Chocolate Cadavers

Mad Batter #6

by Constance Barker

The Reading of a Will Causes an Unexpected Death

Coco's about to inherit a wealth of trouble. Her Aunt Isabelle has died and the vultures are gathering, including Coco's ex-husband. He makes it known that anything Coco inherits, he gets half. Logan isn't putting up with his bull or the rest of the cousins who are appalled at Coco's inheritance. When someone ends up dead, who will be to blame? With the Harvest Festival right around the corner, will things become clearer or will someone else end up six feet under?

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Cozy

126 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 31, 2020

About the author

Constance Barker lives in the Midwest with her husband and two Akitas where she can look out from her screened porch onto a wooded area brimming with activity. Since she was a young girl she read mysteries, often given to her by her grandmother. She loved figuring out who the culprit was and sometimes she was right and other times startled at who the author picked as the assailant. Now she enjoys writing mysteries herself. When she isn't writing stories, she can be found in her favorite vacation spot, Las Vegas or shopping for bargains.

Reviews

[Aimee Bower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coco has to go to the willing reading for her late Aunt Isabelle. Coco and her cousin Angie are talking, Logan comes to take them. While at the will reading, they see their cousins. When they find out that her Aunt Isabelle left her the house, chaos erupts in the room. Coco leaves the room quickly, only to run into her ex-husband. He thinks he is going to get half of the house. He gets into with Logan when Logan tells him to leave her alone.
Coco stumbles over her ex-husbands body, Logan shows up. They tell him he can't investigate due to the altercation he had with him. Coco finds out that Logan is a suspect and the Detective Spinner is on the case. Coco is undecided to let them to investigate the case. When things keep looking worse for Logan, Coco knows she can't let it the polices hands.
Coco has her hands full with the one, as her ex- husband has a lot of people that could want to kill him. She will have to work through all the suspects and she where things lead. Coco will learn secrets she wishes she never did.

This was a great book, the book grabs as you start reading. You don't know who the person is until the very last moment. The author really knows how to keep the reader in suspense and throw the person you didn't think off. Can't wait for more Coco adventures

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coco’s Great Aunt Isabelle had died recently and the reading of her will was about to take place. With the exception of Angie, cousins Coco hadn't seen for years would be there since Isabelle had no children and everyone was hoping to get the valuable house. Even Coco’s ex-husband, Daniel, who should have no business there at all, was hanging around the lawyer’s office. But for some reason he thinks that he is entitled to half of whatever Coco inherits.

Coco’s detective boyfriend, Logan, gets into an argument with Daniel, warning him to stay away from Coco, which isn’t a good thing since Daniel turns up dead! The ever-loyal townspeople crank up the rumor mill to add their critical voices to the mix. Will Logan become the prime suspect when another detective is assigned to the case? Or will our clever Coco jump in and try to find the guilty party among the tons of people who hated Daniel?

This is another fun mystery in the “Mad Battery” cozy series! There never seems to be an easy case for Coco, but she does seem to always come through in the end! Can she do so now with so much at risk? Will she get the goodies baked for the Harvest Festival in time? Grab your copy and follow along as she works on the case to find the murderer and save her beau!

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coco's Great Aunt Isabelle has passed away and now is the day of the reading of the will. Of course Coco's cousins Maxwell and Regina will be there along with the only other cousin Coco gets along with, Angie. Logan also goes with Coco to it. The surprise is when Coco is left The Grove her stately manor. Then Daniel, Coco's ex husband tells her whatever she gets half of it is his. Logan and Daniel get into a physical altercation. Daniel is not well liked around town. He has done some really shady things and is not nice to people in general. Later that day Masie, Scooter and Coco go check out their booth at the fair grounds. Coco finds a cord on the ground that leads to a dead body...Daniel! Now Logan is a prime suspect in Daniel's death. Of course Coco is also a suspect. The more she tries to help Logan the worse it looks for him. Should she just let the police handle this or will they decide they have their murderer? You will have to read the book to find out. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book from Booksprout.

[Disney14604 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coco inherits a house. Her ex shows up expecting his half (yeah, right – don’t think so). Ends up dead.

Lots of rabbit trails to follow. Almost got caught in one. Had y suspicion (right) but not confirmed till end.

Vivian and Stella just crack me up. Going to get me into trouble laughing on the bus – B&E. You go Girls!!! Nothing wrong with marshmallows here either.

Really appreciate the way Logan was told he could not be involved. Very Nicely and Unexpectedly Done. (I was thinking he be all over it.)

Love the ending of this story. I admit I was hoping that it would go another way. This ending is good too.

Someone tell me what about the poker chip, please?

Easily read by itself, but go back and enjoy the earlier books too. Fast and easy to read, all of them.

This is my honest and freely given review. I did receive an ARC book.

[Sassy Beta Reading & Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love this series. It has such crazy characters, wacky story lines, cozy mysteries with completed mystery endings. Each story is progressive, but can be read as a stand alone. However, I recommend reading each book in the series in order.

This murder hits a little bit closer to home than the others. Coco must do everything she can to make sure someone that cares about, isn't framed for a murder they did not commit.

Strong story line, awesome characters, engaging dialogue and well detailed descriptions.

Written as a 1st person, single pov with completed mystery ending.

Would I recommend this book? Yes

Would I read more from this author? Yes

Sassy Beta Reading and Review

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara Hackel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Things never go smoothly for Coco and the Mad Batter, but this time she sort of hit the jackpot. A great aunt has died and all the cousins are gathered for the reading of the will. Coco inherits her house! Boy what a house! 20+ rooms-fully furnished -hardwood floors-crown molding, and more.
For some reason her slimy ex-husband thinks he is entitled to half the house...EX-husband. Things get interesting for real!
Coco does what she does best, solves a murder, rescues an innocent person, does better than the police, and keeps the bakery humming along! Loads of fun for readers as she does all the work! Don't miss this exciting story of Coco's success! Exciting and well done.

[sherri jones-teachout · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coco has to find her ex-husband’s killer. Coco’s boyfriend Logan is the prime suspect in the murder of her ex-husband Daniel. Only because the day before Daniel accosted her coming out of her aunt’s lawyer’s office and Logan stopped him and told him to stay away from Coco. Coco knows Logan is innocent but proving it will be difficult because some people in town are spreading rumors about Logan. So many people in the town hated Daniel that she will have a hard time finding the culprit. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review

[Lucrecia Tolbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chocolate Cadavers is the newest installment in the Mad Batter series. The storyline makes the reader want to slap some sense into some of the characters. Also I could never understand why are the people of the town are so quick to figuratively grab their purch forks and torches in order to go after Coco. I do hope that one day that they will leave them at home. See how this book can bring out your emotions??

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Heather W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chocolate Cadavers is the sixth book in the Mad Batter Cozy Mystery Series and is a truly enjoyable cozy mystery.

I loved this cozy mystery. Poor Coco is in it again as her ex-husband is murdered and Logan is considered the main suspect. Knowing that many people have a reason to hate Daniel, Coco decides that she needs to take matters into her own hands. This is a well-written story that keeps you guessing until the very last, with humour, murder, and danger.

I am looking forward to reading the next book in this wonderful series.
I read and reviewed this book with no obligation.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aunt Isabelle leaves Coco the house in her will but she finds herself in for a fight when her ex feels entitled. Defending Coco's honor leaves Logan in a jam when said ex ends up dead. It is a battle of the wills as Coco tries to stay out of the investigation but ultimately her desire to save Logan outweighs the consequences of crossing the Detective on the case.

[Heather Bane · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS IS BOOK 6 OF THE MAD BATTER COZY MYSTERY SERIES. THIS IS ANOTHER GREAT BOOK BY CONSTANCE BARKER. I LOVE THIS MYSTERY SERIES. I LOVE COCO AND THE REST OF THE CHARACTERS. THE STORYLINE GRABBED ME FROM THE START AND IS VERY WELL WRITTEN. A REALLY GREAT FUN MYSTERY THAT I WOULD RECOMMEND READING.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Phthon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the best books in the series! I enjoyed the different aspects of the case. The things that made it so hard for Coco to investigate. Such as Detective Spinner, Evangeline’s intense dislike of Coco. I felt that she had a much harder time with this mystery than others. I really enjoyed reading it!

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great addition to this cozy mystery series. No spoilers here. You'll love reading this one as the story line has just the right amount of suspense and mystery with a bit of humor added in. The characters are entertaining and well developed. A great mystery to read sitting on your front porch this summer.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dorothy Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coco’s aunt passed away, and as the will is read, certain people are not pleased. A ripple effect drags Coco into another murder investigation. I enjoyed Coco’s character, however, I think Stella‘s and Vivian’s antics were hilarious.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jodi Sweet · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Coco literally falls over another dead body, she’s on the case to keep her friend off the suspect list.
I love this series and it just keeps getting better with each book. Stella and Vivian keep me laughing in all their scenes in the book!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Linda Manfredi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read all six books!

I loved all of these books! I thought the characters were charming and interesting! My only regret is that there were only six books in this series. I want more!!

[JANE VAN HORN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. I love this series and all of the characters. Coco and gang solve another murder and save Logan.

[Patricia A · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think the book was great. I didn’t know who the killer was until the end. I enjoyed all the twist and turns that the story had.

[Devon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strong closer. This comforting series will leave you wanting more.

[Velma Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of her books that I was sure of the Murder

[Angela Griffin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the author's best

A surprise inheritance for Coco brings a sleazy ex as well as secrets aplenty! The mystery storyline holds interest; although the victim is obvious from the start the killer is not. The whole "are we dating or not" situation is now irritatingly tedious, as is law enforcement's continual groveling before Coco's superior sleuthing skills, and a bit tighter proofing should catch any stray word choice errors; these things drop a four-star review to a three.