Mint Chocolate Murder by Meri Allen (Ice Cream Shop Mystery #2) 4 stars

Riley Rhodes, manager of Udderly Delightful Ice Cream Shop is having a busy season – Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream is flying out the door. She is asked by Maud Monaco, the organizer of Moy Mull’s Fall Arts Festival to provide all the ice cream for a Scottish themed ice cream social. One of the main exhibitors at the Art Festival is Adam Blasco, a controversial photographer with a dark past. Unfortunately, what should be an exciting event turns into a locked room mystery when Adam Blasco’s body is discovered in a locked dungeon. Riley is drawn into the case when the authorities suspect one her helpers of the crime.

This is a follow-up to last years “The Rocky Road to Ruin”. The mystery was intriguing with several red herrings thrown in the mix. Riley gets to use the skills from her previous employment – librarian (and part time operative) for the CIA. Excellent research skills and observations about the various players are key to the solution of this mystery. I enjoyed the parts about the former show cat, Sprinkles and her diva like behavior. I look forward to the next book in this series.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC.
Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC.

"Mint Chocolate Murder" is the second book in the Ice Cream Shop Mysteries series, but easily reads as a stand-alone book. Everyone is excited when Udderly Delightful Ice Cream, the shop run by Riley Rhodes, a former librarian for the CIA, is asked to provide ice cream desserts at a fine arts event at the Moy Mull Castle in town. Former supermodel, Maud Monaco, the owner of Moy Mull Castel, asks Riley to provide not only desserts for the festival, but to also create some Scottish-themed ice cream desserts for the opening of a photography exhibit that she is hosting at the castle by renowned photographer, Adam Blasco. When Adam, who is allergic to bees, is found dead in the locked dungeon of the castle from an apparent bee-sting, Riley sets about searching for answers on who might have wanted Adam dead, and discovers that Adam was well-known for his questionable behavior, in addition to his photography skills, and that there is no shortage of people who might want to see him dead.

Overall, "Mint Chocolate Murder" was a fun, and fast-paced read, and I would definately be interested in reading any future books in this series. There was a good number of twists and turns, and just when you thought you might have an idea who did it, something else came up that had you questioning your guess again! Given the theme of ice cream, this book is a perfect summer read!

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press/St Martin's Paperbacks for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest re3view. "Mint Chocolate Murder" is scheduled to be released on 7/26/22.

I received an ARC of, Mint Chocolate Murder. by Meri Allen. How can one man death have so many suspects? Can Riley solve the mystery of who killed Adam?

For the most part, I enjoyed this book. It's well-written, the pace is good. I figured out who the murderer was early on, but there were enough red herrings to make me doubt myself here and there. The primary thing that bugged me was Riley's murder solving technique. Every theory she had panned out. She never guessed wrong. I realize that she used to be CIA, but no one's instincts are 100%. Even a couple of times where it seemed like she might be reaching a bit... it's okay! She's right. But if you can overlook a couple of things that are just too perfect, the book is a good read. The characters were interesting, the pace is good, the setting vivid and real--plus, there's a cat that may or may not be evil. What's not to love?

I found myself unreasonably annoyed at the title (and by extension, the cover). The main character manages an ice cream shop--great! That was one of the things that drew me in. But the flavor that is mentioned like every three pages? Pumpkin Spice. Not mint chocolate. It's weirdly confusing.

Cozy mystery fans will find this book a treat! Unlike many mysteries I’ve read, you’re several chapters into the book before someone dies. This added suspense because you read along not only wondering who did it, but who’s going to die. Much of the story takes place in a castle, (fun setting), and the author does a nice job of setting the scene. Although I like fewer characters in a story, I thought the plot was believable and well thought out. I’ll be looking for more in the series. Thank you #NetGalley and #St Martins Press for the book! #MintChocolateMurder

A huge thank to St Martin's Press for the invite to read Mint Chocolate Murder via NetGallery!

Well paced, action packed adventure, or should I say whodunit story! It really keeps you in the dark til the end and was not what I might of expected. I've not read Meri Allen's work before but I will be now.

I look forward to reading more from this series...especially to see if Sprinkles behaves ;)

Chocolate Mint Murder is the first book I have read by author Meri Allen. The setting for this cozy mystery worked well. Instead of a creepy English/Scottish castle, the setting is a not-so-creepy Scottish castle rebuilt in a small town outside of Boston. This setting providing the locked room mystery. And this setting helped to feed the two additional mysteries of who committed the murder and who has been stealing valuable items from the castle.

Although the castle is a wonderful character, as is the ice cream shop to a lesser degree, the real characters work together especially well in solving these mysteries. Mostly, though, it is ice cream shop manager, Riley, who solves the murder, the locked room mystery, and the thefts. However, Riley has a number of interesting secondary characters to feed her information. The two cats have starring roles, as well. Thankfully, I have dogs, since after meeting Sprinkles, I don't believe I have the energy for a diva cat like sprinkles.

There were many red herrings, which made this mystery especially compelling. I solved a couple of the mysteries pretty easily, but the thefts took a bit longer. It did take me a while to really get into this book, but once the mystery began, I had a difficult time putting down Allen's novel. I want to thank the author and publisher for providing this ARC for me to read and review. These comments are my honest opinions. Thank you also to NetGalley for introducing me to another wonderful author, whose books I will want to read.

The second book in the Ice Cream Shop Mysteries, Mint Chocolate Murder, brings us back to the world of Riley Rhodes, former CIA librarian, current ice cream shop manager. I liked that this one is set outside of the shop/farm, at an artist's retreat, Moy Mull.
Readers get a delicious mix of ice cream flavours that they'll crave alongside Riley's persistence in looking into the murder of a photographer who was being feted with an exhibit at the resort. There's no shortage of suspicious characters to investigate, which works well until it starts to drag towards the end. At that point, readers have enough info for it to move towards the conclusion and it starts to feel like the story is meandering to delay the conclusion.
It's a good contemporary cozy mystery regardless, and will particularly appeal to those who like history mixed in with contemporary intrigued, as the haunted estate may have its own story to tell.

This book has an interesting setting. The plot has twists in it with an unexpected who-done-it. The author was very descriptive with her scenes and characters. I'd read another book in the series.

After leaving the CIA, Riley Rhodes took a job in her hometown running her friend Caroline's ice cream shop, Udderly. This fall she has been asked to make a special ice cream dessert for former model and Princess, Maud Monaco as she is hosting an art festival. The star artist is murdered, his most famous piece is stolen and everybody is a suspect.
As former CIA, Riley is nosy, but doesn't want to step on the toes of the sheriff, who is Caroline's new beau. Plus, one of her employees is a suspect. She has to sneak around the estate and try to question people and find clues while trying to avoid law enforcement and, of course, the murderer.
This is a really fun read (with recipes!). Everybody has a secret and someone may be blackmailing one or more of the suspects. The victim was so unpleasant and caused so much harm to so many people that it is hard to develop any sympathy whatsoever for him. (Never an excuse for murder though!)
This was my first book by Meri Allen, but I will be looking for her other books. Thoroughly enjoyable!

A castle, secret passage, bees, thefts, murder and ice cream- what is there not to like about this cozy mystery. Likable characters and the murder of an unlikable character make this a cozy mystery to enjoy with your favorite cup of tea or maybe some ice cream. A great read for cozy mystery lovers everywhere.
#MintChocolateMurder#NetGalley

Riley manages Udderly Delightful Ice Cream Shop. She gets the opportunity to cater her specialty ice cream treats for an event being held at Moy Mull Castle celebrating the opening of an art exhibit by Adam Blasco. As a former librarian for the CIA, she can’t help but put her former research and sleuthing skills to work when Adam is found dead behind a locked door. There are several suspects, twists and turns, and secrets revealed. Meri Allen is a new-to-me author and I enjoyed the storyline and trying to figure out whodunit.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and St. martins Press.

Mint chocolate Murder by Meri Allen is the second in the series, but the first book for me.

Riley Rhodes is an ex CIA librarian turned ice cream shop owner(!) who is enlisted to work at a showing of a famous photographer.

The mystery struck me as pretty tragic, which for some reason surprised me.

I really liked the writing and Riley is a fun character to follow.

The only complaint that I had is that I had to keep going back because I kept losing track of who was who. Now that I think about it that may be a "me" problem.

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC Kindle version.

This is the 2nd in the Ice Cream Shop Mystery. The murder takes place in a castle which is what caught my attention and the fact that Riley is an ex CIA Librarian who now runs an ice cream shop. I was ready for an interesting mystery but the story didn't really draw me in. I do enjoy the author's writing, but I felt at times that the story dragged out because it was very descriptive when it wasn't needed. I found my eyes skimming over paragraphs because they were too wordy. Just my.opionion. iwas still able to follow the story and the mystery did keep me guessing. I'll probably read the next one in the series to see if Riley's CIA background goes more into detail.

Kindle Copy for Review from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press.

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

Riley is summoned to Penniman’s Moy Mull Castle which is designed in a gothic pile by an eccentric rich supermodel as an art colony. As part of the fall festivities there will be an exhibit by a well-known photographer with a fantasy ice cream social which Riley is hired to provide special treats.

Things quickly melt away when he is found dead. Rumors of his obsession with his subjects run rampant. Could the killer be one of his models or are there other people he pissed off?

A fast paced cozy to enjoy.

The beginning of the story was to slow leading into the main story. This is the second in the series and wasn't hard to get into the story. I think toning down Riley would help to connect with her. It was a fun mystery overall.
#MintChocolateMurder #NetGalley

While I felt like it got off to a slow start, and frankly I had a bit of trouble keeping all of the characters straight in my head, I began to enjoy the story from about a third of the way in. I will say that I found the main character, Riley, a bit annoying with all of her worldly travels and I don’t know that it added a lot to the plot. This is the story of a wealthy, attractive woman who purchased a castle and was holding a photography exhibit/art festival. The photographer is found dead in a locked room and there are more than enough suspects. In comes Riley, formerly a CIA librarian who, out of the goodness of her heart, leaves a job she loves to help run a friend’s ice cream shop. This felt like it should be the first book in the series; I’m certainly willing to read the next. Not a bad story, but I can’t say that it was a great story. Some interesting twists, but it feels that there are just a few too many things going on. I wish I could give this 3 1/2 stars, it wasn’t quite a 4, but a bit better than a 3.

My copy was provided by NetGalley; the review is my own. #netgalley

More ice cream delights in the next installment of Rileys adventures!

When catering an art event at a notorious castle, Riley gets drawn into another murder mystery when the man of the hour, the photographer, turns up dead, she utilizes her sleuthing skills honed as a Librarian for the CIA to dig deeper before she become the next target.

I loved the return of Riley and the gang, but I wish there was more interaction with Rocky and Caroline. But otherwise was really good!

I feel I’ve been waiting forever for this second book in the “Ice Cream Shop Mysteries” by Meri Allen. Riley investigates the murder of a famous photographer, Adam, who is hired to take photos for his friend, Maud, for her newest cookbook. There are many people who would want Adam gone. I loved the castle setting and the mini mystery of Oona who was the wife of the builder of the castle. Ms. Allen writes the perfect cozy mystery. No obscene language, light on romance and a fun but not easy to figure out mystery. My only complaint is the time I have to wait until the next book in the series. One of my favorite series.

This book was the second in the series and although I never read the first book, I did not have any trouble keeping up. There were a few references made to the previous book, but nothing that really seemed to matter. Having an ex FBI agent working in an ice cream shop was certainly a different approach to things. I have always loved castles, so to set the murder in one was interesting to me. There were lots of possible assailants and several red herrings to make the plot hard to figure out. If anything, my one complaint was that it had a slow beginning and seemed a touch too long, while reading on my KIndle. I have never read anything by this author before, so have nothing to compare it too. Thanks for the opportunity to read this.