Murder at the Taffy Shop by Maddie Day is the 2nd book in A Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery series. The book can be a little confusing in the beginning, but everything a new reader needs to know is soon provided. There is a group of friendly characters in this series. I like the members of the book group as well as Mac’s family, especially her spunky grandmother. Mac’s African Grey, Belle is a delight. He has some great lines with my favorite being, “Cheese it, call the cops.”. Westham, Massachusetts is a cozy town with some charming shops. I enjoyed the descriptions of this tourist town (I want to visit). I did find the pacing to be on the slow side. The story needed more action. There is also a repetition of information that is annoying. In the first third of the book, it is mentioned a minimum of four times how Mac is not ready to marry and have children (I got it the first time). Case details are repeated as well (how the body was found especially). The whodunit had several suspects since Beverly rubbed most people the wrong way. I found it particularly easy to solve this whodunit (my mother says it is because I read so many mysteries). I have no doubt that most readers will solve this one long before the reveal. I enjoyed the references to other cozy mysteries. I would love a cozy mystery book group in my complex. Cozy mystery readers who like warm, relatable characters living in a cozy town where they can follow their day-to-day activities, will enjoy this book. Murder at the Taffy Shop is a cute cozy mystery with a bothersome Beverly, a verbose Belle, a gregarious Gin, a cute Cokey, and a well-meaning Mac.

I love Maddie Day's cozy Country Store Mysteries and while this one is very different, her humour and wonderful characters are present in this series as well. Protagonist, Mackenzie “Mac” Almeida, owns a local bicycle shop and is well liked in her home town. She is member of the Cozy Capers Book Group who read cozy mysteries and meet in the lighthouse, where Mac's brother lives, for their bookclub. They have also solved a mystery in the last book, so you know they are going to get involved in whatever crime pops up in Murder at the Taffy Shop. This book has one of the members, Salty Taffy Shop owner Gin, being the main suspect when a local woman, Beverly Ruchart is found dead in front of her shop. She has been poisoned and although she has a lot of people that do not like her, Gin is the one the police are interested. It seems someone is trying to frame her, but who and why?

Mac is a great protagonist as she is smart and is great at sorting out clues and putting things together. Her other bookclub members make an appearance in this one and they also help to gather information to sort out what is happening. Mac's niece, Cokey does not have as big a role in this book, but she steals whatever scenes she is in. Of course whenever there are pets in Maddie Day's books, you know they are going to play a huge part in the story. Belle, Mac's parrot is a hoot. She can talk, a lot, and it doesn't take long for her to mimic new words and phrases. What I love is how appropriate she is when she speaks up. I often figure out the culprits in these stories before the final reveal, but not this time. The showdown was exciting and nail biting, but Belle comes through to save the day. This is a well-plotted mystery, with enough suspects and red herrings to keep this reader invested in the story. The humour and likable characters were icing on the cake. I definitely recommend this book and series.

I had a lot of fun in reading this book. It's engrossing and entertaining.
The characters are fleshed out and the solid mystery kept me guessing.
REcommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This is the 2nd installment in the Cozy Caper’s Book Group mystery series. MacKenzie Almeida runs Mac’s Bike Shop in Cape Code and weekly attends a Cozy Capers Book group meeting. In this installment, her parents who are a pastor and an astrologer just got a new puppy for their granddaughter Cokey and their neighbor Beverly (who is also a customer at her bike shop) rushes over with a squirming puppy in her hands yelling that the dog had been in her garden. The next day when she is on her walk with Gin Malloy who owns the Taffy shop Mac learns that Gin’s current boyfriend Eli is Beverly’s former son-in-law and they are attending a fancy dinner that night. Beverly comes into Mac’s shop and leaves her bicycle for a tune up and Mac learns Beverly is friends with her mechanic Orleans. The next morning when she goes to meet Gin for their morning walk she is late so she decides to walk around to the clinic to see the flowers when she sees Gin over Beverly. Beverly is dead and Gin becomes one of many suspects. Flo the local librarian and one of the cozy caper group wants to investigate but Mac and Gin are hesitant after the run in the last time with a killer. Mac can’t seem to help herself and once again is on the lookout for a killer and begins to gets threats. There is personal drama with her boyfriend Tim as well as you learn more of her backstory with Police Chief Victoria and I like detective Haskins in this series. This is a good solid cozy and I love the role of her parrot Belle who is such a hoot. I look forward to the next installment in this series. So good.

