That's the Way The Cookie Crumbles

Mac 'n' Ivy #4

by Lorena McCourtney

What comes after the honeymoon for Ivy and Mac? Looking for a good place to settle down and leave the nomadic life behind. No more dead bodies. No more killers. What do they find instead? Murder! Beginning with a runaway Miranda and a fiancée in a ruffled red bikini, continuing with a missing gun, and puzzling questions about the dead man. Was he the sweet guy the fiancée claims he was, with not an enemy in the world? Or was he a slick bank robbing con man, with any number of people . . . including the fiancée . . . with reason to put that gunshot hole in his chest? The easiest and perhaps most sensible action for Mac and Ivy would be to head down the road in their motorhome and look for a different place to settle down. But they both have a strong concern for someone in trouble, and then there's also Ivy's persistent mutant curiosity gene . . .

Genres: Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Christian Fiction, Mystery

255 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 31, 2021

Reviews

[Anam Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have several questions.

Why can't I give this more than 5 stars? Do I have to wait another year for another Mac 'n' Ivy Mystery?

I loved this book, but then I love all of the Ivy Malone mysteries. I myself am a LOL and I find her adventures a great escape when things seem a bit, well, commonplace at my home.

I almost died laughing at the first chapters where Mac and Ivy meet Elena and Miranda. I admit that I sort of missed some of her antics later in the book when she wasn't as prominent a character.

We, of course, knew from the beginning that the murderer couldn't be Elena but were still left with a number of possible suspects, including close friends of the deceased and a relative. As we learned more about the activities of the victim, we saw that there were others who might have had a motive.

All of the characters were developed nicely. I feel like I might have met any one of them at some time. We see both their virtues and their shortcomings.

The story is compelling. Once you get into it, it is hard to put down. It's like riding a wave - you get on and just enjoy the ride to the end. There's plenty of humor, there are words of wisdom, we see characters take stock of life and make changes. It's how real people live and how life is.

I highly recommend this series. Might I suggest that you start at the beginning (Invisible) to truly appreciate Ivy and how she started on this amazing adventure even though this book can be read as a stand-alone. I eagerly await her further adventures (while wearing my Cheshire Cat glow-in-the-dark slippers!)

[Loretta TheMoodyRedhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Elena…so trusting. And Ivy the amateur sleuth there to save the day. Wait, no, God was there to save the day! Not the crumbling cookies!

This is the fourth and last book of the Mac ‘n’ Ivy series and I’m happy to say neither one in the late life married couple wound up dead. Injured? Yes, several times, but every time a scene came up where one or the other was about to be obliterated, prayers were sent up and protection answered. Thank you, Jesus!

I like Nicole’s side business of reading cookie crumbles, but I didn’t like how judgmental Ivy was regarding Nicole’s profession. To each her own. It’s good Ivy was so vocal in her beliefs, but she didn’t have to look down her nose at what someone does for a living. It just really irked me, although in the end the cookies were wrong. But then again, it’s all up for interpretation by the reader and receiver.

I liked this series, although somewhat over-detailed and long lasting, that was the only way to be. We did need all the details, after all.

I’m going to read a series by a different author who is one of my favorites. My next 14 book reading adventures were written by Kathi Daley - “The Christmas Letter: A Cozy Mystery (A Tess and Tilly Cozy Mystery Book 1)”.

[Debbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in the Mac ‘n’ Ivy series. The honeymoon trip has come to an end. While at Cabo on the Baja peninsula, they meet a businessman named Blake. He offered them a place to park their motor home at his Aunt Elena’s place if they would keep an eye on her. He told them this place could possibly be their permanent residence if his Aunt would move into a retirement home. Ivy & Mac want to settle down, but they have one big requirement— no dead bodies or murders. But they no sooner get there and a dead body is found. It’s Elena’s fiancé Miles. He was murdered and Elena is arrested for it. So LOL Ivy’s ‘mutant curiosity gene’ kicks into high gear. I really enjoy reading about Ivy and her sleuthing. Age makes you invisible, or at least Ivy thinks so. The stories are well written with a great twist at the end. I had a few chuckles as I followed the story. Since this place didn’t meet their requirements, I’m looking forward to reading about more of their adventures as they motor to the next place. Well done!

[Barbara Hackel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series, and each book shares many wonderful qualities. These include realistic mysteries that are often more complex than you would expect, but never gory or overly graphic. Excellent characters staring Mac 'n' Ivy who are intelligent, trustworthy, kind, and gentle, but not pushovers! Their quiet faith is like a warm blanket over the reader of the book. Wonderful locations and locals. Sweet pets of all types, especially their own cat and dog, Koop and BoBandy. Interesting and informative topics and locations that are different in every book. Such engrossing books, and each one leaves me wanting more!

[L.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Ivy and Mac! Ivy is a really sweet lady and it's so nice to see the series evolve into a happy relationship between her and Mac and fun travels in their RV. I do feel like the stories lost a little something when the Braxton's weren't in the picture anymore but Ivy has no problem finding trouble to get into with her mutant curiosity gene. The cookie fortune-telling in this book was an interesting twist. This is one of my favorite series, I'm so glad it's continued!!!

[Mary Preston · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let Ivy Tell It

I was hooked on Ivy from the first book in her series. Love the LOL humor and the mystery always keeps me guessing. Now that she is married to Mac the adventures continue. What I don't like is alternating chapters by Mac or Ivy. Their voices are the same and I find it difficult to identify the narrator. I would enjoy the books much more if it was all told by Ivy.

[Joanna Harris · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve enjoyed most of the Ivy Malone books. I didn’t realize from the description that this one involved a character doing a form of fortune telling from cookie crumbs. I didn’t like that element and didn’t think it was truly necessary to the plot. It was also sad that there were so many messed up characters and few likable ones. As usual, Mac & Ivy were cute. Probably not a book I’d read a second time.

[Janine Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another awesome Ivy and Mac story

I have loved all the Ivy Malone stories and the Ivy and Mac stories are just as good. It’s so fun to read of their adventures and the mad scrapes they wind up in. This book will give you some laugh out loud moments and keep you in suspense as well. Can’t wait for the next!

[Brenda T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Mac and Ivy. Started with the Ivy Malone series and now Mac and Ivy. Ivy is quite the character, and I have grown to love her. Her curiosity gene sometimes gets her in trouble, but she always solves the mysteries. That’s the Way the Cookie Crumbles is a fun read. Lorena McCortney is a great author and I bet she’s a lot like Ivy. Hope you’re busy writing another Mac and Ivy already.

[Melinda Oberhelman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read!

I’ve read all the Ivy and Mac and Ivy books—several times. Maybe it’s because I’m an LOL, but I love each one of them and her new one is just as fun!! You don’t want to miss it!!

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a Ride

Once again thank you for the great adventure! This was absolutely fun to read ! As always twisted plot wonderful characters and a good Christian base makes reading you books fun and scripturally sound!

Thanks Lorena!

[Doranne Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

That's the Way The Cookie Crumbles is even more delightful read than the previous Mac 'n' Ivy Mysteries. I enjoyed reading the previous books in the series again before reading this great new cozy murder mystery.

[Ruth Vitale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!!

Loved it! Crazy twists and turns keep you guessing , cant wait for the next book in the series. Have read all the Ivy, Mac & Ivy, Andi MacConnell and Cate Kinkaid books and totally enjoyed every one of them

[Kimberly Burgstahler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miranda Runs Away

Who’s Miranda, and why did she run away? And two LOLs are chasing after her down the street. When they find her, they also find a body. That’s just the beginning of surprises in this adventure.

[Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

Great fun with lots of sleuthing. Mac and Ivy just can't help themselves; wherever they go, the bodies follow! Being pensioners doesn't stop them investigating and finding themselves in hilarious and occasionally dangerous situations. I'm looking forward to the next one.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and intriguing read

This mystery had me guessing until the end. I kept thinking I knew who the murderer was but no! I'm looking forward to Ivy and Mac's next adventure in crime solving.

[Steven Brower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great!!!

I have read this book two times. A great read both times. Miss Lorena is a great story teller lots of humor and suspense. Lots of twists and turns. I have been looking forward to her latest Mac n Ivy books for a long time I have already bought book number 5.

[Sandy Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clean Mystery

Mac and Ivy are investigating again! Great story with quirky characters. I hope there will be more Mac and Ivy books!

[Dwight W. Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

That’s The Way

I love this series! It always makes me laugh. I’ve read all the Lorena McCourtney cozy mysteries. I’m looking forward to the next one.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun!!

Enjoyed the antics of Elana, even as she searched for Miles’ murder. Murder in the town keeps Mac and Ivy from settling there. As always, they make new friends.

[Ty Starks · Rating 3 out of 5]

These books are always more preachy than I like and this was was even more so. But it was cute.

[Donna Tice-Carnall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful as always!

Her books are always always a delight to read! I look forward to reading more in the future! Love them all.

[Barbara Mckinstry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

Great story as usual. Looking forward to the next book. I'm glad you are a Christian and show your faith in these books

[Kelly Collver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always an intriguing read

Lorena McCourtney plot twists keep you reading into the night! Giggles, suspense and a teeny bit of romance makes it fun!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, humorous mystery that keeps you guessing, like all the others in this series. A Christian author with a sense of humor who writes good stories with clean content.

[Lavender · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Janice Dick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have loved Lorena McCourtney's books from the beginning, and enjoy the Mac 'n' Ivy Mysteries as they come along. Hooray for the "past-middle-age" crime solvers.

[Lavender Dreamer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I could probably add a star because this series is always enjoyable. This mystery was pretty lame though.

[David M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great stories with Christian appeal

I love this series there not only good stories but also show a strong faith in Christ. It’s great to be able to read them knowing they have moral values.