DNF for me unfortunately. From the very beginning I was met with questionable editing, and incorrect grammar which made it hard for this neurodivergent gal to really immerse herself in the story. I also found the writing lacking in suspense, it reads almost identical to rom com novels. As I don’t read blurbs I had no idea it was meant to be a thriller. It was just weird. Highly recommend if it sounds like you might enjoy it, it just wasn’t for me.

Another good installment in the Lickety Splits series. I love the cover. It's a fun, easy to read cozy mystery. I liked the setting. I'm still really enjoying the whole making ice cream aspect.

Here’s the scoop! It was supposed to be an exhilarating Ice Cream themed workshop at the Mohawk Mountain Resort but there was a storm causing a tree to leave the small quirky group stranded at the motel, and even worse, with a dead body and no explanation.
Thank you Netgalley, Kensington Books, and Cynthia Baxter for the opportunity to read and review this book. This little gem is the forth book in the Lickity Splits Mystery series. Though it’s part of a series, I have yet to read the first three and had no problem reading it as a stand alone. I thought it was a cute and enjoyable cozy mystery. I enjoyed the fun facts on ice cream that were given at the beginning of each chapter. The characters were pretty quirky in their own ways. It was a quick and easy read with some twists and turns as well as the ever loving cutesy romance. If you like cozy mysteries, give this one a whirl! I rate this ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I appreciate the publisher allowing me to read this book. I love this series the characters are so friendly, can't wait for the next one.

Game of Cones by Cynthia Baxter is the fourth book in the cozy A Lickety Splits Mystery series. Each book in the series does contain it’s own mystery that will be solved so they can be read as a standalone or in any order if choosing to do so. However, for those that follow the series from the beginning there will be some character development that carries over from book to book.

In this series Kate McKay had left her hometown after high school and had gone onto college and then a career in Manhattan. However, when Kate received news that her grandmother needed someone to come care for her Kate quickly returned to Wolfert’s Roost near the Hudson Valley, giving up her career. Once back in her hometown Kate decided she would follow her dream of opening her own ice cream shop to begin a new career path.

Kate’s business had been booming but now that colder weather has arrived she sees a need to drum up some new customers. Kate decides to head to Mohawk Mountain Resort to hopefully gain some new business but as soon as Kate arrives she finds herself alone with only a handful of guests. Unfortunately for Kate her habit of stumbling onto murders happens again when after a blackout the body of a wealthy guest, Bethany La Montaigne, appears leaving Kate to find yet another killer.

I have been following the A Lickety Splits Mystery series since the beginning and have found that I rather enjoyed each book that comes along. I think of this one as my don’t judge a book by it’s cover read because I wasn’t a huge fan of the covers on these compared to a lot of cozies but the characters and setting are very enjoyable so I remain glad I took a chance on them. This one moved the story to a isolated hotel and gave a nice spooky vibe to the setting. Also, one thing in this series that I love is at the beginning of every chapter there are brief facts listed on ice cream and I thought that was a cute addition to include to highlight the series.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

A lighthearted murder mystery which I thought sounded like it would have a really cute plot. In reality this mystery was just a little too predictable for me and while I did enjoy some aspects of the story the plot itself seemed to be lacking in some areas. I actually liked the characters at the start but as the book progressed some of the characters seemed to have quite significant changes to them.
I believe this is part of a series but I think it read fine as a stand-alone.

I really liked the plot of the story but the mystery was very predictable.
Also an ice cream maker staying at a high end hotel didn’t seem very plausible. And once there was a murder, the plot started having many holes.
Still it was a fast and enjoyable read.

I chose this book from Netgalley because of the punny title and the fact it was about ice cream. I was unaware it was the fourth book in a series, but I don't think that mattered much. It soon became apparent, though, that this was very poorly written. The title and the ice cream were the best things about it.

The characters were unlikable stereotypes who didn't seem to care that someone had been murdered in their midst and their body left somewhere in the hotel, never to be mentioned again. One even had a complete change of character, going from creepy to puppy dog in a matter of a few pages. The plot was ridiculously implausible. Police would have been on the spot, no matter what the weather, and it would not have been up to one of the guests to inform the family about the death. Mrs Moody's backstory was extremely unlikely from a legal perspective. And what kind of ice cream business owner goes to a remote hotel without knowing if there are decent refrigeration facilities?

At once stage, Kate's niece said Google was her friend, and it's clearly the author's friend also because she used it to provide unrelated facts about ice cream at the start of each chapter, even down to including the URL of the website the fact came from. There were pages describing what a cult was, like it was some novel concept, and even an explanation of foosball. One can only assume the author thinks she needs to spoon-feed her readers because they aren't capable of looking up new words for themselves if they don't know them. But would they really not have heard of them?

And then there was the actual writing. At one point, the word 'suddenly' was used three times in two short sentences. This could have benefited from a good editor, both for writing and content. Kate was written much older than she was meant to be, more Miss Marple than Nancy Drew.

Overall, then, not one I would recommend. Despite the ice cream, I won't be reading the rest of the series or any other by Baxter.

***Disclaimer: This e-ARC was provided to me by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Huge thanks to them. ***

Kate and her boyfriend Jack are headed to an exclusive mountain resort for an ice cream making weekend. Right after they arrive they are trapped by a fallen tree on the road. This is quickly followed by a murder. The whole thing was weird - really weird - like B horror movie weird. The mystery was unfortunately very weak. I kept reading since it was a creepy book even if it was completely unbelievable.

I received a copy of the book from Netgalley to review. Thank you for the opportunity.
A lighthearted, ice cream filled murder mystery, perfect for those looking for a mystery to entertain and engage. I think this book would appeal more to those who enjoy mysteries but perhaps don't like the gritty and dark ones that are also present. The characters are interesting and quirky. The writing is good.
An OK read.

This book is part of a series, I hadn't read the others but had no problem reading it as a stand alone novel.

Kate has been invited to a fancy hotel to give a seminar on ice cream and takes her (maybe) boyfriend for company. A combination of snow and a falling tree means there are fewer guests than expected and they are trapped at the resort. With no Police able to investigate Kate decides to see if she can catch the murderer.

The victim is not popular and most of the guests have a reason to kill her. The guests are remarkably calm about being trapped with a murderer but its an easy to read cosy novel.

Wow, this book was bad. I should start off by saying that I have not read any other books in the series but I don’t think that really hindered my reading experience.

This book was SO childish. I feel like I would’ve liked this if I was in like sixth grade. The tone of the novel is just so immature. I know the series is about ice cream but literally everything is compared to ice cream and it quickly became annoying. I wish this wasn’t the case because this book had potential, I was excited to be able to read a cute easy book but this book wasn’t it.

Another issue I had was that a mini history lesson was given when anything new was mentioned. For example, cults were mentioned (and not super relevant) and the author wrote multiple pages (on the ebook, not sure about the physical) about cults as if the reader has never heard of the concept; because this information was not crucial to the book, the author should have skipped the history lesson and let the reader Google the topic if needed.

However, the biggest issue I had with this novel was that there was a murder and no one cared. These characters were stuck at a resort for the weekend with a murderer and dead body and no one is batting an eye????? It does not make sense and truly ruined the novel.

While reading this novel I found that I could not connect to any of the characters because they were all super unlikeable and the plot was just so boring and mundane. The most interesting characters were the resort employees, unfortunately they did not get enough attention. I wish the author really examined these characters.

I think this novel would’ve been significantly better if the author took a step back and looked at the story as a whole. Fixing the plot holes and going more in depth would have been extremely beneficial. This novel just felt unnecessary.

I read Game of Cones three times before I decided to write this review. The idea of having an ice cream shop owner conduct an ice cream-making class while staying at what is supposed to be a high-end hotel sounds sweet and is enough to catch a reader’s attention but in truth is gets a bit sour once you read the story.

Kate and her boyfriend arrive at the hotel just as a storm hits and find themselves cut off from any help. At first, things go okay, they meet the guests who will be attending Kate’s lectures and demos, and even though they are an eclectic group, they seem excited and happy to be there and are looking forward to making and eating lots of ice cream. This is wonderful for Kate and thrills her even with a storm raging. But soon after they settle in, a murder occurs, and now they find themselves locked up with a killer on the loose.

Most of the book’s characters are average; I like the mystery surrounding the hotel’s manager more than the murder mystery aspect. However, I do not care for Kate’s boyfriend. His sudden show of temper when he thinks things are not going his way should be a warning to Kate. How many abused women forgave an abuser when he first yelled or displayed a bad temper only to find themselves beaten and worse later on?

The mystery was okay but not great. Even in a hurricane, the police would have been up the mountain, clearing away the debris as soon as they received the call that a murder had taken place. People would not have been left on their own to possibly mess with the evidence and dispose of anything incriminating. As far as I am concerned, the killer was easy to figure out right from the start. Ice cream aside, without a reasonable investigation and some concrete evidence, no plot will work, and unfortunately, I found this one lacking on many fronts. Overall, Game of Cones is an okay, easy, and quick read but is not overly exciting, and I hope it improves with the next installment.

In this next book of the series Kate is headed to a secluded resort to lead a workshop all about Ice cream, how to make it, picking flavors that match and more. Her boyfriend Jake has come along to act as an assistant as well as spend quality time with his girl in a mini vacation. The two reach Mohawk Mountain Resort during a storm, a tree falls in the road behind them stranding them and all those who are already there for the weekend workshops. The two find themselves surrounded by some very odd characters but hope to make the best of the weekend while waiting for the storm to end and the road to be cleared. When a female guest is murdered the first night everyone can't help but look at each other. Kate knows that one of the guests or resort people has to be the killer but who and why needs to be answered. Kate and Jake stay close to one another and preform the workshops.but as they do they look at the guests to see if they can co.e up with any clues. The two know they must figure things.out before something else bad happens and they end up on the wrong side of a killer.

Princess Fuzzypants here: Kay and her boyfriend head up to a historic inn where she is going to run an ice cream workshop while the two rekindle their romance. What should have been a fairy tale turns into a horror movie. A wicked storm traps them on the property with no way in or out and no one to come to the rescue. And rescue may be what they need. On the first night of the weekend, one of the participants, a spoiled waste of space heiress, is murdered. Clearly the suspect pool is limited to the few people who in the building.

While Kay soldiers on with her workshops, she is also investigating the attendees and the two staff people on premises. She discovers there are plenty of clues in the backstories of each of them. She is amazed at the connections she discovers and with each discovery, there is a motive. Can Kate find out the truth before help arrives or the killer decides she knows too much.

Often in these cozies the reason the heroine gets involved in the mystery can be a bit wobbly. By having the people confined to an area, it eliminates any question. The story itself is twisted enough to entertain and fascinate and the characters would fit into a classic English mystery.
It makes for an enjoyable read.

Five purrs and two paws up.

Game of Cones: A Lickety Split Mystery
By Cynthia Baxter
Kensington
November 2020

Review by Cynthia Chow

With business understandingly slowing down during the Upstate New York winter, Lickety Splits Ice Cream Shoppe owner Kate McKay is looking forward to the frozen confection-themed We All Scream for Ice Cream weekend at the Mohawk Mountain Resort. The hotel’s general manager will not only be paying Kate to present workshops and demonstrations on how to create her beloved icy treats, Kate will be able to make it a paid vacation with old high school boyfriend Jake. Her dreams of a catered, relaxing weekend are dashed when a fallen trees completely blocks the road leading up to the Catskill Mountains historical hotel, closing off guests from the normal chefs, maids, and bellhops who had not yet arrived.

The weekend soon becomes a locked-in murder when Kate finds one of the guests, makeup maven Bethany La Montaine, stabbed to death after a power outage. Now trapped in a creepy old mansion (ok, a stunningly gorgeous resort), Kate must use her limited resources to discover who finally put an end to the wealthy executive in charge of her family’s business. Rival former coworkers, a handsome boyfriend, a strange butler, and a determined hotel manager are among those with mysterious pasts and possible connections to the victim.

This fourth in the series by a prolific author takes her characters out of the Wolfert’s Roost setting and delightfully places them in a classic locked-room mystery setting. It gives Kate permission to release her curiosity not just to solve the murder, but to prevent another murder before the authorities can arrive. That doesn’t mean that Kate still won’t have time to demonstrate her mouth-watering ice cream recipes, which are included for readers to try out even if they don’t have ice cream machines. Limited Wi-Fi access has Kate relying more than ever on her friends back in her Hudson Valley hometown, as they are able to use the Internet to delve in the suspects’ pasts and hidden secrets. Twists and unexpected surprises will have readers surprised by the final reveal, with the conclusion granting Kate with heartwarming satisfaction as well. This is the perfect book to curl up with during the winter season, as nothing could be better than this fun blend of culinary cozy with a traditional mystery twist.

4 stars

This is the fourth book in the Lickety Split Ice Cream Shoppe series by Cynthia Baxter.

I have to admit something. I really do love this series. But this installment just didn’t seem to catch me as the previous three did. I didn’t feel as connected to the characters like I had previously. It could be that the entire cast was off site at a different location. Not entirely sure why.

The story was interesting. There was a whole corporate beauty aspect that was a cool idea and implemented well. The book is easy to read and well plotted. So I am not sure what my problem was. I think it comes down to that “it factor” they always talk about. There was something missing and I can’t quite put my finger on what it was that stiemied me.

Overall it was decent, readable. Good. But don’t just take my word for it. Dig into this awesome series for yourself!

If you like cozy mysteries, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.

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.

Game of Cones by Cynthia Baxter is the 4th book in A Lickety Splits Mystery series, and another fun addition. Kate McKay left her high powered job in New York to return home to care for her grandmother and open up her dream ice cream shop. Kate and her boyfriend Jake set out for Mohawk Mountain Resort, a historical hotel so she can give clients a weekend workshop on ice cream. Do to a blizzard and road closure, they are stuck there with some interesting characters. When one of the participants is murdered, the sleuthing begins. I really enjoyed this book, and can't wait to continue Kate's adventures in the next book. Not only is this book fun, it has a great mystery also. I found this book to be a quick read, with twists and turns around every corner. If you love fun cozy mysteries, I highly recommend this book and series. 
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Kate McKay runs an ice cream shop in Wolfert's Roost, the quaint Hudson Valley village where she grew up. Kate is treating herself to a well-deserved busman's holiday but from the moment she arrives at the imposing Mohawk Mountain Resort, looking forward to some time alone with her boyfriend Jake, she finds herself in a tricky situation. She is stranded at the isolated hotel with a corpse who turns out to be wealthy cosmetics executive Bethany La Montaigne...

Cynthia Baxter's fourth Lickety Splits Mystery is all about ice cream, so it was a no-brainer for me to pick up Game of Cones. A good cozy murder-mystery and a big tub of Cappuccino Crunch ice cream - what's not to like! Right away, I loved the atmospheric setting - the perfect backdrop for a murder. Kate had many endearing qualities and I found her to be caring, amusing and dedicated. The descriptions of the ice cream flavours, sundaes, and other treats had me practically drooling and I'm very keen to try out the recipe for Lemon Ice Cream, and the one for Frozen Zabaglione (a custard). Learning all about the different types of ice cream as well as the history of ice cream making was a neat touch by the author. Overall, a superb locked-room style cozy that should not be missed, for cozy mystery food-lovers!

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Kensington Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

Kate MacKay and her maybe boyfriend are headed up to the Mohawk Mountain Resort for an ice cream themed weekend. Kate is giving several sessions on ice cream to promote her Lickety Splits ice cream shop. The weather is stormy and halfway up the narrow road a large tree falls on the road behind them. This leaves them with no escape. Unfortunately, this leaves a small group of people who already arrived and no staff who had the day off.

This is the first book I read in the series. It reads well as a stand-alone. I enjoyed the characters and the mystery.