The Vintage Secrets Mysteries Book 3.

Tally and Yolanda use their observation and listening skills to figure out who is smuggling jade through plastic candy replicas and who is responsible for all the burglaries around town.

This book felt like a stand-alone book. It didn’t allude to prior relationships or events the characters participated in together. I didn’t really connect with the characters because they seemed so flat. There wasn’t much to the plot either. The story did get a little exciting at the end and the author did add some historical details about the town throughout the book which were interesting. There is a recipe for Clark Bars at the end of the book. I’m assuming it is one of the candies sold in Tally’s candy shop. If you need an easy, lighthearted read, you will enjoy this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Revenge Is Sweet, Deadly Sweet Tooth and Into the Sweet Hereafter by Kaye George are the first three books of the cozy Vintage Sweets Mysteries series. Each book of the series does contain it’s own mystery to be solved so they can be read as a standalone or in any order if choosing to do so. There is however some character development that carries over from book to book for those that read the series from the beginning.

The Vintage Sweets Mysteries series features Tally Holt who owns Tally’s Olde Tyme Sweets in Fredericksburg, Texas where she recreates her grandmother’s old recipes. Tally is good friends with the owner of the shop next door, Bella’s Baskets, Yolanda Bella. Tally and Yolanda’s first adventure in nabbing a murderer came when Tally found a body in her kitchen that had been stabbed with Yolanda’s scissors so of course they need to cross themselves off the suspect list. From the on Tally and Bella have had to again and again track down murderers in the quaint town.

The Vintage Sweets Mysteries series is another cozy mystery series that really seems to have all the things I could ask for in a mystery series but yet I still found myself walking away thinking just that was alright. There was just a spark missing that really pulls me into loving cozy series and I thought perhaps it was just having more characters and shorter stories that didn’t give a lot of chance for depth but even after reading the first three I just wasn’t wowed and that the were just ok mysteries.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Loved reading this book and author. If you haven't read it yet I highly recommend her books. Enjoy reading this book

I didn't like or dislike this book. Form me, it was just okay. I found Tally incredibly annoying in this book and there were just too many little things going on. I love the setting and I love the idea of a vintage candy shop, the rest was just ho hum for me.

Honestly if I had remembered the previous two books in the series, I would not have chosen to read this one. Since I did have it, I decided to give the series another change. This book shows great improvement. Yolanda and Tally might as well combine their two shops into one as neither stands out much on its own. Tally is less of a pushover than before, but there is still room for character development. The series could use a few more improvements in the overall flow of the story line. I am encouraged by the advances from the previous two books.

Into the Sweet Hereafter is the third book in the “Vintage Sweets Mysteries” series. Tally a candy maker, and Yolanda a gift basket creator have another mystery on their hands, and before long, a body. When someone breaks into a window display and steals plastic replicas of Tally's candy, it makes no sense until they discover that the plastic candy held valuable Jade hidden inside.

Like most people, I enjoy a cozy where there is yummy food, especially candy, a great love interest, and a well-written who-dun-it with plenty of suspects and red herrings. But it takes more than these things to make a good book. It also takes characters that readers enjoy reading about, little to no confusion about what the main characters are doing, and a mystery that has the elements needed to keep people guessing, the who, what, where, how, and why, if you will. This book, and the series in general, hit on these needed aspects sometimes, but they miss more often than not on some of the more important details. In this instance, there's a little of both, hits on some, misses on others.

There are times throughout this book that readers may not know what is going on or who and what the characters are talking about. Tally makes vintage candy, and Yolanda creates gift baskets for all occasions in their individual shops, but a few times, I couldn’t tell the difference. Neither girl’s shop played a big enough role. There is too much repetition throughout the story as they go back and forth between the two main characters describing and speculating, as well as retelling the same information separately. There is not enough investigating, with characters and suspects that are sort of in the background and yet not a part of the overall intrigue, and there is no secret about who the culprit is; this is plain from the very beginning. Although, this book was better than the first one, Into the Sweet Hereafter leaves a lot to be desired.

However, if readers can get past the redundancies, the unnecessary doublespeak, the lack of any real mystery, and the characters who jump to conclusions faster than a speeding bullet, they may find that they enjoy this short read. The baskets Yolanda design always sound beautiful, Tally’s candy is described deliciously with recipes in the back, and a few of the characters such as Lisa, Molly, and Mrs. Greg are worth the time spent reading this book.

Another excellent addition to this excellent story.
It's fast paces, full of twists and turns and it kept me guessing till the end.
I was happy to catch up with the well though and likable characters and loved the complex mystery.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Tally Holt’s handmade vintage candy shop is practically next door to her best friend’s gift basket store. Cross promotion is a no-brainer. Yolanda designs a basket for the window display, using replica candies. They are supposed to be eco-friendly but seem to be melting in the hot Texas sun, faster than the real candies would to.

There have been a number of robberies around town, some storefronts, some homes. So far, small items have been taken but it’s unnerving. When Yolanda’s store window is broken and the only missing item is the replica candies, neither of them can figure out why someone would risk jail time for candy they can’t even eat.

In the meantime, two strangers are in town, befriending or threatening Tally’s landlady. Things seem to be okay but the unexplained bruises say otherwise. A neighborhood watch program acts more suspiciously than would be thieves. Tally’s puzzled as to why they won’t accept new members and want to meet in secret.

Tally’s brother is back, maybe interested in a former but short term girlfriend. Her parents are traveling with their song and dance routines but running into all kinds of complications while bouncing from continent to continent. Yolanda’s sister is getting married but has been disowned by her parents so that’s not going smoothly. At least Tally’s employees are staying calm, mostly.

For a sweet tale about vintage sweets, a huge Maine Coon cat, and a few robberies and a murder or two, this is where to start. Find a recipe for Clark bars at the back of the book.

Fun read which ignited by sweet tooth and my desire to return to Texas. The younger crowd will find the characters more appealing.

It wasn’t until I started reading this that I realized this was book 3 and I haven’t read the other 2 books. So I would say it would’ve helped a bit to read the earlier books, but only to help understand and “know” the characters, but it didn’t hinder being able to follow along with the events in this book.

But all that aside, this was an enjoyable and light cozy mystery. I enjoyed the plot; smuggling and burglary isn’t one I usually see in a cozy, so it was a nice change and added lots of intrigue. The change in viewpoints wasn’t confusing at all, I didn’t find it difficult to switch between Tally and Yo, as it was very well delinated and the “tone” did change well enough that you could tell them apart.

What I liked best is you knew the who but not the how, so it was great fun following Yolanda and Tilly as they followed the clues and the ending made for a satisfying read.

I’ll go back and read the first two books at some point, and I’m looking forward to spending more time in Fredricksburg, TX with the gang.

Princess Fuzzypants here: I may be accused of being a tad biased over a series that features a handsome Maine Coon named Nigel. But I don’t think so. The fact is we get stories filled with a variety of interesting characters where even the quirkier ones do not turn into a parody, which includes Tally’s parents and landlady. Tally grew up following her parents who performed and continue to perform around the world. So when she put down roots, she made sure they were rock solid. They include her best friend who owns the shop adjacent to her own and her boyfriend who is a detective.

This story revolves around the illegal smuggling of Red Jade. There are locals involved in this crime and some of them very close to Tally and her friends. Trying to determine who is and isn’t involved is both dangerous and complicated. But both Tally and her friend Yolanda are involved whether they like it or not. But here is a heroine who acknowledges the dangers, tries to avoid them and keeps her cop boyfriend informed about anything she learns. No eye-rolling stupidly here. Tally is smart and sharp and did I mention Nigel.

It was a story with so many layers and twists that it kept me guessing until the final reveals. Five purrs and two paws up.

A very well written and entertaining cozy mystery. Great plot and character dynamics. Mystery fans will love this book.

Although this is the third instalment in the Vintage Sweets Mysteries series, it is my first. Tally Holt is a vintage sweet shop proprietor who set herself up in business specialising in her grandmother’s delicious recipes, including fudge, candy, frosted cake and taffy (similar to toffee). She runs Tally’s Old Tyme Sweets in Fredericksburg, Texas, a charming tourist town. Bella's Baskets owned by her best friend, Yolanda Bella is next door and the friends help promote each other's business enterprises as often as they can.

In this cozy tale, Tally has ordered mock versions of some of her goodies to display in the windows of Bella's Baskets however, there is a problem; they are melting and deteriorating in the heat of the sun. Unbeknown to both Tally and Yolanda, there was a mix up at the manufacturing plant where the replica sweets were made and the wrong materials were used. Adding to their woes, a burglary results in the replicas going missing as well as an injury to a crime watch member. When further burglaries occur in the area, Tally and Yo investigate.

Kaye George's characters are very engaging, their presences jumping from the pages and by the time I finished reading I felt I had gotten to know them quite well, whilst wanting to meet up with them again. The author, who also writes under the name of Janet Cantrell, gave me everything I desire from a fantastic cozy mystery making it easy to escape right into the humorous, light story. The narrative from the viewpoints of both Yo and Tally allowed for more dimension and I adored their liveliness and interaction. The mystery itself was intriguing and popped with suspects, puzzling occurrences and twists that kept me guessing. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Into the Sweet Hereafter and I can't wait to read the first in the series, Revenge Is Sweet. I also plan to grab a copy of the author's first novel in her Fat Cat Mystery series, Fat Cat at Large writing as Janet Cantrell.

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

I enjoyed this book in the Vintage Sweets series. I love the setting based around a candy store and add a mystery and I'm all in for the read.

I like the way the characters interact with each other and the great friendships that are present in the book. I thought that this was an interesting idea to use the replicas as a basis for a criminal plan.

It's well written and I look forward to the next one in the series.

Into the Sweet Hereafter by Kaye George, who also writes as Janet Cantrell, is the 3rd book in the Vintage Sweets Mysteries series, and another fun addition. Tally Holt has recently opened Tally's Olde Tyme Sweets shop in Fredericksburg, Texas. Next door, her best friend Yolanda Bella owns Bella's Baskets. Tally ordered plastic chocolates for window displays, When Yolanda put some of the fake chocolates in her window display, someone smashed the window to get the fake chocolates. Why would anyone want melting plastic chocolates? Read the book and find out. I enjoy Tally and Yolanda and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. If you enjoy cozy mysteries, I highly recommend this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Another favorite by a great author. The plot of the story was very well written. The author really draws the reader in as you read. I felt like I was an unnamed character in the story. This was a new author for me to read.

Tally and her best friend, Yolanda only wanted to create a window display that would entice customers to come into Yolanda's shop, Bella's Baskets and then go next door to Tally's Old Tyme Sweets. Their idea was to have Tally's sweets replicated in plastic so they would stand up to hot weather of Fredericksburg, Texas. Boy, did that plan go up in flames when the plastic replicas started to melt and the front window is smashed. Those plastic candies were hiding a big secret and soon some of their friends are caught up in an investigation into murder, robbery and smuggling.
Normally I avoid books written from multiple points of view but, in this case, I took a chance and I'm so glad I did. I do have to pay closer attention sometimes but Tally and Yolanda are so well written that their voices are distinct. Add the setting and the supporting characters to a very well developed puzzle and this series is a winner.
My thanks to the publisher Lyrical Press and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

This is the third book in the Vintage Sweets mystery series by Kaye George. I have enjoyed the previously books in the series and found this to be my overall favorite so far of the series. I love this series setting of a vintage sweet shop . I like the way the author uses two viewpoints which makes it interesting for the reader. Especially in a mystery the two viewpoints works very well for the readers.

This has a very unique mystery based on a window display of candy. I love the mystery and how the suspense builds throughout. Tally has her hands full with this mystery that is associated with people she knows . That makes solving this mystery all the more problematic for her .

A solid mystery that kept me guessing to conclusion. I look forward to the next in series and returning to Tally and friends at this adorable vintage candy shop.

Into the Sweet Hereafter by Kaye George is the third in the Vintage Sweets Mystery series. It can be read as a stand alone. Of the three, this is my least favorite.
This story has so many characters it was a tad hard to keep track of all of them. That is the only complaint. The bad guys out number the other characters. Having Tally and her best friend, Yolanda both commenting through out the story doesn't bother me though. I did love Tally's quirky landlord being iinvolved in this story.and getting caught up with her traveling parents.
There are many plot twists through out this Cozy. The main characters are likeable as is the setting. There is romance and humor.
I was given an ARC by Kensinton Books via NetGalley for an honest review.

4.5 stars

This is the third book in the Vintage Sweets mystery series by Kaye George.

I really liked this book. It features a vintage sweets shop which I think is just so super unique. My only drawback is the dual viewpoints sometimes confuse me. But once you get into the story and get past the awkwardness of the back and forth between Tally and Yolanda, the book just sails.

The mystery is made so much better since people they know are suspected to be involved in the murder. The shop orders plastic replicas of their popular sweets and surprisingly when put into the heat of the window display the plastic starts melting. Then the rocks they discover inside the candies turn out to be more than they bargain for. Such a cool concept for a mystery.

This is definitely a story that will keep you guessing which is pretty great since this is a story you want to be intrigued by.

If you like cozy mysteries, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.

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.