Death by Chocolate Covered Ladyfingers - (Death by Chocolate Mystery) by Sarah Graves (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

The townsfolk of Eastport, Maine, know the best place to satisfy their sweet tooth is at Jacobia "Jake" Tiptree and Ellie White's bakery, the Chocolate Moose. But some people living in the island town have more sinister appetites...

As the sun sets on summer in Eastport, local celebrations are in full swing--and Jake and Ellie have their hands full supplying the most decadent of desserts for extended family gatherings, class reunions, and other catered events. The organizers for Eastport High School's Class of '86 reunion thought it would be fun for former schoolmates to dress up in costume for a masquerade ball. Unfortunately, masks cannot hide old grudges borne out of teenage angst. So when Cindy Munson's body is discovered murdered on the night of the dance, suspicion immediately falls upon Eastport High's one-time notorious school bully, Terry Lawson.

Don attended the dance to apologize to those he harassed, only to be publicly rebuffed by Cindy. With the evidence stacked against him--Cindy's body was found in his car--and no memory of what happened, Don is arrested. He's more concerned about his six-year-old daughter going into child services than his own jail time. Remembering her own experiences in foster care, Jake volunteers to look after the little girl while conducting her own investigation into the night of the dance with Ellie.

But someone doesn't want the amateur sleuths digging up past, humiliating secrets that may point to vengeful present-day motives--even if it means adding Jake and Ellie to a killer's body count . . .

Review Quotes

Praise for the Death by Chocolate Mysteries by Sarah Graves

"Graves offers a complex puzzle that devolves into an overlong denouement, with plenty of peril and old-dark-house action to go along. For cozy fans who like a little spice in their muffins."--Kirkus Reviews on Death by Chocolate Pumpkin Muffin

"Jake and Ellie's investigation gets them into some unique scrapes, from a run-in with a real-life sea witch to a surprising number of unchaperoned shark encounters, but it's when her family is threatened that Jake feels the real seriousness of what's going on. Grittier than the typical cozy: more shark than scone." --Kirkus Reviews on Death by Chocolate Raspberry Scone

"Delightful...A bevy of memorable characters complement the breezy, intriguing plot. Established fans and newcomers alike will be satisfied." --Publishers Weekly on Death by Chocolate Marshmallow Pie

"Offering a peek into the world of 21st-century fine art gives an extra shot of class to a standard shopkeeper cozy." --Kirkus Reviews on Death by Chocolate Marshmallow Pie

"The characters have such a repoire and it is fun to follow these likeable characters." --Beth Emmerling, Enoch Pratt Library (Baltimore, MD) on Death by Chocolate Marshmallow Pie

"Fast pacing and multiple plot twists move the over-the-top story along, and Graves makes good use of her coastal Maine setting. ...Fans of cooking mysteries will enjoy the baking frame." --Booklist on Death by Chocolate Chip Cupcake

"This cozy, with its down-to-earth heroines and wry observations about life in Maine, makes for delicious reading. And who can resist a mouthwatering recipe for chocolate pizza?" --Publishers Weekly on Death by Chocolate Chip Cupcake

"With a locked house mystery and a recipe for chocolate pizza, what could be better than a sweet cozy like this?" --Parkersburg News & Sentinel on Death by Chocolate Chip Cupcake

"The lovingly described small-town island setting, the two principled main characters, and the familiar secondary characters will charm fans, as well as appealing to readers of Leslie Meier's Lucy Stone cozies, also set in coastal Maine." --Booklist on Death by Chocolate Snickerdoodle

"Graves does a good job keeping readers guessing with multiple potential motives. Fans of cozies with a dark edge will have fun." --Publishers Weekly on Death by Chocolate Snickerdoodle

"Another surprisingly wild ride of a culinary cozy here in the Death by Chocolate Mystery series. Jake and Ellie's scrapes are by turns hilarious and exceedingly dangerous...The mystery was well-crafted, with layers that deftly obscured whodunnit." --Criminal Element on Death by Chocolate Snickerdoodle

"Filled with quirky characters and small-town appeal, this fun mystery returns readers to The Chocolate Moose bakeshop." --Woman's World on Death by Chocolate Malted Milkshake

"It's especially nice to get to know all the members of Jake's large household as they plan together for the future, unaware of the peril that looms over Eastport in the form of the mysterious ship." --Criminal Element on Death by Chocolate Frosted Donut

"Graves pulls the story together at the end with an exciting scene that identifies the real culprit and brings that individual to justice." --The New York Journal of Books on Death by Chocolate Frosted Donut

"Graves' second case of chocolate murder offers fans of the genre a trifecta of coziness: plucky heroines, sweet treats, and just enough puzzlement to keep you on your toes." --Kirkus Reviews on Death by Chocolate Malted Milkshake

"Enjoyable...Lively characters, an intricate plot, and enticing descriptions of Down East Maine make this cozy a winner." --Publishers Weekly on Death by Chocolate Malted Milkshake

"The story's suspense, clues, red herrings and action scenes are well worth it. Have somebody taste test that next chocolate milkshake, just in case." --The Kennebec Journal on Death by Chocolate Malted Milkshake

"Entertaining...Plenty of suspects and a mysterious sailing ship make for an intriguing puzzle. Cozy fans are sure to have fun." --Publishers Weekly on Death by Chocolate Frosted Doughnut

"Plenty of appealing elements...The ever-sympathetic main characters, the close relationships Jake has with her multigenerational family, the beautifully described coastal Maine setting, and the baking frame." --Booklist on Death by Chocolate Frosted Doughnut

About the Author

Sarah Graves is the USA Today bestselling author of the Death by Chocolate Mysteries, the Home Repair is Homicide Mystery Series, and the Lizzie Snow suspense novels. Much like Jake Tiptree, the sleuth who stars in her cozy mysteries, she lives in a 200 year old house in Eastport, Maine. When she's not cooking or baking something delectable (or writing about it) she tends a huge garden or shovels snow, depending upon the season. She can be found online at facebook.com/SarahGraves2011.