LEMON DROP DEAD by Amanda Flower

Emily Keim is pregnant, and her friends want to hold a baby shower for her. Emily is a bit reluctant as she is Amish; she also has a secret that only a few people know. Bailey King, one of the co-owners of Swissmen Sweets and Emily’s boss, knows Emily’s secret. Unfortunately, during the town baby shower, a woman from another Amish village confronts Emily about the fact she has another child, one Emily gave up at birth. Soon afterwards, that same woman is found dead in Esh Family Pretzels, the shop owned by Emily’s estranged brother and sister. Can Bailey help uncover who the murderer is?

LEMON DROP DEAD is the sixth book in An Amish Candy Shop Mystery series, and Amanda Flower has yet another treat in store for the reader! Each book in the series stands on its own merits, although LEMON DROP DEAD delves a bit more into the relationship between Bailey and Aiden Brody. Readers may want to have at least a little familiarity with the series in order to fully appreciate the decisions they are facing as well as some of the other side stories that are coming to fruition in LEMON DROP DEAD.. Also, readers of Amanda Flower’s Amish Matchmaker Mystery series will appreciate the appearances of Lois Henry (and can I just say that I love Lois even more after seeing her involvement in LEMON DROP DEAD?).

I’m really glad to see Amanda Flower digging into the Esh family and Emily’s estranged relationship with her siblings. We’ve had all sorts of tantalizing tidbits dropped about the Esh family, particularly the creepy brother Abel, and I’m glad to finally see this story with all the details emerging! Amanda Flower has some other surprises in store for the reader as LEMON DROP DEAD may be my favorite book yet, perhaps because we see the resolution of so many issues (even as more are unfolding for future books).

LEMON DROP DEAD is a phenomenal entry in one of my favorite cozy mystery series! Bailey, Emily, Charlotte, and Aiden, along with a whole host of other characters I’ve grown to love all play pivotal roles in the story line. Jethro, the pot bellied pig, of course makes an appearance and is endearing as usual. Amanda Flower gives us some interesting contrasts between the Amish and English communities, particularly with societal issues such as a pregnancy and a disability, that are both thought provoking and fascinating. I love each and every adventure into Harvest, Ohio, and LEMON DROP DEAD is yet another winner!

Murder always leaves a sour taste . . .

Although baby showers aren’t an Amish tradition, Bailey King wants to celebrate Emily Keim’s forthcoming bundle of joy. It’s the least she can do for her hardworking assistant at Swissmen Sweets, especially with Emily being estranged from her siblings. Everyone in Harvest, Ohio has gathered at the town gazebo—decked out in lemon-themed décor to add some of Emily’s favorite flavor to the festivities—including Juliet Brook, Jethro the Pig, and in a last-minute invite, Emily’s sister Esther Esh.

But Esther isn’t the only surprise guest. A mysterious Amish woman confronts Emily claiming to know about her secret shame—the child she had as a teenager who was given up for adoption. The stranger vanishes before Bailey could find out who she was and if she knew what happened to Emily’s first baby. Later that evening, the woman reappears—dead in Esh Family Pretzels, with a threatening letter written by Esther found on her body.

Emily knows her sister is not a murderer and convinces Bailey to help clear Esther’s name and put the squeeze on the real killer . . .

Recipe Included!