A village-wide Thanksgiving celebration is underway, and Bailey is exceedingly busy getting Swissmen Sweets ready for the hundreds of people expected to attend. Margot, the village organizer, is stressed out, not because of the celebration, but because her mother is going to come. A retired judge, Zara is not well liked - or liked at all - by the Amish community or by her daughter, due to her harsh and unloving treatment to all concerned. When Zara’s much younger boyfriend, soon to be husband, dies during the meal, all eyes turn to Margot as a person of interest. Yes, Bailey is tapped to figure out exactly what happened. Her attentions are divided, as she is contemplating an expansion of the candy shop and is worried about how her boyfriend really feels about their relationship. The book works well as stand-alone, but the real enjoyment comes from reading about the continuing characters, especially Jethro the pig. The intriguing mystery is well written, as is the entire series, and is quite entertaining. ( )

Bailey King has been very busy but still leaves her time for her business, Swissmen Sweets, and her family and friends. In this installment, the candymaker and her grandmother and cousin are busy preparing for the for Harvest’s Thanksgiving Festival where the whole village, Englischer and Amish were gather together and share Thanksgiving dinner. They are also making as much candy as possible to be ready for Black Friday and to fill their online Christmas orders. These activities don't stop Bailey from accepting the task of taking care of Jethro, the pig, despite the fact that Margot Rawlings, the event coordinator has asked her to oversee the final set up because she(Margot) has to pick up her mother at the airport. Margot, always confident, is a nervous wreck because her mother has never given Margot her approval on anything.

When Margot returns with Mom and Mom's new boyfriend, things just keep getting worse, ending with the boyfriend's murder. The revelations and findings that are uncovered as the story proceeds, leave abundant clues to the murderer.

Love this series but it always, always makes me want candy! ( )

for mystery reading kids

Peanut Butter Panic by Amanda Flower is the seventh An Amish Candy Shop Mystery. It can be read as a standalone for those new to this entertaining series. I like Amanda Flower’s writing style. It is engaging and lighthearted (makes her stories easy to read). I love the humor sprinkled throughout the story. There are great characters in this series. They are friendly, realistic, and relatable. Bailey King is too nice. She ends up watching Jethro way too often. I like how the pig, cat, and bunny get along (so cute). The mystery is straightforward. There is a dead guy, several suspects, a red herring, and curious clues. While I found the mystery a breeze to solve, I enjoyed following Bailey as she looked into the crime. Aiden Brody, Bailey’s boyfriend, is in town for BCI and, of course, he gives Bailey the standard warning (which she has no intention of following). The mystery is wrapped up neatly at the end. There are delectable, sweet treats that Bailey and her family whip up at Swissmen Sweets. I like that the author featured buckeyes (peanut butter and chocolate) since I am from Ohio. I had to laugh when Bailey had to push Jethro about in a stroller. I could picture the scene in my head thanks to the author’s vivid descriptions. I am glad that that Millie and Lois (from An Amish Matchmaker Mysteries) were included in the story. The two friends are a unique pair. I am looking forward to the next An Amish Candy Shop Mystery. Peanut Butter Panic is an amusing tale with cuddling critters, a formidable mother, a fine feast, a fatal allergy, relationship despairs, a surprising secret, and a busy Bailey. ( )

Peanut Butter Panic is the seventh book in The Amish Candy Shop Mystery series by Amanda Flower.

Bailey, her grandmother, and Charlotte, an employee, are very busy at Swissmen Sweets making candies for Harvest’s Thanksgiving Festival and having enough inventory for Black Friday. The whole village, Englischer and Amish, have been invited to the Thanksgiving dinner that will be held on the village green. Bailey is looking over where the dessert will be arranged when Margot Rawlings approaches her and asks, well, tells her to supervise the set-up for the dinner, as she has to go to the airport to pick up her mother, Zara. When Margot returns, Zora has her much younger boyfriend, Blaze. Shortly after everyone has commenced their Thanksgiving meal, Zora announces that she and will be getting married. Soon after, Blaze collapses into his plate. He’s rushed to the hospital, where he dies. Blaze was allergic to peanuts, and his EpiPen couldn’t be found. Somebody had switched his peanut-free marshmallow fluff with one tainted with peanuts.

Margot will soon ask Bailey to find out who might have murdered Blaze as she is afraid she will be arrested for his murder. It seems that her mother has re-written her will, that her mother marries Margot would be written out of her will.

Bailey is also facing indecision about whether she and her boyfriend, Aiden, will be able to take their budding romance to the next step.
The book is well-written and plotted, with most of the believable and well-developed characters from the previous books are back once again. And again, Jethro, the polka-dot pig, is back to add some humor with his cute antics.

A delicious recipe is also included in the book.

I am eagerly awaiting the next book in this enjoyable series. ( )