A GAME OF CONES, the second book in the Ice Cream Parlor Mysteries by Abby Collette, is a sweet addition to a delightful series. From scrumptious frozen concoctions to a close-knit family to a charming town, Ms. Collette brings visual appeal to the book with her descriptive voice. The protagonist, Bronwyn “Win” Crewse, has revived her family’s ice cream shop, Crewse Creamery, and business is booming. The shops around town are thriving which makes a tempting target for a developer to swoop in and build a mall. When the developer’s representative is discovered murdered by one of Win’s friends visiting from New York, Win and her close circle of friends come together to provide support. The author builds on the theme of friendship, whether it’s from a friendship developed over a few decades from childhood on, or based on a shared interest and trust developed through a mutual employer. I also greatly admire the close family bond the author has developed for Win. Her Pop-Pop is a wonderful source of wisdom and advice while her parents support her every step of the way.
While most cozy mystery protagonists are eager, or at least compelled, to investigate murders, Win is quite the reluctant sleuth… which makes her seem more relatable. Her best friend, Maisie, on the other hand, is a wildcard and goes off on tangents based on watching mystery shows on Acorn TV. While Win provides a calming influence, Maisie still manages to drag her into all sorts of situations in her quest for finding the killer and despite her lack of focus, the two women manage to collect clues. As they investigate, there are a large number of town characters introduced, and all are potential suspects. I didn’t have the time to sit and read the book all at once, so I sometimes got a bit confused on who the minor characters were when I had a chance to pick up the book for a short while. Perhaps a list of characters at the front of the book might be helpful to those who find themselves unable to keep track. Other than that, this was an enjoyable read and once the surprising reveal came, the collected clues fell into place with a satisfactory conclusion.
Win’s family’s ice cream shop serves all sorts of mouthwatering creamy treats and Ms. Collette kept my tastebuds tempted with her tantalizing descriptions. I was so happy to see that she includes a few recipes at the back of the book… and they all sound fantastic! Since I had some leftover candy canes from the holiday season, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to try Aunt Jack’s Peppermint Candy Ice Cream. (Star mints work just as well as candy canes.) Plus, one of my granddaughters is a huge candy cane fan so I knew this would be a hit with her. I must take this moment to say a huge thank you to my granddaughter as well, since she made this recipe for me! I’ll be honest, I am not fond of mint in any form. However, once I sampled the frozen concoction, especially drizzled with chocolate magic shell, (at my granddaughter’s suggestion) I’m a convert! This was some of the best ice cream I’ve eaten in a long, long time! Given the rich ingredients, I’ll relegate this recipe to special holidays but I’ll certainly be making it again.
Amazon Synopsis
Bronwyn Crewse is delighted that Crewse Creamery, the ice cream shop her family has owned for decades, is restored to its former glory and serving sweet frozen treats to happy customers in the picturesque small town of Chagrin Falls, Ohio. But when a big city developer comes to town intent on building a mall, a killer with a frozen heart takes him out.
After literally stumbling across the body, one of Win’s closest friends becomes the prime suspect, and to make things worse, Win’s aunt has come to town with the intention of taking command of Crewse Creamery. Even though Win has a rocky road ahead to help her friend and keep her ice cream shop, it’ll take more than a sprinkle of murder to stop her from solving the crime and saving the day.
A special thanks to Abby Collette for providing a winner with a print copy of A GAME OF CONES. Contest ends Sunday, March 7, 2021 at 11:59 pm PST and is limited to U.S. residents. 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!)
- 2 vanilla beans
- 2-1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1-1/2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons peppermint extract
- 8 large egg yolks
- 1/2 cup crushed candy canes or star mints
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With a knife, halve vanilla beans lengthwise. Scrape seeds into a large heavy saucepan and stir in heavy cream, milk, sugar, and salt. Bring mixture just to a boil, stirring occasionally, and remove pan from heat. Add peppermint extract.
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In a large bowl lightly beat egg yolks. Add hot cream mixture to eggs in a slow stream, whisking, then return custard mixture to pan. Cook custard over moderate heat, and do not let it come to a boil. Stir constantly until mixture reaches 170 degrees (F).
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Pour custard through a sieve into a clean bowl and cool. Chill custard, its surface covered with wax paper, in refrigerator until cold, about three hours.
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Add cold mixture to ice cream maker and proceed according to manufacturer's instructions. Just before ice cream is set, add crushed candy to ice cream and continue mixing until combined.
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Place ice cream in an airtight container and freeze until fully set, at least two hours. Enjoy!
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I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
That peppermint ice cream sounds delicious and so refreshing! I love the taste of peppermint! Yes, I have a favorite ice cream shop…”Witch Flavor”. It is decorated with cute, magical, whimsical items and the ice cream is served in cones decorated to look like witches hats! The book sounds like a great read! Thanks for the chance to win!
Although I don’t make it there often, there is a local shop called Licks. Also a Ben and Jerry’s not too far away, which can do in a pinch!
Beth Marie’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream Is my favorite ice cream shop.
My favorite ice cream shop is the Spring Dipper in West Plains, MO which is an hour from me. Thanks for the chance!
The ice cream looks amazing! Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Many will think I am odd. I am not an
ice cream lover.
I drove by an ice cream shop in Glenwood Springs, Colorado called Artisan Ice Creams but didn’t have time to stop. It made me think of Crewse Creamery ~
We don’t have any cute little ice cream shops. But I wish we did like in this series. I like Dairy Queen though. Thanks for the contest!
Living in a very small town, there are no ice cream shops. Besides nothing beats homemade. Although I do love Blue Bell. 🙂
When I was growing up – 40s&50s – in Duluth MN there was no place like Bridgeman’s. Great memories!!
I do love Salt and Straw. They have such interesting flavor combinations.
Yes, We do have a favorite ice cream shop. It is small and locally owned. My husband adores peppermint ice cream.
Any ice cream shop is my favorite but here in eastern Iowa we have Culver’s that makes custard and it is so good it tastes like ice cream but it is a custard. I used to live in Calif and loved several ice cream shops but there was one that I used to go to with my friend. She and I when we were in high school that is where we went and sat in their parking lot and watched the people going into funerals across the street. We also watched the cars go down El Camino…
I loved the little ice cream shop in Weimar, Germany when I went on an exchange trip in high school. Berlin had a huge shop with tons of flavors. Found many other great ice cream places as well.
I don’t have a particular favorite ice cream shop, I am an equal opportunity ice cream nosher!
Would love to read this book!
That peppermint ice cream looks so tasty! I will definitely be trying it. My favorite Ice Cream shop is one called The Spotted Cow. The Ice Cream Parlor mysteries looks like a ton of fun, they’re now added to my TBR!
A place called Sullivans – they have a great variety and seasonal favorites
There’s not a ice cream shop where I live. There’s a Cold Stone creamery in the next city over but it doesn’t take long to get there, but we don’t go very often. The only thing I get there is their Cheesecake ice cream and it’s so good!! I love ice cream, and it’s something I turn to all the time!!
I love homemade ice cream! We used to make it all the time! This recipe sounds very yummy, thanks.
We have a Tasty Freeze that is very good.
I don’t think are around anymore. But, it was called Linders Ice cream . So good!!!
We’ve noticed that Florida has very poor offerings of ice cream stores.
But Maine?! There’s John’s in Liberty and Morton’s Moo in Ellsworth. Bar Harbor has several. These are SERIOUS ice cream places. Top ingredients an great flavors.
K’s Brain Freeze Ice Cream Parlor has the tastiest and best variety of ice cream, and the owner goes above and beyond for his customers.
I love cold stone but our small town has an ice cream shop called Scoops that I love!
My favorite ice cream is Ben and Jerry’s. Thank you!
A local ice cream shop called Sweet Oasis and my favorite ice cream is Pumpkin Pie. Thanks for this amazing giveaway.
Does Dairy Queen count? LOL. That ice cream looks wonderful! Fantastic giveaway! Thank you for the chance!
unfortunately i can’t find a vegan ice cream where i live – so no 🙁
No small ice cream shops around here, but Culver’s has really good ice cream and sundaes
The only one around here is Baskin Robbins, I think.
One of my favorite ice creams is peppermint that they have out at Christmas and this one sounds wonderful.
Graeter’s in my hometown of Cincinnati.
When I was a kid, there was an ice cream shop that we loved to go to as a family. It had a giant cow on top of the roof and you could see it from miles away. My brother and I were always on the lookout for that cow. LOL! Thank you for the giveaway!
There is a small ice cream shop near me which I love–Sharks. In a small town, out in the country. But it is always packed!! LOVE IT!
I love Handel’s ice cream.
Not really. Will just buy some at the store.
Unfortunately there isn’t an ice cream shop near me.
No. I just buy them in the stores. Thank you for a chance to win a print copy of A Game Of Cones.
I enjoy ice cream shops. We don’t go very often, especially now, so stores it is. We do have an ice cream maker and should add this recipe!
We don’t really have any ice cream shops in my town. I do enjoy going to ice cream shops when I travel.
Baskin-Robbins has always been my favorite ice cream shop. I love butter pecan!
I do have a favorite ice cream shop. It is Dietsch brothers in my home town of Findlay, Ohio. It is always a special treat and a must stop at when we visit. But I also have an ice cream maker and make ice cream several times during the warm months. This recipe just jumped into the ice mixer for ice cream this summer!
A local chain called Twister’s, they have a drive thru which is great. They just opened here last Spring, we went there a lot.
My favorite icecream shop is Leon’s icecream!
We don’t have a local ice cream shop. I do have an ice cream maker and that peppermint ice cream sounds delicious!
There is a little shop at the beach we go to. Called sun and cones and it is so so good! I have been going there since I was a kid. Thanks for chance this would be amazing!
I love Freddy’s Frozen Custard. Thanks for the giveaway!
I love coldstone!
I enjoy JP Licks
We have an ice cream shop named Eggers. My husband is diabetic and they have sugar free ice cream .
I live in a very rural area so ice cream shop for me is Cooks dairy farm who has a small ice cream counter inside and my favorite flavor there is Carmel Apple.
I love Graeters in Cincinnati
Unfortunately, our local shop has mostly soft serve. However, I have an ice cream maker and can’t wait to try this recipe! Sounds delicious!
When I am up visiting in MA I always have to go to Kimball’s in Westford/Littleton border. They have the best ice cream around. My sister is the same way when she is up visiting from VA. Hoping to have my vaccination and be able to travel this spring to see my family and be there when they open for the season.
We have Tom’s Ice Cream Bowl in my town. It’s been here since 1948 with very little change. I love their chocolate sodas and split topping sundae (cherry and pineapple).
If we are up at Lake Erie, we go to Tofts.