Pint of No Return - (Shake Shop Mystery) by Dana Mentink (Paperback)

After finding out that her ex-husband was a thrice-married embezzler, Trinidad Jones moved to Upper Sprocket, Oregon. The reason? Her ex left her a storefront, and she is going to open a shake shop there. One afternoon, she finds a neighboring store owner dead in the back of his popcorn shop. The police start to look at Juliette, one of Trinidad’s fellow ex-wives, as the killer. Trinidad doesn’t think that Juliette committed the crime, but can she trust her instincts? I found myself at once drawn into the book as I struggled to fully get lost in the world. There were small details that we didn’t get right away that kept me from fully getting emmeshed in the story. On the other hand, the characters were wonderful, and those relationships kept drawing me in. The pacing was a little off a couple of times, but it held my interest as I read, and it led to a great climax. The book does a good job of balancing tone. At times, it’s light, but other times it gets serious. The combination makes for a richer book. I appreciated the slight twist on the cozy mystery set up. The ice cream scenes made my drool, and I appreciate the recipe at the end of the book. I can’t wait to revisit these characters when the second in this series comes out.

I have read other books by this author so I was really excited to read this one. Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would. There seemed to be too many characters with unusual names so I had a hard time keeping track or who was who. The story line didn’t flow with me or keep my interest like I was hoping. I have read other food type mystery books but this one feel flat for me. I think I will stick with reading just her Love Inspired Suspense books in the future. I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

I an so excited to read a new book from this author. She is one of my favorites and I can always count on her to deliver exciting stories. Her new series is a cozy mystery set in a small town. Opening up a new business for Trinidad is a challenge but I know with her skills she can do it. The new business, The Shimmy and Shake Shop sounds like a wonderful place to enjoy flavors of ice cream that bring a sense of fun and nostalgia. A very intriguing town brings Trinidad face to face with several ex-wives of her ex-husband. I would be a little uncomfortable being around them. Would you want to be friends with them? Sweet Trinidad seems to be genuinely wanting to get to know them better. I loved that everyone seemed to know each other’s business in the town. It didn’t take long for the news to break that a murder has been committed. Poor Kevin the Popcorn King is found dead by none other than Trinidad. Here is where we see the brilliant writing come into play. The author has introduced us to several characters who could easily be suspects. Who wanted Kevin dead and why? Did they not like popcorn and wanted to run Kevin out of town? The cast of characters in the book are funny, quirky and downright a gem to get to know. Trinidad is determined to prove her friend innocent and runs into twists along the way. Now I did try very hard to solve the case, but the author sure has some interesting roadblocks for me. Get ready for a small town mystery with lots of fun and adventure, Noodles is perhaps my favorite character because after all having a cute, cuddly dog in the story brings happiness to everyone. Grab a ice cream cone, get comfy and enjoy the newest book from an author who delivers a first rate mystery. I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Pint of No Return by Dana Mentink has Trinidad Jones moving to Upper Sprocket, Oregon where she is going to open the Shimmy and Shake Shop in a building deeded to her by her louse of an ex-husband. Trinidad is delivering nuts to Kevin Heartly, owner of Popcorn Palace, when she finds him dead inside his giant popcorn kettle. Juliette Carpenter, a new friend of Trinidad’s, is arrested for the crime. Trinidad with help from some of her new friend’s works to clear Juliette’s name. Pint of No Return is the debut of A Shake Shop Mystery series. This is a cute, lighthearted cozy mystery with a good cast of characters. I must admit that my favorite character is Trinidad’s dog, Noodles. He is a compassionate dog with many talents. I also liked Trinidad’s grandfather, Papa Luis. The author took the time to introduce the characters and describe the town. I enjoyed the vivid word images of Upper Sprocket. It sounds like a beautiful area with charming shops and homes. The mystery of who murdered Kevin Heartly, the Popcorn King, had several good suspects who had motive. I liked the tie-in to the auctioned off storage unit. The author did a good job of laying the groundwork from the beginning. The clues are evident, and they will lead readers to the killer’s identity. It is a well thought out whodunit. I just wish it were a little more challenging to solve (I like a good puzzle). There is some romance as well. Trinidad meets Quinn Logan and there is a spark between them. We shall see where it leads. There are mouthwatering descriptions of freakshakes which is what Trinidad is going to serve at her shop. They are over-the-top milkshakes that will have you heading to store to obtain the necessary ingredients to make your own frozen creation. There is a recipe for key lime ice cream at the end. Pint of No Return is a sweet treat with fantasy freakshakes, a departed popcorn king, storage shed disorder, an excess of ex-wives, a set-up suspect, and firm friends.

Someone is feeling threatened...be careful, very careful. This simply wonderful mystery will keep you guessing all the way through. The author has done a fabulous job of taking the reader to a small town, where everyone knows everything about all their neighbors....or do they? Trinidad Jones has received the deed to a small shop in the heart of Upper Sprocket, Oregon. Ice cream is on the menu. In fact, a signature shake will bring those customers in, starting with the Fourth of July Freakshake! Somehow murder sneaks onto the scene and suddenly her tiny, comfortable world changes. Will the perpetrator be caught before more people die? Accidents, assault and robbery just make it even harder to try to get to the bottom of what is going on in this small town. And then there is Noodles, who is there for everyone. Don’t miss this fabulous beginning to what is sure to be a most enjoyable series! This ARC was received through Poisoned Pen Press and CelebrateLit. These comments and impressions are my own and were in no way solicited.

Pint of No Return by Dana Mentink is the first book in her Ice Cream Shop Mystery series. Trinidad Jones is ready for a fresh start. After receiving a storefront from her ex, Trinidad packs up her dog and moves to Upper Sprocket, Oregon where she opens her dream shop; the Shimmy and Shake Shop. Everything is working out just great until she finds her neighbor, the Popcorn King, dead in his store. Now, she must decide if she is brave enough to try to solve the murder mystery. I enjoyed getting to know the people in the small town of Sprocket. Trinidad was a very likable person. The story-line was great and pretty fast-paced. I ate more ice cream than usual with the story taking place in an ice cream shop! The ice cream flavors sounded awesome and I enjoyed getting a behind-the-scenes look at the making of them. By the end of the book I was wishing that the Shimmy and Shake Shop was actually in my town! I received this book from the author for my honest review.