Dark Chocolate Demise by Jenn McKinlay is the seventh book in the “Cupcake Bakery” mystery series. Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime, April 2015

Scottsdale, Arizona, may not be the liveliest place on earth, but it’s never been as dead as this. Hundreds of fans have gathered together for the first annual Old Town Zombie Walk, and Mel, Angie, and the Fairy Tale Cupcake crew are donning their best undead attire to sell some horror-themed desserts to the hungry hordes.

But the fun turns to fright when Mel finds a real dead body in a prop casket outside of the bakery’s truck—and the corpse looks alarmingly like a zombie of their own. Knowing that Joe, Angie’s brother and Mel’s former flame, has been working on a dangerous mob case, Mel worries that the murder is a hit gone wrong and that someone near and dear was the real target. To keep any of her friends from winding up six feet under, Mel will do whatever it takes to find a killer—no matter how scary things get.

As usual, our intrepid amateur sleuths are on the case and what an adventure they find themselves in their pursuit of a killer. I devoured this sweetly defined whodunit that was famously appetizing. All the key players are present and it was fun watching it all play out. The author has a way with presenting this well-written drama that quickly became a page-turner as I had to know what happens next and what the outcome holds for me and boy was I one happy camper. I do love how she portrays each character and how they mesh together to bring this wonderfully crafted story to life. This is one of the best book in this delectably charming series and I can’t wait to see what exciting adventures awaits Mel and the gang.