I was given a copy of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Allie is at it again. She is meeting the director of the butterfly house when she finds a dead body. More distressing is that she finds her cousin over the dead body, holding the garden spade still imbedded in the victim’s chest.

Allie is determined to prove her cousin is not the killer and ease the tensions between her and her cousin, but things get even messier with another dead body, smuggled diamonds, and kidnapping.

I need to read this series in order, but I did enjoy this even with reading it out of order.

This is a series that I jumped into after it was well-established. I did get the feeling that I jumped into the series (whereas sometimes you do and don't even realize it) but I didn't feel as though I was lost or being caught up either. That's a huge plus for me. It means that when I go back and read more from this series (which I will as it was so good), I'm not going to be greeted at some point with the "here's what you missed previously" set up which after a couple of books becomes incredibly redundant.

The first thing I have to mention is the recipes. Oh, my, sweet, yummy. I don't just love the recipes, I adore how they are sprinkled throughout the book.

On to the story. I appreciated how the main character (Allie) is still fighting to belong to the community that she spent her summers in. It's just not the same as someone who lived there year round. Having moved to a small community, the realism represented in the town's attitude was a pleasant surprise. Frequently, it's portrayed that the main character magically fits in and although a pleasant thought, not one I can relate to as authentically as I could with Allie's situation. I also appreciated that Coco didn't back away from tense family dynamics. That her cousin had moved away but was still considered one of the community and received the support of that community played well into establishing an extra bit of tension when she's the murder suspect. Allie had moments when she wanted to repair the rift with her cousin and times when she wanted to stop trying to help clear her cousin of murder because of the family drama.

I've never been to Mackinaw Island but my husband has and he said it was well written. That's good because it was written well enough that I felt like I was there and it's now on my bucket list.That's not the only thing that I learned about when reading this book though. I learned a great deal about butterflies and the import/export of rare insects. It wasn't dry at all but written into the story in such a way that you just absorbed the information. After I was done reading it, I researched it more. It was really fascinating to me.

I would recommend this to anyone who is a fan of culinary stories, cozies, or fudge. If you're looking for something that gives you interesting talking points this summer, then you should definitely pick this one up.

Thank you so much to Kensington Books, NetGalley, and Nancy Coco for the opportunity to read this book and share my thoughts with others.

The setting of Mackinac Island is only one reason that I enjoy this series. What's not to like about a fudge shop?

It was nice to visit again with these characters that are continuing to grow. The mystery had twists and turns and kept me guessing to the end. I do wish the cousins could interacted as bit more as adults but I know that this is true in almost any family.

In this fifth trip to Mackinac Island we find Allie McMurphy still running the McMurphy Hotel, making fudge and finding dead bodies. When Allie heads over to the Butterfly Conservatory for a meeting with Blake, the woman who runs it, she finds more than she bargained for. She finds Barbara with a hand spade in her chest and her cousin Tori, with her hands on the spade. Allie has no idea her cousin in on the island but she is sure that she didn't kill anyone. Once again, she decides to investigate to clear her cousin who is the number one suspect. As she investigates, we meet more of the permanent residents of the island, particularly the older generation. It is funny how the news of the investigation and Allie's life travel so fast that when she goes to talk to people they already know what is going on.

Of course, the whole book is not about the murder. Douglas Devaney (the McMurphy’s handyman) and Frances Wentworth (the McMurphy’s reception manager) finally plan their wedding. Allie and her cousin Tori have issues about the ownership of the McMurphy, there are smuggled diamonds and Tori and Brent are having problems. Will she finally give Rex a chance? The storyline is well plotted with a cast of relatable characters. The story has enough twists, turns, and suspects to keep the reader involved. I thought I knew who the murderer was part way through but with the final twist, turned out I was wrong. I highly recommend this book to readers of cozy mysteries, those who want a nice clean mystery and of course those who love books that incorporate food into the story and provide great and easy recipes.

