The Rise and Fall of Miss Fannie's Biscuits is a fun cozy Amish mystery. With quirky characters and humorous situations, the story kept my interest. The authors kept me guessing as to the mystery with the numerous culprits presented in the story. There is a smidge of a romance that made me wonder where the relationship with Fannie and Foster may be headed. The story is lighthearted and a quick read. If one enjoys baking biscuits, the authors have included the recipe for Miss Fannie's famous biscuits. Readers who enjoy cozy Amish mysteries will want to be sure to read this one. I read a complimentary copy of the book and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.

Cute storyline, but, very predictable. There were no real surprises as I could guess exactly what was going to happen next.

I’ve always enjoyed this authors work but this was unfortunately this was not one of my favorites by her.
It will probably be better for younger readers so I
Would definitely recommend this book to them.


My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the copy

I usually like Wanda E. Brunstetter’s books, even those written in collaboration with other authors (in this case Martha Bolton) but I was disappointed with “The Rise and Fall of Miss Fannie’s Biscuits”. The book did have some strong points, notably the characters of quilt shop owner Fannie Miller (who is Amish) and private detective Foster Bates (who is English). The two make a great pair when it comes to detective work and there is the tiny bit of forbidden romance between the two. There is a wonderful sense of humor throughout the book which had me laughing out loud at times. Having said that, I thought the rest of the book was weak, not fully developed, and almost felt like a rough draft rather than a finished product. While there were several side stories that were interesting, the main storyline disappointed me. I was drawn to this book by the idea of the baking contest but there were scant details about the contest and not until the very end of the book. While the mystery of baking contestants disappearing sounded interesting, that too was never fully developed and the solution was disappointing to say the least.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

This delightful new cozy mystery was a satisfying read! I met Amish people, enjoyed the cozy mystery and humor, all quilted together with faith and a touching scripture verse. Sleuthing with Fannie and Foster has been fun and intriguing. The ending was unique and fitting, especially for the final contestants. This is the kind of story that elicits a contented sigh after the final page.

Fannie owned the quilt shop in Sugarcreek, Ohio. She is a single, middle-aged Amish woman who loves the Lord, her church, and her community. She was thrilled to enter the Tenth Annual Tuscarawas and Surrounding Counties Baking Contest with a beloved aunt’s biscuit recipe. The grand prize of $25,000 could be used for home and shop repairs, but Fannie cared more about getting her first blue ribbon.

Several folks entered the contest. Faith, Hope, and Charity Beiler owned the Three Sisters Bakery. They were middle-aged and single. Faith and Hope were Amish, and Charity, a Mennonite. They were nicknamed the “blustery” sisters because of their incessant gossip, but they were excellent bakers. Melissa and Michael were encouraged by their marriage counselor to enter the contest to work towards a common goal and better communication. Unable to have children, and having spent almost everything trying to get pregnant, their marriage was damaged. If they won, Melissa wanted to adopt a child.

Foster had retired from the Chicago police force, returned to Sugarcreek, and opened a private investigation office. He and Fannie worked together on and solved a cold case that opened over twenty years ago. When Fannie has a mystery, she takes it to Foster for help.

A few people who paid to enter the baking contest never arrived at the preliminary round and could not be found. Others went home and were not seen again after they were eliminated. Fannie was concerned about how many people involved with the contest disappeared!

Foster wasn’t interested in a baking contest until Fannie had enough information to intrigue him and, over time, they worked together. Being Amish, Fannie could never consider dating Foster, as he was not Amish, but they enjoyed their friendship. When the threatening notes began, Foster and Fannie each received one, and he was fully invested in the case. Fannie happily made it to the finals but since they had not found the missing people, she almost wanted to drop out.

I learned more about the people throughout. Fannie began to feel like an old friend. I wanted to know Melissa and Michael better, and I wanted to avoid the Beiler sisters, at least in the beginning. I so appreciated Fannie’s positive outlook. I especially liked how she lived her faith and made good use of a verse from Psalm 91 to help her. She and Foster became better friends, and he enjoyed her presence as they worked the case.

The mystery kept me guessing with twists and turns, red herrings, and lack of clues. I was fully invested in the people, faith, laugh-out-loud humor, and mystery. I did not anticipate the ending! The outcome of the mystery was a very good kind of different. The contest results were outstanding. I would love to see more mysteries with these characters! I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries and Amish novels where faith is exemplified, lives are changed, and of course, the surprise endings.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

Fannie Miller loves a good mystery. She is of course the center of this fun read. I would call this an even read. No romance ... just a clean good read on community. A community that Fannie adores. When she signs up for baking contest that is worth $25,000 lst price, her detective skills come out. Especially when some contestants start disappearing. She seeks the help of retired police officer Foster Bates who adds his own humor and character to the developing story. The story becomes what happened and why.

It is also about faith and putting trust in that faith. Who God puts in your life and being aware of the goodness that God brings. It is always good reminder for all.

A special thank you to Barbour Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

This was a great cozy Amish mystery and I would expect nothing less from Wanda E. Brunstetter. I love reading her Amish stories.

I really enjoyed the multiple viewpoints in the book. I think this really allows the reader to get into their minds and helps add to the story.

One of my favorite parts was that the mystery takes place during a baking competition. I’m a sucker for a good baking competition and when you add missing contestants to that then count me in!

All aspects of this book were very well written and hooked me from the very beginning.

After reading this book I wanted to eat biscuits lathered in butter and honey. I enjoyed learning how to make biscuits that would melt in your mouth. Fannie is a cheerful person and wants to win the baking contest so bad. After years of practice she believes she has perfected the winning biscuit. Her excitement grows as the day draws near for the contest. Up for grabs is twenty-five thousand dollars.

Foster is a retired police officer and sometimes private detective. His relationship with Fannie is fun. Oh he acts like she bothers him sometimes but I think he is sweet on her. Just as he is ready to call it a day the Blustery sisters come in. They have a reputation as gossips so I wonder what they want to tell Foster? Looks like one of the sisters may be infatuated with him.

It doesn’t take long for shenanigans to start at the preliminary meeting up that some of the contestants. Several of them have disappeared. Excuses see to pop up about these contestants leaving notes saying they were having an appendicitis attack. Fannie is begging Foster to help her look into these strange disappearances. Foster is having a hard time getting motivated into helping Fannie. His humor is contagious and he had me cracking up as the story continued. There is something going on and Fannie is going to prove it to Foster.

Get ready for laughs, mystery and fun characters in the exciting story. Don’t miss the recipe in the back of the book. Grab yourself a copy and be prepared to find fout what is happening to the contestants of the baking show.

I received a copy of this book from the authors. This review is my own opinion.

A lighthearted Amish cozy mystery. It involves missing baking contestants that signed up to enter a baking contest with an amazing prize. When they seem to disappear without a trace the gossipers start not realizing just how their words could affect others. A faith based and fun story. I love Wanda's books and I'll be interested in reading more books by the other author as well.
An important lesson is learned in this gentle and entertaining story.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

This book is a change of pace. Mystery and Amish mixed together in a unique cozy story. Always faith in God found in Wanda’s books. Other crimes are mentioned so maybe that means a series!!!!

The rise and fall of Miss Fannie’s Biscuits

This was a fun book to read. I enjoyed the parrot, I enjoyed the interaction between Fannie and Foster. The characters take on baking contest. The contestants start to disappear so Fannie and Foster investigate what could have happened to them? Always love a great mystery. Will they be able to solve the mystery? Also who will win the baking contest?

I received an advanced copy of the book from the publisher. This book review is my own opinion.

Intrigue, romance and lots of humor - you'll find all of that in this fun mystery by two renowned authors. Fannie is delightful. I wanted her to win the cooking contest but I also wanted one of the other contestants to win. I will not give spoilers, but the ending is fantastic, whichever way you wanted it to go. I'd love to visit Fannie's quilt shop in this little Amish community and taste Fannie's biscuits. (Hey, and recipes are included!) Grab a copy of this one and try to figure out whodunit before Fannie and Foster. Betcha can't! Hoping another Fannie Miller mystery is just around the next corner!

In a quest to read books outside of my normal reading zone, I picked up THE RISE AND FALL OF MISS FANNIE’S BISCUITS. Never having read a cozy mystery before but absolutely addicted to Amish romances, this book appealed to me. I was not disappointed. This book kept me interested from start to finish. It was an entertaining read that made me chuckle and pause as I tried to figure out, “who done it”. Fannie and Foster worked together seamlessly despite their obvious differences. The elements of faith and Englishness meshed well together and gave an interesting context to the story. I’m glad that I chose to read this one and am giving it the judy.ann.loves.books stamp of approval, TBR and Enjoy!

I loved this book. The characters are amazing and quirky, add in a baking contest and a mystery and you will love this story.

As much as I wanted to enjoy The Rise and Fall of Miss Fannie's Biscuits by Wanda E. Brunstetter and Martha Bolton, it ultimately didn’t resonate with me. The story follows Fannie Miller, who, after making it to the finals of the Tuscarawas County Baking Contest, becomes entangled in a mystery as contestants begin disappearing. Fannie enlists the help of her old friend, retired cop and part-time private investigator Foster Bates, to uncover the truth. With quirky suspects and an intriguing premise, the book promised a lighthearted mystery.

While the writing is solid and the characters have their charming moments, the story fell flat for me as a reader who prefers more intense mystery and suspense. The stakes never felt particularly high, and the cozy atmosphere lacked the tension I usually look for in this genre. That said, Wanda Brunstetter is a well-respected author known for her engaging storytelling, and I can see how fans of cozy mysteries might appreciate the humor and warmth woven into this book.

Although this story wasn’t a great fit for my personal taste, readers who enjoy lighthearted, character-driven mysteries will likely find The Rise and Fall of Miss Fannie's Biscuits to be an enjoyable read. If you're seeking a more suspenseful, high-stakes mystery, this may not fully satisfy that craving. Still, I respect the authors' craft and their ability to create a unique, small-town setting filled with colorful characters.

