Town in a Maple Madness

A Candy Holliday Mystery #8

by B.B. Haywood

The imminent arrival of spring has the locals gearing up for their sweetest celebration ever the first annual Maple Madness Weekend. Along with maple sugar house tours, a community-wide marshmallow roast, and a weekend-long pancake breakfast, restaurants will be serving up special maple syrup dishes. But the weekend festivities are put in jeopardy when things start to get sticky...
One of Candy s friends is accused of stealing sap from a rival s sugar maple trees, and landscaper Mick Rilke is found dead, floating down the river wrapped up in a fisherman s net. As Candy taps into Mick s life, his unsavory side comes to light, as well as a possible connection to both crimes. Now it s up to Candy to follow the flow of suspects to a cold-blooded killer...
INCLUDES DELICIOUS RECIPES!"

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published April 4, 2017

About the author

B. 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

Reviews

[Lisa Ks Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sticky whodunit will have you glued to the pages!

It’s always so exciting for me when a new Candy Holliday book comes out. I look forward all year to getting a hold of it, and settling down for hours of cozy mystery enjoyment. TOWN IN A MAPLE MADNESS did not disappoint!

As is common with this series, the Prologue is from the POV of the murder victim, and is happening during the death scene. This one was “slightly” more graphic than in the past, but not so much so as to turn me off from reading it.

There was so much going on in this eighth installment of the Candy Holliday Mysteries. Between the Maple Madness Weekend, the discovery of the body, and then the investigation, along with other side storylines, Candy had her hands full! Just like Candy, readers will find themselves in the middle of so many things that it could become overwhelming. However, author Haywood writes in nice short chapters that serve as a reminder to breathe more often during the excitement of the story. And excitement there is! It feels to be to be the most action packed story yet.

It’s not all drama and mayhem in TOWN IN A MAPLE MADNESS. There are lovely scenes too, and a happy surprise or two as well. And food! Lots of yummy food! So make sure to check out the recipes in the back of the book.

Candy Holliday fans, you’re sure to love TOWN IN A MAPLE MADNESS. It serves to remind readers why we became fans of this series in the first place!

[Lidia · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's strange , this last book have a very good plot but is seemed to me a bit long and prolix. In the start,Candy speak to herself for almost one hundred and fifty pages ,little iteration with other , then all is solved in two days and as far as Neil and Candy's story, all is too fast a little romantic.

[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. The mystery itself was not as interesting as in previous books. Although I enjoyed the ending, Candy spent much of the book sleuthing independently and I missed the interplay between her and her dad and friends.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 8th book in this series and it continues to stay interesting. Cape Willington is getting ready for their first annual Maple Madness Weekend. Everything is looking and smelling great until a friend of Candys is accused of stealing sap from a neighbor's maple trees and then a landscaper is killed. And Candy can't find her good friend Neil. With tourist coming in for the big event Candy is being pushed to solve this murder and fast before things get out of hand. Once she starts investigating she finds that things are what they seem especially when someone is trying to kill her. Does the murder have anything to do with the sap that is being taken or is there more to it. This is a delightful read full of interesting characters that all live in the perfect small town.

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's coming up springtime in Maine, and the Maple Madness Festival is about to begin. Somebody's been stealing sap from other people's trees. Then there's a murder.

A lot of TSTL moments.

[Amy Rosenkoetter · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent finish to the series, as it seems. I am hoping there will be more as I really like these down easterners.

[OpenBookSociety.com · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://openbooksociety.com/article/to...


Town in a Maple Madness
A Candy Holliday Mystery, Book #8
By B. B. Haywood
ISBN: 9780425278642
Author website: http://www.hollidaysblueberryacres.co...
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Kayt

Synopsis:

The “New York Times” bestselling author of “Town in a Cinnamon Toast” returns to Cape Willington, Maine, where blueberry farmer Candy Holliday springs ahead into sleuthing…

The imminent arrival of spring has the locals gearing up for their sweetest celebration ever the first annual Maple Madness Weekend. Along with maple sugar house tours, a community-wide marshmallow roast, and a weekend-long pancake breakfast, restaurants will be serving up special maple syrup dishes. But the weekend festivities are put in jeopardy when things start to get sticky…

One of Candy’s friends is accused of stealing sap from a rival s sugar maple trees, and landscaper Mick Rilke is found dead, floating down the river wrapped up in a fisherman’s net. As Candy taps into Mick’s life, his unsavory side comes to light, as well as a possible connection to both crimes. Now it s up to Candy to follow the flow of suspects to a cold-blooded killer…

INCLUDES DELICIOUS RECIPES!


Review:

In author B. B. Haywood’s newest installment of “A Candy Holliday Mystery” (#8), Cape Willington, Maine is having a new festival to bring in more tourists. They have added a Maple Madness festival weekend full of tours, marshmallow roasts and tons of good food. Nothing seems to go smooth for the wonderful inhabitants of this quaint small town and this is no different. Since maple syrup is selling for such high prices, it is a really big deal when someone is stealing sap from established sugar maple trees. That is the catalyst that brings protagonist Candy Holliday into the mix. Things just get worse when a body floats down the river and it is murder. Candy has to get on the job and try to save the big weekend.

Candy definitely has to get involved when one of the participants of the maple syrup tours gets in contact with her to complain about someone stealing their sap. Not only did they tap their trees, but there is a chance they overworked them and they may not make it. The worst part is they are pointing directly at one of Candy’s dear friends as the culprit. Candy is a fun main character. I love her fierce concern for her friends and father. No way is she letting her friend (and maybe a bit more than friend) Neil be accused of something she knows he would never do.

Unfortunately just as she is trying to do some investigating, landscaper Mick Rilke is found dead. And no one believes it is anything but murder. Who would want to kill him, well it seems a few people. Candy is called upon to find the killer so the town festival can keep going. This is the first, it has to be remembered for more than murder. Along with Candy’s father and his gang, her friend Maggie and ever present Wanda, Candy will work to find the answers. Things are not always what they seem in their small town. The mystery twists and turns as Candy picks up clue after clue and finds suspect after suspect. In the end, the festival has to go on.

I have to say that installment #8 in author B. B. Haywood’s “Candy Holliday Mystery” series is not my favorite. That said, it had all the elements one usually finds in this enjoyable series. Fun characters, great setting, intriguing mystery, and good food. I felt Town in a Maple Madness was a bit wordy. Lots of descriptive paragraphs, inner turmoil, and not as much action or interaction. Some readers I am sure enjoy this. I am not one of them. I really enjoy the characters in this series and love Candy’s group of friends. I love the town setting. I do think that this is a series that should be read in sequence. Overall a fun read, just a bit too wordy for me.

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review as part of their ongoing blog tour*

[The Bookworm Girl Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one! From the small town Hallmark aesthetic to the cozy mystery, I will definitely look out for other books in the series. This book is perfect for fall and has such quaint, warm feelings. I also loved the animal sidekick—so fun! There were some heart-pounding moments, too. The author definitely has a knack for suspenseful moments. I liked the unique cast of characters and the FMC was quite admirable! Also, this book is completely clean besides the murder part of the story. Always love to read a no spice traditionally published book!

I only had two complaints but I will definitely look out for the other books. The romance was very sweet. However, I felt like the end result of the romance was rushed. Perhaps this was because I haven’t read the other books in the series. I’m not sure but I did enjoy the romance…personally just not the ending as much. Also, the book felt slowly paced and full of information. This is just how I felt. However, the author has excellent writing skills. Just two takeaways, but nothing major which won’t stop me from reading the other books.

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a maple tree sap thief stealing from a couple of the local farms, just before the Maple Madness festival kicks off. Candy thinks it's a teenage prank, but then the body of a local handyman is fished out of the river, she wonders if the two are related. Fellow farmer Neil and his dog have disappeared also, along with an ancient knife which could have been used to kill the victim. At first it was a little confusing, but it did keep me guessing till the end.

[Fred · Rating 4 out of 5]

Town In A Maple Madness is the 8th book in the A Candy Holliday Mystery series.

Another exciting story featuring Candy and her dad, Doc, and their friends in Cape Willington, Maine.

Spring is near and sap is running and the residents of Cape Willington are looking forward to the Maple Madness Weekend and the opening of a renovated warehouse that will be used as a community center. But as the crowd is beginning to assemble for the opening ceremonies the crowd needs to be dispersed as the body of a local landscaper, Mick Rilke, has just been pulled out of the river close by. Just the day before, Hutch Milbright informed Candy that her neighbor and friend, Neil Crawford has been stealing sap from his trees. Candy begins to look at Milbright’s trees and at Crawford’s property and begins to think that someone had been tapping his trees, but she is sure that it wasn’t Crawford. As she is following recent tire tracks she soon believes that the two events might in some way be related. But she needs to find out soon before another attempt is made on her life.

Another well- written story from B. B. Haywood with most all of regularcharacter coming back once again.

Delicious recipes are also included with the book.

Looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

SIGH...I have a rather lowering feeling that this might be the last book in this series. I'm not certain, but the end of "Town in a Maple Madness" would be a natural stopping point. I'll be watching new releases for awhile yet, every hopeful! If this is the last, then THANK YOU, B. B. Haywood for sharing Candy's story with me, and for all of those delicious recipes. Even if I did gain 5 pounds just trying those!

[Gloria Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished this last night and enjoyed it very much. This is light reading, kind of a ladies mystery series. But it is fast moving, has a lot of action, and kept me interested. I do think it would have helped if I had read earlier books in this series as there were a lot of people to keep track of. Nevertheless, I enjoyed this book.

[Brenda Schneider · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always enjoy books in this series. This one was no exception. The characters are great and the story moves along quickly.

[Melissa Howard · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is not good. It reads like a middle-schooler wrote it.

"Her boyfriend, Hutch Milbright had called him, when she’d been talking to him and Ginny out at Sugar Hill Farm yesterday. Her boyfriend? Is that what everyone thought about the two of them? That they were a couple? Romantically involved?

Candy’s subconscious sensed there was some truth to that, and if pressed, she’d confess that she had a true affection for Neil, but she’d never really considered him her boyfriend. Sure, she loved him, and Random, in a certain way, as close friends love each other. And although they’d spent a lot of time together, and shared meals together, and hugged, and touched in a friendly, mostly nonromantic way, they’d never officially dated, or even kissed.

For some reason, their relationship had always remained platonic and had never progressed beyond that. Of course, at times she’d given some thought to what it might be like if they really did start dating seriously. It would, she’d thought periodically in the past, be fun. But a boyfriend? She wouldn’t describe her current relationship with Neil that way. Could she be wrong? Were Hutch and Ginny right? Were she and Neil really that close?"

Get a GRIP, and grow the f*k up. It doesn't help that everyone in this town has a ridiculous name like Candy or Cotton or Tremble or Random.

[Alton Motobu · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was one of the weakest of the Candy Holliday series mainly because there was so much padding and superfluous filling in the narrative. For example, the entire Chapter 6 (over six pages) consists of town leaders discussing the discovery of a dead body in the river and its effects on the upcoming festival; they come to no conclusion and table a decision until tomorrow. There seemed to be no purpose to this chapter. Later at the end of Chapter 26 Candy finds Neil's body in a shed; is he dead or alive? We don't know because the entire Chapter 27 is about Candy's thoughts and dreams about Neil like he may have died, then in Chapter 28 we find out Neil is in the hospital recovering. Towards the end Candy is out in the forest tracking mysterious foot prints (3 sets), and so much detail is given about shoe sizes, sole patterns, sex of the wearer - Candy is able to track the footprints while she is driving in her Jeep. What an outstanding tracker she is! In the final chapter Neil proposes and Candy accepts, so this will change the entire dynamic of the relationship and the storyline. Perhaps this is the end of the series. If so it went out with a weak whimper.

[Eva · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've liked this series since the beginning and I liked this book, too. But it just wasn't the best of the series. While the community is busy getting ready for the Maple Madness festival, Candy is out trying to figure out who has been illegally tapping maple trees on two neighboring farms when the local landscaper, Mick Rilke, is found dead with a stab wound in his back, his hands tied, and his body wrapped in a fisherman's net in the river. As Candy digs deeper into Mick's past -- and that of some of her neighbors, she finds herself in serious danger.

A good read, but not as good as some of the earlier books in the series.

[Katherine Decker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Candy once again finds herself looking into several mysteries, not just a dead body mystery. It’s time for the Maple Madness Festival so Cape Wellington is full of activities and people. (Warning you find yourself craving maple foods and pancakes while reading.) Candy already has her hands full when various people start asking her to investigate alleged crimes, while others try to keep her from investigating. She can always count on her dad and his friends to send her tips. The plot was solid and kept me guessing, the characters are interesting, and a fun small sub-plot make this quite an enjoyable read.

[Carrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is fairly far into the series, but it is the first one of the series I read, and that may be why I didn't connect with it. The characters seemed fairly flat but again that could be because it's not the first book in the series. The plot seemed a little thin. The heroine spent most of her time driving around the countryside stumbling over clues. I picked it up because my daughter and son-in-law recently bought a maple syrup operation but there really wasn't much about maple syrup production.

[Johnna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have never read this author before, but I enjoyed seeing behind the scenes of making Maple Syrup. I will be reading more of this author as the characters were interesting and fun. Loved the community presented in the story and the way everyone worked together. They all have such interesting hobbies/careers.

**I received a copy of this title from the author in exchange for a fair and unbiased review

[Angela (Kentuckybooklover) Brocato-Skaggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

😭😭Wahhh😭😭 I'm heartbroken that I've read the final book in this series. I couldn't tell you what attracted me to this series but once I read the first one I had to read all of them.

The eighth and final book had a wonderful murder mystery and a romantic ending that closed the series beautifully.

A clean read with no sex or foul language. There is a murder but no in-depth violence.

I heavily suggest you read the series in order as the first seven books have a mystery that runs throughout.

As with all the books recipes are included. I plan on making the maple drop cookies for my hubby's work.

[Jeanie Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's maple sugar madness in town, and the competition is fierce.

Maggie is now married, and her bff, Candy, is again trying to figure out who murdered Mike and what happened to her next door Neil.

She finds Neil unconscious and with the murder weapon beside him, has to figure out who has it in for him.

She is successful and manages to get a proposal in the end.

[Brooke · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel like the relationship at the end was rushed - like the author knew they needed to wrap up the series. I suspected they might end up together, however, there was no sign of it until the very end of the book - odd. I also was surprised that the series was wrapped up with a different crime that was not directly related to the main antagonist.

[Charlie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This appears to be the final book in the series and while I enjoyed the others this one seemed to go on forever. Overly descriptive with paragraph after paragraph detailing as much as could be crammed in. It was like being in a one-sided conversation where you long to just scream at the other person oh, shut up!

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great way to end this series. I loved Candy Holliday, blueberry farmer from the very first book and loved all of the characters in this Maine town. This is one series I will greatly miss, it has been one of my favorites!

[Kathie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book in this series. Although Candy does way too much investigating on her own she is a likable heroine. I would have liked to hear more about the main characters from the other books but it was still a good read. I enjoyed it.

[Gretchen · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's always nice to visit Candy and her friends in Maine. This story takes place in spring during maple sugaring time. A man is murdered, and Candy's friend is found unconscious with the murder weapon beside him. She springs into action to help solve the mystery and clear her friend.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series set in Maine continues during maple sugaring season. There are several twists and turns in the plot as Candy tries to solve the most recent murder in town. There are plenty of details about being in that part of Maine in the (muddy) Spring.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmm, seems this book is the last in the series; I can see stopping here and yet....a new chapter could have begun!? Ah well, anyways this story was a nice read with enough twists and turns to keep the reader propelled forward with doubts as to "who dun it!"

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Partners in Crime

Candy is lucky when it comes to partners in her investigations. This time Random is the best and I think my favorite. Love all the craziness and scary excitement in this book.

[Kimberly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really didn't like this book much. I liked the 3 other books that I read by B.B. a lot better. I didn't really like the character of Ginny much & just didn't really like the whole Maple sugaring story.