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Candy-Coated Mystery #7
Fudge Bites
Halloween on Mackinac Island is a season of fun tricks, but finding a corpse is no treat for fudge shop owner Allie McMurphy . . .
NIGHT OF THE REALLY DEAD
It’s late October, off-season for tourists, but locals are up and lurching for the annual zombie walk charity event. Though everyone’s living it up, trouble is just a few pawprints away. Allie follows the bloody tracks of her calico cat, Carmella, to a body in the alley behind the Historic McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop. Unlike the island’s other walking dead, this one’s flatlined for good. It seems that someone is using the zombie fest as the perfect backdrop for murder. Now amateur sleuth Allie and dreamboat officer Rex Manning must use every trick in their treat bag to unmask a killer in disguise.
NIGHT OF THE REALLY DEAD
It’s late October, off-season for tourists, but locals are up and lurching for the annual zombie walk charity event. Though everyone’s living it up, trouble is just a few pawprints away. Allie follows the bloody tracks of her calico cat, Carmella, to a body in the alley behind the Historic McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop. Unlike the island’s other walking dead, this one’s flatlined for good. It seems that someone is using the zombie fest as the perfect backdrop for murder. Now amateur sleuth Allie and dreamboat officer Rex Manning must use every trick in their treat bag to unmask a killer in disguise.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 24, 2019
392 people are currently reading
792 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 197 reviews
September 12, 2019
This was the first time I have read anything by this author, and it was also the first book I have read in the Candy-Coated series. 📒 I enjoyed it a lot. It holds up well as a standalone. 👍 The mystery was laid out well and kept me guessing right until the end. 👀 There was a fantastic cast of secondary characters. 👤👤👤👤 Allie was a likable (mostly) main character. 👩 She needed to learn some discretion, and I wasn't a fan on the love triangle. 💑👤 But overall she was a good lead. 👍
I also loved the setting of Mackinac Island. 🍂 Especially as I have vacationed there growing up. 🚗 However, one disappointing aspect was this really had ZERO to do with Halloween. 🎃 The cover and the first line of the synopsis are a tad bit misleading in that aspect. 👎 Still, overall it was a cracking good read and as a bonus you get several yummy sounding fudge recipes that I can't wait to try out. 🍴
September 5, 2019
Halloween is fast approaching idyllic Mackinac Island, MI, and the historic McMurphy Hotel & Fudge Shop owned by Allie McMurphy. During the annual Zombie Walk, the bloody paw prints of Carmella, Allie’s stray cat, lead to a gruesome murder scene.
I thought Author Nancy Coco’s writing was in it’s prime as I read this spooktacular story. There are constant twists and turns, and the surprises don’t end until the shocking reveal! I’ve been waiting for Allie to choose her man, and she finally does. Book #7 is a great addition to a long-running series—A Candy-Coated Mystery.
I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. Thank you.
I thought Author Nancy Coco’s writing was in it’s prime as I read this spooktacular story. There are constant twists and turns, and the surprises don’t end until the shocking reveal! I’ve been waiting for Allie to choose her man, and she finally does. Book #7 is a great addition to a long-running series—A Candy-Coated Mystery.
I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. Thank you.
August 16, 2019
The beautiful Mackinac Island is the setting for this delightful Halloween themed cozy mystery.
If you're ready for some Halloween reading you can't go wrong here. Plenty of zombies and decorated pumpkins on the island for Zombie Walk .
A keep you on your toes mystery will keep you guessing while you read about hotel remodeling and fudge making. Descriptions of the scrumptious fudge making is sure to make you hungry and luckily there are fudge recipes galore including some delectable autumn fudge recipes. I can not wait to try these! I loved the development of the story and the descriptions make this a very believable book with a down home feel. I can not wait to visit Mackinac Island.
Well crafted mystery, I can not wait to read more!
Expected publication: October 1st 2019 by Kensington Books.
I was given a coplienatry copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.
If you're ready for some Halloween reading you can't go wrong here. Plenty of zombies and decorated pumpkins on the island for Zombie Walk .
A keep you on your toes mystery will keep you guessing while you read about hotel remodeling and fudge making. Descriptions of the scrumptious fudge making is sure to make you hungry and luckily there are fudge recipes galore including some delectable autumn fudge recipes. I can not wait to try these! I loved the development of the story and the descriptions make this a very believable book with a down home feel. I can not wait to visit Mackinac Island.
Well crafted mystery, I can not wait to read more!
Expected publication: October 1st 2019 by Kensington Books.
I was given a coplienatry copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.
October 26, 2019
Dollycas’s Thoughts
What happens on Mackinac Island in the off-season for Halloween? A Zombie Walk! It’s for charity and a lot of fun until one of the “zombies” is found dead. Allie’s calico cat, Carmella appears to have been the first at the scene because she is all bloody when she is found in the alley behind the Historic McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop. Everyone knows Allie McMurphy is on the case but an unexpected visitor has returned to the island with a proposition. Can she stayed focused and catch the killer?
This time Nancy Coco has pulled out all the stops and blown up a mystery everyone will love.
Allie wants to be a year-round resident of the island but with her friend Liz off living in Chicago, she is a little lonely and missing her sleuthing buddy. She has contracted the renovation of one of the floors of the hotel and the addition of a rooftop deck this offseason. Newlyweds Frances and Mr. Devaney are there to help her out as she comes up with a few ideas on how to investigate the murder without venturing too far from the hotel. I really enjoyed the way the community came together throughout the story. A little peek into those people the stay on the island the full year or until the snow starts to fly was nice too.
Ms. Coco has filled these pages with action and drama and a huge moment that brought tears to my eyes. The mystery ties into the past in a surprising way. There is even a second body found. A plethora of twists and turns distract and lead both Allie and readers along before the real story comes into focus. A subplot opens a door for Allie and I was cheering as she made her choice.
You will want to take a BIG bite of Fudge Bites! It has fantastic characters, a well-written mystery with suspense, drama, humor, a little bit of romance, and a whole lot of FUDGE. Like Allie, I did miss Liz, With the way to book ends, I think Allie is going to need her friend even more in the next book in the series. I truly can’t wait to see what happens next.
What happens on Mackinac Island in the off-season for Halloween? A Zombie Walk! It’s for charity and a lot of fun until one of the “zombies” is found dead. Allie’s calico cat, Carmella appears to have been the first at the scene because she is all bloody when she is found in the alley behind the Historic McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop. Everyone knows Allie McMurphy is on the case but an unexpected visitor has returned to the island with a proposition. Can she stayed focused and catch the killer?
This time Nancy Coco has pulled out all the stops and blown up a mystery everyone will love.
Allie wants to be a year-round resident of the island but with her friend Liz off living in Chicago, she is a little lonely and missing her sleuthing buddy. She has contracted the renovation of one of the floors of the hotel and the addition of a rooftop deck this offseason. Newlyweds Frances and Mr. Devaney are there to help her out as she comes up with a few ideas on how to investigate the murder without venturing too far from the hotel. I really enjoyed the way the community came together throughout the story. A little peek into those people the stay on the island the full year or until the snow starts to fly was nice too.
Ms. Coco has filled these pages with action and drama and a huge moment that brought tears to my eyes. The mystery ties into the past in a surprising way. There is even a second body found. A plethora of twists and turns distract and lead both Allie and readers along before the real story comes into focus. A subplot opens a door for Allie and I was cheering as she made her choice.
