Cozy Wednesday featuring Some Like It Fudgy (A Candy-Coated Mystery) by Nancy Coco #Review #Giveaway @KensingtonBooks @nancyjcoco

Welcome to Cozy Wednesday!

I am delighted to share my thoughts today about
Some Like It Fudgy (A Candy-Coated Mystery) by Nancy Coco!

Some Like It Fudgy (A Candy-Coated Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
14th in Series
Setting – Mackinac Island
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Kensington Cozies
Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 28, 2026
Print length ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
Mass Market Paperback
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1496756975
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1496756978
Kindle
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1496756985
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FKX8NRGT
Audiobook
ASIN B0GRWSTXRP

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 . . .

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Rex Manning’s ex-wife, Melonie, is the new manager of the Old Tyme Photo Shoppe right next to the McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop. His new bride, Allie McMurphy, gathers up a five-slice box of fragrant fudge to welcome their new neighbor. She walked in to the sound of “tinny old-time music”,  a camera clicking non-stop, and Melonie dead on the floor. Before Allie can take in what she sees, Rowan Giles enters the shop, persistently babbling.

When the police arrive, Rex is profoundly affected by seeing his ex-wife on the floor. Allie persuades him to step away from the case. By her presence, Rowan tops the list of suspects, but others were seen leaving the shop through the back door.

While Rex has been sidelined, Allie is determined to find out who killed Melonie and why. So with a little assistance from her girlfriends, Allie jumps into her investigation while showing everyone SHE IS NOT PREDICTABLE!

Even the most blissfully happy couples face rough times, and newlyweds Rex and Allie hit a rough patch when Melonie was killed. Grief and shock can bring out a variety of stressors, and there may be other reasons Allie is more touchy and stubborn. It made these characters even more genuine and relatable. Jenn was there for Allie and Shane, and Charles had Rex’s back. Those friendships are so strong. When Officer Laird came to the island to take over the murder case, everyone, including this reader, had someone to hate. He was a short, snide little man full of threats and bluster. I loved it when Allie went toe-to-toe with him, and the town rallied behind her. Rowan Giles has returned to Mackinac Island after being away for almost ten years. She is accompanied by her Great Dane, Finn. She has a huge family and knows everyone in town; she also knows Shane very well. I appreciate how the core characters continue to face true-to-life situations that fill the subplots, and how new characters enter the scene in meaningful ways, both good and bad.

Ms. Coco has written a compelling mystery with a plethora of suspects, twists, turns, and misdirections. I really enjoyed that instead of relying on the senior citizens for information and gossip, she reached out to her friends, Jenn, Liz, and Sophie.  She also included Rowan in the girls’ night. That doesn’t mean Mr. Beecher, Carol, Ida, and the rest of the book club didn’t have anything they wanted to share. Their ideas can be quite comical at times, but other times they are right on the nose. There was some distressing news, and while handled correctly, it was heartbreaking. I found the takedown to be extremely satisfying.

Each trip I take to Mackinac Island always ends too soon. Some Like It Fudgy followed suit. In addition to a captivating mystery, the island is full of friendly people and fun things to do. I would love to join the book club, or tag along on a girls’ night with Allie and her friends, or volunteer to watch Jenn’s baby. This is one of my favorite series for very good reasons; the characters are engaging, the setting is unique, and the mysteries are well-plotted, well-written, and entertaining. If only each book came with a box of fudge. I am excited for my next virtual vacation to Mackinac Island.

Breaking News! There is a spin-off in the works!

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Kensington Cozies and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

About the Author

Nancy Coco is the byline chosen by popular author Nancy J. Parra for use exclusively with the Candy-Coated Mysteries series.  She also writes the Kensington Palace Chef Mysteries as Nell Hampton. 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.

Website – Instagram – Facebook 

Written as Nell Hampton

Thanks to the publisher, I have 1 print paperback copy to give away!