Death by Chocolate Malted Milkshake (A Death by Chocolate Mystery)

Death by Chocolate Malted Milkshake by Sarah Graves is the second Death by Chocolate Mystery. Jacobia "Jake" Tiptree co-owns The Chocolate Moose with her best friend, Ellie White in Eastport, Maine. They have been commissioned by Sharon Sweetwater and Andy Devine to make a whoopie pie cake for their upcoming nuptials. Jake and Ellie need the influx of cash or they will be forced to close their doors. Then Jake hears that Sharon's ex-boyfriend turned stalker, Toby Moran was found dead near the Rubber Ducky Bar & Grille with a poisoned milkshake from their shop nearby. Andy, a captain in the Coast Guard, is arrested for Toby's murder since he was seen arguing with the victim at the bar. People are shocked when Sharon confesses to the murder. With the bride and groom behind bars, the wedding is canceled. Ellie then confides in Jake that if The Chocolate Moose closes, she will be forced to move away. Jake has no intention of losing her best friend and commences asking probing questions around town. Toby was not well-liked and managed to anger numerous townspeople. Jake and Ellie need to stir together the clues and see which of their likely suspects rises to the top.

Death by Chocolate Malted Milkshake may be the second book in Death by Chocolate Mystery series, but I discovered it is a continuation of A Home Repair is Homicide Mystery series. It can, though, be read as a standalone. The characters are established. There is Jake's large family, Ellie's family and the offbeat residents of Eastport. I did find it hard to keep track of Jake's extended family who all seem to live with her. Jake's father, Jake (I am not kidding) is feeling spry after his recent health scare and ready to zip about town upsetting his wife and daughter. He really stands out with his various antics and rebellious spirit. Jakes loves her family and cares about her friends. I like the setting of Eastport, Maine and the description of the Jake's large home. It sounds like a charming small town with quaint shops that rely on tourists. The winter months are tough times for the citizens of this small town as Jake and Ellie have learned. The wedding of Sharon and Andy will keep the doors of The Chocolate Moose open until the tourist trade picks up (I am not sure why they do not advertise or sell products online). When the happy couple find themselves in the slammer, Jake one again dons her sleuthing cap to save their chocolate bake shop. Jake has no qualms about putting herself in harms way. The murder of Toby Moran has a couple of suspects, pointed clues and a red herring. I did not feel it was right for Jake to tamper with evidence (even in fiction) no matter her justification. Unfortunately, I solved the whodunit very early in the book (the author served up the solution on a silver platter). I appreciated that the mystery had a solid wrap up with facts from the police. I could have done without the repetition of case details. When one person learns a key detail or clue, they share it with Jake or Jake share it with a family member (and so on). This happens frequently throughout the book and not just with the mystery. I liked the descriptions of the items served up at The Chocolate Moose and the little chocolate moose sprinkles are a cute touch to their milkshakes. There is plenty of baking and eating taking place in Death by Chocolate Malted Milkshake. I am giving Death by Chocolate Malted Milkshake 3 out of 5 stars. I thought the pace was too slow and I did not enjoy the endless dialogue. Death by Chocolate Malted Milkshake is for those readers who enjoy light, humorous cozy mysteries.