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Candy-Coated Mystery #10
A Midsummer Night's Fudge
After a summer celebration on Michigan’s Mackinac Island ends in murder, hotel and fudge shop owner Allie McMurphy puts on her sleuthing hat . . .
THERE’S NO SUGARCOATING A KILLER’S SCHEME
During the Midsummer Night’s Festival, Allie decides to take her bichonpoo, Mal, home to spare her furry little ears from the sounds of fireworks. But on her way back, Allie spots a body in the lake. Just minutes ago, Winona Higer was crowning the event’s Queen—could the competition have really been that deadly?
While she ponders the mystery the next morning, Allie prepares her favorite dark chocolate cherry fudge recipe. But she’s soon recruited to sub for the late Winona and serve as parade float judge, among other duties. As she hears rumors and gossip, and learns of mean pranks and threatening notes, her instincts kick in—despite her boyfriend the cop’s disapproval. Now, between managing a new hire and keeping the tourists filled with fudge, she’s dealing with a case that’s boiling over . . .
THERE’S NO SUGARCOATING A KILLER’S SCHEME
During the Midsummer Night’s Festival, Allie decides to take her bichonpoo, Mal, home to spare her furry little ears from the sounds of fireworks. But on her way back, Allie spots a body in the lake. Just minutes ago, Winona Higer was crowning the event’s Queen—could the competition have really been that deadly?
While she ponders the mystery the next morning, Allie prepares her favorite dark chocolate cherry fudge recipe. But she’s soon recruited to sub for the late Winona and serve as parade float judge, among other duties. As she hears rumors and gossip, and learns of mean pranks and threatening notes, her instincts kick in—despite her boyfriend the cop’s disapproval. Now, between managing a new hire and keeping the tourists filled with fudge, she’s dealing with a case that’s boiling over . . .
279 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 24, 2022
92 people are currently reading
1345 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 166 reviews
March 18, 2022
Great cozy mystery! Full of emotion, love, and some laughs, plus…that yummy fudge! This is the tenth story in one of my all-time favorite cozy series and it was worth the wait!
A brazen killer is on the loose on Mackinac Island where the first Midsummer Night’s Festival is celebrating the opening of the summer season! A masquerade ball on the beach becomes a murder scene when Allie McMurphy finds a woman’s body floating near the beach. Rex Manning, Allie’s boyfriend and a local police officer, is very concerned when bodies start to pile up and they feel pressured to find the critical connection between the victims.
Action packed, humor, a great cast of characters including the pets, and several surprises in the plot make for a roller coaster of a read! The killer took me by surprise. I highly recommend this book and cozy series.
I honestly reviewed an unedited digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. All opinions are my own.
A brazen killer is on the loose on Mackinac Island where the first Midsummer Night’s Festival is celebrating the opening of the summer season! A masquerade ball on the beach becomes a murder scene when Allie McMurphy finds a woman’s body floating near the beach. Rex Manning, Allie’s boyfriend and a local police officer, is very concerned when bodies start to pile up and they feel pressured to find the critical connection between the victims.
Action packed, humor, a great cast of characters including the pets, and several surprises in the plot make for a roller coaster of a read! The killer took me by surprise. I highly recommend this book and cozy series.
I honestly reviewed an unedited digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. All opinions are my own.
May 15, 2022
The Midsummer Night's Festival was a big hit until it got to naming the pageant queen and then it went downhill quickly. It ended with a floating body. Allie feels the need to help find the perpetrator by doing a little investigating much to the displeasure of Rex, her boyfriend/police officer.
I have enjoyed all of the books in A Candy-Coated Mystery series. There are likeable characters, a cute dog and a good mystery. Nonetheless, I have reservations about labeling Allie's somewhat impulsive and unsafe decisions as being a strong woman. Thanks to Kensington and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
I have enjoyed all of the books in A Candy-Coated Mystery series. There are likeable characters, a cute dog and a good mystery. Nonetheless, I have reservations about labeling Allie's somewhat impulsive and unsafe decisions as being a strong woman. Thanks to Kensington and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
May 21, 2022
Dollycas’s Thoughts
We are back on Mackinac Island just in time for the Midsummer Night’s Festival. There is a variety of events including an outside masquerade ball, a beauty pageant, a bonfire on the beach, plenty of food and drink plus a pig roast, with a fireworks finale.
Like most dogs, Mal is not a fan of fireworks so after the queen has been crowned with a bit of drama Allie takes her pup home. On her way back she sees a body floating in the lake, a woman wearing a white dress with rainbow hair. Allie dives in to save her but it is too late. Winona Higer, the woman in charge of the festival is dead.
Allie can’t get the woman’s death off her mind and is very surprised to be asked to fill Winona’s position on several committees. She realizes by taking her place she may get some information on who could have killed Winona so she accepts. Rex is not happy with her decision especially when he learns of some pranks and threatening notes. He doesn’t want Allie fudging up his investigation and he sure doesn’t want her to be a target for the killer.
It is always a pleasure to visit Mackinac Island and all the wonderful characters Nancy Coco has created. They are some of my cozy mystery favorites. Allie is a very strong protagonist, confident, smart, with a huge heart but this time she made took some super risky moves. She just wasn’t listening at all to Rex’s warnings or at least not taking them seriously. It would have been a terrible shame to have her die so close to home because she ventured out when she shouldn’t have. It did make for some exciting moments though.
Ms. Coco gave Allie and readers a nice selection of suspects to sort through with some twists trying to misdirect everyone’s thinking. I found myself focused on one individual quite early in the story. Something just felt off. There were clues that should have pulled me away from the person but I stuck with them and the story played out in a fantastic way that confirmed every element of my theory. That is something that rarely happens but it is so much fun when it does.
Again, the setting of Mackinac Island and all its uniqueness make the story special. The island is a place where the horse is king, and where the streets have been car-free for over 100 years. Sadly, I have never been there but have seen plenty of pictures. Those along with the author’s descriptions bring each shop, hotel, restaurant, pier, and horse-drawn carriage alive in my mind’s eye. A trip there is on my bucket list but until then I have to settle for the virtual trips the books in this series allow me to take.
A Midsummer’s Night Fudge is a delicious cozy mystery set in an idyllic place filled with delightful characters, an interesting mystery, and recipes too. I really enjoyed my visit and can’t wait to return.
