This series is one of the first that truly made me want to travel to a setting. Character driven (human and 4 legged), fantastic setting, light romance, fudge, AND murder mysteries.... WIN WIN!!!

Fantastic series. One of the first Cozy series I started way back when. Highly recommend!

This was fun. There are so many fudge recipes that, if you like fudge, it's like having a cookbook just for fudge. The story is good, too. It kept me interested through the whole book, and I was totally surprised by the ending.

Synopsis:

"Memorable characters, a charming locale, and a satisfying mystery."--Barbara Allan

When a film crew comes to Mackinac Island, the last thing fudge shop owner Allie McMurphy expects to find is a murder victim . . .

SHOT ON LOCATION

It's Labor Day weekend, the official end of tourist season, and the beginning of a whole batch of trouble. First, the island is invaded by a TV crew filming a murder mystery pilot, and handsome Hollywood heartthrob Dirk Benjamin needs Allie's help to prep for his role as local cop Rex Manning. Then, Allie's bichonpoo Mal sniffs out a real murder in the alley behind the Historic McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop, a man shot in the head--with a note challenging amateur sleuth Allie to catch the culprit. Like it or not, the fudge maker has to square off against a crazy killer--but this time she may have bitten off more than she can chew . . .

Praise for Nancy Coco and the Candy-Coated Mysteries

"It's probably best not to read this while you're too hungry, as the assorted fudge recipes may send you right to the kitchen."
--The Oakland Tribune

"The characters are fun and well-developed, the setting is quaint and beautiful."
--RT Book Reviews

"I really enjoyed this cozy mystery and look forward to reading more in this series."
--Fresh Fiction (Goodreads)

Review:

The characters are well developed and well rounded. I always enjoy the time I spend with Allie and her friend Jenn, they are funny and you can tell how much they care about each other. They always have each other’s backs, and they would do anything for each other. Allie continues to have two love interests, Trent and Rex, and it is getting a little old to me. I feel she needs to make a decision and move forward or let them both go. That is only my opinion and other readers may not agree with me.

The writing style flows smoothly and it defines the characters very clearly through their actions and words. Mackinac Island, Michigan, came to life in my mind’s eye and I could picture all of the action taking place and hear conversations going on around me. The mystery is well plotted and moved along at a steady pace. There were enough suspects to consider and clues to sift through. I was fooled by who the killer was, and that made me happy.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I am looking forward to the next book in this series and I hope the resolution of the triangle.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37796751-forever-fudge" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="Forever Fudge" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1517613376m/37796751.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37796751-forever-fudge">Forever Fudge</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6941242.Nancy_CoCo">Nancy CoCo</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2247004529">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
It's Labor Day weekend, the official end of tourist season, and the beginning of a whole batch of trouble. First, the island is invaded by a TV crew filming a murder mystery pilot, and handsome Hollywood heartthrob Dirk Benjamin needs Allie's help to prep for his role as local cop Rex Manning. Then, Allie's bichonpoo Mal sniffs out a real murder in the alley behind the Historic McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop, a man shot in the head with a note challenging amateur sleuth Allie to catch the culprit. Like it or not, the fudge maker has to square off against a crazy killer, but this time she may have bitten off more than she can chew.<br /><br />The mystery is well written and the red herrings, twists, and turns will keep you guessing as who the murdered is until the surprising conclusion. The characters are well developed, well written, and very life like. The author does a nice job of describing Mackinac Island, I have spent many summers visiting the island and I can picture all the places that the author describes. <br /><br />I do hope that Allie makes a decision between Rex and Trent so the love triangle can finally be resolved. I like how Rex treats Allie with respect and doesn't try to control her life, so I hope that Allie does finally choose him over Trent. I wasn't a fan of the killer leaving chess clues since I don't play the game they left me confused by what they meant. I didn't like the character of Dirk and how he was using Allie without her knowing for his own benefits. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series Fudge Bites. <br /><br />I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Kensington Books for my honest review.
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The 'Candy-Coated' Mystery series is not one that should be read if on a diet. I love the Fudge Shop and always find myself craving chocolate by the time I finish with one.

Allie and her crew manage not only to run the fudge shop and hotel but also solve mysteries quite well. I liked the twists and turns that the book had and thought that it was well-written. The characters and their relationships are continuing to grow and are becoming even more likeable to me.