Disclaimer: I did receive this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was under not obligation to write a review and all opinions expressed are my own.

The rise and fall of Miss Fannie's Biscuits by Wanda Brunstetter and Martha Bolton.

$25,000 is on the line and everyone wants to win the grand prize from the 10th annual Tuscarawas County Baking contest. Fannie Foster, Melissa and Michael Taylor, and the Blustery Sisters are all convinced they are going to walk away with the award.

Once the competition gets started contestants start to disappear, so Fannie (self-professed private investigator) enlists the help of retired PI Foster Bates.

Grab your aprons because this cozy little mystery might just get a little messy, as good friends Fannie and Foster work on solving the mystery. You will meet some funning loving characters and the story will have you guessing until the end with a twist you didn't see coming.

I highly recommend.

The Rise and Fall of Miss Fannie's Biscuits is a lighthearted, enjoyable mystery. This cozy Amish mystery is different than most cozies in that no murder occurs, but contestants are mysteriously disappearing in the Tuscarawas County Baking Contest. Protagonist and contestant finalist Fannie Miller enlists the help of friend and former police officer Foster Bates to help solve the mystery, and an entertaining duo do they make! With messages of faith, forgiveness, and selflessness, Brunstetter and Bolton have penned a refreshingly sweet, wholesome read. I recommend this book to readers who enjoy Amish fiction with a sprinkling of humor and/or cozy mysteries with a touch of romance.

Fannie Miller & Foster Bates seem to have a long standing friendship and knack for solving crimes….if you call disappearing contestants for the annual baking competition a crime! Something nefarious is afoot for sure, and these two will get to the bottom of it one way or another.
It seems we’re missing something in this story, it mentions other crimes they have solved together but gives no clue as to what those are or even previous books they were featured in. In spite of this, it’s still entertaining and funny at times. Fannie can surely get herself into trouble without an effort on her part! I like her—she’s dogged about finding answers to questions she has and her curiosity is contagious. Foster is a retired police officer turned private detective—and as they say, you can take the cop out of the city but you can’t take the city out of the cop! He has a nose for things that just aren’t right & he relies on his instincts to sniff out suspects. They are the perfect crime-solving duo! Then there’s the “Blustery” Beiler sisters—Faith, Hope & Charity whose gossip lands them into more hot water than not. Lastly, the excitement of the contest & who will end up the winner culminates to create a fun, charming & delightful cozy mystery that will be sure to keep you on your toes & engaged in the story!
Oh, and I love that Fannie reminds Foster that he is loved by God, as imperfect as we are as humans & we matter more than we think we do! My favorite thing about her is that I love her unwavering faith.
We all have our days when we feel unworthy of anyone’s love, or we feel forgotten and lonely, wondering if we matter to anyone. But then the Bible reminds me that God’s love is eternal, unfailing, and unconditional.
I enjoy Wanda’s books & a cozy mystery every once in a while, so blending the two was really fun! I like that this story was light-hearted & kept me guessing the whodunit until the end. A great book to pick up at any time!
* I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. *

Fannie Miller, the Amish owner of a quilt shop in Sugar Creek Ohio is a good baker. She has decided to enter the tenth annual Tuscarawas and Surrounding Counties Baking Contest. She is sure that her Aunt Selma's buttermilk biscuits will be a sure winner for the $25,ooo grand prize.
Something strange is going on as the contest progresses and she advances in the competition. Former contestants are missing. Threatening notes are showing up too. She decides to approach retired law officer and part time private investigator, Foster Bates to see what he can discover. Who is doing this and why?
Wanda Brunstetter and Martha Bolten team up to write this cozy mystery. I received an advanced reader's copy from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley. This is my own unsolicited opinion. It's an at times comical story with the unique relationship between a forty-something single Amish woman and the Englisher investigator. Add in some gossipy Amish sisters who own a bakery and several contestants for an interesting puzzle to solve. I expected to see competition action but that was basically behind the scenes. All in all, it was a good, quick read.

Mysteries have a way of finding Fannie Miller. After she enters the Tuscarawas County Baking Contest , contestants start disappearing. With the help of her old friend Foster Bates, a private detective, Fannie and he must try to find out what is happening before the final prize is given. I have always enjoyed Wanda Brunstetter's way of writing. Her characters are always realistic and often written as the reader can relate. I look foward to more from this author. I received a copy through Netgalley. A review is not required.

Fannie Miller hopes this is her year for winning the baking contest for Tuscarawas Co. The prize for winning is $25,000. When contestants begin to go missing, Fannie teams up with her private investigator friend Foster Bates. As they sort through clues, mysterious threatening notes begin to show up for specific people. Follow their adventure & the enjoy the mystery, jealousy, faith & romance. I was given a complimentary copy of this book by Barbour Publishing & was under no obligation to post a review.