I really enjoyed this new series by Sarah Graves! Having read only the first book in her first series featuring Jake and her family and friends in Maine I much preferred this book to that. It may have to do with the culinary twist (i do have a soft spot for culinary mysteries) but, I think it's more likely to do with Sarah's experience level when it comes to writing in general and also writing about these characters.
If you went into this book without any previous knowledge of the world Sarah created on her first series, you may be a little lost or disconnected, especially at first because she really doesn't fill in the background information. Having read only one of her previous books I felt like I grasped most of the back story, but there were still a few characters that were new to me and not introduced fully.
I really enjoyed the mystery and action in this book, although I found the ending was quite rushed, with a lot of the plot revealed abruptly and it could have been more fleshed out there and maybe less build up and less cheesecake making. I know it's a culinary mystery, but there was a lot of chocolate curls being made, lol.
This could have been rated a 4 if the ending felt more satisfying/in depth (especially the part with her son, very out of left field there) because I was loving it until then. Still 3.5, I would read more of this series.

This is the first book in Sarah's new series, and I'm sure there will be quite a few in it! I think I could spend everyday in the Moose, inhaling all the chocolate goodies that Sarah describes in this book! Seriously, I kept stopping to write down recipes I wanted to look up and bake (PS, Sarah I NEED the chocolate pinwheel cookie recipe!)! This may be a 'cozy' mystery, but it's anything but! It's a true page turner (except for stopping to write down aforementioned notes, LOL), and as the first book of Sarah's I have written, it won't be the last! I love reading a mystery where the main characters are not 25, but have families and kids to worry about- Ellie and Jake could be your besties! This is a fun book, especially for those who LOVE chocolate, so don't miss it!

When picking up Death by Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake by Sarah Graves I was under the impression that this was an all new cozy mystery series and with that highly appetizing cheesecake on the cover I knew I needed to read it. But once starting to read the book I found that the “First in a new series” is a bit misleading with this one.

Sarah Graves has written the Home Repair is Homicide series which consists of sixteen books and what she has done is taken the characters from that particular series and come up with a spin off by moving them into a new setting. Now I for one am the type to do my best to avoid jumping into something mid series because I always get that feeling of something missing so imagine my disappointment when immediately starting this one that feeling arose thinking this was a true book one.

Starting off the story jumps right into the action and I became on alert when it was mentioned Jacobia “Jake” Tiptree had experience solving murders. So within the opening pages there really wasn’t an introduction to this character I’m supposed to connect with at all. Then after tossing the reader into action there was a bit of character development which at that point felt a bit out of place beginning to give the story a disjointed feel.

Now it’s rare for me to rate a cozy so low because it’s usually the characters and setting that I fall in love with so being a tad disconnected from the start wasn’t a good sign. But as I went on I was still expecting a 3 or 4 star read despite the rough beginning but what I found was quite often the story would get a little overly descriptive for my taste as in what they were baking etc etc but then fly through the actual mystery parts that should have gone a little deeper.

The flow just felt off to me throughout so in the end I wasn’t a huge fan of this one. I will say though that those that were fans of the author’s previous series and these characters will probably feel right at home and absolutely love the series but for me being a new reader this one just wasn’t my cup of tea leaving me to rate this at 2.5 stars.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

I was instantly engaged in this sparkling new series by Sarah Graves. Jake is a likeable character, as is Ellie and the rest of the surrounding cast. I enjoyed being transported to easternmost Maine and learning the differences in lifestyle from where I live. The mystery kept me guessing until the surprising end. I highly recommend 'Death by Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake'. My only regret is not being able to find reasonably priced frozen tart cherries (I immediately looked) online so I could try the title recipe. I'll keep at it though.

Death by Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake is the first book in the Death by Chocolate Mystery series, but it is not the first book featuring Jake and Ellie. In some ways, this book can be a standalone. However, there are several mentions of previous books/events from the previous series, A Home Repair is Homicide. These brief moments leave the reader a bit confused or curious because it doesn’t explain well enough. But the moments are brief and they do not impact the overall effectiveness of the books.

This book begins with Jake heading into her chocolate-themed bakery, The Chocolate Moose and discovering a dead man with his head shoved into a bowl of rich, dark chocolate. This discovery leads to her business partner and best friend, Ellie becoming the prime suspect in the man’s murder. On top of all of that, Jake and Ellie find themselves struggling to find time and ingredients to create decadent chocolate cherry cheesecakes to auction off and raise money for their town’s Fourth of July firework show.

