A very good book. I did not know this series but I am looking forward to the next instalments.
It is fun to read, interesting and well described characters and a plot that kept me guessing till the end.
I was fascinated by the Amish characters and the explanations about their way of living.
There are also interesting discussions about choices and changing.
It is strongly recommended.
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley

Bailey has stayed in Harvest, OH after the death of her Daadi (grandfather) to her Maami (grandmother) run the family candy shop, Swissmen Sweets. Her grandfather was to participate in the highly competitive Amish Confectionery Competition and the judges have allowed Bailey to take his place. On the first day of the competition Bailey has a run in with a rival Amish candy shop owner, Josephine Weaver. Also, the town's beloved polka-dotted pig, Jethro, has gone missing and his owner, Juliet, is distraught with worry. As Bailey looks for Jethro she unfortunately finds the body of Josephine. Will the police, particularly Aiden, be suspicious of her once again?

Whenever I am stressed I like to turn to cozy mysteries and Amish fiction. When you put the two of them together I am one happy reader. Amanda Flower has perfected the craft of writing Amish cozy mysteries. You are instantly transported to Harvest, OH into Bailey's world as soon as you open the book. The details are rich with beauty and flavor. You can almost taste the candy Bailey and the others are making. It is a guarantee you will be craving whatever Bailey and her grandmother are making. Right now I want licorice and taffy. YUM!

Not only is there a murder mystery going on there is also a young Amish girl that Bailey meets that is trying to decide her path in life, stay Amish or leave or faith. The care and compassion shown from Bailey and her grandmother is the true spirit of helping one another. You will be moved like I was.

There is a small romance between Bailey and Aiden brewing but it does not take over the main story. They are both taking their time until they move to the next step. Aiden seems like the perfect match for Bailey. He lets her explore but is always around to help her pick up the pieces.

I cannot review the book without a blurb about Jethro. Who can resist a polka-dotted pig? This pig lives the perfect life. He is doted on like a king by his mom, Juliet and she just so happens to be Aiden's mom and one of Bailey's close friends in Harvest, OH. I found myself worrying about Jethro being lost in the dark and cold even when I was not reading. I absolutely love how Amanda Flower gives true personality to her animal characters. To me that shows she has a beautiful heart.

I am very excited to see the next adventure of Bailey and friends and to see where the romance is headed. Hurry and get your copy today from your favorite bookseller. If you have not read the first book, Assaulted Caramel, you should buy it also. Make it a sweet weekend of reading.

This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. The story flowed very well and was very enjoyable. This book will keep you reading long into the night and you will not want to put this book down until you finish. This was such a great read and full of surprises. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader’s copy of this book. The free book held no determination on my personal review.

Lethal Licorice by Amanda Flower is the second story in The Amish Candy Shop Mystery series. Bailey King is now living in Harvest, Ohio and working at her grandparent’s candy shop Swissmen Sweets. They are preparing for the Amish Confectionery Competition (ACC) where Bailey will take her deceased grandfather’s spot. All items made for the competition can only be done the Amish way—no electrical appliances. Josephine Weaver of Berlin Candies, though, is not happy with Bailey taking Jebediah’s spot since she is an Englischer, and she is not the only person who feels that way. Just before the first round begins, Jethro, who is Juliet Brody’s polka dotted pig, disappears and she needs assistance in locating him. Bailey goes into the church to search where Charlotte Weaver, a cousin, is playing the organ which sounds a little off. Charlotte opens door to pipe area to see what could be the problem and screams. Bailey peers inside to see a dead Josephine Weaver. It is discovered that Josephine died from an allergic reaction to anise, and she had a piece of Swissmen Sweets licorice on her. This puts Bailey on the suspect list which along with her natural curiosity makes it impossible for her not to investigate Josephine’s death. Bailey must work in her sleuthing in between the rounds of the competition, looking for Jethro (he is still missing), manning the candy shop and offering Charlotte guidance on her future. Will Swissmen Sweets win the competition? Who killed Josephine Weaver? Follow Bailey on her latest adventure in Lethal Licorice.

Lethal Licorice is written in a conversational writing style with a good pace which makes the story easy to read. I was drawn into Lethal Licorice immediately. Lethal Licorice can be enjoyed without having read Assaulted Caramel. Readers are given an abbreviated version of Bailey’s history and how she ended up in Harvest, Ohio. The setting of Harvest, Ohio is brought to life thanks to Amanda Flower’s visual imagery. There are a variety of characters in this series which I appreciate. The characters are well-developed and relatable. Jethro, the polka dotted pig, is a fun addition along with his owner, Juliet Brody (she is the quirky character in the story). I like the chemistry (and interactions) between Bailey and Aiden Brody. There is just the right touch of humor in the story. It is balanced with the seriousness of the murder and the intensity of the competition. The mystery is well crafted, and readers will be pondering the killer’s identity. There are some good clues to aid in identifying the evildoer. Bailey, though, needs to work on her questioning technique (shape her questions differently and be subtler). She is too blunt which is off-putting. It turns off people because they feel like they are being accused of wrong doing. There are tantalizing candy descriptions that will have you running out to purchase your favorite sweet treat (it had me craving my homemade peanut brittle). There was one scene that left me cringing. There was a cat in the candy kitchen at Swissmen Sweets. I hope the health inspector does not find out about it. It was interesting to discover how various candies are made without the aid of modern technology. Lethal Licorice is a feel-good cozy mystery. It was pleasurable to read and when I finished reading it, I had a smile on my face. Lethal Licorice is a cute and entertaining cozy mystery that will have you eager to read for Premeditated Peppermint (which will be out in September 2018).

This is a delightful series ! I love returning to the rich setting of Amish country and the fun characters of the town. I highly recommend the first book in the series as each in series is a delicious fun read with non stop fun.
Lethal Licorice is book 2 in the Amish Candy Shop Mystery series. I fell in love with the first book in this cozy series.
The books have these such fun characters that you just come to love. Juliet always has me laughing with her pet pig Jethro who goes everywhere with her. He even goes to church with her where she has obvious eyes for the pastor. Juliet's son is Aiden, a deputy and very interested in protagonist Bailey. The two have a obvious attraction and sparks fly between them in this next in series. The possible romance sets the stage for future books as both Aiden and Bailey are two alike souls separate from the Amish in a Amish town.

In this next in series the town is having a candy contest show down between competitive vendors and the one person who thinks Bailey has no right to be in the contest is very vocal to everyone in town. The stage is set for her murder when this person is found dead and stuffed in an organ at the non Amish church. Bailey's young cousin finds her with Bailey right behind her. Bailey finds that she and her cousin could be a suspect. Bailey is once again using her excellent detective skills and working with Aiden to solve this gruesome murder. In solving the murder she often has to work with the strict Amish culture who deny her right to live and work in the town.
I love this series in its entirety. It is the well crafted sleuth, the delightful setting and the humor of the quirky characters. The food described is mouth watering and the addition of learning about Amish culture is interesting and fun. Its a series I read cover to cover and look forward to the next in series.
Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC which does not affect my personal opinion of this wonderful cozy series.

In this second book of the series Bailey is settling into the town of Harvest, Ohio and helping her grandmother run Swissmen Sweets. The annual Amish Confectionery Competition is coming up and Bailey has been allowed to compete in her grandfather's place. Things are looking good until Jethro, a pot-bellied pig goes missing and his owner asks Bailey for help in finding him. During the search for Jethro the body of a local Amish woman is found in the church organ, said woman didn't think that it was right that Bailey compete because she isn't Amish. Bailey must keep her head in the game, she really wants to make her grandmother proud but she also wants to make sure she doesn't become the lead suspect. Along the way she learns that she has cousins on her grandmothers side, it's not easy to find a pig, and that she might just have feelings for a certain deputy. This is truly a lovely series that gives you a true sense of the Amish way of life. The characters are easy to get to know and like which makes for a great read. I laughed, cried, and followed the clues to figure out whodunit. The recipes at the end were an added bonus, especially if you love chocolate!!!

enjoyed reading this second book set in Harvest Ohio, now you might want to pick up the first book, Assaulted Caramel, but the author brings you up to date.
Our candy maker, a daughter of a man who left the Amish faith, came to visit her Grandparents, and ends up staying to help her Grandmother run their candy store. Now our Bailey does have a back ground as a head chocolatier in New York, so she is hoping to do well in annual Amish Confectionery Competition.
This book ends up having a dead Amish woman, a missing pot belly pig, and finding new relatives. We keep on our toes and of course Bailey is again involved in finding another body.
A page turner for sure, and I was surprised at the ending, I didn’t guess the outcome of this one!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Kensington, and was not required to give a positive review.

This is such a fabulous series. It has characters that come to life and you never want the book to end. This is the second book in this series and I couldn't wait to read it. Bailey has to help clear a friend's niece and find Jethro. I was worried about Jethro sometimes more than trying to figure out who the killer was. This is a must read. I would read the first book Assaulted Carmel to get background and fall in love with Harvest Ohio and all the characters

Lethal LIcorice is book 2 in the Amish Candy Shop Mystery series. I got hooked with the first book in this cozy series. The books have these quirky characters that you just come to love like Juliet Brody. Juliet kept me laughing with her pet pig Jethro who goes everywhere with her. He even goes to church with her where she has eyes for the pastor. Juliet's son is Aiden, a deputy, and she makes no secret that she wants Aiden and Bailey to be a couple.

In this book there is a candy contest and there is one person who thinks since Bailey is not technically Amish she has no right to be in the contest. When this person is found deceased at first it appears Bailey may be a suspect. This book kept me guessing. I had a couple of people who I thought may be the culprit but it turned out I was completely wrong. I love a cozy mystery where I cannot figure things out and this one fit the bill. I look forward to the next in the series, Premeditated Peppermint which will be released later this year.

Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for providing me a digital copy of this book to read and review. Lethal Licorice will be released on February 27, 2018

This is the first in the series that I have read. I was not at a loss for not reading the first book first.
This story picks up after the death of Bailey King’s grandfather. To honor her grandfather, Bailey enters the annual Amish Confectionery Competion. Bailey is no newcomer to making chocolate. She had been trying for a position as head chocolatier in New York when she returned to Harvest, Ohio to take over her grandparent’s candy shop.
Of course she's going to find a body and try to solve the mystery to keep anyone she knows out of trouble.
I like that the characters are relatable. As always Ms Flower includes insight to Amish customs and traditions. I enjoyed this book. I have Assaulted Caramel just need the time to read it. It is moving higher in my TBR list.

Characters that feel like family and a deliciously different setting make Lethal Licorice a wonderful way to spend an afternoon.

The small, mostly Amish, town of Harvest, Ohio is finally hosting the annual Amish Confectionery Competition (ACC). Bailey is competing for her grandparent’s Amish Candy Shop, Swissmen Sweets, along with her sous chef Emily. The fact that Bailey is not Amish brings some discord to the competition. Josephine, another competitor and owner of Berlin Candies, angrily denounces Bailey’s inclusion in the contest. One of the judges seems determined that Bailey cannot win the competition. When one of them is found dead and stuffed in the back of the church’s grand organ, Bailey must defend her cousin from murder charges by solving the crime herself. Besides competing in the ACC and solving a murder, Bailey is helping locate a prized pet pig who disappeared shortly before the ACC began. She is also trying to limit the expectations of family and friends about her pairing up with handsome Deputy Sheriff, Aiden.

This is the second entry in the Amish Candy Shop series. I’ve read both. While you don’t have to read them in order, I would recommend it. This book contains major spoilers for the first.

I love the characters within this book series. All seem genuine. There are also some charming Amish lifestyle details subtly included. The author cleverly modernizes the setting by including an unwed pregnancy in one of the Amish’s backstory. However, this entire novel is definitely G-rated and appropriate for Christian readers. In addition, old-fashioned candy-making is described and a recipe for black licorice is included.

Lethal Licorice is highly recommended for cozy lover’s looking for something different with a small town feel. The mystery is good but it’s the characters that will make me impatiently await the next book in the series. 4 stars!

Thanks to the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley for an advanced copy.

Lethal Licorice is the second book in the An Amish Candy Shop Mystery series.

The Amish Confectionery Competition has come to the quaint little community of Harvest and Swissmen Sweets is one the fifteen shops that will be making their most tasty candies, to be able to say they are the Best of the Best. Some of the contestants are not happy that Bailey, not being Amish, is allowed to participate in the competition, but the judges have ruled that she will be permitted to participate, and she will be using her grandfather’s recipes.

