Customer Reviews

Candy Apple Dead (A Candy Shop Mystery)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Abby Shaw is trying to readjust to life in Paradise, Colorado after years away. Part of that adjustment is running Divinity Candy Shop, which she just inherited from her aunt.

But adjusting to life in a small town also means adjusting to local politics. The Downtown Merchants Alliance is currently debating the merits of moving the local Arts Festival to the downtown area. The issue is hotly contested. Brandon Mills is spearheading the effort to move it, so when he doesn't show up at a meeting about the issue, Abby is concerned. That night, Brandon's shop burns down - an act of arson. Then Brandon's bones are found in the ruins and Abby's brother Wyatt becomes the chief suspect. With the detective assigned to the case infuriating Abby, she decides to step in and see what other motives she can dig up. What she uncovers sheds a whole new light on many people she knows. Yet more and more the evidence is pointing to Wyatt. Did he do it? If not, can Abby clear him?

I've been looking forward to this book for quite some time, so I started reading as soon as I could. The small town is nice and I really felt at home there. The main characters are well drawn and I really liked them. Abby especially is a likeable heroine and I couldn't help cheering out loud for her on a couple occasions. The plot could have used a little polish, however. Several plot lines seemed to get dropped and the ending felt rushed. A bit longer book could have ironed out these problems. The book ends with several candy recipes which certainly sound tempting.

Overall, the book is an enjoyable debut with leaves you hungry for more.

Like many other authors in the genre, Sammi Carter has created a likable character and an enjoyable setting. Unfortunately, simply because it's so similar to many other novels, I had a sense of "been there, done that." The book is well-written and comfortable. The plot becomes obvious as each new clue is uncovered. But there's nothing wrong with comfortable, and I hope the author can expand her creativity and find more inventive plot lines. There's a lot of potential here, and I look forward to many more Abby Shaw mysteries in the future.

I picked up this mystery because I love chocolate and have grown fond of culinary mysteries over the years.

I have to say that the main character, Abby, reminded me a lot of Diane Mott Davidson's character, Goldy Schultz. They have that same determination that can often lead them into harm's way, and both Abby's and Goldy's attraction to law enforcement personnel makes for some interesting similarities between the two characters.

I very much enjoyed the setting of the novel in an up-and-coming tourist town in Colorado, as well as the interesting dynamics between the shop keepers and their acceptance, or lack thereof, for Abby. It shows that she has her work cut out for her merging back into the community she grew up in, but I can't wait to see what transpires in future novels. I hope that she finds the life she is looking for, without putting herself in too much danger!

I really liked the character development, and could even picture what Abby, her brother Wyatt, Brandon and others looked like, and how they acted. The dialog was excellent, and realistic, not exaggerated like in some mystery novels I have read. Clearly, this author does not need to create a lot of fluff to support her story line!

Also recommended: anything by Diane Mott Davidson.

The first book in the new Candy Shop mystery series introduces us to Abby Shaw, new owner of the Divinity Candy Shop in Paradise Colorado. After inheriting the shop from her aunt, Abby must reinsert herself into the small town in which she grew up. Being somewhat of an outsider (after being gone for several years), Abby is struggling with her new business and with becoming a part of the community. When a local store burns to the ground with allegations of insurance fraud, Abby leaps to the aid of the shop's owner. Both a good friend of Abby's and a fellow member of the Downtown Merchant's Alliance, Brandon Mills seems to have his share of troubles. And when Brandon is found dead in the rubble of his store, he seems to have paid the ultimate price. But who amongst a long list of enemies wanted to snuff out the life of this womanizer? When Abby's brother's name tops the list, Abby feels she has no choice but to jump into small town politics and ferret out the real killer.

I really enjoyed this debut! Along with a great mystery, I loved the recipes and helpful candy tips. Take it from a dedicated chocoholic...do not read this book when you are hungry or you will want to reach for some sweets! Overall, a fun, quick cozy.

The next book in the series is titled "Chocolate Dipped Death". Enjoy!

A town named Paradise, a candy shop named Divinity: This Candy Shop Mystery set in a quaint little town in Beautiful Colorado certainly has a cozy atmosphere. The candy is exquisite and divine; Abby (the candy shop owner) is likeable; Max (the dog) is a very important and vital character; and the plot is intriguing.

The season is Autumn; Halloween is right around the corner. You can almost feel and smell the fresh, clean air. You can almost see the mountains. Abby makes Halloween lollipops and other candy. Climate and altitude have a lot to do with candy-making, so she has to hurry and make lots of candy in order to have enough inventory on stock before it is too late.

