Now that Ivy runs the only diner in Muddy Creek, she has her hands full. When her friend Darcy asks for help in solving the mystery of her missing husband, Ivy can’t refuse. Despite his disappearance five years ago and the fact that the police never expected foul play, Ivy is determined to find the truth.
With the help of José and Boyd, Ivy will leave no stone unturned. When Ivy receives a threat, and a traumatic experience in a corn maze leaves her shaken, she knows their time is running out. Will she bring Darcy the closure she needs, or will the past overtake them?
So many twists and turns!! Second in the series and it was a good one. Ivy is getting into the swing of things with owning the diner, baking, her kitten and now investigating a disappearance. This mystery had so many red herrings you’re never sure which way it will end. The big plus is Ivy and Jeff working together to solve the case.
This series is a little hard for me to rate. This second in the series offered an interesting twist on a mystery murder, which I had not encountered in any other cozy mystery -- or regular mystery -- so that was a plus. And I still like the characters and the diner setting, but I find the dialog and the reluctant romance between Ivy and the police chief a bit high-schoolish. And there's no way that Ivy could get away with the shenanigans she pulls to "solve" a mystery -- breaking and entering? stealing evidence? interviewing suspects in jail? So, a mixed bag of feelings about this series. I listen to these via Hoopla and they don't require a lot of attention so I can work on craft projects or make dinner without worrying that I'm missing anything important.
GAH!!! It is far too late to be up reading and writing reviews, but I just couldn’t put it down! I’m the perfect audience for this type of book because I’m sure it’s predictable, but I’m in utter SHOCK at every twist!! Thank you, Kristy, for writing such amazing books!
I really am so obsessed with this series. I wish I could live in Muddy Creek hanging out with Ivy, Jose and Boyd solving mysteries. I am obsessed with Boyd and how he's just down for anything, stakeouts, interrogating people, climbing trees to get a look inside a suspect's house? Boyd's there with a smile haha. Jose is the voice of reason (sometimes) keeping Ivy and Boyd in check. I love how Jett doesn't even question their shenanigans and just rolls with it. The TENSION between Ivy and Jett is driving me crazy!
The mystery to be solved in this book actually made me kind of sad. I felt so bad for Darcy and Patrick! Netty is a hoot. I love this town. I love its residents and I cannot wait to see what the next mystery will be!
Kristy T. Dixon delivers a delightfully cozy treat in Murder with a Hint of Cinnamon, which serves as the fantastic Book #2 in her Ivy Clark Mysteries series. Set during the bustling autumn harvest festival in the town of Muddy Creek, the story follows amateur sleuth Ivy Clark as she tries to balance running the town's central hub, Sue's Diner (previously known as Linda’s Diner), while being pulled into a heartbreaking five-year-old cold case. When her friend Darcy asks for help regarding her husband's mysterious disappearance, Ivy simply cannot say no, plunging herself and her wonderfully quirky diner crew into a web of dangerous, long-buried secrets that someone in town is desperate to keep hidden.
I absolutely loved diving back into Muddy Creek, and I found this installment to be an incredibly fun page-turner that masterfully balances small-town charm with genuine suspense. Ivy is such a sharp-witted, independent, and fiercely loyal protagonist, and it is so relatable how her determination is put to the test as she faces anonymous threats and a truly traumatic, chilling encounter inside a festive corn maze. Rather than a lone-wolf investigator, I really enjoyed the amateur sleuth team dynamic. The growing relationship and dialogue between Ivy, her protective cook José, and Boyd—who provides the perfect comedic relief and local gossip information - feels completely natural and heartwarming. Because this fast-paced mystery hits so close to home for Ivy's friend Darcy, the stakes felt more personal and emotionally grounded, and I had a blast sifting through five years of stale town gossip and clever red herrings alongside the crew. Kristy T. Dixon weaves a beautifully immersive autumn atmosphere filled with harvest festival vibes, and I loved how she uses the delicious descriptions of the culinary backdrop and the chemistry between Ivy and Sheriff Jett Malone to break up the mystery tension that evolves throughout the series. I can't wait to dive into the next installment, Murder with a Fudge Brownie to Go. Murder with a Hint of Cinnamon is just like a corn maze - fun and delightful, but also twisting, blinding, and easy to get lost in, with danger hiding just around the pages!
Ivy’s reopening of the diner keeps everyone busy, but not so busy that they can’t dig into the mystery surrounding Darcy’s husband.
One of the highlights of the story is how immersive the community feels. Boyd and Jose, in particular, are standout characters, you really get the sense of being part of their everyday lives, which adds a comforting, familiar layer to the mystery. The balance between sleuthing and small-town charm is well done, making it an easy and enjoyable read.
I also appreciated the subtle hint of romance developing between Ivy and Jett. It adds just the right touch without overshadowing the main storyline.
Even though this is only the second book in the series, it has already found its stride. I would definitely recommend it to fans of cozy mysteries who enjoy strong characters, a touch of humor, and an engaging whodunit.
This was book 2 of the series and just as cute as the first. Jose and Boyd are the best team with Ivy! Boyd getting stuck in a tree just cracked me up!!
I do agree with Barbra, Opal, and the gang that with the Sheriff being the only law enforcement in town, you don’t get to see him doing “no -Sheriffy” things. With the possibility of a second person coming on board, maybe we’ll get to see more happen between Ivy and the Sheriff.
Great cast of characters and while I’m not a pumpkin muffin either chocolate chips fan, I think it’s really nice that the recipes are included at the end of the book.
A fun and interesting read that's takes place in rural mid-America. This story has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing, but also enough clues to develop we deal theories of who committed the murder and why. Still leaves a few questions unanswered... Maybe you'll find out in future books. Recipe on the last page listed the baking powder ingredient twice...Not sure if just a duplicate or if it is missing another ingredient.
The second installment in the Ivy Clark Mystery series continues to develop the redefining of Ivy Clark and the town of Muddy Creek. It is a wholesome story of personal growth and a little bit of love sprinkled in. I love that Ivy wants to figure out who she is in this new role while helping the people around her learn about themselves at the same time. The mystery unravels chapter by chapter, leaving the reader wanting more. Keep them coming, Kristy T. Dixon.
3.75/5⭐️ A good addition to the first book! this book is SO COZY, I don’t want it to end. I still have two more and then the fifth book coming out in march, so i’m grateful to have some time with the characters, but i’m going to be so sad when this ends. These books just make me feel good and take me out of my reading slump
The regular cast of characters are back, and trying to solve a mystery to help a friend. This one has more twists and turns than a roller-coaster! I really enjoyed itn and I am so glad that the recipe for the pumpkin chocolate chip muffins was included! Might have to bake some soon. But first, I am going to read book number 3 in this series!
A man has been missing for five years. Because he was kind of an outcast, only his wife was concerned about what happened to him. Darcy, his wife, asks Ivy to see if she can figure out what happened.
Cute book that was a fast read. Having not read the first book, I felt there were some details that could have been explained a little better about characters and events that it seems like the author assumes we’re familiar with.
2.5/5 ⭐ As far as cozy murder mysteries go this was fine. It had food, old people helping, a little bit of romance and solved murder. But i got this icky feeling about the main character so yeah i won't be continuing the series
Quick read, as a group of friends solve the mystery of a missing husband. Be careful surprising dangers lurk at the harvest festival. What seems most logical is not always the answer.
I like the mystery in each book however I am getting a little bored without any spice to it. I am going to read one more book and if no more romance I am done!!
Love the narrator and the main characters. The storyline was less interesting and unsure why it escalated so quickly. I realize these are short so there’s not as much discussion of what’s happening. New phrase “moved lips from side to side” — very awkward. I guess signaling the MC was thinking.
By this point in the series, you really start to get into the character development, which makes the story feel even more engaging. The mystery is light but enjoyable, making it a fun, easy read if you like comfort, crime, and a dash of spice.
The queen herself did it again another great read <3 can't wait to read murder with adrizzo of syrup now that I' m all caught up with the first two books