Murder at the Taffy Shop is the second book in Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery series.
Written by Maddie Day it is another delightful and entertaining story.

I really enjoy this series because even though it is a cozy it presents all kinds of people and realistically portrays them. They each have their own life and problems and nothing is much sugar coated.
Mac, the main protagonist, is in a relationship and I have to say that I am very glad there is no love triangle which has for some reason became almost a staple in cozy mysteries but is not to my liking at all.

Main characters are well developed and are three dimensional and so well described that I could easily picture them in my mind. Mac's family relations are though strong and loving not without its issues.
I absolutely love that there is a book group that reads only cozies and real life authors are frequently mentioned throughout the book. Members of the group are the ones who help her in her investigations, they have very cautions approach to solving mysteries, and are very aware that they are only fans of mysteries and not trained professionals which only adds to the realism of the book.
Main protagonist has a hoot of a pet, which is a gray parrot and is extremely funny and entertaining. The humor is very nicely woven throughout the story.
Mystery is well presented, with several twists and turns, there is not too much inner dialogue. The clues are easy to follow, nothing is hidden and reader can enjoy solving the puzzle along with the amateur sleuth.

All in all a must read!

This is the first book I’ve read in this series, but I enjoyed it so much, I will go back and read the first one. I love books set in Cape Cod, MA. I’ve only vacationed there twice, but fell in love with the towns and the scenery. This book made me want to book a trip soon!

The characters are well developed and I enjoyed getting to know them, especially Belle, Mac’s African gray parrot. The mystery was intriguing and kept you guessing until the end. The relationships between family members and friends, as well as romantic (not too gooey sickly sweet) relationships developing, were appealing.

Overall, it’s a delightful cozy mystery that you can read quickly but enjoy a lot.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing Corporation for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

This is the second book in the Cozy Capers book group series by Maddie Day. And I wanted to love it because not only do I love cozies about book groups I have loved Maddie's other series. However, I can't seem to like the books or the series as a whole. I love the mystery aspect of the book as well as the setting, the writing is awesome. But for me I can't stand the main character, and in order to be invested for a cozy series you've got to at least not mind reading from the main character's point of view as they are solving the mystery. But for me I just can't. However, other cozy readers may love Mac. She's just not for me and that's okay.

In this second instalment in the Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery series by Maddie Day, Mackenzie 'Mac' Almeida is a bicycle shop owner who is settling back into the town where she grew up after several years away, working in Boston and touring, amongst other things. She runs "Mac’s Bikes" which caters for tourists visiting the quaint town of Westham, Massachusetts and she is a member of The Cozy Capers Book Group that reads cozy mysteries and meets weekly in the lighthouse where her half brother Derrick is a caretaker. Her mother is an astrologist and her dad is a minister.

Mac is best friends with candy maker Gin, the owner of Salty Taffy candy shop, and both are volunteers for the soup kitchen and the food pantry run by Mac's dad. They also meet up most days at 7 am sharp for walks rain or shine. Out visiting her parents one day who live just down the street, she encounters neighbour Beverly Ruchart, a professional genealogist who is a bit of a moaner and likes to complain about something and everything. A couple of days later, Mac sets off for her walk with Gin but is running a little late. Gin is seemingly behind schedule as well as she is not at their arranged meeting point outside of the Salty Taffy. She eventually finds her friend Gin kneeling on the path between her shop and the walk-in clinic next door. Beside her lies a dead body and it's Beverly. The police suspect that Gin had something to do with Beverly's death so Mac and the rest of the Cozy Capers jump into action to clear Gin's name. But will Mac piece together all of the clues?

In this cozy tale, Maddie Day wastes no time presenting the reader with the murder very early on. The author's characters are very engaging, their presences jumping from the pages and by the time I finished reading I felt I had gotten to know them quite well, whilst wanting to meet up with them again. Thirty-six-year-old Mac is curious, smart, friendly, and very hands-on. The diverse supporting characters were a hit for me as well; from Mac's family, the staff at Mac's Bikes, Mac's handsome boyfriend, Tim to Mac's African grey parrot, Belle, the local residents and others, the reader is treated to well-crafted characters. I liked the romantic interludes between Tim, a keen race runner and the owner of Greta's Grains, an artisan bakers business based in the town and Mac. Whilst the storyline builds upon the previous book, the novel can easily be enjoyed as an individual read.

The author gave me everything I could want from a fantastic cozy mystery making it easy to escape right into the humorous, light story. The suspects popped, the pacing was even and there were more than enough twists and surprises. If you enjoy a great cozy you need to check out this series. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Murder at the Taffy Shop and I can't wait to read the first in the series, Murder on Cape Cod, as well as revisiting Mac in book three, Murder at the Lobstah Shack.

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

Bike shop owner Mackenzie "Mac" Almeida, bike shop owner, book group member, and tiny house resident is a character with a lot of character. Definitely a bit of character shading by adding her overwhelming need to have everything in it's place, all neat and tidy. In addition to being efficient Mac is also very friendly, which makes her a successful business person who is surrounded by a group of supportive friends and loved ones. Unlike the victim of the story, Beverly Ruchart, who does not induce warm and fuzzy feelings in others, and thereby creating multiple suspects. Mac's BFF, who clearly has no motive, falls under suspicion, making it imperative that the Cozy Capers book club get to the bottom of the mystery. As with the many cozies, local law enforcement, and the State investigator, are not too keen on the groups involvement but they are happy to be kept informed of all the local gossip and any tidbits that they amazingly efficient texting Capers can provide. In addition to a story line that does not go in a straight line, with twists and turns, red herrings, high and low emotions, there are also some wonderful recipes at the end of the story. Do not worry if this is your first Cozy Caper Book Group mystery because it was my first one and there was plenty of back story provided through out the book that I did not feel lost. Great story with great recipes at the end of the book, I tried my hand at the deviled eggs and really like the variation of avocado instead of mayo.

Murder at the Taffy Shop by Maddie Day is a Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery and begins with Beverly, the woman who lived next door to her parents, returning he niece's puppy as if it had cooties. The reality was that he was just being a puppy and she didn't like the homeless people who came for meals at her father's adjacent church either, calling them, "riffraff." She was really just cranky. Then she ended up dead. It wasn't quite this straight a line, but close. Mac was hurrying to meet her friend Gin when she came upon Gin standing over Beverly's body. She was clearly dead, although there were no signs of why or how. Mac had a complicated life, what with her family, her bike shop, her boyfriend, Tim, and helping to solve crimes in her small town.

Mac was likable enough, and proud of her independence. She had Tim, who she loved, but her wanted children. She wasn't sure she did. She wasn't sure she wanted to move. She wasn't sure she wanted any changes at all. It was complicating everything, it turns out, Beverly had lots of people who were related or involved with her here in town. Who knew? Plenty of people sorry to see her gone. Sadly, just as many not sorry. This is a fun series with a plethora of diverse people coming together to make interesting lives for themselves. Beverly's death was a mystery; a good mystery; a very readable mystery. The story is full of interesting characters, outside of the mystery. Just people trying to live their lives. Like most cozies, there is a pet. In this case, a unique one: Belle, a parrot, who seems able to communicate, rather than just repeat, although she did that was well. She provided many moments of hilarity in a well-told story, a story worth reading. I recommend it.

I was invited to read a free ARC of Murder at the Taffy Shop by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. #netgalley #murderatthetaffyshop

This is the second book in the Cozy Capers Book Group Mysteries by Maddie Day.
Mac Almeida, owns a bike shop in Westham on Cape Cod. Her best friend, Gin Malloy owns a candy shop. Gin finds a very annoying local dead on the sidewalk. She becomes the number one suspect.
Our victim was harsh to many but had some redeeming qualities. I was happy to see some of those exposed.

There are plenty of twists and turns which keep me reading Ms. Day’s books. I am looking forward to more from this author in this series.

I was given an advanced reader’s copy. I am not required to leave a positive review.

Mac lives on Cape Cod in a small house behind her bicycle business. Her parents – an astrologist and a minister – live close by as well as her brother and 4-year-old niece. She loves her life. Her friend Gin attends a local party and finds the host dead the next morning. Mac can’t resist a good mystery especially when Gin is the main suspect.

This is my first read in this series. I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery and the wonderful characters.

cozy-mystery, murder, murder-investigation, amateur-sleuth, small-business, small-town, family, friendship, series, pets*****

I'm new to the series, but not to the author (I like her). The main character owns a bicycle rent/repair shop, lives in a Tiny House, has father who is a minister, a mother who is an astrologer, and has a verbose African Grey parrot. And is essential to the Cozy Capers Book Group who also had become sleuths to support her after she found a body in an earlier book. This time it is her good friend who finds the body of a rather obnoxious woman who has enough money to act like everyone should kowtow to her. Let the sleuthing begin! Great but quick read!
I requested and received a free temporary ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

Murder at the Taffy Shop is a well written cozy mystery. A very good plot with a cast of quirky characters. I recommend this book.

Murder At The Taffy Shop is the second book in the Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery series by Maddie Day.

MacKenzie(Mac) owns a Bike Sales/Rental/Repair shop in a quaint Cape Cod village. Her best friend, Gin, owns a Taffy Shop near Mac’s shop.

Gin and her boyfriend have been invited to a party at the home of Beverly Ruchart, a wealthy genealogist. After being insulted by Beverly a few times, Gin and her boyfriend leave the party early. The following morning Mac heads over to Gin’s shop to do their daily walk before opening their shops when Gin discovers Beverly’s dead body. Once the police learn about Gin and Beverly’s interaction the night before, Gin will become their prime suspect. Beverly had been rude to many of the locals, so there was no shortage of suspects. A member of Mac’s bookclub finally convinced her to investigate and clear Gin’s name.

Also on Mac’s plate is her relationship with her boyfriend, Tim. Tim gives her an ultimatum to either decide to move in together and start a family or go their separate ways.

I have read almost all of Maddy Day/Edith Maxwell’s books and have found them all well-written and plotted with a great cast of interesting and believable characters.

A selection of interesting and delicious-sounding recipes is also included.

I am looking forward to the next book in this exciting series.

Mac Almeida has a nose for trouble and a very inquisitive mind. She also has a talent for unmasking killers who cross her path on Cape Cod. She and her half brother run a bike shop, Mikes Bikes and her BFF, Gin, owns SaltyTaffy. Every morning she and Gin met to start their day. On this particular summer morning, Mac finds Gin standing over the dead body of Bev Ruchart. Of course Gin is innocent but becomes the prime suspect by the police thrusting Mac into the case to clear he friend. The list of suspects is pretty extensive as Bev wasn't much liked. One had to look very hard to find her attributes. As Mac says, who can't love a puppy? Bev, that's who.
Helping Mac is a great book group, The Cozy Capers (I'd love to be a member) and her boyfriend, Tim along with her father, a minister and her mother, an astrologer. Her niece, Cokey, is an adorable 5 year old with the cutest lisp. Add to the cast are Tucker, a three month old puppy and Mac's African Gray parrot, Belle. In most cozy mysteries it's a cat or a dog who steals the show and adds humor but in this series Belle is the one who does the stealing.
It was so nice to spend time on Cape Cod with this wonderful group of characters and to follow Mac as she clears Gin of suspicion. The mystery was well developed and, as usual, I guessed wrong. I'm looking forward the third book in the series, Murder at the Lobstah Shack due out on November 30, 2021
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Bikeshop owner Mac and her best friend taffy shop owner Gin find Beverly Ruchart outside the taffy shop dead one morning on their way to take their daily walk. Mac is determined to clear her best friend's name of the murder. Mac asks around about people who knew the deceased while also dealing with some hard things in her personal life. Can Mac help the cops find the killer before it's too late?

What can I say? Maddie Day really can do no wrong. I love her books! I really love that this book has a cozy mystery book club. I find that so much fun! I love Mac as a character. I love that she has quirks but is also willing to work with others. This book just makes me want to go rent a bike on Cape Cod! There were so many options for the whodunnit in this book that it had me guessing the whole way through. I loved the way it was solved, though! Bella is such a character and she keeps me laughing through the whole book. I can't wait for the next one!

