Gingerbread Danger, by by Amanda Flower

 

Publication October 20, 2024

It's always fun to hang out with Bailey and Jethro, albeit it'd probably be exhausting in real life. And, oh,, Jethro is a pig, an absolutely adorable little pig that seems to find something to get into no matter how well Bailey and the rest monitor him. He isn't even Bailey's. I adore him but, no, don't want a pig, even one as cute and personable as Jethro. He does manage to make friends everywhere he goes, however, some of them surprising. Oh, you're going to have to read the book to discover Jethro's latest new best friend. 

This has become a favorite series and the mix of Amish and non-Amish characters adds to the fun. Okay, and occasionally misunderstandings and havoc but, hey, no one's perfect. I enjoy the characters although keep waiting for Bailey to stiffen her backbone and stop allowing others to take advantage of her so often. It isn't like she doesn't have enough going on in her life. Not only is she dealing with Margot blasting orders constantly and Juliet's tendency to drop off Jethro for Bailey to pig-sit without notice, but she's dealing with her candy shop crews, fiance Aiden Brody being distracted by a rash of robberies despite the imminent arrival of her parents , and then, oh, my, one of her employees falls to their death from the roof of her building. Was it a horrible accident or murder? Who'd have wanted to kill Zeph? Bailey being Bailey, of course, finds herself unable to stop investigating. Will her questioning get her in trouble? Danger? Hey, this is a cozy mystery, so I'm sure you can guess. 

Bottom line, Amanda Flower's Amish Candy Shop Mystery series has become a favorite. This one kept me guessing until the very end, too, not to mention chuckling over Jethro's antics. Flower's ability to weave side stories into a whole continue to impress and despite the quirky, sometimes overbearing characters that surround Bailey, they're all likable. Even the various animals have well-rounded out personalities, Jethro maintaining his status as top pig, of course. It seems like we got to know Bailey's parents a bit more this go-round than in the past, so another plus, albeit her mother's actions may drive Bailey to distraction, especially when Juliet (Aiden's mother) gets in on the plan. So, a solid mystery that will keep you guessing, intriguing characters from both the Amish and non-Amish community, lovable critters, family pressures, and, well, a life-sized Candy Land game courtesy of Margot (which actually sounds like a blast). Thanks #KensingtonPublishing - #KensingtonCozies for allowing me to drop in early on Bailey's holiday, even if trying to keep up with her is enough to make ones head spin. It was fun!

Dating Can Be Deadly (An Amish Matchmaker Mystery #5), by Amanda Flower

 Publication Oct. 24, 2023

Comfortable. I realized at some point while reading that I felt quite comfortable and safe in Harvest, Ohio, maybe because I knew whatever happened, Millie and Lois would handle it. I also chuckled early-on as author Amanda Flower revealed that one of the activities of the fair was axe-throwing. Not long ago, Flower shared her own experiences trying out this sport at a fair. Let's just say, while she eventually did okay, she'd better keep her writing job. Lois Henry, Millie's best-friend-forever in the series, turned out to be amazingly proficient. Unfortunately for Millie, though she didn't try throwing around an axe, one of her talents seems to be stumbling over bodies. In this case, it's the body of Tara, who was not only to judge the quilting competition that Millie had entered but was chief organizer of the fair itself.

It was fun to watch the differing ways Lois and Millie approach investigating. Millie, Amish and unassuming, is quietly competent, not eager to call attention to herself. Lois, on the other hand, is flamboyant and quite vocal about how they've helped the police in the past. Let's face it, with her multi-colored, heavily gelled, spiky hair, non-Amish Lois doesn't exactly fade into a crowd. Hard to believe these two are in their 60's. Part of the fun of this series is learning a bit more about the Amish beliefs and lifestyle with each book. I love how Flower uses bits of their language and even sayings, my favorite this go-round being "You are only poor when you want more than you have." 

The whole pace of this series/book might be described as gentle. Rather and odd term when so much is going on, much of it involving the well-being of a child, but it also falls into the slower paced Amish style at times. Let's face it, Millie drives a horse and buggy when she has to go somewhere, so there is ample time to ponder clues and things like her own romantic life. Unlike Lois, who remains eternally hopeful where love is involved, Millie is more cautious, slow to allow herself to yield the widow's life she's now lived for so many years. She puts her own concerns aside repeatedly, however, to dive into finding out whodunit as well as be of help to others, which makes her easy to like. Of course, we have ample critter antics for comic relief with even Jethro, the almost-star pig of a related series making an appearance. I also wanted to give Millie's patient horse a carrot for all the driving around they were doing in what was a very hot spell. 

