Five-Alarm Fudge

Fudge Shop Mystery #3

by Christine DeSmet

In the newest Fudge Shop Mystery from the national bestselling author of Hot Fudge Frame-Up , Ava Oosterling is after a recipe to kill for...

It’s autumn in Fishers’ Harbor, Wisconsin, and fudge shop owner Ava Oosterling is busy preparing for the harvest festival and a visit from some royal relatives who live in Belgium. According to Ava’s grandpa, a famous divinity fudge recipe from the 1860s is hidden somewhere in a local historical church—a treat fit for a prince.

But when a fire in the church reveals the body of a murdered man, it looks like someone is willing to go to any length to possess the valuable secret to the divinity fudge. As Ava searches for the killer—and the recipe—she could use a little divine intervention, because she may have bitten off more than she can chew…

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy

352 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 7, 2015

About the author

Christine is a novelist, screenwriter, short story writer, and playwright.

She teaches writing in the Continuing Studies division of University of Wisconsin-Madison. She’s the director of the annual June “Write-by-the-Lake Writer’s Workshop & Retreat” and the fall “Weekend with Your Novel.”

She is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, Romance Writers of America, and Jewels of the Quill. She is a past Golden Heart winner and finalist (three times) in the contests sponsored by RWA. Her romantic suspense novel, Spirit Lake, won RWA’s Golden Pen Contest before the book was published by Hard Shell Word Factory/Mundania Press.

Christine also belongs to the Writers Guild of America. A screenplay written with Peggy Williams and Bob Shill, “Chinaware-Fragile,” earned first place in a Slamdance Film Festival writing contest and was optioned by New Line Cinema once upon a time. She has optioned other projects as well and continues to write scripts and stage plays.

Christine was raised on a dairy and hog farm in Wisconsin where she learned the value and joy of hard work in the out-of-doors, then graduated valedictorian in a high school class of 29 students. She went on to get her academic degrees in journalism from UW-Madison.

Reviews

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

There is something to do in Door County, Wisconsin year round but the fall when the leaves are changing is one of my favorite times.

In the fictional Fishers’ Harbor everyone is getting ready for the Harvest Festival and this year is extra special because some royal relatives are coming to town. Ava’S grandfather has promised the special guestS some Divinity Fudge made from a very old recipe. The problem is no one has the recipe but he believes it is hidden in an old church, so Ava and her friends are frantically searching every nook and cranny. There search is thwarted when a dead body is found and the church becomes a crime scene.

This was another fun mystery from this author. As she describes places I have actually visited it just warms my heart. If you haven’t visited Door County, don’t worry her descriptions will paint vivid pictures in your mind. From Ava’s roadside stand to Oosterlings’ Live Bait, Bobbers & Belgian Fudge & Beer to the restaurant in Sister’s Bay where goats graze on the roof from May through October you will be taken there and maybe will want to plan a vacation to really visit not only the places but the fudge and the cherries and all the other good things the area has to offer.

The fictional place has had several murders of late. The victim this time is a scientist doing research about chemicals being used in the fields that may be migrating to organic fields, gardens and into the water. He is found dead in a church and there are plenty of suspects. Was it someone searching for the recipe? or did someone else decide this man had to die? The author gives us a plethora of twists and turns that kept me guessing right up until the end. She also packed in some very scary scenes, including a fire that almost brought tears to my eyes.

I love the characters Ms. DeSmet has created. A family that pulls together not only in good times but in stressful times. Ava is a great protagonist, her grandparents help her run the fudge and bait shop with 1 other employee. Of course the ladies from the church are always ready to step in at a moment’s notice. Ava’s parents have a dairy farm so she has fresh ingredients for her fudge. The entire cast of characters are all unique and very engaging.

Just a word of warning, you will be craving fudge, fudge and more fudge while you are reading this story. Thankfully there are recipes in the back of the book including the newest Fairy Tale Fudge, Red Riding Hood Fairy Tale Fudge to be exact.

Christine DeSmet packs her mysteries full of wonderful characters, perfect amounts of humor and romance, all set in a fantastic place. The plot moves quickly and the end comes much too soon. These virtual escapes just make me want more. I hope there is another Fudge Shop Mystery headed my way soon, because you can never have too much fudge… and fudge is even more delectable wrapped with mystery and intrigue.

[Lisa Ks Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

FIVE-ALARM FUDGE had my taste buds tingling and the amateur sleuth raring to investigate!

The series had me at the word fudge. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on FIRST-DEGREE FUDGE, book 1 in the Fudge Shop Mysteries. Now here I am, just finished the third book and I’m already looking forward to the next!

