Maple Syrup Murder

Oh Fudge! Cozy Mystery, Book #1

By Grace Lemon

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra    

 

Summary:

Welcome to Cider Island – a town where anyone who’s anyone knows something about someone. It’s just that kind of place. And things get a whole lot stickier for the residents when a businessman visiting the island ends up smothered at the local sugar bush.

With maple syrup season in full swing, Ida Noe’s fudge shop is busier than a centipede at a toe counting contest – especially when she’s invited to showcase her world famous Maple Bacon Fudge at Sweeney’s Sugar Bush. All is sweet until some poor sap kicks the bucket in the sugarhouse and all fingers point to Ida’s best friend Maura Sweeney.

With the help of her lumpy black Lab and origami loving friend, Ida is determined to “tap” the real killer and prove that maple can indeed be murder.

Previously published as Maple Can Be Murder.

Review:

A delightful, quick cozy mystery read; the first I have read by author Grace Lemmon. Ida Noe is a unique amateur sleuth. At 62 years young, she runs her own fudge shop in town. She gets her maple syrup from Sweeney’s Sugar Bush.

While at Sweeny’s Sugar Bush, the body of Mr. Snellbottom is discovered. All indications point to it being a murder and Maura, the of Sweeney’s Sugar Bush and longtime friend of Ida is the main suspect.

All the characters are “unique” in their own way. And of course Smudge, her dog is a fun addition to the story.  Ida goes nowhere without her trusty sidekick Smudge. Eldon is a retired 40-year veteran of the Cider Island police force and a budding romantic interest for Ida. Eldon is also a sounding board for Ida’s thoughts with respect to the murder. Ida must solve the murder as she is convinced that Maura is not the killer.

I found the story contained humor (of course – with a protagonist named Ida Noe), a wee bit of romance, and the usual amateur sleuth activities involved in solving a murder. I was kept in the dark as to ‘whodunit’ until the end. Additionally, there was a side storyline which certainly muddied the waters… but it was what added to the mystery and mayhem.

Maple Syrup Murder was an enjoyable, quick cozy mystery. Great when you have an hour to read and want something light and cute. I would definitely read more by this Canadian author.