You will want to take a BIG bite of Fudge Bites! It has fantastic characters, a well-written mystery with suspense, drama, humor, a little bit of romance, and a whole lot of FUDGE. Like Allie, I did miss Liz, With the way to book ends, I think Allie is going to need her friend even more in the next book in the series. I truly can’t wait to see what happens next.
August 9, 2019
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book!
I always enjoy these mysteries, and this time around was no different. Mackinac island is such a different setting for a cozy, and yet Nancy Coco makes each one realistic and believable all the way through. The mystery was a really solid one; I honestly thought we might be dealing with unrelated incidents or something related to previous books for a while there, and it kept me on my toes. The themesfor this cozy are varied too, with fudge, dogs, cats, tourists and hotels all combining together to add a richness.
Allie's love life is still undecided at this point, but I think I see more where we are headed and I like it! The awkward love triangle is probably my only downer for this series, so the sooner it gets resolved the better. There were also less of Allie's friends around this time,but that leaves her time to form new friendships and add in new characters not seen in this series before.
This is a really fun mystery series, and this book can be read on its own or as part of the series (and really, it's so good you simply must go back and read the others) five stars.
I always enjoy these mysteries, and this time around was no different. Mackinac island is such a different setting for a cozy, and yet Nancy Coco makes each one realistic and believable all the way through. The mystery was a really solid one; I honestly thought we might be dealing with unrelated incidents or something related to previous books for a while there, and it kept me on my toes. The themesfor this cozy are varied too, with fudge, dogs, cats, tourists and hotels all combining together to add a richness.
Allie's love life is still undecided at this point, but I think I see more where we are headed and I like it! The awkward love triangle is probably my only downer for this series, so the sooner it gets resolved the better. There were also less of Allie's friends around this time,but that leaves her time to form new friendships and add in new characters not seen in this series before.
This is a really fun mystery series, and this book can be read on its own or as part of the series (and really, it's so good you simply must go back and read the others) five stars.
October 3, 2019
Allie is busy with her fudge business and remodeling her inn. The town is having a zombie walk, while Allie and her cat are walking she sees blood on her cats feet and then a dead body. Later a bomb goes off at the senior center, causing nearby buildings to be moved on their foundation. Allie starts trying to find the person who did it when a bomb goes off at her building. She is still undecided if she wants to stay on the island for the winter and which man she wants to be with. That part is getting old and needs to be finished.
October 11, 2019
Another great book by Ms.Coco.
September 21, 2019
This was a fun look at one of my new favorite places in the fall. I'd love to see Mackinac at Halloween. During the Zombie Walk for charity, Allie found herself in the middle of another murder again. This time her cat Mella had found the body. After the man's mother, a friend of Frances's, begged Allie to help, how could she say no. Allie didn't have her usual sidekick with her, because Jenn was at a new job in Chicago, but she and Liz from the newspaper did a little sleuthing together. I've always liked Liz and was glad to see her in more of friend role than just a snoopy reporter.
In the meantime, Allie's ex-boyfriend Trent was in town trying to entice her to go to Chicago for the winter. He's nice, but I'm just not a fan of his. Allie made her decision at the end, and I was proud of her. Little Mella was a big help in fighting off a killer in the show down. I wasn't quite sure who the killer was but the real one was on my radar at least. I love the tie-in with something in the past, this time concerning one of the churches, having something to do with the main case. I'm never ready to leave magical Mackinac and can't wait for the next book!
I voluntarily read and reviewed a paperback ARC provided by the publisher Kensington, although sometimes I went back and forth between it and the NetGalley digital copy. I've preordered this, but it was fun to read it ahead of time. Release day is next Tuesday the 24th.
In the meantime, Allie's ex-boyfriend Trent was in town trying to entice her to go to Chicago for the winter. He's nice, but I'm just not a fan of his. Allie made her decision at the end, and I was proud of her. Little Mella was a big help in fighting off a killer in the show down. I wasn't quite sure who the killer was but the real one was on my radar at least. I love the tie-in with something in the past, this time concerning one of the churches, having something to do with the main case. I'm never ready to leave magical Mackinac and can't wait for the next book!
I voluntarily read and reviewed a paperback ARC provided by the publisher Kensington, although sometimes I went back and forth between it and the NetGalley digital copy. I've preordered this, but it was fun to read it ahead of time. Release day is next Tuesday the 24th.
January 9, 2020
It's soon to be off-Season on Mackinac Island but first, the residents and some tourists are ready to have some Halloween fun with a charity zombie walk. Allie McMurphy is eager to participate in raising money for heart disease, a cause near and dear to her heart. Before Allie makes it to the walk, she discovers her cat Mella running out of the alley with bloody paws. A shriek from Sophie reveals another dead body. The case is complicated because everyone looks like a dead body and this one'a makeup is especially gruesome but Shane and the CSU are on the case to determine the difference. The victim, a young man named Anthony Vanderbilt was the son of Frances's best friend. There doesn't seem to be a motive until eagle eyes spot another, nearly identical zombie at the walk that night. Could the killing be a case of mistaken identity? Allie is determined to stay out of it this time. She has her hands full with renovating the McMurphy and trying to make new friends, but the seniors and other residents are counting on Allie to see justice done.
I didn't like the plot of this novel even though it kept me up late to find out what happened. There are so many wild and dark twists and turns. One made me gasp and broke my heart and one I wasn't surprised by. I only started to guess who the murderer was right before they revealed themselves! The killer is twisted and dangerous. The confrontation was pretty scary and my heart was in my throat for a minute.
This novel has too many odd points that don't add up, coming in the timeline before the Christmas novellas, too many details about renovating a historic building and too much fluff. I skipped most of the renovation and some of the fluff and still got a complete understanding of how the murder happened and why. The reveal was pretty shocking. A second subplot is Allie's love triangle. Her relationship with Rex is heating up while Trent is off-island. Allie still can't make up her mind. Allie never reveals why heart disease is a cause near and dear to her heart. Did Grandpa Liam have heart disease? I believe Grandma Alice died of illness.
Allie is so anxious in this novel. Since it's her first year on the island, she doesn't know what to expect for off-season. She's eager to bring the McMurphy back to its former glory before spring. All her friends are leaving one by one and encouraging her to leave too. That makes her sad. Is she being stubborn or can she make a go of it leaving the hotel open? I think a bit of both but she'll need Jenn to make it successful. Sandy may be leaving for another job and that adds another layer of worry on Allie's already heavy shoulders. At least she's trying to make friends her own age this time. She hangs out with Liz more and makes one new friend. I'm an introvert too and I understand her. She's happy with Mal and Mella but she does need more friends her own age on the island. The seniors leave the island too! I'm bored with the love triangle. Don't choose either of them. I was so annoyed with the people in her life stating that one day she'll marry and change her name so the hotel will pass out of the McMurphy family. WTH? This is the 21st century people! Allie can a)choose to have children without a husband and pass on her name that way or b)keep her last name and pass it on either alone or as a hyphen. McMurphy-Jessop would be a pretty powerful name on the island. McMurphy-Manning or Manning-McMurphy would be too. (I like that last one).
Mella has a larger role in this novel. This time she is the one who discovers the dead body and not Mal. Mal gets her time in the spotlight too. A subplot revolves around Allie's cat, Mella, who disappears for a time. I would be scared too if I were Allie but I find it hard to believe no one else knew what was going on. Some of the reason was my first guess! Mella is sweet for a cat. Mal is still my favorite. She likes to be held and love people but she's also a genius at finding things. This goofy puppy is so adorable she makes my heart melt.
