Candy Slain Murder

Country Store Mystery #8

by Maddie Day

A Jolly & Delightful Cozy Mystery

Christmas cheer has sent the griddle into overdrive at Robbie Jordan’s popular country store and café. And this year, there’s a new seasonal special to feast on: murder!
 
As December sweeps through South Lick, Indiana, Robbie’s life seems merry and bright like the string lights glistening around town. But strange happenings signal a bumpy ride into the holidays. First a man raises eyebrows at Pans ‘N Pancakes when he claiming to be the long-lost half-brother of Robbie’s assistant. Then a fire destroys the home of a controversial anesthesiologist, exposing skeletal remains in his attic. Helplessly intrigued, all Robbie wants for Christmas is to stop her winter wonderland from becoming a real nightmare. With a decades-old mystery taking shape, can she run as fast as she can in pursuit of a killer who’s harder to crack than a stale gingerbread man?

Includes Recipes for You to Try!

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Christmas, Fiction, Audiobook, Holiday

324 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 29, 2020

About the author

Maddie Day is a pseudonym for Agatha Award-winning mystery author Edith Maxwell.

As Maddie Day, Edith writes the Country Store Mysteries, from Kensington, set in southern Indiana. Maddie lived in the area some years ago and loves writing the adventures of Robbie Jordan, a country store owner and chef in South Lick, Indiana.

She also writes the Cozy Capers Book Group Mysteries, with bike shop owner Mackenzie Almeida and her cozy mystery book group solving murders in a fictional Cape Cod village.

Her new Cece Barton Mysteries series, set northern California wine country, releases in fall, 2023

Please see Edith Maxwell's author page for more information about her other mystery series and her award-winning short stories.

Reviews

[JEN A · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance copy of this book from net galley and Kensington Books in return for an honest review. Release date for this book was 29 Sept 2020


This was a very cute and whimsical cozy Christmas mystery. The characters were all so unique and very memorable. The story was engaging and there were even recipes at the end to boot. The ending was super sweet and I look forward to reading more in this series.

[Natalia R · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this eighth installment in Maddie Day's Country Store Mysteries, Robbie Jordan becomes embroiled in two mysteries during the holiday season. The first mystery occurs when a house fire at the home of a local doctor reveals the skeletal remains of his wife. He claims that she left him over a decade ago and that he has no idea how her body ended up in the attic, is he telling the truth? Robbie is determined to find out. Meanwhile, a young man shows up in town and introduces himself as the long lost brother of Robbie's employee, Danna Beedle. Apparently, Danna's mother, Mayor Corrine Beedle, gave up a child for adoption before she married and had Danna. It should be a heartwarming family reunion but Robbie has her doubts about the man's story, and when rumors of his bad temper start circulating around town, she decides to do some digging. Will she be able to solve these mysteries before Christmas?

This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series and I always look forward to spending time with Robbie at her restaurant in South Lick, Indiana. I love that this installment is set during the holiday season - it really adds an extra layer of coziness to the story and will make you want to curl up on your sofa with a blanket and a cup of hot cocoa. As always, I enjoy the restaurant atmosphere and Robbie's relationship with her staff and the locals who come to eat at Pans 'N Pancakes. Robbie is a likable and relatable protagonist. I like that she always puts her business first and doesn't just drop everything to go hunting for clues. There are some exciting changes happening in Robbie's life and I can't wait to see what this new chapter has in store for her.
The mystery was solid and kept me on my toes. The culprit was one of the main suspects, so the reveal didn't come as a huge surprise. All in all, this is a wonderful series, with well-developed characters, mouthwatering descriptions of food, a cozy small-town setting, and well-crafted mysteries.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas has arrived in South Lick, Indiana in Maddie Day's 8th Country Store Mystery, Candy Slain Murder. I've been reading the author's books for the last year and enjoying all her devious plots, wonderful characters, and lovely settings. This installment ranks high in the collection because the mystery was quite clever, the side stories moved forward in big ways, and the writing quality was strong. Robbie has survived an entire year without a murder happening, a perfect reason to celebrate the holidays and a positive year. Thankfully, when a body is found this time, it's actually a skeleton that's discovered by someone entirely differently. While that puts her in the clear, she still feels compelled to investigate because one of the suspects is her cook's newly discovered half-brother. Toss in a bigoted doctor, a pair of twins, a second murder, and a strange dispute over apartment repairs, and you've got a boatload of suspects, clues, and motives. Truly a great example of incorporating all the arcs into a single thread by the end. Plus, it more than made up for a weaker installment in the previous book. And with the surprise ending, I'm excited to grab a copy of the ninth book before the end of the month when the newest release is being published (#10).

