Amanda Flower's Blog, page 4
June 27, 2023
Easy Broccoli Cheese Quiche #Recipe
Need a great way to use up the eggs in your fridge. Try my easy quiche that it delicious for breakfast, lunch or dinner! Enjoy.
Ingredients
1 cup chopped broccoli
4 chopped green onions
8 eggs
1/2 cup of sour cream
1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
1 teaspoon of garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste
Direction
Preheat oven to 400 degree F Steam broccoliWhisk all ingredients together in a bowlPour mixture into pie pan or use a buttered muffin pan for mini quichesBake for 35 minutes or until golden brownAllow to cool for 15 minutesEnjoy
FEATURED BOOK OF THE MONTH
Now Available!Set in the fan-favorite Amish village of Harvest, Ohio, the latest novel in USA Today bestselling author Amanda Flower’s Amish Matchmaker Mysteries brings back the unlikely sleuthing duo of a widowed Amish matchmaker and her zany, four-times-divorced Englisch best friend as they must solve the murder of a quilting competition judge.
It’s August in Holmes County, and that means it’s time for the Holmes County Fair. It’s the county’s biggest annual event, drawing tourists and locals alike to see livestock, eat too much fried food, and watch the rodeo and speed racing contests. This year, Millie has entered the quilting competition—while her very not Amish best friend, Lois Henry, is distracted by her new dating app and her search for husband number five. In a place where quilting is a way of life, the competition is fierce—especially this year, when an anonymous donor doubles the winning cash prize. Amish and English women are up against each other, and some will do anything to win—even murder . . .
When someone attacks the quilt barn by slashing the quilt display, it’s unsettling enough. But when a quilting judge is found murdered, Millie knows it’s time to for Lois to get off her app and help her hunt for a killer instead—before the competition is wiped out for good . . .
Available 10/24/23
Happy reading! 
Amanda
May 29, 2023
Easy Broccoli Salad #Recipe
Even though it’s not official summer, summertime recipes are here! A staple of summer picnic is broccoli salad, and I’m sharing my recipe with you! Enjoy.
Ingredients
4 cups of rough chopped broccoli
4 chopped green onions
1 cup of Miracle Whip or Mayo
2 tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar
1/2 of chopped walnuts
1/2 of dried cranberries
salt and pepper to taste
Direction
1. Put all ingredients in a bowl and mix
2. Chill for at least one hour
3. Enjoy!
FEATURED BOOK OF THE WEEK
Now Available!Praise for Blueberry Blunder!
“Enlivened by the antics of Jethro, the miniature pig, this satisfying cozy with its details of candy making, the eighth in Flower’s Amish Candy Shop series, also illuminates small-town life through its lovingly described setting and well-defined characters.”-Booklist
For fans of Laura Childs’ Tea Shop Mysteries and Ellery Adams’ Culinary Cozy Mysteries, the Amish Candy Shop series combines a fascinating look at Amish life with the fun of candy making and a hint of romance between chocolatier Bailey King and her law enforcer boyfriend.
Bailey King, star of TV’s Bailey’s Amish Sweets, is building her dream candy factory in Harvest, Ohio. But no sooner is the frame of the new building up than she finds the dead body of a surly contractor who has a long list of enemies—including people in the Amish community. To add to the drama, Bailey is being filmed by a crew for her upcoming show. . .
When Bailey’s TV producer pitched a reality show about building the factory, Bailey was shocked that the network picked it up. She’s not shocked that many of the Amish working on the jobsite refuse to be on camera. However, local community organizer Margot Rawlings is ecstatic—because the filming coincides with Harvest’s First Annual Blueberry Bash. Margot believes the media attention will make Harvest the most popular destination in Holmes County. But now, the county may become known for all the wrong reasons . . .
Bailey will have to sift through a crowd of angry villagers and thousands of blueberries to solve the murder, save her new venture, and protect her Amish friends. At the same time, she and her longtime boyfriend, Aiden Brody, are making big decisions about their future together—a future that may be in jeopardy if Bailey is the next pick on a killer’s list . . .
Available Anywhere Books are sold!
Happy reading!
Amanda
April 18, 2023
Lower Sodium Vegetarian Tacos #Recipe
Cinco de Mayo is just around the corner, and recently, I have started a strict low sodium diet. This means eating at most Mexican restaurants is out. Thankfully after some research, I was about to make lower sodium tacos for my husband and I, and they turned out great. If you are trying to cut the salt, these are a great option. You can also added salt to this recipe if sodium is not a concern for you. Enjoy!
Ingredients
taco shells (or for even lower sodium make it with unsalted tortilla chips and make this into a taco salad)
1 cup white rice (cooked as directed on the box with water only)
2 cans of low sodium tomatoes and chilies
1 tablespoon of canola oil
1/2 onion diced
1 red pepper diced
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon cumin
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon dried cilantro
1/4 teaspoon of cayenne
1 can low sodium black beans
shredded Mexican cheese of choice
sour cream if desired
low sodium salsa
Direction
1. Cook rice as directed on the box with water only.
2. In a large pan, add canola oil. When it is hot, add onions and peppers until cooked through.
3. Add spices to the pan
4. Add the two cans of tomatoes and chilies to the pan. Cook through.
5. Add cooked rice to the pan cook through.
6. While the rice is cooking, heat black beans in microwave and prepare to assemble taco.
7. Assemble taco from the bottom of the shell up: black beans, cheese, rice, salsa, sour cream
8. Enjoy!
FEATURED BOOK OF THE WEEK
Order from the Learned Owl for a free gift!!!
https://www.learnedowl.com/book/9781496734631
Praise for Blueberry Blunder!
“Enlivened by the antics of Jethro, the miniature pig, this satisfying cozy with its details of candy making, the eighth in Flower’s Amish Candy Shop series, also illuminates small-town life through its lovingly described setting and well-defined characters.”-Booklist
For fans of Laura Childs’ Tea Shop Mysteries and Ellery Adams’ Culinary Cozy Mysteries, the Amish Candy Shop series combines a fascinating look at Amish life with the fun of candy making and a hint of romance between chocolatier Bailey King and her law enforcer boyfriend.
Bailey King, star of TV’s Bailey’s Amish Sweets, is building her dream candy factory in Harvest, Ohio. But no sooner is the frame of the new building up than she finds the dead body of a surly contractor who has a long list of enemies—including people in the Amish community. To add to the drama, Bailey is being filmed by a crew for her upcoming show. . .
When Bailey’s TV producer pitched a reality show about building the factory, Bailey was shocked that the network picked it up. She’s not shocked that many of the Amish working on the jobsite refuse to be on camera. However, local community organizer Margot Rawlings is ecstatic—because the filming coincides with Harvest’s First Annual Blueberry Bash. Margot believes the media attention will make Harvest the most popular destination in Holmes County. But now, the county may become known for all the wrong reasons . . .
Bailey will have to sift through a crowd of angry villagers and thousands of blueberries to solve the murder, save her new venture, and protect her Amish friends. At the same time, she and her longtime boyfriend, Aiden Brody, are making big decisions about their future together—a future that may be in jeopardy if Bailey is the next pick on a killer’s list . . .
Amazon Barnes and Noble
Happy reading!
Amanda
March 21, 2023
Easy Macaroni Salad #Recipe
I love macaroni salad, but I find the kind you can buy pre-made at the grocery store to be too heavy with dressing. To remedy that, I came up with my own easy recipe. It’s great for a main dish or side dish or even a covered dish to take to your next family or church get together! Enjoy!
Ingredients
1 box of macaroni
6 sweet pickles chopped
2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
1/2 onion diced
1 red pepper diced
1/2 cup of Dijon mustard
1/2 of light Miracle Whip or light mayonnaise
4 stalks of celery diced
1/4 cup of sweet relish
cracked pepper to taste
Direction
1. Cook and drain pasta as directed on the box.
2. Add macaroni.
3. Add all other ingredients to the macaroni and stir until completely coated.
4. Chill for at least one hour.
5. Enjoy!
FEATURED BOOK OF THE WEEK
Order from the Learned Owl for a free gift!!!https://www.learnedowl.com/book/9781496734631
For fans of Laura Childs’ Tea Shop Mysteries and Ellery Adams’ Culinary Cozy Mysteries, the Amish Candy Shop series combines a fascinating look at Amish life with the fun of candy making and a hint of romance between chocolatier Bailey King and her law enforcer boyfriend.
Bailey King, star of TV’s Bailey’s Amish Sweets, is building her dream candy factory in Harvest, Ohio. But no sooner is the frame of the new building up than she finds the dead body of a surly contractor who has a long list of enemies—including people in the Amish community. To add to the drama, Bailey is being filmed by a crew for her upcoming show. . .
When Bailey’s TV producer pitched a reality show about building the factory, Bailey was shocked that the network picked it up. She’s not shocked that many of the Amish working on the jobsite refuse to be on camera. However, local community organizer Margot Rawlings is ecstatic—because the filming coincides with Harvest’s First Annual Blueberry Bash. Margot believes the media attention will make Harvest the most popular destination in Holmes County. But now, the county may become known for all the wrong reasons . . .
Bailey will have to sift through a crowd of angry villagers and thousands of blueberries to solve the murder, save her new venture, and protect her Amish friends. At the same time, she and her longtime boyfriend, Aiden Brody, are making big decisions about their future together—a future that may be in jeopardy if Bailey is the next pick on a killer’s list . . .
Happy reading!
Amanda
February 19, 2023
Super Easy Pineapple Fluff #Recipe
A super easy dessert that will make you think of summer and sandy beaches. Perfect for a mid-winter pick me up!
Ingredients
1 20oz can of crushed pineapple in juice
1 box of instant pudding
2 cups of whipped topping
Direction
1. Mix crushed pineapple with juice, instant pudding, and whipped topping together in a bowl.
2. Chill for at least one hour.
3. Serve with whipped topping and a sprinkling of coconut flakes.
FEATURED BOOK OF THE WEEK forthcoming 2/24/23
A sweet tooth for murder….
Bailey King’s in New York wrapping up a six-week shoot on her first cable TV show, Bailey’s Amish Sweets, when she gets a call
“An adorable pug and characters you can invest in enliven a very cherry-centric mystery.” — Kirkus Reviews
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!
from her Ohio town’s resident busybody. With Easter around the corner, Bailey’s been recruited to create a giant toffee bunny for the weeklong springtime festival that will also feature live white rabbits. But back home in Harvest, death becomes the main attraction when Stephen Raber keels over from an apparent heart attack – with Bailey and Raber’s pet bunny as witnesses.
Except it wasn’t Raber’s heart that suddenly gave out – a lethal dose of lily of the valley was mixed into a tasty piece of toffee. Who’d want to poison a jovial rabbit farmer who reminded Bailey of an Amish Santa Claus? To solve the murder, she and her sheriff deputy boyfriend Aiden must uncover a 20-year-old secret. She’ll need to pull a rabbit out of a hat to keep a healthy distance from toxic people, including one venomous killer….
Happy reading!
Amanda
January 30, 2023
Quick and Easy Pasta Pomodoro #Recipe
Italian food is my favorite and sometimes it can be too heavy if you are watching calories. Try this quick and easy Pasta Pomodoro for lighter but delicious Italian.
Ingredients
16 oz box of spaghetti
2 tablespoons garlic
1-2 tablespoons of olive oil
1-2 tablespoon of Italian spice mix
salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon of sugar
1 container of cherry tomatoes
1 28 oz can of diced tomatoes
Directions
1. Boil spaghetti as direct on the box, set aside.
2. Cut cherry tomatoes in half.
3. In a large pan or wok add olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper, sugar, and Italian spice mix and cook on medium high.
4. Add cherry tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and sugar.
5. When the tomatoes are cooked through, add spaghetti and thoroughly coat with sauce.
6. Remove from heat and serve. For extra flavor add parmesan cheese.
FEATURED BOOK OF THE WEEK forthcoming 2/24/23
A sweet tooth for murder….
Bailey King’s in New York wrapping up a six-week shoot on her first cable TV show, Bailey’s Amish Sweets, when she gets a call
“An adorable pug and characters you can invest in enliven a very cherry-centric mystery.” — Kirkus Reviews
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!
from her Ohio town’s resident busybody. With Easter around the corner, Bailey’s been recruited to create a giant toffee bunny for the weeklong springtime festival that will also feature live white rabbits. But back home in Harvest, death becomes the main attraction when Stephen Raber keels over from an apparent heart attack – with Bailey and Raber’s pet bunny as witnesses.
Except it wasn’t Raber’s heart that suddenly gave out – a lethal dose of lily of the valley was mixed into a tasty piece of toffee. Who’d want to poison a jovial rabbit farmer who reminded Bailey of an Amish Santa Claus? To solve the murder, she and her sheriff deputy boyfriend Aiden must uncover a 20-year-old secret. She’ll need to pull a rabbit out of a hat to keep a healthy distance from toxic people, including one venomous killer….
Happy reading!
