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Samantha Sweet #2
Sweet's Sweets
Sam is working hard to get her new pastry shop, Sweet's Sweets, open for business. Just when she's really got her hands full with that, she's assigned a new property to take care of as part of her contract with the USDA. The place is a hoarder's delight and Sam is feeling more than a little bit overwhelmed as she begins cleaning with a vengeance.
When a blood-soaked garment turns up among some things Sam has dropped off at the thrift shop, Sam recommends that they call the Sheriff's office. Deputy Beau Cardwell is a bit under pressure himself, as the Sheriff is so busy running for reelection that the office is understaffed. Together, Sam and Beau sift through the evidence and discover that the bloody coat leads to a far more complicated situation than a simple case of murder.
Once again Sam calls upon the powers of the magical wooden box that came into her possession a few months earlier to help unwind the tangled threads of the case.
When a blood-soaked garment turns up among some things Sam has dropped off at the thrift shop, Sam recommends that they call the Sheriff's office. Deputy Beau Cardwell is a bit under pressure himself, as the Sheriff is so busy running for reelection that the office is understaffed. Together, Sam and Beau sift through the evidence and discover that the bloody coat leads to a far more complicated situation than a simple case of murder.
Once again Sam calls upon the powers of the magical wooden box that came into her possession a few months earlier to help unwind the tangled threads of the case.
264 pages, Nook
First published January 8, 2011
433 people are currently reading
619 people want to read
About the author
Connie Shelton
94 books309 followersMy love of books started with weekly trips to the library as a child and from the moment I learned to read I can't remember a time that I didn't have at least one book going. For the past 25 years, that list has grown to include what I'm reading and what I'm writing at any given time.
I began writing my Charlie Parker series when my husband and I lived on Kauai, then continued them in my home state of New Mexico. Charlie lives in Albuquerque and manages to travel to a variety of locations, wherever her investigation business and her husband's helicopter business take them. My second series featuring Samantha Sweet, the 50-ish woman who breaks into houses for a living, is set in Taos, New Mexico.
In addition to reading and writing, I've traveled quite a lot, taught writing courses, and been a speaker at a whole lot of mystery conventions and writing conferences. In my spare time I also love to paint, draw, cook and spend time at the beach.
Series:
* Charlie Parker Mystery
I began writing my Charlie Parker series when my husband and I lived on Kauai, then continued them in my home state of New Mexico. Charlie lives in Albuquerque and manages to travel to a variety of locations, wherever her investigation business and her husband's helicopter business take them. My second series featuring Samantha Sweet, the 50-ish woman who breaks into houses for a living, is set in Taos, New Mexico.
In addition to reading and writing, I've traveled quite a lot, taught writing courses, and been a speaker at a whole lot of mystery conventions and writing conferences. In my spare time I also love to paint, draw, cook and spend time at the beach.
Series:
* Charlie Parker Mystery
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
March 13, 2024
Samantha Sweet's dream is about to come true--her own bakery in Taos, NM. She's dating Beau, the handsome sheriff, despite mentioning several times that she can't believe a dumpy grey haired woman could attract such a handsome and desirable man. Sam helps Beau investigate two murders, and keeps busy not only with her other job, but also baking delicious goodies (which are described in sumptuous detail) for Sweet's Sweets, all with help from a magic box.
February 16, 2015
One of the better cozy-mysteries that I have read. The descriptions of all the sweet bakery items did lead to some cravings.
October 13, 2021
This is the 2 nd book in seriers. It's Halloween. Samantha Sweet got her battleship Sweet's Sweets finally open But she still is working her other job cleaning out houses that people left behind or abandord. The orders were piling up. So Sam daughter Kelly helped her friend help 2 women Becky and Jen ( they were friends in school) Kelly is still taking care of Iris Beau older mom ( and Sam cop boyfriend) In book 1 there was a magical box ( that an old women Beatrice they said was a witch. Beatrice have Samantha it before she died in one of the houses she cleaned after people got evicted.) It was a wizardry box with special powers that effected Sam with energy have her visions and have off quotas off people. This is a fast read also. All different stories in the plot. It is not one of my favorites. But if you like mystical this book might be for you
February 23, 2017
I'm really enjoying this series. Sam got to open her bakery and the treats she's making sound so good! She gets involved in two murders one a bakery customer and one that is involved with her break in properties that she is still under contract for. Good story and fun characters.
