A Deadly Inside Scoop
By Abby Collette
Berkley
May 2020

Review by Cynthia Chow

It took a health scare for Bronwyn “Win” Crewse to realize that a marketing degree and MBA were not her true dreams. No, her purpose in life involved moving back home to Chagrin Falls, Cleveland to take over the family’s ice cream shop, after her Aunt Jackie left to pursue online love in North Carolina. Once Win’s grandfather handed over the keys and her adored Grandma Kay’s priceless recipe box, Win began lovingly crafting Crewse Creamery’s original handmade ice cream creations. It hasn’t been a smooth start though, with delays pushing her April launch to October and barely a customer in sight when the doors finally open. One potential customer who reminisces of Crewse Creamery nostalgia is the lost-puppy-bearing Stephen Bayard, a man whose name infuriates Win’s PopPop and who seems to bear the animosity of the entire Crewse family. So it’s unfortunate that when seeking “fresh” snow for Grandma Kay’s Snow Ice Cream recipe Win finds a body at the bottom of the town’s fall. Not only was Stephen Bayard poisoned to death, but it was from a substance easily sourced from the hospital where Win’s orthopedic surgeon father works.

While Win’s best friends Maisie Solomon and Riya Amacarelli were only to be temporary assistants in the creamery until her rookie employees arrived, the women are more than ready to step in as investigative sidekicks as well. Riya’s anger management makes her a liability as often as not, but just as much an obstacle is Maisie’s unwavering belief that the murderer is her boss at Molta’s restaurant. Maisie bases this not so much on evidence, but through huge jumps to conclusions and something related to Peter Sellers. Detective Liam Beverly follows an actual trial of evidence right to Win’s dad, which has her determined to discover who else in town Stephen Bayard managed to infuriate through his swindles and greedy machinations. A law school professor new in town, Morrison “O” Kaye, seems more than willing to give Win free legal advice but she finds him a little too attentive and, well, perfect. Instead, Win allows Maisie and Riya to lead her into confrontations with possible drug dealers while snooping, googling, and stalking suspects.

This debut series bursts out onto the scene with a relatable and extremely likable new heroine devoted to protecting those she loves. She and her mother are the only members of their family without a “Dr.” in front of their names, and Win’s three brothers are just as bossy as they are protective over their little sister. Basically representing the entire African-American population in Chagrin Falls, the Crewse family have a unique perspective of the town while also being an established part of it. Win’s aunt may have made Crewse Creamery more of a novelty shop than an ice cream store, but Win is intent on making her homemade treats a sustainable business even during the months when they’re buried in snow. Recipes that include Grandma Kay’s Caramel Corn Ice Cream will have readers tempted into making their own ventures into frozen confectionaries, but the real draw here are the charismatic characters and their adventures. Win’s family and friends are an absolute joy to meet, and this debut promises the start of an exciting new mystery series.

Win (aka Bronwyn) is excited to be recreating her memories of the family creamery from when she was young. She has her MBA, a love of her grandmother's unique ice cream flavors, and dreams of her own flavors. And a dead body. One that somehow could involve a member of her family.

It's hard not to cheer for Win as she pursues her dreams and the good memories. And if she can prove her father or mother didn't kill the man who took advantage, then she and her friends will do so. This was a fun read. I for one never had any trouble eating ice cream in the winter, though I tend to stick to the basic flavors. If you like cozy mystery, family owned businesses, and a bit of humor and romance, you'll enjoy this book.

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.

I loved the family at the center of the story, and the descriptions of the ice cream shop. However, I found the mystery too meandering and it came to an abrupt stop.

Collette writes a winsome mystery. I’m really grateful for the representation in the book, even the darker threads, like how the police might be quick to find Win’s father a convenient scapegoat.

I like the realistic small town setting of Chagrin Falls and the strong atmosphere of community. Although I’m glad Win had friends by her side, I had a hard time really differentiating between them and understanding their characters. I’d also like to see Win grow in confidence as an individual...and maybe find a love interest in future books.

I really enjoyed the influence of extended family and particularly loved PopPop in this story. The mystery was not easily solvable although I had hints on who the killer might be. And, of course, it was fun seeing the recipes at the end!

An enjoyable mystery with a much-needed diverse main character—hoping to see more of Win and her family.

3.25 stars

Pretty good series debut featuring Bronwyn Crewse, a young black woman who has returned home from the grind of the big city to take over her beloved late grandmother's ice cream shop in a rural suburb of Cleveland. Win is an attractive character with her family loyalty, her ambition and her energy.

Her parents and her grandpa are a big part of the story and this is a family that watches out for each other, including Win's three older brothers. Win's big plans for updating the ice cream shop are interesting to hear about and the setting is fun.

On the evening of the shop's grand opening, which got derailed by a huge snowstorm, Win finds a dead body. Unfortunately, it turns out the victim was an old enemy of her family who wrested the shop away from her grandma when her Alzheimer's became serious. And Win's family, particularly her dad, are suspects.

I really enjoyed the family interactions. Win's two odd best friends, one a space cadet and one a belligerent medical student, were the weak links for me. The sections highlighting them and their antics felt more like a YA comic novel. But I am rooting for her to make a success of her business dreams so will likely read the next entry. Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I always love starting a new cozy mystery series, particularly if it’s by an author I haven’t read yet. A Deadly Inside Scoop is one of the better series debuts I’ve read recently, and I’m so delighted to have discovered a new-to-me author that I’ll definitely keep following!

Bronwyn “Win” Crewse has a lot at stake as the book begins. She’s putting the final touches on restoring her family’s ice cream parlor (re-opening in the middle of a blizzard) and preparing to follow her beloved late grandmother’s footsteps, under the loving watchful eye of her Pop-Pop and with the help of her friends & family. Win is instantly likable, if a bit scattered (which is excusable, given how much she’s trying to juggle at the moment. Restart a community favorite business, carry on a family legacy, solve a murder… you know, the usual lol). Her ice cream flavors sound really yummy & I’m looking forward to seeing what she comes up – and how she uses her grandmother’s cherished recipes – as the seasons & series progress.

Win comes from a tight-knit family who make up the majority of the 0.4 % African American population of their tiny town just outside Cleveland, and I loved the diverse characters that make up the supporting cast as well. (Her Pop-Pop has my heart!) Including Win’s two best friends – Riya (half-Sicillian & half-Indian) & Maisie (whose Jewish grandmother owns & operates the town’s Chinese restaurant). Riya is the hotheaded protector; Maisie is the impetuous free spirit. And while we don’t spend much time with Riya in this book, the trio of friends is a formidable force to be sure.

The mystery is nicely layered and moves at a steady pace throughout the story. Poor Win and Maisie aren’t the most seasoned of investigators, opting for a rather madcap hodgepodge of ideas and stakeouts and interrogations, but it’s highly entertaining. A host of suspects cross their paths, along with some motives that range from fairly weak to pretty strong. You sorta get the feeling that, if Win and her crew had just been patient, Detective Beverley would have figured it out before too much longer but goodness it would have been a lot less fun!

Bottom Line: A Deadly Inside Scoop is a fun start to a new series with diverse characters, a strong sense of family & community, and – of course – yummy ice cream! Win is a heroine readers will quickly embrace, and her relatable struggles make her a sympathetic character. Best friend Maisie is the Lucy to Win’s Ethel – if that infamous comedic duo had also solved crimes – and, while you’re tempted to groan at her ideas, her infectious personality & loyalty to Win keeps her likable too. I loved the ethnic & age diversity of this small community & the unique perspective each brought to the book. A well-plotted mystery rounds out the mix, and I’m ready for another visit with the Crewse family & their ice cream parlor!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

Bronwyn "Win" Crewse begins managing her family's ice cream parlor after a cousin's changes to its mission nearly causes its demise. Win wants it to do one thing well--ice cream--and avoid all the other things which did not separate it from other Chagrin Falls businesses. While playing in the snow, she falls over a dead body. When she realizes the detective suspects her own father of the dastardly deed, she and a friend investigate. The novel's pluses include an African-American sleuth, the ice cream parlor that tries to stick to locally sourced ingredients, and the character of Pop-Pop. The novel's minuses include marginalization and depiction of the police as incompetent, a sleuth who spends too little time in her new business, and the sheer stupidity of the sleuth and her friends when it comes to investigation. While I might pick up the second installment to see if it improves, I'm not in a rush to pick it up. I hope she spends more time in the ice cream parlor and less time exhibiting her stupidity in the next installment. I received an advance electronic copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

First of all, it is never too cold for ice cream, in Ohio or Wisconsin or anywhere!!

