Town in a Strawberry Swirl (Candy Holliday Murder Mystery)

B.B Haywood brings us another captivating entry in this series. This time it seems Candy is centered in the heart of the mystery.As always I was stuck with my nose in this book until I had reached the end. Haywood is excellent at foreshadowing and giving just enough hints to help the reader make an educated guess as to who the murderer is this time; and more importantly why? Haywood also does a fantastic job of providing plenty of plot twists and misdirection to always have you second guessing yourself.A few issues I was with this series are the time jumps. Large amounts of time separate each installment. Which is fine and fits well with the seasonal theme of each town event but to me it's confusing.. Also characters who seemed likely to be new permanent fixtures are just gone from one book to the next. I am hoping that is the author's personal brand of misdirection. Giving some wiggle room for possible reappearances and deeper involvement later on in the series. Only time will tell.A new style Haywood worked with in Strawberry Swirl is to switch view points from just Candy to her father and a new character as well. Previously we had only seen this in the beginning of the books at the time of a murder. This also I found confusing at first, however after several books from just Candy's perspective in the end I found it refreshing. It turns out Doc has a good flare for solving mysteries as well. All in all another wonderful addition to a gripping series.Lastly as always there are recipes in the back. A truly fun spin on the old mystery genre. I haven't gotten to try any of these recipes out yet but I am sure they will be as delicious as all the others have been.

Just got started on this book and we already have a dead body that seems to be linked to the previous books dead bodies! Am really wondering how this will all turn out??? This is just as well written than the others but there is a larger time gap from the time in the last book which also adds to the interest. By the way, I like the personalities in this series. There are people you really like, people who are annoying, people who that you are uncertain whether they are on the good side or the enemy so to speak. It all seems very real small town USA, and I come from a small town.

This is a great series, set in Maine, and revolving around a towns many festivals (which all involve food). I love Doc Holliday and the characters of the town. The characters and lives continue to develop with each new book. My only complaint with the series is the continuing back story of the Sykes Family. I am reminded of TV shows who drag out story lines over years and seasons, taking over the real mystery. I hope the author wraps it up as it is beginning to annoy me, which is the reason I only gave it four stars. Overall, great mystery.

This series just keeps better. I just finished this one and can't wait for the next release.I would give 5 stars except for the gaps in time between each novel. For example, this book started 18 months after the last book ended and leaves big gaps in the lives of the characters during the interim. Lots of things can happen in a person's life in that amount of time. Otherwise, very well written and enjoyable.

Love this book and the series....Can hardly wait until the next B.B. Haywood's," Town in a Sweet Pickle" book is released.The characters and plot run smoothly and just enough suspense without getting plot mixed up . Characters are well definedand work off each other...This is really a who did it and why mystery..Author made me feel like I was right there in the middle of this story... like any small town youhave your drama between residents but it doesn't take away from plot...actually added to the story.I am sure you wont be disappointed....

I read so much heavy academic stuff, sometimes I just need to read something dumb but fun. I lived in Maine, so I read books from Maine when I can get them. However, I am not into scary stuff like Stephen King. Haywood's books always have a murder, true, but they are seldom brutal, bloody, gory, stomach turning garbage. Somebody gets whammed over the head with a shovel and the deed is done.Light weight reading... gives my brain a rest between tomes... I am a compulsive reader and don't watch TV.

I have loved all of the books in this series, and this one was good, but rather drawn out. The same characters are enjoyable and I like that the mystery begins relatively quickly, but at some points the story just seems to drag. I will look forward to the next in the series though.

I enjoyed this installment of the Candy Holliday series. It was a good read and mystery. This series takes place in Maine and has lots of New England charm. You can start at the beginning of the series or just jump in with Town in a Strawberry Swirl. Enjoy!

Das Buch hat mir sehr gut gefallen, leider hat die Autorin einen Hamg zum schwafeln und erklärt und beschreibt alles bis ins kleinste Detaill. Ansonsten gute Geschichte!

I love this series!!

I loved it!