[JEN A · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very cute and whimsical cozy Christmas mystery. The characters were all so unique and very memorable. The story was engaging and there were even recipes at the end to boot. The ending was super sweet and I look forward to reading more in this series.

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Christmas in South Lick, Indiana is coming to town with some interesting news. A young man comes into Pans ‘N Pancakes and surprises employee, Danna Beedle by claiming to be her half-brother. She is excited by this news by does have some questions that need to be answered.

The second piece of news is an interesting find in a house after a fire, a human skeleton. The home belongs to a local doctor who claims his wife left him several years ago.

Pans ‘N Pancakes owner Robbie Jordan finds herself intrigued by both events. She tries to find out what she can about the young man but she really gets herself totally wrapped up in finding out who the deceased is and how that skeleton got into the attic. Before she gets the answers she needs another person is murdered and this death is definitely connected to the older death. Robbie is doing her best to juggle her busy restaurant/country store, take part in South Lick’s Christmas festivities, and uncover a killer. This isn’t new for her so I am confident she can handle it all.

It is great to have Robbie back in South Lick with all the residents we have come to love and it is for Christmas no less. Pans ‘N Pancakes is super busy serving up fantastic food but plenty of people are Christmas shopping at her Country Store as well. The author serves up this unique cast of characters as only she can. Pans ‘N Pancakes is the central location for everyone to meet to hear and pass on the local gossip and catch up on any developments on the two mysteries taking place in this story. I really enjoyed catching up with everyone. My heart was warmed by the way Robbie treated Sean but I would have been surprised if she acted any other way. It also shows much promise as this series continues.

As I said, there are two mysteries in this story but one just really affects Danna and her family. Any involvement by others was just to confirm an identity and to be sure Danna doesn’t get hurt in any way. Not everyone treated this young man well though. A man’s racism broke out in public going so far as to try to drag the young man into the other mystery, surprising a lot of people I did appreciate the way his appearance was handled by Danna and her family.

The second mystery is one the whole town is crowing about. First, the skeleton is found, and then another person is killed. What I really liked was that any information Robbie gleaned was shared with Lt. Buck Bird and Detective Octavia Slade. She was able to get information they couldn’t and did move the case along nicely. There were some nice twists and the mystery was well-plotted but I did hone in on the solution early and was very pleased with how the whole thing played out.

Not a mystery but a fabulous event occurs that will have fans of this series smiling ear to ear before we wrap up this visit to South Lick and excited for the next installment. No Grater Crime will be out August 24 and Batter Off Dead hits shelves February 22, 2022.

Candy Slain Murder is a fun whodunit. You really can’t go wrong with a story written by Maddie Day or Edith Maxwell.

[Cozybooklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s nothing better than curling up with a new book in this wonderful series. Robbie is a sweet character, but when murder interrupts her holidays, she steps up and takes charge.
This book is packed with great details and colorful characters, not all of them very nice.
The colors of the book cover are vibrant and eye catching, and will certainly grab the reader’s attention.

[Micky Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh boy, oh boy! Big changes are coming and this book is the exciting precipice that is about to launch us into those changes that is if Robbie lives through the latest investigation that makes her the target of a devious killer! Excellent plotting wrapped around wonderful characters and relationships to make for an entertaining read or in my case, listen. The audio is very well narrated and really helps to bring the characters to life!

[Mark Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Christmas is bringing plenty of surprises to Robbie Jordan’s life. The first is the young man who walks into Pans N’ Pancakes, Robbie’s country store and restaurant, and claims to be Robbie’s assistant’s half brother. Danna never knew she had any siblings. The bigger surprise is the skeleton discovered when a house catches fire. As gossip about who the remains belong to heats up, a fresh murder takes place, and Robbie is once again drawn into the case. Can she figure out what happened?

