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The Candy Cane Catastrophe
Christmas in July Never Tasted So Deadly…
In Peppermint Falls, Christmas comes twice a year—but this July, it's bringing murder. When candy chemist Penny Pepperton discovers her mentor Walter Cinnamon dead in her laboratory, her perfectly crafted world shatters like peppermint brittle. With a revolutionary extraction method missing and suspicious competitors circling, Penny quickly becomes the prime suspect in a death that's anything but sweet.
Determined to clear her name, Penny and her tech-savvy niece Holly unwrap layers of deception in their tight-knit community. From the rival scientist with academic jealousy to the mysterious European flavor consultant with hidden motives, everyone seems to have wanted a taste of Walt's breakthrough. As the Christmas in July Festival continues around them, the pair must sift through candy-coated lies while dodging a killer who might be preparing a second deadly recipe.
Time is melting away faster than chocolate in July, and the evidence points to someone with both scientific knowledge and access to Penny's lab. With the town turning against her and festival-goers avoiding her booth, Penny must use every ounce of her analytical mind to identify the murderer before they strike again. In Peppermint Falls, the most dangerous secrets are the ones dusted with sugar—and this killer's plan is crafted to absolute perfection.
In Peppermint Falls, Christmas comes twice a year—but this July, it's bringing murder. When candy chemist Penny Pepperton discovers her mentor Walter Cinnamon dead in her laboratory, her perfectly crafted world shatters like peppermint brittle. With a revolutionary extraction method missing and suspicious competitors circling, Penny quickly becomes the prime suspect in a death that's anything but sweet.
Determined to clear her name, Penny and her tech-savvy niece Holly unwrap layers of deception in their tight-knit community. From the rival scientist with academic jealousy to the mysterious European flavor consultant with hidden motives, everyone seems to have wanted a taste of Walt's breakthrough. As the Christmas in July Festival continues around them, the pair must sift through candy-coated lies while dodging a killer who might be preparing a second deadly recipe.
Time is melting away faster than chocolate in July, and the evidence points to someone with both scientific knowledge and access to Penny's lab. With the town turning against her and festival-goers avoiding her booth, Penny must use every ounce of her analytical mind to identify the murderer before they strike again. In Peppermint Falls, the most dangerous secrets are the ones dusted with sugar—and this killer's plan is crafted to absolute perfection.
- GenresChristmas
153 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 25, 2025
100 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 6, 2025
Welcome to Peppermint Falls! It’s almost time for the annual Christmas in July Festival but there’s a big problem. The head candy chemist, well known and beloved, Walter Cinnamon, has been found dead in the candy laboratory!
Walt is mentor and business partner to Penny Pepperton, the owner of the candy shop in Peppermint Falls. He was days away from announcing a discovery that would change candy making worldwide. Is that what got him killed? Was it natural causes? He wasn’t a young man…
Penny isn’t only a candy chemist but her methodical, scientific approach to creating flavors lends itself to investigating mysteries and doing it quite successfully, much to the consternation of Police Chief Northstar. The story is full of characters with thematic names related to candy or Christmas: Amber, Holly, Evergreen, Nutmeg, Bellringer and so forth.
Readers will know who the bad guy is from very early on. It’s the how and why of this cozy mystery that are in question. What starts out looking to be very simple is a bit more complex.
This story is credited to Maisy Marple Publishing which is a group of 7 authors, (unnamed in this book), that write a variety of cozy mysteries. I’m familiar with author coops where a group of authors get together for economies of advertising, marketing, etc. This is unique and allows for quite a prolific stable of titles. I’ve read some of the TINY HOUSE COFFEE MYSTERY series by this group and enjoyed it, also.
Easy to read, short chapters, fast paced and safe to share with your 12 year olds, if they’re interested in candy, chemistry and Christmas in July mysteries📚
Walt is mentor and business partner to Penny Pepperton, the owner of the candy shop in Peppermint Falls. He was days away from announcing a discovery that would change candy making worldwide. Is that what got him killed? Was it natural causes? He wasn’t a young man…
Penny isn’t only a candy chemist but her methodical, scientific approach to creating flavors lends itself to investigating mysteries and doing it quite successfully, much to the consternation of Police Chief Northstar. The story is full of characters with thematic names related to candy or Christmas: Amber, Holly, Evergreen, Nutmeg, Bellringer and so forth.
Readers will know who the bad guy is from very early on. It’s the how and why of this cozy mystery that are in question. What starts out looking to be very simple is a bit more complex.
This story is credited to Maisy Marple Publishing which is a group of 7 authors, (unnamed in this book), that write a variety of cozy mysteries. I’m familiar with author coops where a group of authors get together for economies of advertising, marketing, etc. This is unique and allows for quite a prolific stable of titles. I’ve read some of the TINY HOUSE COFFEE MYSTERY series by this group and enjoyed it, also.
Easy to read, short chapters, fast paced and safe to share with your 12 year olds, if they’re interested in candy, chemistry and Christmas in July mysteries📚
December 9, 2025
Too many Holiday names
I’m all for a good holiday read, and having a character (or 2) with a name that can be connected with Christmas, but EVERY. SINGLE. Character…. It’s just too much. Couldn’t get past the 1st chapter. I had really hoped to like this book, and it probably is good if you can just get through all the names.
I’m all for a good holiday read, and having a character (or 2) with a name that can be connected with Christmas, but EVERY. SINGLE. Character…. It’s just too much. Couldn’t get past the 1st chapter. I had really hoped to like this book, and it probably is good if you can just get through all the names.
August 31, 2025
It seems to me an odd thing to write a mystery story and then announce a murderer just past a third of the way into the book. Nothing is done with this likely villain because the police need proof, not just assuredness. The evidence gathering is another strange point; despite being told to stay away from the investigation, the main character gathers information but then won't turn it over to the police because she promised to stay uninvolved. Repeatedly. The police, however, give her all sorts of information that wouldn't be shared in reality.
I also never really cared about any of the characters, they seemed too detached from any people I have ever met. Dialogue was not realistic through most of the book. I finished it but never really got caught up like I do with better stories.
I also never really cared about any of the characters, they seemed too detached from any people I have ever met. Dialogue was not realistic through most of the book. I finished it but never really got caught up like I do with better stories.
July 2, 2025
This is the second book in the series. The main characters are Penny and her niece Holly. They find her friend Walt dead inside there lab behind their store. They start to investigate and before you know it they know who did but they have no evidence. While they try to find evidence with the help of the cops, they think they'll never be able to prove. Now they know how to him but it might be too late ?
November 25, 2025
Who thought candy cane flavor could be so dangerous?!
Willow Nutmeg, Walter Cinnamon, Fiona Frostwick, Simone Sugarplum, Jackson Sleighbell, and more are the colorful names of some of the characters in this delightful Christmas story! A revolutionary method of extracting pure peppermint flavor winds up getting Walter, a friend and coworker of Penny in Sweet Traditions candy shop, murdered! And Penny is determined to figure out the murderer! A fun and entertaining story.
Willow Nutmeg, Walter Cinnamon, Fiona Frostwick, Simone Sugarplum, Jackson Sleighbell, and more are the colorful names of some of the characters in this delightful Christmas story! A revolutionary method of extracting pure peppermint flavor winds up getting Walter, a friend and coworker of Penny in Sweet Traditions candy shop, murdered! And Penny is determined to figure out the murderer! A fun and entertaining story.
December 4, 2025
A Fun Quick Read
When you're looking for a quick, fun mystery; this book fills the bill. The Christmas themed names are a little silly and the story a little predictable. It's a good book to pass the time in a waiting room or when you don't want to concentrate too much on the details.
When you're looking for a quick, fun mystery; this book fills the bill. The Christmas themed names are a little silly and the story a little predictable. It's a good book to pass the time in a waiting room or when you don't want to concentrate too much on the details.
December 5, 2025
Great mystery
Penny goes to work and finds her mentor dead in their Candy lab. penny and her niece Holly decide to also ivestigage. They find several possible suspects. They find out many I ferreting things . a lot of people want the deceased formula. It is interesting how they catch the killer. It is an enjoyable read.
Penny goes to work and finds her mentor dead in their Candy lab. penny and her niece Holly decide to also ivestigage. They find several possible suspects. They find out many I ferreting things . a lot of people want the deceased formula. It is interesting how they catch the killer. It is an enjoyable read.
December 6, 2025
Christmas in July mystery
This mystery takes place at a candy cane making lab. Penny finds her mentor Walt Cinnamon on the floor of the lab. Murder is established. Several suspects emerge along with planning for a Christmas Festival as well. The overall reveal was interesting because it had several red herrings within the murderer reveal.
This mystery takes place at a candy cane making lab. Penny finds her mentor Walt Cinnamon on the floor of the lab. Murder is established. Several suspects emerge along with planning for a Christmas Festival as well. The overall reveal was interesting because it had several red herrings within the murderer reveal.
December 1, 2025
A fun read !
The Candy Cane Catastrophe by Maisy Maple
The story moves at a fast pace with likable characters, engaging dialogue, and a good plot.
A sweet cozy murder mystery I found enjoyable and feel others will enjoy as well.
The Candy Cane Catastrophe by Maisy Maple
The story moves at a fast pace with likable characters, engaging dialogue, and a good plot.
A sweet cozy murder mystery I found enjoyable and feel others will enjoy as well.
July 1, 2025
soso story line couldn't connect with the characters
August 7, 2025
Very enjoyable read
December 21, 2025
This was a cute book. I did think all the Christmas themed last names were a bit much though. Then again, I did giggle with each new character introduced. I also enjoyed how the mystery played out.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews