Christmas on Mackinac Island brings a flurry of festive activity for fudge shop owner Allie McMurphy—but also a body in a snowbank . . . SNOWED UNDER All Allie wants for Christmas is for renovations to be finished on the Historic McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop so she can move back home for the holidays. But for now she’s staying in her friend Frances’s apartment, busily baking batches of … friend Frances’s apartment, busily baking batches of holiday fudge. After someone leaves a mysterious note on the door to meet up, the curious fudge maker goes to the rendezvous with her bichonpoo, Mal—only to discover a woman facedown in a snowdrift. With her dying breath, the woman gasps, “Frances.” The police suspect she named her killer, but Allie knows that’s impossible. She needs to wrap up this case before the trail runs cold—and give her friend the gift of freedom this Christmas season . . .
Praise for Nancy Coco and the Candy-Coated Mysteries
“Memorable characters, a charming locale, and a satisfying mystery.”—Barbara Allan
“It’s probably best not to read this while you’re too hungry, as the assorted fudge recipes may send you right to the kitchen.”
—The Oakland Tribune
“A fun and fast-paced cozy mystery that would be perfect for a weekend in, under cozy blankets with a mug of hot cocoa.”
—Criminal Element
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Few things exemplify holidays more than a fudge treat. Combine the Christmas season with a winter storm, a poisoning or two, and you have a recipe for a holiday story that will keep readers fighting their need to eat delectable desserts and wanting to take a winters trip to a small island. All of this is what makes this series, “A Candy-Coated Mystery” and Have Yourself a Fudgy Little Christmas a winter’s must!
Allie is back with an all-new adventure. Her life is unsettled during this holiday season. The McMurphy Hotel is under construction; she is living in her friend’s small apartment and trying to get shipments of her fudge treats out to customers before Christmas: to top it all off, her love life is in the dumper. She is ready for winter and the holidays to be over. Allie is a lovable character; her friends are equally charming and as always play a central part in the story. This time Frances is at the heart of a murder, the police think she is a killer, and Allie thinks Franses is keeping a secret, not just from her. It doesn’t take long for suspects and evidence to lead straight to Frances, and Allie is determined to prove her friend innocent one way or another.
The twists in this book keep coming throughout, red herrings abound, and suspects and witnesses are falling by the wayside faster than snow can hit the ground. Ultimately, Allie finds herself in danger and has to find a way out. It takes some doing, but thankfully, she manages to stay alive and catch the killer. Throughout the book, the recipes will have readers craving fudge, holiday treats of all sorts, and Christmas. Have Yourself a Fudgy Little Christmas is a book readers will want to read more than once, and each time, it will leave them feeling cheerfully content.
Have Yourself a Fudgy Little Christmas” the 8th instalment in the Candy-Coated Mystery series by Nancy Coco. I really enjoy this series and visiting Mackinac Island!
I found myself engrossed in the story and reading in one sitting. The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and I loved the characters which are well developed. I especially love little Mal which reminds me of my little furbaby. Plus the recipes between each chapter are sure to please!
I kept guessing and second-guessing myself on whodunnit right to the very end. I did figure out who the villain was but the reveal was a surprise.
I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.
I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Kensington Books and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Have Yourself A Fudgy Little Christmas
Candy-Coated Mysteries, Book #8
Nancy Coco
5 Stars
Synopsis:
In Nancy Coco’s eighth Candy-Coated Mystery, Christmas on Mackinac Island brings a flurry of festive activity for fudge shop owner Allie McMurphy–but also a body in a snowbank. With fun recipes, cute pets, quirky characters, and an endearing young protagonist, the Candy-Coated Mysteries have the perfect ingredients for cozy mystery fans!
All Allie wants for Christmas is for renovations to be finished on the Historic McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop so she can move back home for the holidays. But for now she’s staying in her friend Frances’ apartment, busily baking batches of holiday fudge. After someone leaves a mysterious note on the door to meet up, the curious fudge maker goes to the rendezvous with her Bichonpoo, Mal–only to discover a woman facedown in a snowdrift. With her dying breath, the woman gasps, “Frances.” The police suspect she named her killer, but Allie knows that’s impossible. She needs to wrap up this case before the trail runs cold–and give her friend the gift of freedom this Christmas season… (Goodreads)
Review:
The characters are well developed and well rounded. Allie is busy with getting things ready for Christmas and getting all the fudge orders filled and shipped off. When Allie and Mal find another dead body, things get more busy than ever. She partners up with Liz, the reporter, to try and figure out who the culprit is. And there might be a new love interest for Allie, we will have to wait and see.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and through much of the book, I felt like I was right there, watching all of the action taking place. The mystery was well plotted and not easily solved. I really did not consider the person that it turned out to be, and I think that is a good thing.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. These books just keep getting better.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
Tis the season – for another of my favorite series to have a new cozy mystery released! Christmas on Mackinac Island sounds wonderful, and this is the beginning of Allie’s first winter on the island. I love the characters, who are best defined by their actions and conversation. This very well-written cozy mystery is an excellent read any time of year, whether during the Christmas season or in the summer desert heat.
Allie McMurphy inherited the Historic McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop from her grandfather and has already had a tourist season with renovations and upgrades done prior to opening. She is doing something new by being open during the winter, as there are some tourists who will be there for various winter holidays and events. Her contractor is working hard to complete the repairs required after the roof, being built up for summer events, caved in several weeks earlier. Thankfully she hired a different contractor than the one doing the original roofing work.
Also recently, Frances, originally hired by Allie’s grandfather and has managed the hotel for several years married Douglas, their handyman. Both are retired educators, love the hotel, and are very much in love. At least until somebody new to the island, Kayla, dies as a result of being murdered, and says Frances’s name as she breathes her last. When Kayla’s mother arrives on the island and meets Frances, she wants Frances to pay for what some think she has done.
Only a couple days go by before Frances’s former upstairs neighbor is found seriously ill, who also later died, and the death looks a lot like Kayla’s. Trying to find out what connects the two deaths, other than Frances, could be one of the most challenging murders Allie has tried to help solve since moving to Mackinac Island. It seems that if someone dies there, either Allie – or her pup, Mal – somehow find the body. Frances is keeping a secret, one that would help Allie find the real killer, but there are corners of her life that even her husband doesn’t know about.
I have loved this series since the beginning! The author’s trademark humor, the very likable characters, the antics of Allie’s dog and cat, and how hard it is to figure out whodunit are all part of that. The author describes Mackinac Island and the Hotel so well through the seasons that it is like taking a mini vacation when I read each one. The identity of the real whodunit was a surprise! Frances’s secret no longer carries the weight that it once would have, and she finds out who her true friends are when all is revealed. The author reveals it with kindness and grace, demonstrating a greater depth of character for the delightful woman. I highly recommend this novel to those who enjoy well-written cozy mysteries that include sweet treat recipes, Christmas, pets, and an incredibly beautiful setting.
From a thankful heart: I received a complimentary copy of this novel; a review was not required.
It’s never too soon to start reading Christmas themed mysteries and this series starts it off with a bang. Allie has already had the bang and now finds herself living the apartment of her dear friend, Frances, once lived in. The renovations to the McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop are ongoing and Christmas is just around the corner. Much to Allie’s dismay, the holiday comes with a dead woman found in a snowbank. Because of the anonymous note on Frances’s apartment door that led her to the poor woman and her last words, well that puts Frances at the top of the list of suspects. Knowing that Frances must be innocent, Allie sets out to track down the killer. Along the way we learn more about Frances’s past.
Allie’s personal life needs some work, relationship-wise. It’s complicated and I’m eager to read the next in the series for more to be revealed. The rest of the recurring characters are present and it was a pleasure to spend time with them. Exception – I did want to have words with the ladies of the book club. They need to learn about boundaries and personal space.
As always, the puzzle is well crafted, the characters well developed and the setting is delightful. If I lived on Mackinac Island I’d be eating at least one piece of their yummy fudge every day if not more.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review,
This was a great series when it began but it definitely needs a kick in the pants! There’s only so much you can write/read about a girl and her pets finding dead people on an island with no cars. The writing is excellent otherwise and I greatly enjoy the antics of the pets and the people. I would recommend this book but i feel I need to step back for a while. Enjoy!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and this is my voluntary, honest review.
Have Yourself A Fudgy Little Christmas is the eighth book in the Candy-Coated Mystery series by Nancy Coco.
Forget two front teeth; the only thing Allie wants for Christmas is the McMurphy Hotel’s renovations to be completed. She lived at Frances’ old apartment, a duplex since the hotel’s roof collapsed, and could use the room in her kitchen to complete the online fudge orders.
As she is leaving with her Bichonpoo, Mal, to attend the Christmas tree lighting, she finds a note requesting her to meet with the writer. When they arrive at the appointed spot, they discover a young lady’s body in the snowbank. With her last breath of life, she utters, “Frances.” The police will soon identify the young lady Kayla Cramdon, and all the police know is that she has just recently arrived on the island. Then when Kayla’s mother comes, she claims that Frances has killed her daughter. Frances becomes the prime suspect, and when Rex brings her in for questioning, Allie becomes quite upset and vows to clear Frances’ name. Frances refuses to talk about how Kayla knew her, and Allie will soon learn that Frances has a secret and refuses to also speak about that.
When an older man who lives in the same duplex as Allie is found dead in his apartment, a victim of being poisoned, Allie will have to get to sleuthing before any more unsuspecting residents lose their lives. Allie will get help from her friend and newspaper reporter, Liz, and the other two duplex residents to lead her to the killer.
On the romance side, Allie and Rex have been dating for a while but have not progressed much. Then Rex’s ex-wife arrives on the island and tells Allie that there is not any way that she will Rex go a second time. On the positive side, a new man has shown up on the island, and they seem to enjoy each other’s company.
This book is another well-written and plotted book by Ms. Coco. It’s always enjoyable to visit the residents of Mackinac Island. The characters are well-developed and believable.
Delicious sounding fudge recipes are also included in the book.
I will be watching for the next book in this great series.
What a great Christmas story, with some surprising turn of events. Everyone has secrets or things they would rather not talk about. Would your friends still be your friends if some of your secrets came out? There are some wonderful characters in this story and I think you will enjoy the storyline. I know I would certainly like to eat some of the fudge Allie keeps making. I can’t wait to see who arrives at the McMurphy, now that it’s up and running again. Come join Allie, Frances, Douglas, Rex, Mal, Mella and the rest of the gang as they handle the twist and turns of the story. You also get some yummy recipes included in the book. I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.
I have never been to Mackinac Island, but everytime I read a book in the Candy Coated Mystery series I am instantly transported to the island. The authors descriptions are so vivid that I can just picture being there and hanging out with Allie, her dog Mal, and all the colorful islanders, solving mysteries and making delicious fudge.
And the recipes at the end of each chapter sound delicious. Highly Recommend this book and the whole series.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor.
Christmas is in the air and Allie McMurphy finds time to enjoy the festivities while also managing repairs at her historic Mackinac hotel and making fudge for her fudge shop. But when someone is murdered a big secret comes out and now Allie is trying to help a friend through a trying time and figure out what is going on before others are hurt.
The setting was well done and there were a lot of viable suspects so I was coming up with theories until the end. I also was amused by the group of senior ladies who were ready and willing to investigate even if it meant bending the law a bit. This is the 8th book in A Candy-Coated Mystery series and I have enjoyed them all. Thanks to Kensington and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
Have Yourself a Fudgy Little Christmas is by first Nancy Coco read and I will return. The series is the Candy-coated mysteries. Does that not say it all?
The setting is Mackinac Island, Michigan. It is Christmas time. Allie McMurphy has inherited a hotel from her grandparents. Right now it is under construction because the roof caved in. Thankfully most of the damage was limited to her apartment on the third floor, so Allie is living in Frances’ old apartment. Frances who has been a mainstay around the hotel for 30 years had recently married Allie’s new handyman, Douglas, and they had moved in together. Allie also made and shipped fudge. Her main kitchen had been at the hotel so for now she was using her own or Frances’. She was busy, shipping orders from her website every day. Suddenly, the calm in the island was broken when someone left a note on Allie’s door to meet him or her at the old fort steps. When she got there her dog, Mal, found a body; thankfully still alive. Sadly that didn’t last. A young woman, a newcomer named Kayla Cramdon, died at the hospital, from an apparent poisoning. Things got worse from there.
What a fun series this is. This book is so chock full of characters and subplots and it moved so quickly from one to another, that one has to focus to stay abreast. It has everything, touching on locating family through DNA, crazy ex-wives, and an emphasis on how much things have changed in the last 60 years. Despite the murders, it has an upbeat tone that is hard to beat. In a way, it is a feel-good cozy mystery. Not all of them are. I had fun reading it and it got me to thinking about fudge. It was also chock full of recipes for those readers who cook and bake. It is definitely worth a try if you car not familiar with Coco’s writing, and worth a read if you already know her. I recommend it.
I was invited to read a free ARC of Have Yourself a Fudgy Little Christmas by Netgalley. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #haveyourselfafudgylittlechristmas
This is my first Allie McMurphy story. Although it is the eighth in the series. It is a stand alone story. There are several side stories that are carried over from the previous novel. Such as the renovation of the McMurphy Hotel. The roof fell in in the last novel.
Allie follows the directions in a note left on the door of the apartment she is borrowing, from her friend and employee Frances. When she goes to meet a mystery person at the preparations of the holiday light display she finds a dead body. Frances becomes the prime suspect.
France is withholding information from her friends. She has history. Does it relate to this murder or is it just a way to deflect from the killer. Allie is walking a fine line between solving the mystery and protecting her friends privacy.
This is a Christmas themed installment of the series. I enjoyed the sddition of fudge recipes with in the story. Sub plots are Allie meeting a possible new love interest bas well as dealing with feelings and fall out from her previous two relationships. One of which is the local law enforcement official. Which only complicates her endeavors to solve the crime.
I liked the “book club” ladies. The senior ladies who invade not only Allie’s apartment but the second crime scene. The site of a second homicide by Poison. I love this genre, cozy mysteries. The fact that it contains a food theme as well as a book club only adds to the likability in my opinion.
I haven’t had the pleasure of reading Nancy CoCo’s book before receiving a copy from NetGalley. This book was so good that now I want to check out this new to me author and read some of her other books. I think you will want to as well if she is new to you. I you have read her before you won’t want to miss this one.
Allie is working on getting the McMurphy put back together so she can move back into the apt but for now she is staying at Frances old apt and the ladies book club keeps showing up helping her to solve the latest mystery in the town. Oh did I say murder in town, it seems that Kayla left a note on Allie’s door to meet her in town at the Old Fort’s steps. When they got to the Fort to meet her {Allie and her dog Mal} they found Kayla just about dead someone had poisoned her. The last word that she uttered was Frances name.
Check out the book I think you will enjoy it
This is a slightly darker entry in the series since it hits really close to Allie’s McMurphy family.
I liked the rational decision making from several of the characters, Allie towards her relationships, Frances and Sally’s toward their respective situations and Daniel’s regard for his wife. None of that blowing things out of proportion to create tension and to move a story a long.
The story was well done though I figured out part of the answer before the characters. While there’s no cliffhanger, one is kind of left dangling about the fate of a character. But, it’s not the kind of fate that will have you growling at the book or biting your nails until the next one comes out. Who knows, you may not even think about it (unless/until you read this reviews).
I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.