I have loved the books I have read so far in the Farm to Table series by Amanda Flower. The characters are well developed and the mystery is well crafted. I have loved getting to watch Shiloh Bellamy grow and make Bellamy Organic Farms a name to be remembered in Cherry Glen, Michigan. I have fallen in love with Shiloh’s pug, Huckleberry. He has me chuckling as I read about his antics and his responses to things that are happening around him. You will find yourself invested in the story and traveling along with all the twists and turns to see if you can help Shiloh figure out who is guilty of murder. There are lots of suspects and clues are sprinkled throughout the pages. It is such a plus to watch Hazel mature and the relationship she develops with Shiloh and Shiloh’s father, Sully. She is such a perky and fun young lady and I can’t wait to watch her mature and see how Shiloh is going to be such a positive influence in her life. Plus I can’t wait to see if the relationship between Shiloh and Quinn develops into something more permanent. Personally, I’m a huge Quinn fan and am cheering them on.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

The sheriff asks Shiloh, “But I want you to ask yourself, are you helping someone who wants to be helped, or are you just being nosy?” This question probably can be asked of almost every cozy mystery protagonist.

When an unpopular local businessman is found frozen in a lake during an ice fishing competition, Shiloh’s best friend’s husband becomes the prime suspect. Shiloh seems to have an awful lot of time on her hands for a farmer. The mystery was interesting, though.

In Farm's Way is the third in the Farm to Table Mystery series. A cozy mystery series set on an organic farm in a small town in Michigan.

I hadn't read any of the others in the series before picking this one up. But, I find with most cozy mystery series that you can pick them up anywhere during the series and feel like you know what's going on and In Farm's Way could definitely be read as a stand-alone.

This was a cute cozy mystery. Our main character and amateur sleuther, Shiloh Bellamy, is back on her family farm, helping to keep it running and look after her dad. After dropping her dad off at the local fishing derby and taking a walk over to help her friend man one of the booths at the derby, she discovers the local brewery owner dead. When Shiloh's best friends husband becomes the main suspect, Shiloh decides she needs to help out find the real killer.

I liked the small town aspect of the mystery, the mystery was interesting, and I didn't solve it before the reveal. I give this one a solid 3 star. It kept me interested, but the story and characters didn't necessarily wow me. There was also a love triangle forming, and just a personal preference, I find them a little cringy.

Overall, if you enjoy cozy mysteries and like the small town/rural setting, I'd suggest giving this on a try.

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press for the advanced digital copy of this book. My opinions are my own

The small-town farming setting of this series makes for an especially cozy read, a bit like playing Stardew Valley but in a book.

This is the 3rd installment of the Farm to Table mystery series. Shiloh Bellamy has moved back to Cherry Glen Michigan months earlier to save the family farm. She has a very difficult relationship with her family and many members of the town who blame her for her fiancé Logan’s death 15 years earlier from a drunk driver. It is the dead of winter and Shiloh once again gets embroiled in a murder. Shiloh arrives with her father Sully at the annual ice fishing festival where they meet up with Quinn and Hazel his daughter. Quinn was Logan’s best friend and now he is a possible love interest for Shiloh but he is having issues with that and just wants to be friends. Sully is distant with Shiloh but is more than happy to share his enthusiasm with Quinn’s 12 year old daughter Hazel. Shiloh is going to help her friend Kristy man the Cherry Glen info booth at the festival. One her way off the ice, her adorable pug Huckleberry finds a dead body under the ice. Enter a new Sheriff to investigate as this murder happened outside of Cherry Glen and the sheriff is very handsome. Sheriff Milan Penbrook has warned her to stay out of the investigation and she has every intention of doing so until her best friend Kristy tells her that her husband Kent was probably the last one to see the victim Wallace Fields alive and Kent just missed out on being promoted at the brewery. Kent becomes suspect number one and Kristy begs Shiloh to investigate and clear her husband. This was a good solid mystery and the culprit is hidden until basically the reveal at the end. Sheriff Penbrook takes an interest in Shiloh and that causes her some confusion given her uncertainty with Quinn. Also a family mystery is solved along the way. I really enjoyed this story and the one negative is the possibility for a love triangle and the troubled relationship with her Father and cousin. Really don’t like those so hope that it can get resolved quickly in the next installment. Recommend.

The background on this series is fantastic as a girl comes back home to save her family farm. My favorite parts: her pug sidekick and the background mystery from her grandma. The romance line is engaging and I’m heartily rooting for them! Well written, engaging, and easy to capture your attention and hold it. Great series and can’t wait for more!

This is a cute, cozy novel. Just not really up my alley. The characters are interesting and the plot is interesting but I just wasn’t that interested in the scenarios so much beyond the title character.

I really like this cozy mystery series by Amanda Flower! The characters are relatable, and it the story isn't as predictable as other cozy mysteries can be. Shiloh as a character is well-written, and her sidekick, Huckleberry, is just fun to read about with his antics throughout the story. I will definitely continue to read anything Amanda Flower releases from this series!

It's time to visit Shiloh and friends again as there is a new mystery to solve. Once again it's up to Shiloh to help keep a friend out of jail for the murder. The book is well-written and I love the descriptions of the countryside at the Fishing Derby. Huckleberry, her pug, is a delightful addition to the book. Although, this wasn't once of my favorite books by Ms. Flowers. as I love her Amish Candy Shop mysteries, I didn't find this one quite as engaging but I will be on the lookout for the next book in the series.

In Farm’s Way

by Amanda Flower

There is a lot going on in Cherry Glen, Michigan, land of cherry orchards, snow, and ice fishing. Shiloh Bellamy left her L.A. producer job to return to Cherry Glen to save the family farm by reinventing it as an organic farm.

In the brief time since she returned to her home town, she has gained a reputation as someone who is nosy and can solve crimes. She helps her aging father as much as he will allow, but their bonds have never been strong as her father could not step up to the plate emotionally after Shiloh’s mother passed away. Along the way, they have both developed a relationship with the exuberant Hazel who loves to help on the farm. Hazel’s father Quinn, an EMT, was Shiloh’s deceased fiancé’s best friend. Complicated, right?

When Shiloh discovers a body under the ice at an ice fishing competition, and her friend Kristi’s husband is a prime suspect, Shiloh is asked to investigate. Woven into her sleuthing are topics like ice fishing, birding, beer brewing, and organic farming. Shiloh continues her search for something her beloved grandmother left for her at the “heart of the farm.” There is also a potential romance or two that mainly produces tension, but also ends the book with a cliff-hanger.

As with most mysteries you will meet some interesting characters along the way. there are two sheriffs who become a little territorial, a widow who doesn’t seem at all sad, and an organic beer brewing association with internal politics. Jesse’s Place is the cafe to go to if you want to pick up the latest local gossip, and Jesse herself is civic minded and kind hearted. Shiloh’s older cousin Stacey is fulfilling a personal dream by reviving the town theater using money she got from the sale of her half of the family farm. I mustn’t forget Shiloh’s animals. Her adorable pug is Huckleberry. He goes almost everywhere with her. She also has a Siamese cat who rules over the barn cats and Diva who rules in the hen house. Shiloh anthropomorphizes her animals and that adds humor to the story.

I have read most of Amanda Flower’s cozy mystery series and have enjoyed all of them. Her characters are interesting, and the plots are well conceived with lots of threads. In Farm’s Way continues her stellar reputation for good cozy mysteries.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rating: 5/5

Category: Mystery

Notes: 1. #3 in the Farm to Table Mystery Series, but can be read as a standalone. Amanda Flower excels at providing background information as needed for the reader, so don’t be afraid to jump in with In Farm’s Way.
2. Includes tips and a recipe for suet for feeding birds in the winter.

Publication: February 21, 2023—Poisoned Pen Press (Source Books)

Memorable Lines:

I wasn’t one for the crowds, at least not crowds in Cherry Glen. I hadn’t really minded them in LA because they had anonymity. However, in my hometown, everyone knew who I was, what I was a doing. Gossip was a town pastime.

The Siamese looked over her shoulder at me and gave a very slow blink. I had read that a slow blink from a cat meant she was saying, “I love you.” However, when it came to Esmeralda, I was certain it meant, “I am your queen. Sit down, peasant.”

Huckleberry looked at me with wide pug eyes in alarm. To be honest, pugs looked alarmed the majority of the time. When they didn’t, they were asleep.

Love this author. She creates a great story line with fun and charming characters. Each of her series has its own style and each book keep the reader wanting more.

In Farm's way is a cozy mystery. It is easy to recommend. I suggest that this series of mysteries be read in the order of publication.

The third book in this series find us deep in a Michigan winter. As Shiloh cheers on her father, Quinn, and Hazel at the Ice Fishing Derby, she stumbles upon another body.

This was a nice next installment for the series. It was interesting to see a bit more of a few characters from previous books. And a couple of the new characters seem promising. I did suspect the murderer toward the end, but through most of the book there were so many possibilities.

With the closing scene leaving us holding our collective breath for a major decision, I’m looking forward to book four!

Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the complimentary digital review copy of this title.

I really loved this book in a new to my series and author. I can't wait to read the next one. The characters and location really add to the plot. This book keeps you guessing until the end

Shiloh may be trying to save her family farm, but it doesn't stop her from trying to figure out whodunit when her bestie's hubby is accused of murdering a local brewery owner.

I enjoyed this book so much! With it's quirky characters, multiple storylines, lots of red herrings, a chicken named Diva, a cat named Esmerelda, and a pug named Huckleberry, how could I possibly do anything else?

Many thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor or expectation.

I also won a paperback copy of this book from the publisher.

Shiloh is back working on her struggling farm, planning for repairs and planting. A foul murder puts a hole in those plans, now Shiloh has to work on the farm and find a killer that is determined to prevent her from catching them by any means. Even though the farm takes up all of her time, she feels the need to find the killer. Following the clues, at least those that aren’t under ice, she slowly finds the truth.

The evidence is there to be found and followed, and it only leads to one conclusion and the killer. The uncovering of the killer has enough action to keep readers glued to their seats. The characters in this series, such as Quinn, his 12-year-old daughter, Hazel, and Shiloh’s best friend, Kristy, keep this series fresh. Bellamy Farm isn’t just Shiloh’s home; it’s her passion. The love she has for her father, Sully, is clear to see, but so is their strained relationship. This makes the series fun and entertaining.

Book 3 in a really cute cozy mystery. Can you get any better than having a farm setting for your cozy mystery series? I don't think so.

I loved that there were some major steps forward in Book 3. Really exciting and I can't wait to see where Book 4 takes us next.

However, Shiloh's dad and sister are driving me crazy. They are, IMO, truly horrible people and I don't want to read about them anymore. Just ick. Why would anyone want to come home to try and salvage the family farm, helping both their father and sister ALL THE TIME, only to deal with their crappy attitude. And why on earth would I want to read about that. Do they not have any positive arc coming for their character?

Honestly, if there is one think that will make me put this series down and not pick it back up, is the continued time spent on those two icky characters. Shiloh deserves way better.

Oh, and how is her best friend always right in the thick of getting accused of murder :)

Amanda Flower is one of my favorite cozy mystery authors, and she did not disappoint me with this book. I loved the farm setting and the laid back surroundings. The main character was fun and relatable. I was really invested in her story. I loved her animal companion, Huckleberry. The book was well paced, and the mystery was very well written!

Great installment to the series! I love Winter themed cozies, and this hit the spot w/ an ice fishing derby included!
Fun setting, great theme, and interesting cast of characters. I do hope that Shiloh and her father get closer throughout the series.
I would recommend this book to cozy mystery fans!
I received an arc of this book in exchange for a honest review. I would like to thank netgalley, the author Amanda Flower, and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book!

Shiloh Bellamy is busy in the winter trying to finalize her organic farm certification as well as determining the crops that she will plant come spring. The Fields Brewing Company is having a beer tasting and will be announcing their new master brewer (Shiloh's BFF Kristy's husband is in the running). The local ice fishing competition is also on the calendar so when Shiloh goes to check to see how her father is doing on the ice, she discovers the body of the owner of Field's brewing. Since Kristy's husband is a suspect, Shiloh feels the need to find out what happened.

I thought that this story was a little complicated - too many things going on at once but it was still a fun read!