Former CIA librarian and current Udderly Delicious Ice Cream Shop manager, Riley Rhodes, is enjoying the stellar reputation her shop is earning. As fall arrives, the town of Penniman is preparing for their weekend-long Halloween Happening, but there’s even more to draw tourists to town. Former child star Cooper Collins is producing a romantic comedy in town, even as his socialite mother, Diantha, plans her Halloween theme wedding at the local Inn on the Green that she owns.

Things are going well until Diantha turns up dead and one of Riley’s friends is the police’s number one suspect. There is no shortage of characters with a motive, though, including Diantha’s two sons and her stepson. Riley is drawn in to help clear her friend’s name, but will the killer strike again, executing the only person who witnessed the murderer at the scene of the crime? Or will Riley connect the dots in time to prevent another death?

Meri Allen gives readers a twisty tale with plenty of clues to follow. And she creates characters you really want to cheer for, plus some nasty villains as well.

Well worth the reading time.

This was my first introduction into the Ice Cream Shop Mysteries series and I wasn't disappointed! What a fun read it was. It was so much fun and I loved how quirky it was. The characters were great and I truly did love the storyline. I can't wait to read more.

I really enjoyed this creepy Halloween wedding murder. It was filled with many different suspects. I love reading cozies mysteries and this was such a joy to read. It is a great book to get you into the Halloween spirit!

Confession time. If I spy a mystery featuring ice cream, an ex-CIA Librarian, and Halloween, I’m going to reach for the book. Was it as delicious as my anticipation? Get your two scoops of tie-dye flavor and let’s go, kids.

Fatal Fudge Swirl is the third in the series. I jumped into this one and did fine out of order since the author painted in the backdrop of what was going on for Riley and her small town. That said, I did struggle to keep track of so many sub-plots and characters going on around and with Riley.

So, Riley Rhodes is content to work at her friend’s ice cream shop in her small home town. She’s adjusting to her dad’s marriage to a woman she’s not keen on and who now is berserkers over getting into film and is shoving Riley into a romance she’s not quite ready for after her ex did a number on her.

The end of the seasonal ice cream shop work is coming up with the town’s big Halloween festivities that include a big publicity Halloween-themed wedding and a film production. Riley’s in the middle of it because she was asked to make the wedding cake, an ice-cream Halloween theme, and asked to wrangle her friend’s diva cat who is a pet star in the film production.

Lots of drama is swirling around this festive time with the caterer for the wedding being the ex to the gold-digging groom when he leveled up, the caterer’s assistant is a slippery character, the bride’s sons who can’t stand mommy dearest and don’t seem cut up about her death. And, really, there isn’t a soul connected to Diantha the bridezilla, who doesn’t have a reason to like her when she’s discovered dead in her inn on her wedding day. The huge suspect and motive list is what had the mystery hard to solve.

Riley jumps in when her friend, the spurned ex, Mary Ann is tagged as suspect number one. I liked that Riley did her sleuthing, but, when she comes up with something to share, she doesn’t hold out on the police and go it alone. She gives the detective what she knows. In truth, the sketchy one was her friend, Caroline, who wasn’t very bright about things much of the time and, incidentally, I could have done without her relationship drama.

I liked the gentle-pacing, visiting the ice cream shop, the fun Halloween festivities, visiting the ice cream shop, seeing Riley fleshed out as a caring person who is well-placed and good with people even when she’s doesn’t necessarily like them, and, oh, it bears repeating that part about visiting the ice cream shop. I also loved the secondary historical mystery that does eventually tie in involving George Washington and the coded info that would be of town interest and shed light on the present.

While hooked by a few of the flashy elements that, incidentally, the fun seasonal cover captures so well, I was glad this first taste of Meri Allen’s series and her writing turned out to be a hit. Those who enjoy seasonal cozy mysteries and foodie cozies should definitely give this a go.

Thank you so much to the publisher for the ARC of Fatal Fudge Swirl; all thoughts are my own.

I have adored the ice cream mystery series and was so excited to get the next book. This is one of those perfect books for Halloween as it is set during Halloween weekend. This has the drama, the fantastic writing, the hook that will keep you turning pages, and MURDER. I adored how Riley, a former CIA Librarian, was our lead character, and I found myself trying to solve the mystery along side her. I can't wait to see what Meri Allen has to offer next. This is just that perfect cozy mystery you will undoubtedly read repeatedly.

I loved this book! As a cozy mystery it is exactly what I want which is a good mystery that’s hard to crack, an interesting main character, genuine side characters, a cozy autumn setting, and cats.

Full disclosure, I read this book before the first and second books. But I don’t think you need to read the first two to understand this one. It’s really good on it’s own, and it catches you up to speed on context you need without spoiling anything from the previous two books.

The setting of this book is a gorgeous little town in Connecticut. The town has several locations in the plot including a delightful cozy bookstore complete with crackling fireplace and owned by Riley’s dad, Udderly Delicious the ice cream shop Riley owns that is working on yummy seasonal flavors like chai spice, eggnog, and pumpkin spice. And the Inn on the Green which is a historic colonial inn with charming decor where a Halloween themed wedding is taking place.
The other thing that’s great about this book is that it does what the best mysteries do (especially Agatha Christie) it has many small mysteries all folded into the plot, keeping the reader interested with every page. The plot in this book is fairly fast paced, there’s lovely descriptions of Halloween decor, chill in the air, and season flavors, but it doesn’t go on very long and instead focuses on the plot. It leaves your appetite for cozy settings and characters satisfied, while keeping the plot moving.

What this book has that I don’t always see in cozy mysteries is a female main character who has experience in Crime/Law Enforcement and is super qualified to solve a murder case. Riley is a former CIA librarian and she uses her expertise to solve the crime, she doesn’t waste time suspecting her dad or her best friend or something silly. She picks suspects based on logic. Sometimes I get so annoyed with cozy mysteries when they suspect people who have the least motive/least suspicious behavior. Maybe it’s just me, but it’s a pet peeve.
Also this book is definitely written by a real cat lover, the descriptions of Rocky and Sprinkles and their antics were very accurate and adorable. All in all a perfect Autumn cozy read and a real treat.

I really enjoyed this book! I love the quaint town setting. The theme is fantastic, and the author does a great job of fleshing out the characters. The story was well-paced, and I had so much fun trying to solve the mystery. This book also made me crave all the ice cream.

Delightful cozy that is a quick and easy read for busy days. I love the unique setting of an ice cream shop and am enjoying the character development over the course of the series. I didn't guess the ending!

really good book and kept me on my on my toes of what would happen. really enjoyed the characters and their journey and would read this author again.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC of Fatal Fudge Swirl! All opinions in this review are my own.

Although Fatal Fudge Swirl is the third book in the Ice Cream Shop Mysteries, it was easy to pick up for the first book that I read. This Halloween cozy mystery is perfect for a fall read! I love that it is set in New England and partially set in an ice cream shop! I can't wait to go back and read the other two books in the series!

I'm beginning to think cozy mysteries are no longer for me. I used to love them for a fun escape, but lately I'm kind of bored by them. So keep my overall crankiness in mind as you read this.

The story is fine. It's full of ice cream, so that's a plus.

The characters didn't pop for me. I didn't read the first two books, so it's possible that I missed out on some important background or relationship intrigue.

Pacing is slow, with a lot of setup prior to the murder part of this murder mystery.

Overall, just okay. But if you love cozies, definitely give this one a try.

*Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the eARC.*

Ahhh this cozy mystery series is just perfection! It’s like that perfect bowl of ice cream with the toppings just right!

So you’re back again in this little small town. These books can be read as stand alones as the author does a great job with high lights in the start to make sure any character’s that will be needed have the perfect amount of background. So the reader picks up with perfect flow into the story. This author does a great job keep you engaged as well as snuggling you up as you unravel the who done it.

In short:
Did I like it? Oh yes!
Would I recommend it? Yes yes!
Would I read more by this author? For sure this was book 3!

Fun Halloween cozy mystery, I am puzzled by the title. Ice cream though. Although the sleuth has an ice cream shop, ice cream does not play a part in the murder..

Meri Allen does a wonderful job of describing this book with Riley. Riley works in the in the Ice cream shop and does a wonderful job. Until her Ice cream cake is sabotaged, and everything start going haywire with finding a dead body and everything is all uproar with the filming and the state of the Inn. She disguises herself as a cleaning lady to find the answers of who is the killer!!!!!

Another great installment in the Ice Cream Shop Mysteries series. First, I love Brandon's creations and i would 100% go to this ice cream shop if it was in my town. Second, this mystery was well written. The clues were there and I had my suspicions but I did not guess who the killer was before the reveal.

Looking forward to reading the next book in the series and seeing what kind of trouble Riley finds herself in, maybe the next book will take place in a secondary location?!?

It's Holloween, and the Udderly Delicious Ice Cream Shop is getting ready to close for the season. Now Riley Rhodes must decide what she is to do during the winter months while the shop is closed. Sudenly a bride is murderd and she must find the murder to before her friend is falsely accused.

I really enjoy this series. I loved how the book was during Halloween and the description of the spooky wedding. I especially loved Sprinkles falling in love with a actor and attacking anyone who went near him. I think Sprinkles is my favorite charater in the series. I look firward to the cats antics in each installment of the series. I do wish we would have had a confrontation with Riley's ex boyfriend. Hopefully we will have some closer with him in the next book. I can't wait for the next installment in the series. Thank you Goodreads and St. Martins Press for the ARC

Dollycas's Thoughts

We are back in Penniman, Connecticut just in time for the Halloween Happening and a Halloween-themed wedding complete with an ice cream cake created by Riley. A crew is also in town filming a rom-com with child star Cooper Collins at the helm.

There is some drama with the wedding as socialite Diantha, who happens to be the child star's mother, is marrying the long-time chef, Dominic, of Inn on the Green. He is recently divorced from Riley's friend, Mary Ann, who is also a chef and she has worked side by side with her husband for years.

