Picture a cozy mystery maven spinning tales of Amish villages and clever sleuths—meet Amanda Flower! Born in Akron, Ohio, in 1980, this USA Today bestselling author has charmed readers with over thirty-five novels, blending humor, heart, and a dash of intrigue. From her librarian days to her Agatha Award-winning stories, Flower’s journey is as captivating as her books.
The Making of Amanda Flower
Amanda Flower’s storytelling spark ignited in sixth grade when her tale of being stuck on a Ferris wheel left her classmates in stitches. Born and raised in Akron, Ohio, she pursued her passion for books, earning two master’s degrees and working as a librarian in Northeast Ohio. Living near Amish communities in Mount Vernon for three years deeply influenced her, inspiring her to weave their culture into her mysteries. Her early career as a librarian fueled her love for storytelling, leading her to publish her first novel in 2010.
Amanda Flower’s Unforgettable Stories
Flower’s cozy mysteries are a delightful mix of small-town charm, quirky characters, and clever whodunits. Her Amish Candy Shop Mystery series, starting with Assaulted Caramel, follows chocolatier Bailey King as she solves murders in Harvest, Ohio, with a side of romance and candy-making. The Appleseed Creek Mystery series, beginning with A Plain Death, features tech-savvy Chloe Humphrey navigating Amish country and unraveling crimes. Writing as Isabella Alan, Flower’s Amish Quilt Shop Mystery series, like Murder, Plain and Simple, dives into quilting circles and cozy crimes. Her style shines with vivid settings, relatable protagonists, and a knack for blending Amish traditions with modern twists, earning starred reviews from Library Journal and Publishers Weekly.
Beyond adult mysteries, Flower’s versatility sparkles in her children’s and young adult novels. Her Andi Boggs series, including the Agatha Award-winning Andi Unstoppable, follows a science-loving tween solving mysteries in rural Ohio. Whether crafting rom-com-inspired Amish tales or historical mysteries like the Emily Dickinson Mystery series, Flower’s stories resonate with warmth and wit.
Why Amanda Flower Matters
Amanda Flower has carved a unique niche in the cozy mystery genre, bringing Amish culture to life with authenticity and respect. Her insider perspective, drawn from years near Amish communities, offers readers a fresh lens on a lesser-known world. Her prolific output—averaging three to four books a year—has built a devoted readership, while her awards and bestseller status cement her influence. Flower’s ability to craft cross-generational stories, from adult cozies to children’s adventures, makes her a standout voice in modern mystery fiction.
- Born: January 23, 1980, Akron, Ohio
- Key Works: Assaulted Caramel, A Plain Death, Murder, Plain and Simple, Andi Unstoppable
- Awards: Agatha Award for Best Children’s/YA Novel (2015), multiple Agatha nominations
- Pen Name: Isabella Alan
Snag Assaulted Caramel and dive into Amanda Flower’s deliciously cozy world of mysteries!