To Fudge or Not to Fudge

Candy-Coated Mystery #2

by Nancy CoCo

Life is sweet for Allie McMurphy, proud owner of Historic McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop on Mackinac Island—until murder and deception leave a bitter taste. . .

Mulch Ado About Murder

With summer in bloom and tourists afoot, Allie is out walking her pup, Mal, when the curious canine digs up a bone from under a flowering lilac bush. The bone leads to a toe that's missing a body. For the successful confectionaire it's only the first in a series of sour events in the middle of the island's Lilac Fest. When her stint on a cooking reality show swirls up a trail of foul play, Allie will have to outwit a cunning killer if she wants to continue living la dolce vida. . .

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Contemporary, Romance, Audiobook

352 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 2, 2014

Reviews

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good, easy read with a good mystery; however, it needed a bit of editing now and then. Love that little Mal, precious and precocious and loving. 3.5*-4*

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really want to like this series. I love the hotel / fudge shop setting on a small, but dramatic island. I love the characters and even the murders are so interesting and always throw me for a loop. Fudge recipes are an delicious and nice touch. But the way these novels (I have read only the first 2) are put together really bugs me for some reason. Every scene seems to be chopped off before they are fully developed. Even little things that are just for story building and not necessary "important" are nice to have...and they are usually there but kind of thrown in as an afterthought and again not really finished. I think the writing is good, but I wish the chapters were more rounded and complete. I'm all for cliff hangers, but sometimes I felt like I was really getting into the scene and then bam, end of chapter. I'm not sure I can continue with this series, which is a shame because in general I really like the story.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. I can't believe I didn't want to read it in the beginning. I love the characters, I love the setting and I love the mystery. This series is getting better. I know its full of sillyness and you have to really suspend your reality when you read it, however its still fun and light. I really liked the idea of a reality show, but there were alot of dead folks in this book. If the author doesn't slow down with the killing there might not be any one left.

[Heidi Prockish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't remember how long ago it was that I read book 1, but I really enjoyed book 2. I definitely will not be waiting too long to dive into book 3. I absolutely love this author and this cozy did not disappoint. Mackinac Island would be so great to visit, I am adding it to my bucket list. I would love to see more of the hotel in the following books. This book had the fun 'reality show' theme and the characters were all fun. I totally did not guess the killer.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say that this is one fun series. I really enjoyed this book and it never slows down. The characters are all likeable and the description of Mackinac Island makes me want to visit. The mystery starts with Allie's puppy Mal digging up human bones and from there it doesn't stop, a cooking show, Allie trying to run her business, murder mystery that keeps you guessing. My only drawback is that although the mystery is explained and makes perfect sense, I'm not sure the reader will be able to figure it out, unless I missed something. I will definitely continue on with this series.

[❂ Murder by Death · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overlook the dumb title - this is a really good cozy mystery with intelligent characters and a great island setting. The mystery was excellently plotted too - didn't see that coming at all! My only story complaint: a love triangle. Why anyone thinks these things are a good idea escapes me. Otherwise, it's a very well written book.

Full Review: http://jenn.booklikes.com/post/104652...

[Kerry Murtagh Ramsay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Doesn’t quite clear the low bar.

There are some people interesting red herrings but this book needs an editor in the worst way. Allie is sitting in a rocker and on an ottoman. She is wearing a clean apron and a dirty apron. Each of the characters can make only one facial expression: a single raised eyebrow. And each of the following were described as “soft” at least once: hair, dog hair, clothing, furniture, air, moonlight, breeze, smile, eye color, scent. Mr. Roget is disappointed.

[Melodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series takes place in one of my VERY favorite places. Mackinac Island is an almost magical place, even if it is in Michigan! Add great characters, an adorable dog, and an excellent mystery to that and you've got a real winner! The first in this series was good, but this one improved on it immensely. I hate "reality" TV shows, but even that plot point played well in this story. RECOMMEND!

[Bridgett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic mystery from cozy maven Coco! So many twists and turns and fun adventures that I can't wait to read what's up next for heroine Allie McMurphy! If only Coco could star in a reality tv show about cozy writers...

[Mr Francy Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

A MASSIVE IMPROVEMENT OVER BOOK 1 - BUT THE REVEAL AT THE END WAS A MASSIVE LETDOWN.

SERIES PREMISE: In this series we follow Allie McMurphy, a Hotel and Fudge Shop owner along-side her Poodle-Puppy Mal (short for marshmallow) in Mackinac Island, Michigan.
In this book: On a walk with Allie, Mal digs up a bone, a part of a skeleton. Later on Allie is invited by her former mentor Chef Thomas to take part in a cooking competition TV show. The events that follow are spine-tingling. More bones are dug up by Mal and another dog Daisey, a fellow contestant of Allie's is murdered and even Chef Thomas winds up unconscious. What the heck is going on here? Officer Rex may be on the case, but so too, is Allie.

