Book three in the series, but the second one I've read. Overall, I enjoyed the story and the mystery around the murder, although I found it a bit slow and somewhat repetitive getting to the conclusion.

Rich cultural references abound in this series, bringing the West Indian flavour to life. Colours, music, and food are all beautifully described (the food mouthwateringly so!), and the characters are all well drawn. There are a lot of them, though, and it's sometimes a bit hard to remember who is who.

In this book, Lindsay is officially helping investigate the death of her cousin's love interest, a singer called Camille, in a reggae band called DragonFlyz. Who would have reason to kill her?

As I said, overall I enjoyed this. I found, though, that the descriptions got a bit overwhelming, particularly around what everyone was wearing every time they were on page. I'm just not that interested (much the same way I'm not interested in brand names when this happens in books). I do wish the coconut bread and the coconut drops had had recipes, however - I love coconut and these sounded absolutely divine!

Not sure I liked it enough to continue, but didn't actively dislike it. It just took me an awfully long time to get through it because, as I mentioned above, I found it quite slow.

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: Coconut Drop Dead
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: Olivia Matthews
𝐏𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬: 288

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐝:
• All of the yummy foods!
• Learning about the Caribbean culture
• The character growth throughout the book
• Great family dynamics!
• Granny - she had me laughing out loud

𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: I love a good cozy mystery and this one fit the bill! Coconut Drop Dead is book 3 of the Spice Isle Bakery Mystery series. It can be read as a stand-alone but I wish I had gone back and read the previous books. Lyndsay is co-owner of the Spice Isle Bakery (and an amateur sleuth). This year their bakery is going to be a vendor at the Caribbean American Heritage Festival! It was going well until Camille, the lead singer of a reggae band fell to her death. The police originally thought it was an accident but Lyndsay’s cousin Manny was convinced she was killed. The two of them work together (with the detectives) to solve the murder mystery.

This book started a little slow for me but in the end, I really enjoyed it. I absolutely loved the food descriptions, the recipes at the end and learning about their culture. I will be going back to read more of Olivia Matthew’s books!

Coconut Drop Dead is the third book in Olivia Matthews' Spice Isle Bakery series set in Brooklyn’s Little Caribbean neighborhood.

Lyndsay Murray is the owner of a bakery that serves West Indian treats. With her family by her side, she manages to keep the business afloat, but money is tight. She takes a chance on opening a booth at the local Caribbean festival, which is going well until she gets mixed up in a suspicious death. Not as a suspect this time, fortunately. The victim is a family friend, and Lyndsay takes it upon herself to find the killer. The author keeps you guessing right alongside her.

The characters are a ton of fun, and readers will find themselves immersed in Grenada’s culture. This book works as a stand-alone, but it’s worthwhile to go back and read the prior volumes.

I received this advanced reader copy of Coconut Drop Dead from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review.

This was an okay read for me. I wanted to know the end of the story, but the getting there was very slow.

I read the first book in this series and now this is the 3rd book. For some reason I missed the second book, but that did not impact my understanding or enjoyment for the book. This book follows a Caribbean bakery owner who is also an amateur "Nancy Drew" detective. When things go wrong, and her family is accused, she jumps into action to help the police solve the case and help clear her family. This happens again in this book as her cousin's love interest is killed during a local festival in their community. It is a cute mystery book and has a strong female lead.

Thank you to Minotaur books for a Net Gally copy.

This is book three in the Spice Isle Bakery Mysteries but it was the first one I picked up and I wasn’t lost. It’s one of the things I like about cozy mysteries, I find the series order to be more flexible than most. I also love that cozy mysteries have a special interest, this one was the Caribbean bakery and while I didn’t get lost in the amazing food descriptions, I didn’t expect to based on the title (I’m allergic to coconut which was in most of the descriptions), but if I could have tried them I imagine they would have been delicious based on the other descriptors. Lyndsay feels she has given up amateur sleuthing. She only solved her first two murders because she and her mother had been suspected of committing those and that’s not likely to happen again. But when her cousin’s friend and possible love interest is killed at the Caribbean festival Lyndsay is shocked when the detective that had suspected her of murder asked for her help solving this one.

I love a good cozy mystery! One that incorporates all of my favorite topics (i.e. 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 Coconut Drop Dead by Olivia Matthews.

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

This one is special. There's a little extra zest to this cozy protagonist. I can't wait to read more from this series! I really love a good bakery cozy series. This was no exception.

Thank you to St Martin's for the Arc

Bringing awareness to unfamiliar cultures, especially through their cuisine and customs is chief to my attraction to cozy mysteries. Matthews, also known as Patricia Sargeant, draws both on family memories, combined with research as she creates the Spice Island Bakery series. For example, not many may know Grenada, nicknamed "The Spice Island". What a wonderful name for the bakery in the series. What a great lead in to telling the families multi-generational stories.

Readers who have followed the series from the beginning, might be happy to see the romance between Lyndsay and Bryce has progressed. Other characters have moved on as well bringing authenticity to the books. I appreciate the use of dialogue in a queue that is waiting to be served at the bakery. In this manner Matthew's not only introduces characters, she also provides insights into the cultural life of this community.

Volume 3 moves Manny, one of the cousins to the foreground. Manny, a lawyer, has helped Lyndsay in the past. The bakery has earned a booth in the Caribbean American Heritage Festival. Lyndsay is thrilled, a long held childhood dream has come true. Even better, Bryce will be joining her. In the opening scene, scents of Grenada, baked fruits, confectioner's sugar, warm butter, nutmeg, ginger and cinnamon merge with the sounds of a locally produced CD featuring Manny's girlfriend Camille.
It is a lovely moment that is soon shattered. The next day doesn't bring joy, but death. Camille dies.
The police believe the cause of death is accident. Manny knows it is not. Lyndsay again steps in to help a family member in need. In putting herself in the cross hairs of a killer, will she also put the bakery, her family, and her own life in peril?

While this book is part of a series, it can serve as a stand-alone. Recipes for the wonderful foods included in the text are found at the end of the book.
Recommended for all lovers of cozy mysteries and also eager foodies.

Full disclosure: I received the ARC from Netgalley and St. Martins Press in exchange for an unbiased review. Thank you for this opportunity.

Another Spice Isle Bakery book. The stories are awesome, and the mysteries are real. I love revisiting the Carribbean community and the Murray family.

"Coconut Drop Dead" by Olivia Matthews is the third installment in the charming Spice Isle Bakery Mysteries series. This cozy mystery continues to follow the adventures of Lyndsay Murray, the owner of a Caribbean bakery in Brooklyn, as she finds herself entangled in yet another murder investigation.

Matthews excels at creating a warm, inviting atmosphere with her vivid descriptions of the bakery and its delectable offerings, which serve as a delightful backdrop to the mystery. The protagonist, Lyndsay, is a relatable and determined character whose sleuthing skills are put to the test when a local food critic is found dead after a visit to her bakery.

The novel balances the light-hearted elements of a cozy mystery with the suspense of a whodunit, keeping readers engaged with well-placed clues and red herrings. The supporting cast, including Lyndsay's family and friends, adds depth and charm to the story, making the community feel vibrant and real.

"Coconut Drop Dead" stands out for its cultural richness, incorporating Caribbean flavors and traditions that add a unique twist to the genre. Matthews' writing is both engaging and accessible, making it easy for readers to immerse themselves in the world she has created.

Overall, "Coconut Drop Dead" is a delightful read for fans of cozy mysteries, offering a perfect blend of intrigue, humor, and heart. Olivia Matthews continues to deliver a series that is both comforting and captivating, making it a must-read for those who enjoy a good mystery with a side of delicious baked goods.

Thank You Netgalley for this book and the other 2. The coconut drop dead. It's a very clever easy fast paced cozy read. The characters are amazing well written and easy to follow what is going on the book. Lyndsay and family members stand behind each other and help Lyndsay decides she has to look into tis murder because she wants to help her cousin and then she gets into it deeply. I enjoyed the book. Lyndsay has come out of her shell and speaks her own feelings and has come to enjoy sleuthing and it has helped with her baking. Looking forward to the next book in this series.

Really fun mystery. I'm enjoying the continued development of the characters and how vibrant the community is.

This was a great addition to the Spice Isle Bakery series. Set on the premise of the Caribbean American Heritage Festival, this murder mystery involves a family friend. As usual, the Spice Isle Bakery goods are the main protagonists in the story, which develops the character's storylines, which are continued from the previous books. It's entertaining and enjoyable.

Great read! Loved the storyline of this book and how it developed and evolved as the book went along and the characters progressed. The characters were really fun and enjoyable! Loved how cozy and fun this book was and how it gave that feeling while reading it. This was such a quick light read with under 300 pages to read it is definitely a book I'd recommend if you are looking for a light quick read that will keep you hooked on the story and entertained for a few hours.

