Candy Cane Crime by Amanda Flower is charming cozy mystery novella. It is book 5.5 in An Amish Candy Shop Mystery series. It can be read as a standalone if you are new to the series, but I highly recommend this charming series. This story is told from Charlotte’s point-of-view (Bailey King’s cousin). I like getting to know Charlotte better and seeing things from her perspective. Charlotte was raised Amish, but she is not sure if she wishes to become baptized or not. I love the characters in this series. They are just delightful. They are developed and continue to evolve along with the series. The mysteries in Candy Cane Crime were simple, but they suited this short novella and went with the theme of the book. I was especially interested in learning the identity of Charlotte’s secret admirer. The story has a sweet ending. Candy Cane Crime is a cute, lighthearted story that was enjoyable to read. It was over far too soon. I am looking forward to Lemon Drop Dead. Candy Cane Crime is a cozy Christmas tale with secret admirer sleuthing, a proliferation of peppermint, a precocious pig, and Christmas cheer.

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!

Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

Ok I will be honest, I grabbed this book because of the adorable pig on the cover. I mean it’s a piglet!! But I am really glad I did.

The story is very sweet. The “mystery” isn’t a who-dun-it type mystery. This is part of the Amish Candy Shop series so there is a sweet romance but nothing that goes too far beyond the sweetness of the candy shop.

Sweet story wrapped around the holiday.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Sweet, Christmas themed novella using the characters from Amish Candy Shop, but told in the voice of Charlotte Weaver, a young Amish girl who works at the candy shop. As Bailey is overloaded and stressed with all the extra orders for the candy shop, Charlotte agrees to coordinate a candy cane exchange to raise money for costumes for the Christmas pageant. Having a project to call her own is thrilling, but it comes with its own set of problems.

Another novella with Charlotte as the main character. She, Clara, and Emily (Bailey is in New York) are trying their hardest to keep up with the influx of candy orders that Bailey’s Amish Sweets has brought them. Then Margot comes looking for someone to head-up the candy cane exchange fundraiser. Charlotte agrees to take this on because she’s eager for more responsibility at Swissmen Sweets and she believes this will prove such to Clara and Bailey. Charlotte takes her fundraising duties very seriously and even finds an admirer of her own in the process. This is fun, quick read, an enjoyable way to spend a few hours on a Sunday afternoon.

I know Bailey is the main character but I really think it should be Charlotte. I love her character. This quick novella really highlights Charlotte and shows her character growing. I am already itching to read the next book to continue with Charlotte's big decision (no spoiler here as the blurb from the publisher mentions she has a decision to make).

Whether you have read the series from the beginning or are thinking about reading it I would hurry and pick up a copy of this novella. It is perfect for a cold night of staying in.

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

CANDY CANE CRIME, the third novella in the Amish Candy Shop Mystery Series (with five regular length novels to date), is a sweet, holiday story told from the usual series’ protagonist Bailey’s cousin Charlotte’s perspective. It gives readers a wonderful chance to get to know her better.

Charlotte volunteers to oversee the village’s Candy Cane Exchange fundraiser, collecting money and readying the notes/candy for Christmas Eve deliveries. She is shocked to find some of them addressed to her from a secret admirer, and she really wants to figure out who is sending them. Could they be from an Amish man at the market? The candy shop’s vile next door neighbor? Someone else? Or is it all some kind of terrible joke?

I think this little ditty sets Charlotte up to finally make some serious life decisions soon. After all, she is twenty-two years old, far past the age young Amish adults are either baptized into the church or leave the church to live their lives as Englisch. I am anxious to see what she chooses. Since this is a novella and not a full length novel, there is not much character development (however, series readers already know all of the characters) nor a complicated plot. I knew who Charlotte’s secret admirer was from the first missive. Still, it hits the spot for those craving more of the Amish Candy Shop world and a Christmas theme.

I really enjoyed CANDY CANE CRIME. Recommended.

I received an ARC of this title from the author and Kensington Publishers and voluntarily shared my thoughts here.

I so enjoy these cute short stories which involve Cousin Charlotte. They are whodunnits but they do not involve murder.

Charlotte steps in to be in charge of a candy cane exchange when Bailey King has too much on her plate to do it. Charlotte takes it very seriously, indeed. It is the first time this sweet Amish young woman has done anything of this magnitude.

She is shocked to find some of the sweet notes included with the candy canes are addressed to you. She can’t stop until she finds out who her secret admirer is.

Along the way, another crime is discovered and Charlotte works with Sheriff Deputy Luke Little to solve it as well.

I was provided a digital advance reader copy of this book by the publisher via Netgalley.

Candy Cane Crime by Amanda Flower is a novella featuring Swissman Sweets but with Bailey in New York most of the time so the book revolves around Charlotte who has volunteered to be responsible for the Candy Cane Exchange, wherein for a dollar one can purchase a candy cane, attach a note to it, and have it deliver on Christmas Eve. The delivery will be done by the church youth, but the rest is up to Charlotte, including the retrieval of the notes and dollars from a drop shaped like a candy cane, which is the middle of the town square.

The fun begins when Charlotte discovers a note addressed to herself from . . . a secret admirer. Who could it be?
This is an absolutely charming book and perfect for Christmas. While Charlotte is trying to figure out who her secret admirer is, she falls upon another mystery. It seems someone is helping themselves to some of the dollars in the box. To keep from being discovered, they are taking notes, too. Charlotte has worked with Bailey enough to know how to handle this and she has help: Uriah Schrock, the older Amish man who shovels the snow in the square. He is an amusing character as are the three possible "secret admirers": Bernard Lapp, a young Amish man, Deputy Luke, or Abel Esh (God forbid!) Jethro, the pig, is involved as well, Turns out he loves snow. This is a fun read. I recommend it.

I was invited to read a free ARC of Candy Cane Crime by Netgalley. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #candycanecrime

Candy Cane Crime by Amanda Flower is an easy to read novella that is part of the An Amish Candy Shop Mystery series.
Bailey is due in New York City to tape for her upcoming TV show but, Margot again has cornered her for yet another project. This one is a fund raiser for the Christmas pageant. You write a message to be attached to a candy cane, pay a fee and the candy cane is delivered on Christmas Eve. There is no possible way Bailey can find time to handle the project so Cousin Charlotte volunteers to handle it. Much to Charlotte's surprise. she comes across a note for her and it is signed "Your Secret Admirer"! Does she have a secret admirer or is someone playing a joke on her. Charlotte sets out to find out.
The story has a great setting and loveable characters, a hint of romance and humor. It's a great Christmas read.
There is also a recipe included.
I was given an ARC by Kensington and NetGalley for an honest review.

This was so much fun to read. I really enjoy these short books that keep me in touch was with this series. This book features Bailey's cousin Charlotte. Charlotte is in charge of the candy cane exchange. There's no murder in this book but there is a crime and Charlotte must figure out who her secret admirer is!. I highly recommend this book and series.

This novella is part of Flower's Amish Candy Shop Mystery series, so the characters will be familiar. However, it can be read as a standalone. This story focuses on Charlotte, Bailey's Amish cousin.

I really enjoyed the Christmas theme, as well as the candy cane exchange. It's a fun, quick read with a solid mystery. The story contained enough twists to keep the reader guessing. I did figure out Charlotte's secret admirer before the reveal, but that didn't take away from the enjoyment of the story. I'm glad Jethro made an appearance, as well. His character always makes me smile! Flower's latest is the perfect read to get you in the holiday mood.

Candy Cane Crime is a novella (5.5) in Amanda Flower’s Amish Candy Shop Mystery series. This fun Christmas themed novella is told from the perspective of Bailey’s Amish cousin, Charlotte.

It’s Christmastime in Harvest, Ohio, and thanks to Bailey King’s television show, Bailey’s Amish Sweets, online and in-person orders have dramatically increased for her family’s candy shop, Swissmen Sweets. Margot Rawling, the town’s super organizer who has marketing down to a science, is currently promoting a Candy Cane Exchange, tries to enlist Bailey’s help. When Bailey is adamant that she doesn’t have time, her Amish cousin, Charlotte, who’s still conflicted about her future, volunteers to collect the notes and attach them to candy canes for delivery on Christmas Eve. Charlotte enjoys the responsibility and is quite surprised when she finds one addressed to her. The number of notes addressed to her increases, all signed by a “secret admirer,” and Charlotte wonders if someone is interested in her or playing a cruel prank on her.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

Candy Cane Crime is part of the Amish Candy Shop mysteries and is told by Bailey's cousin Charlotte, a young Amish woman struggling with her decision to join the church. It is Christmastime and Bailey is busy with her successful new TV show and her rapidly growing business at the candy shop. When asked to manage the town's candy cane exchange, a fundraiser for new costumes for the nativity play, Bailey must say no, but Charlotte willingly steps in. Townspeople order candy canes by placing money and a note for the recipient of the cane in a box, which Charlotte must then collect and attach the note to the a candy cane. While collecting the notes, Charlotte realizes a few of them are for her! The mystery unfolds as Charlotte tries to figure out who could be her secret admirer. As Charlotte is "staking out" the candy cane box, she observes a theft taking place and assists with capturing the thief, and in the process the identity of her admirer is revealed.

This book is a delightful addition to the Amish Candy Shop series and is a quick, enjoyable read. It is interesting to see the story unfold from Charlotte's viewpoint, as well as her struggle with the decision to join the church or not. Regardless of the story, you always look forward to going back to Harvest and visiting with Bailey, her family and friends.

Many thanks to Kensington and NetGalley for the ARC to review.

Its nearly Christmas in Harvest. When Bailey is too busy to help with a local fundraiser Charlotte takes on the job. The last thing she expects is to be the recipient of one of the candy canes Who sent it? And why? Her mind is going in a million directions and added to it all she's still uncertain about being Amish.. Will she ever learn who her secret admire is? She sets up a stake out to see who it is but once she learns how will she handle things? A great read and another great one in this series

This was a delightful Christmas themed story set in the Amish Candy Shop Mystery series. But this time, main character Bailey only has a cameo appearance. Her cousin, Charlotte, takes center stage as she is tasked with coordinating the Candy Cane fundraiser for the town. As she collects notes left in the drop box, she is to attach each to a festive candy cane, for delivery on Christmas Eve. But to her surprise, there are notes addressed to her from a Secret Admirer. She decides she has to find out who this is...real or a foolish prank. I love how this author can change the feel of her story line just by switching characters and their point of view. It was fun getting to know more about Charlotte. Disclosure: I am voluntarily reviewing this book and all opinions are strictly my own.

This novella is a fun way to get into the Christmas spirit where the snow is glistening in Harvest, Ohio and everyone is getting ready for the annual Christmas parade and pageant, both the Amish and Englisch. Bailey King, who helps her Amish Maami Clara King run Swissmen Sweets Amish Candy Shop and has her own television show, is off to New York City to do a promotion for her show. Town event planner Margot Rawlings has an event planned to raise money for new pageant costumes. The Candy Cane Exchange is an event where people drop off an envelope in a box in the town square with a dollar and a message for someone to be delivered to that person on Christmas Eve by the church youth group. Since Bailey is busy, Clara's young Amish cousin Charlotte, who works at the shop, volunteers for the job and is excited to have the responsibility.
Things are really busy and the Christmas spirit is high as townspeople drop off their money and a message. Charlotte is enjoying the work until she starts receiving messages to be delivered with a candy cane for her from a secret admirer. Who could it be? She cannot stand the suspense. Prank or sincere? Amish or Englisch? Charlotte is Amish but hasn't been baptized and is not sure if she wants to stay Amish or leave the church. So much for Charlotte to think about. It is fun to read more about Charlotte in this fun, quick holiday read.
I received a complimentary ARC from Kensington Books through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine only.

This is a novella length Amish characters cosy mystery book. I enjoyed the straight mystery with no murder taking place. Seasonally themed for Christmas this book had all the charm you could ask for plus a candy shop filled with Christmas candies,falling snow and a fun candy cane exchange.
A fun plot and characters I enjoyed getting to know.
I look forward to reading the rest of the books in this series.

Pub Date 06 Oct 2020 by Kensington Books
I was given a complimentary copy. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

4 stars

This is the 5.5 book in the Amish Candy Shop Mystery series by Amanda Flower.

It was sweet and had a great storyline. But I wish there had been more. More feelings on Charlotte’s part and more involvement in the Deputy’s part. This just didn’t feel complete to me and Charlotte’s acceptance of Deputy Luke in the end was just too quickly wrapped up in my opinion.

Great mystery aspects but not enough of a story to satisfy me. Plus, I was not a fan of the lady who was trying to force Bailey to take on added responsibilities during Christmas when she knew the candy shop was already slammed. Charlotte took on the Candy Cane Exchange to help out Bailey but even after that there was no appreciation for their involvement in the endeavor. Not very nice, if you ask me. I wish there had been more Christmas spirit too. I just felt bummed out by this story in the end.

I think this book had a lot of promise to be a much more involved story but the story stopped just as it was getting interesting. I wish they had added this section to a murder mystery. I feel like the missing murder aspect doesn’t really make this a cozy mystery. It is just a story set in this Amish world about a couple finding first love. The romance was excellent and sweet. The setting was well described during the snowy Christmas season. This had a lot of great qualities. But as novella go, you never get enough of what you want.

If you like Amish cozy mysteries, definitely check this one out.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

When Margot (the town Event Planner), tries to rope Bailey into managing the town's Candy Cane Exchange, Bailey's just too busy. Cousin Charlotte steps in and offers to take care of everything. She's super excited to be handling such an important job and is having a lot of with it. Until she finds cards addressed to her from a Secret Admirer.

Charlotte has no idea who her admirer could be. But she's determined to get to the bottom of the mystery. She may just need Deputy Luke's help to figure things out.

A very sweet Christmas novella set in the Amish Candy Shop Mystery series. It's perfect reading for curling up in your favorite reading chair while drinking a mug of peppermint hot chocolate.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor.