This was a cozy read that I enjoyed. The family support and banter was my favourite part and I definitely want to check out more from this author and this family.

I love this series so much! The food, the culture, the mysteries! The greater community cast is my favorite aspect. It’s very small town vibes but with a cultural twist.

If you’ve en joyed the previous books in this series, you will enjoy this one too. It’s a fun cozy mystery and I love that it features a Black Caribbean woman.

No, I haven’t read Book 2. I couldn’t get my hands on it. Anyways, maybe it was the lack of exposition that made this one more interesting. I felt like I was already a part of Lyndsay’s family.

Also those coconut drop cookies sounded so good.

Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC!

coconut drop dead is the third novel in a series of three, but i had no problem getting into the story without being familiar with the first two books. this was not least due to the incredibly lovable, well-written characters and the beautiful setting of a family-owned caribbean bakery in brooklyn. the wholesomeness of the bakery, the grenadian family who runs it, and the many regulars that come by to get their daily dose of sweetness, is juxtaposed with an intriguing murder mystery. a very entertaining story with a cosy feel! would definitely recommend the audiobook as it‘s beautifully narrated.

Coconut drop dead
4.5
Spice Isle Bakery Mysteries Series
This is book three is the Spice Isle Bakery series.
I love these cozy mystery books, especially listening to audiobooks.
The narrator made this book so enjoyable.
Lyndsay Murray has a booth at the Caribbean-American Heritage Festival when tragedy hits, a reggae performer dies. The main singer is dead, and it doesn't look like an accident.
What is the Murray family to do? Lyndsay decides it's time to solve the case while still working in the bakery.
People don't call her The Grenadian Nancy Drew for nothing.
I love how she does more of the solving but her whole family is involved, and everyone has a hand in it.
I haven't read the other two books in this series, but I feel like I didn't need to, I felt connected to the characters.
I will be looking into buying the other two books and keep reading Olivia Matthews's books.
Thank you, St. Martin's Press and Net Galley for the eARC for an honest review.

It was such a treat to be back in Little Caribbean with Lindsay and the rest of the Murray family.

This time, Lindsay’s cousin, Manny, needs the help of the family to prove his innocence.

I love the sense of community in these stories and how they are centered around the Murray family. No matter what happens, they stick together and help each other.

My one peace of advice is not to read these books while hungry! The food always sounds good and makes me want to take a trip to Spice Isle Bakery!

I truly love this series and look forward to the next installment.

I love listening to Janina Edwards narrate this series. She has a lovely voice and brings each of these characters to life. Her voice and talent is perfect for this series.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media for the ALC of this book. All views are my honest opinion.

Better than the second book, still suffers from the repetitive and overly descriptive writing style that the author really ought to cut back on. Decent mystery. 3.5 stars rounded down

The third installment of the Spice Isle Bakery series finds us at Brooklyn’s Caribbean American Heritage Festival, where the Murray family has a booth. When the lead singer of an up-and-coming Reggae band is found dead at the bottom of a stairwell, our girl Lyndsay is back in action and ready to help. I mainly read standalone books, so it was just delightful to pick up where the previous book left off and already know the characters. The Murrays continue to be a beautiful example of loving unconditionally. Although the mystery was pretty easily solved, I still enjoyed the ride the story took to get there. I’ll be anxiously awaiting book #4 for those vivid food descriptions, and (hopefully) Lyndsay and Bryce FINALLY getting together!

A wonderful read for all cozy mystery fans!

Coconut Drop Dead written by Olivia Matthews, narrated by Janina Edwards, is a delightful and captivating cozy mystery that transports readers to the heart of Brooklyn's vibrant Caribbean American Heritage Festival. Set against the backdrop of the festival, with its lively atmosphere and tantalizing aromas, the story immerses you in the rich cultural tapestry of Little Caribbean.

The author, Olivia Matthews, skillfully integrates the festival's spirit into the narrative, infusing the story with the colors, flavors, and sounds of the event. As the co-owner of Spice Isle Bakery, Lyndsay Murray's enthusiasm for the festival is palpable, and readers will feel a genuine connection to her passion for sharing West Indian pastries and finger foods.

The sudden tragedy that strikes the festival with the untimely death of Camille, the lead singer of a reggae band, propels the story into an intriguing murder mystery. Matthews masterfully crafts a suspenseful plot that keeps you guessing until the very end. As Lyndsay's cousin, Manny, seeks her help in uncovering the truth behind Camille's death, readers are taken on a thrilling journey filled with unexpected twists and turns.

The audiobook rendition of "Coconut Drop Dead" by Olivia Matthews, narrated by Janina Edwards, is an absolute auditory treat that brings this intriguing mystery to life in a compelling and engaging manner. Janina Edwards's narration is nothing short of superb, effortlessly capturing the essence of the story and its diverse array of characters. Her vocal performance brings depth and authenticity to each character, skillfully differentiating their voices and personalities. Edwards's ability to convey emotions, suspense, and humor adds an extra layer of immersion to the listening experience.

What truly stands out in Coconut Drop Dead is the seamless blend of mystery, cultural celebration, and familial bonds. This charming mystery not only entertains but also celebrates cultural diversity and the power of close-knit communities. (I received an advance reader copy of this book and all opinions are my own.) Olivia Matthews has crafted a story that is as flavorful and satisfying as the delectable treats featured in Spice Isle Bakery, leaving this reader eager for more of Lyndsay Murray's sleuthing adventures in the delightful world of cozy mysteries.

Loved this book so much and can’t wait for more in the series. Such great characters and love the recipe included. The narrator is also amazing!

I really enjoyed this mystery. I had read books by this author but not this series. After reading this one, I went back and purchased the first two in the series. I like the family dynamic and the grandmother is a hoot. The accents in the book were good and the story had a good plot. It kept you going back and forth. Look forward to more.

Every time I think I couldn't enjoy this series more, a new book releases to prove me wrong. We're finally getting the Caribbean American Heritage Festival, but there's trouble for our favorite baking family!
Whereas book 2 seemed to show our protagonist Lyndsay's growth on a professional level and with her boxing, I'd say this book shows a big leap with her role as a sleuth as well as her romance. The best part is that we see those two parts of Lyndsay's life tied together as she works with Bryce as a consultant for the NYPD. Seeing those two characters together was just wonderful and showed how much chemistry they have.
Also, I liked that we saw other members of the Murray family changing and growing since the last book. This series has a heavy focus on family, so it's lovely to meet more members and see how they change and react to the mysteries. I'm looking forward to reading how these side characters become even more layered.

Thank you so much for this arc & the wonders of the audiobook . Sadly I found myself getting lost in chapters . Maybe it was the busy holiday season or the narration.

COCONUT DROP DEAD is the third book in the Spice Isle Bakery Mysteries by Olivia Matthews, and I think it’s my favorite so far! The author has found her stride and her protagonist, Lyndsay Murray, has found her confidence and backbone. Set against the backdrop of Brooklyn’s annual Caribbean American Heritage Festival and Lyndsay’s Spice Isle Bakery, the tastes, the music, aromatic aromas, and the lilting voices of the Caribbean come to life. I had the good fortune to listen to the audiobook version narrated by Janina Edwards, who captured the essence of the islands and brought all the accents and personalities to life. She did an excellent job differing between the characters, whether female or male, so I never felt lost over who was speaking.