Author Christine DeSmet has once again created a tempting concoction of mystery, great characters, and mouthwatering delights. This was a fast paced read with twists and turns, and a strong mystery that kept me guessing. The only negative thing I can say about this book is . . . it didn’t come with samples of all the yummy sounding fudge. But there are recipes for it!

If you’re looking for a good cozy mystery, FIVE-ALARM FUDGE is a tasty treat you’re sure to love.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Royalty is coming to Fishers Harbor, Wisconsin for the kermis, a summer fair, It is home of Oosterlings' Live Bait,Bobbers,& Beligan Fudge and Beer and Fudge Shop owner, Ave Oosterling and her family. The royalty happens to be relations to Ava's grandmother, Sophie, Prince Arnaud Van Damme and his mother Princess Amandine but Ava's grandmother is harboring a deep dark secret that she does not wish to reveal.

Ava's Grandfather, who she affectionately calls,Gilpa knows there's a recipe for "divinity fudge" hidden inside a church. A recipe made by a nun for school children in the 1860's and he wants to find it so Ava can make it for the Prince and Princess's arrival.

When a local man, a scientist, nicknamed "Cherry" is discovered lying face down and bleeding in the back of the head and after a fire in the church by Ava's mother something that Ava cannot reveal to the police. Cherry was concerned about everyone's farmland in Fisher's Harbor.When the medical examiner finds that Cherry was murdered. It looks like someone wants to find the valuable "divinity fudge" recipe and is willing to kill to get it. Ava steps in the try to find the killer and the recipe before her business and her life are chewed up and spit out.

I find myself craving Ava's fairy tale fudge, with it's delicious flavors and I'm a lucky foodie when the recipes are in the back of the book. Ava is a spunky, determined and willing to do anything for the good of her family and her fudge. Five-Alarm fudge is a sweet edition to this series. Always wondering what Ava will do next and along with a cast of charming and down to Earth characters. My favorite place to read culinary mysteries is the kitchen in case I get an urge to make some of these mouth watering treats. It is also chalked full of suspense and action for mystery lovers. I can't wait to go on another adventure with Ava in the next book in this delectable series.

[Janice Liedl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too frenetic for my tastes, this book would definitely benefit from having been read as part of the series. There are many characters, many conflicts and a lot of baggage dragging down our heroine. One of those that most annoyed me was her family's objection to Dillon, her former and renewed boyfriend. It felt forced to have an adult woman be treated like a teenager at the same time she's running a business (delicious fudge!) and investigating crimes. There were other juvenile-level character conflicts (like her close but prickly friendship with Pauline or her pricklier conflict with Fontana) that put me off the story. I also felt as if the mystery's solution was much more parachuted in than naturally unfolding. All in all, a mighty meh.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read that kept me turning the pages. I learned a lot about making fudge which was neat!

[Gerald Matzke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the second in a series of three mysteries set in Door County, Wisconsin. DCW is a tourist Mecca in Northeast Wisconsin, popular with folks from Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin as well as people from throughout the Midwest. Anything related to DCW is going to have a following and I must admit that is why I have enjoyed reading this book. References to familiar places are fun to read even if parts of the story are a little weak.
Ava, the principle character in all the books, owns a fudge shop in one of the little towns along the Bay side of the Door Peninsula. Her natural curiosity gets her involved in trying to solve a murder, find a potentially valuable fudge recipe, and preparing for the arrival of Belgium Royalty. Add to this several romantic entanglements and you have an interesting story.

[Nancy H · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another in the Fudge Shop Mystery series, this story has Ava juggling multiple things: trying to run her main fudge shop and second store; trying to get ready for a fall festival; trying to calm her grandmother, who does not want the Belgian royal relatives to visit; trying to find a hidden-for-centuries recipe that is supposed to be in a nearby church; trying to decide where to take things with her boyfriend Dillon; and oh, yes, trying to find the person who murdered the man she found in the church, the very person who was trying to prove that the organic farms nearby were not organic and that her fudge was not organic. There are many suspects and many threads in this plot, but they are all handled well and merge together into a satisfying and well-written read.

[Tracey Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ava Oosterling has found trouble again and she's determined to solve the mystery! Door County hasn't seen this much crime since the 1800's. DeSmet knows her history in this cozy mystery inspired by true events. Lush descriptions and friendly characters in this book set in the "Cape Cod of the North" will make you want to visit. And for a cozy mystery, Five Alarm Fudge has plenty of crime. Murders, arson and fudge made me gobble every bite. With recipes too!
I highly recommend it!

