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A Candy & Chaos Cozy Mystery #1
Jelly Bean Jiggery-Pokery
Welcome to Hemlock Hollow, where witchcraft bubbles beneath the surface.
Blue Bell has spent years hiding her mystical talents while running her candy shop, Sucre Bleu. But when a dead body appears outside new neighbor Ethan Moore’s office, she finds herself drawn into a baffling murder.
With help from her sarcastic talking cat Tiffany, quirky sister Pepper, and Ethan’s slick investigating skills, Blue follows the clues. Her supernatural gifts give her an edge, but she risks exposing her secret witchy abilities.
Suspicion brews when the police suspect Blue could be the killer. Then it shifts to the victim’s wife, his lover, and a shady ex-partner as illicit affairs and dark secrets emerge. But when the investigation stirs up danger, Blue must tap into her full powers or end up in hot water.
Can she catch the killer and clear her name without bringing her magic to a boil? Or will her hidden bewitching talents finally bubble over?
Find out in this spellbinding cozy bursting with charms, chills, and Tiffany's hilariously snarky familiar wit! The secrets of Hemlock Hollow are ready to unfurl.
Blue Bell has spent years hiding her mystical talents while running her candy shop, Sucre Bleu. But when a dead body appears outside new neighbor Ethan Moore’s office, she finds herself drawn into a baffling murder.
With help from her sarcastic talking cat Tiffany, quirky sister Pepper, and Ethan’s slick investigating skills, Blue follows the clues. Her supernatural gifts give her an edge, but she risks exposing her secret witchy abilities.
Suspicion brews when the police suspect Blue could be the killer. Then it shifts to the victim’s wife, his lover, and a shady ex-partner as illicit affairs and dark secrets emerge. But when the investigation stirs up danger, Blue must tap into her full powers or end up in hot water.
Can she catch the killer and clear her name without bringing her magic to a boil? Or will her hidden bewitching talents finally bubble over?
Find out in this spellbinding cozy bursting with charms, chills, and Tiffany's hilariously snarky familiar wit! The secrets of Hemlock Hollow are ready to unfurl.
- GenresCozy Mystery
232 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 27, 2023
355 people are currently reading
133 people want to read
About the author
Sara Bourgeois
234 books343 followersSara Bourgeois is a Midwesterner through and through. She spends her time writing, reading, herding cats, and standing in her driveway during tornado warnings. (You can't see them from the basement.)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
January 7, 2025
Hemlock Hollow candy shop owner Blue Bell has spent years hiding her magical side while running her candy shop, Sucre Bleu. But when a man is found dead outside new neighbor Ethan Moore’s PI office, a man she had a loud, public fight with, she has to rely more on those mystical skills to find the real killer. She’s aided in the search by her Valley Girl talking cat, Tiffany, her younger sister Pepper, and the handsome PI.
I wanted to like this story, I really did – but it mainly irritated and frustrated me. I only finished it because I was on the elliptical and didn’t want to stop to pick a new book.
Minuses: Formulaic and predictable; leaned towards romance dressed in mystery clothing; author’s actual knowledge of law enforcement and investigations appears to be minimal; lots of repetition of facts (Ethan’s auburn hair and making new candy recipes); tense problems in writing; plot holes (Blue is riding on Ethan’s motorcycle and then leans her head on the window … of a motorcycle?); misbehaving characters who roll over too quickly, especially for people who have no authority and can do nothing to those characters; and the start of a love triangle I could see coming a mile away.
Pluses – I did like the relationship between Blue and Pepper; the cat is funny; the paranormal angle (Blue and Pepper being witches, the cat familiar, imbuing the candy with magical properties) was low key, entertaining, and plausible; and the author did a good job of fleshing out the characters.
Maybe things improve in Book 2, but this just didn’t gel for me and I probably won’t be reading more in this series.
I wanted to like this story, I really did – but it mainly irritated and frustrated me. I only finished it because I was on the elliptical and didn’t want to stop to pick a new book.
Minuses: Formulaic and predictable; leaned towards romance dressed in mystery clothing; author’s actual knowledge of law enforcement and investigations appears to be minimal; lots of repetition of facts (Ethan’s auburn hair and making new candy recipes); tense problems in writing; plot holes (Blue is riding on Ethan’s motorcycle and then leans her head on the window … of a motorcycle?); misbehaving characters who roll over too quickly, especially for people who have no authority and can do nothing to those characters; and the start of a love triangle I could see coming a mile away.
Pluses – I did like the relationship between Blue and Pepper; the cat is funny; the paranormal angle (Blue and Pepper being witches, the cat familiar, imbuing the candy with magical properties) was low key, entertaining, and plausible; and the author did a good job of fleshing out the characters.
Maybe things improve in Book 2, but this just didn’t gel for me and I probably won’t be reading more in this series.
Read
January 4, 2024It was a cozy mystery where a dead body is found outside the candy shop and Blue is the main suspect. There were a lot of characters randomly introduced and half followed up on. It is like Blue's life was in stasis until this book and suddenly she has a lot of ideas about what to do and how to do.
I didnt really care for the characters or the mystery. I wont be continuing the series but that just might be a me thing.
I didnt really care for the characters or the mystery. I wont be continuing the series but that just might be a me thing.
December 29, 2025
A fun read
July 22, 2024
Editing is important
This seems to be a good story, but I had to stop reading it because the editing was so poor. I kept saying to myself, she just said that, or didn't she say that already? I just couldn't.
This seems to be a good story, but I had to stop reading it because the editing was so poor. I kept saying to myself, she just said that, or didn't she say that already? I just couldn't.
June 27, 2024
Confused
Why would people come talk to Blue about the murder when the cops thought she was the only suspect? Also how could she lean her head against the window if she was on a motorcycle? The mystery was pretty good except how he was murdered was confusing.
Why would people come talk to Blue about the murder when the cops thought she was the only suspect? Also how could she lean her head against the window if she was on a motorcycle? The mystery was pretty good except how he was murdered was confusing.
August 30, 2024
Rated
3 Stars: ⭐⭐⭐
Good Read
Kindle Unlimited
3 Stars: ⭐⭐⭐
Good Read
Kindle Unlimited
January 9, 2024
Good
When an objectionable customer is found murdered near Blue’s candy shop, she’s rather surprised to find herself on the suspect list. Enlisting the new PI in town, Blue is determined to unearth the culprit, find some answers, and clear her name.
I give this three and a half stars: because while the story was entertaining, there were a lot of things that caused interruptions in the story flow. For instance, the fact that the parents weren’t around, or precisely why Blue thought the use of magic needs to be limited remain unexplained (and is Grandma dead or not?).
There was also a lot of confusion with the times of day and how things worked out- it wasn’t always clear, and I found myself feeling like Blue and Pepper were going to bed at 7pm, or conversely staying up all night before heading to bed.
Blue always seemed to be brainstorming ideas for the candy shop- but the implications are that she had never had such thoughts before!
Also, I’m NOT a fan of love triangles, and the fact that the last part of the book started implying one definitely turned me off.
That being said, I did like Blue, and I found the small glimpse into her life an intriguing one, especially the last chapter.
I liked her candy shop ideas, and even the rather odd relationships with her sister and familiar.
I suspect that some of my unanswered questions are to be answered later in the series, so I guess it is wait and see.
This was an entertaining read, with a rather intriguing (if a tad reckless) heroine, and a murder victim who definitely deserved it! The mystery was okay, but I preferred the little glimpses into Blue’s magical world.
When an objectionable customer is found murdered near Blue’s candy shop, she’s rather surprised to find herself on the suspect list. Enlisting the new PI in town, Blue is determined to unearth the culprit, find some answers, and clear her name.
I give this three and a half stars: because while the story was entertaining, there were a lot of things that caused interruptions in the story flow. For instance, the fact that the parents weren’t around, or precisely why Blue thought the use of magic needs to be limited remain unexplained (and is Grandma dead or not?).
There was also a lot of confusion with the times of day and how things worked out- it wasn’t always clear, and I found myself feeling like Blue and Pepper were going to bed at 7pm, or conversely staying up all night before heading to bed.
Blue always seemed to be brainstorming ideas for the candy shop- but the implications are that she had never had such thoughts before!
Also, I’m NOT a fan of love triangles, and the fact that the last part of the book started implying one definitely turned me off.
That being said, I did like Blue, and I found the small glimpse into her life an intriguing one, especially the last chapter.
I liked her candy shop ideas, and even the rather odd relationships with her sister and familiar.
I suspect that some of my unanswered questions are to be answered later in the series, so I guess it is wait and see.
This was an entertaining read, with a rather intriguing (if a tad reckless) heroine, and a murder victim who definitely deserved it! The mystery was okay, but I preferred the little glimpses into Blue’s magical world.
November 14, 2025
Blue and her younger sister Pepper (high school aged) are taking care of themselves. Blue's candy shop is barely doing well enough to pay for property taxes, the car, and usually food. They have one relative in the world, an imperious aunt with money who only dispenses insults and negative judgement. She's very accomplished and proficient.
Nobody in their right mind would ask the universe for a detestable horrid man to be murdered and dumped near the candy shop, but sometimes the universe knows what's best...right? It can be surprisingly helpful, but don't run out and get your own (it doesn't work that way).
This will come up; Blue and Pepper are mostly non-practicing witches trying to stay safe and under the radar. Not much power because not much practice.
The story had promise, but things "fell together" too easily. There were no real surprises (except I thought the body was in separate bags), and the magic issues were never fully explored or resolved.
This book was published in 2023 and I was surprised at how many sloppy story and editing errors there were. The writing includes far more explanations of behavior than are necessary for a cozy mystery, and many of the conversations are verbally awkward. The whole book was a jumble of components loosely mashed together without the author's usual narrative or skill. It was odd. (I have read more than 40 of her books).
2 of 5 Stars I wish I could give more, but they want to flavor everything with lavender and rosemary! And cumin! These flavors among others, should be limited by law in candy.
Nobody in their right mind would ask the universe for a detestable horrid man to be murdered and dumped near the candy shop, but sometimes the universe knows what's best...right? It can be surprisingly helpful, but don't run out and get your own (it doesn't work that way).
This will come up; Blue and Pepper are mostly non-practicing witches trying to stay safe and under the radar. Not much power because not much practice.
The story had promise, but things "fell together" too easily. There were no real surprises (except I thought the body was in separate bags), and the magic issues were never fully explored or resolved.
This book was published in 2023 and I was surprised at how many sloppy story and editing errors there were. The writing includes far more explanations of behavior than are necessary for a cozy mystery, and many of the conversations are verbally awkward. The whole book was a jumble of components loosely mashed together without the author's usual narrative or skill. It was odd. (I have read more than 40 of her books).
2 of 5 Stars I wish I could give more, but they want to flavor everything with lavender and rosemary! And cumin! These flavors among others, should be limited by law in candy.
November 28, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up. Blue Bell is a witch running her own candy store and raising her teenaged sister. During an argument with a customer over a special order, Blue angrily threatens him, making her the prime suspect when his dead body is found next to her shop. With the help of her new business neighbor, PI Ethan Moore, Blue sets out to clear her name and find the real killer.
First in a new series by Sara Bourgeois, the characters are interesting and likeable, however I found myself with more questions regarding their circumstances and motivations. Blue is supposedly a powerful witch but won’t use her magic due to something with her father. It’s also not clear what happened to her parents leaving her to raise Pepper. Hopefully things will be fleshed out more as the series continues. Her familiar, Tiffany, speaks Valley Girl and is always asking to go to the mall and see Brenda. Although a nice change from the stereotypical snarky familiar, she really doesn’t seem to play much of a role. There’s a potential romance brewing between Blue and Ethan with her long time friend, policeman Brock also showing interest.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
First in a new series by Sara Bourgeois, the characters are interesting and likeable, however I found myself with more questions regarding their circumstances and motivations. Blue is supposedly a powerful witch but won’t use her magic due to something with her father. It’s also not clear what happened to her parents leaving her to raise Pepper. Hopefully things will be fleshed out more as the series continues. Her familiar, Tiffany, speaks Valley Girl and is always asking to go to the mall and see Brenda. Although a nice change from the stereotypical snarky familiar, she really doesn’t seem to play much of a role. There’s a potential romance brewing between Blue and Ethan with her long time friend, policeman Brock also showing interest.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 10, 2024
Blue is the female lead charater and Tiffany is her cat. Pepper is her teenage sister. Blue runs a candy shop in Hemlock Hollow. Her financial situation is not good at all, though.
The empty store next to hers gets rented to a guy that is running a private-eye type of business.His name is Ethan.
Then there's Tom, an ultra-nasty guy who everyone hates and who complains about the candy sold in her shop. He ends up dead and Ethan and Blue try to figure out just who killed him since Blue herself is a suspect.
The book from that point on is a detective story where the two of them work to find out who could have murdered him (just about anyone in town, really, he was that hated) but in that process they make some very remarkable discoveries. indicating a vicious depth to what he had been doing.
There's also a problem with her teenage sister which culminates in something very bad happening to her and it seems to bring the two sisters closer together.
I like the detective work and especially the types of things they uncover and the incredible nastiness of Tom to virtually every single person in the town. A good book in the series.
The empty store next to hers gets rented to a guy that is running a private-eye type of business.His name is Ethan.
Then there's Tom, an ultra-nasty guy who everyone hates and who complains about the candy sold in her shop. He ends up dead and Ethan and Blue try to figure out just who killed him since Blue herself is a suspect.
The book from that point on is a detective story where the two of them work to find out who could have murdered him (just about anyone in town, really, he was that hated) but in that process they make some very remarkable discoveries. indicating a vicious depth to what he had been doing.
There's also a problem with her teenage sister which culminates in something very bad happening to her and it seems to bring the two sisters closer together.
I like the detective work and especially the types of things they uncover and the incredible nastiness of Tom to virtually every single person in the town. A good book in the series.
October 22, 2025
trigger warning for food insecurity
audiobook narrator did a good job
The book itself... the writing... it's terrible. I'm so confused. Like, I refuse to believe any human person edited this thing even once?? It happened multiple times that something was stated and then anywhere from a few sentences to a couple paragraphs later it was stated again as though that first time never happened. It was bizarre. That's the clearest example I can think of, but there were other weird things too, like how the supporting cast interacted with the main character, or random little bouts of suddenly getting the love interest's perspective when that was definitely not the POV we were in. Just a whole mess of things like that all coming together for an awful reading experience.
Honestly it was such a mess that the thought crossed my mind that maybe this wasn't written by a human. I don't... think this is an AI written book but... these days? And at this level of poor quality? Who even knows.
Anyway I do not recommend, and it was bad enough that I'm gonna go make sure I don't have anything else by this author marked to read.
audiobook narrator did a good job
The book itself... the writing... it's terrible. I'm so confused. Like, I refuse to believe any human person edited this thing even once?? It happened multiple times that something was stated and then anywhere from a few sentences to a couple paragraphs later it was stated again as though that first time never happened. It was bizarre. That's the clearest example I can think of, but there were other weird things too, like how the supporting cast interacted with the main character, or random little bouts of suddenly getting the love interest's perspective when that was definitely not the POV we were in. Just a whole mess of things like that all coming together for an awful reading experience.
Honestly it was such a mess that the thought crossed my mind that maybe this wasn't written by a human. I don't... think this is an AI written book but... these days? And at this level of poor quality? Who even knows.
Anyway I do not recommend, and it was bad enough that I'm gonna go make sure I don't have anything else by this author marked to read.
November 28, 2023
Sucre Bleu is a candy shop in Hemlock Hollow run by Blue Bell. Can I just say that I love the names that the author came up for all of these amazing characters in this amazingly well written and wonderful read. Blue is raising her teenage sister Pepper and Tiffany is her familiar that always wants to go to the mall which I think is so funny. Blue doesn't only have to help raise her sister, she is running her own candy shop which comes with irate customers that sometimes makes you say things you don't mean and then they go and get themselves killed making Blue the prime suspect so now she has to figure out who did it, so she get back to taking care of her sister and her candy shop and all the 99 of her other problems.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 5, 2023
entertaining paranormal cozy mystery series
This is a new and entertaining paranormal cozy mystery series. A fun cast of characters and an entertaining storyline. Blue is a witch and she owns her own candy shop. She is raising her teenage sister after her parents disappeared. She refuses to use magic or let her sister use it to keep themselves safe and hidden. Her shop is in a strip of businesses along one of the streets in their town. Next-door is a business that is supposedly haunted and has been vacant for years. Someone in town is looking to rent it. As this is a new series I’m not going to give you any spoilers and you must read it. Things happen she meets new people And learns that she needs magic more than she thought. The adventure begins and it is a pretty entertaining one. Check it out.
This is a new and entertaining paranormal cozy mystery series. A fun cast of characters and an entertaining storyline. Blue is a witch and she owns her own candy shop. She is raising her teenage sister after her parents disappeared. She refuses to use magic or let her sister use it to keep themselves safe and hidden. Her shop is in a strip of businesses along one of the streets in their town. Next-door is a business that is supposedly haunted and has been vacant for years. Someone in town is looking to rent it. As this is a new series I’m not going to give you any spoilers and you must read it. Things happen she meets new people And learns that she needs magic more than she thought. The adventure begins and it is a pretty entertaining one. Check it out.
November 27, 2023
Blue Bell, owner and proprietor of Sacre Bleu candy shop seems a mostly bright and sunny gal
she carries a heavy load, with running her shop and managing her teen sister
for a busy young witch, she suddenly seems to have quite a bit going on, what with her business, a mystery or several, and more than one figure who might be hazardous or helpful to her or her family
full of twists and very personable traits and challenges
looking forward to seeing this world grow and deveop, along with the sisters and their magical, personal and professional interests
she carries a heavy load, with running her shop and managing her teen sister
for a busy young witch, she suddenly seems to have quite a bit going on, what with her business, a mystery or several, and more than one figure who might be hazardous or helpful to her or her family
full of twists and very personable traits and challenges
looking forward to seeing this world grow and deveop, along with the sisters and their magical, personal and professional interests
January 14, 2024
Jelly Bean Jiggery-Pokery is book #1 in the Candy & Chaos Cozy Mystery series by Sara Bourgeois.
This was an enjoyable start to a new series. Blue, Ethan, and Pepper are likable characters. Tiffany, the cat, is something else. Loved what Blue and Pepper did for her. The murder victim was not a nice man and there were plenty of people with a reason to want him dead. I was not expecting the investigation to wrap up the way it did and the way the book ended has me looking forward to the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was an enjoyable start to a new series. Blue, Ethan, and Pepper are likable characters. Tiffany, the cat, is something else. Loved what Blue and Pepper did for her. The murder victim was not a nice man and there were plenty of people with a reason to want him dead. I was not expecting the investigation to wrap up the way it did and the way the book ended has me looking forward to the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 24, 2023
1st in new series. Sucre Bleu is a candy shop in Hemlock Hollow run by Blue Bell, a witch hiding her magic. After she threatens to kill an unpleasant customer, she finds him dead in front of the shop next door. Several motives for the murder emerge. Can Blue, her sister Pepper, Valley Girl familiar Tiffany & new PI next door Ethan solve the crime?.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 23, 2023
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. It was a slow moving but interesting investigation but Blue and Ethan do get the crime solved with an unexpected suspect as the culprit. There may be a bit of romance on the horizon for Blue and Ethan but there is another interested in her as well. Blue is revealed as she can be dangerous when provoked.
November 28, 2023
Arc review I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. in hemlock hollow Tiffany the cat ,blue and her sister pepper own the candy shop sucre blue. when Ethan Moore a private detective moves in next door the same day a murder happens now their on the hunt to solve the murder. I love these crime stories and following to see who did it.
May 29, 2024
Good Start
This was another great start to a new series by Sara. I love reading her books. Blue is the MC and her sister Pepper, but the laughs come from Tiffany the cat with Valley Girl vocabulary.😃. Blue comes across a man dead and the investigation takes off when she becomes the suspect. All in all a great story. Read it because its Nearly man.
This was another great start to a new series by Sara. I love reading her books. Blue is the MC and her sister Pepper, but the laughs come from Tiffany the cat with Valley Girl vocabulary.😃. Blue comes across a man dead and the investigation takes off when she becomes the suspect. All in all a great story. Read it because its Nearly man.
October 31, 2024
Cute
This was a cute read. However, it does need better editing. Chapter 20 had Blue riding home with Ethan on his motorcycle, but it stated she leaned her head against the window, and upon stopping, Ethan turned to look at her.
But overall, cute read, and I'll continue with the series.
This was a cute read. However, it does need better editing. Chapter 20 had Blue riding home with Ethan on his motorcycle, but it stated she leaned her head against the window, and upon stopping, Ethan turned to look at her.
But overall, cute read, and I'll continue with the series.
March 1, 2024
Here is an example I noticed in this book: (there are others) When they are at the motel, they glance at the doors and they are metal doors but when Blue knocks on the door it is wooden. That is just one example. This is a good story with great characters. It still was a great read.
June 15, 2024
The cover makes it look like it’s going to be all witchy and magical things, but alas there was barely any of that. However the ending had me and I’m interested enough to continue. I better get more magic in the next book.
October 3, 2024
Jelly Bean Jiggery-Pokery (A Candy & Chaos Cozy Mystery, #1) by Sara Bourgeois
A fast paced murder mystery with a magical twist. Some quirky characters, a bit of humor. The story was entertaining. I would like to check out more books by this author.
A fast paced murder mystery with a magical twist. Some quirky characters, a bit of humor. The story was entertaining. I would like to check out more books by this author.
January 8, 2025
This was a very confusing paranormal murder mystery, lite. This started out very basic, then kept adding technical details that sometimes just didn't fit. I did read the whole book, but I was not impressed.
December 14, 2023
The more I read the worse it got. It read like it was written with bad AI. Not at all what I expected from this author.
January 15, 2024
Great new series
Looking forward to the next book. Now that we know the characters I'm looking forward to more story and less background. Great beginning.
Looking forward to the next book. Now that we know the characters I'm looking forward to more story and less background. Great beginning.
January 26, 2024
new series
The story flows easily. The characters are extremely likable and interesting. After the ending I can’t wait to read the next.
The story flows easily. The characters are extremely likable and interesting. After the ending I can’t wait to read the next.
April 6, 2024
not edited and definitely written by AI
There was zero character development, no editing and some scenes were in one place then next paragraph somewhere different. The metaphors were every two sentences. It was definitely written by AI and not edited which is a real shame.
There was zero character development, no editing and some scenes were in one place then next paragraph somewhere different. The metaphors were every two sentences. It was definitely written by AI and not edited which is a real shame.
May 6, 2024
Why in heavens name does this book Have such high ratings? I cannot imagine a person writing something this chaotic so I have to agree that AI has to be involved.
May 12, 2024
Is this a spinoff of another series? Not much background was given or “rules” of the magical universe explained
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews