This is number 2 in the Ice Cream Parlor Mystery series (Crewse Creamery). I really wanted to like this one, was so hoping the weaknesses of the first entry would be bolstered up, but unfortunately they still run rampant. The setting in a small coastal tourist town is lovely, lots of quirky small town characters, and a refreshing set of African-American characters, Bronwyn Crewse and her family and best friends. In this story, plans for a mall to be built in the middle of the quaint shopping area are revealed sending the town into a tizzy and leaving one of the entrepreneurs dead. Win's best friend Rory is visiting from New York and acting suspicious, then looking like a prime suspect, so Win and her friend Maisie set out to find the real killer. Unfortunately, as in the first book, they have absolutely no idea where to start or what to do. These are smart career women who suddenly turn brainless. Maisie is borderline insane. If I was there, I probably wouldn't slap her upside the head, but she would be permanently encumbered by a good bit of duct tape. And lots of tranquilizers. Just when Win is getting somewhere in an interview, Maisie will sabotage it. You will want to scream. There is no thinking ahead about anything, planning out an investigation, what we will ask, who and why.... That they can function in their day jobs is not reasonable, it is a miracle. I'm afraid I will not be reading #3. What a shame.

Bronwyn "Win" Crewse is worried when Zeke Reynolds, a big city developer from Rhys Enterprises, arrives in town with plans to build a hall in the heart of Chagrin Falls. Win worries about the effect such a development would have on the town's unique businesses, including her family's newly restored ice cream shop, Crewse Creamery. When Zeke is found stabbed to death in an alley the next day, Win wonders who was mad enough about the planned mall to kill him. Then Win gets another surprise when Rory, a colleague from her former New York employer arrives in town with plans to woo her back. But it soon because apparent that Rory is one of the key suspects in Zeke's murder. Rory lied about the timing of her arrival in Chagrin Falls and her distinctive designer shoes are found in the dumpster near the crime scene. Win reluctantly works with her friends Maisie and Rory to get to find the real killer.

This was another enjoyable read in the Ice Cream Parlor mystery series. I received a digital ARC from Netgalley and Berkley with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.

Abby Collette writes a different type of Cozy. Although there is a murder and people that want to solve it, the emphasis is different. This is a character driven cozy. The characters are well developed and the way they go about trying to solve the mystery is hilarious. It’s not an organized way of solving the crime, it’s more emotionally driven, one character going from one thing to the next and other characters trying to rein this person in. The mystery does get solved but not in a way one would expect!

Thanks to the author and NetGalley for providing an Advanced Copy.

Okay read. Interesting characters with a alright plot. The story was predictable and the ending rushed.

Hooray for another installment in this wonderful series! I loved book one in Abby Collette's Ice Cream Parlor Mystery series and couldn't wait to hang out with Win and her Crewse Creamery crew again! This was a delightful book.

Crewse Creamery is restored to its former glory and delighting the citizens of Chagrin Falls, Ohio with its original, tasty ice cream flavors. Yum! But when a city developer shows up intending to build a mall in their cozy little town, someone in this peaceful town decides to take matters into their own hands. Win's friend from NYC literally stumbles on the developer's body and immediately becomes the prime suspect. Win first has to figure out why her friend mysteriously showed up in Chagrin Falls, and then has to find the true killer because she knows her friend is innocent!

I just love Win and her precious family and friends! Crewse Creamery sounds like such a great ice cream shop, and Chagrin Falls a wonderful place to visit. The rapport between Win and her bestie Maisie had me laughing out loud. and PopPop is such a great character. I love Win's entire support network. As someone who is very close to my family, I love seeing close-knit families in books. I love how everyone comes together to help solve this latest crime in their usually peaceful town. The ice cream flavors had me positively drooling, too! Such a great addition to the cozy mystery genre. I'm a big fan of another of the author's series, too, the Romaine Wilder series that takes place in small town Texas. Highly recommend both series!

I love how when you look at this book you think it's a cutesy romance based on the cover and then BOOM. nope.

I love this first in series and was thrilled to receive this second in series for review. I appreciate a author that writes outside the box and this mystery features a black owned family business that is long overdue in the cozy world. This is a charming well crafted series with fabulous food references, great charcters and wonderful intriguing sleuthing. Thank you with gratitude to the publisher and to Net Galley. My review opinions are my own.

A Game of Cones is the second book in the Ice Cream Parlor Mystery series by Abby Collette.

Bronwyn is the protagnist sleuth with a heart of gold. Her shop Crewse Creamery is the only black-owned shop in a white suburb of Chagrin Falls in Ohio. The family business has been in same shop for over 56 years. Bronwyn has many friends in her community and her business is very popular.

A nefarious developer comes to town with plans to build a mall, Soon small business owners and residents are up in arms afraid his mall will take away from the local businesses. Soon he is murdered and the suspects abound and Bronwyn has her hands full sorting out clues amid the red herrings.

I enjoy this series for its outstanding charcters, the food references and the well crafted sleuthing. I was pleasingly surprised at the ending . I look forward to the next in series and more sleuthing adventures by Bronwyn and friends.

A cozy mystery set in suburban Cleveland, this book was good but at times felt a bit disjointed. There are multiple references to the murder from the first book, but it doesn't take away from enjoying this story. However, some characters were mentioned early on (Riya, Ivan) but don't show up again until very late in the book. Other characters (Uncle Garud) doesn't show up until very late in the book, and others are mentioned sparsely and/or never brought up again or (Lin, Mr. Manuto, the Detective). And I would have expected a detective to play a bigger role in solving the crime or interacting with the main characters, but the detective disappears pretty early on in the book. I do hope Rory plays a continuous role in the series as I think she rounds out Win's character more.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Books for the arc.

A Game of Cones is the second book in the Ice Cream Parlor Mystery series by Abby Collette. No case is too cold to crack! Being an amateur sleuth takes skill. You have to come up with something the police hadn't already thought of. You likely already have a personal relationship with the suspects, assuming you live in a small town. So needing to put aside your bias and truly solve a murder while running your small business is impressive!

Bronwyn "Win" Crewse is the resident amateur sleuth working her second murder. But let's back up a bit. Crewse Creamery is the only black-owned shop in a predominantly white suburb called Chagrin Falls in Ohio. The family business has been in the same spot for 56 years. But when a big city developer comes to town with plans to build a mini mall, you can imagine the reaction he got from long-term business owners and residents. It is hard to identify his killer when everyone has a motive.

Bookhearts know that I love a cozy mystery. Sprinkle in delightful supporting characters and easy-to-follow-in-real-life recipes. The key ingredient, though, is the main character. I found Win a bit loopy-minded at times but overall she is a likable character. Abby Collette has a way of developing female leads of color that can easily be a cousin or neighbor in readers' lives.

Too bad I was not offered a physical copy of A Game of Cones. It has a title that will draw attention from GoT fans and such a cute cover featuring chocolate manicured hands holding single scoop vanilla and strawberry ice cream cones. (The cat is a bit random so I'mma just ignore it.) Not only is it an appealing book cover but the story within is perfect for light spring reading.

Happy Belated Pub Day, Abby Collette! A Game of Cones is now available.

~LITERARY MARIE

We finally have another book of Wyn in the Ice Cream Parlor Mystery series. And it does include the whole gang (parents, grandfather, besties, and more). But don't you worry, we have another mystery when a body shows up in the shop alley.
Wyn is trying her best to keep cool and remain crimeless. But it seems solving crimes attract her when one of her friends become the main suspect of a murder. I don't know how Wyn does it but she seems to know what to do in any situation. 
I truly wish that we focus a little more on Wyn love life. I really want her to be with the detective. I am not feeling the professor. I don't feel the connection between them but whenever she interacts with a detective, there are sparks between them.

This was a lot of fun and a quick read. I enjoyed reading about the ice cream shop and watching Win and her friends try and solve the mystery. The characters are really amusing, especially Win’s PopPop. I enjoyed the friendships as well. My only complaint is the dialogue could get super repetitive, and the characters would act clueless at times which was frustrating to read about. Overall a really enjoyable read!

Solving a fun, cozy mystery while running a family ice cream shop overlooking a waterfall. Enjoyable characters and the ice cream flavors sound yummy!

I am a huge cozy mystery fan and when I got my hands on the first book of the Ice Cream Parlor mystery series by Abby Collette, I knew I needed to read the second book, "A Game of Cones," right away! Let me say it was just as great as the first and I am so excited for this series to continue on!

