Some Like it Fudgy

Candy-Coated Mystery #14

By Nancy Coco

ISBN 9781496756978

nancyjcoco.com

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie

Synopsis:

Allie McMurphy lives the sweet life running her world-famous fudge shop on Mackinac Island—but when a killer strikes, she has to turn from creating confections to extracting confessions . . .

TAKING A BITE OUT OF CRIME

As a gesture of goodwill, Allie is bringing a tray of assorted fudge to her new husband’s ex-wife, Melonie. But she finds Melonie’s body on the floor of her photography studio—where a remote-controlled camera keeps snapping picture after picture. In one, she’s alive, and in the next, she’s dead.

While Rowan Giles, another visitor to the shop, chatters nervously—and incessantly—Allie dials the police, though she encourages her husband to leave the case to another officer. Several unidentified people were leaving when she arrived on the scene. Nevertheless, Rowan is the top suspect, thanks to one thing she didn’t talk about: her bitter relationship with Melonie. Was Rowan just stirring the pot with all her gossipy gabbing?

Allie’s not so sure. She’s learning about some dark secrets in Melonie’s past. And identifying an obvious suspect is one thing, but finding the truth is a whole other kettle of fudge . . . (From Goodreads)

Review:

Allie and her husband have enjoyed almost a year of wedded bliss. They lived on Mackinac Island, a favorite tourist destination in every season except winter. The only motorized vehicles allowed on the island were emergency and service vehicles. Even tourists walk, ride bicycles, or ride in horse-drawn carriages. Rex is the lead local police officer, and Allie is the owner of the historic McMurphy Hotel & Fudge Shop that has been her family for several generations. She inherited the hotel and fudge shop from her Papa Liam, who taught her to make fudge in the family tradition.

Melonie, Rex’s ex-wife, managed an old-style photo shop, complete with Victorian costumes and a variety of realistic backgrounds. It was next door to the McMurphy.

Melonie had made many threats to Allie, including that Melonie would steal Rex back. Optimistic and friendly, Allie decided to take a sampler box of several fudge flavors to Melonie, including what she heard was the woman’s favorite flavor.

Allie went into the photo shop. Several people in the costume area left out the back door. When Allie found Melonie, she was lying on the floor, wearing one of the shop’s costumes. She was not breathing and had no pulse. A woman she hadn’t seen before came in behind her, also shocked to see the photographer on the floor. Rowan had heard, from the outside, the sound of her camera remote clicking over and over, and came to see if she could help. A plumber came down from the upstairs apartment, claiming he did some work for Melonie, wore his headset, and heard nothing.

Allie’s husband, Rex, and two of his officers arrived quickly. George, an EMT, arrived with the ambulance. Melonie had been murdered by a quite unusual means. Rex struggled between shock and what his brain reminded him was necessary to do. He turned the investigation over to Charles, and the crime scene to Shane, who handled all the crime scene testing, and was the husband of Allie’s best friend, Jenn. And Rex kept referring to Melonie as his wife.

Rowan had gone to school with many people on the island, including Melonie. Rowan’s huge family now lived in Charlevoix, and she was taking a few days on Mackinac Island before returning to the family compound. She and Shane had been close friends in school, but lost contact after going to separate colleges. Her very protective Great Dane, Finn, stayed at Rowan’s side.

Rex could not work on Melonie’s case, so a snarky officer from another area came to take lead on the investigation. Officer Laird had hated Rex for years, back from when they were in law enforcement classes. Laird heard about Allie’s talent of helping to find killers in local murders, and threatened to put her in jail if she got in his way.

It was difficult for Allie to rein in her curiosity. She had found the remains of most people murdered there since she moved there. She also helped solve most of them, with the book club ladies or with Jenn. Officer Laird had wanted to pay back Rex for several years. She and Rex, with the help of their attorney, had already pulled a hilarious joke at Laird’s expense and couldn’t risk upsetting him further. She finally chose to trust Rowan and get her help.

The characters continue to be defined well through their behaviors and conversations. Over the course of this series, Allie, Rex, and best friend Jenn have continued to grow and change as demonstrated in each mystery. Relatively new or less visible characters add to the stories without overpowering them. Allie, when learning more about Melonie’s background as well as Rowan’s, was the most likely person to give them grace and be kinder to them. Most of the friendships there were solid and true, the kind that keeps this reader returning.

It was clear that Melonie was disliked by most island residents. She had no real friends except the very kindly Mr. Beecher. Still, it was impossible to determine who killed her, until one person, to me, began to look a bit more suspicious than others. When the guilty is/ are revealed, along with the motives, most are shocked! Even Allie and Rex did not expect what occurred! I was very satisfied with the ending, and can’t wait until the next visit! I highly recommend this mystery and series; Nancy Coco has a winner with each novel!