Pint of No Return (Ice Cream Shop Mystery #1) by Dana Mentink

 

Pint of No Return

(Ice Cream Shop Mystery #1)

by Dana Mentink 

Paperback, 350 pages

Expected publication: May 25th 2021 by Poisoned Pen Press

Synopsis: 

The first in new dessert cozy mystery series! A murder in town is bound to shake things up...

After her divorce from her thrice-married embezzler husband, Trinidad Jones is finally ready for a fresh start. So when she's left one of ex's businesses in Upper Sprocket, Oregon, she decides to pack up her dog, cash in her settlement, and open her dream business: the Shimmy and Shake Shop, introducing the world to her monster milkshakes. And even with a couple sticky situations underway, namely that the other two ex-wives also call Sprocket home, Trinidad's life seems to be churning along smoothly.

That is, until she discovers her neighbor, the Popcorn King, head down in his giant popcorn kettle. When one of Trinidad's fellow ex-wives is accused of the murder and Upper Sprocket descends into mayhem, it's going to take a supersized scoop of courage to flush out the killer. 

***

4.5 stars This is the first book in the Ice Cream Shop mystery series by Dana Mentink. Trinidad Jones owns an ice cream shop and is out getting nuts for a friend when she stumbles upon his body stuffed inside a large kettle. This is where he made his famous caramel popcorn.  They know someone is out to keep Trinidad from discovering the truth when her friend, Quinn is attacked and the photos he picked up that belonged to the dead guy were stolen. There is a lot going on in this book which is fine since the author is is world-building and establishing her universe, so to speak. The last half of the book was much better in my opinion since it felt like the author finally had a good grasp on her world and was successfully playing in it. The mystery was complex and the constant attacks made me wonder who in the heck could be doing this. The suspect list wasn’t that big. I wonder if Trinidad’s dad will become a recurring character or main cast member. He sure did put his mark on the story in a big way. I am s curious about the possibilities and look forward to future books by this author. Highly recommended. If you love a good cozy mystery, definitely check this one out!

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title. Opinions are completely my own.