Amanda
October 14, 2022
Meet #StudioCatFender!
If you follow me on social media, you have known the news for a while that we have three cats now living in our studio at our farm. They are Cheddar, Dr. Z, and now Fender. Fender is Dr. Z’s twin. They were the only two kittens born on our farm this spring. When we took Dr. Z in, Fender wanted nothing to do with us, and it took weeks and weeks to convince him that living inside the studio was a lot better than living outside in all kinds of weather. Finally, he moved in at the end of August. While Dr. Z is a black cat, Fender is a solid gray cat. The most surprising part of the adoption is our vet is convinced that Cheddar is Dr. Z and Fender’s biological father! It makes sense to us too because of the timing of when the kittens were born and when we adopted Cheddar and had him neutered. It also makes sense to us based on how quickly the three cats bonded. The kittens are now five months old and will be neutered in December. Cheddar turned two in September. In fact, we blessed Fender on Cheddar’s birthday, September 25th! All three cats are vaccinated and love being the official studio cats on our farm.
Enjoy these pictures of Fender, his twin Dr. Z and his daddy Cheddar.
This Week’s Featured Book!
Set in the fan favorite Amish village of Harvest, Ohio, the latest novel in USA Today bestselling author Amanda Flower’s Amish Matchmaker series brings back the unlikely sleuthing duo of an Amish widow and her zany, thrice divorced best friend. Will appeal to fans of cozy mysteries, small-town mysteries, wholesome romance, and inspirational fiction.
Widowed matchmaker Millie Fisher is anything but lonely between her mischievous goats, her quilting circle—and her habit of solving the odd murder or two . . .
Millie’s decidedly not Amish best friend, Lois Henry, is outspoken, colorful, and so hopelessly romantic, she’s had four husbands. Millie doesn’t judge, and she also doesn’t expect to run into Lois’s most recent ex, gambler Gerome Moorhead, in small-town Harvest, Ohio. With him is the very young, new Mrs. Moorhead, aka “Honeybee.” Lois is outraged, but Millie is completely shocked to learn the next day that Gerome is already a widower . . .
When a large wood carving at the cozy Munich Chalet falls on “Honeybee,” all eyes turn toward Lois. Who else would want a tourist—a complete stranger—dead? And half of Harvest witnessed Lois’s enmity toward the young woman. Suddenly Millie must put aside her sewing needle and flex her sleuthing skills. She’s no stranger to a murder investigation, after all, and if she doesn’t learn who killed Honeybee, Lois could go from Millie’s boisterous best friend to her horrified prison penpal . . .
Amazon | B&N | IndieBound | BAM
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Thank you for a great #BookTour!
Thank you to everyone who came to my Tea Party at Twinsburg Library and my events with Anna Lee Huber in Cincinnati and Columbus. I wanted to share some pictures from the events!
There are more events to come. Please visit my website for locations and times! http://www.amandaflower.com/events.html
Also my next novel releasing is Amish Matchmaker Mystery #4, Honeymoons Can Be Hazardous. In this one, Millie and Lois are solving a cold case! More details below.
More about the novel:
Set in the fan favorite Amish village of Harvest, Ohio, the latest novel in USA Today bestselling author Amanda Flower’s Amish Matchmaker series brings back the unlikely sleuthing duo of an Amish widow and her zany, thrice divorced best friend. Will appeal to fans of cozy mysteries, small-town mysteries, wholesome romance, and inspirational fiction.
Widowed matchmaker Millie Fisher is anything but lonely between her mischievous goats, her quilting circle—and her habit of solving the odd murder or two . . .
Millie’s decidedly not Amish best friend, Lois Henry, is outspoken, colorful, and so hopelessly romantic, she’s had four husbands. Millie doesn’t judge, and she also doesn’t expect to run into Lois’s most recent ex, gambler Gerome Moorhead, in small-town Harvest, Ohio. With him is the very young, new Mrs. Moorhead, aka “Honeybee.” Lois is outraged, but Millie is completely shocked to learn the next day that Gerome is already a widower . . .
When a large wood carving at the cozy Munich Chalet falls on “Honeybee,” all eyes turn toward Lois. Who else would want a tourist—a complete stranger—dead? And half of Harvest witnessed Lois’s enmity toward the young woman. Suddenly Millie must put aside her sewing needle and flex her sleuthing skills. She’s no stranger to a murder investigation, after all, and if she doesn’t learn who killed Honeybee, Lois could go from Millie’s boisterous best friend to her horrified prison penpal . . .
