Death by Chocolate Marshmallow Pie

by Sarah Graves

Jake (Jacobia) and her best friend Ellie own The Chocolate Moose, a small bakery where the two ladies create delicious chocolate treats for residents and tourists in “the quaint island fishing village of Eastport, Maine.” When Ellie discovers the dead body of a new competitor across the street, she becomes the target of a murder investigation as she has “the murder trifecta: motive, method, and opportunity.” Bob, the local police chief, is sympathetic and turns a blind eye to some of Jake and Ellie’s undoubtedly illegal efforts to clear Ellie, but there is just so much he can do with the state cops taking a lead role in the investigation.

Despite the seriousness of the crime, the book has humor sprinkled throughout as it is told from Jake’s viewpoint, and she manages to get herself into some very awkward situations. Disappearances and attacks keep Jake and Ellie following clues as they arise—often through dense fog and animal encounters.

Added into the plot are family concerns. Jake’s father and stepmother who live with her are quarreling about moving to an assisted living facility. Jake’s son Sam and his wife Mika seem to have marital problems, and Sam moves back home. He doesn’t want to talk about the strife in their marriage; and between the bakery and her murder investigation, Jake doesn’t really have time to get involved.

Jake fears her past may come back to haunt her, but she pushes ahead with her investigation anyway. Before her move to Eastport, Jake was involved in bookkeeping for the mob. In her efforts to survive a traumatic childhood, a marriage to a “sludge-dwelling slime toad of a cheating husband,” the law coming down on her bosses, and her son’s delinquency at the age of twelve, Jake took sackfuls of money and successfully started a new life in Maine.

Death by Chocolate Marshmallow Pie has a complicated plot with a lot of subplots that will keep readers guessing and holding their breaths as Jake dangles from rope ladders, speeds through thick fog in her classic Fiat 124 Sport Spider, and stares down the barrel of a gun.

….What about creating the perfect Chocolate Marshmallow Pie? That’s Ellie’s daughter’s request for her birthday treat!

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rating: 5/5

Category: Mystery

Notes: 1. #6 in the Death by Chocolate Mystery series, but is acceptable as a standalone
2. Some light cursing
3. Sadly, the included recipe is for Chocolate Marshmallow Gingerbread, not for Chocolate Marshmallow Pie. I haven’t tried it, but it sounds pretty good. Kind of like a decadent apple spice cake with chocolate chips thrown in for good measure.

Publication: April 25, 2023—Kensington

Memorable Lines:

In Eastport, if you burn yourself on a hot skillet at one end of the island, ten minutes later people at the other end are breaking a piece of aloe off a plant in their windowsill for you.

I began flailing while dropping like a stone. Luckily, one of my wildly flapping hands hit a ladder rung and grabbed it. I don’t remember the next part, but I’m sure it involved cursing plus rope burns. Then I was on the ground, mad, hornet stung, and embarrassed beyond belief at my clumsy performance.

And have I mentioned how dark it was out here? Dark and full of tiny, hungry bugs called blackflies, this being summer in Maine and me being the tastiest morsel that any of them had seen recently. The rising hum of bloodsucking insects gathering for a feast was drowned out only by the angry roar of the Jeep, still behind me and still making headway.

I enjoyed the setting of Eastport Maine, and of course all of the chocolate. The plot was interesting and kept me guessing. I intend to go back and start with the first book in the series.
Many thanks to Kensington and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Jake and Ellie have been running the Chocolate Moose for several years and suddenly across the street a rival chocolatier has opened up a shop. He has been slurring the Chocolate Moose merchandise as inferior and stealing customers. N9ot surprising he turns up dead but was is surprising the murder weapon belonged to Ellie. Jake has to work hard to find the real killer and clear her friend.

Just plain yummy!

This 6th book in the Death by Chocolate series is another solid installment. I like the characters in all six of the books, Jake and Ellie, the co-owners of The Chocolate Moose in Eastport, Maine, and their families and friends are terrific characters.

However, in this book, the plot seemed to be unnecessarily convoluted, though not so much so to stop me from continuing with the series.

I enjoy this series and would recommend it to cozy fans.

Jake and Ellie are best friends who seem to get in the absolute worst troubles. This cozy mystery series is comprised of the most outrageous things you can imagine. Yet I read every single book in the series. This one is just as outlandish. If you let go of reality, then you will enjoy this book and the entire series.

Most of the characters in Death by Chocolate Marshmallow Pie are interesting, some more than others. Jake is not my favorite; she jumps to conclusions, doesn’t really ask questions or investigate, and is really not much fun. Ellie isn’t much better. Jake cannot express how much she dislikes marshmallows, and she takes every opportunity to remind everyone. Ellis vacillates between being wish-washy and angry. When a new chocolate seller opens a store, Choco’s, across the street, both women are upset, but they become enraged when Choco’s owner starts spreading rumors and lies and starts costing them business. But when he turns up dead, Ellie becomes the prime suspect, and Jake sets out to prove neither of them had anything to do with the man’s death.

There are suspects, but it takes a while to figure out who they are. Motives really don’t seem to add anything to the mystery, mainly due to the fact that Jake and Ellie have the best motives out of anyone. Evidence is sparse and leads nowhere in particular. Jake’s need to mention her dislike of marshmallows at every given chance is irritating at best. The new shop, Choco’s, doesn’t have the feel of a true rival; the baked goods are not good, and truly would not be competition. When the killer is revealed, it comes as no surprise to anyone, except maybe Jake. If this is the first book in this series that readers are picking up, I would suggest they put it back down and start with book one. Overall, I did not find much to like about this addition to the series, but I am hopeful that the next one will be better.

Dollycas's Thoughts

As usual, Eastport Maine is the place to be. We arrive just in time for the Arts Festival featuring all kinds of art, music, demonstrations, food, and games. The Chocolate Moose has a booth selling their sweet treats but truthfully Jacobia “Jake” Tiptree and Ellie White have something more important on their minds, the new competing bakery across the street and its owner Brad Fairway. He has been doing some irritating things to take customers away from Jake and Ellie and rumor has it he has big plans after he puts them out of business plus for some reason he looks familiar to Jake.

Ellie decides to try to reason with the man one more time but instead, she finds his dead body. It isn't long before the murder weapon is determined to be her gun and without a strong alibi, she knows she is going to be arrested for a murder she did not commit. Jake is not going to let that happen. They have done it before, they will do it again. They are going to catch the killer before Ellie has to spend any time behind bars. Or will this killer catch them first?

______

I really enjoy the characters in this series. Jake and Ellie are fun and smart and their lives are certainly not what you would expect for a couple of small-town bakers. Ellie's husband is away a lot but she is right at home among Jake's family. In this story, Jake's father has a bug up his . . . . I mean a crazy idea that it is time for him and Bella to move out into an assisted living place. There is something going on with Sam and Mika that brings him home for a couple of nights. Jake is trying to be supportive of everyone and hoping they all get their lives back on track soon but she has to concentrate on helping Ellie most of all. All these characters continue to develop nicely and have important roles in the story.

The mystery in Death by Chocolate Marshmallow Pie has ties to Jake's former life which really ups the ante for her to find the killer. Is someone from her past on her trail? Is it her fault Ellie is being framed? Is the rest of her family in danger? The state police don't seem to have any other suspects so she has no choice but to get involved. And when Jake gets involved and takes Ellie along the level of suspense and the level of hilarity increases rapidly. Oh, my stars! These girls put their lives at risk as well as others in a madcap ending that had me on the edge of my seat until the final harrowing moment.

As always the story is filled with chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate. Ellie is trying to find the perfect recipe for a Chocolate Marshmallow Pie for her daughter. I am not much of a baker anymore but I wanted to jump in the book and give her a few suggestions. I would have also loved a piece of the one that was finally served.

The ending to the story was very interesting. It tied up a lot of loose ends and had a surprising development along with a happy announcement. I am afraid this may be the end of the series. I sure hope I am wrong because since finding this series it has been one of my favorites. I would love to keep visiting these characters for a good long time.

Death by Chocolate Marshmallow Pie is a well-written and well-plotted cozy mystery that was completely entertaining. With genuine characters and twisty mystery, I was happily glued to the pages until the final word.

I highly recommend the entire series!

The Death by Chocolate Mystery is one of the series I keep up with as I enjoy the characters and the various plots Sarah Graves has introduced. In Death by Chocolate Marshmallow Pie, Jacobia "Jake" Tiptree and Ellie White, who run the local bakery, The Chocolate Moose, are having business difficulties when a new bakery comes to town, Choco's. With the festival coming, will it bring enough business to The Chocolate Moose as Choco's is undercutting all their prices and pulling sneaky stunts to divert Moose patrons to his own shop. When Ellie has enough she confronts Choco's owner, Brad Fairway, so when he is found dead, she is a suspect. Evidence piles up including that the weapon that killed him belonged to Ellie, so Jake and Ellie begin their own investigation to find the real killer.

