Click on book to visit Amazon
A DEADLY INSIDE SCOOP, the first book in the Ice Cream Parlor Mysteries by Abby Collette, is a sweet start to a brand new cozy series! The reader is introduced to protagonist Bronwyn “Win” Crewse and her close-knit family, including her grandfather, Pop Pop. I’m always thrilled to find books that feature families that care for each other and support each other without a lot of angst going on. While Pop Pop may have some quirks that might annoy the family, he’s super close to his granddaughter and I loved how he bonded with her over her desire to clear her father’s name after the murder takes place. Ms. Collette also creates a cast of supporting characters with quirky sidekicks for the protagonist. While they, at times, could be a bit over the top, it did provide some humorous moments as Win’s amateur investigation unfolds. I greatly enjoyed the way she and her friends based their investigation on fictional television and book characters, ones easily recognizable to readers.
The author effectively used the murder of the man who had cheated Win’s family many years previous, to introduce backstory without slowing down the plot or detracting from the central theme. As Win delves into the victim’s life she finds almost everyone in town had reasons to extract revenge for his past crimes so there are suspects galore. With a surprising reveal that includes some heart-pounding action, I found I never had the killer on my radar at all. I also enjoyed that the author takes the time to wrap up all the threads of the subplots without leaving readers hanging. I look forward to reading the next book in this yummy series!
With Win creating so many delectable ice cream flavors for her family’s ice cream shop in the book, be prepared to crave ice cream. Or better yet, make a batch from one of the recipes at the back of the book and enjoy it while reading A DEADLY INSIDE SCOOP! Despite it not being fall, I couldn’t pass up the chance to make Chagrin Falls Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream. Oh my… it surpassed my expectations and I really didn’t want to share even a spoonful with anyone else! Luscious and creamy, this frozen concoction has the perfect balance of pumpkin and spices so that one doesn’t overwhelm the other. Ms. Collette provides several helpful tips to creating the best ice cream and her directions are concise yet easy to follow. Once I devoured my share of the ice cream (in the end I couldn’t not share with my granddaughters) I wondered why I don’t make ice cream more often. It was easy to make and the results were yummier than what you can purchase at the grocery store, especially since pumpkin spice ice cream is a seasonal item. I’ll be making this again… right after I make the other recipes in the book since they all sound equally fantastic!
Amazon Synopsis
Recent MBA grad Bronwyn Crewse has just taken over her family’s ice cream shop in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, and she’s going back to basics. Win is renovating Crewse Creamery to restore its former glory, and filling the menu with delicious, homemade ice cream flavors—many from her grandmother’s original recipes. But unexpected construction delays mean she misses the summer season, and the shop has a literal cold opening: the day she opens her doors an early first snow descends on the village and keeps the customers away.
To make matters worse, that evening, Win finds a body in the snow, and it turns out the dead man was a grifter with an old feud with the Crewse family. Soon, Win’s father is implicated in his death. It’s not easy to juggle a new-to-her business while solving a crime, but Win is determined to do it. With the help of her quirky best friends and her tight-knit family, she’ll catch the ice cold killer before she has a meltdown…
A special thanks to Abby Collette for providing a signed print copy of A DEADLY INSIDE SCOOP! Contest ends Sunday, May 17, 2020 at 11:59 pm PST and is limited to U.S. residents only. 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!)
- 2/3 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1-3/4 cups milk
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 3/4 cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
-
In a large bowl, mix the pumpkin puree with the cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.
-
Add the milk, heavy cream, sugar and vanilla to the bowl, and then beat using an electric mixer until the mixture becomes smooth, about two minutes.
-
Pour the mixture into an ice-cream maker and churn until the consistency of soft-serve ice cream.
-
Place in a covered freezer-safe container for at least two hours.
-
You don't need to an ice cream machine, but if you do use one, be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions. If you don't use a machine, remember to use whipped cream to create a better texture. It'll take a little longer for your mixture to freeze properly, but it'll be fine. Just check on it every couple of hours and give it a good stir.
-
If you use an ice-cream maker, never pour your warm (or even room-temperature) base into your ice cream machine. A base that isn't chilled prior to going into your ice-cream maker won't freeze. The colder, the better!
-
I thought the perfect garnish for this delectable ice cream was salted caramel sauce and toasted pecans!
Pin to Pinterest:
If you receive my blog post via email you will need to visit my website to view the video.
I was provided an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I love all ice cream flavors.
This book sounds wonderful! I love ice cream so my favorite flavor depends on the day, but I’ll go with mint chocolate chip.
I like any kind of chocolate ice cream. The chocolate-ier the better.
My favorite ice cream is Ben & Jerry’s The Tonight Dough — it is amazing! Pumpkin spice ice cream sounds amazing, and I agree with you that salted caramel sauce and pecans would be an awesome topping ~
I love chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream.
My favorite ice cream flavor is chocolate.
I love Gold Medal Ribbon from Baskin Robbins. Its my special treat
My favorite flavor of ice cream is jamoca almond fudge which is kind of funny since I do not like coffee.
Abby Collette is a new to me author, but one I’d love to get to know with the opportunity to read “A DEADLY INSIDE SCOOP”. I would love to read and review this book which is now on my TBR list. Thank you for the wonderful chance to win a copy!
My absolutely favorite is Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream when it’s in season otherwise it would be any flavor of Chocolate. Thanks for this amazing giveaway.
My favorite ice cream is black raspberry soft serve. Chocolate chip cookie dough hard ice cream.
It used to be cookies and cream – then I tasted organic salted carmel and it is my new favorite – thanks for the great page and all the contests
My favorite ice cream would be chocolate. Thanks for the opportunity to win!
My favorite ice cream is homemade blackberry chocolate chip
Love these kind of books.
My favorite ice cream flavor is mint chocolate chip.
Hi all! Such a cool blog! I love all the great recipes and pictures of delicious treats. Thank you Cinnamon, Sugar and A Little Bit of Murder for hosting me and my book. And good luck to all the entrants!
Abby Collette
It is such a pleasure hosting you on the blog, Abby! And I enjoyed being able to share your yummy new book and scrumptious ice cream recipe too!
My favorite ice cream flavor is Ben & Jerry’s Phish Food. Congratulations on the new series, and thanks so much for the recipe and giveaway!
Chocolate mint, Spumoni, peppermint, ok really just about any ice cream is my favorite.
I love the peppermint with candy canes bits that comes out around Christmas, and the Spaghetti Eis and caramel ice cream I had in Germany. I’ve been looking forward to this book, so glad it’s finally release day!
Oh wow! So many ice cream flavors I LOVE , BUT my absolute favorite is Fudge Ripple! Has been ever since I was a little girl. The pumpkin spice recipe sounds delish! Gonna have to try it! Tysm for the chance to win!
Rum Raisin is my favorite! (However, I adore many other flavors.) And, both the book and this recipe sound divine! Thank you.
My long standing favorite ice cream is Baskin Robbins Jamoca Almond Fudge.
Chocolate marshmallow ice ? cream thank you for the chance here’s hoping ?
I LOVE ice cream (who doesn’t?) and I’d love to win a copy of A Deadly Inside Scoop. Thanks for the chance to win one!
I love ice cream with ‘stuff’ in it-nuts, marshmallows, cookie dough. Yum!
My favorite is Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup.
Anything with peanut butter or caramel!
I really like mint ice cream.
My favorite flavor is Brusters’ graham central station. You can taste the brown sugar!
Congrats to the author on a new series.
I have several favorite flavors of ice cream. One, of course, is pumpkin spice. I also love cinnamon, eggnog, and chocolate marshmallow.
My favorite flavor is coffee… especially with chips in it!!
Mint chocolate chip is my favorite.
My very favorite ice cream flavor is one that I get at a local Ice Cream place. It is called, “Charlie Brown”. Chocolate ice cream with huge chunk of peanut butter. YUM…now I want some, LOL. Thanks for the chance!
French vanilla and ginger
My favorite ice cream favor is Mackinac Island fudge ice cream.
rum raisin is a favorite one.
I have several favorite flavors—one is cherry limeade.
Chocolate
My favorite ice cream is Butter Pecan. Thank you for a chance to win a print copy of A Deadly Inside Scoop.
My absolute favorite is Bubblegum ice cream!
I like a rich vanilla flavor, that I can add things to, like fresh fruit.
Salted caramel
Caramel sauce on my ice cream is heavenly!
Thanks for the chance.
Rocky road is my favorite ice cream.
The book sounds fabulous, so does the ice cream recipe.
I’m probably one of few people who don’t care for pumpkin. I love ice cream in general. The book looks like a good read. rgp1950@yahoo.com
My favorite ice cream is Rocky Road. I love the different textures and blend of flavors.
A Deadly Inside Scoop looks great! I can’t wait to read it.
Generally prefer french vanilla. Then I can add any type/flavor, of topping I’m in the mood for.
Abby Collette is new to me author. I’d love to get to know her with the opportunity to read “A DEADLY INSIDE SCOOP”. I would also love to read and review this book which is now on my TBR list. Thank you for the wonderful chance to win a copy!
my favorite ice cream flavor is orange chocolate
I love Chocolate Almond! I also love Cotton Candy! I would love to read this book! Thanks for the chance!
My favorite ice cream flavor is Moose Tracks. Thank you for this chance!
My favorite ie cream flavors are chocolate chocolate chip and cherry vanilla.
I love most ice cream. I used to love going to Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream in Columbus, Ohio and trying the unique flavors.
My all time favorite flavor is Homemade Brand Cherry Cordial.
BTW I have been to Chagrin Falls!
My most favorite ice cream is Braum’s Butter Pecan. But chocolate, and vanilla, are both good — especially with hot fudge topping on the vanilla.
We used to make a lot of homemade ice cream. When I was a kid and my grandparents made the ice cream, we four grandchildren wanted a turn to sit on the freezer while the adult turned the crank. Then after I married, I sometimes had to turn the handle. But hubby and I must have worn out at least a half-dozen makers, both hand & electric. Now we just buy our ice cream. ?
Chocolate marshmallow ice ? cream thank you for the chance
I like vanilla. You can eat it plain or fix it up in so many ways.
My favorite ice cream flavor is Braum’s Fudge Ripple.
My fav ice cream is cookies n’ creme with real Oreos!
I always stick with Vanilla. Homemade vanilla by Bluebell .