A sweet tooth for murder . . . Bailey King’s in New York wrapping up a six-week shoot on her first cable TV show, Bailey’s Amish Sweets, when she gets a call from her Ohio town’s resident busybody. With Easter around the corner, Bailey’s been recruited to create a giant toffee bunny for the weeklong springtime festival that will also feature live white rabbits. But back home in Harvest, death … But back home in Harvest, death becomes the main attraction when Stephen Raber keels over from an apparent heart attack—with Bailey and Raber’s pet bunny as witnesses.
.
Except it wasn’t Raber’s heart that suddenly gave out—a lethal dose of lily of the valley was mixed into a tasty piece of toffee. Who’d want to poison a jovial rabbit farmer who reminded Bailey of an Amish Santa Claus? To solve the murder, she and her sheriff deputy boyfriend Aiden must uncover a twenty-year-old secret. She’ll need to pull a rabbit out of a hat to keep a healthy distance from toxic people, including one venomous killer . . .
Recipe Included!
Praise for Amanda Flower and her Amish cozies
“As it turns out, Amanda Flower may have just written the first Amish rom com.”—USA Today
“Flower has hit it out of the ballpark . . . and continues to amaze with her knowledge of the Amish way of life.”—RT Book Reviews
“At turns playful and engaging . . . a satisfyingly complex cozy.”—Library Journal
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In this fourth book of the series Bailey has just wrapped shooting on her new cable television show and is headed home to Harvest, Ohio. When she gets home she receives a call from the towns notorious busy body, she wants Bailey to create an 8 foot bunny out of toffee. She agrees to the challenge and hopes that she hasn’t gotten herself into something that she might not be able to accomplish in such a short period of time. While taking a walk around the park to look at all the festivities that are going on Bailey meets Stephen Raber, an Amish rabbit farmer. He has plenty of rabbits for people to purchase but loves them so much he will only give them to homes that he believes will treat them right. Bailey is talking to him about his rabbits when he keels over and dies. Much to her surprise, she finds herself in the middle of another murder investigation. At first it look like he might have had a heart attack but after some investigating by the police she soon learns that he was poisoned. Bailey feels like she must help find a killer, especially after the man died right in front of her. His son even asked her to look after his most prized rabbit which she does reluctantly. During the process of asking questions and looking for clues they come upon a secret that has long been hidden. Will this new information lead them to a killer or will they set off in the wrong direction? I love this series and all its wonderful characters. The setting is one that I would definitely like to visit some day. The author brings to life the mixture of the Amish life and the English way of living. I’m always excited for the next book!!!
Toxic Toffee is the latest humorous tale in An Amish Candy Shop Mystery series. It can be read alone if you have not had the pleasure of reading the other books in the engaging series. Toxic Toffee has Bailey back in Harvest, Ohio after her six weeks in New York filming her new cooking show. Before she has time to take her bag home, Margot Rawlings pulls Bailey aside to discuss her making a very large toffee rabbit for Easter Days. Of course, it needs to be at least six feet tall or maybe just a wee bit bigger. Then Stephen Raber, owner of Raber’s Rabbits, drops dead in the square. The poor man was poisoned (want to take a guess with what candy) and Eli Raber, the victim’s son, wants Bailey to find the killer. He then leaves his father’s pet rabbit in Bailey’s care (he really does not give her a chance to say no). I enjoy Amanda Flower’s writing style. It draws a reader into the story and keeps them absorbed along with the quirky characters and the various comical capers. Jethro, the polka dotted pig, and his owner, Juliet Brody are back. Juliet wants Bailey and Aiden to set a wedding date so the planning can begin. Of course, the fact that the pair are not engaged does not deter Juliet. Bailey’s grandmother, Clara is such a sweet woman and she remains calm no matter what happens (even the police showing up in the middle of the night). The mystery was intriguing, and I like how it is woven throughout the story. There are surprising twists along with artfully placed clues. While I was not surprised by the killer’s identity, I loved following the hints and enjoyed the unpredictable take down. It is funny that Bailey’s reputation for solving mysteries is widely known among the English and Amish in Holmes County. One person commented “Don’t look so surprised, Bailey. Your reputation precedes you.” I was frustrated with the reiteration of certain details. Bailey being told to leave the investigating to the police, Aiden does not want her to get hurt, and certain details regarding the mystery are a couple of the repetitious items. I had to laugh, though, when Juliet said, “I’m so glad that you will be my daughter just as soon as you and Aiden get around to announcing your wedding.” There is a very special event at the end that will delight readers of this series. Toxic Toffee is a charming Amish cozy mystery that will tickle your funny bone.
Toxic Toffee
Amish Candy Shop Mystery, Book #4
Amanda Flower
5 Stars
Synopsis:
A sweet tooth for murder . . .
Bailey King’s in New York wrapping up a six-week shoot on her first cable TV show, Bailey’s Amish Sweets, when she gets a call from her Ohio town’s resident busybody. With Easter around the corner, Bailey’s been recruited to create a giant toffee bunny for the weeklong springtime festival that will also feature live white rabbits. But back home in Harvest, death becomes the main attraction when Stephen Raber keels over from an apparent heart attack—with Bailey and Raber’s pet bunny as witnesses.
.
Except it wasn’t Raber’s heart that suddenly gave out—a lethal dose of lily of the valley was mixed into a tasty piece of toffee. Who’d want to poison a jovial rabbit farmer who reminded Bailey of an Amish Santa Claus? To solve the murder, she and her sheriff deputy boyfriend Aiden must uncover a twenty-year-old secret. She’ll need to pull a rabbit out of a hat to keep a healthy distance from toxic people, including one venomous killer . . . (Goodreads)
Review:
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is a quick easy read. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and this description pulled me into the story from the very beginning. She seems to know a lot about the Amish way of life and that shines through in her books. I really enjoy learning about the Amish.
The characters are well developed, well rounded and well developed. Any time that I get to spend time with Bailey, Charlotte and Bailey’s grandmother, you can tell how much they love each other. Aiden, her boyfriend and a sheriff deputy, is a great guy and I am enjoying how well their relationship is evolving. Jethro, Aiden’s mom’s pig, steals the show and I enjoy reading about all of his antics.
The mystery was well plotted and moved along at a nice pace. There were enough clues to sift through and suspects to consider and it was not easily solved.
I would highly recommend this book (and series) to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I am already looking forward to reading the next one.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
Toxic Toffee by Amanda Flower is the first book I have read in the Amish Candy Shop Mystery series, but I enjoyed so much I went and bought the previous 3 books in the series so I can be fully caught up.
A sweet tooth for murder . . .
Bailey King’s in New York wrapping up a six-week shoot on her first cable TV show, Bailey’s Amish Sweets, when she gets a call from her Ohio town’s resident busybody. With Easter around the corner, Bailey’s been recruited to create a giant toffee bunny for the weeklong springtime festival that will also feature live white rabbits. But back home in Harvest, death becomes the main attraction when Stephen Raber keels over from an apparent heart attack—with Bailey and Raber’s pet bunny as witnesses.
.
Except it wasn’t Raber’s heart that suddenly gave out—a lethal dose of lily of the valley was mixed into a tasty piece of toffee. Who’d want to poison a jovial rabbit farmer who reminded Bailey of an Amish Santa Claus? To solve the murder, she and her sheriff deputy boyfriend Aiden must uncover a twenty-year-old secret. She’ll need to pull a rabbit out of a hat to keep a healthy distance from toxic people, including one venomous killer . . .
It took me till chapter 15 to really get engrossed in the story/characters but I think this was just me as I jumped into series 4 books in. But I love all Amanda Flower books she knows how to tell a story and weave a sense of family and community throughout so you want to cone back and visit. This was no exception, Bailey, the protagonist is independent, strong well developed and the other characters are quirky, fun and don’t get me started on the furbabies. I especially love Juliets spotted pig Jethro, Puff the white rabbit, Nutmeg her tabby cat and lastly we meet a couple of goats! I antics of all these animals brought a smile to my face.
There were plenty of twists and turns along the way to keep you guessing and I did not figure out whodunnit till Bailey did. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves to read cozies .
I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy of this book from Kensington Publishing and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read 6.15.2019
This is really turning into a spectacular series – I picked this series up on a whim and have just grown to love it and the characters [even the ones that drive me insane :::coughcoughJulietcoughcough:::] and it was no different with the latest installment.
Bailey and Charlotte are back from their 6 weeks in New York City and are immediately greeted with the chaos that is city planner Margot Rawlings and her new Easter festival idea. Which includes live bunnies, lots of chocolate and an eight foot bunny carved from….toffee. And right in the middle of the conversation on how impossible it would be to do that [in TWO days], a man drops dead. And even Bailey, who has found dead people before, cannot even imagine how crazy this current murder will get and what a roller coaster of a ride it will be, ending with a conclusion that absolutely stunned me.
One of the coolest things about this book is that it introduces you to Millie – she is an Amish widow who is also a matchmaker. She lives in a little house with two adorable goats and I can tell already she is going to be such a fun character. AND!! the author is writing a new series based on her!! SQUEEEEE!!!
This is a delightful book in an even more delightful series and while there are many good and lighthearted moments, it also makes you look at what you do and what you choose and how you can indeed chose what you want, but you then have to live with that choice. There are powerful moments in this book and it made me think more than once.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
How can a story about a murder be considered cozy? This could only be the case with cozy mysteries. I thought this one by Amanda Flower was entertaining, at times humorous and perplexing not to mention unpredictable. No I didn’t guess who the real murderer was and it seemed both Bailey King and Deputy Sheriff Adin Brody were in the dark without a clue as to who had poisoned Amish rabbit farmer Stephen Raber.
Bailey King and Charlotte Web return home from New York City, where they had been taping some of Bailey’s new tv show . Trouble begins that same day as a man drops dead right in front of Bailey. Police soon learn it wasn’t a death of natural causes as the EMTs had first ruled, but instead evidence proved it to be poison placed in a piece of toffee. Bailey and Adin put their minds together to solve this mystery and bring the killer to justice. Everyone in the community had nothing but good things to say about Stephen Raber. Someone didn’t think so much of Stephen and had wanted him dead. The question is who could that have been?
I recommend this book to readers of Cozy mystery. This is book four of Amanda Flower’s Candy Shop Mystery series. It can be read as a stand alone but other books in the series lead up to this book.
I borrowed a copy of Toxic Toffee from the Ohio Digital Library. A review was not requested. All opinions expressed here are my own.
This is a cute cozy mystery but it didn’t draw me in as other cozies do. It’s not that there was anything wrong with it—because there wasn’t—it just fell a little flat for me. And that’s strictly on me.
The character of Bailey King works—she’s the granddaughter of an Amish woman who owns a candy store in the square of town. She also has a popular TV show about candy-making. She’s dating the local sheriff’s deputy, Aiden Brody, and is well-known and well-liked in town. Her grandmother is also well-liked but is Amish so doesn’t approve of everything Bailey (who’s not Amish) does. Bailey used to live in a small apartment above the candy store with her grandmother, but moved out so she could have a place of her own—one with electricity.
Some of the other characters are a little over the top. For instance, Aiden’s mother Juliet carries her pet pig everywhere and, even though Bailey and Aiden just started dating, she’s already planning their wedding. It was just a little too much for me. And the town “promoter” Margot—she’s a bit too much to take too.
The author seems to know the Amish culture pretty well, but she also gets a little repetitive with some things (like the no electricity thing). Living in an Amish community myself, I was able to chuckle at the realism she did put forth. Yes, there really can be “traffic jams” with buggies and cars. It happens often. So this was something well-done.
The murder of Stephen—an Amish rabbit farmer—was definitely different, which was a plus. As was the reason and the killer. Kudos to Ms. Flower for an interesting twist. And that’s all I’m going to say. No spoilers here. J
Overall, the story wasn’t bad. It was mostly enjoyable and had an interesting end, but it just didn’t keep me interested the whole way through. Still… I am definitely going to look for more from this author. She intrigued me enough to look for others by her.
Amanda Flower has done it again. She brings to the pages a wonderful group of characters that are well written. This book can be read alone but I feel that to have the first two books read first, the reader will understand the characters better and the relationships that are going on and building. I do not wish to give the story away, but there is a lot of humor. Bailey is again making something for the Easter program. But when a man dies of toffee with Lily of the Valley, she must get to the bottom of it before anyone else is hurt. I thoroughly enjoyed her sleuthing and her growing as a person. Oh and, Jethro the pig is back in full force, giggle, and there is a rabbit and multiple rabbits. This really is a fun mystery.
Once again Bailey finds herself on the hunt for a murderer in her hometown and this time the threat is coming close to home so she needs to figure it out quickly! A great plot is well woven with delightful characters with well developed personalities. This series is set in an Amish community that has become Bailey’s new home as she helps her Amish grandmother run the family candy shop. It is filled with quirky characters that will soon feel like beloved friends after a book or two from the series! While you can definitely enjoy just this book without being completely lost in the series, you will miss out on tons of entertainment and character development if you don’t start at the beginning! I dare you to try to read this cozy mystery series without breaking a smile or two!
Enjoyed this book
I loved it! So much happens! I’m so glad Juliet and Reverend Brook are finally engaged! This is a must read series! I can’t wait for the next book!
Toxic Toffee earns 5/5 Bunny Treats…Engaging Fun!
I have long enjoyed Amanda Flowers writing style with descriptive language, dialogue to illustrate tone and personalities, humor, admirable and quirky characters, Amish influence, and in this fourth novel…candy, lots of candy including a recipe for Charlotte’s Toffee Pieces sans the toxicity. Bailey King is a delight as a talented chocolatier who has returned home to Harvest, Ohio, to help run the family-owned candy shop, Swissmen Sweets. Her Amish roots make it easier to fit into the community, but it’s having solved a few caramlized, licorished, pepperminted, and cocoa-laced murders that have made her invaluable. This fourth toffee-enriched mystery is clever keeping me totally engaged with Easter festivities, eight-foot toffee bunnies, real bunnies, and murder! The local Amish rabbit breeder collapses in front of her, and after being determined to be poison, she is compelled to discover the identity of the killer. While babysitting a prize rabbit, she uncovers long hidden secrets best kept secret, but delightful problems arise, her budding relationship with the local sheriff is complex, and some personal peril makes this an enjoyable read!
Love this series!! It’s Easter in Harvest and a beloved Amish rabbit farmer drops dead right in front of Bailey after eating poisoned candy. The man’s son comes to Bailey and asks for her help in finding the killer. Lots of fun and entertainment from Jethro, the pig, and Puff, the rabbit. I can’t wait to see what’s next for Swissmen Sweets and Bailey and Aiden!!
I always look forward to reading one of Amanda Flower’s books, she is an amazing storyteller, you can open up one of her books and your daily problems fad away as you become one of her characters.
Bailey is one of my favorite characters, not only does she get to play with candy at her grandma’s candy shop, but she also has an amazing community of fun and crazy people and animals to be around so, your never bored with the village and the people. Oh, and I cannot forget about her hot cop boyfriend Aiden 😉
I love how Amanda can toss enough clues throughout the story to keep me guessing and at the end, I am surprised that none of my suspects is the one who did it.
The added rabbit in this story was a very nice touch, I am always pleased when an author can write about a different kind of pet instead of the same cat or dog, not that I love dogs and cats but as you keep reading about the same old pets it gets kind of old.
One of my favorite cozy mystery series and I highly recommend you bump it on top of your reading list.
Toxic Toffee by Amanda Flower is number four in the Amish Candy Shop mystery series, featuring Bailey King, candy shop owner, who is finishing up a stint in New York filming her cable TV show featuring Amish candy making. Her Amish friend, Charlotte Weaver was with her, as her assistant and also to lend a real Amish flavor to the program. They arrived back in Holmes County, Ohio to the news that Bailey’s nemesis, Margot Rawlings, was spearheading an Easter Festival and wanted Bailey to create a six-foot Easter bunny, made of toffee. Not exactly the homecoming she had hoped for. Before long, a murder has taken place, right out in the square, while Bailey was talking to the man. Steven Raber had just collapsed, dead. Of course, Bailey was to get involved. Didn’t she always?
There’s a reason for the moniker “cozy mystery.” Reading one is always like going home, whether it is the reader’s first time or one is invested in the series. So it is with Flowers’ books. There is just enough Amish to make the books interesting; just enough candy to make the reader hungry; and just enough romance to make every reader wish they had a Deputy Sheriff Aiden Brody in their lives. Flowers writes in a very cozy, homey way that, despite the fact some pretty bad things happen, makes the reader feel good about the whole thing. Not to mention, the murder is discovered and all is well. A reader can’t help but love this book. I heartily recommend it to anyone who enjoys a comfortable read.
I received a free ARC of Toxic Toffee. All opinions contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #toxictoffee
* Amish * Easter * Candy * Bunnies *
This wonderful cozy has all the boxes checked. There is a rabbit and a pig. There are several sweet romances. There is an Easter celebration in the town square that includes a 6′ tall chocolate bunny. And there is a very intriguing murder mystery. This is book 4 in the Amish Candy Shop Mysteries series. This book stands alone well and is a fun book to read. I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.
While I am not from Amish country, I always feel at “home” when I read her books. I am looking forward to my next sweet.
Love this whole Amish Candy Shop series. When will the next one be out?
This is the first book in this series that I have read, but I had no trouble figuring out who all the characters were and some of the history. Bailey King returns from New York after filming her first TV show called Bailey’s Amish Sweets. Her young Amish friend, Charlotte is with here. Her Amish grandmother has been holding down the fort while Bailey and Charlotte have been gone. As soon as she gets back, Bailey is asked to create a 6 foot candy rabbit for the Easter Holiday Festival. While Bailey is introduced to Steven Raber, he falls down dead. At first everyone thinks it is a heart attack. But soon Bailey learns it is murder. Steven’s son comes to Bailey and asks her to find the murderer. Who would want to murder a rabbit raising Amish man?
The characters are fun and quirky. Bailey’s boyfriend is a deputy and his Mom, Juliette think Bailey and Aiden are getting married (they are not, it’s just her wishful thinking). Juliette has a small pig who is a terror. Juliette and Jethro the pig are a hoot. I love Bailey’s grandmother Clara and many of the other characters in the book. The mystery is fun and kept me turning the pages. In fact, I was a bit surprised at the end. Nice. I would definitely read another book in this series.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Bailey King is back in Harvest after wrapping up the first shooting on her first cable TV show, Bailey’s Amish Sweets, and it’s just in time for Easter. The town organizer, Margot Rawlings has set up Easter Days, and she wants Bailey to construct a 8-foot toffee rabbit to display in the town square. Bailey is all for it, but while she’s in the square talking with locals, Amish farmer Stephen Raber, who raises rabbits, drops dead.
The authorities initially suspect a heart attack, but Bailey suspects differently, and it’s soon concerned that a lethal dose of lily of the valley mixed with toffee caused Raber’s death. When Raber’s son Eli enlists Bailey’s help, her sheriff deputy boyfriend Aiden is not amused. But he knows that Bailey gets along well with the Amish community, and can help him figure out whodunit.
Things are a little more complicated than Bailey originally thought, and she faces danger as she tries to uncover a long hidden secret. She also has to contend with a new pet, in the form of Puff the bunny, and continual talk from Aiden’s mother about an upcoming wedding, that has never been set up by Bailey, or Aiden.
I spent this weekend in Harvest, and now that my visit is over I can’t wait until I go back again. I absolutely adore this series. Bailey is an independent woman, living her life on her own terms, and one of those terms is she’s ready to help solve a murder, even when it gets her on the wrong side of her boyfriend. I love how they worked it out this time, with Aiden agreeing that she can help as long as she keeps him in the loop.
This series is a perfect blend of the English world and the Amish community. The characters are so perfectly drawn that you can see them as you read. There are lots of red herrings and plenty of clues that lead you to the conclusion, but this one is a five start for me because I was led down the primrose path and didn’t guess the ending until, well, the end.
If you haven’t tried this series I highly recommend it to you. The stories are well thought out and keep you entertained the whole time you are reading. Toxic Toffee is a standalone, and can be read without having read the others in the series. But after you read it, I would suggest you add the first three to your TBR pile. I think you will enjoy your trips to Harvest as much as I do.
I read a digital ARC of this book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.