Lori C. (dollycas) reviewed on 8/19/2023 + 644 more book reviews

Dollycas's Thoughts

Twenty-five-year-old Danika Delaney didn't follow the plan her parents wanted but now her dream career in advertising is gone along with the guy she thought she was going to marry and the apartment she was subletting. So now her family has decided she is the perfect person to take over her Uncle Jimmie's ice cream shop. Jimmie's is an old-fashioned malt shop on Main Street in Watchague, a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island.

While reluctantly learning the ropes from her uncle he does tell her she can make any updates she wishes to the place but when she finds her ex-high school boyfriend's soon-to-be ex-wife's dead body in the basement a pool of rocky road she realizes whatever changes she planned on making aren't going to happen. Especially with the gossip running rampant around town that she and her ex were back together and she or he killed his wife so that they could be together.

Dani sets out to clear her name truly not sure of her ex's innocence with her sister, Meghan, and her friend since childhood, Gwen. They come up with several other suspects but can they get the scoop on the killer before the killer ices Danika?

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In this first Coffee & Cream Cafe Mystery we meet Danika who has really had a string of bad luck or as she thinks Karma. I liked her right away but her sleuthing skills need a lot of work. She is very genuine, kind, and funny. She hooks back up with her best friend Gwen as if no time had passed at all. Her sister Meghan, the "favored child" manages her Aunt Florence's very successful boutique. She has always "toed the family line", went to a local college and earned a business degree, and is all set up to find the perfect man, have perfect kids, and even the perfect dog. We also meet the hunky Detective Jake Barlow, Danika's high school boyfriend Luca, who cheated on her at the prom, and several other members of Danika's family and residents of the small town. All of Ms. Gregory's characters are vividly written and get fleshed out well throughout the story. There is a romantic triangle in the making and already I am all in for Team Jake!

Well plotted and written, the mystery ties into a mystery from the past that draws readers deeper into the story. The victim was a real witch which means there were plenty of suspects and a variety of motives. Danika listened to all the gossip and she and Gwen did their best to follow all the clues. Danika and Gwen reminded me a little of Lucy and Ethel and they usually had a lot âsplainin' to do! But they didn't give up. Danika wasn't sure until the very end who the guilty party was and I was right there with her. I really enjoyed the showdown and who bought the criminal down.

Murder A La Mode was such a fun read! I mean who doesn't love ice cream? along with an entertaining mystery with a surprising reveal? and interesting characters? I love the way Ms. Gregory tells a story! I am very happy that we don't have to wait long for the next book in the series. Grounds for Murder is set to be released on November 21. I already have the date saved on my calendar.

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