Cover Image: Blueberry Blunder

Blueberry Blunder

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Member Reviews

I was born and raised in Ohio and when I was growing up, we would take trips to Amish Country. Reading this series by Amanda Flower is just like a return trip to my childhood. I love the characters and the setting of Harvest., an Amish community in Ohio. Just like the rest of the series (this is book 8), I couldn't wait to start the book and hated finishing it, knowing I would have to wait until my next trip to Harvest, Ohio.

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Aiden has returned to Harvest to hang out his shingle as a private investigator. This time Bailey and Aiden work together to solve the murder of local contractor Wade Farmer. Sheriff Jackson Marshall, whose nasty personality has been hinted at throughout the series, makes his appearance in Blueberry Blunder and his reputation is well-earned. There are multiple suspects with plenty to gain with Farmer’s death. Numerous twists and turns send a reader down multiple paths while trying to solve the case. The murder isn’t the only issue raised in the book.
Bailey’s cousin, Charlotte King, is engaged to be married to Deputy Luke Little. Charlotte was shunned by her family after she left the Amish. Now that her marriage is close, Charlotte wants her family at her wedding, but her father is unmovable. When Charlotte left her ultra-strict order, she also ceased to be a member of the family. Charlotte is still grieving that loss, and the reader begins to understand the cost Charlotte has paid to pursue living life on her terms. We also meet Luke’s parents, and they are a trial unto themselves. From DC, neither understands the choices their son has made-in where he lives, in what he does, or the fact his fiancée is former Amish. In other words, both are marrying outside of their expected social circle and neither set of parents is happy about it.
I enjoyed reading all the books in this series, and Blueberry Blunder was no exception. If you like murder mysteries with humor, well-developed characters in a simple, yet complex setting, and a puzzling mystery, then give this series a try.

Thanks to #NetGalley and the author for providing copies of #blueberryblunder

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I love Amanda Flower's Amish Candy Shop Mysteries and 'Blueberry Blunder' is spectacular. The characters in these stories are so engaging and for the most part likeable, and it is a joy to check in on them for a visit. So many issues/questions I have had throughout the series were resolved in this book, with a heartwarming ending that has left me anxious for more. I highly recommend the entire series for an enjoyable look at a unique way of life in an Amish community, as well as sparkling romance and wonderful mysteries.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

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I think this has to be my favorite book in the series! Not only is sweet little Charlotte marrying Deputy Luke, but some other things that I've waited for 8 books to happen finally did! And I'm so super happy about that. Jethro of course, was the star of the show as always. I love that little pig, and the incident at the petting zoo was pretty hilarious! He had no idea what he'd gotten himself into LOL!

Instead of a plateful of problems, Bailey had platters of them spinning at once not to mention her contractor getting killed and the rotten sheriff initially wanting to blame her. It was so good to see Aiden again--I think I might've missed his presence in the last couple books as much as Bailey did! I wondered if his PI job might be connected to the murder, so you'll just have to find out the way I did by reading the book. I absolutely can't wait for the next book! I hope it comes sooner than a year!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Kensington Cozies via NetGalley, and my opinons are my own.

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It really pains me to give this 2 stars; I have loved this series from book 1, but for me, the last two have been just so...unsatisfactory. As this book went on, I just became more and more disappointed and there were several moments where I wondered if the author just has too much on her plate and her beloved series is suffering because of it.

What I didn't like
* Bailey. WHERE did the NYC-strong, independent, respectful woman go to and why do we now have a hand-wringing, disrespectful [even when she is mad at the crew filming an Amish prayer-meeting, she doesn't do nearly enough as she would have at the beginning of the series and DO NOT EVEN get me started at how she is continually blowing off her grandmother <--it is INFURIATING], wishy-washy MC? Never have I seen a MC do such a 360 degree shift and it is absolutely NOT a good thing.

* Very little of Clara, Bailey's grandmother. Though, if all Bailey is going to do is disrespect her, I guess I am glad she isn't in the story much.

* The whole Jethro thing. I mean, it was cute at first, but now?? And how selfish is Juliet that she continually shoves HER pet on an already over-stressed Bailey? And could Bailey grow a backbone pleaseandthankyou? There is NO WAY anyone would cart that obnoxious animal all over creation whilst trying to have a factory built and running a business.

* Bailey's relationship with Aiden. UGH. They used to be such a lovely couple, but their relationship didn't define each other and they each did their own thing and that seems to have disappeared. I don't know exactly what it is, but there is something there that is...meh.

* The story/mystery. I knew 12 minutes into the story [I {unfortunately} listened to this one; more on that later] who was going to die, and by 25-30%, I knew the who, the what, and the why. There was only one part of the story that I was wrong about [and I was really glad about it], but everything else I knew. At one point, I wished that I could have someone read the reveal for me and see if I was right so I could just quit and move on. Alas, no one was available and I had to read until the end. It was so disappointing.

A note about the narration: I am not sure that the narrator has ever talked to or been around anyone who is Amish, as her narration of them in the book was awful, disrespectful and borderline disrespectful. The Amish aren't some quaint, weird-talking, uneducated hicks; I live amongst the Amish and most of them that I have had contact with are amazing people, who speak just like I do [some have a slight accent from speaking mostly Pennsylvania Dutch, but their english is outstanding] and I found how the narrator depicted them in her narration was just not okay. If I an unable to read read the next book, I will have to pass as I cannot and will not listen to her narrate one of these books again.

Overall, this book just didn't work for me [and is even more disappointing because the previous book was also meh] and I am still, a day later, very disappointed.

Thank you to NetGalley, Amanda Flower, and Kensington Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve been reading this series from the beginning, and though I am able to say “I saw that coming” for a few things, it wasn’t in the vein of ‘this is so obvious, why did I bother?’ but more of a ‘finally!!’ kind of way. There were two really major arc plot points that were addressed this way, and I really hope they get carried into the next steps in the coming book. For those who have been here for all of it, read this. For those just starting out- you can start here and still enjoy this, but if you start at the beginning, this will be more satisfying.

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I’ve read Amanda Flower books before, but none of the Amish themed ones. I loved the characters and getting to know more about the Amish traditions. I have quite a few previous ones in the series to catch up on, but I will definitely make my way through them. This was very enjoyable! A good cozy! Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Cozies for the opportunity to read and review this gem.

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This is a great Amish cozy mystery that holds your attention from the first page until the last. It has wonderful characters, both human and animal, and just the right amount of mystery and suspense to keep you turning the pages. I highly recommend this book and the entire series to anyone who enjoys a great cozy mystery.
I received a complimentary copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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BLUEBERRY BLUNDER, the eighth Amish Candy Shop Mystery, finds chocolatier Baily up to her eyeballs in the construction of her new candy factory and the film crew following her around to document the proceedings for a series on Gourmet Television. After many delays, Bailey decides to fire her construction manager Wade, who does not take it well. Later that night Bailey finds Wade’s body in her factory, and the Sheriff is quick to point the finger at Bailey. But, when the sheriff arrests Baily’s cousin Charlotte’s estranged father instead, Bailey knows she must get to the bottom of things…and quick.

I adore Amanda Flower’s characters and world building. She handles the Amish and Englisch with a respectful, deft hand, and I always come away from these books feeling like I have learned something new about the Amish. The recurring characters are well developed and continue to grow as the series progresses. I am so glad that one of the characters finally gets their comeuppance. I feel big changes are coming to Harvest, OH, and its residents.

The mystery here is solid with plenty of suspects to focus on. I do, however, fee like the investigation got a bit repetitive in spots but not enough to deter my enjoyment. Wade’s problems and connections come as a surprise, but I did guess whodunit before Bailey figured it out. The pace of the book is steady and engaging throughout.

BLUEBERRY BLUNDER is a joy for series fans and new readers alike. Highly recommended.

I received an ARC of this title from the author and publisher and voluntarily shared my thoughts here.
#BlueberryBlunder #NetGalley

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Bailey has really come into her own with the candy shop and the construction on the new building. (Now, if she could only stand up to Juliet and Margot!). This one seemed a little darker than the others (although murder always is) and had me stumped with who was behind everything. I loved the emphasis on Charlotte getting used to being in the Englisch world and her wedding. Can’t wait for the next one!

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Blueberry Blunder is the eighth book in the An Amish Candy Shop Mystery series by Amanda Flower.

Since moving back to Harvest, Bailey has dreamed of expanding the candy-making side of the business. Using money from her television show, Bailey’s Amish Sweets, and a new reality show following the construction of the new building. Under the original plan, the building should have been nearly done when it wasn’t even halfway. Bailey has finally decided to get rid of her contractor, Wade Farmer, who has pulled his work crew from the site demanding more money to pay for price increases in materials and wages. Wade’s parting words were that Bailey would be sorry for firing him. As if Bailey didn’t have enough on her plate already, Margot, event planner for Harvest, entices Bailey into being the Blueberry Queen for the Blueberry Festival to take place the next day. Fortunately for Bailey, the dress doesn’t fit, and she talks her cousin, Charlotte, into being the festival queen. While at the festival, Bailey overhears Wade in an argument with another man, who she believes might be Amish. That night before heading to bed, Bailey decides to check out the new building to ensure no damage has happened. Her cousin, Charlotte, invites herself to go also. Everything seems to be as it was left that afternoon until Bailey shines her flashlight on the scaffolding and sees the lifeless body of Wade.

Bailey wishes that the film crew, Devon, the producer, and Z, the cameraman, who are there to film the construction, would leave so she can investigate without being followed everywhere she goes. She soon finds that Wade has treated several people like he had Bailey. So several suspects. She will discover that possibly Charlotte’s estranged father might have been responsible. Unfortunately for Bailey, Sheriff Marshall has taken over the investigation. He doesn’t get along with the Amish. Nor does he get along with Bailey because of her relationship with Aiden, a former deputy under the Sheriff. Aiden has finished his work with BCI and will return to Harvest and become a private detective. Millie and Lois, from the Amish Matchmaker series, will also help Bailey with her investigation.

Ms. Flower always provides readers with a well-written, plotted, and wonderfully descriptive story; Blueberry Blunder is no exception. The characters are well-developed and believable. Jethro, the polka-dot pig, is around being his ornery self and providing a few laughs, as usual.

A delicious-sounding recipe and a sneak peek of the next Amish Matchmaker Mystery series book, Dating Can Be Deadly, are included, due October 2923.

I’m looking forward to the next book in this wonderful series.

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Blueberry Blunder by Amanda Flower is another in the Amish Candy Shop Mystery series featuring Bailey King and the pig she often pig-sat for, Jethro. Jethro was a long story and Bailey could never say no so not only did Jethro appear on her cooking network show, but was a part of her daily life. She was building a candy factory, or rather she wasn’t building one as nothing had happened for weeks. Her contractor, Wade, wanted more money before he would do more work. She was abiding by the contract. Today she had fired him. Now she needed a new contractor. But before that could happen she needed to deal with Margo’s request that she be the Blueberry queen for the festival this week. And she had Devon and Z, a camera crew from the network, following her around, filming the construction of the factory for a reality show. She got back to the shop and tried on the Blueberry Queen dress. She couldn’t even get her leg into it. Charlotte was convinced to be the Blueberry Queen and she loved the godawful dress. She had been Amish and anything pretty or gaudy caught eye her right away.

Aiden was back in town. He had left to work for the Ohio Bureau of Investigation but between missing home and missing Bailey he had quit. No jobs being available in law enforcement, he was starting his own private investigating service and would be home tonight. It had been hard on their relationship and she was excited he was coming home. Aiden was tall and handsome and had principles. He was the ideal man. Plus both her grandmother, Clara, and her pet rabbit, Puff liked him. Bailey was known for investigating, some called it interfering, but she was good at it. It helped to have Aiden as backup. This was a good mystery, involving several sects of Amish as well as many of Bailey’s neighbors and, of course, Swissmen Sweets, her grandmother’s candy store. It was a good read.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Blueberry Blunder by Kensington Books, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #KensingtonBooks #AmandaFlower #BlueberryBlunder

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This is an Amish Cozy Mystery, and this is the 8th book in An Amish Candy Shop Mystery series. This book pulled me into the mystery right now. I really enjoyed trying to figure out what was going on while things were being revealed. I did guess a lot of the reveals before they were revealed, but I still really enjoyed this book. Of course the characters were great, and the animals were just so much fun. This was a fun and great read. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Kensington Cozies) or author (Amanda Flower) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

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Blueberry Blunder is book #8 in the Amish Candy Shop Mystery series by Amanda Flower

Bailey King building her dream candy factory in Harvest, Ohio. It hits a snag when the contractor is found dead. He had many enemies including some of the Amish.

I enjoy this series. It is like getting together with old friends. It feels like no time has passed. I enjoy seeing how the characters have grown and relationships have developed through the series. It is fun to see the overlap of characters from the matchmaking series. It was an interesting mystery that kept me guessing. And I love Jethro! It had a sweet ending and I can’t wait for the next book.

Thank you to the author, Kensington Books, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

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I know there will be laughter and good times whenever an Amanda Flower book is in my lineup. Blueberry Blunder, though a murder mystery, is just chock-full of laughter, friendship, community, and the adorable pig--Jethro. Number 8 in the Amish Candy Shop Mystery Series, it can be read alone --- but I highly recommend reading in order ---that way the full scope of the character relationships can be enjoyed. The sense of small town community continues, new friendships grow, a stronger romantic relationship is hoped for, and Bailey's desired candy factory is at the center of the investigation. The pace is steady, the mystery is fun to solve, and there is a surprising killer---add in Jethro's silly antics and you have all the ingredients of a very pleasurable read. I can hardly wait for the next one!
#BlueberryBlunder #NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #AmandaFlower

Thank you to Netgalley and #KensingtonBooks -#KensingtonCozies for the digital ARC I requested. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Bailey King left the big city and came home to Harvest, Ohio to help her Amish grandmother run the family candy shop. It was decision she never regretted. Now she wants to expand the family candy business so she bought a building and hired a contractor... all to create her drean candy factory. All is going well until her contractor quits workiing on her building and demands more money before he starts again. Bailey finds out that he's doing the same with all of his clients so she fires him. Now she needs to find an new contractor. But that's the least of her problems when she finds the contractor's dead body in her building.

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“Blueberry Blunder” is the enjoyable eighth book in Amanda Flower’s Amish Candy Shop Mysteries. In this installment chocolatier Bailey King is dealing with contractor issues with building her dream candy factory, a crew from a reality TV show, a Blueberry Festival, her ex-Amish cousin’s upcoming wedding and family issues, Jethro the pig, and a murder where she is convinced the sheriff has arrested the wrong person. All of this makes for a delightful, engrossing, and humorous read. The mystery is well done with plenty of twists and turns – I was quite surprised when all was revealed at the end. The ending of the book was perfect and everything that happened at the end is a nice set up for future books in the series - I just finished this one and I am already looking forward to the next one!

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

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Thank you NetGalley, Amanda Flower and Kensington books for allowing me to read an ARC of Blueberry Blunder due to be published May 23, 2023. This is the 8th book in the Amish Candy Shop Mystery series.
Bailey's dream of having a candy factory is finally coming true. The construction had begun but now things have come to a standstill and it has been two months since anything has been done. So, Bailey makes the tough decision to fire the general contractor. Now she has even bigger problems. Soon Bailey sets out to investigate another murder will she be able solve it?
This is the first book I’ve read in the series but I absolutely loved it. The Setting in the story is the Amish communities of Ohio which gives it a great twist.
I’ll be looking forward to more in the series and see the relationship of aiden and BAiley blossoming.

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Bailey King is hard at work, building her candy factory!! It's being filmed for her TV show, but things aren't quite going according to plan. After she fires her contractor, Bailey finds a dead body in the warehouse! Since many Amish and English aren't happy with the construction, it could be anyone

Of course, Margot Rawlings is stoked that the building of the factory will be filmed, as it's free publicity for Harvest, and it coincides with the First Annual Blueberry Bash! And, cousin Charlotte is getting married! There is a lot that Bailey must prepare for but solving a murder wasn't one of them, especially since Charlotte's estranged father is the prime suspect.

I love anything by Amanda Flower, and this book does not disappoint.

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Another delightful visit to Amish country. A not so delightful murder occurs. The little pig provides humor. There is a smidgeon of romance. Some family issues and a mystery to solve. Had my suspicions early on and they proved correct for a change. A charming series. Alway fun to return to these characters. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

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