Death by Chocolate Raspberry Scone

Book Review: Death by Chocolate Raspberry Scone by Sarah Graves

Rating: 3 Stars

I recently picked up Death by Chocolate Raspberry Scone by Sarah Graves, and I have to admit, my experience was a bit of a mixed bag. Set in the charming little village of Eastport, Maine, we follow Jacobia “Jake” Tiptree and her friend Ellie White as they whip up delectable desserts at their bakeshop while navigating the chaos of summer tourist season. Sounds sweet, right? Well, it starts off promising, but things take a dark turn that left me feeling a bit disappointed.

The plot kicks into gear when Sally Coates, a childhood friend of Ellie's, believes her husband has been murdered at sea. She enlists Ellie's help to find out who murdered him. As Jake and Ellie island-hop around Passamaquoddy Bay, they find themselves entangled in a web of intrigue filled with shady characters and a rising body count that feels more like a horror movie than a cozy mystery.

Now, here's where I found the story lacking. With multiple deaths occurring throughout the book, it felt like the stakes were raised just for shock value, especially since none of them had anything to do with the chocolate, raspberries, or scones that the title promises. I've read my fair share of cozy mysteries, and usually, they give me that warm, fuzzy feeling alongside the whodunit element. This one, however, felt much less cozy. The body count kept climbing, and it started to feel like I was reading a thriller rather than a light-hearted mystery.

Another challenge I faced was keeping track of the numerous characters in the story. There were just so many plotlines and people involved that I often had to pause and remember who was who. It made the reading experience more cumbersome than enjoyable.

And let's talk about the boat talk. Oh boy! There were moments when my eyes glazed over from the endless nautical jargon. I appreciate that some readers might enjoy that level of detail, but for me, it felt excessive and detracted from the overall pacing of the story.

In conclusion, while Death by Chocolate Raspberry Scone had its moments of intrigue and a fun premise centered around a bakeshop, it ultimately fell short of my expectations. It was more chaotic than cozy, with a plot that strayed too far from the delightful desserts promised by its title. If you're looking for a light mystery with some culinary charm, this might not be the one for you. I'd give it three stars for its potential and setting but wish it had delivered a bit more sweetness instead of so much bloodshed.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️