Death By Chocolate Raspberry Scone was a fun read. There is so much action going on. Jacobia (Jake) is amazing in how she keeps moving and doing between her crazy home life and baking she doesn't stop. It's non-stop action. She is even going on a boat which is scary with sharks. Thank Goodness everything turns right and left with one mystery after another. Also, kidnapping is in the book. Wow, what an exciting read.

Just published latest entry in the Death by Chocolate Mystery Series, but I am going to admit straight away that this one left me a bit cold. Generally I like that Jake is clumsy and can't jump across a creek or tumbles down a ridge while skulking her way to investigate something. But in this buck, it's taken to extremes; I swear she's falling or getting dumped in the ocean every other chapter (or at least, that's how often it felt). And she never sleeps; she's going days on 3 hours of sleep and beers and other alcoholic drinks in place of food and a power nap. At one point, I wondered if Jake was becoming an alcoholic and that would be a future subplot. To keep the story in line with the series, Jake and Ellie are given a new chocolate challenge by a client (the chocolate raspberry scones) but despite repeated reminders that oh, yes, we have to make 4 dozen scones in 24 hours and we don't even have a recipe, the investigation takes priority in a way we haven't encountered before. Until the last few chapters, when solving the murder becomes very personal for a very good reason, this shrugging off a professional responsibility isn't necessary and even makes no sense to two characters that have always been portrayed as very professional. I'd describe this story as a grim adventure, with pirates and gold coins and a local witch, but it's all menacing in a way earlier stories haven't been. One word: Sharks. Two words: shark attacks. Three words: repeated shark attacks. I actually found the shark attacks to be very unrealistic. Jake is able to enunciate clear sentences to Ellie when a shark is just centimeters from her face and about to chomp down? There's an also a lot of nautical terms, the meaning of which this desert dweller had no clue. The murders were too easy to solve: two of the three murders and key plot elements were so easy to guess this time that I knew exactly what was going on, the motivations, etc. by the fourth chapter. I know I read a lot of mysteries, but I never try to solve it and I happily suspend disbelief when reading, so if I can figure it out without even trying, that's not a good sign. I still like the series and will read the next, but I feel this one is pretty weak.

Fans of Sarah Graves’ popular Death by Chocolate series will want to immediately pick up the seventh installment, Death by Chocolate Raspberry Scone. Jake and Ellie are back, and when one of Jake’s childhood friend, Sally Coates, comes to her for help in locating her husband, a skilled fisherman, who has disappeared. Sally’s husband hasn’t made much money in the past, but he owns an ancient gold doubloon that he inherited that may just help out their financial situation. Unfortunately, the coin is also missing along with Sally’s husband. Jake and Ellie investigate, putting themselves in danger and meeting up with several people who know about the coin and become suspects.

Readers of this series will be familiar with the pair of amateur sleuths, but Graves gives enough background information that new readers will feel like they know them; Graves has developed the characters so they are viable, and the protagonist and main supporting characters are likeable. There are a few unique characters in this novel, and they help to move the story along and keep readers guessing not only whether Sally’s husband is still alive, but which characters will turn out to be a murderer. The storyline is good, and it has twists and turns, as well as a surprise dénouement. There is some suspense that builds throughout.

Those of us who aren’t savvy to the life in the East Coast Island village, will be intrigued by the goings on because just getting into a boat to explore is a foreign thing, but it seems believable, and Graves’ writing style keeps readers interested and guessing.

All told, this is a fun, fast read, and it is well-written with good characters.

A delightful addition to the series, blending suspense with the charm of a small town bakery. I love the name of the bakery! The writing is atmospheric of the island village and the characters are relatable. I enjoyed following along with Jake and Ellie and their sleuthing.
Many thanks to Kensington and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

A great addition to an incredible series! Wonderful characters in an incredible setting. This book will keep you guessing until the end.