This story has a few too many elements looming. There’s the murder, one dozen cheesecakes, then two dozen cheesecakes, car chases, attempted murders, shootings, a hurricane, her son possibly falling off the wagon, her ailing father’s health, etc. This is just too much going on in the course of one story. I understand some of the issues are carried over from the previous books, but I didn’t even list every plot line. Even the revelation(s) at the end is so complex and includes multiple ties and pots. This takes away from the story. While I enjoyed the story overall, the ending left my head hurting because there’s no reason to have so much going on. Especially considering that the ending leaves Jake’s business in jeopardy, but that isn’t addressed or mentioned.

The one thing this book did was make me curious about the previous series and I’m going to make an attempt to read those books. I also would recommend this for cozy mystery fans. There are a lot of quirky characters to enjoy and although it’s a pretty developed and established setting, this book truly can standalone. I look forward to seeing what’s in store for Jake and Ellie next and what other kinds of yummy chocolate recipes will be brought into the series!

This was a very good book and the plots was very good to. Great mystery if you like them. It keep you on your toes. Love the cover and the characters. This my first book by her. Hope she will continue with the series.

Death by Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake is a great start to a brand new cozy mystery series that features one of my FAVORITE things- chocolate! This is a scrumptious mystery that will have readers immersed in the story and wanting to befriend the characters who are adorably charming. I can't wait for the next installment!

I would have enjoyed it had I read the author's previous series where these characters originated from. It was hard to get into it for that reason.

This is the first book in the series. There were different mysteries. And a lot of choclate. The story had many people involved. It was a fun read with action and drama: kidnapping, murder, car chases, hospitals, and breaking and entering- it has it all. Bundles of cash and diamonds spice things up.

Jake and Ellie are great characters, as are the other players in this delightful cozy. A new life and business enterprise, old friends, an approaching hurricane, community camaraderie, a murder, a sick parent, a wayward son, and chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate, all come together to create an exciting and enjoyable cozy mystery. Thanks NetGalley and Kensington for an advance read. This one's a definite winner. Looking forward to the next one!

Let’s start this off by talking about three things that I really love; cozy mysteries, baking and moose. So if you’re giving me a mystery that features a bakery called The Chocolate Moose it’s gonna take a lot for me to dislike it, and luckily this one did not disappoint.

The story features our main characters Jake and Ellie, owners of the wonderfully named bakery, solving a murder and dealing with a hurricane all while baking up amazing chocolate desserts! Honestly guys could this sound any better? I was immediately drawn into the story, I figured out pretty early on that this was a new series but featuring old characters and even though there were definitely hints to the older books I really didn’t feel like I was missing out on anything.

I loved the dynamic between all the characters, Jake and Ellie are total BFF goals, and I love how they managed to do some investigating while still managing to bake a ton of cheesecakes. I’m actually a baker, and one cheesecake is tricky enough, so that many? Very impressive. I also really loved all the side characters! They all added something to the story and I can confirm that because I actually remember all of their names! (My memory is awful and mystery novels tend to test me with all the side characters)

I also really loved the plot and the pacing of this book, it’s the first one in quite a while where I really had no idea who the killer was and I was surprised by the plot twists at the end. It also didn’t feel too rushed like some other mysteries, sometimes I feel like the murders just keep on coming and it kind of kills the suspense for me a bit. But this one was really good, it kept adding pieces to the puzzle without giving away too much and without being too crazy.

The only thing that took away a star for me was the ending, I really loved it and it was well done but something about the way that it was all explained confused me a bit, to be fair I was tired while reading it, but I had to read a couple pages a few times before I fully grasped the entire story. I think I was just so excited to find out what happened that I rushed a bit, but I tend to do that with most books so who know’s what caused the confusion.

Overall I really enjoyed this book, it was fast paced and well written, it had complex characters with well done relationships and a perfectly named bakery. This is a series that I will definitely be continuing and if you’re a fan of cozy mysteries, or you just want something a bit lighter then I’d recommend this one.

Love that there is a spinoff to the Home Repair Series. Love Jacobia & crew!!

I instantly fell in love with this series. The characters, the food, the story line. Did I mention the food? The story held my interest to the end. Just when you think you have the murderer pegged, wham! Another twist. Oh and the food! This one is not to be missed!

Death by Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake is the first book in a new series, Death by Chocolate Mystery, written by Sarah Graves. The mystery is intriguing and the characters are well developed. There are lots of twists and turns in the plot and great descriptions of the elaborate cheesecakes being prepared.

