Thursday, February 23, 2023

In Farm's Way by Amanda Flower

 In Farm's Way
Book Summary

When the biggest catch at the annual Ice Fishing Derby is the body of brewmaster Wallace, Shiloh must reel in the killer before her farm goes belly-up. 

Shiloh Bellamy still expects the last few Winter months to be busy with repairs, spring planning, and networking with local businesses. She might even be able to broker a new partnership with Fields Brewery and its organic brewer's association. Well, she could if the owner, Wallace, wasn't found murdered at the county Ice Fishing Derby.

Once again, Shiloh gets tangled up in the investigation when the police ignore an entire crop of suspects to blame one of her friends. She'll have to dig deep to find the truth, reel in a killer, and convince her city-slicker pug to wear his winter boots. But with Bellamy Farm still struggling, can Shiloh spare the time to look into the town's fishy characters? Or will her dream farm be the next thing floating belly up?

USA Today bestselling Amanda Flower returns to the Farm to Table cozy mystery series with another exciting sleuthing adventure!

My Thoughts

In Farm’s Way by Amanda Flower is a cute cozy mystery.  We return to Cherry Glen, Michigan where the town is getting ready for the Lake Skegemog Ice Fishing Derby.  Shiloh Bellamy’s father, Sully is participating.  Sully will be fishing with Quinn Killian, a friend of Shiloh’s, and his twelve-year-old daughter, Hazel.  After dropping off Sully, Shiloh and Huckleberry, her cute pug in his orange winter coat and boots, are heading off the ice when they stumble upon someone under the ice.   Wallace Fields, a local brewery owner, has served his last brew.  Shiloh gets a distraught call from her bestie, Kristy.  Unfortunately, Kristy’s husband, Kent is in hot water.  Kristy wants Shiloh to investigate and get her husband off the hook.  Shiloh dons her deerstalker cap and begins asking questions.  Shiloh will have her work cut out for her if she is to reel in the worm who turned Wallace into fish food.  

In Farm’s Way is the third book in the Farm to Table Mysteries.  While it can be read as a standalone, I think it is best to read the series in order.  It will allow you to get to know the characters and the town.  I like Amanda Flower’s writing style.  It is lighthearted and friendly.  The characters are relatable and quirky.  Shiloh Bellamy is a former television producer who is working to turn Bellamy Farm organic.  She takes her cute pug, Huckleberry with her everywhere.  Huckleberry is not a fan of his new winter boots.  I had to laugh at the descriptions of Huckleberry shaking his various limbs trying to rid himself of the boots.  I like the balance between the lighthearted moments and those that are more somber or reflective.  An example is when Shiloh sees her father with Hazel and wishes he had been like that with her when she was a child.  The mystery kept Shiloh on her toes.  As she asks questions, Shiloh’s suspect list grows longer.  She needs to be discreet because law enforcement has warned her (multiple times) to keep her nose out of the case (like that is going to happen).  The reveal was suspenseful and entertaining.  We get to learn about cherry beer (how it is created) and organic farming.     The author weaved all the elements together to provide a delightful tale.  In Farm's Way had me laughing often.  I am eager to read the next Farm to Table Mystery to learn how Shiloh fares on her first date with an unexpected fellow.  There is a recipe for suet (winter food for the birds) at the end of the book.   In Farm’s Way is delightful tale with ice fishing fun, a pooch’s uncomfortable boots, a cherry craft beer competition, a bumped off brewer, and a sleuthing Shiloh.

In Farm's Way will be out on February 24 and it can be preordered from Amazon*.  The other novels in the Farm to Table Mysteries can be found here.  You can find Amanda Flower's other entertaining stories here.  Amanda Flower has Blueberry Blunder publishing on May 23.  It is the eighth An Amish Candy Shop Mystery.  Thank you for joining me today.  I will return on February 28 with Beyond the Gray Mountains by Tricia Goyer.  It is the first A Big Sky Amish Novel.  I hope you have an entertaining weekend.  My weekend is all booked!  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

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

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