THOUGHTS: Firstly, this book was so much more cozy than book 1. I loved the amount of fudge info in the standard prose along-side the recipes (which were non alcoholic this time). Mal is so adorable and there were even cute moments where Allie was training Mal with puppy commands that made my heart melt. I love cooking competitions, so the fact that this featured in the book made me really happy also. The mystery and it's sluething was really intriguing which, in turn, made it sad when I got the reveal as I felt like it was way to obvious. For that reason I docked a star. But otherwise a massive improvement on book 1 and I definitely want to continue on with the series in 2026!

4 Stars!
xoxo.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The MC is the new owner and proprietor of a hotel and fudge shop on the fudge capital of the world. While walking her little puppy Marshmallow (Mal), the dog digs up a bone that turns out to be human. Along with that mystery, Allie is asked to participate on a reality cooking show for fudge makers by her old mentor and professor from culinary school.

When one of the competitors ends up dead, Allie is accused and must help bring the killer out in the open.

This was a well written book except that for someone that owns a hotel, there are very few hotel guests in the book, although plenty of reservations.

Ending was a big surprise but fairly believable. Will read on...

[Shelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

To Fudge or Not to Fudge by Nancy CoCo is a fact paced cozy mystery. Allie McMurphy is running the McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop. The hotel have been in her family for over 100 years. Her best friend Jenn, her bichon/poodle mix puppy, Marshmallow, and Allie’s long standing hotel staff/friends are helping with Allie’s first season. Mal (Marshmallow) has dug up some human bones under the mulch in front of the Town Crier the island’s newspaper. One another walk Mal finds more human remains in the new mulch at a resident’s house under a newly planted flower garden. There are another murder and an attack on Allie’s friend and mentor from her culinary school days.Allie is being framed so she begins her own investigation. There is sudden romantic interest from 2 of the island’s bachelors. What’s a girl to do?

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am enjoying this series and love the location of Mackinac Island. I visited many, many years ago and as a little girl I thought it was magical. I would love to find my way back there someday. Until I get the chance I can visit with Nancy Coco.

[Katie T]

Dnf 25% tone deaf and racist does not a fun cozy make.

[Emmalynn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sorry but I was just incredibly bored with this one

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

This went in the ship direction I would not have preferred but I am enjoying myself nonetheless!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such fun!

This series is a lot of fun and makes want to take a trip to Mackinac Island. I really enjoyed the setting and storyline in this book. Reality TV also makes for some good reading. This a good group of characters as well and you can’t help but root for them.

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

This was quite a book. A reality cooking show has come to Mackinac Island and it bring Allie’s former mentor Chef Peter Thomas to town. He even talks her into appearing on the show! Mal also finds an interesting item while out for a walk. A bone buried in a bit of mulch, wait is that nail polish, OMG, that’s a toe bone!!

Nancy Coco has written a magnificent mystery! I was engaged from the first page until the last. She has created fun and entertaining characters and there are quite a few suspects. I also loved that there were 2 dogs involved in the story. One very well behaved and one not so much. I was laughing as the police were chasing the one who refused to drop his sensational find. Again Allie is under suspicion but she is hot on the trail to clear her name.

I love the setting too. It has been many years since I visited Mackinaw Island but I remember the great time we had. It is a truly a unique place and if you are in the area one you should definitely visit. Because of its location it is a great place to have a mystery or two or more.

This cozy has it all – a well plotted mystery, fantastic characters, the perfect amount of humor, all set in a beautiful place.

Oh and don’t forget the recipes and the fudge making knowledge we gain by reading about Allie’s daily demonstrations!! There’s a Dark Chocolate Peppermint Fudge I can’t wait to try for the upcoming holidays.

[Ronna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second Allies McMurphy fudge shop and McMurphy Hotel mystery? The setting of Mackinaw Island adds a lot to these mysteries along with the numerous scrumptious fudge recipes. In this book, the pup, Mal, finds some unwanted bones in mulch around the island, while Allie gets involved in a "scripted" cooking show so reminiscent of many shown on TV these days. The body count grows but the "why" and "who" is difficult to figure out, Allie keeps charging forth with her little pup, Mal, as her defender.

This is a fun series. I love the descriptions of Island events, Mal's antics, and Allie's two suitors. The mystery was interesting but difficult to actually figure out by following the story. Not as good as book one, but definitely good enough to anticipate reading further in this series! I listened to the book on audio and enjoyed the narration.

[H.M.S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nancy CoCo is not afraid to kill off characters! This is a terrific cozy mystery that ends up with more than a few dead bodies - some of which were a little weird, I don't lie. (Ahem - talking to you, Mrs. Finch!) - just added a spoiler warning with that parenthetical reference.

This is another story which draws Allie into a bizarre mystery where her dog has literally dug up some human bones. I love (love love love) that the author doesn't have the MC walking up to a newly killed murder victim. I hate it when the MC finds the body every - single - time! This one is good because it deals with the frustration of being tied to a reality TV show, yet still shows off her creativity in the fudge-making world. I won't lie - I totally suspected different people throughout the entire mystery, only finding out the real culprit when the author wanted me to find out. I love books like that!

The love triangle starts to take shape in this book - Trent vs. Rex (I'm firmly on Team Rex, btw). I cheated and checked out some reviews of subsequent novels and it seems like that she doesn't actually settle down with one for another 5-6 books at least which will drive me totally nuts! Seriously - decide this stuff within a few books! But - I'm going to read all these because I love the characters and I especially love that it's set in Mackinac Island - such a gorgeous place! I've only been there once and was a total fudgie but want to go back. Via these books, I can travel there vicariously via Allie, Mal, Jenn, Frances, Rex, Trent and all the other wonderful and quirky characters at the McMurphy.

Looking forward to book #3!

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy these little visits to Mackinac Island! I haven't actually been there in person but until I do get there, I will just have to visit The McMurphy and imagine the tastes of Allie's fudge with this series.

Allie is working hard to be considered a local and not be considered a Fudgie. She gets very involved with the Lilac Festival but a few dead bodies kind of put a hamper on things.

I really enjoy this series!

[Debra Jo Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a fun series. I love the characters and the setting and I LOVE FUDGE!!

I have so many recipes I want to try now.

Friends and family, a resort, candy, a cooking contest and murder.

Looking forward to continuing the series.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fudge loving adventure on Mackinaw Island. I loved every minute of the story!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book

I enjoyed this second book in the series. I love the angles that is the author is moving towards and I am enjoying the full cast of characters.

Looking forward to book three.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

To Fudge or Not to Fudge by Nancy Coco is the second book in the Candy Coated Mystery series. Allie McMurphy is running the Historic McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shoppe on Mackinac Island. Allie went to culinary school and is now making delicious fudge for the shop. She has some great help who is teaching her how to run the hotel (since her grandfather passed away unexpectedly). Chef Peter Thomas is visiting the island. He is Allie’s former instructor and mentor from culinary school. Chef Thomas is the judge of a reality television show featuring fudge. They are short a contestant and he wants Allie to audition for the show. When Allie hears the salary, she agrees to audition (reluctantly). Unfortunately for Allie, she does great and is now a contestant on the show (the salary will come in handy for renovations she wants to make to the hotel). Tammy Gooseworthy (that is really her name) is the new pastry chef at the new Grander Hotel. She wants on the show and is being very persistent.

Allie and the staff are also getting ready for the Lilac Festival. Jenn (Jennifer Christensen) is Allie's best friend and is an event planner. Jenn is helping out at the McMurphy during Allie’s first season. Allie is going to make a lilac fudge, and Jenn suggests that they old lilac teas. While Allie is on her way to the newspaper to place an ad (while walking her adorable dog, Marshmallow-Mal for short) he starts digging under a lilac tree next to the newspaper. He comes out with a bone between his teeth. Before Allie can react, Mal dives back under the tree. When the police arrive (Office Rex Manning), they agree that they are human bones. Mal is not the only dog who found bones. Daisy, the St. Bernard, is running around the island and has found bones. But Daisy does not want to give them up. Daisy ends up getting put in jail after swallowing a bone. Her owner, Mrs. Finch, keeps Daisy company.

Allie is busy recording the fudge contest reality show (all of the contestants are actors) at night and then up early making fudge. It seems every time Allie takes Mal out for a walk, Mal is finding more bones. Who do these bones belong to and why were they killed? Then one of the contestants in the show turns up dead. Unfortunately, Allie was the last person (before the killer) to see her alive. Then Chef Peter Thomas is hurt and has to be flown out to a mainland hospital. Jenn (Jennifer Christensen), is Allie’s best friend and an event planner. Jenn finds herself attracted to crime scene tech, Shane Carpenter. With all the bones being found, there are plenty of crime scenes and chances to Jenn to see Shane.

Allie and the gang will have their work cut out for them trying to find the killer. To Fudge or Not to Fudge is a cute and fun cozy mystery. It even includes some fudge recipes that sound delightful (especially the peanut butter fudge). I give To Fudge or Not to Fudge 4.25 out of 5 stars. The book needed an epilogue to wrap up some of the storylines. It was never announced who won the contest on the reality show. There also was not a conclusion with Chef Thomas. We know he got better, but I think Chef Thomas should have come back to the island, stayed at McMurphy, we find out how he is doing and they watch the finale of the bogus fudge making show. The mystery was very easy to solve. I do like the characters in the book (especially the adorable little puppy) and the mystery had some twists and turns (always love that).

[Mary Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allie is busy making fudge and confectionery sweets for the upcoming Lilac Festival. She wants to make a good showing from the McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop since this is her first year as the owner-operator. But things always get more complicated for Allie than she expects, and this time is no different. When her puppy Mal uncovers bone fragments in a freshly mulched area she knows that there will be another murder mystery to solve. And when her mentor and friend arrives on the island and asks her to be a last minute replacement on a reality television show, she cannot say no. Between the late night shooting of the show and her early morning fudge making duties, she is totally overwhelmed and worn out. When the body of one of the cast members is discovered and her mentor is beaten, she is totally freaked out because she has become a prime suspect. She now has to try to solve the mysteries, as well as prepare for the Festival and run her shop, before she is thrown in jail for life.

The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The author is descriptive with her writing and I felt like I was right there on the Island watching all the action going on. There were some tense moments and I was afraid to turn the pages because I did not know how things were going to work themselves out. The mysteries are well plotted and not easy to solve. There are a lot of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing and just when I thought I had it figured out, something else would happen to make me change my mind. I really enjoy when that happens when I read a mystery.

The characters are well developed, well rounded and three dimensional. I enjoyed learning more about their personalities and I really enjoyed reading about the interactions between them. There are still two possible love interests for Allie and I cannot figure out which one she likes best. Maybe the next book in series will reveal this. Mal plays a very big role in the solving one of the mysteries. I can just picture her in my mind digging and sniffing and then smiling when she presents Allie with the bones. I love reading about her antics.

I am a big fan of reality television competition shows and I really enjoyed reading about this in the book. The author presented them in the way I think most of them operate, being more scripted than reality. I liked reading about how I think the shows are really produced.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. This is the second book in the series and I would recommend reading book one, All Fudged Up, first so that you can watch the growth of the characters between the books. The third book will be released soon and I will definitely be reading that one too.

[Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Allie, new owner of the McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop on Mackinac Island, wouldn't have minded so much when her puppy, Mal, dug up bones around the island, If they hadn't been human bones! Allie is stretched beyond her limits giving daily fudge making demonstrations in the shop, preparing for the island's Lilac Festival, and being suckered in to being a contestant on a reality cooking show. When a fellow contestant and competitor ends up dead, Allie tries to narrow down the suspects, and living on an island certainly narrows down the list. In the end, her poking around may cost her more than the grand prize.

Delightful mystery, likable characters, and an engaging plot make for a great read. Having once visited Mackinac Island, I enjoyed the setting and could visualize the scenic setting. Allie, though too busy to date, seems to have attracted the attention of two very eligible gentlemen on the island.

[Jennifer Warner · Rating 2 out of 5]

For the first 300 pages this was a cute cozy that I enjoyed reading. Then everything fell apart…I do not like it when the murderer is suddenly revealed, along with a whole host of motivations and relationships that were never even so much as hinted at. It feels like cheating on the part of the author. Even with all these revelations, the motive was paper thin and relied on the killer being “crazy.” And the paid accomplice idea was ridiculous. $50 000 is not enough to convince otherwise law-abiding people to suddenly become murderers. And then there was the romance…she likes Rex AND Trent. I don’t like love triangles in cozies in general, somebody will be hurt, but this one is particularly bothersome. One guy admits his feelings and then she flaunts another guy in front of him without even talking to him? She doesn’t even give the first guy a thought. Weird. And inconsistent with her character up to that point. It just felt like the last 30 pages were slapped on to tie things up.

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yikes. I regret figuring out who done it.

I liked the reality show sub plot, feeling it wasn't as over done as they sometimes are. It was nice to see the participants for the most part were professional and nice to her. Much of the murder plot drama was outside of the show and competition, a rarity. This mystery reminds me of a mix between Sugar and Vice by Eve Calder (2020) and Murder Spills the Tea by Vicki Delany (2022).

http://pussreboots.com/blog/2023/comm...

[Homerun2 · Rating 3 out of 5]

The characters and setting are fun in this cozy, but I couldn't help but think that with a little more attention paid to editing, it could have been a much better book. There was a lot of annoying repetition - Allie's constant, "Right?" and the description of Rex's "pretty blue eyes" to name a couple. The plotting inconsistencies concerning Rex and Trent were confusing. Who wants to date who? Allie tells one love interest she is not seeing anyone then accepts a date with his rival. The mystery and killer were implausible and not very well explained. I want to like this series but this had a slapped together feel and was just ok.