Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Lyndsay is excited about baking food for an upcoming event. When a woman is murdered. Lyndsay is asked to help. This book kept me guessing.

I wasn’t impressed by this book. I found myself wishing it would just end. It really seems to focus on the bakery and the family, the food they serve. I understand that the author is trying to highlight and show pride for her heritage but it’s frustrating in that this is supposed to be a mystery story, and it really doesn’t focus on that. #CoconutDropDead #NetGalley

Title: Coconut Drop Dead
Author: Olivia Matthews
Pub Date: December 26, 2023

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for my #gifted copies of Coconut Drop Dead!

Coconut Drop Dead is the third book in the Spice Isle Bakery Mysteries series by Olivia Matthews. This was such a cozy mystery while this was the first book I’ve read in the series, I definitely plan to go back and read the others. With that said, I think this can certainly be read as a standalone!

When Camille, a lead singer of a reggae band, dies at an annual Caribbean American Heritage Festival, there is a lot of uncertainty around her death. Lyndsay Murray, co-owner of a bakery at the festival, and her cousin, Manny, who was close with Camille, knows someone cut her life short. Together, the two work together to find out who is responsible for Camille’s death.

Coconut Drop Dead was so descriptive and vivid and I felt like I was right there with the main characters as they were trying to solve the mystery. I especially loved learning more about the Caribbean culture. On top of that, I really enjoyed the focus on family.

I alternated between the e-book and the audiobook, narrated by Janina Edwards. This was my first time listening to a book narrated by Edwards and I felt like she just captured my attention so well and kept me hooked during the time I was listening. I will definitely seek out more books narrated by Edwards because I really enjoyed my listening experience!

If you love a cozy mystery, I hope you will check out this book, and the others in the Spice Isle Bakery Mysteries series!

Coconut Drop Dead finds sleuth Lyndsay Murray investigating the death of a reggae singer to make sure the real killer faces the music.

Thank you Netgalley for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review! I thought this book was interesting and it was a nice,cozy story which is perfect to read during the holiday season. I didn’t read the first 2 books in this series but I felt like it read very well as a standalone book. I didn’t feel like I was missing out on any important information by not reading the first 2 books. However, I didn’t like this book very much. I felt like the story moved too slow at times and the ending felt rushed.

“Coconut Drop Dead” by Olivia Matthews
A Good Who-Done-It
Yes, I really liked this story. But a trigger warning for anyone with a food addiction. The central business in this story is a bakery. Meanwhile, there is a death, accidental or intentional? And if intentional, who could, would, do the deed? Happy Reading ! !
Note: This review expresses my honest opinion.
I received an ARC of this story from the publisher via NetGalley

Coconut Drop Dead
Spice Isle Bakery is excited to participate in the Caribbean American Heritage Festival. Lindsay and her family are doing a brisk business but their joy is marred by the tragic fall of the lead singer for an up and coming band. Lindsay’s cousin Manny wants her to investigate because he doesn’t think it is an accident. Will Lindsay find out the truth? Will she have a target on her back? And will she finally accept Bryce’s invitation to dinner?
This is the third book in the Spice aisle Bakery Mysteries. It is a fun series. The author really gives you a feel for the Caribbean community in Brooklyn. The author brings the characters to life with her writing style.

I always love glimpses into different communities and their cultures. Learning more about Caribbean American heritage and customs has been fascinating and the descriptions of food make me hungry for lunch (which never quite lives up to what they’re having). Olivia Matthews has found the perfect blend of working (yes, Lyndsay goes to work!) and sleuthing; I found the police inclusion of Lyndsey into their investigation an interesting move that helped to move the story along. The mystery is interesting and I had no idea who the murdered was until the reveal. I can’t wait for the next in this series.

The Caribbean American Heritage festival should have been a terrific opportunity for Lyndsay to show off her Grenadian food but then Camille, the leader singer in a popular band dies. Murdered. And not by Lyndsay's cousin Manny who had a crush on her. Of course, Lyndsay must investigate, even as her romantic interest (not quite there yet but still ) Bryce, a law enforcement officer, urges her not to do so. This is classic cozy stuff but it's enriched by the family and Caribbean culture. While it's the third in the series, it should be fine as a standalone. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read- with recipes !

