Theft By Chocolate by Luba Lesychyn

Suspense, Humor, Mystery,  A Dashing Englishmen, A Flattering Younger Man, the Wonder of a Museum's Backstage, and Chocolate... what's not to love about this story! 

Luba Lesychyn is an extremely talented writer.  She understands how to dangle details in ways that have you looking forward to more excitement, without anxiety.  She's a comfort writer.  Pull up a cozy blanket and dive right in.  I immersed myself reading her pages at night, after a day of work... shunning the rest of the real world, and allowing myself to get lost in her imaginative Toronto.  I regret nothing.

Theft By Chocolate is an amusing and spirited read.  The story eavesdrops on the days of a chocolate addict, who is also sleuthing her way through an irresistible mystery.  At every new chapter, I was impressed by Luba's expressive writing style.  When her characters walk through hallways filled with anxiety, sit quietly in a cathedral, or collapse on the bed in sheer exhaustion, you experience every moment as if that character's reality was your own.  Luba entices you to step into her world and live it fully.

Through the intrigue of the story, she shares valuable reminders of some of life's most important lessons, in ways you'll never forget.  Yes, a spoonful of powered chocolate does affect us in exactly THAT way!  Secrets are often hidden in (nearly) plain sight, so you should be keenly observant.  Public humiliation doesn't always have to be the precursor to a doomed life.  And most importantly, Librarians can indeed be seductively charming, in their own bashful way.

Luba Lesychyn is an author who clearly understands how to bait her literary fish and then reel them in for the vigorous PLOP on the sandy shore.  But not to worry, she'll tuck you back into the water again, safely returning you to the comfort of characters you are sure you know, and environments that you wish you could visit, without ever revealing the entire mystery.  And that's exactly what we want from an author.

Thank you, Luba Lesychyn, you will continue to have a place in my TBR pile!

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