Review: Secrets of the Chocolate House

Secrets of the Chocolate House by Paula Brackston
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The second novel in the Found Things series finds time spinner and psychometrist Xanthe Westlake on a new adventure as she finds another object, a copper chocolate pot, which calls to her. Only this time, Xanthe learns that she is not alone in her time spinning gift, and the other time spinner is a formidable adversary. Yet, Xanthe has an ally, Mistress Flyte, proprietress of a chocolate shop (which rum-laced chocolate that will make you crave whilst you read!) who appears to know something about time spinners and a special book which might have already found its way into Xanthe's hands. In her present world in Marlborough, Xanthe has her mother and the handsome Liam. But Xanthe hopes that she will be able to reconnect with Samuel Appleby, the man she left (centuries) behind when she returned to her life at the conclusion of Little Shop of Found Things. The problem is that another time spinner, Benedict Fairfax, stands dangerously in her way. What does he want, and why is he following Xanthe through time?

This is a pleasant sequel to Little Shop of Found Things and I enjoyed having more information about the time travel of Xanthe's world. This is a good, light weekend read that doesn't really require having read the first book per se, though I think readers would gain more understanding of Xanthe herself by having read the first novel.


I received an Advanced Review Copy and paper review copy of this book from St. Martin's Press.

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