Tasmin is a Herb Mistress from Tarnia. She is destined to marry William of Almsley, as evidenced by the marriage spell cast at William's seventh birthday. Unfortunately, in Tarnia magic is a part of everyday life, while in William's part of the country, magic is not looked upon favourably. Tasmin and William converse through letters throughout their life, Tasmin waiting until William calles her to him. Then she gets a completely different message: William is accused of murdering the Bishop and she is released from their engagement. She's not having any of that though: she packs up her things and her loyal wind sprites, and leaves to go to his aid.

What follows is a pleasant read while Tasmin and William play detective to find out who has committed the murder. They uncover quite a few family secrets in the process, meanwhile getting to know each other.

The chocolatier's wife was not brilliant, but it was entertaining. I rather liked the beginning of the book and I liked how each book begins with one of the letters Tasmin and William wrote to each other before they met. I would have preferred it though if this had been more a fantasy book, rather then a detective in a fantasy-coat. I would have like to know more about the magic and the wind sprites. The wind sprites were really one of the more enjoyable aspects of the book. As it was, Tasmin applies a bit of judicious magic here and there, but other than that (and the magic object that pops up later on) the magic doesn't play that large a role. This is not necessarily a problem, but in this case the book felt a bit like an extended short story, despite the convoluted plot that was at the heart of it. Don't get me wrong though; it was definitely an entertaining story. ( )

This was a really sweet book (good to read myself to sleep with).

Tamsin was matched to William shortly after her birth by a mating spell cast by the village Wisewoman (he was seven at the time, surely an indication he'd be hard to live with). The spell didn't show your true love (such foolishness), it showed your best match. The thing was that Tamsin was from the North (you know, they're savages! Just think of what they did in the war) so it wasn't exactly a usual match.

William was happy enough though
I suppose she'll do. I'm just glad 'tis over, and that I can go on with my life

They started a correspondence and got on with growing up. Then William didn't send for Tamsin when she turned 18 (other things to do for both of them) and they kept on living apart. Then, William was arrested for murder.

Based on his letters Tamsin didn't believe it so she gathered her wind sprites (befriended as a child) and rushed down to see what could be done.

I needed to suspend disbelief a touch (she seemed awfully trusting and the authorities were either astoundingly dim or extremely well bribed) but I really enjoyed this book. There was the whole mystery not only of who did it but why (revealed just in time for the climax)? Who's honest? What about other possible murders?

Basically I really liked it. I don't know if the author wrote more books in this universe but I intend to read more of her work when I'm in the appropriate mood again. ( )

Tasmin and William live in a country where marriages are arranged by magic: at birth, a spell is cast to see if the child's most suitable mate has been born yet. If they have, the parents make contact. If not, the spell is repeated yearly. After seven years, William's future wife has been born - unfortunately, he lives in the nearly-unmagical south, and she lives in the magical north.

Despite the fact that neither of their families are happy with the match (the author has a certain amount of fun with the fact that the north and south of the country - which were once divided by war - each believe almost identical evil things of each other) Tasmin and William exchange letters throughout their youth. We get to read the letters throughout the story, so you do have to get used to a bit of back-and-forthing in time, but it's a good touch which helps us to get to know the two main characters. William is a merchant sea captain in his family's business; Tasmin is a herb-witch with a possible high-status future in front of her at the university - but only if she manages to get out of the betrothal to William.

Then William gives up his position in the family business and buys a shop intending to sell chocolate. Swiftly after that - within the first week of the shop opening - he is accused of the murder-by-chocolate of the local bishop. When Tasmin's family hear about this, they are thrilled - of course this is a reason to repudiate the betrothal. Tasmin, however, immediately packs her bags and leaves for the south to support William and try to find out who the real killer is.

There are many ways that this scenario could have been written; as it is, in many ways this is more of a love story than anything else. There are many issues that the author touches upon: arranged marriage (the advantages and disadvantages of), the problem of being married to someone you hardly know (even if you do know that s/he is your best match), and the problems of infertility in a society that values the ability to pass on property 'down the line'. There is deceit, and the question of what is honourable conduct. However, I never really doubted that Tasmin and William would win through in the end. This is not a book that puts you through the emotional wringer. Nor is it particularly deep. But it's a pleasant read and the author has constructed an original setting. I enjoyed it, and I've now read it more than once. I'll almost certainly read it again. ( )

Magic and murder, what more could I ask for? I really enjoyed this. My only minor complaint is that occasionally the author used expressions which were too British for the fantasy world -- why would the people of Berengeny refer to bedlam as madness for example?

I will look for more books by Speer! ( )

I won this from the Goodreads giveaway.

This is an interesting mystery/fantasy book, but the heroine was too pushy and rude. She was insanely jealous of any other woman, which is ridiculous. The book kept mentioning how she was plain, and I guess she felt inferior.

The book did seem to drag on and on. The ending was quite cliched, like a bad soap opera episode. Overall, it was a decent story but nothing spectacular. ( )