Allie McMurphy is happy the renovations are finished on the McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop on Mackinac Island, Michigan. Her best friend, Jenn is getting married in two weeks and Allie is the maid of honor. When Shane, Jenn’s fiancé misses his dinner date with Jenn and fails to text or call, she becomes worried. Allie, Jenn, and Allie’s bichenpoo, Mal head out to look for him. They find Shane in an alley with a bloody knife in his hand standing over an obviously deceased gentleman. Shane refuses to tell Jenn or Allie any information, and neither will Rex. If there is going to be a wedding, it looks like it is up to Allie to prove Shane’s innocence. Here Comes the Fudge by Nancy Coco is the 9th A Candy-Coated Mystery. It can be read as a standalone if you are new to the series. Allie McMurphy is hotel owner and fudge maker extraordinaire. Allie makes fudge fresh every morning and the descriptions will have your mouth watering. Allie along with the secondary characters are developed and realistic. The story is well-written, and it moved along at a steady pace. In addition to the mystery, there is wedding planning, fudge making, taking care of the hotel, spending time with friends and her furbabies. Rex and Allie’s relationship is currently at a standstill. Harry Winston is in town and Allie spends some time getting to know the handsome bachelor. I love the beautiful word imagery of Mackinac Island. I felt transported to the island and could smell the yummy fudge. The mystery was well thought out. There is misdirection to keep you off the path of the guilty party. I identified the guilty party early on, but I was curious as to why. I think many people, though, will be surprised by the killer’s identity. I like how Allie employed the residents of the senior center to help her with the investigation. I was frustrated with Shane and Rex. Both men should know by now that they cannot keep Allie from investigating or Jenn helping her. Here Comes the Fudge is an enjoyable cozy mystery. I love visiting Mackinac Island and I am eager to return in A Midsummer’s Night Fudge next May. Here Comes the Fudge is a fudgetastic tale with a body locator bichenpoo, a frustrating fiancé, prenuptial plans, fantastic fudge, sleuthing seniors, and a confusing case.

Here Comes the Fudge: A Candy-Coated Mystery Book 9
By Nancy Coco
Kensington
October 20021

Review by Cynthia Chow

While the summer tourist season hasn’t quite yet started again for Mackinac Island, the McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop is slow but steady with Allie McMurphy’s year-round plans to remain open for construction workers and sporadic guests. She’s also deep in the weeds planning her best friend Jenn’s wedding in just one week, even though the event-planning bride seems to have no concerns about booking additional weddings the week following her own. This is definitely not the time for Jenn’s prospective groom to go missing, especially when they do eventually find Shane he is holding a bloody knife and standing over a dead body.

Allie has had more than one encounter with murder and investigating, so she finds it infuriating when the detective Rex Manning shuts her out and refuses to give her any information about the victim or Shane. The fact that Rex has essentially ghosted her after the intrusion of his (second) ex-wife into their lives doesn’t help, nor that their first date seems to have been a one-and-done. That makes the advances of the Thor-like new Bed and Breakfast owner Harry Winston rather welcoming, and his and Allie’s outings have the tiny Michigan Island buzzing with opinions. Who Allie and Jenn really wish would talk more is Shane, as the crime scene investigator is not under arrest but refuses to tell his fiancé any details whatsoever about what occurred. Despite the warnings from the men in their lives, Allie and Jenn use their network of fudge-hungry seniors and neighbors for gossip and information about the victim, the woman found next to him, and how they were connected to Shane.

This ninth in the series is full of enough extremely last-minute wedding details to delight those who appreciate cake tastings and dress-fittings. Even more tantalizing is Allie’s fudge artistry within her shop, including recipes for non-candies Chocolate Almond Butter Crunch Bars and Decadent Salted Caramel Pretzel Brownies. Adorable malti-poo Mal and calico Mella add in the perfect amount of cozy fun, and when one is threatened Allie kicks into warrior mode. She is pretty relentless when it comes to investigating to help those she loves, and Rex and Shane should know better than attempt to stop her from interfering. Allie’s personal life has her spiraling a bit, considering that she has fears of divorce before she’s even had second dates. The small island becomes something of a locked room mystery with its limited suspects and motives, yet the author pulls off the trick of completely surprising both Allie and the reader by the end. Fudge-making, wedding-planning, and a thoroughly suspenseful ending will have readers on the edge of their seats and ready for the next happy-ending installment.

I've become a huge fan of the cozy mystery genre due to books like this. You can read this as an escape from the everyday in a weekend. A really good mystery. Maybe not my ultimate favorite but definitely worth a read

Another excellent edition to a wonderful series! Full of twists and turns that leaves you wanting more and enjoying each moment until the end when the killer is caught!

Allie is back in the 9th book in this series that takes place on Mackinac Island. The location alone drew me in from the start, a small island filled with Victorian buildings, accessible only by plane or boat, with no vehicles allowed other than the fire truck and ambulance. Allie owns a historic hotel and fudge shop, while her best friend runs an events business. It’s a perfect match as the hotel and its wonderful spaces lends itself perfectly for weddings or receptions, including that of Jenn, the best friend. When a man is found dead, and Jenn’s fiancé has a bloody knife in his hand, the wedding is in jeopardy. Allie, Jenn and friends need to join forces to help solve the crime before Shane is arrested. The book is a fun, cozy mystery with mouthwatering fudge recipes, great descriptions of the island and of course, Allies pets, which all give great color and background to mystery itself. Throw in a handsome police chief and an equally handsome bed and breakfast owner who are both interested in Allie, and we get to see how she works through her doubts and questions. I really enjoyed how this book is filled with just the right amount of detail to paint vivid pictures, and look forward to book 10.

This cozy was both cute and fun to read. I thought the characters are lovable. The world building is vivid. You can almost see yourself walking about town. The story was very intriguing and well written. I had trouble putting the book down. I just wanted to hurry and finish to see if I guessed right about the suspect. It is definitely a great book. I definitely recommend it.

Here Comes The Fudge
A Candy-Coated Mystery, Book #9
Nancy Coco
5 Stars

Synopsis:

Fudge shop owner Allie McMurphy never expected her maid of honor duties to include clearing the groom of murder . . .

THE BODY OF A CRIME

It’s late spring on picturesque Mackinac Island, Michigan. Allie is prepping her Historic McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop for the start of the tourist season and her best friend Jenn’s wedding. But when Jenn’s fiancé Shane, a crime scene investigator on the island, misses a dinner date, the two friends go looking for him. Led by Allie’s bichonpoo Mal into an alley, they come upon Shane standing over a body with a bloody knife in his hand. Shane won’t say what’s happened, just tells them to call 911. As the CSI is taken into custody by his colleagues, including Allie’s beau Rex Manning, the fudge maker vows to prove her friend’s fiancé is not a killer—before the ceremony turns into a jailhouse wedding . . .

Praise for Nancy Coco and the Candy-Coated Mysteries

“An easy romantic read complete with fudge recipes that make it even sweeter.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“Full of disguises, danger, and one determined amateur sleuth.”
—Fresh Fiction

“A fun and fast-paced cozy mystery.”
—Criminal Element

Help support pet adoption—see details inside.

Review:

The characters are well developed and well crafted. They are all getting ready for Jenn’s wedding, Allie’s best friend. But someone is stabbed to death and Jenn’s fiance is found standing over the dead body, with a bloody knife in his hand. Now Allie and her friends have to figure out who the real killer is or else there may not be a wedding.

The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. The writing style flows smoothly and the book was an easy read. The mystery was well plotted and there were plenty of clues to sift through and plenty of suspects to consider. I really had no idea who the killer was until it was revealed at the end.

I would recommend this book (and series) to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy. I really enjoyed spending time with Allie and her friends.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

The Fudge Series by Nancy Coco is a great cozy mystery. I love the adventures of Allie and her friends on the island. It is tge week of Jenn's wedding so of course something has to go wrong. Great addition to the series

