Fatal Fudge Swirl

Another winner in the Ice Cream Shop Mystery series, it worked with the rest of the books in the series and from Meri Allen. I enjoyed the mystery aspect of the book and trying to figure out what was going on. The characters worked with the plot and I'm glad they were realistic. I enjoyed how Meri Allen wrote this and am excited for more from her.

"I weighed Marley’s words to separate useful information from complaints. Did the police think Diantha had suffered carbon monoxide poisoning? I hadn’t seen her face clearly, but flushed skin was a sign, and her skin had been grayish, not red, and the furnace was fine. What were the police thinking?"

I enjoyed this book. It has several twists. I loved hearing about all the ice cream., wish I had some. I liked the characters, especially Sprinkles. The method of murder is engenius., I wouldn’t have thought of it. #FatalFudgeSwirl #NetGalley

This is the third book in the delightful Ice Cream Shop Mysteries.

It’s Halloween weekend in Penniman, Connecticut. The town is abuzz with the arrival of a movie crew including former child star Cooper Collins. His mother and owner of Inn on the Green, Diantha Collins, is getting married with a Halloween themed wedding. The decorations are up, the cake has been delivered and the gifts have arrived. The morning of the wedding, the body of Diantha is found dead.

Riley, the manager of the Udderly Delicious Ice Cream Shop, steps in to help with housekeeping at the Inn which puts her right in the middle of the chaos with the mystery of the murder.

I love this series. Riley, Caroline and the other characters are written so well. Rocky and the now movie star Sprinkles are a hoot. I can’t wait for the next in the series.

3.5 stars

This is the third book in the series but I didn't have any trouble keeping the various characters straight. The murder method was brilliant! Movie star Sprinkles was a hoot -- I'd like to see more of her.

While I didn't love this book, I enjoyed it enough that I've bought book 1 and am looking forward to reading it. And I really hope there's a 4th book that takes place in Rome!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, St. Martin's Press!

First time reading a cozy by this author and 1.) I'm now in desperate need of October/Halloween vibes again and 2.) I really want some ice cream. This book was so fun and I really enjoyed our cast of characters. Every review talks about "the method of murder" and for good reason, it really was brilliant.

Halloween has arrived and Penniman is getting ready. With a movie being filmed in town and the director’s mother planning her Halloween wedding, it just adds to the festivities around town. But when the bride to be is found dead, and Riley’s friend is the main suspect, she’s got to freeze out a murderer from striking out again.

Here’s the scoop, this is a fabulous series that has a solid, well thought out mystery in each and every entry. The protagonist is strong and lovable and you’ll find yourself craving a scoop or two of frozen goodness as you read and try to solve the mystery along with Riley and the gang. It’s definitely one tha

I only recently discovered this series, and it has delighted me. The combination of culinary, librarian skills, and espionage all works together perfectly for a cozy. In general, Halloween cozies are always my least favorites (and to be honest, it feels late in the season for ice cream in Connecticut), but I didn’t mind this one. There was significantly less spookiness and supernatural activity than many cozies, so I was ok with costumes and pumpkins as the indicators of Halloween. The mystery did have a satisfying resolution, but I also found it a bit convoluted, which prevented it from being purely enjoyable. However, a lot of small details did come back to show how clues were planted and later paid off. I like Caroline and Jack, but I could not care less about Paolo and am ready for that storyline to be abandoned.

Fatal Fudge Swirl is the 3rd book in the Ice Cream Shop Mysteries by Meri Allen and it is as enjoyable as the other ones! Riley Rhodes is co-owner of Udderly Delicious Ice Cream Shop. A movie is being filmed in town and a local celebrity, Cooper Collins, is the producer. The Collins family owns the Inn on the Green. It is also Halloween weekend. Diantha Collins is getting married to Dominic, the Chef at the Inn. .Diantha's sons are part of the movie group and the family is staying at the Inn. Riley's friend Mary Ann asks Riley to make a special Halloween ice cream cake for the wedding. Diantha ends up dead and there are a few suspects among the guests and locals. Riley's friend Caroline is dating Jack, the Police Chief and he is busy with the case. There is quite a bit going on and it keeps Riley pretty busy! Many of the suspects have secrets and Riley has to find the culprit before they all leave town. The characters in this series are likable and the mystery kept me guessing until the end. Fatal Fudge Swirl is a very enjoyable cozy mystery! #FatalFudgeSwirl #NetGalley

Halloween is fast approaching in Penniman, CT and Riley Rhodes is getting ready for this spooky holiday in #FatalFudgeSwirl #NetGalley.
Riley, a former CIA librarian is mixing up frightful flavors in the ice cream shop.
What could be more spooky than a Halloween wedding complete with custom ice cream cake? Finding a dead body and a ruined wedding cake are just a couple things that come to mind.
It seems everyone involved in the wedding is a perfect suspect, including the ex wife of the groom to be.
This is a frightfully fun series and this latest addition is one of my favorites.
Join Riley and friends and try to figure out whodunit in this fabulous story.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.