Murder at the Taffy Shop: A Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery
By Maddie Day
Kensington
April 2021

Review by Cynthia Chow

In the year and a half since Mackenzie Almeida left her high finance job in Boston to return to the Cape Cod town of Westham, her life has only changed for the better. Her bicycle repair, rental, and retail shop Mac’s Bikes is continually busy meeting the demands of locals and tourists, while baker Tim Brunelle is proving to be the most attentive and attractive boyfriend ever. Not even cranky neighbor Beverly Ruchart’s complaints about the roving puppy recently adopted by Mac’s niece can dampen the mood…at least, not until the wealthy genealogist is murdered.

Beverly had recently hosted a dinner attended by her family members as well as Mac’s best friend Gin Malloy, who is currently dating Beverly former son-in-law. Although Gin recalls that that the dinner party was rife with strange undercurrents and tension, it is the candy from Gin’s Salty Taffy Shop that police believe may have poisoned Beverly. With one of their members in jeopardy, librarian Flo insists that the Cozy Capers Book Group use their knowledge of mysteries to prove Gin’s innocence while tracking down a murderer. Mac is one of the few hoping to stay on the more cautious side, especially since her relationship with the police is already a little rocky. Police Chief Victoria Laitinen wants nothing more than to throw Mac or one of her friends in jail, having never gotten over their teen rivalry or unjustly blaming Mac for the death of her brother. Despite the best intentions to do research from the safety of their homes online, it’s not long before Mac and her friends are questioning Beverly’s surly relatives and genealogy clients, all of whom were threatened by the possible discovery of competing heirs.

This second in the series by the prolific author who also writes under the Edith Maxwell name expands upon the life and crossroads Mac faces in her life. Living in a tiny house has only compounded Mac’s need for order and organization in her world, escalating her OCD tendencies. Even more terrifying than a roving murderer is pressure from Tim to make a commitment and start a family, with Mac’s slightly older age forcing a ticking time clock on the decision. As much as Mac loves Tim and her niece, adding their own children into the mix would definitely disrupt Mac’s very tidy life. So it’s no wonder that she finds distraction with a murder investigation, not to mention juggling duties at the shop and meetings with her Cozy Book Group. Mac’s amazing astrologist mother and Unitarian Universalist Church minister father offer wise advice and sympathetic counsel, both for her life and for the case. Those looking for food and humor in their reads will revel in the book group’s meetings that include treats prepared from the selected reads’ recipes, although the real delight is Mac’s African gray parrot Belle. Gifted with a talent for mimicry and a mastery of Alexa shopping, Belle’s quirky repetitiveness may ultimately help save the day. Readers will be anxious to know the next steps Mac takes in her life, especially if it means spending more time on the unique, seafood-filled town of Cape Cod.

Murder at the Taffy Shop by Maddie Day is the 2nd book in the Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery series, and another wonderful addition. I enjoy all of Ms. Day's series, they are never a disappointment. Mackenzie, Mac, Almeida owns a bicycle shop in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, where she keeps busy. Her good friend Gin owns a Taffy Shop and becomes the prime suspect in a women's murder. This book has great characters, well thought out plot, and an interesting mystery. I highly recommend this book, along with book one, Murder on Cape Cod too. Why not start out reading a new cozy mystery series from the beginning?
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

It's getting towards the end of summer in Westhaven, Cape Cod, and the tourists are hitting the area in droves. Mac is enjoying ask the extra visitors....especially the ones coming to her bike shop. She's hoping for a peaceful end to the summer... Unfortunately, that peace is soon broken when her friend Gin finds the body of a long-time (but not well-liked) summer visitor.

To clear their friends name, Mac and her Cozy Capers decide to give the police a hand in solving the mystery. Whether they want that help or not.

Excellent cozy mystery. The characters and the storyline are interesting and well-thought out. Lots of suspects and red herrings. I wasn't sure whodunit until the end.
Highly recommend this intriguing cozy mystery.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor.