Some Like It Fudgy

Candy-Coated Mystery #14

by Nancy CoCo

Allie McMurphy lives the sweet life running her world-famous fudge shop on Mackinac Island—but when a killer strikes, she has to turn from creating confections to extracting confessions . . .

TAKING A BITE OUT OF CRIME

As a gesture of goodwill, Allie is bringing a tray of assorted fudge to her new husband’s ex-wife, Melonie. But she finds Melonie’s body on the floor of her photography studio—where a remote-controlled camera keeps snapping picture after picture. In one, she’s alive, and in the next, she’s dead.

While Rowan Giles, another visitor to the shop, chatters nervously—and incessantly—Allie dials the police, though she encourages her husband to leave the case to another officer. Several unidentified people were leaving when she arrived on the scene. Nevertheless, Rowan is the top suspect, thanks to one thing she didn’t talk about: her bitter relationship with Melonie. Was Rowan just stirring the pot with all her gossipy gabbing?

Allie’s not so sure. She’s learning about some dark secrets in Melonie’s past. And identifying an obvious suspect is one thing, but finding the truth is a whole other kettle of fudge . . .

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery

Kindle Edition

Expected publication April 28, 2026

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some Like It Fudgy by Nancy Coco is a fun culinary cozy mystery that is the 14th book in the Candy Coated Mystery series.

I have read all 14 books in this series, and I have enjoyed growing along with the characters. The murder- mystery of Rex’s ex-wife kept me interested and engaged throughout the book.

Allie is usually a favorite of mine and was a bit more emotional and dramatic than her usual self, but we all have off-days, so hopefully she returns to her normal next book.

4/5 stars

Thank you NG and Kensington Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 4/28/26.

[Cozybooklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

#SomeLikeItFudgy #NetGalley is the latest book in this long running cozy mystery series. Allie is happy with married life, even though her husband's ex is working right next door.
Allie wants to try to smooth things over with Melonie, the ex wife, but things go horribly wrong and all she finds is a dead body.

This book has a lot going on, and the author does an amazing job of weaving it all together.
I loved the new addition of Rowan and Finn, and it was exciting to read they will have their own adventures.
This is a strong 5 star review for #SomeLikeItFudgy #NetGalley

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, Allie stumbles upon a murder but this time it is more personal. Unfortunately, it also causes a marital bump in the road for Allie and her new husband Rex.

My favorite part of this story was when Rex's friend offered this bit of wisdom, "when you're wrong, you're wrong and pretending you're not doesn't work with women."

A solid mystery with cute pets and a handful of surprises. Another entertaining Candy-Coated mystery.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[L.M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rex's ex-wife is still in the picture and Allie has decided to play nice. When she takes Melonie an offering of fudge, she finds her dead in her photo studio. Of course Allie can't let it go no matter how much everyone wants her to so she decides to hunt down the killer.

I'm a big fan of Nancy CoCo's books, I like her writing style and she creates a great setting. But this is not a Nancy CoCo book. Whoever has been writing Joanne Fluke's books for the last few years wrote this book. Same silly conversations, same immature drama, same crudely painted characters, recipes that call for using a box mix, confusing ending where two different motives are presented that don't jive with each other or with anything that happened in the book. It's not good. There's so much more I'd like to say about how the story played out but can't without spoilers. This is a series I've really enjoyed so I'm giving it a lot of grace with a three-star rating but I was very disappointed that this book wasn't written by CoCo. Maybe CoCo will do some editing before it goes to print, I hope so because her name is worthy of more.

Honestly, the rest of this series is great (though book 12 was similar to this one and probably also ghostwritten) and I highly recommend it. If you do read the books, read them in order and maybe skip this one.

Thank you to Nancy CoCo, the publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Cozy Reader Lady · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Some Like it Fudgy (A Candy-Coated Mystery #14)" by Nancy Coco tried to shake it up a bit. Most that was changed was that there was a bit less continuity issues and a bit less over repetition. So that was a nice change. The addition of Rowan either the Great Dane Finn was nice and led to having Allie lean on women more her age for sleuthing help.

However, totally had Rowan pegged as a suspect for most of the book. It just seemed to fit with the clues being dropped to be more her way than the final female culprit's way. I could see her tied to the male culprit as a family member. It took a bit of a nose dive once the male culprit came into play as an active character.

Allie is a bit extra over the top emotionally in this book at times. Honestly, I would think she was the pregnant one with how up and down emotionally she was. Where was this fighting spirit whenever her mother is around.

Despite the previous books issues of continuity and over repetition being better in this book, Allie's extreme reactions counter act the improvement for me. I'm mostly just reading these now because I am getting an ARC from Netgalley. I probably wouldn't pick any future books of this series to read if I have others to choose from.

[Joni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rex's ex wife Melonie is working next door to the McMurphy and in an effort to make nice Allie takes over a box of fudge. However when we she walks into the shop she finds Melonie dead on the floor. A very chatty woman shows up immediately after Allie and starts taking pictures for Shane. Who is this woman and why does she know everyone in town? Turns out she's from the area and is staying at the McMurphy for a few days with her large, but well behaved, dog. Allie isn't sure what to make of the woman but soon warms up to her and enlists her help with solving Melonie's murder. Rex is not on the case, as it is his ex wife, and the officer brought in to lead the investigations makes no secret about his dislike of Rex and his willingness to lock up Allie if he catches her or anyone else investigating.
Oh my was this book a rollercoaster for the emotions! There was a lot going on but the book is well written and hard to put down. Once you think you're at a good stopping point something else happens and next thing you know you've finished the book. Another great trip to Mackinac Island, one day I hope to make it there for real.
Thanks NetGalley and Kensington for the ARC

[M Steinbrink · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the latest book in Nancy Coco’s long running Candy-coated mystery series. I don’t think this book was as good as the other books in the series, but it is a fun, fast read and I do enjoy reading about Mackinac Island. There was a new character in the book that felt awkwardly placed in the book, but there is an explanation for her at the end of the book that helped the situation make sense. There were also a couple of times that I thought Allie’s actions were really questionable, but I think that with this series you just have to go with it and enjoy it as the fun, not entirely realistic mystery that it is. As always, the pets in this book are the best and I loved reading about the quaint, little town on the island.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book. All opinions are my own.