Kathleen's Reviews > Dark, Witch & Creamy

“Dark, Witch, and Creamy” earns 5/5 Mouthwatering Chocolate Truffles Dusted with Cocoa! Yes! It’s that delicious of a tale!

Sitting with her cousin, Pamona, Caitlyn Le Fey savors her British tea and scones and ponders the somewhat shocking revelations of her birth. Her mother recently died in a tragic car accident, and surrounded by her mother’s lawyers she was handed the letter—the letter that announced she was adopted, well, it turns out she was really found abandoned on the side of the road. She learns she was actually born in a little Cotswold village called Tillyhenge with an unusual runestone around her neck. She decides she wants to explore her roots, but, Pamona is very worried about Caitlyn’s trip since the news has just announced a man was found dead under mysterious circumstances in an ancient stone circle just outside Tillyhenge. Pomie is leaps beyond what Caitlyn would believe to be reality saying magic may have played a part in this mystery. Magic?

Unabated by Pomie’s fears Caitlyn discovers a perfect picture postcard of a small Cotswold town tourist flock to visit. Deciding to spend the night she is told the only room available may be in a somewhat odd chocolate shop run by a somewhat odd lady. She is mesmerized by the intoxicating aromas and flavors at Bewitched by Chocolate, and despite some reservations, Widow Mags allows her to stay. This companionship sends Caitlyn off on a magical experience with only hints about her family and the runestone necklace. A possible romance entices her, but the murder? Complicated, but she is determined to figure it out. She has to…her new friendships and possibly a new family depend on it.

I am so deliciously in love with this first book, “Dark, Witch, and Creamy,” from H. Y. Hanna’s new Bewitched by Chocolate Mystery series. Author of the very entertaining Oxford Tearoom Mysteries, she has once again written a clever, but ‘dark,’ mystery engaging at ever turn. Caitlyn shows strength and determination as her search for truths leads her to some quirky characters from an ancient guardian to the antagonistic village gossips. The writing is clear and realistic; you discover your mouth is really watering with every ‘creamy’ description of the chocolate delights. Is there a hint of a possible romance? Are there more secrets to uncover? The conclusion was a delightful “Oh my!” but offering a cliffhanger leaves you wanting more…