Dating Can Be Deadly” is a delightful cozy murder mystery book penned by the talented Amanda Flower. The book offers a unique blend of humor, intrigue, and poignant moments that keep readers hooked from start to finish. With a twist of Amish culture and a dash of English eccentricity, Flower weaves an engaging tale of mystery and romance.
The story revolves around two friends, Millie and Lois, who are as different as chalk and cheese. Millie is an Amish woman, humble and reserved, while Lois is a flamboyant English woman with a flair for drama. Both are caught in the whirlwind of solving murders and navigating their personal lives. Lois turns to a dating app to find love, whereas Millie grapples with moving on from her deceased husband’s memory.
The plot thickens at the Holmes County Fair where Millie participates in a quilt competition. Her nephew, Micah, also enters her notorious goats, Phillip and Peter, into a contest. The mischievous goats escape their pen and lead the duo to a quilt barn where they discover a dead body – the quilting judge. The race is on to find the murderer before more harm comes to the community, including a young Amish boy, Zach, who may have witnessed the murder.
The book is peppered with humorous moments, largely thanks to Lois’s antics and her quest for love. Millie’s reluctance to pursue a romantic relationship leads her to find comfort in Amish proverbs, offering readers an insightful glimpse into Amish culture. The heartwarming aspect of the story lies in Zach’s story – a young boy abandoned by his family, finding solace in his beloved Pygmy goat, Scooter.
The author Amanda Flower’s inspiration for the story came from her visit to the Holmes County Fair where she spotted an axe-throwing booth. This sparked the idea for the murder weapon in her book. She also wanted her main character, Millie, to enter a quilt competition, mirroring the ones she observed at the fair.
A new character introduced in this murder thriller book for sale is Zach, a ten-year-old boy who is friends with Millie’s nephew, Micah. He is portrayed as a sweet child stuck in a challenging family situation, adding more depth to the narrative.
Interestingly, the goats play a significant role in the story. Millie’s goats Phillip and Peter, known for their playful mischief, lead Millie and Lois to the dead body. Zach also has a goat, Scooter, who is his only source of comfort and love.
The book also explores the romantic tension between Millie and Uriah. Millie struggles with moving on from her late husband’s memory, and Uriah patiently supports her through this journey. This emotional subplot adds another layer to this cozy mystery.
Looking ahead, Amanda Flower has several exciting projects lined up. There will be another Emily Dickerson mystery releasing soon, followed by a historical series centered around the Wright Brothers from their younger sister Katherine’s perspective. Fans of her Amish-English murder mysteries can look forward to alternating releases between the Amish Candy Shop Book and the Amish Matchmaker Book.
“Dating Can Be Deadly” is indeed a captivating cozy murder mystery book that offers a unique blend of humor, intrigue, and heart. Its engaging narrative, relatable characters, and insightful portrayal of the Amish community make it a must-read for fans of female detective titles and amateur sleuth stories.