Member Reviews
In Farm's way Is a very enjoyable and relaxing read. . Shiloh Bellomy is a very amazing character, and she is getting bored because its winter and she hasnt has it in many years and she needs to get used to it all over again. And to learn to pick her battles and stay out of trouble which I think she has too much fun until she gets herself in trouble. Also, an amusing read with her father and Hazel and her pug keep her on her toes.
My first book in this series and I liked the setting and the characters, the mystery was well set up but I thought the solution was a bit rushed and surprising. I found the characters’ dialogue a bit weird in places - some stuff gets contracted, but other stuff isn’t and there’s no pattern to it that I could find. But that may be because I’m a Brit and not from Michigan or the Mid West! It was nice to have a cozy set somewhere different though so I wouldn’t rule out reading more of these if they came my way.
When the husband of Shiloh’s best friend becomes a murder suspect, Shiloh starts investigating to clear his name.
Wallace Field is the owner of Field’s Brewing Company, located in Shiloh’s hometown of Cherry Glen, Michigan. Even though the brewery is relatively new, it’s grown quickly and Wallace has plans to go national. But before he can do that, he needs to find a new brewmaster for the brewery. The purpose of tonight’s event is to name a new brewmaster. Shiloh was invited to the reveal party by her best friend, Kristy Garcia Brown. Kristy’s husband, Kent, is one of the bartenders at the Field’s Brewing Company and one of two finalists for the brewmaster’s job.
Other attendees at tonight’s event are members of MOBA, Michigan Organic Beer Association. Wallace is a member, but there is no love lost between Wallace and fellow MOBA members, as Shiloh learns when she overhears a conversation between two members. Wallace is suspected of cheating—stealing others’ recipes for home brewed beers and passing them off as his own.
The brewmaster position is up for a vote. The voters sampled two cherry flavored beers-one developed by Kent and the other developed by Jason Brennan. Wallace declared Jason the winner, to the shock of nearly everyone there.
The next day, Shiloh discovers Wallace’s body at an ice fishing competition. She’s determined to stay out of the investigation, but when Kent becomes a strong suspect in the murder—because he was the last one to see Wallace alive—she needs to get involved.
In Farm’s Way is the 3rd book in the Flower’s Farm to Table series. Shiloh Bellamy is still struggling to get the farm on firm financial footing. She’s in the process of certifying the farm as organic, but her father doesn’t encourage her efforts. Shiloh must also contend with her rocky past. I’ve enjoyed watching her confront her obstacles and move past them as she reinvents herself and the family farm. The series as a whole is a fun one, and one I’ve enjoyed reading.
Another intriguing visit to the farm. Clever cozy mystery that kept me guessing. All the usual characters including a cat, dog, and chicken. Not necessary to have read the others, but that always increases one's enjoyment if you have. Love the ending. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy. My review is voluntary.
The Farm to Table Mystery series has been fun to read from the beginning. Shiloh Bellamy has returned home to help save her family farm from financial ruin. Along the way, she's found herself the center of various issues on and off the farm. This installment is set in the middle of winter while Shiloh is working on maintaining the farm and preparing for the coming spring. Shiloh finds herself in the middle of another murder investigation.
Typical of cozy mysteries, there are many suspects to choose from! I was a bit surprised at the end when I learned who had committed the murder. But upon thinking about it after finishing the book, I can see the clues I missed.
The first two books in the series were delightful, 4-star reads. This one is more of a 3.5-star read. That doesn't mean anything is wrong with the book, and I feel it may have been more of an editing problem with the edition I read. Because of those issues, I had trouble staying in the story in a few places.
If you enjoy reading cozy mysteries, you must give the Farm to Table Mysteries series a read!
This is the third book in the Farm to Table mysteries, featuring Shiloh Bellamy who has returned to her family home to care for her father. She is trying to restore their farm to its former glory.
I like Amanda Flower’s books and jumped at the opportunity to read another in the series when offered by Netgalley.
The mystery was interesting and I learned about distillery operations and shady operations. The guy that was killed did bring a lot of it upon himself. He stole other people’s recipes and failed to pay for them.
I had very little sympathy for the owner, the killer and many other characters.
The core characters were people I would want as friends. They looked after each other.
The story is a standalone and I had no problem following even though I did not read book 2.
I was given an advanced readers’ copy and these are my opinions.
I loved this story! You will fall in love with Shiloh and her dog Huckleberry! Amanda Flower always delivers when she writes. Once I picked this book up I didn't want to put it down. This was a fast read for me. She knows how to make her stories flow where you don't get bored at any point. This is the third book in this series and I have not read the previous two but I was not lost at all. I will be going back and reading the other two just because I love her books. I highly recommend this cozy mystery book!
Thanks NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for allowing me to read this ARC in advance.
In Farm’s Way
Amanda Fowler
February 24, 2023
Shiloh Bellamy came home from LA giving up her tv producer job to run the farm in Cherry Glen, Michigan. It’s cold and snowy, a very difficult transition from the beautiful California climate. She now lives in a small cabin about a quarter mile from the farm home where her dad is living. They love each other but living together is too much for either one. She is close enough if he needs help but neither will cause the problems of a life in the same house. Her dad helps where he can but in winter using a walker is beyond tough.
On this particular weekend the local organic beer crafters association is hosting the annual ice fishing contest. Holes are drilled in the thick ice and small fish shed’s are planted over each. Shi’s dad looked forward to the excursion as they were going with neighbor, Quinn and his daughter, Hazel. Quinn works for the local fire department as an EMT. While Shi helps out with the beer tent, Quinn volunteered to help with her dad.
Im Fowler’s Farm to Table Mystery series suspense always occurs however in her books she writes a cozy style so the reader enjoys the challenge and disaster without the ghastliness.
In Farm’s Way will be published by Poisoned Pen Press of Sourcebooks on February 24, 2023. I appreciate their allowing me to read and review Fowler’s latest novel via NetGalley. It was a fun, delightful story with quite a puzzle to solve. It’s my first of Amanda Fowler’s Farm books so I must backtrack and read the first two in the series. Don’t hesitate to pick this one up - you are certain to enjoy it!
thank you for the ARC! This is the 3rd book in the series and it just keeps getting better and better. Highly recommend and I just can't wait to see what happens next!
I gave In Farm's Way by Amanda Flower 5 stars.
I have read all three books in this series now and this third book has been my favorite so far. I really liked reading about the Ice Fishing Derby and seeing the relationship between Shiloh's father and the 12-year-old Hazel growing. There is something special about different generations spending time together that I enjoy reading about.
I also liked that we got to know more about the hidden secret Shiloh's grandmother had left for her. Can't wait to read the next book and see what is going to happen to the farm.
The mystery was intriguing and I didn't figure out whodunit until the end. This book was superb and I have nothing bad to say about it. However, the ending made me a little sad because I have already made up in my mind who I want Shiloh to be with when it comes to the romantic department. Now it looks like it is going the wrong way, but that is just my own opinion. I highly recommend this book!
This book comes out 21 Feb.
Thank you Net Galley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
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I always enjoy Amanda Flower's books, and this is another good one. Shiloh Bellamy left a successful producer career in LA to return home to help save her dad save her family farm and is in the process of making it a certified organic farm. She has great plans, but they are going slowly. Since her return, she has been in places to find dead bodies. This time, her pug Huckleberry discovers a body under the ice at the annual ice fishing derby. Wallace Fields was not a liked person, and the suspect pool is not small. But Kent, her best friend's husband is the last known person to see him alive and the prime suspect, so she finds herself doing some sleuthing. This is another fun mystery to unravel as Shiloh sticks her nose in places that make her unwelcome. She also may have a new love interest along with Quinn (maybe) and a new neighbor and competitor for organic farming seems very interested. For those who have been reading this series, there is another little surprise find sure to be great news. But with a little cliffhanger. I recommend for those who enjoy cozy mysteries.
I received a copy for the purpose of an honest review from the Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley. All thoughts expressed are mine.
In Farm’s Way is the third mystery in the Farm to Table Mystery series. When Shiloh Bellamy, local organic farm owner, finds a body below the ice of a frozen lake during the local Ice Fishing Derby she finds herself in the middle of another murder investigation. No matter how many times Shiloh is warned off, she pursues the truth until it is fully revealed.
As always when reading Amanda Flower’s books, I am pulled in from the very beginning and can’t wait to lose myself in the town. Amanda Flower does a great job of creating characters that are intriguing and interesting, ones I want to get to know. I have enjoyed this series from the beginning and this book was no different. I enjoyed every minute of it and loved following around with Shiloh while she unraveled the mystery of the dead body she found. This series has great characters and a nice Michigan small town. I can’t wait to see what Shiloh gets up to next! If you like cozy mysteries, definitely check this out!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book!
In Farm’s Way by Amanda Flower is a cute cozy mystery. We return to Cherry Glen, Michigan where the town is getting ready for the Lake Skegemog Ice Fishing Derby. Shiloh Bellamy’s father, Sully is participating. Sully will be fishing with Quinn Killian, a friend of Shiloh’s, and his twelve-year-old daughter, Hazel. After dropping off Sully, Shiloh and Huckleberry, her cute pug in his orange winter coat and boots, are heading off the ice when they stumble upon someone under the ice. Wallace Fields, a local brewery owner, has served his last brew. Shiloh gets a distraught call from her bestie, Kristy. Unfortunately, Kristy’s husband, Kent is in hot water. Kristy wants Shiloh to investigate and get her husband off the hook. Shiloh dons her deerstalker cap and begins asking questions. Shiloh will have her work cut out for her if she is to reel in the worm who turned Wallace into fish food. In Farm’s Way is the third book in the Farm to Table Mysteries. While it can be read as a standalone, I think it is best to read the series in order. It will allow you to get to know the characters and the town. I like Amanda Flower’s writing style. It is lighthearted and friendly. The characters are relatable and quirky. Shiloh Bellamy is a former television producer who is working to turn Bellamy Farm organic. She takes her cute pug, Huckleberry with her everywhere. Huckleberry is not a fan of his new winter boots. I had to laugh at the descriptions of Huckleberry shaking his various limbs trying to rid himself of the boots. I like the balance between the lighthearted moments and those that are more somber or reflective. An example is when Shiloh sees her father with Hazel and wishes he had been like that with her when she was a child. The mystery kept Shiloh on her toes. As she asks questions, Shiloh’s suspect list grows longer. She needs to be discreet because law enforcement has warned her (multiple times) to keep her nose out of the case (like that is going to happen). The reveal was suspenseful and entertaining. We get to learn about cherry beer (how it is created) and organic farming. The author weaved all the elements together to provide a delightful tale. In Farm’s Way had me laughing often. I am eager to read the next Farm to Table Mystery to learn how Shiloh fares on her first date with an unexpected fellow. There is a recipe for suet (winter food for the birds) at the end of the book. In Farm’s Way is delightful tale with ice fishing fun, a pooch’s uncomfortable boots, a cherry craft beer competition, a bumped off brewer, and a sleuthing Shiloh.
Kent Garcia didn't kill his boss Wallace but who did? Kent's lucky because his wife Kristy is BFFs with Shiloh who, in addition to running her family's now organic farm, has become an ace investigator. What they find, after Wallace is found under the ice, is that the brewery owner had a lot of people who didn't like him. Shiloh and her little pug dog are a hoot in this classic cozy that's also quite informative on the subject of cherry beer (new to me). Sheriff Randy Killian is back and his relationship with Shiloh is growing. This might be the third in the series but it will be fine as a standalone. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A fun read.
“In Farm's Way” is the third book in Amanda Flower's Farm to Table Cozy Mystery series. The main character, Shiloh Bellamy, is a former TV producer who now runs an organic farm in Michigan. In the book, Shiloh is busy with farm repairs and preparations for spring when her best friend's husband becomes a suspect in the murder of a local brewery owner. Shiloh takes it upon herself to investigate and clear her friend's name. The book features a cast of quirky characters and a cleverly plotted mystery.
The author's writing style is entertaining and the relationship between Shiloh and her pug, Huckleberry, adds a touch of humor to the story. The mystery is well-crafted, with multiple suspects and twists and turns that keeps you guessing until the very end. The killer's identity was a surprising revelation.
“In Farm's Way” is a must-read for fans of cozy mysteries and Amanda Flower's writing. The book can be enjoyed as a standalone, but those who have followed the series from the beginning will have a deeper connection with the characters. The book ends with a cliffhanger, making it eagerly anticipated for the next book in the series.
Shiloh expects to spend the winter months planning for spring and networking with local businesses, in an effort to generate more business for her farm. But when she finds a body during an ice fishing derby, and one of her friends the prime suspect, she conducts her own investigation to find the killer and clear her friend’s name.
While I haven’t read all of them, I have read most of this author’s books, and I have yet to be disappointed. In this series, I like that Shiloh, the MC is trying to make a go of the farm that has been in her family for years. Farming in general is not easy, and organic farming presents even more of a challenge. I am not nor ever will be a farmer – I don’t even have a garden! – but I enjoy reading about Shiloh’s efforts and can appreciate the work, the time and the money she invests in the farm’s success.
