Death by Chocolate Pumpkin Muffin is book #8 in the Death by Chocolate Mystery series by Sarah Graves.

My one regret in this book is that I didn’t jump to the end to get the recipe for the chocolate pumpkin muffins so that I could make a batch and eat them while I was reading. Jacobia “Jake” Tiptree and Ellie White’s bakery, the Chocolate Moose, is catering dessert for a local celebrity’s party, but unfortunately there’s a death which puts a damper on things. The victim was not well liked, so there were plenty of people who had motives to kill him. Jake and Ellie get in on the investigation. As much as I enjoyed the mystery and following along with the investigation, my favorite part is the characters - especially when a series has been going on longer like this one has. You get to see the characters develop along with their relationships and and that’s what keeps me coming back!

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

Halloween is over and local home repair star Hank Rafferty is having a party at his mansion known as Stone House. Jake and Ellie have been tasked with bringing the desserts and when they arrive get a huge shock. Hank falls to his death right as they get there. The man had a ton of enemies so the police are looking at his death as a homicide. The main suspect is the chief of police's boyfriend. No matter how hot headed the man can get the chief doesn't believe he had anything to do with it and neither do Jake or Ellie. The two want to help the chief clear his name so they dive into their investigation. Hank had more than enough enemies its just figuring out which one hated him the most. Can they figure out who the killer is before an innocent man ends up behind bars.

Every adventure of Jake and her pal Ellie’s seems to be even more intense and full of mystery than the previous one. This book definitely fit that bill and had me on the edge of the seat at times and laughing at other times. Jake’s first person narrative is always good for some giggles along the way. That woman’s life is seriously chaotic at home but I don’t think she’d have it any other way.

The most epic adventure of this book came toward the end and was definitely nail-biting as Jake (who even rescued a dog in the process), Ellie and Dylan fought for their lives and a teen friend of Lee’s. Of course the good guys came out the winners and the baddies were dealt with. At the end, some friends had a fun thing happen for them, something that surprised everyone. Life’s sure never dull around Jake and Ellie!

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

Series #8 in the Death by Chocolate Mystery, a most excellent collection! Wish there was a shop like the Chocolate Moose in my town. Nothing better than delicious desserts. Jacobia 'Jake' Tiptree and Ellie White run the store but are often on the hunt solving mysteries. When a person who had many enemies falls to his death there are many who could be the culprit. Lots of suspects. Great character development. Good story plot. Thanks #Netgalley and #Kensingtin for the eARC in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are mine.

An enjoyable addition to the series, Sarah Graves’ characters are like old friends that you are always to see.

Death by Chocolate Pumpkin Muffin is book 8 in the Death by Chocolate mystery series by Sara Graves and was a really enjoyable mystery. And if you're like me and haven't read any of the previous books in the series, no worries, because this is easily read as a standalone novel.

The Chocolate Moose bakery owned by Ellie White and Jacobiia "Jake" Tiptree, has been hired to provide cupcakes for an event held by television celebrity Hank Rafferty at his new home, Stone House, but when they turn up with the delivery, they discover Hank is dead.

Told in first person from Jake's point of view, I found Death by Chocolate Pumpkin Muffin to be a fun mystery. I especially loved the characters. The multigenerational setup at Jake's home made the scenes of her homelife, and family relationships, some of the most interesting parts of the book.

There were a few scenes in the book that I felt were unnecessarily detailed and one near the end that was not only overly detailed, but felt unrealistic as well. During that unrealistic scene there was also one event that made me question Jake's actions, and morality. I can't say a lot more without spoiling the scene, but if you read it (or have read it) maybe some of the same thoughts when through your head as well.

Overall I enjoyed the book and would be interested in reading other books in the series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A cozy mystery with murder and a haunted house. All the usual family and friends are here but I admit I’m getting tired of all the family. I really wish Jake had stayed with home renovations.

A fun addition to the series that likely will be most enjoyed by those who have been following along because there's a considerable amount of page devoted to Jake's family. That said, it's a classic cozy that sees Hank, the local tv star of sorts, murdered and Jake investigating with her pal Ellie. Hank was not well liked so there are multiple suspects and a few red herrings. There's also some family drama at Jake's house. I'm a fan of this series for the characters, who always feel quite real. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good cozy read.

I would recommend this book. A haunted house and a murder mystery that. Ellie and Jacobia known as Jake try to solve. It involves a friend of Ellies daughter which they feel that needs their help to find and find evidence she didn't commit the murder.

🧁A Deliciously Cozy Mystery with a Dark Twist 🎃


🧁 Death by Chocolate Pumpkin Muffin: A Sweetly Spooky Cozy Mystery 🍂

Rating: ★★★★★

Every cozy mystery enthusiast knows the joy of curling up with a book that feels like a warm hug, and Death by Chocolate Pumpkin Muffin by Sarah Graves does just that! As a devoted fan of Graves's delightful series, this latest installment is a perfect blend of sweetness and intrigue, with a sprinkle of autumnal magic.

Set in the picturesque town of Eastport, Maine, the story invites us back into the world of the Chocolate Moose, where bakers and best friends Jacobia "Jake" Tiptree and Ellie White whip up decadent desserts that are to die for—literally! This time, the murder of local celebrity Hank Rafferty during a Halloween party spices up the storyline, drawing readers into a web of mystery, secrets, and a touch of holiday spirit.

Sarah Graves has a knack for crafting characters that feel like lifelong friends. Jake and Ellie embody the kind of friendship that we all cherish and aspire to have, working side by side and sleuthing through the darkest of plot twists with their trademark humor and determination. I absolutely adore this dynamic duo, whose adventures never fail to delight and entertain.

What makes this book, and the series as a whole, so loveable is Graves's enchanting storytelling. Her ability to paint vivid scenes—from the cobweb-draped houses to the cozy warmth of a bustling bakery—instantly transports me to Eastport, where every corner holds a new secret to uncover. With each book, I fall deeper in love with the charming town and its quirky inhabitants, eagerly following Jake and Ellie's investigative escapades.

The plot of Death by Chocolate Pumpkin Muffin is both engaging and clever, filled with enough twists to keep you guessing and enough heart to leave you smiling. The balance of mystery and warmth is perfectly achieved, making it an irresistible read for lovers of cozy mysteries. And let's not forget the mouth-watering descriptions of chocolate and pastries that make this book a delight for the senses!

Sarah Graves remains one of my all-time favorite authors, her stories a testament to the art of blending suspense with comfort. Her ability to weave intricate mysteries against the backdrop of a tight-knit community never ceases to amaze me. This series is a treasure trove of joy and excitement, and I can't recommend it enough.

In short, if you're seeking a cozy mystery full of heart, humor, and divine desserts, Death by Chocolate Pumpkin Muffin is an absolute must-read. Dive into the enchanting world of Eastport, where friendship, mystery, and chocolate reign supreme!

Chocolate and quirky characters make up the most enjoyable parts of this book. Jake's family plays a pretty big role in this story and I did feel not knowing the back story of the characters might have taken a bit of enjoyment out of the story for me. However, one character I thought was awesome was Wade and his willingness of accept and love his family even if the in-laws and his wife's son and the son's family all lived under one roof. Ellie, the BFF and business partner, and Jake had a great working relationship which sustained them through some bumps in the business road making the story feel real. The killer was a bit spot on for me but maybe it was because I disliked that character immensely from the first scene.
However, while the book was fairly good, I couldn't give it more than 3 stars (or 3.3 stars.) The book got a bit tedious for me with all the repetition and lengthy descriptions. There was one scene in particular where the girls where driving to the haunted and spooky house when the drive was detailed. I don't feel like I gained anything from reading about them turning onto this road and that. A terrific example of the repetition was the lengthy descriptions each time they drove up the long steep driveway. OK, I get it the driveway was horrible but how many times do I need to read the same words.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing | Kensington Cozies for the opportunity to read this ARC

Another good mystery in a series of good mysteries by Sarah Graves! There is so much going on in this book that you almost forget to wonder whodunit. Jake and Ellie are baking Chocolate Pumpkin Muffins for a Halloween party at a newly renovated house outside of town. Jake and Ellie are there usual wonderful selves – smart, courageous, resourceful. This may be my favorite book in the series so far. Pro Tip: don’t sit down to read this book without some chocolate in the house!

This was a good cozy mystery but felt it wasn’t that original in concept . It was just an ok read but one I like wont remember in a month
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review book

"Death by Chocolate Pumpkin Muffin (Death By Chocolate Mystery #8)" by Sarah Graves takes place shortly after Halloween. Jake's house is bursting at the seems and the Chocolate Moose may have a very generous catering job to set them up well for the slow winter season. A DIY home repair celebrity is moving into a home he inherited on the island and wants to pay them like he pays his L.A. bakery.

Unfortunately, he ends up found after falling from a turret balcony at his new home. Was it a ghost, was he pushed or something far worse? Jake and Ellie get pulled into investigating when their friend, Dylan Hunter, and a friend of Ellie's daughter are both considered suspects. I got very frustrated because it's like Jake and Ellie haven't investigated dozens of other suspicious deaths in the past. They keep making rookie mistakes and have had zero character growth.

As usual with this series there are continuity problems. Dylan Hunter for one. Jake needs to stick to one name for him, especially when talking to Liz. She flips between calling him Dylan and calling him Hunter. She is the worst at this when talking to Liz in the same conversation. There also is some inconsistency in who shot in self defense at the end.

I generally enjoy this series and the action-packed endings. I do wonder if the author considered doing some background on this. The very idea that Jake could survive the fire scenes without hospitalization is ridiculous. The fact that she got a tiny bit of treatment and went on with her life is beyond the realm of even a sliver of belief. Then I simply could not get past the coal chute being called a coal Clute after a character. I do hope this was corrected. I am not sure I will be back for another book.

This was SO much better than the previous installment of the series, so I'm really pleased to see that, Jake, Ellie, and the gang are back to their usual shenanigans, with much-appreciated appearances from Lizzie Snow and Dylan Hudson, and the mystery isn't too badly-crafted, either. To be honest, I feel like this series would be just as successful - if not more - without the mysteries, because the characters can hold their own with their interpersonal and interfamilial drama and chaos, and there's...only so much disbelief that a reader can suspend when dealing with mysteries and murder in such a small town. But I thoroughly enjoyed this quick little read, and am glad that the series didn't get bogged down in the absurdity of the 2024 release.

5/5 stars: This is the eighth entry in Grave's Death by Chocolate Mystery series, which is a Culinary Cozy Mystery set in a small Maine village and follows a pair of best friends and chocolate themed bakery owners who find their post-Halloween plans take a turn after they discover an unpopular local celebrity, a home repair TV show star, fall to his death from his ramshackle mansion's widow’s walk; leading to them to turn to sleuths to uncover the killer. With plenty of suspects and too many motives, the duo will have to work fast to unmask the culprit. With plenty of twists and turns, Grave has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Heartfelt and humorous, Grave's writing and character work are stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable. It's a joy to catch up with Jake and Ellie, their friends and family and the charming folks of Eastport. I especially adore Jake and Ellie's friendship and their families, particularly Jake's housekeeper-slash-stepmother, Bella Diamond. Oh and I love Jake and Ellie's bakery, The Chocolate Moose, and all the delicious goodies described throughout the book and you won't want to miss the yummy recipe Grave has included. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, Death by Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake. If you love Jake and Ellie, their sleuthing adventures kicked off with the Home Repair Is Homicide series, which starts with The Dead Cat Bounce. Grave's a longtime favorite author and this entry doesn't miss; Highly recommend!

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing | Kensington Cozies in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

This is book 8 of the series and Sarah Graves does not disappoint.

in this installment, we see the ending of Halloween as they prepare for the upcoming holidays. Yet, a body falls to his death as the home repair tv show arrive in Eastport. Lizzie, the amateur sleuth sets her mind to solve the mystery and you can guess what happens next.

A great cozy mystery that I highly recommend!! If you haven't read any other of her books, do so now.

Sarah Graves is very adept at writing a fast paced, nonstop action mystery and Death by Chocolate Pumpkin Muffin is no exception. The action is mainly focused on a creepy old house which is currently owned by a television celebrity of the HGTV variety. The bodies and action mount up, as well as a missing person and various unsavory and unlikable suspicious people. Over the years, Sarah Graves has developed a large and engaging cast of returning characters beginning with Jake Tiptree and Ellie White, whose friendship dates back to when Jake first moved to the remote Maine island town of Eastport. I enjoy the characters so much that on some level, I wish there was a bit less action and a bit more of the characters living their everyday life. I also wish that Jake and Ellie sometimes acted with a bit more common sense when it comes to putting themselves in danger. That said, I enjoyed this book which is quick reading and entertaining. This is a series that I have enjoyed since the beginning and recommend to others. Three and a half stars.

This was a very interesting storyline, one that we don't always read about. Jake and Ellie are owners of a local bakery and tend to get mixed up with mysteries. (I liked that the sheriff wasn't constantly telling them to stop snooping and instead, welcomed their involvement!)
In this installment, they're investigating a landgrab that ends in murder and arson. If I had one negative critique, it would be the scenes of Jake escaping the fire. I felt it was too far-fetched and she most certainly would have died of smoke inhalation. Otherwise, the storyline is good, the friendship is great, and the wrap-up is satisfying. I recommend grabbing a bite of Death by Chocolate Pumpkin Muffin!