Another great installment in the Ice Cream Shop Mysteries series. First, I love Brandon's creations and i would 100% go to this ice cream shop if it was in my town. Second, this mystery was well written. The clues were there and I had my suspicions but I did not guess who the killer was before the reveal. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series and seeing what kind of trouble Riley finds herself in, maybe the next book will take place in a secondary location?!? ( )

A Halloween wedding sounds like a perfect time for innocent fun, along with attending the local Halloween happenings about town. It was not so innocent for someone with malicious intent! In this third offering in the Ice Cream Shop mysteries, the death of a bride on the night before her wedding day offers the opportunity for Riley and friends to engage in helping law enforcement solve the crime. Suspects include the sons of the bride Diantha, as well as the manager of the Inn and other assorted locals.

To add to the suspense, a movie is being filmed using town locales, so actors and others from out of town also could be suspects. Toss in a little blackmail, and the stage is set for solving the crime!

This is a cozy mystery that lacks descriptive intimacy, violence or strong language. Although it is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone novel. I liked this one the best of all three in the series so far. The food treats sound yummy, and the spooky fun atmosphere add to the enjoyment of the story. The means of committing the crime is unusual, one that I have not come across in many years of reading mystery novels. The lovable supporting cast of characters includes Riley's dad and his wife, adorably feisty cats, and Riley's friends.

Readers who enjoy cozy mysteries with interestingly realistic settings and intriguing means, motives, and opportunities will find this a welcome addition to their reading lists.

I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own. ( )

Udderly Delicious!
Another flavorful and fun installment in the Ice Cream Shop series! ( )

Riley Rhodes has given up her career as a librarian for the CIA and is back in her hometown of Penniman, Connecticut, managing the Udderly Delicious Ice Cream Shop. It is nearly Halloween and nearly closing time for the seasonal shop. But one more big event - the wedding of the owner of the Inn on the Green - is scheduled before the shutdown. Riley has been tasked with making an ice cream cake with the bride and groom's favorite flavors.

Things are also busy because a movie is being shot at the Inn and other locations including her father's used book store. And her roommate's spoiled Persian cat has a role in the film too.

All the happy, busy activity comes to a screeching halt when the bride is found dead the night before the wedding. Despite numerous health problems, Riley isn't willing to write the death off to natural causes. Too many people were upset and angry with the woman. The prime suspect is Riley's friend Mary Ann who happens to be the groom's ex-wife.

Despite the police chief's orders to stay out of the investigation, Riley feels the need to clear her friend's name and find the real murderer. She has lots of suspects to choose from including the manager of the Inn who has had a long-standing crush on the victim and the housekeeper who might have lost her house and her job had the victim lived. Then there are her two sons and a stepson who might have had reason to get rid of the victim before she could change her will in the new husband's favor.

This was a fun cozy with a great setting and interesting characters. I liked the sound of the different flavors of ice cream Riley and a teenage assistant create. There is even a couple of recipes for hot fudge sauces at the end of the book. ( )

amateur-sleuth, Connecticut, culinary, ice-cream-flavors, small-business, small-town, cozy-mystery, friends, friendship, cats, murder, murder-investigation, law-enforcement, innkeeper, family-dynamics, family, famous-persons, holiday-madness, tv-film-industry, tv-personality, ex-CIA, ex-librarian, angst, situational-humor*****

Halloween, a birthday, a wedding, and a murder.
Riley is back in her hometown where her father runs the bookshop, she runs the ice cream shop (left job a CIA librarian plus), a friend runs the local expensive inn, and the cat rules the world (even the television crew). Lots of interesting characters, a beautiful setting for a a good sleuthing. Loved it!
I requested and received a temporary digital ARC of this book from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ( )