ARC Book Review: Death By Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake by Sarah Graves

I want to thank Kensington Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I appreciate this opportunity and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

☆~Today is Publication Day for this Awesome Title!~☆

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Rating:

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Life just got a little sweeter in the island fishing village of Eastport, Maine. Jacobia “Jake” Tiptree and her best friend Ellie are opening a waterfront bake shop, The Chocolate Moose, where their tasty treats pair perfectly with the salty ocean breeze. But while Jake has moved on from fixing up houses, she still can’t resist the urge to snoop into the occasional murder.

Jake and Ellie have been through a lot together, from home repair to homicide investigation. So when they decide to open a chocolate-themed bakery, they figure it’ll be a piece of cake. With Ellie’s old family recipes luring in customers, they expect to make plenty of dough this Fourth of July weekend. Having family home for the holiday only sweetens the deal for Jake—until the ill wind of an early-season hurricane blows up her plans. When the storm hits, Jake’s grown son Sam is stranded in a Boston bus station, and her husband Wade is stuck on a cargo ship. But as bitter as the storm is, something even more sinister is brewing in the kitchen of The Chocolate Moose—where retired health inspector Alan Blake is found murdered.

Ellie never made a secret of her distaste for Alan, who had been raining on their parade with bogus talk of health code violations. Now, with no alibi for the night of the murder, she’s in a sticky situation with the police—and it’s up to Jake to catch the real killer and keep Ellie living in the land of the free.

I give this book 4.5 out of 5 Delicious Stars!! The reason I picked up this book is because I love a good cozy and the author sounded rather familiar! I must also admit to myself, that I chose this title due to that yummy looking cover! I mean doesn’t this book scream YUUMmmm! After re-reading the premise and starting the story I realized that I have read a few of Sarah Graves’ previous titles in her Home Repair is Homicide series which I loved! I will jump in here and say the main reason I gave it 4.5 stars instead of 5 was because I feel this book should be marketed more as a spin-off because it was very helpful knowing some of the character’s stories before reading this novel. I do think this book could be read on a standalone basis but probably best if you have a feel for things first.

I highly enjoyed this fun murder mystery that was filled with so much adventure! This was exciting and I enjoyed the pace while catching up with some of the characters! I actually loved the characters and the baking gave me the super munchies!

I think this is a great edition to Sarah Graves’s collection of stories! I am sure I will enjoy the following book in this series as well and I am definitely ready for a new adventure!

Thanks for reading my review and this one is Dani-approved!😍

Sarah Graves is the pen name of American mystery and crime novelist Mary Squibb.[1]Based in New York, her Home Repair is Homicide series follows transplanted New Yorker Jacobia “Jake” Tiptree and her friend Ellie White as they solve murders in Eastport, Maine, all while she repairs her centuries-old house. She is currently working on her Chocolate Murder Mystery series. You can find more info about Sarah on her website at sarahgraves.net

Responses

  1. Great review! Except now I’m really hungry xD

    Liked by 1 person

    1. LOL this book has that effect on people!!! Thanks so much!

      Liked by 1 person

  2. If my name was a great as ‘Mary Squibb’, I would never have a pen name! 🙂 x
    And I would sooner buy a book by Mary Squibb, than one by Sarah Graves. But I do have a name fetish!
    It’s too COZY for me of course, and no silly names either. (Except the author’s real name! 🙂 x)
    Best wishes, Pete.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. By the way, check out the comment above. ‘Kay Wisteria’. Great name! Named after a climbing vine. Go Kay! :)x

      Liked by 2 people

    2. I LOVE your name fetish! Lol! Mary Squibb is a cool name! I also love the name Kay Wisteria! Absolutely love that one! I don’t know why all of these comments are popping up late! Grrr..

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Names are one of my more public fetishes! 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Gotcha!😘 Nothing wrong with that!😉

          Liked by 1 person

      2. Thanks so much guys, reading this made my day :))) I love the name Mary Squibb too xD

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Well, I you were going to die chocolate cheese cake wouldn’t be a bad way to go! Lol!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Also thanks for stopping by!😄😍📚

      Liked by 1 person

  4. A lot of old friends are remembering her home repair series as the book is getting a lot of clicks on my site. Great review.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Awesome, Betty! I didn’t realize until I started reading it how much I enjoyed that series!😄

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sometimes we forget about our favorites and we miss a book.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. You’re right about that, Betty! There are so many books and so little time!

          Liked by 1 person

  5. I love Sarah Graves! This sounds positively delicious!😉

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks so much, Book Sister!!!😍🤗 I don’t understand why all my comments are showing up late! Grrr but I appreciate all your support and hope you are doing well!😄 Hopefully you kick that nasty flu soon! Seems like everyone is getting it this year!

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Glad you enjoyed this one more than I did, I just felt lost since I’ve never read any of the other series so I couldn’t get into this one without the character building. 😦

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I completely understand, Carrie! I think I loved it because of knowing the characters but if I was in your situation I would’ve felt the same as you! Thanks so much!😄🤗😍

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Yes, I’m sure long time fans would have felt right at home so I think they would have been much better off had that marketed as a spin off.

        Liked by 1 person

  7. You just have to love a book that’s called ” Death by Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake” I pretty much got hungry from reading this review 😂😂 I found the review to be very delicious as well Dani 😘❤️ And wow, loved the layout for this! 😊😊

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks so much, Michel! You are the greatest! I’ve been missing our talks and all! Sorry life has been crazy but know its been a bit busy for you as well!😓 Things will get better though!😉

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I miss you as well. But I know that things are currently very rough for you so really focus on getting better first 😘 I’m not going anywhere so will definitely be talking to you again when things have improved again with your health 😘😘 And…I’m still going to be spamming you regardless 😉 Also keep an eye out tomorrow on my blog…nope not yet saying why 😉😉😙😙Take care sweetheart ❤❤

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Yay sounds awesome! The suspense is killing me! LOL 😂 I hope work hasn’t been too chaotic for you anymore!

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          1. Unfortunately it is complete chaos at my work at the moment..but I’m managing to hang in there 😊😊 And I think you will like it tomorrow 😊😊

            Like

        2. And I have been resting as much as possible but my 2 year old got diagnosed with pneumonia yesterday so been worried but keeping my mind busy.

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          1. Awww….Dani…..it really doesn’t let up does it? I’m so sorry to hear this. I hope it won’t be too bad, but I can understand that you are worried. Hopefully it’s all going to be okay. Will be thinking of you both. Hang in there Dani..and know that I am here for you if you need me 😘😘❤️❤️

            Liked by 1 person

            1. Thanks so much, Michel for all that you do! You are such a kind friend and a good man! I appreciate you!

              Liked by 1 person

            2. Seriously you always make me blush 😊😊(and a lot of people these days seem determined to keep doing that lol 😂).
              But really sweety…so are you. Never ever forget that (except of course you are not a man but a woman lol 😂). And an awesome one at that 😊😊❤️😘😘

              Liked by 1 person

            3. Awwww!😍 Yay for all the LOVE and positivity!!!!😘

              Liked by 1 person

  8. I like the sound of chocolate cherry cheesecake!

    Liked by 1 person

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About the author

Sophia Bennett is an art historian and freelance writer with a passion for exploring the intersections between nature, symbolism, and artistic expression. With a background in Renaissance and modern art, Sophia enjoys uncovering the hidden meanings behind iconic works and sharing her insights with art lovers of all levels. When she’s not visiting museums or researching the latest trends in contemporary art, you can find her hiking in the countryside, always chasing the next rainbow.