3.5 stars

In this first book in the 'Amish Candy Shop Mystery' series, chocolatier/amateur sleuth Bailey King investigates the murder of a businessman.

*****

Twentysomething Bailey King has worked for Jean-Pierre's New York candy shop, called 'JP Chocolates', for six years. Now that Jean-Pierre is retiring, the selection committee will name a new head chocolatier in a few days, and Bailey is a shoe-in for the job. So Bailey's friends are surprised when she suddenly takes off for Harvest, Ohio, possibly jeopardizing her chance to get the coveted promotion.

It turns out Bailey's grandfather's heart condition is getting worse, and Bailey plans to help out in her grandparents' Ohio candy store, called Swissmen Sweets, for a few days. Unknown to Bailey's friends, her grandparents - whom she calls Maami and Paapi - are Amish. Bailey's dad left the Amish community to marry her mom, but Bailey and her parents are still embraced by their Amish relatives. In addition to containing Amish residents, Harvest, Ohio also contains Englischers (non-Amish people), and for the most part, everyone gets along very well.

Soon after Bailey arrives in Harvest she sees an aggressive Englischer businessman called Tyson Colton confronting her Paapi, insisting that Paapi sell him Swissmen Sweets. It turns out Colton has purchased all the Amish stores on the block and he's furious that Paapi refuses to sell.

Early the next morning Bailey finds Tyson Colton in the kitchen of Swissmen Sweets, stabbed to death with a fudge-cutting knife. Bailey fears that she and Paapi will be prime suspects, and decides to investigate the homicide to clear their names. Bailey hopes to solve the crime quickly so she can return to New York for the head chocolatier announcement.

As Bailey is looking into Colton's murder, she clashes with handsome Deputy Sheriff Aiden Brody, who has milk chocolate brown eyes and a dimple in his right cheek. Deputy Brody doesn't want Bailey interfering in the official investigation, especially since the supercilious sheriff is determined to arrest Bailey for the crime. However, as always happens in cozy mysteries, Bailey goes around questioning people, looking for suspects, examining the crime scene, and so on.

While all this is going on, a new problem arises. Jase Colton (the murder victim's son) and his fiancée Mira are getting married tomorrow, and Mira's mother Eileen has scheduled a dessert tasting at Swissmen Sweets. The candy shop, now a crime scene, is unavailable to showcase candies, and Eileen is very annoyed with Maami and Paapi.

Luckily, the Englischer church has an available kitchen, and the church quilting ladies help Bailey make truffles, chocolate-covered strawberries, and other desserts. Bailey's best friend Cass even turns up from New York, and helps cater the wedding goodies. Cass's fun remarks add a touch of humor to the story.

To add to Bailey's troubles, she has a secret boyfriend in New York, a wealthy celebrity chef named Eric, who isn't answering her texts. All this drama makes Bailey very anxious, but her Maami and Paapi - as well as the nicer people in Harvest - ease things considerably.

By the time the crime is solved Bailey has to make a big decision about her future, both personal and professional. The book has an interesting array of Amish and Englischer characters, and - with a pet potbelly pig named Jethro and a sweet kitten called Nutmeg - the cast is in place for an engaging cozy mystery series.

Thanks to Netgalley, Amanda Flower, and Kensington Books for a copy of the manuscript.

Absolutely love this series, I read the whole series up to what was out at the time last year it is delightful. I will say that I wasn't expecting such a sad ending for this first one but it was still really cute and fun.

A great book by a fantastic author. The writing is excellent and the mystery keeps you turning the pages. Characters are well developed. Highly recommend.

ASSAULTED CARAMEL by Amanda Flower is the first book in the Amish Candy Shop series which features Bailey King, a New York-based chocolatier to the stars.

On the eve of an important job announcement which may affect Bailey’s future, she is summoned to her grandparents’ home in the Amish village of Harvest, Ohio as her grandfather is very ill. When she arrives, she finds her grandfather arguing with a property developer who is snapping up all the Amish shops on the main street. Her grandfather will not sell his candy shop and collapses as a result of the argument, combined with his severe heart disease.

Bailey’s first night back in Harvest does not end well. Retrieving her mobile phone from the kitchen -the only place there is electric - she stumbles over the body of the loathsome property developer, killed with her grandfather’s favourite chocolate-slicing knife. A knife she had used the previous day.

Her grandfather and then herself soon become the prime suspects and she is even suspected (though not really) by the dishy Deputy Aiden.

Bailey has to clear her name but more importantly her ill grandfather’s name and soon so she can return to New York for the job announcement due a couple of days later.

