And the Book Cover of the Year Award goes to–drum roll, please– “Fatal Fudge Swirl” by Meri Allen! Just look at that gorgeous, glossy illustration of yummy ice cream set amidst the backdrop of trick-or-treaters. Sold!

As for the story, here’re my thoughts:

The Halloween vibes: Right from the jump, I was surprised and disappointed that the majority of the story happens after Halloween. The spooky season festivities are still ongoing, yet why set the story after the actual holiday? It doesn’t make sense.

The complicated drama: OK, please help me understand this. The innkeeper, Mary Anne, is catering a wedding for her ex-husband and his wife, even after a messy divorce and hurt feelings? Why would anyone do this to themselves? To make matters worse, she becomes suspect No. 1 when the bride ends up dead at the inn. This seems like a highly avoidable situation, if you ask me.

So many suspects: Keep a notepad and pen handy so you can jot down all the suspects’ names and motives. This book is overflowing with characters and suspects and motives and ice cream shop drama and recipes and… well you get the point. There’s a LOT going on here, and it gets confusing really fast. In addition to the ill-fated wedding, there’s a movie production rolling into town, bringing a whole slew of suspects. Sheesh…where did I put my Excedrin bottle?

Unsavory characters: I really can’t stand rich, entitled young men, so Diantha’s sons really took the cake–the icre cream cake, that is–har har! One is a B-list TV movie actor and the other is some sort of Tony Hawke wannabe athlete. Either way, I was rooting for them both to get thrown in the slammer. Sprinkles, the movie star cat, is also a spoiled brat, but I rather enjoyed his antics. Yes, he is rather violent, but some of those fools had it coming!

Overall: This story just got really messy, especially with all of Riley’s many side-jobs. On top of running her ice cream shop, she’s doing maid service at the inn for snooping purposes, making a complicated ice cream wedding cake, and organizing other miscellaneous small town post-Halloween festivities. I’m telling you; these characters are exhausting! I can’t keep up with it all!!!