In A Game of Cones we are back with Win and her friends and family; however, this time around we are introduced to a developer who wants to turn part of the square into a shopping mall. This means that many small shops in Chagrin Falls would have to ay goodbye to their shops. Those within Chagrin Falls were not going to have it and after a meeting discussing this potential change, the developer ends up dead.

One of Win's friends stumbles across the dead body and becomes a instant suspect. Though Win knows she needs to keep her distance, she cannot help but get involved. Little did she know she would be face-to-face with the killer!

Thank you Berkley for the NetGalley ARC!

I have been looking forward to this next book by Abby Collette ever since I finished A Deadly Inside Scoop! I love the diverse characters, spanning a variety of ethnicities and cultures, and the combination of several different, strong (and quirky) personalities. I also love that it’s set in a Black owned business in a charming small town – and the yummy ice cream Win creates doesn’t hurt either! (Except maybe my waistline lol)

Bronwyn Crewse is a great cozy mystery heroine, and her best friends are a study in opposites. From feisty, kick-butt Riya to impetuous, free spirit Maisie to fashion-obsessed coffee addict Rory – each friend has a distinct personality, and each represents a side of Win’s own character as well. Add in her endearing Pop-Pop, her close-knit family, her newly returned Aunt Jack, Maisie’s perceptive grandmother, and a whole host of quirky village residents/shop owners with their fair share of secrets … and you’ve got yourself a delightful mix of characters who keep you invested in the story from beginning to end. (side note: Maisie & Win remind me of Lucy & Ethel, respectively)

I did miss seeing more of Detective Beverly this go-around (because his character intrigued me in book 1) and I felt as though Win’s potential love interest got sorta swept to the side in this book, with only a couple of token appearances – I would have loved the romance factor to be a little stronger, given how much time was focused on him in the first book. But that’s just minor preferences, and I’m sure they’ll show back up again in future books.

The mystery in A Game of Cones is complex with plenty of suspects and red herrings throughout. I kept changing my mind about whodunit and whydunit until the very last few pages before the mystery was solved. There’s still a little bit of mystery left around a couple of the town’s residents, and I’m curious to see how that plays out (or doesn’t) in the rest of the series.

Bottom Line: A Game of Cones is engaging and entertaining, and I grinned most of the way through it. The plot is well-crafted and easily holds your interest, and even though I had an inkling of who the murderer was I was going down a totally different road until just before the reveal when everything clicked into place for me. I love Bronwyn’s family (the one she was born into and the one she’s gathered around her), and I can’t wait to spend more time with these characters in the future.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

A Game of Cones, the second book in Abby Collette’s Ice Cream Parlor cozy mystery series, is a delightful treat, with all of the fun and flavor of that sweet dessert. It is the perfect sunny afternoon read.

Bronwyn Crewse, who has returned to Chagrin Falls, Ohio to run her family’s ice cream business, faces trouble on two fronts. First, a developer’s determination to build a mini-mall threatens not only the small-town atmosphere, but also, potentially, the livelihood of the small businesses – including hers – that have thrived in the area. On top of that, her friend and former co-worker, Rory Hunter, arrives in town, set on convincing Win to return to her prior job in New York. When Zeke Reynolds, the developer’s representative, is found murdered, evidence points to Rory, who is hiding some secrets of her own. Wanting to clear Rory’s name, Win (and her cohorts Maisie and Riya) decide to do some investigating of their own.

The two elements that make this book shine are the mystery and the comradery between Win and her friends. The mystery is tightly plotted, with a good number of suspects and red herrings. It kept me guessing for quite a while. The friendship between Win, Maisie, and Riya is natural and believable, even if there are (in my opinion) too many references to Acorn TV thrown in. Win’s friendship with Rory, too, takes an unexpected turn, and a revelation really strengthens the bond between them. While Rory is not meant to be a recurring character, I would hope the author would consider bringing her back, as it is her character that has a great deal of depth.

All in all, A Game of Cones is a fast-paced, entertaining novel. The Crewse Creamery ice cream recipes included at the end of the book are an added bonus!

Note: I received an ARC of A Game of Cones from NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group. The above is my honest review.

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie

This is a luscious second scoop of ice scream in Abby Collette’s new series! Our regular characters are very likable, the setting of a Midwest, family ice cream parlor is pure delight and the mystery had me stumped. The tasty-sounding ice cream that Win makes, many flavors based on her grandmother’s recipes, are an inviting location for this exciting cozy.

Chagrin Falls, Ohio welcomed the new and improved Crewse Creamery. Win has been in charge of the family ice cream parlor for several months after completing a major remodel. She uses her revered late grandmother’s recipes that people loved for decades and some that she creates herself. In a short time, the shop has become very successful again. Aunt Jack, who had run the store before Win did, has returned to town and sounds interested in running the shop again, even wants Win to change it back to how it was when she moved away.

Chagrin Falls is a quaint village with sole proprietors and mom-and-pop shops. Residents love it, but their way of life is now threatened by a developer who has been buying buildings in the village triangle to build a vertical mini mall. One of Win’s best friends, Maisie, has a vested interest in the development. Her community garden that helps many in need is at stake, as is the building she plans to purchase to give those in need a place to spend the day or get meals. The company Zeke works for, Rhys Enterprises, is purchasing the properties. He and his assistant, Veronica, are at the shop owners’ meeting to explain what is underway. Most people don’t welcome them, they want their hometown to stay the same. The day after the meeting, Win is at work early to make ice cream when Maisie came in with the news. Zeke was found murdered, in the alley behind some of the shops.

Detective Liam Beverly came to the Creamery to hear what happened at the meeting. He knows Win hears things as well as ask questions about what she shouldn’t. He asked her to keep him up to date if she does hear anything. Maisie thinks he wants their help to find the killer. She has been watching far too many cozy mystery series. Maisie tells everyone that their help was requested by the police. She suspects almost everyone, including her former boss, Ari.

Win is stunned when a former co-worker from the ad agency in the Big Apple has come on behalf of her old boss. Rory doesn’t like having Win’s former position as she no longer gets to draw or paint. She is extending an excellent offer so Win will take her job back. Win wouldn’t leave Chagrin Falls on a bet, no matter how much she is offered. Rory isn’t going anywhere soon, however, as she becomes the main suspect in Zeke’s murder. She said she accidentally found him, stepped in his blood, and threw her favorite, two-thousand-dollar pair of shoes away. She didn’t even know Zeke, or the company he worked for.

Win talked Rory into telling the police what she knew, since they would find her fingerprints on her shoes. Liam questioned Rory at length, so Win’s family soon joined her at the station. Despite not wanting to get involved, Win wants Rory to go back to Manhattan without a murder hanging over her head, so Win, Rory, and Win’s best friends Maisie and Riya ask questions. They found a killer before to keep her father out of orange jumpsuits, so hopefully they can get Rory off the hook, too.

Win, her family, and friends really make this novel fun! Her family is close knit and loving, each with a personality as unique as Win’s ice cream flavors. Three generations of Crewse look out for and love each other. Each is defined as fitting their roles. Maisie is funny, especially as she jumps in with both feet every time she has a new suspect. Win describes various people and situations through the perspective of ice cream, such as the consistency of a DQ Blizzard. Win, her family and friends have a strong work ethic; some family members help without expecting to be paid.

This novel can be read as a standalone with sufficient backstory included of certain situations to bring the new or returning reader up to speed. The village sounds very attractive, and the ice cream shop a wonderful meeting place in the area. I chased a red herring for a while even though I really liked the person, and the real killer was not someone I even considered! I highly recommend this cozy mystery and series, and look forward to the next in series.

Bronwyn (Win) Crewse is the manager of her family-owned ice cream shop, called Crewse Creamery in small-town Chagrin Falls, Ohio. During a town planning meeting, a city estate developer mentions his plans to build a high rise shopping mall in the historic town triangle. Later that day, he is found dead in an alleyway by a friend of Win's visiting from New York City.

Win, an MBA graduate, used to work in New York City but was finding the pace of life too hectic for her there. She has worked hard to renovate Crewse Creamery and develop her Gran's sweet frozen treat recipes whilst inventing a few of her own. Maisie Solomon has been her best friend since they went to first school together. After a visit from Detective Liam Beverly, the exuberant Maisie's convinced that he was asking her and Win help with the investigation.

