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Welcome to the Historic McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop—where life is sweet, revenge is sweeter, and murder is here to stay. . .

You Can't Fudge An Alibi

Allie McMurphy is up to her neck in renovations at the grand old hotel that's been in her family for generations. With its quaint Victorian charm—and world-famous fudge shop—the place is one of Mackinac Island's most beloved landmarks.

Sure, every family has a skeleton or two in the closet. But Allie didn't expect to find an actual corpse inside hers, especially one Joe Jessup, who had a long-running feud with her dear departed grandfather. Which makes Allie the number-one suspect.

Can she sniff out the culprit before another victim checks in?

352 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published November 5, 2013

436 people are currently reading
2997 people want to read

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Nancy CoCo

20 books584 followers

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5 stars
981 (31%)
4 stars
1,223 (39%)
3 stars
752 (24%)
2 stars
133 (4%)
1 star
31 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 434 reviews
Profile Image for Luffy Sempai.
783 reviews1,080 followers
January 31, 2022
My rating is more of a reminder to myself to read up the following books to this funny, irreverent, plucky, happy-go-lucky book. I was in a reading slump, a cursed spell that this book dispelled. But then, all I needed was a book that brought me back to basics.

This book is the result of hard work. I know that and can tell because it has a hotel as its crime scene. You don't get to see that in most cozies, which often are limited to bakeries, libraries, and sometimes a combination of the two.

This book was both fun and predictable to read. The fun parts were predictable and the predictable parts were funny too. It's not me who is trying to be clever here. It is all in the book. I love this author's work and I intend to follow its results. I am sure I will be nicely rewarded.
Profile Image for Gail.
1,540 reviews
January 9, 2019
A fun loving cozy mystery that takes place on Mackinaw Island, one of my favorite places.
I loved every minute of the story and hated to see it end. Looking forward to the next book in the series! I also loved the cover!
Profile Image for Janete on hiatus due health issues.
821 reviews432 followers
August 29, 2021
3.5 stars. It was an Okay read. It start interesting but the end fell short. Scribd.com's English text, and translation for Portuguese + audio in English from Google Translate. Continuing the Project Learning English by myself.
Profile Image for Robert.
Author 11 books432 followers
December 24, 2013
If you have a mouth full of sweet teeth, then ALL FUDGED UP might just be a novel you should bump into at some point in your life. With no less than ten fudge recipes, this book could kick start any hypoglycemic heart in 30 seconds flat. Sure, you could overdose and still end up comatose in the backseat of your mom’s station wagon and find yourself with a one-way ticket to the big house, but that’s a chance any sugar lovin’ fiend should take. If you’re going to end up dead someday anyway, you might as well do it in style and enjoy the ride out of town.

Even the dog Marshmallow aka Mal enjoys her prance around the fudge station and will just as surely lick your face as she’ll smile at you or bark her head off. She’s tiny, but she’s ferocious tiny with a big heart and a penchant for fire hydrants and spinning in circles. Despite her youth, she’s trainable as well, if given the proper time and devotion.

While I’ve never been to Mackinac Island, I feel as though I have this small town figured out where roots run as deep as radishes and if you’re not a third-generation native, you might as well have grown up in Seattle, WA or Austin, TX. The kooky-eyed locals added a level of interest to this particular tale that might not have otherwise been there.

The voice proved entertaining and quirky and even a bit starry-eyed at times, but I still found myself turning my head to the side at some of the dialogue and a few of the phrases. While I realize cozies aren’t exactly known for their detective endeavors and crimes-solving expertise, I would have preferred a few more criminal elements, as the climax and ending felt a tad rushed. Instead of meandering along and enjoying the ride to the top, the train sped up and jerked me to the side as we reached the top of the hill.

With a sequel TO FUDGE OR NOT TO FUDGE already planned and slated for 2014, Allie McMurphy has more tales to tell, and if my teeth can face the onslaught, I may just come back to find out what happens next.

I received this ARC for free at Bouchercon.

Cross-posted at Robert's Reads
Profile Image for Kirsten .
1,737 reviews294 followers
September 19, 2015
I'm not usually into all the food-themed cozy mysteries (especially if they litter up the text with recipes). But this one is really good. It had a good sense of suspense, some sexual tension, and some really funny scenes.