"Coconut Drop Dead" is a delightful cozy mystery that delivers a satisfying whodunit alongside a vibrant celebration of Caribbean culture. Fans of the genre will find much to enjoy in Lyndsay's investigation, while foodies will appreciate the mouthwatering descriptions. If you're looking for a light and engaging read with a dash of mystery and a generous helping of Caribbean flair, then this book is sure to hit the spot.

Cozy mysteries are my jam. This series has me hooked I am in it for the long haul. I loved the first 2 books and this one was just as perfect. I personally love that this series isn't already 20 books in like a lot of other ones. Though most cozy mysteries you can read any book and enjoy it but then you miss out on the character growth and the investment you the reader get from devouring them all. You join in on the cozy craze now and grow with it.

This author has another big fan. I love her style of writing and the way she describes that scene and food I just feel like i'm right there. Mouth salivating and all. But I also love the supporting characters. They are becoming family to me now. They just wrap you up in the pages as you try to solve a murder. Get in on the craze and gobble this up.

The newest culinary cozy mystery from Olivia Matthews, Coconut Drop Dead, transports readers to the sunny sands of Coconut Cove. There, mystery and delicious treats converge in a seductive story that will leave you yearning for both answers and a taste of the tropics.

This endearing episode follows pastry chef and amateur sleuth Corrie Locke as she becomes entangled in yet another murder case after a local food critic meets an untimely death after trying her delicious coconut delights. Corrie discovers a network of secrets, envy, and culinary rivalries seething beneath the surface of the picture-perfect coastal village as she digs more into the case.

Readers are transported to a realistic and attractive location by Matthews' skillful crafting ofthe colorful world of Coconut Cove with her luscious depictions of palm palms swinging in the breeze, beaches bathed in sunlight, and delectable tropical food. The sensory experiences that the sights, sounds, and tastes of the tropics provide readers will make them yearn for their own vacation.

The dishes Corrie prepares at her bakery are as rich and savory as the characters in Coconut Drop Dead. Every character in the compelling plot is skillfully developed with depth and subtlety, from the endearing and determined Corrie to the diverse group of suspects. Matthews deftly strikes a mix between heart and humor, bringing lighthearted repartee and sincere moments of friendship and solidarity into the story.

Fundamentally, Coconut Drop Dead is amystery that is beautifully crafted and keeps readers wondering right up until the very end. Matthews skillfully weaves a web of twists and turns to keep the tension building as Corrie rushes to find the truth behind the murder. Readers will find themselves excitedly turning the pages to solve the mystery alongside Corrie as clues appear and truths are exposed.

All things considered, Coconut Drop Dead is a delicious blend of humor, intrigue, and culinary appeal that will have fans of cozy mysteries hankering after more. Once again, Olivia Matthews has treated readers to a delicious treat, demonstrating why Coconut Cove is the best place to go for a cosy getaway. Take a seat and enjoy a delightfully suspenseful tropical adventure with a coconut cocktail.

In this third book in the Spice Isle Bakery series, Lynds and family are again embroiled in solving a murder. When the lead singer of a popular local band falls down a flight of stairs, suspicions of foul play are in the forefront. The Little Caribbean community is again rife with gossip, and the bakery run by Lynds and family is the hub of the discussions. Lynds teams up with her local law enforcement and romantic flame (maybe) to uncover the solution to the mysterious death. Of course, granny and Mommy and Daddy, plus brother Dev and assorted relatives get involved too.

The story moves along slowly for most of the book, with a quick conclusion to the crime at the end. Although it is part of the series, it can be read as a stand alone. The characters, especially the grandma, are the highlights of the story.

This book provides readers with a glimpse into the Caribbean cultures, with foodie and fashion information, as well as physical descriptions of the people in the book. For readers who become frustrated with this level of detail, give this one a miss. Readers unfamiliar with Caribbean culture will probably find the unique terms related to food and the speech patterns to be puzzling. This book would benefit from a glossary. The recipes at the end add nothing to the story, and seem irrelevant.

I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The ideas expressed here are my own.

I really enjoy this series and I so hope it continues. It was so good and this book was the best in the series yet!!! I loved it!! I was absolutely thrilled from the start of the book and I was hooked on it all the way through the end. 5 star read for me!!!
I just reviewed Coconut Drop Dead by Olivia Matthews. #CoconutDropDead #NetGalley
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