Allie's only other good platonic friend is Liz. Liz may speak her mind and be a bit caustic but I like her a lot. She's grown on me. Liz loves her grandfather and is devoted to running his paper. She is devoted to the island and the people who live there. Liz is a good friend for Allie because she's so practical and as a reporter/editor, she knows everyone and everything. Rex loses some of his macho in order to be sweet to Allie when she needs it. I like seeing a softer side of him. Trent is spoiled, arrogant and doesn't understand Allie.
Allie makes a new friend, Haley Manx. Haley, a young woman a little older than Allie, is an artist. She works in clay making beautiful things out of pottery. Haley reaches out to Allie and is very kind to Allie and the seniors. Her husband, Rex, is not so nice. He seems kind of egotistical, at least in regards to construction work and has a hot temper. I don't think he's a good partner for the artistic Haley and he indicates their marriage is not ideal at the moment. Could it be because her husband lost his temper and killed someone?
Allie's closest friends are the seniors. They like her nosiness and her tenacity when searching for justice. She likes the seniors because they were her grandparents friends and don't judge her because she was raised off the island. The seniors are funny but it's hard to remember who is who. I wouldn't include Frances in that category but she thinks of herself as one of them.
The victim, Anthony Vanderbilt, sounds like a saint. He was universally loved and devoted to caring for his mother, presumably a widow. Maggs is very shaken up by his death. She seems to lose the will to live. Frances is very worried. Frances is a great friend but there's not much she can do but be there to support her friend. Anthony's friends seem more like typical twenty-somethings while Anthony sounded too good to be true. What about the zombie double? Could he have been the target? This man seems nice enough too. He's shown with a pregnant woman in the photos, hopefully his girlfriend or wife. He did have an altercation with a man though or was it Anthony? It's hard to tell from Liz's photos and Rex is having a tough time figuring this one out. Another body is found halfway into the book and unidentified for a time. This man did not deserve to die either. A final new character is Pastor Henry, a newcomer to a local parish in need of help. He seems like he was sent from God to help restore the church and the parish. He'll need a lot of financial help. Jenn should come back and help them fundraise but Allie is doing a good job on her own.
This novel has the best selection of fudge recipes! I am eager to try them out next Thanksgiving. I still have the ingredients or can make the ingredients for all the ones I want to try but then I'll just eat it all myself.
I didn't like the plot of this novel even though it kept me up late to find out what happened. There are so many wild and dark twists and turns. One made me gasp and broke my heart and one I wasn't surprised by. I only started to guess who the murderer was right before they revealed themselves! The killer is twisted and dangerous. The confrontation was pretty scary and my heart was in my throat for a minute.
This novel has too many odd points that don't add up, coming in the timeline before the Christmas novellas, too many details about renovating a historic building and too much fluff. I skipped most of the renovation and some of the fluff and still got a complete understanding of how the murder happened and why. The reveal was pretty shocking. A second subplot is Allie's love triangle. Her relationship with Rex is heating up while Trent is off-island. Allie still can't make up her mind. Allie never reveals why heart disease is a cause near and dear to her heart. Did Grandpa Liam have heart disease? I believe Grandma Alice died of illness.
Allie is so anxious in this novel. Since it's her first year on the island, she doesn't know what to expect for off-season. She's eager to bring the McMurphy back to its former glory before spring. All her friends are leaving one by one and encouraging her to leave too. That makes her sad. Is she being stubborn or can she make a go of it leaving the hotel open? I think a bit of both but she'll need Jenn to make it successful. Sandy may be leaving for another job and that adds another layer of worry on Allie's already heavy shoulders. At least she's trying to make friends her own age this time. She hangs out with Liz more and makes one new friend. I'm an introvert too and I understand her. She's happy with Mal and Mella but she does need more friends her own age on the island. The seniors leave the island too! I'm bored with the love triangle. Don't choose either of them. I was so annoyed with the people in her life stating that one day she'll marry and change her name so the hotel will pass out of the McMurphy family. WTH? This is the 21st century people! Allie can a)choose to have children without a husband and pass on her name that way or b)keep her last name and pass it on either alone or as a hyphen. McMurphy-Jessop would be a pretty powerful name on the island. McMurphy-Manning or Manning-McMurphy would be too. (I like that last one).
Mella has a larger role in this novel. This time she is the one who discovers the dead body and not Mal. Mal gets her time in the spotlight too. A subplot revolves around Allie's cat, Mella, who disappears for a time. I would be scared too if I were Allie but I find it hard to believe no one else knew what was going on. Some of the reason was my first guess! Mella is sweet for a cat. Mal is still my favorite. She likes to be held and love people but she's also a genius at finding things. This goofy puppy is so adorable she makes my heart melt.
Allie's only other good platonic friend is Liz. Liz may speak her mind and be a bit caustic but I like her a lot. She's grown on me. Liz loves her grandfather and is devoted to running his paper. She is devoted to the island and the people who live there. Liz is a good friend for Allie because she's so practical and as a reporter/editor, she knows everyone and everything. Rex loses some of his macho in order to be sweet to Allie when she needs it. I like seeing a softer side of him. Trent is spoiled, arrogant and doesn't understand Allie.
Allie makes a new friend, Haley Manx. Haley, a young woman a little older than Allie, is an artist. She works in clay making beautiful things out of pottery. Haley reaches out to Allie and is very kind to Allie and the seniors. Her husband, Rex, is not so nice. He seems kind of egotistical, at least in regards to construction work and has a hot temper. I don't think he's a good partner for the artistic Haley and he indicates their marriage is not ideal at the moment. Could it be because her husband lost his temper and killed someone?
Allie's closest friends are the seniors. They like her nosiness and her tenacity when searching for justice. She likes the seniors because they were her grandparents friends and don't judge her because she was raised off the island. The seniors are funny but it's hard to remember who is who. I wouldn't include Frances in that category but she thinks of herself as one of them.
The victim, Anthony Vanderbilt, sounds like a saint. He was universally loved and devoted to caring for his mother, presumably a widow. Maggs is very shaken up by his death. She seems to lose the will to live. Frances is very worried. Frances is a great friend but there's not much she can do but be there to support her friend. Anthony's friends seem more like typical twenty-somethings while Anthony sounded too good to be true. What about the zombie double? Could he have been the target? This man seems nice enough too. He's shown with a pregnant woman in the photos, hopefully his girlfriend or wife. He did have an altercation with a man though or was it Anthony? It's hard to tell from Liz's photos and Rex is having a tough time figuring this one out. Another body is found halfway into the book and unidentified for a time. This man did not deserve to die either. A final new character is Pastor Henry, a newcomer to a local parish in need of help. He seems like he was sent from God to help restore the church and the parish. He'll need a lot of financial help. Jenn should come back and help them fundraise but Allie is doing a good job on her own.
This novel has the best selection of fudge recipes! I am eager to try them out next Thanksgiving. I still have the ingredients or can make the ingredients for all the ones I want to try but then I'll just eat it all myself.
October 17, 2019
Fudge Bites by Nancy Coco is the seventh A Candy-Coated Mystery. It can be read as a standalone for those new to this sweet series. Allie McMurphy loves living on Mackinac Island and looks forward to her first winter on the island. She has renovation planned for the second floor plus adding a rooftop deck. Allie is feeling a little lonely with her best friend, Jenn living in Chicago and others departing the island for the winter. Allie is a developed character who is friendly and relatable. She has some important decisions to make in Fudge Bites. I enjoyed the twisty whodunit with multiple suspects and unexpected action. I always enjoy a mystery that keeps you on your toes. Nancy Coco gives us beautiful descriptions of Mackinac Island in the fall. I can see how it can be challenging to live on Mackinac Island in the winter with the freezing temperatures, lack of activities and no ferry. Allie’s fudge making will have your mouth watering. There are recipes for brownies and various types of fudge included (Apple Cinnamon White Chocolate Fudge for instance). There is an excerpt from Death Bee Comes Her which is the beginning of a new cozy mystery series for Nancy Coco. I am curious to find out what happens next for Allie and the McMurphy. Fudge Bites is a spooktacular cozy mystery with fabulous fudge, roof renovations, a canine with a keen sniffer, twinkling treasure, zany zombies, and suspicious suspects.
September 12, 2019
Halloween never tasted so good when fudge maker, innkeeper and amateur sleuth Allie is once again involved in solving a murder case on Mackinac Island and this time, someone is playing for keeps! When a local man is murdered during a Zombie Walkathon, to benefit charity, Mella, Allie's cat, finds the body and starts a chain of events that will lead to a possible life changing decision for Allie.
I'm a fan of this series and the latest book didn't disappoint. I admired Allie's determination to solve the mystery and grow her business. She didn't take unnecessary risks and I liked the fact she worked with Rex in solving the crimes. I loved the descriptions of the Island during the off-season and Allie's group of senior sleuths are so entertaining! The mystery kept me reading and I didn't figure it out until the author revealed "whodunit"!
The book is a perfect Halloween cozy mystery! I can't wait for the next book!
I received an ARC from NetGalley for a fair and honest review of this book.
I'm a fan of this series and the latest book didn't disappoint. I admired Allie's determination to solve the mystery and grow her business. She didn't take unnecessary risks and I liked the fact she worked with Rex in solving the crimes. I loved the descriptions of the Island during the off-season and Allie's group of senior sleuths are so entertaining! The mystery kept me reading and I didn't figure it out until the author revealed "whodunit"!
The book is a perfect Halloween cozy mystery! I can't wait for the next book!
I received an ARC from NetGalley for a fair and honest review of this book.
October 21, 2020
So cozies by nature can't get above 4 stars for me but this one was pretty darn good. The main character didn't bother me at all, the setting was really nice, there was a love triangle which I didn't so much enjoy but it is what it is...but the secondary characters made up for it, they were pretty sweet, and the mystery itself was pretty decent. It wasn't the most memorable cozy I have ever read, but I would read more in this series. I liked it--it was good for Halloween!
October 12, 2019
Another awesome installment for this wonderful series.
September 24, 2019
At first Allie thought the red on her cat's paws was fake blood. After all, it was almost time to kick off the zombie walk, an annual charity event. Unfortunately it was real blood and now Allie finds herself involved in trying to solve a murder (with the help of some friends and seniors) at the request of the victim's mother.
This story has a great setting, interesting characters and a plot that keeps you guessing. A well rounded cozy mystery. Thanks to Kensington and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
This story has a great setting, interesting characters and a plot that keeps you guessing. A well rounded cozy mystery. Thanks to Kensington and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
October 22, 2019
to be more precise: 2.5 stars
I have mixed feelings about this book. I can understand why people would enjoy it; it's very cozy. there's fudge, everybody knows everybody, going to church, art shows, senior lunches... on the other hand, I found the characters unrelateable and the mystery a bit bizarre. there's a senior gossip line? someone literally blows up a building? it seems like everyone under 50 is attracted to the main character, who is nice in a bland kind of way (kind to animals, bakes casseroles). love triangles are so boring to me. everyone keeps bothering the main character for gossip, and even people she's talking to for the first time ever feel comfortable grilling her about her love life. I wanted her to start screaming at people. weird little things bugged me, like why does she have to always say papa liam? are people actually catering a luncheon and teaching a pottery class, all supplies provided, for free just because they think Allie is nice? and, while the first 25-50% of the book Allie is gloomy about all of her friends leaving her, but she has almost 0 interactions with any of her close friends in the second half of the book because they're not doing anything related to the plot. so, to me, that's poor character development. also, I think this was billed as a Halloween book just because of the timing of the release... all of the Halloween details seem like they were added last minute, and contribute almost nothing to the book (there's a zombie walk and I think it's mentioned that someone has a pumpkin on their porch, and that's IT). overall, not the best introduction to this series.
I have mixed feelings about this book. I can understand why people would enjoy it; it's very cozy. there's fudge, everybody knows everybody, going to church, art shows, senior lunches... on the other hand, I found the characters unrelateable and the mystery a bit bizarre. there's a senior gossip line? someone literally blows up a building? it seems like everyone under 50 is attracted to the main character, who is nice in a bland kind of way (kind to animals, bakes casseroles). love triangles are so boring to me. everyone keeps bothering the main character for gossip, and even people she's talking to for the first time ever feel comfortable grilling her about her love life. I wanted her to start screaming at people. weird little things bugged me, like why does she have to always say papa liam? are people actually catering a luncheon and teaching a pottery class, all supplies provided, for free just because they think Allie is nice? and, while the first 25-50% of the book Allie is gloomy about all of her friends leaving her, but she has almost 0 interactions with any of her close friends in the second half of the book because they're not doing anything related to the plot. so, to me, that's poor character development. also, I think this was billed as a Halloween book just because of the timing of the release... all of the Halloween details seem like they were added last minute, and contribute almost nothing to the book (there's a zombie walk and I think it's mentioned that someone has a pumpkin on their porch, and that's IT). overall, not the best introduction to this series.
September 1, 2019
Fudge Bites
A Candy-coated Mystery, Book #7
Nancy Coco
5 Stars
Synopsis:
Halloween on Mackinac Island is a season of fun tricks, but finding a corpse is no treat for fudge shop owner Allie McMurphy . . .
NIGHT OF THE REALLY DEAD
It’s late October, off-season for tourists, but locals are up and lurching for the annual zombie walk charity event. Though everyone’s living it up, trouble is a just a few pawprints away. Allie’s followed the bloody tracks of her calico cat, Carmella, to a body in the alley behind the Historic McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop. Unlike the island’s other walking dead, this one’s flatlined for good. It seems that someone is using the zombie fest as the perfect backdrop for murder. Now amateur sleuth Allie and dreamboat officer Rex Manning must use every trick in their treat bag to unmask a killer in disguise.
Praise for Nancy Coco and the Candy-Coated Mysteries
“Memorable characters, a charming locale, and a satisfying mystery.”
—Barbara Allan
“It’s probably best not to read this while you’re too hungry, as the assorted fudge recipes may send you right to the kitchen.”
—The Oakland Tribune
“I will be counting down the days until the next mystery with Allie McMurphy.”
—Cozy Mystery Book Reviews
Help support pet adoption – see details inside.
***Includes an excerpt from Nancy Coco’s new and upcoming Oregon Honeybee Mystery series!*** (Goodreads)
Review:
The writing style flows smoothly and this book is a quick easy read. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. Mackinac Island seems like I place I would really like to visit, especially in the fall.
The characters are well wounded and well developed. I was a little sad that Jenn, Holly’s best friend, was not in this book, causing trouble with Allie. But I did get to hang out with some of her other friends and got to know them a little better. I am sorry to say that the love triangle is still in play, but I am hoping that Allie has made up her mind for the next book.
