Bonbon with the Wind (Southern Chocolate Shop Mystery)
by Dorothy St. James
About Bonbon With the Wind
Bonbon with the Wind (Southern Chocolate Shop Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
4th in Series
Setting – South Carolina
Publisher: Barking Dog Press (December 9, 2019)
Print Length: 251 pages
ASIN: B082L528GS
Join Penn and Stella on their latest adventure!
There’s a legend in the Sea Islands that before a hurricane hits the Gray Lady can be seen walking down the beach warning of doom. Penn doesn’t believe in such silly stories, but she does believe weather forecasters. A powerful hurricane is heading their way. Everyone on the island of Camellia Beach is busy boarding up windows and securing valuables to upper levels of buildings. Joe Davies, a local treasure hunter with an unquenchable sweet tooth, claims to have seen the Gray Lady walking toward him just that morning and is terrified for his life.
After the storm passes everyone returns to survey the damage. As Penn walks her little dog Stella on the beach, she finds Joe Davies’ body washed up onshore. Not only that, it looks as if an exploding transformer caused Joe’s seaside shack to burn to the ground. Did the Gray Lady claim another victim? Many on the island believe that is exactly what happened.
Penn is sure there’s another explanation. She follows the clues and hints of lost gold to discover that the truth behind the treasure hunter’s death is as much of a maze as the boating channels winding their way through the local marshes.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
A hurricane is headed for the island of Camellia Beach and everyone is battening down the hatches and getting ready to evacuate. As Penn looks out over the beach she sees local treasure hunter Joe Davies in the distance talking to a woman. He approaches Penn and tells her he is afraid for his life and hurries away. Everyone, except Penn, thinks the woman was the Gray Lady of legend who is known to walk the beach before a storm. Meeting her could mean tragedy is headed to your life. Penn doesn’t believe in the legend or the stories people are sharing.
Penn and her papillon Stella return to Camilla Beach after the storm passes to assess the damages. Stella runs off and when Penn catches up with her she sees her dog has made a gruesome discovery. Joe Davies’ body has been washed up on the shore and has been mostly covered with sand. She later learns his seaside home had burned to the ground during the storm. Was it the Gray Lady that crossed his path and delivered all this calamity or is there a human to blame. Penn has been asked to find out. Hopefully, that won’t bring death and destruction to her door.
____
After a short hiatus, the Southern Chocolate Shop Mysteries are back and I am so happy they are!
Charity Penn ‘Penn’, Bertie, Harley, Althea, and Stella return in a rich story with a folklore twist. I really enjoyed the bit a paranormal legend that was twisted throughout this story. Hurricanes are scary enough without ghosts predicted doom. It also brought a slew of ghosthunters to Camellia Beach all in hopes to witness the phenomenon which meant more business for Penn’s shop but a lot more craziness.
Character development was key in this story as well. Penn’s candy-making skills are improving but her interpersonal relationships take a real hit. That opens her eyes in many ways. She is still on the outs with her family but she is getting strong enough to deal with them now. A friend from Harley’s past makes an appearance and that opens his eyes too. Penn and Harley make a great team but Bertie and Althea definitely add their talents to the mix.
The devastation of the hurricane was described vividly. I appreciated the resident’s perseverance and the way the town pulled together after the storm. Finding displaced people places to live, sign up sheets for those who needed help and volunteers willing to help, locating material and contactors, and for Penn ingredient supplies to keep her shop filled with goodies.
The mystery was quite complex. Along with the Gray Lady and that drama, there was a buried treasure and a murder to solve. There were hurricane twists and turns and clues that really had to be dug up to find. I was totally captivated by the entire story.
Bonbon with the Wind
I can’t wait for my next visit to Camella Beach!
You can read my review of Asking for Truffle
Playing with Bonbon Fire
About Dorothy St. Janes
Dorothy St. James is the author of the White House Gardener mysteries. For the past twenty years she made her home on Folly Beach, an artsy island community in South Carolina with her sculptor husband. Dorothy is a member of Mystery Writers of America (MWA), Sisters in Crime (SiNC), and the International Thriller Writers (ITW). This is her fourth Southern Chocolate Shop mystery.
Author Links – Website – Facebook – Twitter – BookBub –
Praise for Bonbon with the Wind (Southern Chocolate Shop Mystery)
by Dorothy St. James
Bonbon with the Wind is a fascinating, character-driven mystery . . . The Southern Chocolate Shop is one of my favorite series and I look forward to my next visit to Camellia Beach.
~The Power of Words
I liked how the characters have grown within this series. The scene is wonderfully described. We feel the emotions and struggles and have to pay close attention to gather all the clues subtly salted on each page.
~Laura’s Interests
Purchase Link – Amazon
Also by Dorothy St. James
a Rafflecopter giveaway
TOUR PARTICIPANTS
February 3 – Nadaness In Motion – SPOTLIGHT
February 3 – The Power of Words – REVIEW
February 3 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT
February 4 – Sneaky the Library Cat’s Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
February 4 – Laura`s Interests – REVIEW
February 4 – I’m All About Books – CHARACTER GUEST POST
February 5 – Celticladys Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
February 5 – Hearts & Scribbles – SPOTLIGHT
February 5 – Jane Reads – GUEST POST
February 5 – Reading Is My SuperPower – SPOTLIGHT
February 6 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
February 6 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW
February 6 – A Blue Million Books – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
February 7 – Baroness’ Book Trove – REVIEW
February 7 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW
February 7 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT, RECIPE
February 7 – eBook Addicts – SPOTLIGHT
February 8 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW
February 8 – I Read What You Write – REVIEW, GUEST POST
February 8 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW
February 9 – Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
February 9 – A Wytch’s Book Review Blog – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST
February 9 – My Journey Back – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
Have you signed up to be a Tour Host?
Click Here Find Details and Sign Up Today!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”