Mackenzie “Mac” Almeida runs a local bicycle shop in Cape Cod and is familiar with most of the residents. Beverly Ruchart is one of her regulars and isn’t the friendliest patron, but even Mac is surprised when Beverly is angered by her parents’ puppy intruding on Beverly’s lawn. Unfortunately, Beverly has ruffled a lot of feathers, enough that someone poisons her. Worse yet, the poison was delivered via taffy that Mac’s friend, Gin Malloy, took to a dinner party at Beverly’s home and Beverly’s dead body was found outside of Gin’s Salty Taffy candy shop. Can Mac and the Cozy Capers Book Group help uncover the real murderer?

Mac and the members of the Cozy Capers Book Group are a hoot! However, I have to admit that Belle, Mac’s African gray parrot, steals the show in MURDER AT THE TAFFY SHOP. Belle’s hilarious comments, as well as some of her antics, almost make me want to like parrots (and I’m not typically a fan; my in-laws have one that is nowhere near as funny or clever as Belle). Heck, MURDER AT THE TAFFY SHOP is worth reading just for Belle, never mind all the other great characters and the mystery itself!

The suspect list for Beverly’s murder is a bit lengthy, but Maddie Day ensures readers can keep track of all the relationships. Beverly was wealthy and not the kindest soul, so she had plenty of detractors. I appreciate that Maddie Day also introduces us to a few surprises with folks who cared for Beverly, keeping her from becoming one dimensional and adding some humanity to her despite her sharp tongue.

I love Maddie Day’s books and MURDER AT THE TAFFY SHOP is no exception! MURDER AT THE TAFFY SHOP is the second book in the Cozy Capers Book Group series but can easily be read on its own merits. The characters and their relationships are explained well enough that anyone can jump right in and enjoy the delightful mystery Maddie Day has in store for readers. If you love cozy mysteries, then MURDER AT THE TAFFY SHOP will be a fun treat for you!