Lemon Drop Dead by Amanda Flower
Publisher: Kensington Books
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
Publication Date: April 27, 2021

Lemon Drop Dead by Amanda Flower is the sixth book in the Amish Candy Shop Mystery series. This book can easily be read as a standalone mystery if you have not read the other books in the series. (I have read the novella that was released previous to this one, but had not read the other books in the series.)

I loved this book so much! The story was fascinating and I couldn't get enough of it! I love the characters and getting a peak into the Amish world. This book is funny and light-hearted and overall, just makes you feel good. The mystery is fascinating and kept me guessing! I loved how much depth is in this story. It truly felt like peeling back an onion!

This was such a great read! There were many times when I actually laughed out loud! I feel such a connection to the characters. I can't wait to go back and read the previous books and I look forward to the ones to come!

If you love cozy mysteries, I definitely recommend this book! Also, the previous books in the series are currently on sale for the Kindle for $0.99 each. I made sure I was able to get my own copy of each before the sale ends! An Amish Matchmaker Mystery series is related to this series and is a fun read! These books are told from the perspective of an older Amish woman.

I'm so grateful to Amanda Flower, Kensington Books, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.

There's a baby on the way and mother-to-be Emily is going to have an unAmish baby shower. It's an attempt to bring the Amish and Englisher communities closer and everything is going well until an unknown Amish woman shows up and sets off a set of events that will change many lives in the town of Harvest, Ohio. Emily had asked her friend, Bailey to invite her estranged sister to the party but she didn't come. Not only did the unknown woman come but she wanted to talk to Emily about a secret that Emily had hidden since she was just seventeen- giving up her baby for adoption at the insistence of her sister, Esther. Things heat up when the woman is found murdered in the pretzel shop owned by Esther's family. Bailey finds herself trying to clear Esther of suspicion and find the real killer.
I won't say any more for fear of committing spoilers. As for the mystery, it's well crafted and complex and my favorite characters are center stage - humans and animals. What would a candy shop mystery be without Jethro the pig along with Puff the rabbit and sweet kitty, Nutmeg?
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

I love this series and, even if this is not my favorite installment, i thoroughly enjoyed.
There's plenty of changes and character development, I was happy to catch up with the characters and read about what was happening in their life.
The mystery is complex but I felt it took the backseat to the story of Hannah and the changes in the character life.
It's as well written as usual and character and plot development are very good.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Margot Rawlings organizes most of the events that take place in Harvest, Ohio. Now she and the pastor’s new wife team up to throw Emily Keim a baby shower in an effort to bring the Amish and Englisher communities closer. They try to recruit Bailey King to plan the event but her cousin Charlotte steps up to take over the planning and does an excellent job. Emily agrees to the non-traditional Amish party but she has one request. She asks Bailey to personally invite her estranged sister Esther. While Esther doesn’t attend the party another Amish woman does. She is unknown to everyone but she does try to have a moment with Emily and makes a comment about a secret from Emily’s past.

Later Esther Esh shows up and begs Bailey for help. Esther takes Bailey back to the Esh family pretzel shop where she sees Esther’s problem. The mysterious woman from the shower is dead on the floor of the shop and she has a threatening letter from Esther. Bailey has to force Esther to call Aiden knowing he is going to see her a the main suspect. Emily begs Bailey to prove her sister’s innocence even though Aiden wishes she would just let him do his job.

There is so much to love about this story.

First, Emily’s baby is due soon but first, we learn about something from her past only a few people know, and that was only slightly mentioned in a previous story. Next, Charlotte really shines again in this story as her confidence grows and she makes a huge decision. Also, Aiden and Bailey’s life together may hit a roadblock when he receives an offer he may not be able to refuse.

The author has created several strong characters that continue to evolve more in each story but this book really focuses on Emily and we meet a new young character that not only shakes up Emily’s life but the lives of many people in Harvest. I love the people of Harvest and the way most of them rally to help when someone is in need. I hesitate to say too much because this is a powerful emotional story if readers are allowed to read the story without any pretense. The murder sets off a string of events and Bailey tries so hard to not only find the killer but take care of her friend and help her through what it means for her future. Surprisingly there were several suspects and twists before the story wraps up in a truly unexpected way.

I do enjoy the way the animals were involved in this book. Jethro the pig always seems to play a big part but it was nice to see Puff the rabbit and Nutmeg the kitten be featured as well.

Lemon Drop Dead was expertly crafted and written. Some loose ends are tied up and it sets up some changes coming in the future. One excites me and one concerns me but I trust this author. She has kept me successfully entertained for six full-length mysteries and three novellas so I expect she has a great plan for moving the wonderful characters in this series forward.

Everything I have read by this author is exceptional. She is a fantastic storyteller. I become invested in all her character lives and look forward to each and every story. I can’t wait to see where she takes the residents of Harvest next.

