Asking for Truffle by Dorothy St. James

Charity Penn, who eschews the name Charity, is far too familiar with charlatans and con artists to be taken in by the scam offering her free chocolate making classes in South Carolina. Especially since Penn never enters contests. Curious, however, she asks her childhood friend to do some Internet checking for her, but he decides to visit the town in person. Shortly after calling Penn to tell her to come down in person, Skinny winds up dead-in a vat of chocolate. Feeling responsible for his death, Penn descends on the town only to discover a run down struggling beach community inhabited by strange residents. Now Penn will try to discern the truth as she tries to sort out the motives of the townsfolk while dealing with her horribly behaved dog and learning to make sublime chocolates. There's an interesting vibe to ASKING FOR TRUFFLE. Penn is a very jaded, suspicious person with a fairly dim outlook on life. While it's understandable given her past, it doesn't make her very likable. The residents of Camilla Beach also have a dark cloud around them. We see unpleasant sides to nearly all of the characters and so nearly all become suspects and none are trustworthy. Yet in this derelict world, there's something more, something good. Penn's viewpoint starts to change and ours with her. Unlike most cozies, ASKING FOR TROUBLE is more negative. Not dark, but drab, yet somehow compelling. Penn's attitude toward her dog as well as her relationships with her surrogate granny and her half sister show that there is a light inside of her. There is some humor to be found here along with some wonderful descriptions of chocolate to lighten the outlook. I'm curious how Penn will continue to grow and how the community of Camilla Beach will change with her as the series progresses. Recipes included.