Death by Chocolate Malted Milkshake

Death by Chocolate Mystery #2

by Sarah Graves

Eastport, Maine, has plenty of salty local character. It also has a sweet side, thanks to Jacobia “Jake” Tiptree, her best friend Ellie, and their waterfront bake shop, The Chocolate Moose. But when island life is disrupted by the occasional killer, Jake and Ellie put their chocolate treats aside to make sure justice is served.
 
This summer, Eastport’s favorite lovebirds, kindergarten teacher Sharon Sweetwater and Coast Guard Captain Andy Devine, are getting married. The gala reception is sure to be the fête of the season, especially with a wedding-cake-sized whoopie pie courtesy of The Chocolate Moose. For Jake and Ellie, the custom-ordered confection will finally reel in some much-needed profits. But the celebratory air, and sweet smell of success, are ruined when Sharon’s bitter ex-boyfriend Toby is murdered with a poisoned milkshake. With Andy jailed as the prime suspect and the wedding cancelled, it’s up to Jake and Ellie to catch a poisonous predator before someone else sips their last dessert.
 
Includes a Recipe!

  “Graves’ second case of chocolate murder offers fans of the genre a trifecta of plucky heroines, sweet treats, and just enough puzzlement to keep you on your toes.”
— Kirkus Reviews

“Lively characters, an intricate plot, and enticing descriptions of Down East Maine make this cozy a winner.”
— Publishers Weekly  

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Audiobook, Adult, Mystery Thriller

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 29, 2019

About the author

Sarah Graves lives with her husband John, a musician and luthier, and their black Labrador Retriever in a house very much like the one Jacobia Tiptree is remodeling in Eastport, Maine. When she's not writing Jake's adventures, Sarah works with her husband on the house and she plays the 5-string banjo.

Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Regina the Constant Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ -Audiobook

Book #2 of a cozy murder mystery series based in Maine. I recommend this series to those that don’t want any romance in their stories.

[beachbum bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Death by Chocolate Malted Milkshake
by Sarah Graves
synposis by Goodreads
The island fishing village of Eastport, Maine, has plenty of salty local character. It also has a sweet side, thanks to Jacobia “Jake” Tiptree, her best friend Ellie, and their waterfront bake shop, The Chocolate Moose. But when island life is disrupted by the occasional killer, Jake and Ellie put their chocolate treats aside to make sure justice is served.

This summer, Eastport’s favorite lovebirds, kindergarten teacher Sharon Sweetwater and Coast Guard Captain Andy Devine, are getting married. The gala reception is sure to be the fête of the season, especially with a wedding-cake-sized whoopie pie courtesy of The Chocolate Moose. For Jake and Ellie, the custom-ordered confection will finally reel in some much-needed profits. But the celebratory air, and sweet smell of success, are ruined by foul murder.

When Sharon’s bitter ex-boyfriend Toby is poisoned with an arsenic-laced milkshake, Andy is jailed as the prime suspect and the wedding is cancelled, whoopie pie and all. Then Sharon makes a shocking confession—one that sounds like a fishy attempt to get Andy off the hook. Now both the bride and groom are behind bars. And with the fate of The Chocolate Moose at stake, it’s up to Jake and Ellie to catch a poisonous predator before someone else sips their last dessert.

Includes a Recipe!



Let me start by saying I rate my cozy mysteries different than all other genres of books I read. I still use a five star rating system (or with cozies I like to think instead of stars how many cups of coffee/tea.….which is my idea of cozy). The following is how I rate my cozies:
1 cup of coffee- did not finish or will not continue on in series.
2 cups of coffee- this book has potential, but on the fence about whether I will read the next book.
3 cups of coffee- good- will definitely continue series, but did have some issues
4 cups of coffee- great- will definitely continue series- minor issues
5 cups of coffee-EXCEPTIONAL!
What I think about when I give my ratings:
1.) There called cozies for a reason, and that being said I know they are not for everybody. I love them!! Therefore the first thing I think about is how cozy are they? The more cheese the better for me…lol. The horrible puns in the titles…LOVE THEM. Yes…if you’re wondering... I am the person who loves laffy taffy jokes.
2.) Characters/ and relationships with secondary characters
3.) Setting/theme
4.) The mystery

3 cups of coffee! This book was like a fresh breath of....chocolate!
When I first returned to Maine to catch up with Jake and Ellie at the Chocolate Moose...I was shocked to hear about them thinking about closing the shop! What...no! It made me feel somewhat better that Ellie was positive that this "whoopie pie" wedding cake we were making was going to put us back on track. Then Toby (the resident bad boy) is found poisoned. Did I mention that he is the ex-boyfriend to the bride were making the whoopie pie for?....and with a milkshake that looks to be from the shop?!? Then later a 2nd murder....Oh yes...things were really getting fudgy.
The list of suspects was longer than the ingredients that go into making the perfect malted milkshake...including Ellie's secret addition. It's no surprise after talking with people about the victim. I know you shouldn't speak ill of the dead...but he really needed a spoonful of sugar. The mystery kept me guessing until the very end...well done Sarah Graves!
What the title lacks the covers make up for...I loved it! The author must of got my notes from the first book because this one was next level! It was fast paced, fun, and engaging! I was like a kid in the candy shop!
My recommendation is to go see Jake and Ellie at the chocolate moose and tell them I sent you!
Check out my blog at: http://beachbumbookworm.com/
Hope everyday is a great reading day!

[Melissa P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the second book in this series! Now that I feel I know the characters a little better, this one was definitely enjoyable. For a cozy mystery, the crimes and mystery were pretty intense. With a few/a couple/just one (don't want to spoil) scary people involved. I am really glad I didn't give up on this series. Especially once I got to the second half of this book, I couldn't really put it down. Jacobia (Jake) is a really good, strong lead female character. I really like her friends and family too. And of course, her business, The Chocolate Moose. I would definitely be a regular customer. Ordering their whoopie pie sheet cake (that sounded amazing)and their chocolate milkshakes (yum)! I am taking a quick break from this series to read another cozy mystery I have been waiting a long time for. But I'll be back with some more Death by Chocolate mysteries!! 🍫🍩🥤🤎 Happy reading!!

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The sleuths' bakery is on shaky legs when the local stinker winds up dead in an alley...possibly killed by a poisoned milkshake from her place!

They start poking around their tiny Maine town, and find all kinds of secrets, as well as a couple of suspects. This while they're trying to cater a wedding. Of course, both the fiancees are prime suspects.

The desperation of the sleuths' to save their business make this one stand out.

[Taryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this second book of the series the ladies are having a hard time, things aren't going well and it looks like they are going to have to close up their business. They have a wedding that may take them out of the red and put them in the black but only for a short time. When a local is murdered and it looks like one of their famous milkshakes with poison is the culprit things go from bad to worse. The groom has become the main suspect and it looks like the wedding they need might not happen. Jake and Ellie start looking into the death of the victim but soon learn that he had way more enemies than friends. With so much on the line they aren't willing to give up on the search for a murderer though. Follow along as they get themselves into one bad situation after another in the search for a killer. Will they have to close up shop in the end or will they pull out a miracle?

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

The setting is the village of Eastport, Maine where Jake Tiptree and her friend
Ellie have a bake shop and are preparing for the wedding of the summer.
Sharon Sweetwater a kindergarten teacher and Coast Guard Captain
Andy Devine plan to marry when all is ruined by foul murder. They are the
Suspects and of course Jake and Ellie try to save their friends.
The characters are real, loveable and quirky and work together with the
Police to solve the crime and save the bake shop. There is humor, as well
As twists and turns that will make this an enjoyable easy light read.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jake and Ellie are partners in the Chocolate Moose. The store is in trouble and if they don't get more business, they are in danger of going under. They get a job for a wedding cake that will help them out, but when there is a murder in town, the groom and then the bride are arrested for the murder. If the girls can not free them, all the money they spent on ingredients will be lost. As well, it appears that the murder weapon was a poison laced milkshake from the Chocolate Moose. The girls need to clear their friends as well as their business.

One of the things I enjoy about this series is that the characters are quite real to me. Running a business is tough and they need to pinch pennies and work hard for every cent. They are both happily married, so there is no romance of love triangles. Ellie's husband has had to travel for a job and left her and their daughter home. This is a difficult situation, and they are considering having to move. Bob Arnold, the local police chief is always incredibly patient with their snooping. He never threatened to toss them in jail, but he seemed genuinely concerned for their well-being. Set in a small town, this is somewhat believable, but we all know police want to solve their own crimes. Finally, there is Jake's dad. He is a feisty, aging hippie who is recovering from a recent heart attack. He wants to be independent and does not want to be babied. He bought himself a new truck and zips around town sticking his nose into other's business. He is a hoot and I hope I am like him when I get to that age. The pace of this story varies. There are some slow spots, but overall it is a good story, with some tense and exciting times. I did not figure out the killer until the reveal, so that always makes a good mystery for me. I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the narration of this story. I have come to enjoy Susan Boyce's voice when reading cozies and will listen to more that she narrates.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

The wedding of two of the town favorites , Sharon and Andy, is the party of the season and will put much needed money into the business of Jake and Ellie. Sharon’s bitter ex is found murdered from a chocolate milkshake. If they wedding doesn’t come off, Jake and Ellie’s business will be closing and Ellie will have to move away. Jake is also trying to control her father after his heart attack with limited success. Jake and Ellie get themselves into some horrible messes trying to figure things out.

[☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rated 3.5 stars
Things for this town is a not doing well in the business department. Jacobia and Ellie are trying their best to keep their bakery, The Chocolate Moose, going so when they try to get the wedding cake ready someone dies with of course a chocolate Milkshake from theiry bakery but it becomes a problem because the groom to be is accused of killing the victim Toby, which happens to be the bride to be ex. Wel, of course Jacobia and Ellie get involved in the search of the real killer and things happen. This was just an ok story for me.

[Cornerofmadness · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this up from the library when I saw it was set in Eastport Maine where a good friend of mine lives and a place I've been too and loved. I thought it would be easy to get into since it was only book two but in reading other reviews, it's actually just a rebranding of an earlier series so now it's more like the 10th book with these characters so there is very little character growth. I almost didn't finish this one.

Don't get me wrong. It wasn't awful. I could deal with her breaking the fourth wall and talking to the reader (though I personally hate that). But it wasn't much of a mystery. There is never any suspects, not really. Jake (Jacobia) our point of view character, and her friend Ellie, basically stumble over the killer in the end (when the killer comes to kill them basically).

There are three subplots in this. Jake and Ellie are about to lose the series umbrella device, the chocolate bake shop (where Jake didn't endear herself to me by calling cinnamon an abomination, hmm I wonder why her shop isn't doing well). Being a tourist town with a short tourist season (it's pretty far up north), they can't survive the long winters on just local money. Worse Ellie's husband is working in Bangor most days (which is a hike and a half) so she'll probably have to move to Bangor so Jake isn't just losing a job but also her best friend.

ANdy and Sharon's wedding might save them (because of how much wedding cakes cost) but Toby Moran, Sharon's abusive ex-boyfriend was found dead (potentially having drunk a poisoned milkshake from Jake's shop) and naturally Andy is suspect number one. In order to save him (and thereby her shop) Jake has to get involved.

The third subplot truly annoyed me. It had nothing to do with the mystery and it was more page time than necessary. Apparently in earlier books Jake's dad had a heart attack and required care. Well now he's better and he went out and got cleared to drive. Jake and her step mom, Belle, go apeshit over this. She spends a third of the book scheming to force her dad to quit driving. Now, yes sometimes the elderly shouldn't be driving but her dad isn't demented, he's not blind. He merely had a heart attack. She and Belle spend far too much time infantalizing her father. And how much younger is Belle than her husband if she's that worried about her husband driving while old? At one point Ellie points out that Jake is being unfair and she almost rethinks it but doesn't and then later the sheriff Bob Arnold also points it out infuriating her. At this point, especially as someone who doctored a lot of geriatric people, I wanted to slap Jake for being so dumb about this.

As for the mystery, it started off okay if a bit coincidentally with Ellie knowing someone who might have been the source of the poison however unwittingly. Getting to that point was fine but then it sort of just goes off the rails with a good deal of the prose being dedicated to daddy driving or them losing the shop and not nearly enough in developing clues. But it was the ending that sank this one for me so I'll put that under a spoiler cut.

For one, who gets a splinter so bad it puts them into the hospital twice? Okay it's just a matter of word choice here but did no one at Kensington think it strange that a splinter ripped through an artery? A spear of wood from the old dock yes, a splinter? It was eye rolling and oh, after her arm was out of commission Jake is perfectly fine with Dad driving (so I was very irritated in the end that he gives up his new truck).

They never really figure out who was behind it until the guy attacks her and there was no reason he didn't kill her right off. He planned to overdose Jake on the stuff he injects her with twice (and then just leaves her so she can get away) so why not do it the first time? Oh right because that would end the story permanently. But it gets even dumber, rather than go to the hospital (because she's bleeding again) and tell the cops (whom she calls like three times) and tell them who did this to her and how that person might have Ellie hostage, she just goes after the killer herself (with Dad in tow so he's good enough to face down killers) Her reasoning, Bob Arnold was busy and she didn't trust anyone else. Oh lord, how dumb is that? They're cops. They're armed. They're trained for this.

And the last chapter was even dumber with Dad giving up the truck but worse, George, Ellie's husband, gets a permanent job in Bangor with bennies so they're going to have to move. However, the Coast Guard (for whom murder suspect Andy worked) had a ten thousand dollar reward for info to clear Andy which she and Ellie got. Suddenly the shop is saved for at least a few years and Ellie won't have to move....it's ten grand, not ten million. How is that a replacement for a job with benefits? How is that going to keep two people for years (in a shop that's not really generating money?) I could see it saving them for a month or two but for years? This is set in modern times and ten grand is not a fortunate. It's a nice windfall but it's not going to save two people from financial ruin.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Death by Chocolate Malted Milkshake by Sarah Graves is the second Death by Chocolate Mystery. Jacobia “Jake” Tiptree co-owns The Chocolate Moose with her best friend, Ellie White in Eastport, Maine. They have been commissioned by Sharon Sweetwater and Andy Devine to make a whoopie pie cake for their upcoming nuptials. Jake and Ellie need the influx of cash or they will be forced to close their doors. Then Jake hears that Sharon’s ex-boyfriend turned stalker, Toby Moran was found dead near the Rubber Ducky Bar & Grille with a poisoned milkshake from their shop nearby. Andy, a captain in the Coast Guard, is arrested for Toby’s murder since he was seen arguing with the victim at the bar. People are shocked when Sharon confesses to the murder. With the bride and groom behind bars, the wedding is canceled. Ellie then confides in Jake that if The Chocolate Moose closes, she will be forced to move away. Jake has no intention of losing her best friend and commences asking probing questions around town. Toby was not well-liked and managed to anger numerous townspeople. Jake and Ellie need to stir together the clues and see which of their likely suspects rises to the top.

Death by Chocolate Malted Milkshake may be the second book in Death by Chocolate Mystery series, but I discovered it is a continuation of A Home Repair is Homicide Mystery series. It can, though, be read as a standalone. The characters are established. There is Jake’s large family, Ellie’s family and the offbeat residents of Eastport. I did find it hard to keep track of Jake’s extended family who all seem to live with her. Jake’s father, Jake (I am not kidding) is feeling spry after his recent health scare and ready to zip about town upsetting his wife and daughter. He really stands out with his various antics and rebellious spirit. Jakes loves her family and cares about her friends. I like the setting of Eastport, Maine and the description of the Jake’s large home. It sounds like a charming small town with quaint shops that rely on tourists. The winter months are tough times for the citizens of this small town as Jake and Ellie have learned. The wedding of Sharon and Andy will keep the doors of The Chocolate Moose open until the tourist trade picks up (I am not sure why they do not advertise or sell products online). When the happy couple find themselves in the slammer, Jake one again dons her sleuthing cap to save their chocolate bake shop. Jake has no qualms about putting herself in harms way. The murder of Toby Moran has a couple of suspects, pointed clues and a red herring. I did not feel it was right for Jake to tamper with evidence (even in fiction) no matter her justification. Unfortunately, I solved the whodunit very early in the book (the author served up the solution on a silver platter). I appreciated that the mystery had a solid wrap up with facts from the police. I could have done without the repetition of case details. When one person learns a key detail or clue, they share it with Jake or Jake share it with a family member (and so on). This happens frequently throughout the book and not just with the mystery. I liked the descriptions of the items served up at The Chocolate Moose and the little chocolate moose sprinkles are a cute touch to their milkshakes. There is plenty of baking and eating taking place in Death by Chocolate Malted Milkshake. I am giving Death by Chocolate Malted Milkshake 3 out of 5 stars. I thought the pace was too slow and I did not enjoy the endless dialogue. Death by Chocolate Malted Milkshake is for those readers who enjoy light, humorous cozy mysteries.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been a pleasure to follow Jake and Ellie on their adventures of I appeased find that series is continuing. Many of the characters are the same including Jake's father, Bella the housekeeper and her stepmother. Jake has a grandson. Ellie and Jake open a bakery shop The Chocolate Moose and winter has the shop in financial problems. The pair is depending on a wedding to save the shop. If the bakery closed Ellie and her family will move where her husband can find work. The Chocolate Moose has developed a milkshake with the shop's logo on it and sprinkles forming a moose antlers. The town drunk is found dead with the special cup laced with insecticide which he has been drinking. Will looking for an answer one Ellie's teacher is found dead by a lake. The wedding bride and groom are arrested for the murders. It begins to look like the Chocolate Moose will close and Ellie's family moving. Will test events happened?
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AND SERIES. The recipe for Ginger Chocolate Biscotti is included.

Disclosure: Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for a review copy. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Louise Bird · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great mystery, the real kicker was the “milkshake cup” being used to make it look like that is what did it.
Ellie and Jake, May run the bakery but they also help solve crimes, unofficially of course.
This book has cause and several possible suspects it also has a good story line.

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Jacobia (Jake) and Ellie own The Chocolate Moose bakeshop in Eastport, Maine. Keeping the doors open is getting difficult in the colder months and they may have to close. Jake has resigned to their fate but Ellie is holding out hope that the whoopie pie wedding cake they are baking for Sharon Sweetwater and Andy Devine will save their shop.

Then Sharon’s ex is killed, poisoned with milkshake just like Ellie and Jake make in their shop except this time the secret ingredient appears to be arsenic. Eastport’s favorite lovebirds find themselves in dire trouble. Andy is arrested and Sharon shocks everyone with her confession. With the wedding canceled Jake and Ellie know the only way to save The Chocolate Moose is to find out who really killed Toby. But can that do it in time to save their shop and get the young couple’s wedding back on track?

This series is a continuation/spinoff of Sarah Graves’ A Home Repair is Homicide Mystery series but they can easily be read on their own.

I really like that Jacobia’s whole family lives in her huge Victorian and that they all play active parts in the story. Ellie’s husband has to travel for work and tries to be home with his wife and daughter at least one day a week. She and Jake make a wonderful team, best friends, partners in business, and sleuthing partners too. Jake’s dad has had some medical issues and he makes some choices in this story that concern his family. While my medical issues aren’t the same I did identify with him a lot in this story. Families can be a little much sometimes even when their hearts are in the right place.

I really enjoyed the mystery the author has crafted. I immediately had the same question Jake did and it was fun the way she theorized to get answers to that question and others and she pieced all the clues together. Chief of Police Bob Arnold has the patience of a saint. Jake and Ellie crossed some huge lines but he accepted it, moved on, and just voiced his concern for their safety. After some clever twists and turns, the big reveal was very exciting. The ending was heartwarming and very satisfying.

Believable characters with real-life problems mixed together with an intriguing mystery make Death by Chocolate Malted Milkshake a very entertaining read. I am looking forward to visiting these characters again soon and getting caught up on this series.

[RoloPoloBookBlog · Rating 3 out of 5]

Death by Chocolate Malted Milkshake by Sarah Graves
Book #2: Death by Chocolate Mystery Series
Source: NetGalley
My Rating 3/5 stars

**MINI-REVIEW**

The Bottom Line: I simply adore the setting of this series, but I can’t say I am blown away by any other element of this book. While Jake and Ellie are fine characters and I don’t dislike them by any stretch of the imagination, I just haven’t felt, after two books, that I really want and/or need to know more about them. I thought this second book would sort of straighten out and really pull me in as far as the characters go, but I didn’t find that to be the case at all. As I mentioned in my first review, these women are already fully developed characters with an entire history stemming from a previous series. With that in mind, I can’t see a great deal of room for growth which is something I demand out of my characters. I very much liked the descriptions of the Chocolate Moose and the sweet treats Jake and Ellie create, but I found myself mentally wandering off as I was reading about something other than the Moose and its delectable offerings. Since this is meant to be a cozy mystery and I kept wandering during the mystery bits, I can’t see this being a good omen for me continuing with this series. The ultimate assessment is this: yes, I liked this book, I even thoroughly enjoyed some bits, but there are so many series in this genre that one must really set itself apart to keep my attention and keep me coming back for more. Unfortunately, I don’t think the Death by Chocolate series sets itself far enough apart to keep me coming back for another round. Wile I am going to miss the Chocolate Moose, I am quite sure I can find another series with an equally awesome setting that has a bit more bite and ability to draw me in and keep me ensnared.

[Shawna Shaheen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 2nd book in this series is about Jake (Jacobia) and Ellie might have to close Chocolate Moose down a name shop. There is a bride and groom asking for Whoopie pie 🎂came to make at their wedding. But then Andy the groom gets accused of murdering this man ( with a chocolate milkshake from Chocolate Moose) that went out with Andy soon to be bride and did her wrong. I tried to read 1st book in series but I did not get through with it it just was not My cup of tea. I read this one all the way through. I probably won't read anymore in the series

[PugMom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a fun cozy premise and, if you like all things chocolate, this book will not disappoint! I found the beginning to have a bit of a "woe is me" vibe with the main characters incessantly talking about how they might lose their shop but once they got past that I enjoyed the well planned mystery and the twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end. I definitely would love to read more books in this series.

[˜”*°•.˜”*°• Sheri •°*”˜.•°*”˜ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not one of my favorites. More than one story line, one of which could have definitely been left out of the book because it didn't add anything and caused confusion. The entire book could have used a bit more editing. Good idea for a plot but needs more work.

[Kirsti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book!

I always enjoy a new cozy series, and mostly it doesn't matter where you start in one. This proved to be the case here, because I easily fell into Eastport and joined Jake and Ellie while the sleuthed their way to solving a murder! I loved all the chocolate mentions, as I'm a complete choc-o-holic myself, and now I really want a milkshake :/

At times I felt like the plot was rushed, and things weren't fully explained but that was my only problem with this book. Overall I enjoyed it, so this meant I only knocked it down a single star. The character driven novel really held my interest, and I really wanted to know who killed Toby Moran and why. hank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book!

A fun cozy that keeps up with the action. Four stars!

[Sue Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes

Eastport, Maine, is a pretty little town dependent on the summer tourists to keep the community going. In fact, Jake (Jacobia) and Ellie are in such dire financial straights that closing The Chocolate Moose, their dream bakery, seems inevitable. And that was even before the death of someone after drinking one of their signature milkshakes. The only thing that might be able to save them is getting paid for the specialty cakes for Andy and Sharon's upcoming wedding. A wedding that may not happen as Andy is the prime suspect in the milkshake murder. Although this is only the. second book in this series, the earlier home repair is homicide series was peopled by the same characters in the same locale. So we already know and care about these characters. Visiting Eastport and Jake is always a pleasure.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest.

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

It seems like it's been a year or the better part of a year since I read the first book in the series, so I was glad to be able to get an ARC of this one from NetGalley. It was just as good a mystery and roller-coaster ride as I remember describing the first book.

This book doesn't need a romantic interest for main character Jake, she's already married to a great guy named Wade, and the same for her business partner at the Chocolate Moose, Ellie. Ellie is married to George, a construction worker who is gone a lot--but he and Ellie were very happy and had a daughter. It was sad that the girls were thinking of closing their shop, which had always been their dream, but if they couldn't get more business, it seemed inevitable. Of course, just as they were getting a nice-paying wedding cake job, there was a murder to investigate--and the bride and grooms were both in jail now. Bob Arnold, the local police chief was always incredibly patient with their snooping. He never threatened to toss them in jail, but he seemed genuinely concerned for their well-being.

I loved that some of the action was true edge-of-your seat type action! The showdown with the killer was great. I had never suspected this person at all! Jake's dad cracks me up. He's an aging hippie who has just bought a brand new truck and has recovered from a heart attack. He isn't happy about being babied, so he drives around town, but always stays within the law. Dad came in handy during the showdown, that's for sure.

I really appreciate the in-depth explanation the author gives for her mysteries. In this book, it took place a week later in the form of Bob and Jake talking, then Jake's dad had some pretty awesome news for her. I'll be anxiously waiting for the next book in the series!

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death by Chocolate Malted Milkshake by Sarah Graves is the 2nd book in the Death by Chocolate Mystery series, and another fun addition. Jacobia (Jake) Tiptree her best friend, Ellie White, from the Home Repair is Homicide series, have opened up a waterfront bakery called The Chocolate Moose. The Chocolate Moose is struggling to stay in business, and they need the money for the whoopie pie wedding cake they are making. Unfortunately when a man is murdered, and the prime subject is the groom, the women are determined to fine the real killer. I found this book to be a quick read, with a well developed plot and characters. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. If you love cozy mysteries, I recommend this book.

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Death by Chocolate Malted Milkshake” earns 4/5 Chocolatey Conundrums…Clever!

