Put Out to Pasture by Amanda Flower

 Put Out to Pasture

Book Summary

There's fowl play afoot on the farm

Shiloh Bellamy has saved her family's farm from financial ruin—but now what? She's barely scraping by on the farm's new organic business model and the fall festival she organized to drum up business comes to a screeching halt when the body of a prominent townswoman is discovered underneath a scarecrow in a nearby field. Worst of all, the evidence points to Shiloh's childhood best friend, Kristy, as the prime suspect.

Between cooking up delicious treats made with her farm's produce, convincing her cantankerous father to let her do things her own way, and dealing with a newcomer in town who could be serious competition for her customers, Shiloh doesn't have time to wade into a murder investigation. But with a killer on the loose and suspicious activity circling closer and closer to Shiloh and the people she loves, she realizes there's nothing to do but roll up her sleeves and get down to the dirty work of finding the killer and clearing Kristy's name once and for all.

About the Author

Amanda Flower is a USA Today bestselling and Agatha Award-winning author of over thirty-five mystery novels. Her novels have received starred reviews from Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, and Romantic Times, and she had been featured in USA Today, First for Women, and Woman’s World. She currently writes for Penguin-Random House (Berkley), Kensington, Hallmark Publishing, Crooked Lane Books, and Sourcebooks. In addition to being a writer, she was a librarian for fifteen years. Today, Flower and her husband own a farm and recording studio, and they live in Northeast Ohio with their two adorable cats.  Visit her at www.amandaflower.com.

My Thoughts

Put Out to Pasture by Amanda Flower has Shiloh Bellamy hosting Fall Daze at Bellamy Farm.  Shiloh has baked up hundreds of her organic treats to sell to the attendees.  Shiloh is surprised at how many people showed up for the event and stay even after the loud argument between Kristy Brown and Minnie Devani (attendees got an extra show).  The last of the festival goers are leaving for the day when Shiloh hears a woman screaming.  Quinn and Shiloh race over to find Minnie dead at the foot of the scarecrow.  Evidence at the scene points to Kristy as the guilty party.  Shiloh is quick to dig into the case.  She is not about to let her bestie go away for murder.

Put Out to Pasture is the second Farm to Table Mystery.  It can be read as a standalone if you have not read Farm to Trouble.  I like Amanda Flower’s engaging writing style.  I know when I start one of this author’s books, that I will quickly be drawn into the tale.  The characters are delightful.  They are warm, friendly, and relatable (there are one or two exceptions).  Shiloh Bellamy is working hard to restore Bellamy Farm despite her father’s negative comments and unhelpfulness.  I enjoy the descriptions of the Bellamy Farm and the surrounding area.  The author’s word imagery brings the scenery to life.  The mystery was a fun one to solve.  The victim was not well-liked, which means there were several good suspects.  There is misdirection to distract you from the true killer.    The clues are there if pay close attention.  The reveal wraps up the whodunit nicely.  I thought Amanda Flower created a fun and unique mystery.    I just love Shiloh’s little pug. He is a cutie.  Shiloh has additional trouble when the other half of Bellamy Farm is sold by the developers to Tanner Birchwood who has the same vision as Shiloh.  I am looking forward to Shiloh’s next adventure.  Put Out to Pasture is a refreshing tale with a fun fall festival, deep fried delights, a scarecrow crime scene, a framed friend, a precious pug, a new can-do neighbor, and a cunning killer.

Put Out to Pasture is available from Amazon*.  The first book in Farm to Table Mysteries is Farm to Trouble.  You can find Amanda Flower's other engaging cozy mysteries here (follow her on Amazon to get updates on her latest releases).  Amanda has Peanut Butter Panic publishing August 23.  It is the seventh An Amish Candy Shop Mystery.  Frozen Detective by Amanda Flower releases December 6.  It is the second A Piper & Porter Mystery.  I appreciate you stopping by today and reading my review.  Here are a couple of the books that have published today:  An Amish Bride by Rosalind Lauer, Batten Down the Belfry by Diane Kelly (UPDATE:  Release date changed to March 1 because of fire at warehouse), A Promise of Forgiveness by Jo Ann Brown (a good book), Caramel Pecan Roll Murder by Joann Fluke, The Inn on Mirror Lake by Debbie Mason, Strength in the Storm by Laurel Blount (a charming book), Batter Off Dead by Maddie Day, and A Deadly Bone to Pick by Peggy Rothschild.  I look forward to book release day (I am a book geek and I admit it). I wake up to new books on my Kindle. You can never have too many books.  I hope that you have a happy day.  Tomorrow I am featuring Batten Down the Belfry by Diane Kelly.  It is the fourth A House Flipper Mystery starring Whitney and Sawdust.  Take care, stay safe, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.