I love the characters in this series. As I have read them all, I know all about their history, ups and downs and backstories. Jake's family play a large role in her life and I love how they ground her. The motive for Brad to try to put The Chocolate Moose out of business is revealed, but that makes Ellie look even more guilty. There are lots of twists and a tie to Jake's past in this one. I liked how the investigation played out. At one point Ellie is in danger and Sam, Jake's son helps to save her. There is an action packed climax and reveal that bring this book to a satisfying conclusion. This is a book that can be read as a standalone, but because there is a lot of character development and the series is so enjoyable, I recommend you read them all in order.

Death by Chocolate Marshmallow Pie is the 6th book in the Death by Chocolate Mystery series by Sarah Graves. I picked up this series with Death by Chocolate Malted Milkshake (book 2) and I also thoroughly enjoyed books 3, 4 and 5.

Jacobia (Jake) Tiptree and Ellie White, the owners of 'The Chocolate Moose'. I really adore the way Sarah Graves brings to life the fictional, yet seemingly real, small-town of Eastport. The story is highly entertaining, with plenty of action and an ample choice of suspects. I was delighted with the dynamic in the tale and with its fabulous story and wonderful characters, I would recommend Death by Chocolate Marshmallow Pie to all lovers of cozy mysteries. I hope this series continues and I can keep following Jake and Ellie's madcap adventures.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Kensington Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

Sarah Graves wrote 16 books over 17 years in the Home Repair is Homicide series starring Jake Tiptree. Jake was involved in some shady dealings in her life in the big city, but when things got too close, she and her son took off for a small town in Maine. Over the series, Jake worked on remodeling her house, raised her son, made a best friend in Ellie, and fell in love. After a few years' hiatus, Ms. Graves reintroduced Jake and Ellie, but in a new series, one centered on a chocolate bakery opened by the best friends. I admit that I had fallen behind in the home repair series and didn't realize there was a new one, but kudos to Ms. Graves--this a great way to take familiar and well-known characters and yet challenge them (and herself as a writer) by putting them in a new situation. Not entirely new, as they are still in Eastport, Maine, and Jake and Ellie still find themselves embroiled in mysteries, but a great way to shake things up. In this book, number 6 in the series, Ellie's daughter has requested a chocolate and marshmallow pie for her birthday. While trying to create a new recipe, the two friends are worrying over a new chocolate shop in town that is directly vying for their patrons. Then Ellie finds the competition dead, and things get very complicated, very quickly. With Ellie's arrest imminent, Jake is determined to find the real killer. I love the Maine setting, and I loved that the characters actually have to do things like open their shops, cook and burn recipes while experimenting with versions of the birthday pie, fall in the woods while hiking, they do things normal people do. The lack of gore means this is considered a cozy mystery, but the writing is top notch, the trials and tribulations the characters face are real and relatable, and I think this series is one of the best series in the genre. Recommended.

Death by Chocolate Marshmellow Pie is a mid-paced well built cozy mystery. This author has a more serious tone than some of the lighter cozy mysteries, but it doesn't lack in cozy feel.

This book in the series pulls from Jacobia's "Jake"s past life. Which...I really wish I had known in book 1 (Death by Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake). Apparently this is not a stand alone series. And book 1 did not make that clear....THIS BOOK really did make that clear. It made me realize why the first book in the series felt "lacking" for me - as it was more of a transitional book taking characters from one series transitioning them into a new series. Which is a great way to build a new story into an established cast of characters.

Jacobia comes from a past she was running from (without giving too much away)...and it sneaks back into the story. Possibly being a part of the whole murderous plot- but you'll have to read to find out how this thriller of a cozy progresses. Its a bit more murder than most cozies -a little bit of mayhem and mutliple deaths culminate in happy ending cozy. Family drama included.

Would HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend reading The Home Repair is Homicide Series (starts with The Dead Cat Bounce). Not because I've read this book...but this made it evident that these characters feel lacking to me simply because I don't know the history...so I'm missing the story. It's not that I'm missing the affection, but missing the backstory...and that makes a difference where these characters are concerned. Which was made super evident in this book.