We return to Mackinac Island with book 6 in the Candy Coated series. I enjoy this series and love the recipes she includes at the end of the story. Allie is trying to decide if paying a film company visiting the island to shoot a new series that could feature the Fudge Shop and B&B. When several in the production are murdered it seems the killer wants Allie to solve the case, not the police. This series always has me hoping to visit this memorable island. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Allie is getting ready for the official end of the tourist season with her Labor Day weekend guests. Her two employees are on their honeymoon so things are little busier for Allie. The last thing she needs is a TV crew and a egotistic actor invading her space. As Allie and Mal go for one of their daily walks around town, Mal does what she does best, finds a dead body. What is different and most frightening this time is a note to Allie is left with the body. Can Allie figure out what the notes are saying before someone close to her is killed?

The Candy-Coated series is a fun series that keeps you entertained from the beginning to the end. Allie's grit and determination to keep her grandfather's hotel and fudge shop going is commendable. Her love for the island and the people of the island is very heartwarming and something we don't see very often. Nany CoCo's writing is so believable that I expect to be able to walk right into Allie and the fudge shop if I visited Mackinac Island.

This is book six of the series and it is still going strong. I have not read all the books in the series but the writing is so good you can pick up any book and understand what is happening. As soon as the new year gets here I am going to catch up on this series.

Yummy fudge recipes are included in each book and some are only two or three ingredients and are very easy to fix. The perfect series to read around the holidays when fudge is a popular gift.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kensington through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.

Allie McMurphey runs a historic inn on Mackinac Island, and she makes the fudge the area is famous for. Unfortunately she's also famous for solving mysteries, she and her pup seem to always find the bodies. When Allue isn't busy with that, she's busy trying to decide who she wants to be in a relationship with; Trent Jessoo, whose family ryns many businesses on the island and in Chicago, or police detective Rex Manning.
Then there's the movie shoot being done on the island and it's cast of quirky characters. They are filming their cersion of the recent crimes that have occurred hoping to feature Rex and Allie. But someone is killing older men and writing anonymous notes to Allie daring her to solve them. Between pranks to her Inn and pets, to kidnapping and murder, Allie sure has her hands full in this latest installment of the Candy Coated Mysteries.
I enjoyed this story, as I am a Michigander and have visited the Island and could visualize the set up and the flow of the story. And there are fudge recipes! Would definitely recommend. As with most, you don't have to start at the beginning of the series to get background and direction the protag is heading in.
I received a copy of this ARC from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for my feedback.

Summer is over on Mackinac Island and a murder mystery pilot show is about to be filmed. Allie has slowed her fudge making and is taking care of multiple jobs at the McMurphy while Frances is on her honeymoon.
Mal finds a body in the alley while Allie and Mal are on a walk. Mr. Beecher is there as well. There is a note addressed to Allie on the body. It has a chess move. Allie doesn't know chess but she tries to learn as things ramp up and Mal uncovers a finger in a flower bed. Then a second body is found. Then Trent goes missing.
Allie is suspicious of Jeffery Jenas, the murder mystery show writer. The clues take a while to add up and it looks like there may be two people working together rather than just one.

The mystery is a little different this time and it keeps the story fresh. I enjoyed reading an advance copy of Forever Fudge, acquired through Net Galley.

The sixth book in the Candy Coated Mystery series by Nancy Coco is Forever Fudge. A film crew invades Mackinac Island over the Labor Day weekend. Allie is busy with the end of tourist season. It seems that a murderer is taunting Allie after two bodies are found with notes addressed to her. I figured the killer out early on, but I still enjoyed the book for the setting and characters.

The story was mediocre at best and then came the "romance" and the final nail on the coffin was nailed. This is the 6th book in the series and the heroine has still not decided who is the right man for her. I was expecting something stable and I truly hate the books where the main character has reached books 5-8 and still doesn't have a solid romance. It just makes me think that it's sloppy and the author needs something to write in order to fill the pages. That's my main thought when I think of this book. That it had a silly love triangle even though is not a YA novel. I will not continue with the series because I believe that this theme will continue on for at least one more book. The mystery wasn't well developed and the killer was just insane and nothing more. I didn't like the book at all and I barely finished it. The only reason it didn't get 1 star is because I didn't hate it.

Once again one of those cozy series which you find yourself in the middle of, not quite sure why, but one that seems to find its way back to your reading list each time a new book appears.

Ticking off all of the usual cozy mystery requirements, the reader follows the life of Allie McMurphy as she continues to build on the hotel and fudge business left to her by her grandfather on Mackinac Island. As the season is winding down, she once again comes across a dead body and, this time, a note addressed to her with a chess move. Not a usual player, the reference is lost on her, but with the help of the ladies at the senior center, she sharpeners her talent but not before more bodies appear with more moves and as the moves progress a definite pattern evolves. The only question is will she understand who is behind this spree before more people die.

There is more going on with Allie then the murders, which should be enough, but this girl needs to make a decision between the two men in her life, a television series filming on the island, and how she will continue to run her business through the winter months with her best friend leaving town and taking with her a revenue stream that is needed to keep business coming in so she can expand the venue for the upcoming summer season.

Princess Fuzzypants here: Someone has been enjoying Allie’s sleuthing exploits almost as much as the readers of the series. In fact, Hollywood is on Mackinaw Island filming the pilot for a series that is based, not so loosely, on her investigations. Since it is the end of the summer, the business is welcome. That is until the first body is found by Allie and her dog. In fact, it becomes clear almost from the outset that the killer is baiting Allie. Will she uncover the murderer before he or she strikes again?
Adding to the complications is Allie’s love life. Her former beau wants her back and the one waiting in the wings is looking for a sign. The fact that beau number one is the wealthy scion of the leading family of the island and beau number two is the local fuzz is not helping. The reader gets swept into the relationships that weave around the story lines, which is one of the hallmarks of a good series. If we like and care about the characters, the action becomes more enticing.
Between the descriptions of the island setting that makes my human want to travel there and the descriptions of the various chocolate and fudge concoctions, she goes from wanting to plan a trip to wanting to scarf down copious amounts of sweets. As a cat, I am not pleased with either but she seems to enjoy it.
I will give the book four purrs and two paws up.

This is the 6th book in the series and there are a wide cast of characters.

A film crew is filming a murder mystery on Mackinac Island and amateur sleuth Allie finds a body. The body has a note on it challenging Allie to catch the murderer.

The characters are fun (although possibly too many of them) and the setting is quaint and charming. I'll be reading the previous books in the series.

Forever Fudge by Nancy Coco is the sixth book in A Candy-Coated Mystery series. Allie McMurphy is the owner of the McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop on Mackinac Island. Labor Day is behind them and so is tourist season. It seems, though, that a film crew has invaded the island to film the pilot of a mystery show starring Dirk Benjamin. Dirk will be portraying a Rex Manning type character and will be shadowing him before production starts (lucky Rex). Allie is out walking Mal, her bichon poo, when he sniffs out a dead body in the alley. A note was left with the body with Allie’s name on it. Inside the note is written “kf3” which sounds like a chess move according to Mr. Beechum. The killer is challenging Allie to a battle of the wits. While Francis and her new hubby are on their honeymoon, Allie has extra responsibilities at the hotel. In addition, she is dealing with her breakup from Trent who is not ready to give up on their relationship and Rex who asks her out on a date. Out on another walk with Mal when he digs up a sock and a toe under a tree. The culprit left another chess clue carved into the tree. Who is behind the crimes and why are they singling out Allie? Join Allie are her most challenging and personal case yet in Forever Fudge.

Forever Fudge contains well-developed and established characters as well as a beautiful location. I enjoy learning more about Mackinac Island with its historic locations including the Grand Hotel which was used as a location in my favorite film Somewhere in Time. I thought the pace was a little slower Forever Fudge as Allie deals with making fudge, the day-to-day running of the hotel, Jenn departing for Chicago, her romantic woes, a prankster and the whodunit. I missed Frances and her wit in this tale. Frances is off enjoying her honeymoon and does not return until the end. The main mystery may seem complicated on the surface, but I thought it was straightforward. I quickly pinpointed the culprit and then kept reading to see if I was correct. There is a limited suspect list, but there are good clues and a red herring. The secondary mysteries resolution comes out of left field and the motive was weak. The chess clues did not resonate with me since I do not play the game (I lack the patience for the game). I would have preferred Allie to actively investigate the crime instead of information being passed along to her. I could have done with less romance. Allie loves Trent, but he does not wish to live on Mackinac Island full time. I am rooting for Rex who seems to have more in common with Allie. However, his marital history stands in their way. My rating for Forever Fudge is 3 out of 5 stars. It is not my favorite book in A Candy-Coated Mystery series. There are luscious fudge recipes included in the book and a preview of Fudge Bites.

A film crew comes to Mackinac Island, a murder and two potential love interests are distracting Alie McMurphy from her fudge shop. Oh, plus having to learn chess because the killer is leaving notes with chess moves. An enjoyable read although it took me awhile to get a handle on every and their relationship with one another. Guess that's par for the course when you start reading book #6 in a series.

Forever Fudge! A Candy-Coated Mystery with Recipes
By Nancy Coco
Kensington
October 2018

Review by Cynthia Chow

Normally, Labor Day marks the official end of the tourist season on Mackinac Island. It’s when visitors depart for the mainland and local businesses close for the long snowy winter. That may change when it’s announced that a television pilot is about to be filmed on the downtown streets, with stores vying for the opportunity to be featured in the opening credits. It’s an opportunity that Allie McMurphy is willing to pass up though, since the town Board is asking for $2000 just to be considered and she already has that money earmarked for roof renovations. Now that she’s taken over her family’s Historic McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop, being able to create a new wedding and event location is still far more appealing than Hollywood It Actor Dirk Benjamin. That’s not to say that the action star shadowing local police officer Rex Manning isn’t tempting, but Allie already has more than handle with two suitors competing for her affection. The aforementioned Rex is finally stating his attentions now that Allie’s romance with wealthy Trent Jessop stalled out due to his off-Island business obligations, but Trent still has no intention of giving up so easily. This may be why when Allie’s adorable bichon-poo Mal continues to prove his skills as a body-discoverer, Allie is almost eager to deflect and instead focus on investigating a murder.

This is a murder that seems targeted to draw Allie in, as not only was the corpse left in the middle of Allie and Mal’s normal walking route, a chess clue was left with her name written on it. Whatever the murderer may believe, Allie has very little skill at the game and so must rely on a more skilled employee and a Senior Chess Club for advice. When Allie appears to be making little headway in the investigation the killer escalates, leaving bloody pranks, increasingly hostile notes, and even a few body parts. Rex may have tolerated the presence of a dense, imaged-obsessed celebrity following his every move, but that was before Dirk asked Allie out for a photographic-friendly night out on the town. Now with everything she loves on the line and a menacing killer stalking her, Allie must juggle her increasingly confusing personal life with a lethal chess game that could cost her everything.

The entertainment business can always be relied upon for moments of absurdity and humor, and that is never more apparent than in this delightful chocolaty mystery. Still struggling to no longer be considered a temporary resident and “Fudgie,” Allie must contemplate whether she will continue to stay on Mackinac Island. It’s a choice that will affect her relationships with her two suitors, not to mention all of their family and friends. On a small island where locals know everyone from generations past, it’s not surprising that the murder investigation quickly focuses on outsiders, no matter how much the Hollywood visitors may be admired. While Allie focuses on her own suspects, a clever swerve should leave most readers caught off-guard by the unexpected but completely plausible twist. Pop culture observations, mouth-watering fudge recipes, and the always charming antics of Allie’s bichon-mix make this a fun romp and place it on the top of every cozy reading list. This sixth of the series continues to allow Allie to grow into her role running her hotel and fudge shop, and readers will be eager to follow her adventures both in romance and within the McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Fudge shop owner Allie McMurphy is up to her neck in another murder. The quiet tourist destination has had a real crime wave since she came to town. Her dog, Mal, has found yet another body. A body the killer wanted Allie to find because he left her a note with the deceased.

She really doesn’t have time for another murder mystery. Frances and Mr. Devaney are off on their honeymoon so the McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop is understaffed and some unusual and scary things are happening at the hotel. Allie doesn’t know if they are connected to the murder, but she needs to find out.

It doesn’t help that a film crew has set up on the island for a new murder mystery show and the town is running a contest to see which side of the street can come up with the most money. The winner will be a featured backdrop for the film which could be great publicity. The hotel and fudge shop had a good year, but Allie has other plans for her profits. This does not make the mayor happy.

Her personal life is in flux too and her BFF is leaving the island for a great job in Chicago. The idea of a peaceful offseason is not going to happen unless she helps find a killer and the film crew leaves town. Fudge! She is going to have to get involved in another investigation!

Escaping to Mackinac Island with Allie and the gang is always so much fun. This time the author has really stirred up a sweet mystery. Life at the McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop is never dull. There is always something happening. The characters she has created are so engaging. It makes me want to pack my bags and head there right away. I missed having Frances there especially but it is after Labor Day and the newlyweds deserve some time off for their honeymoon.

Ms. Coco added an interesting element to the mystery this time. The killer is leaving clues stating chess moves. The problem is Allie doesn’t play chess so she tries to learn. But before she gets even a novice handle on the game another body is found and she realizes the killer knows her well, knows the previous crimes she has helped solve, and the people she cares about may be in danger. This adds a nice twist to the entire story.

Forever Fudge is a well-written cozy mystery with well-developed characters. The author blends the intrigue with a little romance and humor. I am team Rex all the way but looking forward to the next installment in the series to see if Allie finally makes up her mind.

The fudge recipes throughout the book are an added bonus.

This was an entertaining escape and a fine addition to this series.

I did enjoy this installment. However, the stories seem to be becoming a bit formulaic. Each murder is discovered and solved almost the same way each time.

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Jeanie

I love visiting Allie and her friends at the McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop! Forever Fudge is full of the author’s trademark humor even in the midst of the mystery. As the sixth novel in the series, this can be read as a standalone or in the order written. The Mackinac Island setting is inviting, and Allie might be spending her first winter on the island. The characters, as always, are a delight, and Mal is a scene stealer.

Labor Day has come and gone, and so have most of the visitors to Mackinac Island. Frances and her new husband, Mr. Devaney, both employees of the McMurphy, recently were married and are on their honeymoon, and the summer college intern has returned to classes. Allie, her fudgemaker/ chocolatier Sandy, and her best friend Jenn are covering all the positions until the Devaneys’ return. With several guests scheduled, Allie spends part of each day cleaning rooms while Jenn watches the registration desk. Jenn worked with Allie through the summer to help with marketing the newly-refurbished Hotel and, on the side do some event planning.

Jenn heard the scoop that Dirk Benjamin, famous movie star, is coming to the island to film a pilot for a TV show. He will play a detective, and is shadowing Rex, the island’s ruggedly handsome police officer. The show will be about a modern Jessica Fletcher who helps the island police nab the bad guy. Since Allie’s visit on a cooking reality show during the summer, she doesn’t have much interest for the movie shoot or actors. It is enough that other ladies of every age are fascinated and want to see some of the filming.

One morning Allie is walking Mal and talking with Mr. Beecher, an older gentleman who always wears a three-piece suit and walks around the island twice a day. Mal stops, sniffing around a dumpster and refusing to respond to Allie’s call to return. She and Mr. Beecher find Mal sniffing around a dead man whose face is covered by a cap. Rex and his shadow, Dirk respond to the emergency call. When Rex lifts the cap with a pencil, they see the bullet hole in the man’s head, and Mr. Beecher recognizes him as Jack Sharp. Sharp has worked for years in the stables owned by the Jessop family, one of the largest on the island.

Soon it becomes clear, as more grisly finds are made, that someone is duplicating the murders Allie has helped solve during her time on Mackinac Island – with one exception. The killer leaves a note addressed to Allie at crime scenes that includes chess moves from one of Bobby Fischer’s famous games. Someone, possibly the murderer, is doing their best to scare the McMurphy’s guests.

Allie and best friend Jenn are perfect sidekicks. They have been besties since college and, along with Mal, are my favorites. The characters are overall an awesome group of small town folks, with a handful of eccentric people and wealthy people, and a lot of down home people. The movie cast and crew move in as most summer visitors leave. The handsome star, Dirk, acts as though he is not the sharpest tool in the shed. Most women overlook that as they drink in his movie star looks. Overall, I am as excited about the characters now as in the first mystery, as each of the regular people have changed and grown through the summer.

It’s hard to believe, with all that has occurred through the series so far, that Allie has only had the McMurphy open for one season since Papa Liam passed away. She has had more … um … adventures during the past handful of months than most people do in a lifetime.. She also has two men very interested in her: the very wealthy, charming Trent Jessop of the Jessop family stables, and Rex, the slightly rough-around-the-edges island police officer. Will this be the novel in which she will decide which guy to spend time with? I know who I would opt for!

Plot twists abound, and I was almost tripped up by red herrings. I was kind of stuck between two people as suspects. Other challenges, including Jenn leaving for a fabulous job offer in Chicago, keep the pot stirred. The end has unexpected surprises, and while I was kind of right about who the bad guy really was, well, there are still surprises! I highly recommend Forever Fudge, and can’t wait for the next novel in the series!

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*