Death of an Ice Cream Salesman: A Mike Atwell Mystery: Book 2

A Mike Atwell Mystery #2

by Penelope Cress, Steve Higgs

Mike Atwell is in trouble, he just doesn’t know how deep yet.

His life as a private investigator is yet to generate any income, and another unpaid case just landed on his desk – Frosty Fred, the county’s favourite ice cream salesman has just been found dead at the wheel of the chilly chariot.

But was Fred as universally loved as everyone thinks? There is an ice cream turf war in play, but is it just ice cream they are selling or are there other ‘products’ to be had if one knows how to ask?

Investigating as a favour to an old friend, Mike had to balance the case with one that might actually pay – the hunt for a missing adult film star.

But are the two cases intertwined? Is there a puppet master in the background? And why, oh why, did he hire his ex-wife as an assistant?

Yeah, Mike’s in trouble all right, but as the new head of the Patricia Fisher Investigation Bureau (should that be P-FBI?), he’s determined to get to the truth.

Let’s hope it doesn’t kill him.

Genres: Audiobook, Cozy Mystery

192 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 28, 2024

Reviews

[Jane litherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is amazing but then I should’ve know better than to expect any less from the great Penelope Cress who writes such wonderful stories well. This is book two in the Mike Atwell series and is a brilliant Ice-cream topper of a tale! Who killed Frosty Fred? He’s just been found dead at the wheel of his chilly chariot… he’s the county’s most loved purveyor of chilly goods . Who’d want him dead ? Surely no one could…well this is another case Mike has taken that hasn’t got a payload to go with it so he’s got another case going , the hunt for a missing adult film star to subsidise. He has ex wife Sharon and her adorable pooches have taken up a desk at the office and Dexter the tech guy is a little help too… who knew there would be quite as much to do? Then there’s quite a comical camaraderie between the ex couple that’s brilliantly written and ever so funny. You can tell they were man and wife as he’s still getting the strife that’s all too familiar , not too familiar though because he moved out of the house so quite rightly the dogs have taken residence in his old room so when he’s cause to stay over , he’s at the bottom of the pecking order for which tiny room he’s going to be sleeping in. Brilliant and a laugh as well as a cool ( couldn’t resist) mystery read. Superb work as usually by ms Cress who always delivers the goods expertly drafted and crafted so well . I’m leaving my review voluntarily in my own words.

[Caz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read.

Enjoyable Steve Higgs shenanigans and no doubt Penelope Cress is a great new addition. Lots of word play.
I was glad to see a spin off for Atwell, but not keen on another never ending loose end nemesis type series.
I prefer alpha omega mysteries myself. Open endings tantalize most people I gather, but after a while they tend to make me lose interest completely.
PF series did that a lot (too much) towards the latest books, not my cup of tea. I prefer to grab my favorite authors next book because I know it’s going to be a good read, not because I want to chase an ending. (especially if I have to wait months/years)
My personal preferences aside, this story is good and full of comradely. Enjoyable and can stand *alone.
(*unless you are a curiosity die hard)
In which case you may be walking into the abyss.

[Ginny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I accidentally picked up the second installment without picking up the first, but by the time I realized that I realized I didn’t want to sit with these characters for another novel. They didn’t ring true. The book is effectively contemporary, but Mike Sitwell and co., except for the cliché Dexter seem to come from an earlier age with firmer gender roles and expectations.

Also, there were two plots. One running through Moriaty-esque from the first book and not resolving in this book either and one where a rather bizarre murder was chosen instead of calling the police. The whole thing felt disjointed. Combining two hackneyed formulas doesn’t create something fresh, it just feels disorienting. Lots of plot threads left hanging, apparently believing once we know who done it, we won’t care about the injustices unearthed along the way.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you thought the Patricia Fisher books were hilarious, then you're in for a treat with this new Mike Atwell series from Penelope Cress and Steve Higgs.
After his retirement, former DS Mike Atwell has taken over Patricia's business at her request, and more business is coming through the door. A missing porn star case, and now someone has killed the neighborhood ice cream man!
Working with his ex-wife provides a lot of laughs, and his techie is a hoot!
Penelope Cress does an excellent job working with Steve Higgs to make a great, fun, and easy to read story filled with humor.

[Claudete Takahashi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death of an Ice Cream Salesman is one of the best stories I read this year. There's a lot of humor and Atwell, Sharon and Dexter make an improbable but extremely good working team. I love the way that they make jokes and create hillarious situations even when circumstances are bad. If you are looking for a mystery that will bring you happiness and good entertainment, this book is the one! Highly recommended!
I thank the author for this ARC.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as interesting as the Patricia Fisher or the Albert Smith books, this one had difficulty holding my interest.