[Laurie Buchanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

DeSmet brings the setting—Door County, Wisconsin—and the characters to life with ease, drawing readers in with believable, likable, and fallible characters. It’s fun to shadow Ava Oosterling and try to figure out, “Who done it?” as she works to solve the mystery, getting into mishaps along the way. And the fudge—oh, the fudge!

[Georgiann Hennelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ava Osterling is busy preparing for the Harvest Festival in Fishers harbor Wisconsin. Also some distant Royal relatives are coming to visit from Belgium according to her grand mother a famous divinity fudge recipe is hidden in the local historical church. Her Grandfather promised to give it to the prince to display in the museum in Belgium. But first they have to find it and also solve a murder.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ava is always in trouble. But her fudge is out of this world. Now which one of the many men will she end up with. Only time will tell.

[Patti Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lots of characters

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The summary sounded great, but unfortunately the writing just didn't live up to it.

[OpenBookSociety.com · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://openbooksociety.com/article/fi...

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele

Ava and her grandfather, affectionately called Gilpa, run Oosterlings’ Live Bait, Bobbers and Belgian Fudge and Beer in Door County, Wisconsin. The area has a long Belgian history, and its residents are busy preparing for the annual kermis (fall festival) and the arrival of some very special guests, Prince Arnaud Van Damme and his mother Princess Amandine from Belgium. In an effort to mutually boost tourism, Gilpa has invited the royals, who are distant relatives of his wife Sophie. Gilpa is sure that there is a divinity fudge recipe hidden in a local church by a famous nun in the late nineteenth century, and he has promised a sampling of the fudge and the physical recipe to the prince when he visits. So Ava is busy searching high and low for said recipe and not having any luck. Also, Sophie is acting strangely and is vocally opposed to her relatives’ visit but will not explain herself.

As if the all of this was not enough to keep everyone busy, a university professor, nicknamed Cherry, has been doing research for the University of Wisconsin Green Bay. He has become increasingly vocal about pollution and allegations of chemical violations in organic practices with the area farms and vineyards. These charges do not sit well with Ava’s friends, family and neighbors, and he has even taken samples of Ava’s fudge for testing. Ava’s mother finds Cherry’s body in the basement of the church one Sunday morning and insists that Ava make the call to the sheriff claiming that she, not mom, made the discovery. Not surprisingly, Sheriff Jordy feels that all is not as it seems, and Ava, because she is now involved whether she wants to be or not, takes it upon herself to unearth Cherry’s killer. But Ava must watch her back because it seems that the killer has set his sights set on her to be his next victim.

Five-Alarm Fudge is the enjoyable, action packed third installment in the Fudge Shop Mystery series. I have not read the previous two entries, but after perusing this one they are definitely going on my “to read” list. Because I was unfamiliar with the characters and location featured in the series, I found the story a bit slow going at first until I got it all straightened out. Readers familiar with the books should have no trouble following the story. The idea of Belgian royalty coming to a small Wisconsin tourist town seemed quite unlikely at first, but I became more invested in the idea as I turned the pages. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the nun, church, and surrounding towns are all based on fact (the village where the fudge shop is located is fiction). I also did not realize this area of Wisconsin has such a rich Belgian history. I found all of these interesting tidbits fascinating. And, boy, am I hungry for my grandmother’s divinity and a piece of Ava’s cherry vanilla fudge right about now.

To be honest, I was not sure how I felt about Ava in the beginning. She obviously has an impulse control problem and is stubborn, but she is also devoted to her family and friends and is delightfully sarcastic. Her antics and banter with her best friend Pauline are reminiscent of Lucy and Ethel, and they made me laugh out loud more than once. By the end of the book I found her almost endearing. My favorite parts of the story were Lucky Harbor’s appearances. I am a sucker for a friendly, loveable dog.

I enjoyed my time in Wisconsin, hanging with the Oosterlings, and look forward to seeing what other trouble they can stir up in the future. I recommend Five-Alarm Fudge to current readers of the series and those who enjoy culinary cozies with plenty of hijinks.

[Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

This wasn't my favorite cozy. It's the only book I've read in this series, so I may have missed things in previous books. The protagonist came off as a horrible person -- she wrecked her best friend's car (throughout the story after causing mechanical damage, the author repeatedly mocks the vehicles sound, apparently thinking this is funny) and was constantly making fun of women outside her family and tiny circle of friends (assuming a new attorney to the area was a stripper, mocking a woman's underpants when picking up a friend who had passed out in this woman's yard, calling someone her nemesis for no apparent reason). Additionally she lets her and her boyfriend's dog run around off leash in what appears to be an area where lots of tourists drive.

