Fantastic mystery, fantastic ending to the series!

I'm a little sad that I'm finished listening to this series! It's the perfect definition of a cozy mystery series and I'm going to miss Jethro the Pig :)

Audiobook from Libby.

One of the better mysteries in a while, even if it was ultimately designed mostly for character removal. Really loved the use of Charlotte and Lois in this one- looking forward to more of that. A nice side mystery with the tv crew as also a nice touch. That said, I do think the author is/was struggling with what to do with Aiden for a while. I'm still holding out hope for more magical bookshop mysteries as well.

Bailey- you need to have some boundaries with Juliet and Jethro. Though Licorice will be an interesting addition.

Blueberry Blunder by Amanda Flower is a witty tale. I laughed often while reading this story. I enjoyed returning to Harvest, Ohio for the Blueberry Bash. I felt bad for Bailey King who has her hands full with making candy for Swissmen Sweets, the construction of the new factory, the filming of her new show, and Jethro (Juliet’s polka dotted pig) constantly being foisted on her. Juliet takes advantage of Bailey. She should not continually thrust Jethro on Bailey (Juliet needs a pig sitter). Jethro is one mischievous pig who can only be left unsupervised at nap time. I felt bad for Nutmeg who had to share her bed at Swissmen Sweets with the polka dotted porker. I like that we are getting to know more about Charlotte. She is really coming out of her shell. Charlotte is getting to marry the love of her life in just a few days. Harvest’s First Annual Blueberry Bash provided many laugh out loud moments. The Blueberry Princesses dress and throne are indeed something. I had to laugh when I learned who came up with the idea for the festival and why. I do not know if it will help the person or not (I hope it does). Harvest is a blend of Amish and Englisch. Millie and Lois from Amanda Flower’s An Amish Matchmaker Mysteries are included. Lois is a hoot. Millie and Lois are polar opposites in looks, but they both have good hearts. The mystery was straightforward. I knew who would die and the identity of the guilty party before the crime took place. The reason why took me a little longer to untangle. My reading enjoyment was not dimmed by this knowledge. I had a fun time following Bailey on her latest adventure. I am glad Aiden is returning to town (it is about time). The ending made me happy. I see changes ahead in Harvest. I cannot wait to see what happens in the next An Amish Candy Shop Mystery. Blueberry Blunder can be read as a standalone for those new to the series, but I recommend reading this entertaining series in order. I like Amanda Flower’s writing style. It is friendly and engaging. I was drawn immediately drawn into Blueberry Blunder. It is a lighthearted story that made me laugh. My visit to Harvest was over far too soon. Blueberry Blunder is a comical cozy with a blueberry bash, a construction catastrophe, a poufy princess dress, a playful pig, a killed contractor, blended nuptials, and a special surprise.

In Blueberry Blunder, author Amanda Flower weaves threads of candy making, Amish life, the filming of a reality show, a bit of romance, and a murder into a well-written story with some laugh-out-loud moments interspersed with humor, somber moments, and sleuthing.
Bailey King, the star of a television baking show, is building her dream candy factory in Harvest, Ohio. Amid construction delays, Bailey and her cousin Charlotte find the body of a building contractor with many enemies. Additionally, Bailey is being filmed by a crew for an upcoming reality show and her boyfriend Aiden is heading back to Harvest to start his own private investigator firm. All of this is happening while Harvest’s First Annual Blueberry Bash is underway. The sheriff is fast to accuse and quick to make an arrest. But does he have the right person?

Bailey has a natural curiosity which ties in with her desire to sleuth. She also has trouble saying no, which is somewhat surprising considering the number of years she worked in New York. The other main characters are well-defined and have depth and come to life.

The writing style immediately drew me into the story. This author does a great job of blending non-Amish and Amish life as well as helping readers understand the differences that can occur in rules abided by different Amish districts. The mystery is well-done with several suspects that will keep readers guessing. Additionally, humor and pets show up throughout the novel. Besides what’s already been mentioned, themes of family, friendship, deception, and more add depth to the story.

Overall, this engaging, heartwarming, funny, and interesting mystery kept me entertained. While this book can be read as a standalone novel, it is best read in order. As usual, there is a tasty recipe at the end of the novel. Readers of cozy mysteries will likely enjoy this book and the entire series.

I received a digital copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date was May 23, 2023.
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My 4.09 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.

BLUEBERRY BLUNDER is the eighth book in the Amish Candy Shop Mystery series by Amanda Flower. Set in Amish country, protagonist Bailey King runs the family-owned candy shop, Swissmen Sweets, with her Amish grandmother. On top of starring in the hit TV show, Bailey’s Amish Sweets, Bailey is also trying to build a candy factory in town, in order to grow the family business. But the Amish community, including her grandmother, are not happy with the expansion and the general contractor is making the project even more difficult. Ms. Flower weaves a tempting tale with sweet characters (I couldn’t help but fall for Jethro, the pig, who steals each scene he’s in!), a close-knit community, and a well-plotted, puzzling murder to solve.

Having lived my entire life in California, I’m not familiar with the Amish. I appreciated the care the author gives in providing a good overview of the community, from their lifestyles to their beliefs, without ever bogging down the story. In this modern day, it’s difficult to envision anyone living without electricity, smartphones, or motor vehicles, yet Ms. Flower manages to bring that community and some of the challenges they face to life on the pages.

The murder mystery itself was well thought out, and there were a slew of people who had issues with the contractor, Wade. But why was he killed in Bailey’s factory, especially after she argued with him? With so many suspects to sift through, Bailey has her work cut out for her to prove her innocence. And with a reality TV cameraman and a gung-ho producer dogging her every step, Bailey has to tread lightly out of respect for the Amish ways. Ms. Flowers proves once again to know how to put together a mystery that’s full of heart in a charming setting!

I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.