Since the last book took place outside of South Lick, it was fabulous to be back and see all the regulars again. Everyone gets a scene or two to shine and give us updates on their lives. Unfortunately, the plot could be stronger. While there are plenty of suspects and red herrings, the suspects are weaker than they need to be. The climax is suspenseful and does answer all our questions, however. I’m a sucker for Christmas set cozies, and I enjoyed that aspect of the book. The scenes in the restaurant will make you hungry for the six recipes at the end. Fans of the series will certainly welcome this Christmas entry.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.

Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.

[Karen Stallman · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Candy Slain Murder” the 8th book in the Country Store Mystery series by Maddie Day. I just love this series,
This is the fourth book I have read in the series and I was able to follow along easily so it can be read as a stand alone. I really enjoyed it and practically read in one sitting.

I love the setting of South Lick, Indiana and I love Robbie and her staff at Pans N Pancakes they are like a big family. There were some nasty characters this time with touches on racism, and just plain old meanness. But through it all you still felt the good in most of South Lick. We learned more about Corrine and Danna this go around too which was nice.

There were enough twists to keep me intrigued and wanting to know how it ends. The plot and story were good and seemed to flow at a good pace. I did suspect the killer but I liked the surprise ending.

I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a cozy filled with down home characters and a small town atmosphere.

I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Kensington and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.

[B Beckman · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm not sure what has happened with this author, but this book needed a better editor. The "folksy" sayings of her fellow townsfolk and the atrocious grammar doesn't make them endearing, it makes them sound ridiculous. And no one, not even California natives, use "dude" like this. I lived for a couple of decades near the main character's presumptive hometown of Santa Barbara, and trust me, NO ONE talks this way. I'm also growing weary of the constant attempts at political correctness. And making fun of a character's accent "like Dracula" completely erases any good she thinks she's doing by inserting wokeness into the novel. Usually the main character in a cozy is a relatively likable person. Robbie is becoming more and more unlikeable and just nosy without a purpose. Plus, unless she's cooking those interminable breakfasts, or riding a bike, she constantly has an alcoholic drink of some sort. I expect next book there will be an intervention as to why she needs so darn much beer and wine and Four Roses to get through her life. Finally, so many scenes are contrived in this one it's bizarre. Why an anesthesiologist would be hanging around a Chamber of Commerce mixer for small business owners is never explained. Nor is why a middle aged doctor from Indiana would be using West Coast teenage slang like "as if!" There are other similarly illogical scenes and dialog (who outside a 1940's movie uses "my sweet" to refer to their girlfriend?) that seem to indicate a rushed book or maybe a ghost writer assistant.

[Sandra · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh, dear. I borrowed this book from the library solely because it was a Christmas themed cozy mystery, but oh boy. It was so bad. The characters were so flat, and the killer was so obvious, and the author’s attempt to sound progressive (?) was sad, and what woman under the age of sixty wears a “cream colored turtle neck” layered under a “green sweater” in 2020? None. None, I tell you!

But the worst part was the dialogue. I hate when people judge other people based on their dialect because your dialect does not reflect your intelligence. This theory holds because the mayor and that Buck guy presumedly are well educated given their vocations, but they speak like stereotypical hillbillies with nothing beyond a fourth grade education. The grammar was atrocious and they had certain phrases that I think the author thought made them endearing, hearty midwestern folk, but instead made me feel quite stabby.

Just don’t read this.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this was an ok murder, I didn’t enjoy it as others in the series. The last half seemed to drag.

[Annu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the eighth book in this series and my first. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it. The main character runs a country store and cafe, which keeps her on her toes. And due to the high amount of rush in the cafe, she gets her dose of gossip. This story gives us two mysteries to solve, with the main question being 'Are the two connected?'. This book dealt with a few sensitive topics, which was pretty impressive for a cozy mystery. As for the who-dun-it, the author literally had me second guessing.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read this book.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable and easy to read mystery in the series. I love Robbie and her friends and seeing her run the restaurant flawlessly while helping snoop. However, I felt like the killer was completely obvious from the start and it was kind of frustrating that it took so long (and took danger) for anyone to close the case. Yes the police had to look into everyone, but the clues were very from the start and it seemed unrealistic that no action was taken for the entire book. I also was hoping for a bit more holiday vibes just based on the cover.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The holiday season is in full-swing at Robbie Jordan's "Pans & Pancakes" restaurant in South Lick, Indiana, with hungry patrons and the staff working hard to fill all of their orders. But the Christmas cheer takes a dark turn with a house fire exposing a human skeleton and a mysterious stranger's arrival to town with unclear motives. Robbie's sleuthing goes on the front burner when yet another murder happens; could it be connected to any of the other strange events?

I've read and thoroughly enjoyed all the previous books in this excellent series. The characters meld together so well; I feel like I'm connecting with old friends. The mystery is intriguing and I didn't want to put the book down! It was very touching to watch the progression of Robbie's romance with Abe and his son Sean. She takes great pleasure in finding a special Christmas gift for Sean and they all have fun decorating the restaurant together. I look forward to many more adventures with Robbie!

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for an ARC of this book. My review is voluntary.

[Sue Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's busy at Robbie Jordan's Pans N' Pancakes with the normal Christmas bustle when a young man claims to be the unknown brother of her friend/coworker, Dana. Then a large fire in town exposed a skeleton in the attic sets the whole town abuzz followed by a murder. Robbie launches into did ing the killer when suspicion lands on the long lost brother. Peopled by engaging characters, this cozy series takes you on an enjoyable ride full of clues and recipes while solving the.murders. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Karen Fan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the series overall and this book was good, but it was also longer than I thought it needed to be. Also, the author used irregardless.....seriously, I spent the rest of the novel trying to determine if she needs a better editor or if it was some sort of character flaw. Or maybe that’s how they use it over there in Indiana?

[Mint · Rating 4 out of 5]

Candy Slain Murder is sometimes cute and sometimes serious cozy mystery that would make for a great winter read.

The book is set around Christmas, and definitely has a Christmas vibe to it. However, the Christmas theming is not over the top, which I really enjoyed!

Though there is a large cast list, many of the characters were fairly well-developed. There's also a lot going on with this mystery - the skeleton found in the local anesthesiologist's attic, the emergence of a possible half-brother for one of her employees, the bustle of Robbie's business - yet I didn't feel that any of the stories were half-baked.

If anything, the book could have been condensed in some places to prevent too much drag. For example, there are a lot of scenes of Robbie cooking in her restaurant and it can be repetitive at times.

It was interesting that the author wrote out the drawl of her Midwestern characters as it added character to the story, but I didn't always understand some of the metaphors or local vocabulary used. I can't speak to how accurate it was though as I'm not from that part of the world.

All in all, this was an enjoyable read, and I'd be excited to read more books in this series and from this author in the future.

___

CW: There are several instances where characters experience religious discrimination - specifically, Islamophobia. There is also another character in the book who is a known white supremacist and KKK member. Other characters in the book make their opinions known on both issues and stand up for their friends.

I don't think that this made the book 'woke' or 'preachy' or 'PC', as some other reviewers have commented. Rather, I would say the treatment of these social issues wasn't as deeply executed or nuanced as they could have been.

However, I would advise people who do not like cozies with social issues to avoid this book because these issues do come up multiple times.

For more of my reviews, please visit:

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Candy Slain Murder by Maddie Day is the 8th A Country Store Mystery. It can be read as a standalone for those who are new to the series. I thought Candy Slain Murder was easy to read thanks to the author’s conversational writing style and steady pacing. The story has developed characters and a charming small-town setting. There is a cast of quirky characters that add humor to the story. It is time for the holidays in South Lick, Indiana. The shops are decked with lights, snow is falling, and it is almost time for the town’s tree lighting ceremony. Robbie Jordan has been run off her feet at the restaurant which is good for her bottom line. We get to see what it takes to run her small restaurant. Her interactions with customers and her employees as well as coming up with the daily specials. Robbie decorates her Christmas tree with help from Abe and Sean. I enjoyed this sweet scene. The romance between Robbie and Abe is progressing nicely. Robbie can imagine spending the rest of her life with Abe and his son, Sean. Danna Beedle is stunned when a man comes into the restaurant and introduces himself as her half-brother. She is looking forward to getting to know him, but Robbie wonders if the man is on the up and up. There are two mysteries to solve this time around. A current one and one from a decade ago. Robbie questions multiple suspects gathering information that she passes along to Lt. Buck Bird and Detective Octavia Slade. I would have preferred a more unique solution. The case wraps up nicely with some suspenseful drama. The book has a very special ending that fans of the series will love. There are recipes at the end for those items that had our mouthwatering while reading this heartwarming tale. Candy Slain Murder is a sweet story with buttery biscuits, a skeletal sibling, handmade hats, a toxic twin, a chilly climate, plus festive fun with family and friends.

[Mr Francy Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

MADDIE DAY, PLEASE STOP INCLUDING NEEDLES IN YOUR BOOKS. OTHERWISE GREAT COZY/THEME SIDE.

SERIES PREMISE: In this series we follow Robbie Jordan who owns a place called Pans & Pancakes which is part Country Store, Part Diner, Part B&B.
In this book: As December sweeps through South Lick, Indiana, Robbie’s life seems merry and bright like the string lights glistening around town. But strange happenings signal a bumpy ride into the holidays. First a man raises eyebrows at Pans ‘N Pancakes when he claiming to be the long-lost half-brother of Robbie’s assistant. Then a fire destroys the home of a controversial anesthesiologist, exposing skeletal remains in his attic. Helplessly intrigued, all Robbie wants for Christmas is to stop her winter wonderland from becoming a real nightmare. With a decades-old mystery taking shape, can she run as

THOUGHTS: Starting with the cons: The Mystery, just didn't intrigue me at all. I found myself easily distracted from it. Also the feature of another needle in this series got to me. It's just not cozy using needles in cozy mysteries!
In saying that I love that it's set in Indianna and the sayings that come with that culture. I also love Robbie as an MC and I really enjoyed the cozy-side of meeting Dana's brother.

Owing to the lackluster mystery and inclusion of another needle in the series I bumped my rating down.

3 Stars
xoxo.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Candy Slain Murder is the 8th book in the Country Story Mystery series and after her visit to Santa Barbara in the last book, Robbie is back home in South Lick Indiana. This is a wonderful series and I always anticipate each new book. It has a great cast of diverse characters that are interesting and diverse. The setting, for me (as a Midwesterner), is charming. I also like how Ms. Day peppers some midwestern colloquialisms and speech patterns into the dialogue giving the stories an overall genuine feel. It's the start of the Christmas holiday season in South Lick when the discovery of a body in a cold case leads to a current day murder. This story has some nice surprises for various characters that will add to the overall festive feel of the book. The murder mysteries are well-plotted and the author provides plenty of suspects for her readers to mull over. Robbie once again finds herself trying to puzzle out the identity of the killer, only to find herself in the killer's crosshairs.

Fans of this series will not want to miss this latest installment. You won't be disappointed.

I voluntarily read a digital advanced reader copy which was provided to me by the publisher, Kensington, through Netgalley.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Country Store Mysteries 8

It's Christmas in South Lick just in time for Robbie to solve another murder or two. A local doctors house is burned and skeletal remains are found. The doctor has a questionable past. Also a young man walks in asking for Danna claiming he is her half brother. Of course Robbie feels the need to get involved.

With a new murder and a cold case Robbie had a lot on her plate with Christmas coming up. Trying to figure out if the guy who is claiming to be Danna's brother is telling the truth and trying to figure out clues to give to the police and spending time with Abe and Sean. When Robbie is going in to her store alone she is attacked and finally the killer is revealed. Not a big surprise for me. But I loved the whole story and how it all came together in the end. And it turned out to be a memorable Christmas.

I liked how we got to see Robbie at work and all the regulars come in, and how Buck orders the entire menu every time he comes in.
And Adele and Sam stop by to say hi and Phil drops by with his desserts. You get to visit with everyone in each book it's like catching up with old friends every time you read one of her books!!

I can't wait for the next book in this series!

[Ninna · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was hoping to discover a new series to read as I always enjoy cozies, particularly when they are holiday themed, but this one was a thumbs down for me. The plot was thin, the murderer was obvious and the dialogue was uncomfortably awkward. I am sure the author thought she was throwing in some really "cute country slang" but they came off as forced and idiotic. She even tried to insert some progressive ideas in it but they were so cursory and superficial it just cheapened the attempt. The recipes weren't even good and the book felt incredibly long even though it was under 300 pages. I will not read more from this author.

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice Christmas story with way too much country jargon.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the most recent offering in the "A Country Store Mystery" series by Maddie Day. This was a Christmas story, so there is a bit more cozyness but not as much as I would have hoped. However, I still very much enjoyed this story with not one, but two mysteries to solve during the holiday season. Shortly after the story begins, a young man enters Pans "N Pancakes claiming to be Dana's half-brother, who was given up for adoption when he was born to an unwed Mayor Corrine Beedle. Robbie doesn't feel right about this man and wants to find out more about it. The second mystery involves a skeleton found in the attic of a house that has a fire. It is the body of the missing wife of the Doctor that owns the house. He claims she left him years earlier and has no idea how her body ended up in the attic, of course, Robbie does not believe that story at all. She has some serious investigating to do in order to get South Lick's holiday celebrations back on track.

This is one of my favourite cozy mystery series. It is also one that I am actually caught up on. I always enjoy the restaurant atmosphere and Robbie's relationship with her staff and the locals who come to eat at Pans 'N Pancakes. When it comes to dialogue I love some of the sayings used by the locals, they always make me smile. Robbie is a likable and relatable protagonist, who doesn't jump blindly into sleuthing and leave her business in the hands of others. The mystery was solid and kept me guessing. The culprit was one of the main suspects, so the reveal didn't come as a huge surprise. All in all, this is a wonderful addition to the series, with well-developed characters, delicious sounding food, a small-town setting, and well-written mysteries. I enjoyed the narration by Laurel Merlington. She has narrated all the books in this series and I have grown comfortable with her voices, accents and expression.

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5/5 stars

I received an ARC copy of Candy Slain Murder through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Candy Slain Murder is the eighth book in the Country Store Mystery series. In Candy Slain Murder, Robbie goes about solving the mystery of a murder, a fire and a skeleton in the attic.

This is the first book in the series that I have read and I have to say it didn’t really catch my interest. It was well written, planned out and I did like the Christmas theme, but it fell a bit flat for me. I especially couldn’t get into the characters and the way most of them talked, they sounded very uneducated, even the ones who had gone to law school. The catching of the killer also came off as very anticlimactic to me, but that could have been because I couldn’t get into the story and characters.

I really wanted to like this cozy mystery, but it wasn’t for me. Maybe one day I’ll go back and try the other books in the series to see if reading them in order makes me like them any more.

[Janet Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Holiday Time Murder in South Lick
This is the eighth book in a series. The background and storyline are very good. The mystery has lots of twists and turns that keep it more than interesting. However, there is so much standing on a soapbox about racial and religious tolerance in inclusion. Some of it is disguised as bits of the story. Much of it is flat out preaching. And it is present in every chapter! I prefer my entertainment to be just that. If I wanted a lesson in civil discourse I would not be looking for it in a cozy mystery. There was so much of it that it ruined the story for me. I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.

[Lola · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book through the publisher on Netgalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

Candy Slain Murder is the 8th book in this series. This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series and I am always happy to be back in South Lick for another mystery. Even more so this time as the previous book took place in another setting and it felt great to be back in the familiar setting again. This was again a great read and I really enjoyed it.

One of the things I like about this series is seeing main character Robbie going through her normal every day life of managing her store and restaurant as well as solving the mystery. Most of her sleuthing is done by talking to people in her restaurant when she can or going for short trips after the store closes. I like how her job comes first and how the author still managed to strike a great balance between her normal every day life and solving the mystery. There's something comforting about picking up another book in this series and spending some time with Robbie in her restaurant.

The mystery in this book had a very interesting set-up. Not only is a cold case opened again when the bones of person are found after a storm hits a house, but a new case quickly follows when a women is found death in her house. I thought the combination of a cold case and a new case that might or might not be related was quite interesting. The way the mystery developed was a bit of on the slow side with only rarely new clues surfacing, but there still was some progression and I liked how Robbie discovers some important clues and how she makes sure to pass those along to the detectives. There are a few potential suspects and the reveal of who the murderer is wasn't too surprising, but it was a good mystery all around.

This book had besides the mystery some interesting plot lines involving the characters as well. A young man arrives claimed he's the half-brother of Robbie's assistant, Dana. They never knew she had a half brother and there's a bit of uncertainty about whether he is who he claims he and how the characters deal with this new revelation. There also were a few more Abe scenes and we saw a bit more of his son Sean as well. I don't think we've seen much of him before this book, so it was nice to see more of him here.

Then there is the usual, by now large cast, of side characters that all play a role in the story, from the detective Buck, to another detective Octavia that's back in town to solve these mysteries. Then there is Robbie's aunt Adele and her partner Samuel. We see quite a bit of Dana's mother Corinne too. And then there are the persons of interest in the mystery as well. This book also has a mild Christmas/ holidays theme, which was subtly done, but still added some holiday cheer to the book.

To summarize: Another great read in this series. This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series and it always feels so comforting to return to South Lick and Robbie's store in another book. The author has a great balance between Robbie's daily life and side character related plot lines as well as a solid mystery. I liked reading about Robbie's restaurant and store and have a great mystery as well. This mystery had an unique set-up with both a new murder and a cold case, which might be connected or not. The mystery progressed a bit slowly, but it was interesting to follow along and I liked Robbie's role in finding some important clues. The reveals of who the murderer was wasn't really a surprise, but I didn't really mind too much. It was a solid mystery. I also like seeing more of the side characters and some plot lines related to those. Another great read and I hope there will be more books in this series!

[The Cozy Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robbie is a fun, lovable character who makes readers want to visit her wonderful pancake cafe and spend the Christmas season with her friends, family, and customers. In the newest addition to the "A Country Store Mystery" series, Candy Slain Murder, Maddie Day has made this series even more thrilling.

It's almost Christmas in South Lick, and Robbie and crew are working on their newest creations at Pans ‘N pancakes. Everything seems to be going great until an unexpected murder, a long lost brother, and a handful of strange events leave Robbie stuck in the middle of another murder investigation. This time the murder I sold long before her time, but that doesn't make it any less important. Several mysteries need to be solved, but time is not a friend, and before you know it, there is another victim. Add in the unexpected introduction of Danna's brother, one she never knew she had, and you have the makings of a holiday story that will lift your spirits and keep you happy.

Characters in this series have held the reader's fascination since the beginning. They keep the action moving, add flavor to the town, and keep readers happy. Suspects are found around every corner, and motives abound. Even with Christmas and the holiday season on the horizon, everyone knows Robbie will be knee-deep in whatever horrendous murder occurs. Readers know that Robbie will place herself in danger, solve the murder, and catch the bad guy.

The killer isn't a surprise, but this book's ending will have fans smiling with holiday cheer. Candy Slain Murder is a quick, easy read that gives readers a chance to spend some quality time with the characters they have come to love. This latest addition to the series is the book everyone wants to read and savor this merry Christmas season.

[Ashley Cate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Candy slain murder is the newest entry in the Country Store mystery series by Maddie Day. In my quest to read several Christmas mysteries before Christmas, I knew I had to make it a priority to get to this book. The country store mysteries are such fun because they have a great sleuth, Pans and Pancakes restaurant and country store owner Robbie Jordan, and the premise behind the store is fantastic. I’m always hungry when I read these books and seem to always get the urge to cook breakfast as well.

This series also has a great cast of supporting characters and it was interesting to add in a new character, Marcus, who is Danna’s brother that her mom gave up several years before she had Danna. He seems like a fun addition to the series. The mystery was also fun in that it combined a cold case with a present day murder. The mystery was great and had several good suspects. It kept me guessing. I was also thrilled with how the book ended and am looking forward to seeing what happens next.