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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review
3.0
Murder at the Taffy Shop by Maddie Day is the 2nd book in A Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery series. The book can be a little confusing in the beginning, but everything a new reader needs to know is soon provided. There is a group of friendly characters in this series. I like the members of the book group as well as Mac’s family, especially her spunky grandmother. Mac’s African Grey, Belle is a delight. He has some great lines with my favorite being, “Cheese it, call the cops.”. Westham, Massachusetts is a cozy town with some charming shops. I enjoyed the descriptions of this tourist town (I want to visit). I did find the pacing to be on the slow side. The story needed more action. There is also a repetition of information that is annoying. In the first third of the book, it is mentioned a minimum of four times how Mac is not ready to marry and have children (I got it the first time). Case details are repeated as well (how the body was found especially). The whodunit had several suspects since Beverly rubbed most people the wrong way. I found it particularly easy to solve this whodunit (my mother says it is because I read so many mysteries). I have no doubt that most readers will solve this one long before the reveal. I enjoyed the references to other cozy mysteries. I would love a cozy mystery book group in my complex. Cozy mystery readers who like warm, relatable characters living in a cozy town where they can follow their day-to-day activities, will enjoy this book. Murder at the Taffy Shop is a cute cozy mystery with a bothersome Beverly, a verbose Belle, a gregarious Gin, a cute Cokey, and a well-meaning Mac.
mease_moose's review
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
kimdavishb's review against another edition
5.0
MURDER AT THE TAFFY SHOP, the second book in the Cozy Capers Book Group Mysteries by Maddie Day is another welcomed addition to a heartwarming series! Starting with the inviting cover that evokes the fun seaside tourist setting in Cape Cod, this newest release weaves together colorful characters with a well-plotted mystery to make this an engrossing read. The protagonist, Mac (Mackenzie) Almeida, owns a bicycle shop, working alongside her brother. Living just down the street is her minister father and her professional astrologer mother, along with her darling niece and feisty grandmother. Ms. Day has created strong family dynamics for this group and I love their realistic, sweet interaction. Mac’s adorable African Gray Parrot, Belle, steals each scene she’s in while providing many chuckles to lighten the book. There is clever dialog to keep the humor flowing in those scenes. Mac is also dating Tim, the owner of Greta’s Grains. I truly appreciate the lack of a love triangle in this series, yet the author still manages to portray the relationship as a work in progress, allowing the characters to develop and grow. It’s a welcome breath of fresh air that brings a sense of calmness from the core group’s relationships instead of edgy conflict.
The author saves the conflict for where it really matters: the victim and the suspects. While the victim might have been a harsh, uncaring person, this is one of the few times I’ve seen the author go out of her way to highlight the good qualities the victim had, that the townspeople overlooked. This was meaningful to me because I like to believe that good can be found in just about everyone if we take a moment to look beneath the crusty exterior of that person and give them a chance. Despite that, the victim still died and there were plenty of suspects who didn’t want to give her a second chance. The twists and turns that unfolded as Mac started asking questions kept me guessing and a truly clever reveal had me reading faster and faster. With a sweet wrap-up, I was left feeling highly satisfied and looking forward to the next book in this series!
There are so many yummy mentions of food throughout the book and thankfully Ms. Day has provided several yummy recipes at the back of the book.
The author saves the conflict for where it really matters: the victim and the suspects. While the victim might have been a harsh, uncaring person, this is one of the few times I’ve seen the author go out of her way to highlight the good qualities the victim had, that the townspeople overlooked. This was meaningful to me because I like to believe that good can be found in just about everyone if we take a moment to look beneath the crusty exterior of that person and give them a chance. Despite that, the victim still died and there were plenty of suspects who didn’t want to give her a second chance. The twists and turns that unfolded as Mac started asking questions kept me guessing and a truly clever reveal had me reading faster and faster. With a sweet wrap-up, I was left feeling highly satisfied and looking forward to the next book in this series!
There are so many yummy mentions of food throughout the book and thankfully Ms. Day has provided several yummy recipes at the back of the book.
mbedrosian's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
calycat2's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
emeb's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
katreader's review
4.0
MURDER AT THE TAFFY SHOP by Maddie Day
The Second Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery
Beverly Ruchart is not a pleasant person. It seems as if Olean and perhaps one other person in Westham like the woman. When Mac Almeida goes to meet her friend Gin for their morning walk, she finds Gin hovering over Beverly's body. Beverly's very dead body. Mac's book club is excited to try to solve yet another murder and Mac is more than happy to share all the information they find to the State Police Detective. But when evidence is found implicating Gin, Mac goes into overdrive looking for suspects, of which there are plenty. Will Mac and the Cozy Capers Book Club find enough evidence to exonerate one of their own? Or will Mac's snooping simply land her in the crosshairs of a killer?
The majority of people who knew the victim in MURDER AT THE TAFFY SHOP didn't like her. Heck, in the first scene she's mad at a puppy! Even her grandson seems to only tolerate her for her money. Thus when her body is found we have plenty of suspects. Suspects Mac is going to engage in order to shift the blame from her bestie, Gin, who found the body.
Strong characterization of even the minor players leads to an engaging mystery. It also shows how much Maddie Day can draw her readers in. In the first book in the series I felt that Mac's boyfriend, Tim, seemed to good to be true. The second book proved me right. Tim brings in a major character relationship subplot. He really made me angry with his petulant behavior regarding what he wants from their relationship. While Tim really rankled me, I grew to love Lincoln and Abo Reba even more. Belle continues to make me laugh and she certainly earned her frozen grapes in the Second Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery.
MURDER AT THE TAFFY SHOP is a character driven mystery that focuses on family. Love, a few laughs, and an action packed confrontation with a killer make this an enjoyable second outing.
Recipes Included.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a copy of this book in the hopes I would review it.
The Second Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery
Beverly Ruchart is not a pleasant person. It seems as if Olean and perhaps one other person in Westham like the woman. When Mac Almeida goes to meet her friend Gin for their morning walk, she finds Gin hovering over Beverly's body. Beverly's very dead body. Mac's book club is excited to try to solve yet another murder and Mac is more than happy to share all the information they find to the State Police Detective. But when evidence is found implicating Gin, Mac goes into overdrive looking for suspects, of which there are plenty. Will Mac and the Cozy Capers Book Club find enough evidence to exonerate one of their own? Or will Mac's snooping simply land her in the crosshairs of a killer?
The majority of people who knew the victim in MURDER AT THE TAFFY SHOP didn't like her. Heck, in the first scene she's mad at a puppy! Even her grandson seems to only tolerate her for her money. Thus when her body is found we have plenty of suspects. Suspects Mac is going to engage in order to shift the blame from her bestie, Gin, who found the body.
Strong characterization of even the minor players leads to an engaging mystery. It also shows how much Maddie Day can draw her readers in. In the first book in the series I felt that Mac's boyfriend, Tim, seemed to good to be true. The second book proved me right. Tim brings in a major character relationship subplot. He really made me angry with his petulant behavior regarding what he wants from their relationship. While Tim really rankled me, I grew to love Lincoln and Abo Reba even more. Belle continues to make me laugh and she certainly earned her frozen grapes in the Second Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery.
MURDER AT THE TAFFY SHOP is a character driven mystery that focuses on family. Love, a few laughs, and an action packed confrontation with a killer make this an enjoyable second outing.
Recipes Included.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a copy of this book in the hopes I would review it.
zandrawaggoner's review
It didn’t capture my attention. If you’re looking for light-hearted, hyper formulaic murder, this is the book for you.
tayparks's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0