There was quite a bit of action taking place in this book. I couple of times my jaw dropped open from what was happening in the story. There were a few things that I did not expect, which is a great thing. The mystery was well plotted and not easily solved. I had about four suspects that I was sure were guilty, one of them was right!
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. This whole series is great and I think you should check it out.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
A Candy-coated Mystery, Book #7
Nancy Coco
5 Stars
Synopsis:
Halloween on Mackinac Island is a season of fun tricks, but finding a corpse is no treat for fudge shop owner Allie McMurphy . . .
NIGHT OF THE REALLY DEAD
It’s late October, off-season for tourists, but locals are up and lurching for the annual zombie walk charity event. Though everyone’s living it up, trouble is a just a few pawprints away. Allie’s followed the bloody tracks of her calico cat, Carmella, to a body in the alley behind the Historic McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop. Unlike the island’s other walking dead, this one’s flatlined for good. It seems that someone is using the zombie fest as the perfect backdrop for murder. Now amateur sleuth Allie and dreamboat officer Rex Manning must use every trick in their treat bag to unmask a killer in disguise.
Praise for Nancy Coco and the Candy-Coated Mysteries
“Memorable characters, a charming locale, and a satisfying mystery.”
—Barbara Allan
“It’s probably best not to read this while you’re too hungry, as the assorted fudge recipes may send you right to the kitchen.”
—The Oakland Tribune
“I will be counting down the days until the next mystery with Allie McMurphy.”
—Cozy Mystery Book Reviews
Help support pet adoption – see details inside.
***Includes an excerpt from Nancy Coco’s new and upcoming Oregon Honeybee Mystery series!*** (Goodreads)
Review:
The writing style flows smoothly and this book is a quick easy read. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. Mackinac Island seems like I place I would really like to visit, especially in the fall.
The characters are well wounded and well developed. I was a little sad that Jenn, Holly’s best friend, was not in this book, causing trouble with Allie. But I did get to hang out with some of her other friends and got to know them a little better. I am sorry to say that the love triangle is still in play, but I am hoping that Allie has made up her mind for the next book.
There was quite a bit of action taking place in this book. I couple of times my jaw dropped open from what was happening in the story. There were a few things that I did not expect, which is a great thing. The mystery was well plotted and not easily solved. I had about four suspects that I was sure were guilty, one of them was right!
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. This whole series is great and I think you should check it out.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
September 13, 2019
Series: A Candy-Coated Mystery – Book 7
Author: Nancy Coco
Genre: Cozy Mystery/Culinary/Holiday
Publisher: Kensington Mystery
Page Count: 320
Publishing Date: September 24, 2019
The latest book from Nancy Coco in the “A Candy Coated Mystery” series comes Fudge Bites, published by Kensington Books. This is a fun-filled cozy read from start to finish with scrumptious recipes for fudge that makes your mouth water, and characters that will do the same.
Allie loves her old hotel, her island and her fudge and nothing will keep her from spending the winter cemented in both, not even the predicted cold, snowy winter. But the murder of a friend’s son may have her rethinking her position when she becomes the next possible target.
The characters in this cozy book are well-established and beloved. From Allie to her next-door neighbor, readers have embraced these characters as if they were family. And after having read the books in this series, most people wouldn’t mind having just about any of them as family or friends. The victim, in this case, is very likable, and readers will feel the sadness of his loss as it affects those around him. The killer is unexpected. The twists and turns will keep readers guessing until the very end.
This book has little to do with Halloween, even with all of the zombies and jack-o-lanterns, but it gives a general feel of how the residents celebrate the season of pumpkins and ghosts. I enjoyed reading Fudge Bites. The new addition to the series enhances the overall enjoyment of the entire collection and may be the best cozy book in this series yet. The dynamic between the characters and their love of the island and each other shines through. Readers will be delighted with the outcome of Allie’s investigation and her relationship with the two men in her life. Readers and I will be happily anticipating the next book in the series.
Author: Nancy Coco
Genre: Cozy Mystery/Culinary/Holiday
Publisher: Kensington Mystery
Page Count: 320
Publishing Date: September 24, 2019
The latest book from Nancy Coco in the “A Candy Coated Mystery” series comes Fudge Bites, published by Kensington Books. This is a fun-filled cozy read from start to finish with scrumptious recipes for fudge that makes your mouth water, and characters that will do the same.
Allie loves her old hotel, her island and her fudge and nothing will keep her from spending the winter cemented in both, not even the predicted cold, snowy winter. But the murder of a friend’s son may have her rethinking her position when she becomes the next possible target.
The characters in this cozy book are well-established and beloved. From Allie to her next-door neighbor, readers have embraced these characters as if they were family. And after having read the books in this series, most people wouldn’t mind having just about any of them as family or friends. The victim, in this case, is very likable, and readers will feel the sadness of his loss as it affects those around him. The killer is unexpected. The twists and turns will keep readers guessing until the very end.
This book has little to do with Halloween, even with all of the zombies and jack-o-lanterns, but it gives a general feel of how the residents celebrate the season of pumpkins and ghosts. I enjoyed reading Fudge Bites. The new addition to the series enhances the overall enjoyment of the entire collection and may be the best cozy book in this series yet. The dynamic between the characters and their love of the island and each other shines through. Readers will be delighted with the outcome of Allie’s investigation and her relationship with the two men in her life. Readers and I will be happily anticipating the next book in the series.
October 14, 2019
4.5 Stars
This is the seventh book in the Candy-Coated Mysteries series by Nancy CoCo.
This is my first look into the Candy Coated mystery series and I have to say I did enjoy it. The discovery of the body was done well even though particularly gruesome when you think about it. You don’t usually think too much about blood in a cozy mystery. So, when a calico cat goes traipsing through the stuff, you take notice.
Allie is a fudge maker and part-time sleuth in idyllic Mackinac Island, MI. Apparently, fudge is a thing there. It is a popular export. Our lead spends the book pomdering whether to stay on the island or go to Chicago for the winter. Her dream is to stay on the island year round but that doesn’t seem a feasible idea as far as the funds and actually having money to live on during the winter.
I wasn’t a fan of the love triangle, if you want to call it that. One guy was practically blackmailing Allie to get her to move back to Chicago with him while police officer, Rex seemed pretty ambivalent most of the time. I wasn’t feeling the need to root for either of them in getting the affections of Allie. I wanted to like one of them. I am leaning toward Rex. The other guy just seemed like a player.
The mystery was interesting to follow. You feel the sock in the gut when the explosions rip through Allie’s place and you wonder with her if all her dreams have just literally gone up in flames. I need to go back and read more of this series just to keep up on who all the recurring secondary characters are. Since this was my first foray into this world, everyone was a suspect.
Great series. Definitely one to dig into, especially as Halloween approaches.
This is the seventh book in the Candy-Coated Mysteries series by Nancy CoCo.
This is my first look into the Candy Coated mystery series and I have to say I did enjoy it. The discovery of the body was done well even though particularly gruesome when you think about it. You don’t usually think too much about blood in a cozy mystery. So, when a calico cat goes traipsing through the stuff, you take notice.
Allie is a fudge maker and part-time sleuth in idyllic Mackinac Island, MI. Apparently, fudge is a thing there. It is a popular export. Our lead spends the book pomdering whether to stay on the island or go to Chicago for the winter. Her dream is to stay on the island year round but that doesn’t seem a feasible idea as far as the funds and actually having money to live on during the winter.
I wasn’t a fan of the love triangle, if you want to call it that. One guy was practically blackmailing Allie to get her to move back to Chicago with him while police officer, Rex seemed pretty ambivalent most of the time. I wasn’t feeling the need to root for either of them in getting the affections of Allie. I wanted to like one of them. I am leaning toward Rex. The other guy just seemed like a player.
The mystery was interesting to follow. You feel the sock in the gut when the explosions rip through Allie’s place and you wonder with her if all her dreams have just literally gone up in flames. I need to go back and read more of this series just to keep up on who all the recurring secondary characters are. Since this was my first foray into this world, everyone was a suspect.
Great series. Definitely one to dig into, especially as Halloween approaches.
September 25, 2019
Fudge Bites by Nancy Coco is the 7th book in the Candy Coated Mystery series, and another great adventure. Allie McMurphy runs the fudge shop and the historic McMurphy Hotel on Mackinac Island in Michigan. Allie and her dog Mal, short for Marshmallow, have a reputation of discovering dead bodies, but this time Carmella, Allie's cat finds the body. Allie is busy making fudge, starting her remodeling and searching for the killer. The mystery was full of twists and turns, and is fast paced and has well developed characters and plot. This book has mystery, romance, and humor, which I enjoyed. I look forward to reading more books by this author, and can't wait for the next one in the series. I strongly recommend this book and this whole series, for who love cozy mystery books with darling animals.
I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. Thank you.
I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. Thank you.
August 23, 2019
Fudge filled fun that will leave readers screaming for seconds! Tasty, satisfying and every bit of a book reaping a bountiful harvest. Will definitely be returning for a second helping. 5/5 stars
November 2, 2020
Cute Story.
It's almost Halloween on Mackinac Island and this year the annual zombie walk is to benefit the Red Dress Foundation.
As Allie, owner of the McMurphy Hotel is on her way to meet friends Liz and Sophie, Allie's cat Mella decides to greet her and Sophie after walking through blood.
Naturally a dead body is attached to the blood and the hunt for the killer begins.
There are two bombings and another dead body before secrets are revealed and the case is wrapped up.
During this the McMurphy is going through a renovation and Allie's ex boyfriend shows up, just when things are heating up with Rex.
I enjoyed the recipes as always.
My major problem was with the editing. To many typos and a few storyline inconsistencies. Overall a good read
It's almost Halloween on Mackinac Island and this year the annual zombie walk is to benefit the Red Dress Foundation.
As Allie, owner of the McMurphy Hotel is on her way to meet friends Liz and Sophie, Allie's cat Mella decides to greet her and Sophie after walking through blood.
Naturally a dead body is attached to the blood and the hunt for the killer begins.
There are two bombings and another dead body before secrets are revealed and the case is wrapped up.
During this the McMurphy is going through a renovation and Allie's ex boyfriend shows up, just when things are heating up with Rex.
I enjoyed the recipes as always.
My major problem was with the editing. To many typos and a few storyline inconsistencies. Overall a good read
September 28, 2019
It's the first book I read in this series and won't surely be the last.
It's a gripping and entertaining read and it made me wish to travel to Mackinac Island.
The cast of characters is well written and interesting, all them are likeable and relatable. Allie is more melancholic and realist than other cozy mystery characters and I loved her.
The plot is cleverly crafted and the mystery, full of twists and turns, kept me guessing.
i I look forward to reading the next instalment in this series.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
It's a gripping and entertaining read and it made me wish to travel to Mackinac Island.
The cast of characters is well written and interesting, all them are likeable and relatable. Allie is more melancholic and realist than other cozy mystery characters and I loved her.
The plot is cleverly crafted and the mystery, full of twists and turns, kept me guessing.
i I look forward to reading the next instalment in this series.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
August 17, 2019
Fudge Bites sends the reader on an incredible chase of whodunit.
When Allie McMurphy and her cat, Mella, stumble upon another body right before the Halloween zombie walk, she knows she might be able to help.
The victim is well known, and well liked, so who would do this awful crime? Was it a prank gone bad, a case of mistaken identity, or was the victim really the target?
Allie is trying hard to fit in on Mackinac Island, and when she's asked to find the culprit, she can't say no. Will her inquiries put her in harm's way?
It seems everyone has their own secrets, but who wants theirs to remain locked up forever?
I've really enjoyed reading this series and this book is one of my favorites. There is so much going on that the reader will not want to put it down.
The ending was excellent and I can't wait to see what happens next.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for approving me to read this book.
When Allie McMurphy and her cat, Mella, stumble upon another body right before the Halloween zombie walk, she knows she might be able to help.
The victim is well known, and well liked, so who would do this awful crime? Was it a prank gone bad, a case of mistaken identity, or was the victim really the target?
Allie is trying hard to fit in on Mackinac Island, and when she's asked to find the culprit, she can't say no. Will her inquiries put her in harm's way?
It seems everyone has their own secrets, but who wants theirs to remain locked up forever?
I've really enjoyed reading this series and this book is one of my favorites. There is so much going on that the reader will not want to put it down.
The ending was excellent and I can't wait to see what happens next.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for approving me to read this book.
November 8, 2019
My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was just okay.
Book 7 in the series.
I was so looking forward to this book. Sadly, it didn't live up to my expectations. I couldn't stay interested for long, and ended up putting it down for different books multiple times. Some of the plot aspects seemed a little preposterous, and Allie spent too much time feeling sorry for herself.
My biggest complaint is still about the love triangle aspect of the story. It's old, and annoys the crud out of me. Seven books in and that should have been wrapped up.
I'm not sure if I would read another in the series at this point.
*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*
Book 7 in the series.
I was so looking forward to this book. Sadly, it didn't live up to my expectations. I couldn't stay interested for long, and ended up putting it down for different books multiple times. Some of the plot aspects seemed a little preposterous, and Allie spent too much time feeling sorry for herself.
My biggest complaint is still about the love triangle aspect of the story. It's old, and annoys the crud out of me. Seven books in and that should have been wrapped up.
I'm not sure if I would read another in the series at this point.
*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*
October 17, 2019
https://openbooksociety.com/article/f...
Fudge Bites
Candy-Coated Mysteries #7
By Nancy Coco
ISBN 9781496716088
Author’s website: nancyjcoco.com
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Jeanie
Synopsis:
Halloween on Mackinac Island is a season of fun tricks, but finding a corpse is no treat for fudge shop owner Allie McMurphy . . .
NIGHT OF THE REALLY DEAD
It’s late October, off-season for tourists, but locals are up and lurching for the annual zombie walk charity event. Though everyone’s living it up, trouble is a just a few pawprints away. Allie’s followed the bloody tracks of her calico cat, Carmella, to a body in the alley behind the Historic McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop. Unlike the island’s other walking dead, this one’s flatlined for good. It seems that someone is using the zombie fest as the perfect backdrop for murder. Now amateur sleuth Allie and dreamboat officer Rex Manning must use every trick in their treat bag to unmask a killer in disguise.
Review:
This exciting mystery is at times funny, scary or sadly serious. Allie has just completed her first tourist season as the new owner of the family’s Historic McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop on Mackinac Island. It is a time of change, and not just due to cooler temperatures and falling leaves. Jenn, Allie’s best friend who worked tirelessly to promote the McMurphy this summer, left for a prestigious job in Chicago. Her chocolatier, Sandy, has been offered a position as head pastry chef starting next season at a larger hotel. Many of the folks Allie loves at the senior center are going south for the winter. Her new family on the island is scattering, and she wonders what winter will bring. Winter, when only a few die-hards stay in this cold winter wonderland.
