Death by Chocolate Frosted Doughnut

Jacobia "Jake" Tiptree and her friend Ellie co-own The Chocolate Moose, a bakery in the small town of Eastport, Maine. When a food critic known for harsh reviews turns up dead at their shop, Jake and Ellie become prime suspects in his murder. The amateur sleuths must work to clear their names while keeping their business running during the town's crowded Pirate Festival. Their investigation leads them through Eastport's historic streets and brings them into contact with both long-time residents and suspicious newcomers. Law enforcement seems convinced of their guilt, forcing Jake and Ellie to conduct their own parallel investigation into the critic's death. The women face mounting pressure as they try to protect their livelihoods and reputations in their close-knit coastal community. This cozy mystery explores themes of friendship, small-town dynamics, and the challenge of building a new business while dealing with unexpected adversity. The story combines elements of culinary fiction with traditional amateur detective work against the backdrop of coastal Maine culture.

Readers found this cozy mystery formulaic and slow-paced compared to earlier books in the series. Many noted the storyline dragged despite the short length. Liked: - Return of familiar characters from the Home Repair series - Maine coastal setting details - Donut shop premise - Recipe inclusion Disliked: - Repetitive internal monologue from protagonist - Limited character development - Plot relies on coincidences - Too much focus on mundane details vs. mystery - Abrupt ending As one reader noted: "The mystery takes a backseat to endless descriptions of making donuts and running the shop." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.51/5 (239 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (116 ratings) Barnes & Noble: 3.6/5 (14 ratings) Most consistent feedback suggests the book works better for existing series fans rather than new readers. Multiple reviews mention skimming sections to get to plot advancement.

Glazed Murder by Jessica Beck The story follows a doughnut shop owner who becomes an amateur sleuth when murder strikes her small town in North Carolina.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke A Minnesota baker turns detective when one of her customers is found murdered behind her shop with crumbs from her cookies at the scene.

Sprinkle with Murder by Jenn McKinlay A cupcake bakery owner in Scottsdale must solve the murder of her client on her wedding day before her business reputation crumbles.

The Crêpes of Wrath by Sarah Fox The owner of a crêpe restaurant in seaside Washington state investigates when her chef is accused of murdering a local food critic.

On What Grounds by Cleo Coyle A Greenwich Village coffeehouse manager uses her connections and knowledge of the neighborhood to investigate the death of a woman found at the bottom of her shop's stairs.

🍩 The novel is part of Sarah Graves' "Death by Chocolate" mystery series, which is set in Eastport, Maine - the easternmost city in the United States. 📚 Author Sarah Graves lived in Eastport, Maine for many years, bringing authenticity to her descriptions of the coastal town and its unique character. 🏪 The protagonist, Jake Tiptree, runs The Chocolate Moose bakery with her best friend Ellie - a charming establishment that serves as both the setting for their amateur sleuthing and their baking adventures. 🔍 The story weaves together two quintessential American favorites: doughnuts and classic whodunit mysteries, following the tradition of culinary cozy mysteries. 🗺️ Eastport, where the story is set, is a real small island city connected to mainland Maine by causeway, with a population of less than 2,000 people, making it an ideal setting for a cozy mystery.