Chapter and Churned: A Bookstore Cozy Mystery Full of Sweet Treats and Deadly Secrets

St. Marin's Cozy Mystery #12

by ACF Bookens

A scoop of ice cream, a dash of danger, and a murder that chills to the bone.When a new ice cream shop, Churnt Up, opens in the idyllic beach town of St. Marin’s, bookstore owner Harvey Beckett is ready to welcome the owner with open arms and a hearty appetite. But the grand opening turns deadly when a body is discovered in the shop’s freezer, sending a chill through the Memorial Day weekend festivities.

The shop’s owner, Poppy, is clearly terrified, and not just because of the corpse in her store. She’s hiding from a dangerous past that has followed her to the Eastern Shore. As Harvey and her fiercely loyal friends rally to protect the newcomer, they uncover a sinister plot far more tangled than a single murder.

With her police-deputy husband, Jared, leading the official investigation, Harvey relies on her wit and community ties to chase down the truth. But when the threats escalate from menacing glares to terrifying break-ins, she realizes the danger is closer than anyone imagined. In a town where everyone knows your name, a deadly secret is churning just beneath the surface.

Chapter and Churned is the twelfth book in the St. Marin’s Cozy Mystery series, perfect for fans of small-town sleuths, quirky characters, and ice-cold twists.

208 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 5, 2025

Reviews

[A.C.F. Bookens]

This book let me return to, maybe??, my favorite mystery series with Harvey Beckett and her friends. As usual, there are book recommendations abounding, and of course, the dogs are here, too.

But the real story is Poppy, the young woman who has opened an ice cream shop in St. Marin's, only to find a dead body in her freezer on opening day. Fortunately, Harvey has been through this herself, and she commits to help Poppy figure this out and save her store.

I hope you enjoy it. . . as much as I enjoy mint chocolate chip ice cream.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been waiting so long for this book to be released. I absolutely love this cosy mystery series set in a gorgeous bookshop in St Marins. Run by Harvey Beckett who moved there after a divorce from a controlling husband, she's created an oasis of calm in a world of dislike for those on the margins.

People find their way to St Marins, and to the bookshop for friendship and a good book, but there's also a healthy murder rate in the small town and they all have something in common, Harvey's involvement with the law enforcement team who put the murderer behind bars.

Harvey is married to the Deputy Sheriff, Jared; and she counts Tuck, the Sheriff and his wife Lu as two of her closest friends. Along with her staff at the bookshop, (who are friends too), her parents and her friends around the town, they all come together to help the bookshop thrive, raise money for charity, and support Harvey as she helps those in need.

This book finds a new ice cream store opened in the town, run by a young lady who needs help after she finds a body in her freezer. As the story evolves, Harvey helps the shop owner deal with the fallout.

This book is up to date too as there's a booksigning at the shop by Yungblud.

I've read all the books in this series and whilst the plots don't cross over books, the books are best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the wider storyline. I really hope there is going to be another book in this great series.

I've also read Stitches in Crime series by the same author about a salvage yard owner, and can totally recommend that series too.

[Jane litherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ice cream a danger ? Well it is for this stranger at the Churnt Up a new icecream parlour that’s just opened its doors on Main Street St. Marin’s shores. But all too soon there’s impending doom when a body is discovered in the freezer ! Is it a woman or a geezer ,you’ll have to read and see. Poppy ,the new store owner who is already on a downer is running scared …. Here she gets to thinking…Have they found her? She’s got a past that she’s turned her back on ,ran away to keep trouble at bay . But come what may the truth will out .Of that there is no doubt ,but Poppy has Harvey now in her corner and other friends too ,to rally around her like they do. I shouldn’t wonder. Harvey uses her wit and cunning to get to the bottom of this case before the leads run cold ( I know but I couldn’t resist) and with her husband Jared leading the investigation she knows it’s not old ,though she’s not told who is out to get her but she knows this for a fact . There’s trouble brewing and it’s time to act. Immersive as ever and woven very cleverly indeed. Great descriptions and the character traits are first rate a s written well . This book by ACF Bookens is swell

[Javon50 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harvey Beckett, owner of All Booked Up bookstore is excited to see a new business opening across from her shop. When she discovers that this charming ice cream shop owner is a young woman named Poppy, she welcomes her to the community. When the deaf young woman discovers a body in her shop’s freezer Harvey, after speaking with her using a notepad and a friend who can sign, she finds that the young woman is running away from a dangerous past. With her friends and deputy husband helping Poppy they assure her that they will do all they can to keep her safe but soon they find that may be more difficult than first thought. While investigating the death and finding more about Poppy’s past they realize that not only is Poppy’s life in danger, but Harvey is now in the crosshairs also. This terrific book is a great way to spend a few hours. This is my honest and voluntary review of an advanced copy of this book.

[Anne Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

An ice cream shop has opened opposite Harvey’s bookstore. Poppy is deaf so needs notepads or signers to talk. Seems she has escaped an abusive ex husband, but, sadly she hasn’t. The second day she finds a dead man in her freezer & her ex, Jim, makes himself known. Jared arrests him but he soon gets out having got his lawyer to get him bail. Then another nasty man arrives in town, Jim’s brother! It is fortunate that Harvey’s dogs Taco and Mayhem are good guard dogs, because Jim breaks in & this time, when arrested, stays in jail. This is quite an involved book, lots going on, including a 5th anniversary of the bookstore’s opening.

[Anne Kavcic · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great series with wonderful, found-family characters and a twisty plot. A new store owner in town, a body in the freezer, odd people who turn up, and the stage is set. Secrets are revealed and steps taken to right wrongs, although the clues reveal themselves reluctantly. As usual, this author gently weaves present-day topics into the narrative (tolerance, for instance) and keeps you turning pages because you love the characters so much. Can be read on its own but even better if you've read some previous books to get more background. - I received an advance copy and freely leave this honest review.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Harvey story. She is working in her bookstore and their is a new ice cream shop across the street. She had gone over to say hello and found a sign in the shop that said My name is Poppy and I am deaf. Then a man was found dead in her ice cream freezer and Harvey and her crew took her under their wing and helped her with everything. They included her in girls night and potlucks and everything else they were doing to make her feel welcome. Then her ex husband showed up and they found out just how bad he was. Things went bad for a bit but in St. Marin they look after their own. Great story and a fast read. Highly recommend it!

[Peter Hyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good story from an accomplished storyteller. I enjoyed catching up with Harvey, her friends and her dogs, all featuring heavily when a new ice cream parlour opens opposite All Booked Up and a body is found in their freezer. The characters are well-drawn and the plot kept me involved. Don't let the misspelt or wrong words put you off - it'll be worth it. (I received an ARC but have not been paid or pressurised to write this review: it is my genuine opinion.)

[Dianne Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbelievable challenges!

I could not put this book down as the action was not stop as danger surrounded Poppy and the key characters. The camaraderie that built between the ladies was impressive as they protected Poppy, the newest member of their group.  This book filled me with emotions and was very touching.  

I read this book as part of an advance reader team. I am voluntarily writing this review.

[David Berg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free advance review copy of this book and am voluntarily providing my honest review. I am so glad Harvey is back and she is back with a bang. What a thoughtful story which I truly enjoyed and really recommend.

[Sherri Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love some virtual time with Harvey and all her wonderfully close friends! Such a great friend group that has become family to each other! Fun mystery to solve as well! Very enjoyable read. These are my thoughts after enjoying an early copy of the book.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devoured this not put downable fast paced delicious read.
Every one of Andi’s books are informative, written with passion and compassion.
This is the kind of feel good book everyone needs to read!
Wish we all had friends like Harvey’s.

[Dwayne Keller]

Welcome back to St. Marin’s. Harvey is excited for a new ice cream shop, Churnt Up, opening in town. However, a dead body is found in the freezer. Now Harvey is deep into investigating who it is and why were they murdered. Another fun mystery.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable return to the town of St. Marin’s and some of my favorite cozy mystery characters.

[Marseydoats · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great series with awesome characters! I wish I could attend one of Harvey's potlucks.