February 26, 2020
Is this where I go to complain about the reader?! Seems mean to penalise the author, but seriously, nothing takes me out of a book faster than a mispronounced word that the protagonist would OBVIOUSLY know how to pronounce. In this particular case, the word is "bruja" which is Spanish for "witch." anyone with even passing familiarity with the language would know that it's pronounced brew-ha. Anyone who's ever lived in New Mexico would know that it's pronounced brew-ha. Unless there some specific dialect of which I am grossly unaware, there is no place where they pronounce the word "brew-ya".
So there I am, calmly listening and minding my own business, trying to get into the story, and then the reader says brew-ya. and I'm not pointing to this specific reader as the only offender. It happens a lot. What I can't figure out is why this can't be sorted out somewhere between the reader, the producer of the audio, the author listening to few portions, the author passing a pronunciation guide to the reader. But I especially blame the person reading. If I saw a word that I didn't know for sure, I would Google it. And Mister Google to tell you, without hesitation, that the word is bruja (brew-ha).
Without this annoying problem, I would probably write this book 4 stars. I love cozy mysteries and I love cozy mysteries that involve food most of all. But I can't abide this pronunciations of key terms. If she said it once, it wouldn't bother me, because I would probably forget in a few minutes. But when she says it over and over and over not only can I not forget, but it makes me more annoyed every single time.
Rant off. Read this book if you want to and pronounce it brew-ha. Listen to the audiobook at your own peril. You've been warned.
So there I am, calmly listening and minding my own business, trying to get into the story, and then the reader says brew-ya. and I'm not pointing to this specific reader as the only offender. It happens a lot. What I can't figure out is why this can't be sorted out somewhere between the reader, the producer of the audio, the author listening to few portions, the author passing a pronunciation guide to the reader. But I especially blame the person reading. If I saw a word that I didn't know for sure, I would Google it. And Mister Google to tell you, without hesitation, that the word is bruja (brew-ha).
Without this annoying problem, I would probably write this book 4 stars. I love cozy mysteries and I love cozy mysteries that involve food most of all. But I can't abide this pronunciations of key terms. If she said it once, it wouldn't bother me, because I would probably forget in a few minutes. But when she says it over and over and over not only can I not forget, but it makes me more annoyed every single time.
Rant off. Read this book if you want to and pronounce it brew-ha. Listen to the audiobook at your own peril. You've been warned.
February 7, 2014
Sweden's Sweets
An enjoyable read. Samantha finally has her own shop. But she is still working for USDA on defaulted home loans. While cleaning out a home things become a little complicated. Sam still has the box that Mrs. Martinez gave her before dying. And things go a little odd on her. A new friend, setting up shop, juggling a love life and two jobs. Let the fun begin.
An enjoyable read. Samantha finally has her own shop. But she is still working for USDA on defaulted home loans. While cleaning out a home things become a little complicated. Sam still has the box that Mrs. Martinez gave her before dying. And things go a little odd on her. A new friend, setting up shop, juggling a love life and two jobs. Let the fun begin.
May 24, 2018
Very enjoyable. 3 stars instead of 4 because the sleuth got so much police info and a few things were too obvious.
March 24, 2024
free ebook, i read the first of the series and liked it
she caters her baked goods and is opening a shop so she can get some help shes so busy
she also breaks into houses the bank gets and cleans them out so they can be sold
she found a bloody raincoat in one of them, but no blood at the house
the police are looking into it
her daughter moved back in with her and is working at her boyfriends house taking care of his mom
her friend died after telling her she accidentally killed the man whos bloody coat she found in the house she was clearing out. she was sure its murder and is having her boyfriend look more closely into it
she has a box with gems that light up that give her strength and messages
she figured out it was the man running for office who had a son by someone not his wife and the son killed his wife so they could be a family. the son was arrested but the man won the race
the sheriff was also guilty of dumping the body of the pi into the river after his lover, the gov's wife was having a affair with accidentally killed him, and put the bloody coat in the house sam was cleaning
he was arrested and sams boyfriend gets to be sheriff
she was almost evicted out of her new bakery, which is very busy, but her friends banded together and the landlord is letting her stay
she caters her baked goods and is opening a shop so she can get some help shes so busy
she also breaks into houses the bank gets and cleans them out so they can be sold
she found a bloody raincoat in one of them, but no blood at the house
the police are looking into it
her daughter moved back in with her and is working at her boyfriends house taking care of his mom
her friend died after telling her she accidentally killed the man whos bloody coat she found in the house she was clearing out. she was sure its murder and is having her boyfriend look more closely into it
she has a box with gems that light up that give her strength and messages
she figured out it was the man running for office who had a son by someone not his wife and the son killed his wife so they could be a family. the son was arrested but the man won the race
the sheriff was also guilty of dumping the body of the pi into the river after his lover, the gov's wife was having a affair with accidentally killed him, and put the bloody coat in the house sam was cleaning
he was arrested and sams boyfriend gets to be sheriff
she was almost evicted out of her new bakery, which is very busy, but her friends banded together and the landlord is letting her stay
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2017
In #2 of the series, Sam Sweet is on the brink of opening her bakery, but she's still filling orders from her home kitchen with her daughter's help while the finishing touches are completed: ovens delivered, facility cleaned, staff hired, etc. Her beau, Deputy Beau Cardwell, is still around, though between his busy schedule and her hectic pace, they see less and less of each other. Even with her bakery opening, Sam still takes on properties to prep through her contract with the USDA. When the thrift store uncovers a coat Sam donates from the house covered in what looks like blood, Sam and Beau try to track down an answer before their investigation gets shut down by a coverup during the election year. There's a body found nearby, but is it unrelated? Politics continue to play a role when her new friend, a local politician's wife, is found dead of apparent suicide...but Sam doesn't buy that theory.
Ever-present is the mysterious box, from which Sam draws power...and perhaps she's found a way to share the power with others.
Ever-present is the mysterious box, from which Sam draws power...and perhaps she's found a way to share the power with others.
June 12, 2017
Sam is working hard to get her new pastry shop, Sweet's Sweets, open for business. Just when she's really got her hands full with that, she's assigned a new property to take care of as part of her contract with the USDA. The place is a hoarder's delight and Sam is feeling more than a little bit overwhelmed as she begins cleaning with a vengeance.
When a blood-soaked garment turns up among some things Sam has dropped off at the thrift shop, Sam recommends that they call the Sheriff's office. Deputy Beau Cardwell is a bit under pressure himself, as the Sheriff is so busy running for reelection that the office is understaffed. Together, Sam and Beau sift through the evidence and discover that the bloody coat leads to a far more complicated situation than a simple case of murder.
Once again Sam calls upon the powers of the magical wooden box that came into her possession a few months earlier to help unwind the tangled threads of the case.
Loved this series. Ready for more. 5 stars.
When a blood-soaked garment turns up among some things Sam has dropped off at the thrift shop, Sam recommends that they call the Sheriff's office. Deputy Beau Cardwell is a bit under pressure himself, as the Sheriff is so busy running for reelection that the office is understaffed. Together, Sam and Beau sift through the evidence and discover that the bloody coat leads to a far more complicated situation than a simple case of murder.
Once again Sam calls upon the powers of the magical wooden box that came into her possession a few months earlier to help unwind the tangled threads of the case.
Loved this series. Ready for more. 5 stars.
February 11, 2018
In between filling bakery orders from her home kitchen and getting her new bakery ready to open, Samantha cleans out another abandoned home per her contract with the government. The discovery of a blood-soaked trench coat draws attention from Beau, the local deputy sheriff and Sam's boyfriend. A body found under a bridge appears to be a strange coincidence, or is it? Sam soon tries to link the evidence, and the powerful politicians running for office are more than happy to stifle Beau's investigation. A magical box with mystical powers seem to give Sam guidance along the way.
Second book in the series, and I'm really enjoying the read. Great plot with twists and turns, good characters development. I like that the MC is in her fifties willing to tackle unsavory jobs to fulfill her dream. The family relationships portrayed with the young daughter and Beau's aging mother are very true to life. Great mystery, with a touch of romance and paranormal.
Second book in the series, and I'm really enjoying the read. Great plot with twists and turns, good characters development. I like that the MC is in her fifties willing to tackle unsavory jobs to fulfill her dream. The family relationships portrayed with the young daughter and Beau's aging mother are very true to life. Great mystery, with a touch of romance and paranormal.
May 9, 2018
Sam Sweet has opened her bakery but she is still cleaning up foreclosed homes. She found a coat covered in blood in one of them. Then the body of an unknown man turns up in the river & Sam thinks they are related. Then a friend commits suicide but Sam thinks it’s murder.
Sam also has a mysterious box that has magical powers that give her energy & sometimes helps her to ‘see’ things or hear things. I think there is just the right level of magic in these stories. I don’t generally read books with supernatural things in them because I think a lot of the time it is used a a crutch to get characters out of situations the author didn’t mean to get them into & can’t think of a logical way to get them out. This is done well though, just enough little enhancements & Sam knows no more about the box & what it can do that we do.
Sam also has a mysterious box that has magical powers that give her energy & sometimes helps her to ‘see’ things or hear things. I think there is just the right level of magic in these stories. I don’t generally read books with supernatural things in them because I think a lot of the time it is used a a crutch to get characters out of situations the author didn’t mean to get them into & can’t think of a logical way to get them out. This is done well though, just enough little enhancements & Sam knows no more about the box & what it can do that we do.
Read
June 28, 2018I enjoyed this book so much I paid for this one and the next two in the series (darn you BookBub and Amazon!). Note that #1 was free. 😊
Sweet's Sweets is another cozy mystery in the Samantha Sweet mystery series. I'm really enamored of the characters and the New Mexico setting. Sam breaks into and cleans abandoned houses for the USDA, but her long time dream is to open her own bakery business. She finally makes her dream come true via a windfall explained in book #1. So this book is filled with mouth watering descriptions of her confections. I wish it were illustrated! The mystery is satisfactorily resolved, Sam's relationship with Beau is moving forward in spite of their crazy schedules, Sam's daughter is gainfully employed. I don't think you need to read the series in order but it will definitely enhance your enjoyment!
Sweet's Sweets is another cozy mystery in the Samantha Sweet mystery series. I'm really enamored of the characters and the New Mexico setting. Sam breaks into and cleans abandoned houses for the USDA, but her long time dream is to open her own bakery business. She finally makes her dream come true via a windfall explained in book #1. So this book is filled with mouth watering descriptions of her confections. I wish it were illustrated! The mystery is satisfactorily resolved, Sam's relationship with Beau is moving forward in spite of their crazy schedules, Sam's daughter is gainfully employed. I don't think you need to read the series in order but it will definitely enhance your enjoyment!
October 13, 2018
Loving This Series!
This second installment in the Samantha Sweet Mysteries is better than the first, which was fabulous! Smooth, typo-free, grammatically correct, cohesive writing is the sweetest! And, in addition to a mystery which isn't cookie cutter, I'm enjoying reading all about Sam's realized dream of the bakery she always desired to own, showing off her baking skills and artistry!. Life is great for Sam. Her friends and loved ones are quite varied and interesting. But she is still learning and sometimes struggling with a "magical" box which was gifted to her by a now deceased woman. The woman who many folks suspected was a witch! Very enjoyable reading! What trouble will Sam find herself in next? And how will she work to find her way out of these highly unusual situations, and continue to follow her dreams! I can't wait! On to the next book!
This second installment in the Samantha Sweet Mysteries is better than the first, which was fabulous! Smooth, typo-free, grammatically correct, cohesive writing is the sweetest! And, in addition to a mystery which isn't cookie cutter, I'm enjoying reading all about Sam's realized dream of the bakery she always desired to own, showing off her baking skills and artistry!. Life is great for Sam. Her friends and loved ones are quite varied and interesting. But she is still learning and sometimes struggling with a "magical" box which was gifted to her by a now deceased woman. The woman who many folks suspected was a witch! Very enjoyable reading! What trouble will Sam find herself in next? And how will she work to find her way out of these highly unusual situations, and continue to follow her dreams! I can't wait! On to the next book!
March 23, 2018
First time reading this author and this is the second in the series. The main character is Samantha Sweet and she is opening a sweet shop but she has another job on the side. She breaks into house that belong to the USDA and she reclaims them and gets them ready for sale. The place she goes to look at is floor the ceiling junk that she must get rid of and the clean the place up. She takes a bunch of clothes to a thrift store and later hears from them that there was a coat soaked in blood. Who owned the coat and what happened to him.
While getting her sweet shop opened for business, she also tries to figure all this out. Her boyfriend is a cop and she is helping him with this as well. Looking forward to many more adventures.
While getting her sweet shop opened for business, she also tries to figure all this out. Her boyfriend is a cop and she is helping him with this as well. Looking forward to many more adventures.
March 5, 2024
What a great story! Multiple crimes, multiple suspects, complications of politicians involved in everything and it being election time, all of it wrapped up in a sweet story about a woman making a go of it to open her own business while dating the local sheriff.
Lots of great relationships and so many descriptions of yummy bakery items. The fantastic descriptions of everything made me think I was right there. And as if that wasn't enough to keep things interesting, there is a magic box that provides mysterious support to the woman Sam. I greatly enjoyed reading this story and can almost guarantee that other readers will feel the same.
Lots of great relationships and so many descriptions of yummy bakery items. The fantastic descriptions of everything made me think I was right there. And as if that wasn't enough to keep things interesting, there is a magic box that provides mysterious support to the woman Sam. I greatly enjoyed reading this story and can almost guarantee that other readers will feel the same.
January 16, 2021
Cozy mystery. Sam Sweet is finally realizing her dream of opening a retail bakery but she is still committed to the USDA to break into abandoned mortgage properties to clean and maintain until sold. While setting up her bakery she must break into a house that was filled by a hoarder. In the clothes, she leaves at the thrift shop is a blood-soaked trench coat.
Once again, Sam can't stop investigating the mystery, she and Deputy Beau Cardell work together while trying to build a relationship. Fast read, easy dialogue, and good characters make for an enjoyable read.
Once again, Sam can't stop investigating the mystery, she and Deputy Beau Cardell work together while trying to build a relationship. Fast read, easy dialogue, and good characters make for an enjoyable read.
May 24, 2020
A wanderfull cozey murder mystery with the edge of the paranormal element to it. The caracters are vibrant each in their own powerful way,mother and daughter, mother and son and those whose lives are entwined through association. One mystery leading to another with secret after secret with the baker keeping having the deepest secret of all. Aquier a copy of "Sweet's Sweets " so you yourself can enjoy reading it as much as I have. 😊☺🙄🤔😮😮🤔☺😉😊Kat
June 27, 2021
For a person who has just opened a bakery, this lady sure doesn't seem too nice or smart as an employer.
She keeps wandering off to meet up with her law enforcement boyfriend - and at one point her poor retail sales girl didn't get a chance to have a lunch break because of that.
She also seems to expect her other staff member to come up with ideas for and create exquisitely designed cakes - despite the new baker having no experience.
She keeps wandering off to meet up with her law enforcement boyfriend - and at one point her poor retail sales girl didn't get a chance to have a lunch break because of that.
She also seems to expect her other staff member to come up with ideas for and create exquisitely designed cakes - despite the new baker having no experience.
December 2, 2017
Can't stop reading.
Th his second book in the Sweets Sweet series is just as good or better than the first. Th his time there are politicians involved. Things get measure and measure as election day approaches. There are lots of twists and turns in this book and you won't believe the outcome.
Th his second book in the Sweets Sweet series is just as good or better than the first. Th his time there are politicians involved. Things get measure and measure as election day approaches. There are lots of twists and turns in this book and you won't believe the outcome.
June 11, 2018
Sam finally gets her bakery going and still has to break into houses for the USDA for two whole years!
She gets a weird piece of clothing that starts a whole lot of trouble. There are new characters and lots of things going on in this book. Read it, so you know it all before going to the next one and because it's so good!
Enjoy!
She gets a weird piece of clothing that starts a whole lot of trouble. There are new characters and lots of things going on in this book. Read it, so you know it all before going to the next one and because it's so good!
Enjoy!
July 4, 2018
For some reason, I thoroughly enjoyed this cozy mystery. I always hate to buy these short, light mysteries but the library only carries a couple of this series. I still will read the entire series as long as I continue to be entertained by the characters. Have to admit, $5 for pretty cheap entertainment!
April 30, 2019
I really enjoy the actual story, but I am struggling with the whole magic box thing. It almost seems as the magic box was tossed in as a last minute idea. I have read two books in the series, but it is doubtful that I will read another just because of that box. It’s a shame because I enjoy the characters.
September 12, 2021
Magical
I couldn't put it down. Read this delightful story full of mystery, intrigue, corruption and magic. The characters of the story are realistic and hard not to love or hate as they are. Love, caring and parties...you need to read. So much going on yet easy to keep it all straight, excellent writing
I couldn't put it down. Read this delightful story full of mystery, intrigue, corruption and magic. The characters of the story are realistic and hard not to love or hate as they are. Love, caring and parties...you need to read. So much going on yet easy to keep it all straight, excellent writing
October 6, 2021
A good series.
An enjoyable read with good characters. Sam opens her bakery and helps investigate a murder. Brian and Sam do their best to have dates. I like the mystery plot, which gets mixed in with politics. The descriptions of the baked goods made me wish I could eat them. I like this series.
An enjoyable read with good characters. Sam opens her bakery and helps investigate a murder. Brian and Sam do their best to have dates. I like the mystery plot, which gets mixed in with politics. The descriptions of the baked goods made me wish I could eat them. I like this series.
January 15, 2024
This is a good mystery book. Sam opens her new bakery and Beau, her deputy boyfriend, keeps her in the loop on his murder cases. The first part of the book is all about opening her bakery and gradually introducing the main characters, it really gets going in the final chapters. This is well worth reading just to see if you pick who the killer is and see if her magic box helps to crack the case.
February 8, 2024
Sam's Special Powers
The wonderful way she has with cakes is surpassed only by the powers she has from her magical box. Love the way she figures out clues no one else can. Her love interest keeps you reading to find out how serious things can get. You won't be disappointed by anything in this story. Loved the whole book.
The wonderful way she has with cakes is surpassed only by the powers she has from her magical box. Love the way she figures out clues no one else can. Her love interest keeps you reading to find out how serious things can get. You won't be disappointed by anything in this story. Loved the whole book.
March 10, 2024
Sam is finally able to realize her dream of opening a bakery. In the midst of all the hard work of getting the shop set up, she continues her job of “ breaking in” to houses. She enters homes that have been foreclosed and cleans them so they can be resold. Naturally, there is a murder that ties to the property she is currently preparing for sale.
June 8, 2025
It's been a while since I read the first book. I wish it didn't take me so long to get back. I decided to listen to this one in audiobook and so glad I did. This narrator totally makes the story worth it. She reads it as if it's really happening to her, almost as if it just comes natural to her. I like how the story does not follow the natural flow of a cozy mystery.
March 6, 2018
I love this series
I really like the series setting in NM. I have lived in NM for 15 years now. I love this series, what with the paranormal aspects of the box and if course chocoholics in the book club. I'm glad I found this series.
I really like the series setting in NM. I have lived in NM for 15 years now. I love this series, what with the paranormal aspects of the box and if course chocoholics in the book club. I'm glad I found this series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews