Step into the delectable world of the Amish Candy Shop Mystery series, where chocolate truffles and clever sleuthing create a recipe for cozy mystery bliss! Written by Amanda Flower, this USA Today bestselling series follows chocolatier Bailey King as she unravels murders in the quaint Amish town of Harvest, Ohio. With its blend of confectionery charm, Amish traditions, and whodunit intrigue, it’s a sweet escape for mystery lovers craving something unique.
From the first page, readers are hooked by Bailey’s knack for solving crimes while whipping up gourmet candies at her grandparents’ shop, Swissmen Sweets. Whether you’re a cozy mystery fan or just love a good story with heart, this series serves up a delightful mix of humor, romance, and suspense.
How Amish Candy Shop Mystery Began
Amanda Flower, a former librarian with a knack for storytelling, drew inspiration for the Amish Candy Shop Mystery series from her life in Northeast Ohio’s Amish country. Her experiences living near Amish communities sparked the idea to combine their traditional lifestyle with the universal appeal of chocolate. Flower’s agent, Nicole Resciniti, saw the potential in the cozy mystery genre’s rising popularity, and the series was born. The first book, Assaulted Caramel, hit shelves in 2017, introducing Bailey King and her candy-coated adventures.
Flower’s background in writing children’s books and other mystery series, like the Magical Bookshop Mysteries, honed her ability to craft engaging characters and intricate plots. Her love for humor—sparked in sixth grade when a story about a Ferris wheel mishap left her classmates in stitches—shines through in the series’ playful tone.
The Heart of Amish Candy Shop Mystery
The series kicks off with Assaulted Caramel, where Bailey, a New York chocolatier, returns to Harvest to care for her ailing grandfather. She finds a dead developer in Swissmen Sweets’ kitchen, stabbed with her grandfather’s chocolate knife, and must clear his name. In Lethal Licorice, Bailey tackles a murder during an Amish confectionery competition, uncovering secrets as sticky as her candies. Toxic Toffee sees her solving the poisoning of a beloved rabbit farmer, while Gingerbread Danger (2024) weaves a Christmas-themed caper with a Candy Land twist.
Harvest, Ohio, is more than a backdrop—it’s a character in itself, blending Amish simplicity with small-town charm. Themes of family, community, and balancing tradition with modernity run deep, as Bailey, an outsider with Amish roots, navigates her dual identity. The series’ culinary focus, complete with recipes, adds a sensory delight, while Flower’s knowledge of Amish life grounds the stories in authenticity. Fans love the humor, from Jethro the pig’s antics to Bailey’s witty banter with her sheriff fiancé, Aiden Brody.
The mysteries are layered like Bailey’s truffles, with unexpected twists and red herrings that keep readers guessing. Flower’s ability to weave romance and light-hearted suspense into each book makes the series a standout in the cozy mystery genre.
Why Amish Candy Shop Mystery Resonates
The Amish Candy Shop Mystery series has carved a niche in the cozy mystery world, earning praise from outlets like USA Today for its ‘Amish rom-com’ vibe and RT Book Reviews for its cultural authenticity. Fans adore Bailey’s relatable journey—from big-city chocolatier to small-town sleuth—and the series’ ability to balance cozy comfort with gripping stakes. Its cross-generational appeal, fueled by heartwarming family dynamics and universal themes, keeps readers coming back.
Flower’s prolific output—she’s penned over 35 novels—has built a loyal following, with the series’ 12 books (and counting) offering a binge-worthy escape. Its blend of niche Amish culture and accessible storytelling makes it a gem for readers seeking both familiarity and freshness in their mysteries.
- First Book Published: 2017 (Assaulted Caramel)
- Number of Books: 12 (as of 2024)
- Setting: Harvest, Ohio
- Notable Praise: USA Today called it the ‘first Amish rom-com’
Ready to savor a mystery as sweet as Bailey’s chocolates? Grab Assaulted Caramel and dive into the Amish Candy Shop Mystery series’ delicious world of cozy crime-solving!