If you like Gilmore Girls and cozy mysteries, here’s a new book release to check out. Fatal Fudge Swirl by Meri Allen is the third book in the Ice Cream Shop Mystery Series. It’s a standalone about Riley, an amateur sleuth and ice cream store manager.

When a socialite dies before her Halloween themed wedding, Riley must figure out who is guilty on the guest list. This case is personal to Riley—her friend, Mary Ann, happens to be the groom’s ex-wife, which means she’s also the #1 suspect.

In addition to the unexpected mystery, this was fun to read. There were a lot of twists and turns, and I enjoyed the side stories with the vast array of characters. I found myself trying to pay attention to every tiny detail because I wasn’t sure how this whodunnit story would end.

The New England town has Gilmore Girls and Hart of Dixie vibes, and if you’re a fan of Joanne Fluke, you’ll love this cozy (but not-too-spooky!) mystery. This book will be available on June 27, 2023.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the digital galley and the opportunity to be a part of the SMP Influencer Program.

#SMPInfluencers #FatalFudgeSwirl

Thank you to the publishing and Netgalley for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

A fun, easy read and I loved it! Cozy mysteries have slowly become a genre that I can't wait to get into. The lower-ish stakes make it a nice read after the heavier fantasies or romances that I've read. Meri did a great job with this! It was a fun, flowing read. Now, I also want ice cream.

4.5/5 Stars!

I've become a fan of this series when I read the first book, The Rocky Road to Ruin. I really enjoyed reading this book! The story and characters made this a fun cozy read. The Fall/Halloween season where the story takes place adds a spooky element to the book along with its wonderful cover.

This story will definitely make you crave icecream! While you can read this book as a standalone, I recommend checking out the other entries in this series. Anyone a fan of cozy mysteries and ice cream will enjoy both this book and this series.

My thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGallery for a digital copy of this book for my review! I look forward to Meri Allen's next book in this series!

3.5 rounded up to 4 stars

I have a confession to make...I didn't read the two earlier books in this series before I downloaded this from NetGalley. However, while reading them may have given me some missing backstory, skipping them didn't hinder my enjoyment of this story at all.

Cozy mysteries are something I've only recently gotten into and when I read the synopsis for this one, I was excited to give it a go. I was not disappointed!

I really liked Riley. She's smart, loyal, and honest. I also loved the small town setting of this series, especially since I read it while coming off a vacation in a small town. It was easy to imagine the charm of Penniman in the fall, Halloween decor as far as the eye can see, a fall festival on the green, leaves changing color...sigh. Perfection. At odds with the theme, this book comes out in June, not around Halloween, which feels like a missed opportunity, but I digress. At least people will be able to get their hands on this one as soon as the Halloween mood strikes them this fall.

There is a lot going on in this book and there are a lot of characters to keep track of. There's a cast of characters at the beginning of the book, but while I was struggling to keep them all straight at the beginning, the author does a fantastic job of reminding readers within the story who everyone is, so I didn't feel hampered by this in any way. It would also have probably helped if I'd read the first two books in the series and then I would already be familiar with everyone, but again, not imperative.

I was impressed by the intricate plot that the author wove, which kept me guessing right up until Riley revealed her suspicions. It kept me guessing the whole time, trying to determine how each clue fit into the mystery. I will say that I didn't really get too attached to any of the characters, not even Riley, really, because the story is all about the plot and not character-driven. I would have liked a bit more here, but again, I'm probably missing out on some of it from the earlier books.

My final thoughts: I really liked the story; reading the first two books is not necessary but would definitely be beneficial, and I really want some ice cream.

Meri Allen has done it again with her 3rd Ice Cream Shop Mystery - Fatal Fudge Swirl! Riley Rhodes has her hands full getting ready for the end of the season and creating a Halloween-themed wedding cake for the town socialite when said lady (the bride!!!) is found dead under suspicious circumstances before she can say "I do"! Riley must use her former CIA librarian skills to delve into the secrets hidden by Penniman's leading family and discover who committed the dirty deed. Couldn't put it down, and loved the very clever twists throughout! A+++

There is a lot going on in this story. It's fast moving and filled with characters so it kept me page turning. Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book. I leave this review voluntarily.

Fatal Fudge Swirl by Meri Allen is a delightfully written cozy Mystery.
What I loved
-Third in a series but reads well as a stand alone
-Main character is a librarian
-Ice cream is utilized to move along dialogue in a way that I found highly amusing
Who I will recommend this book for
Fatal Fudge swirl will be an excellent read both for existent mystery fans and for those just ready to dip their toes into the pool of cozy mystery reading.

