Fun start to a new ice cream shop-based cozy mystery series

I Scream, You Scream (A Mystery A-la-mode Book 1)

By: Wendy Lyn Watson

Rating: 5 of 5

This is a fun new series for me. It is the cozy mystery genre that I enjoy. In this series, Tallulah Jones is a fairly new divorcee. As part of her divorce settlement, she has purchased an older house in town (complete with many necessary rehab projects) as well as starting a new handmade ice scream shop.

I must admit, though I am severely lactose intolerant and ice scream a no-no, the flavors of ice referenced in the book had my mouth watering. I wish the author had included recipes as well.

The story starts as Tally is hired to do the desserts at her ex-husband’s annual all-holds barred company picnic. Tally is getting over the oddness of being hired by her ex but needs the money to keep house and home together.

Seeing her ex with his new squeeze Brittney (just about young enough to be her daughter) is not too unsettling, that is, until the next day, when Brittney turns up dead.

Suspicions turn from one individual to another, with Tally getting her fair share. In trying to prove one or other individuals innocent (not to mention trying to prove certain ones guilty), Tally gets heavily enmeshed in solving the whodunnit.

The book is funny and is a good quick read. There are a good number of side characters, sister Bree (what a hoot!), niece Alice (brainiac), Wayne (only slightly sleazy ex-husband) and Finn her long lost high school sweetheart who has turned up out of the blue.

I enjoyed the book and see that there are already two more books in the series available. I’ll certainly be looking into purchasing those books as well.

I was provided a digital advance reader copy of this book by the publisher via Netgalley.