What do you think?
Rate this book
Samantha Sweet #12
Sticky Sweet
It’s here -- USA Today bestselling author Connie Shelton’s newest Samantha Sweet cozy mystery. With nearly 2 million books sold and downloaded in more than 60 countries, find out what the fuss is all about!
Breaking into another house, creating chocolates worth $200 a box, and helping her sheriff husband solve a traffic accident-turned-murder … Samantha Sweet has her hands more than a little full as the new year begins.
“Love Connie Shelton’s work. She usually has me at the first word.”—5 stars, Terry Brown
It's the beginning of a new year at Sweet's Sweets pastry shop and chocolate factory, and Samantha Sweet finds herself busy as ever, especially when her top client comes in with a new idea. His travel firm is selling a new Travel the World itinerary for the jet-set, and Sam is to come up with special chocolates to make the spectacular trip even more memorable for his wealthy clientele. At $200 a box, she can't exactly say no. Things get a little sticky when a friend calls with a problem, which involves Sam going back to her old job (temporarily, at least) of breaking into houses. How she manages to juggle it all ... well, it just might involve a little magic.
Meanwhile, Beau answers the call to a traffic fatality that turns way more complex when he realizes he has a murder to solve. The couple's paths cross less frequently than they would like, but as luck would have it, Sam ends up providing some of the critical clues in Beau's case and the answers come as a surprise to both of them.
“I get started reading and find myself not wanting to stop”—5 stars, Amazon review
“I love this series. This is one that is hard to put down when you start to read it.”—5 stars, Goodreads
“Shelton again has done a superb job in bringing New Mexico to life.” —Albuquerque Journal
“Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes.”—The Midwest Book Review
Breaking into another house, creating chocolates worth $200 a box, and helping her sheriff husband solve a traffic accident-turned-murder … Samantha Sweet has her hands more than a little full as the new year begins.
“Love Connie Shelton’s work. She usually has me at the first word.”—5 stars, Terry Brown
It's the beginning of a new year at Sweet's Sweets pastry shop and chocolate factory, and Samantha Sweet finds herself busy as ever, especially when her top client comes in with a new idea. His travel firm is selling a new Travel the World itinerary for the jet-set, and Sam is to come up with special chocolates to make the spectacular trip even more memorable for his wealthy clientele. At $200 a box, she can't exactly say no. Things get a little sticky when a friend calls with a problem, which involves Sam going back to her old job (temporarily, at least) of breaking into houses. How she manages to juggle it all ... well, it just might involve a little magic.
Meanwhile, Beau answers the call to a traffic fatality that turns way more complex when he realizes he has a murder to solve. The couple's paths cross less frequently than they would like, but as luck would have it, Sam ends up providing some of the critical clues in Beau's case and the answers come as a surprise to both of them.
“I get started reading and find myself not wanting to stop”—5 stars, Amazon review
“I love this series. This is one that is hard to put down when you start to read it.”—5 stars, Goodreads
“Shelton again has done a superb job in bringing New Mexico to life.” —Albuquerque Journal
“Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes.”—The Midwest Book Review
342 pages, Paperback
First published June 8, 2018
About the author
Connie Shelton
115 books312 followersMy love of books started with weekly trips to the library as a child and from the moment I learned to read I can't remember a time that I didn't have at least one book going. For the past 25 years, that list has grown to include what I'm reading and what I'm writing at any given time.
I began writing my Charlie Parker series when my husband and I lived on Kauai, then continued them in my home state of New Mexico. Charlie lives in Albuquerque and manages to travel to a variety of locations, wherever her investigation business and her husband's helicopter business take them. My second series featuring Samantha Sweet, the 50-ish woman who breaks into houses for a living, is set in Taos, New Mexico.
In addition to reading and writing, I've traveled quite a lot, taught writing courses, and been a speaker at a whole lot of mystery conventions and writing conferences. In my spare time I also love to paint, draw, cook and spend time at the beach.
Series:
* Charlie Parker Mystery
I began writing my Charlie Parker series when my husband and I lived on Kauai, then continued them in my home state of New Mexico. Charlie lives in Albuquerque and manages to travel to a variety of locations, wherever her investigation business and her husband's helicopter business take them. My second series featuring Samantha Sweet, the 50-ish woman who breaks into houses for a living, is set in Taos, New Mexico.
In addition to reading and writing, I've traveled quite a lot, taught writing courses, and been a speaker at a whole lot of mystery conventions and writing conferences. In my spare time I also love to paint, draw, cook and spend time at the beach.
Series:
* Charlie Parker Mystery
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
July 29, 2018
In this book Sam is charged with a huge order for unusual chocolates by her biggest customer. To make matters worse someone is running a scam in town, there is a murder and someone wants to steal her magic box. I really hope there are many more books in this series.
January 24, 2025
Great story!
As always, a delightful read that allows one to forget their own concerns and to simply relax! These stories never disappoint!
As always, a delightful read that allows one to forget their own concerns and to simply relax! These stories never disappoint!
December 8, 2024
This one dragged on way too long and had way too many plots, subplots, threads picked up and dropped from previous stories, and focused too much time and description on the frantic scramble to create the designer box of chocolates in time for the presentation to her client. I think everybody reading the book figured out who the grouchy neighbor was married to about a thousand pages before Sam finally figured it out. (What? The book was just under 300 pages? Sure seemed longer!)
I was glad to see the author return to the story line of Samantha clearing out houses that have gone into foreclosure, but the way Sam handled this one made her seem like an inexperienced rookie! She walked into a house without electricity during an extreme cold snap I wrote a margin note saying, "Were the pipes drained and traps filled with antifreeze?" Of course she didn't't think to check if the water has been turned off, the pipes, water heater, and toilet tank drained, and antifreeze poured into the gooseneck traps and toilet bowl! The author could have found a better excuse to get her to keep going back to the house that did not make her look like an idiot! Those of us who live in areas where power outages occur know to do that. Why didn't she? That was her job for many years. It was probably too late to prevent the bursting of the pipes. That had most likely already happened before she got there, but if she'd just done her due diligence by making sure the water was turned off and placed water snakes to absorb and deflect the water that melted, she would have minimized the damage. And to keep beating a dead horse, when she went back to mop the floors, wouldn't the mop water have frozen when it hit those cold floors making them too slippery to navigate?
I'm also getting frustrated with how careless Sam is with her magic box. Even though she knows evil forces are out to steal it and she relies on it to give her the strength to accomplish impossible goals set by her biggest client. As for that client, $200 seems to barely cover the expense of creating those boxes of chocolates for his round the world tour for billionaires. Samantha is putting most of her chocolates in one "basket" by catering to this client who expects miracles and could easily drop her services at the end of each one year contract if something newer, shinier or tastier comes along.
I was glad to see the author return to the story line of Samantha clearing out houses that have gone into foreclosure, but the way Sam handled this one made her seem like an inexperienced rookie! She walked into a house without electricity during an extreme cold snap I wrote a margin note saying, "Were the pipes drained and traps filled with antifreeze?" Of course she didn't't think to check if the water has been turned off, the pipes, water heater, and toilet tank drained, and antifreeze poured into the gooseneck traps and toilet bowl! The author could have found a better excuse to get her to keep going back to the house that did not make her look like an idiot! Those of us who live in areas where power outages occur know to do that. Why didn't she? That was her job for many years. It was probably too late to prevent the bursting of the pipes. That had most likely already happened before she got there, but if she'd just done her due diligence by making sure the water was turned off and placed water snakes to absorb and deflect the water that melted, she would have minimized the damage. And to keep beating a dead horse, when she went back to mop the floors, wouldn't the mop water have frozen when it hit those cold floors making them too slippery to navigate?