Bailey King gets roped in to hosting a baby shower for Emily Keim, who is Amish. The baby shower goes well until a stranger, another Amish woman, talks to Emily about her first child. Later, that woman is found dead. Bailey investigates and is able to help in multiple ways.
The author has an Amish Matchmaker series that is also set in Harvest, Ohio. For the first time, characters from that series appear in this one and interact with Bailey, Charlotte and Bailey’s grandmother. It’s a fun part of the story. The matchmaker series mentions Bailey but in those books Bailey was out of town and Millie investigated the murders.
The book discusses an undocumented adoption. I don’t know if this is literary license or if the Amish do things like this. I enjoy Bailey’s interactions with the Amish but I don’t make assumptions that the book is more than fictional.
Relationships develop and fracture in this book. I love most the characters. Jethro, the pig, isn’t my favorite but he plays an important role in helping Hannah.
I like the Amish Candy Shop series. Each book is entertaining and filled with puzzles as to motives and identities of the murderers. The book includes a recipe for making lemon drops. I’m not sure that I’ll ever try to make lemon drops but it’s fun to learn I could.

This is a great addition to my cozy mystery bookshelf! I love the descriptions of the Amish life, and the story was very entertaining!

Lemon Drop Dead by Amanda Flower is the 6th book in the Amish Candy Shop Mystery series, and another great story. I really love this series, and am looking forward to the next book. Bailey King left her job as a New York chocolatier to return to Harvest, OH to help run Swissman Sweets, a candy shop her Amish grandmother owns. Bailey is throwing a big baby shower for her Amish assistant Emily, with both Amish and Englisher attending. When a women comes up to Emily, and mentions Emily's daughter who she had when she was a teenager, Emily is shocked. The next day the women is found dead in Emily's sisters pretzel shop, Bailey is on the case. I don't really like where Bailey and her sheriff's deputy boyfriend, Aiden Brody, relationship is going, you can say I love you all the time, but actions speak louder than words. I love the quirky people and situations in this book. I found this book to be a quick read, with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. If you love cozy mysteries, I strongly recommend this book/ series. 
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is the 6th installment in the Amish Candy Shop mystery series. Bailey King is a chocolatier who works at Swissmen Sweets (family chocolate shop) in Harvest Ohio. Bailey runs the shop with her Amish Grandmother along with her two assistants Charlotte (who is also her cousin) and Emily Keim. Juliet Brooks (her boyfriend Aiden’s Mother) and Margot (who runs all the town events) want to have a baby shower for Emily who is expecting, however, a baby shower is not really an Amish thing. Trying to stop Margot (who has already scheduled the event on the square) is not really possible so Bailey must convince Emily to have the shower. Emily is reluctant; however, she does go along with it. At the shower, a woman who neither Bailey or Emily knows talks to Emily and upsets her with some information from Emily’s past (Emily was forced by her family to give a baby up for adoption when she was a teenager). The women Rosemary is found dead later that night in the Esh pretzel shop which is run by Emily’s sister Esther. Esther was the one who arranged for the adoption of Emily’s child six years ago. Emily has never gotten over her shame but is grateful she has a good husband who knows her past and loves her anyway. Bailey wonders if the murder has something to do with the adoption. Now Bailey is asked by Emily to help solve the murder to clear her sister’s name. Esther has never been friendly to Bailey and will not answer any of her questions. Her boyfriend Aiden is a deputy and he is in charge of the investigation and really does not want Bailey involved in yet another murder. I really enjoyed this mystery and it was a very quick read. Bailey’s cousin Charlotte takes a bigger role in this story and even plans the baby shower as well as goes with Bailey to ask around about where she lived. This series is a winner and I cannot wait to see what happens next for Bailey and Charlotte.

Lemon Drop Dead by Amanda Flower is book six in the 'Amish Candy Shop Mystery' series and my third book in that series.

It is an exciting time at the family-run candy shop, Swissmen Sweets, as shop worker Emily Keim is expecting her baby soon and a shower is being held, something unusual for the Amish. Former New Yorker Englisher Bailey King, who owns the candy shop with her Amish Maami Clara King, along with their cousin and shop worker Charlotte, are providing treats. Emily has a secret; when she was seventeen, she had a baby and her sister Esther Esh was involved in getting the baby girl adopted. Everyone in Harvest, Ohio including Jethro the Pig, and in a last-minute invite, Esther, have gathered at the town gazebo, decked out in a lemon theme to add some of Emily’s favourite flavour to the festivities. At the shower, a woman approaches Emily and suggests that her daughter should meet the new baby. Later the woman is found dead in Esther's pretzel shop, Esh Family Pretzels, next door.

Lemon Drop Dead was a compelling and fun cosy read and you'll want to read the other instalments if you are new to this series. I was sold from the very beginning, with its solid characters, great writing and a marvellous mystery that provided a good sprinkling of clues. The cast is quirky, and busy protagonist Bailey is spirited, big-hearted and sparky.

The mystery itself was well done and there were enough red herrings and twists to keep me guessing the culprit's identity. Overall, a marvellous cosy and very worthwhile read with friendship, romance, and a good dollop of humour. I look forward to reading more books in this series.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Kensington Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

An engaging and heart-warming cozy mystery. A variety of problems. The animals are there adding sweetness and humor as usual. A charming and delightful addition to a great series. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley.

This is one of the better additions to the series. For those who have been reading the Amish Candy Shop Mystery series, there are some threads tied up and some closure in certain areas. It is an exciting time at Swissmen Sweets as shop worker Emily Keim is expecting her baby soon and a shower is being held, something unusual for the Amish. Former New Yorker Englisher Bailey King, who owns with the candy shop with her Amish Maami Clara King, along with their Amish cousin and shop worker Charlotte are providing treats. In fact, Charlotte is organizing the event with help from others. Emily has a secret that very few know. This is not her first baby. When she was seventeen, she had a baby and her sister Esther made her give the baby girl up. A strange woman approached Emily at the shower and told Emily that her daughter should meet the new baby. Later the woman was found dead in Emily's estranged family's pretzel shop next door. She turns out to be the baby's adopted mother. Bailey does her usual thing and gets involved even though her deputy boyfriend Aiden warns her to stay away. This is a complicated mystery to unravel that involves more than just trying to keep a woman quiet and more far reaching. I found it to be an emotional story for sweet Emily but also for all those who care for her and her family. Charlotte and Deputy Little are getting more obvious in their attraction while Bailey and Aiden are moving into new territory. I cannot wait for the next story to see what is going to happen. Fun characters with an Amish and English mix in small town Harvest, Ohio. Loved it!
I received a complimentary ARC from Kensington Publishing and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine only.
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This was a great cozy mystery. I usually give 5-star reviews to books I enjoy and I don't want to end. What made me give this 5 stars: a plot with twists, turns and enough red herrings to keep me guessing, characters that I love and love to hate, and a theme that makes you think about life while your reading a fun story. Also, the main character is a sweet and likeable character who will fight for her loved ones. If you love mysteries, this one's for you!

I, for the most part, enjoyed this book. There were definitely parts I did not like [we will get to that later], but mostly, it was a really good read. I have enjoyed the recent burst of writing from cozy authors that center around a specific life problems and/or social commentary and this book is one of them. While I cannot comment on just what is happening in the book [because NO SPOILERS], it was eye opening that some people still view what is going on as they do and it was abhorrent to me, no matter the belief system, and I am afraid I was as angry as Bailey was when she had to deal with these ignorant people. The fact that there was a child involved just made it worse. I felt the writing was really well done in regards to this and I loved that Lois was brought in to play a part in this and again, I was impressed with Aidan's commitment to doing his job to the very best of his ability.

That said, there were parts of this book I didn't like. One I cannot comment on [it is in regard to Aidan and Bailey's relationship and let me just say that I would have NOT BEEN AMUSED and not nearly as accommodating at Bailey seems to be] but the others I can:

*Bailey has always been a nosy-nelly and it is one of the things that is appealing about her. But she is growing into the "I don't need to do my job because I have others to do it for me so I can go run around the countryside" MC that I absolutely despise. And since I love Bailey [and these books], this is pretty upsetting. I feel like, in this book, she takes advantage of both her Mammi and Charlotte and it really was getting on my nerves. Plus, she continues to put herself into dangerous situations with no regard to those she's leave behind should something happen to her. She needs to get her ISH together. I will say, at the end of the story, she did go into the chocolate shop early and do all the prep work for the day, which I was happy about, but Mammi and Charlotte were also busy on another front and it never seems to occur to Bailey that she was needed MORE IN THE SHOP than out running around, even if her gift is getting people to talk.

*Aidan. He was very problematic in this book. Again I will say, that Bailey was way more understanding that I would have ever been. But these two absolutely need to learn COMMUNICATION.

*The reveal. Uhhhh, really? Anticlimactic much? All that running around for T H A T? Sigh.

I will say the end made this book stay 4 stars for me. Because for all the running around, stupid boyfriends, and anticlimactic reveals, the end was beautiful. It shows how love can and will win every time. I haven't had a book end so well in a very long time and this was just lovely, and a very long time coming.

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

Lemon Drop Dead
Amish Candy Shop Mystery, Book # 6
Amanda Flower
5 Stars

Synopsis:

Murder always leaves a sour taste . . .

Although baby showers aren’t an Amish tradition, Bailey King wants to celebrate Emily Keim’s forthcoming bundle of joy. It’s the least she can do for her hardworking assistant at Swissmen Sweets, especially with Emily being estranged from her siblings. Everyone in Harvest, Ohio has gathered at the town gazebo—decked out in lemon-themed décor to add some of Emily’s favorite flavor to the festivities—including Juliet Brook, Jethro the Pig, and in a last-minute invite, Emily’s sister Esther Esh.

But Esther isn’t the only surprise guest. A mysterious Amish woman confronts Emily claiming to know about her secret shame—the child she had as a teenager who was given up for adoption. The stranger vanishes before Bailey could find out who she was and if she knew what happened to Emily’s first baby. Later that evening, the woman reappears—dead in Esh Family Pretzels, with a threatening letter written by Esther found on her body.

Emily knows her sister is not a murderer and convinces Bailey to help clear Esther’s name and put the squeeze on the real killer . . . (Goodreads)



Review:

The characters are well rounded and well developed. All of the usual gang were involved in this book, but it was Emily that the mystery revolved around. She is about to have a baby, and even though it is not the normal practice, Bailey and all of her friends throw her a baby shower. An uninvited guest tells Emily that she knows about her first baby that was given up for adoption. Before Bailey or anyone else can figure out who the woman is, she is found dead in the pretzel shop that Esther, Emily's sister, owns. Bailey will once again have to figure out the real killer, before Esther is arrested and put away for a long time.

The writing style flows smoothly and the book is a quick easy read.
The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and allowed me to visit Harvest, Ohio, and spend time withBailey and her friends. The mystery was well plotted and I was not completely sure of the culprit until it was revealed at the end.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I think the books are just getting better and I cannot wait to read the next one.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

I admit to being a fan of this series but I also think new readers will enjoy this as much as I did. Emily and Bailey are sure (well pretty sure) that Emily's sister Esther would not kill someone, even to protect Emily. Rosemary has come to town just as Emily is preparing for the birth of her second child- she was forced to give up her first child for adoption when she was a teen- and she's made threats. Esther, not an easy person, is identified as the prime suspect by Bailey's love interest Aiden. Cozy readers know there are more people who disliked Rosemary but while the mystery part of this is good, it's the dynamics between the characters that I most enjoyed, No spoilers from me about Emily's past and future, Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I'm looking forward to the next one, especially since Bailey and Aiden........

I love the Amish Candy series. This book did not disappoint. We follow the adventures of Bailey solving another murder. I love how as a reader of the series we have gotten to know the characters and are involved in their lives.

Bailey King operates Swissmen Sweets with her Amish grandmother in Harvest, OH. A young Amish woman, Emily has worked with Bailey at the candy shop ever since her family shunned her because she had a baby out of wedlock. Few knew Emily's secret but now that she is happily married and expecting a baby, the town wants to help her celebrate by throwing her a baby shower. A stranger appears talking about Emily's first child and then that night the stranger is found strangled in the shop of Emily's estranged family.

Since no one knows about the stranger, Bailey takes what little she knows and starts hunting. The information and details that Bailey finds could tear apart friends and family, but can she ignore what she knows?

Terrific story, create character development, love the news that rocks all. can't wait for the next one!

Lemon Drop Dead is the seventh book in the Amish Candy Shop series. I highly recommend reading the books in order.

I love this series. I love transporting to Harvest, Ohio. The books are all fun reads and the characters are well developed. I enjoyed Lois and Millie making cameos from the matchmaking series.

Even though baby showers are not common in the Amish community the town gathers to celebrate Emily’s Baby. While the shower is in full swing a mysterious Amish woman confronts Emily claiming to know about her secret, a child she had as a teenager who was given up for adoption. The stranger vanishes before Bailey could find out who she was and if she knew what happened to Emily’s first baby. Later that evening, the woman is found dead in Esh Family Pretzels, with a threatening letter written by Emily’s sister, Esther, found on her body. Can Bailey help clear Esthers name??

READ THIS SERIES IF YOU LOVE COZY MYSTERIES!!!

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I absolutely loved Lemon Drop Dead. The main storyline was very interesting and well built, and the surrounding elements added to the story. As with previous entries in the series, it's a pleasure to see ho Bailey investigates the murder. It was nice to learn more about other characters, namely Emily. There are some sad aspects to the story, but fortunately, it ends mostly well. Lemon Drop Dead can be read as a standalone novel, although it adds to the enjoyment if you have read the previous books. Also, there are no spoilers as far as previous books are concerned, which is good news for newcomers to the series. Highly recommended!

This series gets better as it goes along. I particularly liked learning about how adoption differs with the Amish and the treatment of impairments within the community. This was a fast paced and interesting mystery that kept me guessing. The secondary characters are just as loveable (for the most part) as Bailey and her grandmother and truly create a sense of community. I am looking forward to the next one.

I received a copy from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

#LemonDropDead #NetGalley