Give Fudge a Chance
By Nancy Coco
Kensington
June 2023

Review by Cynthia Chow

It’s August on Mackinac Island, and the Lake Huron town is in the midst of celebrating the Mackinac County Fair with cornhole contests, cooking competitions, and even a haunted house. Unfortunately it’s the latter where Allie McMurphy stumbles onto a very real corpse, which even more disturbingly isn’t that unusual an event for the hotel and fudge shop owner. So it shouldn’t be too surprising that her fudge entry in the candy contest momentarily overshadows the death, as winning would qualify Allie for the State Fair. No one is more surprised that her Deep Chocolate Mint Fudge wins Best in Show than Christine Keller, whose caramels have taken the trophy for the past twenty years. Immediately protesting the loss and accusing Allie of cheating, Christine creates a hashtag war of TeamChristine that forces the town known as the Fudge Capital to choose sides.

Clues that Allie overheard just outside of the haunted house lead Police Officer Rex Manning to a variety of possible suspects, but another death on the historical McMurphy hotel has Allie concerned that the parkour athlete may have been thrown and not just fallen off of the roof. It’s probably not the best time for wildly popular food video podcasters to arrive with the mission to feature Allie as their guest, but she can’t deny the boost that their Tailored Food Adventures TikTok account would give to her business. Her inability to remain uninvolved in murder investigations, combined with the romantic attentions from both a jealous Rex and the undeniably flirtatious B&B owner Harry Winston, ensure that Allie’s Fall season will be filled with more than just fudge making, book clubs, and Fall Festival Committee meetings.

Filled with candy-making descriptions, awkward romantic dinners, and scenes of Allie’s adorable Bichonpoo Mal and calico cat Mella, this 11th in the series delivers everything the prolific author’s fans could desire. The use of social media to both attack and promote Allie’s businesses is depicted all too realistically, examining a trend that doesn’t show any sign of slowing down. Easy fudge recipes will please cozy mystery readers looking for their next tasty treat, but the majority of readers will vicariously devour the many varieties of Allie’s extraordinary and mouth-watering creations. This is another very fun installment that will have fans both cheering for and groaning at Rex’s slow-but-determined efforts to romance Allie. Cozy mystery fans shouldn’t delay booking their next visit to Mackinac Island and its equally charming McMurphy Hotel.

Give Fudge a Chance is the latest book in a series featuring Allie McMurphy and friends, set on beautiful and quaint Mackinac Island.

What I liked:

- The beautiful setting. I've been to Mackinac and every time I read one of these, it makes me want to go back for another visit!
- Unlike some cozy series, there is actually progress and maturity in relationship development.
- The author captures small town vibes and drama in a way that is funny and mostly accurate (if over the top for dramatic effect).

What didn't work as well for me:
- There were SO many plot points in this one it felt a little bit all over the place. The carnival, the county fair, the woman unhinged about a candy award, the book club, the parkour, Mal turning out to be a tracking dog, a media duo who literally stalks Allie... I know it was all tied together at the end but it felt like a lot.
- While Allie is maturing from a relationship perspective and as a business owner, she's still that girl from a horror movie who makes all the wrong choices and takes dumb risks. She seems to at least be self aware about it, though.

All in all, a fun, quick read! 3.5 stars. Thanks to Net Galley and Kensington for the complimentary digital review copy of this title.

August in Michigan means it is fair season. Due to a renovation at the fairgrounds on the mainland, the county fair is taking place on the island this year. In addition to the normal hustle and bustle of visitors to the island there is the din of carnival rides and the scent of fair foods. Allie has joined the fun and entered a fudge in the candy competition. Jenn and Allie decide to go through the haunted house and are frightened by more than the attraction itself.
The two find a real body and suddenly the fair is a murder scene. Unfortunately this is not the first death to mar the fair. Many lives are suddenly in danger and Allie is in the thick of things.
This is another great story in the Candy-Coated Mysteries series. I love the setting of Mackinac Island. The characters are realistic and developed nicely. The plot of this story is engaging and unique. I recommend this book. If you haven’t read this series it is worth going back to the beginning, but this book can stand alone.

I enjoy this series so much..... The mystery is good, the characters fun and the recipes YUMMY... Maybe one day I'll even try one.

Allie and the book club are at it again..... Jenna is pregnant and not as involved as she usually would be. It's summertime, and Allie and Jenna enter a haunted house in the county fair being held on the island when they stumble upon a dead body. Shortly after, another body is flung from the roof of the hotel. Add insult to injury, Allie wins best in class for her fudge and faces cheating allegations from the 20-year reigning champion. The book club, spear headed by Carol is on the case and this time around, Carol also finds herself kidnapped. On top of everything else, Allie is constantly followed by a podcaster, who gets caught up in the murder investigation.

I gotta tell you, this was a fun read for me.

I am not sure how the title of this book connects to the plot. Give fudge a chance to do what?

It is unusual for a murder victim to be skilled in rooftop parkour, but it made for an intriguing twist and explained how they were in proximity of the Historic McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop. The victim’s age was also surprising since I had assumed Hazel was much younger based on the first part of the book.

I was puzzled by the reaction of another fair entrant towards Allie but dismissed them as suspects because they seemed too obvious. However, one of the culprits came out of nowhere. Their name was only mentioned a few times at the beginning of the book, and even Allie didn't remember them. Thankfully, there was a recap at the end to tie up loose ends. Then Harry's sudden romantic interest in Allie and Rex's exaggerated reaction seemed out of place. The book was full of many odd plot twists, including how Mal, the dog, could hear a cell phone ringing blocks away in an underground tunnel. It made me question the author's credibility -- and that is saying a lot when it comes to this genre.

I enjoyed that the story takes place on Mackinac Island, where cars are not allowed, and bicycles are the primary mode of transportation during the summer season. Even the police use bikes to reach crime scenes and take their time to put down their kickstands before apprehending suspects and walking them to the police station.

No release date for the next in the series – Three Fudges and a Baby.

Dollycas's Thoughts

The county fair comes to Mackinac Island and everyone is ready for fun and the crowds but not a dead body. That is just what Allie and Jenn find when they take a break to walk through the carnival's haunted house. Among the scary scenes, one body is clearly not a fake or trick. One of the owners of the haunted house is dead and the killer could be anyone. Allie's boyfriend Detective Rex Manning and Jenn's Crime Investigator husband Shane soon arrive to begin their investigation and warn their fabulous ladies to stay out of their case.

As if the small police force doesn't have enough to do with the fair and a murder, tragedy strikes again when the McMurphy Hotel is the scene of what appears to be a fatal accident. Allie is convinced the two deaths are connected. Things are really fudged up on the island and I don't mean the entrants at the fair. Allie tries to stay out of the investigations but the Book Club Gals have other plans.

______

I was so happy to return to Mackinac Island to catch up with Allie  McMurphy and all her friends. All the characters Ms. Coco has created feel true-to-life and genuine. With each installment, they all get stronger and more fleshed out. Allie really tries to keep her nose out of the investigation but when the McMurphy becomes a part of a crime I easily understood her actions. Plus it wouldn't be much of a story without her involved. I do like the direction of her relationship with Rex and was not happy about someone trying to butt in. I am also excited about the developments in Jenn and Shane's lives too. Allie's Mal and Melba play a larger role in this story and I loved that!

The author plotted out a very complicated mystery with some epic twists and missing persons. I really enjoyed all the moving parts and how a huge clue was revealed. One character really surprised me. She has been evolving over the last couple of books but in this story, she is pretty darn fierce. This adds a great new element to the story and leads to an exciting showdown.

The Parkour discipline has come to the island. I was familiar with the practice of getting from one point to another in the fastest way possible seeing it on television and YouTube. It really is crazy and can be quite dangerous. It was interesting to see it employed in this story but it definitely wouldn't be my thing even if my body was whole enough for me to try it.

Mackinac Island and all its events and activities never disappoint. Ms. Coco's words bring everything about it alive and easy to envision. It is a place I want to visit so badly. Each book in this series is a nice virtual vacation but nothing like actually visiting the wonderful place in person.

You have to Give Fudge A Chance, a chance. It is a marvelous cozy mystery filled with engaging and entertaining characters along with a whole lot of fudge. Yes, recipes are included.

Very fun read with delicious fudge, fun characters that aren’t too over the top crazy, and a mystery that’s zippy with plenty of red herrings and suspects. The whole podcasters side story was a hoot. But seriously, this was such a fast and easy read; started reading, kept think “just one more chapter “, and then all of a sudden I was done!

I always love travel to Mackinac and catch up with Allie. This is another well plotted and solid mystery that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Fleshed out characters and good storytelling.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Give Fudge a Chance is the latest installment in the Candy-Coated Mysteries series. It's always pleasant to return to Mackinac Island and Allie's investigations. This time, the murder happens during the county fair, which is a nice setting for the mystery. Allie, Rex and Jenn are fun characters, and the fudge recipes are sure to please readers with a sweet tooth. For those familiar with the series, Give Fudge a Chance is sure to please. New readers will also find the book enjoyable, as it is fairly easy to step into the series even at this point. Great book, don't miss it!

t was great to escape back to Mackinac Island where life's fun and carefree...until somebody gets themselves killed, that is. The first murder was at the haunted house attraction for the county fair, and when the second came along, Allie wouldn't be the dyed-in-the-wool sleuth she's become if she didn't believe they were connected. As in true Allie fashion (but hey, I wouldn't have it any other way!), she sleuthed when she was told not to and had a close call or two...but she always gets her perp.

That was some exciting showdown and events leading up to it! Yay for Carol whose transition from just Mrs. Tunisian walking her dog in the first books to being a full-fledged, kick-butt sleuth in this book, well it's been an awesome transition. She wasn't too shabby in the last few books either, since she and the ahem, "book club" love helping Allie with cases. I've got a feeling Allie won't feel so much like she needs to protect these older ladies, 'cause Carol sure proved that!

As always, there's a preview for the next book at the end of this one and all I can say is, I can't wait!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Kensington Cozies via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

I truly enjoy the setting and characters, and the idea of different fudge shops and historical hotels. Mackinac Island appeals greatly to me as a simpler place with no vehicles. I always enjoy my visits with this series.

Give Fudge a Chance, book 11 in the Candy-Coated Mystery series, has everything that a reader loves when reading a cozy mystery….small town, suspense, intrigue, love and romance. Although this is book eleven in the series it can be read as a standalone. Getting reacquainted with the characters introduced in previous books by Ms. Coco was delightful and meeting new ones felt like adding family members and friends to my life. Hotel owner Allie McMurphy and Officer Rex Manning have a sweet relationship and I’m so anxiously waiting for their wedding in an upcoming book. 😁

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the Netgalley and was not required to give a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Reading a “Fudge” book is like a visit with a group of old friends! It’s great to check in with Allie, Jenn, Mail, Melba, and all the others and see what is happening with them all. The mystery was intriguing, but I must say a LOT keeps happening on the island these days.

Thank you to Kensington Cozies and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Give Fudge A Chance is the eleventh book in the A Candy Coated Mystery series by Nancy Coco.

The Mackinac County Fair is taking place on the Island this year. Allie and her BFF, Jenn, decided to take in the fair, and when they come to the haunted house, Jenn talks Allie into checking it out. As they enter, the first thing they come to is a man in a jail cell pleading for them to let him out. A few steps further, they almost trip over the leg of a man whose body is lying part out of a door to the outdoors. Upon closer inspection, they find that the man is dead but not part of the haunted house. The next day Rex, the police chief, and Allie’s boyfriend ask if any of the workers from the fair are staying at her hotel, as one of the workers has been reported as missing. Later, Allie will head to the fair to see how her Easy Dark Chocolate Mint Fudge did in judging of candies. Allie is related when she finds that she has won Best In Show. She is hurt when Christine Keller, who had won the previous twenty contests, accuses Allie of bribing the judges.

Rex finally got Allie to limit her investigations to close friends and what might happen around her hotel. When the body from a local group of parkour, those who jump from rooftop to rooftop or other tall structures, is found in the alley behind Allie’s hotel, Allie will start investigating whether she slipped or was pushed from the roof of the hotel. The book club members at the senior citizens' home will help Allie, and hopefully, Allie will remember to bring some of her fudge to the meetings. Allie will have her investigations hampered by a popular podcast following her wherever she goes. It’s not a well-known fact on the island, but there are tunnels that were used when smuggling was prevalent. Allie will find herself being held captive in them. B&B owner Harry is also wooing Allie; what will she do, and what will Rex’s reaction be?

The book is well-written and plotted, with interesting, believable, and well-developed characters. The book reads at a swift pace and was hard to put down. There were plenty of twists and turns that I was kept guessing until the end of the book as to who the murderer was.

It’s always a wonderful visit to Mackinac Island.

Recipes are also included in the book.

I am anxiously awaiting the next book in the series.

Good addition to a charming series. Yes, one does crave some fudge while trying to solve the cozy mystery. Yum! Entertaining pets. A smidgeon of romance. Another enjoyable visit to the island. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

Give Fudge A Chance (Candy-Coated 11)
Nancy Coco

Nancy Coco is the author of both the Oregon Honeycomb and Candy-Coated mysteries. She also writes mysteries under Nancy J. Parra (Wine Country Tours, Baker's Treat & Perfect Proposal Mysteries) and Nell Hampton (Kensington Palace Mysteries). This is the 11th mystery in her Candy-Coated series set on Mackinac Island.

We return to Mackinac Island shortly after the murderous events of A Midsummer Night’s Fudge.
The Mackinac County Fair this August is being held on the Island at Marquette Park. This is a wonderful change for the island, bringing in even more visitors and day-trippers than usual! Allie is taking a break from the fudge competition, with Jenn when they decide to visit the new haunted murder mansion. On the way out they find a dead body! This is only the first of the murders.

This book has it all super smart and adorable pets, murders, kidnappings, and relationship missteps. All combining to make a wonderfully entertaining and engaging book! 4**** I would highly recommend this book to new and returning readers!

The next book Three Fudges and a Baby, has a unknown release date, but the excerpt really wet my whistle!

Each book is a fully contained mystery with a mix of new and returning characters, making it a friendly series for new readers. I am including a quick character recap.

Characters
Rex Manning is the detective for Mackinac Island & Allie’s boyfriend.
Allie is the owner of McMurphy’s her family’s hotel, where she runs a fudge store, while her best friend Jenn runs a wedding and party planning business. She has two pets. Her boyfriend is Rex a police detective.
Frances helps manage the hotel, Allie & Jenn.
Jenn is Allie’s best friend, the wife of Shane, and is now pregnant.
Shane is the Islands resident CSI officer, husband to Jenn, and excited father-to-be.
Carol Tunisian is a sleuthing helper for Allie and a book club member.
Mike Sanders is a small business owner with his best friend Paul.
Hazel is a parkour enthusiast, learning from Mike.
Evan Tailor of Tailored Food is a viral blogger who shows up to interview Allie.

*I removed a star because the end felt too rushed and left a plot point unfinished.*



Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.
#Netgalley #Mackinac Island #Fudge maker #candy-coated #mystery #Nancy Coco

Give Fudge a Chance is book #11 in the Candy-Coated Mystery series by Nancy Coco.

I love this series even though it leaves me desperately craving a trip to Mackinac Island for some fudge and a vacation. I like how the characters have grown as the series progresses. I love county fairs and it is a great setting to find a body. The mystery kept me guessing and I didn’t guess the guilty party. There are recipes included after some of the chapters and I can’t wait to try the Easy Dark Chocolate Mint Fudge.

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

Give Fudge a Chance is book 11 in the series, and I am more than happy to give it a chance. This series is set on Mackinac Island in Michigan. Allie McMurphy, the main character, owns a hotel and fudge shop. She makes the best fudge and proves it by winning at the county fair.
The fun is cut short by a death at the haunted house. A second death follows. Allie investigates but the information isn’t adding up.
There are plenty of shenanigans and I’m not sure how she does it but Allie runs into trouble again.
As with many cozy mysteries the setting and the characters are important to the success of the series. Mackinac Island sounds like a lovely place to visit. The fudge is enticingly described.
There are fudge recipes interspersed throughout the book, including one for a fudge the flavor of the winning fudge in the story.
I enjoyed spending time with Allie, Rex, Jenn, Shane, Florence and Carol.
There is sufficient backstory that a reader not familiar with the series could enjoy reading Give Fudge a Chance.
Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Books for the chance to read the story.

This series is what all cozy mystery series aspire to be.

Each story is exciting and unique. The characters are starting to feel like friends that you wish you had.

Plus, any book that gives you the courage to try making your own fudge is a winner for me.

Allie is looking forward to the Mackinac county fair as she has taken the plunge and has entered her fudge in the candy contest. It will be a big boost for her business no matter what prize she may win. The current champion has a twenty year long winning streak and that makes for tough competition. Imagine her surprise when she takes first place over the long time winner. There is instant backlash from the woman, but that isn't the end of the surprises for Allie.
Every fair has to have some sort of haunted house and Allie decides to take a look. It's properly spooky and dark and there is even a man in a jail cell pleading to Allie to release him. What happens next? Allie nearly trips over a body and it's not a stuffed prop, it's the real deal and very dead. The haunted house is now a crime scene. Let the mystery begin.
Later, while Allie and her friends are on the hotel roof, enjoying the view, they are interrupted by somebody doing parkour - jumping from one roof top to the next. Allie and her friends all agree that it is an accident waiting to happen. And happen it does, at the hotel. Now Allie is fully involved and she wonders if there is any connection between the haunted house death and the parkour death.
Each one of the, so far, eleven books in this engaging cozy mystery series is a winner in my opinion. Spending time on Mackinac Island with Allie and her friends always feels like I'm hanging out with friends, catching up with each other and, of course, eating Allie's latest fudge creation. It's reading tine well spent. The mystery is well constructed, there are plenty of twists, turns and red herrings and the characters are well fleshed out. Put it all together and it keeps me eager to read the next mystery involving Allie.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to Netgalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.