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JoAnna Carl

    This author crafts compelling mysteries set against the picturesque shores of Lake Michigan, drawing inspiration from the region's natural beauty and charming Victorian architecture. Her narratives often center on characters involved in operating luxurious chocolate shops, creating a delightful blend of suspense and sweetness. The stories unfold in the fictional resort town of Warner Pier, a locale imaginatively pieced together from real West Michigan settings. Her unique approach weaves together regional charm with intriguing plots, offering readers an engaging and atmospheric experience.

    The Chocolate Mouse Trap
    Crime de Cocoa
    The Chocolate Falcon Fraud
    The Chocolate Bunny Brouhaha
    The Chocolate Cupid Killings
    Chocolate to Die For
    • 2021

      In this eighteenth mystery in the national bestselling Chocoholic series, a gang of crooks with a wicked sweet tooth wreaks havoc on the resort town of Warner Pier, and it's up to Lee Woodyard to rout the hungry rascals. A frantic late-night phone call from her right-hand woman Dolly Jolly brings Lee Woodyard to the scene of a break-in at the Warner Pier jewelry store next door to TenHuis Chocolade. To her shock, the suspect being held at gunpoint by police is Dolly's boyfriend, Mike Westerly, who was recently hired as a night watchman specifically to prevent break-ins. Dolly hopes Lee can help straighten out the crazy misunderstanding. Even crazier? The thieves took nothing of value from the jewelry store, only swiping some snacks. It's another in a series of break-ins by burglars the media has dubbed the Cookie Monsters. They've been hitting shops selling everything from sunglasses to shoes but stealing only sweets: lollipops, cookies, even chewing gum! It all seems pretty funny--until the discovery of a dead body. With her friends and community in danger, Lee must stop one very sour killer before someone else comes to a bitter end.

      The Chocolate Raccoon Rigmarole
    • 2019

      In the newest mystery from nationally bestselling author Joanna Carl, a dive into house flipping becomes a deadly flop....When a house near Lee and Joe's home goes up for sale, the couple teams up with Lee's aunt and uncle, Nettie and Hogan, to buy it, remodel it, and resell it for a sweet profit. But after the owners of the house, the Baileys, accept their offer, a local developer, Richard "Spud" Dirk, suddenly swoops in with a higher one, and it seems their dreams might be snatched away. Lee, never as passionate about the plan as her husband and uncle, is anxious to get back to focusing on managing TenHuis Chocolade. But when a long-hidden gun is found behind a pipe in the Baileys' basement, she begins to suspect a mystery is afoot. And when Spud turns up dead in the Baileys' carport a few days later, it becomes clear there's something rotten at the foundation....To solve the murder, Lee will have to strip away layers of secrets--that is, if someone doesn't level her first....

      The Chocolate Shark Shenanigans
    • 2017

      The Chocolate Bunny Brouhaha

      • 228 pages
      • 8 hours of reading
      3.8(15)Add rating

      From the national bestselling author of The Chocolate Falcon Fraud comes an Easter-candy caper featuring chocolatiers Lee Woodyard and her aunt Nettie, and a killer who’s hopping mad… The approach of Easter means a rush of business at TenHuis Chocolade, and Lee Woodyard and her aunt Nettie need all the help they can get to make their famous chocolate bunnies. Unfortunately, new hire Bunny Birdsong is a klutzy basket case. But to Lee’s surprise, she’s a wiz with computers and fixing the store’s website, so they decide to keep her. However, Bunny receives a few visitors they could do without: Her soon-to-be ex-husband Beau, his wealthy aunt Abigail, and his new girlfriend and her brother all descend on the shop one day and have a bitter argument. Lee hopes they can find a peaceful way to settle their dispute, but when Abigail’s body is discovered in the vacant store next door, it’s clear to Lee there’s a bad egg in her midst. Now she’s on the hunt to find out who it is… Includes tasty chocolate trivia!

      The Chocolate Bunny Brouhaha
    • 2016

      The Chocolate Falcon Fraud

      • 256 pages
      • 9 hours of reading
      3.8(34)Add rating

      A chocolatier with a passion for classic crime films finds herself entangled in a real murder mystery. As she navigates the complexities of the case, she discovers that the motives behind the crime are far from clear-cut. This intriguing narrative blends her love for cinema with the challenges of solving a murder, revealing the darker side of her sweet profession.

      The Chocolate Falcon Fraud
    • 2012

      The Chocolate Castle Clue

      • 256 pages
      • 9 hours of reading
      3.8(37)Add rating

      A locked file cabinet leads Lee McKinney to uncover a decades-old cold case that reignites interest in the small town of Warner Pier. As secrets from the past resurface, the investigation reveals hidden truths and challenges the community's perceptions, drawing Lee into a web of intrigue and danger. The unfolding mystery explores themes of justice, memory, and the impact of unresolved crimes on a close-knit town.

      The Chocolate Castle Clue
    • 2010

      The Chocolate Cupid Killings

      A Chocoholic Mystery

      • 240 pages
      • 9 hours of reading
      3.9(35)Add rating

      Set in a charming town, this installment of the Chocoholic Mystery series follows a delightful blend of mystery and culinary adventure. The protagonist, a passionate chocolatier, finds herself entangled in a new case involving a suspicious death that threatens her chocolate business. As she navigates through clues and local gossip, she must uncover the truth while indulging her love for chocolate. With a mix of humor and intrigue, this cozy mystery is perfect for fans of sweet treats and thrilling whodunits.

      The Chocolate Cupid Killings
    • 2010

      Chocolate to Die For

      • 384 pages
      • 14 hours of reading
      4.1(146)Add rating

      This volume features two Chocoholic Mysteries, combining engaging plots centered around chocolate-themed puzzles. Readers will enjoy the intriguing mysteries, delightful characters, and the sweet backdrop of chocolate as they unravel each case. With a mix of suspense and culinary charm, this collection promises to satisfy both mystery lovers and chocolate enthusiasts alike.

      Chocolate to Die For
    • 2009

      The Chocolate Snowman Murders

      • 240 pages
      • 9 hours of reading
      3.7(55)Add rating

      Amid the chaos of the Winter Arts festival, treasurer Lee faces unexpected challenges when the guest juror arrives intoxicated. After allowing him to sleep it off, she discovers that he has been murdered. As Lee navigates the mix-ups and rising tensions behind the scenes, she must unravel the mystery surrounding the dignitary's death, all while managing the festival's festivities. The blend of art, intrigue, and suspense creates a captivating backdrop for a thrilling whodunit.

      The Chocolate Snowman Murders
    • 2007

      The Chocolate Jewel Case

      • 240 pages
      • 9 hours of reading
      3.9(1182)Add rating

      Amidst her busy life as a newlywed and chocolatier, Lee McKinney Woodyard becomes entangled in a local jewel heist and a mysterious body discovered in the lake. As she explores the connection between the two events, her curiosity drives her to uncover hidden truths in Warner Pier. The blend of chocolate-making and amateur sleuthing sets the stage for a captivating mystery filled with suspense and intrigue.

      The Chocolate Jewel Case
    • 2006

      The Chocolate Bridal Bash

      • 240 pages
      • 9 hours of reading
      3.9(1365)Add rating

      Amidst wedding preparations, bride-to-be Lee McKinney faces conflict with her future mother-in-law and distress over her own mother’s reluctance to attend the ceremony. The tension escalates when Lee discovers a dark family secret: her mother abandoned her own wedding day years ago, coinciding with her fiancé's tragic death. Determined to mend their relationship and ensure her mother's presence, Lee embarks on a quest to unravel this long-buried mystery, blending personal growth with familial reconciliation.

      The Chocolate Bridal Bash