The event takes a deadly turn when the bride-to-be is found dead in her bed and the wedding cake is destroyed. Of course, the prime suspect is Mary Ann but it seems every wedding guest including her children, had a reason to want the woman dead.

While Riley's work at the Udderly Delicious Ice Cream Shop winds down for the season she needs to put on her sleuthing hat and use her CIA librarian instincts and skills to swirl up a way to put the freeze on the real killer.

______

Riley continues to show her sleuthing chops while she handles to day to day business at Udderly Delicious. She gets some fun news at the beginning of the book and part of her past tries to reinsert itself into her present. By the end of the story, she makes a big decision but another is still pending.  I love the supporting cast of family and friends the author has surrounded her with. I really enjoy getting to know her dad and step-mom better and love it when the frisky feline, Sprinkles steals every scene she is in. Diantha was quite the diva and had no trouble stirring up the drama. Her sons were really out for themselves as well.

The murder mystery was really interesting and the murder weapon was surprising and unique. Riley did find ways to be at the inn a lot to keep an on eye on all the suspects and I had fun tagging along with her. There were plenty of clues and nice twists but I did focus on the guilty party long before Riley. That did not hinder my enjoyment of the story at all. There is a subplot concerning George Washington that I found really intriguing. It was a true puzzle to solve as those clues fell into place. The movie being filmed really added to the story and the author found cute ways to inject a lot of humor there.

I enjoyed the Halloween theme and all the Halloween plans for the town's Happening. The leaf peepers were out in force. While I liked the description of the autumn weather I am not ready to leave summer behind. All the stops at Udderly Delicious sent my ice cream cravings into overdrive.

Fatal Fudge Swirl is a fine third installment of the Ice Cream Shop Mystery Series.  I am hoping Riley's decision at the end of the book is setting up book four. I am excited to see what happens next.

I can guarantee you will be craving ice cream as soon as you start reading so dish up a scoop or two of your favorite and enjoy it while reading this fun mystery.

I haven't read many cozy mysteries, but this one might take the cake... or ice cream? I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the town. While this is the third book in a series, I read it as a standalone and haven't read the first two. I thought the pacing was a bit slow, but I really enjoyed all the characters and the roles they played throughout the book. They added a lot to the story and there were a multitude of them, but thankfully the main character/ice cream shop manager/former CIA agent Riley wrote a list to help everyone keep track.

If you want a light mystery, this is definitely for you.

While summer is the time when most people enjoy frozen treats, Riley and her team are dishing up some spookily festive flavours for Halloween. While her staff manage the ice cream shop operations, Riley spends most of her time at the Inn on the Park, most of the time helping out as a housekeeper, and finds herself in the middle of a murder mystery.

There was less focus on ice cream (unfortunately) but we still heard about some of the yummy-sounding flavours (my favourite would definitely be the Spiced Eggnog) and of course, there was Diantha’s Halloween themed-wedding cake – an ice cream creation with 3 layers (Pumpkin Spice, Chai Latte, and Fudge Swirl, with a filling of bitter chocolate ganache and caramel cookie crumbles – YUM) and the action was definitely more centred around the Inn, which was a nice change of pace.

The pacing is even – there were lots of suspects to question and follow, and the mystery was set up very nicely. If you paid attention, you would have a good chance at figuring out who the killer was as there were clues cleverly planted throughout the story, leading up to the final reveal. It was a very well though-out plot and I appreciated having my own “A-ha” moment when I figured out whodunnit.

Riley’s convenient placement has a member of the Inn staff allows her to snoop around and chat with the suspects fairly easily, but it never felt contrived or forced. With her background as an ex-CIA librarian, Riley has the skills to do research, background checks, and sleuth unobtrusively. I do like that she almost never takes too many risks – I always cringe when amateur sleuths in cozy mysteries do something dumb, like running after suspects into a dark cellar alone, or leaving their phone at home (who does that?) But Riley is competent, level-headed, and smart. She’s also warm and loyal, making her a great friend, and a main character that readers can cheer for.

While most of the characters we’ve met in the series take a back seat, there were lots of new ones to take their place. Diantha and her family, plus the Inn staff, were all very unique and interesting. While it may seem like a lot of characters to keep track of, they all had very distinct personalities and it was surprisingly easy to remember who was who, even only just a few chapters.

There are also some developments on storylines that have been running through the series, including Riley and Caroline’s relationships with their respective love interests that only offered the reader a glimpse of what may come in future books. While Fatal Fudge Swirl is the third in the series, you can read it as a standalone, but it’s definitely more enjoyable to read the books in order.

One of the things that I love about cozy mysteries is that there are characters that you are comfortable with, and there is always an interesting murder mystery to solve. Here we have former CIA, librarian and inspiring sleuth Riley who now, is it an ice cream shop, but is once again forced to investigate on her friend is a suspect in the murder. I love the interaction of all the characters and really enjoyed the clues to who was the murderer along the way. It’s an entertaining murder mystery to read.