I have been hooked on this series since the first book, All Fudged Up, was released. Nancy always writes an entertaining mystery full of intrigue and deliciousness. I am a bit disheartened with the way that the relationship has been scripted with Allie and Trent in this book, she deserves so much more. But there are inklings of sweetness around the corner, maybe with someone new. The real "awe" moments of this book though were saved for Frances and Mr. Devaney and their wedding!

I found this mystery to be an intriguing one that kept me guessing right up until the last few pages, and even then I was shocked. Like all of the books in this series, the descriptions will transport you right to Mackinac Island in Michigan and you will almost be able to taste the mouth-watering fudge temptations that Allie is stirring up.

Overall, Oh, Fudge is another sugar-coated sweetness in the Candy-Coated mystery series that continues to delight again and again, just like a good fudge recipe. It was a fast read with delicious twists and turns around every corner. And don't forget to check out the fudge recipes at the end of the book!

OH, FUDGE! is book five in Nancy Coco's Candy-Coated cozy mystery series featuring hotelier and fudge maker Allie McMurphy. Although this book is part of a series, readers new to the series should still be able to enjoy OH, FUDGE!. This book includes a family feud that Allie didn't even know she was involved in. Allie had no idea her cousin Tori was a little miffed that Allie solely inherited the McMurphy hotel and fudge shop. This newly discovered polite animosity makes trying to clear Tori from suspicion of murder a little difficult. It doesn't help that Tori was found at the murder scene, covered in blood, and clutching the murder weapon. Butterflies and burglaries play a part in the tangled murder mystery that Allie tries to unravel.

Barbara Smart is a nightmare of a homicide victim for investigators because so many people had a motive for wanting her dead. The risk to Allie gets progressively worse as she discovers more about the victim and asks probing questions. Allie persists even when the police and her cousin tell her to back off. There are numerous brainteasers in OH, FUDGE! for readers to try to wrap their minds around. Allie and the police investigating the murder are thrown a bit off balance because this mystery could have multiple villains working separately or together. Things get even more personal for Allie when her love life works its way into her investigation.

OH, FUDGE! is full of suspense and surprises, with fun friendships to ease the tension. Nancy Coco details the bias consistent with insular communities such as Mackinac Island. No matter how rooted she is to the island, Allie is still considered a "Fudgie" versus a true islander. Through everything, Allie has her loyal dog Mal, BFF Jenn, intrepid reporter Liz McElroy, and the bride and groom-to-be Frances and Mr. Devaney for support and to assist in her sleuthing. As a romance fan, I can't wait to see what twists Allie's love life takes in future stories. I look forward to the next Candy-Coated mystery by Nancy Coco.

Allie is going to meet someone at the Butterfly House when she sees her cousin, Tori with a spade in her hand standing over a woman's dead body. Now Tori is the main suspect in the case and Allie once again uses her sleuthing skills to prove Tori’s innocence.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I liked it.

Book 5 in the series.

I love the setting for this series, Mackinac Island. Main character Allie McMurphy and her sweet dog Mal make me smile. The story was a good one, except for a few things that bugged me. One is the potential love triangle. I really just wish authors would stop with this trope. They're not realistic and are just annoying.

The other thing that annoyed me was Allie's amazingly too stupid to live moment at the end. She went from being a smart, strong female to a total idiot in two seconds flat!

All told, the setting and the characters make this series one that I will continue to read, since it is fun.

Oh, Fudge by Nancy Coco is the fifth story in A Candy-Coated Mystery series. Allie McMurphy arrives at The Mackinac Island Butterfly House when she hears a scream. She rushes in to find her cousin, Tori kneeling over a woman with a trowel in her chest. The victim is Barbara Smart with whom Tori was meeting with to discuss an upcoming fundraiser for the butterfly house. Tori, who lives in California, resents that Allie inherited The Historic McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop from Papa Liam. When it is discovered that Tori argued with the victim, she ends up the prime suspect. Allie knows Tori did not commit the crime and sets out to find the real killer. She soon discovers that Tori is conducting her own investigation. Can Tori and Allie team up to discover who murdered Barbara and why? They will need to work quickly, because Allie has a wedding to attend (Frances is getting married).

Oh, Fudge is easy to read and has a nice pace. I thought the murder and secondary mystery were intriguing. However, the killer can be identified early in the book and the secondary crime is equally easy to solve (insert disappointed sigh here). I kept hoping there would be a twist that would catch me by surprise. I was not a fan of Tori and her attitude. She quickly grated on my nerves. My rating for Oh, Fudge is 3 out of 5 stars. There was a definite repetition of details regarding the crimes and some inconsistencies (could have used another going over by the editor). While Oh, Fudge is the fifth book in in A Candy-Coated Mystery series, it can easily be a stand-alone. The author provided all the necessary background details on Allie, how she inherited the hotel, and some of the crimes she has solved. I wish the author had not devoted so much time to Allie and her romantic entanglements. There is a love triangle (of course), and I tired of the jealousy (it was ridiculous and unrealistic). I like the cute animals included in the story, the beautiful setting, and the delicious fudge descriptions. There are fudge recipes included in the novel. The next story in A Candy-Coated Mystery series is a Christmas novella titled Deck the Halls with Fudge.

Oh, Fudge! is the fifth installment in the Candy-Coated Mystery series set on Mackinac Island and featuring Allie McMurphy, proprietor of the McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop. Allie is settling in to life on the island and working hard to keep up the hotel reputation her grandfather, Papa Liam had spent his entire life building.

Allie sets out with her trusty sidekick and adorable dog Mal, to meet with Blake Gilmore, owner of the Butterfly House to discuss a planned fund raiser. Allie is shocked to discover her estranged cousin Tori crouched over the body of Barbara Smart and holding the handle of a gardening trowel embedded in the woman's chest. Despite their differences, Allie is certain that her cousin is not a murderer and sets out to find the real killer and clear her cousin's name.

Aiding Allie in her snooping is best friend Jenn, McMurphy employees Francis and Mr. Devaney and local police chief Rex. Allie uncovers a diamond smuggling operation and ruffles a lot of feathers delving into the lives of many of the prominent citizens residing on Mackinac Island.

A fast paced storyline with delightful characters that will have you smiling from the first to the last pages. The only drawback is the ongoing love triangle between Allie, Rex and Trent but it seems as though there may be a resolution in the next installment of the series. Although it is not necessary, I recommend starting this series from the beginning (mostly, so you don't miss the mouth-watering fudge recipes).

I received an advanced copy of Oh, Fudge! from NetGalley via Kensington Publishing. While not required to write a review I am more than happy to offer my honest opinion.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

I have never been to Mackinac Island, it is a place on my travel bucket list. As soon as I finished this book I Googled Mackinac Island Butterfly House. It sounds like a delightful place to visit and a perfect place for a fictional murder. That’s were Allie finds her cousin Tori with her hand on a garden spade stuck into the chest of a woman. Allie has not seen Tori in years and was not expecting her to come to the island. Tori was not happy when Allie inherited the McMurphy but Allie knows she isn’t a killer. It will take more than fudge to bring these girls together but they are going to have to put their feud aside and work together to find the real killer or Tori will be saying more than “Oh Fudge!”

Each and every character in this story just shines. From the staff at McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop to those at Gossip Central, I mean the Senior Center, they all have a part to play in clearing Tori’s name and catching the real killer. At the same time plans are underway for Frances and Mr. Devaney’s wedding. Allie’s romance has hit a rough patch but it may be time to shake things up a bit.

There is always something happening and the main plots and subplots are blended so nicely. The author’s descriptive writing style takes us right into the action. Over the course of this series I have the island so clearly pictured in my mind, if I do ever get there for a visit it will be strange for these characters not to be there. 🙂

The other thing the author describes well is how the fudge is made and she has included recipes in the book too. My problem is that I want fudge and lots of it while reading the story so I need to plan ahead much better by sneaking a peek at the recipes first or stock up on fudge from a closer outlet.

Nancy Coco has created wonderful characters encased in a puzzling mystery all set in a perfect place to escape. A yummy story all the way around.

Allie McMurphy has inherited her grandparent's hotel on Mackinac Island, and the fudge shop that goes with it. While happily giving fudge making demonstrations, selling fudge, enjoying her friends and co-workers, Allie and her dog Mal have a bad habit of finding dead bodies as they go about their everyday life. In this case, an early morning visit for a meeting at the Butterfly House not only does Allie discover a body, but also her cousin who lives in California bending over the body with hands on the trowel sticking out of the victim's chest. Allie didn't even know cousin Tori was visiting the island!

The relationship between the cousins is strained and downright unfriendly on Tori's part. It turns out she has deep resentment that the McMurphy Hotel was left to Allie and not left to both of the girls. Allie tries to offer the olive branch, but Tori remains aloof and unpleasant towards her. It is not until Tori is kidnapped and Allie drops everything to find her that there is a thawing of animosity and somewhat of a return to a better relationship.

Allie is a strong and determined young woman who clearly sees right and wrong., never hesitating to do what is right. She takes on trying to solve the murders in order to clear suspicion that is on Tori. She is unfearing and will talk to anyone and ask questions and even accuse without considering personal safety. Meanwhile her best friend Jenn, an event planner, quickly arranges the wedding between two favorite employees. The wedding is put on hold once to find Tori and save her from her kidnappers, and nearly a second time when danger befalls Allie.

Two murders, a kidnapping, break-ins, and someone smuggling diamonds all add up to a lot of excitement and detective work on both the part of the police and Allie. The story has some major twists right up to the end. It certainly makes the reader anxious for the next book in the series! A delightful read that pushed me along to get to the end and figure everything out. This is a book that stands alone, but is much more enjoyable if you have read the previous books so you know the main characters and their histories.

Oh Fudge by Nancy Coco is the 5th book in the Candy Coated Mystery series, and another great adventure. Allie McMurphy runs the fudge shop and the historic McMurphy Hotel on Mackinac Island in Michigan. Allie and her dog Mal, short for Marshmallow, have a reputation of discovering dead bodies, and they do it again, but this time Allie finds her cousin standing over the body. Allie is busy making fudge and try to find out the truth to clear her cousins name.


The mystery was full of twists and turns, and is fast paced and has well developed characters and plot. This book has mystery, romance, and humor, which I enjoyed. I look forward to reading more books by this author, and can't wait for the next one in the series. I strongly recommend this book and this whole series, for who love cozy mystery books with darling animals.

This review is based on the ARC provided by the author and/or the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is a wonderful series, full of well developed characters and solid mysteries with plenty of twists. It's a good thing there are no calories in fudge when you just read about it. Be warned, by the time you finish one of the five books in this series, you will be craving fudge, all kinds of yummy fudge. The main character of the series is Allie who has inherited the McMurphy Hotel from her grandfather and also runs the fudge shop housed in the hotel. She has a sweet little dog to help in her sleuthing activities and a great group of island residents round out the cast. In this entry to the series, Allie is reunited with her estranged cousin Torie. Allie is at a loss as to why her cousin now dislikes her so much. When Allie finds her at the Butterfly House, standing over the corpse of Barbara, the woman Torie says she came to meet. Torie needs help and Allie dives into finding the killer so her cousin stays out of jail. If that wasn't enough on Allie's plate, there is a wedding to plan, a romance that may or may not go Allie's way and the day to day life of a hotel and fudge shop owner. Pretty much normal for Allie and her extended family and friends.
After reading one of these candy coated mysteries, I feel like I have caught up with friends and I now have to patiently wait for another chatty letter. I'm ready for the next installment already.

Who doesn't like a good cozy that features chocolate? I enjoyed the story and come this holiday season I'll be trying out some of the fudge recipes found between the chapters of this sweet book. I would suggest starting this series with the first book, All Fudged Up. I caught on quick to most of the characters it would have been a better read if I knew the background stories leading up to this one. Allie McMurphy is not only an expert fudge maker but also the proprietor of the newly renovated McMurphy Hotel. Apparently she has made quite a name for herself as an amateur sleuth and when she calls 911 to report an accident i.e. body found with a trowel embedded in the chest, the dispatcher asks her if she found another body even before she has a chance to say why she is calling. There were a few twists and turns to the plot between murder, theft, and heart ache. I look forward to starting at the first installment and playing catch up while "researching" the various candy recipes. On a side note, the Mackinac Butterfly House is an actual place on the island although I hope they have never found a body on their premises. Also, there are several inns and fudge/candy shops to choose from making this a possible destination spot for the candy lover who doesn't mind a little chill with chocolate. Incidentally, if you do visit, be prepared to be considered a "fudgie," that is what the locals call the tourists.

I am so happy to return to Allie and beautiful Mackinac Island. This is the 5th release in the Candy Coated Mystery series and one of my favorites in this charming mystery series.
Allie McMurphy, owner of the historic McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop, is visiting the Mackinac Island Butterfly House greenhouse with her furry sidekick, Mal, when she finds her cousin, Tori, holding a knife over a dead body. It appears that Tori has killed the woman. Allie and Tori have had a falling out over Allie's business inheritance in the past and Allie is reluctant to get involved. Tori resents Allie and does not want her help. Allie steps up when she finds out Tori is the only suspect.
Ever the smart sleuth she begins to investigate for Tori. There is no shortage of suspects as Allie investigates and finds surprising clues. The sleuth kept me guessing and had enough clues to satisfy every mystery fan..
I love this series for its great characters, engaging sleuth, the beautiful location and the recipes. . The writing is fast paced, delightful and fun. Its a delight from beginning to end to read this series.. I look forward to the next in series with great anticipation.

This is a great book; this is the fifth book in the Candy Coated series and is written by Nancy CoCo. After Allie inherited her family’s McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop, cousin Tori moved off to California in a bitter huff, and the two haven t spoken since. So to have her cousin reappear on Mackinac Island without warning is a big surprise but not as surprising as finding her standing over a dead woman impaled with a garden spade in the Mackinac Butterfly House. Butterflies may be free, but Tori won’t be for much longer unless the cousins can bury the hatchet and work together to catch a killer whose taken flight.This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. This book will keep you reading long into the night. If you are looking for a great book, then you need to read this book. I am looking forward to reading the next book by this great author. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader’s copy of this book. The free book held no determination on my personal review.

What a delight to be back at the McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop on Mackinac Island! Allie has new fudge recipes to share, and her pup, Mal, has new tricks to show friends and visitors. We also get a glimpse into the island’s butterfly house, based on a real and fascinating attraction. Fifth in its series, Oh, Fudge! can be read as a standalone.

Allie was going to see the manager of the Mackinac Island Butterfly House and Insect World to plan a package tour. Allie hears a scream, and rushes in to find … her cousin, Tori, holding the handle of a gardening trowel plunged into the body of Barbara, a wealthy widow? With Tori holding the bloody hand spade, she is the only suspect. Tori had come back from California to plan a fund-raiser at the Butterfly House with Barbara, but was clearly too late.

Tori doesn’t like Allie, yet Allie wants to find the real culprit(s) as she believes Tori is innocent. Tori lived on the island most of her life while Allie, a summer visitor, inherited the McMurphy. Allie learned to make fudge with secret family recipes, and went to college to help her learn culinary skills. Allie had renovated the McMurphy. Now Tori wants part of the Hotel and profits as her portion of the inheritance.

As if Allie doesn’t have enough going on, she finds out her boyfriend Trent is back on the island from a business trip the hard way. While walking Mal, she passes the stables owned by Trent’s family and finds Tori kissing Trent – and him kissing her back. No. Way. Rex, the island’s lead policeman, keeps a close eye on Allie as he knows how she likes to ‘investigate’. Even if her love life is as messy as heated and spilled fudge, Allie can focus on the murder.

Nancy Coco has mixed together an eclectic group of people that, perhaps because of their eccentricities, works! Take Barbara, for instance. She seems at first like an innocent lady in her late sixties, possibly in the wrong place at the wrong time. When Allie begins to find out more about her, what skeletons are dancing in her closets! Tori, who seems to hate Allie, is loved by most on the island because she is from there, while Allie is still considered a “fudgie”, a tourist who comes to taste the world-famous fudge. Yet Allie is more devoted to the neighbors on Mackinac Island than most people.

This riveting read has several mysteries going on, making it increasingly suspenseful and interesting. There is no shortage of suspects in Barbara’s murder; she was known to bribe people when necessary and change men frequently, including husbands of her friends. Allie goes the distance trying to find the bad guy(s), even talking with the seniors at the center who hear all the gossip. I love the setting, Mackinac Island, the McMurphy, and the Butterfly House! There are plot twists that rival the LA freeway system, and I wouldn’t have it any other way! Even though I figured out part of the resolution, there was part that I didn’t. I absolutely enjoyed watching Allie and Tori try to find solution and learn the motives, and found the solutions satisfying. I highly recommend Oh, Fudge! It is at times LOL funny, at other times purely suspenseful or heart-pounding. It is not, however, ever dull!

From a grateful heart: I received this eBook from the publisher and NetGalley, and this is my honest review.

This is a charming and delightful addition to the series. Some family and romantic angst, plus a wedding, add entertainment and enjoyment. The fudge recipes are enticing. I don't usually read the first chapter of the next book in the series when provided at the end of a book. They tend to confuse me when I start reading it for real and think that I have already read the book. I was not ready to end my time on the island so enjoyed my taste of the book to come and am eagerly awaiting it.

Allie is minding her own business going to meet someone at the Butterfly House when she sees her estranged cousin standing over a woman's dead body. Her cousin Tori, who has just returned to Mackinac Island, had a meeting with this woman regarding a fundraiser that Tori was asked to lead. Now Tori is the lead suspect in the case and even though they don't get along, Allie is determined to prove her cousin's innocence by investigating. Her police friend Rex is in charge of the case and fairly good-naturedly puts up with her sleuthing although he gives her a fair amount of warnings to be safe. Allie loses interest in investigating though, when she sees her boyfriend Trent (she didn't even know he was back on the island) kissing Tori. But when Tori receives a death threat and goes missing, Allie decides that family is more important than fighting.

I really like the strong family ties that went throughout the book. Allie really tried to make amends with Tori, who always seemed very disgruntled that Papa had left the hotel and fudge shop to Allie. Her reaction to seeing her cousin kissing her boyfriend was pretty natural though but I was proud of her that she tossed all that aside when Tori went missing.

I enjoyed the characters of Frances and Mr. Devaney so much. They were just so sweet and it was fun to see the wedding finally happen. Even though this is the first book in the series I've read, I sort of gathered that they had been sweet on each other for quite sometime.

The story has a lot of good twists because I first suspected someone that seemed obvious then I decided no, they were spending too much time investigating that person. I was surprised when I found out the killer. The author does a good job of misleading and weaving a fun to read story. The little dog Mal was so adorable. Some dogs in stories don't have much of a part but Mal was just a sweet little character who ended up doing something very useful.

I definitely want to return to Mackinac Island by way of the other books in this series. I enjoyed all the characters and hearing about the island itself.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for allowing me to read and review this. I voluntarily provided an honest review.