I absolutely adore the Ice Cream Shop Mystery Series. This book was so good! I love a good cozy mystery to curl up with and not leave the couch until it's finished and this one is one of them! This is probably my favorite of the 3 books so far!
I just reviewed Fatal Fudge Swirl by Meri Allen. #FatalFudgeSwirl #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

An Ice Cream Shop Mystery

Meet Riley Rhodes. A former CIA librarian and now a manager of the Udderly Delicious Ice Cream Shop and an amateur sleuth. Living in Penniman, Connecticut, and watching the leaves turn along with a lot of tourists!

The town has a Halloween Happening over the weekend and the village is hopping. Cooper Collins, a former child star, is overseeing the production of a romantic comedy. And his mother, an awful woman, is getting ready for her elaborate wedding to the man who has run the kitchen of the inn. He also works with his ex-wife. Now that is a situation waiting to be a disaster!

When the bride turns up dead, suspicions naturally fall on the ex. But Mary Ann is a friend of Riley’s and she isn’t going to let a killer get away.

But the suspect list is long. Remember I said she was awful? A lot of people thought so it seems. Hopefully, Riley can find the killer before another one dies.

NetGalley/ St. Martin’s Press June 27, 2023

What a diabolical murder weapon! Although it took me awhile to warm to ex-CIA librarian Riley Rhodes, I've grown to look forward to her next exploit. Here she's being her usual, helpful self when she stumbles over another dead body. Sadly, on the day Diantha was to be married, not to mention on her favorite holiday, Halloween. With Diantha's almost-husband, sons and family on site, not to mention a film crew shooting the latest in the popular romantic comedy series, there are several suspects.

It was interesting to watch Riley puzzle out clues from her own observations -- she'd been asked to stay at the inn that night to help out with household duties -- and clues found. I made a good guess early on as to the murder method but couldn't put it together on how it was done, let alone pin-point the murderer. The side stories, which included, no lie, George Washington, Rome, cancer, greed, towels, family relationships, and troubled romance, fit into the whole nicely, some even adding a clue to whodunit. Riley's own romantic life seems, well, not troubled, but Liam was rather side-lined in this one. Guess that's a topic for another installment. Oh, and let's not forget Sprinkles the cat's charisma in front of the camera. Sprinkles is a calculating hoot.

The supporting cast is solid and it was interesting to get a look into their lives. Jack the detective's troubled mind made me think of the police families I know, to be honest. A relationship with someone who puts their life on the line every day can't be easy. The characters' interconnections are intriguing and hopefully we'll hear more about that later.

Bottom line, an interesting mystery with an unusual murder weapon that will keep you turning pages. Thanks #NetGalley and StMartinsPress - #StMartinsPaperbacks for inviting me to stop by the Udderly Delicious Ice Cream Shop once again. I'm already curious to see what flavor Brandon comes up with next.

Fatal Fudge Swirl is the third book in the Ice Cream Shop Mysteries. I started at book 2 and loved author Meri Allen's writing style so much I was looking forward to book 3! I have really come to love cozy mysteries and the combination of cuteness and suspense make them the best books.The Ice Cream Shop Mysteries can be read as stand alone's but I always recommend you read them all, just be careful because you'll find yourself craving a cold treat!
Riley enjoys running the towns ice cream shop Udderly Delicious and helping out at her fathers bookstore in town when the need arises. As a travel food blogger Riley is looking forward to traveling for a class she was accepted into, but she must decide if she can leave and what location should she chose. Right now she has more to think about, a very special wedding cake. Diantha will be holding her Halloween themed wedding at her Inn on the Green. Her fiancé Dominic is the Inn's chef and two are madly in love. Diantha wants everything spooky and over the top for her wedding, the spookier the better, but what she didn't plan was being murdered the night. before her wedding!
Riley was helping out a friend at the Inn and has her own suspicion as to who the killer is, but with so many possible suspects even the towns sheriff is stumped. Riley feels an obligation. to help the sheriff because right now his only suspect is her very close from Mary Ann, Dominics ex wife! Riley knows Mary Ann would never hurt anyone but she needs to convince the sheriff otherwise. Through twist and turns Riley will think she knows who killed Diantha only to realize she's got it all wrong. Her friends and the town need answers and Riley won't stop until she has some.

