***I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.***
In a cute new culinary cozy from USA Today bestselling author Sarah Fox, budding chocolatier Becca Ransom must solve a murder before she meets a sticky end.
Former actress Becca Ransom lived her dream in Hollywood for seven years before returning to her hometown of Larch Haven, known as the Venice of North America. The Vermont town has canals instead of roads, gondolas instead of cars, and charming cottages plucked from the pages of a fairy tale. It’s also where Becca is pursuing her newest passion as a chocolatier at True Confections, the chocolate shop owned by her grandparents, Lolly and Pops.
While Becca’s testing new flavors and reconnecting with old friends, the town is gearing up for the annual Gondola Races, popular with both residents and tourists, with one exception. Local curmudgeon Archie Smith wants nothing more than to keep tourists away from Larch Haven. He’s determined to derail this year’s event and does his best to stir up trouble for the organizers, including Becca’s grandfather.
Following a heated argument with Pops, Archie is found floating face-down in the canal, and Pops finds himself in hot water as one of the top suspects. Becca’s determined to clear her grandfather’s name, but when the case heats up, she could be facing a sticky end.
Six Sweets Under by Sarah Fox is the first book in her True Confections Mystery series. It’s about a former actress who returns to her hometown in Vermont.
Story Recap:
Former actress Becca Ransom returns to Larch Haven, Vermont after a successful
career in Hollywood. She lived her dream and now wants a simpler life in her hometown and to help out her grandparents as a chocolatier at their store, True Confections. Larch Haven is a unique small town that boasts canals instead of reads. Travel around the small town is by boat or walking or bicycle. They call Larch Haven the “Venice” of Vermont.
The town is getting ready for the annual gondola races and curmudgeon Archie Smith is vocally against the idea as it brings too many tourists to the town. But, then Archie is found dead, just after a loud argument with Becca’s grandfather, Pops. With Pops as the main suspect, Becca must find the real killer and clear her grandfather.
My Thoughts:
I love a good cozy mystery and Six Sweets Under has everything I love in a cozy mystery. The town of Larch Haven is unique and beautifully described, as is the chocolate shop where Becca works.
I enjoyed the characters very much. Becca is very sympathetic and I liked how protective she is of her grandparents. Her friend Dizzy is a great best friend, and together they complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses. The mystery was good, I didn’t figure it out until Becca did. There are a lot of characters in this book, which gave a lot of options for the murderer but did make the story a bit confusing for a bit. But, I figured everyone out and continued to enjoy the story.
Binx and Truffles, the cats were also an adorable addition to the story.
Recommendation:
I highly recommend Six Sweet Under to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
About Sarah Fox
Sarah Fox, writer of cozy mysteries, was born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, where she developed a love for mysteries at a young age. When not writing novels or working as a legal writer she is often reading her way through a stack of books or spending time outdoors with her English Springer Spaniel.
Sounds cute, and the mention of chocolate makes me hungry! I’m glad you enjoyed it. I admit, though, I’m trying to wrap my mind around the idea of a canal town in Vermont. Certainly not in any part of the state I’ve been in; it’s too hilly or mountainous.
It sound like a good book to start with #1 since there are so many characters. It’s hard not to want to read a cozy mystery about a chocolatier. Good review, Wendy.
I already like the sound of the town and main character’s relationship with her grandparents. excellent review, Wendy!
It sound like a good book to start with #1 since there are so many characters. It’s hard not to want to read a cozy mystery about a chocolatier
Thank you
Sounds cute, and the mention of chocolate makes me hungry! I’m glad you enjoyed it. I admit, though, I’m trying to wrap my mind around the idea of a canal town in Vermont. Certainly not in any part of the state I’ve been in; it’s too hilly or mountainous.
I was hoping that there is a real town like this, but I haven’t heard of one either.
Larch Haven sounds wonderful and I love the cover too.
It’s very well described and I just wish it was a real place!
Chocolate and cats? Sounds like a book for me. Glad the mystery was well done too🙂
Yes, it’s a fun book.
It sound like a good book to start with #1 since there are so many characters. It’s hard not to want to read a cozy mystery about a chocolatier. Good review, Wendy.
Thank you, Linda
This sounds so cute! Wonderful review Wendy! Going to see if I can find this one!☕🤗📚💜
Thank you, Susan!
Great review! I love the cats on the cover. I also enjoy the puns they come up with for cozy mysteries haha.
Cozies are nice and light and fun
A cozy mystery by a Vancouver author! Yes please. Great review Wendy. Thanks for sharing about this one.
When I put this post together yesterday and I saw that Sarah Fox is from Vancouver, I thought of you, Jodie!
I do love a good punny cozy mystery book title! I don’t read this genre much but the titles always tempt me.
They are light and fun, and a nice break from more serious books.
Love the catchy book title.
Cozy mysteries have the best titles!
glad you enjoyed, great review 😊
Thank you!