Step into the delectable world of the Candy Coated Mystery series, where fudge, murder, and Mackinac Island charm create a recipe for cozy mystery magic! Written by Nancy Coco, this delightful series follows Allie McMurphy, a plucky fudge-maker and hotel owner who solves crimes in a picturesque, car-free Michigan tourist town. With humor, heart, and mouthwatering recipes, it’s a treat for mystery lovers.
Blending small-town vibes with clever whodunits, the series captures the essence of cozy mysteries—think quirky characters, pet sleuths, and just enough danger to keep you guessing. Ready to uncover the secrets behind this sugary-sweet saga? Let’s dive in!
How Candy Coated Mystery Began
Nancy Coco, a pseudonym for the prolific Nancy J. Parra, launched the Candy Coated Mystery series in 2013 with All Fudged Up. An Air Force veteran with a knack for witty storytelling, Coco drew inspiration from Mackinac Island’s unique charm—no cars, just horse-drawn carriages and bicycles—and its thriving fudge industry. Her goal? To craft a cozy mystery series that paired culinary delights with clever crime-solving, starring a heroine as bold as her fudge recipes.
Coco’s background in writing romantic suspense and other mystery series under various pen names gave her the tools to build a vibrant world. Mackinac Island, a real-life tourist haven, became the perfect backdrop for Allie McMurphy’s adventures, blending real-world charm with fictional intrigue. The series quickly gained traction, earning praise for its engaging characters and delectable setting.
The Heart of Candy Coated Mystery
The series kicks off with All Fudged Up (2013), where Allie McMurphy returns to Mackinac Island to revive her family’s Historic McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop. Renovations take a dark turn when she finds a body in a closet, making her a suspect. With her Bichonpoo, Mal, sniffing out clues, Allie must clear her name and win over the town. In To Fudge or Not to Fudge (2014), Allie juggles a reality TV fudge competition and a murder mystery when her former culinary instructor turns up dead. Oh Say Can You Fudge (2015) sees Allie tackling a sabotaged fireworks display and a near-fatal explosion, while Three Fudges and a Baby (2024) finds her proving a doula’s innocence in a murder case just before her friend’s baby arrives.
Themes of community, resilience, and family shine through, with Allie’s determination to save her family’s legacy anchoring each story. The car-free island, with its Victorian charm and fudge shops, is practically a character itself, immersing readers in a cozy yet thrilling world. Coco’s humorous prose, well-plotted mysteries, and fudge recipes sprinkled throughout add a delicious layer, making each book a page-turner. Pets like Mal and calico cat Carmella often steal the show, sniffing out clues and adding heartwarming moments.
The series’ style is quintessentially cozy: lighthearted but suspenseful, with twists that keep readers guessing. Coco’s ability to weave local culture—think yacht races and zombie fests—into the plots keeps the setting fresh, while Allie’s growth as a sleuth and entrepreneur adds depth.
Why Candy Coated Mystery Resonates
The Candy Coated Mystery series has carved a niche in the cozy mystery genre, earning accolades from outlets like Kirkus Reviews for its “memorable characters” and “mouthwatering recipes.” Fans adore the immersive Mackinac Island setting, which inspired some to visit the real island, as noted on cozy mystery blogs. Coco’s plucky heroine and her knack for balancing romance, humor, and danger resonate with readers who crave escapist yet relatable stories.
With 17 books and counting, the series’ longevity speaks to its appeal. Coco’s inclusion of fudge recipes and pet-driven sleuthing taps into cozy mystery trends, while her focus on community and small-town dynamics offers timeless charm. It’s a series that invites readers to savor both the mysteries and the island’s sugary allure.
- First Book: All Fudged Up (2013)
- Latest Book: Fudge and Marriage (2025)
- Number of Books: 17
- Setting: Mackinac Island, Michigan
Grab All Fudged Up and dive into the Candy Coated Mystery’s fudge-filled world of cozy crime-solving!