Additionally, the narrator of the book - Vanessa Johansson - is very, very good and makes the audiobook very enjoyable.

Will definitely read book #2.
Profile Image for QNPoohBear.
3,559 reviews1,559 followers
September 22, 2016
2.5 stars (The extra .5 for the fudge and cute puppy)

Allie McMurphy has always dreamed of taking over her family's historic hotel on Mackinac Island; she never dreamed the day would come so soon. Her Papa, Liam, recently died unexpectedly and left the McMurphy to Allie, along with enough money to renovate and keep in open for a year- IF Allie can open in time for the season and IF they are fully booked. Allie knows she can do it, but her plans hit a snag when she discovers her grandfather's rival and former friend dead in the utility closet. The police want to declare a crime scene and even suspect Allie as a "person of interest." She's determined to go forward with her plans, no matter what. She discovers that life in a small town is not always wonderful, especially when the townspeople take sides against her. Allie wants this case solved NOW so she can open her hotel, but when another mystery turns up, it may bring everything she's worked for to a standstill. She can't even think about the arrogant, but sexy, cop who seems to be flirting with her and tries not to think about how good Trent, the grandson of the murder victim, smells. She has a hotel to open, even if it kills her.

This is a mediocre cozy murder mystery that doesn't know where it's headed until 2/3 of the way through. The first third of the book focuses too much on renovating the McMurphy. The reason for the murder and subsequent mystery doesn't even appear until halfway and even then it's unclear what the motive is. There are some awkward attempts at romance, an out of place new heroine and plot and some improbable situations. The whole mystery seemed improbable to me but I did a little looking around online and I suppose it MAY be plausible but it doesn't sound like it should be possible. The motivation doesn't make much sense in the grand scheme of things and certain events that are not connected make the plot more complicated than it needed to be. The fudge recipes are mostly for Allie's 21+ line and it's not until towards the end of the book that normal classic fudge recipes appear. Shouldn't it be the other way around? I was very disappointed that I didn't see anything I had to try until long after the halfway point. Plus, if she's a culinary school graduate, she would know that there's not enough alcohol in a small piece of fudge to get anyone drunk but she probably can't sell it to kids.

The characters are also unappealing. Allie is stubborn to a fault. Who insists on staying home when the police tell you there may be a crazed murderer running around somewhere? Allie does. She's rude and blinded solely by her goal of opening the McMurphy in time. She does have compassion for the victim's family which is her only saving grace. That and the fact that she doesn't insist on investigating on her own to clear her name. The police and her friends urge her to investigate the hotel's secrets. Neither of the potential love interests were any better. Rex is an arrogant, alpha male jerk and Trent is a sullen, arrogant jerk. The townspeople are narrow minded and rude. Being friendly works both ways and Allie's Papa was involved in the community even if her Dad left. The townspeople take sides either for or against Allie being a murderer and show their support for their chosen one by wearing different colored ribbons. I think this author has been watching Gilmore Girls reruns because no one does that in real life! The situation in Stars Hollow was completely different.

The best main character is Allie's new puppy, Mal, short for Marshmallow, half Poodle, half Bichon. I don't know how anyone expects a toy breed to be menacing enough to protect Allie but she's super cute and plays a big role at the end. I also really liked Allie's friend Jen. She's fun and has great ideas though where she gets the money to pull off what she did and how she did it in such a short amount of time is a mystery. I also liked Frances, though she seems a little reckless at times for an old lady, and Mr. Devaney. I always love historians, of course. Their budding relationship is sweet and better than the central potential romance.

The excerpt for the second book in the series sounded intriguing so I may give the series another chance if I can get that book and see if it improves. From what I read of the summary of all the books in the series, it doesn't sound like it, but we'll see.
Profile Image for Tari.
3,544 reviews100 followers
March 28, 2018
I had read Oh, Fudge! already in this series so when one of the online book clubs I'm in decided on this for their April book, I was happy I was going to get to visit this series from the very beginning.

Allie McMurphy has inherited her grandfather's historic hotel on scenic Mackinac Island and it came complete with one dead body in the utility closet who turned out to be her Papa Liam's friend, Joe.

Allie of course was the main suspect due to the famous rivalry that had developed between the Jessops and the McMurphys. Even though she thought that down deep handsome policeman Rex didn't suspect her, Allie was still determined to find Joe's killer and prove her own innocence. With the help of her best friend Jenn who came to help for the season, her front desk clerk Frances and now her new handyman, Douglas, she has to figure it out.

I loved seeing how it all began! Even though book 5 was able to be read by itself, reading this book helped so much in knowing some of the people, getting to know Frances and how Douglas came into her life. I really enjoyed the character of Jenn too. She was an awesome and faithful friend to Allie. And sweet little Mal was such a cutie--she could turn even a tough guy into well, what she was named after, a marshmallow! Frances was such a good employee, almost like a mother to Allie since hers lived on the mainland. She was willing to give up her summer's salary to help out the hotel.

I found the second book also on my iPad so I've started reading that. This is such a fun series. I would definitely love to visit Mackinac Island someday, but probably not during the winter. ;)
Profile Image for Cathy.
1,231 reviews71 followers
February 3, 2019
The ending wrapped up too conveniently and why do so many cozies have a love triangle?! Ugh. Besides those minor gripes, I really loved this book. Read it in one day.
Profile Image for Sonia With an I.
464 reviews23 followers
June 23, 2024
I was so excited to read a Mackinac Island, cozy mystery, I love Michigan, love Mac island was thrilled, this book disappointing me.
I found the MC very immature and the side comments about how men look in their pants. This is the third cozy I’ve read that has done this… all of the looks and hot body talk annoys me. All of this relationship blather and pretty eyes … blah blah blah..
I wanted more island and friendships, community and mystery. Sigh
When I want romance and “hot” looks talk, I know where to go, I don’t find it necessary in cozies.
I liked the recipes, but this series sadly wasn’t for me. I won’t be continuing.
Profile Image for Cat Freeman.
188 reviews12 followers
April 6, 2018
This one was a lot of fun! The characters were great, and the puppy in it charmed me through and through. There's lots of well placed humor to go with shocking twists and turns. All in all, highly recommended!
Profile Image for Mystery, She Read.
301 reviews120 followers
August 18, 2025
3.75 🌟

Mood/Seasonal Reading: summer

This was an instant read for me as it is set in one of my favourite places on the planet. The hotel was an additional excellent touch. I really enjoyed the competing hotels factor of this book as the hotels on the island are a big deal.

I really liked a lot of small details of this novel. From the competing families to potential murders in the past In addition, the plot line of the ribbons was a really fun touch. I really enjoyed getting the main character’s reaction to them.

I didn’t love how the island felt so unwelcoming because it’s such a comfort place for me but it did add something to the plot. I also would’ve wanted more descriptions of the island cause in my experience it’s just breathtaking.

The romance was just okay for me. I didn’t love either character so I didn’t have a major stake in it but the back and forth between them was enjoyable. However, I would prefer her with Trent. I find their enemies to lovers dynamic much more enjoyable.

As for the mystery itself it fell a bit short for me. It was slow to start and often put to the wayside. It also didn’t include enough clues or hints in my opinion. At one point there were so few suspects I started suspecting everyone, even her close friends with no motive cause I thought who could possibly have done it. I preferred the interesting historic mystery introduced over the modern day one. The ending also felt a bit abrupt. I would’ve liked to see more of a wrap up but I guess that just means I need to read on.

