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Samantha Sweet #11
Spooky Sweet
Now that Samantha Sweet has a contract to provide her special handmade chocolates for the wealthy jet-set clients of Book It Travel, Sweet’s Sweets bakery is taking on a whole new dimension. Only problem, Sam isn’t ready. It’s almost Halloween, her pastry shop is bursting at the seams and she needs extra employees but there is no place to put them.
Right before the witching day, she comes upon a large Victorian house she can adapt for the business, and it seems her problem is solved. But is it? The mysterious, spooky noises at night are way more than the normal creaks and groans of an old building. Something else is going on and Sam suspects it may be related to her husband’s newest case, investigating where an abandoned duffle bag crammed full of cash came from. Beau is dealing with a greedy reward-seeker, a robbery with no leads, and a waif who appears and vanishes. Sam’s mystery has her watching for ghosts and working almost around the clock. Is she relying on magic?—well, occasionally.
* * * * *
Praise for USA Today bestseller Connie Shelton and her mystery
“Shelton again has done a superb job in bringing New Mexico to life.” —Albuquerque Journal
“Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes.”—The Midwest Book Review
“Just reading about Samantha Sweet and friends at her pastry shop will leave you drooling in anticipation of delicious treats.” Joanne K, 5-star review (Spellbound Sweets in Midnight Mysteries)
“The teamwork between Samantha and Beau was a main draw as well as attention to detail, down to the last frosted cookie.” – Janine Thiemann, 5 stars (Spellbound Sweets in Midnight Mysteries)
Right before the witching day, she comes upon a large Victorian house she can adapt for the business, and it seems her problem is solved. But is it? The mysterious, spooky noises at night are way more than the normal creaks and groans of an old building. Something else is going on and Sam suspects it may be related to her husband’s newest case, investigating where an abandoned duffle bag crammed full of cash came from. Beau is dealing with a greedy reward-seeker, a robbery with no leads, and a waif who appears and vanishes. Sam’s mystery has her watching for ghosts and working almost around the clock. Is she relying on magic?—well, occasionally.
* * * * *
Praise for USA Today bestseller Connie Shelton and her mystery
“Shelton again has done a superb job in bringing New Mexico to life.” —Albuquerque Journal
“Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes.”—The Midwest Book Review
“Just reading about Samantha Sweet and friends at her pastry shop will leave you drooling in anticipation of delicious treats.” Joanne K, 5-star review (Spellbound Sweets in Midnight Mysteries)
“The teamwork between Samantha and Beau was a main draw as well as attention to detail, down to the last frosted cookie.” – Janine Thiemann, 5 stars (Spellbound Sweets in Midnight Mysteries)
321 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 8, 2016
1479 people are currently reading
1265 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 177 reviews
October 24, 2016
I read this book during the final hours of the Dewey 24 Hour Readathon. I won a copy of it. It is part of a series, (I believe this is the 11th in the series). I have not read the series or anything else by this author.
Sam, married to Sheriff Beau, runs a successful sweet shop. In this book, she is looking to expand her shop. Her business has grown quite a bit and they are tripping over each other. She locates a wonderful Victorian home that her friend's husband can easily remodel to a small candy factory. During the reading of this book, I learned Sam uses a small bit of magic in her chocolate and that she has a magical box. Beau becomes embroiled in solving a robbery after a bag of found money is turned into him.
I truly enjoyed this book. The last part of the readathon was difficult. I was incredibly tired. It takes a strong book to keep you reading at that point. Once I started reading this book, I became invested and did not want to stop reading. I did figure out who was involved in the robbery fairly easily. Instead of being disappointed by that, I became intrigued to see how it would play out. I liked the characters. It did not take me long to feel at home with them. These two points are important because a lot of readers fall into a series out of order. I was able to enjoy this book as a stand alone though I now want to go back to the start and read them in order. I am curious about things in the past as much as wanting to see where the story goes in the future. Definite sign of a writer who knows how to write a series. A few of the characters are teens. I fell in love with one of them. I know her part is done but that storyline was so touching that I hope we get a glimpse of Sara and find out a bit how things turn out for her and her family in the future. Another character I loved was Bobul. He is a recurring character so I will definitely need to go back to see how he came into Sam's life. I am positive that is an interesting story.
For those who want to know. There is some cursing in this book and violence/threats of in this book. I thought both were mild. I can't recall any steamy, explicit sex scenes just as there was no graphic violence. There is a magical take on this so if you are offended by that, this isn't a series for you.
I would recommend this series to cozy mystery lovers. While I read, and loved, this book out of order, I would say it probably is best read in order. However, if like me, you never read this author and just happen to have this book, go ahead and read it. I was made curious about earlier books but it really had no impact on my enjoyment of this one.
Sam, married to Sheriff Beau, runs a successful sweet shop. In this book, she is looking to expand her shop. Her business has grown quite a bit and they are tripping over each other. She locates a wonderful Victorian home that her friend's husband can easily remodel to a small candy factory. During the reading of this book, I learned Sam uses a small bit of magic in her chocolate and that she has a magical box. Beau becomes embroiled in solving a robbery after a bag of found money is turned into him.
