The cozy mystery is my favorite genre. I like engaging mysteries and fascinating characters. I will read more books by this author.

Death by Chocolate Raspberry Scone

By Sarah Graves

Ellie and Jake (Jacobia) are best friends and business partners in the Chocolate Moose, a small bakery in Eastport, Maine. Death by Chocolate Raspberry Scone finds the pair dealing with a complex web of murders in the middle of a sweltering summer and hectic tourist season. There isn’t a body, just an abandoned boat and a non-grieving widow left with three children and a mystery. Her husband has shown her an antique gold coin which is missing too.

On the home front, Jake’s large old house is bursting at the seams with extended family lined up outside the only bathroom. An expansion is not progressing according to schedule and winter is closing in.

Sharks play a huge role in this mystery from attacks on the investigators to the possibility that they are involved in several deaths or at least the “disposal” of the remains. A group of shark scientists are having a convention in the town, and Ellie has promised three dozen Chocolate Raspberry Scones. Ellie is a creative genius when it comes to her baking, but she has yet to perfect a recipe for this treat.

Jake’s sweet grandson Ephraim plays a big role in this cozy mystery. This four year old loves making music on a variety of noisy instruments from a kazoo to a toy trumpet, and this interest leads to a discovery that is critical to the plot.

Another intriguing character is Glenna LaFarge, known locally as the “witch of Walk Island.” Despite all the somewhat scary legends that have emerged around her, Ellie and Jake embark on one of many boating adventures in the book to confront Glenna and try to uncover some of the many secrets surrounding murders, a kidnapping and theft in the small tourist town. Jake and Ellie both show their daring and brave side as they track down the murderer. There is a fair amount of tension in this mystery, but there is also some humor sprinkled in as Jake knows how to laugh at herself and the crazy situations she finds herself in.

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, Fiction

Notes: 1. #7 in the Death by Chocolate Mystery Series, but could be read as a standalone.
2. Includes a recipe for a version of Chocolate Raspberry Scones. As a chocolate lover and a scone lover, this sounds very good.

Publication:  April 23, 2024—Kensington

Memorable Lines:

…I still couldn’t make a sound past the jagged chunk of fright stuck in my throat. It was a shark, a ridiculously large one from what I could see of its dark shape moving under the water, still coming straight at us.

It’s another thing I’ve learned over the years: You can cry all you want, but it doesn’t fix anything; when you’re finished, you still have to get up and do something about whatever it is.

I got up and poured more coffee at the credenza near the door. The fancy contraption that brewed it looked complicated enough to refine uranium in.

The Chocolate Moose, owned by Jacobia “Jake” Tiptree and Ellie White’s bakeshop in the island village of Eastport, Maine is as busy as ever. They have a special request for chocolate raspberry scone, but need to come up with a new recipe. Their experimenting is interrupted by Sally Coates who asks for their help. She believes her husband has been killed and dumped off the coast. She wants Ellie, her childhood friend to find his body, and if not that, the gold doubloon he inherited from his grandfather. She needs it to support their family. With the help of the new Police Chief, Lizzie, they spend time on Passamaquoddy Bay searching for a body and some treasure. But they aren't the only ones trying to find the coin.

This book had shades of Jaws. There was a shark that seemed to be dogging them and besides bashing their boat, at one time ended up partly on the deck. Although Jake was petrified of some of the things they were doing, they made me giggle at times. I enjoyed the new characters we meet in this one. Dylan, Lizzie's boyfriend is also a police officer so they had lots of help in this one. Jake and her husband Wade are renovating a house so living with their son and his family and that adds another interesting storyline. Jake's grandson is in danger at one point and I could feel her distress. I had a feeling about the killer and I was partially right. There were some scary moments along the way, some twists and some laughs that kept me invested in this story. At the end, they finally get the scones made and we get the recipe at the end of the book.

I love the covers for this series. I have enjoyed each book in this series and this was no different. I will say it is not my favorite as the mystery was a bit out there. Jake and Ellie are such a fun duo to go on an adventure with.
#DeathbyChocolateRaspberryScone #NetGalley

Jacobia “Jake” Tiptree and Ellie White take a break from baking to help Sally Coates find her missing husband. He went out on his fishing boat one day and did not return, leaving Sally with no income and young children to support. The authorities feel it's a typical fishing incident resulting in death, although they haven't found this body.

If he's dead, signs point towards murder. But is he?

Jake and Ellie run into all kinds of trouble while trying to find this fisherman. They find a murdered man, a woman they helped escape from an attempted murder and too many sharks.

I enjoy reading books in this series but this one has a little too much 'action' for my taste. It seems that every time Jake and Ellie go out investigating they either find someone in trouble or dead. And the sharks added too much tension to the story. I'm sure that if I saw a shark in the water I wouldn't be out on my small boat the next day. The kidnapping put it over the top. I hope the author tones it down a bit in her next book.

Death By Chocolate Raspberry Scone was a fun read. There is so much action going on. Jacobia (Jake) is amazing in how she keeps moving and doing between her crazy home life and baking she doesn't stop. It's non-stop action. She is even going on a boat which is scary with sharks. Thank Goodness everything turns right and left with one mystery after another. Also, kidnapping is in the book. Wow, what an exciting read.

Just published latest entry in the Death by Chocolate Mystery Series, but I am going to admit straight away that this one left me a bit cold. Generally I like that Jake is clumsy and can't jump across a creek or tumbles down a ridge while skulking her way to investigate something. But in this buck, it's taken to extremes; I swear she's falling or getting dumped in the ocean every other chapter (or at least, that's how often it felt). And she never sleeps; she's going days on 3 hours of sleep and beers and other alcoholic drinks in place of food and a power nap. At one point, I wondered if Jake was becoming an alcoholic and that would be a future subplot. To keep the story in line with the series, Jake and Ellie are given a new chocolate challenge by a client (the chocolate raspberry scones) but despite repeated reminders that oh, yes, we have to make 4 dozen scones in 24 hours and we don't even have a recipe, the investigation takes priority in a way we haven't encountered before. Until the last few chapters, when solving the murder becomes very personal for a very good reason, this shrugging off a professional responsibility isn't necessary and even makes no sense to two characters that have always been portrayed as very professional. I'd describe this story as a grim adventure, with pirates and gold coins and a local witch, but it's all menacing in a way earlier stories haven't been. One word: Sharks. Two words: shark attacks. Three words: repeated shark attacks. I actually found the shark attacks to be very unrealistic. Jake is able to enunciate clear sentences to Ellie when a shark is just centimeters from her face and about to chomp down? There's an also a lot of nautical terms, the meaning of which this desert dweller had no clue. The murders were too easy to solve: two of the three murders and key plot elements were so easy to guess this time that I knew exactly what was going on, the motivations, etc. by the fourth chapter. I know I read a lot of mysteries, but I never try to solve it and I happily suspend disbelief when reading, so if I can figure it out without even trying, that's not a good sign. I still like the series and will read the next, but I feel this one is pretty weak.

Fans of Sarah Graves’ popular Death by Chocolate series will want to immediately pick up the seventh installment, Death by Chocolate Raspberry Scone. Jake and Ellie are back, and when one of Jake’s childhood friend, Sally Coates, comes to her for help in locating her husband, a skilled fisherman, who has disappeared. Sally’s husband hasn’t made much money in the past, but he owns an ancient gold doubloon that he inherited that may just help out their financial situation. Unfortunately, the coin is also missing along with Sally’s husband. Jake and Ellie investigate, putting themselves in danger and meeting up with several people who know about the coin and become suspects.

Readers of this series will be familiar with the pair of amateur sleuths, but Graves gives enough background information that new readers will feel like they know them; Graves has developed the characters so they are viable, and the protagonist and main supporting characters are likeable. There are a few unique characters in this novel, and they help to move the story along and keep readers guessing not only whether Sally’s husband is still alive, but which characters will turn out to be a murderer. The storyline is good, and it has twists and turns, as well as a surprise dénouement. There is some suspense that builds throughout.

Those of us who aren’t savvy to the life in the East Coast Island village, will be intrigued by the goings on because just getting into a boat to explore is a foreign thing, but it seems believable, and Graves’ writing style keeps readers interested and guessing.

All told, this is a fun, fast read, and it is well-written with good characters.

A delightful addition to the series, blending suspense with the charm of a small town bakery. I love the name of the bakery! The writing is atmospheric of the island village and the characters are relatable. I enjoyed following along with Jake and Ellie and their sleuthing.
Many thanks to Kensington and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

A great addition to an incredible series! Wonderful characters in an incredible setting. This book will keep you guessing until the end.

