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Town in a Blueberry Jam (A Candy Holliday Mystery #1)

by B.B. Haywood

3.65 · rating details · 261 ratings · 51 reviews

First in the fabulous new Candy Holliday Murder mystery series.
In the seaside village of Cape Willington, Maine, Candy Holliday has an idyllic life tending to the Blueberry Acres farm she runs with her father. But, when an aging playboy and the newly crowned Blueberry Queen are killed, Candy investigates to clear the name of a local handyman. And as she sorts through the...more

Paperback, 320 pages

Published February 2nd 2010 by Berkley (first published December 17th 2009)

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Dec 26, 2011

Melissa rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: food, mystery

As you've probably guessed, this is a cozy mystery. Something filled with charm and a little violence and an unlikely heroine to save the day. Hey, what can I say, I'm a sucker for these types of books, especially when they involve food.

Candy lives with her dad in Maine running a small blueberry farm. And that's a good thing right now as its the town's annual blueberry festival. But then, before the festival can go off, a local is killed. Admist this mystery the crowning of the bl...moreAs you've probably guessed, this is a cozy mystery. Something filled with charm and a little violence and an unlikely heroine to save the day. Hey, what can I say, I'm a sucker for these types of books, especially when they involve food.

Candy lives with her dad in Maine running a small blueberry farm. And that's a good thing right now as its the town's annual blueberry festival. But then, before the festival can go off, a local is killed. Admist this mystery the crowning of the blueberry Queen still proceeds but when an unlikely person wins the crown and appears dead a few days later, the town launches into even more of an uproar. And a friend of Candy's is considered the main suspect. She doesn't want to do police work, but can't help but find herself sleuthing around trying to solve the murder case.

Candy is an ok character. She changes her mind very quickly so I don't understand her thought processes sometimes. And I also think its funny that she's not a fan of cooking yet takes a job baking pies, but thats just a small thing in this book. The town does have a lot of characters in it, from the lady who is murdered to Candy's best friend they all have a few quirks. But I think the most misused character in this book is Candy's dad. He seems like he would be fantastic to read about but isn't really used all that much in the story. I would have liked to read more about him.

For a mystery I do have to say that I never guessed who it was. And probably never would have as there weren't that many clues. It didn't quite ruin the story for me, but I always like to have at least a fighting chance at guessing who the killer is. But the setting was done well and the mystery interesting so it was still a decent book. And I really did appreciate the blueberry recipes that were thrown in at the end. I can definitely tell I'll be trying to blueberry whipped cream sometime.

A good cozy mystery. Not stupendous, but a nice read for a cold winter's day.

Town in a Blueberry Jam
Copyright 2010
312 pages

Review by M. Reynard 2011

More of my reviews can be found at www.ifithaswords.blogspot.com (less)

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Sep 22, 2011

Nancy rated it

Ending my Cozy Mystery Challenge for 2011, I decided on Town in a Blueberry Jam by B. B. Haywood since this was a new author for me - I had no idea what I was getting into. Apparently, B. B. stands for the writing team of Beth and Robert (I assume Bob) Haywood – but then again – Haywood is not their real last name either. Ok, maybe that does not matter, but with the ever-ongoing use of pseudonyms in the writing world, I always want to know if a new author is actually new or an old author with...more

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Jul 26, 2011

Michelle Randall rated it

· review of another edition

As I was posting a review of one of the books I read in the last week or so, a list popped up to the side that gave me some other titles that people who liked the book I original read also liked, and so I wrote down a number of the titles, and got on the library website and reserved a few.

Yesterday I went by the library and picked up the books I had reserved, and a few others I found on the shelves that looked interesting, and so today I finished this book.

I found it to b...moreAs I was posting a review of one of the books I read in the last week or so, a list popped up to the side that gave me some other titles that people who liked the book I original read also liked, and so I wrote down a number of the titles, and got on the library website and reserved a few.

Yesterday I went by the library and picked up the books I had reserved, and a few others I found on the shelves that looked interesting, and so today I finished this book.

I found it to be a wonderfully written and cute book. We have the main character, Candy Holliday, who has seen what she thought was her perfect world fall apart after her husband loses his job, starts a small business that fails, and he decides he wants a new wife and moves across the country. Her mother passes away and her Dad persuses the dream that they had together to buy a small blueberry farm and retire, and so she moves to the blueberry farm with Dad.

