Lee's first order of business is delivering a large order of amaretto truffles and specially made cats to a particularly disagreeable customer, defense attorney, Clementine Ripley, and seeing that TenHuis Chocolate is properly and promptly paid. Nettie sends along a small parcel of truffles to allow Clem to satisfy her sweet tooth without destroying the carefully arranged trays for the benefit.

It is these truffles that turn out to be the downfall of Clem, literally. At her charity event, she is seen eating one of the special concoctions when she drops dead. While no one suspects Nettie, she certainly has motive (Clem defended a drunk driver who was released and later killed Nettie's husband in another drunk driving accident); the police do search the store, but a break-in at Nettie's home leads the police in another direction, straight toward Clem's younger ex-husband, now heir, and to her disagreeable secretary who may have been mismanaging the household funds for her own gains.

The Chocolate Cat Caper is a delightful entry into the food cozy sub-genre. Instead of the usual recipes, Joanna Carl provides tasty tidbits about the history and lore of chocolate. Lee is a character that uses her background and miserable failed marriage as reasons for why she is not already a CPA. She shouldn't feel to need to excuse herself for taking the helm of a family business in trouble, helping to steer it back on course. She seems very unsure of herself and nervousness when speaking causes her to use malapropisms.

The mystery is an easy one to solve; though a very convincing red herring is planted. The setting is not used as much as it might have been, as small towns often offer fodder for a very cozy feeling and many delightful eccentric locals.

As more about Lee and her new hometown are revealed, The Chocoholic Mysteries are sure to become a favorite indulgence without too many added calories.

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry