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.

In The Flavorist by Kevin Urban, Allen Hale is a man in a billion. His incredible olfactory abilities and his talent of discerning every chemical and compound that goes into the making of a food product has made him renowned and envied worldwide. He is a flavorist, working in the candy industry. When he is, surprisingly to him, invited to the launch of a special new chocolate in Belgium by the famous and wealthy chocolatier, Adolf Van De Groot, he destroys his welcome at the function and his host’s temper by tasting the new chocolate and immediately declaring it to be “rather good” for an imitation chocolate. At the function from which he is rudely ejected, he meets Richard Harden, a CIA operative who is investigating Van De Groot for a suspected biological weapon that he is supposedly developing. When Harden recruits Hale for his scientific expertise all hell will break loose, as Van De Groot and his loyal henchman, Victor, look to derail the investigation before it even begins and release their weapon on the world.

The Flavorist is a thriller in the grand style and is action-packed from start to end. Author Kevin Urban has created some archetypal characters that play their roles according to the standard rules. The arch-nemesis Van De Groot is a man bordering on insanity and well-written, especially with the suggested but subtle relationship that clearly exists between him and his No.1 henchman, Victor, that leads to some interesting scenes and encounters later in the story. The tale takes us from Belgium to the South Pacific, the Amazonian jungle and the jungles of Central Africa. The character of Harden especially and his relationship with the transitioning Maxi was something different in a thriller and added some needed levity and humanity to the non-stop action. For me, the many coincidences and synchronicities in the tale were a little overdone, but in general, this was a satisfying and exciting read with a touch of humor along the way. If you like thrillers that are not massive reads, then The Flavorist will definitely appeal to you.

I am pleased that someone gave the story detailed attention. Maybe a little giveaway in the description, but I am overly excited and happy that someone "got it."

Sincerely Kevin Urban

Thank you, for reviewing this book. It is absolutely fantastic to hear such nice ccomments.

Sincerely Kevin Urban