Cozy mysteries are all the rage now. The playful cover draws you in for a murderously good time. I love the mysteries that revolve around food or hospitality. When you least expect a murder, you are in the middle of one. Awesome mystery with lots to discover.

I was given this book for an honest review, All opinions are my own.

Hot fudge sundae with all the toppings. Sounds delightful, doesn't it? Everything is gong great for Lickety Splits Ice Cream Shoppe as they prepare sweet treats for a soiree. Until things turn deadly and the client is murdered.

Journalists come pouring into the quaint village sensing a scandal. Can Kate solve the murder and her shop, before the ice cream along with her dream melts away?

This is the third book in the series and although the mystery is well written, I didn't enjoy some of the characters as much. I was ready for ice cream when I finished this.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Kate McKay is thrilled that after only being in business a short time people are booking her to cater ice cream desserts for their parties. She can’t believe she has been asked to serve sundaes at Omar DeVane’s gala. The prominent fashion designer will have many celebrities at his event and she hopes they will love the sweet treats she will be serving. She has been told Mr. DeVane loves hot fudge sundae’s, she hopes his guests will too.

When she arrives at the mansion with her best friend, Willow, her niece Emma, and Emma’s boyfriend Ethan, they are awed by the place but set up their Lickety Split Ice Cream Shoppe station and get ready to serve the guests. Things get really sticky when the housekeeper screams and Omar Devane’s body is found. Murdered by one of his guests? That has to be the answer, but who?

Sadly, the public draws the line between the murder and Kate’s shop. The press has camped out in front of her shop and isn’t there for the ice cream. Could this murder thaw her right out of business? Leaving her shop in Emma’s care she embarks down the path to find the killer herself, making Wolfert’s Roost’s Detective Stoltz very unhappy.

Cindy Baxter delivers another delicious mystery for her readers to enjoy.

Our protagonist Kate McKay is one busy woman. Running her shop, developing new and unique flavors, and tracking down a murderer. Her old high-school boyfriend Jake seems to be quite jealous when Hudson Valley Adventure Tours opens across the street from Lickety Splits and its owner seems to be interested in Kate. A good old fashioned romantic triangle in the making. Kate’s grandmother is getting a little restless at home and has started visiting the Senior Center and having some grand ideas. I really enjoy the way Kate and her Grams evolved from the first story and throughout this one. It is a natural progression and not forced.

The murderer has to be someone at the party which could mean a lot of suspects but the focus quickly narrows down to just a few. There were some wonderful twists but I made my decision of whodunit early on, I just needed the motivation to fall better into place. I did enjoy all the work Kate put in to investigate and had fun following along.

As in the first book in this series, Ms. Baxter’s descriptive writing style drew me in. Not only the people and the places but the ice cream. Being allergic to nuts I was sad to see all the recipes with almonds but love the direction she is going with Lickety Lite. If you don’t have ice cream in the freezer when you start reading this book, put the book down and go get some. You will be wanting a scoop or two before you get through the first couple of chapters.

I really enjoyed this story. I am excited about the next story with both Kate and Grams having some bright ideas.

Very cute series and I adore the factoids at the start of each chapter about ice cream. It is very easy to get caught up in this story series and I look forward to future editions of Kate and her ice cream shop, Lickety Splits. There is some history between some of the characters which is nicely explained as the story goes along so this is definitely a read alone but is also very good at laying the ground work for future stories that will most likely include dual love interests and other great ice cream and sorbet recipes. I am looking forward to giving away little jars of Heavenly Fudge sauce enhanced with different extracts like cherry or orange.. The basic gist of this story is that Kate is tired of the big city and moves back to Wolfert's Roost where she opens her dream shop, Lickety Splits. Her high school sweetheart who mysteriously disappeared on prom night so many years ago is also in town, as he has also left the fast paced world of law for the country life and the cows. Makes sense to have a dairy cow dude and an ice cream creationist as a possible love match, but....Kate isn't in any hurry and it seems that there is a new guy/guide in town as well who has taken quite a liking to Kate. None of this relates to the mystery and the murder but it will most likely be a thread that is woven through the following installments. Kate's character is not unlike your typical cozy character, she is curious and smart with a great set of friends and family who support and worry about her at the same time. While her reasons for looking into this murder aren't necessarily a personal connection to the victim or the suspect or even a connection to the fashion world, but rather a deep desire to have the tourist season go back to normal so that her new business can continue to grow. I think one of my favorite things about this book are all the ideas that Kate comes up with for ice cream flavors and how her mind wanders down a creative path that winds and turns onto some great tangents.

This is the second book in the series but it was the first one I read. I had no problem following along. I loved the idea of an ice cream shoppe with creative flavours - some of them sounded really good! I felt like I was included in the story. Great characters, great setting, great mystery, great cover. I will definitely read that first book and look for the others in the future!

I had not read the first book in this series and though I still enjoyed it I think I would have slipped into the story much better had I had a little more background information. I loved the small town vibe that the author was able to invoke and felt connected to the characters. I didn't love the relationship developments though and they were distracting from the main plot. Overall I enjoyed this series and intend to go back and read the first book!

Sweet to the end. I have never read any book by Cynthia Baker. I will not make that mistake again. I loved the way she made you feel like you were there. Everything about this book is fun!

Ice crem and a fun cozy mystery was just the right mix for a great story. Hot Fudge Murder is the second book in this series, but can be read as a stand alone, but prepare to search out the first book just because you will want to read every word of this series. I really liked the characters, they are well developed and believable. The plot is well thought out and well written. I am anxiously awaiting the next installment of this series. Well done Cynthia Baxter.

Princess Fuzzypants here: Only six weeks after opening, Kate gets the opportunity of a lifetime to showcase her yummy ice cream concoctions. A famous designer is holding a bash at his holiday home. He just happens to love hot fudge sundaes and Kate’s are the very best. Things are going well. Kate thinks she is going to put Liickety Splits on the map. She is right but not for the right way. When her host is murdered both she and the entire town become the centre point for all sorts of news and gossip reporters driving the lifeblood of the town, tourists, away. If Kate doesn’t help solve the murder soon, she may not have a business to build afterwards.
She is able to dig through the evidence and uncover the killer but not before she does some borderline things that bring her to the attention of the villains and puts her life in danger. I forgive her for some of the risks she takes since she builds a lovely backstory for the victim. Unlike some mysteries, he was a decent guy and did not deserve his fate. The same cannot be said for the bad guys.
Four purrs and two paws up.

Hot Fudge Murder is a great cozy mystery with interesting characters. The storyline is entertaining and the book is well written.

A cute cozy mystery set in the Hudson valley.
If you have a sweet tooth for ice cream and a penchant for murder mysteries, then this book is definitely worth reading.

Synopsis:

Just six weeks after the grand opening of Lickety Splits Ice Cream Shoppe, owner Kate McKay has been enlisted to whip up sundaes at the most decadent soiree in the Hudson Valley. If only Kate knew how deadly sticky her sweet deal will turn out . . .

Once Kate arrives at a glamorous gala hosted by world-famous fashion designer Omar DeVane, she's instantly intimidated by the mogul's luxurious mansion and the frosty personalities of his handlers. But the party completely loses its flavor when guests follow screams to a room that's eerily empty--except for Omar's freshly murdered body . . .

While the headline-grabbing crime brings a steady stream of journalists to the sleepy village of Wolfert's Roost, Kate knows things won't return to normal until Omar's killer is brought to justice. And with the scandalous case driving customers away from Lickety Splits, she has no choice but to put down the ice cream scooper and expose the culprit on her own . . .

As Kate crashes high-profile photo shoots and mingles with fashion's biggest influencers in search of clues, the puzzling truth about Omar's fame and fortune rises to the surface--and with it, the key to his killer's twisted motive. Kate will have to navigate the celebrity lifestyle to save her fledgling business, but her attempts to freeze cold-hearted criminals in their tracks could lead to a double scoop of deadly trouble . . .

Includes mouthwatering ice cream recipes from the Lickety Splits Ice Cream Shoppe! (Goodreads)


Review:

The characters are well developed and well rounded. Kate is a strong kind woman and she loves her ice cream shop. There is nothing that she would not do to make it successful. So when someone dies at a party that Lickety Splits is catering, she takes it personally and vows to find the culprit. I really enjoy spending time with Kate’s core group of family and friends. I have to say that a love triangle is not my favorite thing and I hope Kate makes a decision soon. Who will she pick?

The setting is homey and the ice cream shop seems like someplace I would like to visit often. Some of the ice cream flavors sounded yummy, others not so much. I have to say that reading about all of the flavors that Kate makes and is thinking of making got a little tedious and a little tiresome, and I love ice cream. That is only my opinion and other readers may not agree with me.

The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy ready. The author is very talented in creating suspense and I thought that the mystery was well plotted and well paced. There were enough clues to sift through and suspects to consider and it was not easily solved.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery and I am looking forward to reading the next book when it is released.

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

This is the 2nd book in the "A Lickety Splits Mystery Series" by cozy author Cynthia Baxter.
Thank you for the ARC to the publisher and to Net Galley . My review opinion is my own.
I loved the first in series with the charming ice cream shop, her beloved Grandmother and the picturesque small town. This reader enjoys the description of running a small ice cream shop and the wonderful treats created by the owner.

In the next in this fun series its six weeks after the grand opening of Lickety Splits Ice Cream Shoppe. Owner Kate McKay has been invited to a local mansion owned by a wealthy fashion designer to create her sweet treats for his event. When he is found dead during the party the murder proves to have many interesting possibilities of suspects. However when business is off at her shop due to the murder and talk in town,, Kate knows she must take action to find the right suspect and get her business back to normal. She has to enter the world of high fashion and along the way meets many unique charcters. Suspects abound and soon Kate is on the right track but may be placing herself in danger.

This is a enjoyable cozy that I enjoy to conclusion. The sleuth was well crafted and interesting to conclusion. I like Kate as a main charcter and look forward to the next in series.

This is a yummy series. Ice cream is my favorite dessert, but many of her flavors are not appealing. I am sure I would find the vanilla and hot fudge delicious though. The murder mystery is engaging and entertaining. The possible romances add some fun and friction. I look forward to reading the next one in the series.

Murder and an Ice Cream Shoppe
This is the second in a cute and cozy mystery series. The plotline is very good and keeps the reader's interest. The characters are believable and are not the 'super beings' usually found in fictional mysteries. I plan on reading the entire series. This reader found the setting quite refreshing and fun. I received this ARC for free and this is my honest review.

In this second book of the series Kate has been asked to cater a gala at a famous fashion designers home. She is so excited about the opportunity and looking forward to meeting some famous people. When Omar, the designer, is found dead by his maid the party comes to a halt. The police are called in and start asking questions as well as looking for clues. Suddenly the quiet town of Wolfert's Roost becomes invaded with journalist's even the tabloid kind. Kate hates seeing all the camera's every where and decides that something must be done. Kate starts diving into her own investigation by going to fashion shoots and meeting with those in the fashion world. Can she find the answers she seeks or is she digging herself I to a hole. Her business has only been up and running for about six weeks, could this investigation ruin her business? Follow along as Kate tries to come to some definitive answers and bring her life back normal. This is a fun series, I love how the author gives wonderful ice cream and ice cream related facts at the beginning of each chapter, it's always to learn new things when you read!

As a child I enjoyed our local ice cream parlor, it was a treat to go there with my family and struggle to pick out a wondrous creation from the menu. I'm still a lover of ice cream. Oh, the flavors - sigh. If I lived near Lickety Split Ice Cream Shoppe, I would be there so often I would have me own seat. This series is a classic cozy set in a small town with a young woman who has left her job to return home due to family matters and decides to start a new chapter of her life. When I need an escape, this is what I need. While this is the second entry in the series, it hasn't suffered from the slump some books hit.
Kate has started her ice cream shoppe and has become so popular that she is hired to serve her ice cream at a very swank party. That's great for her business. That is, until murder joins the party and the resulting bad press threatens to melt her business into nothing. Kate dives into her investigating knowing that her future is on the line. Along the way she has to juggle her love life and her family life. A love triangle wasn't in her plans.
The setting and the characters along with a well crafted and satisfying mystery made for a nice escape. My only problem? I kept wanting to raid my freezer for more ice cream, none of it, alas, as good as the ice cream sold at the Lickety Split Ice Cream Shoppe.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Hot Fudge Murder
(A Lickety Splits Mystery #2)
by Cynthia Baxter 

Hardcover, 250 pages
Published January 29th 2019 by Kensington Publishing Corporation



Goodreads synopsis:
Just six weeks after the grand opening of Lickety Splits Ice Cream Shoppe, owner Kate McKay has been enlisted to whip up sundaes at the most decadent soiree in the Hudson Valley. If only Kate knew how deadly sticky her sweet deal will turn out . . .

Once Kate arrives at a glamorous gala hosted by world-famous fashion designer Omar DeVane, she's instantly intimidated by the mogul's luxurious mansion and the frosty personalities of his handlers. But the party completely loses its flavor when guests follow screams to a room that's eerily empty--except for Omar's freshly murdered body . . .

While the headline-grabbing crime brings a steady stream of journalists to the sleepy village of Wolfert's Roost, Kate knows things won't return to normal until Omar's killer is brought to justice. And with the scandalous case driving customers away from Lickety Splits, she has no choice but to put down the ice cream scooper and expose the culprit on her own . . .

As Kate crashes high-profile photo shoots and mingles with fashion's biggest influencers in search of clues, the puzzling truth about Omar's fame and fortune rises to the surface--and with it, the key to his killer's twisted motive. Kate will have to navigate the celebrity lifestyle to save her fledgling business, but her attempts to freeze cold-hearted criminals in their tracks could lead to a double scoop of deadly trouble . . .

***

4.5 Stars

This is the second book in the Lickety Splits Mystery series by Cynthia Baxter.

Wow! How fun was this book? Murder with a side of ice cream and hot fudge!

Kate McKay used to work in the big city at a corporate job and now is in a small town making up her own ice cream flavors and serving them to the public. Then a famous fashion designer gets killed at his local residence and nearly all the business downtown has come to a stand still. While she is waiting for customers to come in, Kate decides to solve this murder and make all the business come back into town. She was there that day Omar’s body was found. She knows, sort of, the key players in the mystery and has her mind set on being a sleuth. But maybe this sleuthing thing is not as easy as she thinks it is. Finding the killer proves to be a challenge, if not, physically dangerous.

In between her new sleuthing duties, an old high school love interest has put his hat in the ring for her affection. Their past is not the best and she doesn’t know if she can trust Jake or not. Then there is the new business owner, Brody across the street who opened a sort of “choose your own adventure” type of shop. What fun the future books will be with these two vying for Kate’s affection.

I really enjoyed this book. The text flowed naturally and I was sucked in from the very beginning. I look forward to whatever new mysteries come upon the people of Wolfert’s Roost!

If you love cozy mysteries, definitely give this one a shot. It will be yummy to your tummy and appease those cozy mystery inklings we all seem to crave.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

WooHoo- Kate's got a great gig catering an ice cream party for Omar but......he's murdered! You don't need to have read the first book to know that Wolfert's Rest hasn't been as quiet as it used to be since she came back to town to help her grandmother with her ice cream shop. Everyone thought they knew Omar but he had his secrets and now they're going to come out when Kate starts poking around in the case. She's also dealing with two guys- Jake and Brody-vieing for her affection. Thanks o net galley for the ARC. This is a nicely written cozy- and you'll learn a little about ice cream.