsolved murder years ago.
Before Lee takes aim at the past, someone is murdered in the here and now. Lee needs to keep her eyes on the prize, hoping the trophy is a clue to finding the killer-before she's a target herself.
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 the Author
JoAnna Carl is the pseudonym of a multipublished mystery writer. She spent more than twenty-five years in the newspaper business, working 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 spends much of her summer at a cottage on Lake Michigan near several communities similar to the fictional town of Warner Pier.