SPOON TO BE DEAD is the third book in the Shake Shop Mysteries by Dana Mentink. I’m saddened to think that this will be the last book to be written in this delightful series (given the author’s note at the back of the book), but if it is, then she’s ended it with a bang! From the very beginning, a topsy-turvy twist sets the scene for a page-turning cozy mystery that kept me glued to the story until I’d read the last word. The characters, protagonist Trinidad Jones, owner of the Shimmy and Shake Shop, her grandfather, Papa Luis, and her best friends and former husband’s two ex-wives, Juliette and Bonnie, all come together to make the book memorable. But the two characters who really steal each scene they appear in are Noodles, her flunked-out-of-service-training dog, and Scooter, a neurotic parrot. Their interaction and unlikely friendship provide heartwarming moments. Ms. Mentink’s attention to detail brings the characters and small Oregon town setting to life. With some humor thrown in… just how do you convince customers to buy ice cream shakes during freezing cold winter? And with the appearance of the three women’s ex-husband who’s accused of murder, the plot takes off at a rapid pace.

Ex-husband Gabe seems to have killed someone with his car, then fled the scene on foot, only to show up at the Shimmy and Shake Shop. Except, he doesn’t remember hitting the person and doesn’t recall the time leading up to the accident. He begs Trinidad to help him. She doesn’t really want to, but it’s the season of holiday cheer, and he’s hiding something which doesn’t help her trust issues. With the help of the ex-wives, they come together to hunt down clues and suspects. The clues are well-plotted and plenty of suspects were uncovered once they delved into the victim’s life. I guessed wrong, several times, but at the final reveal, it all came together. I appreciated how the author answered all the questions I had and provided a warm and happy feeling by the conclusion!

An entertaining and compelling mystery that kept me guessing and having fun.
Well plotted, solid mystery and likeable characters
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Dollycas's Thoughts

Shimmy and Shake Shop owner Trinidad Jones is worried about how much business she will have going into her first Oregon winter. In an effort to be sure her dream is a year-round business, she has branched into catering. Her first event is on a steamboat for a famous person, new in town.

Then, her, Bonnie's, and Juliette's ex, Gabe Bigley, "serial cheater, felon, liar, and embezzler" crashes through the shop door, informs them he is out on parole and that he is "ninety-eight percent or so" sure that he just killed someone. It doesn't take long for clues to start to stack up against him but none of his ex-wives believe he is guilty. They just need to get the scoop on the situation and shake out some alternate suspects before Gabe is sent back to the big house to cool his heels.

_____

Ms. Mentink has created such wonderful characters. Trinidad is a fun protagonist and her friendship with the other wives of her ex is unique and amazingly strong. They have really formed a sisterhood to support one another in any way they can. Only one of them is not surprised that their ex has shown up in Upper Sprocket. Trinidad's Papa Luis lives with her and she has a wonderful dog named Noodles. She and Quinn continue to grow closer. His brother Doug, has some emotional and social issues but is very comfortable with everyone in their group, especially with Bonnie's daughter Felice. I loved that Noodles made a new and unusual friend for a dog. The interactions were just so sweet.

There are several mysteries in this story all delightfully tangled together. There are twists, turns, secrets, multiple suspects, an old flame, and another body, all with the holiday events in the background. With all the action the story has a brisk pace. Had I not needed to sleep I would have read the entire thing in one sitting. The ending served up several surprises including the reveal of the killer. I followed all the author's tricks of misdirection and discounted the guilty party much earlier. The showdown was scary. My heart rate definitely increased as Trinidad fought for her life.

Trinidad and Papa Luis came up with some special treats for the party on the steamboat. Shortcut Hot Cocoa Ice Cream, Hot Cocoa Bombs, and Lactose-Free Gingerbread Ice Cream. All the recipes are included in the book. The Hot Cocoa Bombs would be hard to make at home so the recipe in the book is adjusted to make it less work and fun for kids to make too. I hope to try them with my grandchildren over the holidays.

There was one thing I didn't like about this book. We find out at the end as all the loose ends get tied up that this is the final book in the series. The author leaves all the characters in a good place which I am thankful for, I just wasn't ready to say goodbye to Trinidad, Bonnie, and Juliette.

Spoon to be Dead is another excellent story from Dana Mentink. All 3 books in this series were Perfect Escapes for me. Wonderful characters, twisty mysteries, and ice cream including “freak shakes” and Hot Cocoa bombs make them all must-read cozy mysteries!

This was definitely the adventure to end all since it did officially end this series of three books. There’s a really nice note from the author at the end of the book. Even if it wasn’t the last, I believe it’d still be my favorite. Secrets came out, but new friends were made as were apologies and new chances were given to those who might be needing them.

The showdown was really something and if you love dogs and how they can be heroes, you’ll have happy leaky eyeballs for a little bit while reading about sweet Noodles and his heroic act—and the cuddles he got afterward too. I really enjoyed this series a lot and while it’s bittersweet for it to end, it ended in the best possible way with some characters making amends where they were needed as well as some characters enjoying their happily ever after.

I voluntarily read and reviewed and ARC of this book provided by Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

First of all, Gabe is back! That brings lots of drama. And then there are secrets, a steamboat, and a wedding! I don’t want to say anymore, so I don’t spoil anything.
The mystery is unique. It seems so straightforward, but I couldn’t figure out how it all came together. It was clever.
If you like this series, this one will make you squeal with all the drama and secrets.

This was an interesting twist to the series with Gabe, ex to Trinidad, is back in town after being released from jail. He’s the prime suspect in a murder soon after returning and his sister, the police chief, asks for Trinidad’s help.

I enjoyed being back in Oregon & catching up with familiar characters. I also loved that this took place in the days leading up to Christmas. Noodles, the golden retriever, is definitely one of my favorite characters.

I enjoyed this story with all the characters within. The main character was Trinidad Jones.

Trinidad Jones is starting with a festival season with her sugary confections shop. It is winter time and she is hoping that her shop will do good through the winter months. She has found a lot of different things to keep her shop open. She finds a job doing a catering for a holiday steamboat party. But when ex husband charged through her shop door with mystery it might get in the way of her business. She has solved other mystery in the past.

This was a fun story to read. It had action, adventure and suspense throughout. It had a few giggles within. It was fun trying to solve the mystery within. The animals were so funny.

I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley. This is my honest unbiased opinions.

I have not read the first two in this quirky mystery series, but this fun book fills readers in on the characters’ past and grabs readers for a crazy journey with three women who had each been married to the same crook in the past (but at different times). Now the trio are close friends and work together and support each other in life. This unusual but intriguing suspense novel offers humor along with the crimes and the efforts to solve the cases surrounding them. You also get a delicious setting with sweets and ice cream—including recipes in the back. Set around the Christmas holidays, the story offers a wild escape from real life as you wonder if such a romp could ever really happen and feel relief that it’s fiction and not happening in your world. Book clubs would find plenty to talk about, if they can quit laughing long enough to discuss the mystery. I received a copy from Celebrate Lit via the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own. #spoontobedead #NetGalley

Spoon to be Dead is book #3 in the Shake Shop Mysteries series by Dana Mentink.

This is the first book I’ve read in this series and I really enjoyed it. Trinidad, Bonnie, and Juliette are the ex-wives of Gabe. Gabe wasn’t a prize but the women didn’t believe he was a murderer. The characters were well-developed and the mystery kept me guessing. There are recipes included. It appears that this is the end of the series, but I’ll be reading the earlier books.

Thank you to the author, Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Spoon to be Dead by Dana Mentink is the third book in the Shake Shop Mysteries, and this is one of about a dozen cozy mysteries that I make sure to track down when the next one is coming out.

Mentink not only writes delicious food descriptions and recipes (at the end of the book), but her characters are very well developed. I even love the main character, which sounds strange, but in many cozy series I find myself enjoying the other characters more, and oftentimes find myself annoyed by the main character. And the animal companion, Noodles, is one of my favorites… and now the parrot, quickly became another favorite.

The mystery itself was done really well too. Lots of suspects with realistic motives, and a couple of red herrings. I didn’t guess the killer early, which is always fun.

The only thing that disappointed me was I think this might be the last book in the series by the way that Mentink wrapped everything up. I think this series has a lot more potential to continue, and hope that one day it does.

Based on the synopsis, I was really looking forward to this book but sadly it fell flat in both story and character development.

This third book in the Shake Shop series definitely redeemed the second book. I adored the first book but then felt the author his a "sophomore slump" with the second book. I thought I should give a chance for redemption and enjoyed this book very much.

Trinidad Jones is concerned about her shake shop during the winter months in Eastern Oregon where snow and ice cream don't mix. She lands a catering gig for a steamboat celebrity Christmas party and hopes this windfall will keep her afloat. Except her crooked ex Gabe saunters back into town and is there no more than a few hours when a hit and run occurs in the vehicle he's driving. Trinidad is determined not to get sucked in by Gabe again but truly believes he is innocent.

I enjoyed the wintery setting and the ice cream concoctions in this story.

My thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for this ARC. My opinions are my own

Things are about to heat up in the dead of winter in Sprocket, Oregon. Trinidad Jones' wonderful ice cream shop is doing well. The Shimmy Shake Shop is about to cater a holiday steamboat party which will hopefully help boost her income during the coming winter months when the tourist season is over. Her day is ruined when her ex-husband, Gabe, literally stumbles into the shop. Right before he collapses, he tells them he "thinks" he may have killed someone. Gabe has a been a thorn in Trinidad's side for many years. He just got out of jail a few days ago, and it looks like he is headed there again. When he asks for her help in proving his innocence, she wants to say no, but her inquisitive brain will not allow her to say no.

Trinidad starts working on the case and realizes that the suspects that may have framed Gabe are piled up to the door, but she also wonders if Gabe is, in fact, guilty. The cast of characters in this book are special and fun to learn about. As a matter of fact, Gabe has two other ex-wives. Trini is best buds with them as members of the ex-wives club of Gabe. Their friendship runs deep as they have a kindred spirit in surviving their marriages to Gabe. Even though Gabe is definitely not a winner, none of them believe he is capable of murder. Dana Mentink's quick wit shines through in this book and this series. The red herrings will keep you on your toes as you are pinballed from one suspect to another thinking you have it all figured out. This was a pleasure to read and a little sad as this series seems to be closing out. We will all miss the Shimmy Shake Shop and all of the delicious ice cream treats that have been created for our imagination. If you need a sweet treat, you will enjoy this cozy mystery series.

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Spoon To Be Dead by Dana Mentink

In what might be the final book of the Shake Shop mystery series, ice cream store owner Trinidad Jones is staring down the barrel of her first Oregon winter and wondering whether her beloved Shimmy And Shake Shop will survive. It’s all well and good selling frozen treats during the bustling summer months, even in a town as small as Sprocket, but winter is an entirely different story for her bottom line.

As a savvy businesswoman, Trinidad has decided to diversify into both catering and holding classes on making ice cream. The latter seems promising, but the former is turning into more of a headache than she anticipated. Her first big gig is on a local steamboat attraction. Rumor has it that a mega-celebrity is throwing an out-of-season party, and Trinidad is hoping that this will give her business the boost it needs to weather the cold.

But even as she’s dealing with last-minute changes to the party menu, a figure from her past shows up to throw a serious wrench in the works. Her ex-husband Gabe has been paroled from prison and come back to his hometown, where she and his two other ex-wives, Bonnie and Juliette, still reside. The three women have grown as close as sisters in the wake of his perfidy, so Trinidad and Juliette are utterly shocked when Bonnie suddenly announces that she and Gabe are getting re-married. Trinidad and Juliette would like to be happy for her, only Bonnie seems to have all the enthusiasm for her impending nuptials as a woman on her way to the gallows. Worse, she won’t explain her reasoning for the remarriage to the other two.

The very worst happens when Gabe unexpectedly shows up at the Shimmy in very bad shape. He’s clearly been concussed, and is afraid he might have killed somebody. When the body of a harmless birdwatcher is found run over in the woods outside of Sprocket, everyone assumes that Gabe must have been responsible. Only Gabe doesn’t remember anything, and reports from a witness as to Gabe’s frame of mind beforehand just don’t add up.

Gabe begs Trinidad to help him out. She’s had some success when it comes to solving murders, and since Sprocket’s small police department is headed by Gabe’s older sister – who has to recuse herself from the investigation for obvious reasons – they could use a hand, too. Trouble is, the last thing either Trinidad or her new boyfriend Quinn want is for Gabe to be a part of her life again. Will she be able to sort out this mess and save her store, all while staying out of the crosshairs of the real killer?

I really appreciated how Dana Mentink represents Trinidad as a strong, independent woman who does the right thing because she knows and appreciates how far she’s come as a person. It’s really great to see a woman who can stand up to jealousy and the potential loss of a romance by choosing her personal integrity instead. She’s a great heroine for a story with so many twists, though I personally feel that Juliette, of all the ex-wives, did not make the best choices in the end.

It was however an unmitigated delight to read all of the descriptions of ice cream confections in this book! There were four recipes included in the end, and because I have no illusions that my ice cream making skills are on par with Trinidad’s, I decided to try out this savory recipe that her Papa Luis makes for her instead:

QUOTE
Congri (black beans and rice)

1 cups rice
1 can black beans (not rinsed)
3-4 slices bacon
2 bay leaves
1 tsp. garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste

Fry up the bacon, drain and chop it into small pieces. Put undrained beans into a large pot. Add enough liquid to make three cups. Add the rice, bay leaves, bacon, and garlic powder. Simmer for 20 minutes. Discard bay leaves and serve with salt and pepper.
END QUOTE

I decided to double this recipe to feed my family, adding onions for flavor as well. My only regret is that I used six strips of bacon instead of eight. The congri is a hearty, filling dish that I served with vegetables on the side – in this case, spinach wilted in a mix of butter and bacon grease – for a complete meal. You’ll definitely need to add some salt and pepper to taste or, as my family did, some spicy sauteed fish for piquancy.

Next week, we travel to the northeast to bake a wonderful seasonal treat while investigating a wedding ceremony marred by murder. Do join me!

This is a return to the small town in Oregon where we have met three women who are now friends, even call themselves sisters, united in a common situation. The three were all married to and divorced from the same man. Gabe has been serving a prison sentence for embezzlement. Now he is out and returned to town. He is also the prime suspect in running down a beloved citizen who is on a walk to bird watch. Trinidad owns an ice cream shop and the one who is usually asked to solve a murder mystery so when Gabe and his sister the police chief, kicked off the investigation, asked her for help, she decides to ask questions, along with Juliette, another ex. This is a fun mystery to unravel with a pool of suspects and some unusual events going on, all during the week leading up to Christmas. I recommend reading the first book in the series before the second and third book. You might want to have some ice cream on hand as there are some great sounding recipes Trinidad and company prepare. Great characters, especially Noodles, the dog, Papa, Trin's grandfather, and Quinn, her boyfriend.
I received a copy for the purpose of an honest review.

Spoon To Be Dead: A Shake Shop Mystery
By Dana Mentink
Poisoned Pen Press
October 31, 2023

Review by Cynthia Chow

Successfully opening an ice cream shop and food truck during the summer is one thing, but continuing its profits through the chilly winter in Eastern Oregon is another. That is why Shimmy and Shake Shop Trinidad Jones is anxious for the upcoming Christmas season, and also why she agrees to cater at an extravagant Christmas party on the Sprocket Steamboat. The guest list is mysterious and rumors are flying, but the one arrival Trinidad didn’t expect was her ex-husband Gabe Bigley. She and her friends Juliette and Bonnie have bonded over being his ex-wives, and they have similarly opened businesses with the money they received before he went to prison. Not only is he free and back in his hometown of Sprocket, Oregon, Bonnie announces that she and Gabe are going to get remarried. Trinidad and Juliette question Bonnie’s sanity, but despite her lack of enthusiasm she seems determined to once again walk down the aisle with Gabe. It looks as though she’s going to have to put a pause on that though, as Gabe lands on Trinidad’s doorstep looking a lot worse to wear and confessing to a possible murder. Although he has a muddled memory about exactly what happened, he does remember borrowing his mother’s car and then finding himself at the scene of an accident with the very dead body of birdwatcher Oscar Fuentes.

As much as she may wish that she had seen the last of her lying, cheating ex-husband, pleas from both him and Bonnie have Trinidad reluctantly pulled into the investigation. Complicating matters is Gabe’s sister being the Police Chief Cynthia Bigley, who is unsurprisingly removed from the official investigation due to a conflict of interest. Trinidad’s current boyfriend Quinn has a lot to say about her involvement, especially when an attack on Gabe has him pleading to her for a safe place to stay. Now juggling jealous men while attempting to cater a Christmas party with last minute diet requests, Trinidad and her accomplice Juliette attempt to sift through the secrets of party guests and a morose Bonnie. The arrival of a celebrity sports star distracts Juliette by igniting her hormones, which means that it will be up to Trinidad to protect her friends and hopefully prove that their mutual ex-husband is not an actual killer.

This third in the series achieves the delicate act of introducing a much-maligned character who still somehow manages to earn the reader’s sympathy. Despite his many flaws, it’s still easy to see how he once charmed three intelligent women into marrying him. That doesn’t mean that Trinidad hasn’t grown and learned enough since divorcing him to see through his pretenses, which is why she and Juliette are baffled at Bonnie’s decision. Clever readers may pick up on some of the clues as to the reasoning, but the mystery delivers a much more surprising twist at the end. An afterword by the author seems to hint that this may be the end of the series, and if so it’s a shame but readers are still rewarded with a very satisfying, fun resolution to all of the characters’ fates. Recipes for tantalizing hot cocoa bombs as well as a traditional Congri recipe will delight cozy fans, as will the appearance by Trinidad’s Labrador Noodles. The relationships and witty banter between the three ex-wives continue to be the highlight of this series, with their unique bond uniting them as they successfully start over in their lives. This is a very entertaining mystery series fit for the holidays or any time one needs a foodie mystery treat.

Ice cream and murder go hand in hand...

I am always up for a good murderous romp to Upper Sprocket and Spoon To Be Dead provides exactly that. Who killed the old bird watcher and what did his parrot see? Very good questions, of course, that Trinidad reluctantly tries to answer after ''the Hooligan'' is directly implicated. The best part is that Dana Mentink takes her readers along for every twist and turn and shocking revelation. Seriously, this third Shake Shop Mystery is not to be missed...

I have been hooked on the Shake Shop Mysteries from the very first book. Dana Mentink has been a favorite author of mine for a few years now and Spoon To Be Dead is proof of why. This book is funny and sweet, poignant and full of mystery, and just an ice cream delight to read.

I had a lot of fun trying to guess the true villain and all of the secrets that popped up to confuse the situation. I had my suspicions as to who was behind all of the murder and mayhem so I flipped those pages as fast as I could read them to find out if I was right...

As I said before, Spoon To Be Dead is not to be missed – and neither are the previous two Shake Shop Mysteries. Dana Mentink has found the perfect recipe for murder in this series and there are even sprinkles on top...

(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

Trinidad is not having a good day, which may affect the entire winter season at the Shake Shop. It is cold outside and there is much less foot traffic in the store. Trinidad is trying out new ventures to keep her shake business afloat in the slow season, but a big opportunity in catering gets more complicated when the customer asks for non-dairy desert, from an ice cream shop. That is only the beginning. Then a good man is found murdered, and her ex-husband is back in town and believes he is the murderer. Everything goes from bad to worse when he asks Trinidad to help him, which of course makes Quinn, Trinidad's new boyfriend a bit jealous.

How can she not help him when those closest to her are asking her the same. Not only that but something is up with Gabe's other ex-wife, Bonnie who is keeping big secrets from Trinidad and Juliette. One of my favorite parts of this whole series is the close relationship the three ex-wives have formed with one another despite what their ex-husband put all of them through. This is a fun cozy mystery that kept me guessing through the end. It can be read alone but is so much richer and sweeter with the first two in the series.

I was provided a copy of this novel from the author. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

Dana Mentink writes some of the best mysteries with a touch of humor and surprise endings. The third book in the shape shop mysteries, Spoon to Be Dead, is definitely one of those. Trinidad has the place to be for unique flavors of ice cream and shakes. The shop takes a back burner so to speak when her ex-husband runs into her shop and claims he thinks he just killed someone. Gabe is also the ex of Trinidad’s sister’s, Bonnie and Juliette. What a group! As more information is gathered, the situation gets more complicated. Two of the fun characters were Noodles, Trinidad’s elderly dog and a non-flying parrot named Scooter. Noodles and Scooter are best buds and pine for each other when they are separated.
Great readings and a fun way to visit Eastern Oregon in wintertime. “I’ll take a Freakshake to go please!”
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author through Celebrate Lit but was not required to write a review.

Spoon to be Dead was just as great to read as the other two books in the Shake Shop series. This book was one I started reading and before I knew it, I was on the last page.
Trinidad Jones is looking forward to the holiday season but surely not this being the first winter she is in Oregon. She is anxious to be able to keep her shop open during the long cold winter ahead.
She then has to deal with her ex when he comes to town and asks her to help clear him of a murder is accused of committing. Let me tell you her new boyfriend is not too happy about all of this.
Grab the first two in this series and you will be ready for the third one. The characters and guessing the guilty one in each book are expertly written and so very enjoyable to read.
Thank you NetGalley, Dana Mentink and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC of the book Spoon to be Dead. This is my personal review.