Book Review/Giveaway: Truffled to Death by Kathy Aarons

From the publisher: Two best friends sell books and bonbons—and solve crimes—in this mystery from the author of Death Is Like a Box of Chocolates…

Hoping to sweeten sales for their shop, Chocolates and Chapters, Michelle and Erica host a reception highlighting a new museum display of ancient Mayan pottery curated by Erica’s former mentor, Professor Addison Moody. The evening has a few hiccups, but the ladies soon smooth things over with ample servings of wine and chocolate.

Yet with the sweet comes the bitter. The very next day, the antiquities from the reception are discovered missing. The professor accuses Erica of having sticky fingers, claiming she wants revenge on him. And she’s only in more trouble after he’s found stabbed to death with one of the artifacts. Now Michelle must help Erica track down the real killer before someone else finds themselves in less than mint condition…

I would like to start out by saying that "Truffled to Death" is just about the best mystery title ever...I wonder why I feel that way?

This is the second book in Kathy Aaron's Chocolate Covered mystery series. It opens with a reception that Michelle and Erica are hosting to celebrate the donation of ancient Mayan pottery to the local museum, made possible by Professor Addison Moody. Everything goes pretty well until the next day when the collection turns up missing, and then the Professor is murdered by one of the invaluable pieces. Suspicion lands on Erica when her past history with the Professor is revealed. In spite of what ends up being a very dangerous and high stakes game involving art trafficking, the ladies team up to catch a killer.

I enjoyed this book very much, but have to admit that because of the subject matter I was left a bit confused at times. The international art angle and sub-plot involving a modern day Robin Hood known as El Gato Blanco left me re-reading passages more than once trying to piece everything together. What I really loved was the part of the story involving Coco, the feline Main Street fixture, now expecting kittens. (One of them is named Truffle!!!) How their birth ties into the killer's capture made for a really neat twist.

Giveaway: Leave a comment by noon eastern on Friday, June 5th for your chance to win a paperback copy of Truffled to Death. (US entries only, please.)