Have Yourself a Fudgy Little Christmas

Candy-Coated Mystery #8

by Nancy CoCo

Christmas on Mackinac Island brings a flurry of festive activity for fudge shop owner Allie McMurphy—but also a body in a snowbank . . .

SNOWED UNDER

All Allie wants for Christmas is for renovations to be finished on the Historic McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop so she can move back home for the holidays. But for now she's staying in her friend Frances's apartment, busily baking batches of holiday fudge. After someone leaves a mysterious note on the door to meet up, the curious fudge maker goes to the rendezvous with her bichonpoo, Mal—only to discover a woman facedown in a snowdrift. With her dying breath, the woman gasps, “Frances.” The police suspect she named her killer, but Allie knows that's impossible. She needs to wrap up this case before the trail runs cold—and give her friend the gift of freedom this Christmas season . . .

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Christmas, Cozy, Fiction, Contemporary, Mystery Thriller

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 27, 2020

Reviews

[Linda Langford · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light murder mystery; a big secret revealed about Frances; and a great home, hearth and family Christmas story frame fudge maker Allie McMurphy’s life on Mackinac Island this year. When Allie’s precious bichonpoo, Mal, sniffs out a half-frozen body....Officer Rex Manning responds. Unfortunately, Frances is the #1 suspect when the woman dies.

This plot showcases Frances‘s past. Author Nancy Coco gradually reveals The Who’s and why’s leading up to the murder. Very interesting. The author shares sweet treat recipes at the end of every chapter!

The Candy-Coated Mystery series is a long-time favorite series of mine, and I’ve read every story in the order they were released. Book #8 is a delightful treat, as well as the previous seven books. I highly recommend!

I honestly reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. All opinions are my own.

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

There are not a lot of tourists on Mackinac Island for Christmas but the online fudge orders have Allie very busy. Because the Historic McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop is closed for repairs and renovations that means she is doing her fudge making in Frances’s old apartment and rushing the orders to be shipped every day.

There are holiday celebrations and fun to be had on the island though for those who chose to stay or visit through the winter’s snow and cold. A tree lighting, a community lighting show contests, and an awesome sledding hill.

Allie received a strange unsigned note on the apartment door and asking her to meet them near the hill so she and Mal, her bichonpoo, trek out to meet the person. When they arrive Mal drags Allie to a woman facedown in the snow. Everyone does their best to revive the woman but she passes away and utters “Frances” as her last word. Was she naming her killer? Everyone knows Frances would hurt a soul so Allie is on the case to ice the real killer.

I needed just a little more Christmas cheer so I took the opportunity to start to catch up on this series. What better way to spend the New Year’s weekend than taking a virtual escape to Mackinac Island.

Allie, Frances, Douglas, and Rex are back. Liz still hasn’t returned but a blast from Rex’s past has returned to the island ready to fudge up his life yet again. The core characters are very well developed but in this story, we see how two react when they are thrown some icy curveballs. The new characters featured in this story are well written too and have layers that get peeled away nicely.

The mystery deals with a long-held secret. Ms. Coco has written this in such a way as to grab the reader’s attention but give reverence to the feelings of the people involved.

I loved and laughed out loud several times at the group of ladies that invaded Allie’s loaner apartment to help her investigate. Oh, my stars! Rex had the patience of a saint and remained so calm. Allie surprised with their presence and ideas realized early she had absolutely no control over these women. Those dialogues were absolutely priceless.

This is such a fun series filled with wonderful characters. I blame my cancer treatments for getting behind on reading it. I plan on reading and reviewing Here Comes the Fudge soon, so I am ready for A Midsummer Night’s Fudge when it is released in May.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun cozy mystery that took place in my piece of heaven.
Mackinac Island! Yay! Along with the best fudge there ever is! Yum!
I lost myself for an entire night the book was so very good! Yes, occasionally I'd look over my shoulder lol!
I felt like I was back on the island with Allie and Frances and the gang. I love helping to solve a mystery. I feel satisfied when the mystery is completed.
Coco describes the scenery sights and sounds so perfectly that I feel like I'm there. I can picture where everything is even the fort! I visit every time I can.
I highly recommend.
My thanks for a copy of this book.
I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

[Mary Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have Yourself A Fudgy Little Christmas
Candy-Coated Mysteries, Book #8
Nancy Coco
5 Stars

Synopsis:

In Nancy Coco's eighth Candy-Coated Mystery, Christmas on Mackinac Island brings a flurry of festive activity for fudge shop owner Allie McMurphy--but also a body in a snowbank. With fun recipes, cute pets, quirky characters, and an endearing young protagonist, the Candy-Coated Mysteries have the perfect ingredients for cozy mystery fans!

All Allie wants for Christmas is for renovations to be finished on the Historic McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop so she can move back home for the holidays. But for now she's staying in her friend Frances' apartment, busily baking batches of holiday fudge. After someone leaves a mysterious note on the door to meet up, the curious fudge maker goes to the rendezvous with her Bichonpoo, Mal--only to discover a woman facedown in a snowdrift. With her dying breath, the woman gasps, "Frances." The police suspect she named her killer, but Allie knows that's impossible. She needs to wrap up this case before the trail runs cold--and give her friend the gift of freedom this Christmas season... (Goodreads)

Review:

The characters are well developed and well rounded. Allie is busy with getting things ready for Christmas and getting all the fudge orders filled and shipped off. When Allie and Mal find another dead body, things get more busy than ever. She partners up with Liz, the reporter, to try and figure out who the culprit is. And there might be a new love interest for Allie, we will have to wait and see.

The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and through much of the book, I felt like I was right there, watching all of the action taking place. The mystery was well plotted and not easily solved. I really did not consider the person that it turned out to be, and I think that is a good thing.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. These books just keep getting better.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book in the candy-coated mystery series I have read. Enjoyed the mystery very much! And I loved when Allie interacted with all the women(Frances, Irma...etc) , eating cookies, drinking tea and crime solving(what a hoot), but when it comes to men....seems like Allie doesn't have a clue what she is doing. Maybe it is because I haven't read the previous books in the series, but her interactions with Rex and Harry seem so strained and uncomfortable. and then there is mention of a Trent fellow that asked her to come and spend the winter with him in Chicago. And Rex offered for her to come and move in with him too. And yet when she talks about these two men she sounds as though she doesn't even want to be involved with either of them. Weird. She didn't seem to have any emotion with Rex either way. Maybe when I go and read the others in the series I will understand a little better what went on in the past with her and Trent and Rex.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun loving cozy mystery that takes place on Mackinaw Island. A hard book to put down because you keep wondering what will happen next. I loved every minute of it!

[Karen Stallman · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Have Yourself a Fudgy Little Christmas" the 8th instalment in the Candy-Coated Mystery series by Nancy Coco. I really enjoy this series and visiting Mackinac Island!

I found myself engrossed in the story and reading in one sitting. The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and I loved the characters which are well developed. I especially love little Mal which reminds me of my little furbaby. Plus the recipes between each chapter are sure to please!

I kept guessing and second-guessing myself on whodunnit right to the very end. I did figure out who the villain was but the reveal was a surprise.

I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.

I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Kensington Books and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[The Cozy Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

Few things exemplify holidays more than a fudge treat. Combine the Christmas season with a winter storm, a poisoning or two, and you have a recipe for a holiday story that will keep readers fighting their need to eat delectable desserts and wanting to take a winters trip to a small island. All of this is what makes this series, "A Candy-Coated Mystery" and Have Yourself a Fudgy Little Christmas a winter's must!

Allie is back with an all-new adventure. Her life is unsettled during this holiday season. The McMurphy Hotel is under construction; she is living in her friend's small apartment and trying to get shipments of her fudge treats out to customers before Christmas: to top it all off, her love life is in the dumper. She is ready for winter and the holidays to be over. Allie is a lovable character; her friends are equally charming and as always play a central part in the story. This time Frances is at the heart of a murder, the police think she is a killer, and Allie thinks Franses is keeping a secret, not just from her. It doesn't take long for suspects and evidence to lead straight to Frances, and Allie is determined to prove her friend innocent one way or another.

The twists in this book keep coming throughout, red herrings abound, and suspects and witnesses are falling by the wayside faster than snow can hit the ground. Ultimately, Allie finds herself in danger and has to find a way out. It takes some doing, but thankfully, she manages to stay alive and catch the killer. Throughout the book, the recipes will have readers craving fudge, holiday treats of all sorts, and Christmas. Have Yourself a Fudgy Little Christmas is a book readers will want to read more than once, and each time, it will leave them feeling cheerfully content.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's winter on Mackinac Island and Allie is staying in Frances' old apartment while the McMurphy is being repaired. She hears a knock on the door and when she goes to answer it no one is there but there is a note taped to the door asking her to meet someone at the Fort Mackinac steps. When she goes there, she pup, Mal, leads her to a body in the snow. Allie and two others try to help the woman but learn later that they were unsuccessful. Frances is questioned by the police as it appears she had a connection to the victim. Allie decides to investigate to help Frances. Frances' husband, Douglas, and her friends also help Allie as they all agree Frances could never hurt anyone.

This was a great Christmastime cozy. I loved the lighting festival and Allie and Frances shopping for Christmas trees. Allie has a possible new romance brewing in this book. I'm not sure how I feel about it. I love that an old friend of Allie's comes back at the end of the book. The mystery was good. I had a theory as to the killer and was close but I didn't quite figure it out. I liked that we learned more about Frances in this book. This was a good book and I can't wait to read more.

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tis the season – for another of my favorite series to have a new cozy mystery released! Christmas on Mackinac Island sounds wonderful, and this is the beginning of Allie’s first winter on the island. I love the characters, who are best defined by their actions and conversation. This very well-written cozy mystery is an excellent read any time of year, whether during the Christmas season or in the summer desert heat.

Allie McMurphy inherited the Historic McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop from her grandfather and has already had a tourist season with renovations and upgrades done prior to opening. She is doing something new by being open during the winter, as there are some tourists who will be there for various winter holidays and events. Her contractor is working hard to complete the repairs required after the roof, being built up for summer events, caved in several weeks earlier. Thankfully she hired a different contractor than the one doing the original roofing work.

Also recently, Frances, originally hired by Allie’s grandfather and has managed the hotel for several years married Douglas, their handyman. Both are retired educators, love the hotel, and are very much in love. At least until somebody new to the island, Kayla, dies as a result of being murdered, and says Frances’s name as she breathes her last. When Kayla’s mother arrives on the island and meets Frances, she wants Frances to pay for what some think she has done.

Only a couple days go by before Frances’s former upstairs neighbor is found seriously ill, who also later died, and the death looks a lot like Kayla’s. Trying to find out what connects the two deaths, other than Frances, could be one of the most challenging murders Allie has tried to help solve since moving to Mackinac Island. It seems that if someone dies there, either Allie – or her pup, Mal - somehow find the body. Frances is keeping a secret, one that would help Allie find the real killer, but there are corners of her life that even her husband doesn’t know about.

I have loved this series since the beginning! The author’s trademark humor, the very likable characters, the antics of Allie’s dog and cat, and how hard it is to figure out whodunit are all part of that. The author describes Mackinac Island and the Hotel so well through the seasons that it is like taking a mini vacation when I read each one. The identity of the real whodunit was a surprise! Frances’s secret no longer carries the weight that it once would have, and she finds out who her true friends are when all is revealed. The author reveals it with kindness and grace, demonstrating a greater depth of character for the delightful woman. I highly recommend this novel to those who enjoy well-written cozy mysteries that include sweet treat recipes, Christmas, pets, and an incredibly beautiful setting.

From a thankful heart: I received a complimentary copy of this novel; a review was not required.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have Yourself a Fudgy Little Christmas by Nancy Coco is the 8th A Candy-Coated Mystery. I have read and enjoyed each book in this charming series. It has been a pleasure getting to know Mackinac Island as well as Allie McMurphy and her friends. This book can be read as a standalone if you are new to the series since the author does provide the needed background information. I thought Have Yourself a Fudgy Little Christmas was well-written with steady pacing and developed characters. I love the descriptions of Mackinac Island during the holidays as well as the festivities. It sounds like a cold yet magical place. Allie is a strong, independent woman who is a whiz at creating fudge and loves her fur babies. The mystery has Allie and her dog, Mal once again finding a victim. I figured out the who right away, but the why was a bit of a conundrum. The reason for the murder is slowly revealed over the course of the story. I like that we get to learn more about Frances and her past. I enjoyed following the investigation to the conclusion. At the end of one riveting scene, I found myself laughing out loud. There was action and suspense which had the story moving along at a quick pace and kept me engaged. I liked that there was a complete wrap up. Allie cannot wait for the renovations to be completed on the hotel so she can move back in and go back to making fudge in the shop. She is also dealing with the return of Rex Manning’s ex-wife, Melonie. Just when we thought Rex and Allie’s romance was moving forward, Rex gets an unexpected visitor. Allie keeps bumping into a new man in town and there are sparks between them. I like the idea of a new love interest for Allie. Trent and Rex are not right for Allie (in my humble opinion). In Have Yourself a Fudgy Little Christmas, there are snowstorms, power outages, Christmas tree lighting, decorating contest, fudge making, and friendly neighbors. I was happy to see an old friend return to Mackinac Island for the holidays. There is a recipe for a sweet treat (fudge, cookies) after each chapter. I enjoyed this stimulating story. Have Yourself a Fudgy Little Christmas is a sweet cozy mystery with a precious pup, gregarious gossip, ex-wife woes, fabulous fudge, a familiar friend, DNA dilemma, and merry mayhem on Mackinac Island.

[Kirsti · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

First off, I adore this series. It always makes me want fudge, and it has a bichonpoo in it. Come on, doesn't that sound like heaven? Well, it sure does sound good to me, and it has me coming back to this series over and over. In fact, when I finished this one, I went back and read others in the series that I had missed originally. I love going back to Mackinac Island, even for a short, sweet visit.

Of course Allie has to clear her friend's name, and does so eventually. It wouldn't be a cozy without the small town detective and their inexplicable drive to find a murderer. I've always said these books depend entirely upon their characters, and this is no exception. You love Allie, and you want her to be happy. Yes, there is murder and death, but mostly there is friends and family, and the small mundane things that make up the everyday. I just love it!

A great series, if you're thinking of starting them. They can be read in any order, but I do recommend the first ones so you can grow with Allie. Five stars!

[Jerri Cachero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allie McMurphy is renovating the Historic McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop, on beautiful Mackinac Island during the Christmas season. Until renovations are completed, she's staying at her newly married friend Frances's previous apartment. When she finds an anonymous note asking her to meet someone at noon, she takes the chance and a chain of murderous events begin. Allie finds her dear friend Frances accused of murder, a killer on the loose and a Christmas that may not be Merry!

I wasn't sure about starting my holiday reading so early but I'm so glad I did! The book was the perfect Christmas gift - mystery, humor, surprises, bit of romance and a group of supporting characters that are fun and heartwarming! I love that Allie is independent and determined to succeed. The surprise at the end of the book was unexpected and touching. And of course the descriptions of the fudge and recipes included were wonderful!

I'm ready for the next book!💙

I received an ARC from NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Smitten · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars - Top Pick

Warning: Many diets will be broken with this book.

This book includes delicious and mouthwatering recipes that are just begging to be made. So, get your baking gear ready, because you will want to bake every single recipe in this cozy-mystery book by Nancy Coco. Baking and a great murder-mystery? Count me in!

It’s the off-season; Christmastime at the Island, the perfect setting for Christmas decorating contests and hot cocoa with whipped cream. The reconstruction is coming along nicely at the McMurphy Hotel and it should be up and running in no time. Thankfully for Allie, she’s been able to keep up with her fudge orders by staying at her friend’s (Frances) apartment.

When an anonymous note is left at her door, that then leads to a mysterious death and has Frances as the main suspect, Allie, along with the some busy(body) ladies, will join forces (sort of) to exonerate their friend. But with sudden blizzard conditions and no electricity, things are looking dark and fudged.

Charming and cozy Mackinac Island has a killer on the loose. So, gather your cozy blanket and park yourself on the couch, because you will want to keep reading to solve this one. This story has great flow and you’ll soon fall in love with the Island’s lifestyle and activities. With lots of snow in the forecast, these high-spirited characters will keep you entertained. My favorite characters were the busybody “Book Club” ladies.

I found this book to be quite enjoyable. A classic cozy murder-mystery, filled with great characters, a beautiful setting and creative clues. I loved that the characters knew each other so well and that it would take a newcomer to upend a whirlwind of new information. These characters took care of each other and stood up for one another.

As old secrets are uncovered, this mystery will take you through the very end to solve it. But sit tight, you’ll enjoy going along with Allie to the shipping office and visiting with her friends. The stakes are higher than ever on this one and as rumors run rampant and tensions mount, Allie must find a way to navigate it all, without upsetting those closest to her.

~ Patricia

[Cozy Reader Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Have Yourself a Fudgy Little Christmas (A Candy-Coated Mystery #8)" by Nancy Coco is a very Christmas/Winter cozy mystery for this Mackinac Island centered series.

It follows the usual set up and progression for most books in this series, so if you've kept up with it you may figure things out faster. I had a specific person in mind right away. I was right about them but kinda forgot that there's usually a partner involved with these books. That person I didn't see coming.

There's a few continuity issues, as usual, with this book. It's not from book to book but rather from chapter to chapter. Sometimes it comes across like the characters forget something they were already told. Especially when it comes to Allie's interactions with Rex about the case. It's like she forgets information she already knew or learned when he's telling her the same information or she's asking him questions.

Overall, still a fun series. This one especially is great for the Christmas holiday or a winter read.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED!!! This is the 8th book in this series and they just keep getting better. Its Christmas on the island. This story was very Christmasy! Allie and Mal are out minding there own business as usual when they come across a half dead human in the snow. Unfortunately the woman dies and the police finger sweet Frances as her murderer. As long held secrets come to light a nasty winter storm hits the island leaving it dark and powerless in its wake and leaving room for a killer to roam. The best part was the "Book Club". All those little old ladies from the Senior Center showed up at Allie's apartment (because it used to belong to Frances' before she married and moved in with Douglas and they used to hold their "book club aka gossip fest" meetings there). They had murder boards and everything! I loved it!

[Hilary (A Wytch's Book Review) · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is always great to be back at the McMurphy Hotel, only this time we sort of aren't! After the problems at the end of the previous book renovations are still happening and so Allie is staying at Frances's old apartment (as Frances and her new husband Douglas have bought a small house together), it all starts to be a bit strange when Allie gets a knock on the door only to find a note taped to it, when she goes to the appointment she finds a young woman (Kayla) lying in the snow close to death! When Kayla is rushed to the clinic she manages to gasp out Frances's name just before dying. Now Allie and a group of senior ladies need to find out who wanted to kill the young lady and frame Frances ... but then there is another murder.

[Tammy Lunsford - Escape to Books By Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another light mystery set in my newest favorite little community on Mackinac Island. This book and this entire series is full of characters who are witty and interesting to get to know. Nancy Coco has done a fabulous job of setting the characters up in each book. You learn a little more about Frances’ past in this book. Allie’s love life is still a mess and Mal, her bichonpoo is still my favorite pet in a cozy mystery. This pup has a real nose for finding dead bodies. I also love the “senior” ladies who fancy themselves astute amateur sleuths. Their antics will have you laughing out loud. This is a fun cozy mystery series with some delicious recipes scattered throughout the book!!

[Nancy H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent mystery in the Candy-Coated series set on Mackinac Island, main character Allie goes for a walk with her dog after someone leaves a note on her door, and she discovers a nearly dead woman in a snow bank. When the dying woman breathes the name "Frances", Allie's friend and employee Frances Delaney is the main suspect in the woman's murder. Allie knows Frances could to have committed the crime, and she is determined to find the real culprit. When she tries to get to the bottom of things, she discovers some deep, long-held secrets that Frances wanted no one ever to find out. There is a lot going on, but Allie eventually solves the crime with some surprising result.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Allie is waiting for the renovations to be finished on her hotel and fudge shop and hopes to have it done by Christmas. Someone leaves a note to meet up and when she goes she finds a woman facedown who says Frances. when her friend Frances is arrested Allie starts investigating who really did it. Interesting how the story played out.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas is in the air and Allie McMurphy finds time to enjoy the festivities while also managing repairs at her historic Mackinac hotel and making fudge for her fudge shop. But when someone is murdered a big secret comes out and now Allie is trying to help a friend through a trying time and figure out what is going on before others are hurt.

The setting was well done and there were a lot of viable suspects so I was coming up with theories until the end. I also was amused by the group of senior ladies who were ready and willing to investigate even if it meant bending the law a bit. This is the 8th book in A Candy-Coated Mystery series and I have enjoyed them all. Thanks to Kensington and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.

[QNPoohBear · Rating 3 out of 5]

While Allie McMurphy waits for repairs on the historic McMurphy hotel to be finished, she is staying at Frances's old apartment in a Victorian cottage. It's cozy but Allie misses her fudge shop and her grandparents' old apartment in the hotel. It's hard to get in the Christmas spirit with so much to do and so much unsettled. She's still baking up batches of delicious fudge to sell bringing in some much-needed income. When she discovers an anonymous note on her door, Allie isn't sure it's for her or for Frances. Allie decides to meet the mysterious note writer just before catching up with Frances and Douglas and their contribution to the town lighting display contest. When Allie arrives, no one is around. Then Mal sniffs around a snowbank and... you know the rest! Actually, this time, Mal makes it in time to find a young woman barely clinging to life face down in the snowbank. While Allie calls 911, others perform CPR. EMTs arrive and carry the young woman to the hospital. Only later does Allie learn that the woman, Kayla Cramdon, a newcomer to the island, has died and her last word was "Frances!" Now Rex has no choice to investigate Frances as a suspect. Frances's friends can't let that happen and Allie gets dragged reluctantly into an investigation she's been asked by Frances to stay out of. Meanwhile, Rex's second wife is back in town and Allie's love life is as cold as the weather, until a handsome stranger arrives to flirt with her. Will all her problems be over by Christmas? Allie sure hopes so. She needs her friends.