Amazon | B&N | IndieBound | BAM
Join my email list
By clicking submit, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and Mailchimp to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.
Processing… Success! You're on the list. Whoops! There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. Please reload the page and try again.September 23, 2022
First Emily Dickinson Mystery now available! #newbook
BECAUSE I COULD NOT STOP FOR DEATH now available everywhere books are sold! If you read the novel, please post a review online with B&N, Amazon, and/or a retailer of your choice. Reviews really do help series continue.
Enjoy this sneak peek!
Chapter One
Icy rain slapped the dirt road, turning it into mud. I did my best to protect my skirts, holding them as high as I dared above my ankles. It wouldn’t do to go into my interview covered in mud. I had a feeling that Miss O’Brien would not look kindly on me for that.
A shrill whistle broke into my worried thoughts. “Move aside!” called a man who was driving a wagon loaded down with barrels and crates bound for the market uptown.
As the wagon rolled by at a fast clip, one of its rear wooden wheels fell into a rut in the road and splashed mud onto my side. I stopped in the rain and stared at my soiled skirts and cloak. My head hung low. Was there any purpose in going to the interview now? Miss O’Brien would never hire me to be a maid when I arrived in such a state. How could I claim to be able to clean anything when I was a mess?
I watched as the wagon lumbered down the mud-covered street. The rain fell in earnest then, so much so that I couldn’t even see the stately homes that sat on either side of the street or the two-story brick primary school that I attended off and on as a child. I yanked at the hood of my cloak, pulling it farther down over my eyes. I couldn’t turn back. It would be far worse to show up late than dirty. I marched ahead in soggy boots.
Through the rain, the great house came into view, and I realized that it was just across the street from my childhood school. It was a two-story white clapboard home that loomed above me. I had never been inside a home so large before. If I got the position, I would be able to live there. Possibly. It seemed to be a very far-off chance now.
With shaky hands, I removed the note I had received from Miss O’Brien. In delicate script, Come to the back door at half past noon. Do not be late. Mr. Dickinson does not abide tardiness. And then she signed her name, Margaret O’Brien.
Rain smeared the ink. I patted it and only managed to transfer the ink onto my hand. Mud-covered skirts and now ink-stained hands.
The worst part was I didn’t need to read the letter. I had memorized it. It was only my nerves that made me remove it from my pocket to read it once more. Yet another mistake I made that day. Only I could have made such a mess of things.
There was no one at the front of the house, and the gardens, which stretched far into the backyard, were empty too. No one was silly enough to be out in this cold January rain. Ice slapped my face. The rain was beginning to freeze. It seemed fitting for the state that I was in.
I slipped and skidded on the cobblestone path around the grand home until I came to a plain door painted black with a brass handle and knocker. I swallowed and lifted the knocker.
Tap, tap, tap. It fell against the door. No sound came from inside the house. I waited a moment, wondering if I should knock again. Would knocking again aggravate Miss O’Brien and show that I was not only covered in mud but impatient? I knew she would already be dubious of me due to my appearance.
There was no cover outside the servants’ entrance. The rain droned on, soaking me to the skin. I worried about the puddles that I would carry with me into the majestic home. I lifted my hand to knock a second time, and the door opened. My pale hand was suspended in the air. I dropped it to my side.
A thin woman with curly dark hair that was smartly tucked under in a knot on the back of her head stood in the doorway. “Miss Willa Noble?” She had an Irish accent like the men who worked in the warehouse with my brother. Although hers had a much gentler lilt to it than the men at the warehouse.
I nodded. I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out.
“Come in, then.”
I stepped over the threshold into a dark hallway. Two sets of stairs went up in either direction from this spot. I imagined one led to where the family lived and the other to where the servants worked.
“Don’t stand there and drip,” Miss O’Brien said in a voice that was firm but not harsh. “Take off your cloak there.” She pointed at the wall. “There’s a peg where you can hang it.”
I did as I was told. Still, I hadn’t spoken a word. I prayed my ability to speak would return before the interview began.
She looked down at my feet. “You can’t walk through the house in those muddy boots. I will have to spend days scrubbing the carpets. Wait here.”
She left me standing in the entryway and disappeared down the hallway. I dripped on the floorboards. She returned a minute later with a pair of old black shoes in her hands.
“These belonged to the previous maid. She left them when she took a new post. I have been meaning to mail them to her, but I am glad now I have not.” She set the shoes in front of me on the floor. “Take those boots off and put these on.”
I again did as I was told. The shoes were a size too small and pinched my toes, but I didn’t say a word about the discomfort. “Thank you,” I murmured.
“Good, you can talk. I was afraid we would have to pantomime this interview. Now, follow me, and I will take you to the room where we can discuss the position. Lift your skirts as we go, so as not to soil anything. Mrs. Dickinson prides herself on a clean home.”
I lifted my skirts and followed her up the left staircase. I assumed this was the way that led to where the servants worked. She opened the door at the top of the landing, and I was astonished to see I was wrong. Instead of walking into a servants’ hallway, we were in a large sitting room. Everything in the room was so elegant! A fire crackled and snapped in the hearth. The furnishings were fine. A velvet brocade sofa was on one side of the fire, and two matching chairs were on the other. A modest yet sparkling chandelier hung overhead, and a petite desk stood by the window. I didn’t think I had ever been in a room this lovely before.
Miss O’Brien perched on one of the two chairs. “I hope it’s all right that I ask you to remain standing. Please know it is only to spare the furniture from the state of your clothes.”
I nodded.
“You must look such a fright because of the storm outside, so I won’t mark you down too much for that. January is such a horrid month. It rains or snows or both almost every day. More weeks of foul weather lie ahead. I suppose that’s why summer is so precious to us. The spring is unpredictable and can be ripped away by a whim of the wind.” She said this all in her Irish lilt like she was trying to coax me to sleep with a bedtime story.
I nodded again.
“Where are you working now?” Her tone told me that pleasantries were over and she was getting down to business.
“I clean at Mrs. Patten’s Boarding House on South Pleasant Street. I have been there for two years,” I said, grateful that I had been able to utter the words so clearly.
“Do you not like working at the boardinghouse?” she asked. “Is that why you applied for this position?”
I swallowed. “No, it’s fine work. Good work for a girl like me to find, but I saw the advert in the paper for this position. It’s an opportunity to move into a new challenge. I believe working for a family that is so vital to the community would be quite an honor.”
“You are right in thinking that working for the Dickinson family would be a new challenge. They are an exacting family and hold a very high standard. Mr. Dickinson especially so. He is finishing his term at the United States House of Representatives,” she said with pride. “He served his country, the Whig party, and the great Commonwealth of Massachusetts well. It would be your privilege to work for him and his family, if you’re granted the position. When he finishes his term he will be here overseeing the renovations of the family home on Main Street. He is in the process of buying it, and renovations will begin as soon as everything is finalized. It is right that the Dickinson family would move back to the home that Mr. Dickinson’s father built. They have been away from it far too long.”
“The Dickinsons are moving?” I asked.
“Yes,” she said in a crisp voice. “It has been Mr. Dickinson’s goal to return to the homestead for many years. His father ran into a bit of financial trouble and lost it. He fled to Ohio in disgrace.” She looked around with bright red cheeks. “Don’t repeat that.”
“I won’t,” I promised. My hands began to shake. I clasped them in front of me and pressed them into my skirts.
“Was the boardinghouse your first position?” Miss O’Brien asked, getting back to the task at hand.
“No, I’ve been in domestic work for the last eight years.”
She frowned. “Eight years. You can’t be more than sixteen.”
“I am twenty, ma’am. I started work when I was twelve.”
“What made you work so young?” She eyed me. “Should you not have been in school? The Dickinsons put great value in education, even in the education of girls such as yourself.”
“My mother died, ma’am, and I had to provide for my younger brother and me. I had to go to work. Our mother taught us to work hard, so it was no trouble to take over that role.”
“Haven’t you got a father?” She narrowed her eyes.
“Not that I know of,” I said and pressed my clenched hands deeper into my skirts. My father was not a topic for conversation even if it cost me the position at the Dickinson household. I would not speak of him, ever.
“How much younger is your brother than you?”
“Two years, ma’am,” I said. “He’s an adult now, too, and works just as much as I do. He works even harder, I should say, because of the physical labor required for man’s work.”
Miss O’Brien stood up. “I’m interviewing several more girls for this post. I will let you know by mail by the end of the week if we choose you.” She looked at my wet, muddy skirts again.
My heart sank. If there were several young ladies applying for this position, what chance did I really have at winning the spot? I was the girl who came to the interview covered in mud and who was too young without the proper experience for the post. Why did I think I was the only one who would have been interested in the ad? As I told Miss O’Brien, the position was a chance to move up-this was true not just for me but for anyone in domestic work. There were many young women in my place that would want to do so.
“Thank you for your time,” I said. “Would you like me to let myself out?”
Before Miss O’Brien could answer, a breathy voice said, “There will be no more interviews. Margaret, you have found the right maid.”
I turned and a small woman stood in the doorway. She was petite and wore a brown dress that was cinched around her small waist. Her chestnut red hair was pinned back in a fashionable knot and her dark eyes shone with interest, but there was a faraway look about them too. She was a very pretty woman, but there was something birdlike in her movements as she stepped into the room. Her hands fluttered like the tips of wings.
Miss O’Brien jumped to her feet. “Miss Dickinson, can I help you with something?”
“You have helped. You have found our new maid. I’m very grateful to you for that. Mother wants us to keep a clean house, especially when she is in the middle of one of her episodes.”
Episodes? What does she mean by this?
Miss Dickinson studied me with an exacting gaze. “She looks like she has a strong back too. It’s something that we will need if Father insists on pulling us up and moving us back to the place of my birth.” She said this like she wasn’t very keen on the idea.
“Very well, Miss Dickinson.” Miss O’Brien dipped her chin.
“Thank you, Margaret.” The small woman looked me in the eye. “I like someone who would sacrifice herself for her family and duty. That’s just the kind of person I want on our staff. I think there have been enough questions. Margaret, please show the young maid to her room and cancel the rest of your interviews for the position.”
Miss O’Brien pressed her lips together as if she were unsure. “If you are certain, Miss . . .”
“Very certain. I like her, Margaret. If I like her, Father will agree.”
Miss O’Brien nodded. “Please follow me, Miss Noble. I will show you to your room.”
I blinked; it was all happening so fast. I glanced back at Miss Dickinson, but she was no longer there. She was gone.
“Do not be surprised that she seemingly disappeared. She comes and goes through the house in silence. She’s so small and light she floats from room to room. The only time I do hear her come is when Carlo is with her.”
“Carlo?” I asked as I hurried to keep pace with her in my too-tight shoes.
“Don’t tell me that you haven’t seen Miss Dickinson walking through Amherst with that beast of a dog. He’s big and brown and has curls just like a woman. He weighs nearly as much as she does.”
“He’s a beast?” I asked with a slight tremor in my voice. I wasn’t very keen on dogs. The only ones I knew guarded the warehouse where my brother worked and took their position of protecting the property quite seriously.
“I just say that because of his size. He’s a kind dog, but we have to mind any paw prints on the carpets. That will be something you will have to contend with as a maid in the house. All paw prints must be removed immediately, if they are from the dog or from Miss Lavinia’s cats. Mrs. Dickinson does not abide by them.” She continued walking. “You will see Carlo soon enough and understand.”
Copyright Amanda Flower 2022. All rights reserved.
Possible Places to Buy
Amazon | B&N | IndieBound | BAM
Here are what the reviews are saying about the novel:
Casting the Belle of Amherst as a poetic Sherlock Holmes is an absurdly fun idea. –The Washington Post
This is a good start to what could be a rich historical series. -Publishers Weekly
Agatha Award winner Flower’s (“Amish Candy Shop” and “Magical Bookshop” series) first historical mystery introduces a courageous Emily Dickinson as a protagonist who’s stronger than expected. The thoughtful story involving class, social, and political issues may appeal to the poet’s fans, as well as readers of Edith Maxwell’s “Quaker Midwife Mysteries” series. -Library Journal
Historical context adds excitement to the twin mysteries of murder and the poet’s hidden life.
– Kirkus Reviews
More about the novel:
Emily Dickinson and her housemaid, Willa Noble, realize there is nothing poetic about murder in this first book in an all-new series from USA Today bestselling and Agatha Award–winning author Amanda Flower.
January 1855 Willa Noble knew it was bad luck when it was pouring rain on the day of her ever-important job interview at the Dickinson home in Amherst, Massachusetts. When she arrived late, disheveled with her skirts sodden and filthy, she’d lost all hope of being hired for the position. As the housekeeper politely told her they’d be in touch, Willa started toward the door of the stately home only to be called back by the soft but strong voice of Emily Dickinson. What begins as tenuous employment turns to friendship as the reclusive poet takes Willa under her wing.
Tragedy soon strikes and Willa’s beloved brother, Henry, is killed in a tragic accident at the town stables. With no other family and nowhere else to turn, Willa tells Emily about her brother’s death and why she believes it was no accident. Willa is convinced it was murder. Henry had been very secretive of late, only hinting to Willa that he’d found a way to earn money to take care of them both. Viewing it first as a puzzle to piece together, Emily offers to help, only to realize that she and Willa are caught in a deadly game of cat and mouse that reveals corruption in Amherst that is generations deep. Some very high-powered people will stop at nothing to keep their profitable secrets even if that means forever silencing Willa and her new mistress….
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Amanda Flower Fall 2022 #BookTour
Where to see my virtually and in person this Fall for the launch of Because I Could Not Stop For Death. I hope to see you in one of these in person or virtual events. Click on the links to register! Registration for the tea party on 10/1 opens 9/3, and registration for later events might not yet be open.
Upcoming Events:
Barbara’s Bookstore with Anna Lee Huber (VIRTUAL EVENT) 9/6/22 7:30pm
Bouchercon, Minneapolis, MN (IN PERSON EVENT) 9/8/22-9/11/22
Murder By the Book with Jennifer Ashley (VIRTUAL EVENT) 9/20/22 7pm
Poison Pen Bookstore (VIRTUAL EVENT) 9/21/22 4pm (Arizona time)
Amanda Flower & Emily Dickinson Launch & Tea Party Twinsburg Public Library (IN PERSON EVENT) 10/1/22 2pm
Joseph Beth Bookstore with Anna Lee Huber, Cincinnati, OH (IN PERSON EVENT) 10/4/22 7pm
Book Loft with Anna Lee Huber, Columbus,OH (IN PERSON EVENT) 10/5/22 7pm
Pen and Page Event Rocky River Library (IN PERSON EVENT) 10/8/22 10am-3pm
Cuyahoga County Public Library- Parma/Powers Branch with Colleen Gleason (IN PERSON EVENT) 10/27/22 7pm- bookseller Mac’s Back Books
Wayne County Public Library (IN PERSON EVENT)10/28/22 6pm- bookseller Buckeye Book Store
Buckeye Book Fair, Wooster, OH (IN PERSON EVENT) 11/5/22 9:30am-4pm-bookseller Buckeye Book Store
Hower House, Akron, OH (IN PERSON EVENT) 11/7/22 7pm
Lakewood Public Library, Lakewood, OH (IN PERSON EVENT) 11/30/22 7pm
Pre-order Because I Could Not Stop For Death for a free Cheeps and Tummy key chain. You must register your pre-order at the link and complete the online form to receive your gift.
Key chains will be mailed within three weeks after the novel is released. This promotion is good for U.S. postal addresses only.
You must register your pre-order before 9/20/22 on my website to receive you key chain. Visit www.amandaflower.com to register your pre-order.
Additionally, pre-order from the Learned Owl Bookshop to receive the key chain, a signed copy of the BECAUSE I COULD NOT STOP FOR DEATH, a signed paperback novel from my backlist. You still need to register on my website for the key chain. Visit here to register.
Possible places to Pre-order
Amazon | B&N | IndieBound | BAM
More about the novel:
Emily Dickinson and her housemaid, Willa Noble, realize there is nothing poetic about murder in this first book in an all-new series from USA Today bestselling and Agatha Award–winning author Amanda Flower.
January 1855 Willa Noble knew it was bad luck when it was pouring rain on the day of her ever-important job interview at the Dickinson home in Amherst, Massachusetts. When she arrived late, disheveled with her skirts sodden and filthy, she’d lost all hope of being hired for the position. As the housekeeper politely told her they’d be in touch, Willa started toward the door of the stately home only to be called back by the soft but strong voice of Emily Dickinson. What begins as tenuous employment turns to friendship as the reclusive poet takes Willa under her wing.
Tragedy soon strikes and Willa’s beloved brother, Henry, is killed in a tragic accident at the town stables. With no other family and nowhere else to turn, Willa tells Emily about her brother’s death and why she believes it was no accident. Willa is convinced it was murder. Henry had been very secretive of late, only hinting to Willa that he’d found a way to earn money to take care of them both. Viewing it first as a puzzle to piece together, Emily offers to help, only to realize that she and Willa are caught in a deadly game of cat and mouse that reveals corruption in Amherst that is generations deep. Some very high-powered people will stop at nothing to keep their profitable secrets even if that means forever silencing Willa and her new mistress….
Join my email list
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