Chocolate and quirky characters make up the most enjoyable parts of this book. Jake's family plays a pretty big role in this story and I did feel not knowing the back story of the characters might have taken a bit of enjoyment out of the story for me. However, one character I thought was awesome was Wade and his willingness of accept and love his family even if the in-laws and his wife's son and the son's family all lived under one roof. Ellie, the BFF and business partner, and Jake had a great working relationship which sustained them through some bumps in the business road making the story feel real. The killer was a bit spot on for me but maybe it was because I disliked that character immensely from the first scene.
However, while the book was fairly good, I couldn't give it more than 3 stars (or 3.3 stars.) The book got a bit tedious for me with all the repetition and lengthy descriptions. There was one scene in particular where the girls where driving to the haunted and spooky house when the drive was detailed. I don't feel like I gained anything from reading about them turning onto this road and that. A terrific example of the repetition was the lengthy descriptions each time they drove up the long steep driveway. OK, I get it the driveway was horrible but how many times do I need to read the same words.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing | Kensington Cozies for the opportunity to read this ARC

Another good mystery in a series of good mysteries by Sarah Graves! There is so much going on in this book that you almost forget to wonder whodunit. Jake and Ellie are baking Chocolate Pumpkin Muffins for a Halloween party at a newly renovated house outside of town. Jake and Ellie are there usual wonderful selves – smart, courageous, resourceful. This may be my favorite book in the series so far. Pro Tip: don’t sit down to read this book without some chocolate in the house!

This was a good cozy mystery but felt it wasn’t that original in concept . It was just an ok read but one I like wont remember in a month
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review book

"Death by Chocolate Pumpkin Muffin (Death By Chocolate Mystery #8)" by Sarah Graves takes place shortly after Halloween. Jake's house is bursting at the seems and the Chocolate Moose may have a very generous catering job to set them up well for the slow winter season. A DIY home repair celebrity is moving into a home he inherited on the island and wants to pay them like he pays his L.A. bakery.

Unfortunately, he ends up found after falling from a turret balcony at his new home. Was it a ghost, was he pushed or something far worse? Jake and Ellie get pulled into investigating when their friend, Dylan Hunter, and a friend of Ellie's daughter are both considered suspects. I got very frustrated because it's like Jake and Ellie haven't investigated dozens of other suspicious deaths in the past. They keep making rookie mistakes and have had zero character growth.

As usual with this series there are continuity problems. Dylan Hunter for one. Jake needs to stick to one name for him, especially when talking to Liz. She flips between calling him Dylan and calling him Hunter. She is the worst at this when talking to Liz in the same conversation. There also is some inconsistency in who shot in self defense at the end.

I generally enjoy this series and the action-packed endings. I do wonder if the author considered doing some background on this. The very idea that Jake could survive the fire scenes without hospitalization is ridiculous. The fact that she got a tiny bit of treatment and went on with her life is beyond the realm of even a sliver of belief. Then I simply could not get past the coal chute being called a coal Clute after a character. I do hope this was corrected. I am not sure I will be back for another book.

This was SO much better than the previous installment of the series, so I'm really pleased to see that, Jake, Ellie, and the gang are back to their usual shenanigans, with much-appreciated appearances from Lizzie Snow and Dylan Hudson, and the mystery isn't too badly-crafted, either. To be honest, I feel like this series would be just as successful - if not more - without the mysteries, because the characters can hold their own with their interpersonal and interfamilial drama and chaos, and there's...only so much disbelief that a reader can suspend when dealing with mysteries and murder in such a small town. But I thoroughly enjoyed this quick little read, and am glad that the series didn't get bogged down in the absurdity of the 2024 release.

5/5 stars: This is the eighth entry in Grave's Death by Chocolate Mystery series, which is a Culinary Cozy Mystery set in a small Maine village and follows a pair of best friends and chocolate themed bakery owners who find their post-Halloween plans take a turn after they discover an unpopular local celebrity, a home repair TV show star, fall to his death from his ramshackle mansion's widow’s walk; leading to them to turn to sleuths to uncover the killer. With plenty of suspects and too many motives, the duo will have to work fast to unmask the culprit. With plenty of twists and turns, Grave has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Heartfelt and humorous, Grave's writing and character work are stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable. It's a joy to catch up with Jake and Ellie, their friends and family and the charming folks of Eastport. I especially adore Jake and Ellie's friendship and their families, particularly Jake's housekeeper-slash-stepmother, Bella Diamond. Oh and I love Jake and Ellie's bakery, The Chocolate Moose, and all the delicious goodies described throughout the book and you won't want to miss the yummy recipe Grave has included. 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, Death by Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake. If you love Jake and Ellie, their sleuthing adventures kicked off with the Home Repair Is Homicide series, which starts with The Dead Cat Bounce. Grave's a longtime favorite author and this entry doesn't miss; Highly recommend!

