Marshmallow Malice

An Amish Candy Shop Mystery #5

by Amanda Flower

Caught in a sticky situation . . .

With Juliet Brody and Reverend Brook tying the knot in Ohio's Amish Country's most anticipated nuptials of the year, Bailey King is determined to do everything in her power to make the event a sweet success. Except midsummer heat waves and outdoor ceremonies don't mix, and an exasperated Bailey soon finds herself struggling to fulfill bridesmaid duties and keep her stunning marshmallow-frosted wedding cake from becoming a gooey disaster. Then much to everyone's shock, the entire ceremony crumbles when a guest drops dead, and the cause isn't sunstroke . . .

Turns out, the uninvited victim came equipped with lots of dirt on the devout reverend's hidden past. As Reverend Brook tops the murder suspect list on what should have been the happiest day of his life, Bailey and her sheriff's deputy boyfriend vow to clear his name. Can the duo boil down a series of baffling clues before Juliet considers her marriage a bad mistake--or the killer whips up another deadly surprise?

Recipe Included!

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Amish, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller

198 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2020

About the author

Amanda Flower is a USA Today bestselling and Agatha Award-winning author of over thirty-five mystery novels. Her novels have received starred reviews from Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, and Romantic Times, and she had been featured in USA Today, First for Women, and Woman’s World. She currently writes for Penguin-Random House (Berkley), Kensington, Hallmark Publishing, Crooked Lane Books, and Sourcebooks. In addition to being a writer, she was a librarian for fifteen years. Today, Flower and her husband own a farm and recording studio, and they live in Northeast Ohio with their two adorable cats.

Reviews

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cozy Amish Mystery, and this is the 5th book in the Amish Candy Shop Mystery Series. I have not read the first four books in this book series. The main character is Bailey and she owns a Amish Candy Shop with her Grandmother. This book is the fifth book in the Amish Candy Shop Mystery. Juliet Brody and Reverend Brook wedding is finally here and happens at the very beginning of the book. And of course there is Jethro the pig that Bailey is watching for her boyfriend's mother, Juliet. There was a murder that happens right after the wedding and of course they are trying to solve it the whole book. I found the characters very developed and likeable and fun. Great Cozy Mystery. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Natalia R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Juliet Brody and Reverend Brook are finally getting married. Everyone is excited and Bailey is busy baking the stunning marshmallow-frosted wedding cake and fulfilling bridesmaid duties. The day is filled with ups and downs, including a ruined wedding cake, Juliet's hair being burned off with a curling iron, and a drunk wedding crasher who objects to the wedding because she doesn't think Reverend Brook deserves to be happy. When the wedding crasher is found dead on the church steps the next day, Bailey and her best friend Cass, decide to their own investigation, much to the dismay of her sheriff's deputy boyfriend, Aiden Brody. Meanwhile, Aiden's high school sweetheart is in town for the wedding, and she is determined to win him back.

This is the fifth book in Amanda Flower's An Amish Candy Shop Mystery series. This is a delightful series, with wonderful characters, a charming small-town setting, and a sense of community and family. This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series, and when a new installment comes out it feels like catching up with old friends. Amanda Flower's writing style is engaging and filled with humor. Our main character, Bailey, is loyal, caring, hardworking, and independent. Her relationship with Aiden is progressing nicely, but I would like to see them communicate better and not keep things from each other. The mystery is well-plotted, with plenty of red herrings and false leads to throw readers off the scent. The reveal came as a complete surprise to me because the culprit wasn't even on my radar.
Overall, I think this is a fantastic addition to the series and I eagerly await the next book. Amanda Flower never disappoints, and I highly recommend any of her series.

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

[beachbum bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Going to the chapel and we’re going to get marrrrieed…I just had to make a trip to Harvest for the wedding of Reverend Brook and Juliet Brody. If for nothing else to see Jethro as ringbearer. As always, this trip was never a dull moment! It started when a strange intoxicated woman burst into the church and tried to disrupt the wedding, then Jethro ruined the wedding cake and Bailey’s maid of honor dress, and then the next day finding a dead body. Whew...that’s a lot for a sleepy little Amish town! Lol. Turns out Reverend Brooks had ties to the mysterious young girl, and Bailey needs to find out what happened after all her future mother-in-law (hopefully) just said I do to the man!...


Another sweet treat!! I just can’t say enough about this series!! It is exactly why I love cozies! The small town, community involvement, quirky characters, and candy...OH MY! If I only had a better sense of humor!..ok ok no more bad Wizard of Oz jokes. I like that the police department needs her as a bridge between the Amish and Englisch. The mystery was like being a maze the whole time...twisting, turning, dead ends...and like I usually end up disclosing I did not solve the mystery before the big reveal. Actually, I have taken to cheating...I now just suspect everybody that way I'll finally be right! Pathetic I know! I can’t wait for the next installment!

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I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank Netgalley, the author Amanda Flower, and the publisher for this opportunity.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marshmallow Malice by Amanda Flower is the fifth full length novel in the cozy Amish Candy Shop Mystery series. Along with two companion novellas in this series each of the books holds it’s own mystery that will be solved so they can be read in any order or as a standalone if choosing to do so. For those that follow from the beginning in the series though there is character building carrying over from book to book to tie them altogether.

The main character in this series, Bailey King, had been working in New York as a chocolatier before she decided to return to Harvest, Ohio and help her Amish grandmother run their family owned candy shop, Swissmen Sweets. While Bailey is not Amish herself she does find herself fitting into the community with her Amish roots and trusted more than other outsiders.

The time has finally arrived for the wedding of Juliet Brody and Reverend Brook and Bailey has been asked to be a part of the bridal party since she has been dating Juliet’s son. Hoping to make the day a huge success Bailey has done everything she can to please the bride and groom including making a huge marshmallow topped cake for the occasion. Unfortunately an uninvited guest interrupts the ceremony and to make matters worse the woman is found murdered shortly after putting the wedding party on the suspect list.

Having followed this one from the beginning the Amish Candy Shop Mystery series has become one of my favorite cozy series that has me keeping an eye out for each new installment. For me this one has just the right mix of the quirky fun and mystery in it. I loved how the author has taken a regular American and thrust her into the Amish world giving her the means to fit into both the regular community and Amish people. And as much as I like the characters there’s also cute critters stealing the show too.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/

[Dale Harcombe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bailey King is bridesmaid at the wedding of her boyfriend's mother, Juliet and Reverend Brook. She is also in charge of making and delivering the wedding cake. But the midsummer heat is cause for concern with the marshmallow-frosted wedding cake. In the end Juliet’s spoilt pet pig, Jethro, who is the ring bearer in the wedding party, causes more problems. But that ends up being the least of the wedding issues when a woman interrupts the ceremony with serious accusations against Reverend Brook.
A short time later she ends up dead and not of natural causes. Reverend Brook ends up the main suspect. Bailey and her sheriff's deputy boyfriend are determined to try and clear him and find the murderer as soon as possible so Reverend Brook and Juliet can set off on their honeymoon. Can they find the murderer before another life is taken?
Set in Ohio’s Amish Coutry this brings a blend of characters together including Bailey’s Amish grandmother who along with Bailey, owns Swissmen Sweets. Bailey has not been brought up as Amish but she is still very close to her dear grandmother.
This is book 5 in the Amish Candy Shop Mysteries. Though I had not read the earlier books it was not a deterrent as it stand alone. Characters and setting are both well conveyed and it is interesting to follow the clues of this cosy murder mystery. I enjoyed it and would recommend it for anyone looking for a cosy mystery with likable characters but one that still deals with some serious issues like alcoholism as well as murder.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Marshmallow Malice is okay. There's a wedding and a town's woman is dead. It's all good and the first half of the book is fun.
The development of Bailey's character to have her cooking show in NYC is a turn off for me. I like the small town feel and the reason I read cozies. She still works at the Amish candy shop in Ohio, but not sure if I'm excited if she spends more time in the city in future books.

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love returning to Harvest, Ohio for a visit with Bailey King and the ladies who work at Swissmen Sweets Candy Shop, owned by Bailey and her Amish grandmother. Juliet Brody, mom of Bailey's boyfriend, Aiden, and Reverend Brook are having their wedding with Bailey serving as maid of honor, Aiden as best man, and Jethro, Juliet's pet potbelly pig, as ringbearer. It is all very exciting and going well until a strange woman enters the church to yell as the pastor before she is removed. No one seems to know her and what is going on but she apparently knows Pastor Brook. The next morning as Bailey is about to enter the church to make sure all is ready for service after the ceremony, she discovers the woman's body on the church steps. Bailey's BFF, Cass, is in town for a few days vacation and to attend the wedding so she is happy to help Bailey find out what is going on. Aiden, deputy sheriff, is begrudgingly resigned to Bailey getting involved. As always, this is a great mystery to solve and Bailey cannot seem to stay out of danger and trouble but the Amish trust her over the Englisch law enforcement. With the fourth of July coming up, the store is busy making lots of yummy desserts and candies for the festivities. An old flame of Aiden's is back in town and wants to get back with him. What is going on there? Lots of things to clear up in this great addition to the series.
I received a complimentary ARC from Kensington Publishing through NetGalley for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are mine only.

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Like other fans of this series, I have been looking forward to Reverend Brook and Juliet Brody’s wedding complete with Jethro, the pig as ringbearer, and Bailey King as the maid of honor. Bailey has worked tirelessly to give Juliet the wedding of her dreams. The wedding is going along nicely until a stranger arrives shouting at the reverend. The person is removed and the ceremony continues.

Juliet wanted a cake with marshmallow frosting even though the heat of the day could ruin all her hard work. But it was other forces that be that send the reception into a sticky mess. Even then the party goes on and everyone seems to have fun.

Then the next day, a body is found at the church. The stranger from the wedding has been murdered and we find they are not a stranger after all. They have a connection to the community and to the good Reverend Brook. Will he and Juliet be able to go on their honeymoon? Only if Bailey and Aiden can clear his name and frost the real killer.

I do love this series. The way the community of Harvest comes together to celebrate always warms my heart. There are always a few rotten apples around trying to throw shade but by and large, the town is full of good people. Bailey has really worked her way into many people’s hearts. She loves working with her grandmother in the family sweet shop and she dreams up such wonderful creations. She is smart and independent and people, both Amish and Englisch open up to her making her a huge asset to her deputy boyfriend. This time her friend Cass is visiting Harvest too and is a great sidekick for Bailey. All Ms. Flower’s characters continue to grow in believable ways.

A lot happens within the pages of this book and at times it seemed a bit chaotic but in Amanda Flower’s hands, we see it is all a very well-constructed plot with plenty of theories, twists, secrets, and suspects. She serves up misdirection like a master and had me stymied almost right up to the big reveal. It is so much fun to follow along with these characters.

What I really love about Ms. Flower’s stories is that while giving readers an entertaining mystery she dishes up a high level of humor. Almost from the start, I was laughing out loud as Juliet was getting ready for the wedding, the issues with the cake and Bailey in her bridesmaids dress and so much more. She really knows how to tickle her reader’s funny bones.

Marshmallow Malice is a terrific addition to this series. Unique, charming, and engaging characters along with a first-rate mystery make this story a Perfect Escape.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this series, especially the characters. It doesn’t get better than Bailey and Hot Cop. I enjoyed this mystery and was really surprised at the culprit.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The wedding day of Juliet Brody and Reverend Brooks is finally here! Bailey and Swissmen's Sweets have made a marshmallow cake per Juliet's wishes and she is also the maid of honor. She's accompanied by her Detective beau, Adrien Brody. The ceremony is disrupted by an intoxicated mystery woman who crashes the wedding, accusing the Reverend of being a traitor, whose body is later found dead on the church steps. Bailey is determined to identify this woman and her connection to the Reverend.

Moonshine, marshmallows, family secrets, and a generous dose of Jethro the pig combine to make this latest installment a sweet success!

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

[Shirley Chapel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bailey King questions her relationship with Deputy Sheriff Adin Brody when his old high school sweetheart shows up and tries to win his heart again. Will this be the end of their relationship or is Adin sincere in his feelings for Bailey?
During Juliet and Reverend Brooks wedding a strange lady crashes into the ceremony demanding that the wedding be stopped. She calls the good Reverend a traitor as Deputy Little escorts her from the church. Later the Reverend Brook becomes a murder suspect when that same woman is found dead in front of his church. Does the Reverend have a secret that he's been hiding from Juliet and the church.
Bailey gets involved in the investigation of this murder when friends ask her to try to solve it. Deputy Brody fears for her safety but reluctantly agrees to allow her to help him gather evidence. Her friends are drawn to Bailey's kind nature and confess their problems and secrets to her that help her to unravel clues to find out what happened to the murder victim. Could Reverend Brook be capable of murder? Someone wanted this victim dead! Bailey and Adin hope to find out who killed the woman and bring the killer to justice.
This is the fifth book to Amanda Flowers Amish Candy Shop Mystery. So far I think this is the best book of the series. The author gave her readers a puzzling mystery to solve. I was fearful for Bailey's and her friend Cass safety when time after time they would put themselves in dangerous situations. Kept me on the edge of my seat on more than one occasion. I thought the book was a page turner and a mystery that was hard to piece together. It was exactly what I love to see in a Cozy Mystery. The characters have become my fictional friends that I get to know better with each book in this series.
I recommend this book to readers of Cozy mystery and readers of Amish Fiction. This book could be read as a stand alone but to understand the significance of the characters it's best to begin at book one.
I purchased a copy of this book from Amazon. A favorable review was not requested. All opinions expressed here are my own.

[Micky Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

The candy shop is in full action preparing for Julliette and the Reverend Brooks' wedding as well as for the 4th of July festival on the square, but things are not as they seem when a young women crashes the wedding and screams at the groom! Another excellent visit with Bailey and the gang wrapped up in an entertaining and intriguing plot. This series weaves very real issues into the plot lines without losing the entertaining and happy feel of the books. In this book alcoholism is at the forefront of the theme, but in a manner that allows the characters to remain the loveable and relatable ones we have grown to love. I absolutely can't wait to see what happens next as things are definitely reaching a crossroads for Bailey and Aiden.

[Shawna Shaheen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 5th book in this Amish series. Juliet and Pastor are getting married. It is July. Juliet ( Bailey boyfriend Aiden the police man mom) wanted Bailey to make a 3foot cake with poka dots and marshmallow icing. It was a huge sussess. Just a misdeminor though. Some woman not Amish interrupted they're wedding calling Pastor Simon a tratior. Bailey wants to put Swismen Sweets (Bailey grandpa and grandma candy shop she owns now) on the charts wants people to recognize they're shop. This is one one of my favorites from the series. With who done cozy mystery

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun sweet cozy mystery that can be enjoyed as a stand-alone or part of the series. The characters, both human and furbabies, are likable and interesting. However, we do learn a few new surprising tidbits about one of our beloved characters. The mystery is entertaining and funny but is still full of suspense. I was surprised at who the killer was.

All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way, I have been influenced by anyone.

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up knowing it wasn't first in the series, but I wasn't lost reading this far in. With a wonderful cast of characters, Amanda Flower never disappoints! Will definitely pick up earlier books in the series.

[Taryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bailey's boyfriend Aiden's mom and the local Reverend are ready to tie the knot. As maid of honor Bailey is doing everything she can to make sure Juliet's day goes off without a hitch. Everything seems to be going well until a woman steps in during the wedding to make slanderous accusations against Reverend Brook. The woman is removed and Juliet ignores what the woman said, marrying the reverend without further interruption. Things get worse at the reception when Juliet's pig Jethro trips Bailey making her crash into the wedding cake destroying it. When the day is finally over Bailey sighs with relief, the happy couple will be off on their honeymoon after church the next day. When Bailey goes to the church early the next morning to make sure everything is as it should be she finds the woman from the previous day dead on the steps. Who is this woman and why was she killed and left on the church steps? The reverend only knows her first name and gives Bailey all the information he can about the woman. The reverend is soon eliminated as a suspect so off he goes on his honeymoon with Juliet. Bailey knows she must figure out who the woman was before she can look at people who might have wanted her dead. There is an Amish connection Bailey just has to find out where it leads. Follow along as she investigates, will she be able to figure out who the killer is before she herself becomes a victim?

[Linnea · Rating 5 out of 5]

fun to read series and I did not see the murderer. also a new character that should make things interesting in the future.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a cute series! The book gets off to a great start and really grabbed my attention. Cozy weddings are the best and this one has plenty of drama. The bride's pet pig is a member of the wedding party, and a wedding crasher is found murdered on the steps of the church the morning after the ceremony. Bailey takes time out from running the family Amish candy shop to do a little detecting.

I enjoyed catching up on the personal lives of the main characters. Things slowed down a bit for me after the halfway mark, but then things start coming together for a strong finish for both the mystery and for a touching moment for Bailey. 

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fifth book in Amanda Flower's An Amish Candy Shop Mystery series and this is another winner. I really enjoy this series with its wonderful characters, a small town setting as well as a local Amish community, and always delicious foods. In this outing, Juliet Brody and Reverend Brook are finally getting married. With most of the town attending the wedding, Bailey the maid of honour in her cupcake dress and Jethro the pig as the ring bearer, a wedding crasher calls the reverend a traitor and tries to stop the wedding. When she ends up dead, left on the steps of the church the next morning, he becomes one of the main suspects.

This is one of my favourite cozy mystery series. Marshmallow Malice has a very well-developed plot with great writing. Of course there is always some humour involved and in this story it is all caused by Jethro the pig. I really like Bailey as the protagonist, she is loving, independent, smart, loyal and hardworking. She works well with her boyfriend Aiden, a town police officer. She also acts as liaison between the police and the Amish community due to her grandmother being Amish. There is some spirituality in the book with Amish beliefs mentioned a few times, but that is it. The mystery is complicated enough to have several suspects and a few red herrings to keep this reader guessing. I was not sure who the culprit was until just before the final takedown scene, which was quite tense. A great addition to the Amish Candy Shop Series.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Rebecca Mitchell. This is the first book I've listened to narrated by her and I enjoyed her performance. She has an easy voice to listen to and I felt she did a good job with this story, using expression, inflection and tone to bring the reader into the story. Her voices for the characters were not all that much differentiated, but I was able to determine who was speaking in most situations due to intonation. I will continue to listen to books that she narrates. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't think there has been a cozy mystery written by author Amanda Flower that I haven't devoured. Ms. Flower is one of my favorite authors in this genre and I know when I start a new book by her that I am going to fall down the rabbit hole and be transported to a charming setting, populated with wonderful characters and a mystery that keeps me guessing. This is the 5th installment in the Amish Candy Shop Mystery, and pun intended, each one is a sweet treat. Bailey King is a terrific protagonist. She is really coming into her own and I love how she is able to have one foot in both worlds. Her romance with Aiden is progressing nicely and things are going well at Swissmen's Sweets. Unfortunately, the one area where Bailey can't catch a break is stumbling over dead bodies. This time, it's on the steps of the church the morning after Juliet's wedding to Reverend Brooks. This time, she has her best friend Cass, who is visiting from New York, to help her with her sleuthing.

I thought the mystery was well done. Ms. Flower, once again, did a traffic job of cast suspicion on a number of characters while dotting clues throughout the storyline. I was completely surprised by the identity of the killer. I followed the false trail of clues provided by the author and came to the wrong conclusion. I love when an author has created characters that have me so engaged and invested in their lives that I miss the small nuggets that are carefully placed throughout.

I highly recommend this author and if you haven't had a chance to read any of her series, I say pick up the first book in any one of them and crack it open. You will be entertained and satisfied when you finish reading the final page.

I voluntarily read a digital advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher, Kensington Books. through Netgalley. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Sue Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rounding up from 4 and a half stars because it is always such an enjoyable visit to Harvest, OH and Swissman Sweets. Amanda Flower is an adept storyteller combining characters you care about with a well plotted and paced mystery. It's the middle of summer for the wedding of Juliet (the mother of Bailey's beau, Aiden) to Reverend Brooks. Bailey is in charge of walking Jethro, the pot-bellied pig, down the aisle, making and protecting the marshmallow frosted cake from melting all while dressed to resemble a cupcake.The ceremony being interrupted by an inebriated woman threatening the groom is only the beginning of the mishaps leading to murder. Bailey straddles a fine line of respect for the Amish community, including her grandmother, while promoting the business and investigating the murder. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The always upbeat Juliet is trying to remain positive on her wedding day despite major problems. (We won't even talk about the hair incident.) Her maid of honor, Bailey, is having her own concerns because she made and is responsible for the wedding cake. Juliet requested a marshmallow icing and on the hot summer day she is afraid it will melt. However, what happened in the ceremony turned out to be the biggest problem until a body was discovered the next morning.

This story had me guessing from beginning to end about not only the murder but what might happen between Bailey and her boyfriend Aiden now that his old girlfriend has shown up again. As always Juliet's comfort animal, Jethro the pig, kept me entertained with his mischievousness. Thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is finally time for Juliet and Reverend Brook to get married. A mysterious woman crashes the wedding a tries to put a stop to it. When the woman is found dead outside of the church. When it turns out she has a connection to the reverend, Bailey and her best friend, Cass, start investigating. I love this series. The characters are fun and likeable. Jethro the pig has to be one of my favorite literary pets ever. He causes so much mischief without meaning to, but you can't help but love him. Can't wait to read more.

[Patrizia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solita piacevole lettura e stavolta, nonostante avessi capito dove andasse cercato il colpevole, non avevo capito chi fosse.

[The Kawaii Slartibartfast · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

The fifth installment of this delightful series involves Juliet's (the mother of Bailey's boyfriend, Aiden) wedding and of course with it being Juliet nothing can go off without a hitch.

Of course someone would try to interrupt the wedding! Can this poor woman not catch a break?

The interlopers body is found and Bailey is determined to catch the killer.

I love this series so much. The cast feels like a family and a revelation in the book actually really shocked me!

[Erica Chaillot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting twists and turns. I love the characters and their connection to one another. Looking forward to the next.

[Dawn Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another really good addition to this cozy series; if not for a few teeny complaints, this would have been a five star read for me. Very well done.

This time around, it is finally Juliet and Reverend Brook's wedding and everyone is going crazy getting ready for it, including Bailey, who is not only the cake maker, but also the maid of honor. Trusting that the wedding will go off without a hitch, everyone arrives at the church only to have it disrupted by a crazy-looking woman yelling at Reverend Brook and calling him a traitor. The wedding continues after she is removed, but the next morning a dead body shows up on the steps of the church and it looks like Reverend Brook has some explaining to do. Amongst other things.

The topic of this book is alcohol and alcoholism and what it does to both people and families and those we love. The damage from either being an alcoholic or being married or related or a child of one is huge [I am a child of one and I still struggle with the fallout from that on a regular basis, not to mention my own struggle with it] and this book touches on this without being preachy, but showing it in a very honest way and just how it can wreck all those around you without you even being aware of it. And when people lie about their past or their present, the hurt and distrust becomes even bigger. And the fallout can be devastating. I think that the author handled this very well and I was impressed.

Now...for the things I didn't like. Mind you, they are teeny. But they are things that annoyed me to no end.
*Does Bailey ever actually WORK? That makes me crazy - especially when she talks about how she moved to Ohio to help out her grandmother and to me it seems that Clara with the help of Charlotte and Emily, is doing all the work. It annoys me.
*Bailey lives in a little rented house. Know how I know this? She TELLS YOU 1500 TIMES. I almost sprained my eyeballs with this one.
*Cass has been to Harvest before and only brings black jeans and SILK tank tops? Seriously? In the freaking summer? I'm sorry, but I lived in NYC and its hot and humid there too. Its not like she wouldn't have known and having had been there before, she would have known to dress the FRICK DOWN. Sigh.
*THIS one is hidden due to it being slightly spoilerish. If you have not read the book, you should skip this. There is NO FREAKING WAY that anyone would have been okay with her guy not telling her about a girl he was "promised to" but who had been away for years and just now had swooped back home to "get her man". NO. WAY. IN. HE...well, you get the picture. Aiden is a bit of a hypocrite in this one and it makes me a little crazy. He is constantly upset that Bailey doesn't share, and he is VERY upset at what he learns about Reverend Brook, but he keeps the whole story with the redhead a freaking secret. It was petty and childish and really beneath him and the author to have written it that way. And for Bailey to not be upset was unrealistic. Because ANY woman that that happened to would go ballistic. Seriously.
Those are the things that keep this from being a 5 star read. I almost gave in when I was shocked at who the killer was, but the stuff in the spoiler part just pushed it back to 4 stars for me.

That said, I love this series and I will keep reading them as long as she keeps writing them. It was a very good read.

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

[The Cozy Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

The “An Amish Candy Shop Mystery” series written by Amanda Flower and published by Kensington Books has quickly become one of my favorite cozy series on the market.

The characters are good, down to earth people who work hard, keep busy, and try to be helpful to their fellow man. These are wholesome country folk who want people to be happy, and this makes for some of the most lively and entertaining characters ina series. The setting is in the heart of Amish country, although all places have issues, this one has as few as possible, aside from the occasional murder that is.

Readers will find themselves not just liking the quirky characters, especially Juliet and her pet pig, but loving many of them as if they were a part of their own family. Bailey and her grandmother are as always there to lend a hand when the big wedding day arrives, even members of the Amish community show up to be a part of the festivities. But everyone knew Juliet’s big day couldn’t possibly go off without a hitch or two. It doesn’t take long for things to spiral, and before you know it, murder becomes a guest.

The victim is a magnificent casualty of the past and how communities shape our lives. The suspects are all equally capable and believable. No one is spared this time around, everyone from the small town, even the Amish become suspects. Bailey uncovers the true killer almost unexpectedly, and the unveiling is filled with real-world consequences for everyone involved.

I am happy to recommend the fifth book, Marshmallow Malice, in this tasty confectionery and Amish driven series to readers who love small-town politics, mystery with delightful characters, a torrent of suspects, twists and turns that will keep them guessing, a smattering of mouth-watering treats, and copious amounts of intrigue.

[Cozybooklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very excited to read this book, and once again I was awed by the creative genius of Amanda Flower.
Every book in this series is packed with a good, solid mystery, lovable, colorful characters, and a small town where everyone knows your name.
The book opens with the big day for Juliet and her soon to be husband, until the ceremony is interrupted, causing people to raise their eyebrows.
As the maid of honor for Juliet, Bailey King takes her job very seriously, especially since she’s dating the bride’s son.
When the wedding crasher is removed, everyone breathes a sigh of relief, but we all know that’s not the end!

Fans of this series will absolutely enjoy Marshmallow Malice.

[Leane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really can't stand Juliet. She's super annoying.