Cover Image: Courting Can Be Killer

Courting Can Be Killer

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Set in the Amish town of Harvest, Millie and her English childhood friend of 60+ Lois make an odd pair. They are determined to investigate the death of Ben, an Amish young man without family. Millie is like a relative to him and wants to ensure that his reputation is not sullied.

I really enjoy reading this and other series written by the author. This second book can be read as a standalone. Lois and Millie's characters are such opposites in some ways but their friendship continues to deepen. Lois' outgoing personality helps to embolden Millie's willingness to sleuth. It's nice to have the ties to her candy shop series, especially Deputy Aiden. I appreciated Millie and Lois' maturity. I look forward to the next book in this series!

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for an ARC. My review is voluntary.

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Millie Fisher loves helping the members of her Amish community find their perfect match. Ben Baughman, who is like a nephew to Millie, wants her help in convincing Tess Lieb’s stern father that he would make a suitable husband for Tess. Millie agrees to speak with Tobias Lieb, but before she is able to make any ground in her talks with him, tragedy strikes. Now the “Amish Marple” and her Englisch best friend Lois Henry are determined to find out the truth behind the suspicious death in Harvest, Ohio’s Amish country before anyone else becomes a victim.

This is the second book in this series and it also includes crossover characters from the author’s Amish Candy Shop series. Those who read that series will love seeing Deputy Aiden Brody lead the investigation, but it’s not necessary to read those books to be able to enjoy this one. I read the prior book in the Matchmaker series, but I would have been able to catch up on the characters even if I hadn’t. The best part of the book is the unusual and loving friendship between Millie and Lois. The two women are very different but their love and respect for each other is obvious. I love how the outspoken Lois speaks out against people who are disrespectful to Millie when Millie would feel uncomfortable doing that herself. The downside of the book is the abundance of unlikable side characters. You expect a couple in a story like this, but except for the main characters, rude and judgemental people seem to be the rule instead of the exception. This takes away from the light mood of the book and even the antics of Millie’s rambunctious goats Phillip and Peter can’t make up for it.

The plot of the book is interesting and there are more suspects than you would expect in a devout Amish community. When Millie is able to uncover the truth, I was very surprised by the final revelation. There is also an ongoing subplot involving Millie’s childhood friend Uriah Schrock. Uriah didn’t play a large part in this book, but it looks like the author was setting up a future storyline in a subsequent book and I hope Millie opens herself up to the possibility of romance. Overall, I would rate the book as 3.5 stars. I like this author and really enjoy the interesting duo of Millie and Lois. I think this book will appeal to fans of any of the author’s other series written under either Amanda Flower or Isabella Alan or fans of Laura Bradford.

I received this ebook from NetGalley through the courtesy of Kensington Books. An advance copy was provided to me at no cost, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.

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I enjoyed this book by Ms. Flower. The idea of an Amish matchmaker intrigued my interest and the story kept me reading until the end.

One thing that I like about this series is the combination of 'Amish' and 'English' characters and reading how they interact with each other. Millie and Lois are quite a duo and their relationship is one that shouldn't work but does.

It was nice to see some 'friends' from the Amish Candy Shop series. I'll be looking for the more of this series.

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How Millie and Lois can be friends with such divergent points of view makes these books so appealing, In this book matchmaker Millie is trying to help her young friend Ben with his match. Millie knows the girl's father doesn't want the match, but Ben is persistent, When a fire breaks out in the flea market where Ben is a security guard, Millie is worried for his safety, but soon learns he has died in the fire. Rumors spread that he is the one who set the fire, but Millie knows he was a hard worker and was trying to prove his worth to Tobias Lieb. Lois dubs Millie as the Amish Marple so naturally they are hot on the case. A view into a lifestyle totally alien to the average person, and a well written mystery.

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Amish, cozy-mystery, family, friendship, investigation, situational-humor, verbal-humor

Amish matchmaker Millie Fisher has moved back to her home county in Ohio after caring for her sister in Michigan. Now that they are 67, Millie and her non-Amish friend from childhood, Lois, are still great friends despite their differing lifestyles. So when a young man from the Amish community in Michigan who had moved to Ohio with Millie winds up dead in a suspicious a fire the two old friends sleuth together when not chasing Millie's goats or piecing quilts. I really enjoyed the story about a different Amish community than the ones I am familiar with, and the mystery was pretty good, too!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

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I loved this book! It is full of twists and turns and will keep you turning the pages to see what happens next. If you are looking for a good clean cozy mystery that will make you laugh out loud in spots grab this book. I loved the pet goats in this story! Thank you Kensington Books via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

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This is the second book in the match maker series.

It's a spin off from the Amish candy maker series, which also set's in Holmes County.

I’ve loved reading it.
Amanda Flower is one of my favorite authors.

It’s a wonderful story with Millie and Lois in their mysterious mischief way to solve a mystery
Deputy Aiden has to solve this mystery and keep the 2 ladies save, during their investigation.

There was a large fire at the flea market, the night watch died

Was it on purpose, an accident or ... ?

Read the book and you'll know

Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Books for this ARC

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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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I received this book from netgalley. I love a Amanda's book's, they get better and better each time. I can't wait for more of her book's.

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Enjoyed this book, it is by one of my favorite authors. I don't know if I've read a series of hers I didn't like.
I enjoy the MC and her long term friendship with a girl she grew up with. The mystery kept me guessing and of course the setting is great.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

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An Amish Matchmaker Mystery #2

In the second Amish Matchmaker Mystery by USA Today bestselling author Amanda Flower, Millie Fisher has plenty to keep her busy through her golden years, whether it’s minding a pair of rambunctious goats, meetings with her quilting circle, and matchmaking. But the witty widow always makes time to solve the odd murder…

When Millie came home from caring for her sister in Michigan her young neighbor boy follows her to Ohio. Ben Baughman left home when his father remarried and wanted to start a new family.

Ben has his own place now and has at least four jobs, all in the hope that Tess Lieb will marry him. But Tess’s father has no intention of marrying his daughter off. Instead she can go to Wyoming and live with his sister. But Tess is wily. Does she love Ben or is she using him to get away from her father?

Millie thinks it’s the latter and counsels Ben to slow down but we all know young love won’t wait.

When Ben dies in a fire at his night job, Millie is definitely grabbing Lois and finding out who did what! And lucky for her gossip is thick around town on the whys. Not so much on the who.

I love Amanda’s series. I enjoy the crossovers as well. Why shouldn’t they crossover? They all live in the same small area and know each other and while I wait for another Bailey’s Sweet's book, I can find out how she is while reading Millie’s adventures. Brilliant!

I can’t wait for the next one!

NetGalley/ December 1st, 2020 Kensington Publishing

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In this second book in the Amish Matchmaker Mystery series, we find Millie Fisher, using her skills to once again solve a murder, along with her Englisher best friend, Lois Henry.

This delightful book brings in characters from the first book, and from the author’s Amish Candy Shop series, adding to the fun of seeing these characters develop.

Always an enjoyable read about the Amish town of Harvest, Ohio and its many loveable and some, not so loveable, people. Obviously, someone is not as loveable as others think since they turn out to be a killer!!

You don’t want to miss this or any of the author’s books. Thank you to Kensington and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

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This is the second in the Amish matchmaker series. It’s a nice cross between a cozy mystery and a romance. It’s set in the same town, Harvest, as the other Amanda Flower’s series, the Amish Candy Shop mysteries. It’s fun to see the characters I know and enjoy from someone else’s perspective who lives in the town. I really liked the main character, Millie Fisher, she was fun and feisty. I highly recommend this book, 4 stars.

Thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Delightfully entertaining cozy mystery with the unique twist of being set in an Amish community with the main character being an older Amish lady in her 60's. Sleuthing with little technology and just an innate curiosity along with her childhood best friend who isn't from the Amish community keeps things fresh and realistic. This series is a spin off of the Amish candy shop series which you don't have to read to enjoy series, but you really should as you will be prolonging your enjoyment and entertainment. The town characters are all the same, you are just getting a different perspective of them from this older Amish lady than you'll get from the younger main character in the candy shop series. An intriguing twist to this Amish lady is that she is a natural "matchmaker" and that aspect of her life is woven into the stories in a fun and endearing way as well. If you haven't put this series on your cozy mystery must read list, you really should!

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Kindle Copy for Review from NetGalley and Kensington Books.

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

Millie Fischer should be enjoying her golden years as a widower minding her goats, meetings with her quilting circle and the occasional matchmaking duties. She also has a penchant for solving murders in the Amish community.

As a young Amish man sets his mind on marrying a certain girl but things do not good as her father refuses to give permission and her ex-boyfriend is still being a nuisance. Things get worse when he is found dead. Who wanted him out of the wedding picture even before it started?

Millie and her crew will get down to the facts as the maneuver the facts. Getting marrying can be a killer proposal. Even matchmaking can be a killer.

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Millie Fisher, an Old Order Amish woman, and her purple-haired, flamboyant best friend and Englischer Lois Henry are at the Harvest Village Flea Market. Lois is there to shop. Millie is there to find Ben Baughman, a young friend from her previous home in Michigan. Nineteen-year-old Ben is sweet on a young Amish woman, eighteen-year-old Tess Leib, but her father Tobias doesn’t approve of the relationship. Ben is convinced Tess is the one for him. Ben wants Millie, as the village matchmaker, to talk to Tobias on Ben’s behalf. Millie refuses; she won’t come between a child and parent. When Tess approaches Millie with the same request, Millie gives the same answer: they need to wait and see if Tobias comes around in time. Neither Tess or Ben are happy with Millie’s answer and Millie never gets the chance to talk to Ben again.
The Harvest Flea Market catches fire. After the fire is out, Ben’s body is discovered inside. Before long, rumors blaming Ben for the fire circulate in the community. Millie knows Ben wasn’t responsible for the fire and is determined to clear his name. With Lois’s help, Millie begins to investigate Ben’s death. But someone doesn’t want Millie investigating. Threats escalate until Millie finds herself face-to-face with a cold-blooded murderer.

My Thoughts
This book was a blast to read. The dialogue and actions between Millie and Lois illustrate the depth of their lifelong friendship. The humor shines through; Lois has dubbed Millie “Amish Marple.” Millie isn’t a fan, but she realizes the moniker fits.
Harvest, Ohio, is the setting for two different series. The Amish Candy Shoppe series was first set in Harvest. The Amish Matchmaker Series is a spin-off, with some characters, making appearances in both books.
I’ve read most of Flowers’ books (fangirling alert) and I think Courting Can Be Killer is one of her best books yet. The characters are well-developed, the dialogue zings, the humor is the right amount for a murder mystery, and the who-dun-it and why remains a puzzle until the end.

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A fire at an Amish market ends in one mans death. Millie’s quilting circle was selling their wares at the market, but the fire takes more than that. Ben, a sort of nephew to Millie, was found dead. He had been working four jobs - was he just overtired and fell asleep or was it murder? With the help of her English friend, Millie is going to solve the mystery. With a cozy setting, adorable pet goats and a mystery to solve this is a fine example of a cozy mystery and a series that keeps readers coming back for more with the compelling characters!

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I received a copy of Courting Can Be Killer through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Courting Can Be Killer is the second installment of the Amish Matchmaker Mystery series. In this mystery, Millie, an Amish matchmaker, and Lois, her Englischer friend, find themselves in the middle of investigating a fire and a death.

I have read all of Amanda Flower’s Amish mystery series, this series and the Amish Candy Shop series, which are both set in the same town of Harvest and have interwoven characters, and I have loved every book. Courting Can Be Killer is no exception. I love the Harvest town setting, the quaint town and all of their festivals, the characters, and the Amish and Englisch relationships. Reading these cozy mysteries makes me want to jump into Millie’s world and see Harvest for myself. I loved this book and look forward to seeing future installments in this series. I would definitely recommend this series if you are looking for a fun, cozy mystery that is entertaining and light hearted.

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Courting Can Be Killer is the second installment in the An Amish Matchmaker Mystery series set in Harvest, Ohio and featuring matchmaker, Millie Fisher and her Englischer best friend, Lois Henry. It's Fall in Harvest and the tourists have flocked to town to enjoy the apples, foliage and the Harvest Village Flea Market where Millie's quilting group, Double Stitch has a booth for the first time.

Millie is concerned about her "adopted" nephew, Ben Baughman who has recently moved to Harvest from Michigan. Ben has his sights set on courting and eventually marrying Tess Lieb. Unfortunately, Tess's father, Tobias does not like the young man and instead is threatening to send his daughter to to Wisconsin to become a nanny for his sister. Ben isn't giving up and instead is working three jobs in order to prove his worth. One of Ben's jobs is working security at the Flea Market where numerous thefts have been reported. A roaring overnight fire destroys the venue and sadly Ben perishes in the blaze.

Rumors swirl that Ben had intentionally set the blaze, that he was a drug addict and a thief but Millie knows better and she and Lois set out to track down a killer. But someone is determined that Millie is going to be the next victim and she needs to act fast.

A fast paced mystery filled with likable characters and a delightful goat duo. The author does a fantastic job of drawing the reader into the Amish community and giving insight into how different the Amish and English live. A delightful friendship and the hint of a possible romance for Millie will keep you turning the pages.

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Millie and her childhood best friend Lois have taken up where they left off years ago and are enjoying their time together. Millie is also continuing her involvement in her quilting circle. The group has started to sell their creations at the local Framer’s Market.

A young man that Millie lived in while caring for her sister has moved to Harvest. Ben quickly began courting a local woman, Tess and the two want to marry. Tess’ father does not approve of the courtship and is doing his best to break-up the couple. Sadly, he gets his wish when Ben dies in a fire at the Farmer’s Market where he worked nights. When the fire appears suspicious Millie begins to wonder if Ben’s death was intentional.

With the help of her best friend and her quilting circle, Millie turns detective and comes up with a list of suspects. After she is threatened at her home Millie knows she is getting close to learning the truth.

This is the second book in the Amish Matchmaker Mystery series. I enjoyed the first book and was excited to move right into this book. I enjoy the characters and find them to be well-developed. Lois is a great comic foil to Millie’s conservative personality. The setting is a typical smalltwon with an Amish community. This story moves at a good pace. It is easy to become engrossed in the action and hard to put down. I recommend this book. It can stand alone, but I like to read a series in order.

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