For readers who enjoy Joanne Harris’ fiction, The Lollipop Shoes was the long-awaited sequel to Chocolat. For those of us who live in this French-speaking area, Joanne Harris’ novels have the added attraction of a French connection. This one is no exception.

Vianne, the chocolate shop magician that we met in the village of Lansquenet-sous-Tannes, is now raising her two daughters, Annie (Anouk) and the mute four-year-old Rosette, and running a miserable chocolaterie in Montmartre.

Zozie de l’Alba comes into her life – a confidence trickster who will steal her daughter’s loyalty, her identity – everything. Vianne has abandoned her magic and even her original name, in an attempt to hide in this tiny cobbled quarter of Montmartre. However, now she must face the difficult decision. Should she run away again or face the evil owner of the lollipop shoes?

The epilogue is chilling!