Storywise, this story is not a bad mystery. I liked trying to puzzle out the clues and the twist at the end was a surprise. However, this book is really poorly edited. Allie asks dumb questions she already learned the answers to a few pages earlier. She has TWO conversations with Liz about her love life (apparently the first one didn't happen?) and then she forgets the clues that would have led her to the murderer. She leaves it to Liz to research. I'll chalk it up to Allie being busy and stressed out and not having my verbal recall but still, I do think it's sloppy editing. (I also noted a missing period making a sentence read very strangely). As a result, I figured out whodunit before Allie. I didn't see the twist coming though. The timeline is way off. The timeline, before Christmas, takes place after Fudge Bites before All I Want for Christmas Is Fudge AND Deck the Halls with Fudge. It's still Allie's first winter on the island! I was very confused. I think it should be at least Allie's second winter. That many murders in a few weeks is a lot for the island! It was a bit confusing at first. I wondered where Jenn was and why

Allie is a little more likable in this novel. She's become a part of island life and people finally like her. She's no longer a "fudgie." Her love life is boring. I don't like her with Rex because he's too much on the straight and narrow for her. He's ex-military and a cop. He plays by the rules and Allie is a nosy fudge maker whose puppy just happens to find numerous dead bodies. I'm not sure I like Harry either. He's flirtatious and fun but how long can that last? Allie isn't nosy enough for me in this book. I would have asked the most obvious question first, even if it was intrusive and painful. I was proud of Allie for mostly managing to rescue herself at least. As always, Mal is my favorite character. No she's not a trained cadaver dog or a scent hound but I go with it because it's fun. Mal is adorable, sweet and melts my heart. She's a little scene stealer. However, the constant removal of snowballs from her legs was repetitive. Once was enough.

We all know Frances is not a killer. Allie knows that, Douglas knows that, I think Rex knows that in his heart. Frances's true friends know she could never murder anyone. Her story is sad but like Allie, I don't get the shame in it. I'm older than Allie, apparently by a lot if she was in high school in '05, and I remember the social stigma but after 54 years you would think people would be over it. Also, why is no one upset that her lover was 21 and she was 16? Allie should be outraged! I would be. HE gets away with getting an underage girl pregnant and she has to bear the shame and hurt of giving birth alone and giving up her child? What the heck was wrong with people back in the 60s? I wanted more details about what happened. There has to be a story there. He sounds like a cad. My heart broke for Frances. That must be incredibly difficult to be in that situation. She's about the same age as my mom, which I didn't realize. I thought she was younger. Douglas is a sweetheart and I believe Frances's fears are unfounded. Douglas is exactly who she needs by her side right now as she comes to terms with everything that happened. The rest of the islanders who repeat nasty gossip and spread rumors about her can go take a flying leap into the frigid ocean.

Frances's real friends are front and center helping Allie to solve the mystery. They're a hoot, especially Irma. Maggs is Frances's most loyal friend. She knows a little something about how Frances must be feeling and she uses that to her advantage. It makes her extra empathetic. Allie also enlists the aid of Liz to help. Liz acts as a friend here and not as a reporter. I like seeing that side of her. It makes her seem kinder.

I really don't like it when good people die in cozy mysteries. I like cozy mysteries because they're an escape from reality. Some jerk gets his just desserts and we try to puzzle out which one of the many suspects did him in. Young women in the prime of their lives are not supposed to die, especially just before Christmas. We never really get to know Kayla before she dies but she seems like an intelligent, eager young woman with an open future ahead of her. The motive for murder was completely stupid. The second person to die didn't need to die either but at least they were a little less likable and more likely to die of natural causes sooner than later. I felt really awful for Kayla's mom. Sally is grieving, in the middle of her worst nightmare. At first I was angry with her for accusing Frances but I tried to be compassionate because she did, after all, just learn her daughter was murdered. It was hard to like Sally though, even after all was revealed.

Manfred Engle, the neighbor above Frances's apartment, is a sleazy old dude. He hangs out at bars all the time and drinks like a fish. He's been known to flirt with the ladies. I suspect he may have gone too far with Kayla and she may have wanted to blow the whistle on him. He's really the only link to Kayla that Allie has to go on to figure out who would kill an innocent young woman. Another new character cast in the villain role is Rex's second wife, Melonie. She's a nasty witch and I wouldn't put it past her to murder a suspected rival or murder a potential rival and frame Frances and thereby get Allie into trouble with Rex, possibly even kill Allie when she stumbles across the truth. Unlike Allie, I'm a confrontational person so I'd have it out with her right then and there but I think Allie doesn't love Rex enough to fight for him.

This wasn't the best entry in the series. Not even the fudge recipes can make up for poor editing but I'm eager for the next one. I skimmed the preview and can't wait to find out what happens next!

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This is the eighth book in the Candy-Coated mystery series by Nancy CoCo.

While Allie is still dealing with repercussions from the last book, she comes across a woman in a snowbank right where a mysterious note asked her to meet someone. This book was easy to follow and you get quickly invested in the action due to what is impacting Allie and her friends right from the start of the book. I enjoyed the mystery. It was well-plotted and kept our interest all the way through.

Allie is living in her friend, Frances’s apartment while waiting for the renovations of the Historic Murphy Hotel to be completed due to the explosion in the previous book. She is also still dealing with Rex’s ex-wife who has suddenly decided she wants Rex back and wants Allie out of the picture. I wish Trent would come back now just to make everything just a little more interesting

I couldn’t decide if I liked the ladies book club or just found it irritating. They sort of burst in on Allie at a time when I think she just wanted to be alone. Frances’s apartment used to be the place where they all met and I guess they figured they could come and go as they pleased even though Allie was staying there currently. Like I said, annoying.

Overall, great story. Love the cast and the mystery never disappoints.

If you like cozy mysteries, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun holiday cozy. I was pulled into the story from the start. With suspects and red herrings abound, the mystery keeps you guessing and re-guessing whodunit. A bonus for the foodie cozy fans, many wonderful recipes are included. The characters both human and fur and entertaining and likable. I recommend this book to cozy mystery fans.

All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way have I been influenced by anyone.

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have Yourself a Fudgy Little Christmas is the 8th book in the Candy-Coated Mysteries series.

This was my 1st in this series. Although it was book eight, I had no difficulties keeping up with characters and events and it worked for me as an individual story. Protagonist and Historic McMurphy Hotel And Fudge Shop owner, Allie McMurphy was a great character who I liked immensely from the very first chapters. She was smart and focussed though sometimes inclined towards recklessness. The setting on Mackinac Island, Michigan was well described by Nancy CoCo. There was no shortage of engaging chapters so I was thoroughly invested in finding out what would happen next. The great cast of characters, especially Allie's friend Frances, who offered her a place to stay while renovations were being completed at the hotel and fudge shop, helped to zhoosh up this festive cozy. The author really impressed me with her fluid writing; the details of the plot were very well-executed, and the story was amusing and easy to follow. I was kept guessing until the very end and really enjoyed this Yuletide yarn.

I’m not sure why I have waited so long to try this series, but I am delighted I now have! There are quite a few instalments to catch up on and I can’t wait to visit Allie and her Bichonpoo, Mal (short for Marshmallow) on Mackinac Island again. If you adore a solid Crimbo cozy whodunit with lots of yummy fudgy references, don't miss out on Have Yourself a Fudgy Little Christmas.

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

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is usually a series I like and I didn't not like this one but there were some things that bothered me and caused a lower star rating. The mystery was good, the killer was a surprise and the motive made sense. There wasn't much Christmas in this Christmas cozy but that was ok. I missed the hotel setting. What bothered me was,
1) The ending...this character has never been one I feel is TSTL (to stupid to live) however in this story to wrap up the mystery her and her friend do something really stupid that I had to roll my eyes when, who would have guessed, they got themselves in trouble...
2) In the previous books we've been going round the love triangle situation and I thought we had a final resolution at the end of the last book. Nope, in this book there is a complication and the two characters are barely interacting with each other. Add the fact that we are introduced to a new potential love interest and I'm just annoyed. I don't mind a love triangle as long as we get resolution at some point but don't resolve one only to break it up and start over!

All in all I still recommend this series.

[Sherry]

A guaranteed good read. Buy this book now. You will devour it. This is a sweet (pun intended 😄), fast paced, intriguing, cozy mystery that keeps you turning the pages. The characters and scenes are so well developed that you feel like you personally know the characters and actually live on Mackinac Island. With each book I love this series more and more. This book kept me guessing right until the end as I had no clue who the murderer was.

My gratitude to the publisher for a complementary Netgalley for a copy of this novel. I was not required to post a review and the opinions expressed are my own.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have Yourself a Fudgy Little Christmas is by first Nancy Coco read and I will return. The series is the Candy-coated mysteries. Does that not say it all?
The setting is Mackinac Island, Michigan. It is Christmas time. Allie McMurphy has inherited a hotel from her grandparents. Right now it is under construction because the roof caved in. Thankfully most of the damage was limited to her apartment on the third floor, so Allie is living in Frances' old apartment. Frances who has been a mainstay around the hotel for 30 years had recently married Allie's new handyman, Douglas, and they had moved in together. Allie also made and shipped fudge. Her main kitchen had been at the hotel so for now she was using her own or Frances'. She was busy, shipping orders from her website every day. Suddenly, the calm in the island was broken when someone left a note on Allie's door to meet him or her at the old fort steps. When she got there her dog, Mal, found a body; thankfully still alive. Sadly that didn't last. A young woman, a newcomer named Kayla Cramdon, died at the hospital, from an apparent poisoning. Things got worse from there.

What a fun series this is. This book is so chock full of characters and subplots and it moved so quickly from one to another, that one has to focus to stay abreast. It has everything, touching on locating family through DNA, crazy ex-wives, and an emphasis on how much things have changed in the last 60 years. Despite the murders, it has an upbeat tone that is hard to beat. In a way, it is a feel-good cozy mystery. Not all of them are. I had fun reading it and it got me to thinking about fudge. It was also chock full of recipes for those readers who cook and bake. It is definitely worth a try if you car not familiar with Coco's writing, and worth a read if you already know her. I recommend it.

I was invited to read a free ARC of Have Yourself a Fudgy Little Christmas by Netgalley. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #haveyourselfafudgylittlechristmas

[Cozy Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a charming cozy mystery series that I love to return to with each new release. This is the 8th in series and is a delightful read. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinions are my own. This is a Christmas theme edition with fun holiday theme foods and atmosphere. The lighting festival and the fun addition of shopping for Christmas trees make for a fun pre Christmas read. The author included receipes that are scrumptious and perfect to make for the holidays.

We return to our protagnist Allie and her fudge shop on Mackinac Island. Allie is preparing her shop for the holidays and enjoying the holiday theme decorations and festivities on the island. She is busy amid renovations at her hotel and staying with a friend until her hotel and apartment at the hotel are finished. When she finds a mysterious note at her door to meet up with a stranger she decides to meet the person and find out what she wants. She takes her trusty companion her Maltipoo who finds a women in the snow . The women is dying in a snowdrift who utters one last word , the name Frances. Every the savvy investigator Allie pursues the last clue and knows that the Frances she knows is a kindhearted person who would never hurt another person. Together with her friends, Frances husband and her skills she works to clear Frances and find the real killer.

I love this holiday theme mystery. The charcters area ll enjoyable and add to the series. The sleuth was well crafted and enjoyable to conclusion. I highly recommend this fun cozy series .

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Allie is preparing for Christmas and filling fudge orders from Frances’ old apartment while the McMurphy is being repaired after the roof collapse in book 7 Fudge Bites.
Allie finds a girl, Kayla, whom she barely knows in a snowbank. Later Kayla dies and it is from poison. Then Allie’s upstairs neighbor at the apartment dies also from poison. This is a troubling mystery because the police think Frances was involved.
There is snow and power outages and problems with Rex’s second ex-wife.
This was a good mystery, well written and engaging. I am troubled with timeline though. In the book supposedly Allie has only been on Mackinac for a year, and this is her first winter there.
The problem with the timeline is that the author has written two other winter stories for this series - “All I want for Christmas is Fudge” and “ Deck the Halls with Fudge”. It seems like there has been at least a couple of years on Mackinac.
I really like the story. However, I did deduct a star, because if you are creating a timeline with a series you need to keep all books and novellas in the same timeline and progress time properly.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book prior to publication.