She seems to be just exsisting in life, not really sure what she is doing and not entirely happy, but comfortable, when two local legends in town are murdered within days of each other, the local handyman, a sweet and innocent, almost childlike man named Ray is arrested for the murder and Candy knows, along with the rest of the town that there is no way Ray did it, but the police are sure it was him, so Candy takes it upon herself to do a little snooping.

As the book works its way through, Candy and her friend Maggie develop an even closer bond, she lands a writing job for the local newspaper and well as baking blueberry pies as a side job, and finds her friendship with the local baker, Herr Georg tested and proven. She also finds that she wants nothing more in life than to be right where she is, Cape Wellington Maine, on a blueberry farm with her father and the friends she has come to know and love.

It fits in that "cozy mystery" genre that has sprung up, but yet it is different than most of those I have seen. More set on the town and the main character than the place or craft.

If you love a good mystery, then this is your thing. As a bonus, there are some great blueberry receipes in the back of the book.(less)

· see review

May 13, 2011

Hope rated it

· review of another edition

I came across this book by accident, the title Town in a Blueberry Jam. I have to tell you when I saw this title my curiosity got the better of me.

Candy Holiday lives in Cape Willington Maine, she and her father own a blueberry farm. Cape Willington is a small town in Main, quite where pretty much everyone know everyone. But the peace is disturbed when two people get murdered. Even though book opened with the murder of Jock, I have to say I was immediately hooked. I think I was hook...more

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Mar 30, 2011

TheInnocentButler rated it

My four-sentence or less take on the plot: Candy Holliday is a blueberry farmer with her father in the small town of Cape Willington, Maine. An unprecedented two murders occur back to back, shocking the town, and casting suspicion on one of Candy's friends. Candy decides to investigate the mystery to clear her friend and gets a love interest and a second job along the way.

Rating: 8

What worked: As an intro to a new series, this was a great start. A lot of interesting, bizarre...more

· see review

Oct 17, 2010

Suzanne rated it

Shelves: mystery

I picked up this cozy mystery novel because I'm a blueberry lover, and I always find mystery novels based in Maine (i.e. Karen MacInerny's Gray Whale Inn Series and the Sarah Deane series by J.S. Borthwick) to be fascinating. This first installment in the Candy Holliday series did not disappoint!

After going through a tough time in Boston, Candy, a former marketing executive, starts over on the coast of Maine and joins her father, a retired university professor, in running a blueberr...more

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Feb 03, 2011

LORI CASWELL rated it

Welcome to the wonderful coast of Maine and to Cape Willington. Candy Holliday has left the rat race of the big city of Boston to come to Maine to work with her Dad on his Blueberry Farm. But even in the small town of Cape Willington, bad things happen. Bad things like murder and not just one murder but two murders back-to back.
An aging local hero takes a plunge off a cliff and the just crowned Blueberry Queen/Gossip Columnist is killed right in her own home.
When a local handyman, ...moreWelcome to the wonderful coast of Maine and to Cape Willington. Candy Holliday has left the rat race of the big city of Boston to come to Maine to work with her Dad on his Blueberry Farm. But even in the small town of Cape Willington, bad things happen. Bad things like murder and not just one murder but two murders back-to back.
An aging local hero takes a plunge off a cliff and the just crowned Blueberry Queen/Gossip Columnist is killed right in her own home.
When a local handyman, Candy's friend, and local town resident who treats his tools better than some people treat their children is accused of the murders, Candy can't help herself from getting involved and starts to investigate to clear her friend's name. The more clues she uncovers, the more secrets that come out, the more people she talks to, the stickier things become. Can Candy get this town out of it's "blueberry jam"?

I LIKED IT!!!!

I enjoyed both of this books from the first page to the last. It took awhile to learn Candy's back story but she really has turned out to be feisty and fun. I felt for her Dad with his issues have how hard farming is and that he admitted to his daughter that he needed her help. Candy's friend Maggie definitely brings in the comic relief needed in this genre. The most important part to this reviewer was that the mysteries in both books were plausible and were well thought out. These books are very well written with flawless continuity which I always worry about when two writers are writing one book. I seem to read a lot of books set in the state of Maine, it seems to be a popular spot for cozy mystery writers to set their stories. The Candy Holiday Mysteries do take on a unique idea focused around yearly events taking place is the fictional town of Cape Willington. It will be interesting to see what major town event the authors draw upon for the next book in this entertaining series.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the second book free from Berkley Prime Crime, a Division of Penguin Publishing. The first book was from my own collection. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”(less)

· see review

Sep 01, 2010

Myhotstylist rated it

This book was an Easy-going cozy mystery with a tight plot and a few good twists.

Candy Holliday and her gal-pal Maggie Tremane team up to discover who murdered the town gossip. Her seemingly harmless handyman was seen leaving the crime scene and his brand new hammer (the murder weapon) was found at the scene of the crime. The entire town is in an uproar and Candy is determined to find out the killer.

I did have a few beefs with this book. The names of some of the charact...more

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May 21, 2010

Heather rated it

A month or so ago I was lucky enough to win Sharon's Garden of Book Review's Spring Cozy Give-Away. One beautiful spring day I received a box with over 10 titles-HOORAY! Thanks again Sharon!

Now, it should be said that I am fairly new to the cozy mystery sub-genre. Last year I was browsing on the Books-A-Million website, and I discovered a couple new mystery series with female protagonists. I assumed they would be like Sharon McCone or Kay Scarpetta. Instead, they were more...moreA month or so ago I was lucky enough to win Sharon's Garden of Book Review's Spring Cozy Give-Away. One beautiful spring day I received a box with over 10 titles-HOORAY! Thanks again Sharon!

Now, it should be said that I am fairly new to the cozy mystery sub-genre. Last year I was browsing on the Books-A-Million website, and I discovered a couple new mystery series with female protagonists. I assumed they would be like Sharon McCone or Kay Scarpetta. Instead, they were more like Jessica Fletcher. Women of a certain age, ordinary moms/shopkeepers/bakers/scrapbookers/librarians/vampires/telepaths (OK, I guess vampires and telepaths are not ordinary, but there are cozy mysteries about them, so whatever) solving mysteries not because it is their job, but because they are kind and thoughtful, or nosy and bossy, or wrongly accused themselves, and want to see justice done. Little did I know that I was finding a new-to-me sub-genre complete with it's own websites and blogs!

So, with a box full of cozies to choose from, I picked Town in a Blueberry Jam, by B.B. Haywood. Mostly I chose it because it is the beginning of a series, and most of the other titles are continuations, so I wanted to start something fresh. The story revolves around the ridiculously-named Candy Holliday, a former marketing exec turned blueberry farmer in southeastern Maine. After her marriage failed, and her mother died, she moved with her father, Doc, to Blueberry Acres to try a different kind of life. As the story opens Candy is preparing for the annual Blueberry Festival, which includes the pageant to crown the Blueberry Queen. After an unexpected turn-of-events leads to the winner being a 30-something woman instead of a high school student, chaos and murder ensue. Candy and her best friend Maggie are left to try and find the truth behind this mysterious death.

The thing about cozy mysteries is that you just have to take them as they are. They are light, rather shallow, easy to read, and I don't know about you but I can usually see the answer to the mystery coming from pretty early on in the book. What makes them enjoyable, at least for me, is the fact that they are light, rather shallow, easy to read, and easy to figure out. They are the perfect book for when my brain is tired, like it is at the end of a school year. I don't necessarily want deep, thoughtful literature. I want escapism. Town in a Blueberry Jam helped me to escape from the stress and chaos that the end of the year brings in my world. There are two major things in its favor. One, it is set in my favorite part of the country, New England. Haywood does a good job evoking a small-town summer in that part of the world. And, it kept me guessing. I thought I had it figured out, but there was a twist at the end that I didn't see coming. Overall, Town in a Blueberry Jam was a pleasant, if not earth-shattering, way to spend a couple of days.(less)

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Feb 20, 2010

Kate rated it

This was a fun, easy cozy mystery with a fun Maine setting.

After experiencing something of a mental breakdown when her relationship fails, Candy Holliday leaves her high powered job, moves out of the city and goes to live with her newly widowed father, who just retired and purchased a blueberry farm in coastal Maine. When a local handyman whom her father sometimes employs is arrested for murder, Candy tries to clear his name.

I thought this book was fun, and I did find my...more

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Jul 01, 2010

Grey853 rated it

Shelves: cozy, mystery

There's a blueberry festival in Candy's small town and along comes blackmail and murder.

There are several big problems with the book. One is that I really disliked the catty behavior of Candy and her best friend. The snide comments they made about different townspeople made them come off as obnoxious and rude. Two, the writing was very slow and uneven especially at the beginning. It did get better as the story progressed, but there were still too many parts that just didn't ble...more

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Nov 08, 2010

Vickie rated it

Another fine cozy mystery set on the East Coast...this one is even better with the main character, Candy, owning a blueberry farm. She is a busy chickie, prepping for the upcoming festival and taking care of the farm as well as the odd jobs around town to help bring in some extra cha-ching so she can keep living this life she's grown to love.
There are some really well written characters, a good main character who is curious and wants to help her friend, there is her father who is helping ...more

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Jul 13, 2010

Susan rated it

Shelves: mystery-maine

This series opener introduces Candy Holliday, who helps her retired professor father run a blueberry farm in Maine, when she's not working various part-time jobs in their little tourist-y town. The local celebrity dies mysteriously, but everyone is too busy with the annual blueberry festival to pay too much attention, especially when the festival queen turns out to be a mid-30's gossip columnist, Sapphire Vine, instead of one of the high school girls who usually win. Candy and her friend Maggi...more

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Aug 15, 2011

Sandra rated it

It was a cute cozy, even if it did have a bit of a slow start - it wasn't until a third of the way though the novel that the second victim is killed and Candy starts her investigation. I did enjoy reading about the festival goings-on, particularly the pageant itself, which had some humorous moments. I did see one major plot twist coming a mile away, but I didn't know who the murderer was until the end, though it didn't really surprise me to read it.

The character development was about...more

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Dec 26, 2011

Liora rated it

Shelves: cozy-mystery

After a divorce, Candy Holliday moves in with her dad onto his small blueberry farm near a small seaside village in Maine. She is happy and busy helping him run the farm and preparing a plethora of items for sale at a booth for the annual Blueberry festival. Then two deaths happen in quick succession... Jock Larson, the local Olympic swimming hero, falls off a cliff and the townspeople are unsure whether it is an accident, a murder, or a suicide. This is followed by the murder of the Blueberry F...more

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Mar 28, 2011

Jan rated it

Shelves: cozies, mystery, friendship, fathers-and-daughters, culinary-mystery, includes-recipes

3 1/2 stars. Candy and her father Doc own a blueberry farm on the coast of Maine. When the Blueberry Festival comes around Candy is busy cooking and decorating her booth and has big plans to attend the Miss Blueberry contest that evening. The day has a bit of a shadow over it because of the recent death of a local hero. But it ends in a bang when the title of Miss Blueberry goes to a 37 year old local reporter. When that reporter shows up murdered and a close friend of Candy's is arrested, she a...more

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May 31, 2011

The Book Resort rated it

Shelves: beach-read, fun, humor, my-library, mystery, outstanding, series, contemporary-mystery, cozy, contemporary-cozy, yummy

I love mysteries and have since I became addicted to Nancy Drew as a little girl w/ braids and Town in a Blueberry Jam is a reminder of what a solid mystery is all about.

I was so impressed, I read it again & did something I DO NOT do – highlighted favorite passages. To my own horror, the sticky notes and flags weren’t good enough to capture the essence collected within the pages of Haywood’s stellar debut outing.

Town in a Blueberry Jam is what a cozy mystery is suppos...more

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May 03, 2011

Gerry rated it

I enjoyed this first in the series. I'd already read the 2nd!

Candy has moved in with her Dad on a blueberry farm on the coast of Maine. In this one, we're told the story behind the move. Candy is a talented young woman who finds herself loving life in this small town.
She helps run the blueberry farm; takes care of her "girls" (the chickens); bakes pies, muffins, etc; works in the bakery; gets a job with the newspaper and solves a mystery all at the same time.

I'...more

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May 15, 2010

Bonnie rated it

This was a fun new "cozy" the first in a series (others not published yet). Great setting - a small coastal town in Maine full of "characters" some more eccentric than others. The main character-Candy Holliday-is very likeable and believable. After her divorce she goes to live with her widower dad a retired professor who now owns a blueberry farm. He's also a great character and they are happy working and living together. Two deaths and the Blueberry Festival liven things...more

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Mar 11, 2011

Jenne rated it

A wonderful book that seem to pick up very fast in my opinion (considering I read it in two days). I thought I had the suspect figured out, but I was proven wrong in a matter of 4-6 chapters. Love the many characters (Doc's friends are of the abnormal while Maggie sometimes seems to act like a teenager stuck in a 30-something yr old body). I give it 5 stars and can't wait to read the second book in the series. Also can't wait to try out the Blueberry Lemon Shortbread recipe. Sounds delicious!

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Jun 20, 2011

Wogc rated it

Shelves: cozy-fluffy-mysteries, 2011-list

Not a spectacular mystery book, but still a nice reading.
As it's the first book in a series, lots of people were introduced but they have truly different personality, without falling into "clichés" either.
For instance, I'm pretty sure that Candy's father, Doc, and his bunch of friends will me more present in the next book, because, considering their former activities (cop, attorney....), they will be good sidekicks to the heroine :)

like 1 like

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Mar 24, 2011

Judy Alter rated it

The setting is great--small Maine coastal village--and the characters intersting and eccentric: Candy Holiday, building a newe life as a blueberry farmer with her widowed father, her best friend Maggie, and town eccentrics, including a really mean-spirited reporter for the local newspaper. The novel got off to a sort of slow start but about halfway through I was hooked and eager to keep reading. I'll read the next in the series for sure.

· see review

May 18, 2010

Min rated it

Shelves: library

This was just what I was looking for in a cosy - light read, quirky characters, a couple of murders, a few good suspects, and a fairly easy wrap-up. Haywood does a great job of introducing the town's more colourful characters, and a blueberry farm setting was a new one for me.
I'm definitely reading the next book in the series.

· see review

Jun 24, 2010

Suzanne rated it

Recommended to Suzanne by: Cozy Mystery Group

Shelves: cozy-mysteries

A very nice cozy! I loved the setting in coastal Maine and really liked the main characters. I especially liked the description and detail of the Blueberry Festival. The ending felt unsatisfying somehow, which made me go with a 3 star rather than 4 star rating. But that won't stop me from picking up the next in this series when it becomes available. This promises to be a good series.

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May 23, 2011

Nancy added it

Candy Holliday and her father are blueberry farmers in Maine, their handyman is accused of the murder of a famous swimmer as well as the Blueberry Queen, Sapphire. Candy and her friend Maggie try to find the real murderer. It turns out to be a councilwoman. The handyman is released.

· see review

Mar 14, 2010

Mascanlon rated it

Shelves: 2010-challenge

New series that has some interesting settings and a fine group of characters. Oh and recipes. But can someone tell me why bright, successful woman in the city always have to have some big set back in love or commerce and end up in a small town to find peace, joy and new love?

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Sep 30, 2011

Rachel rated it

Shelves: mystery, 2011

I tried to pick this one up from my great teetering pile o' mysteries some time ago, but I had literally just put down a book by an author I really like and am really familiar with, and Town in a Blueberry Jam suffered by being started so hot on the heels of the other book. I was disappointed with it, so I put it back in the pile. I just took it out again a few days ago wanting something a bit different, and this time it grabbed me and wouldn't let go! Pages and pages flew by as I got caught up ...more

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Apr 12, 2010

Melodie rated it

Shelves: read-2010

This was a pretty good first outing in this new series. I like Candy and her dad, Doc. And the setting is great. I sometimes think I'd like to live in a little Maine town just like Cape Willington. Was easy to dislike both murder victims, tho the first one you only get to know in his thoughts. Some nice recipes, too. I'll be looking for the next one, TOWN IN A LOBSTER STEW.

like 1 like

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Jun 03, 2010

M. rated it

The first book by this author, set in a small town in Maine. This is a very light read and one which you can put down and pick up again as life gives you reading time. There are recipes in the back--the one for blueberry lemon shortbread is very good.

· see review

Jul 05, 2010

LynnB rated it

Shelves: 2010-reads, cozy-mystery

I enjoyed this new mystery. There were some rough spots and sometimes I didn't like what the characters did, but overall I thought it was good and will try the second in the series to see if the author improves in the few things I noticed.

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About B.B. Haywood

B. B. Haywood is a pseudonym of writing team Beth Feeman and Robert Feeman. They conceived the idea for the Candy Holliday mysteries while driving around the Maine countryside, stopping at different small towns throughout the state.

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* Candy Holliday

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