The second book in the Southern Chocolate Shop series by Dorothy St. James was another awesome read. Five months has passed since the first book, and we are in June at Camellia Beach, a typical and steamy summer with a not-so-typical murder of a singer at the beach music festival that Penn has helped plan.
My Goodreads review:
Playing With Bonbon Fire: A Southern Chocolate Shop Mystery by Dorothy St. James
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I’m really enjoying this series! This book takes place in June during a beach music festival that Penn helped organize. When one of the singers that was going to perform was killed, Penn was worried that it was meant for another singer. This led to events that happened back in the summer of 1975 and what may have happened to Penn’s birth mother. There was a tangled web of lies, deception, blackmail over the years and it was fun to watch it all play out. I had suspected the person who ended up as the killer, but as usual, didn’t know all the details.
I loved it that Penn’s half-sister, Tina, came to visit. She was such a fun character and a really good helper when it came to sleuthing or running the chocolate shop. I hope she visits again! We found out a little more about Bertie’s background, which just ended up making her even more lovable. Penn got the answers she was looking for regarding her birth mother. Chief Byrd wasn’t as rough on Penn this time around since Detective Gibbons was doing most of the sleuthing, but he still held to his belief that Penn brought murder and troublemakers to their peaceful little island town.
I’m glad that Penn feels like she’s finally got a real family. She’s much closer to Tina now than ever even though Tina has always defended her. I hope Penn’s friendship with Harley becomes a little more than just friendship. I’ll be starting the next book today.
Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery 