What do you think?
Rate this book
A Candy Holliday Mystery #5
Town in a Strawberry Swirl
In the quaint seaside village of Cape Willington, Maine, Candy Holliday has a mostly idyllic life, tending to the Blueberry Acres farm she runs with her father and occasionally stepping in to solve a murder or two…
Summer has arrived! But as the community gears up for another festive strawberry-picking season, the villagers are shocked when local berry farmer Miles Crawford is found dead in a hoophouse near his strawberry fields. Rumors have been swirling around about a secret real estate deal between Miles and Lydia St. Graves. And now Lydia is missing after she was seen fleeing the scene of the crime…
When Henry "Doc" Holliday becomes involved in the mystery, his daughter Candy finds herself caught in the jam as well. But things turn very sticky when Lydia suddenly reappears and asks for Candy’s help in finding the true murderer…
INCLUDES DELICIOUS RECIPES!
Summer has arrived! But as the community gears up for another festive strawberry-picking season, the villagers are shocked when local berry farmer Miles Crawford is found dead in a hoophouse near his strawberry fields. Rumors have been swirling around about a secret real estate deal between Miles and Lydia St. Graves. And now Lydia is missing after she was seen fleeing the scene of the crime…
When Henry "Doc" Holliday becomes involved in the mystery, his daughter Candy finds herself caught in the jam as well. But things turn very sticky when Lydia suddenly reappears and asks for Candy’s help in finding the true murderer…
INCLUDES DELICIOUS RECIPES!
300 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 4, 2014
51 people are currently reading
695 people want to read
About the author
B.B. Haywood
9 books217 followersB. B. Haywood is a pseudonym of writing team Beth Feeman and Robert Feeman. They conceived the idea for the Candy Holliday mysteries while driving around the Maine countryside, stopping at different small towns throughout the state.
Series:
* Candy Holliday
Series:
* Candy Holliday
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
December 15, 2014
I want to go live in a little town in New England. No blood, gore or sex- just a nice light read.
Cozy mysteries are needed every now and then.
Cozy mysteries are needed every now and then.
June 13, 2016
This is the first book by B.B. Haywood I've read and it is book #5. After reading it I will be getting the rest of the books in the series.
Not only is the book well written, The story line was clean and fast moving. Henry "Doc" Holliday finds his neighbor, and local strawberry farmer Miles Crawford dead and Doc's shovel next to him, he calls for help. Since it is his shovel, he's questioned. And since his daughter Candy has "helped" the police in the past she decides that a little help is needed here. With twists and turns, treasure chests, land rights and some family secrets, this town is indeed in a strawberry swirl.
If you haven't read the series this is the book to grab if you can't find the first four because it mainly centers on the towns people and not on past crimes.
Not only is the book well written, The story line was clean and fast moving. Henry "Doc" Holliday finds his neighbor, and local strawberry farmer Miles Crawford dead and Doc's shovel next to him, he calls for help. Since it is his shovel, he's questioned. And since his daughter Candy has "helped" the police in the past she decides that a little help is needed here. With twists and turns, treasure chests, land rights and some family secrets, this town is indeed in a strawberry swirl.
If you haven't read the series this is the book to grab if you can't find the first four because it mainly centers on the towns people and not on past crimes.
September 18, 2019
This mystery has a lot of small twists that kept me guessing and I did not figure out the killer ahead of the denouement. I'm liking this series more and more as I read through them.
Candy and Doc are sort of suspected in the death of a nearby farmer, since the weapon used was one of their shovels. They try to trace who had the shovel, which, as it happens in a small town, was borrowed and passed along to neighbor after neighbor. In order to clear themselves, Candy and Doc go investigating, finding ancient town deeds and buried treasure (and a dog named Random) along the way.
Candy and Doc are sort of suspected in the death of a nearby farmer, since the weapon used was one of their shovels. They try to trace who had the shovel, which, as it happens in a small town, was borrowed and passed along to neighbor after neighbor. In order to clear themselves, Candy and Doc go investigating, finding ancient town deeds and buried treasure (and a dog named Random) along the way.
October 15, 2020
Fun series!
Another fun story with Candy, Doc and the gang. The mystery was good and kept me guessing. So much happened and it seemed like a week went by in the story but it was really just a couple of days. As much as these books are stand alone I do like the continuing story arc and I’m always trying to figure out how events in the current book fit in. #readforkimberly
Another fun story with Candy, Doc and the gang. The mystery was good and kept me guessing. So much happened and it seemed like a week went by in the story but it was really just a couple of days. As much as these books are stand alone I do like the continuing story arc and I’m always trying to figure out how events in the current book fit in. #readforkimberly
January 29, 2015
Better than the last couple!
May 11, 2015
the book dragged until well into the 2nd 1/2-then it took off--was ok
October 25, 2021
Town in a Strawberry Swirl by B.B. Haywood is the 5th book in the Candy Holliday Mystery series. Local strawberry farmer Miles Crawford is found dead in a hoophouse on his property just prior to the start of the town strawberry festival. An enjoyable and well written mystery with great characters. Candy is very capable and gets a lot of support from her father and other town characters. A delightful cozy mystery with delicious sounding strawberry recipes included.
February 27, 2021
I liked this book but I think what took away from it for me is I didn’t know much about the characters. I jumped into the series out of order. It can be read as a stand-alone but I think it would be even more enjoyable if I had known all about the characters and what not. It’s a really cute cozy surrounded by farms and food! I loved the mystery of it too, it was easy to follow along and made sense. I loved the sleuthing part of it too!
February 4, 2014
B.B. Haywood delivers readers another story in Candy Holliday series. Town in a Strawberry Swirl is the fifth book in the series and finds the town of Cape Willington once again preparing for a festival. This time it's the Strawberry festival and readers are treated to some scrumptious recipes to go along with their clues. Haywood's knack for writing small town hi-jinx is one of the charms of this series and her engaging characters will soon seem like old friends to new readers, and neighbors to the rest of us. A great addition to a wonderful series!
What I liked:
I have really enjoyed the themes and festivals that B.B. Haywood comes up with for this series from the git go. Being a Type 1 Diabetic, I eat a lot of fruits that have natural sugars and strawberries are among my favorites. So the theme of this books festival was right up my alley. I liked the fact that recipes are also included in the back of the book. Let me just say you've got to try the Pasta with Strawberry, Leeks and Fennel, very tasty.
This is the fifth book in this series and Haywood is starting to have quite a following. Her characters are so well written that fans of the series often consider each book like a visit from old friends or neighbors. I think readers feel that way because the author has a way with characterization. Each character whether it be a lead or a secondary character has an integral part in the story. If they are in there, it isn't for show, they have a part to play. Haywood creates a lot of backstory for each character and that makes a reader feel like they know these people and care what happens to them.
I also think a really strong point for each of the books in this series is the town of Cape Willington itself. I want to live in a town where there is a festival or celebration just about every season or perhaps every month. I think that would be great fun. Haywood instills camaraderie and community spirit into the townsfolk, and the small town charm is simply overflowing.
Town in a Strawberry Swirl is among my favorites of the series. The mystery itself was very entertaining and held my interest well. It is a clue based mystery and Haywood leads readers on a merry chase to be sure. Though there are hints about who the real killer is throughout the book, it does't become abundantly clear until near the end. I didn't get stumped on this one and the end is very satisfying.
What I didn't like:
Lydia kind of grated on my nerves a bit as a suspect. I could see why the author would want to have her involved, and how that added to the overall plot of the novel, but the scenes with her in them were a bit too dominated by her character. Probably just a pet peeve, so don't take my word for it. Read the book!
Bottom Line:
This was a great addition to the series. I look forward to each one of the titles in this series coming out and the preview of Town in a Sweet Pickle only whetted my appetite for all things B.B. Haywood. Town in a Strawberry Swirl features another interesting festival and all of the great characters readers have come to love. Can't wait to read more from Candy, Doc and the rest of the gang!
What I liked:
I have really enjoyed the themes and festivals that B.B. Haywood comes up with for this series from the git go. Being a Type 1 Diabetic, I eat a lot of fruits that have natural sugars and strawberries are among my favorites. So the theme of this books festival was right up my alley. I liked the fact that recipes are also included in the back of the book. Let me just say you've got to try the Pasta with Strawberry, Leeks and Fennel, very tasty.
This is the fifth book in this series and Haywood is starting to have quite a following. Her characters are so well written that fans of the series often consider each book like a visit from old friends or neighbors. I think readers feel that way because the author has a way with characterization. Each character whether it be a lead or a secondary character has an integral part in the story. If they are in there, it isn't for show, they have a part to play. Haywood creates a lot of backstory for each character and that makes a reader feel like they know these people and care what happens to them.
I also think a really strong point for each of the books in this series is the town of Cape Willington itself. I want to live in a town where there is a festival or celebration just about every season or perhaps every month. I think that would be great fun. Haywood instills camaraderie and community spirit into the townsfolk, and the small town charm is simply overflowing.
Town in a Strawberry Swirl is among my favorites of the series. The mystery itself was very entertaining and held my interest well. It is a clue based mystery and Haywood leads readers on a merry chase to be sure. Though there are hints about who the real killer is throughout the book, it does't become abundantly clear until near the end. I didn't get stumped on this one and the end is very satisfying.
What I didn't like:
Lydia kind of grated on my nerves a bit as a suspect. I could see why the author would want to have her involved, and how that added to the overall plot of the novel, but the scenes with her in them were a bit too dominated by her character. Probably just a pet peeve, so don't take my word for it. Read the book!
Bottom Line:
This was a great addition to the series. I look forward to each one of the titles in this series coming out and the preview of Town in a Sweet Pickle only whetted my appetite for all things B.B. Haywood. Town in a Strawberry Swirl features another interesting festival and all of the great characters readers have come to love. Can't wait to read more from Candy, Doc and the rest of the gang!
March 12, 2014
B.B Haywood brings us another captivating entry in this series. This time it seems Candy is centered in the heart of the mystery.
As always I was stuck with my nose in this book until I had reached the end. Haywood is excellent at foreshadowing and giving just enough hints to help the reader make an educated guess as to who the murderer is this time; and more importantly why? Haywood also does a fantastic job of providing plenty of plot twists and misdirection to always have you second guessing yourself.
A few issues I was with this series are the time jumps. Large amounts of time separate each installment. Which is fine and fits well with the seasonal theme of each town event but to me it's confusing.. Also characters who seemed likely to be new permanent fixtures are just gone from one book to the next. I am hoping that is the author's personal brand of misdirection. Giving some wiggle room for possible reappearances and deeper involvement later on in the series. Only time will tell.
A new style Haywood worked with in Strawberry Swirl is to switch view points from just Candy to her father and a new character as well. Previously we had only seen this in the beginning of the books at the time of a murder. This also I found confusing at first, however after several books from just Candy's perspective in the end I found it refreshing. It turns out Doc has a good flare for solving mysteries as well. All in all another wonderful addition to a gripping series.
Lastly as always there are recipes in the back. A truly fun spin on the old mystery genre. I haven't gotten to try any of these recipes out yet but I am sure they will be as delicious as all the others have been.
As always I was stuck with my nose in this book until I had reached the end. Haywood is excellent at foreshadowing and giving just enough hints to help the reader make an educated guess as to who the murderer is this time; and more importantly why? Haywood also does a fantastic job of providing plenty of plot twists and misdirection to always have you second guessing yourself.
A few issues I was with this series are the time jumps. Large amounts of time separate each installment. Which is fine and fits well with the seasonal theme of each town event but to me it's confusing.. Also characters who seemed likely to be new permanent fixtures are just gone from one book to the next. I am hoping that is the author's personal brand of misdirection. Giving some wiggle room for possible reappearances and deeper involvement later on in the series. Only time will tell.
A new style Haywood worked with in Strawberry Swirl is to switch view points from just Candy to her father and a new character as well. Previously we had only seen this in the beginning of the books at the time of a murder. This also I found confusing at first, however after several books from just Candy's perspective in the end I found it refreshing. It turns out Doc has a good flare for solving mysteries as well. All in all another wonderful addition to a gripping series.
Lastly as always there are recipes in the back. A truly fun spin on the old mystery genre. I haven't gotten to try any of these recipes out yet but I am sure they will be as delicious as all the others have been.
February 14, 2014
Town In A Strawberry Swirl is the fifth book in the Candy Holliday Murder Mystery series.
I really enjoy this series and part of the reason is that the authors add a little information on the growing of Blueberries. I don't have a garden, but enjoy reading about what goes into the process gardening/farming.
A neighboring strawberry grower has asked Candy's dad to come over to over to talk and when Doc Holliday arrives he finds Miles dead, by a blow to the head and the shovel that did it came from the Holliday farm. Candy and Doc were able to determine that they has lost a similar shovel a few months before. But still, Candy wants to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that they had nothing to do with the murder.
There is a rumor going round that Miles was in the process of selling his strawberry farm. As Candy is approaching the farm, after receiving a call from her dad, she nearly run off the road by Mile's real estate agent. When Candy gets wind of the work that the Cape Willington Historical Protection League is doing, it only adds more suspects. The leagues goal is block the sale, possibly using what ever means to accomplish this.
Doc's cronies don't get to help in this book, much. Candy has become interim editor at the Cape Crier and as such has made her nemesis, Wanda Boyle, a reporter. Must be what Wanda wanted, as she isn't as prickly in this book
A very enjoyable book and series.
Looking forward to the next one.
I really enjoy this series and part of the reason is that the authors add a little information on the growing of Blueberries. I don't have a garden, but enjoy reading about what goes into the process gardening/farming.
A neighboring strawberry grower has asked Candy's dad to come over to over to talk and when Doc Holliday arrives he finds Miles dead, by a blow to the head and the shovel that did it came from the Holliday farm. Candy and Doc were able to determine that they has lost a similar shovel a few months before. But still, Candy wants to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that they had nothing to do with the murder.
There is a rumor going round that Miles was in the process of selling his strawberry farm. As Candy is approaching the farm, after receiving a call from her dad, she nearly run off the road by Mile's real estate agent. When Candy gets wind of the work that the Cape Willington Historical Protection League is doing, it only adds more suspects. The leagues goal is block the sale, possibly using what ever means to accomplish this.
Doc's cronies don't get to help in this book, much. Candy has become interim editor at the Cape Crier and as such has made her nemesis, Wanda Boyle, a reporter. Must be what Wanda wanted, as she isn't as prickly in this book
A very enjoyable book and series.
Looking forward to the next one.
February 27, 2014
To think that someone or some group may be targeting the wonderful town of Cape Willimington, Maine, seems unthinkable. Candy Holliday and her father Doc Holliday, are once again involved in another murder just not too long since the last one. When Doc goes out to the strawberry farm just past his own Blueberry farm, he is shocked to discover local berry farmer and owner, Miles Crawford, lying dead in one of his farms hoop houses. As Candy, who is now also the interim editior for the local newspaper, as well as blueberry farmer, arrives on scene, she is almost run of the road by local real estate agent Lydia St. Graves and once she arrives at the scene things get more complicated when the murder weapon seems to be a shovel that has been missing from thier own BlueBerry Acres Farm. Candy and Doc need to find put why and how thier shovel got to the murder scene, and why was Lydia seen fleeing the scene of the crime, plus the town is now very concerned about the upcoming Strawberry Fair that is to be held in two days .
This is another great read and addition to The Candy Holliday Mystery series. I am enjoying these books very much, writing is clever and the underlying threat to the town in all of the books adds great suspense. As always anxiously awaiting the next book.
This is another great read and addition to The Candy Holliday Mystery series. I am enjoying these books very much, writing is clever and the underlying threat to the town in all of the books adds great suspense. As always anxiously awaiting the next book.
February 24, 2014
"Town in a Strawberry Swirl" is a cozy mystery. It's the fifth in a series, but you don't need to read the previous books to understand this one, and this book didn't spoil the whodunit of the previous novels.
I liked that the heroine logically thought through the clues from the beginning and was sensitive in how she got information. The heroine and her father are likable characters. There were clues as to the "why" and some indications about the "who" of whodunit, but I don't think there were enough clues to firmly guess whodunit before the reveal. I was disappointed that the mystery was solved through the heroine being at the wrong place at the wrong time rather than the excellent clue-finding work.
There was a minor amount of bad language. There were no sex scenes. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable mystery.
I received this book as a review copy from the publisher.
I liked that the heroine logically thought through the clues from the beginning and was sensitive in how she got information. The heroine and her father are likable characters. There were clues as to the "why" and some indications about the "who" of whodunit, but I don't think there were enough clues to firmly guess whodunit before the reveal. I was disappointed that the mystery was solved through the heroine being at the wrong place at the wrong time rather than the excellent clue-finding work.
There was a minor amount of bad language. There were no sex scenes. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable mystery.
I received this book as a review copy from the publisher.
February 8, 2014
I was pleased to read like is growing this series in originality, freshness, with a interesting plot, credible characters and beautiful setting. Candy can't be the classic beautiful and sexy protagonist , in fact her life is pretty calm but the excitement comes from investigations that she is very able of manage . So also in this book are her clever and bright "snoop around" to solve the mystery. I liked especially the fast rhythm of storytelling and the little reference to the big mystery scheme only to the end.
February 13, 2014
Cape Willington is an interesting seaside village in Maine which always seems to be holding some sort of festival. This fifth one is a strawberry one. Candy, editor of the paper and local blueberry farm owner with her father, always manages to get in the middle of any mysterious happening in town. The books are all connected by a single subplot, but the books can be read in any order. I, however, have a touch of OCD when it comes to reading books out of order, so I didn't. Looking forward to #6 about sweet pickles.
December 29, 2014
his is what I like about the Candy Holliday mysterys - every turn in the story is unexpected so that the reader is kept in the dark like the characters in the story as well just until the last pages!And town in a strawberry swirl is no exception. The introduction of a new character makes it even better.
Reading the Candy Holliday mysteries was for me the motivation to go visit Maine this year! And I wasn't disappointed either! ;)
I am really looking forward to the next mystery!
Reading the Candy Holliday mysteries was for me the motivation to go visit Maine this year! And I wasn't disappointed either! ;)
I am really looking forward to the next mystery!
October 16, 2016
Just finished the most delightful murder mystery by B.B. Haywood - Town in a Strawberry Swirl and discovered that it is a series!! Love it and now need to read the next two before I go back to the start. The only part I wasn't enthralled with is the print in the paperback. Usually I read at night in bed for a bit but couldn't do it- print just too small. But I do recommend this to anyone who like the cozy mystery books.
May 12, 2014
I find Candy far to naive when it comes to walking into dangerous situations. That kind of protagonist puts me off. I don't expect the main character to be a trained detective or a genius, but she should be a lot more into self-preservation than Candy is.
Plus, the book ended on a cliffhanger. I like my cozy books to be self-contained.
Plus, the book ended on a cliffhanger. I like my cozy books to be self-contained.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 10, 2015
Cape Willington is an interesting seaside village in Maine which always seems to be holding some sort of festival. This fifth one is a strawberry one. I have read them all in order and found this one to be the most enjoyable. There was some predictability near the end. If you have not read these, they are great cozy mysteries to enjoy.
December 4, 2015
I think by far this was the easiest mystery to unravel of the series, but it does give a lot more information on the sinister plot. I really liked the supporting characters and find the softening of the police chief an interesting choice in character development. Makes me wonder about the part he'll play in unraveling the sinister plot. A good read and nice diversion from the daily grind.
July 8, 2016
An exciting book that has you gripped in its pages so you have to read more. B.B. Haywood has got one of the best Cozy Mystery Series I've read so far. She is one of my favorite writters. If you haven't read A Candy Holliday Murder Mystery Series you should stop by a book store or library a pick up one of her books.
August 18, 2015
Every books of candy Holliday series connect together. Plot, character relationship, and secret of this town. The weakness in this series, it does not have romance relationship between main character and some guy. But, i really love it.
May 13, 2014
In the category of cozy mysteries, the candy holiday ones are just lovely. Not too hard to figure out but give you a little surprised the end. I always enjoy the read. Easy and cozy; just as it should be.
December 19, 2014
Enjoyed this installment...interested in seeing where this goes next.
February 25, 2014
I really just love this series!
June 13, 2014
Once again another great novel in a fun series. Candy and Doc are quickly becoming two of my favorite cozy mystery characters. The ending is amazing... Can't wait for the next one.
May 4, 2014
One of my favorite cozy series. There is always and unexpected ending.
July 8, 2014
How many murders can a small town have? Even though the premis is difficult to swallow I enjoyed Candy and Doc solving the death of a neighboring farmer.
January 27, 2015
Enjoying this series
I like the small time feel. I also enjoy reading about the north east. I've never been. Great recipes. Looking forward to the next book.
I like the small time feel. I also enjoy reading about the north east. I've never been. Great recipes. Looking forward to the next book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews