Too many sweets spoil the murder . . . Harvest, Ohio, is a long way from New York City, where Bailey King left a coveted job as a head chocolatier to take over Swissmen Sweets, her Amish grandparents’ candy shop. Now, while caring for her recently widowed grandmother, she plans to honor her grandfather’s memory by entering the annual Amish Confectionery Competition. But between lavender … Competition. But between lavender blueberry fudge and chocolate cherry ganache truffles, Bailey may have bitten off more than she can chew when the search for a missing pot-bellied pig turns up a body suffering from sugar overload—the fatal kind . . .
A candy maker from a neighboring town who wanted Englischer Bailey disqualified for being an outsider, Josephine Weaver died from an allergy to an essential licorice ingredient. The suspects include: Josephine’s niece, a young woman going through her rumspringa, or running around time, and Bailey herself. Now it falls to Bailey, who’s sweet on the local sheriff’s deputy, to clear their names and entice a killer with a cast-iron stomach for cold-blooded murder . . .
Recipe Included!
more
On a scale of one to ten I would rate this book a ten. We do stars on Goodreads so I rated it with a five. Amanda Flower kept readers in the dark to the very end of the last chapter and when I say in the dark I mean that literally as you will find out when you come to the last chapter. A good mystery always keeps readers guessing whodunit and usually it’s someone you never even thought about. The author didn’t disappoint this reader and I was kept guessing to the very end. In my opinion that’s what makes a real good cozy mystery.
Bailey King takes her late grandfather’s place in the Amish Confectionery Competition being held that year in Harvest Ohio. She is representing Swissmens Sweets candy shop in the hopes of at least winning in the fudge competition. A feisty Amish woman objects to Bailey participating in the competition because she isn’t Amish, but it was agreed that she could take her grandfather’s place since he died after he had entered. Later this same feisty Amish woman, Josephine Weaver, is found dead inside the churches pipe organ. Bailey becomes a suspect because she had argued with the deceased at the competition shortly before she,the Amish woman, turned up dead. Bailey must find clues that lead to the real killer, to prove her innocence.
Juliet Brody is devastated when she loses Jethro, her potbelly pet pig. He seems to have disappeared in thin air and even though everyone has been searching for him he is nowhere to be found. Juliet is beside herself and seeks comfort from the churches pastor, Rev. Brook. Could Jethro have been killed by a wild animal or was he kidnapped by someone? Bailey King tries to help Juliet find her pig even though she is busy with the competition and also trying to follow clues that might lead to finding the murderer of Josephine Weaver. Everything seems to be up in the air with the ACC. taking place in the town square, a murder investigation and the search for Jethro the pig. Will things ever return to normal in the small Amish Community of Harvest Ohio?
If you love Cozy Mysteries you will love book two of Amish Candy Shop Mystery. It can be read as a stand alone but I would recommend reading book one first since its a very good start to the series and characters are carried over to book two. I highly recommend it for your reading pleasure.
I purchased a Kindle ebook copy of Lethal Licorice from Amazon. A favorable review was not requested. All opinions expressed here are my own.
Lethal Licorice
Amish Candy Shop mystery, Book #2
Amanda Flower
5 Stars
Synopsis:
Too many sweets spoil the murder . . .
Harvest, Ohio, is a long way from New York City, where Bailey King left a coveted job as a head chocolatier to take over Swissmen Sweets, her Amish grandparents’ candy shop. Now, while caring for her recently widowed grandmother, she plans to honor her grandfather’s memory by entering the annual Amish Confectionery Competition. But between lavender blueberry fudge and chocolate cherry ganache truffles, Bailey may have bitten off more than she can chew when the search for a missing pot-bellied pig turns up a body suffering from sugar overload—the fatal kind . . .
A candy maker from a neighboring town who wanted Englischer Bailey disqualified for being an outsider, Josephine Weaver died from an allergy to an essential licorice ingredient. The suspects include: Josephine’s niece, a young woman going through her rumspringa, or running around time, and Bailey herself. Now it falls to Bailey, who’s sweet on the local sheriff’s deputy, to clear their names and entice a killer with a cast-iron stomach for cold-blooded murder . . .
Recipe Included! (Goodreads)
Review:
The characters are well rounded and well developed. I really enjoy spending time with Bailey. She is so genuine, honest and loyal. She is a hard worker and a little nosey, which is perfect for solving mysteries. I like the relationship between Bailey and her grandmother, Maami. You can just feel how much love there is between them and how much they love Bailey recently deceased grandfather, Daadi. I felt the secondary characters also added a lot to the story. Bailey found out that she had relatives that she did not even know about, and there is a possible love interest for Bailey, if she is willing to take a chance. I was a little disappointed that Bailey’s friend, Cass was not in the book more. I will hope that she is in the next book more.
I thought that community that was created was absolutely charming and is a place I would like to visit. I really enjoy reading about the Amish lifestyle and all of their traditions and beliefs. This has always fascinated me and this book includes many of those things, which I think added another level to the story.
The writing style flows smoothly and this book is a quick easy ready. The mystery is well plotted had enough suspects to consider and clues to sift through. The culprit surprised me, which was great.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I enjoyed both books in this series a lot and I am already looking forward to the next book already.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Read 9.18.2018
While I am not a fan of the “romance” aspect of these books, AND I am not a fan of some of the harsher, nastier characters that keep popping up [that Deacon is NOT a nice man], those dislikes are not enough to keep me from reading any more of these. They are fun, full of a good mystery and Bailey, while nosy, is a good person with a good heart [which is really seen in this book as she helps others she is supposed to be in competition with] and I like how she is able to mingle with the Amish in her community without angering each one of them. 😉
Looking forward to the next one!!
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I have read the first book in this series as well, and I love the premise of this story. Bailey, an ” Englisch ” chocolatier from New York City, returns to small town Harvest, home of her Amish grandparents, to assist with their candy shop. The Amish Confectionery Competition has come to Harvest, and Bailey is competing in her recently deceased grandfather’s place. When a competitor is murdered, Bailey is under suspicion. The characters in the book immediately hooked me, and the mystery begins to unravel just as the book is coming to a close. Readers can feel Bailey’s desire to be accepted into the community and support her grandmother and their candy shop. This was an enjoyable read, and I also love the candy recipe found at the end of the book! I look forward to the next book in the series.
Lethal Licorice is the second story in the Amish Candy Shop series. The characters are great. Set in the village of Harvest, Ohio. Follow along with an Amish candy competition, add a murder, some old secrets that may not be so secret and you have a great story.
Love this whole series
Book two begins with the Bailey as a contestant in the ACC (Amish Confectionary Competition), hosted for the first time in her hometown of Harvest, OH. Right from the get go, there is an argument taking place as the competition begins. Another Amish contestant, Josephine Weaver is disputing that Bailey should not be allowed to compete, as she is not Amish! The judges had already voted, Bailey was allowed, the decision final. Although, Bailey is not Amish, her grandparents are. Unfortunately, her grandfather passed away shortly before the competition and Bailey took over the candy shop in an effort to help her grandmother. After Josephine has stomped off, Bailey has another crisis to attend to. Her friend Juliet, is beside herself as her beloved pot-bellied pig, Jethro is missing! Bailey leaves her table in the competent hands of her assistant Emily to help Juliet search for him. As a last resort, Bailey and Juliet look inside the village church, a place Jethro is familiar with. The didn’t find Jethro but a young Amish girl, Charlotte, attempting to play an out-of-tune organ. Charlotte, with Baileys help, goes into the organ’s chamber to investigate, finding the body of Josephine’s Weaver!
With a dead body, a missing pig, and sabotage within the competition, Bailey has her hands full as she looks for a killer! Another great story by Amanda Flowers. She is able to grab your attention and keep it throughout the book right to the end. With endearing characters that you will love, and some you will love to hate, this is the perfect combination of a cozy. I enjoyed learning more of the backstory of the returning characters and meeting some new ones. As for the ending? I never saw that one coming! Not even as a hint of the murderer! I always feel like the author has done her job when I am completely caught off guard! Believable situations, enticing plot, and a nail-biting ending!
This is a must read series!
“Lethal Licorice” earns 5/5 Lavender Blueberry Fudge Slices…Deliciously Clever!
It’s candy! The theme of a candy shop was enough to entice me to open the book, but it was the clever mystery supported by an engaging first-person narrative, delightful banter, realistic characters, and an interesting look into Amish culture and traditions that kept me turning the page. Did I mention a recipe for Swissmen Sweets Black Licorice?
This is the second book in the series, but revisiting the background and character connections was enough to keep newbies like me engaged. Englischer and chocolatier Bailey King left New York to help her grandparents with their candy shop, Swissmen Sweets, but her grandfather has passed away so in his honor she’s entering the annual Amish Confectionery Competition. Her efforts are fraught with attempts to disqualify her participation, a missing pot-bellied pig, and a fatality. Suspicions fall on a few with motive including Bailey herself, and even though there’s a bit of romantic interest with the local deputy, she has a personal incentive to take on the investigate herself. Exciting! Amanda Flower’s book checks all the boxes: engaging mystery, well-developed characters, interesting cultural insights, a few giggles, and a recipe! I highly recommend the book. Yum!
Lethal Licorice is the 2nd book in the delightful new Amish Candy Shop Murder series by author Amanda Flower.
What is Bailey King, an “Englisch” chocolatier from Manhattan, doing as a competitor in the Amish Confectionery Competition in tiny Harvest, Ohio? Filling in for her recently deceased grandfather (co-owner of Swissmen Sweets), Bailey finds herself competing against not so friendly or accepting Amish candy makers. When vocal candy maker Josephine Weaver of Berlin puts up a fuss and then is later found dead from a severe allergy to anise (the major ingredient in licorice), Bailey becomes the number one suspect. Following along as Bailey tries to compete and do her grandparents proud while sticking her nose into finding the real murder culprit.
This book is a must read! It has a little bit of mystery, a little bit of romance, and a great cast of characters. If you enjoy cozy mysteries that will keep you guessing until the end, then Lethal Licorice needs to be added to your book list.
I voluntarily read an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley.
I love Amanda Flowers books!! I always read them as soon as they are released. I love a mystery with Amish characters.
First, let me say that this is the second book in the Amish Candy Shop Mystery series. I haven’t read the first book, Assaulted Caramel, but I plan to. I was able to follow the story line in Lethal Licorice just fine, although I sure was curious about the things that were being alluded to.
The characters in author Amanda Flower’s book were quirky and fun. Easy to love, except for a couple of them, you’ll feel as if you made new friends in a wonderful little town. And who can resist a cute little pig?
Written in an easy manner, this story is relaxing to follow although you will be wondering who did what to who! Mystery and murder make an interesting twist for an Amish story and I definitely enjoyed this cozy mystery. I’m looking forward to book 3, Premediated Peppermint, coming out in September of 2018.
The first book in this series left me really ambivalent. I had a more enthusiastic response to Licorice. No wow factor, but a nice cozy read. I like how Flower doesn’t sugar coat the Amish lifestyle. She shows some of the less attractive elements as well as some of the positive. To make an Amish person your victim and others as your suspects, that only makes sense.
I also like how Bailey is using this time to think about her values and feelings about what’s gone on in her life and what’s currently happening. She’s definitely not perfect as shown in her feelings and thoughts about a new person entering her grandmother’s life. However, she reflects on it and comes to the mature decision. Nice to see that in a story, I find it tends to be rare. The heroine usually rushes headlong into something or makes a bone headed decision to cause drama.
Gott (God) and religious matters are mentioned a whole lot. I’m not keen on religion in my books, but here is makes sense since it is such a major part of Amish life.
I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
The Amish Confectionery Competition has come to Harvest, Ohio and Bailey King has been allowed to participate even though she is not Amish. There are some contestants not happy that she is competing against them. Especially Josephine Weaver and she loudly voices her opinion. But before the judges even taste Bailey’s licorice, she finds Josephine’s body. She was just trying to find Juliet Brody’s pot-bellied pig, the last thing she needed to see was another dead body. When the police hear about her argument with Josephine she knows she is going to be their prime suspect. Deputy Aiden Brody is sweet on Bailey, but she knows she is going to need to find the real culprit on her own.
Lethal Licorice picks up almost where Assaulted Carmamel leaves off. Bailey’s grandmother is still adjusting to life without her beloved, Jebediah. Bailey is honored to take his place in the Amish Confectionery Competition hoping to bring some sunshine back into her Maami’s life. Bailey also learns she has a new cousin Charlotte. Charlotte is going through the Amish tradition of rumspringa before making her decision to join the church. Her family, which includes the newly deceased, is not happy about her musical decision. This also lands her on the list of suspects.
I so enjoy the characters in the series. Bailey finding her way among the Amish is so interesting. She is strong and smart and committed to helping her grandmother in any way she can. A romance in her life is just on the cusp. Everyone seems to think she and Deputy Aiden Brody would make the perfect couple.
The characters all have a certain charm that made me what to know them all better. A young Amish woman, Emily Esh, really resonated with me. We have just barely touched on her life story and I hope we get to know her better in a future story.
Now this mystery was a fun one to solve. I am not a fan of licorice at all, but to have it be part of a murder was just fantastic. I had never heard of a licorice allergy but I suppose people can be allergic to just about anything. The victim owned a candy store in a nearby town and Bailey quickly learns of several new motives for her death and people not so sorry the woman is dead. There was also another woman entered into the competition who was pretty shifty so she is on Bailey’s list as well. But when the real guilty party is revealed I was completely shocked and surprised. I sure didn’t see it coming.
This story is a fantastic addition to this series. I love the peek that this author gives us into Amish life and the Englischers. Both books in this series are must reads. Book 3, Premeditated Peppermint will be released September 25.
In this second book of the series Bailey is settling into the town of Harvest, Ohio and helping her grandmother run Swissmen Sweets. The annual Amish Confectionery Competition is coming up and Bailey has been allowed to compete in her grandfather’s place. Things are looking good until Jethro, a pot-bellied pig goes missing and his owner asks Bailey for help in finding him. During the search for Jethro the body of a local Amish woman is found in the church organ, said woman didn’t think that it was right that Bailey compete because she isn’t Amish. Bailey must keep her head in the game, she really wants to make her grandmother proud but she also wants to make sure she doesn’t become the lead suspect. Along the way she learns that she has cousins on her grandmothers side, it’s not easy to find a pig, and that she might just have feelings for a certain deputy. This is truly a lovely series that gives you a true sense of the Amish way of life. The characters are easy to get to know and like which makes for a great read. I laughed, cried, and followed the clues to figure out whodunit. The recipes at the end were an added bonus, especially if you love chocolate!!!
LETHAL LICORICE by Amanda Flower. Amish Candy Store Mystery 3
Having read the other two in this series, was looking forward to another, enjoyable read. Can one imagine a confectionery competition without using electricity. One woman was strongly against her, Bailey, not dressing like the Amish, and bringing in chocolate items into her grandfather, and now her store. Plus missing one pot bellied pig, when he does, he has found murder. Recipe of licorice was the cause, allergic reaction, and why in the church. Bailey has her work, along with the sheriff, to find out the why’s. Since her entry was licorice. Delighful, from beginning to end. Readers will enjoy this series, can be read separately. Given ARC by Net Galley for my volentary review and my honest opinion.
I enjoyed reading this second book set in Harvest Ohio, now you might want to pick up the first book, Assaulted Caramel, but the author brings you up to date.
Our candy maker, a daughter of a man who left the Amish faith, came to visit her Grandparents, and ends up staying to help her Grandmother run their candy store. Now our Bailey does have a back ground as a head chocolatier in New York, so she is hoping to do well in annual Amish Confectionery Competition.
This book ends up having a dead Amish woman, a missing pot belly pig, and finding new relatives. We keep on our toes and of course Bailey is again involved in finding another body.
A page turner for sure, and I was surprised at the ending, I didn’t guess the outcome of this one!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Kensington, and was not required to give a positive review.
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 way—no 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 the second book in the An Amish Candy Shop Mystery series.
The Amish Confectionery Competition has come to the quaint little community of Harvest and Swissmen Sweets is one the fifteen shops that will be making their most tasty candies, to be able to say they are the Best of the Best. Some of the contestants are not happy that Bailey, not being Amish, is allowed to participate in the competition, but the judges have ruled that she will be permitted to participate, and she will be using her grandfather’s recipes.
As Bailey and Emily, her assistant, are busy getting the ingredients ready for their Swissmen Sweets Black Licorice Josephine Weaver, a contestant has a heated conversation with Bailey about her being allowed to be in the competition. Shortly afterward, Juliet Brody, in a panic, asks for Bailey’s help in finding her potbelly pig, Jethro, that has gone missing. Bailey knows that Jethro spends a good deal of time at the church across the square from the contest, she heads there to look for Jethro. As she enters the church she hears a young girl playing the church organ and something doesn’t sound right about the sound emitting from the organ and the young girl goes to look in the room behind the organ and lets out a scream. Bailey then follows the girl and sees the lifeless body of Josephine Weaver. The next shock she gets is that the young girl is Charlotte Weaver the niece of Josephine. Bailey becomes concerned that she might be considered a prime suspects when she learns that one of her licorice candies is found in Josephine’s pocket. Josephine was highly allergic to licorice and it was pretty much common knowledge in the community of her allergy.
The more Bailey investigates the more suspects she is coming up with. Josephine hardly ever had anything nice to say about anyone or anything. Not in taking with the Amish way she thinks.
An extremely interesting and touching subplot to the story involves Charlotte Weaver. Charlotte is at the age where she will be choosing to join the church or to leave the Amish life and probably be shunned by the church and her family. She loves playing the organ, but the Deacon of her district is strongly against, but some Deacon’s are less strict. Charlotte feels that she can praise God with her music and is torn as which way to turn.
Once again, Flower’s provide the reader with a well plotted and told story and an interesting cast of characters. She also provides an interesting look at life in an Amish community.
A delicious sounding recipe is also included.
I will definitely be watching for the next book in this wonderful series.