Pint of No Return

About the Book

Author: Dana Mentink

Genre: Cozy Mystery

The first in new dessert cozy mystery series! A murder in town is bound to shake things up…

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.

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About the Author

Dana Mentink is a two time American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award winner, a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award and a Holt Medallion winner. She is the Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author of over forty titles in the suspense and lighthearted romance genres. She is pleased to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense, Harvest House, and Poisoned Pen Press. Besides writing, she busies herself teaching third grade. Mostly, she loves to be home with Papa Bear, teen bear cubs affectionately nicknamed Yogi and Boo Boo, Junie, the nutty terrier, and a chubby box turtle. You can connect with Dana via her website at danamentink.com, on Facebook, YouTube (Author Dana Mentink) and Instagram (dana_mentink.)

More from Dana

Freakshakes. The name says it all, right? Allow me to explain. A freakshake is a milkshake festooned with so many extras (sprinkles, cookies, candy, donuts, cake, slabs of pie) that it is hardly liftable. It is the stuff my sugar fantasy dreams are made of! Now picture a freakshake shop called the Shimmy and Shake in the quaint and quirky town of Upper Sprocket in Eastern Oregon. Known as the “Swiss Alps” of Oregon, this fictional place is the new home to a woman named Trinidad Jones, a lady starting out on the second phase of her life after her husband’s betrayal. Sprinkle in a dose of Papa Luis, her darling Cuban grandfather (inspired by my own Cuban grandfather) who drives a classic Buick, and a devoted service dog flunk out named Noodles. You know what’s missing? A murder, of course! That happens shortly after Trinidad opens her new shop, and from there on out it’s a sticky, spine tingling, sweet and satisfying and slightly funny adventure in mystery land. I had an absolute blast writing the first installment in this series, and I’m knee deep in the second as I write this. Thank you for coming along on the adventure and I hope it’s as satisfying as a monster milkshake!

My Thoughts

Pint of No Return by Dana Mentink has Trinidad Jones moving to Upper Sprocket, Oregon where she is going to open the Shimmy and Shake Shop in a building deeded to her by her louse of an ex-husband. Trinidad is delivering nuts to Kevin Heartly, owner of Popcorn Palace, when she finds him dead inside his giant popcorn kettle. Juliette Carpenter, a new friend of Trinidad’s, is arrested for the crime. Trinidad with help from some of her new friend’s works to clear Juliette’s name. Pint of No Return is the debut of A Shake Shop Mystery series. This is a cute, lighthearted cozy mystery with a good cast of characters. I must admit that my favorite character is Trinidad’s dog, Noodles. He is a compassionate dog with many talents. I also liked Trinidad’s grandfather, Papa Luis. The author took the time to introduce the characters and describe the town. I enjoyed the vivid word images of Upper Sprocket. It sounds like a beautiful area with charming shops and homes. The mystery of who murdered Kevin Heartly, the Popcorn King, had several good suspects who had motive. I liked the tie-in to the auctioned off storage unit. The author did a good job of laying the groundwork from the beginning. The clues are evident, and they will lead readers to the killer’s identity. It is a well thought out whodunit. I just wish it were a little more challenging to solve (I like a good puzzle). There is some romance as well. Trinidad meets Quinn Logan and there is a spark between them. We shall see where it leads. There are mouthwatering descriptions of freakshakes which is what Trinidad is going to serve at her shop. They are over-the-top milkshakes that will have you heading to store to obtain the necessary ingredients to make your own frozen creation. There is a recipe for key lime ice cream at the end. Pint of No Return is a sweet treat with fantasy freakshakes, a departed popcorn king, storage shed disorder, an excess of ex-wives, a set-up suspect, and firm friends.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Dana is giving away the grand prize of a a signed copy of Pint of No Return, an ice cream bowl and spoon set, and a $30 Amazon gift card. Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click here to enter. Good Luck!

Pint of No Return is available from Amazon*. You can find Dana Mentink's other novels here. Thank you for visiting today. I hope you enjoyed our trip to Pint of No Return. I will be back tomorrow with The Amish Quiltmaker's Unruly In-Law by Jennifer Beckstrand. I was eager to read the 2nd book in The Amish Quiltmaker series. I hope that you have a chill day. Do not forget to leave a comment for an extra entry in the giveaway. Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!