Book Review: Death by Chocolate Raspberry Scone by Sarah Graves

Rating: 3 Stars

I recently picked up Death by Chocolate Raspberry Scone by Sarah Graves, and I have to admit, my experience was a bit of a mixed bag. Set in the charming little village of Eastport, Maine, we follow Jacobia “Jake” Tiptree and her friend Ellie White as they whip up delectable desserts at their bakeshop while navigating the chaos of summer tourist season. Sounds sweet, right? Well, it starts off promising, but things take a dark turn that left me feeling a bit disappointed.

The plot kicks into gear when Sally Coates, a childhood friend of Ellie’s, believes her husband has been murdered at sea. She enlists Ellie’s help to find out who murdered him. As Jake and Ellie island-hop around Passamaquoddy Bay, they find themselves entangled in a web of intrigue filled with shady characters and a rising body count that feels more like a horror movie than a cozy mystery.

Now, here’s where I found the story lacking. With multiple deaths occurring throughout the book, it felt like the stakes were raised just for shock value, especially since none of them had anything to do with the chocolate, raspberries, or scones that the title promises. I’ve read my fair share of cozy mysteries, and usually, they give me that warm, fuzzy feeling alongside the whodunit element. This one, however, felt much less cozy. The body count kept climbing, and it started to feel like I was reading a thriller rather than a light-hearted mystery.

Another challenge I faced was keeping track of the numerous characters in the story. There were just so many plotlines and people involved that I often had to pause and remember who was who. It made the reading experience more cumbersome than enjoyable.

And let's talk about the boat talk. Oh boy! There were moments when my eyes glazed over from the endless nautical jargon. I appreciate that some readers might enjoy that level of detail, but for me, it felt excessive and detracted from the overall pacing of the story.

In conclusion, while Death by Chocolate Raspberry Scone had its moments of intrigue and a fun premise centered around a bakeshop, it ultimately fell short of my expectations. It was more chaotic than cozy, with a plot that strayed too far from the delightful desserts promised by its title. If you’re looking for a light mystery with some culinary charm, this might not be the one for you. I’d give it three stars for its potential and setting but wish it had delivered a bit more sweetness instead of so much bloodshed.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

This is the 7th book in Graves’ series featuring Jake and Ellie from Eastport, Maine. In the heat of summer a local fisherman’s boat is found adrift with no one onboard. His wife reaches out to Ellie for help in finding him. And so begins what i believe is the pair’s most intense case.

Eastport, Maine is a real town in the state where Grave lives. Because of this I believe she is able to bring her characters to life in a way many other authors who write about Maine locals are not. She builds the tension with international intrigue, lost treasure, child kidnapping, shark attacks and the local witch. A new Police Chief also puts a twist to the two’s usual group.

Although this is part of a series, it could be read as a stand alone. I enjoyed this book and would encourage you to start from the beginning with Dead Cat Bounce. I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Jake and Ellie are up to their usual shenanigans in this installment. Once readers accept that this series is like a B-horror movie with the outlandish plot twists and crazy happenings. Somehow I am drawn back to the series with each new book. Let go of reality and common sense for a bit and read this book.

Princess Fuzzypants here: Sometimes when I read one of the books in this series, I have felt the two main characters, Jake and Ellie, go to extremes and get into more trouble than is justified. This time they get into as hair raising scary trouble as ever before but it did not seem like they were tottering on the edge of the Darwin Award. In fact, while the action was in places quite nail biting, it was never over the top or straining on my credulity. I really like it when a story can grip and excite but not be beyond my imagination. And this one did it.

Clearly the favourite in the series, the two are asked to investigate the disappearance of the husband of one of their friends. His boat is found but there is no sign of him. He happened to have a gold coin in his possession so it is possible foul play might be at work. This book has it all. Pirates and treasure, things that appear and disappear according to the tides and sharks. Hungry and determined sharks. Jaws has nothing on these guys.

It was a romp, beginning to end to figure out who was a good guy and who was a bad guy and to what degree they were both. There are daring rescues and near misses galore. This is a great book for summer reading…maybe not too close to shark infested waters. Five purrs and two paws up.

Once again, this newest installment, the 7th, in the Death by Chocolate mystery series does not disappoint.

This one is more action-packed, more intense, with more boating and less baking, than previous books in the series, but still enjoyable.

As usual, a terrific plot with some great characters, particularly Jake and Ellie, and now, the new sheriff in their Maine town.

Recommended for mystery fans!!

Dollycas's Thoughts

August in Eastport, Maine is HOT! But the tourists just keep coming, which is good for business but the desserts at The Chocolate Moose may melt before they can be consumed.

To add to the heat issues a skilled fisherman is missing and his wife,  Sally Coates believes her husband has been murdered. She begs her friend Ellie to find his body and the person responsible for his death. He was said to be in possession of a gold doubloon he inherited from his grandfather. Sally needs it to provide for her family but someone may have wanted it bad enough to kill.

Can Ellie and Jake catch the killer or will they die trying?

_____

Jacobia “Jake” Tiptree's life is full of chaos before you add a murder. She is juggling a house filled with 4 generations of family with only 1 bathroom. An addition to the house has begun but it hits a new frustrating snag every day. Her family keeps rolling with the punches better than I think most people could. Ellie's home life is quieter but with her husband away a lot she spends a lot of time at Jake's. I enjoy catching up with all of them with each new story. 

This story was action-packed with spine-chilling adventures. This book pushed the cozy mystery norms to the limits but I loved it. Treacherous boat rides, sharks, sharks, and did I mention sharks, a floating body, and more had me at the edge of my seat repeatedly. A kidnapping had me reeling. The showdown was intense and scary. I had an inkling about what was going on but I was truly so caught up reading the story on the pages that were swiftly flying I didn't firm up any guilty party. I was able to vividly imagine all the happenings thanks to the author's detailed descriptions. Jake and Ellie were tested. They were brave.

The subplots of what was happening at Jake's house and Ellie trying to come up with the perfect Chocolate Raspberry Scone recipe for a "really big" order, although I wouldn't call an order for 4 dozen big for a shop like The Chocolate Moose, gave readers a little break from the bedlam on the water.

Death by Chocolate Raspberry Scone takes readers on some heart-pounding adventures with the people we have grown to care for over the course of this series. I was delightfully entertained even though had I been around those sharks like Jake and Ellie I would have died of a heart attack on the spot. Thankfully my heart handled reading about it all and I can't wait for more adventures with Jake and Ellie.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and all opinions expressed are mine.

I did not expect to get hungry while reading this book but alas here we are. This is book 7 in a series and my first by the author . I would suggest reading all the books in the series but it is easy to follow.

The book follows Jake and Ellie who run a bakeshop in East port,Maine. All is baking well in the bakery until their friend Sally asks them to help find her husband's killer and who killed him if he is actually dead.It's every amateur sleuths dream and is fast paced ,well written and the characters likeable.

Rating:3.5/5

Death by Chocolate Raspberry Scone takes the reader on a sea adventure as the main character, Jake, and her best friend/business partner Ellie investigate who murdered their friend’s husband.

I loved that a majority of the sleuthing took place on the water and all the interesting characters (that end up being red herrings) that came with it. This provided a unique approach to the amateur sleuthing world and delivered some hilarious mishaps that Jake seems to always herself in. Coupled with another edition added to Jake’s already overcrowded household and the delicious baked goods, this book was a fun one to listen to.

I enjoyed this story very much! There is a lot of tension, action, & some scary moments. It turns out well, but leaves open certain threads (not in a frustrating way). The new police chief fits in well although it’s sad that Bob is gone. I love to visit this town. #DeathbyChocolateRaspberryScone #NetGalley

After catching up on the series (I'm not sure how I missed three!), by the time I got to this newest installment of Jake & Ellie's misadventures, I found myself becoming...well, tired of them. Although I can usually count on Sarah Graves for a delightful read, "Death by Chocolate Raspberry Scone" was kind of a slog. The mystery was farfetched even for a cozy mystery (which generally requires the reader to suspend disbelief anyway), and even the usual charm of the Eastport squad wasn't up to its usual standard. I did enjoy the addition of Lizzie Snow to the cast, though I'll definitely miss Bob. Overall, not the strongest entry in the series by far, and while it wasn't bad enough for me to rage-quit the series, I'm seriously hoping for the next entry to provide a solid bounce back to standards.