PS In full disclosure the first book in this 2nd series Death by Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake should have been a lower star rating than I gave it. This one was sooo much better.

Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for providing me an ARC.

Princess Fuzzypants here: Jake and Ellie attempt to come up with a new recipe for chocolate marshmallow pie for Ellie’s daughter’s birthday. No matter what they try, it just does not seem to turn out right. But it is by far the least of their worries. Ellie’s gun is used in a murder and she fwinds the body. She and Jake have had issues with the deceased and worst yet, Jake recognizes him a someone from her past that she would much rather not revisit.

Local cop Bob is doing his best to keep Ellie out of jail but the state police think the case is a slam dunk. Naturally our two intrepid heroines feel obliged to investigate on their own and here is where, on occasion, I get into some trouble with this series. These two older and sensible businesswomen do some very irrational and dangerous things. They drift very close to the Darwin line but manage to redeem themselves with a good story and lots of interesting characters along the way. There is lots of action and suspense and chocolate. Never forget the chocolate.

I am going to give it five purrs and one paw up.

Set in Maine with a very short summer tourist season. Jake and Ellie have a major competitor in the chocolate business. someone from Jake's past is trying their best to put her shop out of business and when Ellie becomes the prime suspect in his murder she works hard to keep her out of jail without revealing her past secrets. This is book 6 in the series, A Death by Chocolate and all your favorite characters in this small town are back. I've read several books in the series, not all and you won't have any trouble if you missed some of the previous books.

Jake and Ellie are back once more to solve more difficult cases while they bake up delicious treats at the chocolate moose bakery. They are battling lies and rumors about the quality of their baked goods. She sets out to confront her neighbor who is spreading the tales and discovers she has dealt with him in her past. She later finds fairway dead. This is a fast paced and lighthearted read. It has quite a few surprises all ng the way. This has become one of my favorite cozy mystery series.

Jacobia “Jake” Tiptree and Ellie White are getting some unwelcome competition. The new bakery in town is owned by Brad Fairway, who is not a nice guy. He's doing everything he can to run the Chocolate Moose out of business so he can buy up their street and build condos.

Someone decides that murder is the way to stop him, and framing Ellie is the way to get away with it.

Jake and Ellie have to take over the investigation before the police arrest Ellie

I really loved this book in a new to my series and author. I can't wait to read the next one. The characters and location really add to the plot. This book keeps you guessing until the end

Interesting cozy mystery. I liked the characters and the mystery, although I did find the story a little slow in a couple of places. It's book 6 in the series, but stands-alone with no problem. Yummy recipes at the end.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

Many thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor or expectation.

Death by Chocolate Marshmallow Pie is book #6 in the Death by Chocolate Mystery series by Sarah Graves.

Jake and Ellie’s The Chocolate Moose has a new rival, Choco’s. The owner of it does not play fair. Ellie confronts him and shortly after, he is found dead.

This was the first book I’ve read in the series and it was easy to read as a stand-alone story. The mystery was interesting and it kept me guessing. I really enjoyed the characters and the family relationships. The ending was great. I plan to go back and catch up on the earlier books in the series.

Thank you to the author, Kensington Books, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

This is the 6th book in the Death by Chocolate series. I have never read any from this series, but that will change now. Two best friends own a bakery together. Across the street a rival establishment opens run by a guy who has no problem playing dirty to steal their customers. The two go over to try to reason with him and instead find a dead body. Not only are they thrown into the investigation, but one becomes the #1 suspect. It’s a good whodunnit with lots of interesting characters thrown in the story. This was entertaining and definitely worth a read. Thank you to NetGalley for this opportunity to read this book in advance. I give it 4 stars!

Set in Eastport, Maine Jacobia (Jake) and Ellie’ live are going as planned until a rival store opens across the street from The Chocolate Moose where they create delicious bake goods. The “new guy” resorts to rumors and underhanded tactics to cut into their customer base. But, when someone murders him using Ellie’s gun Jake sets out to clear her name.
Between trying to solve the crime, save her family from falling apart, and create the Chocolate Marshmallow Pie recipe Jake must face the prospect that her past has caught up with her.
Grave’s characters create the final touch of bringing Eastport to life for the reader. This is a cozy mystery series and I would recommend reading them all. But, it can be read as a stand alone.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this an ARC in exchange for my honest and fair review.