A Killer Sundae Book Review

This A Killer Sundae book review is for cozy mystery readers who love reading about food, discovering relatable characters, and digging into mysteries that stay gentle and comforting from start to finish. Set in a warm, welcoming small town, this book focuses less on seasonal atmosphere and more on community, humor, and irresistible dessert talk. If you’re browsing for a cozy that feels familiar, lighthearted, and driven by friendships rather than high-stakes suspense, this one fits nicely into a comfort-read lineup.

A Killer Sundae - Abby Collette

Series: An Ice Cream Parlor Mystery
Vibes: Foodie cozy, small-town charm, found-family warmth, light community drama, comfort read

A Killer Sundae Book Review

This A Killer Sundae book review is for cozy mystery readers who love food-centered stories, realistic family dynamics, and a reluctant sleuth who never set out to solve crimes—but keeps getting pulled in anyway. While this installment doesn’t fully lean into its Harvest Time Festival setting, it shines in other familiar and comforting ways, especially through humor, friendship, and an irresistible focus on ice cream.

If you’re browsing for a cozy that feels more about community and desserts than seasonal atmosphere, this one may still hit the spot.

The Sleuth:
Reluctant, Relatable, and Food-Focused

Bronwyn “Win” Crewse is a reluctant investigator through and through. She’s curious but cautious, practical rather than bold, and very relatable in her desire to just run her business and live her life without getting tangled up in murder investigations.

What makes Win especially enjoyable is that she never wants to be the sleuth. She gets roped into solving the mystery out of necessity—mainly to protect someone she cares about—and that reluctance makes her feel grounded and realistic. She’s not chasing danger or excitement; she’s responding to it.

Her role as an ice cream shop owner is one of the strongest cozy elements in the book. The detailed descriptions of the flavors she creates are delightful, and they add a sensory comfort that balances out the mystery. Even when the plot moves quickly, the ice cream details help anchor the story in something warm and familiar.

The Setting:
Found-Family Over Festival

Chagrin Falls, Ohio continues to feel warm, welcoming, and rooted in found-family vibes. While the town itself provides a comforting backdrop, this particular book doesn’t lean heavily into its advertised seasonal setting.

The Harvest Time Festival exists more as context than atmosphere. Since the event takes place over Labor Day weekend, the story doesn’t truly feel like a fall cozy, and autumnal details stay light and mostly in the background. The festival matters mainly because it’s where the murder occurs—not because it shapes the mood of the story.

As a result, this book doesn’t quite scratch the itch for readers looking for a strong seasonal cozy. Instead, it leans much more into community relationships and everyday small-town life, which may be exactly what some readers prefer.

Side Characters:
Humor, Chaos, and the Real Stars of the Book

The true standouts in A Killer Sundae are Win’s two best friends, Maisie and Riya. They bring humor, cozy chaos, and a lively energy that keeps the story entertaining even when the mystery itself feels familiar.

Their banter feels natural and genuinely funny, and their presence adds warmth without tipping into cliché. They don’t just exist to support the sleuth—they actively shape the tone of the book, making it feel lighter and more playful.

Family dynamics also play a big role, and they feel realistic rather than overly sentimental. The mix of teasing, concern, and support among the characters adds to the sense that this is a lived-in community, not just a convenient setting for a mystery.

The Mystery:
Gentle, Non-Graphic, and Comfortably Twisty

The mystery itself falls squarely into the moderate cozy tension category. The poisoning is mild and non-graphic, and there’s no grimness or darkness that disrupts the cozy feel.

The plot is comfortably twisty without being complicated. There are enough suspects and developments to keep you curious, but nothing that requires intense focus or emotional investment. As with most cozies, the joy comes from following along rather than racing to the solution.

If you’re someone who never feels stressed while reading cozy mysteries, this one fits that expectation perfectly. The tone stays calm and accessible throughout.

One drawback is the ending. While the mystery is resolved, the wrap-up feels rushed and more narrated than experienced. Instead of unfolding through dialogue and interaction, it’s explained more quickly than expected, which slightly lessens the impact of the conclusion.

Vibes Check:
Foodie Cozy with Light Community Drama

This book’s strongest vibes are:

• Foodie cozy
• Small-town charm
• Light community drama

Despite being marketed around a harvest festival, it doesn’t truly feel like a fall cozy. There’s no strong seasonal immersion, and readers looking for autumn vibes may come away a bit disappointed.

However, if you’re here for desserts, humor, and friendships, the book delivers consistently on those fronts. The ice cream focus remains charming throughout, even outside of summer reading season.

Who Will Enjoy This Book Most?

A Killer Sundae is perfect for readers who love:

• Dessert-centered cozy mysteries
• Black-owned business cozies
• Strong best-friend dynamics
• Lighthearted, community-driven mysteries

It’s especially well-suited for food-based cozy fans who care more about atmosphere and character relationships than seasonal immersion.

This book works either as part of the series or as a standalone, though familiarity with the characters enhances the experience—especially when it comes to appreciating the humor and dynamics among the cast.

My Final Thoughts:
A Killer Sundae Book Review

While A Killer Sundae doesn’t stand out as a seasonal or fall-themed cozy, it succeeds as a comforting, food-forward mystery with engaging characters and plenty of charm. The ice cream details, humorous friendships, and found-family energy carry the story, even when the plot resolution feels a bit rushed.

If you’re in the mood for a cozy mystery that prioritizes desserts, relationships, and gentle intrigue over seasonal flair, this one is an enjoyable, low-stress read—especially for fans of the series or readers who love their cozies served with a scoop (or two) of humor.

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