Publishers Weekly
★ 08/29/2022
Set shortly before Christmas, Romeril’s exceptional debut and series launch introduces Alex Wright and her twin sister, Hanna, the owners of Murder and Mayhem: Killer Chocolates and Bookshop, in Harriston, Mont. Alex’s “idea of naming chocolates after poisons used in murder mysteries” has been a great success in their close-knit community. When an elderly neighbor, Jane Burrows, claims that a murderer she saw on a true crime show is living nearby, everyone dismisses it as a kooky notion. Stopping by Jane’s house, Alex discovers Jane’s body on her bedroom floor, her nightgown covered in blood. She was stabbed to death, but the murder weapon is missing. To her surprise, Alex learns her name is on the suspect list because Jane made Alex a major beneficiary. The police warn headstrong Alex to stay out of the investigation, but she’s determined to prove her innocence and unmask the real killer. A clever plot matches a cast of distinctive characters, and for ambitious cooks there are exacting recipes for hand-molded chocolates. With its inventive premise, this cozy stands out from the pack. Agent: Dawn Dowdle, Blue Ridge Literary. (Oct.)
From the Publisher
Praise for A Christmas Candy Killing:
WONDER WOMEN SIXTY’S FAVORITE HOLIDAY MYSTERIES
“[An] exceptional debut . . . With its inventive premise, this cozy stands out from the pack.”
—Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Perfect for those who love mysteries centered around sweets and set in small towns.”
—Portland Book Review
“A fun and deftly crafted read from cover to cover.”
—Midwest Book Review
“Romeril knows how to put the words on the page to keep readers going.”
—Cozy Mystery Book Reviews
“The perfect Christmas Cozy.”
—Wonder Women Sixty
“Clever characters, mouth-watering chocolates, and an amateur sleuth who won’t take no for an answer. This delightful cozy has it all, but watch out before you reach for that tempting piece of candy. It may be the last thing that lingers on your tongue.”
—J.C. Eaton, award-winning author of The Sophie Kimball Mysteries, The Wine Trail Mysteries and the Marcie Rayner Mysteries
“Set in a small town in the Rocky Mountains of Montana, A Christmas Candy Killing, is a sweet treat of a mystery. The murder mystery bookshop offers specialty chocolates named after famous poisons, a sweet pup named Watson, and the twin proprietors all make for a fun read and an intriguing who-dun-it.”
—Nancy J. Parra, USA Today bestselling author of the Wine Country Mysteries
“A scrumptious mystery with likeable characters that will leave you drooling for more."
—Catherine Bruns, USA Today bestselling author, and Daphne du Maurier Award Winner
“A Christmas Candy Killing draws you in from the first page with its murderous chocolate delights and keeps you guessing until the very end. Twin sisters Alex and Hanna are sleuths you’ll be rooting for in this festive debut set in a charming Montana bookshop where veronal vanilla creams and murder are on the menu!”
—Ellie Alexander, author of the Bakeshop Mystery series
“In this delightful cozy debut set in a small Montana town, Alex Wright, co-owner of Murder and Mayhem: Killer Chocolates and Bookshop, investigates the murder of a Sleuth Book Club member who was poisoned by her very own chocolates.”
—Marilyn Levinson/Allison Brook, author of the Haunted Library series.