I truly enjoyed this book. The last part of the readathon was difficult. I was incredibly tired. It takes a strong book to keep you reading at that point. Once I started reading this book, I became invested and did not want to stop reading. I did figure out who was involved in the robbery fairly easily. Instead of being disappointed by that, I became intrigued to see how it would play out. I liked the characters. It did not take me long to feel at home with them. These two points are important because a lot of readers fall into a series out of order. I was able to enjoy this book as a stand alone though I now want to go back to the start and read them in order. I am curious about things in the past as much as wanting to see where the story goes in the future. Definite sign of a writer who knows how to write a series. A few of the characters are teens. I fell in love with one of them. I know her part is done but that storyline was so touching that I hope we get a glimpse of Sara and find out a bit how things turn out for her and her family in the future. Another character I loved was Bobul. He is a recurring character so I will definitely need to go back to see how he came into Sam's life. I am positive that is an interesting story.
For those who want to know. There is some cursing in this book and violence/threats of in this book. I thought both were mild. I can't recall any steamy, explicit sex scenes just as there was no graphic violence. There is a magical take on this so if you are offended by that, this isn't a series for you.
I would recommend this series to cozy mystery lovers. While I read, and loved, this book out of order, I would say it probably is best read in order. However, if like me, you never read this author and just happen to have this book, go ahead and read it. I was made curious about earlier books but it really had no impact on my enjoyment of this one.
October 12, 2018
More mystery fun
I have 4 stars only because I reserve 5 stars for major literary masterpieces. As far as cozy mysteries go this is the highest praise I can give. I love the Samantha Sweet series and every book I've read in this series has lived up to my expectations. The characters are fun and the adventures and mysteries hard to put down. I do wish some of th3 mystery involving the paranormal aspects and the mystique surrouding a certain chocolatier were bette explained and in much more depth. However, as a whole, I lov3d this book. I also, wish there were some recipes for all the luscious chocolates constantly mentioned. Maybe the author would be willing to weigh a cook book companion for the series. So hard to read these books and not crave a taste of some of the baked goods and chocolate treats. Thoroughly enjoyed this book.
I have 4 stars only because I reserve 5 stars for major literary masterpieces. As far as cozy mysteries go this is the highest praise I can give. I love the Samantha Sweet series and every book I've read in this series has lived up to my expectations. The characters are fun and the adventures and mysteries hard to put down. I do wish some of th3 mystery involving the paranormal aspects and the mystique surrouding a certain chocolatier were bette explained and in much more depth. However, as a whole, I lov3d this book. I also, wish there were some recipes for all the luscious chocolates constantly mentioned. Maybe the author would be willing to weigh a cook book companion for the series. So hard to read these books and not crave a taste of some of the baked goods and chocolate treats. Thoroughly enjoyed this book.
October 13, 2020
Enjoyable, stand-alone, cozy mystery featuring Samantha Sweet and her Sweet Sweets Candy Shop along with her husband, Beau, who is the Sheriff in their small New Mexico town. Add in a magic box that gives Samantha super powers, and it made an enjoyable cozy mystery.
March 12, 2017
Sam's bakery is going gangbusters and so is the chocolate business. Unfortunately there is not room for both in the building, and Sam is forced to find another space for the chocolate part of the business. Only two choices are found, and by process of default, one is soon eliminated. So within a very short time Sam signs a year lease on the property, has the insides renovated to her needs, hires a part time helper and a young chocolatier. She is forced to use her box for extra energy in order to get everything done, and for some reason the box seems to have issues with the new property!
Meanwhile husband and sheriff Beau is trying to solve a armored car robbery nearby, that one bag of money turns up in Taos. The driver was shot in the face and is intensive care. There are no real leads. This case weighs heavy on Beau and he spends most of his waking time trying to solve it.
Then we have 14 year old Sara Cook who is trying to hold her household together. Her dad died recently. Her mom is very ill with cancer. Her brother Matt has turned secretive and not supportive of the situation. Sarah pieces together some unsettling information while eavesdropping. She struggles how to handle the information, her mother and her failing schoolwork (and her brother.)
Connie Shelton has woven the story lines together to make an enjoyable mystery with elements of business and chocolate part of the mix. A return of an unusual person from her past also adds to the oddities that when thrown together make another Samantha Sweet mystery that is over all too soon. Recommended for all ages, this is another in a continuing series that you won't want to miss. If you never have read the series, do yourself a favor and start at the very beginning. Each book gets better and better!
Meanwhile husband and sheriff Beau is trying to solve a armored car robbery nearby, that one bag of money turns up in Taos. The driver was shot in the face and is intensive care. There are no real leads. This case weighs heavy on Beau and he spends most of his waking time trying to solve it.
Then we have 14 year old Sara Cook who is trying to hold her household together. Her dad died recently. Her mom is very ill with cancer. Her brother Matt has turned secretive and not supportive of the situation. Sarah pieces together some unsettling information while eavesdropping. She struggles how to handle the information, her mother and her failing schoolwork (and her brother.)
Connie Shelton has woven the story lines together to make an enjoyable mystery with elements of business and chocolate part of the mix. A return of an unusual person from her past also adds to the oddities that when thrown together make another Samantha Sweet mystery that is over all too soon. Recommended for all ages, this is another in a continuing series that you won't want to miss. If you never have read the series, do yourself a favor and start at the very beginning. Each book gets better and better!
Read
December 10, 2019I was enthralled to find a new books Sweet Sweets series and it did not disappoint me. A light and relaxing paranormal read. Samantha bakery shop is growing and a new commercial customer with standing orders has made the existing shop to small. Sam look around a found an age-old Victorian house standing empty. It suits her needs and will allow for further expansion.
Beau cases included a cash bag left at a dinner, a robbery, and young girl. I found areas that were very predictable, but not deduce points as I found the story entertaining. Sam's magic box is involved and an old friend makes an appearance. I can be read as a standalone. I highly recommend this book.
Beau cases included a cash bag left at a dinner, a robbery, and young girl. I found areas that were very predictable, but not deduce points as I found the story entertaining. Sam's magic box is involved and an old friend makes an appearance. I can be read as a standalone. I highly recommend this book.
April 9, 2018
Just gets better
I thought the last book in this series was good, but this one was heart pounding. Sam and Beau make a great team. When Sam Wants to expand her shop, she never imagines the danger she will be in. You will meet new characters, see old mysterious friends and get totally sucked into the drama of the plot. I sure hope there will be more books to come.
I thought the last book in this series was good, but this one was heart pounding. Sam and Beau make a great team. When Sam Wants to expand her shop, she never imagines the danger she will be in. You will meet new characters, see old mysterious friends and get totally sucked into the drama of the plot. I sure hope there will be more books to come.
August 7, 2017
These books get better and better! Looking forward to more about Sam Sweet and her bakery and chocolate business.
October 21, 2020
Sam's business is growing but can she keep up. Maybe another premises is what she needs. She soon finds one but there are some strange goings on. Her husband meanwhile is investigating the brutal robbery of an armoured vehicle. Could there be any links.
This was the first I've read of this series as it was for a Halloween challenge but I really enjoyed the story. The plot is clever and was interesting to see how it all came together. The ending was good and has encouraged me to want to read more in the story. Sam comes across as much younger despite her grown up daughter. I really liked her and her husband too. It was good to see how Sara handled what she found out. Often its not that way. A fun cosy Halloween mystery.
This was the first I've read of this series as it was for a Halloween challenge but I really enjoyed the story. The plot is clever and was interesting to see how it all came together. The ending was good and has encouraged me to want to read more in the story. Sam comes across as much younger despite her grown up daughter. I really liked her and her husband too. It was good to see how Sara handled what she found out. Often its not that way. A fun cosy Halloween mystery.
October 19, 2020
quick read, "spooky" Halloween cozy .
November 5, 2019
I liked it. I’m going to read more in the series.
October 26, 2020
I was looking for a light, even silly Halloween mystery, and I guess this delivered. Not much more to recommend it, but it held my attention after getting off to a slow start. This is part of a series which I will not be continuing... too predictable and the magical thread was not very well presented, in my opinion. I have to say that the chocolate descriptions had me craving a sweet treat throughout!
October 14, 2020
MAJOR Plot spoilers ahead. Read at your own risk.
The reason that I picked this one was that it sounded like a cute, cozy, and spooky mystery that had a Halloween vibe to it, which I thought would be perfect for this time of year. However, I found myself a little disappointed and for various reasons.
For one, even though this story had a very fall/Halloween in this story, I felt like it was more like a blip in the grand scheme of things. There was very little Halloween vibes to it aside from the treats that Sam made, and the fact that one day of this story took place on Halloween. I was expecting a little bit more than that like costume parties, trick or treating, or a Halloween party or something to that effect. I thought Halloween was going to play a big role into the mystery. It just didn’t at all. That was what I was wanting when I picked up this book. I wanted that Halloween cozy mystery feel, and I just didn’t get that at all because Halloween didn’t really feature to heavily in the story.
The second thing that I wasn’t really thrilled with was the amount of baking and making chocolate. It was so much. Too much really. It seemed every time that Sam’s perspective came on the page then she would go into detail of how she decorating a cupcake or wedding cake or how she was making the chocolate at her new place. I got that was what she did for a living and that was big part of her life, but I just found I didn’t care at all. It bored me honestly. It got so detailed. I didn’t need all that. Whenever those parts came I just skimmed because it was dull to me. I wanted other stuff in the story like the paranormal elements, mystery, and even more about the house. Anything else,, but the baking. I was just tired of it by book’s end.
The next bothersome thing was the fact that the whole mystery of the robbery was basically solved very early on. In fact, I figured out who it was before it was revealed due to the fact that Sara had perspective in this story, and there would have been no reason that she should have had one unless she had some connection to the robbery. Also based on the circumstances of her life, it wasn’t hard to figure out how and why she was connected to it all. Honestly even though I understand why her perspective was in there, I think unnecessary. I didn’t think I needed to know all that. I felt sorry for her circumstances, but I think story could have been done with just Sam and Beau’s perspectives throughout the book. Then it would have more mysterious and suspenseful if Sara’s perspective wasn’t in here and kept more on my toes. Since it was known who did the crime, it just made the story/mystery less exciting for me. Yes, the suspense came in the form of Sam and Beau’s perspective because they didn’t know and were trying to figure out, and I wish that was how it was presented to me as well. The way it was done here was just gave me feeling while reading it of what was the point.
Even though I did like the addition of the magic box, I didn’t like how Sam used the box whenever she needed a pick me up. I understood that she needed it because she was running these two business, and it provided her energy, but gave me the feel of addict. Like she needed it like a drug in order to live her life. I know that was not how it was meant to be, but that was how it came across to me. I just hated that was her crutch that ran to every time, instead of taking a moment to relax and realize she couldn’t do everything. Every time she ran to that box, I cringed.
I really enjoyed Beau’s perspective. He was one of the more interesting characters in this story. I was rooting for him all the way as he was trying to solve the mystery with the robbery. I loved seeing him put piece of the puzzle together along with a fellow sheriff in the other county as they sought justice for the crime. Even though I did know the answer through Sara’s perspective, I did feel the suspense element while in Beau’s perspective as he got closer and closer to the answers. That I really, liked and could have almost done with just his perspective entirely because it moved the plot forward more than the other two perspectives. Plus I just liked Beau and thought he was an interesting character.
There was a twist in this story that I didn’t see coming that I did appreciate after feeling iffy about the story for the most part. I thought that was done cleverly. It also connected what was going on with the main characters story arcs. It added much oomph that story really needed. I was glad there was a twist after it was so early on in story where I found/figured out who committed the crime. That added a bit excitement too to the end that I didn’t think it was going to have.
I really enjoyed the paranormal/mysterious elements that were in the story, and I wished they were played up more because I think they were the more fascinating and intriguing part of the story. The magic box was interesting when Sam wasn’t it as her own personal pick me up because it had those magical element. But more than that I liked how it had a connection to the house the Sam bought. The mystery that surrounded the box and the connection why the former owner/writer of the house. It was just teased in this one, and I wanted more. This was more the mystery that I was expecting than the robbery or it could have been the robbery but with the magic box and the house mystery too. Every time there would be pieces of that puzzle, I perked up right away. That drew me into the story, yet there was only sprinklings here and there, which I thought that was a shame. That really could have been the core of the story, but it wasn’t. There was still a bunch of unanswered question that I feel will be answered in a future book, but I wanted it in this one. I just didn’t get it.
I found the character of Bobul absolutely fascinating. He was very mysterious. I enjoyed him os much when he was on the page whether it was making those chocolates or comforting Sam. He provided a breath of fresh air. He knew a lot especially things of the paranormal variety. He had a bit of a magical quality that I really appreciated. I didn’t know if he was a warlock or voodoo man or something of that variety, but he had mystical origins for sure. Despite the fact that Bobul helped Sam in the past and currently, she didn’t know his origins. She didn’t seem to be able to figure him out aside from knowing he was different. I’m glad I didn’t miss that from previous books, but I thought that was an intriguing storyline with him that I’m sure will be played out in the future.
Overall, this cozy mystery was just okay. There were bright spots here and there, but there were also some dull and bland moments as well. It wasn’t the suspenseful, creepy Halloween feel that I was expecting to get while I read this book. In fact Halloween really didn’t play that big of a role in the story, it just was blip in the grand scheme of things. When the back cover touted this as a Halloweeny read, I expected it to be exactly that, and it just wasn’t. The whole baking/making chocolate thing was just boring to me and was done way too much. I get the purpose was, but it just bored me. I wish that who committed the robbery wasn’t revealed so early on, though I did guess it, because then that lessen the suspense and mystery element to the story, which yet another thing I was looking forward to, but found myself disappointed because that wasn’t how it played out. I didn’t think Sara’s perspective needed to be in the story at all because it revealed stuff way too early on. I think the mystery of the robbery could have been done and revealed through Beau and Sam’s POV. I really liked Beau though, and how he set about trying to solve the mystery, even though I knew the answer. His perspective was the most interesting out of the three. I liked whenever when I was it because it showed him putting pieces puzzle together that I really liked seeing. I did like the paranormal elements. I wished they were played up more or more the main mystery in the story because I thought that was more interesting than robbery plot line. Whenever those paranormal elements came in was when I was really tuned into the story the most that was more the type of feel that I was expecting to have for a majority of the book, instead of just the flashes came here and there. That would have been so much better for me and more engaging. Otherwise this was just an average cozy mystery for me, which could have done so much more in my opinion. The potential was there, but where the storyline was focused just was off where I didn’t think it should have been.
The reason that I picked this one was that it sounded like a cute, cozy, and spooky mystery that had a Halloween vibe to it, which I thought would be perfect for this time of year. However, I found myself a little disappointed and for various reasons.
For one, even though this story had a very fall/Halloween in this story, I felt like it was more like a blip in the grand scheme of things. There was very little Halloween vibes to it aside from the treats that Sam made, and the fact that one day of this story took place on Halloween. I was expecting a little bit more than that like costume parties, trick or treating, or a Halloween party or something to that effect. I thought Halloween was going to play a big role into the mystery. It just didn’t at all. That was what I was wanting when I picked up this book. I wanted that Halloween cozy mystery feel, and I just didn’t get that at all because Halloween didn’t really feature to heavily in the story.