This book was so cute! If you love cozy mysteries I think this will be right up your alley. The Halloween setting and adorable little town were so lovely, even though I was reading this in spring I felt enveloped in fall.

What sets this apart from other cozy mysteries was the food. Everything was delicious and I loved how ice cream was used as a way to get people to talk. Every time food was described, I salivated.

The mystery itself is pretty good although I felt like there were too many plot lines and the author sometimes had to work extra hard to keep everyone a suspect. The only thing that really was a struggle reading this was the overwriting. I think this is part of this genre, but the moments where the main character is doing something and then "Martha turned and put a spoon in her mouth while Jane scoffed and I scooped another ball of ice cream" type thing. I don't need to see every moment as a reader if that makes sense.

Overall, it was really cute and would pair well with an apple cider scoop of ice cream with a dab of murder and a strong cup of maple flavored coffee.

Review in progress and to come.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

"Fatal Fudge Swirl" is my first (that I can remember LOL) book by Meri Allen and I really enjoyed it. Will read more!

Cute mystery book! I love the ice cream theme and enjoyed the cozy mystery that this story provided.

This was such a fun cozy mystery! This was my first time reading a book my Meri Allen and I really enjoyed her writing style in this book. I loved that it didn’t matter that I hadn’t read the previous books in the series and I can’t wait to read more from the Ice Cream Shop Mysteries series. Overall this was a great, twisty read with a great cast of characters. If you like cozy mysteries you should definitely check this one out!

Fatal Fudge Swirl (and Ice Cream Shop Mystery)

Thanks to NetGalley and publisher St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this delightful cozy mystery book. This book is the third in the series – and I had not had the opportunity yet to read the first two.

Riley Rhodes, a former CIA librarian and local “sleuth” (the primary character in the series) finds herself in the midst of mayhem and murder during a long Halloween weekend that includes a themed wedding taking place at the local Inn. In fact, the bride, Diantha Collins is also the owner of the Inn and is marrying Dominic (former spouse of Mary Ann). On site are her sons Cooper (actor who is involved in a Hallmark-like movie production also taking place at the Inn), Chip and Sam. When Diantha turns up dead on the morning of her own wedding, it introduces multiple supporting subplots that add intrigue to the murder mystery.

Other characters and suspects include Mary Anne – ex-wife of Dominic and still manager at the Inn. Lucretia, granddaughter of Ruthie (housekeeper at the Inn) who rents a little house on the Inn’s property. Diantha’s sons who had ample opportunity and stood to benefit from her death as the will would be changed after she married Dominic. Another character is Marley Wagner who just joined the staff at the Inn and gets in a mess of his own and several others.

The multiple characters created a good mystery environment and suspect list. The cause of death, once revealed was brilliant!

Fatal Fudge Swirl is the third book in the Ice Cream Shop Mysteries. I started at book 2 and loved author Meri Allen's writing style so much I was looking forward to book 3! I have really come to love cozy mysteries and the combination of cuteness and suspense make them the best books.The Ice Cream Shop Mysteries can be read as stand alone's but I always recommend you read them all, just be careful because you'll find yourself craving a cold treat!
Riley enjoys running the towns ice cream shop Udderly Delicious and helping out at her fathers bookstore in town when the need arises. As a travel food blogger Riley is looking forward to traveling for a class she was accepted into, but she must decide if she can leave and what location should she chose. Right now she has more to think about, a very special wedding cake. Diantha will be holding her Halloween themed wedding at her Inn on the Green. Her fiancé Dominic is the Inn's chef and two are madly in love. Diantha wants everything spooky and over the top for her wedding, the spookier the better, but what she didn't plan was being murdered the night. before her wedding!
Riley was helping out a friend at the Inn and has her own suspicion as to who the killer is, but with so many possible suspects even the towns sheriff is stumped. Riley feels an obligation. to help the sheriff because right now his only suspect is her very close from Mary Ann, Dominics ex wife! Riley knows Mary Ann would never hurt anyone but she needs to convince the sheriff otherwise. Through twist and turns Riley will think she knows who killed Diantha only to realize she's got it all wrong. Her friends and the town need answers and Riley won't stop until she has some.

What a diabolical murder weapon! Although it took me awhile to warm to ex-CIA librarian Riley Rhodes, I've grown to look forward to her next exploit. Here she's being her usual, helpful self when she stumbles over another dead body. Sadly, on the day Diantha was to be married, not to mention on her favorite holiday, Halloween. With Diantha's almost-husband, sons and family on site, not to mention a film crew shooting the latest in the popular romantic comedy series, there are several suspects.

It was interesting to watch Riley puzzle out clues from her own observations -- she'd been asked to stay at the inn that night to help out with household duties -- and clues found. I made a good guess early on as to the murder method but couldn't put it together on how it was done, let alone pin-point the murderer. The side stories, which included, no lie, George Washington, Rome, cancer, greed, towels, family relationships, and troubled romance, fit into the whole nicely, some even adding a clue to whodunit. Riley's own romantic life seems, well, not troubled, but Liam was rather side-lined in this one. Guess that's a topic for another installment. Oh, and let's not forget Sprinkles the cat's charisma in front of the camera. Sprinkles is a calculating hoot.

The supporting cast is solid and it was interesting to get a look into their lives. Jack the detective's troubled mind made me think of the police families I know, to be honest. A relationship with someone who puts their life on the line every day can't be easy. The characters' interconnections are intriguing and hopefully we'll hear more about that later.

Bottom line, an interesting mystery with an unusual murder weapon that will keep you turning pages. Thanks #NetGalley and StMartinsPress - #StMartinsPaperbacks for inviting me to stop by the Udderly Delicious Ice Cream Shop once again. I'm already curious to see what flavor Brandon comes up with next.

An Ice Cream Shop Mystery

Meet Riley Rhodes. A former CIA librarian and now a manager of the Udderly Delicious Ice Cream Shop and an amateur sleuth. Living in Penniman, Connecticut, and watching the leaves turn along with a lot of tourists!

The town has a Halloween Happening over the weekend and the village is hopping. Cooper Collins, a former child star, is overseeing the production of a romantic comedy. And his mother, an awful woman, is getting ready for her elaborate wedding to the man who has run the kitchen of the inn. He also works with his ex-wife. Now that is a situation waiting to be a disaster!

When the bride turns up dead, suspicions naturally fall on the ex. But Mary Ann is a friend of Riley’s and she isn’t going to let a killer get away.

But the suspect list is long. Remember I said she was awful? A lot of people thought so it seems. Hopefully, Riley can find the killer before another one dies.

NetGalley/ St. Martin’s Press June 27, 2023

Halloween is fast approaching in Penniman, CT and Riley Rhodes is getting ready for this spooky holiday in #FatalFudgeSwirl #NetGalley.
Riley, a former CIA librarian is mixing up frightful flavors in the ice cream shop.
What could be more spooky than a Halloween wedding complete with custom ice cream cake? Finding a dead body and a ruined wedding cake are just a couple things that come to mind.
It seems everyone involved in the wedding is a perfect suspect, including the ex wife of the groom to be.
This is a frightfully fun series and this latest addition is one of my favorites.
Join Riley and friends and try to figure out whodunit in this fabulous story.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.

Unfortunately this one was just too slow for me. I could barely finish it. There was just not enough going on to keep me interested. I honestly didn’t even w want to finish it.

Fatal Fudge Swirl is the 3rd book in the Ice Cream Shop Mysteries by Meri Allen and it is as enjoyable as the other ones! Riley Rhodes is co-owner of Udderly Delicious Ice Cream Shop. A movie is being filmed in town and a local celebrity, Cooper Collins, is the producer. The Collins family owns the Inn on the Green. It is also Halloween weekend. Diantha Collins is getting married to Dominic, the Chef at the Inn. .Diantha's sons are part of the movie group and the family is staying at the Inn. Riley's friend Mary Ann asks Riley to make a special Halloween ice cream cake for the wedding. Diantha ends up dead and there are a few suspects among the guests and locals. Riley's friend Caroline is dating Jack, the Police Chief and he is busy with the case. There is quite a bit going on and it keeps Riley pretty busy! Many of the suspects have secrets and Riley has to find the culprit before they all leave town. The characters in this series are likable and the mystery kept me guessing until the end. Fatal Fudge Swirl is a very enjoyable cozy mystery! #FatalFudgeSwirl #NetGalley

I absolutely adore the Ice Cream Shop Mystery Series. This book was so good! I love a good cozy mystery to curl up with and not leave the couch until it's finished and this one is one of them! This is probably my favorite of the 3 books so far!
I just reviewed Fatal Fudge Swirl by Meri Allen. #FatalFudgeSwirl #NetGalley
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