Mint Chocolate Murder
by Meri Allen
3 stars
I never read the first book but figured some you don't always have to read the first so went in blind. This was an interesting murder mystery but very slow-paced and didn't flow the best. The characters weren't that interesting, and I just couldn't really get into it. I kind of just read it/ skimmed it. The title didn't make much sense to me since there is no mention of Mint chocolate in the whole book, I was thinking that would have been the main selling ice cream, but no pumpkin spice was the most popular. I did enjoy the castle setting and the hidden tunnels that was an exciting twist. Just wasn't the book for me in the end.

Thank you, Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC for an honest review

Mint Chocolate Murder is the second book in the Ice Cream Shop Mysteries by Meri Allen.
I absolutely LOVED the first book in the series, and was so EXCITED for this second book.

I love the setting of the Udderly Delightful Ice Cream Shop that is located in Connecticut.

There is an art exhibit at Moy Mull Castle. Riley is doing some wonderful ice cream treats for opening night. There is a great mystery here, and this is a fantastic locked door cozy mystery.

I LOVE locked room mysteries. The setting was fantastic and the mystery kept me guessing.
Absolutely loved this story and left me craving ice cream.

There is a recipe for Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream. I live in New England and we love pumpkin spice everything an I am excited to try this!

I went into this hoping that I was going to like this better than book 1, which I read about a month ago, and had to reread this month, since I didn’t retain much from the read. While this wasn’t a bad read, it wasn’t a fabulous one either, leading to my middle-of-the-road 3 star read.

I did love the setting of the castle imported stone by stone from Scotland, and the glamorous former model who inhabits it now. It was also interesting that her hobby includes beekeeping. One thing that I especially liked was that Maud, the model, was Black, adding to the representation in the story. However, I feel like it would have been a great opportunity to include an LGBTQ character in the story, and it was a completely missed chance.

I usually love a cozy mystery because they’re quick, fun, and funny reads that capture my attention. However, I found myself putting this one down quite often, and didn’t really find it to be amusing or attention-grabbing. Also, I didn’t quite understand the connection between the title and the actual content of the book, since mint chocolate didn’t come up even once during the entire story, although pumpkin spice came up many times.

The story is rather slow-paced, and got bogged down further by extensive descriptions. In addition, there was another mystery within the original mystery, which didn’t really add much to the story. And like the first book in the series, there were so many characters. I did find it easier to keep track of them with a printed book rather than an audiobook, which was a relief. There are a lot of red herrings that kept me guessing, but I was a little disappointed with the overall story. I had been hoping that the second book would pull me deeper into the series, but unfortunately it didn’t. I guess this just isn’t the series for me.

This book was a blast! After reading the description and knowing a lot of hoity-toity character types would be in the book, I'll admit I was a little leery about picking this up. BUT IT WAS AWESOME! Meri Allen brought all the characters to life, and the murder mystery was so gripping. I found myself unable to put it down!

Through the narrator, the author paints such a vivid picture that you truly feel like you’re walking in Riley’s footsteps.

Riley is the manager of Udderly Delightful Ice Cream Shop in Penniman, CT. As part of the opening night of an art exhibit, scheduled to be held in a local castle, Riley is busy prepping some delish ice cream treats for the event. The night seems to be going well just as a body is found. Riley’s CIA background clicks into gear as she works to unravel the truth.

This is the second book in the Ice Cream Shop mysteries and I loved every minute of the twists and turns the author takes you on. Book one was such a great introduction to Riley and the town, that I felt immediately connected with the cast of characters when I dove into book two. This is the perfect cost mystery to spend a weekend with!

📌 Pub Date: July 26, 2022

I was given a copy of this story to read; but thoughts and opinions are all my own. Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press @stmartinspress for the chance to read this book!

Mint Chocolate Murder is the second in this wonderful New England ice cream shop series by Meri Allen. In this one, Riley is now running Udderly Delightful Ice Cream shop when she stumbles upon a murder at the nearby Moy Mull Castle during an event. The New England setting and the Castle provided an excellent backdrop for the murder and introduced us to more of the characters in Penniman. The mystery itself was great and provided lots of red herrings along the way!! This is another great cozy mystery to add to your list!

This is a charming second in series and a perfect cozy escape for summer. Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley. My review opinion is my own.

At the Udderly Delightful Ice Cream Shop in Penniman, CT business is good. Riley is making treats for a art exhibit at a local castle. Part of the exhibit is a local photographer who does not get along with the owner of the castle. The owner of the castle is found dead in the Castles dungeon. Riley and friends step up to investigate as Riley has proven to be a smart savvy problem solver and has a background in the CIA. ,

The receipes for ice cream are divine, the castle is a worthy setting and majestic throughout the story. I like the smart protagnist and the supporting charcters. A enjoyable read and I look forward to the next in series.

This is the second book in this series. I have not read the first one and had no trouble keeping up with this book. Riley Rhodes is an ice cream guru. She comes up with all the fun flavors.

This story was well done and I was kept guessing who did it until the end. This is a gratifying reading experience. At almost every turn there is a surprise to thrill the reader. The plot is well-executed and the finale is very satisfying. This is a cozy lovers' cozy. I cant wait to read more of this series and am going back to read the first one.

I received an advance copy via NetGalley.

I hadn't read the first book in this cozy mystery series, but I had no trouble slipping into this cozy New England setting with ice cream galore and a man found dead in a locked room. Lead character Riley is a former CIA librarian who comes across as smart, savvy, and compassionate. When she's hired to cater ice cream for a nearby art exhibit opening at an imported Scottish castle, she finds a lot of drama among the guests, and soon, the dead guy--the man whose art was on exhibition. He was a creep, and a lot of people have reason to want him dead.

What sets this apart from other recent cozies I've read is that there are layers here. There's more going on that the dead dude. The ending had several twists I didn't see coming, and I loved that. I'm definitely curious about reading more from this author!

What a cute little mystery or is it? A setting with castles, dungeons and stories of long ago. Brings us to a present day murder but who killed famed photographer Adam Balasco?

Riley Rhoades an ex CIA agent former librarian turned ice cream maker is trying to settle into a quite life in a small New England town. That is until she and her shop Udderly Delightful Ice Cream shop are asked to Moy Mull Castle.by Maud Monaco a former model who will be hosting an Arts Festival. This is a big deal for Riley's shop and all is going well until Riley discovers the body of the photographer Adam Blasco in the castle's dungeon. Was this a murder or did Adam die from an allergic reaction to a bee sting?

Riley being ever so curious, I guess her CIA skills never leave her must find out what happened. How is Maude Monaco tied to Adam Blasco? As Riley answers that question many other pop up and lead her to a number of suspects. This slippery talented photographer was hated by many, but who would go all out to kill him?

I loved the setting of this novel, The quiet town with the great history behind it. It really was a story with in a story. Not only is there the killing of Adam but you also learn about the billionaire who actually built the castle and how his life story also turned into a murder mystery. I couldn't put this book down. From the yummy title to the last page I had to know what happened. Loved Riley's character because there was so much to her. Her CIA days. How she somehow finds herself in the middle of this murder and has to prove who was the murder. Yes you can also throw in a ghost who could be haunting the castle. Yes a ghost.

I truly enjoyed everything about this book. Thank you Net Galley for the ARC and ST Martins Press for the approval. I will be looking for more from Ms. Allen especially if Riley Rhoades is involved. She has become my new yummy sleuth.

This is the second book in the series and can be read as a standalone, I will be going back to read the first one as I would like to see how Riley ended up back home running an ice cream store.

Mint Chocolate Murder was a really fast-paced mystery, set in a super cute small town. Riley is catering a gig with some specialty ice creams when someone is found murdered... The guy Adam, was kind of a skeevy tool who definitely gives off some bad vibes so there was no end of people who would have wanted him dead. Riley is definitely curious by nature and ends up in the right place at the right time to get some juicy tidbits that fuel her desire to figure out what's going on... I really like that whenever she finds something new she has no problem sharing it with the police. Even if he is a little bit hard to get a hold of at times. The mystery part was really great, every time a new piece of evidence was revealed I changed my mind about who the killer was...
I can't wait to see what Riley and her friends will be getting into next!

There is also a kitty cat named Sprinkles, a diva who definitely stole the show... I can't wait to see more of her and Rocky...

Also if you like pumpkin spice ice cream there is a recipe at the end!

I did not read the first book but didn't feel I missed anything in reading Mint Chocolate Murder by Meri Allen. The castle setting was nice, but I felt some scenes had too much description that didn't add to the story. It was almost 30% into the story before the murder/body was discovered. There were a lot of characters to keep track of, which added to the suspects.

I enjoyed the ice cream references and flavors, but I don't think mint chocolate was ever mentioned! I liked the recipe at the end of the book and the Fyvie Castle information at the end.

The storyline was just okay for me, but the book was enjoyable.

#MintChocolateMurder #NetGalley @StMartinsPress

I received this ARC via Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press, in return for an honest review. While the second book in this series, it is easily read as a standalone. Riley Rhodes, former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) librarian, now runs an ice cream shop and is invited to cater a special art exhibit at local castle, Moy Mull. With quite a few resident and visiting personalities, it’s no wonder when tempers flare over old and new encounters. Is the death in the dungeon natural or unnatural causes? Riley puts her expertise to work in unraveling all the mysteries. Be warned, this book will leave you craving ice cream!

I have voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this title given to me via NetGalley. I really enjoyed this book. It was really well written and it just had you trying to solve the mystery. I look forward to seeing what’s next from this author.

The first thing you will notice when you start to read this book is that the author does a phenomenal job of describing every detail. I found that by her doing so I felt like I was watching a movie. A movie filled with friends, ice cream, bees, castles, festivals, and of course - MURDER!
I found the book a tad bit hard to get into but I kept at it and was sucked right in. If after you start to read this book you are also finding it hard to track characters (there are many) please stick with it. Remember good things happen to those who wait (or in this case a good book happens when you get over the hump ;) )

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this advanced copy to read. This is my honest review.

Book 2 of a series but still can be read as a stand alone.
Too many series feel the need of doing a recap of the previous books and take 3-5 chapters to do so. In this book a few comments are a nod to the previous story without delving into it.

It was enjoyable, light and a good mystery. I highly recommend this cozy mystery series!

An Ice Cream Shop Mystery #2

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

We are back in New England with Riley Rhodes of Udderly Delightful Ice Cream Shop, which she manages for her best friend.

Riley is surprised to be asked out to Peeniman’s Moy Mull Castle. The famous Maud Monaco, former supermodel, and wife of a very rich man. She has turned the castle and the extensive grounds into an art colony and she is hosting an art show and an ice cream social. Bitsy will be catering but Riley will provide the luscious fall flavors of ice cream she has dreamed up. And they sound dreamy!

The featured artist is photographer Adam Blasco. He has a rather dark reputation and sounds like a creep, so when he is found dead in a locked room, Riley ( a former CIA Librarian), figures out that more than one person had an ax to grind with Blasco and motives abound!

The biggest mystery is the locked room. How did someone kill him and get out without unlocking the door? Was it the famous Weeping Ghost? Or did this Scottish castle come with a secret as well as a ghost?

The food descriptions had my mouth watering! A book series about ice cream? Yes, please! I can’t wait for the next one.

NetGalley/ July 26, 2022, St. Martin’s Press

This is a great cozy mystery. I've had hard days at work recently, so wanted easy read. This is the second I've read recently and would definitely recommend it to a friend for a quick/easy read.

This is the second book in this mystery series. But this book can be read as a standalone. This was a fun mystery and I enjoyed the cast of characters.

I did not read the description for this before I requested it on NetGalley, or before I started to read it, beyond finding out that it was the second in a series, following The Rocky Road to Ruin (which I teased on Friday). I'm opting to not include the usual Amazon Description because I discovered that I kind of liked not knowing ahead of time who the victim was going to be. I wasn't surprised but, really, it could have gone in a number of ways and I kept thinking to myself "ooooh maybe it's going to be her/him/whomever." If you really want that bit spoiled, go ahead and read the description or go to Amazon ... but I'm not going to be the one to spill the beans.

This story still takes place in Riley's hometown of Penniman, Connecticut, but we see very little of the ice cream shop and farmstead and spend most of our time at Moy Mull -- the castle-turned-artist colony. It's a reproduction Scottish castle with all sorts of history and outbuildings and a dungeon-turned-conference room and I have loved reading about all of it (especially the potential hauntings). It does kind of make me sad because I'm at 60% right now and we have yet to see two of the side characters from Rocky Road who had been staying there, but there's enough going on that I'm only kind of sad -- not completely devastated. Besides, there's still 40% left for them to suddenly appear and there's still a little matter of who killed ....... someone.