There’s more to running the candy shop than Abby first expected, especially since her cousin Karen, her assistant manager, who stayed in Colorado working in the shop while Abby left, got married and started a career, feels Divinity should rightfully be hers. Karen fights Abby every step of the way, all in the name of what’s best for the shop.  With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, Karen has festooned the store with hearts, hearts, hearts, but Abby’s heart is just not in it. 

Abby's tentatively approaching her relationship with Detective Pine Jawarski and now that he's spending some time with his ex-wife to celebrate his daughter’s birthday, Abby is even more unsure how committed they are.  Knowing that Valentine’s Day is one of their busiest times, Abby knows better than to get involved in any extracurricular activities, but is drawn by the allure of a part in a new musical being put on by the community theatre featuring original music by hometown hero singing sensation, Laurence Nichols. 

Vonetta, the theatre’s manager, does her best to entice Abby who resists until Nichols is found murdered in the theatre and one of her close friends is the main suspect.  Abby should really stay at the store and make chocolate hearts, but she and dog Max can never abandon a friend in need, so Abby finds herself with a part in the musical and a part in trying to figure out who held the biggest grudge against Nichols, and who most wanted him dead.  

Sucker Punch is a fun, breezy mystery set in a charming small town with residents that welcome Abby back making her feel like she never left.  Abby is a loyal friend, sometimes to a fault.  She is very concerned about Karen’s interference in running of Divinity, yet at the busiest time of the year Abby spends time away from the shop investigating Nichols’s murder to save her friend. 

Abby is quietly inquisitive (nosey) and has the ability to get people to open up to her even when they mean not to.  Abby believes in her friend’s innocence, and that there is not enough evidence, even circumstantial, to consider him a serious suspect.   There are plenty of other suspects to choose from and, chances are, readers will guess the correct one in short order.  

In the meantime, Abby tries to learn her own heart as she struggles with Jawarski’s return to his family, even if it’s only temporary, and how she feels about him and what shape she wants the relationship to take when he returns.  Fun facts about candy making and some candy recipes round out this pleasant, quick read.                                                   

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry