Criminally Cocoa

Criminally Cocoa by Amanda Flower is An Amish Candy Shop Mystery novella (No. 3.5). Charlotte Weaver is thrilled to be in New York City with her cousin, Bailey King for the filming of Bailey’s Amish Sweets. Bailey is creating a hand woven chocolate Easter basket using tempered chocolate when the double boiler explodes. Glass and chocolate are sent flying around the set., but, thankfully, no one was injured. The next day, Juliet Brody and her comfort pig, Jethro arrive to be a part of the show and publicity photos. While shooting photographs in the park, a loud horn sounds which scares poor Jethro and sends him running into the park. Charlotte is concerned that someone is trying to sabotage the show as the small incidents continue. With Bailey already nervous about the filming, Charlotte decides to investigate on her own. Can Charlotte unmask the saboteur? Join Charlotte, Bailey, Cass and Jethro on their New York City adventure in Criminally Cocoa. Criminally Cocoa picks up where Premeditated Peppermint ended. We join Bailey, Charlotte and Cass in New York where they are filming the first season of Bailey’s Amish Sweets. Bailey asked Charlotte to come along and be her assistant on the show. Criminally Cocoa is told from Charlotte’s point-of-view. It was humorous to see New York City through Charlotte’s eyes. Charlotte grew up Amish and has yet to join the church. She views things differently from Englishers. I thought Criminally Cocoa was well-written with steady pacing. It was nice to learn more about Charlotte in this story. When Bailey blames herself for the explosion of the double boiler, Charlotte wants to help prove it was not her cousin’s fault. Charlotte has watched Bailey solve three crimes and puts that knowledge to use. The mystery was straightforward. Readers will have no problem solving it before the reveal. However, it is the right type of mystery for the length of the story. While the story focuses on the group in New York, we do get updates on their friends back home in Harvest, Ohio. I especially enjoyed the addition of Juliet Brody and her polka dotted pig, Jethro. Their antics provided me with plenty of laughs. It is always delightful to read one of Amanda Flower’s books. I am eager to read Toxic Toffee which is the next An Amish Candy Shop Mystery.

This was totally different from any of the other books as the entire story is done from what was previously a supporting character. It was surprising how well it worked for me and how much fun it was. The mystery was well done and the characters remained charming. Still, I can’t wait to get back to Bailey’s POV and life back in Harvest. Thank you to NetGalley, Amanda Flower, and Kensington Books for giving me the chance to read this story and share my honest thoughts and opinions with others.

Not good.