Review: What's in that Chocolate?
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 9, 2014
Bitter Chocolate by Dawn Greenfield IrelandThe papparazzi got a rare sighting of Houston's favorite eccentric River Oaks chocolate heiresses, the Alcott sisters, at  the Chocolate Ball on Saturday night. And what a scene it was. Bambi Chaline, the former nurse for Bernie Alcott, was sporting a baby bump, and the rampant gossip is that 92 year old Bernie Alcott is the father. Once considered trailer park trash, Bambi seems to have been adopted by the family. It lends credence to the rumors about Bernie Alcott. Baby sister, Dorothea Divine, in her 50s, was also sporting a designer-decorated baby bump. What's in that Alcott chocolate? I hear they serve it at the fertility clinic.The high-profile sisters recently went into seclusion after their prize fork was used as a murder weapon at a bowling alley [how dare they], and the family was shrouded in suspicion [Book 1 - Hot Chocolate]. Although the family name was cleared, they are once again in the shadow of another violent cloud. Wealth and privacy, it seems, comes at a high price these days.Houston's premier local mystery author, Dawn Greenfield Ireland, has just released Bitter Chocolate, the second in her cozy foody mystery series. Hot Chocolate, her premier novel, climbed the sales charts on Amazon and proved that regional fiction can make a sweet impact in this huge national and international market. The Alcott sisters quickly became the golden girls of Houston with their wit, charm, recipes and family solidarity.The eager fans will not be disappointed as "The Sisters" bring their quirky southern flavor and ravenous appetites to a new mystery. In Bitter Chocolate, the popular ensemble cast of characters returns and introduces a few new ones. The handsome Houston police detective, Chance Walker and the earthy tall-Texan family attorney, Walter Branson, are still on the to-do list of top Houston socialites. And, Bambi Chaline, after inheriting a fortune from her husband [the one who got forked in Hot Chocolate], learns how to enjoy her money and family connections. Cousin Teddy, a PTSD victim who is now mute, comes to stay and adds to the quirk factor. Tilly, who was absolved of the forking, is now being forced by the family to dry out and get a life.But again, there is trouble in paradise when Tilly's gangster father is found murdered. Danger seems to stalk this family, but their beloved house man Joseph, along with Uncle Tito's spot-on visions, some astrology and a touch of numerology keep the story moving with foreshadowing, insights and guidance. And big daddy Alcott has to practically be hog-tied in his Bentley by his new driver, Chewy, to keep him out of trouble. Chewy plays Kato as Alcott stirs up more than a few hornets's nests.Ireland has expanded her hilarious and intriguing picture of a family that eats its way through crisis in full Southern Style. We get to peek into those River Oaks mansions, eat at their tables, and shop at all the best boutiques, all while stalking a killer. Ireland likes to kill off the bad guys, because in Texas, you know, some people just need killing. And as if a good mystery wasn't enough, now you can "Eat Like the Heiresses," as the book ends with recipes for the delectable goodies introduced throughout the story. If you like a lot of daily detail and feeling like you're one of the family, this is your best summer read. *****Five Stars.Everybody loves chocolate, and this is as delectable as a mystery comes. What's next, Ms. Ireland?Review (C) by Sandy Penny, Founder of SweetMysteryBooks.com - feel free to repost with credit.