
Member Reviews

Toxic Toffee by Amanda Flower is the 4th book in the Amish Candy Shop Mystery series, and another great story. I really love this series, and am looking forward to the next book in the series. Bailey King left her job as a New York chocolatier to return to Harvest, OH to help run Swissman Sweets, a candy shop her Amish grandmother owns. It is Easter time, and Bailey has been recruited to build a giant toffee bunny, for the Springtime Festival that lasts a week. When the keeper/owner of the live white rabbits, part of the festival, suddenly dies, Bailey is determined to find the truth. I love the quirky people and situations in this book, especially Aiden mother and her pig. I found this book to be a quick read, with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. If you love cozy mysteries, I strongly recommend this book/ series.
I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. Thank you.

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.

What a sweet cozy mystery. Yes. I just wrote that. 🤓 But truly, I loved the mix with Amish and Englishers. I'm hoping some of the tidbits about the Amish are true because I enjoyed the insight. The characters were colorful and it would be easy to pick up the next in the series quickly to follow the town and its community.

After six weeks in New York filming her TV show, Bailey has returned to Harvest, and is immediately asked to create a giant toffee bunny for the town's spring festival, Easter Days. While talking to some of the others who are contributing to the festival, Bailey watches one of the men collapse from an apparent heart attack. When the cause of death turns out to be murder instead, she is determined to help the sheriff's department figure out who killed him – and why.
Amanda Flower has become one of my favorite authors, and I always look forward to the newest book in each of her series. This is the fourth book in this series, and I was not disappointed. The small town setting feels comfortable, and most of the recurring characters feel like old friends. Although I suspected the identity of the killer relatively early in the book, I did not figure out the motive and the other details until they were revealed. This book seems to have introduced a character who will feature in a new spin-off series, and I look forward to reading that series as well as Bailey and Charlotte's next adventure.

I received this ARC via Netgalley and Kensington Books in return for an honest review. This is a continuing series (the Amish Candy Shop series) but this book is easily read as a stand-alone. It's a pleasure to return to Harvest and the Amish community. Bailey, an 'English' or non-Amish, returns home from a stint in NYC, filming a candy-making TV show to the small town of Harvest, in the middle of Amish country She, along with her Amish grandmother, and good friend, Charlotte, run Swissman Sweets. Just as Bailey returns, the town's self-appointed events coordinator enlists Bailey to make an 8 foot rabbit out of toffee as part of the week-long 'all things bunny' celebration before Easter. Live bunnies are provided by a local Amish farmer who raises them and who suddenly dies in front of Bailey on the town green. His son contacts Bailey and asks her to investigate, since he is not comfortable in dealing with the 'English' police force. Oh, and he asks her to take care of his father's pet bunny, Puff. So, between Puff the rabbit, Nutmeg the cat, and Jacob the miniature pig, this series has a cast of fun animals and interesting characters. It does a wonderful job of sharing information about the Amish culture and community, while doing a great cosy mystery. I look forward to the next mystery in this series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for the digtal advanced reader copy.
I really enjoyed this book, each book in the series gets better and better. It's fun to see how the characters are evolving from one book to the next.
This book will be available at the end of June.

This is the first book I've read by Amanda Flower and I really enjoyed it. It's a cute cozy mystery that will keep you guessing and has a wonderful recipe at the end. I will be looking for more of her books. Thank you Kensington Books via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed 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.
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.
Vicky B

Amanda Flower is an amazingly talented author who never disappoints me.
I learn more about the Amish every time I open one of her books.
This particular series is fun and lighthearted and I love how the community always rallies together when someone needs them.
I’m always excited to read a book by this author.

This was a bittersweet entry into the series. I loved how the minor characters have been fleshed out in this book and - of course - there are good Jethro moments aplenty.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not paid for this review.

I enjoyed the latest offering in Amanda Flower's An Amish Candy Shop Mystery series. There was an undercurrent of darkness in 'Toxic Toffee' that was juxtaposed to the goodness of the people in Bailey's life, so that I was completely surprised with the ending. I once again learned much about Amish culture and loved the relationship between Aiden and Bailey. Plus, Jethro has competition for cuteness with Puff, the new rabbit in Bailey's life. There is a planned offshoot of a new character with an Amish Matchmaker series. I sincerely hope that there is still more with Bailey, it is just that good.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I really enjoy the town of Harvest, the main character, Bailey., and the secondary characters - especially Aiden, and now Puff. Ms. Flower always keeps me guessing on who the murderer is. The characters are well written and the mystery well plotted.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love the Amish Candy Shop cozy mystery series by Amanda Flower! The series starts with our super sleuth Bailey returning to her grandmother's candy shop in Amish country from making her new cooking tv show in New York city. This time around, the town's main event coordinator wants Bailey to create a gigantic toffee bunny for the town's Easter celebration. When a local Amish man, whom everyone loved, ends up dead, his son seeks Bailey out for justice. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a frwat cozy mystery. I would say, I didn't have the culprit on my radar till the end!! Thanks to #goodreads for an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I received a free copy of TOXIC TOFFEE (Book 4 of the Amish Candy Shop Mysteries) by Amanda Flower in exchange for an honest review. Bailey King returns home to Harvest, Ohio, in time to help run her grandmother’s sweet shop during the Easter rush. The very afternoon Bailey arrives, an Amish man drops dead at her feet. What a welcome home! Though it initially appears to be simply a heart attack, the death is soon determined to be a homicide. Because the Amish distrust the local law enforcement, Bailey assists her sheriff deputy boyfriend in the investigation. While already busy sussing out a poisoner and helping run the sweet shop, Bailey must foster a pampered live bunny for the victim’s family, craft a giant candy rabbit for the Easter festivities, adjust to nosy neighbors at her new house, and find time to have a first date with her boyfriend.
I enjoyed this book and really like the entire series, so far. I recommend both this book and the series. Though danger is pervasive, there are also bright spots of humor.
#ToxicToffee #NetGalley

Oh, how I love Amanda Flower books. This is the fourth (four and a half if you include Criminally Cocoa which is immediately before this book) in the Amish Candy Shop series. In it, we find Bailey King just back from a TV show shoot in New York, just in time for Easter in Harvest. Unfortunately, shortly after Bailey's return, a beloved Amish man dies in front of her. No wonder Bailey has a reputation for death following her! Of course Bailey must get involved, much to the chagrin of her sheriff deputy boyfriend, Aiden.
I pretty much love every book Amanda Flower puts out, and this was no exception. I thoroughly enjoy coming back to Harvest and learning what its residents have been up to, English and Amish alike. The mystery had twists that weren't shocking, necessarily, but not obvious, either. The book ends at a point where the series COULD, but I certainly hope this is not the last we hear of the candy shop. However, in it, we meet an Amish matchmaker who Ms. Flowers' newest book will be about. All in all a wonderful book and a fantastic addition to the Candy Shop series. I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher.

I loved it! Amanda's books alway's pull's me in to the stories!
Because they are alway's so well written.
I never guess who did it!
it had good plots/ loved the character's and the cover/title.

Wonderful series featuring "English" and Amish living and interacting together in a small town. This fun addition is a great addition. I love seeing Bailey's journey. Filled with fun, colorful characters and a well written plot that draws you in time and time again. Look forward to more for the series and the author.

This review will be posted on my blog, Foxes and Fairy Tales, on 16 June 2019
When I requested Toxic Toffee I hadn't actually read any of the other books in the series, but it'd been on my TBR for a while. Seeing the ARC reminded me that I'd been interested, so I decided to try out the first one whether I got approved or not. I read all three previous books in the Amish Candy Shop Mystery series in the two days it took for my ARC request to be approved and started Toxic Toffee as soon as I received it.
The whole Amish Candy Shop Mystery series has sky-rocketed into my ultimate top cozies list.
I adore the little town of Harvest where the series is set! I was a little worried when Toxic Toffee opened with Bailey on a trip to NYC, but we were quickly back home in time for the mystery to unravel. All the characters in this series are marvellous and fun even the relatively minor ones: Juliet and her polka-dot pig Jethro are always fun and, in this particular book, we get to see a more sympathetic side to both town busybodies: Margot and Ruth.
Aside from the location (beautiful), the characters (relatable) and the mystery (compelling), I really love how unique these books are. I've never read anything about the Amish community before (as a Brit, it's not something I'm even too aware of) but I thought Flower did a wonderful job. Obviously, the series is fiction, so I'm not taking anything as fact, but I love that she presents such a natural and honest feeling view of Harvest: there's good and bad to the community rules and to the individuals on both sides of the Amish/English fence. Everyone feels like a well-rounded character (even the ones that fill typical cozy mystery stereotypes).
I've loved catching up with this series and I found Toxic Toffee just as delightful as the previous three. I absolutely can't wait for the fifth book to come out (there had better be one), and I'm sure I'll read more of Flower's other books in the meantime. This is a cozy series I hope runs for many books to come.

Toxic Toffee is another fun addition to the Amish Candy Shop Mystery series. I have enjoyed all of the books and there is a great mystery to solve during Easter week in this book. It is Spring Break and lots of families head to Harvest, Ohio, for an enjoyable time at Easter Days. Chocolatier Bailey King and her cousin, Charlotte, have returned from filming a cooking show for a cable food network in New York City to find out that local event organizer, Margot, has an idea for Bailey to create a large toffee bunny for the town square and center of the events.
Bailey has a tendency to get involved with trouble, usually in the form of a murder. Her boyfriend, Deputy Aiden Brody tries to rein her in but usually unsuccessfully. Stephen Raber, rabbit farmer drops dead in front of Bailey and Margot on the town square and the sheriff department finds that he was murdered. The Amish don't like getting involved with the police so Stephen's son Eil wants Bailey to find his father's killer. Aiden is very unhappy that Eli didn't go to the police for help but finally agrees to let Bailey help when Eli refuses to talk to the police. But things get dangerous and dicey for Bailey as she does her investigation between working on the candy bunny.
These books are a lot of fun to read with the quirky and colorful characters, including a pig owned by Juliet, Aiden's mother, and other others. There are always yummy sounding candy recipes and I am happy to see that another book is in the future.
I received a complimentary ARC from Kensington Books through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed are mine only.

A charming cozy mystery giving us a glimpse of what life is like in an Amish village along with a puzzling plot and a return of some favorite characters. It's Easter time Bailey King and her cousin Charlotte have returned to Heavenly, Ohio after spending six weeks in New York filming Bailey's new tv show "Bailey's Amish Sweets". No sooner does she arrive than she is called to the town square where she meets Amish rabbit farmer Stephen Raber and is roped into making a 6 foot Easter bunny by town promoter Margot. While they are standing in the square Stephen falls down and dies, which most people think is the result of a heart attack. Meanwhile Bailey is called by Juliet Brody, the mother of her boyfriend the deputy sheriff Aiden, to report that there was a break in at the church where someone who broke in used the church kitchen to make toffee. Bailey somehow feels the two incidents are involved and is proven right when it turns out that Stephen was poisoned with toffee candy. Stephen's son, Eli, comes to Bailey and asks her to investigate his father's death, since she has solved crimes for his Amish friends and the Amish do not trust the police. He also brings her threatening letters his father has received. And although Aiden, who is the officer investigating the crime, is not happy to see Bailey once again involved, he realizes that he needs her help to delve into the Amish community and acknowledges her help. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and, as an extra bonus, learned a lot about a different way of life.