CRIMINAL CONFECTIONS - Colette London

Hayden Mundy Moore is a chocolate whisperer.  Traveling the globe, she is hired by the most elite of chocolate artisans to "fix" any problems they may have, from profits losses to troubleshooting their newest recipes and lines.  She works in complete confidentiality, and has recently come to a high-end chocolate retreat at the chocolate-themed Lemaitre resort spa, courtesy of new owner Christian Lemaitre who has recently ousted his own uncle - Bernard, the "grandfather of chocolate" - from the company.  With her best friend, the burly security expert Danny Jamieson, in tow, Hayden finds herself potentially in need of his professional services when head Lemaitre chocolatier Adrienne Dowling - Hayden's friend - suffers a sudden death the authorities put down to an "accidental overdose" that Hayden's just not buying.  She begins searching for a potential killer, turning over enough rocks to reveal some very ugly secrets, betrayals and lies within the company and possibly endangering her own life ... in this first-in-a-series that I found to be just "okay" due to the not-always-likable sleuth.  Whether reminding readers of her many travels or inherited wealth, or "breaking the fourth wall" by constantly addressing the reader directly (usually in a tongue and cheek manner that becomes a bit grating), between Hayden and a final confrontation between sleuth and killer that wraps up all too quickly and neatly, this is a first mystery that, sadly, doesn't have me leaping too quickly to read the second.  **1/2

Note: I received a free ARC of this book via NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.