Murder by Death

My first thought about this book:  I hate the title.  It's dumb.  Not cute, just dumb.

Happily, that's the worst thing about this book.  Everything beyond the title is well done: it's well written, it has strong, likeable characters and the murder plot was un-predictable.  The MC Allie doesn't run around questioning people like a rude, obnoxious, nosy git.  This is so damn refreshing it makes me want to hug the author.  

This series has surprised me: it's setting of the "fudge capital" on Mackinac Island had me dreading a tacky-tourist vibe and the first book's cover and this book's title made my blood sugar spike.  But there's nothing tacky-tourist or overly cute/sweet about the story; Allie is well-educated, running a hotel that aims for tasteful.  There is a definite love triangle developing - Allie's single and has two eligible men declaring their interest.  I found it irritating, since it started feeling like a competition between the two men and it just wasn't interesting.

A solid 4-star read though and I'd recommend to anyone who likes cozies, but doesn't like "Cute" to overlook the title and art and give the books a try.