Book Review: Death by Chocolate Raspberry Scone by Sarah Graves

Rating: 3 Stars

I recently picked up Death by Chocolate Raspberry Scone by Sarah Graves, and I have to admit, my experience was a bit of a mixed bag. Set in the charming little village of Eastport, Maine, we follow Jacobia “Jake” Tiptree and her friend Ellie White as they whip up delectable desserts at their bakeshop while navigating the chaos of summer tourist season. Sounds sweet, right? Well, it starts off promising, but things take a dark turn that left me feeling a bit disappointed.

The plot kicks into gear when Sally Coates, a childhood friend of Ellie’s, believes her husband has been murdered at sea. She enlists Ellie’s help to find out who murdered him. As Jake and Ellie island-hop around Passamaquoddy Bay, they find themselves entangled in a web of intrigue filled with shady characters and a rising body count that feels more like a horror movie than a cozy mystery.

Now, here’s where I found the story lacking. With multiple deaths occurring throughout the book, it felt like the stakes were raised just for shock value, especially since none of them had anything to do with the chocolate, raspberries, or scones that the title promises. I’ve read my fair share of cozy mysteries, and usually, they give me that warm, fuzzy feeling alongside the whodunit element. This one, however, felt much less cozy. The body count kept climbing, and it started to feel like I was reading a thriller rather than a light-hearted mystery.

Another challenge I faced was keeping track of the numerous characters in the story. There were just so many plotlines and people involved that I often had to pause and remember who was who. It made the reading experience more cumbersome than enjoyable.

And let's talk about the boat talk. Oh boy! There were moments when my eyes glazed over from the endless nautical jargon. I appreciate that some readers might enjoy that level of detail, but for me, it felt excessive and detracted from the overall pacing of the story.

In conclusion, while Death by Chocolate Raspberry Scone had its moments of intrigue and a fun premise centered around a bakeshop, it ultimately fell short of my expectations. It was more chaotic than cozy, with a plot that strayed too far from the delightful desserts promised by its title. If you’re looking for a light mystery with some culinary charm, this might not be the one for you. I’d give it three stars for its potential and setting but wish it had delivered a bit more sweetness instead of so much bloodshed.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

This is the 7th book in Graves’ series featuring Jake and Ellie from Eastport, Maine. In the heat of summer a local fisherman’s boat is found adrift with no one onboard. His wife reaches out to Ellie for help in finding him. And so begins what i believe is the pair’s most intense case.

Eastport, Maine is a real town in the state where Grave lives. Because of this I believe she is able to bring her characters to life in a way many other authors who write about Maine locals are not. She builds the tension with international intrigue, lost treasure, child kidnapping, shark attacks and the local witch. A new Police Chief also puts a twist to the two’s usual group.

Although this is part of a series, it could be read as a stand alone. I enjoyed this book and would encourage you to start from the beginning with Dead Cat Bounce. I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Jake and Ellie are up to their usual shenanigans in this installment. Once readers accept that this series is like a B-horror movie with the outlandish plot twists and crazy happenings. Somehow I am drawn back to the series with each new book. Let go of reality and common sense for a bit and read this book.

Princess Fuzzypants here: Sometimes when I read one of the books in this series, I have felt the two main characters, Jake and Ellie, go to extremes and get into more trouble than is justified. This time they get into as hair raising scary trouble as ever before but it did not seem like they were tottering on the edge of the Darwin Award. In fact, while the action was in places quite nail biting, it was never over the top or straining on my credulity. I really like it when a story can grip and excite but not be beyond my imagination. And this one did it.

Clearly the favourite in the series, the two are asked to investigate the disappearance of the husband of one of their friends. His boat is found but there is no sign of him. He happened to have a gold coin in his possession so it is possible foul play might be at work. This book has it all. Pirates and treasure, things that appear and disappear according to the tides and sharks. Hungry and determined sharks. Jaws has nothing on these guys.

It was a romp, beginning to end to figure out who was a good guy and who was a bad guy and to what degree they were both. There are daring rescues and near misses galore. This is a great book for summer reading…maybe not too close to shark infested waters. Five purrs and two paws up.

Once again, this newest installment, the 7th, in the Death by Chocolate mystery series does not disappoint.

