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Reviewed by Lesley Jones for Readers' Favorite
In The Flavorist by Kevin Urban, as wealthy chocolatier heir Adolf Van De Groot unveils his new invention 'Chocolate Thunder' at a chocolate conference in Brussels, one attendee does not share in everyone else's amazement. Allen Hale, a respected flavorist for Jupiter Candies, detects the chocolate is imitation and his announcement is not at all well received by Adolf. However, one onlooker, undercover CIA officer Richard Harden, is intrigued by Allen's prowess and believes that Allen could help him in his investigations into Adolf's possible criminal activities. Richard has been investigating Adolf's involvement in a possible biological weapons attack and convinces Allen to assist him. Allen is double-crossed by Adolf, injected with cyanide, and assumed dead by Adolf and his brutal henchman Victor. Allen escapes and becomes the key suspect in a murder carried out by Victor. Now, Allen must escape the Belgian police and locate the Van De Groot chocolate plantation in the Democratic Republic of Congo which holds the evidence needed to prove his innocence. Maxi is unaware that Richard is also determined to bring Adolf to justice but when he arrives in the Congo, he receives a welcome that he will never forget from a transgender biologist and two of Adolf's henchmen.
The Flavorist by Kevin Urban is definitely an action-packed story that begins with the introduction of the most unique characters I have ever encountered, and the weird setting of a chocolatier conference. The main character, Allen, is superb with an invisible childhood friend who had a phobia of staircases and insults. I also thought Allen's keen sense of smell really added humorous scenes throughout the story. Max, a transgender biologist, is sassy, heroic and comical. The double act of Victor and Adolf was brutal at times, but also included humorous exchanges. The plot was cleverly unraveled layer by layer and the never-ending obstacles put in Richard and Allen's path kept the whole story moving consistently forward. The author has a great talent for creating tension and setting a scene with his descriptive narrative. The plot is full of surprising revelations that continue until the climactic finish. Overall, a sensational story and highly recommended.