Marriage, Milkshakes, and Murder! Well, the marriage may be on hold when the bride and groom are both suspects, and the poisoned-milkshake murder weapon may put Jake and Elle’s bakery The Chocolate Moose out of business…so Jake and Elle again bake up ways to ask questions, seek evidence, and find a killer! For the second book in Sarah Graves’s Death by Chocolate series she uses the traditional cozy formula, but her writing style, clever mystery, developing characters, and an “I didn't see that coming” ending kept me turning the pages. Women scorned? She uses the “I” perspective to share Jake’s inner thoughts, vivid descriptions, and engaging character banter, but it's the various possibilities along with a couple of dead ends that kept my inner Sherlock guessing. And my favorite words! Not, “It's murder!” My favorite words are “Recipes Included!” Readers are treated to an easy-to-follow recipe for Ginger Chocolate Biscotti.
Side note: Jake and Elle are originally from Sarah Graves’s Home Repair is Homicide, and if this series is any indication of it being another entertaining read, I'm putting those sixteen books on my TBR list.

“Disclosure: I received an ARC from NetGalley/Kensington. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.”

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This takes place in the summer after the first book. The story involves a murder and a string of copper thefts. I like the way the author wove both crimes together. The MCs are dealing with money issues, and I liked the way that ended too, even though it was a bit ridiculous. I also liked the food. The malted milkshake the MCs came up with sounds so good.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death By Chocolate Malted Milkshake
By
Sarah Graves


What it's all about...

Ellie and Jake have a sweet shop in Eastport, Maine. They are about to be in financial disarray unless they pull off catering a Whoopie Pie Cake for an upcoming wedding. Unfortunately the bride and groom have both been accused of murder. Jake and Ellie need to get involved in solving this crime in order to save their chocolate shop. To make this murder even more intriguing to Jake and Ellie the victim was found dead in the street with a moose imprinted milkshake cup that came from their shop! Complete with moose sprinkles!

My thoughts after reading this book...

This was a fun and chocolate filled cozy mystery.

What I loved best...

I loved Jake and Ellie...cookie chefs as well as small town crime investigators. They were funny and clever and I loved getting to know them.


What potential readers might want to know...

As with all returning characters in cozy mysteries I wish I had read these in order. This was the third book in this series and I felt as though I missed much of the background. The author did a nice job of filling in but I still felt as though I needed to read these in order.


I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley. It was my choice to read and review it.

[Mayda · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s lean times for Jake’s and Ellie’s bakery shop. In the off-season, there is just not enough business to make a profit. But an upcoming wedding just might keep them going until the tourists arrive. Unfortunately, a murder threatens to cancel the wedding when the groom is suspected of the killing. No one is mourning for the despicable crumb who died, but many are upset over the arrest of the cleancut coast guard officer accused of the crime. Jake is determined to clear Andy, mostly so the wedding will go on and the bakery has a chance to survive. Jake puts herself in harm’s way, and some clues lead her astray, but sometimes, she just gets lucky. In this second book in the series, the characters grow in their devlopement, and others are added to the cast. The story is a good one, and the author does a nice job of explaining the details in the solution of the crimes and in tying up loose ends. This was a strong sequel to the debut tale.

[Arlene Arredondo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the writing style of this author.
Interesting from the very first page, with lots of subplots to keep the story fun to read and engaging.
The characters are well developed and easy to connect.
Definitely recommend it.

Note: I received an ARC for review purposes and an honest and unbiased opinion.

[RO G'ma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death by Chocolate Malted Milkshake is the second book in Sarah Graves’ Death by Chocolate Mystery series. The mystery is well plotted, and the characters are well developed in this entertaining and easy read. This book can easily be read as a standalone.

Jacobia ‘Jake’ Tiptree and her friend, Ellie White, recently opened a bakery, The Chocolate Moose, in Eastport, Maine and are in the process of trying to create a whoopee-pie wedding cake for the upcoming nuptials of kindergarten teacher, Sharon Sweetwater, and Coast Guard Captain Andy Devine. The Chocolate Moose suffered financial problems during the winter, and Jake and Ellie are depending on the wedding to keep them open. The body of Toby Moran, a man who isn’t well liked in the small town, is found early one morning, and the cause of death appears to be one of The Chocolate Moose’s fastest-selling items, Moose Milks, laced with insecticide. Sharon briefly dated Toby until she realized what a louse he was, and doesn’t have an alibi. Andy was seen arguing with the victim at the Rubber Ducky Bar & Grill and following him out of the establishment the evening before his body was found behind it. Jake and Ellie feel compelled to try to solve the mystery and clear Sharon and Andy’s names so the wedding will proceed and help The Chocolate Moose’s cash flow problems.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book until the very end, when I felt the characters behaved very foolishly.

