This is the second in the series and the first I have read. I was given an advanced readers’ copy via Netgalley and am not required to leave a positive review.

This book had it all, bees, nasty characters, kind and caring characters, plenty of secrets and a castle.
Riley Rhodes is an ex-CIA librarian and sometimes operative that is now managing an ice cream parlor. I enjoyed the characters/staff at the ice cream shop. The shop is trying new recipes, has a mix of older and younger employees and provides a product in need through the summer and fall months.

Maud the owner/ex-model is the owner of the castle. She is sponsoring an art exhibit/festival, trying to put a cookbook out and has guests staying at the castle while all this scheduled. Of course, she can’t plan ahead or enjoys dropping new requirements at the last minute which only adds stress to Riley’s life.

The photographer, Adam, winds up dead in a locked-room situation. I enjoyed the twists and turns in this book which is a standalone story. You need not read the first book to enjoy and understand all that is going on.

I am looking forward to my next visit in Penniman.

When Udderly Delightful Ice Cream shop manager Riley Rhodes is summoned to Penniman’s Moy Mull Castle, it’s the cherry on top of a successful summer season. The gothic pile built by an eccentric New England Gilded Age millionaire has been transformed into a premiere arts colony by Maud Monaco, a reclusive former supermodel. As part of Moy Mull’s Fall Arts Festival, Maud is throwing a fantasy ice cream social and hires Riley to whip up unique treats to celebrate the opening of an exhibit by Adam Blasco, a photographer as obnoxious as he is talented.

As Penniman fills up with Maud’s art-world friends arriving for the festival, gossip swirls around Blasco, who has a dark history of obsession with his models. Riley’s curiosity and instincts for sleuthing – she was a CIA librarian – are piqued, and she wonders at the hold the cold-hearted photographer has over the mistress of Moy Mull.

But when Adam is found dead behind the locked door of Moy Mull’s dungeon, Riley realizes there’s more than one suspect who’d wanted put the malicious photographer on ice. (Goodreads synopsis)

I hadn't read a Meri Allen novel prior to this one, but it was a lovely introduction.

I felt the novel was good but was missing something. I think part of what makes a mystery a cozy mystery is the hints of romance or romantic relationship, and that wasn't present in this novel. Caroline's beau Detective Jack Voelker had maybe 3 appearances but he didn't really interact with Riley. Then there was only one scene with Riley's dad and stepmom. I guess I just wanted more of an emotional interactions with Riley.

I LOVED the castle setting and how the history was interwoven throughout the plot. I was an art major so having ice cream at an art show was a new concept, one that I would have thoroughly enjoyed. The gossipy bits to the mystery were a bit too much for me, and I would have liked to have seen more concrete evidence/connections.

Overall I rate this novel 4 out of 5 stars.

📖My Thoughts📖

Who doesn’t love ice cream? Throw that in with a cozy mystery and what a sweet treat you have! This was the second book in the An Ice Cream Shop Mystery series. I didn’t read the first book, but it was more than descriptive enough that it was fine to read as a stand-alone. I had a little bit of a hard time with this one keeping me completely enthralled. There were some parts that were very descriptive, which is fine, but for me, I feel as though it takes away from the reader using their imagination, and that’s something I like using when I’m reading. I still really enjoyed the story and will be looking to read the next book in this series. Thank you Netgalley, Meri Allen and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review this book. If you enjoy cozy mysteries, give this one a go! 3.75/5 ⭐️

Mint Chocolate Murder by Meri Allen is the quintessential cozy murder mystery. Small town murder. Goofy independent business with a pun name, Udderly- an ice cream shop. Relatable girl boss type protagonist that never forgets to put her makeup on and has a quirky pet sidekick, a black cat named Rocky.

Don't let my blasé description lead you to think I hate it. I don't. This is a very formulated cozy and very well written. The characters, town and motivations were clearly plotted with love.

I will say, I did feel like the info dump for it being the second in the series was heavy and not particularly smooth. That will probably be easily remedied in later books.

It's not the worst, it's not the best. It's like the junk food it's named after. I recommend Mint Chocolate Murder for fans of Joanne Fluke or Abby Collette.

Riley Rhodes owns an ice cream shop who has been hired to provide her specialty ice creams for a festival at the local castle in New England. When a murder occurs at the festival, she cannot help but look for clues to solve the crime. This is a charming cozy mystery perfect for summer afternoon reading.

A castle, ice cream, a psycho cat, and murder intrigue…it’s everything you need for a cozy mystery. I didn’t read book 1 in the series but there was a fair amount of background to set the stage and Riley was likable as a main character. It took a little while for the story to pick up but it made for a good book overall.

This is an enjoyable murder mystery with interesting characters. I like the ice cream business as a back drop for the main character, Riley, who was formerly a librarian for the CIA. The author provides readers with several suspects. I like to try and figure out who the culprit is and did puzzle it out early on. It was fun to take in the clues as Riley cracked the case.
This is a clean murder mystery with no gore or foul language and is a stand alone story. I would enjoy reading more in the series. I received this advanced reader's copy from the publisher and NetGalley and this is my personal opinion.

Mint Chocolate Murder is a cozy mystery with a heroine who specializes in speciality ice cream. Like basil, mint chocolate with lemon pieces. The story is about a great gig she gets to supply the ice cream for and unfortunately someone ends up dead. It was a great little story but one where I didn’t care enough about the characters. Which doesn’t diminish the story it just wasn’t one that kept my interest. I will definitely be looking at other books by Meri Allen because the story was good.

Riley, former CIA librarian, is now managing an ice cream shop, the Udderly Delightful. Always developing and testing new and unusual flavors of ice cream, the ice creams made there seem to fly out of the freezers with great regularity. Riley and the shop have been asked to provide dessert for a big event hosted at Moy Mull Castle. Maud, the owner of the castle, is being photographed by Adam Blasco and his assistant. His photographic exhibition opens without him being in attendance. Later his body is discovered in a locked dungeon. The police are investigating but Riley can't resist "assisting."

There are many community members who wind up as suspects. So, really, whodunit? Lots of red herrings, false leads, and beautiful descriptions of the castle. And don't forget about the cats!

Mint Chocolate Murder is the second installment in the Ice Cream Shop Mystery series set in Penniman, Connecticut and featuring ex CIA librarian turned ice cream shop manager, Riley Rhodes. Riley is settling down to a new life running Udderly Delicious for her best friend Caroline Spooner, and her latest job is to create flavors for Maud Monaco, the director of the local artist colony, Moy Mull, for her upcoming summer art festival.

The focal point of Moy Mull is the medieval castle, once turned hotel and now serves as Maud's private residence. But the castle is no fairytale, it's rumored to house the ghost of Oona Clitheroe, the first wife of the original owner Ben who ran away with the chauffeur, and also has a dungeon.

Adam Blascoe, famed photographer and Maud's ex-husband, arrives to shoot the photos for her new cookbook, and there is definitely something off about the man besides his eerie photos of half naked women. When Adam turns up dead in the dungeon, Riley finds herself drawn into a murder investigation with a whole lot of suspects. Maud, his assistant Vye, the resident chef, Prentiss and the demanding house guest, Dree Vendetti all have reasons to despise the photographer but fingers are pointing at Luca Principato, Fairweather Farms intern and Riley knows he isn't a killer.

A fun afternoon read with the return of series regulars, two furry felines and a captivating mystery. In her quest to clear Luca's name Riley also solves the mystery of Oona's disappearance. Oh, and did I mention the mouthwatering ice cream flavors and recipes?

I received an advanced copy of Mint Chocolate Murder from NetGalley via St. Martin's Press. While not required to write a review I am happy to offer my honest opinion.

This is the second book in this series and the first book by this author I've read.

Riley Rhodes runs an ice cream shop for her best friend.

She is summoned to the local castle to help an event with her ice cream as one of the featured draws.

There will be an art exhibit for a famous photographer.

When he doesn’t show up for a speech and is still missing the next morning, a search is made, and his body is found in the former dungeon.

He apparently died from an allergic reaction to a bee sting.

Pro’s:

A good story with developed characters and a bit of humor.

Con’s:

The story is slow paced and goes into too much descriptions of many things.

The descriptions are too detailed in several places and pulled me out of the story.

I have an imagination. Give a short description, and let my imagination fill in the rest.

I would recommend reading the first book before this one.

Also, why would you leave a job at the CIA for a seasonal manager position in an Ice cream shop?

Yes, it’s explained that she received a reprimand for what her former boyfriend did. But, a reprimand is not a termination.

I'd like to thank NetGalley and the author for letting me read this advanced readers copy.

A delicious cozy mystery. Good pacing and a well crafted whodunit.
I recommend you read the previous book to fully enjoy the characters.

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

"Riley Rhodes returns in the second delicious cozy set in a New England ice cream shop, Meri Allen's Mint Chocolate Murder!

When Udderly Delightful Ice Cream shop manager Riley Rhodes is summoned to Penniman’s Moy Mull Castle, it's the cherry on top of a successful summer season. The Gothic pile built by an eccentric New England Gilded Age millionaire has been transformed into a premiere arts colony by Maud Monaco, a reclusive former supermodel. As part of Moy Mull's Fall Arts Festival, Maud is throwing a fantasy ice cream social and hires Riley to whip up unique treats to celebrate the opening of an exhibit by Adam Blasco, a photographer as obnoxious as he is talented.

As Penniman fills up with Maud’s art-world friends arriving for the festival, gossip swirls around Blasco, who has a dark history of obsession with his models. Riley’s curiosity and instincts for sleuthing - she was a CIA librarian - are piqued, and she wonders at the hold the cold-hearted photographer has over the mistress of Moy Mull.

But when Adam is found dead behind the locked door of Moy Mull's dungeon, Riley realizes there’s more than one suspect who’d wanted to put the malicious photographer on ice."

Yes, the Gothic pile and Gilded Age mansion are all well and good but I can't be the only one willing to kill for that ice cream on the cover can I?

I received an advance copy from net galley. I did not know there is a 1st book. But I enjoyed reading once I got everyone figured out who each person is and trying to find out who killed was amazing. Riley stumped me with all the twist and turns in the book. The setting of the castle sounds amazing I will have to read the ist book soon as i can.

If the background of an ice cream shop doesn't capture your attention, a New England mystery based in a castle will! Mint Chocolate Murder continues the story of Riley Rhodes, former CIA librarian, as she manages Udderly Delightful ice cream shop wile solving mysteries and murder at Moy Mull castle in a small town in New England. Riley has been asked to provide ice cream for the Fall Arts Festival being held at the castle, where the photographer, Adam Blasco, whose work is being featured, is found dead in a locked room that used to be the dungeon. Riley's CIA-background kicks in and she finds herself trying to figure out how Adam was murdered in the closed room and by whom. Suspects abound, as Adam was not well-liked and mis-treated past models, including his current assistant and the Festival's host. By using her research skills, considerable deductive reasoning, and putting herself in danger, Riley is able to figure out who killed Adam.

The mystery in Mint Chocolate Murder was well-developed, however you could pretty much assume from the start who the victim would be. What took time to develop was all the connections people at the festival had to the victim, how the murder could have possibly been committed, and who the actual culprit was. Each character, their motive and connection to the victim was was well-described. The full complexity of the castle was slowly revealed as its tragic past and mysterious passages were discovered. Extremely well-written and engaging book!

Of course the characters we met in the first book were present - Riley's friend Caroline, Detective Jack Voelker, sisters Flo and Gerri, Pru and Willow - and feel like old friends. Best of all, cat buddies Sprinkles and Rocky continue their antics and add to the enjoyment of the book.

I highly recommend book 2 in the Ice Cream Shop series and will look forward to many more!

This double mystery featuring ice cream and a Castle set in Penniman New England was a nice summer read. Former CIA Librarian and current manager of Udderly Dellightful Ice Cream, Riley Rhodes, gets drawn into the murder of, Photographer, Adam Blassco, after she discovers his body in the locked dungeon of the castle. I enjoyed Riley’s investigative style. She uncovered lots of information without being nosy. The victim, Adam, had lots of people who didn’t like him which made for a variety of suspects. It seemed like everyone was holding onto a little secret and Riley sorts through them to find the killer.

Be warned Mint Chocolate is not mentioned in the book, BUT there are plenty of delicious ice cream flavors that are. YUM!

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eArc. This is my honest review.

This was such a delightful cozy mystery. It kept me entertained and craving ice cream. This is the 2nd book in the series (I didn’t know that) but I was still able to thoroughly enjoy it. Meri Allen does such a good job at describing everything and making me feel like I’m right there with Riley.

Thank you St. Martin Press and NetGalley for providing this ARC to review. ~I was given this book and made no commitments to leave my opinions, favorable or otherwise. ~

This was an amazing sequel, it was so nice to return to Penniman New England and rejoin the Udderly Delightful cast of characters. The pacing was very good and I enjoyed following Riley Rhodes as she tried to solve the murder at Moy Mull. The interactions between the different characters and their evolution from the first book was well crafted.
I enjoyed the use of the cats within the story and glad that they made frequent appearances, it is always fun to see those interactions.
If you are looking for a fun cozy mystery with a great cast of characters I highly recommend this series.

What’s better than a cozy mystery about ice cream for summer? Add in a Scottish castle, a rich hostess & of course murder. I think I enjoyed this second book even better than the first. The fact that Riley used to work for the CIA is a fun addition & lends itself to a clever protagonist. This was a great mystery, lots of interesting suspects. I loved all the descriptions involving the castle & the history, I’m a sucker for when a mystery delves into the past & this one does an excellent job at that! This is a really promising new series, one I look forward to reading more of. Definitely read these two books they are a perfect beach/summer read.

Warning, you may start to crave ice cream when reading this! ☺️

It was fun to visit with Riley, and the gang again!
I read the first in the series, Rocky Road to Ruin, after receiving it from my cozy mystery book subscription.
I enjoyed it and rated it 3 stars.

Mint Chocolate Murder was even better! A 4 star read for me.

Riley is now settled for the summer running Udderly Delightful Ice Cream Shop. She is hired to participate in an event at Moy Mull Castle, supplying ice cream for the caterer. Murder and mystery ensue.
The plot moved at a good pace and the character backgrounds were further expanded.

As this is the second in the series, I do suggest reading the first in the series. The first book sets up the entire setting for the series (as opposed to other series where the character is already established in the community/coffee shop/library etc.). Although if you wanted to dive right into book two, there is a brief overview of book one which would suffice.

I look forward to book 3.