An okay start to a series. Bonus points for the setting and small details but points lost on the overall mystery.
Profile Image for Carol.
1,641 reviews65 followers
July 26, 2017
The Historic McMurphy Hotel and Fudge shop
is located on the beautiful Mackinac Island.
Allie McMurphy used to spend summers here
with her grandparents. She has returned to
run the hotel with her grandfather. But alas,
he falls over dead while playing cards so Allie
must oversee the renovations being finished
then open the hotel. Allie also needs to win
over the tight knit residents on the Island.
Allie finds one of her grandfather's rivals
dead in a closet. Why was the man in the
closet? What was he looking to find?
Since Allie is a murder suspect she must
put her fudge making on hold to catch a killer!!
Murder, distrust of a " fudgie ", an inexperienced
police force, a drunk handyman, secrets, the
pool, ancient bottles, tunnels, all kinds of fudge,
Marshmallow ( Mal) the puppy plus a creative,
lively cast of characters combine to make this
a good read.
There are fudge recipes after most chapters.
Profile Image for Linda Langford.
1,570 reviews14 followers
August 30, 2014
Set in gorgeous Mackinac Island, Allie McMurphy has found a home in her family's hotel and fudge shoppe, since her grandpa passed away. Things are looking gloomy when she finds a dead body in a utility closet, and no one has any idea why the man was murdered. Fantastic characters, and lots of action keep this story moving quickly as a secret rumrunners tunnel is discovered in the hotel basement; Allie's attacked; threats are made; and long-kept secrets are discovered. Read this cozy mystery as it unfolds to a satisfying conclusion that will leave you anticipating book two!!
Profile Image for Cindy.
333 reviews2 followers
February 22, 2023
A small hotel and fudge shop on Mackinac Island, Michigan sounded like a really fun setting for a cozy mystery series. I was disappointed in the emphasis on feuds between the small population of the island, or silly descriptions of how handsome and attractive various men look. The hidden passages in the old hotel were interesting, and the descriptions fascinating. I felt the hotel was the best developed character of the entire book. This is not a series for me.
Profile Image for Kim.
1,158 reviews17 followers
July 31, 2023
I had read some of the later books on the series. It was nice to see how things began for Allie. I love has she acquired Marshmallow. The mystery was full of twists and turns and kept me guessing the whole book at whodunnit.
Profile Image for Ronna.
514 reviews62 followers
June 1, 2014
ALL FUDGED UP is a book that would be great to take along to read on a vacation, or to read for a vicarious vacation in your own back yard flower garden. The setting is the tourist town on Mackinac Island in Michigan, which has hosted tourists for over a hundred years. Allie McMurphy has spent all her summers on Island, working with her grandparents in their McMurphy Hotel. Now, after graduating from culinary school and developing "adult" alcoholic fudge recipes for their famous fudge shop, Allie is returning to run the hotel since both grandparents are gone with the recent death of her grandfather.

Trouble comes when Allie begins some much needed renovations and finds the dead body of one of her grandfather's old friends in a closet. Since the hotel had been locked up, Allie becomes the main suspect. On this small island, everyone takes sides--green ribbons for Allie's innocence, purple ribbons for her guilt. Yep, lots of folks consider her a "fudggie" or a newcomer. So what can Allie do to prove her innocence and become one of the Islanders so her family's hotel will become a success under her ownership?

One of the best mysteries within a cozy that I've read recently. The "sides" taken by the characters seems very real. Allie is very personable, as is her new puppy, Mal ( marshmallow), who is one of the best dog characters ever! Histories develop within the town and the hotel, with secrets galore. The fudge recipes are definitely "adult" and come throughout the book. Excellent start to a new series. I listened to this on Audible, which added a lot to my enjoyment.
Profile Image for Zoe.
37 reviews
August 10, 2015
I've just finished All Fudged Up a nice start to a new cozy mystery series. The characters are all likable ( with Mal, the little puppy, being the true protagonist ) and the end was typical of a cozy mystery, no surprises here. The writing was pleasant and flowed easily. If you want a light story to pass your free time, this book will definitely meet your purpose.
Profile Image for Lucie.
244 reviews7 followers
December 11, 2020
A cute cozy mystery set on Mackinac Island. Since I have spent my honeymoon on Mackinac Island I was curious to see how the setting played into the story. Happily the author wove the setting into the story in a natural way while still making the most of its uniqueness. Totally enjoyable.
Profile Image for Debbie.
916 reviews77 followers
August 22, 2018
I think this is going to be a favorite series for me..I visited Mackinac Island many, many years ago and as a child really enjoyed it. Now I can visit again from my favorite chair, although I'm really craving some fudge now......
Profile Image for Karen.
2,008 reviews43 followers
February 6, 2021
I really enjoyed this fast reading story.

While it is very cozy, it has wonderful characters and a convoluted plot that kept me turning the pages to the detriment of the other books with due dates approaching.

We have Allie who has returned to the family business on Mackinac Island. She is taking over the running of the hotel and fudge shop, but is rejected by many on the island as an outsider. Since she has visited there during the summers for years, this annoys her, along with the dead body in the utilities closet. When everyone on the island starts to divide between the purples and the greens she buys up the remaining ribbons in an effort to thwart the disintegration of island peace. What really works in the effort towards unity is a sexy kiss by one of the opposing purples.

I prefer my murder mysteries without romance, but Allie evaluates all of the young men she encounters by their exteriors. Eventually she also considers their redeeming internal qualities. No telling who she will end up with, but I was more interested in the hidden tunnel and the diligent historical accuracy she tries to achieve in the remodeling of the hotel.

The fudge recipes are a plus, as is the puppy.

I borrowed a copy from the public library and plan to read more in this series despite the romance elements.
Profile Image for Kirsti.
2,495 reviews104 followers
July 11, 2017
I decided to take advantage of QBD's online sale a few weeks back, and choose four cozy mystery books online, none of which I'd read. This is the first in a series, always a scary choice, but it was entirely worth it!

I read cozies for comfort; food, themes, pets, romance and of course, murder. All of those things combined without over the top violence or crime are just my cup of tea, and this series is themed with fudge. I only rarely eat fudge, when we visit Young's sweet shop or the Lolly Shop at Molong, but these sounded amazing. I had to ferret out a packet of Freddo Frog heads to satisfy my chocolate craving during this book!

Allie is a bit of a let down for a main character, but don't worry, she is surrounded by much more interesting characters such as her best friend Jenn. Add to that a Bichon puppy, and I was completely sold.

A great start to a new Cozy mystery series for me, I'll have to read the next one now!
Profile Image for Kristen.
2,568 reviews85 followers
April 20, 2021
Nope. Couldn't get into this. Did not finish it.

It may be the pandemic, and being locked in my apartment alone for months making me crabby and hard to please, but this book just annoyed me.

I get that cozy mysteries have small towns filled with small town characters, and small town dramas, gossip and battles, but the ones in this story just felt way over the top and almost ridiculous to me. I just couldn't buy the sheer amount of problems, dramas and pettiness that was going on on the island.

It's actually kind of disappointing, because the book is set on Mackinac Island, not too far from where my Mother grew up, and I've actually been to Mackinac Island, which is an absolutely gorgeous place and well worth visiting in real life. This book did not reflect the experience I had in the real place, so that may have also fed into why I couldn't get into this story.

Regardless of the reason, I wasn't into it, and did not finish this one. I'm moving on to something else.
Profile Image for Dawn Frazier.
453 reviews41 followers
February 7, 2017
This is a fun book, I really enjoyed it. The setting, the characters, are all great. I look forward to reading the second book.
Profile Image for Donna Pachota.
265 reviews7 followers
May 11, 2020
Great light read

I am from the area and I love Macinaw Island. The story was great and quite a nice mystery. I thoroughly enjoyed it
Profile Image for Heidi Prockish.
471 reviews17 followers
November 2, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. I can't believe that I put off this series for so long! I was a little confused when she was attracted to different men, but I have a toddler so it could be I was just distracted. How fun would it be to run a hotel and fudge shop?! Well, I am a terrible cook, but the hotel side could be fun. I will definitely be reading more of this series and I highly recommend you read it too!!
Profile Image for Caryn - iam.caryn.
785 reviews87 followers
February 10, 2021
If you’re looking to start trying out the cozy mystery genre, this is a great one to jump into.

It has a great narrative with a fair bit of humour mixed in, the absolute most darling and adorable puppy in all of literature (it’s true, I don’t make the rules), and a superb mystery.

There were often times I was stumped about where everything was headed. What’s a clue? What’s not a clue? Who’s suspicious? What could be used in future stories in the series? It was honestly a lot of fun and I really enjoyed it.

I’ll definitely be reading more of this series.
Profile Image for Zermeena.
279 reviews1 follower
July 15, 2022
I enjoyed this book and can't wait to listen to more of he series. Allie has come to Mackinac Island to run the hotel that has been in her family for generations. No pressure! We are introduced to the locals, some of whom are friendlier than others. Allie is determined to make a go of it and manages to make a few friends along the way.
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