As Bailey and Emily, her assistant, are busy getting the ingredients ready for their Swissmen Sweets Black Licorice Josephine Weaver, a contestant has a heated conversation with Bailey about her being allowed to be in the competition. Shortly afterward, Juliet Brody, in a panic, asks for Bailey’s help in finding her potbelly pig, Jethro, that has gone missing. Bailey knows that Jethro spends a good deal of time at the church across the square from the contest, she heads there to look for Jethro. As she enters the church she hears a young girl playing the church organ and something doesn’t sound right about the sound emitting from the organ and the young girl goes to look in the room behind the organ and lets out a scream. Bailey then follows the girl and sees the lifeless body of Josephine Weaver. The next shock she gets is that the young girl is Charlotte Weaver the niece of Josephine. Bailey becomes concerned that she might be considered a prime suspects when she learns that one of her licorice candies is found in Josephine’s pocket. Josephine was highly allergic to licorice and it was pretty much common knowledge in the community of her allergy.

The more Bailey investigates the more suspects she is coming up with. Josephine hardly ever had anything nice to say about anyone or anything. Not in taking with the Amish way she thinks.

An extremely interesting and touching subplot to the story involves Charlotte Weaver. Charlotte is at the age where she will be choosing to join the church or to leave the Amish life and probably be shunned by the church and her family. She loves playing the organ, but the Deacon of her district is strongly against, but some Deacon’s are less strict. Charlotte feels that she can praise God with her music and is torn as which way to turn.

Once again, Flower’s provide the reader with a well plotted and told story and an interesting cast of characters. She also provides an interesting look at life in an Amish community.

A delicious sounding recipe is also included.

I will definitely be watching for the next book in this wonderful series.

Amanda Flower delivers another great Amish candy mystery!

Bailey just can’t catch a break no sooner than the first case was closed she finds herself right back in the middle sticky case a few weeks later. This time around Bailey finds herself in knee deep with a steep candy competition, murder, lost pig and a mysterious woman. Plus you get a shocking surprise when you find out who done it, I know I was.

Again this time around you get great characters and story setting, the only downside for me was the ending seemed to wrap up way to quick once she found out who it was bam it was all over.

This is standalone, but the first book is just a good so, my suggestion is to start with book one or if you didn’t then please go back and read it, it’ loads of fun too.

The Amish town of Harvest, Ohio is the polar opposite of New York City, but it’s now home to big city chocolatier Bailey King. When Bailey’s Amish grandfather, Jebediah King, passed away, she moved to Ohio to help her grandmother, Clara, run the family candy shop, Swissmen Sweets.

Taking her grandfather’s place in the annual Amish Confectionary Competition, Bailey isn’t welcomed by a few of her competitors given that she is an “Englisher”. When the Amish contestant who was most vocal about not allowing Bailey to compete turns up dead, Bailey finds herself on the suspect list.

Now Bailey finds herself not only representing and defending her grandparent’s candy shop, but also trying to clear her name and solve a murder as well.

I truly enjoyed this book. The simple life of the Amish combined with the English highlights just how similar we all are, regardless of our backgrounds. The story is well written, the characters are relatable and you’ll find yourself taking a trip to Amish country before you know it. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series when it comes out.

Lethal Licorice by Amanda Flower is the second book in the cozy Amish Candy Shop Mystery. In this series Bailey King had been trying for a coveted job as a head chocolatier in New York when she decides to instead head home to Harvest, Ohio to take over Swissmen Sweets, her Amish grandparents’ candy shop.

After returning home Bailey had found herself in the midst of a murder investigation but now that things have settled down she fully intends to invest her time making Swissmen Sweets the best. To honor her grandfather’s memory she enters the annual Amish Confectionery Competition where a fellow candy maker, Josephine Weaver, wants to get her disqualified for not being Amish.

After Bailey’s encounter with Josephine she’s asked to help search for Jethro, a missing pot-bellied pig, but instead finds herself stumbling upon another dead body in the small town. Again Bailey finds herself right in the middle of the investigation and needing to help solve the murder before she or someone from her family become suspects.

There are a lot of things that I have loved about Amanda Flower’s Amish Candy Shop Mystery series. The setting being in the middle of the Amish community is one that is a bit unique on it’s own giving the reader a glimpse into another lifestyle. The author does a good job showing what it’s like in differing Amish groups and what it’s like for a non-Amish relative trying to fit in to the town and her family.

The characters in the series are all likable and realistic feeling. And let’s face it, I’m a sucker for some type of pet/animal being involved in a cozy. In this case little Jethro the pig was a favorite part of the series so to hear he’s missing I had the “oh my gosh find the pig and forget the dead mean lady!!” moment in this one. So really there are two mysteries to solve which made it even more fun to follow along making this another great addition to this series.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Lethal Licorice
By Amanda Flower

Agatha Award winning author, Amanda Flower, takes us back to Harvest, OH in her deliciously sweet new cozy mystery, Lethal Licorice. Bailey returns as the new candy maker at Swissman Sweets stepping in for her deceased grandfather. She competes in the Amish Confectionery Competition and creates quite a stir representing her family's business even though she is not Amish. Not all of the Amish competitors are accepting of this and one of them turns up dead.

Lethal Licorice has a handful of quirky, mysterious, sketchy, and innocent characters. Throw in a missing polka dotted pig named Jethro and some serious eye candy who goes by the name of deputy Aiden Brody, and you have a very interesting group of residents as well as suspects! The well developed plot has you guessing at each twist and turn. The description of the candy left me seriously craving chocolate peanut butter fudge. As an added bonus, there is a licorice recipe included. I have not made it yet...but I will!

Amanda Flower continues her reign as a top notch cozy mystery author. Her ability to write entertaining mysteries that anyone can read and enjoy gets her 5 stars from me...my stamp of approval!

A great addition to a wonderful series. The setting is beautiful. I love the contrast of the Amish views and Bailey's modern views. I also enjoyed how this naturally caused some conflict throughout the story. The ending wasn't my favorite, but I really enjoyed the rest of the book.

This is the second book in the Amish Candy Shop mysteries, and it's as good or better than the first! Bailey King is a very talented candy maker who left New York City and moved to Amish country, specifically Harvest Ohio, to take care of her bereaved grandmother and take over her family's candy shop, Swissmen Sweets.

The Amish Confectionary Contest is taking place and Bailey and her assistant are hard at work making licorice, fudge, and taffy when she finds that her friend's pig Jethro has gone missing. While searching for him, she finds the body of one of the other candy makers stuffed in the church organ. Bailey is under suspicion because the woman is found with a piece of Swissman licorice in her pocket, and she wants to solve this murder.

The plot is so well written it was a joy to read, The characters are engaging and authentic, and the descriptions of Amish life are fascinating. I loved this book and highly recommend it.

Thanks to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Amanda Flower has book two in her Amish Candy Shop Mystery out later this month and Lethal Licorice is bittersweet. Fresh on the heels of where book one ends, Bailey and her Amish grandmother are still getting used to daily life without her grandfather. Baliey who is not Amish is doing everything she can to help keep her grandparents store running and is filling in for her grandfather at the Amish Candy Festival. While this ruffles feathers of many in the community, soon there is much more to worry about and a polkadot pig to find! This is a story where love and grief meet determination. Where communities that are divided find common ground. A lovely story and a good mystery await you in Lethal Licorice. This is a February 27th, Kensington mystery to keep your eyes out for!

Lethal Licorice by Amanda Flower is book two in the Amish Candy Shop Mystery. We find Bailey King standing in for her late grandfather, Jebidiah King as a contestant in the Amish Confectionery Competition (ACC) right in their own little Harvest, Ohio. She is up again fifteen of the best Amish candy makers in the county and some of them do not like the fact that an Englischer is allowed.
Josephine Weaver, a candy maker from neighboring town Berlin, is one such person and opening makes her opinion know right before the licorice round is about to start. When Juliet Brody’s beloved pot belly pig, Jethro, goes missing, Bailey is willing to help in the search before the judging starts.
During the pig search, Josephine’s turns up dead. Now Bailey has once again found herself in the middle of a murder investigation, not to mention solving the mystery of her new found cousin, finding Jethro, and participating in the ACC.

This book had me captivated from the beginning with mystery around every turn. So many questions arise during the book, like who is that mystery lady Bailey keeps seeing and does anyone else see her too?
I received an advance copy from NetGalley and Kensington and was under no obligation for a review. This is my honest review in my own words.