We are back on Mackinac Island just in time for the Midsummer Night’s Festival. There is a variety of events including an outside masquerade ball, a beauty pageant, a bonfire on the beach, plenty of food and drink plus a pig roast, with a fireworks finale.
Like most dogs, Mal is not a fan of fireworks so after the queen has been crowned with a bit of drama Allie takes her pup home. On her way back she sees a body floating in the lake, a woman wearing a white dress with rainbow hair. Allie dives in to save her but it is too late. Winona Higer, the woman in charge of the festival is dead.
Allie can’t get the woman’s death off her mind and is very surprised to be asked to fill Winona’s position on several committees. She realizes by taking her place she may get some information on who could have killed Winona so she accepts. Rex is not happy with her decision especially when he learns of some pranks and threatening notes. He doesn’t want Allie fudging up his investigation and he sure doesn’t want her to be a target for the killer.
It is always a pleasure to visit Mackinac Island and all the wonderful characters Nancy Coco has created. They are some of my cozy mystery favorites. Allie is a very strong protagonist, confident, smart, with a huge heart but this time she made took some super risky moves. She just wasn’t listening at all to Rex’s warnings or at least not taking them seriously. It would have been a terrible shame to have her die so close to home because she ventured out when she shouldn’t have. It did make for some exciting moments though.
Ms. Coco gave Allie and readers a nice selection of suspects to sort through with some twists trying to misdirect everyone’s thinking. I found myself focused on one individual quite early in the story. Something just felt off. There were clues that should have pulled me away from the person but I stuck with them and the story played out in a fantastic way that confirmed every element of my theory. That is something that rarely happens but it is so much fun when it does.
Again, the setting of Mackinac Island and all its uniqueness make the story special. The island is a place where the horse is king, and where the streets have been car-free for over 100 years. Sadly, I have never been there but have seen plenty of pictures. Those along with the author’s descriptions bring each shop, hotel, restaurant, pier, and horse-drawn carriage alive in my mind’s eye. A trip there is on my bucket list but until then I have to settle for the virtual trips the books in this series allow me to take.
A Midsummer’s Night Fudge is a delicious cozy mystery set in an idyllic place filled with delightful characters, an interesting mystery, and recipes too. I really enjoyed my visit and can’t wait to return.
November 17, 2023
Mackinac Island is famous for its fudge and the tourists in the summer make it a little hard for the locals to get around. Hotel and fudge shop owner Allie McMurphy is always busy doing fudge demonstrations and giving out chunks of that fudge to drum up business. That July evening, when she was set on watching the Midsummer Night’s Festival, she had to take her little dog home first to protect his ears from the fireworks. A relaxing evening was not to be had by this amateur sleuth though as she sees a body floating in the water. There's the local crowning of the queen and a parade with floats but not everyone is in agreement of who should have been the queen. Could some sour grapes have entered into this deadly competition? A cozy mystery with animals and a bakery or fudge shop? I'm all in. Despite keeping the tourists distracted by the sticky sweet fudge she's making Allie and her boyfriend the cop is working the case from every angle. This charming cozy has a fudge or baked goods recipe after every chapter. This is another cozy series that I've read some but not all of the books in it and will be needing a catch up.
Pub Date 24 May 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
Pub Date 24 May 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
August 9, 2022
Mackinac Island is hosting a festival to raise money for the parks department. Allie and her friends are all in attendance and when the fireworks begin she runs home to drop off her dog Mal, who is upset by the noise. On her way back to the festival she unfortunately finds a body in the lake. The victim is the festival organizer, Winona Higer. No one knows who would have wanted her dead, except for the pageant contestant who was just disqualified.
Unfortunately Winona is not the only murder victim found on the island. Could a serial killer be at work?
This is the tenth book in the Candy-coated mystery series. I love this series and have been looking forward to reading the latest book. I was not disappointed. I was a little shocked at the number of crimes in this book, but the action moved at a steady pace and was engaging.
I figured out who the murderer was early in the book, but I continued to wonder if I was falling for a red herring. I’m already looking forward to reading the next book. I recommend this book.
Unfortunately Winona is not the only murder victim found on the island. Could a serial killer be at work?
This is the tenth book in the Candy-coated mystery series. I love this series and have been looking forward to reading the latest book. I was not disappointed. I was a little shocked at the number of crimes in this book, but the action moved at a steady pace and was engaging.
I figured out who the murderer was early in the book, but I continued to wonder if I was falling for a red herring. I’m already looking forward to reading the next book. I recommend this book.
June 2, 2022
Allie McMurphy is enjoying the first Midsummer Night's Festival but not the drama over a pageant contestant being disqualified at the last minute. Little Mal, Allie's Bichonpoo puppy does not enjoy the fireworks so Allie brings Mal home and returns for the fireworks. She's just about to join up with Jenn and Rex back at the beach when she finds a body floating at water's edge. The body belongs to Winona Higer who has been shot in the forehead. Whoever did this did it deliberately, timed so the sound of the shot was covered by the fireworks. With Winona gone, Allie is asked to step in and help judge the pageant and other duties around town. She readily agrees. After some break-ins and other scary incidents, Allie becomes suspicious that the killer was after members of the pageant committee and that puts some of her friends in danger. She'll do anything to help her friends. Carol Tunisian begs Allie to investigate even though Allie promised Rex she wouldn't. Determined to be safe, Allie sets out to question the suspects and protect her friends from becoming the next victims.
This mystery was dark. I didn't like that the victim was shot and in one scene they have an active shooter scene. It's not the author's fault that her book launched days after a mass shooting in Texas followed by other mass shootings. She didn't know that would happen and it is a murder mystery. I would have preferred to read something different at this time had I known. The body count is a little high for a cozy too. The mystery wasn't super hard to figure out. I guessed pretty early on. I had a hunch, got distracted by red herrings, alibis and other deaths. I wasn't super sure until towards the end when I had a bad feeling about that character. The fudge making sounds amazing as usual but the recipes are disconnected from the story. They don't match what Allie is making at that moment so why include them in the body of the story and not afterwards? I like the Midsummer Night's festival and all the costumes people came up with. That sounds fun, aside from the pageant part, and murder of course.
