What People Are Saying About the Book
LOVED Theft By Chocolate and can't wait for the next one. It was definitely a page-turner for me. The suspense is thrilling and I would never have guessed the ending. Even more interesting was learning about the frenzied and dark side of the world of museums...Thank you for giving readers a peek into the inner workings of museums and of the surprising secrets they hold.
Linda Lavallée
CBC Radio-Canada
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I downloaded the book on my iPad and decided to switch from the book I was reading to Theft By Chocolate. I don't usually read fiction, but the first few pages were like eating white chocolate. I could not put it down until I finished it. I look forward to seeing it as a movie.
Al Shaikoli
Director of Engineering, Facilities and Operations
Philadelphia Museum of Art
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...For starters, I didn't speed read [Theft By Chocolate]: I bit, chewed, and swallowed every word savoring the texture and flavor as you might eat a chocolate delicacy. It was my daily read and allotted entertainment over the past month; holding up well against the competition, namely presidential debates...It was a total delight page after page after page.
In the first third of the book, just about when I was about to ask "OK, now when does this premise begin to bear fruit?" you delivered the bit concerning Caligula. I was on the floor in stitches. I could totally visualize the Jerry-Bruckheimer movie with helicopters dropping Navy-Seal parachute guys and SWAT teams converging on the scene. It was literary perfection.
Throughout, the text is animated with asides of varying length and intensity that inform, elaborate, or inject perfect measures of levity. Never self-indulgent or detracting from the spine of the story line. The recurring chocolate and purple references are handled with the mastery of an Oscar-level cinematic art director. And all of that is interwoven into the overall fabric with an extremely clever plot line that culminates in a well-crafted denouement.
I'm not much of a fiction reader or savant, so I'm not all that well-versed in character development, but this aspect seemed to be as well done as anything written by Steven King. Moreover, you weren't overly descriptive (or psychoanalytical -- well, except for Richard's childhood trauma) and the terrain wasn't overpopulated. Though at times you were pushing it -- an artist should push.
I'd really have to say your book would do well as a movie. Throughout my read I could always visualize the cinematic depiction of what I was reading.
Zenon Kulchisky
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I loved reading Theft By Chocolate! It was well written, funny, and a good mystery. The author's descriptions of Toronto and London were wonderful and I felt like I was there with Kalena, the heroine, as she chased suspects by taxi or walked miles in spiked heels with heavy suitcase in tow. There is also a little romance that happens (all closed door), enough to satisfy this romance reader.
And did I mention the chocolate? Kalena is addicted and we share that addiction with her throughout the story. Be prepared! I ended up eating two pieces of chocolate cake at dinner. I figured if Kalena could do it, why couldn't I? :-) Now I'm off to the gym. . .
Karysa Faire
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Five Stars
I am so enjoying reading Theft By Chocolate!!!!! So many things are familiar (including Wimbledon) that I find myself grinning from ear to ear on the train ride and laughing out loud at times. Any book with a Gabriel Bryne crush has to be brilliant! Thanks so much for the ride that's letting me keep my sanity at least partly in balance!!!!
Diana Hillier
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I found the book to be a fun, light read. The mystery surrounding the theft of museum pieces gets tense and the ending has a twist I didn't see coming.
Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks at http://hezzi-dsbooksandcooks.blogspot.ca/
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I have to say that I found the book and the characters intelligent, sassy, fun, wacky and humorous. I don't usually read mysteries (I'm not sure why...maybe I can't stand the suspense), but I really enjoyed it. In fact I read it in only a few days, which is amazing seeing as I only seem to have time to read about a book a year...Okay, I love chocolate too, but my god, I was craving it like crazy. How can reading about chocolate make one desire it so?!
Stephanie Kelcey
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If you like chocolate, clothes, museums, and mystery, this book is for you. It’s a perfect read on a cottage dock or deck this summer or for waiting out a rainy day. If you are way too old for Nancy Drew, but still enjoy a lively fun mystery, check out Theft by Chocolate!
Karen Gorsline
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Linda Lavallée
CBC Radio-Canada
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I downloaded the book on my iPad and decided to switch from the book I was reading to Theft By Chocolate. I don't usually read fiction, but the first few pages were like eating white chocolate. I could not put it down until I finished it. I look forward to seeing it as a movie.
Al Shaikoli
Director of Engineering, Facilities and Operations
Philadelphia Museum of Art
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
...For starters, I didn't speed read [Theft By Chocolate]: I bit, chewed, and swallowed every word savoring the texture and flavor as you might eat a chocolate delicacy. It was my daily read and allotted entertainment over the past month; holding up well against the competition, namely presidential debates...It was a total delight page after page after page.
In the first third of the book, just about when I was about to ask "OK, now when does this premise begin to bear fruit?" you delivered the bit concerning Caligula. I was on the floor in stitches. I could totally visualize the Jerry-Bruckheimer movie with helicopters dropping Navy-Seal parachute guys and SWAT teams converging on the scene. It was literary perfection.
Throughout, the text is animated with asides of varying length and intensity that inform, elaborate, or inject perfect measures of levity. Never self-indulgent or detracting from the spine of the story line. The recurring chocolate and purple references are handled with the mastery of an Oscar-level cinematic art director. And all of that is interwoven into the overall fabric with an extremely clever plot line that culminates in a well-crafted denouement.
I'm not much of a fiction reader or savant, so I'm not all that well-versed in character development, but this aspect seemed to be as well done as anything written by Steven King. Moreover, you weren't overly descriptive (or psychoanalytical -- well, except for Richard's childhood trauma) and the terrain wasn't overpopulated. Though at times you were pushing it -- an artist should push.
I'd really have to say your book would do well as a movie. Throughout my read I could always visualize the cinematic depiction of what I was reading.
Zenon Kulchisky
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I loved reading Theft By Chocolate! It was well written, funny, and a good mystery. The author's descriptions of Toronto and London were wonderful and I felt like I was there with Kalena, the heroine, as she chased suspects by taxi or walked miles in spiked heels with heavy suitcase in tow. There is also a little romance that happens (all closed door), enough to satisfy this romance reader.
And did I mention the chocolate? Kalena is addicted and we share that addiction with her throughout the story. Be prepared! I ended up eating two pieces of chocolate cake at dinner. I figured if Kalena could do it, why couldn't I? :-) Now I'm off to the gym. . .
Karysa Faire
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Five Stars
I am so enjoying reading Theft By Chocolate!!!!! So many things are familiar (including Wimbledon) that I find myself grinning from ear to ear on the train ride and laughing out loud at times. Any book with a Gabriel Bryne crush has to be brilliant! Thanks so much for the ride that's letting me keep my sanity at least partly in balance!!!!
Diana Hillier
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I found the book to be a fun, light read. The mystery surrounding the theft of museum pieces gets tense and the ending has a twist I didn't see coming.
Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks at http://hezzi-dsbooksandcooks.blogspot.ca/
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have to say that I found the book and the characters intelligent, sassy, fun, wacky and humorous. I don't usually read mysteries (I'm not sure why...maybe I can't stand the suspense), but I really enjoyed it. In fact I read it in only a few days, which is amazing seeing as I only seem to have time to read about a book a year...Okay, I love chocolate too, but my god, I was craving it like crazy. How can reading about chocolate make one desire it so?!
Stephanie Kelcey
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you like chocolate, clothes, museums, and mystery, this book is for you. It’s a perfect read on a cottage dock or deck this summer or for waiting out a rainy day. If you are way too old for Nancy Drew, but still enjoy a lively fun mystery, check out Theft by Chocolate!
Karen Gorsline
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