Jake and Ellie's bakery is in trouble, a problem shared by many small businesses that need to survive the winter when there are no tourists. Ellie's husband, George is working outside town and seldom sees his family. If the bakery makes enough to pay the immediate bills, they may be able to hang in for a little while longer. Jake thinks they should close immediately but Ellie begs for a day or two's reprieve.

A pretty, popular teacher is marrying a Coast Guard officer and J & E's bakery has been asked to make a whoopie pie cake. The beautiful couple is like Eastport royalty and everyone is shocked when the abusive former boyfriend of the bride is murdered and the groom is accused of killing him in payment for the naughty, photo-shopped photos the town bad boy had sent to all the parents of Susan's students.

Stop reading here if you have not read the book.

One of Jake's most foolish acts came when she chased the killer, convinced that he was going to have to kill her friend to keep her quiet. She called her house, no answer, called Ellie, it went to voice mail, finally calls the police but Bob is at the scene of an accident (to which more police were already on the way). She calls again and Bob is still busy, so she does not think to say, "X is the killer and he is going after Ellie. I am on my way alone and unarmed to stop him!"

On the business end, Jake, who is supposedly a financial genius, does not take a deposit on the wedding cake and this puts them in a severe bind as they have already purchased all the ingredients. That must be one really expensive cake. After the killer is safely in jail, Jake's father tells her that the young coast guard is so well liked by his mates that they had put up a $10,000 reward for information leading to the capture of the real killer. On top of this, the groom, who was generously giving a huge chunk of his pay to less fortunate relatives, and his bride end up buying the building in which the bakery is located and allowing them to use the space rent free for having "saved their bacon". They were able to afford this by giving up their honeymoon? Were they planning on a year long world cruise? Jake, also generous to a fault, says that of course they will donate part of the reward. This in spite of the dire financial straits they were in and thinking that the reward combined with free rent would "possibly" tide them over for maybe two years, thereby establishing the fact that Jake is a really nice person but not as good a money manager as everyone thinks. Hang onto that money, Jake. If there is any left over you will need it next winter.

On another happy note, George has been offered a position as a civilian contractor at the coast guard station, and Ellie will not have to move away.

Another foolish thing: Jake's grandson was taken from their house and she was traumatized thinking it was her fault, that the killer was trying to warn her to mind her own business, or because he knew that she had the hypodermic needle that was used on the victim. It turns out that the young babysitter had put the infant on the grass of her parents' fenced lawn while she ran into the house to get something. When she was about to run back outside, the police had already arrived and she did not confess to her part. In spite of the girl's immaturity in leaving the child alone outside and not confessing, Jake is thinking of hiring her more often so that her daughter in law can put in more hours at the bakery. The girl also has family problems that could prevent her from doing her job (her father makes her come home early because he is possessive and wants her there)
Find a more responsible sitter with less baggage, Jake!

I don't understand how an author can write an engaging story, then spoil in with silly, implausible details. A little more thought would not leave us thinking, "Oh, come on!"

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Death by Chocolate Malted Milkshake” by Sarah Graves is the second book in the ‘A Death by Chocolate Mystery’ series and it was an excellent read. The first one in the series was ‘Death by Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake’, although I have yet to read it. I don’t think this hindered my enjoyment of this one in any way.

What a highly entertaining mix of mystery, mayhem and tension! This was a wonderful cozy mystery which was both enjoyable and suspenseful. It made perfect reading for me between other more intense novels. It was gratifying and amusing with a fantastic plot.

I loved the author’s great talent for describing the charming coastal setting that brought every aspect of the town of Eastport in Maine to life. The setting of a chocolate shop called ‘Chocolate Moose’ was also a stroke of genius for me. The characters were very well drawn by Sarah Graves and I especially liked the protagonist, Jake. She made a wonderful and determined amateur sleuth and I liked that she was a generous and gregarious character who was a fixture and loved by the locals in the town. The many and varied supporting characters all added great depth to the story.

This book was a great package of fun and excitement and it was a perfect book to enjoy whilst relaxing on the sofa with a large mug of hot chocolate and a slice of cake.

I really appreciated the clever writing from Sarah Graves in this novel which kept me intrigued right to the end. There was plenty of substance to this mystery along with some red herrings to mislead the reader. There was great comedic value, too.

With its fabulous story and wonderful characters, I would recommend “Death by Chocolate Malted Milkshake” to all lovers of cozy mysteries. If you prefer more suspense and mystery than humour to your cozy reading, then this would be a good choice.

I will be looking out for the next book in the series which is due to be released next year.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel, at my own request, from Kensington Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.