I enjoyed returning to the world of Lyndsay and Dev, but Coconut Drop Dead lacked some of the magic of the first two books. I was a little skeptical she and Brice were able to work together because I don't think police work with citizens that closely to solve a crime. It was fun watching it all come together and that Lyndsay was finally able to forgive Brice for suspecting her in the earlier books.
I am looking forward to reading any future books in this series because I like the characters and the recipes add to the fun,
Thanks to NetGelley and St. Martin's Press for my review copy of this book.

🦇 Coconut Drop Dead Book Review 🦇

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

❓ #QOTD What's your favorite pastry? ❓

🦇 Lyndsay Murray, co-owner of her family's Spice Isle Bakery, is excited to finally participate in Brooklyn’s annual Caribbean American Heritage Festival as a vendor. All of Lyndsay's excitement and hard work is cut short when Camille, lead singer of a popular reggae band, dies. While the police think it was a tragic accident, Lyndsay's cousin believes there was foul play. Can Lyndsay solve the murder to ensure the killer faces the music?

💜 Gimme all the foodie/culinary cozy mysteries, especially ones with so much culture. This is Matthews' third installment of the Spice Isle Bakery Mysteries series, and Lyndsay only becomes more interesting with time. If you haven't read the first two installments, don't worry; you can dive right into this one with little knowledge of the previous books. Matthews excels at conveying Grenadian-American heritage through the bakery, delicious delicacies, and the sense of community surrounding Lyndsay and her family. The developing romance between Lynsday and Detective Bryce is attention-grabbing (especially after he blamed Lyndsay and her mother for previous murders). As always, Lyndsey's sassy Granny is an absolute hoot each time she speaks. The descriptions of the bakery will draw you in and make your mouth water, so make sure to grab a snack before reading!

🦇 As much as I love learning about a country or culture through food, things got a little repetitive (both in this novel alone and between the three). Though I love a cozy mystery, this one felt rushed. Everyone seems more than eager to answer Lynsday's questions. The clues start falling into her lap. If you haven't read many mysteries/cozy mysteries, it might not be bothersome, but I hoped the murders would become more intricate with each installment of the series.

🦇 Recommended to fans of foodie cozy mysteries like the Tita Rosie's Kitchen series!

✨ The Vibes ✨
🥥 Third in a Series
🥥 Caribbean American Heritage Rep
🥥 Delicious Cozy Mystery
🥥 Action, Suspense, & Humor
🥥 Family Ties

🦇 Major thanks to the author and publisher for providing an ARC of this book via Netgalley. 🥰 This does not affect my opinion regarding the book. #CoconutDropDead #NetGalley #OliviaMatthews

This series is fantastic! Lyndsay is one strong and determined woman. Great example of sticking to your beliefs no matter what.

#CoconutDropDead #NetGalley Lyndsay Murray is back in another fabulous book by Olivia Matthews.
The Caribbean American Heritage Festival is taking place and a well known band is taking center stage. Lyndsay's cousin Manny has a crush on the lead singer, and when she becomes the victim of a horrific crime, Manny begs Lyndsay to ask questions.
Lyndsay finds herself asking questions, which also brings her closer to Bryce, but also places her in harm's way.
I've really grown to love all the characters in this series, and I'm also enjoying learning about their culture and beliefs.
Little Caribbean sounds like a wonderful place to visit, and I can imagine myself swaying my hips while listening to music and deciding on what delicious treats I'd be trying.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of the book.

BIPOC Culinary Cozy Mystery following a NY West Indian eatery owner who turns sleuth when an up-and-coming reggae singer dies during the Caribbean American Heritage Festival.

5/5 stars: This is the third entry in Matthews' Spice Isle Bakery Mysteries series, which is a Culinary Cozy Mystery that takes place in Brooklyn, New York and features the co-owner of a family owned bakery and eatery. With plenty of twists and turns, Matthews has crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Matthews has written incredibly likable characters; Lyndsay and her family are a joy and I like seeing Lyndsay's character growth. I especially get a kick out of Lyndsay' crocheting Granny, who keeps everyone on the straight and narrow. It's also great to see Lyndsay's relationship with Detective Fine aka Detective Bryce Jackson slowly bloom. Additionally, I adore how Matthews weaves Lyndsey's Grenadian-American heritage into every book. Including the oh so delicious baked goodies and yummy nibbles described throughout the book, which you can try out yourself by using the recipes that are provided. YUM! While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, Against the Currant.

