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PINT OF NO RETURN, the first in the brand-new Shake Shop Mystery series by Dana Mentink, has all the ingredients for a temptingly delicious cozy mystery! Protagonist Trinidad Jones, and her adorable flunked-out service dog, Noodles, are newly arrived in Upper Sprocket, Oregon to take control of a commercial building left to her by her in-the-slammer ex. She’s opening the Shimmy and Shake Shop featuring over-the-top milk shakes and I couldn’t help but drool over the descriptions of her frozen concoctions. While Pint of No Return follows the usual formula for cozy mysteries, Ms. Mentink ups the ante with colorful and quirky characters along with glimpses into the Cuban culture and food thanks to Trinidad’s heritage and her charming grandfather, Papa Luis. Trinidad also finds herself in a highly unusual position of living in a small town with not one, but two fellow ex-wives. This creates the opportunity for some interesting scenes, especially when one of the ex-wives is accused of murder and she begs Trinidad to help prove her innocence. With plenty of humor interjected, I was highly entertained throughout the entire story.
The mystery is well-crafted and the included sub-plots dovetail nicely into the story. Between Trinidad trying to prepare the Shimmy and Shake Shop for opening, to settling into a new town and meeting new people, to getting embroiled in a murder, the action never slows down. I found the pacing spot-on and it kept me turning pages until the last word was read. The author makes effective use of Trinidad being a newcomer to town and not knowing anyone. She’s forced to work extra hard to unravel the clues to help out her fellow ex-wife. With plenty of suspects to keep a sharp-eyed reader on their toes, I was surprised by not only the final reveal of the culprit, but also why the crime had been committed. I look forward to reading more in this yummy new series!
As I mentioned before, Trinidad creates lots of yummy frozen concoctions for her new shop’s grand opening. Being a transplant from Miami, she has tropical and citrus-based shakes to offer. I was pleased to find that the author includes the recipe for Trinidad’s Easy Key Lime Ice Cream at the back of the book. I’m a huge fan of ice cream and this was every bit as delicious as I’d imagined. Tangy yet sweet, the bits of graham crackers add a delicious texture to the creamy custard base. This ice cream is a refreshing change from a typical Key Lime Pie, especially on a hot summer day.
Amazon Synopsis
After her divorce from her thrice-married embezzler husband, Trinidad Jones is finally ready for a fresh start. So, when she’s left one of ex’s businesses in Upper Sprocket, Oregon, she decides to pack up her dog, cash in her settlement, and open her dream business: the Shimmy and Shake Shop, introducing the world to her monster milkshakes. And even with a couple sticky situations underway, namely that the other two ex-wives also call Sprocket home, Trinidad’s life seems to be churning along smoothly.
That is, until she discovers her neighbor, the Popcorn King, head down in his giant popcorn kettle. When one of Trinidad’s fellow ex-wives is accused of the murder and Upper Sprocket descends into mayhem, it’s going to take a supersized scoop of courage to flush out the killer.
A special thanks to Poison Pen Press for providing one lucky winner with a print copy of PINT OF NO RETURN! Giveaway is limited to U.S. residents. Contest ends Sunday, June 6, 2021 at 11:59 pm PST. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)
- 1 (12-oz.) can evaporated milk
- 1 (14-oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2/3 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 (3-oz.) package lime-flavored gelatin
- 2 egg yolks, beaten
- 1 cup fresh lime juice
- 6 whole graham crackers, broken into big pieces
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In a saucepan over low heat, combine the evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, whole milk, and heavy cream, whisking often. Once the mixture is almost hot to the touch, whisk in the sugar and gelatin mix, stirring until the sugar and gelatin are completely dissolved.
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Whisk a little of the hot sugar mixture to the beaten egg yolks to warm them, then add the yolks to the milk mixture, whisking constantly. Raise the heat to medium and cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat.
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Stir in the lime juice and let the mixture come to room temperature.
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Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer's directions. Once the ice cream has start to thicken, open the canister and add the broken graham crackers. They will break into smaller pieces as you churn for about 5 minutes more.
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Transfer to a freezer container, and freeze until solid for 6 - 8 hours.
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I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
It’s not something I get very often. But thinking about it, I usually prefer single ice cream flavors, like chocolate or a good vanilla.
I can do either but honestly I’m mostly a plain flavor shake gal. Something just enjoyable about something constant.
I prefer a plain chocolate milkshake..yum!! And that recipe for Key Lime Ice cream looks soooo yummy and refreshing! The book sound so interesting! Thanks for the chance to win!
I do so love the chocolate covered cherry or double berry strawberry milkshakes.
Can’t wait for the opportunity to read Dana’s newest book “PINT OF NO RETURN”.
My favorite is a fresh strawberry shake but I also love chocolate and vanilla malts! Thanks for the chance!
I love plain chocolate or vanilla, but cookie dough is where my heart lies. Lol. I don’t eat ice cream very much anymore, but when I do, I do it right!
I love Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla ice cream. Tastes just like the ice cream you make at home.
I just like chocolate. The more chocolatey, the better.
I love chocolate and any other flavor when I have a milkshake.
Oh my goodness that key lime ice cream looks so good! ?
Not a big shake fan..
I love strawberry milkshakes. I don’t really like a lot of other stuff in my milkshakes since it makes them heavy. Congratulations on your new series!
I like chocoate chip milkshakes best. I dont go into crazy concoctions. My husband, however, likes his with nuts, cherries, whip cream, candy bars and other fruit.
Everyone thinks I am weird, but I don’t like milkshakes. If I have a sip of my husband’s, I like strawberry!
I would say I like my milkshakes plain, either chocolate or strawberry. I really don’t care for Dairy Queen blizzards.
Sounds like a cute new series!
I have never really had a “fun” flavor of milkshake besides mint chocolate chip or plain chocolate.
I love and orange sherbert and vanilla shake or chelate and strawberry ?. Plan to read this series.
My favorite milkshake flavor is definitely strawberry ❤?
On the very, very rare occasions when I get a chocolate milkshake, I’d like chocolate mini peanut butter cups added in and the milkshake topped with real whipped cream.
My favorite milkshake is strawberry.
I must make these recipes. THey look so good!
If the ingredients are high quality, almost any flavor is worth tasting!
I prefer a plain chocolate milkshake, but I’m open to trying some new flabors/concoctions.
I like plain milkshakes but I actually prefer malts.
Oh my goodness this ice cream looks fantastic. thanks for sharing the recipe. If my shake is plain I prefer strawberry. If not plain I prefer strawberry with pieces of lemon cake mixed in. I do love a good vanilla shake at times.
Chocolate Shake with lots of Chocolate syrup. Thanks for your great generosity.
I love chocolate milkshakes with whipped cream, crushed dark chocolate oreos, and a cherry on top. Thank you for this chance!
I like key lime pie so think I would like the ice cream. I like things with a bit of sour and kick.
plain. unless you consider adding fresh strawberries to be a concoction.
I like a milkshake with chocolate syrup and peanut butter , taste like a Reese’s peanut butter cup. I also like chocolate malts.
I love milkshakes and I usually jump at the fresh fruity flavors like banana cream and peach when available. Key lime pie shake sounds awesome!
I love most milkshakes, the thicker the better.
Strawberry
I like plain chocolate milkshakes.
I usually go with plain vanilla or strawberry.
I like mine plain.
I am definitely on the plain side when it comes to milkshakes. It’s been so long since I’ve had a milkshake that I cannot even remember when I last had one. Chocolate can give me the hives which means it’s straight vanilla for me. Thank you for the giveaway!
I prefer my plain. Vanilla is my favorite, but this key lime sounds delicious!
Blueberry or peach
I love key lime. Thank you!
I love strawberry milkshakes. Thanks for the giveaway!
Chocolate malt powder and chocolate syrup with vanilla ice cream. Plus milk all blended together. Yours sounds delicious. Thank you for the chance
My two favorite milkshake flavors are chocolate and peach
I prefer milkshakes plain … usually vanilla or raspberry. If the local drug store fountain counter has cotton candy ice cream, I will get that. I did have a salted caramel milkshake at the drug store and it was good. During county fair, nothing beats a faireeze or when they have pie, a cherry pie thick milkshake.
I only like chocolate milkshakes.
I usually get a plain chocolate shake but I do occasionally go got a peanut butter shake.
My favorite “frappe” that we call milkshakes in most of New England, is mocha which is coffee and chocolate ice cream with coffee and chocolate syrup mixed with the milk!
If I have nice juicy locally picked strawberries in the summer I will make a purée and make a frappe at home using my own homemade ice cream!
I’m not a fan of any frappes made with chunky ingredients at all! They make me choke! ?
Now I’m hungry for ice cream. The book looks like it’s going to be an interesting read.
My favorite milkshake is chocolate.