Here Comes the Fudge by Nancy Coco is the 9th book in the Candy Coated Mystery series, and another great adventure. Allie McMurphy runs the fudge shop and the historic McMurphy Hotel on Mackinac Island in Michigan. Allie is getting ready for tourist season and her best friend, Jenn's wedding. When Shane, Jenn's fiance, misses a date, Allie and Jenn go looking for him. They find Shane standing over a body with a knife. After Shane's arrest, Allie begains searching for the real killer. The mystery was full of twists and turns, and is fast paced and has well developed characters and plot. This book has mystery, romance, and humor, which I enjoyed. I look forward to reading more books by this author, and can't wait for the next one in the series. This series is one of my favorite. I strongly recommend this book and this whole series, for who love cozy mystery books with darling animals.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is the first book I’ve read in the Candy Coated series. However, I enjoyed it so much that I will go back and read the earlier books. The characters are well developed and the mystery keeps you guessing. In fact, the author does a wonderful job of holding your attention through all the twists and turns until the very end. I loved the relationships between the characters as well as the setting. I want to go to Mackinac Island and stay in Allie’s inn … and definitely try her fudge! My mouth was watering as I flipped quickly through the pages. A fun cozy mystery that is one to add to your to-be-read list.

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

Here Comes the Fudge by Nancy Coco is another visit to Mackinac Island for fudge. Pete and Mike are just finishing up the exterior paint on the McMurphy and Jenn's wedding to Shane is a week off. Business is good and Allie has fallen into an easy rhythm of making fudge and shipping it daily. All of a sudden, the phone rings at 9 o'clock-far too late for anyone who knows Allie's schedule. It is Jenn reporting that Shane has not shown up for their date and has not contacted her, which is not like him at all. Allie offers a few suggestions, which Jenn has already tried, so Allie joins her downtown. As they walk around they hear a noise in one of the many alleys, so they check it out, and there is Shane, holding a knife with blood on it, over a body. Allie calls 911 immediately and they arrive almost instantly. In the shadows they discover a woman who has also been stabbed, but is still alive. After the police and paramedics have finished their work, they take Shane off for questioning. What could possibly have happened? They all knew Shane, a police crime scene investigator had not killed anyone, but there was no one else in sight.

It was one week until the wedding. Parents, and then, guests, started piling in and still there was no suspect. Allie and Jenn were warned multiple times to stay out of it, but how could they? It is a small island. The best man was the police chief who was investigating, for crying out loud. Jenn was holding it together well, and Allie was trying to keep everything on track, just in case. Allie is a fabulous character, one who inherited this business: fudge making and a small hotel, just a year and a half ago when her grandfather died. Everything is finally on track. The setting is gorgeous, if a little cold; her love life has potential, if it's not quite there yet; and Jenn is set to marry the man of her dreams. It is a good story, one with multiple red herrings and plot twists. Sadly, solving the crime means Allie and Liz nearly die, but that is a trap many cozy authors fall into. It was a good book, a fun read, and one that should not be missed. One of my favorite series.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Here Comes the Fudge by Nancy Coco by Kensington, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #kensington #herecomesthefudge #nancycoco

I can’t believe it’s already the ninth installment of the Candy Coated Mystery series! Our heroine, Allie McMurphy, is gearing up for her first full tourist season on Mackinac Island, now that she’s finally restored her family’s historic inn and fudge shop to its fully functioning glory. She’s also excited to be hosting upcoming wedding packages, but none more so than that of her own best friend, event planner Jenn Christensen. The hyper-organized planner is ready to knock out her gorgeous wedding extravaganza before building her business with more events at the McMurphy, saving her honeymoon with local crime scene investigator Shane Carpenter for when the tourist season is over. As Jenn’s maid of honor, Allie is a little worried that simultaneously planning her own wedding with others’ ceremonies will result in one frazzled bride, but Jenn is quick to dismiss her friend’s concerns.

Until, that is, an evening shortly before the wedding when Shane not only fails to meet Jenn for dinner, but doesn’t return any of her text messages or phone calls. Jenn is worried enough to ask Allie to accompany her in searching for him, for fear perhaps that something has happened while he was working on renovating the house the newlyweds are planning to move into. But the two friends find Shane in the last place they thought possible: a darkened alley near the restaurant where he was supposed to meet Jenn. Worse, he’s clutching a bloody knife. Worst of all, there’s a fresh corpse, dead from stab wounds, on the ground in front of him.

Allie immediately calls her by-the-book contact in the local police department, Detective Rex Manning. Despite the romantic relationship limbo they’ve recently found themselves in, she knows he’s the best person to handle any of the island’s crime, even if he is discouraging of her amateur sleuthing. This case is no different, as he sternly warns Allie and Jenn to back off looking into what happened. But how could they possibly not investigate, when Jenn’s wedding and future happiness are at stake?

The plot zips along wonderfully in the first two-thirds or so of the novel, as Allie must balance running her business with maid of honor duties and trying to clear Shane’s name. It doesn’t help that Shane is weirdly hesitant to tell either her or Jenn anything about what happened that evening -- certainly not the best way to build trust with your fiancee, never mind her crime-solving best friend! The pressure of it all does get to Allie towards the end, even before she finds herself in a series of life-threatening situations.

Even more intriguingly to me as a regular reader was the nascent love triangle only hinted at in the previous novel. I’ll freely admit that I was disappointed by Rex’s actions in the last book, and was really hoping Allie could continue exploring her newfound connection with the adorable Harry Winston (yes, I know! I don’t understand why these pop-culture-laden names were chosen either!) Things don’t quite go as I’d like here, but it’s nice to see Allie stand up for herself first and foremost.

There were seven yummy fudge and dessert recipes included, and while I was super tempted by the Decadent Salted Caramel Pretzel Brownies recipe, I ultimately decided to go with this one, in hopes it would last longer around my kids:

QUOTE
Chocolate Almond Butter Crunch Bars

1 cup honey
1 cup sugar
1 ½ cups dark chocolate chips
1 ½ cups almond butter
4 cups crisp rice cereal

Use a medium saucepan to combine the honey, sugar, chocolate chips, and almond butter. Heat on medium heat and stir until melted.

Add the crisp rice cereal and stir to coat. Place in a heavily buttered 8 x 8-in. pan. Chill until set. Slice into 2-inch squares. Store in an airtight container. Makes 16.
END QUOTE

If you cut it into even smaller servings, you can get a whole lot of snacking out of these very tasty dark chocolate crunch bars! I actually wound up using an entire jar of almond butter to get to one and a half cups, and recommend upping the amount of crisp rice cereal to your liking, as four cups didn’t quite give me the level of crunch I wanted. These are a tasty, protein-packed chocolate snack that will definitely be a favorite for all the family.

Next week, we get to stay in the area to investigate a murder with another treatmaker while baking up something truly special. Do join me!

Here Comes the Fudge is the ninth installment in the Candy Coated Mystery series featuring Allie McMurphy, owner of the Historic McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop set on Mackinac Island. The renovations on the hotel are complete and Allie has moved back into her fourth floor apartment alongside her furry friends, Mal and Mella.

Having decided that she preferred the quiet life on the island, Allie's best friend Jenn has moved back, she's mended fences with her boyfriend Shane and now the two are getting married in a few short weeks. In addition to planning her own nuptials, Jenn has also opened an event planning business which she is operating out of the McMurphy and plans to use her own wedding setup as a format for other brides to use the new rooftop terrace and hotel amenities.

All seems right with the world, until Shane doesn't show up for a dinner date with Jenn. Allie goes to comfort her friend and while walking home, Mal suddenly barks and drags them into a dark alley. The duo finds Shane holding a bloody knife and standing over a man's body while a woman cowers against the side of a building. Shane automatically becomes the prime suspect, especially when it comes out that he had a history with the woman. Desperate to save a wedding, Allie and Jenn team up to track down a killer.

Another fast-paced plot filled with tempting treats that will make your mouth water. All of your favorite series regulars return including Allie's parents and of course two most lovable pets. Throw in the backdrop of Mackinac Island and this continues to be a great cozy series.

I received an advanced copy of Here Comes the Fudge from NetGalley via Kensington Publishing. While not required to write a review I am happy to offer my honest opinion.

Here Comes the Fudge is the 9th book in the Candy-Coated Mysteries series.

This was my 2nd in this series. Although it was book nine, I had no difficulties keeping up with characters and events and it worked for me as an individual story. Protagonist and Historic McMurphy Hotel And Fudge Shop owner, Allie McMurphy is a great character who I like immensely. She is smart and focussed though sometimes inclined towards recklessness. The setting on Mackinac Island, Michigan was well described by Nancy CoCo. There was no shortage of engaging chapters so I was thoroughly invested in finding out what would happen next. The great cast of characters, especially Allie's best friend, Jenn who is due to be marrying Shane, helped to zhoosh up this springtime cozy. The author really impressed me with her fluid writing; the details of the plot were very well-executed, and the story was amusing and easy to follow. I was kept guessing until the very end and really enjoyed this intriguing yarn.

There are quite a few instalments to catch up on and I can’t wait to visit Allie and her Bichonpoo, Mal (short for Marshmallow) on Mackinac Island again. If you adore a solid cozy whodunit with lots of yummy fudgy references, don't miss out on Here Comes the Fudge.

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

Here Comes the Fudge is the 9th Candy Coated mystery by Nancy Coco.
Nancy Coco and Nell Hampton are the pseudonyms of author Nancy J. Parra.

Available series:
Nancy J Parra
1. Baker’s Treat (3 books)
2. Perfect Proposals (3 books)
3. Wine Country Tours (2 books)
Multiple romance novels as well.

Nancy Coco
1. Candy Coated (9 books)
2. Oregon Honeycomb (2 books)

Nell Hampton
1. Kensington Palace (2 books)



5*****


I believe this book has surpassed my previous favorites Forever Fudge (#6) & Have Yourself a Fudgy Little Christmas (#8)!

In this episode, we pick up shortly (about 4 months) after where we left off in book 8. It’s May on Mackinac Island and Allie, owner of the McMurphy Hotel & Fudge Shop is almost completely finished with its remodel. Her best friend Jenn runs her events planning business from the McMurphy. She has scheduled a society wedding to take place at the McMurphy, shortly before her own nuptials. Jenn is marrying Shane a police crime scene investigator. They are scheduled to debate a honeymoon location during their dinner. When Shane misses dinner… Yep, now the excitement begins with the girls searching and finally finding poor Shane with a dead body in an alley!
Everything really kicks into high gear at this point. This is one book that will grab you by the throat and hold on until the final page! Set your snacks out and be ready to go on a thrilling ride. I loved this book so much, I can’t wait to see what happens with Allie and Rex in book 10!
Ms. Parra did an amazing job with the character growth as well as the action 5*****.


Book 10 is A Midsummer Night’s Fudge, to be released May 31st, 2022.


Thank you to NetGalley, publisher, and author for the ARC.

This is the 9th Candy Coated Mystery and a fun addition to this charming series. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher . My review opinions are my own. I enjoy this series and have read the entire series. It is a cozy series not to be missed.

In this next in series our intrepid protagnist Fudge Shop owner Allie is a maid of honor for one of her best friends.
When the groom is found at a murder holding a weapon he is taken into custody . Allie is heartbroken for the couple and with her ability to find motive and opportunity begins to investigate.

I loved this sleuth that kept me turning pages into the night. Allie is such a savvy smart investigator and with her detective boyfriend the two are a unstoppable crime solving team. I enjoy the supporting charcters and the charming fudge shop.. This is a next in series I highly recommend. A fun read with a well crafted clever sleuth.

I am in sugar heaven with this series. I love the location. Mackinac Island is on my bucket list of places to visit. I follow a page on Facebook regarding Mackinac and every picture I see I envision Allie and Mal walking around.

In this addition to the series we follow Allie as she tries to save the wedding of Jenn and Shane. If I ever get into a scrape I sure want Allie to investigate.

I admit I have read this series out of any kind of order and not once have I had any issues. So, if you haven't read the series jump right on in.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.

I love spending time on Mackinac Island, helping Allie, Jenn, and crew as they solve mysteries (and make yummy sounding fudge). This time they're working hard to solve a murder in order clear the name of of Jenn's fiance, Sean. Will they be successful? After all, Jenn and Sean have a wedding to attend - their own!! And it looks like a romance might be booming again between Allie and Rex. Time will tell.
Now I need to go order some fudge.

Many thanks to the publisher, Kensington, and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor or expectation.

Always love books set on the Island. This series doesn't disappoint. Not sure if I like the story or the fudge recipes more! Fantastic book, great ending!

Nancy Coco has yet another winning book in the A Candy Coated Mystery series with the release of Here Comes the Fudge. The setting is wonderful--Mackinac Island, the hotel and the fudge shop--Ms. Coco's descriptions have the ability to transport the reader into the heart of the story. This time the mystery is intense and the action is fast paced, I read it in one sitting. I find the characters charming and I am looking forward to more in this series. I am excited to try out the recipe for White Chocolate Carmel Fudge, too.
I requested and received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the #KensingtonPublishing, NetGalley, and Nancy Coco . I review books I enjoy for friends and followers.
#HereComestheFudge #NetGalley