This book kicks off a charming cozy mystery series set in an ice cream shop—with a fabulous cast of quirky characters.Recent MBA grad Bronwyn Crewse has just taken over her family’s ice cream shop in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, and she’s going back to basics. Win is renovating Crewse Creamery to restore its former glory, and filling the menu with delicious, homemade ice cream flavors—many from her … flavors—many from her grandmother’s original recipes. But unexpected construction delays mean she misses the summer season, and the shop has a literal cold opening: the day she opens her doors an early first snow descends on the village and keeps the customers away.
To make matters worse, that evening, Win finds a body in the snow, and it turns out the dead man was a grifter with an old feud with the Crewse family. Soon, Win’s father is implicated in his death. It’s not easy to juggle a new-to-her business while solving a crime, but Win is determined to do it. With the help of her quirky best friends and her tight-knit family, she’ll catch the ice cold killer before she has a meltdown…
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With an endearing cast of characters ranging from Bronwyn’s close-knit, multi-generational family to her feisty best friends, this intricate mystery plays out with plenty of suspects, tons of motives, and an ending I didn’t see coming.
I love that this book is set close to Cleveland! I’m about an hour south of there, and I am with the author…it’s a mystery why we don’t move to a warmer place! I’ve been around Chagrin Falls since my aunt and uncle lived in Chesterland, but I’ve never actually visited. I think a trip is in order once we’re allowed to travel; however, I’ll avoid the falls in winter though just in case…
A Deadly Inside Scoop is a great start to this new series! Trust me; you’ll be craving the many flavors of ice cream that Win and company make at Crewse Creamery. Crewse Creamery has been in Win’s family for years, but she makes some much needed changes!
Unfortunately for Win, her first day open comes with a snowstorm! She doesn’t get any customers, so she is wallowing in self-pity at the end of the day. But when she looks at the snow again, she remembers her Grandma’s snow ice cream! Win knows you find the best snow at the foot of the falls….and on this day, a dead guy too!
You can bet something sketchy is going on, and it turns out, the dead guy was murdered! Also, Win talked to him that morning! The mystery in the book was well-plotted and kept me guessing. Lots of people were burned by the murdered man, so that made for many suspects. The police focus on Win’s dad as the primary suspect, so she’s got to snoop for clues.
I really liked the characters, and I’m looking forward to see how they develop in the upcoming books. Win, Maisie, and PopPop are my favorite characters so far, and they’re the most developed in A Deadly Inside Scoop. I think Maisie’s grandmother is going to be another of my favorites too.
Get started on this new series!
A strong start to a new series. The beginning made me feel comfortable with the Crewse family and chuckling over Bronwyn’s thoughts about her new acquaintance “Mr. Penny for Your Thoughts Guy” who she felt was a stalker. It turns out she has a lot bigger problems when she discovers a body and her Dad seems to be the most likely suspect in the case thus she becomes a reluctant sleuth.
The Ice Cream Parlor setting was charming and all the ice cream flavors are sure to make you hungry. I liked the characters in this story but we just got teasers about the law professor (stalker) and the detective so I look forward to learning more about them in future stories in the An Ice Cream Parlor Mystery series..
Thanks to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
A fun start to a new series. Bronwyn “Win” Crewes’s character is well-crafted, and her relationships with her family are sweetly developed. It is pretty hard to believe, though, that Win has stayed “best friends” with Maisie for decades, since Maisie is a complete flake with virtually no redeeming qualities whatsoever. I enjoyed the story, and look forward to the next in the series, but… I do think that there were too many “characters” introduced (mostly the shop employees), and in and out, making it difficult to keep track of who was who and figure out where they fit in the story.
Ice cream? Homemade hard ice cream? OK, that’s easy. Bronwyn Crewse, newly minted MBA, works hard to rebrand and re-open her family’s shoppe. Construction delays and a blizzard change her opening, but when she stumbles on a body….!
And then, in her investigation she finds out this person’s history within the town, and makes no friends doing it when she finds out that the guy tried to steal Grandmother’s business and her father becomes a suspect.
This was a great small town cosy mystery that leaves plenty of room and ideas for a great series. Way to go Abby! Recommended 4/5
[disclaimer: I received this book from an outside source. I voluntarily chose to read and review it]
A Deadly Inside Scoop by Abby Collette is the debut novel in An Ice Cream Parlor Mystery series. Bronwyn “Win” Crewse has returned home to Chagrin Falls and was thrilled when her grandfather gave her the keys to Crewse Creamery making her the new manager. Win’s Aunt Jack had changed the place so much that is was not recognizable. Win has made some wonderful ice cream (all made by hand) to sell for the opening which turns out to be a chilly day with rapidly falling snow. Not the best day to open an ice cream shop. Win has a positive attitude and plenty of marketing ideas to help Crewse Creamery. I enjoy the relationship Win has with her family especially her grandfather, PopPop. PopPop may be grumpy, but he has a soft heart where his granddaughter is concerned. While Maisie Solomon is a loyal friend to Win (they have been friends since kindergarten), she had hair brained ideas and reacts without thinking (insisting someone is guilty of murder without proof). I hope that Maisie will calm down and mature as the series progresses. The mystery was straightforward. You know who will die after meeting the man. There are a couple of suspects along with misdirection. I would have liked more investigating by Win (without Maisie). I enjoyed discovering the identity of the cold killer. The ice cream Win creates sounds delicious. I like that she uses quality, locally sourced ingredients. I was surprised that Win did not serve other items in the winter like homemade hot chocolate, cookies fresh from the oven (could be used to be ice cream sandwiches too), brownies served a la mode, or pie with ice cream. It would help to bring customers into the shop (she might in future books). Win’s marketing degree will serve her well in promoting the shop. Professor Morrison Kaye is a good addition. I liked him except for the ideas he gave Maisie. The knowledge he imparted could be dangerous in Maisie’s hands. A Deadly Inside Scoop is an upbeat cozy mystery with creamy cold concoctions, greenhorn gumshoes, significant snowfall, a mystery man, a precious puppy, and carcinogenic killer.
A Deadly Inside Scoop is the first book in the new Ice Cream Parlor mystery series by Abby Colette. In a fun and twisty romp, Bronwyn Crewse stumbles upon a dead body in the snow as she is out gathering the freshest, purest snow to make her dear Grandmother’s snow cream. It is the first day for the grand reopening of the Crewse Creamery, a family business that she has recently inherited. Unfortunately, an early autumn snowstorm has made for an abysmal opening with not one customer all day.
As Win learns more about the victim, it is discovered that there was bad blood between him and most store owners in the small Chagrin Falls shopping area, including her family. When the mode of murder indicates that a medical professional would have best access to the substance, Win’s father, Dr. James Graham Crewse, becomes a prime suspect. Feeling little confidence in the detective in charge, Win and her best friends Maisie and Riya make it their mission to find something to clear Win’s dad.
In a sometimes comical and often bumbling investigation, they begin amassing clues until the puzzle pieces begin sliding into place; this at Win’s peril. With a cast of quirky characters and a lovely small town vibe, I did enjoy this book and I do recommend it!
Fabulous start to a new series! Soon after re-opening the family ice cream shop, Win finds the body of a man who once caused her family to suffer. When her father becomes a suspect in the murder, she and her best pal set out to find the real killer. Skillfully plotted and brilliantly written, this mystery kept me reading into the wee hours of the morning. The characters are interesting and I look forward to getting to know them better in future books. I received this book free and chose to make a voluntary, unbiased review.
I was delighted to read this first in An Ice Cream Parlor Mystery series! My first job was at an ice cream shop in Michigan, so I appreciate watching the family’s newly-remodeled store reopen in October – to the first snowstorm of the winter. It brought back memories of scooping ice cream and learning to make the special desserts. I enjoyed meeting the engaging Win, her family and friends, and was stumped by this excellent mystery.
Win, a marketing expert, returned to her hometown from New York City, where her grandfather PopPop gave her carte blanche to take over the family ice cream shop. Crewse Creamery was started over half a century ago when her PopPop and Grandma Kay followed a dream. Aunt Jack ran the store when they stopped managing it, and she just left to marry a man she met online in another state.
Win planned an awesome renovation which was completed much later than anticipated. On opening day, she walked to the shop and met a man carrying a puppy he claimed was lost. He knew her family, especially her grandparents, and said he might go visit PopPop while in town. When her mother stopped in and heard about Puppy Guy, she figured out who it was – someone who had tried to destroy the family and business when her grandmother was very ill. Mom also told her that if the man showed up to see PopPop, her dad might kill him.
It snowed that day. Well over a foot. Not only were the streets quiet, nobody came to buy ice cream. It was not the first day as the new manager that Win had envisioned. The day did not get better. Win came across her grandmother’s recipe for snow ice cream, so she went below the parlor to the foot of Chagrin Falls to get the best snow – and tripped over a body. It was dark and she was shocked, so she didn’t look at his face. The next day she learned it was Puppy Guy. Stephen Bayard.
She does not for a minute think her father killed him. The police detective, however, does. His reasons include the means of death, something only available to those working in hospitals (her father is a surgeon), and the history of the man with her family.
When one of her best friends, Maisie, suggested they hunt for the killer, Win blew off the idea. Unlike the sleuths Maisie loves to watch on TV, they knew nothing about catching a killer. When Win heard the detective question her dad the first time, then she talked with the detective herself, she changed her mind.
This mystery got better the more I read! The warmth and help of family and friends are impressive. The characters are defined well through their actions and conversations. Watching Maisie and Win on their “stakeouts”, especially some of the interesting suspects Maisie came up with was funny at times. On one stakeout they were joined by other best friend, Riya, and we saw the fiery wrath of a woman who had just been stood up – funny! And the ice cream sounds amazing!!
Plot twists and turns keep the story moving quickly. No matter how hard I tried, I could not figure out whodunit. Stephen had made so many enemies over the years that it could have been anyone they watched or questioned. I was surprised, then, to find the real killer and why! I was satisfied with how the novel ends. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys well-written cozy mysteries, a Midwest setting and – fabulous sounding Ice Cream!
From a thankful heart: I received a complimentary copy of this novel; a review was not required.
Welcome to Crewse Creamery where the ice cream is handmade. Bronwyn “Win” Crewse has just taken over her family’s ice cream shop. After renovations she opens the shop but her first day is not what she expected. Not just she didn’t have any customer, she found a dead body. To make matters worse, Dead Guy is someone who did harm in the past to Win’s family. But when the police suspects her father of the crime, she starts her own investigation. With the help of her best friends, Maisie and Riya and her grandfather, Win sets out to find the murderer. And of course between snooping and stalking and questioning she makes the most delicious ice creams.
I just loved this funny, entertaining and absolute lovely story. Definitely 5 stars from me.
I don’t read cozy mysteries too often but when I saw the cover and read the blurb I just knew I need to read this book. I love ice cream. Who doesn’t? I think I gained a couple of pounds by just reading this book.
The story was easy to follow and it was fun watching Win and Maisie trying to figure out who murdered Dead Guy and why. I think this is exactly how I would lead an investigation. I watch way too many CSI and Criminal Minds…ha ha.
Win is a really lovable character, someone I could relate to. I just love female lead characters who are determined and strong enough to do what’s necessary. Even if Win just stumbles through some leads she is not willing to give up.
Maisie is spirited, vivid and cheerful. Someone Win can count on, always. She is an amateur sleuth. I laughed so hard at some of the things she did and said.
Riya…well she is a force to be reckoned with.
I hope there will be more books and ice cream to come. I highly recommend this book.
I received a copy for free from Edelweiss and Penguin Publishing Group, thank you.
Great mystery that makes you want ice cream!
This was a great mystery novel that was light-hearted and fun to read. I loved Win’s devotion to her family in both her personal life and the family business. I felt her friends were a great dynamic and worked as a great contrast to her down to earth personality. They all worked fantastically together and helped her solve the mystery.
All in all, this was a great mystery with surprising twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very end. If you enjoy something light and love great mysteries then this is the book for you. There is even a surprise at the end of the book – ice cream recipes from the ice cream parlor that was the setting of the novel.
I love a good cozy mystery with fun, unique characters and this was not a disappointment. It’s such a fun entertaining read and I adored all the characters. This did a great job introducing the town and characters.
Wyn is a very likeable main character, she’s the perfect lead and believable in how she acts. Her best friend Maisie is so funny and I adored her. The small town feel was charming and interesting and delivered some unique personalities. I really enjoyed the references to well known amateur sleuths.
I had my guesses as to who did it and was surprised in the end which I loved. All the questions brought up and storylines had a good resolution in the end. I highly recommend having ice cream nearby because my goodness it all sounds amazing and I was having serious cravings. I am really looking forward to more in this series.