Today, Allie will have fun with friends around the island. It is time for the Zombie Walk aka “Night of the Walking Red”, a fundraiser for the American Heart Association. Zombies of all sizes and shapes are everywhere as Allie and Liz, editor of the local newspaper, return from getting a costume for Allie’s pup, Mal. Allie’s calico cat Mella comes out of an alley covered with something that looks like blood, yet she doesn’t have any injuries. They hear a scream; their friend Sophie came from the alley saying that she thinks she found a dead guy…
Rex, the top investigator on the island and one of the two guys Allie dated over the summer, and another officer arrive at the scene. A woman came into the alley looking for her son. Unfortunately, Maggs’ son Anthony was wearing a jacket with his costume that looks exactly like what is on the body lying there. Maggs is the best friend of Frances, the McMurphy Hotel’s manager. Frances is going to spend the night with Maggs after getting such a shock. Anthony was getting ready to move to the lower peninsula for a teaching job.
Everyone on the island assumes that Allie will help investigate, as she has gained a reputation as an amateur sleuth in the short time she’s lived here. Everybody loves Maggs, and Anthony was also well-loved on the island and in his church. For as much as she wants to step back and let Rex and his officers do their job, it becomes personal when someone blew up the senior center. Yes, where she and many of the seniors were gathered that morning, barely cleared out before it was rocked by the first explosion.
Being back on Mackinac Island is like visiting old friends, from Allie and her puppy Mal to Rex, Frances and her new husband Douglas, and the folks at the senior center. Each person is so well defined that I can almost see them in the gorgeous setting painted by the author. I really like Allie, Frances and Liz. I like how Allie wants to hold onto the family and island traditions, especially in the fudge she makes and how she is updating the hotel to look as it once did with the only major changes being technological advances of the 21st century. Allie and Trent, the other man she was dating, broke up some time ago; dating someone who is away more than there isn’t the kind of relationship she wants. Rex has been more attentive, especially in Trent’s absence, but Trent’s proposition might change everything. This delicious mystery is full of fudge, humor, suspense, possible romance, and scary moments. Plot twists and turns continue to send the police and Allie in different directions. I enjoy seeing the interaction between Rex and Allie, between Allie and the seniors. Yes, they know all the gossip that helps her when she is looking for a bad guy, but she genuinely cares about them and enjoys making fudge for them. This armchair sleuth could only guess at a few of the pieces to this puzzle; it was more complex that I first thought. The solution, and the ending, are both very satisfactory, with more than one surprise in store. I highly recommend Fudge Bites and the rest of the Candy-Coated Mystery series! Each can be read as a standalone, with even more enjoyment if read somewhat in order.
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
Fudge Bites
Candy-Coated Mysteries #7
By Nancy Coco
ISBN 9781496716088
Author’s website: nancyjcoco.com
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Jeanie
Synopsis:
Halloween on Mackinac Island is a season of fun tricks, but finding a corpse is no treat for fudge shop owner Allie McMurphy . . .
NIGHT OF THE REALLY DEAD
It’s late October, off-season for tourists, but locals are up and lurching for the annual zombie walk charity event. Though everyone’s living it up, trouble is a just a few pawprints away. Allie’s followed the bloody tracks of her calico cat, Carmella, to a body in the alley behind the Historic McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop. Unlike the island’s other walking dead, this one’s flatlined for good. It seems that someone is using the zombie fest as the perfect backdrop for murder. Now amateur sleuth Allie and dreamboat officer Rex Manning must use every trick in their treat bag to unmask a killer in disguise.
Review:
This exciting mystery is at times funny, scary or sadly serious. Allie has just completed her first tourist season as the new owner of the family’s Historic McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop on Mackinac Island. It is a time of change, and not just due to cooler temperatures and falling leaves. Jenn, Allie’s best friend who worked tirelessly to promote the McMurphy this summer, left for a prestigious job in Chicago. Her chocolatier, Sandy, has been offered a position as head pastry chef starting next season at a larger hotel. Many of the folks Allie loves at the senior center are going south for the winter. Her new family on the island is scattering, and she wonders what winter will bring. Winter, when only a few die-hards stay in this cold winter wonderland.
Today, Allie will have fun with friends around the island. It is time for the Zombie Walk aka “Night of the Walking Red”, a fundraiser for the American Heart Association. Zombies of all sizes and shapes are everywhere as Allie and Liz, editor of the local newspaper, return from getting a costume for Allie’s pup, Mal. Allie’s calico cat Mella comes out of an alley covered with something that looks like blood, yet she doesn’t have any injuries. They hear a scream; their friend Sophie came from the alley saying that she thinks she found a dead guy…
Rex, the top investigator on the island and one of the two guys Allie dated over the summer, and another officer arrive at the scene. A woman came into the alley looking for her son. Unfortunately, Maggs’ son Anthony was wearing a jacket with his costume that looks exactly like what is on the body lying there. Maggs is the best friend of Frances, the McMurphy Hotel’s manager. Frances is going to spend the night with Maggs after getting such a shock. Anthony was getting ready to move to the lower peninsula for a teaching job.
Everyone on the island assumes that Allie will help investigate, as she has gained a reputation as an amateur sleuth in the short time she’s lived here. Everybody loves Maggs, and Anthony was also well-loved on the island and in his church. For as much as she wants to step back and let Rex and his officers do their job, it becomes personal when someone blew up the senior center. Yes, where she and many of the seniors were gathered that morning, barely cleared out before it was rocked by the first explosion.
Being back on Mackinac Island is like visiting old friends, from Allie and her puppy Mal to Rex, Frances and her new husband Douglas, and the folks at the senior center. Each person is so well defined that I can almost see them in the gorgeous setting painted by the author. I really like Allie, Frances and Liz. I like how Allie wants to hold onto the family and island traditions, especially in the fudge she makes and how she is updating the hotel to look as it once did with the only major changes being technological advances of the 21st century. Allie and Trent, the other man she was dating, broke up some time ago; dating someone who is away more than there isn’t the kind of relationship she wants. Rex has been more attentive, especially in Trent’s absence, but Trent’s proposition might change everything. This delicious mystery is full of fudge, humor, suspense, possible romance, and scary moments. Plot twists and turns continue to send the police and Allie in different directions. I enjoy seeing the interaction between Rex and Allie, between Allie and the seniors. Yes, they know all the gossip that helps her when she is looking for a bad guy, but she genuinely cares about them and enjoys making fudge for them. This armchair sleuth could only guess at a few of the pieces to this puzzle; it was more complex that I first thought. The solution, and the ending, are both very satisfactory, with more than one surprise in store. I highly recommend Fudge Bites and the rest of the Candy-Coated Mystery series! Each can be read as a standalone, with even more enjoyment if read somewhat in order.
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
October 14, 2019
“Fudge Bites” earns 5/5 Favorite Fudgy Treats...Delicious Entertainment!
Yes, of course! It’s in the title...fudge, candy-coated, and recipes! So, why not! Delicious, easy-to-follow recipes from flourless brownies to truffles to various flavors of fudge are interspersed throughout the book, but it’s the story that kept me totally engaged. Nancy Coco’s seventh book in her Candy-Coated Mystery series puts the ghouls of Halloween on full display with Mackinac Island’s charity zombie walk. But it’s the bloody paw print trail leading Allie to a dead body behind her historic hotel and fudge shop that makes things all too ghoulish. Using an enjoyable first-person narrative from Allie’s perspective, Nancy’s writing style is quite engaging with descriptive language, a bit of humor, romantic triangle dilemmas, dialogue illustrating personalities, twists, turns, and a “trick” of an ending. Sidekicks are always an important role in cozies, and Nancy Coco includes some clever ones with a group of senior citizens, a local detective, a reporter, and Mella the cat. I’m new to the series, and would have liked a bit more background for clarity since the past popped up in the investigation, but it didn’t effect my enjoyment. I don’t know what others expect from a book set at Halloween, and although this isn’t all pumpkins (except the Pumpkin Spice Fudge recipe), ghouls (except some costumed zombies), and trick or treaters (did I mention the recipes?), it is a delightful read for the holidays.
Disclosure: I received an ARC from NetGalley. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
Yes, of course! It’s in the title...fudge, candy-coated, and recipes! So, why not! Delicious, easy-to-follow recipes from flourless brownies to truffles to various flavors of fudge are interspersed throughout the book, but it’s the story that kept me totally engaged. Nancy Coco’s seventh book in her Candy-Coated Mystery series puts the ghouls of Halloween on full display with Mackinac Island’s charity zombie walk. But it’s the bloody paw print trail leading Allie to a dead body behind her historic hotel and fudge shop that makes things all too ghoulish. Using an enjoyable first-person narrative from Allie’s perspective, Nancy’s writing style is quite engaging with descriptive language, a bit of humor, romantic triangle dilemmas, dialogue illustrating personalities, twists, turns, and a “trick” of an ending. Sidekicks are always an important role in cozies, and Nancy Coco includes some clever ones with a group of senior citizens, a local detective, a reporter, and Mella the cat. I’m new to the series, and would have liked a bit more background for clarity since the past popped up in the investigation, but it didn’t effect my enjoyment. I don’t know what others expect from a book set at Halloween, and although this isn’t all pumpkins (except the Pumpkin Spice Fudge recipe), ghouls (except some costumed zombies), and trick or treaters (did I mention the recipes?), it is a delightful read for the holidays.
Disclosure: I received an ARC from NetGalley. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
September 10, 2019
Allie McMurphy and her friends are getting ready for the Zombie walk on Mackinac Island, when her calico kitty, Mella, shows up outside the McMurphy with blood on her paws. She leads them to a dead body. With the body belonging to the son of one of her friends, Allie begins to investigate. She reaches out to the seniors on the island and can't help but wonder if she is putting them in danger when someone sets off explosives in the senior center. As she starts looking further into the death, more questions arise than answers. Was her friends' son the intended victim? Was it the zombie lookalike? Are the murder and the explosion connected? When another explosion happens in the McMurphy, Allie is all but sure that everything is connected. Her ex, Trent, wants her to come to Chicago with him, while Allie wants to stay on the island. I love the setting of Mackinac Island. I could defiantly see myself visiting there. The characters are fun and likable and people I genuinely want to be friends with. I loved all the different twists and turns in this book. The story and mystery are perfect for the Halloween setting of the book. I thought it was well written and overall a good mystery. I think the love triangle has finally come to an end and I couldn't be happier. I can't wait for the next book. I received this from Net galley in exchange for an honest review.
September 28, 2019
"Fudge Bites" by Nancy Coco is the 7th book in the "Candy-Coated Mystery" series. I think I have only read about 3 of the previous books but I remember I really liked the series, this installment does not disappoint. I am glad I chose it and highly recommend to cozy fans.
Halloween on Mackinac Island is a season of fun tricks, but finding a corpse is no treat for fudge shop owner Allie McMurphy . . .
NIGHT OF THE REALLY DEAD
It’s late October, off-season for tourists, but locals are up and lurching for the annual zombie walk charity event. Though everyone’s living it up, trouble is just a few pawprints away. Allie follows the bloody tracks of her calico cat, Carmella, to a body in the alley behind the Historic McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop. Unlike the island’s other walking dead, this one’s flatlined for good. It seems that someone is using the zombie fest as the perfect backdrop for murder. Now amateur sleuth Allie and dreamboat officer Rex Manning must use every trick in their treat bag to unmask a killer in disguise.
I requested and received an Advanced readers Copy from Kensington Publishing and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Halloween on Mackinac Island is a season of fun tricks, but finding a corpse is no treat for fudge shop owner Allie McMurphy . . .
NIGHT OF THE REALLY DEAD
It’s late October, off-season for tourists, but locals are up and lurching for the annual zombie walk charity event. Though everyone’s living it up, trouble is just a few pawprints away. Allie follows the bloody tracks of her calico cat, Carmella, to a body in the alley behind the Historic McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop. Unlike the island’s other walking dead, this one’s flatlined for good. It seems that someone is using the zombie fest as the perfect backdrop for murder. Now amateur sleuth Allie and dreamboat officer Rex Manning must use every trick in their treat bag to unmask a killer in disguise.
I requested and received an Advanced readers Copy from Kensington Publishing and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 9, 2019
FUDGE BITES, the seventh book in the Candy-Coated Mystery series by Nancy Coco is filled with Halloween hi-jinx, a zombie walk, adorable pets, and yummy fudge…along with another murder victim. Ms. Coco brings the setting of MacKinac Island to life and I love the quaint descriptions of the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of the island that she portrays. The protagonist, Allie McMurphy, runs a historic hotel and fudge shop. The fudge sounds utterly drool-worthy! (Some great fudge recipes are sprinkled throughout the story, too.) Allie’s little dog is known for sniffing out dead bodies but this time it’s Allie’s cat, Carmella, who finds the victim. As Allie gets involved, with the help of the local senior citizen’s group, she wonders if it could be a case of mistaken identity. The action and danger to her and her friends increase as she narrows down the suspect field until the final edge-of-your-seat reveal. This newest book is another delightful installment in a delicious series!
I was provided an advance copy via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I was provided an advance copy via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 25, 2019
Fudge Bites is book seven in the Candy Coated Mystery series by Nancy Coco. I have read most of the books in this series and must say, I love them.
It's Halloween and off season and Allie is ready to participate in the charity Zombie Walk when she spots her cat, Mella, in an alley with what she thinks is fake blood from decorations for the walk but it's real blood from a body.
Allie again gets involved in the case. Was the victim the intended or was it mistaken identity. Then when she calls on the senior residents for help in the investigation, the senior center is blown up. Allie is up to her neck on investigating, renovations to the hotel, and then Mella disappears.
There are many twists and turns in this well written mystery along with a hint of a love triangle. You even get humor, friendship, and plenty of recipes.
I was given an ARC from NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for an honest review.
It's Halloween and off season and Allie is ready to participate in the charity Zombie Walk when she spots her cat, Mella, in an alley with what she thinks is fake blood from decorations for the walk but it's real blood from a body.
Allie again gets involved in the case. Was the victim the intended or was it mistaken identity. Then when she calls on the senior residents for help in the investigation, the senior center is blown up. Allie is up to her neck on investigating, renovations to the hotel, and then Mella disappears.
There are many twists and turns in this well written mystery along with a hint of a love triangle. You even get humor, friendship, and plenty of recipes.
I was given an ARC from NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for an honest review.
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