To enjoy her books, you have to accept that this isn't a cozy mystery. Rather, it's a cozy thriller. And since it's still a cozy, you have to suspend disbelief. It's akin to watching something like Dukes of Hazzard. It's not high drama or even high comedy but if you accept it as such, you'll just relax, take a backseat and go along for the ride.

That said, there's one thing that bothers me. Spoiler alert.

If Billy really did experience Alvin chasing him around despite having an ax to his head. That's just too unbelievable. Even for this series. ( )

Jake Tiptree and Ellie White, owners of the Chocolate Moose, are trying to get Jake's daughter-in-law baking again. The recipe for the chocolate isn't quite right. Before they can figure it out, Alvin Carter, a retired lawyer, is found murdered and the evidence is pointing to Billy Breyer. Jake and Ellie, close friends to Billy's young sisters, are determined that they will find a way to clear his name. But that might be tough because while they're out searching for answers, the area is being inundated with brush fires. Are they accidental or is someone throwing a smoke screen up to hide the truth?

Love to see Jake and her family and friends as well as hear about all the goodies at the Chocolate Moose. Characters are developing nicely, wish I could visit the Chocolate Moose! ( )

Jake and Ellie are determined to prove that a young friend is innocent of the crime most everyone thinks he committed: murder. The duo, along with the town’s police chief, Bob, are sure Billy didn’t do it, even if all the evidence points to him and the state cops say he did it. Ellie and Jake go on the offensive, trying to find out who did kill the victim. They are soon in over their heads, nearly getting caught where they shouldn’t be. Bob risks his badge to help them, as least as much as he can. The girls are headed for disaster, but that doesn’t stop them. With wildfires burning around the town, they may not have been in a frying pan, but they are surely headed into the fire, kidnapped, with the killer at the wheel of a truck. It’s an exciting adventure as well as a good mystery. Throw in the everyday problems they deal with - a daughter-in-law who needs a boost in self confidence, a stepmom who needs to slow down a bit, and a few other things that need Jake’s attention, and you have a well-rounded, entertaining story. ( )

This 4th installment in the Death by Chocolate cozy series is a fun, action-packed (for a cozy) mystery set in Maine. Two women, Jake and Ellie, own The Chocolate Moose and, when they aren't making chocolate and cookie delicacies or dealing with family issues, they're on the hunt for the killer of a local grouch.

This is a fun, quirky series, one I would highly recommend.

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via Net Galley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.) ( )