Gingerbread Danger

An Amish Candy Shop Mystery #9

By Amanda Flower

ISBN 9781496743756

amandaflower.com

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie

Synopsis:

For fans of Laura Childs’ Tea Shop Mysteries and Ellery Adams’ Culinary Cozy Mysteries, the Ohio-set Amish Candy Shop series combines a fascinating look at Amish life with the fun of candy making, plus the romance between chocolatier Bailey King and her county sheriff fiancé. Amish Candy shop owner and star of TV’s Bailey’s Amish Sweets, Bailey King has a lot to be excited about.  She’s happily engaged to Aiden Brody, newly appointed county sheriff, and her candy factory is finally having its grand opening in Harvest, Ohio—just before Christmas! Bailey is ready to let the sweet celebrations begin . . . With the help of local community organizer Margot Rawlings, Harvest will have a Candy Land themed Christmas on the village square—featuring Bailey’s recently perfected recipe for gingerbread men. When the big day comes, everything is going well—until bitter news arrives. One of Bailey’s Amish friends has been killed in an apparent accident just outside the candy factory. Aiden is promptly on the case—with more than a little input from Bailey . . . Together, they soon learn that the victim was working for some powerful men in the county, and in doing so was spying on his own Amish community. Still, Bailey is determined to find the perpetrator. If she can’t cut out the killer from the rest of the suspects, her gingerbread men won’t be the only ones in danger of disappearing . . . (From Goodreads)

Review:

This newest mystery is heartwarming, funny, and full of the joy of winter and Christmas amidst the dark side of theft and murder. Oh, and Jethro! Jethro is a front-and-center character, a spotted, pot-bellied pig who adores his owner and his favorite baby sitter who gave him his first TV gig. Settle in with some fudge and a cup of hot cocoa, because readers may start craving Clara and Bailey’s fudge!

I enjoy the primary characters in Harvest, Ohio, especially Bailey, her fiancé Aiden, and even Margot. Each one comes to life through the author’s beautiful and witty prose. Bailey’s parents arrived for a rare visit. The visit from the wedding planner, who the mothers of the future bride and groom thought was a wonderful gift for Bailey, was a nightmare. Susan, her mother, wants Bailey to have the wedding of her dreams, but Bailey’s and Susan’s dreams are very different. Including the plans to have Jethro as an essential part of the wedding and the reception, as requested by Juliet, Aiden’s mother and Jethro’s owner. Bailey is often volunteered to pig-sit Jethro (who she genuinely loves).

Bailey has been busier than anyone thought possible in recent months. She continues to help her grandmother at Swissmen Sweets, the candy shop that her grandparents started over fifty years ago. She had left her prestigious NYC chocolatier career and became Maami’s partner in the candy shop after her grandfather passed. She is entering the third season with her television show, Bailey’s Amish Sweets, which will require her presence in NYC for a couple weeks of filming. She has also just opened Swissmen Candyworks, the huge factory where candy was made with the same recipes as in the original candy shop. Bailey and Charlotte employ many Amish from the area.

Aiden has been busy as the new sheriff of Holmes County. He and his deputies have been investigating robberies from Amish-owned businesses or homes and now, a death. Since moving here, Bailey has helped solve numerous murders. It was not her intent, but she got involved when people she knew were accused or victims. Aiden prefers that she not help to keep her safe.

Harvest is opening festivities for the Christmas season in the town square even as they point out the new candy factory. Margot, the community organizer, always has excellent ideas that require much work while continuously increases their tourism. Margo’s holiday ideas include a huge, life-size Candy Land board and game pieces for children and adults to play. Bailey’s staff will keep candy stations filled where needed for the in-game rewards.

Something went wrong on the busiest day. Zeph, an employee of Bailey’s, was to clear ice and snow from the factory sidewalks. There is much traffic for many people go in and out for tours or to purchase candy. He put an enormous Candy Land game piece on the roof of the factory at Margot’s request. The game piece was creepy, and Bailey, concerned for customers if wind wrenched it from the roof, told him to take it down when he had at least one, preferably two helpers. Bailey got a text shortly afterwards. An accident occurred and they needed her. Zeph, only seventeen years old, lay dead on the sidewalk.

What Sheriff Aiden saw on the roof pointed to possibly more than an accident. No witnesses to his death have come forward. Bailey visited Zeph’s landlady later that day and found shocking surprises in Zeph’s basement apartment.

The burglar hit the cheese store next to the candy shop, where Bailey’s grandmother lives alone. Bailey immediately became her guest until the killer and thieves are caught. Bailey receives clear, frightening, non-verbal threats to stop asking questions.

I was sorry to see this book end, as I would have loved to stay in Harvest longer! I was surprised at who was involved with the thefts and why, and who was behind Zeph’s death. There were a couple red herrings and fascinating twists. Every incident was wrapped up, and I was fully satisfied with the resolutions. I highly recommend this cozy mystery and series!