I like Shiloh’s friends and enjoy the various animals on the farm, especially her pug, Huckleberry. The people and the animals all factor into each book’s story, and it was entertaining in this book “watching” her try to convince Huck to keep winter boots on his paws 😊 I’ve never been ice fishing, but I learned a bit about it while reading this book. It’s not for me, but I can see why some might find it a fascinating hobby.
The mystery was well-written, with a victim that wasn’t well-liked, so there were plenty of suspects to consider. I am rarely able to figure out whodunnit in Ms. Flower’s books, so I wasn’t surprised that the killer was a character I hadn’t considered a serious suspect at all. Given that, the motive made sense, but I would never have guessed it – which will keep me reading the books in this series for as long as the author continues to write them.
In the third book in Amanda Flower's Farm to Table cozy mystery series, we see heroine farmer Shiloh discover the body of a local brewer under the ice at an ice fishing derby. When her best friend's husband, Kent is the prime suspect, Shiloh can't help but sticking her nose into the investigation. And because ht body was discovered in the town over, it's not grumpy Sheriff Randy handling the investigation, but rather handsome sheriff Milan, who might be interested in Shiloh's digging around for more reasons than one.
Flowers' cozies are always fun reads, and this one is no exception. I appreciated that this story introduced a new love interest, after Quinn had been dragging his feet too long! While we were left on a cliffhanger as to whether Shiloh says yes to Milan's offer of a date, I hope she says yes. She can't wait around for Quinn for forever! And the book was packed full of so many suspects it kept me guessing as to the murderer pretty much through the entire book. It took me a bit to remember what had happened in the first two books, making some of the backstory difficult to remember, but all in all an enjoyable read.
Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for my eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
5 stars - 8/10
I've read the all the books in this series (this is the third) and I have to say that they're not getting better. They are incredibly quick to read - I can finish them in an afternoon. And I really like some of her other mystery series. Her Amish Candy Store cozies are quite good. This series keeps falling flat for me.
The main character, Shiloh Bellamy, is a total doormat. Her cousin, Stacey, has been a very unpleasant person the entire time, yet Shiloh continues to bend over backwards and tolerate terrible behavior. The romance, which is sometimes one of my favorite parts in cozies, is very underwhelming. In the last book, the characters put a pin in it, and it doesn't get anywhere in this book either. In fact, we meet yet another potential love interest instead.
Some of the timeline felt off to me. A lot of the characters are pretty unbelievable or even over the top. The ending was rushed to the point that I had to read it a couple of times because it seemed like complete paragraphs must have been missing.
I truly want to like this series. They're quick and entertaining, but the execution is lacking to me. I will continue to read them because I hope they get better, but we'll see.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free ebook copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is the third book in the Farm to Table mysteries, featuring Shiloh Bellamy who has returned to her family home to care for her father and try to restore their farm to its former glory.
As someone who lives in Sydney, Australia, where it never snows, I enjoyed reading about living in a place where the snow and the cold is seriously bad (reading about it - I do not want to experience it). There was a lot of information too about ice fishing which was interesting but again not tempting.
Shiloh and her little dog find the murder victim floating under the ice and, when one of her friends is suspected of being the killer, she goes to work to solve the mystery. Suspects are plentiful and the eventual culprit was a surprise.
This was a fun read and I will be looking out for more by this author.
I enjoyed In Farms Way by Amanda Flowers. There are a lot of great moments in the book. Shiloh is sticking her nose where it shouldn't belong as always when she finds a body at the local ice fishing competition.
I love how the sheriff of Chery Glen is always telling her to get out of his investigation, especially when this is another sheriff investigation. It's too funny to read how flustered he is by the situation. My favorite quote is him screaming at the officer who was supposed to standing guard of a crime scene, "What do you mean she disappeared? Shiloh Bellany doesn't just disappear. She gets into trouble." It brings a smile to my face thinking of him screaming that and his reaction when he finally finds her.
Huckleberry, the pug is just too adorable, trying to kick off his booties and following Shiloh everywhere. I also enjoyed seeing more of Hedy the birder in this book. I enjoy her popping out of nowhere lecturing about birds. There is also anticipation of a love triangle, which I am looking forward to. I wish Shiloh's cousin would be nicer to her. I really hate the way she talks to Shiloh and the way she orders her about.
In Farms Way is another great installment to the enjoyable Farm To Table Series. I highly recommend this book and the series. I can't wait to see what's inspired for Shiloh in the next book.
Thank you, Netgallery, and Poison Pen Press the arc