Oh Say Can You Fudge

 This is the next in the Mackinaw Island based series by Nancy Coco.  This time Allie finds herself in a mess around the 4th of July.  What a perfect read for the start of summer.  The series is so perfectly descriptive of the Mackinaw Island and all its charm and history.  Reading these books really makes me want to travel to the island.  Maybe we can tie a visit in with a college visit this summer.                              

Allie's character and her friendships with Jenn, Frances and Trevor continue to develop in this next installment of the series.  I love all the descriptions about Mal and the mischief she finds. This book highlights much of the traditions of the Island for the 4th of July and combines those wonderful features with a set of mysteries.  There is an explosion that may or may not relate to previous fires on the island.  The story weaves these mysteries together with life on the island in a very seamless way.   I really am enjoying this series.

If you are looking for a  wonderful cozy mystery series this is definitely one to try.  Now if you are trying to avoid candy and sweets, the fudge recipes may be a deal breaker :)

Oh Say Can You Fudge by Nancy CoCo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Great mystery set in an iconic site

This book captures the history and traditions of Mackinaw Island so well. The mystery is well written and full of plot twists that are ultimately tied together well. The characters are endearing and their relationships grow with each book in the series. Perfect summer read as the season begins

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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Finishing the Series   #FinishingTheSeries2021 Candy Coated Mysteries #3
2. Beat the Backlist #BTB2021  #6 book you forgot you had
3. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2021   Book #71
4. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #84
5. Calendar of Crime  #CalendarOfCrime2021   
6. Cruisin thru Cozies  Free choice #43
7. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #68
8. Craving for Cozies  Book #59
9. Medical Examiner Challenge  1 Toe Tags
10. Beachcomber Challenge  
• Crime Scenes 
• Row 1
• Airplane or airport
• Weapons
• Row 3
• Bomb or explosion
• Detectives- Allie/Rex
• Victims- Rodney Rivers
11. Six Shooter Challenge  Target #19  Shot #3

Murder in Red

 Book #49 by the infamous Jessica Fletcher with the help of Jon Land was an entertaining installment set in Cabot Cove, ME.  I enjoyed the humor of the characters making fun of Cabot Cover being a murder magnet.  This was probably the least formulaic of the books I have read from the series in a while and I wonder if it is due to the difference in co-author.  Either way I found it quite enjoyable.  

This book incorporated some corporate and medical ethics queries into the plot line that are definitely relevant in today's society.  I appreciated that the topics were raised without preaching on them and while presenting both sides to the issue.  This story brought Jessica's friend, George Sutherland to town and incorporated him into the storyline along with Mort and Seth.  The book introduces a few other Cabot Cove residents as well.

All in all this was a good mystery with characters and storyline with depth.  If you are a fan of the TV show then you probably already like the books but I would recommend the series to any cozy mystery fan.

Murder in Red by Jessica Fletcher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This installment in the murder she wrote series is more original than many of them. it definitely felt less formulaic and seemed like it was a probable plot line. I enjoyed reading it and finished it in one day. Always fun to read a book from the series

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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #64
2. Finishing the Series   #FinishingTheSeries2021  Murder She Wrote #49
3. Beat the Backlist #BTB2021  #1 more than one author
4. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2021   Book #70
5. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #83
6. Calendar of Crime  #CalendarOfCrime2021   
7. Cozy Mysteries   #17 author collaboration
8. Cruisin thru Cozies  Free choice #42
9. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #67
10. Craving for Cozies  Book #58
11. 52 Book Club  #the52bookclub2021  #20 Made Into A TV Series
12. BooklistQueen   #19. A Book Turned Into a TV Series 
13. NJM Book Challenge  #NJMBookChallenge2021  #5 made into a tv/movie
14. Spells and Spaceships Big screen
15. Medical Examiner Challenge  2 Toe Tags
16. Beachcomber Challenge  
• Crime Scenes 
• Row 1
• Library or bookstore
• Weapons
• Row 5
• Medicine or drugs
• Detectives- Jessica/Mort
• Victims- Mimi; Laurie Ann
17. Six Shooter Challenge  Target #12  Shot #4

To Fudge or Not to Fudge

 This is the second Candy Coated mystery by Nancy Coco set on Mackinaw Island.   The descriptions of the island, its history and the characters make for a wonderful story.  It is easy to envision the friendship and support Allie McMurphy receives while running her family hotel, the McMurphy, for her first full season on island.  The small town feel is also captured well.  I really have a desire to visit there soon.  

The mystery itself is a wonderful story and it is amazing how Ms. Coco blends a story about a reality show that is crossed with a murder that sounds like it is out of Fargo.  There are numerous moments of levity and Allie's attempts to date are a charming side note as well.

The descriptions of the fudge making and story telling are fascinating reads.  It is easy to imagine the smells of the fudge and the lilac flowers the story centers around.  I look forward to reading more of Allie's adventures and hope we find out the outcome of the reality contest as well.  

To Fudge or Not to Fudge by Nancy CoCo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It is so easy to envision the smells of lilac and fudge when reading this cozy set on Mackinaw Island. Allie McMurphy is working her first season at the McMurphy hotel on island but unfortunately keeps getting caught up in mysteries. This book is full of funny scenes with canine characters, family and reality tv drama. As crazy as these all sound Nancy Coco makes the story work well. It is easy to become invested in wanting to see Allie succeed. I look forward to reading more about her and Jenn's adventures at the hotel and on the historic island

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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #63
2. Literary Escapes  #LiteraryEscapes  MI
3. Finishing the Series   #FinishingTheSeries2021 Candy Coated Mysteries #2
4. Alphabet Soup Author Edition #AlphabetSoupAuthorChallenge  "N"
5. Beat the Backlist #BTB2021  #4 purple cover
6. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2021   Book #69
7. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #82
8. Calendar of Crime  #CalendarOfCrime2021   
9. Cruisin thru Cozies  Free choice #41
10. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #66
11. Craving for Cozies  Book #57
12. Nerd Daily  #NERDREADING2021 #34. AUTHOR STARTING WITH N
13. Medical Examiner Challenge 3 Toe Tags
14. Beachcomber Challenge  
• Crime Scenes 
• Row 1
• Pathway or forest

Row 5

Bathtub, shower, bathroom

• Weapons
• Row 1 
• Poison, poisoned food
• Row 2 
• Knife
• Detectives- Allie McMurphy/Rex
• Victims- Heather Manus/Cathy/Hector Finch
15. Six Shooter Challenge  Target #19  Shot #2

The Henna Artist

 I thoroughly enjoyed this book by Alka Joshi.   It was principally set in Jaipur, India in the 1950s.  It is fascinating how Lakshmi had reinvented herself after fleeing her husband in a village.   She applied the knowledge her Saas (mother-in-law) taught her on how to use natural remedies for ailments. She also developed her artistic talents into masterful henna artistry and mandala designs.  Her business relationship with Samir Singh opened doors into his wife's social circle and allowed her to develop her business.  These relationships demonstrated the caste system at work as well as the different beliefs and professions deemed acceptable within each caste.  Lakshmi is from the Brahmin's which is one of the highest castes but her status as an estranged wife is a secret that keeps her from developing her relationships in society as fully as she would normally be able to do.

Joshi captures the tenuous relationship between Lakshmi and the wealthy ladies.   Also the story addresses the maneuverings of an arranged marriage between 2 prominent families that allows them both to improve their business and social standings.  It discusses the idea of marrying for love versus an arranged marriage.  It also talks a bit about dowries and the arrangements of marital residences relative to the parents.  

The book addresses unwanted pregnancies, infertility and the influence of spiritual  advisors that impacts the Maharaja, his family and familial decisions. Be advised there discussions/ plot lines having to do with termination of pregnancy through herbal concoctions so this may be disturbing to some readers.  The tradition of multiple wives and concubines are addressed briefly as well.   All in all it is a fascinating overview of the culture of India from 60 or so years  ago.

Additionally, their are relationship struggles between Lakshmi and her sister Radha as they become acquainted and settle into a sibling relationship while also being a custodial situation.   Radha experiences many of the typical teen adjustments but they are magnified by being an villager who finds herself a scholarship student at a prominent school.   This disparity only exacerbates her ability to fit in.  How she and Lakshmi handle the situation with the help of auntie Kanta is an interesting take on the timeless theme adolescent assimilation.  

All in all I enjoyed this book and can recommend it to those interested in reading historic fiction based in India.     

    

The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fascinating story full of culture and growth

This story was layered with characters and relationships that were both frustrating and wonderful. It was amazing to see Lakshmi develop her relationship with he sister Radha and Malik. The book showed some aspects of the caste system and socioeconomic differences specific to India but global as well. The growth of the characters and their realization of what is important is well written and powerful. I found myself hoping for happiness for the good people and forgiveness for those who need it

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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #62
2. Beat the Backlist #BTB2021  #48 bought it for the cover
3. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2021   Book #68
4. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #81
5. Historic Fiction  #histficreadingchallenge   Book #10
6. PopSugar #popsugarreadingchallenge #43. The book on your TBR list with the prettiest cover
7. Around the Year in 52 Books #7 A book that fits a prompt suggestion that didn't make the final list -- A book where the protagonist adheres to a religion that is not your own
8. 52 Book Club  #the52bookclub2021   #44 Includes A Garden
9. Nerd Daily  #NERDREADING2021 #21. BOUGHT BASED ON COVER
10. Uncorked Reader #UncorkedReading2021  May – Book Set In India
11. Book Voyage  #bookvoyagechallenge  Yes Southern Asia
12. Unruly Reader Bingo  #3 eye catching

Marshmallow Malice

 This is the 5th book in the Amish Candy Shop series.  I always enjoy reading about the Amish community in OH and how they interact with the English.  Amanda Flower does a wonderful job in representing the two cultures and how the interact and conflict.  The traditions of the Amish are well presented and detailed.  It's hard not to find your mouth watering when reading about the wonderful chocolates and sweets that are created by Bailey and her Amish grandmother.  Bailey's friend, Cass is visiting Harvest from NYC.  Through the auspice of her visit they spent time touring around the county which gives the reader a bit of a tour as well.  

The mystery is well written and has multiple layers of complexity to the storyline.  I enjoy reading about the relationships between Bailey, her grandmother and cousin Charlotte.  These relationships grow with each installment.  This book digs a bit into the history of her boyfriend, Aiden's, youth in Harvest.  His high school girlfriend returns to town and has visions of them picking up where they left off in college.  Needless to say Bailey isn't sure how this impacts their relationship.  

Marshmallow Malice by Amanda Flower
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Always enjoyable to read how Ms Flower blends the Amish and English worlds in her books featuring Bailey. The chocolate treats and mysteries add to the fun. The stories show the contrast between the 2 communities and how difficult the choice can be for the young Amish to remain In The faith

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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #61
2. Finishing the Series   #FinishingTheSeries2021  Amish Candy Shop #5
3. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2021   Book #67
4. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #80
5. Calendar of Crime  #CalendarOfCrime2021   
6. Cruisin thru Cozies  Free choice #40
7. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #65
8. Craving for Cozies  Book #56
9. Medical Examiner Challenge  1 Toe Tags
10. Beachcomber Challenge  
• Crime Scenes 
• Row 1
• Pathway or forest
• Weapons
• Row 3
• Bomb or explosion
• Detectives- Bailey
• Victims- Leeza Hilberger
11. Six Shooter Challenge  Target #6  Shot #4

Fatal Fried Rice

It's always fun to read the Noodle House cozy series by Vivien Chien.  The books are a great mix of mystery and humorous situations.  Lana Lee has a knack for getting into awkward situations.  This book she finds herself in an especially tricky situation when she attempts to learn to cook Chinese food from a course instead of asking for help at her family's restaurant.  Her stubborn pride gets her in the middle of a murder where she is a suspect.  Then her nosiness gets her into a bigger mess.  

All in all this is a fun book that has a good mystery even if the reader rolls their eyes at Lana and her friends' decisions.   The mystery has a good ending that isn't readily predicted.  

Fatal Fried Rice by Vivien Chien
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It is always enjoyable to read about the escapades of Lana Lee. This time Kimmy Tran and Megan helped her solve the mystery she found herself in the middle of. Unlike the other times, she was a suspect this time. I enjoyed the development of her relationship with her sister and her sister's boyfriend, Henry. This makes here seem that much more realistic. The mystery was a good one that had a surprise ending even though you were pretty sure who the guilty party was. Looking forward to more stories about the Ho Lee Noodle House

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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #60
2. Finishing the Series   #FinishingTheSeries2021  Noodle shop caught up
3. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2021   Book #66
4. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #79
5. Calendar of Crime  #CalendarOfCrime2021   
6. Cruisin thru Cozies  Free choice #39
7. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #64
8. Craving for Cozies  Book #55
9. Medical Examiner Challenge 1 Toe Tags
10. Beachcomber Challenge  
• Crime Scenes 
• Row 3
• Free square classroom
• Weapons
• Row 2 
• Knife
• Detectives- lana lee/kimmie tran/ megan
• Victims- margo
11. Six Shooter Challenge  Target #33  Shot #3

Two Can Keep a Secret

 This is the second YA book by Karen McManus that I have read.  I really enjoy her fast paced writing style that develops drama amongst the characters and plotline without drawing the book out too long.  She is wonderful at capturing what it is like to be a teenager in high school.  It reminds adults of what life was like back when they went through school just as much as today's teens can relate to the different stereotypes of characters.  The book has  a thriller and suspense aspect to the story that covers multiple years and generations in a small town in Vermont.  

McManus does a wonderful job of casting suspicion on different characters and demonstrates how easily people jump to conclusions about people's guilt.  The role of social media and the media in general in this presumption of guilt is represented accurately as we often see in real life.  People are quick to cast judgement and slow to acknowledge the truth or the facts as they reveal themselves.   

This story has a buildup in intensity and you cannot help but want to keep reading late into the night to see how it ends.  The ending is definitely not something I saw coming.    

Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen M. McManus
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

McManus continues to capture teens’ social and emotional characteristics well. Anyone who had any insecurities in high school or was the new kid can find a character they relate to in this book. In addition to the great characters there is a well written mystery in the novel too. The ending was not something I saw coming!

View all my reviews

Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #59
2. Beat the Backlist #BTB2021 #26 features a carnival or circus
3. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #63
4. Around the Year in 52 Books #23 A cross genre novel  
5. Pick your Poison #19-3 A book with the word "secret" in the title 
6. Medical Examiner Challenge  3 Toe Tags
7. Six Shooter Challenge  Target #72  Shot #2