Every time the protagonist's own vehicle got mentioned, we were told it was a yellow pick up truck. Due to the phrasing, I wonder if the author needed to increase her word count. Once or twice mentioning the color is fine. Alternatively, artistic license could allow her to joke about losing it at a school bus lot or in a taxi stand. That said, there must be about 25 references to the fudge-maker's vehicle and in every single one, we learn the truck is yellow.

The mysteries within the book were both interesting (the professor slaughtered in a church) and mundane (lost fudge recipe). I found the lost fudge recipe to be a ridiculous resolution. The police chief came across as completely inept.

Based on this book, I'm not going to read any of this author's others.

[Lucretia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ava is, and probably will remain, my absolute favorite part of this series, she is so unique and refreshing. I know if I knew someone like her we would be fast and forever friends. She has such a sweet and yet daring personality. My husband has not read the series, but his favorite part is the fudge. He always wants to know what the new flavors are in each part. As you can see from my pictures, he made a shopping list and I made fudge!

All of the characters are fabulous and the setting is charming. I have never been anywhere near the Great Lakes area but I certainly would love to visit this area with it’s rich Belgian history. The mystery is well written and I found the pace a perfect page turner. I also loved the further development of the relationships. Dillon is really growing on me but I still want to see more of Jordy.

If you are looking for a great series I recommend to grab this beautiful written mystery by Christine DeSmet.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fudge maker Ava Oosterling and her Grandpa co-own Oosterling's Live Bait, Bobbers & Belgian Fudge and Beer in Fisher's Harbor, Wisconsin. Ava is busy looking for a famous divinity fudge recipe her Grandpa says is hidden in the historic local church. A dead body gets in her way. Several fires break out around Ava's business and she's convinced someone wants to stop her from finding the recipe. When a friend is put in jail for the murder, she is determined to find the real killer.

I love fudge and the fudges named after fairy tales certainly sounded luscious. The back of the book contains several recipes.

I received a free copy of this book from an author giveaway. My opinion is my own and not influenced by anyone.

[Dharia Scarab · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...

1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.

2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.

3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.

4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.

5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.

[Vivian · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a pleasure reading a mystery involving a lost divinity recipe - it brought back fond memories of when my grandmother used to make it...and, yes, it is very hard to make! Anyway, the search for this lost recipe leads to a bloody knife found in the church choir loft, and then to the church basement where a body is found. The mystery is quite complex and a bit difficult to follow unless you are concentrating because it involves a lot more than just a lost recipe. I wasn't particularly into the "prince" storyline (I found it a little "out there"), but there was a mystery to solve and it was quite a puzzle! Looking forward to Ava's next adventure!

[Grey853 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ava, the main character, lives for fudge. The whole concept of the book seemed really hard to believe. Apparently, there's a big draw of some "lost recipe" for divinity fudge created by an 1800s nun. In fact, the draw of finding this fudge recipe is enough to have Ava's family invite Belgium royals to come to town to celebrate. Actually it's more to get funding to fix the church.

I found it all repetitive and unbelievable. I can't imagine anyone doing fudge tours. In addition, the murder didn't make a lot of sense, either.

[Daniele · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I will have to go back and read the previous books in the series. I think my newness to the series make this a slow go in the beginning. I had a hard time keeping the characters straight and had questions throughout about some characters' behavior. The mystery was well plotted but I found Ava somewhat annoying. Why do so many people perpetually lie? My favorite parts were scenes with Lucky Harbor.

[Doward Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

FUDGE, FUDGE, FUDGE!!! Christine DeSmet's A Fudge Shop Mystery series set in Wisconsin is mouth watering delicious. A bait and tackle shop on the lake with a a fudge making kitchen and sales shop are unique. Ava, her friend and family pull you in and don't let go until the murder is solved. This is Book#3 and each one continues to get better. Start with Book #1, First-Degree Fudge and keep going. Have plenty of chocolate snacks on hand!

[Peggy Clayton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book I hadn't read any of the previous Fudge Shop Mysteries so I read it as a stand alone. The first several pages were so slow I almost put it down but that isn't me so I kept reading and it picked up. This was a hit to 2nd base!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic read, I loved all the little twists and turns and the little bits of history that were woven into the story.

I look forward to reading more of Ava's adventures soon.

[Jenni Schell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love this series. The characters are so endearing and the story is always fantastic. Plus, how can you go wrong with fudge recipes?

[D Nichols · Rating 3 out of 5]

good mystery. Several fudge recipes given as well.

[Robin Resch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the setting, love the recipes.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my favorite in this series. A bit too busy