The second thing that I wasn’t really thrilled with was the amount of baking and making chocolate. It was so much. Too much really. It seemed every time that Sam’s perspective came on the page then she would go into detail of how she decorating a cupcake or wedding cake or how she was making the chocolate at her new place. I got that was what she did for a living and that was big part of her life, but I just found I didn’t care at all. It bored me honestly. It got so detailed. I didn’t need all that. Whenever those parts came I just skimmed because it was dull to me. I wanted other stuff in the story like the paranormal elements, mystery, and even more about the house. Anything else,, but the baking. I was just tired of it by book’s end.
The next bothersome thing was the fact that the whole mystery of the robbery was basically solved very early on. In fact, I figured out who it was before it was revealed due to the fact that Sara had perspective in this story, and there would have been no reason that she should have had one unless she had some connection to the robbery. Also based on the circumstances of her life, it wasn’t hard to figure out how and why she was connected to it all. Honestly even though I understand why her perspective was in there, I think unnecessary. I didn’t think I needed to know all that. I felt sorry for her circumstances, but I think story could have been done with just Sam and Beau’s perspectives throughout the book. Then it would have more mysterious and suspenseful if Sara’s perspective wasn’t in here and kept more on my toes. Since it was known who did the crime, it just made the story/mystery less exciting for me. Yes, the suspense came in the form of Sam and Beau’s perspective because they didn’t know and were trying to figure out, and I wish that was how it was presented to me as well. The way it was done here was just gave me feeling while reading it of what was the point.
Even though I did like the addition of the magic box, I didn’t like how Sam used the box whenever she needed a pick me up. I understood that she needed it because she was running these two business, and it provided her energy, but gave me the feel of addict. Like she needed it like a drug in order to live her life. I know that was not how it was meant to be, but that was how it came across to me. I just hated that was her crutch that ran to every time, instead of taking a moment to relax and realize she couldn’t do everything. Every time she ran to that box, I cringed.
I really enjoyed Beau’s perspective. He was one of the more interesting characters in this story. I was rooting for him all the way as he was trying to solve the mystery with the robbery. I loved seeing him put piece of the puzzle together along with a fellow sheriff in the other county as they sought justice for the crime. Even though I did know the answer through Sara’s perspective, I did feel the suspense element while in Beau’s perspective as he got closer and closer to the answers. That I really, liked and could have almost done with just his perspective entirely because it moved the plot forward more than the other two perspectives. Plus I just liked Beau and thought he was an interesting character.
There was a twist in this story that I didn’t see coming that I did appreciate after feeling iffy about the story for the most part. I thought that was done cleverly. It also connected what was going on with the main characters story arcs. It added much oomph that story really needed. I was glad there was a twist after it was so early on in story where I found/figured out who committed the crime. That added a bit excitement too to the end that I didn’t think it was going to have.
I really enjoyed the paranormal/mysterious elements that were in the story, and I wished they were played up more because I think they were the more fascinating and intriguing part of the story. The magic box was interesting when Sam wasn’t it as her own personal pick me up because it had those magical element. But more than that I liked how it had a connection to the house the Sam bought. The mystery that surrounded the box and the connection why the former owner/writer of the house. It was just teased in this one, and I wanted more. This was more the mystery that I was expecting than the robbery or it could have been the robbery but with the magic box and the house mystery too. Every time there would be pieces of that puzzle, I perked up right away. That drew me into the story, yet there was only sprinklings here and there, which I thought that was a shame. That really could have been the core of the story, but it wasn’t. There was still a bunch of unanswered question that I feel will be answered in a future book, but I wanted it in this one. I just didn’t get it.
I found the character of Bobul absolutely fascinating. He was very mysterious. I enjoyed him os much when he was on the page whether it was making those chocolates or comforting Sam. He provided a breath of fresh air. He knew a lot especially things of the paranormal variety. He had a bit of a magical quality that I really appreciated. I didn’t know if he was a warlock or voodoo man or something of that variety, but he had mystical origins for sure. Despite the fact that Bobul helped Sam in the past and currently, she didn’t know his origins. She didn’t seem to be able to figure him out aside from knowing he was different. I’m glad I didn’t miss that from previous books, but I thought that was an intriguing storyline with him that I’m sure will be played out in the future.
Overall, this cozy mystery was just okay. There were bright spots here and there, but there were also some dull and bland moments as well. It wasn’t the suspenseful, creepy Halloween feel that I was expecting to get while I read this book. In fact Halloween really didn’t play that big of a role in the story, it just was blip in the grand scheme of things. When the back cover touted this as a Halloweeny read, I expected it to be exactly that, and it just wasn’t. The whole baking/making chocolate thing was just boring to me and was done way too much. I get the purpose was, but it just bored me. I wish that who committed the robbery wasn’t revealed so early on, though I did guess it, because then that lessen the suspense and mystery element to the story, which yet another thing I was looking forward to, but found myself disappointed because that wasn’t how it played out. I didn’t think Sara’s perspective needed to be in the story at all because it revealed stuff way too early on. I think the mystery of the robbery could have been done and revealed through Beau and Sam’s POV. I really liked Beau though, and how he set about trying to solve the mystery, even though I knew the answer. His perspective was the most interesting out of the three. I liked whenever when I was it because it showed him putting pieces puzzle together that I really liked seeing. I did like the paranormal elements. I wished they were played up more or more the main mystery in the story because I thought that was more interesting than robbery plot line. Whenever those paranormal elements came in was when I was really tuned into the story the most that was more the type of feel that I was expecting to have for a majority of the book, instead of just the flashes came here and there. That would have been so much better for me and more engaging. Otherwise this was just an average cozy mystery for me, which could have done so much more in my opinion. The potential was there, but where the storyline was focused just was off where I didn’t think it should have been.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 25, 2024
I loved the parts of the book that were about the box and the house, but the mystery involving the stolen money didn't really seem to have anything much to do with Sam through most of the book. It didn't blend well with the plot. It seemed to be a way to give her husband something to do. (Marrying characters off always means the husband has to become part of all the stories which often strains the plot.) Of course, in the previous book I didn't understand why there was so much mystery about who her daughter was dating—but he played a minor but pivotal part in this book. I would have been happy with more information about the house, the box, and their possible strange interactions. I felt sorry for the people whose lives were disrupted by the robbery, but they came out of nowhere and barely interacted with Sam.
I'm not sure Sam moving the chocolate "factory" to a location a bit of a drive away from her bakery is a good move. I love the description of the house, but she is running herself ragged going between the two places. I fear there are going to be consequences for her overuse of the energy boost she gets from contact with the box. The ongoing saga of "the box" includes some new powers and problems. I hope we learn more about the writer who once lived in and wrote her books in the house.
I'm not sure Sam moving the chocolate "factory" to a location a bit of a drive away from her bakery is a good move. I love the description of the house, but she is running herself ragged going between the two places. I fear there are going to be consequences for her overuse of the energy boost she gets from contact with the box. The ongoing saga of "the box" includes some new powers and problems. I hope we learn more about the writer who once lived in and wrote her books in the house.
September 29, 2025
I enjoyed this story but it's not a cozy mystery. The "amateur sleuth" doesn't investigate the case. Her husband the sheriff does and it follows his progress, making it a police procedural, not a cozy mystery (amateur sleuth is a foundational element of the cozy mystery genre), especially since you know who did it. It's just a question of the two side converging.
Samantha's part of the story is entirely about juggling her bakery with her expanding chocolate business and that's fine, but it only lightly intersects with the mystery in that the robbers hid their loot on the property she ends up renting.
I didn't realize this was a "paranormal mystery" and it barely is. The author could learn from Krista Davis, Danille Garrett and several other cozy mystery authors who do a terrific job of providing a quick recap of essential info from prior books. I get that she has a "magic box" that can give her energy, maybe heal people, and is sought after by some bad people, but there are vague references as if the reader should know things that aren't explicityly said in this book. That's always a mistake in a cozy mystery series because you don't know when someone will start in the middle of the series, like I did.
So a good enough story but its blurb/marketing needed more accuracy
Samantha's part of the story is entirely about juggling her bakery with her expanding chocolate business and that's fine, but it only lightly intersects with the mystery in that the robbers hid their loot on the property she ends up renting.
I didn't realize this was a "paranormal mystery" and it barely is. The author could learn from Krista Davis, Danille Garrett and several other cozy mystery authors who do a terrific job of providing a quick recap of essential info from prior books. I get that she has a "magic box" that can give her energy, maybe heal people, and is sought after by some bad people, but there are vague references as if the reader should know things that aren't explicityly said in this book. That's always a mistake in a cozy mystery series because you don't know when someone will start in the middle of the series, like I did.
So a good enough story but its blurb/marketing needed more accuracy
September 17, 2021
I'm going to give this book a neutral review.
I got the book for free, and I've chosen to DNF it. However, I'm not moving it to the "never again" folder. Rather, I'm putting it into the "maybe later" folder.
There is nothing objectively wrong with this book, which is why I'm giving it a neutral review. It has a mystery, which is to be expected. It's got a little hint of Halloween/fall, which is also to be expected. There's definitely the "sweet" and "cozy" side that you would expect. The book is well-written, and there's nothing terribly wrong with the writing.
In fact, my only complaint, and the reason that I'm not finishing the book, is because I simply didn't feel compelled to read it. I wasn't overly interested in the story or the characters. There's nothing wrong with them, though, and I could imagine that many people would love this story. It simply wasn't the right story at the right time for me.
I got the book for free, and I've chosen to DNF it. However, I'm not moving it to the "never again" folder. Rather, I'm putting it into the "maybe later" folder.
There is nothing objectively wrong with this book, which is why I'm giving it a neutral review. It has a mystery, which is to be expected. It's got a little hint of Halloween/fall, which is also to be expected. There's definitely the "sweet" and "cozy" side that you would expect. The book is well-written, and there's nothing terribly wrong with the writing.
In fact, my only complaint, and the reason that I'm not finishing the book, is because I simply didn't feel compelled to read it. I wasn't overly interested in the story or the characters. There's nothing wrong with them, though, and I could imagine that many people would love this story. It simply wasn't the right story at the right time for me.
October 21, 2020
Having skipped books 2 through 10 in this series, I missed a lot of storyline about the magic box that was introduced in the first book. However, the author provided just enough of a review for me to understand what was going on.
This book featured more action and investigative work than most cozy mysteries. It also had a few instances of bad language that, while not the norm in cozies, was appropriate for the rough characters involved in the crime. Just something to be aware of.
All in all it was a great read, although I felt that more focus could have been placed on Halloween. It would have added a fun note while enhancing the spooky aspect.
This book featured more action and investigative work than most cozy mysteries. It also had a few instances of bad language that, while not the norm in cozies, was appropriate for the rough characters involved in the crime. Just something to be aware of.
All in all it was a great read, although I felt that more focus could have been placed on Halloween. It would have added a fun note while enhancing the spooky aspect.
October 23, 2020
Cozy bakery mystery
I enjoyed this a lot. Sam has a growing bakery and chocolates business and her husband is a Sherrif. Sometimes their worlds cross paths. This is the first book in this series I have read - it is NOT the first book in the series. Sam has some sort of magic box and magic powders she puts into the chocolates. I was a little fuzzy on the details. My only complaint, and it’s small is that at first I was mixing up Sam and Sarah since their names are so similar and it was my first read of the series. It’s fun to hear about the bakery and what they are working on. Would read more in this series!
I enjoyed this a lot. Sam has a growing bakery and chocolates business and her husband is a Sherrif. Sometimes their worlds cross paths. This is the first book in this series I have read - it is NOT the first book in the series. Sam has some sort of magic box and magic powders she puts into the chocolates. I was a little fuzzy on the details. My only complaint, and it’s small is that at first I was mixing up Sam and Sarah since their names are so similar and it was my first read of the series. It’s fun to hear about the bakery and what they are working on. Would read more in this series!
March 22, 2025
Satisfying!
I admit it; I debated between a four- and five-star rating. I thoroughly enjoyed this story: the mid-autumn vibe is perfect without sinking to cheesy scares; the paranormal element is delivering more info and intrigue (and questions!); the mystery is engrossing with a dual heart-tugging aspect, and; Sam's and Beau's careers intersect in a tidy and creatively managed way. I personally appreciate having my misgivings about one character confirmed (cue smug, self-congratulatory pat on the back👌🏽😉) and the realism of Sam's trepidation while pursuing her business goals. Aaaand...I just talked myself into that additional star; I am eager to find out what's next!
I admit it; I debated between a four- and five-star rating. I thoroughly enjoyed this story: the mid-autumn vibe is perfect without sinking to cheesy scares; the paranormal element is delivering more info and intrigue (and questions!); the mystery is engrossing with a dual heart-tugging aspect, and; Sam's and Beau's careers intersect in a tidy and creatively managed way. I personally appreciate having my misgivings about one character confirmed (cue smug, self-congratulatory pat on the back👌🏽😉) and the realism of Sam's trepidation while pursuing her business goals. Aaaand...I just talked myself into that additional star; I am eager to find out what's next!
October 15, 2018
This was an excellent story about an armored car robbery and the problems with running Sweet's Sweets Bakery and Chocolate factory while understaffed and no space to work efficiently. This story had an alternating POV, but you were never confused.
The characters were all very well written. You could feel empathy for Sara and you could feel the fear Matthew and Wolfe felt around Blake. And of, coarse, I dearly loved Sam and her family.
The best part, running all through the story is a tingle of magic.
I definitely recommend this story to anyone that enjoys a good cozy mystery.
The characters were all very well written. You could feel empathy for Sara and you could feel the fear Matthew and Wolfe felt around Blake. And of, coarse, I dearly loved Sam and her family.
The best part, running all through the story is a tingle of magic.
I definitely recommend this story to anyone that enjoys a good cozy mystery.
October 31, 2018
I truly enjoyed this one - good main characters, and some of the secondary players were fairly well developed as well. Refreshingly new plot for me with a few twists and left hanging right at the very end, so I'm assuming there's a sequel - a sequel that I might be tempted to buy and an author that I intend to search for in my local library. I thoroughly enjoyed Sam and loved that the story had just a "touch of magic" - I really can't wait to find out where that box came from and what all it does - and just who is Boubul???
March 11, 2019
Cozy plus.
Not just a cozy mystery. I found it more than that. The characters were likable and well defined. Sam is an older middle aged woman. She is a sweet but strong woman. Her husband is an honorable strong man and the county sheriff. Sam is very close with her family especially her daughter Kelly. The mystery was intense and satisfying, a little more than the usual cozy. The paranormal was not over the top, for my tastes there could have been a little more.. The conclusion was satisfying and yet it left an opening for the next episode.
Not just a cozy mystery. I found it more than that. The characters were likable and well defined. Sam is an older middle aged woman. She is a sweet but strong woman. Her husband is an honorable strong man and the county sheriff. Sam is very close with her family especially her daughter Kelly. The mystery was intense and satisfying, a little more than the usual cozy. The paranormal was not over the top, for my tastes there could have been a little more.. The conclusion was satisfying and yet it left an opening for the next episode.
October 19, 2020
I did not know what to expect when I started to read this mystery about a chocolatier named Samantha Sweet who makes fantastic desserts and Chocolates to die for. It involves needing more space to accomadate all the orders she is getting and finds a rental property that is a run down Victorian style house that has plenty of room and was owned by a famous mystery writer. Samantha is married to the local chief of police and there was a recent homicide involving an armored car driver. So many unusual occurances with just a hint of magic!
October 20, 2020
A little help never hurts
Sam and Beau don’t always get a lot of time together but an a cash heist ties their two careers together in a mysterious way. Opening her new factory strains Sam and she’ll have to hire more helpers. The mysterious box may energize her but it also seems to be warning her. Can her mentor who suddenly appears help her find the answers to the questions she and Beau have and will she be protected by the mysterious box? Couldn’t put it down until the story was finished.
Sam and Beau don’t always get a lot of time together but an a cash heist ties their two careers together in a mysterious way. Opening her new factory strains Sam and she’ll have to hire more helpers. The mysterious box may energize her but it also seems to be warning her. Can her mentor who suddenly appears help her find the answers to the questions she and Beau have and will she be protected by the mysterious box? Couldn’t put it down until the story was finished.
October 7, 2018
It is quirky, funny and sounds delicious, like a delightful place to watch, as they create. The need to expand brings her to a Victorian house, is it haunted, or just because it’s close to Halloween.
Meanwhile her husband and sheriff is busy with an armed robbery,
a bag of money, a guy in the hospital, and no real clues to follow.
There lives are busy, and as readers we enjoy reading about them.
Meanwhile her husband and sheriff is busy with an armed robbery,
a bag of money, a guy in the hospital, and no real clues to follow.
There lives are busy, and as readers we enjoy reading about them.
October 10, 2018
Very enjoyable read. Having never read any other books in this series, I realized that I have missed out on a good source of relaxation and entertainment and plan to do something about it.
The paranormal (or whatever your wish to call it) flavor running through it made it very interesting. I like the way the author handled that.
There does seem to be a problem in obtaining the earlier books in this series. Any info that can be offered in my search for them would be greatly appreciated.
The paranormal (or whatever your wish to call it) flavor running through it made it very interesting. I like the way the author handled that.
There does seem to be a problem in obtaining the earlier books in this series. Any info that can be offered in my search for them would be greatly appreciated.
October 12, 2018
Sam runs a bakery and is now taking orders for custom chocolates, so she needs room to expand. A mysterious old Victorian house comes on the market and it seems like the perfect place. Her husband Beau is trying to track down whoever robbed an armored truck and shot the driver, and everything converges at the old Victorian. I enjoyed this cute cozy mystery with a paranormal touch, and will definitely look for more of this author's books.
October 29, 2018
Spooky Sweet surprise
I was pleasantly surprised when I got this book Free and started reading. This is full of mystery, danger, and intrigue. I loved the way the main character interacted with those around her and the job her husband has become part of it as well. The magical box is an interesting part and I'm hoping it will be revealed in The next book of l may have to back track because this isn't the first in the series. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
I was pleasantly surprised when I got this book Free and started reading. This is full of mystery, danger, and intrigue. I loved the way the main character interacted with those around her and the job her husband has become part of it as well. The magical box is an interesting part and I'm hoping it will be revealed in The next book of l may have to back track because this isn't the first in the series. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
October 16, 2020
Sweet Mysteries
This is a delightful fun read. Sam is very busy increasing her business with two locations instead of one. In the middle of her busyness she relies on a strange magic box which gives her energy and seems to protect her in unusual ways. In the middle of all this her husband Beau the local Sheriff has a robbery case to solve that ends up putting Sam's life in danger. You won't want to stop reading this one!
This is a delightful fun read. Sam is very busy increasing her business with two locations instead of one. In the middle of her busyness she relies on a strange magic box which gives her energy and seems to protect her in unusual ways. In the middle of all this her husband Beau the local Sheriff has a robbery case to solve that ends up putting Sam's life in danger. You won't want to stop reading this one!
November 8, 2020
A good little mystery.
Sam’s business needs to expand so she decides to find new premises. The place she ends up with is a lovely old Victorian house that looks a bit spooky but is just what the business needs. Her husband Beau, who is the local Sheriff, becomes involved with an armed robbery in another county when part of the proceeds turn up in his town. So they are both stretched at both ends. Quite a good little mystery.
Sam’s business needs to expand so she decides to find new premises. The place she ends up with is a lovely old Victorian house that looks a bit spooky but is just what the business needs. Her husband Beau, who is the local Sheriff, becomes involved with an armed robbery in another county when part of the proceeds turn up in his town. So they are both stretched at both ends. Quite a good little mystery.
November 10, 2020
Cute story. Felt like it took a while but I liked the interweaving of Sara and Sam & Beau’s stories. It all came together at the end very quickly vs how long it took to build to that point.
This is the 6th book in the series, and I usually don’t start in the middle. I got an ok background of the main characters. Much felt unexplained like the background of the box and Bobul is a bit of a mystery as is whatever is in his pouches. But maybe it’s all in earlier chapters of the series.
This is the 6th book in the series, and I usually don’t start in the middle. I got an ok background of the main characters. Much felt unexplained like the background of the box and Bobul is a bit of a mystery as is whatever is in his pouches. But maybe it’s all in earlier chapters of the series.
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