Jacobia ‘Jake’ Tiptree and her friend, Ellie White, have opened a bakery, The Chocolate Moose, in Eastport, Maine and are in the process of filling a large order of Chocolate Cherry Cheesecakes that will be auctioned off and the proceeds used for the town’s Fourth of July fireworks display. When Jake finds the body of health inspector, Matt Muldoon, in the Chocolate Moose’s kitchen with his head in the large pan they used for melting chocolate, Ellie, who has never attempted to hide her distaste for the man, becomes the prime suspect. While Bob Arnold, Eastport’s police chief, doesn’t suspect Ellie, the Maine State Police feel differently, and Jake is compelled to solve the mystery and clear her friend’s name. The island is hit by an early season hurricane that threatens the town’s Fourth of July festivities. Jake’s also dealing with her father, Jacob Tiptree, who is recovering from a heart attack, her son, Sam, who is unreachable in Boston, and her husband, Wade Sorenson, is guiding ships into the harbor.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

I'm a fan of Sarah Graves' other two series, so I was excited to get the opportunity to read & review an advance copy of this first-in-series. Many of the characters in this book - including main character Jake and her best friend Ellie - and the setting of Eastport, Maine are carried over from Ms. Graves' Home Repair is Homicide mysteries. It was great going back to visit Eastport and its characters, now with Jake and Ellie running their own bakery specializing in high-quality chocolate treats. There are several suspicious characters in this story, which makes for an interesting, hard-to-solve mystery. The resolution and explanation for the crime was a bit complicated, so I didn't guess the culprit until the very end. There's a big surprise involving one of the secondary characters and we meet some new characters who I hope to see again. I'm so happy that Jake and Ellie are back, and I'm already looking forward to the second Death by Chocolate mystery. I happily provided my honest review in exchange for a free advance copy of this book.

Eastport, Maine and Jacobia "Jake" Tiptree are back! I was so excited to see that Sarah Graves has a new series out featuring one of my favorite protagonists.

Seeing Jake and Ellie together again was incredible. Having this series featured around their new bakery is brilliant. The name of their shop is delightful, aptly named The Chocolate Moose.

Getting ready for the town's 4th of July celebration has Jake and Ellie running ragged, they are busy baking chocolate cherry cheesecakes to be auctioned off and the proceeds used for their fireworks display. Jake is used to working under pressure, but when the body of the health inspector is found in the shop'd kitchen, it seems that Elli has the biggest motive for wanting him dead.

Jake is no stranger to murders so it comes as no surprise when she becomes involved in the investigation.

Fans of the series by Sarah Graves that first introduced us to Jake, will absolutely love this fantastic story.
I cannot wait to read more in this top notch series.
I voluntarily read an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley.

#DeathByChocolateCherryCheesecake #NetGalley

The first book in a new series. Sarah Graves has long been a favorite author and she does not disappoint. This book is full of suspense and continues the life of Jacobica Tiptree and her friend, Ellie. The pair has open a bakery featuring chocolate 'goodies' in Eastpoint, Maine. It is the 4 of July and they are baking Chocolate Cherry Cheesecakes to be auction off at the town's celebration. The body of the health inspector Matt Muldoon is found in their bakery. Ellie has made it clear she did not like him. The clues point to her as the killer. Jake's attempts to clear Ellie from suspicion will take on thrilling boat rides, hidden tunnels, the appearance of large amounts of cash, betrayal by friends, and the arrival of a hurricane. Jake's father is recovering from a heart attack, her son, Sam is stranded in Boston and Wade, her husband is guiding ships into the harbor. I highly recommend this book.
Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake recipe is included.

Disclosure: I received a free copy from Kennington Books through NetGalley for an honest review. I would go thank them for this opportunity to read and review this book. The opinions expressed are my own.

Quite a ride for the first in a new series, not complaining though. Really enjoyed the suspense, fantastic story line and characters to keep in interesting. Looking forward to more.

Jake and Ellie have found themselves submerged in a murder mystery filled with deadly intent and circumstances, it’s a story laced with the right amount of facets which makes this book an explosive package. Yes, the suspense in this book is exciting and gripping, the thrill factor is just right, with an awesome storyline and captivating characters making this book a must-read. I enjoyed this cozy mystery with its amped-up action play and all, it’s cool, truly an enjoyable read.

Best buddies Jake and Ellie are opening their dream shop bakery on the water’s edge in Eastport, Maine. The Chocolate Moose will be open for the Fourth of July weekend, and is sure to garner lots of business from both locals and tourists. Things change when a very rare early season hurricane hits Eastport, putting a damper on the festivities. Jake’s hubby is stranded out at sea and her son is stuck in Boston, leaving Ellie to clean up the mess and to solve the murder of health inspector Matt Muldoon, who was found dead in the Chocolate Moose kitchen. Jake will have to solve the mystery and clear her friend Ellie, the prime suspect in the killing. As a Maine native, I always like to read book about my home state. I was happy to see Graves placed her mystery in Eastport, a place still more Maine than Boston (not full of tourists)