Near the end of the book, Mike takes on a young man, Mel, to provide the muscle he needs for his fledgling detective agency.

The team is able to solve the mystery of the dead ice cream salesman, but we are left hanging over the mystery of Mike's past enemy, whom he sent away years before. A most unsatisfying ending.

[Meg Devine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just keeps getting funnier! It was great to have the two mysteries of the missing Pussy Willow and the murder of Frosty Fred in the Chilly Chariot, happening at the same time, and like always with a Penelope Cress mystery, I couldn't work out 'who dunnit' until the very end. This book also set up a great ongoing mystery I can't wait to read more about in the next one. Highly recommend

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun read. the Good ice cream truck owner turn out to be not so good.

Then there is the mystery that don't seem to end. Have to say, not into the never ending story so I am glad I am at the "can drop the whole series" stage. I am not going to read any more Mike Atwell even if I come across more books in the series.

[Angel Ballard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hijinks galore!
This was a tough case to solve but the team kept at it and, even though their lives were in danger, they solved the crime! A nice cozy mystery to read and escape from the world. Love the characters and the adorable pups! Kept me riveted to the very end!

[Sherrel · Rating 5 out of 5]

DEATH OF AN ICE CREAM SALESMAN

Love this series!
Characters are detailed and fun. Plots have twists and turns. Characters from other series add a certain familiarness—sort of like a large overlapping community.
Waiting for the next book and hoping there will be more the 3 !!!

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun read!

Why would anyone murder an ice cream truck owner? There are many definitions of the word “snow”. As in, “he snowed us,” or illicit drugs. It all plays a part in unraveling Mike & Co.’s newest mystery. But the story must go on!

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun romp

A good second novel with Detective Atwell. I like the new characters and the team he is pulling together . sorry to have to wait until 2025 to learn the next part of the story.

[Paula Sindberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the Mike Atwell ‘team” and think young Mel will be a good addition. Everything is resolved quickly and neatly at the end but it seemed a little too pat and there were way too many red herrings. Still, this series has promise.

I received an arc copy of the book.

[Freda Lawes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant!

Another clever outing for Mike and his growing group of associates. With a cliffhanger of an ending too. I'm glad I didn't read this until the next one was already available!

[Linda Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly fun read!

Higgs and Cress write an entertaining,fun series. Highly recommend it. A delightful way to pass an evening.The characters are delightful, interesting and very likable!

[Esther Shoemake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twists and turns galore!

I almost couldn't keep up with this one because there were so many possible suspects and twists. Always funny, always confusing until the end. And STILL the plot goes on.

[Christmas Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Atwell, Sharon, and Dexter are dazzling characters in a first-class novel. Funny, witty, and extremely entertaining. They light a spark of happiness we certainly all can use. Highly Recommended.

[Karin Tillotson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who killed Frosty Fred and why??? Listening devices??? Lionel liked to watch??? i enjoyed this story and recommended the book.

[Diana Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poor Mike

I certainly hope they figure out what is going on with J.K. Mel seems to be a nice fit to the team.

[Edward A. Leach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Home Run with this new series!!

Love the characters already! And the banter and the dogs. Keep 'em coming!! Mel just fits right in perfectly with this lot.

[Robin Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great mystery. Tired of psychos.

Why do the nemesis need to be so psycho????

? This over decades plotting is over the edge for me.

[L K Stow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving this series

I raced through this second book, living this series, great characters, intriguing plots and some great writing, can't wait for the next one

[Pam Schueler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read

This odd group of people are melding into quite the team! Story is funny and serious at the same time. Well done.

[Barbara Good · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced

Humor, twists and turns, great team, interesting mystery. Looking forward to the next installment of this series, and what will happen to the PFBI

[Mary Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspenseful story

Hard to put down once the action starts. A new member joins the team. Looking forward to future tales. Keep up the good work!

[Susan V · Rating 5 out of 5]

quick, Asmara, and funny

Good read. This second book in the series picks up a good pace and fleshes out characters. Highly recommend reading.

[Deirdre Mahoney-Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

New man, old enemy.

Another Atwell story with quirky staff, a new employee and an old enemy. The team is looking for a murderer but who really is the victim? Was justice served?

[Patricia Moran · Rating 4 out of 5]

ok

It is definitely different. Obviously written by PC, very different writing style. Not as witty as Higgs’ books normally are.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quirky series featuring some great characters.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the dynamics of the characters.