There are several quaint little shops in this breathtakingly beautiful town. One of the owners of a shop is dead, and at first the police aren't sure if it is an accident or murder. But if murder, Abby's brother Wyatt is the prime suspect. Abby is determined to find out who the real murderer is.

I look forward to the next Candy Shop Mystery.

After her marriage ended because she caught her husband in their bed with his pregnant girlfriend, corporate lawyer Abby Shaw returned home to Paradise, Colorado to help her Aunt Grace run Divinity Candy shop. When Grace died, Abby inherited the shop and is busy trying to carry on her aunt's legacy. She is totally off men until Brandon Mills, owner of Man about Town, asks her out.

He stands her up but also misses an important business meeting; Abby walks over to his store to check on him but the building is dark. A car pulls out of the lot and she sees it is an auto owned by her brother Wyatt. The next day she learns Brandon's store burned down with him in it. Her brother becomes the number one murder suspect because he was seen arguing with Brandon over his relationship with Wyatt's wife. Abby doesn't mention seeing her brother's vehicle at the crime scene but gossip about the spat between Wyatt and Brandon add to her sibling appearing guilty. In an effort to clear Wyatt from a murder charge, Abby starts asking a lot of questions which comes to the attention of someone who is not afraid to kill again if she gets too close to learning the truth.

CANDY APPLE DEAD is a sweet who-done-it that will appeal to readers of amateur sleuth and cozy mysteries. The heroine learns some shocking truths about her brother, his wife and Brandon and comes away from the investigation wiser about people. Readers will adore Abby whose loyalty to family is admirable but it is Brandon's dog Max who she adopts to save from the pound who steals the show.

Harriet Klausner

I could not get through this book, try as I might. I found the main character to be tedious and argumentative. I just couldn't warm up to her. The whole plot seems as if it is following a formula for writing this type of mystery. I am only half way into this book, and I will try to finish it only because I don't like wasting money. But I sincerely doubt I would buy another in this series.

Recently divorced Abby Shaw returns to Paradise, Colorado to run the Divinity Candy Shop, which she inherited from her Aunt Grace. Though some of the people living in Paradise are a bit cool towards Abby until she proves herself; men's clothing storeowner Brandon Mills seems attracted to her. Since he has quite the reputation as a ladies man, Abby's not sure about his true feelings but never has a chance to find out when he is murdered. Brandon's death is a shock for Abby in many ways - she discovers that Brandon was not who she thought he was and was in fact disliked by many people in town. While that means there are many suspects in his murder, the police are focusing on Abby's brother, Wyatt. Wyatt certainly has a motive - he suspects his wife had an affair with Brandon - but he insists he didn't do it and Abby believes him. Now she has to convince hunky Police Officer Tawarski of Wyatt's innocence while trying to find the killer herself to clear his name.

"Candy Apple Dead" is a nice cozy mystery. Abby is a well-written, well-rounded character. Her struggles to prove herself capable of running the candy store and convince the town people of the same are very believable. Her struggle to reconcile the Brandon she knew with the person others said he was is heartbreaking. Her relationship with her brother is also very believable - anxious to clear his name, Abby realizes he is hiding something from her and her fear and frustration is well written. The candy store setting is a nice one and I loved the small details about candy making and how Abby decorated the store for the holidays. In fact, I wish there was more of that in the book. I liked the fact that Abby had a legitimate reason for investigating the murder - clearing her brother's name - instead of a manufactured one that happens so often in cozy mysteries. The mystery itself is well plotted, although only the most astute readers will note an important clue to the murderer.

"Candy Apple Dead" is a sweet read.

This was a great read by a new author to me. I enjoyed both of her books and would recommend them for anyone who wants a funny whodunit!

I just finished this book this morning, by Sammi Carter, and LOVED it!! I can't say enough about it! It is the first book in her "A Candy Shop Mystery" series. I loved the characters and how the main character, Abby, was a bit of a wisecracker (reminded me a bit of Stephanie from Janet Evanovich's Plum series!!), the mystery and humor, with just a slight twinge of a romantic shadow, was just awesome. When I was finished, I was left wanting more!! I absolutely fell in love with this book and can't wait for the new one to come out in March, called Chocolate Dipped Death. The book even includes such recipes as Divine Almond Toffee, Divinity's Caramel-Dipped Apples and Hard Rocky Mountain Candy! Can't wait to see what yummy recipes are in the Chocolate Dipped Death book!! I have added this author to my list of favorites. What a great, fun and fast read!!