Crewse Creamery is a family business and recent MBA grad Bronwyn “Win” Crewse has been handed the reins to bring the ice cream shop back to its glory days using her grandmother’s recipes while adding a few of her own. Unfortunately, her opening day was pushed past the summer months and the day she actually opens the snow is flying. So Win decides to embrace it by using her grandmother’s recipe to make Snow Ice Cream. While out gathering the snow she needs she discovers a body of a dead man in the snow. A man that has a bad history with her family and she soon learns many others. She, her friends, and her family, all join in to freeze out the killer and put them on ice for good.

_____

I loved this story!!

Set in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, just outside of Cleveland seems like the ideal place for a cozy mystery series. An area that could be ripe for all kinds of drama. An ice cream parlor theme is just plain delicious too!

Win is a true treasure. She is heartwarming, intelligent, with a great head on her shoulders. Her family is close, but she has a special relationship with her PopPop, which speaks volumes about them both. Maisie Solomon has been her best friend since kindergarten, but that girl is off her rocker, watching too many crime shows, and reading too many mysteries has her coming up with some theories that are way out there. Friend Riya brought her owns ideas and those didn’t go well either. All the core characters Ms. Collette introduced are strong, age and ethnically diverse, and very well-developed for the first book in a series, but she has left them with plenty of room to grow. We also have a regal feline resident at the ice cream shop which is just like a cherry on the top of my sundae!

The mystery was marvelous and I love following along while Win did her sometimes unorthodox and sometimes illegal snooping. The suspect list seemed to grow each step of the way instead of really eliminating anyone for quite a while. It also brought what could be a romantic interest for Win, and maybe even PopPop. I was completely captivated and entertained from beginning to end.

A Deadly Inside Scoop is a truly tasty debut for this series. It strikes all my cozy boxes and then some. It also has recipes in the back of the book!!! For these reasons and more, this book will be on my Best Reads List of 2020. I am craving Book 2!!

How can a new cozy series that features ice cream be bad?  It can't!  In fact, it is downright delicious and the recipes at the end will have you pulling out an ice cream maker to make some for your own home.

Bronwyn Crewse, AKA Win, is our protagonist and amateur sleuth.  She has recently returned to Chagrin Falls from NY and is reopening her grandparent's ice cream shop.  This shop has a history in that town and many have fond memories of her grandparents and the ice cream.  The relationship with PopPop is heartwarming since he has been waiting for Win to come back and run the shop.  Win's parents are a bit overprotective of her since she is a girl and the baby of the family.  It isn't too surprising to see that trait from her parents or even her older brothers - and there are three of those!

Win is not on her own, she has two close friends - Maisie and Riva.  Riva is a no-nonsense type of gal and you better watch out if you get on her bad side.  Maisie is something of a free spirit and I'm not really sure what to make of her character and I think she is something of a loose cannon.  She tended to jump in feet first without thinking things through and could potentially put them in harms way.  I think this line from the book sums up Maisie quite well and is the thoughts of one of Win's brother, James:

"He thought Maisie was a bundle of fireworks hovering over an open flame. He said no one would ever know when her fuse would catch fire or what direction she'd take off in. She was festive, he said, but potentially dangerous."

The mystery is well thought out and while there are several characters to suspect of being the killer, the true killer might come as a surprise.  I know I didn't suspect this person but thought there was something strange about their actions.  Now we know why!

I enjoyed the nod to the original Pink Panther movie with characters using some of their names like Peter Sellers and David Nivens.

There is a potential budding romance with a former police officer turned law professor who goes by the nickname O.  He has his eye on Win and I think she might have some interest in him too despite her protests.  I am anxious to see how this might play out.  I also wonder about the police detective and if he might be interested in Win or if he was just working with her to get information?  Only time will tell.

The only thing I thought was really odd was that Win called her parents mommy and daddy.  Most people I know shorten it to mom and dad especially as they get older.

This is an enjoyable start to a new series and I suggest giving it a whirl.  I am tempted to try the recipes at the end of the book as they all sound delicious!  I just need an ice cream maker.

We give this book 4 paws up.

A DEADLY INSIDE SCOOP by Abby Collette
The First Ice Cream Parlor Mystery

Bronwyn Crewse is excited to reopen her family's ice cream parlor. Now that she's in charge, she's bringing the shop back to its roots, selling only handmade ice cream and showcasing the natural beauty of Chagrin Falls. An unexpected early snowfall puts a damper on her first day of business which is capped off by finding a dead body! Things get worse when she learns that the dead man had bad history with her family and her father starts acting suspicious. Worried that her father will be arrested for a murder he didn't commit, Win decides to take matters into her own hands and starts to investigate. Will she be able to solve the murder while bringing the family business back to its former glory? Or will the trail of the killer grow colder than her Ghoulish Blueberry ice cream eaten on a winter's eve in Ohio?

I absolutely loved A DEADLY INSIDE SCOOP! Family is at the center and is the heart of this new mystery series. I love the seeing the close connections and interactions between family, friends, and neighbors. Abby Collete has a gift of imbuing the pages with life. You can feel the excitement Bronwyn feels as as opening day arrives. The characters jump from the pages and the descriptions make me feel as if I'm in Chagrin Falls with them.

One of my favorite things about the first Ice Cream Parlor Mystery is the realism. Win's reactions, from discovering a dead body, getting caught snooping, and being confronted by a killer are completely believable. I also love that fact that while a possible romantic interest is introduced, Win isn't the least bit interested in it.

A DEADLY INSIDE SCOOP is a winner! Laugh out loud scenes mix with heartfelt moments to create a charming funny mystery.

I love that this book is set close to Cleveland! I’m about an hour south of there, and I am with the author…it’s a mystery why we don’t move to a warmer place! I’ve been around Chagrin Falls since my aunt and uncle lived in Chesterland, but I’ve never actually visited. I think a trip is in order once we’re allowed to travel; however, I’ll avoid the falls in winter though just in case…

A Deadly Inside Scoop is a great start to this new series! Trust me; you’ll be craving the many flavors of ice cream that Win and company make at Crewse Creamery. Crewse Creamery has been in Win’s family for years, but she makes some much needed changes!

Unfortunately for Win, her first day open comes with a snowstorm! She doesn’t get any customers, so she is wallowing in self-pity at the end of the day. But when she looks at the snow again, she remembers her Grandma’s snow ice cream! Win knows you find the best snow at the foot of the falls….and on this day, a dead guy too!

You can bet something sketchy is going on, and it turns out, the dead guy was murdered! Also, Win talked to him that morning! The mystery in the book was well-plotted and kept me guessing. Lots of people were burned by the murdered man, so that made for many suspects. The police focus on Win’s dad as the primary suspect, so she’s got to snoop for clues.

I really liked the characters, and I’m looking forward to see how they develop in the upcoming books. Win, Maisie, and PopPop are my favorite characters so far, and they’re the most developed in A Deadly Inside Scoop. I think Maisie’s grandmother is going to be another of my favorites too.

Get started on this new series!

The world being what it currently is, sometimes we need a sweet escape that will give our hearts and souls time to recharge. Filled with mouthwatering ice cream recipes and amateur sleuthing, A Deadly Inside Scoop by Abby Collette aims to be that escape.

Bronwyn “Win” Crewse is re-opening her family’s ice cream shop in the small town Chagrin Falls, Ohio. At the end of October. Just as the first snowstorm of the season hits town. But Win refuses to be defeated, even when she stumbles upon a dead body while out trying to gather snow for her grandmother’s snow ice cream recipe. When the deceased turns out to be someone with a history with Win’s family, her father is suspected of murder. With the help of her friends and family, Win sets out to clear her father’s name and keep her ice cream shop afloat.

Cosy mysteries are a special niche genre that can’t help but make you smile. There is always a quirky cast of characters, at least one animal roaming around where it shouldn’t be, and an undeniable small town charm that makes you feel welcome. A Deadly Inside Scoop hits all the good parts of a cosy mystery and brings the diversity that then genre tends to lack. Oh, and ice cream recipes!

The real star of this novel is the setting. Collette brings to life the small town of Chagrin Falls, Ohio with delightful results. The small town feel and bitter cold of Ohio snow radiates from the book as you read. In particular, any scene involving ice cream is sure to make you glance longingly at your freezer, wishing you had access to a few scoops of Win’s creations. Collette’s addition of ice cream recipes at the end of the story is a nice touch that reinforces the genial aspect of cosy mysteries.

Win, as a character, is where things get a little hard. Her determination and attitude are great, but she feels a bit juvenile sometimes. Win constantly refers to her mother and father as “Mommy” and “Daddy”, which just felt off. This could boil down to a personality thing from me, but it’s rare that we hear an adult refer to their parents as such. The rest of the characters felt familiar in the way that they are the types of characters you’d come to expect in a cosy mystery, but Collette made them all her own.

Collette’s writing style is a blend of simple, yet complex enough to support the mystery. There was a lot going on in the story and it was easy to keep hold of the plot. But, just as Win felt a bit juvenile, the writing did too at times. For example there are seven times in the story when a character, mostly Win, flaps their arms or hands. There is also a lot of giggling. It feels like there could have been different action words used to make the characters seem a little less childlike.

All told, A Deadly Inside Scoop is a solid start to an intriguing new mystery series. Collette handles the crafting of mysteries well and I look forward to checking out future instalments in the series. And trying some new ice cream recipes!

A fun start to a new series. Bronwyn “Win” Crewes’s character is well-crafted, and her relationships with her family are sweetly developed. It is pretty hard to believe, though, that Win has stayed “best friends” with Maisie for decades, since Maisie is a complete flake with virtually no redeeming qualities whatsoever. I enjoyed the story, and look forward to the next in the series, but... I also think that there were too many “characters” introduced (mostly the shop employees), and in and out, making it difficult to keep track of who was who and figure out where they fit in the story.

What a wonderful Cozy Mystery to delight everyone. An Ice Cream Store and a murder. What a place for mystery. The characters are absolutely delightful.

A Deadly Inside Scoop by Abby Collette is the debut novel in An Ice Cream Parlor Mystery series. Bronwyn “Win” Crewse has returned home to Chagrin Falls and was thrilled when her grandfather gave her the keys to Crewse Creamery making her the new manager. Win’s Aunt Jack had changed the place so much that is was not recognizable. Win has made some wonderful ice cream (all made by hand) to sell for the opening which turns out to be a chilly day with rapidly falling snow. Not the best day to open an ice cream shop. Win has a positive attitude and plenty of marketing ideas to help Crewse Creamery. I enjoy the relationship Win has with her family especially her grandfather, PopPop. PopPop may be grumpy, but he has a soft heart where his granddaughter is concerned. While Maisie Solomon is a loyal friend to Win (they have been friends since kindergarten), she had hair brained ideas and reacts without thinking (insisting someone is guilty of murder without proof). I hope that Maisie will calm down and mature as the series progresses. The mystery was straightforward. You know who will die after meeting the man. There are a couple of suspects along with misdirection. I would have liked more investigating by Win (without Maisie). I enjoyed discovering the identity of the cold killer. The ice cream Win creates sounds delicious. I like that she uses quality, locally sourced ingredients. I was surprised that Win did not serve other items in the winter like homemade hot chocolate, cookies fresh from the oven (could be used to be ice cream sandwiches too), brownies served a la mode, or pie with ice cream. It would help to bring customers into the shop (she might in future books). Win’s marketing degree will serve her well in promoting the shop. Professor Morrison Kaye is a good addition. I liked him except for the ideas he gave Maisie. The knowledge he imparted could be dangerous in Maisie’s hands. A Deadly Inside Scoop is an upbeat cozy mystery with creamy cold concoctions, greenhorn gumshoes, significant snowfall, a mystery man, a precious puppy, and carcinogenic killer.

This is a new series set in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Bronwyn Crewse, Win, has recently taken over the family’s ice cream business. She has a full plate, renovating the business, delays, and opening after the summer season.

Has humor, good characters, even if some seem over the top, and was well-written. There are lots of references to television and literary amateur sleuths.

I liked the premise, the Crewse family, and Detective Liam Beverly. So far, I’m not too keen on Riya or Maisie. I thought the glass wall showcasing the waterfalls was an excellent idea. I could imagine it being a wonderful experience for any patron. I had a ‘eweee’ moment at the description of snow ice cream but could see it with shaved ice (an alternative ingredient) as in the recipe.

I was given an advanced copy of the story by Netgalley and am not required to leave a positive review.

I liked it!

A good start to a promising series. Likeable characters. I do think Maisie’s character was slightly over the top, but it was fun to read about. Although I would like her to become more realistic and less annoying in future books. And Win was lovely. A good mystery with twists and turns. Good flow, good pacing. Good ending. Some fun, which I always like in a cozy!

Set in the Cleveland, Ohio suburb of Chagrin Falls, A Deadly Inside Scoop introduces Bronwyn "Win" Crewse, an intelligent, lively young woman devoted to her family and their ice cream parlor. Although Crewse Creamery has seen better days, Win is determined to restore its former luster and profitability. With her recent MBA degree in hand and a goal to reach for the stars, Win is on a well-grounded course despite unexpected setbacks--until she stumbles upon a dead body in the snow at the base of the Falls. When the victim's identity is revealed, both the family business and the family reputation are threatened. It's up to Win to find a murderer in order to protect everyone and everything her family holds dear.

As Win searches for clues, she realizes that nearly everyone in the village is a suspect because of prior dealings with the victim. The way forward is cloudy, but her best friend, the intrepid Maisie Solomon, is certain they can crack the case. Maisie, after all, is an avid fan of British crime dramas and is quite enthusiastic to try her hand at the investigative techniques featured on her favorite shows. Together Win and Maisie snoop, google, and stalk suspects, while interacting with their quirky village neighbors. Will they find the killer before it's too late?

Abby Collette has created a delightfully delicious mystery, complete with an engaging cast of ethnically and age diverse characters, a possible love interest, a decidedly regal cat, humorous scenarios, and mouthwatering ice cream flavors and desserts (recipes included). All of these features give the series a satisfyingly solid start, and leave me craving more scoops of adventure at the Crewse Creamery.

Bronwyn "Win" Crewse returns to her hometown of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, to renovate and re-open her family's beloved ice cream parlor, The Crewse Creamery. Win dreams of filling the parlor with customers hankering for her homemade ice cream, many from her grandmother's original recipes. Construction delays lead to the opening day happening not in the summer, but on a snowy October. And instead of a throng of customers, Win ends up finding the body of grifter Steve Bayard in the snow. When Win's father is accused of murder, it's up to Win and her quirky friends and family to solve the crime and clear his name.

This was a fun and tasty debut mystery and I look forward to reading more adventures at the Crewse Creamery.

I received an eARC from Netgalley and Berkley with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie

What a delightful surprise this first in a new series is! It is a solid series opener, with likable, well-defined characters and just the right amount of details about Win, her friends, the ice cream shop, and their possible suspects that give the reader as full of a picture as Win has at any given time.

Win received the Christmas gift of a lifetime, the opportunity to run Crewse Creamery, the family ice cream shop that her grandparents started over 50 years ago. Her grandfather, PopPop, decided it was time for her to excel at what he always believed she could. Win had a high-powered marketing job in the Big Apple until illness brought her home to Chagrin Falls, Ohio.

Her best plans and schedules came up against shipping, weather, and construction delays when remodeling the shop to look like a 50’s soda shop. The hoped-for opening of Memorial Day became October, and opening day – an early snowstorm. Not even one customer arrived to try her hand-crafted ice cream. Discouraged, she closed the shop early and sat on what had been Grandma’s bench out front. She reached into her backpack for her gloves and remembered what PopPop gave her that morning – the recipe box of Grandma Kay’s special ice cream creations! The first card she pulled out was for snow ice cream. Savoring the memory, she slid on a cardboard box sled to the foot of the falls where the snow was best. Hearing someone, she checked the stairs to see who she thought was a child running. Going back to get her snow, she tripped over something and fell flat. It was a man who wasn’t breathing. She didn’t even look to see who it was, just called 911.

The victim turned out to be a man Win had met early that morning, carrying a lost puppy. He told her how well he had known her family. Her mother told her who he really was. Stephen Bayard was the man who almost destroyed their family and the Creamery many years earlier. Mom called to warn Dad and PopPop about Bayard being in town, as if he were to show up to visit PopPop, Win’s dad might just kill him. And who does Detective Liam Beverly interview the next evening but Win’s dad, Dr. Graham Crewse, a surgeon, who works in a hospital where the unique murder weapon could be obtained.

Each primary character has been fun to get to know. Win definitely has the heart for the family business and her family! She will do anything to clear her father of suspicion of murder. Her two best friends are Maisie and Riya. They are each different in temperaments and talents, yet loyal to each other. It is Maisie, impulsive and an avid detective show aficionado, who talks Win into seeking out the killer. Win meets a young man who is a law professor from nearby Wycliffe College. “O” was a former police officer. Some of his suggestions to Maisie and Win regarding where to find information are helpful. He also recommends Win for her first catering jobs at the college. Win comes from an intelligent, supportive, enviable family, and her friends reflect the values she and her family espouse.

There were several things I enjoyed about this novel, one being how Win is the 3rd generation in Chagrin Falls, with childhood friends and folks who know each other well. I liked the Ohio setting and the contrast of opening Crewse Creamery on the day of the first winter snowstorm, which will make or break Win’s determination. Watching the women select suspects is stellar, especially as the impulsive Maisie jumps to interesting conclusions from start to finish. I could not come up with a suspect that I seriously felt was the killer, so there were definite surprises at the end! I am very satisfied with the outcome. Those who love ice cream will appreciate the tips for making it, as well as recipes that sound extraordinary, are included. I highly recommend this cozy mystery!

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review as part of their ongoing blog tour*