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jitterbun's review
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
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.
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.
dollycas's review
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
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
aspygirlsmom_1995's review
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
slherbel's review
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
4.0
rynflynn12's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
pugmomsbookblog's review
4.0
This book has a fun cozy premise and, if you like all things chocolate, this book will not disappoint! I found the beginning to have a bit of a "woe is me" vibe with the main characters incessantly talking about how they might lose their shop but once they got past that I enjoyed the well planned mystery and the twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end. I definitely would love to read more books in this series.
dontmissythesereads's review
3.0
Book #38 read in 2019
Jake and Ellie are struggling to keep The Chocolate Moose open for business. A wedding they have to cater will give them just the revenue they need to stay afloat. But when the groom is accused of murder, they must prove him innocent to save the wedding and their bake shop.
Jake and Ellie are struggling to keep The Chocolate Moose open for business. A wedding they have to cater will give them just the revenue they need to stay afloat. But when the groom is accused of murder, they must prove him innocent to save the wedding and their bake shop.