Give Fudge a Chance is the eleventh installment in the Candy-Coated Mystery series set on Mackinac Island and featuring Allie McMurphy, owner and fudge maker at her family's hotel, the McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop. August on Mackinac means the island is swarming with tourists and this year the Mackinac County Fair is being held on the island instead of the Upper Peninsula due to renovations at the fairgrounds. Allie is looking forward to the fair and entering her fudge, hoping that more people will learn about her Fudge Shop.

Allie visits the fairground with best friend Jenn Carpenter, where the duo decides to visit the haunted murder mansion. Unfortunately, the corpse at the exit isn't a mannequin, but a dead human, Mike Sanders. Shortly after the discovery of Mike, Allie wins the fudge competition and goes on to beat out Christine Keller, who'd won Best in Show for the past 20 years with her caramels. Christine is livid especially when she also loses Best in Show for quilting to resident Carol and vows to destroy both women and prove they cheated.

Hazel Green has been spotted all over the island practicing Parkour, the art of jumping along the rooftops and any other high location. When Hazel takes a fatal tumble off the roof of the McMurphy, Allie sets out with the help of her friends and furry companions to find out if there is a killer loose on the island.

A fun afternoon read with the return of series regulars and Allie's furry companions, Mal and Mella.
Although we discover a whole network of underground tunnels on the island and things are heating up between Allie and Police Officer Rex Manning; oh, and the fudge recipes will still make your mouth water, the mystery fell sort of flat for me in this latest installment. But, I will most definitely be returning to Mackinac for the next adventures of Allie.

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Dollycas's Thoughts

The county fair comes to Mackinac Island and everyone is ready for fun and the crowds but not a dead body. That is just what Allie and Jenn find when they take a break to walk through the carnival's haunted house. Among the scary scenes, one body is clearly not a fake or trick. One of the owners of the haunted house is dead and the killer could be anyone. Allie's boyfriend Detective Rex Manning and Jenn's Crime Investigator husband Shane soon arrive to begin their investigation and warn their fabulous ladies to stay out of their case.

As if the small police force doesn't have enough to do with the fair and a murder, tragedy strikes again when the McMurphy Hotel is the scene of what appears to be a fatal accident. Allie is convinced the two deaths are connected. Things are really fudged up on the island and I don't mean the entrants at the fair. Allie tries to stay out of the investigations but the Book Club Gals have other plans.

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I was so happy to return to Mackinac Island to catch up with Allie  McMurphy and all her friends. All the characters Ms. Coco has created feel true-to-life and genuine. With each installment, they all get stronger and more fleshed out. Allie really tries to keep her nose out of the investigation but when the McMurphy becomes a part of a crime I easily understood her actions. Plus it wouldn't be much of a story without her involved. I do like the direction of her relationship with Rex and was not happy about someone trying to butt in. I am also excited about the developments in Jenn and Shane's lives too. Allie's Mal and Melba play a larger role in this story and I loved that!

The author plotted out a very complicated mystery with some epic twists and missing persons. I really enjoyed all the moving parts and how a huge clue was revealed. One character really surprised me. She has been evolving over the last couple of books but in this story, she is pretty darn fierce. This adds a great new element to the story and leads to an exciting showdown.

The Parkour discipline has come to the island. I was familiar with the practice of getting from one point to another in the fastest way possible seeing it on television and YouTube. It really is crazy and can be quite dangerous. It was interesting to see it employed in this story but it definitely wouldn't be my thing even if my body was whole enough for me to try it.

Mackinac Island and all its events and activities never disappoint. Ms. Coco's words bring everything about it alive and easy to envision. It is a place I want to visit so badly. Each book in this series is a nice virtual vacation but nothing like actually visiting the wonderful place in person.

You have to Give Fudge A Chance, a chance. It is a marvelous cozy mystery filled with engaging and entertaining characters along with a whole lot of fudge. Yes, recipes are included.

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