Candy Cane Crime

This story is told from the perspective of Charlotte, Bailey’s cousin.
Charlotte is pleased to take on the task of collecting notes and money for the Candy Cane Exchange.
When she discovers some of the notes are meant for her, she spends her time tryin to discover her secret admirer.
Even though there wasn’t a murder investigation, a crime was still committed and Charlotte is determined to find the answers.

This is a cute, fast paced story, filled with great characters.

Candy Cane Crime is the 5.5 book in the Amish Candy Shop Mystery series.

Once again, Bailey’s cousin, Charlotte, steps to the front in this novella.

Christmas is just a few days away and Bailey is busy finishing up on mail orders for her family’s delicious sweets. The success of her TV show, Bailey’s Amish Sweets has had everyone very busy keeping up with store sales and mail orders. Bailey is putting the finishing touches on the last of the day's orders, when the last person she wants to see, Margo, approaches Bailey. Margo has organized a Candy Cane Exchange, to raise money for new costumes for the Christmas Manger cast. Bailey has already provided the candy canes and now Margo wants her to attach the notes folks will put in the Candy Cane Exchange box. Bailey explains that she will be leaving for New York City to meet with people from her cable show and won’t be able to help. Charlotte overhears this conversation and says she would be happy to take over and attach the notes to a candy cane and have them to the church on Christmas Eve so they can be delivered by the youth group.

Charlotte is anxious to start her job, so after closing Swissmen Sweet’s, she walks through the newly fallen snow to the square to check if there are any notes. There are and she is most surprised to find one for her from a “secret admirer”. She will receive several more. Charlotte is so surprised that she has an admirer and has no idea who that might be an Englischer or an Amish man.

No murders in the book, but there is a theft, and Charlotte will play a part in the apprehension of the thief.

It’s always a joy to visit with the folks of Harvest, Ohio.

Includes a delicious-sounding recipe.

Also, a sneak peek at the second book in An Amish Matchmaker Mystery series,

Told from the perspective of Charlotte, Bailey's 22 year old cousin, this book by Amanda Flower has all the makings of a great plot. Whereas a murder has not committed, there is still a crime and other issues to solve. The story, set at Christmastime is perfect for any time of year. The characters are always pleasant to visit with and the twists and turns keep you reading.. Not only that, but who couldn't resist a cute Jethro on the cover?

Christmas is coming and Swissmen Sweets is busy! With Bailey heading off to New York to do some promotional work for her show and her cousin Charlotte volunteers to take on a holiday project for the Mayor. In order to raise funds for new costumes for the annual Harvest Live Christmas Nativity a Candy Cane Exchange is scheduled and Charlotte is making sure the notes get to the recipient along with a candy cane. When Charlotte finds some notes addressed to her, she is determined to find out who her secret admirer is…and it may force her to finally make her decision on whether to be baptized in the Amish faith or to become an Englischer once and for all.

I love novellas in between the big releases and this one being told from Charlotte’s point of view is a nice change for a quick sweet fix before the next book is released next year. A sweet series that always delivers, it’s perfect for cozy lovers and Amish lovers.

Be still my beating heart! It is Christmas in Harvest, Ohio and both the Amish and English alike are feeling the energy that comes during the holiday season. Bailey King is away from Swissmen Sweets doing some publicity for her TV show, and that leaves her Grandma Clara, Cousin Charlotte, and shop employee Emily busy while she is way. Taking on the job of running the candy cane exchange for Margot, the towns event coordinator (think of a female Taylor Doose from Gilmore Girls for a small glimpse into Margot's personality and style - someone you just can't say no to), Charlotte Weever takes her role very seriously. Dutifully checking the candy cane exchange box for letters she is shocked when she discovers a note addressed to her from a secret admirer. Unsure how to take this discovery, Charlotte attempts to uncover the identity of the note writer.

This is another amazing instalment of the Amish Candy Shop Mystery series. The coziness of Harvest, Ohio amidst the sparkling snow and Christmas festivities will leave readers with a soft squishy feeling inside. As a novella it is a quick read, and will be a great "pick me up" when you get caught in the business of the holiday season yourself. I am so excited to read more about Harvest, Ohio and the community in Holmes County. The development of Charlotte as a character has been enjoyable to see, and having a glimpse into some of her internal struggles makes for an empathetic character. Will she finally make the big decision on how she will spend the rest of her life?

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this short entry into the Amish Candyshop series.

Bailey's innocent cousin Charlotte is tasked with running a candy cane exchange and discovers she has a secret admirer!
This would be great but it's a cozy mystery, so....
I love the characters in this series so much!

Through NetGalley, I received a free copy of CANDY CANE CRIME (An Amish Candy Shop Mystery Short Story) by Amanda Flower in exchange for an honest review. Between her television show, the usual Christmas candy business boom, and the additional business attributable to her television show, Bailey King has no time and zero patience left. So, when the town event coordinator thanks Bailey for the handmade candy canes she finagled Bailey into creating for a Christmas Pageant fundraiser by trying to put Bailey in charge of the entire fundraiser, Bailey refuses, and refuses, and is about to refuse rudely when sweet Cousin Charlotte intervenes and volunteers for the task. Charlotte learns she is to retrieve messages from a central drop off, make sure the messages include payment, attach the messages to a candy cane, and drop them off at the church in time for the youth group to deliver the seasonal greetings. After retrieving the initial batch of messages, Charlotte discovers a sweet and anonymous note addressed to her and is soon stalking the drop off hoping to identify her admirer. However, being out and about in the nasty weather reveals somethings shady. When confronted with the truth about some members of the local Amish community and about the identity of her secret admirer, Charlotte is faced with the reality that it may be time to make some decisions about her future.

I enjoy this series and really like these short stories featuring Charlotte. I recommend the series to fans of cozy mysteries featuring Amish, candy shops, small towns, quirky pets, and prejudice.

#CandyCaneCrime #NetGalley