Cute mystery book! I love the ice cream theme and enjoyed the cozy mystery that this story provided.

This was such a fun cozy mystery! This was my first time reading a book my Meri Allen and I really enjoyed her writing style in this book. I loved that it didn’t matter that I hadn’t read the previous books in the series and I can’t wait to read more from the Ice Cream Shop Mysteries series. Overall this was a great, twisty read with a great cast of characters. If you like cozy mysteries you should definitely check this one out!

"Fatal Fudge Swirl" is my first (that I can remember LOL) book by Meri Allen and I really enjoyed it. Will read more!

Fatal Fudge Swirl by Meri Allen is a delightfully written cozy Mystery.
What I loved
-Third in a series but reads well as a stand alone
-Main character is a librarian
-Ice cream is utilized to move along dialogue in a way that I found highly amusing
Who I will recommend this book for
Fatal Fudge swirl will be an excellent read both for existent mystery fans and for those just ready to dip their toes into the pool of cozy mystery reading.

There is a lot going on in this story. It's fast moving and filled with characters so it kept me page turning. Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book. I leave this review voluntarily.

Meri Allen has done it again with her 3rd Ice Cream Shop Mystery - Fatal Fudge Swirl! Riley Rhodes has her hands full getting ready for the end of the season and creating a Halloween-themed wedding cake for the town socialite when said lady (the bride!!!) is found dead under suspicious circumstances before she can say "I do"! Riley must use her former CIA librarian skills to delve into the secrets hidden by Penniman's leading family and discover who committed the dirty deed. Couldn't put it down, and loved the very clever twists throughout! A+++

3.5 rounded up to 4 stars

I have a confession to make...I didn't read the two earlier books in this series before I downloaded this from NetGalley. However, while reading them may have given me some missing backstory, skipping them didn't hinder my enjoyment of this story at all.

Cozy mysteries are something I've only recently gotten into and when I read the synopsis for this one, I was excited to give it a go. I was not disappointed!

I really liked Riley. She's smart, loyal, and honest. I also loved the small town setting of this series, especially since I read it while coming off a vacation in a small town. It was easy to imagine the charm of Penniman in the fall, Halloween decor as far as the eye can see, a fall festival on the green, leaves changing color...sigh. Perfection. At odds with the theme, this book comes out in June, not around Halloween, which feels like a missed opportunity, but I digress. At least people will be able to get their hands on this one as soon as the Halloween mood strikes them this fall.

There is a lot going on in this book and there are a lot of characters to keep track of. There's a cast of characters at the beginning of the book, but while I was struggling to keep them all straight at the beginning, the author does a fantastic job of reminding readers within the story who everyone is, so I didn't feel hampered by this in any way. It would also have probably helped if I'd read the first two books in the series and then I would already be familiar with everyone, but again, not imperative.

I was impressed by the intricate plot that the author wove, which kept me guessing right up until Riley revealed her suspicions. It kept me guessing the whole time, trying to determine how each clue fit into the mystery. I will say that I didn't really get too attached to any of the characters, not even Riley, really, because the story is all about the plot and not character-driven. I would have liked a bit more here, but again, I'm probably missing out on some of it from the earlier books.

My final thoughts: I really liked the story; reading the first two books is not necessary but would definitely be beneficial, and I really want some ice cream.

4.5/5 Stars!

I've become a fan of this series when I read the first book, The Rocky Road to Ruin. I really enjoyed reading this book! The story and characters made this a fun cozy read. The Fall/Halloween season where the story takes place adds a spooky element to the book along with its wonderful cover.

This story will definitely make you crave icecream! While you can read this book as a standalone, I recommend checking out the other entries in this series. Anyone a fan of cozy mysteries and ice cream will enjoy both this book and this series.

My thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGallery for a digital copy of this book for my review! I look forward to Meri Allen's next book in this series!

Thank you to the publishing and Netgalley for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

A fun, easy read and I loved it! Cozy mysteries have slowly become a genre that I can't wait to get into. The lower-ish stakes make it a nice read after the heavier fantasies or romances that I've read. Meri did a great job with this! It was a fun, flowing read. Now, I also want ice cream.

If you like Gilmore Girls and cozy mysteries, here’s a new book release to check out. Fatal Fudge Swirl by Meri Allen is the third book in the Ice Cream Shop Mystery Series. It’s a standalone about Riley, an amateur sleuth and ice cream store manager.

When a socialite dies before her Halloween themed wedding, Riley must figure out who is guilty on the guest list. This case is personal to Riley—her friend, Mary Ann, happens to be the groom’s ex-wife, which means she’s also the #1 suspect.

In addition to the unexpected mystery, this was fun to read. There were a lot of twists and turns, and I enjoyed the side stories with the vast array of characters. I found myself trying to pay attention to every tiny detail because I wasn’t sure how this whodunnit story would end.

The New England town has Gilmore Girls and Hart of Dixie vibes, and if you’re a fan of Joanne Fluke, you’ll love this cozy (but not-too-spooky!) mystery. This book will be available on June 27, 2023.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the digital galley and the opportunity to be a part of the SMP Influencer Program.

#SMPInfluencers #FatalFudgeSwirl

Starting with book 4 in the series it took me a bit to keep the characters straight, but it was worth it. I thoroughly enjoyable book full of New England charm and wonderful characters

Diantha Collins, owner of the grand inn in Penniman, is back in town in time for her Halloween wedding to chef Dominic. Riley Rhodes (our heroine from the previous Ice Cream Shop mysteries) has provided the luscious ice cream cake for the wedding reception, but on the morning of the wedding, Riley finds a knife stabbed into the cake -- and Diantha dead in her room. And while the wedding might be off, there's still a Hollywood movie being filmed (by Diantha's sons), and a whole lot of suspects running around...

This third book in the series has an inn full of outwardly congenial but ultimately suspicious characters, with a couple of side plots to add confusion and complexity to the mix. Foodies will enjoy the ongoing discussion of new ice cream flavors, and pet lovers will love Sprinkles and her glamorous cameos. Fun and fast-paced, with threads getting tied up at the very end.

Thank you, St Martin's Press and NetGalley, for providing an eARC of this book. Opinions expressed here are solely my own.

amateur-sleuth, Connecticut, culinary, ice-cream-flavors, small-business, small-town, cozy-mystery, friends, friendship, cats, murder, murder-investigation, law-enforcement, innkeeper, family-dynamics, family, famous-persons, holiday-madness, tv-film-industry, tv-personality, ex-CIA, ex-librarian, angst, situational-humor*****

Halloween, a birthday, a wedding, and a murder.
Riley is back in her hometown where her father runs the bookshop, she runs the ice cream shop (left job a CIA librarian plus), a friend runs the local expensive inn, and the cat rules the world (even the television crew). Lots of interesting characters, a beautiful setting for a a good sleuthing. Loved it!
I requested and received a temporary digital ARC of this book from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

AND THIS IS HOW A COZY MYSTERY IS DONE

After reading a deluge of books of this genre with more holes than swiss cheese, I am so glad to have finally read a fun little murder mystery that really just hits the spot. The clues are woven in so beautifully throughout the novel....it doesn't feel heavy handed at all and it blends soo beautifully. Also I love how unpredictable it is, all the plot twists were genuine plot twists and how things ended up shaking out was NOT how i thought it would end at all.

Having not read the rest of the series, it was a bit hard to follow all the characters in the beginning, but this is definitely something you can just pick up, although you may miss out on some ~character development~ nuances. I loved the ice creams and all the delicious food descriptions that really put the "cozy" into this book.

Also the set up for the next book was so beautiful, it wasn't a horrendous plot twist but a nice reveal of an open door that we know will lead to some ~spicy things. Absolutely recommend this book if you're looking for a fun and light read!

--
Thank you publisher and NetGalley for the free eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I've become a fan of this series when I read the first book, The Rocky Road to Ruin. I really enjoyed reading this book! The story and characters made this a fun cozy read. The Fall/Halloween season where the story takes place adds a spooky element to the book along with its wonderful cover.

this is a fabulous series that has a solid, well thought out mystery in each and every entry. The protagonist is strong and lovable and you’ll find yourself craving a scoop or two of frozen goodness as you read and try to solve the mystery along with Riley and the gang.

While you can read this book as a standalone, I recommend checking out the other entries in this series. Anyone a fan of cozy mysteries and ice cream will enjoy both this book and this series.

The third book in this cozy series finds Riley making an ice cream cake for a Halloween wedding. Things go wrong though when her cake is first destroyed, and then the bride is found murdered. Riley's friend Mary Anne becomes the natural suspect since her ex-husband was the groom. Riley must investigate to clear her friend's name.

Another enjoyable entry in this series! I wish there had been more within the ice cream shop because I enjoy those characters, and I like when she's gotten clues from customers in past books. Besides that, there were good clues, including some red herrings, and an overall good plot!

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Fatal Fudge Swirl by Meri Allen

If you love a cozy mystery set in a small town with an intense Halloween festival (think Stars Hollow) and muuurder, check out Fatal Fudge Swirl.

Coming out on June 27, this small town Murder mystery will be a perfect read for those of you who love quirky characters with lots of secrets. The plot was a bit slow for me, but it’s possible that without reading the others in the series, my investment wasn’t as strong.

Overall, it was an enjoyable mystery with many great elements. If only I could taste some of the fantastic sounding ice cream flavours.

The third installment in Allen's Ice Cream Shop Mysteries, former CIA librarian Riley Rhodes finds herself playing amateur sleuth when a socialite is found dead on the morning of her Halloween-themed wedding, and Riley's friend Mary Ann becomes the prime suspect.  This cozy mystery hit all the buttons, and had me staying up way too late playing amateur sleuth myself.  I have not read the first two books in the series, but I had no problems immersing myself in the story and quickly learning the characters (added bonus for the cast of characters at the beginning).  Another bonus for it being autumn/Halloween themed, my favorite!  This is one cozy series I will definitely be following in the future.

This is the first of the Ice Cream Shop Mystery series that I have read. I really enjoyed the small-town feel and camaraderie of the characters. The mystery is the death of Diantha, the Inn owner, the night before her elaborate Halloween wedding to Dominic, a celebrity chef at the inn. Riley, manager of the ice cream shop and former CIA librarian, steps in to help her friend, MaryAnne, who has become the prime suspect in the case. The mystery was fraught with twists, turns, and false leads, which made it hard to solve and so much fun to read.

I was in a cozy mystery mood and this did not disappoint! I loved the small town vibes with a quirky cast of characters and furry friends,cozy used bookshop and an ice cream parlor. The descriptions of the ice cream flavors had me drooling throughout the story. The mystery was enjoyable and It’s also set during Halloween so a great read for the fall time.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the arc.

"A movie production brings drama - and murder - to a close-knit New England village, forcing Riley Rhodes to scoop out the suspects.

Former CIA librarian and amateur sleuth Riley Rhodes is loving her fresh start as the manager of the Udderly Delicious Ice Cream Shop. The leaves are turning, tourists are leaf-peeping, and Penniman, Connecticut is putting finishing touches on the weekend long Halloween Happening. But the village is also buzzing. Former child star Cooper Collins is overseeing the production of a romantic comedy that's filming on the town green and his domineering socialite mother, Diantha, is planning her lavish Halloween themed wedding at her Inn on the Green. Her fiancé has run the Inn's kitchen for years, ably aided by his recent ex-wife, chef Mary Ann Dumas. An old friend of Riley's, Mary Ann turns to her when the bride requests a spooky ice cream wedding cake.

But the weekend takes a frightful turn when Diantha is found dead and suspicion falls on Mary Ann. The cast of potential suspects is long - each wedding guest had a chilling motive to kill the vicious heiress. Can Riley unmask the murderer before another guest ends up on ice?"

Tell me more about this Halloween Happening...

A fun, cozy mystery with a Halloween theme.
Riley is tasked with making a Halloween themed ice cream cake for a wedding. After a few mishaps, things are looking better until the bride to be is found dead. Suspicion is cast on Mary Ann, who happens to be the grooms ex, and Riley will do her infamous sleuthing to set things right. Some fun scenes, a few little twists and and overall enjoyable plot.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thoughts: This was an interesting, slightly macabre Halloween cozy mystery. I’d have found the Halloweenish type décor for a wedding strange if I hadn’t had a friend who did this (with the addition of zombies). That made everything fun for me. When the bride-to-be ends up dead, there are a lot of suspects to choose from. And Riley is a great amateur sleuth for the job.

What I liked: Riley being a CIA librarian gives her a background in research but not necessarily chasing down the suspects. I loved the description of the wedding cake and all the decorations around town and at the big house. Throw in a TV crew doing a shoot and you have all the mayhem you need for a good mystery.

What I didn’t like: I got a little confused sometimes trying to keep everyone and everything straight and their relationships. But that was minor at best.

Recommendation: Recommended.

Disclaimer: Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this ARC. Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Fatal Fudge Swirl by Meri Allen

A movie production brings drama and murder to a close knit New England Village, forcing Riley Rhodes ton scoop out the suspects.

I enjoyed this book. I like this series. Good book to read around Halloween. Also, learned about many new ice cream flavors. Thev Ice Cream Shop.is where the town gossip was discussed. Likeable characters. The mystery had many twists. I recommend this book.

This was such a fun book! I loved the setting, not only of the small town but also that the mystery revolved around people staying at the Inn on the Green. The parts about Sprinkles were so funny, and I loved the whole cast of Riley’s friends and coworkers. I also love series where you can read any book in any order and not be missing out on important information, and this is one of those!

A charmingly twisty mystery set against a lovely fall backdrop with the fun addition of a movie filming in town. The small town of Penniman leans into the Cozy Mystery genre quite nicely and the gaggle of ridiculous side characters is quite a trip. This book definitely kept the reader guessing until the end as to who did it and why, but I felt it wrapped up a bit too fast and could have stood a hair more explanation. HOWEVER, I adored the main character, Riley, her cohorts, and all their antics. I'd absolutely pick up another one of these without a second thought.

Former CIA librarian turned ice cream shop manager Riley Rhodes makes a Halloween themed wedding ice cream cake for socialite Diantha Collins. At the same time Diantha’s son Cooper is using his mother’s Inn on the Green and Riley’s father’s bookshop for his new movie. However, the movie might be put on hold as the wedding is called off due to the fact that the bride has been murdered. Riley must save her friend as suspicion begins to fall.

I still think something is missing. There’s really no attachment to the characters. Detective Jack is just kind of there. He acts annoyed with Riley and seems to ignore her calls. After two other murders and dating Riley’s BFF Caroline, the reader would expect him to behave better. Alas, he does not. Then there are the people at the ice cream shop, Flo, Gerri, and Pru. Readers get a basic communique with these characters, but it is superficial and a bit judgy in Gerri’s case.

The mystery was unique. The main suspect was suspected, but the evidence doesn’t point to the actual murder victim. There doesn’t seem to be many motives for any of the other suspects, and the reader has to work hard not to be dragged in only one direction.

Overall, I rate this novel 4 out of 5 stars.

This was my first cozy by Meri Allen but it won't be my last!!

This book was just a delight from start to finish, from the cast of characters to (as everyone else is saying in their reviews) to the method of murder! Bravo!

This series is such a fun cozy mystery. In this one, there is a movie being shot in Penniman's fancy resort inn. The owner of the inn, Diantha's family has owned it for generations. Her son Cooper is a child actor, Sam is an extreme sport junky and stepson Chip directs movies.
The night before Diantha is about to get married to cooking show sensation Dominic at the inn, Riley is asked to help housekeep because the main character of the movie Jenira fires 2 of the maids. Riley is given a room at the inn so she can help in the morning as well. In the morning, Ruthie find Diantha's body in her room and of course, Riley is there as well.
There were a lot of characters in this book, but since this is the third book, we are already familiar with a lot of them. All the characters at the inn and in the movie are new, but it was actually quite easy to remember who was who which doesn't always happen. I actually don't think there was a character I didn't like. None of them seemed unnecessary. Riley was curious and nosy as always, but I think that's kind of the typical heroine of cozy mysteries. I love her friendship with Caroline as well as all the people she works with at the ice cream shop.
While a lot of this book did focus on the mystery of what happened to Diantha, there was a lot of just life, which I think is what makes it cozy. It was just a fun slice of Riley's life, murder and all. I kind of did guess the murderer, but it didn't really take anything away from the story and I was still happy to read the whole thing. The climax was really exciting and had me on the edge of my seat. Then we get a few chapters of kind of a wrap up and it just brings everything together and you get this sense of satisfaction.
The only thing that I really could think of that wasn't my favorite was that there were 2 times during this book where Riley listed suspects and for pages and pages went on about every little thing about them and their potential motives. The first time it happened, I got a little bored with it but it was ok. I liked listing the suspects and stuff but it felt a little long. Then the second time, I just felt was not necessary.
Riley gets some news at the very beginning of this book and makes a decision about it at the end, and I'm really hoping this will be the storyline for the next book because it would be so much fun! Even if I'm wrong, I already can't wait for the next book!

This is the third in the Ice Cream Shop Mysteries series by Meri Allen. Our story begins the day before Halloween in Penniman, Connecticut. Riley Rhodes, former CIA librarian and currently ice cream shop manager, is mixing up frightful ice cream flavors and readying a wedding cake for a Halloween wedding at the Inn on the Green. The owner, Diantha Collins is marrying the chef that recently divorced his wife, Mary Anne Dumas.

Diantha is a prima donna who pits people against each other to get what she wants. Her sons are present and are involved in filming a Skylark production. Diantha winds up dead under mysterious circumstances and the main suspect is Mary Anne Dumas, a friend of Riley’s.

There are plenty of twist, turns, and mis-directions to keep the reader on their toes. Even though I guessed the killer, I enjoyed every minute. I learned about the side effects of using dried ice. So much to be careful about in order not to cause yourself any issues.

I was given an advanced readers’ copy and am not required to leave a positive review.

Fatal Fudge Swirl is a fun cozy mystery in a which CIA librarian turned small town ice cream shop manager & amateur sleuth, Riley, finds herself investigating the death of a (very wealthy) bride on the day of her wedding at the local inn.

Meanwhile, the brides children are also in the process of filming a movie in the small town so the list of suspects is filled with the rich and famous.

This book is the third in the ice cream shop mystery series but the mystery itself can be read as a stand alone. As someone who has not read the first two books (but definitely an interest in after finishing the book), I had no trouble getting into the story. That being said beyond the main mystery, I did wonder if I was missing a little bit of background context. The biggest mystery of the whole book was why Riley seems to have unexplained beef with her seemingly kind and sweet step mother?? Very odd.

There is a lot going on in the story which I think takes away from the main mystery, lots of side quests happening which was kind of confusing to me.

Overall, I did enjoy the book and would recommend it to others.

Fatal Fudge Swirl is another nice entry in Meri Allen’s Ice Cream Shop cozy mystery series. In this one, Riley Rhodes, former CIA librarian, and current manager of the Udderly Delicious Ice Cream Shop, finds herself helping the police investigate a murder at the Inn on the Green which is not only being used as a movie set but a wedding that is cut short by the murder. Both the movie setting and wedding setting (the book takes place at Halloween allowing a Halloween-themed wedding) are both well done, especially the movie parts involving Sprinkles the cat! Both settings add much to the mystery including plenty of suspects both within and outside the family. There are plenty of twists and turns in the mystery and the murder plot is well done and Agatha-Christie like. The solution to the murder is sad but there were also some moments where I smiled. All in all another well done mystery by Meri Allen.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

A cozy cat mystery that made for some easy reading.

MV Rating: 6.5/10
•a Halloween themed murder mystery in a cozy northeastern town.
•The characters are loveable, and the story is hallmark-y. You won’t be shocked by the plot, but that’s why I liked it.
•It’s the perfect read for anyone looking to escape for a short while into a fun, low impact story

Former CIA Librarian, Riley Rhodes, is enjoying her new job as manager of a quaint ice cream shop. Riley loved the town, the people, and the seasons that came with it.

When Riley is commissioned by her best friend and chef, Mary Ann Dumas, to construct a Halloween ice cream cake for a wedding, Riley was overwhelmed but grateful for the opportunity. The cake could boost the shop’s presence and showcase Riley’s skills. Especially since the bride was none other than socialite, Diantha Collins — a name everyone recognized.

But when the wedding date arrives, Diantha is found dead in her bedroom. And all fingers point to Mary Ann who’s ex-husband was to be Diantha’s latest groom.

Like all cozy mystery novels, the story takes place in a small town with lots of atmosphere. And Fatal Fudge Swirl is no exception. The pacing is on the slower side of the spectrum. But that’s the charm of a cozy mystery. It’s a nice respite from those adrenaline-filled mystery/thrillers.

Fatal Fudge Swirl is the third novel in the Ice Cream Shop Mystery Series. But I found it possible to read as a standalone.

There are quite a number of characters and I almost lost track of who’s who. But it really helped that the author saw fit to have the protagonist/amateur sleuth (Riley) compile a suspect list during the course of her investigations.

