A Christmas candy killing

Set shortly before Christmas, Romeril's exceptional debut and series launch introduces Alex Wright and her twin sister, Hanna, the owners of Murder and Mayhem: Killer Chocolates and Bookshop, in Harriston, Mont. Alex's "idea of naming chocolates after poisons used in murder mysteries" has been a great success in their close-knit community. When an elderly neighbor, Jane Burrows, claims that a murderer she saw on a true crime show is living nearby, everyone dismisses it as a kooky notion. Stopping by Jane's house, Alex discovers Jane's body on her bedroom floor, her nightgown covered in blood. She was stabbed to death, but the murder weapon is missing. To her surprise, Alex learns her name is on the suspect list because Jane made Alex a major beneficiary. The police warn headstrong Alex to stay out of the investigation, but she's determined to prove her innocence and unmask the real killer. A clever plot matches a cast of distinctive characters, and for ambitious cooks there are exacting recipes for hand-molded chocolates. With its inventive premise, this cozy stands out from the pack. Agent: Dawn Dowdle, Blue Ridge Literary. (Oct.)