Cover Image: Toxic Toffee

Toxic Toffee

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Member Reviews

Enjoyed this book and its setting in Amish community. Great cozy mystery with a story line full of twists, turns and anticipation. Thank you Amanda Flower for this lovely book and I look forward to reading more.

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I really love this book being set in Amish County. This is a great cozy mystery, with a storyline full of twists, turns and anticipation. This is the first book I’ve read by Amanda Flower and I look forward to reading more.

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What a treat to spend time with the residents of Harvest, Ohio. Bailey King is in the thick of it - again. She has just returned from six weeks working on her tv show and escorting her young cousin, Charlotte, embarking on her rumspringa, seeing the English world before she decides if she will remain Amish. New York sure is an eye opener for her and she is loving every moment while she helps Bailey as her kitchen assistant. Just as she and Bailey are getting ready to leave the Big Apple, Bailey gets a call from back home. How can a rabbit cause so much stress? It can when Bailey gets home and is asked by Margot to create one for the upcoming Easter festivities. Now that can't be any big deal for a very talented chocolatier. Chocolate Easter bunnies are in every Easter display and basket, right? Yes, but.....this rabbit is to be made of toffee and is to be of a height and size to rival the famous Harvey! Think the largest confection rabbit in the country, like 6 - 8 feet tall. Margot is thinking big and has no doubt at all that Bailey can make it happen. While Bailey is standing there, stunned at the project that has been thrust upon her, death makes an unwelcome appearance. Right in front of Margot and Bailey, in the middle of their conversation with Stephen Raber, rabbit farmer, he keels over, dead. Just like that. The assumption is heart attack but it turns out to have been poison in some toffee.
Bailey would much prefer to stay out of any investigation. After all, she has to create the giant bunny rabbit and time is running short. However, just as Stephen breathed his last, he thrust his pet rabbit, Puff, into Bailey's arms and then his son asks her to take care of him. Add that to the fact that she and Margot were front and center witnesses to his demise and toffee is involved. No words from her policeman boyfriend will keep her out of the investigation. She does, after all, have a certain talent in unraveling such puzzles. This puzzle has been simmering for decades and somebody is willing to go to great lengths to keep secrets. If Bailey isn't on her top game, the killer may just focus on her and prevent her from ever saying 'I do' to Aiden if he ever gets around to popping the question, that is. (As far as his mother is concerned, it's a done deal.)
This series is one that never fails to cheer me up and make me laugh. From the locals and their animals - besides Puff the bunny, we enjoy the presence of Jethro, the black and white polka dotted pig. Gotta love Jethro, the comfort pig. The mystery is always satisfying and now I'm looking forward to the next entry.
My thanks to the publisher, Kensington and to NetGalley, for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

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Toxic Toffee is the fourth book in The Amish Candy Store Mystery series. I always love reading about chocolate and this book didn't disappoint. I will go back and read the first three so I can have better background knowledge of the characters. Too bad Swissman Sweets is only in a book, I would love to visit it one day.

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Princess Fuzzypants here: Bailey King straddles the Amish and English world in her small Ohio town. A chocolatier of note, she left the Big Apple behind to take over the sweet shop her Amish grandparents owned when her grandfather died. She has a tv show filmed in NYC so she is able to have it all, including a very dishy cop boyfriend.
Her trouble begin when she’s asked to build an 8 foot toffee rabbit for an Easter celebration. When a well respected Amish man with the sweetest house bunny dies in front of her, she becomes guardian to Puff and becomes embroiled in the search for his killer. The Amish habit of keeping to themselves does not help the investigation so before long she has lots of suspects and very little fact. But clearly she has uncovered something because somebody is willing to hurt her to keep their secret.
The combination of small town life with the Amish characters makes this an interesting series. I do like Bailey as she has respect for both cultures and straddles them better than any other character. I love how she becomes attached to the bunny and how her kitty, Nutmeg, befriends her. Like my own sisters who were cat and rabbit, they are cabbits. It was also an exciting mystery that had enough twists to keep me guessing to the end.
This will be a good vacation choice. I give it five purrs and two paws up.

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Bailey King returned home to Harvest after being in NYC to take a cooking show on Amish sweets. Immediately she is drawn into planning and making Easter candies and a 6 ft plus toffee Easter bunny for the square. And of course, a murder. As always, the story is well done and the characters are charming. The murderer was a tad evident, but not how it was done or all those involved. A fun and interesting read!

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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.

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Bailey, Aiden, and the rest of the village of Harvest Ohio return in Toxic Toffee, the fourth in the Amish Candy Shop cozy mystery series.

It’s a week before Easter when the village’s self-appointed marketer, Margot, convinces chocolatier Bailey to make a six foot toffee bunny for the town square. Margot had also arranged for Stephen Raber to bring several rabbits to form a petting zoo. Stephen has a pet bunny named Puff that he treats like a child. When Stephen drops dead on the square, most assume it was his weak heart. However, the coroner determines he was poisoned by a piece of toffee that contained Lily of the Valley. When Stephen’s son Eli asks for Bailey to investigate, he also drops off Puff. How can she refuse either request?

It always seems like I’m catching up with old friends when I’m reading a book in this series. In Toxic Toffee, Bailey reaches even deeper into Amish culture by attending a quilting circle, talking to a matchmaker, and discovering how people who leave the faith survive in the modern world.

The mystery was great. The murderer’s identity was a complete surprise to me. Overall, another great book in an excellent series. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars!

Thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

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Toxic Toffee is the latest installment in the Amish candy shoppe series. As always I loved it. I am never disappointed by a new Amanda Flower story. The characters are interesting and the plot is eady to follow. I love the setting. As a Amish reader for many years I can say this series is some of my all time favorites. I look forward to the next installment. Thanks to netgalley and Kensington for the arc, the opinions are my own.

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Toxic Toffee by Amanda Flower finds us back in Harvest, Ohio at Easter time. Bailey and Charlotte have just returned home from New York were Bailey was filming her upcoming cooking show. And they arrive back at Swissmen Sweets at the best possible time to help with the Easter candy rush.

Easter festivities have brought tourists and shoppers to Harvest, while Bailey is tasked with a making a giant toffee rabbit. In the middle of the town's green space, a rabbit farmer has set up and unfortunately, meets his untimely demise. Bailey takes on the murder case as well as Mr. Raber's favorite rabbit, puff.

This is a sweet addition to the Amish Candy Shop mystery series. The action is fast paced and the characters are heart-warming. A terrific read!

I was given this book from the publisher for my honest review.

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This was a lovely new addition to the Amish Candy Shoppe series! These are sweet mysteries set in a lovable village. The characters (both two-legged and four-legged) are interesting and quirky, and the storyline pulls in a lot of interesting concepts from Amish culture.

Now, I do wish either Bailey or Aiden would have a little chat with Juliet... even I want to cross the street to avoid her, bless her heart. But between budding romance, Easter bunnies, and a couple of interesting surprises at the end, this is another great story. I was especially delighted o see that my favorite new character from this book is going to be the focus of Amanda Flower’s next series and I can’t wait to dig into that one too! 4.5 stars!

Thanks to Net Galley and Kensington Books for a digital review copy of this title.

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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.
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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 . . .

This was a fun and cute mystery read, though I think an April publishing date may have been more appropriate than June. I was in suspense until the very end.

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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.

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Adorable, if you can say that about a murder mystery. The addition of Puff to the series was just the right touch.

Amanda Flower writes with such knowledge of the Amish and does a fantastic job of making the reader feel apart of Harvest, Ohio. You can almost smell and taste the chocolate creations from Swissmen Sweets.

Toxic Toffee is perfectly paced and the red herrings are perfectly spaced throughout. A wonderfully entertaining read.

I received a complimentary copy from Kensington through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.

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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.

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Another excellent edition to a wonderful series! Full of twists and turns that leaves you wanting more and enjoying each moment until the end when the killer is caught!

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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.

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This is the fourth book in the Amish Candy series. Set at Easter time, Bailey King has been commissioned to make an eight-foot tall Easter toffee and chocolate Easter bunny to be displayed in the town square. Before she can create the massive confection, congenial Amish rabbit farmer Stephen Raber dies of an apparent heart attack. Bailey takes in his pet rabbit "Puff" when his son Eli is trying to sort things out. But when the coroner's toxicology report comes in, everyone is surprised to learn that he had been poisoned by a Lily-of-the Valley flower. Everyone that is, except the killer.
This series is very enjoyable to read, mainly because it is so well-written and Bailey's character has continued to mature and develop. The book can be read as a standalone but it is helpful to get to know the characters from the beginning of the series. There is a good explanation of Amish culture and customs; relationships between families, especially when the children become adolescents and old enough to begin the "courting" process. I won't be a spoiler but this process plays an important role in the mystery itself. I didn't guess the killer's identity until the very end. One criticism I have is the crawling pace of the relationship between Bailey and Deputy Aiden. They still have not been on a date but his mother is constantly pestering them about when their wedding will be. While I don't want the romance to overtake the mystery plot, I'd like to see something moving in that scenario. Overall, it was a very good read and definitely earned the five star rating!

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for an advance digital copy of this book. My review is voluntary

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Toxic Toffee is the 4th book in the beloved "Amish Candy Shop Series" by talented author Amanda Flower. Ms. Flower is one of my all time favorite cozy authors and I have read the previous books in the series. This is a top favorite cozy series of mine as each book is more delightful and entertaining. I highly recommend this series . Thank you to both Net Galley and to the publisher for the opportunity. My happy opinion is my own. Each book can be read a a stand alone.

As Toxic Toffee begins Bailey is returning home to charming Amish town of Harvest Ohio after filming her cooking show in New York.
Soon after her arrival one of the town's busybodies Margot Rawlings insist that Bailey start making a very large toffee rabbit for Easter Days which is a important town event and loved by the community. She also insist the rabbit be six feet tall.
Stephen Raber, owner of Raber’s Rabbit farm and a friend of Bailey's dies.. It is determined he was poisoned and Eli Raber, the victim’s son, wants Bailey to find the killer. He was beloved by the Amish community and everyone is shocked by his murder. Bailey has a reputation for solving crimes and mysteries in the town. Bailey agrees to take on the sleuth even with the massive project ahead of her for the Easter event. He also gives Bailey his Father's pet rabbit . The rabbit joins the always comical polka dotted pig Jetro featured as charming animals with great descriptions of their antics that add humor to the story.
The charcter of Juliet is back and she is pushing Bailey to marry her boyfriend Aiden while Bailey reminds her they are not engaged quite yet. Juliet is the owner of Jetro and adds her own charm and humor as a fun colorful pushy charcter. Bailey’s grandmother, Clara is the calm voice of reason and a endearing charcter who is wonderful. Clara runs the traditional Amish candy shop and I adore the descriptions of the shop, the candy and of Clara. The descriptions of the Amish town are done to perfection.
Part of the charm of this series is the author's magical way of creating such outstanding interesting charcters that feel like old friends and are endearing to the reader.
The mystery was quite intriguing with non stop twist and turns that kept me guessing. I was pleasingly surprised by the conclusion and enjoyed the chase of the clues. Bailey is a favorite cozy charcter and always interesting, She is a savvy sleuth and kind person always thinking of others. Toxic Toffee is a charming Amish cozy mystery that is so charming and endearing. I absolutely loved it .! Well done to the author.

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Thank you @netgalley and @kensigntonbooks for the review copy of this cozy mystery. All opinions are my own.

Amish Candy Shop Mystery #4! This story picks up right where the novella, Criminally Cocoa, left off. Bailey has just returned to Harvest, Ohio after spending a few weeks in NY filming episodes for her new TV show. The quaint little Amish village is preparing for an Easter festival and Bailey has been tasked with carving a recording breaking bunny out of chocolate and toffee. Unfortunatley, toffee seems to be tainted when a beloved bunny farmer suddenly kills over in the town square. Bailey uncovers quite a few troubled secrets when she begins investigating his death.

I just adore this series. The mystery is always so well done and the clues are paced perfectly. Sybil was an interesting new character that introduced an intriguing storyline about Amish who wish to leave the faith. I’ve never considered the extra challenges that are involved in this hard decision. I also really loved Millie and her special skills. I see that she will be getting her own series later this year -An Amish Matchmaker Mystery. Book 1 is called Matchmaking Can Be Murder!!

Jethro, the beloved pig, has always been one of my favorite characters throughout this fun series. However, Puff is a great addition to the cast. I wouldn’t be a proper Easter book without an adorable cute bunny especially one that cuddles with a sweet kitten.

The ending definitley left me smiling. Can’t wait to see how the series continues. The book includes a toffee recipe at the end.

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