Dollycas's Thoughts
We arrive in Harvest, Ohio just in time for the First Annual Blueberry Bash complete with a Blueberry Princess, blueberry pies, and blueberry fudge. While Bailey King has been busy making tons of fudge she also has to deal with a contractor who has stopped working on the Swissman Sweets Candy Factory until she pays him more money. She is not falling for his games. If he can't abide by the contract they signed including the payment schedule he was fired. To add more stress her network has green-lighted a reality show about building the factory so she has a cameraman and a pushy producer following her everywhere she goes. Margot Rawlings, the organizer of all the special events in Harvest is practically dancing with glee about the project because it includes the Blueberry Bash and it will bring tons of tourists to the little town that thrives on visitor dollars.
But tragedy strikes soon after the first day of the bash when Bailey finds her former contractor dead in her shell of a factory. It isn't long before she finds out he angered quite a few of his customers, even some of the Amish. So she has another murder mystery to solve and the police's main suspect hits pretty close to home. She is excited that her boyfriend Aiden is coming back to Harvest to take his career in a new direction but he isn't going to like her getting involved in another murder.
Can she track down the real killer, get the factory back on track, and really plan a future with Aiden? Or will she be the killer's next victim?
____
Ms. Flower has created a very strong core cast of characters in her Amish Candy Shop Mystery Series, both human and animal. The humans are so genuine and true to life in a small town where the English and Amish reside close together. Many are unsure about Bailey's factory including her Amish grandmother but Bailey hopes they will see the many good things the factory will bring, like jobs. Bailey and others like community organizer Margot Rawlings are very mindful and consider the Amish community in everything they do. Bailey also opens her heart to people like her cousin who has left the Amish way of life to pursue a life among the English. As for the animals, Jethro, the miniature pot-bellied pig spends a lot of time with Bailey in this story but her rabbit and the candy shop's kitten are always around too. I love how they all get along so well together, better than most people.
Bailey's contractor was not a nice man and he was clearly hiding something. After his death so much was revealed that the suspect list really grew. Bailey worked hard trying to get answers and I love tagging along with her and she tries to get all the clues and evidence to fall into place. In Blueberry Blunder she is hindered by a television producer with her own agenda especially when Bailey is trying to get information from members of the Amish community who don't allow their pictures to be taken or their happenings filmed. Bailey was their champion and I loved how she stood up for them.
The ending served up quite a surprise, someone I thought maybe was behind everything but I discounted them early when I clearly should have kept them on my list. I will say the ending though was a bit abrupt as a conversation turned into a huge reveal. I was like WHOA! That was not how I thought that would happen. I loved being surprised but still thought there would be more tippy-toeing around before the guilty party would be apprehended but it was a great conclusion for the mystery.
After the mystery was all wrapped up a wonderful event took place followed quickly by another. I had a tear or two in my eye. Thank you, Amanda Flower for such a fantastic ending.
Blueberry Blunder has everything cozy lovers love. Fabulous characters, a marvelous mystery, perfect amounts of humor and romance all set in a town everyone would love to visit. I am so excited for this series to continue.
We arrive in Harvest, Ohio just in time for the First Annual Blueberry Bash complete with a Blueberry Princess, blueberry pies, and blueberry fudge. While Bailey King has been busy making tons of fudge she also has to deal with a contractor who has stopped working on the Swissman Sweets Candy Factory until she pays him more money. She is not falling for his games. If he can't abide by the contract they signed including the payment schedule he was fired. To add more stress her network has green-lighted a reality show about building the factory so she has a cameraman and a pushy producer following her everywhere she goes. Margot Rawlings, the organizer of all the special events in Harvest is practically dancing with glee about the project because it includes the Blueberry Bash and it will bring tons of tourists to the little town that thrives on visitor dollars.
But tragedy strikes soon after the first day of the bash when Bailey finds her former contractor dead in her shell of a factory. It isn't long before she finds out he angered quite a few of his customers, even some of the Amish. So she has another murder mystery to solve and the police's main suspect hits pretty close to home. She is excited that her boyfriend Aiden is coming back to Harvest to take his career in a new direction but he isn't going to like her getting involved in another murder.
Can she track down the real killer, get the factory back on track, and really plan a future with Aiden? Or will she be the killer's next victim?
____
Ms. Flower has created a very strong core cast of characters in her Amish Candy Shop Mystery Series, both human and animal. The humans are so genuine and true to life in a small town where the English and Amish reside close together. Many are unsure about Bailey's factory including her Amish grandmother but Bailey hopes they will see the many good things the factory will bring, like jobs. Bailey and others like community organizer Margot Rawlings are very mindful and consider the Amish community in everything they do. Bailey also opens her heart to people like her cousin who has left the Amish way of life to pursue a life among the English. As for the animals, Jethro, the miniature pot-bellied pig spends a lot of time with Bailey in this story but her rabbit and the candy shop's kitten are always around too. I love how they all get along so well together, better than most people.
Bailey's contractor was not a nice man and he was clearly hiding something. After his death so much was revealed that the suspect list really grew. Bailey worked hard trying to get answers and I love tagging along with her and she tries to get all the clues and evidence to fall into place. In Blueberry Blunder she is hindered by a television producer with her own agenda especially when Bailey is trying to get information from members of the Amish community who don't allow their pictures to be taken or their happenings filmed. Bailey was their champion and I loved how she stood up for them.
The ending served up quite a surprise, someone I thought maybe was behind everything but I discounted them early when I clearly should have kept them on my list. I will say the ending though was a bit abrupt as a conversation turned into a huge reveal. I was like WHOA! That was not how I thought that would happen. I loved being surprised but still thought there would be more tippy-toeing around before the guilty party would be apprehended but it was a great conclusion for the mystery.
After the mystery was all wrapped up a wonderful event took place followed quickly by another. I had a tear or two in my eye. Thank you, Amanda Flower for such a fantastic ending.
Blueberry Blunder has everything cozy lovers love. Fabulous characters, a marvelous mystery, perfect amounts of humor and romance all set in a town everyone would love to visit. I am so excited for this series to continue.
Blueberry Blunder by Amanda Flower is a witty tale. I laughed often while reading this story. I enjoyed returning to Harvest, Ohio for the Blueberry Bash. I felt bad for Bailey King who has her hands full with making candy for Swissmen Sweets, the construction of the new factory, the filming of her new show, and Jethro (Juliet's polka dotted pig) constantly being foisted on her. Juliet takes advantage of Bailey. She should not continually thrust Jethro on Bailey (Juliet needs a pig sitter). Jethro is one mischievous pig who can only be left unsupervised at nap time. I felt bad for Nutmeg who had to share her bed at Swissmen Sweets with the polka dotted porker. I like that we are getting to know more about Charlotte. She is really coming out of her shell. Charlotte is getting to marry the love of her life in just a few days. Harvest's First Annual Blueberry Bash provided many laugh out loud moments. The Blueberry Princesses dress and throne are indeed something. I had to laugh when I learned who came up with the idea for the festival and why. I do not know if it will help the person or not (I hope it does). Harvest is a blend of Amish and Englisch. Millie and Lois from Amanda Flower's An Amish Matchmaker Mysteries are included. Lois is a hoot. Millie and Lois are polar opposites in looks, but they both have good hearts. The mystery was straightforward. I knew who would die and the identity of the guilty party before the crime took place. The reason why took me a little longer to untangle. My reading enjoyment was not dimmed by this knowledge. I had a fun time following Bailey on her latest adventure. I am glad Aiden is returning to town (it is about time). The ending made me happy. I see changes ahead in Harvest. I cannot wait to see what happens in the next An Amish Candy Shop Mystery. Blueberry Blunder can be read as a standalone for those new to the series, but I recommend reading this entertaining series in order. I like Amanda Flower's writing style. It is friendly and engaging. I was drawn immediately drawn into Blueberry Blunder. It is a lighthearted story that made me laugh. My visit to Harvest was over far too soon. Blueberry Blunder is a comical cozy with a blueberry bash, a construction catastrophe, a poufy princess dress, a playful pig, a killed contractor, blended nuptials, and a special surprise.
