Best characters in a cozy! This series just keeps getting better and better! The plot of this story will have you on the edge of your seat and just when you think you know "who did it," you'll find yourself facing another red herring! I love that the setting is an organic cherry farm and that the author realistically shows how hard farming is while keeping the story light and hopeful! The character interactions are truly why you will want to keep coming back for more! I really can't wait to see how several relationships continue to unfurl in the next book! If you like a well crafted cozy mystery that will keep you guessing and turning pages, then this is the series to start. I do recommend starting with the first book in the series as you'll get hours more entertainment, but you'll also get much needed backstory filled in on the many characters that star in each book!

Series: Farm to Table Mysteries #4
Protagonist: Shiloh Bellamy
Occupation: Runs the Bellamy Family Farm
Location: Traverse City, Michigan
Furry side-kick: Huckleberry, the pug
Favorite Quote: “Inside the general store, Huckleberry was living his best life, lying on a plush dog bed and gnawing on a piece of beef jerky. He didn’t even look up when I entered the store. I didn’t blame him. Snacks in bed were my favorite too.”

I rave about this cozy mystery author often because I honestly love all of the numerous series she writes. She has a gift for creating likeable characters, cute settings, intriguing mysteries and always includes memorable pets. I really enjoy this series. We are only four books in and there has constantly been great side stories that have created wonderful character developments.

This story focuses on the town’s Cherry Farm Market. Shiloh and the farm have secured a booth to highlight their home grown cherries. She even starts brainstorming ideas on how to increase revenue and use up their products, creating a cherry soap that customers are loving (the book even includes a recipe). A local man ends up dying during the cherry pit spitting contest, linking Shiloh’s cousin to the suspect list.

The mystery was really well written, drawing you quickly into the drama as you slowly unravel the secrets surrounding the suspect. I was left guessing about the culprit until the very end.

I’m happy to see a resolve in the love triangle developing. Will it be Sheriff Milan or Quinn with his darling daughter, Hazel. I have to say I’m surprised by the direction the author is taking, but we shall see if that shifts in the next book. I’m also hoping that the issues surrounding Shiloh and the battle over inheritance between her and her cousin, Stacey, will be resolved soon. It’s getting a bit childish at this point and is honestly out of Shiloh’s hands, her dad just doesn’t want to deal with it.

Once again, Huckleberry is the star in this book. I love this tiny pug and how he accompanies Shiloh everywhere. Several of the interactions between the two made me smile.

I was shocked by the sudden twist and announcement at the end of the book. I’m anxious to continue the series and see what that means for the future of Bellamy Farms.

This was a great cozy mystery! The storyline was incredible,with a great mystery that kept me entertained! I didn’t guess the killer till the end! The characters were well done, and were likable and fun! I highly recommend this book to everyone!

Crime and Cherry Pits

By Amanda Flower

I needed a break from the more “serious” read that my book club had been working on for 6 weeks. It was a worthy read, with depth, but what I needed was the diversion of a cozy mystery, but not just any cozy mystery. I needed a novel with a strong, intelligent protagonist with an interesting background. I wanted a mystery that would keep me guessing with a little romance thrown in. If there could be a kid and animals, so much the better. I was delighted to see that a cozy mystery from Amanda Flower’s Farm to Table Mysteries was next in my queue.

In Crime and Cherry Pits, Shiloh Bellamy is the owner of the organic Bellamy Farm in Cherry Glen, a little western Michigan town. She has had to work hard to get it out of debt and running again, but she has done so well that she has been honored by an invitation to participate in the annual Cherry Festival in nearby Traverse City. While all seems to be going well, there are so many ways for things to go wrong. She has problems with a new organic farm neighbor who doesn’t really know what he has gotten into. Another neighbor has a darling, precocious daughter Hazel who adores Shiloh. Hazel’s father has known Shiloh since childhood and there is an attraction, but their past always looms between them. Hazel’s parents absolutely do not like Shiloh. Shiloh recently found some stocks left to her by her grandmother who died years ago. She wants to do what is right, not just what is legal, which causes problems with her father and her cousin.

Shiloh has a way of getting dangerously mixed up in murder cases partly because of circumstances and partly because she is nosy. Surely that could not be an issue in this story, because how could someone die at a Cherry Festival? Cue the cherry pit spitting competition! A production of Shakespeare’s The Tempest is produced by Shiloh’s cousin and Shiloh’s father accepts a leading role. There are affairs and lying, three police agencies get involved, and there are death threats. On the positive side, the reader gets to enjoy Shiloh’s cat Esmeralda and her pug Huckleberry who accompanies her almost everywhere. Add to that the farms animals: Diva the chicken and all the other chickens she controls and the flock of five Olde English Babydoll Southdown yearlings, less than twenty inches tall. Is someone out to hurt them? As Shiloh rises to the occasion, the reader can be sure that it won’t happen on Shiloh’s watch.

Crime and Cherry Pits is a cozy mystery that will keep you turning pages to see whodunit. You’ll need to read to the finish for a surprise ending.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rating: 5/5

Category: Mystery

Notes: 1. #4 in the Farm to Table Mysteries, but could be read as a standalone because Flower includes background (without being boring).
2. Includes a basic recipe for homemade soap that sounds doable. Hers, of course, includes cherry essential oil.

Publication:  February 27, 2024—Poisoned Pen Press

Memorable Lines:

She looked down at Huckleberry. “Is that a police dog?” “In training,” Milan said. “We aren’t sure he has what it takes.” “He’s a pug,” Susan said. “We thought we’d go for unassuming with this one,” Milan said with a straight face. “No kidding,” Susan replied.

My little pug was in tune with my emotions, and he felt my nervousness. I was grateful for his warm presence.

Inside the general store, Huckleberry was living his best life, lying on a plush dog bed and gnawing on a piece of beef jerky. He didn’t even look up when I entered the store. I didn’t blame him. Snacks in bed were my favorite too.

Another fantastic story and mystery written by Amanda Flower. Wonderful characters and story line. If you like reading books with mysteries and Amish then pick up this book

I have enjoyed all of the books in the Farm to Table series by Amanda Flower. The characters are well developed and it is fun to return to Bellamy Farm and hang out with the gang in Traverse City, Michigan. I love the primary character, Shiloh Bellamy, and her dedication to the farm and I am looking forward to see how her relationships continue to develop … especially with the local sheriff. And how can you not love, Huckleberry, Shiloh’s pug?! The murder mystery leaves you guessing until the very end and that always makes me happy when reading a cozy mystery.

While you could read this as a standalone, I would strongly encourage you to go back and read the series from the first book. You will get a better understanding of each character and how they have gotten to where they are currently.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

I received this book for free for an honest review from netgalley. Thank you for the opportunity.

I love this series

I thought it was a fun and easy mystery to follow but at the same time you begin to care about the characters. I really enjoyed this and I will be highly recommending it to people that like mysteries.

It is time for the Traverse City Cherry Festival and an opportunity for Shiloh Bellamy to show off what the Organic Bellamy Farm of Cherry Glenn has to offer. Shiloh’s incredibly talented assistant/farm director Chesney Stevens has created a booth that is sure to be memorable since it looks like a giant berry basket overflowing with cherries and stocked full of amazing cherry baked goods and soap. The other memorable thing about this festival is the death of Dane Fullbright at the cherry pit spitting contest. The death makes her cousin Stacey a prime suspect and a prime target for town gossip.

Stacey and Shiloh are on the outs because of an inheritance issue and newly found fortune in stocks left over from book 2 (In Farm’s Way). They need each other in more ways than one if Stacey is going to get off of the suspect list under the description of “woman scorned.” What with the very public and loud disagreement and the words “over my dead body” were heard. Stacey says she didn’t know that Dane Fullbright was married so maybe his wife had it with his philandering ways? This is borderline LA style drama, something that Shiloh is familiar with having been in Hollywood TV production. Shiloh’s dad isn’t helping things and seems to be a rather cantankerous individual who could be a bit more supportive of the hard work that Shiloh put into making the farm functional.

Shiloh has her hands full working the booth, searching for clues, asking questions, making baked goods, running errands, and keeping her eyes and ears open. Thankfully, Chesney fully supports the side sleuthing while BFF Kristy is less supportive and more worried about Shi’s safety, while the handsome and smart Sheriff Milan Penbrook knows better than to disregard Shiloh’s ability to get people to talk. Unlike Quinn Killian, EMT and almost love interest, but he can’t seem to make up his mind between the ghosts of the past and the promise of a great future which means he might have missed his chance.

There are plenty of suspects for Shiloh to follow-up with. Was Dane murdered for tenure like his wife Lily says? Maybe he sweet talked one too many ladies since there are several who make good suspects, such as Lily his wife. He was a bit of a shyster maybe there is one or more persons mad because they were burned by a “fundraiser” he oversaw. You won’t be able to stop turning pages as Shiloh does her thing with and sometimes without back-up.

This story has some sweet and some tart moments which make Shiloh relatable and someone whom you want to see happy and successful. I look forward to seeing what she does next and hopefully there will be some yummy cherry related recipes in the next installment.

Crime and Cherry Pits by Amanda Flower is a delightful cozy mystery that’s as refreshing as a summer fruit stand! The story follows Bailey King, a baker and amateur sleuth, who finds herself in the middle of a puzzling murder case at a local cherry festival. Flower’s writing shines with its blend of humor, charm, and suspense, and the vibrant setting adds a unique flavor to the story. The characters are well-developed and engaging, and the plot is full of twists that keep you guessing. If you enjoy cozy mysteries with a dash of culinary delight and a touch of small-town charm, Crime and Cherry Pits is an absolute must-read!

I love a good small town mystery.
Throw in a cute pug and a setting in Michigan and I am in!
Looking forward to more from this author!

I enjoyed this installment more than the previous one. When Shiloh’s cousin is suspected of killing her married lover, Shiloh decides to put aside their differences and solve the crime to help her.

Crime and Chery Pits is the fourth book in the Farm to Table Mystery series by Amanda Flower. I enjoyed getting to visit again with Shiloh and her pug, Huckleberry. . The story takes place in Traverse City, Michigan at the Cherry Festival. When the man that Shiloh's cousin, Stacey, dies at that the festival and it turns out to be murder, Shiloh steps in to clear her cousins name. There are many times when I can figure out how the killer is, but this time it was a surprise. Fans of cozy mysteries and especially fans of Amanda Flower, will enjoy this story.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy of this book for my honest review.

I have to be honest and say that cosy mysteries are not my favourite sub-genre, but I still was interested enough to finish reading this one.
All action was happening in a cherry festival and that was quite charming. Definitely created a cosy atmosphere.
The story itself and the characters involved reminded me of Agatha Christies Miss Marple. Same amateurish behaviour, small town and a lot of bickering between town people.
There were a lot of silly situations and dialogues, but you can’t expect more from cosy mystery.
So for those who would like to dip their toes into this genre, this book would be perfect.

The mystery only had about 4 suspects and there were a lot of clues that turned into red herrings that didn't really add much to mystery. The charters who turned out to be the killers were easy to finger as the killers since all the other suspects were all eliminated in the middle of the book. The whole book had a lot of editing errors that should have been caught by the proofreader and editor before the book went to the printers. I was glad with what Shiloh was going to do with the farm at the end of the book. I hope in the next book she makes up her mind up between Quinn and Milan.

Look at that gorgeous cover art! Love it!

Crime and Cherry Pits by Amanda Flower is the fourth book in the Farm to Table Mystery series, but the first book by the author that I've had the pleasure to read. I enjoyed this one very much!

Shiloh Bellamy is excited take part in the Cherry Farm Market in Traverse City, MI. This is the first time in her family farms 70 years that they've been able to take part in the farmers market and it will do so much good in helping bring the aging farm back to life again. But the celebrations soon stop as a participant in the famous cherry pit-spitting contest chokes on a pit and dies in front of Shiloh. But the man's death turns out to be a little more suspicious than first thought. The local police become suspicious when it comes out that Shiloh's cousin Sydney was secretly dating the man who died - even though he was married to someone else. Soon Shiloh and her adorable pug Huckleberry find themselves sniffing out clues and (of course) getting into trouble.

This is a sweet, lighthearted cozy mystery that kept my interest and I was not able to guess anything in advance, which I really like! I think that this one worked as a stand alone, but it would probably be more enjoyable to the average reader if read in series order. And that is just what I think I'm going to do!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

3.5 stars

Pro
* Huckleberry!
* The festivals/shows and Shiloh’s hard work towards them
* Cherry products
* Mystery is well-paced and embedded in the complex town relationships.
* Overall, a solid read

Con
* The relationship between Sully and Shiloh is becoming frustrating.
* The interactions with the Killians and the news reporter are overdone.
* I’m not thrilled with the direction the romance has taken.
* Very abrupt reveal scene.

Thank you to Amanda Flowers, Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley for an advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed "Crime and Cherry Pits" by Amanda Flower! The story follows the charming and resourceful Camryn Brooks, a talented but awkward young baker, as she navigates the small-town secrets and scandals of her beloved Cherry Hill, Ohio. With a delightful blend of humor, wit, and suspense, Flower expertly weaves together a tangled web of clues and motives as Camryn works to unravel the mystery behind a suspicious death at the local cherry festival. The characters are well-developed and relatable, with a cast of quirky suspects and allies that add to the charm of the story. Overall, "Crime and Cherry Pits" is a delightful and engaging read that will leave you eagerly anticipating the next installment in this promising new series.

Great story with lots of details and fun characters. Love this series and look forward to what this author has in store next

This book was ok. I wasn’t overly impressed, it didn’t hook me at all. I didn’t feel invested in the characters although I wanted to be. Hazel & the dog & cat were the best part. #CrimeandCherryPits #NetGalley