Allie, Allie, Allie! I have never really liked her much. NOW she's willing to be a part of the community and go all out when it puts her in danger. Her investigation is haphazard and really stupid. She barges in on people, suggests they be friends even when the other person is reluctant and questions people after they've spoken with Rex. Allie also gets stubborn on Rex. He's a trained professional and she's a nosy fudge maker. She's been in trouble before and he has every right to be worried. He's not being all Tarzan, he's being professional and caring! Shut up Allie and let Rex handle this one. Allie is egged on by Mrs. Carol Tunisian who doesn't feel safe even with police patrol. Even so, she still goes out walking and snoops with Allie. She feels safety in numbers will prevent her from being held prisoner at home. I think Carol is a bad influence on Allie. The seniors are funny usually but not this time. Rex is a good cop. He needs to have Allie be safe so he can focus on his job. Wanting her to butt out of the investigation means BUTT OUT NOSY CIVILLIAN! Wanting her to be safe is caring about her. He does care about her a lot and he also cares about the people on the island. It's his job to keep them safe and he can't do that with Allie running around.
Jenn has her own very obvious subplot. Allie is extremely obtuse. Jenn is busier than ever but is good at handling many balls at once. As always, Mal is the most adorable puppy! She doesn't find the first body but she does continue her spree with sniffing out another victim and uncovers the murder weapon. It's highly unlikely but it's cute so I roll with it. Mal is also on hand to provide kisses and comfort for anyone who needs it. Madison Gimble is Allie's new assistant. They hire her without much fanfare and she's super efficient. I'd be concerned if I were Allie LOL! She doesn't have much personality yet.
The first victim, Winona Higer, sounds like she was a tough lady. She was probably Type A and enjoyed planning and running the pageant to the very last period in the last rule. The way she announced Natasha Alpine's disqualification was really terrible. That should have been discovered sooner and announced privately. Instead the runners up were named, the winner named and the last one standing was the DQ. Natasha was furious and I don't blame her. Was she mad enough to kill? Her family was angry too and they seem close-knit. Natasha knows how to shoot a rifle. Did she kill Winona? Well for one thing the murder weapon is wrong but could it have been someone in her circle? Maybe.
The killer goes after someone else next. That person knew something about the first murder. Allie and the seniors must rule out suicide, and murder suicide. Those theories are so totally dumb. Allie should let Rex handle this! Carol and Irma do find evidence the police didn't catch though.
Was it Elias Sumner, Winona's gardener? She accused him of killing her roses just before a big contest. He claims he loves plants and would never do that but maybe he knows how to fix things easily too. Maybe he wanted to see Winona lose for a change. Maybe he wanted revenge on her for some other reason.
Winona's assistant Michelle is mourning her boss. She claims Winona was the best boss ever and she was great to work for. Michelle certainly worked for Winona for a long time. Michelle seems very reserved. She loves gardening and is not much for idle chit-chat. Allie tries to pump Mary Emry, a clerk at Doud's market, even knowing Mary is also quiet like Michelle. Mary makes Michelle look chatty. Mary is quiet, introverted and not prone to gossip. Allie is rude and pushy in her dealings with Mary. That was really out of line and dumb even for Allie.
Meanwhile, in a completely random subplot, a woman named Amy comes to Allie to investigate her husband whom she believes to be cheating on her. Um what? When did Allie become a licensed P.I.? Never? I thought so. Why ask Allie? Amy is the nervous sort. She can't even manage a confrontation with her own husband, let alone a supposed other woman. During their investigation, Amy is shot! NOW what? is it the same killer? The same person who broke into Carol's home? What is the motive? Amy seemed too nice for anyone to want to kill other than being on the committee!
The third victim was also a suspect. None of these events seem to be connected! Is there a random killer running around? Leave to Allie NOT to figure it out!
This mystery was dark. I didn't like that the victim was shot and in one scene they have an active shooter scene. It's not the author's fault that her book launched days after a mass shooting in Texas followed by other mass shootings. She didn't know that would happen and it is a murder mystery. I would have preferred to read something different at this time had I known. The body count is a little high for a cozy too. The mystery wasn't super hard to figure out. I guessed pretty early on. I had a hunch, got distracted by red herrings, alibis and other deaths. I wasn't super sure until towards the end when I had a bad feeling about that character. The fudge making sounds amazing as usual but the recipes are disconnected from the story. They don't match what Allie is making at that moment so why include them in the body of the story and not afterwards? I like the Midsummer Night's festival and all the costumes people came up with. That sounds fun, aside from the pageant part, and murder of course.
Allie, Allie, Allie! I have never really liked her much. NOW she's willing to be a part of the community and go all out when it puts her in danger. Her investigation is haphazard and really stupid. She barges in on people, suggests they be friends even when the other person is reluctant and questions people after they've spoken with Rex. Allie also gets stubborn on Rex. He's a trained professional and she's a nosy fudge maker. She's been in trouble before and he has every right to be worried. He's not being all Tarzan, he's being professional and caring! Shut up Allie and let Rex handle this one. Allie is egged on by Mrs. Carol Tunisian who doesn't feel safe even with police patrol. Even so, she still goes out walking and snoops with Allie. She feels safety in numbers will prevent her from being held prisoner at home. I think Carol is a bad influence on Allie. The seniors are funny usually but not this time. Rex is a good cop. He needs to have Allie be safe so he can focus on his job. Wanting her to butt out of the investigation means BUTT OUT NOSY CIVILLIAN! Wanting her to be safe is caring about her. He does care about her a lot and he also cares about the people on the island. It's his job to keep them safe and he can't do that with Allie running around.
Jenn has her own very obvious subplot. Allie is extremely obtuse. Jenn is busier than ever but is good at handling many balls at once. As always, Mal is the most adorable puppy! She doesn't find the first body but she does continue her spree with sniffing out another victim and uncovers the murder weapon. It's highly unlikely but it's cute so I roll with it. Mal is also on hand to provide kisses and comfort for anyone who needs it. Madison Gimble is Allie's new assistant. They hire her without much fanfare and she's super efficient. I'd be concerned if I were Allie LOL! She doesn't have much personality yet.
The first victim, Winona Higer, sounds like she was a tough lady. She was probably Type A and enjoyed planning and running the pageant to the very last period in the last rule. The way she announced Natasha Alpine's disqualification was really terrible. That should have been discovered sooner and announced privately. Instead the runners up were named, the winner named and the last one standing was the DQ. Natasha was furious and I don't blame her. Was she mad enough to kill? Her family was angry too and they seem close-knit. Natasha knows how to shoot a rifle. Did she kill Winona? Well for one thing the murder weapon is wrong but could it have been someone in her circle? Maybe.
The killer goes after someone else next. That person knew something about the first murder. Allie and the seniors must rule out suicide, and murder suicide. Those theories are so totally dumb. Allie should let Rex handle this! Carol and Irma do find evidence the police didn't catch though.
Was it Elias Sumner, Winona's gardener? She accused him of killing her roses just before a big contest. He claims he loves plants and would never do that but maybe he knows how to fix things easily too. Maybe he wanted to see Winona lose for a change. Maybe he wanted revenge on her for some other reason.
Winona's assistant Michelle is mourning her boss. She claims Winona was the best boss ever and she was great to work for. Michelle certainly worked for Winona for a long time. Michelle seems very reserved. She loves gardening and is not much for idle chit-chat. Allie tries to pump Mary Emry, a clerk at Doud's market, even knowing Mary is also quiet like Michelle. Mary makes Michelle look chatty. Mary is quiet, introverted and not prone to gossip. Allie is rude and pushy in her dealings with Mary. That was really out of line and dumb even for Allie.
Meanwhile, in a completely random subplot, a woman named Amy comes to Allie to investigate her husband whom she believes to be cheating on her. Um what? When did Allie become a licensed P.I.? Never? I thought so. Why ask Allie? Amy is the nervous sort. She can't even manage a confrontation with her own husband, let alone a supposed other woman. During their investigation, Amy is shot! NOW what? is it the same killer? The same person who broke into Carol's home? What is the motive? Amy seemed too nice for anyone to want to kill other than being on the committee!
The third victim was also a suspect. None of these events seem to be connected! Is there a random killer running around? Leave to Allie NOT to figure it out!
March 18, 2022
Mackinac Island, where the story is set, is rather a magical, unique place. It was rather telling to read about the police being called out for murder and rolling up not in cars with lights and sirens flashing but on bikes, I must admit. I guess Rex putting down his kickstand is the equivalent of turning off the sirens and getting to business? In any case, although Rex isn't alone, he'd just as rather not have girlfriend Allie putting herself in danger by asking questions. Even worse, she's rather open about letting others know she's looking into Winona's murder, even when questioning seems to put not just her but friends in danger. These supporting characters are well-rounded and courageous, however, and aren't detoured.
Who killed Winona? Why? Did it have something to do with the pageant committee? Or was it connected to her sewing circle? Why is Allie so sure the murder took place at the pier, not elsewhere? Would someone really murder someone because their daughter didn't win the event Queen title? Who is writing all those threatening notes? Why is a home vandalized? How does Allie balance her sleuthing and community service with running her business and doing fudge making demos? Is Mal the best dog ever? Are Allie and Rex really "just dating"?
Not telling. The chapters are short, often interspersed with recipes, and it's an entertaining, relatively quick read. I should also admit here that I had no clue who did it until the big reveal. Interesting mystery, well-rounded characters, fun side-stories, a smart, cute dog, and a hint of romance. What's not to like? Give it a read.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks for inviting me to spend some time with Allie and friends at picturesque Mackinac Island. Just wish I'd gotten a carriage ride while I was there.
Who killed Winona? Why? Did it have something to do with the pageant committee? Or was it connected to her sewing circle? Why is Allie so sure the murder took place at the pier, not elsewhere? Would someone really murder someone because their daughter didn't win the event Queen title? Who is writing all those threatening notes? Why is a home vandalized? How does Allie balance her sleuthing and community service with running her business and doing fudge making demos? Is Mal the best dog ever? Are Allie and Rex really "just dating"?
Not telling. The chapters are short, often interspersed with recipes, and it's an entertaining, relatively quick read. I should also admit here that I had no clue who did it until the big reveal. Interesting mystery, well-rounded characters, fun side-stories, a smart, cute dog, and a hint of romance. What's not to like? Give it a read.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks for inviting me to spend some time with Allie and friends at picturesque Mackinac Island. Just wish I'd gotten a carriage ride while I was there.
July 17, 2023
So many facts about Mackinac Island are wrong. The beaches are rocky and shallow, not wide and sandy and big enough for a festival. The island is in Lake Huron, not Lake Michigan. The cannon doesn’t go off every hour on the hour. There is no senior center. The beautiful hanging baskets that line Main Street are not watered once a week by a committee volunteer with a hose that they drag along the street. There are so many more examples of things that are just outright wrong. As someone who lived and worked there (even though it was for a short time and long ago), I found these errors very annoying. If you have to make up all these things for the sake of the story, why not just create a fictional place?
There are also many editorial inconsistencies. Allie, the main character, says she does fudge demonstrations at 11 and 2, but then does them at 10 throughout the story. And, if the first ferry doesn’t arrive until 10 with tourists, why would you have a demo that started at 10? She gets invited to join a committee that meets on the first Wednesday of the month, or “two weeks from today.” (So, it’s Wednesday) But they have a special meeting the next day (Thursday). After the special meeting, Allie meets a friend and she remarks about it being Wednesday and how much she loves Wednesdays. What day is it?!
Finally, there is some weird phrasing and dialogue. In one example, “the pizza was sliced to perfection.” What does that even mean? In another, Allie offers to make some ginger tea for her friend Jenn. Half a page later Jenn says “Ginger please.” Yeah, that’s what she just said. My favorite was when Allie’s friend Amy was shot in front of her and collapsed into her arms. Her response was “I noted that she was shot in the shoulder.” Really, your friend is shot and falls on you, and that’s your reaction?
I like cozy mysteries but this one is not for me.
There are also many editorial inconsistencies. Allie, the main character, says she does fudge demonstrations at 11 and 2, but then does them at 10 throughout the story. And, if the first ferry doesn’t arrive until 10 with tourists, why would you have a demo that started at 10? She gets invited to join a committee that meets on the first Wednesday of the month, or “two weeks from today.” (So, it’s Wednesday) But they have a special meeting the next day (Thursday). After the special meeting, Allie meets a friend and she remarks about it being Wednesday and how much she loves Wednesdays. What day is it?!
Finally, there is some weird phrasing and dialogue. In one example, “the pizza was sliced to perfection.” What does that even mean? In another, Allie offers to make some ginger tea for her friend Jenn. Half a page later Jenn says “Ginger please.” Yeah, that’s what she just said. My favorite was when Allie’s friend Amy was shot in front of her and collapsed into her arms. Her response was “I noted that she was shot in the shoulder.” Really, your friend is shot and falls on you, and that’s your reaction?
I like cozy mysteries but this one is not for me.
April 25, 2022
I enjoy a cozy mystery every now and then. They’re typically light and fun and are usually set in quint towns that are as much a part of the story as the characters. When I rate them, I do so based on other cozy mysteries that I have read. I don’t expect them to measure up to great literary fiction. Even so, I do expect some decent character development, a somewhat plausible plot, realistic dialogue, and good descriptions of the setting.
This book lacked all of those things. I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway, so I have not read any other books in this series. Perhaps by the 10th book the author expects the reader to know the characters and have a sense for the setting. Fair enough. But I’ve been to Mackinac Island and this book does not do it justice. There is so much potential for a book in this setting that the author does not take advantage of.
Even though the characters have been introduced in previous books, there should have been some attempt to bring new readers up to speed. There was not. The relationships between the characters was given cursory treatment, at best. I didn’t get a sense for how the characters related to each other, and the author gave me no reason to care.
The plot was meh. Bodies kept showing up and the characters barely reacted. Oh i found another body. That’s not good. I guess I’ll go make some fudge.
Okay, I can forgive a lot of that. Cozy mysteries are formulaic. I get that. But the dialog! Oh the dialog! Who talks like that?
“Allie, thank goodness you’re here”
“What’s going on.”
“I just got back from my power walk and someone has broken into my house.”
“Oh, that’s not good.”
It was all just so boring and pedestrian. Oh well, at least it was a quick read.
This book lacked all of those things. I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway, so I have not read any other books in this series. Perhaps by the 10th book the author expects the reader to know the characters and have a sense for the setting. Fair enough. But I’ve been to Mackinac Island and this book does not do it justice. There is so much potential for a book in this setting that the author does not take advantage of.
Even though the characters have been introduced in previous books, there should have been some attempt to bring new readers up to speed. There was not. The relationships between the characters was given cursory treatment, at best. I didn’t get a sense for how the characters related to each other, and the author gave me no reason to care.
The plot was meh. Bodies kept showing up and the characters barely reacted. Oh i found another body. That’s not good. I guess I’ll go make some fudge.
Okay, I can forgive a lot of that. Cozy mysteries are formulaic. I get that. But the dialog! Oh the dialog! Who talks like that?
“Allie, thank goodness you’re here”
“What’s going on.”
“I just got back from my power walk and someone has broken into my house.”
“Oh, that’s not good.”
It was all just so boring and pedestrian. Oh well, at least it was a quick read.
May 22, 2022
Although I haven’t read all the books in this series, I really enjoyed the first few in the series. However, for A Midsummer’s Night’s Fudge, I was extremely surprised at the situations the sleuth, Allie was putting herself in. I read a lot of cozies and I know not all the circumstances are realistic. But Allie inserted herself in such extreme and unrealistic scenarios such as coming across three bodies herself within a short amount of time. And to be allowed to interrogate the suspect in the interrogation room is so outlandish that it turned me off from the story. There are smart ways to have the amateur sleuth within a cozy to be in the midst of a crime investigation without having it come across as reaching. And Allie in this book was certainly reaching.
What I did enjoy about the book were all the recipes included and I love that Mal, Allie’s adorable dog gets involved.
I won’t let this book detract me from reading the other stories, but I hope that the future books in this series scale back on the extremities of situations.
Thank you Kensington Books for the arc. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
What I did enjoy about the book were all the recipes included and I love that Mal, Allie’s adorable dog gets involved.
I won’t let this book detract me from reading the other stories, but I hope that the future books in this series scale back on the extremities of situations.
Thank you Kensington Books for the arc. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
May 17, 2022
A Midsummer Night’s Fudge by Nancy Coco takes us back to Mackinac Island, Michigan in time for the first Midsummer Night’s Festival which celebrates the beginning of the summer season. The fireworks are scaring Mal, Allie McMurphy’s bichenpoo so she takes take him back to the McMurphy. On her way back to the festivities, Allie sees someone floating in the water. Allie dives into the water to bring the person back to shore. It turns out to be Winona Higer who had just crowned the Queen of the festival before the fireworks began. Winona has crowned her last queen. The next day as the parade is beginning, Allie is recruited to take Winona’s place on the festival committee. It has Allie in the right place to hear all the juicy gossip about the victim. Allie with help from Mal begins digging into the case when the killer strikes again. Allie works to sift through the clues, but she will need to be careful so that she does not get burned. A Midsummer Night’s Fudge is the tenth A Candy-Coated Mystery. It can be read as a standalone. I like reading the series in order because it allows me to get to know the characters and the setting. I thought A Midsummer Night’s Fudge was well-written with developed characters. Allie, Rex, Jenn, Frances, and, of course, Mal are back for another adventure. I just love Mal who has a nose for crime. He is good at sniffing at bodies and clues. I enjoy the vivid descriptions of Mackinac Island with its charming shops, lovely hotels, and delectable fudge. Allie is busy at the hotel since she lost her assistant. She must get up early to make the various flavors of fudge and take care of the hotel guests. Plus, she does fudge demonstrations during the day with free samples (yum). Of course, no matter how busy Allie is, she cannot resist a mystery. The whodunit was fun to follow. There are various suspects along with a red herring or two. The clues are there if you pay close attention. I enjoyed the dramatic reveal. The only thing that I did not like was Rex constantly discouraging Allie from investigating. One or two mentions I could live with, but it seemed like every time Rex saw Allie, he gave her a warning. I was sorry to see my visit to Mackinac Island come to end. There are recipes included for the fudge Allie made for the McMurphy Fudge Shop. A Midsummer Night’s Fudge is a tasty tale with a contentious contest, fabulous fudge, fatal fireworks, a clever killer, a fun festival, and an inquisitive fudge maker.
May 10, 2022
During the Midsummer Night’s Festival, Allie watches as Winona Higer crowns the festival’s queen. Then, when the fireworks get too much, she decides to take her dog, Mal, home to spare her little ears. On her way back, Allie spots Winona Higer’s dead body in the lake. After Allie’s recruited to sub for the late Winona and serve as parade float judge, she hears rumors and gossip, and learns that threatening notes have been sent to some of the other judges. Her instincts kick in and Allie starts an investigation that becomes way too deadly. Will she find out whodunit before she’s in the killer’s crosshairs.