One of my favourite aspects of A Game of Cones is Win's family and their closeness including her wise, overprotective granddad, referred to as PopPop, and her supportive parents and it's a delight to observe their interactions. Aunty Jack, who left Chagrin Falls in pursuit of other things, has returned with an interest in taking over Crewse Creamery, causing several problems for Win who's sunk shedloads of cash into making the ice cream parlour a very successful business with expansion on the periphery. It was fun to be in the pockets of a rather reluctant Win and the wild, garrulous and excitable Maisie as the pair hunted for clues leading them to become embroiled in various situations.

A Game of Cones is a highly recommended five star read that will be of interest to many cozy readers, and I’m game to see what shenanigans Win and Maisie get into next in book 3. If you haven’t tried this series out yet, then you’re definitely missing out!

Thanks to Berkley, Great Escapes Book Tours and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this novel at my request. This review is my unbiased opinion.

This is my second book by Abby Collette, and I loved it as much as the first in this series. It's funny and witty, and the perfect thing to read to both relax you and stimulate your curiosity. The characters are refreshing yet familiar. I loved it.

A Game of Cones is book two in the ice cream parlour series, and I enjoyed getting to Chargin Falls with the Crewse Crew.

Bronwyn ‘Win’ Crewse finds herself investigating another murder in her small town, rather reluctantly I might add by pressure from Maisie. This time the suspect pool is vast as it was a property developer who met his untimely fate, bringing plans to build a mall in this quaint like town that saw opposition from the town shopkeeper’s association.

I had kinda figured out who had done it fairly early on, but that didn’t distract me from the story as I really enjoyed daydreaming about all these delicious new ice cream flavours that Win was coming up with – FYI there are some amazing recipes at the end of the book!

Dollycas’s Thoughts

We are back in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, and the family-owned Crewse Creamery now managed by Bronwyn (Win) Crewse. She has really turned the business around with fresh and unique ice cream flavors, but her aunt is back in town with her own ideas for the shop and plans to push Win out. Bronwyn and other Chagrin Falls business owners also have a huge new concern. A developer has come to town with plans to buy up all the stores and businesses and erect a high-rise mall on the town triangle. Win’s friend and former co-worker Rory has also come to town on a mission to lure Win back to her old job with a big raise and more benefits.

The community is up in arms about the mall. So much so, someone killed off the developer. The police are investigating but it is Rory that lands on the top of the suspect list when she reveals she is the one that found the body and a key piece of evidence belongs to her. She has no motive and claims she didn’t kill the man and Win believes her friend. Now they just have to find the real killer and clear Rory’s name.

I love ice cream and mysteries so this story was perfect for me!

Ms. Collette has written a strong leading lady in Bronwyn Crewse. She took a real chance leaving her career in the big city behind to come home and revive the family ice cream parlor. She has some great ideas and seems very happy with her decision. I love the relationship she has with her PopPop. They meet bright and early every day for breakfast before she heads off to create the yummy ice cream flavors of the day. He then shows up and spends several hours at the shop visiting with customers, keeping an eye on things, and giving Win advice as needed. She has a few employees but her crazy friend Maisie and friend Rita, also help out when they can. When it comes to sleuthing Maisie and Riya are Win’s sidekicks. Maisie comes up with the most outrageous ideas and theories. She has learned everything about solving mysteries from watching every television drama out there, making her an “expert”. She is a real hoot and a half. These core characters are so well crafted. Diverse and engaging, with very believable family dynamics, these are characters I love after just 2 books in the series.

Readers are introduced to several new characters including Win’s friend from New York, Rory. She was welcomed into the family immediately. A true coffee connoisseur, it was so funny to follow her on her quest to find the perfect cup in the small town of Chagrin Falls. I really liked this character and the way she evolved over the course of the story. I hope she pops up again in future books.

The mystery itself was very complicated with a lot of characters involved. I was using the notes feature on my Kindle to keep everyone straight. Even using that feature I was unable to solve the case before all was revealed. The developer wanting to revitalize the downtown area is a current-day hot topic many communities are facing. Thankfully most handle it without murder 🙂

A Game of Cones is a great addition to this series and a great escape. I am already packed for my next mini vacay to Chagrin Falls. My only complaint is that the book doesn’t come with free ice cream samples to devour while we are reading. You may want to pick up a pint or two before you start the book