I absolutely loved this first in the Ice Cream Shop Mystery series! I really enjoy the fact that Riley was a CIA librarian--for some reason this cracks me up, but she's also a bad ass! The cast of characters in the series are fun, silly, but also so helpful in solving the murders. And hello, ice cream!! I can't wait for the next in the series!

Riley Rhodes has returned to her hometown for the funeral of her best friend, Caroline’s, mother. When Caroline’s brother is found dead and his famous girlfriend is missing, Riley decides do do a little investigating of her own.

Riley is a likable and interesting protagonist. She smart, observant, and has a unique job as a librarian for the CIA. The mystery is well-crafted with plenty of twists along the way. If I had to pick something to improve upon is storyline did slow down some where in the middle, but picks back up with a strong reveal.

All thoughts and opinions are my own, I have not been influenced by anyone.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic copy to read in exchange for an honest review.

I love this new series! The characters are neat - a range of likeability among them. The setting lends itself well to a cozy series. I also like how the author has set up an ongoing conflict about the land trust that will continue throughout the series.

Riley is summoned home by her best friend Caroline to rural Penniman, Connecticut. Caroline’s mother has passed away and she needs help running Udderly delicious, the farms ice cream
shop. At a cross roads in her career Riley decides managing the shop and being near her dad is perfect for now. Caroline and her brother Mike have an argument over the fate of the farm and his body is discovered the next day by Riley. She must uncover secrets while trying clear Caroline of murder and scooping enough ice cream that she swears one arm is bigger than the other. This book has great characters and spoiled cats to make you laugh.

I appreciate the publisher allowing me to read this book. I really enjoyed reading it the plot was interesting and the characters made me want to know more about them. I highly recommend.

Overall I enjoyed reading this cozy mystery. This is the first book in a new series. Riley Rhodes has returned home to attend the funeral of her best friend, Caroline's mother. While visiting there is some discussion of what will happen to the farm and the beloved ice cream shop now that her mother has died. Caroline and her brother, Mike do not agree on what to do. When Mike is murdered and Caroline is suspected Riley sets out to solve it. There is a lot going on in the book. Along with the current crime there are also some unsolved crimes from the past. There are plenty of suspects and the mystery was good. I was able to solve it. I liked the small town setting, the characters and the ice cream shop. The ice cream flavors all sound wonderful. I look for word to reading the next book in the series. Enjoy

Riley is a librarian for the CIA on occasional assignment when the last one ends badly. Licking her wounds, she's back in her home town of Penniman, Connecticut after her best friend' Caroline's Aunt Buzzy dies. When Caroline's brother is killed after the funeral, she can't help getting involved. Riley is a great character and the book has he dad's bookshop, two quirky cats, the ice cream shop and even recipes--so what's not to like? I had the mystery mostly figured out but it's a cozy, and that's normal. I do want to try both ice cream recipes in the book. In fact, make sure you have ice cream around when you read it--it will have you craving it.

The Rocky Road to Ruin, the first book in Meri Allen’s new Ice Cream Shop Mysteries series, has it all – a complex murder mystery, intense family rivalry, and a sweet hometown that adds up to an enjoyable cozy mystery.

Riley Rhodes, an ostensible travel blogger, with a clandestine job as a librarian for the CIA, heads back to her hometown of Penniman, Connecticut to attend the funeral of her best friend, Caroline’s mother. While there, she gets caught up in the family drama. Caroline and her brother Mike can’t agree on how to run the family business they’ve inherited, the Udderly Delicious ice cream parlor. What starts off as a family feud becomes a murder investigation when Mike is found dead, and Caroline is targeted as a suspect. Riley knows that Caroline would not do such a thing and feels honor bound to clear Caroline’s name, all while juggling duties at Udderly Delicious.

This is a really interesting book. I like the idea that Riley is a CIA librarian, and although it doesn’t really have much to do with this mystery, her hidden career has great potential for the subsequent books. The family infighting also brings an added dimension to the story, increasing the tension and ratcheting up the stakes. There are a wide variety of suspects (and ice cream), with twists, turns, and red herrings sprinkled throughout. And the included recipes had me wanting to put my ice cream maker to work.

All told, The Rocky Road to Ruin is an “udderly” delightful treat. I am looking forward to sampling the next installment of this series, Mint Chocolate Murder.

Note: I received an ARC of The Rocky Road to Ruin from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press. The above is my honest review.

What an amazing way to kick off a series.

First of all, I want to be a travel food blogger, CIA Librarian, and wind up working in an ice cream shoppe solving crimes!!!! That’s the American Dream!!

This is a great read for anyone who enjoys the softer side of the mystery genre, not just cozies.

I love Riley and Caroline and their amazing friendship. I hope I get to hang out and solve crimes with them for a long time.

I'm a newbie to Meri Allen's cozy mysteries and this one was definitely one of my favorites. The author definitely leaves readers on their edge of their seats with her delightful story and makes you crave various ice cream flavors that she shares the recipes for and also shares them within the story. Also enjoyed the heartwarming characters who looked out for each other as well as protecting their favorite farm and favorite ice cream shop. Highly recommend to all cozy mystery lovers and ice cream fanatics.

Ooh, I always love meeting new characters in a new mystery series. All of the ice cream flavors they kept talking about made me crave a giant ice cream cone. This series could be dangerous for my waist line, hahaha.

I thought this mystery was well written, I enjoyed all of the hints that were dropped throughout the story. I didn't guess who the killer was until shortly before the reveal, I totally thought it was a different character for the better part of the story. Can't wait to see what book #2 brings, good thing I don't have to wait long.

THE ROCKY ROAD TO RUIN by Meri Allen
The First Ice Cream Shop Mystery

Riley Rhodes has returned to her hometown of Penniman, Connecticut for the funeral of her friend Caroline’s mother. The funeral has barely finished when Carolyn and her brother Mike start butting heads. While Carolyn wants to keep the family farm and ice cream shop Mike is eager to sell it to developers, and sell it quick. On her morning jog the next day Riley follows a kitten only to find Mike's dead body. Now Riley will help Caroline run Udderly as she also tries to scoop up a killer!

THE ROCKY ROAD TO RUIN will have you craving quality ice cream as you devour every page. I absolutely loved this series debut. Likable characters, shifty characters, and characters you want to be guilty inhabit the charming town of Penniman. Descriptions of the surroundings and scrumptious ice cream flavors, along with recipes in the back of the book, add flavor and small town appeal.

The first Ice Cream Shop Mystery is intricately plotted with lots of surprises. Remember, appearances can be deceiving. Snippets of backstory were gradually added in, and like the seeds in the sunflower ice cream, made a huge difference. There's still a lot to learn and I look forward to uncovering more as the series progresses.

A unique storyline, engaging characters, charismatic cats, and mouth watering descriptions of ice cream make THE ROCKY ROAD TO RUIN a lip smacking good read. Grab a cone or a cup of frozen goodness and settle in for a fun mystery.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

In this first book from Meri Allen’s Ice Cream Shop Mystery Series, we meet Riley Rhodes. Riley has a cool job working as a CIA librarian using being a travel food blogger as her cover. Her last undercover mission was in Italy and it ended badly. She now has two reasons to return home to Penniman, Connecticut. She needs to regroup after what happened in Italy but also her friend Caroline’s mother has passed away. She has so many great memories of spending time with Caroline on her family’s farm and working at the Udderly Delicious Ice Cream Shop. She always ate her share of ice cream too.

Now she wants to help Caroline in any way she can as she and her brother Mike make plans regarding the farm’s and ice cream shop’s future. Those two rarely agree on anything so Riley is not surprised they have totally different ideas about what to do with their newly inherited assets. After a bit of a blow-up Mike takes off to a cabin on the property with his girlfriend vowing the hash things out with his sister another day.

But that day doesn’t come. Instead, the next day, Riley finds Mike’s dead body in the barn and his girlfriend is missing. Knowing the argument between the siblings is going to have Caroline on the hot seat with the police Riley delves into her own investigation. She hopes to get the scoop on the killer before someone else gets creamed.

Riley is a very likable protagonist. I love that she has a CIA connection and that she is a librarian. Librarians are so knowledgeable and know how to ask the right questions. I am sure her CIA training has built upon those skills. Skills a great amateur sleuth needs. I admire her dedication to her friend Caroline who has to deal with so much. First her mother’s passing and then her brother’s. She also has a regular job she just can’t drop to handle the farm and ice cream shop. Riley doesn’t think twice, she jumps right in and volunteers to help with no time limits.

Caroline’s mother was beloved by so many and revered for all she had accomplished. We learn this from a variety of supporting characters who work and volunteer on the farm and at Udderly Delicious. Riley’s dad and stepmom are also introduced. Her dad owns a bookstore. That is just so perfect. It is a large group but the characters are clearly defined and easy to keep straight. That being said the author has left plenty of room for growth. There are also a couple of feline characters. One who thinks her royal highness rules the roost and everything around her. The other is a little ragged but cute and is given a great name.

Ms. Allen has done a fine job of world-building. It’s almost time for the Sunflower Festival and all the fields around the farm are filled with sunflowers setting up some great photo ops. The ice cream shop even has sunflower ice cream. As the characters travel up and down Farm Lane there are two farmhouses face to face across the lane. One is the family home behind the ice cream shop where Caroline’s mother lived. The other is teamed up with a large barn where the farm manager and his family live. Down the road, there is a cabin that was sometimes rented out called the Love Nest. Keep going and there are more sunflower fields, apple orchards, other neighbors’ homes, a cemetery, and a winery. I could picture everything so easily. I could almost taste the ice cream too.

The author has crafted a very intriguing mystery. I had a grand time following along with Riley as she split her time making ice cream and trying to put a killer on ice. She found herself in some heated and scary situations but she kept pressing on. With some marvelous twists, I was drawn deeper and deeper into the story. The final twist was perfect. I was so absorbed in the story I know I missed a clue or two but at least I was in the ballpark with my guess.

The Rock Road to Ruin is a twisty mystery with a leading character that I want to know better and follow wherever she goes. The ice cream theme is just plain sweet and the sunflower backdrop at the farm has me longing for all the sunflower fields close around me that will be blooming and picture-perfect soon.

I am looking forward to reading Mint Chocolate Murder next month! Mint Chocolate Chip! YES!

The Rocky Road to Ruin kicks off Meri Allen's Ice Cream Shop Mystery series by introducing us to Riley Rhodes who is returning home to Connecticut for the funeral of an old friend.
Riley is one of the most unusual protagonists I've met in a cozy mystery. She's on a sabbatical from her job as a Librarian for the CIA. But she also writes a popular travel and food blog.
She returns to her hometown where her father runs a bookstore with her stepmother.

Riley quickly jumps in to help her best friend Caroline who is struggling to take over her newly inherited Ice Cream Shop and farm after the death of her grandmother. Caroline wants to carry on running the farm and shop which leads to her butting heads with her brother Mike who would rather sell out and move on.
Things get even more complicated when Mike turns up dead and Caroline becomes the main suspect.

Riley moves in to the farmhouse to stay with Caroline and keep the Ice Cream Shop going. All of the scenes in the Ice Cream Shop will have you craving a taste of all the delicious sounding flavors.
I found the mystery compelling, and I enjoyed Riley and Caroline's friendship. There were so may fun elements to this mystery. I found Riley's variety of job skills and work experiences interesting. And I loved her father's cozy bookstore.
The Ice Cream Shop and farm are great settings and the addition of two cats with funny and distinct personalities adds another layer of coziness. I'm looking forward to many more adventures with Riley and her friends.

I voluntarily read an ARC of this book that I received from St. Martin's Press and NetGalley. All opinions are my own.



This book is part of the Ice Cream Shop mystery series.
Riley Rhodes is a travel and food blogger as well as being a librarian at the CIA. She returns to her childhood home in Connecticut for a funeral, but manages to get in visits with old friends as well as her father. Her friend, Caroline, has, along with her brother Mike, inherited the local ice cream shop as well as the family farm.
The siblings don’t see eye-to-eye on how things should go. Mike wants to sell the farm; Caroline doesn’t. When Mike turns up dead, his sister is the first suspect that comes to mind as far as the police are concerned.
Riley knows that Caroline isn’t guilty of murder, but she must figure out what all of the strange things going on in Penniman mean and if the answer to the crime can be found there.

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book is well written and the characters are described well. I absolutely enjoyed Riley and Caroline's characters. This book is set in Penniman, Connecticut. This cosy mystery is fast paced and thrilling. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat from the first page trying to figure out who did it. I really didn't expect that character to do it. This book is in stores for CA $10.99 (CAD).

The Rocky Road to Ruin (An Ice Cream Shop Mystery) by Meri Allen
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
Published: July 27, 2021

The Rocky Road to Ruin is the first book in An Ice Cream Shop Mystery series by Meri Allen. This cozy mystery was a lot of fun.

I loved how there was layers to this book with multiple things to figure out, such as hidden identities, mysterious fires, unsolved crime from many years ago.

The characters were great! I loved visiting a small New England town as it reminded me of my childhood. And who doesn't love a good ice cream shop!

This was definitely a fast read because I could not put it down! There was so much going on! The characters were fun and likable. the story was great and the mystery was incredible!

I know I am hooked on this series! You should definitely check it out! I can't wait for the next book to be released!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

There are a lot of food themed cozies, and I am so glad this one set itself apart. It was so good, and I cannot wait to read more about Reiley in the future.

Riley has taken an extended break - not by choice - from her job with the CIA. Returning home for her best friend's mother's funeral and helping out at the ice cream shop is a welcome diversion. Caroline appreciates Riley stepping in to keep the ice cream shop open. Caroline's brother Mike seems eager to offload the property. When he is found murdered, Caroline is the primary suspect. Riley adds solving a murder to her to do list. This was an interesting first book. The group of characters are likable. I look forward to seeing how they and the setting develop as the series progresses.

The Rocky Road to Ruin An Ice Cream Shop Mystery by Meri Allen
may be a new series but it’s one that will be on my to-be-read list going forward. Riley returns home to Penniman, CT for the funeral of her best friend’s adoptive mother. Before the will can be read her friend’s brother is murdered and his girlfriend goes missing.

This mystery was “udderly delicious”, well-written and fairly fast paced with relatable yet realistic characters. I loved the way that the setting almost became another character. I look forward to future books in this series and experiencing the evolution and growth of the characters. I voluntarily read a digital advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher [St. Martin’s Press] through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Oops, got this book from the library having forgotten I received an advanced copy from Netgalley 9in exchange for an honest review). So, I read the final version. I liked Rocky Road and looking forward to the next one.

This is more jam packed than the usual cozy. Lots of world building, characters and storyline. I had no problem keeping them everything straight.

One thing I didn't need and seemed a bit false is Riley's job at the start. I think it's meant to explain her jumping in when the death occurs, but it wasn't needed and, as written, doesn't really provide her with any true qualification.