In my opinion, this was a great cozy mystery because it consists of enjoyable characters, a puzzling plot, a wonderful seaside town that embodies the word “cozy,” and chocolate. The main character is a strong woman who doesn’t let anyone push her around, and she always informs the police about the clues she discovers. The mystery is full of interesting plot twists that made me rethink the solution and surprised me in the end. And I love mysteries that take place in a seaside town because it reminds me of my childhood living near the shore. But, fair warning, all the fudge recipes will make you hungry. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the advanced reader’s copy of this story. This review is my unbiased opinion.
In my opinion, this was a great cozy mystery because it consists of enjoyable characters, a puzzling plot, a wonderful seaside town that embodies the word “cozy,” and chocolate. The main character is a strong woman who doesn’t let anyone push her around, and she always informs the police about the clues she discovers. The mystery is full of interesting plot twists that made me rethink the solution and surprised me in the end. And I love mysteries that take place in a seaside town because it reminds me of my childhood living near the shore. But, fair warning, all the fudge recipes will make you hungry. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the advanced reader’s copy of this story. This review is my unbiased opinion.
May 16, 2022
Whenever I get a book in this series, I know I need to set aside a big block of time because I will not want to put it down. Nancy Coco’s writing just flows so smoothly for me that I read right through the night. I love how the series has evolved over the years and how the characters have grown. The mystery was good but I figured out the killer early on, which rarely happens, so it’s puzzling to me why Allie didn’t figure it out and got herself in trouble yet again. That’s my only complaint about this book: I get that Rex has to keep discouraging her from investigating but does the conversating have to happen every time? It gets repetitive. Otherwise, another solid entry into the series.
June 6, 2022
Residents of Mackinac Island are celebrating Midsummer’s Night. After leaving the masquerade ball Allie finds a body floating in the water near the beach. The body was one of the committee members of the festival. Soon someone seems to be targeting all the other committee members. Can Allie figure out who is behind these terrible acts before someone else dies?
This is an enjoyable cozy. The characters are intriguing and relatable. The mystery is well plotted with plenty of interesting twists. There is no shortage of well placed red herrings to keep the readers on their toes. 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.
This is an enjoyable cozy. The characters are intriguing and relatable. The mystery is well plotted with plenty of interesting twists. There is no shortage of well placed red herrings to keep the readers on their toes. 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.
May 29, 2022
I have read most, perhaps all, of the previous books in this series. For the most part I’ve enjoyed them. I like catching up with the characters and their lives. Mal is a super cute dog. And the recipes all sound tasty. But Allie was a bit of an annoying brat in this book and almost TSTL. Plus. How many bodies and murders can there be on one little island? It’s starting to remind me of Cabot Cove and Jessica Fletcher! Definitely worth a read if you enjoy the series. I don’t recommend starting with this one, though.
Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
October 31, 2022
I got this book to study Cozy Mysteries as a fellow author and friend writes cozies and I wanted to compare hers to this one.
First, A Midsummer Night's Fudge educated me more on the subject of genre than any other book I've read. It and my friend's books all have a distinct voice, style, POV, and plotline (nothing negative about any of this, only an aHA! moment for me while reading.
It's a nicely written book, and not a genre I find terribly interesting although I do appreciate the skill and craft in it.
So not for me, and a good book for cozy readers.
First, A Midsummer Night's Fudge educated me more on the subject of genre than any other book I've read. It and my friend's books all have a distinct voice, style, POV, and plotline (nothing negative about any of this, only an aHA! moment for me while reading.
It's a nicely written book, and not a genre I find terribly interesting although I do appreciate the skill and craft in it.
So not for me, and a good book for cozy readers.
September 7, 2022
thank you Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me review this book.
Entertaining and witty with a cast of characters you can easily fall in love with.
Good mystery and I was able to identify the culprit quickly. It's a good fast pace mystery for all cozy lovers.
Entertaining and witty with a cast of characters you can easily fall in love with.
Good mystery and I was able to identify the culprit quickly. It's a good fast pace mystery for all cozy lovers.
May 3, 2022
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S FUDGE by Nancy Coco is the tenth book in the Candy-Coated Mystery series. This newest release is another fun return to Mackinac Island where summer is in full swing with the Midsummer Night’s Festival. The author does a marvelous job of bringing the unique island setting to life, with its shops, tourists, and no motorized vehicles (aside from emergency vehicles). Instead, the sound of birds, lakeside waves, and the clomping of horses pulling carriages can be heard, and the aroma of chocolate fudge fills the air. The protagonist Allie McMurphy owns the McMurphy hotel and fudge shop and is elbow deep in fudge as she caters to the tourists pouring in. Another strength of Ms. Coco is the development of her characters over the course of the series. Allie is genuinely likeable and you can’t help but adore her bichonpoo pup, Mal. The entire cast of core characters, including Jenn, her best friend, and Officer Rex Manning, her boyfriend, have shown growth and change over the years, making them relatable. It’s like catching up with old friends whenever you pick up the newest book.
Unfortunately, Mal has a penchant for sniffing out dead bodies. However, this time around, Allie is the one to find the first victim floating in the lake right after the festival’s fireworks show. Who could have wanted the festival’s chairwoman dead? Thrown into the list of suspects is a disqualified beauty pageant contender. As Rex investigates, Allie is determined to let him do his job without interfering… except Mal sniffs out another victim and another committee member is threatened. Allie can’t stand by and risk becoming a victim herself, having joined the committee. There are plenty of suspects to question and regrettably, despite Rex’s admonishment to not put herself in danger, Allie seems to put herself at risk by constantly taking Mal for a walk. She even strays from the “safer” populated areas of downtown. As she susses out secrets and digs to find the truth, the list of suspects grows. At the hair-raising reveal, I was shocked by the culprit… which always makes me happy when I’m fooled by misdirection and a well-plotted story!
Allie spends a lot of time in her fudge shop, making a multitude of flavors. On top of that, she gives two fudge-making demonstrations a day. All I can say is yum! I loved reading all the descriptions and couldn’t wait to try several of the recipes included in the book.
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Unfortunately, Mal has a penchant for sniffing out dead bodies. However, this time around, Allie is the one to find the first victim floating in the lake right after the festival’s fireworks show. Who could have wanted the festival’s chairwoman dead? Thrown into the list of suspects is a disqualified beauty pageant contender. As Rex investigates, Allie is determined to let him do his job without interfering… except Mal sniffs out another victim and another committee member is threatened. Allie can’t stand by and risk becoming a victim herself, having joined the committee. There are plenty of suspects to question and regrettably, despite Rex’s admonishment to not put herself in danger, Allie seems to put herself at risk by constantly taking Mal for a walk. She even strays from the “safer” populated areas of downtown. As she susses out secrets and digs to find the truth, the list of suspects grows. At the hair-raising reveal, I was shocked by the culprit… which always makes me happy when I’m fooled by misdirection and a well-plotted story!
Allie spends a lot of time in her fudge shop, making a multitude of flavors. On top of that, she gives two fudge-making demonstrations a day. All I can say is yum! I loved reading all the descriptions and couldn’t wait to try several of the recipes included in the book.
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 28, 2022
Have you ever read a series that you enjoyed so much that you ordered Fudge from the businesses (or those that resemble the companies) mentioned in the books? A Midsummer Night's Fudge will make you think about doing it or convince you it's the right purchase to make. And I have to say, the fudge makers on Mackinac Island know what they are doing. You don’t have to be a tourist or on the Island during a celebration to enjoy this book or the fudge.
The tourist season is in full swing, and Allie is enjoying the midsummer night's celebration, but after the celebrations queen is crowned, Allie finds a body, and things turn sour. Is it possible that a disgruntled contestant committed murder as revenge for losing, or is there something more to the body in the lake than meets the eye? Tourists flock to the island every year, but murder has a way of making people change their travel plans, and no amount of fudge will make a difference no matter how good it is. It's up to Allie to find a killer before the tourist season is fudged.
The characters in this series always make me happy. I adore Allie, and her fudge, the hotel, and even the oftentimes odd summer celebrations make me want to visit, and having a bunch of tourists around doesn’t sound all that awful. The suspects are a small group, and most of the evidence points at one person(s) in particular, but the motive seems a bit too easy, and Allie isn’t buying it. There has to be more to the story!
There are plenty of twists and turns, with a good amount of misdirection. Once revealed, the killer seems to have been hiding in plain sight. The action isn’t non-stop, but there is enough to give readers a great adventure. Of course, the island's history, the celebrations, tourists, and fudge will keep readers enthralled and happy for hours. A Midsummer Night's Fudge is a delightfully tasty murder mystery with a plot that will make readers drool and a cast that will have them looking up vacation rentals on the Island. I am looking forward to the next installment in this series.
The tourist season is in full swing, and Allie is enjoying the midsummer night's celebration, but after the celebrations queen is crowned, Allie finds a body, and things turn sour. Is it possible that a disgruntled contestant committed murder as revenge for losing, or is there something more to the body in the lake than meets the eye? Tourists flock to the island every year, but murder has a way of making people change their travel plans, and no amount of fudge will make a difference no matter how good it is. It's up to Allie to find a killer before the tourist season is fudged.
The characters in this series always make me happy. I adore Allie, and her fudge, the hotel, and even the oftentimes odd summer celebrations make me want to visit, and having a bunch of tourists around doesn’t sound all that awful. The suspects are a small group, and most of the evidence points at one person(s) in particular, but the motive seems a bit too easy, and Allie isn’t buying it. There has to be more to the story!
There are plenty of twists and turns, with a good amount of misdirection. Once revealed, the killer seems to have been hiding in plain sight. The action isn’t non-stop, but there is enough to give readers a great adventure. Of course, the island's history, the celebrations, tourists, and fudge will keep readers enthralled and happy for hours. A Midsummer Night's Fudge is a delightfully tasty murder mystery with a plot that will make readers drool and a cast that will have them looking up vacation rentals on the Island. I am looking forward to the next installment in this series.
May 30, 2022
This was my 3rd in this series. Although it was book ten, I had no difficulties keeping up with characters and events and it worked for me as an individual story. The first Midsummer Night’s Festival on Mackinac Island, Upper Michigan is celebrating the opening of the summer season. A masquerade ball becomes a murder scene when Allie McMurphy finds a dead woman wearing a white dress with rainbow hair, floating in the waters of the lake. Protagonist and Historic McMurphy Hotel And Fudge Shop owner, Allie is a great character who I like immensely. She is smart and focussed though sometimes inclined towards recklessness. There was no shortage of engaging chapters so I was thoroughly invested in finding out what would happen next. The great cast of characters, including Allie's best friend, Jenn helped to zhoosh up this summer cozy.
The author really impresses me with her fluid writing; the details of the plot are very well-executed, and the story is amusing and easy to follow. I was kept guessing until the very end and really enjoyed this intriguing yarn.
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 cozy whodunit with lots of yummy fudgy references, don't miss out on A Midsummer Night's Fudge.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Kensington Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
The author really impresses me with her fluid writing; the details of the plot are very well-executed, and the story is amusing and easy to follow. I was kept guessing until the very end and really enjoyed this intriguing yarn.
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 cozy whodunit with lots of yummy fudgy references, don't miss out on A Midsummer Night's Fudge.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Kensington Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
February 26, 2022
While Mackinac Island is beginning to rival Cabot Cove for murders, Allie McMurphy, local inn keeper, fudge maker and amateur sleuth is up to the challenge of discovering who is murdering committee members of the island's Midsummer's Night Festival. Problem is, Allie finds herself a committee member too - which may put her on a murder "hit list"!
Allie is a fun character and I have enjoyed seeing her grow into a savvy businesswoman and a talented sleuth. I love that the island, in a way, becomes another "character" with its secrets and history. The supporting characters are well-written and relatable and make for a well-rounded mystery. I can almost taste the fudge that Allie makes - word of warning, you'll crave fudge as you read!
One day, I hope to visit the Island and I'll grab some fudge and try to imagine Allie and friends solving mysteries. For now, I'll wait, impatiently for the next book!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions in this review are my own.
Allie is a fun character and I have enjoyed seeing her grow into a savvy businesswoman and a talented sleuth. I love that the island, in a way, becomes another "character" with its secrets and history. The supporting characters are well-written and relatable and make for a well-rounded mystery. I can almost taste the fudge that Allie makes - word of warning, you'll crave fudge as you read!
One day, I hope to visit the Island and I'll grab some fudge and try to imagine Allie and friends solving mysteries. For now, I'll wait, impatiently for the next book!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions in this review are my own.
March 1, 2022
It's time to join Allie McMurphy and her friends at the Grand hotel, located on Mackinac Island.
I love catching up with this cast of colorful characters. I let my mind whisk me away to the island, where I can hear the horses clip-clopping on the road, and catch a scent of chocolate, as I approach The McMurphy, to watch a fudge making demonstration.
For Allie, living on the island is a dream come true, until there's a murder that shocks their little town.
Allie loves the intrigue of a mystery, but not when the safety of her friends is at risk.
Rex, resident law enforcer and Allie's boyfriend, knows that he can't stop her from being a little nosey, but when her life is in danger once again, he wishes she wouldn't get involved.
This was a great story, I had no clue who the villain was until the reveal. I love it when I'm stumped.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
#AMidsummerNightsFudge #NetGalley
I love catching up with this cast of colorful characters. I let my mind whisk me away to the island, where I can hear the horses clip-clopping on the road, and catch a scent of chocolate, as I approach The McMurphy, to watch a fudge making demonstration.
For Allie, living on the island is a dream come true, until there's a murder that shocks their little town.
Allie loves the intrigue of a mystery, but not when the safety of her friends is at risk.
Rex, resident law enforcer and Allie's boyfriend, knows that he can't stop her from being a little nosey, but when her life is in danger once again, he wishes she wouldn't get involved.
This was a great story, I had no clue who the villain was until the reveal. I love it when I'm stumped.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
#AMidsummerNightsFudge #NetGalley
October 25, 2022
This is the tenth book in the candy-coated series. Allie is walking her dog, Mal, home when they come across a woman floating in the lake. Allie dives in in hopes that she could save the woman, but the woman is already dead. Allie starts investigating determined to find the killer.
This has always been a favorite series of mine and while I was not invested in the storyline as much as previous books, I did enjoy it. The characters are always well written, and I love reconnecting with them every time I read a new book.
This has always been a favorite series of mine and while I was not invested in the storyline as much as previous books, I did enjoy it. The characters are always well written, and I love reconnecting with them every time I read a new book.
June 1, 2022
Another awesome book to the series. So happy I figured out who the killer was long before the end of the story. I loved every minute of the story and hated to see it end.
July 26, 2022
A Midsummer Night’s Fudge
A Candy-Coated Mystery, Book #10
Nancy Coco
5 Stars
Synopsis:
During the Midsummer Night’s Festival, Allie decides to take her bichonpoo, Mal, home to spare her furry little ears from the sounds of fireworks. But on her way back, Allie spots a body in the lake. Just minutes ago, Winona Higer was crowning the event’s Queen—could the competition have really been that deadly?
While she ponders the mystery the next morning, Allie prepares her favorite dark chocolate cherry fudge recipe. But she’s soon recruited to sub for the late Winona and serve as parade float judge, among other duties. As she hears rumors and gossip, and learns of mean pranks and threatening notes, her instincts kick in—despite her boyfriend the cop’s disapproval. Now, between managing a new hire and keeping the tourists filled with fudge, she’s dealing with a case that’s boiling over . . . (Goodreads)
Review:
The characters are well rounded and well developed. It was good to get to spend time with Allie, Jenn, Rex and Mal, Allie’s puppy. Again Allie stumbles across a dead body, the woman in charge of the festival that the citizens of Mackinac Island are enjoying. When a second person is murdered Allie feels she has to solve the murders. Her and Mal are on the case.
The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions kept me engaged throughout the entire book. The writing style flows smoothly and it helped to define the characters very clearly by their actions and words. The mystery was well plotted and it was very hard to solve.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. Check out Allie, Mal and the fudge making.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
A Candy-Coated Mystery, Book #10
Nancy Coco
5 Stars
Synopsis:
During the Midsummer Night’s Festival, Allie decides to take her bichonpoo, Mal, home to spare her furry little ears from the sounds of fireworks. But on her way back, Allie spots a body in the lake. Just minutes ago, Winona Higer was crowning the event’s Queen—could the competition have really been that deadly?
While she ponders the mystery the next morning, Allie prepares her favorite dark chocolate cherry fudge recipe. But she’s soon recruited to sub for the late Winona and serve as parade float judge, among other duties. As she hears rumors and gossip, and learns of mean pranks and threatening notes, her instincts kick in—despite her boyfriend the cop’s disapproval. Now, between managing a new hire and keeping the tourists filled with fudge, she’s dealing with a case that’s boiling over . . . (Goodreads)
Review:
The characters are well rounded and well developed. It was good to get to spend time with Allie, Jenn, Rex and Mal, Allie’s puppy. Again Allie stumbles across a dead body, the woman in charge of the festival that the citizens of Mackinac Island are enjoying. When a second person is murdered Allie feels she has to solve the murders. Her and Mal are on the case.
The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions kept me engaged throughout the entire book. The writing style flows smoothly and it helped to define the characters very clearly by their actions and words. The mystery was well plotted and it was very hard to solve.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. Check out Allie, Mal and the fudge making.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
August 16, 2022
This is book 10 in the Candy-Coated Cozy series. it's set on Mackinac Island during the summer festival, Allie is taking her dog home to avoid the firework noise when she finds a body floating on the lake. It's the festival organizer who just made a family mad by eliminating their daughter from the Queen contest. Allie is called on to replace Winona as a parade judge and help out with the rest of the festival. Someone doesn't want the festivities to continue and getting rid of Allie seems to be on their mind. All your favorite locals are back but the story will stand alone. Renews my desire to visit Mackinac.
March 3, 2022
Allie, owner of McPhersons Hotel and Fudge Shop on Mackinac Island, is enjoying the Midsummer Night’s Festival with her friends. The enjoyable evening ends abruptly when Allie finds a body. Is the murder related to the Festival committee or was the motive more personal? Allie and her friends begin sleuthing, despite the police chief’s (Allie’s boyfriend) wish that she would stay out of it and stay safe. This continues to be a fun series with a good mystery in a picturesque and unique setting.
Thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for this ARC.
Thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for this ARC.
August 17, 2022
I was not impressed. The author has published more than a dozen cozy mysteries, so I expected this to be at least competent. Instead, it was poorly written and hackneyed. I didn't hate it, and I was able to finish it, but it was just barely okay. (Also, the fudge recipes were shortcut types, from chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk--not real fudge!)
October 6, 2022
During the mid summer night festival Allie takes Mal home early to spare her the noise of the fireworks. She spots a body in the water. Just moments ago Winona was crowning the festival queen. While making fudge the next morning Allie ponders the mystery of who wanted Winona dead and why! She soon is recruited to take Winona's place as a judge at the festival. She hears rumors and gossip and learns of mean pranks and threatening notes . Between managing a new hire and making fuidge she is trying to solve the case of who murdered Winona. Will she succeed or die trying?
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