Jake Tiptree and her friend Ellie White are having a rough go keeping their beloved Bakery, The Chocolate Moose, in business. They are on the brink of having to close, they are only able to see a bit of daylight because of an order for a wedding cake from Andy Devine (CG Captain) and his fiancée Sharon Sweetwater, kindergarten teacher. However, things aren't looking promising when Sharon's ex-boyfriend is fund murdered after he was fighting with Andy. Jake and Ellie have to find the real murderer or close their bakery.

I didn't really see the plot working well - seemed far-fetched to think that one cake could save it all.
I like the characters but this one fell a bit flat. ( )

Death by Chocolate Malted Milkshake is the second 'A Death by Chocolate' mystery, which is the sequel series to the 16-book 'Home Repair is Homicide' mysteries. Our heroine, Jacobia 'Jake' Tiptree and her best friend, Ellie White, still love their bakery, The Chocolate Moose. Unfortunately, their finances haven't weathered the winter lean times as well as they'd have liked. In fact, only the order for Coast Guard Captain Andy Devine and kindergarten teacher Sharon Sweetwater's upcoming wedding is going to keep them from closing up shop.

That's why Eastport's favorite murder-solving snoops have an even bigger reason to help find out whodunit when one of the town's least savory citizens, Toby Moran is found dead. Not only is an insecticide-laced Chocolate Moose milkshake cup with their distinctive antler-shaped sprinkles found by the body, bur Andy Devine was seen arguing with Toby not long before the body was found.

Andy had reason to be angry with Toby. Moran was one of those scumbags who act all sweet and romantic to draw a woman to him, then turns nasty after the inevitable breakup. The stalking and waving his little .22 gun around were bad enough. His attempts at getting revenge are worse. Sharon is one of his exes. What he tried to do to her is sleazy. What he did to another ex wouldn't have been as harsh if we had more affordable healthcare in this country.

Eastport Police Chief Bob Arnold tries to stop Jacobia and Ellie at first, but later lets them do it. The state cops are keeping him out of the loop instead of having the good sense to take advantage of his local knowledge. The ladies are providing him with handy evidence. A nasty injury to Jacobia's arm changes his mind.
Too bad all of Jacobia's good intentions run into a coincidence she doesn't feel she can ignore...

Subplots include Sam wanting to go into business for himself (a business that has nothing to do with his love of boats and the education he got to help him work with boats), Jacobia's dad and his new red truck, the difficulties Jacobia and Ellie have trying to create a whoopie pie wedding cake, and trying to bake their goodies for their business while snooping.

NOTES:

Chapter 1:

a. Ellie is drinking a mixture of Moxie and Allen's coffee-flavored brandy.

b. The late Dr. Victor Triptree was a murder suspect in Home Repair is Homicide book three, Wicked Fix.

c. Bella Diamond started working for Jacobia in HRiH book eight, Tool and Die.

d. Jacobia acquired her latest (and currently only) dog, Max, in Death by Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake. Although her Labrador retriever, Monday, was old enough to have died between book sixteen of the old series and the first book in this, Prill the Doberman should still be around.

Chapter 2:

a. There is some background information on Jacobia.

b. The Rubber Ducky Bar & Grill is also called the Rubber Duck.

c. Oh, come on. Considering that Victor decided to move to Eastport in HRiH book two, Triple Witch, I'm sure Eastport knows plenty about Jacobia's romantic past.

d. Jacob Triptree has his new red truck.

e. The ruby stud earrings that belonged to Jacobia's late mother were a clue in HRiH book

Chapter 3:

a. We get an outside and part of the inside description of former veterinarian Norm McHale's cottage.

b. Dandelion wine is real, though when I was young I knew of it only because it's the title of a Ray Bradbury book.

c. Victor the brain surgeon died of a brain tumor. See HRiH book

Chapter 4:

a. Ellie must have become a very conservative driver since her daughter got older. Jacobia used to comment about Ellie's lead foot on the gas pedal in HiHR books.

b. Leonora has brown eyes and dark hair.

Chapter 5: I'm not sure if it was Bella's first husband, father of her daughter Kris, or her abusive second husband, Jim Diamond, who didn't communicate.

Chapter 6:

a. Jacobia and Ellie helped with a dog rescuer in Triple Witch.

b. Ellie remembers being sweet on Jeffrey Bingham, who played bass guitar, when she was in ninth grade.

c. Victor lied to Sam when he was 5, telling him Jacobia was going to send him to military school.

Chapter 7: Jacobia is very allergic to blackflies.

Chapter 8: Whiskey and a pain pill? I hope Jacobia's medicine bottle didn't say not to take with alcohol.

It's a good mystery. I didn't guess the killer, but given Toby Moran's behavior, I could see why the murder happened. I enjoyed Jacobia's father helping her out. I'm glad that Jacobia and family treat Mika's baby, Ephraim, as if he were Sam's biological son. I admit I wish that Jacobia had used her old financial advising skills earlier to earn some money to help when The Chocolate Moose is in the red, but I liked the solution Ms. Graves came up with. I also liked the way she mentioned local landmarks as Jacobia was driving or being driven around.

Cat, dog, owl, parrot, and fox fans will each get at least a glimpse of their favorites in this one. ( )

DEATH BY CHOCOLATE MALTED MILKSHAKE is Book 2 in Sarah Graves’ A Death by Chocolate Mystery series.
I couldn’t be happier about this book. Sarah Graves is a clever, interesting author whose previous two mystery series I have enjoyed immensely. Jacobia (Jake) Tiptree and her family and friends in the small coastal town of Eastport, Maine, segued effortlessly from the Home Repair is Homicide series into this new one.
Jake and her best friend Ellie Valentine have opened a bake shop, The Chocolate Moose, in an Eastport store front. Their specialty is chocolate. And, it turns out, homicide investigations.
Toby Moran, Eastport’s local bad boy, is murdered outside of the Rubber Duck Bar & Grille.
Jake and Ellie hope to find the real murderer.
I like the detailed characters, the incredible sense of place, the wisecracking humor and the plots. Since I live in Maine, it is very nice to see one of its towns portrayed in such a friendly, descriptive light. (Aside from the murders, of course.)
I could really go for a nice chocolate malt right now! ( )

It’s lean times for Jake’s and Ellie’s bakery shop. In the off-season, there is just not enough business to make a profit. But an upcoming wedding just might keep them going until the tourists arrive. Unfortunately, a murder threatens to cancel the wedding when the groom is suspected of the killing. No one is mourning for the despicable crumb who died, but many are upset over the arrest of the cleancut coast guard officer accused of the crime. Jake is determined to clear Andy, mostly so the wedding will go on and the bakery has a chance to survive. Jake puts herself in harm’s way, and some clues lead her astray, but sometimes, she just gets lucky. In this second book in the series, the characters grow in their devlopement, and others are added to the cast. The story is a good one, and the author does a nice job of explaining the details in the solution of the crimes and in tying up loose ends. This was a strong sequel to the debut tale. ( )

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. ( )