I really enjoyed ASSAULTED CARAMEL. I liked the setting, meeting various quirky residents – including Aiden’s mother Juliet who has a small pet pig, as well as learning about the Amish culture and customs. Bailey is a likeable and funny character and I loved when her city-girl best friend Cass came to visit. I didn’t guess whodunnit and I was pleased that Bailey, with help from her new and clever ginger cat, saved herself from the killer. Indeed, I enjoyed this book so much I went straight onto book two, LETHAL LICORICE.

A wonderful start to a new and fun series. Bailey is a chocolatier in NYC when she gets a call from her Amish Grandmother who runs a candy store. Her grandfather needs help as he is ill, so she goes to help. She also needs to lick her wounds over a minor scandal. When a murder happens she begins searching for clues. Fun cozy mystery, and one I highly recommend.

3.5 stars!

This is a lovely cozy mystery located in the Amish county. When New York-based chocolatier Bailey rushes to visit her Amish grandfather, she can not predict her finding the dead body of a local rich guy in their shop the next morning! Immediately, she rankes high within the murder suspects. And there is the harsh mother of the bride to be served, as well! Armed with all her chocolate tricks and sassy best friend and, Bailey needs to save herself, the day, the wedding and maybe save a few looks of the delightful local deputy!

I generally do not read cozies (too cozy for me), but this is a lovely read. Armed with all the usual cozy trophies to offer the comforting feel, yet the plot is quite smartly built and the characters are interesting, so they can catch your interest.

So why 3.5 stars? Well, the mystery could be more...mysterious. But I respect the genre here and it was still quite well done.

But there is an emotional cliffhanger of sorts at the end - so I am tempted to read the next in the series!

Bailey King is a chocolatier at JP Chocolates in New York but takes a brief vacation to Harvest, Ohio to visit with her Amish grandparents, who own Swissmen's Select Candy Shop on Main Street. Once she arrives, she soon becomes involved in solving the murder of a local Englishman and developer. She learns that she really wants to stay longer in Harvest, both for her family and the peace of the small village.

I thoroughly enjoyed this first Amish Candy Shop Mystery and look forward to reading more of the series.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC; all opinions are my own.

Bailey King famed protégé of Chocolatier Jean Paul of New York head of the JP Chocolates and the heir apparent to the chocolate company and Jean Paul's #1 choice rushes off to Harvest, Ohio to be with her ailing Grandfather. A risky move considering the timing with the selection committee but Bailey's Amish grandmother would not have called if it wasn't important. Little does Bailey know that her grandparents are being pressured by a local developer to sell their beloved sweet shop, Swissman's Sweets. If this strain from this badgering isn't enough, finding the developer in their shop kitchen with Jebediah's chocolate knife sticking out of his dead body certainly doesn't help. To make matters worse the local police force of Harvest, seem to be keen on pinning the murder on Bailey. Bailey has no choice but to get to the bottom of the developers Amish Disneyland plans, while holding onto her dream Chocolatier job, hiding the truth of her secret rocky romance, avoiding the butterflies in her stomach when around deputy Aidan, helping with a last minute wedding reception chocolate bar, and the secrets that the close knit Amish community. With the help of her friend Cass and a desire to protect her grandparents, Bailey will have to get herself out of this sticky situation.

Book 1 in the Amish Candy Shop series and it was a good one. A first book can either leave you flat or encourage you to read more and this story not only does that but it leaves the author plenty of material to write an interesting series. Bailey King is an interesting character. Likable from the beginning as she visits Harvest, OH but with a life left behind she still remains a bit mysterious. Her likable personality and caring nature towards her family makes it easy for you to cheer for her. Likeable townsfolk, the Amish culture and of course a love interest round out the story. Highly recommend to any one looking for a new cozy mystery series.

I could not have loved this book more! I'm so thankful I was able to get in on this series on book 1 because I'm literally going to stalk this series.

Sometimes in life, we find ourselves living two different lives. There's the life we lived with our friends and family, growing up and over summer vacations; then, there's the life we make for ourselves as adults that doesn't necessarily ever touch that other life. So, what do we do when these two lives merge in a time of crisis? That's what Bailey King faces when a quick trip to visit her grandparents turns into so much more and her boss sends her some "help" to get her back to work as quickly as possible.

But let's get to the nitty-gritty. How good was this book and why?

Bailey is a fun character who is easy to relate to when it comes to why she's kept her two worlds separate. She also finds herself dealing with customers at her grandparents' amish candy store just as annoying and high maintenance as any she dealt with in New York. I suspected the killer but then I kept changing my mind. She did an amazing job of keeping you guessing. It wasn't all suspense though as we dealt with family dynamics, friendship, relationships with neighbors, small town politics, and yummy recipes to try out at home.

This book has everything I look for in a cozy mystery. It takes place in a small town which just happens to have a large Amish community. There is a murder, a wonderful protagonist, food, some romantic tension and a strong family connection. There is also a recipe included at the end. It is the first in a new series by Amanda Flower. I have read other books by this author, and I enjoy her character development, plot development and storyline. A winner in my books.

Bailey King is up for a huge promotion at JP Chocolates in New York City as head chocolatier. Just before the announcement, her grandmother calls her to say that her grandfather is in the hospital in Harvest, Ohio and is very ill. She loves them very much, especially because she developed her love for chocolates spending summers with her grandparents and working in their sweet shop. she heads off and arrives to see her grandfather's health failing and he collapses outside his store. He has just had an argument with an English developer who wants to buy his store. Because her grandparents are Amish, they have no electricity in their apartment above their store, so Bailey has to charge her phone in the kitchen of the store. When she goes to retrieve it the next day, she finds the English Developer dead in the kitchen with the fudge knife sticking out of his chest. Of course, Bailey becomes a suspect not only because she observed the argument and may have killed him because of her grandfather, but her prints are the only ones on the knife.

There should be plenty of suspects but the police have decided that Bailey or perhaps her grandfather might have done the murder. A very handsome deputy has a special relationship with the Kings and Bailey finds herself comparing him to her boyfriend back in New York. As she investigates, she finds out that many of the Amish that sold their businesses to the victim, also had a reason to kill him. Bailey continues to search out information to find the real murderer.

I loved this story. The characters are very believable and very engaging. Maami, Clara King and Daadi, Jebediah King are wonderful people with huge, generous hearts. Even with his heart condition and weakened state, Jebediah puts the needs of others first and never loses his strong work ethic. Clara, a strong woman in her own right is the perfect helpmate. While Bailey is not Amish, she clearly has the same values as her grandparents. Their close bond remains even though she is living in New York. Her father left the Amish faith when he married her mother many years before.

The pace of the story moves nicely not only trying to catch a killer but finding out that the Kings had committed to making desserts for a wedding and they are not allowed to use their kitchen. Bailey jumps in to help and finds out things about the groom that she shares with the police. The wedding itself is interesting, the mother of the bride especially. The groom is the son of the murdered man and the wedding is going on as planned. Seems a bit odd to Bailey. There is a lot happening with quilting bees, community dinners, and even a pot bellied pig that is invited to the wedding. The mystery was a twisty one. I thought I had it figured out but was very surprised by the reveal. Amanda Flower has given her readers a terrific story to savor. I am ready to read the next one in this series. A great book for any cozy mystery reader to enjoy.

I wasn't sure how I'd like a mystery based in Amish country, but I really enjoyed this one. I've read other books by Ms. Flower and this is by far my favorite. I liked the location of the book, I mean who doesn't like chocolate. I thought the characters were believable and likable. Some twists and turns kept me interested until the very end. Thank you for allowing me to review!

This was a fantastic intro to a new series by Amanda Flower. Don't let the cute title fool you, this book was rich in storyline, characterization and of course, candy. Bailey King works in NYC and is about to be named head chocolatier at the prestigious JP Chocolates. However, her grandfather's progressively worsening heart condition leads her to Ohio the weekend before the announcement to check on her beloved grandparents. When a local developer is found murdered in her grandparents candy shop, she remains both as a suspect and support for her family. I enjoyed the details of how this Amish community is coexisting with the local English and the characters, both local and her friend Cass from New York are very well developed. The only thing I thought a bit odd was that while Bailey's love of chocolate and candy making clearly comes from her summers spent with Daadi and Mammi in Ohio, her best friend Cass seemed to have no idea about her Amish heritage. I look forward to reading more about Bailey, Aiden, Juliet and hopefully Cass in subsequent stories.

A great beginning to the new series Amish Candy Shop Mystery! Amanda Flower proves yet again to be a memorable writer of cosy-mysteries.

Bailey King has the perfect life: she works in her dream job, being an assistant chocolatier at JP Chocolates in New York City and she’s up to a promotion. Unfortunately, nothing is meant to last forever. When she gets a call that her grandfather is very ill in Harvest, Ohio, Bailey rushes to them. Adapting to their Amish ways isn’t easy but it was there, at the Amish candy shop Swissmen Sweets she grew her passion for chocolate. One night, while coming down from her room into the kitchen’s shop to grab her phone, she trips on a dead body. It’s Tyson Colton, the man that was interested in buying all the shops in Harvest and he was stabbed with a kitchen knife in her grandparent’s shop. With her grandfather appointed main suspect, Bailey knows she will do everything to prove his innocence.

A cosy-mystery with a different flavour. The fusion between mystery and the Amish ways add the spicy to the story.

The story-line is solid and engaging and the mystery is twisted and impossible to guess that happens next. When the reader thinks they know what’s coming, it just The setting is also unique and refreshing. I had no previous knowledge of Amish and it’s quite nice to discover them with Bailey. Flower builds up the mystery in a steady pace, building the list of suspects and takes the reader through a colourful little town and its people. Additionally, the amount of research the author did is impressive. It seems like she actually visited a place with these values and used them masterfully in the creation of this story.

The characters are, as always, the best part of Amanda Flower’s novels. They have depth, they are engaging and the reader feels and walks with them through the story. Bailey’s grandparents, Clara and Jebediah, are very well-developed; they are kind-hearted people that radiate warmth across the pages. Even though Bailey doesn’t share her family’s beliefs, it’s not possible to miss that she shares the deep knowledge and values that her grandparents taught her. She is a great main female character and her chemistry with the handsome deputy Aiden is the chilly in the chocolate. It will be a treat to get to know them better in the next books.

A tasty and chocolaty beginning of a series that I recommend!

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher Kensington Press and the author for allowing me to read and review a digital copy of this book.

I loved this book and how the main character was able to solve what had happened, provide food for a big event, and make a life decision. I am really looking forward to the next part of this series.

Assaulted Caramel mixes a traditional cozy mystery with Amish culture, and explores how they interact with our modern culture. This was an interesting premise and I'll be sure to pick up the next book.

I really enjoyed this first book in a new series. The author has written other Amish Cozy Mysteries and this one did not disappoint. Bailey King is a big city chocolatier who returns to Ohio to visit her grandparents when her grandfather falls ill. Her Grandparents are Amish and own an Amish Candy Store. When a dead body is found the kitchen of the shop and Bailey is the prime suspect she sets out to solve the crime and clear her name. I really liked the small town setting and the characters. The author does a very good job with the Amish background. The mystery was good with some twists and surprises. There is also a recipe for fudge at the end. I really look for word to reading more in this series. Enjoy

What a sweet start to what promises to be a delightful series! The story starts with Bailey, who is up for a big promotion at work, rushing home to Ohio because her grandfather has fallen ill. Once she arrives, she finds a developer murdered in her grandparent's sweet shops kitchen. With her grandfather the favorite suspect, Bailey finds herself staying to help and find out who the real culprit is.
I enjoy everything written by this author, and this latest series did not disappoint. With charming characters, a strong plot and mystery, this book had everything a cozy mystery lover craves in a story.

Assaulted Caramel by Amanda Flower is the first fantastic book in a new Amish Candy Shop Mystery series. It is fresh, emotional, fun and made up of strong characters that you love and others you despise. The story takes you on a roller coaster of emotions as you try to figure out who has murdered the despicable Tyson Colton and why. The way Amanda Flower weaves the Amish community in with the Englischers makes it the fabric of the mystery. I loved it and definately look forward to the next book in the series.


Bailey returns to Ohio to check on her Grandfather who is ill but finds the Amish community being targeted by Tyson Colton. When she arrives and Colton is badgering her Grandfather causing him to collapse it sets her up as a suspect when Tyson is found by Bailey dead in her grandparents kitchen in their Amish Candy Shop Swissmen Sweets. Bailey has to help her grandparents keep their business going, clear her name and figure out who really killed Tyson.


Bailey is a strong, confident, smart character that seems to be able to hold her own. I think how she handles the arrogant demanding Eileen mother of the bride is awesome. Her chocolate expertise keeps Eileen at bay and her Grandparents business from being maligned by the wicked Eileen. When she meets Juliet and Jethro her pet pig I HAD TO LAUGH. I think her reaction is so funny seeing a pig in a Church and you just have to love Jethro. Aiden the sheriff deputy is compassionate yet smart and doesn't hold a grudge against the Amish unlike his boss the sheriff. When Cass, Baileys best friend, shows up and her quirkiness as well as her smart mouth adds a fun element to the situation. Cass as Baileys side kick in the investigation has a comical relief element and yet her straight forwardness seems to get some results. All characters from Bailey right down to Jethro the pig makes the book work and keeps you engrossed in the story.


I laughed, got angry, cried and stewed right along with the story. This book is a great mixture of love, family, faith and friendship. If you like a good mystery, set in a small town with an Amish Community as part of the plot, strong unique characters, with twists and turns on an emotional roller coaster, and so many suspects that make you wonder whodunit to the end then you must read this book. The ending was a surprise but I won't spoil it for you. I couldn't put it down. I would give it 5 stars

Love Love Love Amanda and all her Amish themed books! I saw the title of this book and new it was going to be a great book and it sure was! This new series has already become my new favorite.

In this book, Bailey returns to her Amish grandparents candy store and the next morning stumbles upon a dead body in kitchen. As any good granddaughter, she takes it upon herself to find the killer. However, soon she becomes the prime suspect and isn't allowed to leave the small town.
As the plot twists and turns, secrets are revealed and unexpected (maybe predictable but you're hoping its not gonna happen) deaths help to convince Bailey her place is in Harvest, not New York.

Don't want to give anything away, so read the book! I'll definitely recommend this book to my friends.