Poppy Peters hopes to make a good impression on her first day as an intern in Paris. Unfortunately, a stranger accidentally dumps coffee on her, ruining her attire before she even sets foot in Le Croissant. Chef Jean Pierre Gautier is renowned for his pastries and Poppy wants to learn all she can before returning back to the Calle Pastry Academy in Georgia. Unfortunately, things aren't going as planned and Poppy soon finds herself in the midst of yet another murder investigation. Will Poppy uncover the killer's identity before she finds herself accused of murder by macaroons?
CHOCOLATE MACAROONS AND A DEAD GROOM is the second book in the Poppy Peters Mystery series and can easily be read as a standalone. Poppy is in Paris with a whole new host of characters and only brief mentions are made of her friends back home at the Calle Pastry Academy. Readers should note, however, that spoilers for the first book, SOUTHERN PEACH PIE & A DEAD GUY, are revealed.
Poppy is an entertaining character and I love the new characters we meet in Paris. Destin and Dandre are a lot of fun and Marta grew on me as the story progressed. However, I have to admit I missed seeing Bree and Cole and look forward to more of them in the next book when Poppy returns home. The teaser in the epilogue has me wishing the next book were available right now, as I can't wait to see how the dilemma Poppy is in will end.
CHOCOLATE MACAROONS AND A DEAD GROOM features even more yummy desserts as we get to see a different side of Paris. Poppy doesn't get to do a lot of touristy things, but we get an overview of the scrumptious foods that made me want to catch the next flight to Paris, if only for a taste. The recipes included in CHOCOLATE MACAROONS AND A DEAD GROOM tempt me to give them a try.
CHOCOLATE MACAROONS AND A DEAD GROOM is a charming cozy mystery featuring likable characters. A. Gardner does a marvelous job at keeping the storyline fresh and entertaining, as we see Poppy in a new setting. I look forward to seeing what surprises A. Gardner has in store for us next!
When Poppy Peters takes an internship in Paris working for a top pastry chef, she realizes that bakery life isn't all cupcakes and frosting. The sous pastry chef dislikes foreigners, her mentor only speaks French, and to top that all off she finds the groom of the wedding she's catering dead in his own backyard. But Lord Dovington wasn't just a handsome royal waiting to sweep his bride-to-be off of her feet. He was also a well-known playboy with a long line of vengeful exes. Now, as one of the prime suspects, Poppy must prove she's innocent . . . and that her recipe for chocolate macaroons isn't to blame. But the clock is ticking, and with a missing diamond, a break-in, and a hot batch of reporters on her tail, Poppy has a lot of sifting to do. Will she find the killer before she too gets baked?
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