The annual art festival is back in town and it's thriving. The ladies have a booth of their sweets open and ready to sell. The only problem is there is a new sweet shop in town and.it is right across the street from the Chocolate Moose. The new owner is already causing problems for Jake and Ellie by spreading false rumors. When the the owner of the shop, Brad Fairway, is found murdered the police aim their sights on Ellie. They soon learn he was shot with her gun making her the prime suspect. Jake knows Ellie is innocent so the investigation into who the real killer is begins. Will Jake and Ellie figure out who the murderer is before Ellie herself ends up behind bars?

This story had a great storyline, but the writing was mediocre. I often found myself losing interest in the story. The writing does improve as the story progresses. I did enjoy the humor of Jake always finding herself in a pickle while investigating. The ending is the best part of the book because of all the action to apprehend the suspect. A recipe for chocolate marshmallow gingerbread is found at the back of the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Death by Chocolate Marshmallow Pie is a fun, entertaining cozy mystery. Jake and Ellie are great characters, and the storyline was interesting.

In this installment of the series, an unpleasant and mean-spirited competitor gives a hard time to Jake and Ellie. When he ends up dead, Ellie is suspected of his murder and Jake investigates to find the real culprit.

Death by Chocolate Marshmallow Pie is a good read for both readers who are familiar with the series and newcomers. I got hooked from the first pages and wanted to find out more. I recommend it to all cozy mystery readers, even those who are not huge chocolate fans! All you need to enjoy the book is to be a fan of good, well written mysteries.

Wait! What? Jacobia/Jake used to work for the mob? Dang, if I knew that, I'd totally forgotten and I thought I'd read all the home repair books featuring Jake and her family and friends. Guess not, huh, or it's just been too long ago. In any case, Sarah Graves was one of my early obsessions with mysteries. The tales of Jake's father's troubled past, not to mention the headaches fixing up her old house appeared to generate, kept my attention. Despite my lapse of memory, I'll note that the book stands alone nicely as all this and more is thoroughly shared without slowing down the pace.

That trend of grabbing my attention definitely continues. "Death By Chocolate Marshmallow Pie" is fast paced and tense, although Graves uses humor to lighten the mood well. Not only is her best friend and co-worker at The Chocolate Moose suspected of killing a nasty business rival, but her father is determined to move to a retirement center despite his wife Bella's opposition and Jake's married son Sam has simply showed up one morning in her kitchen to stay awhile. No satisfactory explanation but, well, what's a mother to do? He's family. Toss in that Jake's shadowy past (yes, the one I'd forgotten, bad me) may come out with unknown repercussions and that potential suspects seem to either wind up dead or injured and, well, Jake's life is anything but dull. 

So, who killed the rival chocolate shop owner? How did the killer get Ellie's gun, which she insists was safely locked in her car? Why is Babs so frighten looking? And, speaking of Babs, a fabric artist, how was she able to afford an assistant? That rather goes against the "poor-starving-artist" stereotype. Who....oh, enough teasers. This one is top-notch and will keep you guessing until the end.

I didn't guess until then and still hadn't connected all the dots. Fortunately for me, author Sarah Graves shared the connections. She also left us with a bit of a cliff-hanger not really connected to Jake. Someone is leaving Eastport, Maine? Nope, not telling. Read the book. If you like tense, fast paced mysteries with characters that have interesting backstories, not to mention chocolate, this one's for you. I mean, chocolate covered pretzels had me but, wow, chocolate covered bacon? 

Thanks #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks - #KensingtonCozies for letting me drop in early to sample some of Jake and Ellie's chocolate delights. The recipe included sounds sinfully delicious.

When a business rival dies, Jake's partner is a prime suspect and Jake won't let that lye...chaos follows. Jake does some very foolish and dangerous things. That is a trend I have seen in other books in this series and can be annoying. But overall, it is a solid cozy with lots of red-herrings that kept it interesting until the end.

I really enjoy the sense of community, family and friends in this series. Time does not stand still. Relationships grow and change as do the people. In fact, Jake's son was a teenager in the series before this and now has his own family. It also deals with Jake's father who is growing older and thinking of moving into a "home." Oh, and don't forget the delicious deserts.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

Jake (Jacobia) and Ellie are gearing up for a new season at Eastport, Maine's bakery, The Chocolate Moose. Since the opening of The Moose, they have been successful and are an institution. This year, however, they have competition from Choco's, another bakery nearby owned by Brad Fairway, a newcomer to Eastport. Fairway is not above undercutting the Moose's prices and spreading rumors about bad hygiene at The Moose. The opening of the annual arts festival brings matters to a head. Jake and Ellie confront Fairway about his business practices and get no satisfaction. Both women are suspects when Fairway is found dead later, especially Ellie, whose gun was the murder weapon. The State Police are zeroing in on Ellie, and the Eastport chief of police, Bob Arnold, can't seem to divert them. Even worse, Jake thinks she recognizes Fairway from the "bad old days" in New York. Is the other shoe about to drop finally? As the arts festival goes on, there are more murders and attacks on the artists, muddying the waters considerably.

I have been reading Sarah Graves' books for years, beginning with her long-running Home Repair is Homicide series. All are set in Eastport and feature the same main characters, Jake and Ellie, and their extended families and friends, with others coming in and out (quite often as victims). They are remarkably full of action for cozy mysteries, but at their heart are about friendship and the ties that bind. All the books are atmospheric, presenting Eastport very much as it is, perhaps a bit busier. Eastport was once a vast shipping center with its deep harbor. Those days are long gone.

Death by Chocolate Marshmallow Pie is another enjoyable book in the series, but in some ways has the feeling of an ending. One significant character leaves, and many plot loose ends are wrapped up. I sincerely hope not. I will miss my visits to Eastport if so.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an advance digital copy. The opinions are my own.

This is the 6th book in the series and my first. I was able to read it as a standalone. The author did an awesome job doing a backstory. I really enjoyed following the clues and trying to figure out who the killer was. I'm really craving chocolate covered marshmallows. I really enjoyed the book and can't wait to see what happens next.

Summer has arrived in Eastport, Maine and the town is jumping, full of tourists ready to enjoy the arts, crafts, music and food. Jake and Ellie, BFFs who run a delightful chocolate bakery named the Chocolate Moose, are gearing up to make all of those chocoholics happy. Then trouble arrives in the guise of a new business opening across the street named Choco's. The trouble? The owner has an agenda and it includes dirty tricks aimed at ruining The Chocolate Moose. Jake confronts him and the next day he's found dead, shot with Ellie's gun. Now Jake jumps into investigate who wanted him dead and, at the same time, deal with her own not so squeaky clean past that connects to him. Put it all together and the reader is presented with a very well crafted mystery complete with twists, turns, red herrings and some past threads tied up. I hope this isn't a sign that the series is coming to an end as I am eager to spend more reading time with Jake, Ellie and their families.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

I was worried there wasn't gonna be another book in this series, so I was really happy to see this when it came to NetGalley. I've followed this series since its beginning and was glad to read more of Jake and Ellie's crazy adventures and narrow escapes. Life with those two is never, ever boring!

Jake was worried her checkered past had come back to bite her with the latest murder, then when the bodies started piling up, things got clearer. I loved the little side stories in this book and now I feel totally satisfied after reading this book and all the many loose ends that got neatly packaged up, one of which was a little bittersweet. If for some reason the series does end here, I think I'm good with it. Sure, I'd love to read more about these amazing characters, who wouldn't? But just in case it ends, I felt like everything was in a super place! Don't miss this latest installment available this coming Tuesday, April 25, 2023!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Kensington Cozies via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

Graves is a favorite author and she SO doesn’t disappoint with her recent addition to her Death by Chocolate Mystery series. Graves has a way of perfectly balancing the suspects, clues and red herrings so that you’ll be left guessing the whodunit until the last page. In addition, Grave’s characters are incredibly likable; Jake and Ellie’s friendship is so realistic. And don’t get me started on the deliciously yummy chocolaty goodies described and the recipe included. This is the series’ sixth book, so be sure to check out Death by Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake, book one and if want more of Jake and Ellie’s sleuthing adventures pick up The Dead Cat Bounce, the Home Repair Is Homicide series first book.


I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books, Kensington Cozies in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

The dynamic duo is back together again! I love getting another glimpse of Jacobia’s past. Sarah Graves has mastered “intrigue” for sure. This is a must-read and a worthy addition to my collection.

I just finished Death by Chocolate Marshmallow Pie by Sarah Graves. I really enjoyed my trip back to Eastport, Maine, and the time spent with longtime friends Jacobia (Jake) Tiptree and Ellie White and their families.
The town's hosting an arts festival this summer, and Jake and Ellie are ready to welcome tourists and locals alike to their bakery, The Chocolate Moose. Unfortunately, Brad Fairway, the owner of a new bakery across the street is doing all he can to sabotage Jake and Ellie's business.
When Fairway is murdered, Ellie is suspected in his death. Since the state cops are so focused on Ellie as the murderer, Jake and Ellie need to find who really killed Fairway.
Meanwhile, Jake's got family troubles brewing--her dad and his wife, her son and his family--amid concerns that her long ago past might be catching up to her. Besides that, Ellie's trying to come up with the perfect recipe for the chocolate marshmallow pie her daughter's requested for her birthday (and Jake really isn't fond of marshmallows!)
A past loose thread has been tied off with this book.
Murder, mayhem, and marshmallows--overall, a tasty treat for this reader.
Note: the recipe at the end of the digital ARC is for Chocolate Marshmallow Gingerbread rather than a pie as might be expected.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing this copy.

Jake and Ellie are busy at work in the Chocolate Moose. There’s a local arts festival to feed. But they’re being undercut by a new bakery across the street. When the owner is found dead, shot by Ellie’s gun, the duo must find the real killer. There’s an extra kick to the victim. Jake knew him in her previous life in New York City. Join Jake as she tries to solve this murder while finding various ways to challenge her fear of heights. Another enjoyable story.

An intriguing cozy mystery. There is a lot going on in this story. Much of which is not obvious to the reader. Good thing there is a wonderful wrap up at the end of the book to clarify many things. There is also much potential for interesting and exciting happenings in the next one of this series. Jake leads an unusual and adventurous life. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

The next Death by Chocolate mystery finds Jake investigating after her new competitor ends up dead. When she is charged with the crime, it becomes crucial for her to investigate to clear her name. A solid entry in this series.

Book six in the Death by Chocolate Mysteries, but the first book I have read by this author.

Jacobia (Jake) Tiptree and her friend Ellie run The Chocolate Moose, a waterfront bakery in Eastport, Maine. Things are going well for them until competition appears in the form of a new shop selling many similar foods only cheaper. When the owner of that business is found murdered, shot with Ellie's gun, it is understandable that she is the main suspect.

Jake sets out to clear her friend's name and she has help from her own family and the local police. Jake's mysterious past is raised when there are hints of involvement by the mob, and there are small things I could only guess at due to not having read the earlier books, like the huge sum of money mentioned and where it is. Jake puts herself into a number of situations where she should have known better which always irritates me a little.

It is nicely written with some very appealing characters. I liked husband Wade with his laid back attitude very much and Sam, Jake's son, was also excellent. Overall an easy read with several good things going for it.

“Death by Chocolate Marshmallow Pie” is the 6th instalment in the "Death By Chocolate" mystery series by Sarah Graves. Summertime in the quirky island village of Eastport, Maine, is full of delights—including delicious treats from The Chocolate Moose, the waterfront bakery run by Jacobia “Jake” Tiptree and Ellie White. But these amateur sleuths are in for a rocky road when a chocolate shop rivalry turns deadly.

I enjoy this series set in the village of Eastport, Maine and really like protagonist Jake and her BFF Ellie. Plus I love her family especially Bella.

There were plenty of twists and turns to keep me wanting to find out what will happen next. I did suspect the killer early on but then second guessed myself. The book was engaging from start to finish, grabbing your attention from the very start.

I highly recommend this series to all my cozy friends.

I requested and received an Advanced Readers copy from Kensington Books and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

My first read by Sarah Graves, Death by Marshmallow Pie was more of a darker cozy mystery than I was used to, but I liked the bit of change of tone in this genre because it was different for me.

Jacobia “Jake” runs a bakery with her best friend Ellie in the island village of Eastport, Maine, where Ellie finds the owner of the competing bakery across the street, murdered in his shop. Because of previous occurrences, Ellie becomes the top suspect in the murder investigation, and so, Jake has no choice but to put her sleuthing hat on and do some investigating herself to clear Ellie’s name.

First off, I’ve never read a character who got themselves wrapped up in so many vines, scratched up by trees and plants and bit and stung by so many insects. Only to go back and end up getting “attacked” three more times because the area she scoped out made it difficult to spy or hide. Those moments made me laugh out loud at how she could just pick up herself, and go back to focusing on finding the real killer.

The darker edge of the story was due to Jake’s criminal past. Typically the amateur sleuths are squeaky clean in cozies, but Jake proves that you can still be sleuthing it in a cozy sphere with some grit.

I figured out who the killer was about half way through the novel but it was not obvious who it was and I found the story was well paced.

Brad's been trying to steal customers from Ellie and Jake's chocolate shop so of course when he's found shot with Ellie's gun (and she's standing over him), she's going to be the prime suspect. But Ellie didn't do it and neither did Jake, and so they investigate, learning that there was more to Brad than met the eye. The mystery won't stump veteran cozy readers but the family dynamics, particularly for Jake, are well done. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. While it's the latest in a series, it will be fine as a standalone. And recipes!

Death by Chocolate Marshmallow Pie by Sarah Graves is the sixth book in the Death by Chocolate Mystery Series. I enjoy every release in this series as the author includes many referances to chocolate and the charcters are smart, savvy and fun to follow. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley. My review opinion is my own.

Jake and Ellie are friends managing their popular chocolate bakery "The Chocolate Moose" in the picturesque town of Eastport Maine. They are preparing for a town festival when they find out another baker is trying to take over bakery sales for the festival using neferious methods . Jake has words with him before he is found murdered. She is prime suspect number one as her gun was used and must work to clear her name. Having successfully solved cases in the past she finds clues abound amid red herrings and secrets about the victim. Soon Jake is in danger and the excitment builds to a exciting conclusion.

This was a well plotted fun sleuth that is captivating to conclusion. The charcters all add to the fun of this series. I enjoyed this next in series and recommend it for all cozy readers.