So, who killed Tara? It was fun to watch Lois and Millie tackle suspect after suspect. Maybe it was the ex-husband? Why does he keep turning up? Surely not the owner of the mangled quilt found with the body? Then again, the quilter was not happy with Tara. Maybe someone working at the fair? Who let the goats out anyway? Or, maybe it was....nah. Enough teasers. This is a delightful, easy read, full of fun characters, mischief loving goats, cute kittens, romance, and more. You'll like the ending, I think, and it definitely moves the series along, too, for fans. Thanks #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks - #KensingtonCozies for allowing me a sneak peek both into Lois and Millie's world but, hmm, maybe what's coming with Bailey and Aiden? Somehow I just know Jethro will play a major role.

Blueberry Blunder (An Amish Candy Shop Mystery #8), by Amanda Flower

 

 

Publication May 23,2023

 

Somehow, somewhere, I think there's a book in the joke name "The Great Parakeet Attack" episode. Seriously, Jethro? Is there any kind of mischief you can't manage to get into?

 

Anyway, on to the current mystery: Who killed Bailey's contractor, Wade? Why? Was it somehow tied to Aiden's first PI case? Why is Charlotte so sad as her wedding day approaches? Did you know most Amish don't even have Social Security numbers, let alone credit cards? Why is Aiden's return to town a bit awkward? How can nasty Sheriff Marshall keep his job? Why is a film crew following Bailey around? Is Devon always this obnoxious of is she up to something? Who....oh, way too many teasers. 

 

This is one of my favorite Amanda Flowers' series. Full of fully developed characters, whose background is deftly provided early on, with touches of romance and humor, it's a fun read. Heck, the antics of Jethro the polka-dot pig are always a hoot, so no wonder the first chapter opens with Jethro, well, being Jethro.  It's an easy read, too, that will keep you turning pages with Bailey seemingly always involved in something, even if it's just pig-sitting. I found it hard to put down once I started reading. The ending of this one is particularly satisfying, so give it a read. Even if you haven't read other books in the series, you'll quickly come to feel at home.

Thanks #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks - #KensingtonCozies for inviting me to that amazing Blueberry Festival. After the sweet ending, already looking forward to my next invite to Harvest, Ohio.

In Farm's Way, by Amanda Flower

 

Publication Feb. 21, 2023    

Farm to Table Mysteries #3

I'm hardly an unbiased reviewer as I automatically gravitate to anything Amanda Flower has written, sure I'll love it. I even follow her on Facebook as she shares bits and pieces of her own real farm life with fans. There's more, of course. She writes a good story, yes, but I find myself as drawn to them for the characters and relationships that evolve as I am the mystery. 
 
Heck, main character Shiloh Bellamy even has a fun, relatable bond with her dog. Huckleberry, a personality all onto himself, that's for sure. I found myself chuckling at his antics, glancing at my own "Don't even think about trying to get me into that" dog, as Huckleberry clearly expressed his disdain for his winter doggie coat and booties when forced to wear them to venture outside. Let's just say, my Daisy dog is not a fan of dress-up, either, even if she does live in Alaska. 
 
While it's Shiloh's close relationship to her friend Kristy, whose husband is a prime suspect in the murder of brewery owner Wallace Fields, probably the most intriguing is her long time friendship, sometimes almost romantic relationship with EMT Quinn. Past friendship and tragedy seem to both draw them together and apart. And, uh-oh, there's a new romantic interest on the horizon. I'm torn. I like them both, not to mention the bond Shiloh has forged with Quinn's daughter, so it will be interesting to see how this one plays out. 
 
But, back to the murder. Who killed Wallace Fields? How did he wind up, gulp, under the ice where the Lake Skegemog Ice Fishing Derby was being held? Ice that will hold up under the sort of weight that event would generate is thick. Did Wallace really rig the contest for a new cherry flavored brew? Where did Jason get his brewing talent? Could the MOBA, Michigan Organic Beer Association, somehow be involved? Why are some of its members saying that few are sad to hear of Wallace's passing? Do you know how much goes into creating a new brew? Why is Quinn's father unhappy that the sheriff has been called in to head the investigation? Is Shiloh's father an accident waiting to happen? Why does Quinn.... oh, nope. No more teasers. Read the book. You can't go wrong with an Amanda Flower series. 
 

Thanks #NetGalley and #PoisonedPenPress for inviting me to the ice fishing derby. Living in Alaska, I even knew what was involved before reading.

Frozen Detective (Piper and Porter Mystery #2), by Amanda Flower

 

Publication Dec. 6, 2022

Since I've never met an Amanda Flower book that I didn't love, I am going to blame myself for not quite loving this one. Don't get me wrong. I didn't dislike it. I just didn't love it as expected. For whatever reason, I didn't find myself connecting to main character Darby Piper or her PI partner Tate Donovan, ie a slow start for me. I'm thinking that it's maybe because I haven't read the prior book in the series though that isn't normally an issue with Flower's series. I simply didn't feel like I knew enough about the two main characters to care. That said, I did perk up when it mentions Darby's mother is a librarian. Somehow that made her more real to me and I was intrigued enough that I will certainly read the follow up to this one, however. As usual, it is well written with an interesting setting and the potential is there for me to be hooked. After all, there's a dog and cat, always sure to lure me in.

The crime is chilling, pun intended. A wealthy doctor and skincare company owner is murdered. The weapon? A bow-and-arrow. Every guest at the party is a potential suspect, from the strangely acting younger wife to the paparazzo working undercover, so to speak, as a seater at the party. Darby and Tate were invited because of threatening notes sent to the doctor that his wife found, but she found excuses not to share them, not to mention worked against all their best efforts to survey the scene prior to the murder. Could she have somehow murdered her husband? Why is the lodge owner so very upset at the death? How about the lovely, young spokesperson the doctor was thinking of hiring to represent the skincare line rather than his wife? Or maybe one of the workers? The ex-wife? How will Gumshoe the cat like his new housemate?  How thrilled is Darby when she finds out who is in charge of the investigation? What exactly is Tate's background that gave him the skill to.....oh, no, never mind. Not telling. You'll have to read the book to find out the action-packed ending. While I didn't warm to this book as much as expected, it's well written and surely others will be smitten with it faster than I did. 3.5 rounded to 4.0

Thanks #NetGalley and#HallmarkPublishing for inviting me to the lodge. I'm looking forward to spending more time with Darby and Tate and their critters so I can get more in sync with them. In the meantime, oh, those recipes. How yummy sounding.

Honeymoons Can Be Hazardous (An Amish Matchmaker Mystery #4), by Amanda Flower

 

Publication Dec. 27, 2022

Millie Fisher and Lois Henry are the Odd Couple of Harvest, Ohio. Millie may not be the strictest Amish woman in town but her heart is Amish. Her best friend Lois? Not even Amish. Not only that but flamboyant, outspoken, colorful, and has multiple divorces behind her. She's still a romantic, however, and hasn't given up on love even as Millie and she push toward age 70. Together, these two make a formidable sleuthing team.

Amanda Flower is one of my go-to authors, not to mention that I enjoy following her own farm adventures on Facebook. I enjoy how she deftly blends in bits about the Amish culture and beliefs in her Amish related books, all the while allowing Millie and others to push back gently against its strictures. In addition, Flower is a master at character building, creating characters with both flaws and strengths, such as the Bishop's overbearing wife who often seems more intent on enforcing Amish laws than celebrating its heart, with Millie always finding something to admire about her even when exasperated at her attitudes. It isn't just the humans who have strong personalities, either. There's Jethro the seemingly always in mischief pig, a bit of a tv star in his own right on a blended over character from another Amish series by Flower. Then there are rambunctious goats Phillip and Peter, who are cranky but loving and protective of their human, even when they perhaps think their human, Millie, has lost her mind. In other words, the characters that people this series seem real enough that one might expect to meet them should you happen upon an Amish gathering in Ohio.

As for the mystery, it's an odd one. Who killed Paige via a, no lie, a cuckoo clock falling from a tower (see cover photo)? Millie and Lois are on the site when it happens since Paige's new husband just happened to be one of Lois' ex-husbands. What are the odds of such a strange event being murder? As it turns out, pretty high. In the meantime, everyone in town is saddened by the drug fueled death of an Amish father's son. I won't detail the plot further except to say as bizarre as the means of murder, it works and flows smoothly and steadily forward. Life events often intertwine and they certainly do in this instance, leading to both a sad but satisfying conclusion. Give it a read.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks for inviting me back to Harvest, Ohio, to spend some time hanging out with Millie and Lois. It was fun to see Bailey blend over into this series and I'm looking forward to finding out how her business expansion is coming along.

Peanut Butter Panic (Amish Candy Shop Mystery #7), by Amanda Flower

 

 

Is it good or bad that at one point I was so caught up in the antics of Jethro the pig that I momentarily forgot there was a murder? I'm going with good. It simply shows how focused main character Bailey King could be in the face of, well, I won't share because I want you to enjoy them as they happen, but will say in the face of some funny but pulse raising events. Heck, she even manages to elude some attack turkeys. Nope, don't ask. Not telling. You really, really need to read this book.

In any case, back to the murder. If it wasn't bad enough that Margot, organizer of Harvest, Ohio's Thanksgiving festivities, is upset by the visit of her overbearing, self-focused, and, well, terribly unlikable mother, Zara, but her mother's much younger boyfriend is murdered at the event. Who did it and why? Was it daughter Margot, already distressed by her mother's unexpected visit? How about one of the Amish who suffered because of the harsh punishments Zara doled out as a judge? Or, hmm, maybe someone from Blaze's own past? How will Bailey sort it all out while getting up to make candy for the shop in what amounts to the middle of the night for most of us, babysitting Jethro, juggling her media presence, avoiding the sharp teeth of Zara's little dog Gator, making future business plans, investigating the murder, and trying to sort out her own relationship with Aiden? There are even some genuine booby-traps she has to avoid.

Nope, not telling, but you'll enjoy the ride. Not only is Bailey likable but her family and friends are, too. They're people we'd like to know and spend time with. I love how sensitive Bailey is to the Amish community, for instance, an affection that isn't always readily returned, but it shows her caring personality. Aiden, the love interest, shows an emotional, caring side of himself, too, and, well, his mother seems to be a lovable force all her own. Read this one. You'll love it. Number 7 in Amanda Flower's longer running series to date, "Peanut Butter Panic" is a winner. I hated to see it end.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks for allowing me to spend some time with Bailey while I enjoyed Jethro's antics, not to mention flashing back to my own encounter with some "attack turkeys". Amanda Flower knows her farm critters.

Crimes and Covers, by Amanda Flower

 

 Crimes and Covers, by Amanda Flower

Birch trees surround me. Unlike main character Violet Waverly's birch tree, however, mine do not sit inside. Not do they seem to have any magical powers other than dropping leaves that show off our fall colors in all their glory. Perhaps there is some magic in that. That said, Violet's birch tree. growing in the center of her bookshop, is "the soul of the bookstore and the heart of its magic". The books even talk to her....sorta. "It was complicated," she muses early on.

Ironically, I am not normally a fan of books with a magical/paranormal air to them. As I sit to type this review. I wondered why, given this, I so thoroughly enjoyed not just "Crimes and Covers" but the entire Magical Bookstore Mysteries series. I finally decided it is because, one, the characters are so well rounded and despite the magical tones, seem like real people we could know. Two, despite the obvious emphasis on the magic surrounding the bookstore, these same characters have lives and aspirations apart from it. The magic is just there but it is very human emotions and needs that drive the action for the most part. Even the furry characters, crow Faulkner, and Emerson the cat, tread the borderline between normal crow and cat and, hmm, maybe something more. If nothing else, Violet's running battle with Emerson to get out of the house without him provide a touch of humor.In addition, that bookstore seems to have a personality of its own. I grinned at one point, and I'm not giving away any plot points here, when Violet's husband picks up on of the magical books that Violet seems to be trying to ignore and it snaps itself shut. Who knew books had an attitude? Husband David Rainwater seems to have no magical powers of his own despite his native ancestry, so his acceptance that "this is just how it is" makes the magic seem almost normal, even quipping that he could have gotten a paper cut from the book's actions. I should also note that I am glad that the author didn't drag out the romance between Violet and David endlessly. 

As for the plot, I see others have shared in some detail. As a result, I'll just say it comes down to a stolen book, suspected mental issues, family problems, connections and lack of connection, murder, and the oblique, not easily understood messages that the books send Violet, a respected Thoreau scholar. Finally, I'll note that though this is the fifth book in the series, it easily could stand alone. Author Amanda Flower does an excellent job providing pertinent details as the story goes along, hence first-time readers of the series who happen to start here won't feel confused or lost. Bottom line, an excellent read and I highly recommend it.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for the ARC.

Put Out to Pasture (Farm to Table Mysteries #2), by Amanda Flower

I was much too young to have real memories of life on our family's farm but it did bring back some memories of old photos of me in a diaper feeding a bottle to a lamb and looking terrified while surrounded by chickens in another. Even with those vague memories, I felt a tug of recognition in Shiloh Bellamy's dedication to her family's farm. While I can't imagine doing the work she is required to do with minimal help, I could respect her efforts and courage, not to mention her energy. Faced with a mystery, the murder of a woman with an unlawful past, and that initial evidence seems to point to her best friend as the murderer, Shiloh adds saving her friend from arrest to her to-do list.

The plot moves along nicely, albeit interrupted by episodes of farm life and chores that give you a feel for the setting. In addition, the characters are colorful and could be our own neighbors, even the cranky ones. I even felt a pang of sadness for the seemingly unlikable victim near the end. Good writers have a way of doing that. Amanda Flower has a real feel for small town and farm life, making these characters and the setting come alive for us. The addition of a new neighbor adds promise, too, and not just because he is male model gorgeous and seems too good to be true. He shares Shiloh's dream of turning his newly purchased farm into an organic one, too. Hmm, dang, can't wait to see how this plays out in future books. Of course, there is steady, handsome Quinn, too, although Shiloh seems almost too busy to think of romance for more than a few fleeting seconds here and there.

Bottom line, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, What's extra nice is that I can revisit the dream farm of my toddler days without having to ponder doing any of the work. An intriguing mystery that kept me guessing until the very end, characters I'd like to call friends, and no farm chores. Yep, that's a win for us as readers.

Thank you #NetGalley and #PoisonedPenPress for the ARC.