Bonnie A. (ladycholla) -
This was a truly fun story and a good mystery, Two in one. I love Jethro and his antics.
Hoping for more of the same.
Hoping for more of the same.
Lethal Licorice by Amanda Flower is the second story in The Amish Candy Shop Mystery series. Bailey King is now living in Harvest, Ohio and working at her grandparent's candy shop Swissmen Sweets. They are preparing for the Amish Confectionery Competition (ACC) where Bailey will take her deceased grandfather's spot. All items made for the competition can only be done the Amish wayâno electrical appliances. Josephine Weaver of Berlin Candies, though, is not happy with Bailey taking Jebediah's spot since she is an Englischer, and she is not the only person who feels that way. Just before the first round begins, Jethro, who is Juliet Brody's polka dotted pig, disappears and she needs assistance in locating him. Bailey goes into the church to search where Charlotte Weaver, a cousin, is playing the organ which sounds a little off. Charlotte opens door to pipe area to see what could be the problem and screams. Bailey peers inside to see a dead Josephine Weaver. It is discovered that Josephine died from an allergic reaction to anise, and she had a piece of Swissmen Sweets licorice on her. This puts Bailey on the suspect list which along with her natural curiosity makes it impossible for her not to investigate Josephine's death. Bailey must work in her sleuthing in between the rounds of the competition, looking for Jethro (he is still missing), manning the candy shop and offering Charlotte guidance on her future. Will Swissmen Sweets win the competition? Who killed Josephine Weaver? Follow Bailey on her latest adventure in Lethal Licorice.
Lethal Licorice is written in a conversational writing style with a good pace which makes the story easy to read. I was drawn into Lethal Licorice immediately. Lethal Licorice can be enjoyed without having read Assaulted Caramel. Readers are given an abbreviated version of Bailey's history and how she ended up in Harvest, Ohio. The setting of Harvest, Ohio is brought to life thanks to Amanda Flower's visual imagery. There are a variety of characters in this series which I appreciate. The characters are well-developed and relatable. Jethro, the polka dotted pig, is a fun addition along with his owner, Juliet Brody (she is the quirky character in the story). I like the chemistry (and interactions) between Bailey and Aiden Brody. There is just the right touch of humor in the story. It is balanced with the seriousness of the murder and the intensity of the competition. The mystery is well crafted, and readers will be pondering the killer's identity. There are some good clues to aid in identifying the evildoer. Bailey, though, needs to work on her questioning technique (shape her questions differently and be subtler). She is too blunt which is off-putting. It turns off people because they feel like they are being accused of wrong doing. There are tantalizing candy descriptions that will have you running out to purchase your favorite sweet treat (it had me craving my homemade peanut brittle). There was one scene that left me cringing. There was a cat in the candy kitchen at Swissmen Sweets. I hope the health inspector does not find out about it. It was interesting to discover how various candies are made without the aid of modern technology. Lethal Licorice is a feel-good cozy mystery. It was pleasurable to read and when I finished reading it, I had a smile on my face. Lethal Licorice is a cute and entertaining cozy mystery that will have you eager to read for Premeditated Peppermint (which will be out in September 2018).
Lethal Licorice is written in a conversational writing style with a good pace which makes the story easy to read. I was drawn into Lethal Licorice immediately. Lethal Licorice can be enjoyed without having read Assaulted Caramel. Readers are given an abbreviated version of Bailey's history and how she ended up in Harvest, Ohio. The setting of Harvest, Ohio is brought to life thanks to Amanda Flower's visual imagery. There are a variety of characters in this series which I appreciate. The characters are well-developed and relatable. Jethro, the polka dotted pig, is a fun addition along with his owner, Juliet Brody (she is the quirky character in the story). I like the chemistry (and interactions) between Bailey and Aiden Brody. There is just the right touch of humor in the story. It is balanced with the seriousness of the murder and the intensity of the competition. The mystery is well crafted, and readers will be pondering the killer's identity. There are some good clues to aid in identifying the evildoer. Bailey, though, needs to work on her questioning technique (shape her questions differently and be subtler). She is too blunt which is off-putting. It turns off people because they feel like they are being accused of wrong doing. There are tantalizing candy descriptions that will have you running out to purchase your favorite sweet treat (it had me craving my homemade peanut brittle). There was one scene that left me cringing. There was a cat in the candy kitchen at Swissmen Sweets. I hope the health inspector does not find out about it. It was interesting to discover how various candies are made without the aid of modern technology. Lethal Licorice is a feel-good cozy mystery. It was pleasurable to read and when I finished reading it, I had a smile on my face. Lethal Licorice is a cute and entertaining cozy mystery that will have you eager to read for Premeditated Peppermint (which will be out in September 2018).
The second in the Amish Candy shop mysteries revolves around the Amish Confectionery Competition where Bailey King is competing in place of her recently deceased Amish grandfather. As she is setting up her tables, Juliet Brody, mother of the local sheriff's deputy and good friend of her grandmother, comes begging for her to help find Jethro, her small spotted pig, who has gone missing. Instead of finding Jethro, they find another of the competitors, dead and shoved in the organ chamber at the church.
The story revolves around the competition, Bailey searching for the murderer, and explaining a lot about Amish customs. It was a thoroughly enjoyable cozy with a not so obvious murderer. I would give Lethal Licorice a full 4 stars because the story kept moving, was enjoyable, had interesting characters, and a not so obvious conclusion.
The story revolves around the competition, Bailey searching for the murderer, and explaining a lot about Amish customs. It was a thoroughly enjoyable cozy with a not so obvious murderer. I would give Lethal Licorice a full 4 stars because the story kept moving, was enjoyable, had interesting characters, and a not so obvious conclusion.
Brenda H. (booksinvt) -
Lethal Licorice is the second installment in the Amish Candy Shop Mystery series featuring chocolatier Bailey King set in the small town of Harvest, Ohio. Bailey is slowly settling into her new life in the Amish community helping her grandmother Clara run Swissmen Sweets after the recent death of her grandfather Jebidiah.
Harvest has been chosen to host the annual Amish Confectionery Competition and Bailey is determined to win and prove that her family business is still the best in the area. Just when the competition is set to begin Josephine Weaver owner of Berlin Candies, causes a stir claiming that Bailey, as an Englischer, has no right to be including in the competition.
To further complicate the day, Judith Brody's pet pig Jethro has gone missing. In an effort to help her friend, who also happens to be the mother of hunky Deputy Sheriff Aiden Brody, Bailey sets out to find the missing pot belly and instead finds both a dead body and a relative she didn't know existed.
Plenty of suspects surface with Bailey and cousin Charlotte topping the list. In an effort to clear her name and save her family's reputation, Bailey sets out to find the killer. With sabotage running amok at the competition and a disruptive district Deacon, it quickly becomes apparent that maybe life isn't so tranquil and peaceful among the Amish.
A fast paced plot, lovable characters, mouthwatering candies and a touch of romance. A terrific insight into the Amish lifestyle. The book does read as a stand alone but I suggest picking up the first in the series as you won't want to miss a minute with Bailey, her friends and family. Looking forward to the upcoming Premeditated Peppermint.
Harvest has been chosen to host the annual Amish Confectionery Competition and Bailey is determined to win and prove that her family business is still the best in the area. Just when the competition is set to begin Josephine Weaver owner of Berlin Candies, causes a stir claiming that Bailey, as an Englischer, has no right to be including in the competition.
To further complicate the day, Judith Brody's pet pig Jethro has gone missing. In an effort to help her friend, who also happens to be the mother of hunky Deputy Sheriff Aiden Brody, Bailey sets out to find the missing pot belly and instead finds both a dead body and a relative she didn't know existed.
Plenty of suspects surface with Bailey and cousin Charlotte topping the list. In an effort to clear her name and save her family's reputation, Bailey sets out to find the killer. With sabotage running amok at the competition and a disruptive district Deacon, it quickly becomes apparent that maybe life isn't so tranquil and peaceful among the Amish.
A fast paced plot, lovable characters, mouthwatering candies and a touch of romance. A terrific insight into the Amish lifestyle. The book does read as a stand alone but I suggest picking up the first in the series as you won't want to miss a minute with Bailey, her friends and family. Looking forward to the upcoming Premeditated Peppermint.
