Fudge and Marriage

by Nancy Coco

Overview

Only two things might ruin fudge maker Allie McMurphy’s wedding: murder—and her mother . . .

June is always beautiful on Mackinac Island, which is why Allie chose this month for her wedding to police officer Rex Manning—definitely Mackinac Island’s finest in more ways than one. But if her mother has her way, that’s the last choice Allie will get to make. Allie’s the furthest thing from a Bridezilla—but it looks like she has a Momzilla on her hands. Why else have her mother and extended family shown up a full two weeks before the nuptials to drive Allie to dizzying distraction?

Honestly, a murder investigation is far less stressful—and as it happens, Allie just found Velma French dead on the ground beside the rock that killed her, with her rival Myrtle sobbing nearby. Things don’t look good for Myrtle, but all may not be what it seems. Allie vows to solve the crime before she walks down the aisle. But a killer has other ideas – and they seem to be focused on Allie herself. . .

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781496743725
Publisher:	Kensington
Publication date:	04/01/2025
Series:	Candy-Coated Mystery Series , #13
Pages:	336
Product dimensions:	4.10(w) x 6.70(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Nancy Coco is the acclaimed author of the Candy-Coated Mysteries, the Pets & Pastries Mysteries, the Oregon Honeycomb Mystery series, a number of romantic suspense novels, Western historical romances, and four additional mystery series written under the name Nancy J. Parra. An Air Force veteran who rose to the rank of sergeant, Nancy is a member of an online group of female veterans—Military Women Who Have Turned Sword to Pen (RomVets.com). She is also a member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime. Nancy lives in Kansas and can be found online at NancyJCoco.com.

The author will donate a portion of her earnings from this book to the ASPCA®.

Editorial Reviews

Praise for the Candy-Coated Mystery Series by Nancy Coco
 
“Suspects are ultimately uncovered and problems solved in a delightful cozy larded with appetizing fudge recipes.” —Kirkus Reviews on Three Fudges and a Baby
 
““An enjoyable character-driven whodunit that mixes murder with a touch of romance and the requisite sweet treats.” —Kirkus Reviews on Give Fudge a Chance
 
“This was another terrific installment of the long-running series, with very realistic 21st-century conversations and complications.” —Criminal Element on Give Fudge a Chance
 
“Charming characters and settings make for a pleasant stop before trying your hand at the fudge recipes.” —Kirkus on A Midsummer Night’s Fudge
 
“Allie is an intrepid sleuth who’s fortunate to be surrounded by so many loved ones as she tries to stop a killer from doing more harm.” —Criminal Element on A Midsummer Night’s Fudge
 
“This cleverly plotted eighth installment in the Candy Coated Mystery series had me constantly second-guessing whodunnit while admiring Nancy Coco’s craftsmanship.” —Criminal Element on Have Yourself A Fudgy Little Christmas
 
“Two nasty murders, charming surviving characters, plenty of Christmas cheer, and enough fudge recipes for a major sugar rush.” —Kirkus Review on Have Yourself A Fudgy Little Christmas
 
“HAVE YOURSELF A FUDGY LITTLE CHRISTMAS is a mix of small-town Christmas delights with intrigue and murder thrown in.” —Fresh Fiction on Have Yourself A Fudgy Little Christmas
 
“An easy romantic read complete with fudge recipes that make it even sweeter.” —Kirkus Reviews on Fudge Bites
 
 “There’s a few scenes of Allie making fudge that are so wonderfully described that my mouth began watering. I could smell the fudge coming off the pages…. I am delighted with the characters, the setting, and the fun recipes. I really want to see where Allie and Rex go with their relationship, and how Allie fares with the hotel and her fudge shop. This is 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 on Fudge Bites
 
“Fudge Bites is full of disguises, danger, and one determined amateur sleuth. At the end of this book, Nany Coco gives a hint about which way things are leaning for Allie’s love life. As expected, FUDGE BITES is packed with super yummy fall favorites-flavored fudge recipes. I look forward to reading the next “Candy-Coated” mystery.” —Fresh Fiction on Fudge Bites
 
“Full of humor, adorable animals and some mystery twists, this is a sweet series for cozy mystery readers.” —Parkersburg News & Sentinel on Fudge Bites
 
“It’s all fun and games at the annual Halloween zombie walk charity event until fudge shop owner Allie McMurphy stumbles upon a real murder…With the help of handsome officer Rex Manning, the duo must use every trick in their treat bag to unmask the killer!” —Woman’s World on Fudge Bites
 
“This was a delightful visit to a charming community that raised some interesting questions about fitting in and what it means to truly be considered a full-time resident.” —Criminal Element on Fudge Bites
 
“Nancy Coco paints us a pretty picture of this charming island setting where the main mode of transportation is a horse-drawn vehicle. She also gives us a delicious mystery complete with doses of her home-made fudge…a perfect read to wrap up your summer!” —Wonder Women Sixty on Forever Fudge
 
“Oh, Fudge is a charming cozy, the sixth in the Candy-Coated Mystery series. But be warned: there’s a candy recipe at the end of each chapter, so don’t read this one when you’re hungry!"—Suspense Magazine on Oh, Fudge

From the Publisher

2025-02-01
A fudge-making, hotel-owning bride-to-be obsesses about wedding plans but never imagines murder will be involved.

Two weeks before her marriage to Mackinac Island lead police officer Rex Manning, Allie McMurphy’s still reading wedding books and magazines. That’s why she overhears Velma French and Myrtle Bautita’s tiff at the library over some craft books. Leaving the library, she finds Myrtle crying over the body of Velma, who’s been bludgeoned to death with a rock; when Velma’s ex-husband suddenly appears from around the corner of the building, he accuses Myrtle of the crime and kicks the rock into the nearby lake. Other witnesses might be distraught, but Allie, who’s had plenty of experience with murder, is more anxious about dealing with her mother, who’s arrived early with her own plans for the wedding. Allie and her best friend, Jenn, a wedding planner, have planned a large outdoor event with a charmingly simple wedding dress, but Allie’s wealthy mother wants a smaller wedding restricted to close friends and relatives at the island’s fanciest hotel and an extravagant gown for Allie. Furious with her mother and the snobbish relatives who arrived early, Allie tries to placate them by agreeing to hair and makeup appointments and wearing the expensive dresses on offer. Luckily, gathering her book club friends to help find the killer takes her mind off her real problems, and her dog, Mal, helps her uncover several clues. Every day brings a new fight with her mother, and her never having met Rex’s relatives turns out to be a major last-minute problem at the wedding, which almost doesn’t take place.

Plenty of stressful pre-wedding jitters and hidden secrets add up to a tense but often humorous mystery.

Kirkus Reviews