Fatal Fudge Swirl by Meri Allen


 Former CIA librarian turned ice cream shop manager Riley Rhodes makes a Halloween themed wedding ice cream cake for socialite Diantha Collins. At the same time Diantha’s son Cooper is using his mother’s Inn on the Green and Riley’s father’s bookshop for his new movie. However, the movie might be put on hold as the wedding is called off due to the fact that the bride has been murdered. Riley must save her friend as suspicion begins to fall.

I still think something is missing. There’s really no attachment to the characters. Detective Jack is just kind of there. He acts annoyed with Riley and seems to ignore her calls. After two other murders and dating Riley’s BFF Caroline, the reader would expect him to behave better. Alas, he does not. Then there are the people at the ice cream shop, Flo, Gerri, and Pru. Readers get a basic communique with these characters, but it is superficial and a bit judgy in Gerri’s case.

The mystery was unique. The main suspect was suspected, but the evidence doesn’t point to the actual murder victim. There doesn’t seem to be many motives for any of the other suspects, and the reader has to work hard not to be dragged in only one direction.

Overall, I rate this novel 4 out of 5 stars. 

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