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

Coconut Drop Dead has a cast of interesting, quirky characters. I particularly enjoyed the banter between Lyndsay and her family. The plot was a little too slow paced for me. I don’t know what I would have preferred, but I found myself reading only a few pages before getting distracted and going off to do something else.

I received an advance copy via NetGalley.

Matthews created another fun cozy with her third entry in her Spice Isle Bakery series. I read and loved the first book, didn't get the second, but was able to jump into <i>Coconut Drop Dead</i> without any problem. That's the sign of a good cozy series for me: it's great if you can start at the beginning, but if you can pick up the later books and not get lost, you know you're in capable hands.

In this book, Lyndsay is excited that her family will have a food stand at Brooklyn's Caribbean American Heritage Festival. Her cousin Manny even seems to have something going for Camille, the lead singer of a popular local group. When Camille dies at the festival, Lyndsay is relieved that, for once, her family isn't suspected of murder by hot detective Bryce, but her heartbroken cousin is certain Camille's death is suspicious. Lyndsay, with the help of her wonderful family, sets off to investigate.

This book really hits the right balance between the cozy special interest (Caribbean foods) and the murder mystery. I'm not familiar with Caribbean culture, so I really enjoy learning about Lyndsay's Grenadian roots and the cultures of other people in the neighborhood. And man, I really want to try the coconut drops and other food! I think my only complaint is that there were no twists at the end. Really, though, a great book, and I'd happily read more in the series.

I loved this book! This series has become one of my favorite cozy mystery series; I just cannot get enough of Lyndsey and her family and friends. Their interactions are so cute and loving, but also thoughtful and caring. And the way they constantly help each other, even if it stretches them thin, is wonderful. Could Lyndsey be dating someone soon? I hope so! I hope there are more to come in this series!

While I loved returning to the world of Lyndsay and Dev, I was sadly a little disappointed with this next installment in the series. It lacked some of the magic of the first two books, and I felt like things happened rather conveniently for Lyndsay. She and Brice were able to join up together (even though I don't think the police would ever do this in real life) and she gained a lot of information from him and vice versa. Each time she needed information from someone, they were also more than happy to provide it, making the solving seem too easy for her.
I did enjoy the romance developing between Lyndsay and Brice and her eventual forgiveness of him. It felt very natural for her to be upset, but I was glad to see she finally forgave him, and here's to hoping for more of the two of them in future books!
I will absolutely be reading any future books in this series because I do love the characters a lot, I just hope the mysteries are a bit more twisty and turny like the first two books.

Thought that this book was a fab standalone for not having read the rest of the series. I enjoyed the culture of cuisine of the novel and felt that the mystery was well done.

Coconut Drop Dead is book three in the Spice Isle Bakery Mysteries by Olivia Matthews. I’ve had the pleasure of reading all three in the series and I’ve enjoyed them all.
And this culinary cozy mystery series has been such a fun time.
I just adore Lyndsay and her close-knit, supportive family.
The entire book was very well-plotted and there were layers to peel away. The mystery had some nice twists and the clues were dropped with. I was delighted with the way things played out.
Matthews has created another daring and delightful story that will entertain you as well as engage you.
This is a well constructed and easy to read cozy mystery with a brilliant plot and very well executed. Bravo Olivia Matthews!

I would like to thank NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read this ahead of its publication date in return for my honest review.

I absolutely love this series. It’s interesting, fun, and I think this third in the series is just as strong as the preceding two books. It is easily read as as stand-alone. Once again, the Spice Island Bakery family gets embroiled in a mystery. This time, the unexpected death at the Caribbean American Heritage Festival of the woman that Lyndsay’s cousin was just starting to see romantically starts Lyndsay and her family on the hunt to determine if it was an accident or something worse. Immerse yourself in the Caribbean American culture and enjoy!