Give Fudge a Chance (A Candy-Coated Mystery) by Nancy Coco #Review / #Giveaway @KensingtonBooks @nancyjcoco

Give Fudge a Chance (A Candy-Coated Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
11th in Series
Setting – Mackinac Island, Michigan
Kensington Cozies (May 23, 2023)
Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1496735552
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1496735553
Kindle ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BFC7SKQZ

It’s time for cozy readers to return to the magic of Mackinac Island where sleuth extraordinaire Allie McMurphy solves another unsolved murder in Nancy Coco’s perennially popular Candy-Coated Mystery series.

FORECAST: FAIR WITH A CHANCE OF MURDER . . .

The Mackinac County Fair is in full swing, and the air is rich with the scent of funnel cakes and the sound of carnival rides. Allie is focused on the fudge competition—another win would really put her hotel and fudge shop on the map. But she’s willing to take a little break and walk through the haunted house attraction with her friend Jenn.

When they come across a body, though, it turns out not to be a prop. Soon Allie’s cop boyfriend is on the scene, and the sleuthing confectioner is hunting for clues. Danger strikes too close to home when the hotel becomes the scene of a suspicious fatal accident, and Allie suspects the two deaths are connected. The case is turning into a real rollercoaster. Allie will need to hold on tight . . .

Dollycas’s Thoughts

The county fair comes to Mackinac Island and everyone is ready for fun and the crowds but not a dead body. That is just what Allie and Jenn find when they take a break to walk through the carnival’s haunted house. Among the scary scenes, one body is clearly not a fake or trick. One of the owners of the haunted house is dead and the killer could be anyone. Allie’s boyfriend Detective Rex Manning and Jenn’s Crime Investigator husband Shane soon arrive to begin their investigation and warn their fabulous ladies to stay out of their case.

As if the small police force doesn’t have enough to do with the fair and a murder, tragedy strikes again when the McMurphy Hotel is the scene of what appears to be a fatal accident. Allie is convinced the two deaths are connected. Things are really fudged up on the island and I don’t mean the entrants at the fair. Allie tries to stay out of the investigations but the Book Club Gals have other plans.

I was so happy to return to Mackinac Island to catch up with Allie  McMurphy and all her friends. All the characters Ms. Coco has created feel true-to-life and genuine. With each installment, they all get stronger and more fleshed out. Allie really tries to keep her nose out of the investigation but when the McMurphy becomes a part of a crime I easily understood her actions. Plus it wouldn’t be much of a story without her involved. I do like the direction of her relationship with Rex and was not happy about someone trying to butt in. I am also excited about the developments in Jenn and Shane’s lives too. Allie’s Mal and Melba play a larger role in this story and I loved that!

The author plotted out a very complicated mystery with some epic twists and missing persons. I really enjoyed all the moving parts and how a huge clue was revealed. One character really surprised me. She has been evolving over the last couple of books but in this story, she is pretty darn fierce. This adds a great new element to the story and leads to an exciting showdown.

The Parkour discipline has come to the island. I was familiar with the practice of getting from one point to another in the fastest way possible seeing it on television and YouTube. It really is crazy and can be quite dangerous. It was interesting to see it employed in this story but it definitely wouldn’t be my thing even if my body was whole enough for me to try it.

Mackinac Island and all its events and activities never disappoint. Ms. Coco’s words bring everything about it alive and easy to envision. It is a place I want to visit so badly. Each book in this series is a nice virtual vacation but nothing like actually visiting the wonderful place in person.

You have to Give Fudge A Chance, a chance. It is a marvelous cozy mystery filled with engaging and entertaining characters along with a whole lot of fudge. Yes, recipes are included.

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About the Author

Nancy Coco is the byline chosen by popular author Nancy J. Parra for use exclusively with the Candy-Coated Mysteries series. With degrees in engineering, journalism, and a MA in Writing Popular Fiction, Nancy has published in cozy mystery, romantic suspense, and sweet western historical romances.

An Air Force veteran who rose to the rank of sergeant, Nancy is a member of an online group of female veterans who are authors—“Military Women Who Have Turned Sword to Pen.” The group’s website is www.romvets.com.

Nancy is also a member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime. She has given workshops on a number of writing topics and enjoys doing author panels at fan conferences such as Malice Domestic and Bouchercon. She lives in California with her dog—a bichonpoo affectionately known as Little Dog on Nancy’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.

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