Cute, quick read for fans of this series. At only 86 pages there isn't much time for too much of a story to develop but what is there is an entertaining read.

Perfect transition from the last book to continue the story line. This story features Bailey's cousin, Charlotte and their trip to New York. Fun, short read.

This was totally different from any of the other books as the entire story is done from what was previously a supporting character. It was surprising how well it worked for me and how much fun it was. The mystery was well done and the characters remained charming. Still, I can’t wait to get back to Bailey’s POV and life back in Harvest.

Thank you to NetGalley, Amanda Flower, and Kensington Books for giving me the chance to read this story and share my honest thoughts and opinions with others.

CRIMINALLY COCOA is a quick novella in the Amish Candy Shop Mystery series. Bailey King is working at her grandparents Amish candy store, Swissmen Sweets where she has just left to start filming a new cable tv series called Bailey's Amish Sweets. Her cousin Charlotte goes along with her to New York City to help Bailey out on set.  But when they start filming strange things begin happening and someone is trying to make Bailey fail!   Hang on my reading friends, it's going to be a crazy but fun ride!


CRIMINALLY COCOA is filled with twists and turns and I was instantly hooked and in everyone's business! It is a very quick read and when the mystery of who was trying to take Bailey out was solved, I was in shock. I had no idea! I really liked getting  to know Charlotte better. She is on rumspringa and this trip is giving her a chance to see the outside world as she decides whether or not to be baptized Amish.  She has a very rough time with New York City and all that is going on around her.  As usual, Jethro the pig makes an appearance, and pretty much steals the show.


CRIMINALLY COCOA is a wonderful addition to the perfect Amish cozy series! All of the characters are very interesting and believable, so much so that I felt as if I've known them for a long time. While Bailey isn't Amish, her grandparents are and she has the same values they do. As I was reading I could tell Amanda Flower had done her research as it is the best cozy I have read in a very long time! There are plenty of suspects, the action is face paced, and there are many surprises.  I can't wait to read the next book in the series, Toxic Toffee to see what happens.  Amanda Flower sure knows how to pull at her readers heart strings and I'm so excited to continue this series!


I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kensington Books through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I enjoyed this one and had a hard time putting it down. I love reading books that do that to the reader. I recommend it to others.

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra

Criminally Cocoa is book 3.5 in the Amish Candy Shop Mystery series by Amanda Flower. Now I must ask myself, why is this this first book I have read by Ms. Flower? Even starting at book 3.5, I was able to get a sense of the main characters and how they were intertwined with each other.

The story begins with Bailey King in New York City filming her first cable TV show, Bailey’s Amish Sweets. Charlotte Weaver came to New York (both are living in the small Amish village of Harvest in rural Ohio) to provide support to Bailey while filming was being done. Charlotte has yet to be baptized into the Amish church yet, so she is able to take this trip to the “Big Apple”. Everything is very new to her – expressions, magnitude of people, largeness of buildings – basically everything. I really felt like I was seeing the world through the innocent eyes of Charlotte. And what a way to experience the world for the first time – by going to New York!

What transpires during filming of the cooking show is a series of mishaps. At first the mishaps seem like innocent enough accidents, but as the numbers increase, Charlotte gets the feeling that something is not right. Charlotte does not want to bring this up to Bailey as Bailey is nervous enough about filming.

There are a number of likely suspects on set who may be the instigator of these accidents. As I weaved through the clues – I still did not catch on until the reveal at the end. I did find it refreshing to read a mystery where there was not actually a dead body – just a mystery.

Other characters that were a hit in this book – Jethro. He had a major part – for a pig. Seriously though, who has heard of a comfort pig? That certainly made me chuckle.:). And Cass was certainly a take charge gal who was a strong woman in a man’s world (the world of television). I loved her attitude.

What I must say is that I needed a longer story! I will have to go and pick up other titles in this series and see if I enjoy a longer read by author Amanda Flower.

If you enjoy cozy mysteries and novellas – then you will certainly enjoy Criminally Cocoa. Now the only question is, should I go back to book one in the series or continue on with the next book?

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*

Amish Candy Shop Mysteries are Amish culinary mysteries. Charlotte is invited by her cousin, Bailey, who is a television cooking star, to help her on the set. While on the sidelines, Charlotte senses that someone is trying to sabotage Bailey’s show, but keeps her mouth shut until things get scary. This is a fun series, and is a bit unique due to the Amish aspect.
Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this novel.

Title: Criminally Cocoa



Author: Amanda Flower



Series: Amish Candy Shop Mystery 3.5



Chapters: 13 plus epilogue



Pages: 86



Genre: cozy mystery



Rating: 3 stars



Criminally Cocoa is a novella in the Amish Candy shop mystery series that is best read between books 3 and four. Bailey is in New York filming a candy making show, and Charlotte Weaver an Amish girl who is not only Bailey's grandma's cousin but she works in the candy shop is along for the trip. This little cozy is told from Charlotte's point of view making it different from previous books in the series. But with this one you get to see a bit of what Charlotte's like as well as bits and pieces of her backstory and her doubts about decisions she has to make soon.

This even by cozy standards is a quick read. At only 13 chapters and 86 pages I finished this book in two hours. It is a fast read and even though it’s not the best mystery of the series it’s still pretty good. It's a great book for cozy fans who want an even lighter read than they normally read.



I do recommend that you read this series in order especially if you don't want to be spoiled for anything in previous books. If you’re a cozy fan I recommend this series and if you've read Amanda's other series, I highly recommend this one.









I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Bailey King has been recruited to host a TV series showcasing the wonderful Amish candies that she makes with her grandmother in Ohio. Arriving in NYC with her Amish cousin, Charlotte, (who is experiencing her Rumspringa - her chance to see the world outside of the Amish faith to decide if that's what she wants), Bailey has several mishaps in the TV set and Charlotte believes that they are acts of sabotage and determines that she will investigate and stop any possible injuries or problems that may arise.

It is very interesting to see the modern world through the eyes of someone not use to technology, etc. and yet she manages to navigate the modern world quite well.

Lovely to see all the quirky characters in the NYC setting, fun, fun, fun.

Amish Candy Shop Mysteries are Amish culinary mysteries. Criminally Cocoa is more of a short novella, but the characters are well-developed and Flowers captures some of the nuances of Amish culture in the mainstream world. Charlotte is invited by her cousin, Bailey, who is a television cooking star, to help her on the set. While on the sidelines, Charlotte senses that someone is trying to sabotage Bailey’s show, but keeps her mouth shut until things get scary. This is a fun series, and is a bit unique due to the Amish aspect. The recipe for Bailey’s Easy Easter Birds’ Nests actually works well, is easy, and is delicious. At only 88 pages, it can be read in an hour or so.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this novel.

As if being in New York City for Easter isn’t exciting enough, Charlotte Weaver has another reason to be thrilled. She’s helping her cousin, Bailey, on the set of her first cable TV show, Bailey’s Amish Sweets. Bailey will even be recreating the delectable hand woven chocolate Easter baskets she once crafted for the city’s world famous JP Chocolates. But once things start rolling, Charlotte starts to notice odd things
happening things that seem intended to make Bailey look bad.

With Bailey feeling extra nervous about being on camera, Charlotte decides to keep her suspicion of sabotage to herself. But she knows that among Bailey’s fans at the Gourmet Television network lurks a dangerously jealous rival. Now Charlotte will have to find out who that person is before sour grapes turns one of the sweetest times of the year fatally bitter.

This short mystery has some twists and turns but not as many as the authors full length mysteries but it's still well written and well developed. The characters are also well written and well developed, and it's nice to see the characters in new surroundings.

I like how we get to see the story through Charlotte's eyes instead of Bailey's so we get to see a different side of the two characters. I like how the author blends the Amish world into the story and explains how their rules work for them. I liked seeing New York through Charlotte's eyes to see how the Amish might take in all the sights of a great big city when you've only lived in a small Ohio community. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

I received and arc of this novella from Netgalley and Kensington Books for my opinion.

Criminally Cocoa is an Amish sweet shop novella. It is told from the point of view of Charlotte, Baileys Amish Cousin.

Bailey and Charlotte are in New York City. Charlotte is helping her cousin, Bailey, on the set of her first cable TV show, Bailey’s Amish Sweets. Bailey will even be re-creating amish Easter candy. . But once things start rolling, Charlotte starts to notice odd things happening—things that seem intended to make Bailey look bad .

Charlotte does not want things to go poorly so she decides to investigate. There are no murders in this book but some definite sabotage is going on.

Loved the novella!!

Ms. Flower takes her readers to New York City in this novella. If you have read any of the novels in the Amish Candy shop Mystery series you will know that Bailey King is a chocolatier who has moved to Ohio with her Amish grandmother after her beloved grandfather passes away. So, it wasn't a big surprise when she's offered a cable cooking show. What is surprising is the community allowed her Amish cousin to accompany her. There was one thing that didn't surprise me and that is how much I loved this book.

Wherever Bailey goes trouble seems to follow her, it's like she's a magnet or something and maybe that's why I am so drawn to her, I just can't stay away from this adorable character. I also liked getting to know Charlotte better and seeing the sights of the city through her eyes is funny and sweet. Although things on the set of the show are far from sweet, with mishaps galore but thankfully no serious injuries.
Speaking of mishaps two of my favorite characters from this series are in New York, too. Yep, Juliet and her comfort pig, Jethro. I love Jethro and I honestly got more of a chaotic vibe than comfort but that's what I adore about this little guy.

Ms. Flower kept me guessing as always as to who and what is going on in this great addition to the series. A quick and fun week-end read that will keep you laughing as you venture into the city without leaving your home.

I received a copy from the publisher through Netgalley and was under no obligation to write a review.

Although I wasn't sure about another Amish-based mystery series, it has become a favorite of mine. The characters have become friends of mine. I enjoyed their trip to NYC and watching the taping of Bailey's TV show. I liked the insight behind taping a cooking show and the mystery kept me turning pages until late into the night.

Criminally Cocoa by Amanda Flower is the latest book in the Amish Candy Shop Mystery series. This particular book is more of a novella and takes place in New York City rather than Amish country, but many of the same characters are on hand. I was worried that the change in location would cause me to love the book less but that was not the case. Bailey is filming a television show Bailey's Amish Sweets along with the help of her Amish cousin Charlotte. Charlotte notices that some of the problems with the show are more intentional events of a jealous individual rather than random accidents. This is a quick read yet a nice addition to the series.

Criminally Cocoa us a sweet novella mystery that us part if the Amish Candy Shop series by Amanda Flower. This is a short and easy read. The characters are interesting as is the setting. The plot was satisfying and held my interest. I recommend this book. Thank you netgalley for the complimentary digital copy in exchange for thus, my honest review

Part of the 'Amish Candy Shop Mystery' series this was a sweet and clean cozy mystery which was about sabotage and suspicion. For a book of this length, there was a large number of suspects consider. Great fun and very easy to read.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my own request, from Kensington Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

Criminally Cocoa by Amanda Flower is a short novella in the Amish Candy Shop Mystery series. This story focuses on Charlotte, the assistant to the usual main character Bailey King, a chocolatier. The ladies have traveled into the city to film Bailey’s cooking show but as the cameras begin to roll Charlotte notices things begin to happen that seem to be trying to make Bailey look bad or perhaps even hurt someone.

I enjoy Amanda Flower's writing. She does a great job blending in the Amish community and their customs with the English life. Charlotte has not been baptized yet and is struggling with what she wants to do in her life. As Charlotte participates in the television show, her beliefs are tested and I love how she does not understand so many of the idioms and expressions being tossed about. Many of the familiar characters make an appearance, even Jethro the pig. There is a merry chase for the little fellow in the park. This is a short story without a murder, but there is still a satisfying mystery to solve with several suspects and a satisfying outcome. A fun addition to the series.

When it is time for Bailey to move to New York to film her cooking show, Bailey's Amish Chocolates, she takes her cousin, Charlotte Weaver who is on rumspringa. Where the other books in this series focused on Bailey and her struggle being accepted by the Amish and trying to help solves murders, this book focuses on Charlotte and how she tries to figure out who is trying to sabotage Bailey's chance of landing her cooking show. While I enjoyed the book I didn't find it as entertainment as the other's in this series.

Bailey is in New York for the filming of the pilot for her new Amish Candy Making show. She's brought along her Amish cousin, Charlotte, and somehow, her boyfriend's mother, complete with pet pig, has gotten in on the deal.

The accidents begin on the first day of filming, causing the producer to begin questioning the wisdom of continuing . Will Charlotte and her cohorts get to the cause of the accidents before the producer pulls the plug?

I gave this title high marks for the sheer entertainment value. I haven't read the other books in the series, but I plan to go back and begin with Book 1. I would recommend this title for anyone looking for a fun read.

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