Reviews

Death by Chocolate Malted Milkshake by Sarah Graves

cradlow's review

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mysterious

4.25

hello_lovely13's review against another edition

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lighthearted mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5


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l_berger's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

4.0

a1mushi's review

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3.0

Fun quick read!

princess1989's review against another edition

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4.0

I loved this book!! Great story!! Couldn’t believe who the killer was!! Love the series!! Can’t wait for the next book in the series to release!!

debinva's review

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hopeful relaxing medium-paced

3.5

jitterbun's review

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adventurous lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

kennysue7's review

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3.0

Cozy mystery

A good cozy mystery book. I liked it. I liked the main character. She tells a good story. Got a little slow in the middle of the book after the beginning with all the action. But still a good read.

clevs's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-paced

4.0

dollycas's review

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funny lighthearted mysterious

4.0

 
Dollycas’s Thoughts

Jacobia (Jake) and Ellie own The Chocolate Moose bakeshop in Eastport, Maine. Keeping the doors open is getting difficult in the colder months and they may have to close. Jake has resigned to their fate but Ellie is holding out hope that the whoopie pie wedding cake they are baking for Sharon Sweetwater and Andy Devine will save their shop.

Then Sharon’s ex is killed, poisoned with milkshake just like Ellie and Jake make in their shop except this time the secret ingredient appears to be arsenic. Eastport’s favorite lovebirds find themselves in dire trouble. Andy is arrested and Sharon shocks everyone with her confession. With the wedding canceled Jake and Ellie know the only way to save The Chocolate Moose is to find out who really killed Toby. But can that do it in time to save their shop and get the young couple’s wedding back on track?

This series is a continuation/spinoff of Sarah Graves’ A Home Repair is Homicide Mystery series but they can easily be read on their own.

I really like that Jacobia’s whole family lives in her huge Victorian and that they all play active parts in the story. Ellie’s husband has to travel for work and tries to be home with his wife and daughter at least one day a week. She and Jake make a wonderful team, best friends, partners in business, and sleuthing partners too. Jake’s dad has had some medical issues and he makes some choices in this story that concern his family. While my medical issues aren’t the same I did identify with him a lot in this story. Families can be a little much sometimes even when their hearts are in the right place.

I really enjoyed the mystery the author has crafted. I immediately had the same question Jake did and it was fun the way she theorized to get answers to that question and others and she pieced all the clues together. Chief of Police Bob Arnold has the patience of a saint. Jake and Ellie crossed some huge lines but he accepted it, moved on, and just voiced his concern for their safety. After some clever twists and turns, the big reveal was very exciting. The ending was heartwarming and very satisfying.

Believable characters with real-life problems mixed together with an intriguing mystery make Death by Chocolate Malted Milkshake a very entertaining read. I am looking forward to visiting these characters again soon and getting caught up on this series.