Nancy Coco

I received an advance copy via NetGalley.

I've enjoyed CoCo's other work, but this is my first time delving into this series. It says a lot about the high quality of the writing that I had no problem at all getting immersed in the mystery and characters even though this was #13 in the series.

Allie runs a fudge shop on Mackinac Island. She's preparing to wed Rex, a local police officer, in a wedding that involves a public picnic and her dogs and everyone they know on the island. Complicating show more matters: Allie finds a local woman dead outside of the library, her long-time rival sobbing nearby with a blood-soaked rock on the ground. Complicating matters even more: Allie's elitist socialite mother shows up 2 weeks before the wedding, with other snobbish family in tow, determined that her only child will have a "proper wedding," meaning designer everything, a fancy venue, and family only. Allie needs to balance her own precarious mental health with a tricky murder investigation as the clock ticks down to her big day.

This book was such incredible fun. I've wanted to go to Mackinac Island since I was a teenager, thanks to the old movie Somewhere in Time, and I really want to try their famous fudge. This book, and this series, is probably providing the island with a tourism boost, as I want to go there even more now. Allie is a great, sympathetic character, and I love Rex and so many other cast members--but not her mother. Good grief, but the scenes with her mother gave me the kind of anxiety that most readers probably get from a horror novel. That helped contribute to a fast and breezy escapist read, which is just what I needed this week! show less

I enjoyed my latest visit to Mackinac Island in Some Like It Fudgy by Nancy Coco. Coco’s friendly style makes her stories easy to settle into, and the main characters are approachable, engaging, and fun to revisit. I have especially enjoyed watching Allie McMurphy grow over the years. Newly married Allie and Rex face a few bumps, and the mystery begins when Allie discovers Rex’s unpleasant ex-wife, Melonie, dead. With a difficult lead investigator in the mix, Allie definitely has her show more work cut out for her. This mystery felt different from others in the series, and for me, it did not quite fit as smoothly. Rowan Giles also returns to Mackinac Island with her well-trained Great Dane, Finn. Finn was a treat, though Rowan’s nervous chatter would probably drive me up a wall. By the end, it is explained that Rowan will be getting her own series. Overall, Some Like It Fudgy is a cute culinary cozy with a murdered Melonie, a sidelined husband, a prickly investigator, a Chatty Cathy, a dutiful Dane, an unusual mystery, and plenty of heavenly fudge. If cozy mysteries came with a dessert tray, this one would earn a second helping. show less

I received an advance copy through NetGalley.

A Matter of Hive and Death is the second book in the Oregon Honeycomb mystery series. I hadn't read the first book but I found this easy-breezy to get into, and a delight all the way through! This is really the epitome of a cozy mystery. Wren runs a honey-themed shop in downtown Oceanview along the Oregon coast. When she finds a mentor dead, his hives vandalized, suspicion falls on another member of the local bee community. Wren is certain of his show more innocence and starts investigating on her own despite the disapproval of the handsome local cop who was certain of her guilt during a previous incident. Meanwhile, an old flame has wandered into town and takes an interest in the beloved Havana brown cats of her family--and in Wren. She might develop a new romance--if she can stay alive.

This book was sheer fun. I don't know a lot about beekeeping, but it really felt like the author did her research and the information throughout the book was fascinating. Plus, every chapter began and ended with info on using honey and included recipes--I'm all about that! The mystery packs in danger and plentiful twists and turns, and the ending contained some nice surprises. The whole thing also left me yearning for the Oregon coast. This is a setting and series I would gladly read more of--you could say that I'm sweet on it! show less

All You Need is Fudge is the fourth book in Nancy Coco’s Candy-Coated mystery series and I have enjoyed them all. You do not have to read the previous three books to enjoy this one as there is enough background on the characters to bring you right up to date without it being boring to those who have read the other books. I rounded this up to 5 stars from 4.5.

Allie McMurphy is running the Historic McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop on Mackinac Island, Michigan. The town is preparing for the show more annual Yacht Race off the coast of Mackinac Island. Allie is walking Mal, her adorable Bichon-Poo puppy, through the marina early one morning when Mal leads her to the water’s edge. Allie spots a girl in the lake and dives in hoping to save her life. Unfortunately, the girl is already dead. No one is surprised that Allie and Mal have found a deat body as it is becoming a habit for them. The victim is identified as the daughter of one of the rich families, Carin Moore. After the autopsy, it is determined that she was murdered and was dead before she entered the water. When Paige Jessop, the sister of Allie's boyfriend Trent, is arrested for the murder, Allie's investigative mode kicks in. Allie is hurt that the family, including Trent, will not speak with her and shut her out, but she refuses to believe Paige is guilty of murder and ramps up her own investigation. She soon discovers that Carin was one of the least liked people in the Mackinac social set and that she had a volatile history with Paige. As her investigation continues, she puts herself and her animals in danger. When some of the clubs and groups start cancelling their contracts with the McMurphy Fudge Shop, Allie really gets upset and goes after the person she thinks is responsible. Frances and Jenn continue to provide her with timely information about the residents of the community that help in her investigation.

Of course, the whole book is not about the murder. Douglas Devaney (the McMurphy’s handyman) wants to propose to Frances Wentworth (the McMurphy’s reception manager) and Allie and her best friend, Jenn Christensen, help him plan a special and romantic evening. There are also lots of recipes included in this book like in the others that I really want to try.

The storyline is well plotted with a cast of relatable characters. The story has enough twists, turns, and suspects to keep the reader involved. I did not have any idea who the murderer turned out to be or what the motive could have been until it was revealed at the end. I highly recommend this book to readers of cozy mysteries, those who want a nice clean mystery and of course those who love books that incorporate food into the story and provide great and easy recipes.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. show less