In Farm's Way is the third book in the Farm to Table Mysteries. While it can be read as a standalone, I think it is best to read the series in order. It will allow you to get to know the characters and the town. I like Amanda Flower's writing style. It is lighthearted and friendly. The characters are relatable and quirky. Shiloh Bellamy is a former television producer who is working to turn Bellamy Farm organic. She takes her cute pug, Huckleberry with her everywhere. Huckleberry is not a fan of his new winter boots. I had to laugh at the descriptions of Huckleberry shaking his various limbs trying to rid himself of the boots. I like the balance between the lighthearted moments and those that are more somber or reflective. An example is when Shiloh sees her father with Hazel and wishes he had been like that with her when she was a child. The mystery kept Shiloh on her toes. As she asks questions, Shiloh's suspect list grows longer. She needs to be discreet because law enforcement has warned her (multiple times) to keep her nose out of the case (like that is going to happen). The reveal was suspenseful and entertaining. We get to learn about cherry beer (how it is created) and organic farming. The author weaved all the elements together to provide a delightful tale. In Farm's Way had me laughing often. I am eager to read the next Farm to Table Mystery to learn how Shiloh fares on her first date with an unexpected fellow. There is a recipe for suet (winter food for the birds) at the end of the book. In Farm's Way is delightful tale with ice fishing fun, a pooch's uncomfortable boots, a cherry craft beer competition, a bumped off brewer, and a sleuthing Shiloh.
Dollycas's Thoughts
Winter in Cherry Glen means plenty of ice, snow, and slippery roads. It also means the annual Lake Skegemon Ice Fishing Derby. Shi's dad Sully will be out on the ice with Quinn and Hazel. This year it also means a contest at Fields' Brewing Company to name a new brewmaster. Each contestant had to enter a cherry beer. Shiloh has plenty to keep her busy trying to come up with ways to save the family farm but her best friend Kristy's husband Kent is one of the finalists in the contest so she had to go to the party. Kristy thought for sure his cherry stout would win but when owner Wallace Fields announced the winner it wasn't Kent.
The next day Shiloh arrives at the derby to drop her father off and work in the Cherry Glen booth with Kristy. She gets waylaid on her way to the booth when her pug Huckleberry drags her over to see something under the ice. It's Wallace Fields and he won't be catching any fish or brewing any more beer. The police quickly place Kent at the top of the suspect list which means Shiloh is going to have to break a lot of ice to get them to take a look at a bunch of other suspects. She has to be careful too or she could be the next one swimming with the fishes.
My heart was just breaking for Shiloh several times during this story. She is working so hard to keep the family farm and make the repairs it needs. Going organic may be the answer but it's a long process. That is a lot of weight on her shoulders. Then her relationship with her father has not improved much at all. Seeing him have a great relationship with Hazel makes things even harder. She is happy they are friends and have fun together, she just wishes for a similar relationship with him herself. Then there is Quinn, who put Shi firmly in the friend zone when they would be great as a couple raising Hazel together. He is going to be sorry if she moves on with someone else. All of Ms. Flowers's characters are interesting with great real-life connections. I do love Shiloh's pug, Huckleberry. He and my dog have a lot in common when it comes to proper attire for canines in the winter months. Too Funny. Three stories in and I am very invested in these characters.
There were several viable suspects when it comes to the brewery owner's death. I really enjoyed the way Shiloh threw herself into her investigation, even if it did put her into some tricky situations. The police warned her several times to butt out of their case. As they predicted her pursuit of the truth took an ugly turn that set up a scary reveal. It gave me chills. The guilty party was not on my radar at all. Readers were introduced to several new characters in this book and my focus was cleverly diverted to a different one by the author.
Winter in Michigan is pretty darn similar to that in Wisconsin. So the weather outside my window was the same as it was at the derby and the Bellamy farm. A nice furry blanket, a Christmas present from my daughter-in-law, and a couple of cups of hot chocolate kept me warm and toasty as I read about the frigid weather in Cherry Glen and the surrounding area.
In Farm's Way was full of cherry beer and winter fun, a captivating mystery, and true-to-life characters. I really enjoyed the entire story.
There are some more interesting times ahead for Shiloh so I am counting the days until I can return to Cherry Glen and the Bellamy Farm next year.
Winter in Cherry Glen means plenty of ice, snow, and slippery roads. It also means the annual Lake Skegemon Ice Fishing Derby. Shi's dad Sully will be out on the ice with Quinn and Hazel. This year it also means a contest at Fields' Brewing Company to name a new brewmaster. Each contestant had to enter a cherry beer. Shiloh has plenty to keep her busy trying to come up with ways to save the family farm but her best friend Kristy's husband Kent is one of the finalists in the contest so she had to go to the party. Kristy thought for sure his cherry stout would win but when owner Wallace Fields announced the winner it wasn't Kent.
The next day Shiloh arrives at the derby to drop her father off and work in the Cherry Glen booth with Kristy. She gets waylaid on her way to the booth when her pug Huckleberry drags her over to see something under the ice. It's Wallace Fields and he won't be catching any fish or brewing any more beer. The police quickly place Kent at the top of the suspect list which means Shiloh is going to have to break a lot of ice to get them to take a look at a bunch of other suspects. She has to be careful too or she could be the next one swimming with the fishes.
My heart was just breaking for Shiloh several times during this story. She is working so hard to keep the family farm and make the repairs it needs. Going organic may be the answer but it's a long process. That is a lot of weight on her shoulders. Then her relationship with her father has not improved much at all. Seeing him have a great relationship with Hazel makes things even harder. She is happy they are friends and have fun together, she just wishes for a similar relationship with him herself. Then there is Quinn, who put Shi firmly in the friend zone when they would be great as a couple raising Hazel together. He is going to be sorry if she moves on with someone else. All of Ms. Flowers's characters are interesting with great real-life connections. I do love Shiloh's pug, Huckleberry. He and my dog have a lot in common when it comes to proper attire for canines in the winter months. Too Funny. Three stories in and I am very invested in these characters.
There were several viable suspects when it comes to the brewery owner's death. I really enjoyed the way Shiloh threw herself into her investigation, even if it did put her into some tricky situations. The police warned her several times to butt out of their case. As they predicted her pursuit of the truth took an ugly turn that set up a scary reveal. It gave me chills. The guilty party was not on my radar at all. Readers were introduced to several new characters in this book and my focus was cleverly diverted to a different one by the author.
Winter in Michigan is pretty darn similar to that in Wisconsin. So the weather outside my window was the same as it was at the derby and the Bellamy farm. A nice furry blanket, a Christmas present from my daughter-in-law, and a couple of cups of hot chocolate kept me warm and toasty as I read about the frigid weather in Cherry Glen and the surrounding area.
In Farm's Way was full of cherry beer and winter fun, a captivating mystery, and true-to-life characters. I really enjoyed the entire story.
There are some more interesting times ahead for Shiloh so I am counting the days until I can return to Cherry Glen and the Bellamy Farm next year.
In Farm's Way is the third installment in the Farm to Table Mysteries series set in Cherry Glen, Michigan and featuring organic farmer Shiloh Bellamy. Money is tight on the farm and Shiloh is wondering how she'll handle all the various repairs needed, get ready for the Spring planting and deal with her cantankerous father.
Shi thinks that she has an opportunity to pitch her organic products to Wallace Fields owner of Fields Brewing Company in order to generate some much needed income for her family. But instead of spotting a trophy fish through the ice at the annual Lake Skegemog fishing derby, Shiloh and her boot wearing pug, Huckleberry discover Wallace floating amidst the seaweed.
When Shiloh's best friend Kristy's husband Kent becomes the prime suspect in Wallace's murder, Shiloh finds herself drawn into a dangerous investigation. Kent is a part time bartender and brewer at Fields and was also the last person seen with Wallace.
A fast paced mystery with an interesting cast of characters that will leave you wanting to spend more time on Bellamy Farm. I just hope the author doesn't put Shiloh in the midst of the dreaded "love triangle".
Shi thinks that she has an opportunity to pitch her organic products to Wallace Fields owner of Fields Brewing Company in order to generate some much needed income for her family. But instead of spotting a trophy fish through the ice at the annual Lake Skegemog fishing derby, Shiloh and her boot wearing pug, Huckleberry discover Wallace floating amidst the seaweed.
When Shiloh's best friend Kristy's husband Kent becomes the prime suspect in Wallace's murder, Shiloh finds herself drawn into a dangerous investigation. Kent is a part time bartender and brewer at Fields and was also the last person seen with Wallace.
A fast paced mystery with an interesting cast of characters that will leave you wanting to spend more time on Bellamy Farm. I just hope the author doesn't put Shiloh in the midst of the dreaded "love triangle".