Fatal Fudge Swirl wasn’t one of the best cozy mystery novels for me, but it still ranks up there with four noteworthy stars.

I received a digital ARC from St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

When a book begins with a list of characters, I get nervous. Does that mean the author knows that they aren’t defining their characters with individual voices or that there are too many to keep straight? Although the recurring characters were not included in the list, readers should be familiar with the women of Penniman by the time they reach the third book in the series.

I read this Halloween themed book during a summer heatwave and just the thought of cold foggy nights and ice cream was refreshing.

The storyline was a bit twisty and the subplots were weak. There is unnecessary repetition and the clues along the way may cause the reader a moment or two to connect the dots. Am I the only one that removes luggage tags after each flight?

By the end, the male characters all melded together. Which brother was which, who was the manager of the Inn, the groom to be, and who was the chef? Maybe I should have paid more attention to the list of characters at the beginning of the book.

I,liked this however I'm not a fan of cozy Halloween mysteries . This was enjoyable by far and I am looking forward to possibly another in this series

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!!!!!

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!

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 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.

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.

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 reading this book and I will have to go back and read the rest of the series. I loved Riley's character and never heard of a CIA Librarian before and now I have to find out why she lost her job. The mystery I kind of new the reason why it happened but how it happened I never guessed. The major star of the book though was the cat Sprinkles. The cat had me laughing.

This is the second book in the Ice Cream Shop Mysteries that I've read, and it was a lot more difficult for me to read than Book 2. First, I truly love Allen's writing style. Riley is a unique, interesting character, and I enjoy being in her head. But the book here was a mess--it felt like Allen was desperate to hit a specific word count, so she just kept adding stuff.

It's too much. There are too many suspects, too many covers for Riley to be investigating (Is she delivering a case? Is she playing housekeeper? Is she a librarian reading archive footage? Or maybe she's accompanying a cat to a movie set? WWWWWHHHHHHHYYYYY? Just pick something! A couple of times the story goes off into convoluted family histories dating back to the 1700s, which might be interesting in another book but doesn't fit with everything else here. The victim is the bride in a wedding but also there's a moving being filmed on site, oh, and events going on at the boys' school that suddenly is enormous, takes up half the town, and is three minutes from everything else--but was never mentioned before. Riley focuses on things that appear to be meaningless based on the information to her, thereby drawing the reader's attention to clues that should be subtle. There's this one clue that she seizes on and talks about for like five pages, but no one would EVER have placed any significance on it the first time. It only matters with what she learns later, so it feels weird that she's going on and on about it. More than once, Riley sits back and thinks about every single character and whether they might have committed murder. (Except one guy. At one point, I was almost hoping it was him because he was the only person she never suspected.) Meanwhile, the budding relationship with the town vet is relegated to a couple of paragraphs about a cancelled date, and an interesting incident that might have shed some light on Riley's past and character is relegated to basically a footnote in the like the fifth-FIFTH!-chapter wrapping things up after the mystery is solved.

There was really enough plot here for two books. It hit a point where every time Riley stumbled on a new clue, I rolled my eyes.

Also, I don't understand why the publisher keeps slapping on titles with ice cream flavors that have nothing to do with the story. If they want to call it Fatal Fudge Swirl, cool, but then Fudge Swirl ice cream should be mentioned more than the pumpkin spice, and it's not. (She's got a fudge ripple that comes up like twice, but even that irritates me because it's not that hard to be consistent.) I realize this isn't the author's fault but it still irritates me.

I have been provided with a review copy of Fatal Fudge Swirl from NetGalley for an impartial review. I was just drawn into this wonderful story and I just couldn’t get enough of it. It was just so easy to get lost in this great story. I just didn’t want it to end. I just lost myself in and I just couldn’t get enough of these interesting characters. I can’t wait to see what’s next from this author.

I loved this book, it gave me everything I wanted as a reader and more. I am a sucker for a cover and fell in love with the storyline and characters. Well written and kept me engaged :)

*I received a free copy of this novel from NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and St. Martin's Paperbacks for my honest review.*

This is a new to me cozy author and series. Riley is a former CIA librarian dropped back into her small New England hometown and managing the local Ice Cream shop. It was easy to drop into the series without reading the previous books, but there was a lot going on with a movie production and a wedding event happening and a lot of people to keep straight that I did have a little bit of trouble with that.

But the location and the characters who will be the same from book to book were quite enjoyable and I look forward to catching up on the series!