This is the first book in the brand new cozy mystery series, An Ice Cream Shop Mystery, by Meri Allen.This is a a fantastic start to a new series, and an intriguing way to start the summer. After all, who doesn’t like mysteries with cats and ice cream, especially when the author shared a few ice cream recipes?

I enjoyed how Meri gave life to her characters. Riley Rhodes care for others shines through as she tries to be there for, and protect, her good friend Caroline who has just lost her adopted mom and adopted brother, Mike. While Mike, was a conniver, and out to sell their mom’s property whether Caroline wanted to or not—his murder casts plenty of suspicion on Caroline, and Riley is doing her best to find out who killed him.

From early on, I had pegged a certain person in this book as the one most likely to kill Mike. As the book went along, more suspects came into play, and I was kind of right. I had some of the reason in mind, but the entire picture took a while to be revealed as Riley continued her investigation. The mystery was well done and neatly wrapped up by the end.

I also enjoyed the two cats in the book: Sprinkles and Rocky. Having owned many cats in my life, I know that each one is a treasure and has their own personalities. The antics of these two add an extra special element to this story.

Ice cream, mystery, and small-town charm prove a winning recipe in Meri Allen’s suspenseful new cozy mystery novel, The Rocky Road to Ruin.

Riley Rhodes, travel blogger and CIA librarian (yes, that CIA!), is coming home to Penniman, Connecticut, for the funeral of her best friend Caroline’s mother. Though the small town welcomes her back with open arms, it’s not long before the peace and quiet of this rural setting is disrupted by a shocking murder; it’ll take someone with a particular set of skills to get to the bottom of this, and Riley’s never been one to shy away from helping a friend.

Meri Allen really has written something quite special here. Endearing from the first page, The Rocky Road to Ruin is full of characters that I dare you not to love—Penniman is full of individuals, unique and slightly quirky, but all in a very realistic and believable way. The writing brings it to life for the reader, conjuring early-summer landscapes that were vivid in my mind’s eye, and bringing just the right touch of humor to keep things light.

It’s impossible to talk about this novel without touching on the food, too. Do not go into this book with an empty stomach! Whether it’s the sunflower ice-cream, the tomato sandwiches, or an afternoon tea with the local gossip, the descriptions of food in this book are mouth-wateringly gorgeous. It’s a thread that winds through the whole novel, not just focused on the central ice-cream shop, and one that helped it stand out from the crowd—even if I will need to chase down some recipes as a result.

An excellent start to what promises to be a very special series, The Rocky Road to Ruin will enchant and surprise you—I’m looking forward to seeing plenty more of Riley Rhodes.

A perfect cozy mystery! Meri Allen's (aka Shari Randall) The Rocky Road to Ruin was an absolute pleasure to read, and I honestly couldn't put it down. One of those books that as you're reading you tell yourself you're going to read one more chapter and then go do something else but before you realize it you've read 10 chapters and still can't stop, lol. CIA librarian and travel food blogger Riley Rhodes has returned home to Penniman, Connecticut for a funeral, but then when her best friend's brother is killed that same night, Riley decides to put down temporary roots in her hometown to help bestie Caroline clear her name and save her family farm from being gobbled up by a development company, all while running Udderly Delicious, the farm's fabulous ice cream shop! I didn't figure out whodunit until the big reveal (always a plus!), and there are soooo many great characters that I hope to learn more about in future books in the series!!! I don't want to give too much away but seriously pick this book up, you won't be disappointed! A+++

*Also, I am really looking forward to making the sunflower ice cream recipe included in the back of the book - yum!!!

The three things any girl would want: sunflowers, ice cream and a murder to solve? Join Riley as she returns home to help her best friend after the death of her mother. But everything's not as it seems and to find the murderer, Riley will have to dig into the past.

I received this book for free for an honest review from netgalley #netgalley

So cute. I love the setting. For me the setting is almost as important as the plot maybe even more so so the setting was very important to me in this book. The plot did progress very smoothly.

A charming mystery with a delightful cast of characters that cozy mystery readers won't be able to put down!

I immediately fell in love with the quaint town setting and found the mystery itself absolutely enthralling.

This is book one in what is certain to be a fan-favorite series in the cozy mystery genre. I can't wait to devour more books from this author...along with a generous scoop of ice cream.

If I could give this more than five stars I would! I LOVED it and can’t wait for more!
Riley Rhodes, travel food blogger and librarian at the CIA. I mean can you get anymore perfect for a cozy MC. She heads home to attend the funeral of her best friends mom. Unfortunately, her best friends brother is murdered. It was fantastic!
#therockyroadtoruin#netgalley

What a delight!! A highly recommended first purchase for fiction collections where cozy mysteries are popular.

The Rocky Road to Ruin is the first in a new cozy, culinary series by Meri Allen. Amateur sleuth, CIA librarian/spy, travel and food blogger, Riley Rhodes, has returned to her childhood home of Penniman, Connecticut to attend the funeral of her best friend Caroline’s mother, Buzzy.

After the funeral, tensions are running high as Caroline’s brother, Mike, a successful real estate developer, wants to sell the family farm and ice cream shop. Caroline and others oppose the idea.

When Riley finds Mike’s corpse in the barn, there’s no lack of suspects, including Caroline. It’s up to Riley to clear her bestie’s name, keep the Udderly Delicious Ice Cream Shop running, and find the real killer.

This ticks all of the boxes for a cozy mystery:
• Our main character is a female amateur sleuth
• Small town where the characters know each other
• But there are still decade’s old secrets to uncover
• Gentle read with no graphic sex or violence
• Animal sidekicks
• Bonus of miniature horses and goats!
• Recipes

Riley’s a likable main character who wants to help her friend. She also cares about her childhood hometown and doesn’t want to see the farm sold to real estate developers intent on turning it into McMansions.

Riley’s dad owns a bookstore in town and the book mentions that there are tensions between Riley and her stepmother Paulette – I hope we get to explore that more in future books.

There’s a hint at a romance but surprisingly it’s not between the investigating police detective and Riley but her bestie Caroline. That was a nice twist.

Meri Allen’s done a great job establishing Penniman and several of its inhabitants but left plenty to explore in future books. This was a quick, enjoyable read with two feline sidekicks – both of which are adorable – the imperious Sprinkles and the mischievous Rocky. The mystery was great – lots of layers, plenty of suspects, and puzzle pieces for Riley to put together. I’m looking forward to future books in the series!

This is perfect start to a new cozy series & as a beach/summer read. It’s about an ice cream store, what more can you want for summer? We jump right into the story & I have to say the protagonist Riley is a very unique one. Her occupations are eclectic & unlike other lead characters I’ve read about before. I’m hoping we’ll dive more into those as the series progresses. The mystery is a good one! Quite surprising that the victim is a major character’s sibling. The author really hits the ground running with this series. I’m definitely going to read book two!

The Rocky Road to Ruin is such a fun cozy mystery! I could not put the book down until the very end.

Rily has returned home for a funeral. The travel blogger and librarian at the CIA now has a decision to make. Her and her brother must decide what to do with their inheritance. But trouble is brewing and soon her brother's body is found in the barn the morning after the funeral.

Twists and turns make this well-crafted character cozy one I highly recommend.

On the death of her BFF’s mother, Riley Rhodes heads home for the funeral. Up to now, Riley had been working in Washington DC and traveling the world. While comforting Caroline over the loss of her mother, Caroline’s brother is murdered. Riley will always be there for Caroline and tries to piece together what happened the night Mike was murdered.

With Caroline’s desire to keep the farm, and not sell it like Mike had wanted to, Riley agrees to take over managing the ice cream shop and return home for good. As Riley settles in and looks digs for information, she finds that a lot of people in town have been keeping secrets, but she can’t quite figure them all out. Will Riley be able to put the pieces together to get the bigger picture, or will she be the next one to hit the freezer?

A great start to a new cozy mystery series. The characters are well developed and relatable. I’m looking forward to more in this series!

I absolutely devoured this book, as well as some ice cream, too.
Riley Rhodes is a terrific character. Her down to earth style, her personality, and her often devil may care attitude brings a breath of fresh air to this genre.
The story opens with Riley heading to a funeral for her best friend's mom.
Things take a bizarre twist when her friends brother arrives, and tension between them is obvious.
When a sudden death shakes them to the core, Riley can't help but look for the answers and try to save her friend and the family business.
I'm excited to read more in this brand new series.