This is the first book I have read by this author and I will be looking for more. I absolutely loved this book and read it in one day. I love cozy mysteries and this one was just perfect! I would definitely recommend this book.

This is the third in this mini-series, but I actually jumped straight in here and loved it. Meet Riley Rhodes,, a former CIA librarian (did you know that is a job??) who has moved back to her childhood town of Penniman, Connecticut where she now manages the Udderly Delicious Ice Cream Shop. She’s trying to adjust to the woman her father married, who is a bit too pushy. The weekend before Halloween is always festive in Penniman—the team at the ice cream shop has been wearing costumes all week to serve up cold treats to the locals and the visitors in town for the filming of a romantic comedy on the town green.

Meanwhile the mother of the film producer, a socialite named Diantha, is hosting a lavish Halloween-themed wedding and Riley is making the spooky ice cream wedding cake. Meanwhile her best friend’s cat is starring in the film. There is so much drama (and not just on the film set) swirling around Penniman. When the bride Diantha is found dead at the inn on her wedding day, there are more than enough suspects to go around. The gold-digging fiancé who runs the inn’s kitchen, the caterer and chef who is the ex of the groom, the caterer’s assistant seems to have a skeleton or two, and the sons of the bride couldn’t be less concerned about their mother’s death. That is only the beginning of the suspect list and motives are aplenty. Diantha didn’t exactly make many friends with her behavior.

But when Mary Ann (the chef and caterer of the wedding) becomes a suspect, Riley steps in to help. Mary Ann certainly has a motive, but Riley is certain she’s innocent. The mystery kept me engaged, and I found this to be well-paced. There were a lot of characters with little mini plots and backstories that took time to get straight. There’s a bit of an historical mystery that ties in to the broader book that was fun. Riley is a likable character—she’s not ridiculous and quirky like many cozy mystery heroines, which I found refreshing. The mystery also stayed at the center of the plot, rather than the basic town happenings. I prefer a lot of mystery in my cozy mysteries, so this delivered!

If you like food-themed cozy mysteries, seasonal cozy mysteries, or are looking for a Halloween cozy mystery, this is your next read!

I love a good cozy mystery! One that incorporates all of my favorite topics (i.e. ice cream, genealogy, bookstores, libraries, cooking, painting, inn keeping, animals, etc.), throwing in some action-suspense, a who-done-it, interesting characters, and a plot that keeps me guessing, then you’ve got me hooked. I will say, I am one of those people who like to read a series from the beginning, but I often find you don’t have to… either way I highly recommend reading Fatal Fudge Swirl by Meri Allen.

*I received a complimentary copy of this novel from NetGalley at my request and this review is my own unbiased opinion.*

This is a series that I have loved since Book 1 and this one didn't disappoint. What's not to love since it involves ice cream and a great story. I find the characters interesting and relatable. This story kept me interested from the first few pages and I hated to put it down without finishing it. I found it very easy to read and thought it flowed well.

Loved the Halloween setting in this cozy mystery series. I do wish I had read the previous books just to better understand some of the references mentioned throughout. But this book can be read as a standalone. Great characters, a story that flowed easily and plot that kept me guessing.

Halloween festivities, a socialite wedding, and a major movie production has this small New England community teeming with excitement and many visitors. However, when the bride to be is found dead, the atmosphere drastically changes and there are plethora of potential suspects. Riley, a former CIA librarian turned ice cream shop owner, puts her sleuthing abilities to the test to help clear her best friends name.

This is the third book in the "Ice Cream Shop Mystery" series. Although I haven't read the previous books, I was able to keep up with this story. I will agree that having read the other books would have probably given me a better connection to the characters - there are references to incidences that previously happened which I was intrigued about. This story had way too many characters that it was difficult to keep track of everyone. The ending felt a bit rushed and packed full of convoluted messy drama. I did enjoy the setting of this cozy mystery - the sassy cat companions and the ice cream shop were the best part of the story.

I absolutely loved this series! Cozy mysteries with homemade ice cream?? Yes, please! Riley is once again caught up in a murder mystery when a movie set comes to town. At the same time, she is trying to get the ice cream shop ready to close for the winter. This is such a cute series, and I really wish there were more!

Loved the cozy Halloween vibes and the plot twists in this book had me on the edge of my seat! The murder method blew me away, will definitely look forward to continuing this series.

The series is a standard cozy mystery but with fun characters who I don't mind returning to book after book.

Sometimes a great book goes down smoother than ice cream on a hot summer day, but with Fatal Fudge Swirl you get the best of both worlds.

Author Meri Allen’s former CIA librarian, current ice cream shop manager, and occasional amateur sleuth, Riley Rhodes, is back for another mystery. As Halloween approaches, Riley is tasked by her friend, Mary Ann, with creating an ice cream cake for socialite Diantha’s wedding. However, after the bride-to-be is found murdered and suspicion falls on Mary Ann, it’s up to Riley to clear her name and find the murderer before anyone else chills out—permanently.

Allen has assembled a cozy sundae with all the toppings. Halloween celebrations. Beyond the elaborate wedding, Halloween festivities, and a murder, Fatal Fudge Swirl also features a romantic comedy being filmed locally, plenty of cat hijinks, and an interesting historical mystery that plays out alongside the action. If this book were a waffle cone, it might be ready to break under all these scoops. Yet Allen knows how to layer these ingredients, carefully pacing the mystery and doling out broader dramas in such a way that you’re always ready for one more bite. It’s completely satisfying without becoming overwhelming.

Really, though, it’s Allen’s mystery skills that provide the most flavor. As Riley explores the events surrounding Diantha’s death, it quickly becomes apparent that almost anyone—wedding guests, staff, and beyond—could be a suspect. Even though the abundance of characters and motives keeps the killer’s identity from being immediately obvious, Allen has no problem serving up several clever twists along the way. Come for the ice cream, but stay for the impeccably placed clues.

While this is the third book in the series, it works as a standalone novel. Much like a good scoop of vanilla, it’s perfect all by itself.

If I could give the first 2 chapters a 1 star rating I would. Why do you need to tell us every character ever created for this series in the first 2 chapters. Jeez - just slow it down! anyways, after that awful experience we finally get into the good part of the book but honeslty if I hadn't gotten this book on NetGalley, I woud've DNF'd it just for those first 2 chapters alone.

Fatal Fudge Swirl is book 3 in the Ice Cream Shop Mysteries series. This is a totally new-to-me series as I haven't read the first two books.

It wasn't too difficult to figure out who everyone was. However, I was a little confused through the first few chapters as we are introduced to a bunch of people in quick secession with little background information given.

In some ways, the main character Riley Rhodes reminded me of Hannah Swenson. If you enjoy Joanne Fluke's series, then you should definitely check out this series if you haven't already. It is a quick read if you want to go back and start with book 1.

I find it interesting that Riley was a CIA librarian before changing careers to own and run an ice cream shoppe. I read a WWII novel that featured librarians in the organization that preceded the CIA so I was somewhat aware that there were CIA librarians. But it is definitely a unique character trait.

The cast of characters is quite large and several characters have a motive so it is difficult to determine who the culprit is.

It is set during Halloween. As I'm a scaredy-cat I typically read cozy mysteries for Halloween - typically paranormal cozies. So if are looking for a Halloween cozy that isn't a paranormal cozy, then make sure this book is on your list for this fall.

As with any culinary cozy, there are plenty of descriptions of food. But I enjoyed the scenes with the cats the most and hope that they make an appearance in the rest of the series.

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Monday - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2024/02/2-mysteries-to-cozy-up-with.html

Although I had high hopes for the book, it ended up being a letdown. I was disappointed and found it hard to stay engaged with the story, despite my initial excitement.

I really liked this book! All the mentions of ice had me craving a bowl. There were also some twists which I appreciate. And the method of murder? So, so smart. Overall I really liked this one a lot!

There is a lot going on in this story. There is a movie being filmed, a wedding being prepared. THe people of the litlle town are all excited for all these happenings, until someone is murdered.
THis was a fun book with a lot of twists and turns. It was a cozy read. i enjoyed it.

*I received a free copy of this novel from NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and St. Martin's Paperbacks for my honest review.*

This is a new to me cozy author and series. Riley is a former CIA librarian dropped back into her small New England hometown and managing the local Ice Cream shop. It was easy to drop into the series without reading the previous books, but there was a lot going on with a movie production and a wedding event happening and a lot of people to keep straight that I did have a little bit of trouble with that.

But the location and the characters who will be the same from book to book were quite enjoyable and I look forward to catching up on the series!

I loved this book, it gave me everything I wanted as a reader and more. I am a sucker for a cover and fell in love with the storyline and characters. Well written and kept me engaged :)

Penniman, Connecticut is the small town home of the Udderly Delicious Ice Cream Shop and its owner Riley Rhodes. Although the ice cream season might be slowing as Halloween events fill the social schedule. Added to the mix, the wealthy Diantha, owner of the local inn, is planning a grand Halloween-themed wedding and a film crew is working on filming a movie.

Riley is responsible for the wedding's ice-cream cake. The work gives her extra opportunities to drop in at the Inn to see her best friend, Mary Ann, whose ex happens to be the groom. But the wedding is off once Diantha is murdered. Riley steps up to help--both with work at the inn and for a little amateur detecting.

This was my first time reading a book in the Ice Cream Shop Mysteries series. This was a great stand-alone book. The characters are engaging and the plot was exciting--and even bolster with a small historical sub-plot along the way. I can certainly plan on returning to visit this town.

I have been provided with a review copy of Fatal Fudge Swirl from NetGalley for an impartial review. I was just drawn into this wonderful story and I just couldn’t get enough of it. It was just so easy to get lost in this great story. I just didn’t want it to end. I just lost myself in and I just couldn’t get enough of these interesting characters. I can’t wait to see what’s next from this author.

Pub date: 6/27/23
Genre: cozy mystery, book 3 in the Ice Cream Shop mysteries
Do I need to read book 1 first?: The books in this series one work well as standalone stories.
Quick summary: Riley Rhodes is selling tons of ice cream during Penniman's fall festivities, and she's debuting a spooky ice cream cake for a local wedding. But then the local inn owner is found dead, and Riley has to switch into sleuth mode.

I love a food-themed cozy mystery, and the town of Penniman is the perfect setting for a cozy fall read! I like the whimsy that Allen brings to this series - in this book, Sprinkles the cat becomes a feline actor, and shop employee Brandon continues to create off-the-wall ice cream confections. The mystery was also strong, with plenty of red herrings and a compelling conclusion. I'm looking forward to the continuation of the series!

Thank you to St. Martin's Paperbacks for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.