This one is more action-packed, more intense, with more boating and less baking, than previous books in the series, but still enjoyable.

As usual, a terrific plot with some great characters, particularly Jake and Ellie, and now, the new sheriff in their Maine town.

Recommended for mystery fans!!

Dollycas's Thoughts

August in Eastport, Maine is HOT! But the tourists just keep coming, which is good for business but the desserts at The Chocolate Moose may melt before they can be consumed.

To add to the heat issues a skilled fisherman is missing and his wife,  Sally Coates believes her husband has been murdered. She begs her friend Ellie to find his body and the person responsible for his death. He was said to be in possession of a gold doubloon he inherited from his grandfather. Sally needs it to provide for her family but someone may have wanted it bad enough to kill.

Can Ellie and Jake catch the killer or will they die trying?

_____

Jacobia “Jake” Tiptree's life is full of chaos before you add a murder. She is juggling a house filled with 4 generations of family with only 1 bathroom. An addition to the house has begun but it hits a new frustrating snag every day. Her family keeps rolling with the punches better than I think most people could. Ellie's home life is quieter but with her husband away a lot she spends a lot of time at Jake's. I enjoy catching up with all of them with each new story. 

This story was action-packed with spine-chilling adventures. This book pushed the cozy mystery norms to the limits but I loved it. Treacherous boat rides, sharks, sharks, and did I mention sharks, a floating body, and more had me at the edge of my seat repeatedly. A kidnapping had me reeling. The showdown was intense and scary. I had an inkling about what was going on but I was truly so caught up reading the story on the pages that were swiftly flying I didn't firm up any guilty party. I was able to vividly imagine all the happenings thanks to the author's detailed descriptions. Jake and Ellie were tested. They were brave.

The subplots of what was happening at Jake's house and Ellie trying to come up with the perfect Chocolate Raspberry Scone recipe for a "really big" order, although I wouldn't call an order for 4 dozen big for a shop like The Chocolate Moose, gave readers a little break from the bedlam on the water.

Death by Chocolate Raspberry Scone takes readers on some heart-pounding adventures with the people we have grown to care for over the course of this series. I was delightfully entertained even though had I been around those sharks like Jake and Ellie I would have died of a heart attack on the spot. Thankfully my heart handled reading about it all and I can't wait for more adventures with Jake and Ellie.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and all opinions expressed are mine.

I did not expect to get hungry while reading this book but alas here we are. This is book 7 in a series and my first by the author . I would suggest reading all the books in the series but it is easy to follow.

The book follows Jake and Ellie who run a bakeshop in East port,Maine. All is baking well in the bakery until their friend Sally asks them to help find her husband's killer and who killed him if he is actually dead.It's every amateur sleuths dream and is fast paced ,well written and the characters likeable.

Rating:3.5/5

Death by Chocolate Raspberry Scone takes the reader on a sea adventure as the main character, Jake, and her best friend/business partner Ellie investigate who murdered their friend’s husband.

I loved that a majority of the sleuthing took place on the water and all the interesting characters (that end up being red herrings) that came with it. This provided a unique approach to the amateur sleuthing world and delivered some hilarious mishaps that Jake seems to always herself in. Coupled with another edition added to Jake’s already overcrowded household and the delicious baked goods, this book was a fun one to listen to.

I enjoyed this story very much! There is a lot of tension, action, & some scary moments. It turns out well, but leaves open certain threads (not in a frustrating way). The new police chief fits in well although it’s sad that Bob is gone. I love to visit this town. #DeathbyChocolateRaspberryScone #NetGalley

After catching up on the series (I'm not sure how I missed three!), by the time I got to this newest installment of Jake & Ellie's misadventures, I found myself becoming...well, tired of them. Although I can usually count on Sarah Graves for a delightful read, "Death by Chocolate Raspberry Scone" was kind of a slog. The mystery was farfetched even for a cozy mystery (which generally requires the reader to suspend disbelief anyway), and even the usual charm of the Eastport squad wasn't up to its usual standard. I did enjoy the addition of Lizzie Snow to the cast, though I'll definitely miss Bob. Overall, not the strongest entry in the series by far, and while it wasn't bad enough for me to rage-quit the series, I'm seriously hoping for the next entry to provide a solid bounce back to standards.

I have enjoyed the books I have read so far in the Death by Chocolate series. In fact, so much so that I bought audiobook versions of the earlier ones and can’t wait to get the background information on some of the characters. Though I am sure it will be beneficial, you can actually read this one as a standalone and still enjoy it immensely. The characters are well developed and some of them are quite quirky. There are a lot of people to keep up with as you get settled in with the people of Eastport, Maine. This story will have you turning the pages quickly as you travel along with Jake and the rest of the inhabitants and tourists trying to solve a murder, find a missing 4-year-old grandson, and dealing with shark attacks. You will be sitting on the edge of your seat and biting your nails as you anxiously work to figure out who is guilty. I can’t wait for the next adventure with Jake and her family; her boyfriend, Dylan; and best friend, Elle. I’m sure it will be another grand adventure.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Cozies for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

Jake and Ellie are just trying to make it through the heat of August but its hard to at the bakery with no air conditioning. When a friends husband goes missing she comes to the ladies to ask them for help. She wants them to investigate what actually happened to him. He just didn't come home from an outing on his boat one day. Is wife Sally said he was always careful but was he lax this one time and fell overboard? When they find a body it turns out not to be who they were looking for, they don't actually know who it is. Jake and Ellie continue their investigation in hopes of bringing Sally the answers she seeks. Will they figure out this mystery in the end or will more bodies pile up before they do?

This is the Seventh book in the charming series " Death By Chocolate Series." I have read and enjoyed this series with all the perfect cozy mystery elements readers adore. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinon is my own. I always enjoy returning to this wonderful series with the wonderful chocolate, fun characters and a intriquing sleuth.

In this next in series our favorite sleuth and baker Jake and her partner Ellie are stepping away from the bakery to look for Pirate treasure and a missing husband of a childhood friend. They are soon embroiled into a mysterious murder mystery in the bay with clues abound and red herrings to keep them guessing. A fun sleuth that kept me guessing to conclusion. I enjoyed this return to the series with a exciting change of scenery for our favorite bakers. I look forward to the next in series.

4.5 stars rounded to 5

Death by Chocolate Raspberry Scones is the seventh cozy mystery in the Death by Chocolate Mystery series. Jake Tiptree and Ellie White pen a chocolate themed Bakeshop in Eastport, Maine, but they also have a tendency to get wrapped up in the crimes that take place in their little town. That’s why Sally Coates comes to them when her husband goes missing, she’s convinced he’s been murdered and she wants Jake and Ellie to look into it. Unable to stop their curiosity, the baking duo gear into action and start snooping around until they’ve unraveled the mystery.

I am a fan of this series and was excited when I saw a new mystery coming out. This book has all of the things that make it a perfect cozy mystery, the small town feel, the determined sleuth, in this case sleuths, and the mystery that needs unraveling. I have come to love Jake and her family and enjoy following along with all of their craziness just as much as I love the mystery in this series. I feel like this mystery had more twists and turns than normal and I enjoyed that, it kept me guessing. This was one mystery that I was pulled into from the beginning and didn’t want to put down. If you are looking for a good, baking themed cozy mystery with a little bit of grit, this series is work a try!

This has to be Jake and Ellie’s most epic adventure ever! One word: shark. Use your imagination or better yet, read all about it in this latest and to me, most exciting installment of this series. I absolutely enjoyed every minute and couldn’t read fast enough in some places. It just played out like a non-stop adventure, comedy movie that was cozy mystery based.

And knowing it was such a twisty plot with several players in nefarious acts, I really appreciated the extensive explanation at the end over my fave thing of food, family, friends and fellowship. I really enjoyed the addition of two new characters too. That Lizzie was an absolute hoot! I know she’ll be around but I hope her boyfriend sticks around too. They both went above and beyond to protect and serve, so I hope Dylan sticks around as well. Those two kinda complete each other.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book, and my opinions are my own.