The tragic death of Camille, Lyndsay’s cousin’s new girlfriend, was heartbreaking. Police think it was just an accident but Lyndsay isn’t so sure. Pressured by her cousin, she starts looking into her death and begins uncovering secrets. This time around, the lead detective, Bryce Jackson, welcomes her help and her insight into potential suspects. The storyline was well-plotted and moved at a quick pace, with enough twists to keep me guessing. As a bonus, there are a couple of recipes at the end to try at home. My only regret is that there wasn’t a recipe for Coconut Drop cookies, since they were featured throughout the book.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Lyndsay Murray’s dream was to own her own bakery, and with the help of her family she made her dream come true. However, since the bakery opened, she has been involved in two murder mysteries, and a local newspaper reporter has dubbed her the Grenadian Nancy Drew. When her cousin Manny’s girlfriend, Camille, is murdered, the police actually request her assistance. They know the local community is more likely to open up to her, and they know because it involves her cousin, she is going to investigate whether they want her help or not.

This is the first NetGalley Audio book I've tried to review, and I confess it's trickier than I expected. Usually when I'm reading to review, I take notes as I read, and that's harder when I'm listening because my hands are usually busy with something else. However, I very much enjoyed this book.

The narrator was excellent. I loved how distinctly she did the different voices. It was always easy to tell which character was speaking.

The story has very strong and likable characters. I love the Murray family relationships. They are so supportive of one another. Each of them even owns a part of the bakery.

Lyndsay is a very endearing character. She has an MBA, she runs her own business, and she’s a gifted kickboxer. Beyond that, she’s sweet, supportive, and exceptionally loyal to her family. When it comes to asking questions of suspects, she’s not particularly subtle, but she does a good job piecing together information. 

The mystery was interesting, but perhaps not exceptionally complex. I found it easy to identify the culprit, but still found the story enjoyable.

If you love a good culinary mystery, you will enjoy this one. The descriptions of the food were mouth- watering. 

This is the first Olivia Matthews mystery I have read, but I will absolutely be reading more!

I was rooting so hard for Lyndsay and the Murray’s to solve this one! I loved seeing the festival that they have been talking about! The mystery was very well done and pulled hard on my heartstrings. The investigation was a bit unreasonable, but it was a good development considering the previous two books. The romance has been creeping along, but I liked it because it had a touch of realism that I liked. I figured out who did it and why pretty early on, but I wanted to see justice done, so figuring it out early didn’t ruin my enjoyment.
There are lots of upcoming events like the kickboxing tournament that I want to see! So I can’t wait to see what is next.

What an entertaining addition to this truly enjoyable series. Lyndsay, her family, her friends, and our favorite detectives are all back, tantalizing readers with delicious and exotic sounding foods and drinks, as well as their compelling relationships and interactions. If I had to choose just one word to characterize this story it is "refreshing," a tragic murder notwithstanding. It is refreshing to see Lyndsay and her family enjoying the fruits of their labor with Spice Isle Bakery doing well and participating in the Caribbean American Cultural Festival. It is refreshing to see some walls lowered, if not completely torn down, and it is refreshing to see Lyndsay and Bryce working together more than in opposition to each other. The mystery was well done, and it kept me guessing. I cannot wait for the next in series.

Janina Edwards does a wonderful job voicing these characters and particularly the melodious lilt of the Caribbean American intonation.

Thank you NetGalley & Dreamscape for an audio copy of Coconut Drop Dead. This is the third book in the Spice Isle Bakery Mystery. This is the first of the series that I read. I loved the way that the narrator did the voices, it really made the book come alive for me. The amateur (or not so amateur) sleuth is charming and all the characters make you want to meet them in real life.

I think this works as a stand alone read, I can't wait to go back and listen to the first two books, so that I can pick up on the tidbits that I may have missed. I can't wait to see what this author creates next!

The Spice Isle Bakery mysteries are getting better with each book. The ending to this one explains why - Lyndsay Murray is growing into herself and in confidence with each experience she takes on. I love the wisdom of her grandmother. I enjoy her family and how they support each other. I like learning about Caribbean cultures. The food sounds yummy.
I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the narrator Janina Edwards.
I’m excited for you to get to know the family behind Spice Isle Bakery.
Thanks to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for chance to meet up with Lyndsay and family again.