Chocoholic Mysteries Books In Order

Book links take you to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn money from qualifying purchases.

Publication Order of Chocoholic Mysteries Books

Writing under the name of JoAnna Carl, the long-time American writer Eve K. Sandstrom has been producing quality mystery novels for quite some time now. Know for being able to infuse both suspense and character in equal measure, she is well regarded for mastering of the craft throughout the industry. Creating suspense fueled narratives, she manages to create series that draw her many readers in, allowing them to feel a part of the action themselves.

One such series is that of her ongoing and much loved collection of ‘Chocoholic Mysteries’, as they have been running for a long time. Featuring the various cases and adventures of one twenty-eight year old Lee McKinney, it sees her as a once trophy wife, now divorcee, heading to Michigan to look after her Aunt Nettie’s luxury chocolate business. It is here that she finds there’s more to this business than initially meets the eye, as she finds herself in all manner of scrapes and turmoil.

With over sixteen books in the series so far and counting, this is a franchise that can carry on indefinitely. Starting out back in 2002, it has continued since then with books being released regularly, along with a number of omnibus editions too. Working as a cozy mystery series following a central character in a small-knit community, it works as a great example of its genre, which goes some way towards explaining how it has become so beloved worldwide. The Chocolate Cat Caper

Brought out through the ‘Mystery Guild Collection’ publishing label, this was to be the first book in the ongoing ‘Chocoholic Mysteries’ series. Setting up the initial premise, it would also come to foreshadow many of the events that were yet to follow in the later books. Introducing the character of Lee McKinney for the first time too, it really manages to create a protagonist who is easy to relate to and resonates with the readers.

Whilst the premise and style of this book is conventional to the genre it’s in, the execution isn’t, as Sandstrom makes it entirely unique to her. Having fun with it, she manages to give wit and insight into the world that has been created here with loving detail. The themes and ideas are also extremely well drawn, as it’s clear that Sandstrom has a highly specific outlook on life. With the character of Lee McKinney herself, she is a well drawn protagonist who is both intelligent and resourceful in equal measure. Coming alive off of the page almost, she really speaks to the reader on a more personal and intimate level, all thanks to being a fully three-dimensional character. Using her wit too, she manages to draw the reader in with her clever and concise observations that ring true throughout. Set in Michigan in the small town of Warner Pier, it really makes the most of its setting and location too, giving it an extremely well realized environment. Essentially bringing it to life, it becomes a character almost in of its own right, allowing it to host a whole set of mysteries. Creating the stage for the series to come, this book really manages to capture the style and tone of the town itself, along with what small town life is actually like. Leaving her past behind her, the once trophy wife living in Texas Lee McKinney is now looking to the future as she heads on to Michigan. Taking residence in a resort town there, the twenty-eight year old soon finds herself undertaking a small luxury chocolate business previously run by her Aunt Nettie. That’s when local rich defense attorney Clementine Ripley is poisoned by cyanide through one of their chocolates after organizing an event using their services. Will they be able to prove their innocence? Can they find the real killer? Just who is behind the chocolate cat caper? The Chocolate Bear Burglary

This time released through the ‘Berkley’ publishing outlet, this would follow on from where the last left off with another mystery to solve. Continuing in much the same vein as before, it also works developing both the characters and the world contained within. Published on the 5th of November in 2002 it was released not long after the first, with them both effectively coming out in the same year. With many similar themes as to before, this continues a lot of the ideas introduced in the previous novel, effectively building upon them. Using the genre template of the cozy mystery novel, it works at creating a whole new mystery from the many codes and conventions already laid out. Making them her own once again, Sandstrom continues to surprise, taking the reader on another journey into her world. Bringing back the character of Lee McKinney once again too, it sees her as the leading protagonist of the story with another mystery to solve. Developing her as a person as well, it manages to further establish her personality and who she is, carrying the arc forwards as a whole. Getting involved in the town more this time, McKinney manages to become more a part of her environment this time, with the premise already having been set-up. The town Warner Pier itself comes to life once more too, giving more insight into the everyday on-goings of the town. This is something that continues throughout the following books, so that by the end the readers are fully immersed in the world. Whilst it may seem simple on the surface it is deceptively so, as Sandstrom produces that is fully living and breathing as the series progresses.

Heading deep into the Michigan winter this time, Lee McKinney has still left the world of Texas behind her, along with her ex-husband, as she keeps the books of her aunties chocolate business. That’s when there’s a teddy bear promotion that could really put the town of Warner Pier on the map, along with TenHuis Chocolade. Soon, though, the peace is disturbed yet again by after their friend Gail is murdered whilst decorating the shop during a burglary and Lee’s teenage stepson is the chief suspect. Will she be able to clear his name? Why was Gail killed? Who was really behind the chocolate bear burglary?
The Chocoholic Mysteries Series Providing a whole collection of witty, fun and entertaining stories, this is a series that really manages to deliver what it set out to do. Keeping the reader guessing throughout each and every story too, it really works at giving the reader an engaging and compelling experience. This is something that should continue for some time to come, as it has plenty more directions left to go in.

Book Series In Order » Characters » Chocoholic Mysteries