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

This is book 8 of the series and Sarah Graves does not disappoint.

in this installment, we see the ending of Halloween as they prepare for the upcoming holidays. Yet, a body falls to his death as the home repair tv show arrive in Eastport. Lizzie, the amateur sleuth sets her mind to solve the mystery and you can guess what happens next.

A great cozy mystery that I highly recommend!! If you haven't read any other of her books, do so now.

Sarah Graves is very adept at writing a fast paced, nonstop action mystery and Death by Chocolate Pumpkin Muffin is no exception. The action is mainly focused on a creepy old house which is currently owned by a television celebrity of the HGTV variety. The bodies and action mount up, as well as a missing person and various unsavory and unlikable suspicious people. Over the years, Sarah Graves has developed a large and engaging cast of returning characters beginning with Jake Tiptree and Ellie White, whose friendship dates back to when Jake first moved to the remote Maine island town of Eastport. I enjoy the characters so much that on some level, I wish there was a bit less action and a bit more of the characters living their everyday life. I also wish that Jake and Ellie sometimes acted with a bit more common sense when it comes to putting themselves in danger. That said, I enjoyed this book which is quick reading and entertaining. This is a series that I have enjoyed since the beginning and recommend to others. Three and a half stars.

This was a very interesting storyline, one that we don't always read about. Jake and Ellie are owners of a local bakery and tend to get mixed up with mysteries. (I liked that the sheriff wasn't constantly telling them to stop snooping and instead, welcomed their involvement!)
In this installment, they're investigating a landgrab that ends in murder and arson. If I had one negative critique, it would be the scenes of Jake escaping the fire. I felt it was too far-fetched and she most certainly would have died of smoke inhalation. Otherwise, the storyline is good, the friendship is great, and the wrap-up is satisfying. I recommend grabbing a bite of Death by Chocolate Pumpkin Muffin!

"Death by Chocolate Pumpkin Muffin" by Sarah Graves is the perfect mix of cozy mystery, autumn charm, and irresistible baking. Set in the quaint coastal town of Eastport, Maine, the story follows Jake and Ellie as they juggle running their chocolate-themed bakery while unraveling a murder mystery that’s as layered as their desserts. The writing is warm and engaging, the mystery keeps you hooked, and the seasonal atmosphere makes it an ideal fall read. If you love small-town charm, witty characters, and a touch of culinary intrigue, this book is a delightful treat!

Through NetGalley, I received a free copy of DEATH BY CHOCOLATE PUMPKIN MUFFIN (Book 8 of the Death by Chocolate mystery series) by Sarah Graves in exchange for an honest review. When a television star offers Jake and Ellie a huge amount of money to cater desserts for a party, Jake measures the trouble caused by the dangerous location against the need for new equipment and against funds to see them through the winter. This leads to Jake grudgingly agreeing to the contract. However, Jake almost immediately regrets the decision. The dead body in the shed is one thing, but the dead customer is entirely too much. With the police chief’s boyfriend becoming the main suspect, Jake delves into the star’s life to figure out who else had reason to kill. However, it looks like the victim had a lot of strife in his life, and a lot of people with motive to kill. Can Jake catch the killer fish before she becomes the third victim?

I liked this book and the series. I recommend this book to fans of the series and the series (as well as the precursor series—Home Repair is Homicide) to fans of cozy murder mysteries featuring small northern coastal towns, full households, bakeries, and loyal friends.

#DeathbyChocolatePumpkinMuffin #NetGalley

With Halloween over, and Jake and Ellie's bakery quieter than usual, being hired to cater a new home party by a reality TV star, for a season saving fee, is a welcome relief to their finances! Nothing is as simple as it seems, however, and when they arrive at Stone House they discover a body! The two main suspects need Jake and Ellie to clear their names and so once again they are searching for clues and finding more danger than ever! At the same time, at Jake's house, her grandchildren have recently discovered musical instruments, her daughter in law is unwell with suspiciously familiar symptoms, and the place descends regularly into a noisy, unruly chaos! Can the two friends put the clues together, find the killer and keep the Chocolate Moose running at a profit or is that just too much to expect of anyone?

Book eight in this series is a great read. Written in the first person this is laugh out loud funny, it has sympathetic main protagonists and Jake's home life take it to another level. There is a recipe for the Chocolate Pumpkin Muffins at the end of the book too which look scrummy!

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Kensington Publishing, Kensington Cozies but the opinions expressed are my own. I thoroughly enjoyed this and recommend it highly, especially if you like a humorous read.

Death by Chocolate Pumpkin Muffin by Sarah Graves is a delightful and charming mystery set in the picturesque town of Eastport, Maine. The story's blend of suspense, humor, and mouthwatering descriptions of baked goods makes for an irresistible read. Protagonists Jacobia "Jake" Tiptree and Ellie White have a wonderful dynamic that keeps the plot engaging and their banter adds an extra layer of fun. While the ongoing multi-family chaos at Jake's house is starting to feel a bit repetitive, it doesn’t overshadow the joy of the mystery or the warm, inviting atmosphere of the story. A perfect cozy mystery with a touch of sweetness! (I received an advance reader copy and all opinions are my own.)

Book 8 in Sarah Graves Death by Chocolate series finds Ellie and Jake still working hard to keep their bakery financially solvent. So, when they are asked to bake some goodies for a celebrity who is rehabbing an old mansion, they say yes. But, as usual, they stumble upon a few dead bodies and risk their lives trying to solve the crimes. I really enjoy the virtual visit to this fun Maine town, but I have to think that perhaps as the characters age, the author might need to dial down the physical stress on their bodies. While this is obviously fiction, the goal seems to be to have as realistic a setting as possible. Subjecting the characters to super human physical adventures spoils that feeling of reality. But, a fun read on the whole!

I am always drawn into a book with a clever title themed around sweets or if there is an animal on the cover, and this has both! The dog's expression on the cover is hilarious and chocolate pumpkin muffins are delicious. I did enjoy the Halloween theme as it is my favorite time of the year.

I enjoyed the best friend dynamic between Ellie and Jake and I think that the Chocolate Moose is the perfect name for a bakery. They go on quite the adventure together as they explore a haunted house together and find themselves trying to solve a murder.

In my opinion, there were far too many characters. It was a bit difficult to remember everyone from their children to their spouses. A lot of them just didn't add anything to the plot and I felt like it would have been better to just leave some of them out. I understand that it allows for more suspects, but when a character is only mentioned a couple times they usually aren't the culprit. I did have a slight suspicion as to who was the murderer, but there were multiple things going and and multiple twists that did catch me by surprise. Thank you to Netgalley, Kensington Publishing, and Sarah Graves for an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion.

I love the bakery shop cozy mystery premise but after having read as many as I have sometimes they can seem like they are all running together. This one did not have that problem! I enjoyed this book, and can't wait to go back and read the 6th previous books.

A tantalizing mystery set in Maine with lots of twists and turns.. A lot of characters to keep track of, but a really enjoyable read. Anyone could read this in one sitting. Engaging plot snd the author is a very good storyteller. Lots of humor too. Definitely a very good mystery.

amateur-sleuth, baker, families, family-dynamics, family-expectations, famous-persons, friends, friendship, investigations, island-life, Maine, murders, read, recipes, reckless, situational-humor, small-business, small-town, state-police, unpleasant-host, unpleasant-victims, verbal-humor****

Did he fall or was he pushed? Was it an accident or murder? Was there a person or a ghost? Who is the arsonist and why? Will Jake and Ellie be OK or will the bakery's finances go bust?
I requested and received a free temporary uncorrected e-galley from Kensington Books, Kensington Cozies via NetGalley. Thank you! Available Apr 29, 2025
#DeathByChocolatePumpkinMuffin by Sarah Graves #NetGalley #DeathByChocolateMysteryBk8
@kensingtonbooks @goodreads @bookbub @librarythingofficial @barnesandnoble @waterstones **** Review @booksamillion @bookshop_org @bookshop_org_uk #CozyMystery #Murder #Fires #HauntedHouse

“ Death by Chocolate Pumpkin Muffin” is the 8th instalment in the "Death By Chocolate" mystery series by Sarah Graves. The Chocolate Moose, where people treat themselves to the most decadent desserts. But the island town also seems to cater to those with bitter dispositions . . .

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 was lots of excitement this go around with a haunted mansion, celebrity DIY host and a scared teenager…

There were plenty of twists and turns to keep me wanting to find out what will happen next. 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.