Celebrate National Dark Chocolate Day With a Spellbinding Cozy Mystery

P.D. Workman
5 min readFeb 2, 2024

Hello, fellow mystery lovers! As an avid reader, you know that a good book and a delectable treat go hand in hand. And what better way to celebrate National Dark Chocolate Day than by ordering a tantalizing paranormal cozy mystery that revolves around the mystical world of dark chocolate? I am thrilled to introduce you to the next book in the Reg Rawlins, Psychic Investigator series, Tainted Truffle Treachery. Get ready for a thrilling adventure in the mythical town of Black Sands, where Mystical Morsels, a dark chocolate treat, takes center stage.

In this latest installment of the Reg Rawlins, Psychic Investigator series, prepare to be captivated by a tale of intrigue, magic, and, of course, dark chocolate. As Reg Rawlins, our fearless psychic investigator, delves into a series of unusual events surrounding Mystical Morsels, she uncovers a dark force threatening the town of Black Sands. Can Reg use her psychic abilities to solve the mystery before it’s too late?

TAINTED TRUFFLE TREACHERY

Ready to take a bite out of crime? Join Reg Rawlins, psychic detective, as she investigates a string of mysterious poisonings linked to a wildly popular new brand of chocolate truffles in Black Sands.

Award-winning and USA Today Bestselling author P.D. Workman brings you Tainted Truffle Treachery.

Truffles to die for

Strange things are happening in Black Sands.

A series of sudden and unexplained deaths of three magical practitioners has Corvin worried, and he convinces Reg to join him in trying to track down the cause and the culprit behind them.

As Reg and her friends investigate the deaths with Corvin and Detective Marta Jessup, they uncover a sinister plot involving the wildly popular Mystical Morsels. But who is distributing them and why? Reg follows the trail to Tennessee where, with the help of her foster sister Erin, they track the mastermind behind the poisoned truffles.

But the danger is far from over as they discover the true motive behind the deadly plot and face a dangerous enemy who shows no remorse for the innocent lives lost.

There’s no sugar coating it — with time running out, Reg must use all her sleuthing skills to uncover the source of the curse and stop the distribution of the deadly desserts before more lives are lost.

It’s a race against time in this paranormal mystery that’s sure to leave you craving more!

Praise for the series:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Just when I think Ms. Workman can’t possibly think up anything different for this series, she delivers big time. — Sandy

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I love the magical characters in this series. They never fail to keep you entertained. Such a fun series. — Kandy

Tainted Truffle Treachery is a paranormal mystery novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat. With a touch of witchcraft and a dash of suspense, this book is perfect for fans of small town mysteries and psychic detectives.

Fall under Reg’s spell today.

Before you read Tainted Truffle Treachery, you might want to read short story Cat Tales in the Swamp.

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THE TEMPTATION OF DARK CHOCOLATE

Dark chocolate has always held a special place in our hearts, and for good reason. Its rich, velvety texture and bittersweet taste have the power to transport us to a world of indulgence and pleasure. National Dark Chocolate Day is the perfect occasion to delve into the mysterious world of dark chocolate and prepare for the release of Tainted Truffle Treachery.

SHARE YOUR DARK CHOCOLATE LOVE

As we celebrate National Dark Chocolate Day, I’d love to hear about your favorite dark chocolate brand or chocolate treat. Is it a classic bar, truffles, or perhaps a unique flavor combination? Share your indulgent delights in the comments below and let’s celebrate our shared love for this irresistible treat!

I am partial to a particular brand of dark chocolate chips, but here is a chocolate bar I picked up for this special occasion.

5 FACTS ABOUT CHOCOLATE

  1. Chocolate was originally a fermented beverage. Believed by the Aztecs to be a gift from Quetzalcoatl, the god of wisdom, chocolate was originally a fermented beverage that gave the drinker strength.
  2. Chocolate gets its name from the Aztecs. Chocolate is derived from the Aztec language of Nahuatl word “chocolātl” which means “bitter drink.”
  3. Dark chocolate is a potential superfood. Thanks to its high percentage of cocoa and lower amounts of sugar and milk, dark chocolate’s health benefits have made it a potential superfood.
  4. Africa provides most of the world’s cocoa. About two-thirds of cocoa in the world is produced in Western Africa with the Ivory Coast being the largest source of the crop.
  5. Americans consume 2.8 billion pounds per year. That’s over 11 pounds per person.

From NATIONAL DARK CHOCOLATE DAY — National Today

HISTORY OF CHOCOLATE

1900 BCE

The ancient Mayans in Mesoamerica are the first known civilization to cultivate cacao trees and make a bitter beverage from the beans. They believe that cacao has divine properties and use it in religious ceremonies.

600 BCE

The Mayans share their knowledge of cacao cultivation and consumption with the Aztecs, who also consider it a sacred drink. They add spices like chili and vanilla to enhance its flavor.

1502

Christopher Columbus encounters cacao beans during his fourth voyage to the Americas but dismisses them as worthless. However, his crew brings some back to Spain.

1519

Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés arrives in Mexico and is introduced to the Aztec emperor, Montezuma II. Montezuma serves Cortés a frothy chocolate drink called “xocoatl,” which Cortés finds bitter but intriguing.

1600s

Spanish monks bring cacao beans and the knowledge of chocolate-making to Europe. The drink becomes popular among the Spanish aristocracy and is often flavored with sugar or honey.

1657

The first chocolate house opens in London, England, where chocolate beverages are sold to the public. These establishments become popular meeting places for the elite.

1730

Cocoa powder is invented by Dutch chemist Coenraad Johannes van Houten. This innovation makes chocolate easier to produce and leads to the creation of solid chocolate bars.

1847

British chocolate manufacturer Joseph Fry produces the first chocolate bar by mixing cocoa powder, cocoa butter, and sugar. This marks the beginning of the modern chocolate bar.

1875

Swiss chocolatier Daniel Peter collaborates with his neighbor, Henri Nestlé, to create the first milk chocolate bar using Nestlé’s condensed milk. This collaboration leads to the formation of the Nestlé company.

1930s

The introduction of the chocolate chip by Ruth Graves Wakefield leads to the creation of the iconic chocolate chip cookie.

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P.D. Workman

Writing riveting mystery, suspense, and young adult fiction about real life issues.