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Book Review of Gingerbread Danger (Amish Candy Shop, Bk 9)

Gingerbread Danger (Amish Candy Shop, Bk 9)
dollycas avatar reviewed on + 704 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1


Dollycas's Thoughts

Harvest Ohio is celebrating Christmas in a big way with a lifesize Candy Land game on the village square right next to the animals in the live nativity scene. Bailey King's candy-making factory is also having its grand opening, which includes tours and treats for visitors. Her parents are coming to town for the holidays too.

The game, the factory, and all the shops are big hits but then one of Bailey's new employees dies outside of the factory in what appears to be a tragic accident. Bailey's fiancé and recently appointed county sheriff Aiden Brody, is investigating to find out what happened. Of course, Bailey is doing a little investigating too. The young Amish man was mixed up in some terrible things but that doesn't stop Bailey from working to get him justice.

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In this 9th Amish Candy Shop Mystery Bailey is busier than ever now that her candy-making factory is open so planning her wedding to Aidan is the last thing on her mind. But then her parents come to town and her mother and Aiden's mother double down on getting a date set and the nuptials done as quickly as possible. Bailey also spends a lot of time taking care of her future mother-in-law's pig, Jethro. Margot Rawlings, the local community organizer, expects Bailey to be at her beck and call for anything she needs as well. Again Bailey has the patience of a saint and does her best to handle everything thrown at her. The woman needs to learn to say "No!" but she has too big of a heart for that. All the characters Ms. Flower has created for this series are so well-developed but still have room to grow. I feel I could make myself right at home in Harvest because I know all the prominent Amish and Englishers well and my way around the town.

Ms. Flower introduces another Amish family and a wedding planner in this story. Cleverly crafted and well-described, they were easy to add to the Harvest landscape. Swissmen Candyworks was described perfectly too, inside and out, as was the Candy Land game on the town square.

The mysteries put forth in this book are complicated. In addition, to the death, now a confirmed murder, someone is robbing local businesses. Could these crimes be connected? Bailey needs to know what happened to her employee but someone isn't happy about her sleuthing. Aiden wants her to leave everything to him and his deputies but we all know that isn't going to happen. It is always fun to tag along with Bailey, usually accompanied by Jethro, as they follow the clues and talk to suspects. The showdown was very entertaining as I thought I had it all figured out but the conclusion was as complex as the mysteries themselves.

Gingerbread Danger is a charming whodunit full of sweet treats and genuine characters joined by a dastardly few. I loved the Candy Land tie-in. What a fun way to ring in the holiday! The entire Amish Candy Shop Mystery Series is excellent and I highly recommend them all.