I'm also getting frustrated with how careless Sam is with her magic box. Even though she knows evil forces are out to steal it and she relies on it to give her the strength to accomplish impossible goals set by her biggest client. As for that client, $200 seems to barely cover the expense of creating those boxes of chocolates for his round the world tour for billionaires. Samantha is putting most of her chocolates in one "basket" by catering to this client who expects miracles and could easily drop her services at the end of each one year contract if something newer, shinier or tastier comes along.
June 20, 2018
Sticky Sweet is an Excellent read! I have always enjoyed the time I spent with Sam in the bakery and now at the chocolate factory but in Sticky Sweets, I actually enjoyed that time even more than the mystery. The mystery was highly intriguing but her work and concerns about her business were even more fascinating with the challenges that keep coming up. Her growing team continues to be strong if lesser characters and who wouldn't love Beau. The books are moving from cozy or amateur detective to more procedural but Sam still stays involved and spending time with Beau and his team is interesting. Connie Shelton makes her characters feel so realistic; in fact, so do the stories, even in these light mysteries with a touch of fantasy.
March 24, 2025
Engrossing!
Book Twelve has truly impressed me! This was another amazing example of seemingly disparate events being woven into a cohesive whole. The criminal activity is unusual, and there are multiple crimes to puzzle through. While Samantha is the titular character and quite capable, as expected, I appreciate the fact that Beau and the rest of law enforcement are not made to look incompetent so that Sam can shine. The magic is mild, but this reader can easily anticipate more action on that front!
Book Twelve has truly impressed me! This was another amazing example of seemingly disparate events being woven into a cohesive whole. The criminal activity is unusual, and there are multiple crimes to puzzle through. While Samantha is the titular character and quite capable, as expected, I appreciate the fact that Beau and the rest of law enforcement are not made to look incompetent so that Sam can shine. The magic is mild, but this reader can easily anticipate more action on that front!
June 11, 2018
A Sweet Read!
Connie Shelton does it again! Another great murder mystery with a smidge of a paranormal twist. I love reading about Sam’s bakery masterpieces. I can just picture those delicious birthday & wedding cakes she makes. And those chocolates - I really wish they were available for online ordering! The mystery definitely had me guessing till the end.
Connie Shelton does it again! Another great murder mystery with a smidge of a paranormal twist. I love reading about Sam’s bakery masterpieces. I can just picture those delicious birthday & wedding cakes she makes. And those chocolates - I really wish they were available for online ordering! The mystery definitely had me guessing till the end.
July 10, 2018
Such a great series. Since this book was published in 2018, I fear there won't be another for awhile. The mystery almost took a back seat to the developing story of Sam's chocolate factory. I can just about taste the various flavors she introduces in her quest for more and more exotic samples to show her wealthy client.
February 15, 2023
I liked this book more than the last one. One of the huge benefits of listening to the Audiobooks is the reader. She is one of the best Cozy Mystery reader I've ever listened to. Her voices for different characters is very believable & she has a way of chuckling & crying that is also very believable.
May 15, 2024
Sam’s chocolate business is booming. Her main customer keeps coming up with more ways to use her chocolates to promote his business. Sam finds her time stretched thin with both the chocolate and the bakery business as well as keeping an interest in her husband’s cases. A little magic always helps.
June 27, 2018
Interesting Book
I'm really enjoying the Samantha Sweet series! Just the right amount of Fantasy and mystery rolled into a good story! Worth its purchase. I await eagerly for the next one!
I'm really enjoying the Samantha Sweet series! Just the right amount of Fantasy and mystery rolled into a good story! Worth its purchase. I await eagerly for the next one!
June 24, 2019
I'm sorry it's the last book in this series for now. You call in love with the characters and enjoy following their life. I do have a little with adding a mystery ingredients into a commercial product i would need to know what it was.
March 3, 2020
Sam
These books were so good! I love the plot, characters, and the mystery of the box. I love getting immersed into her story/stories!!! Hopefully, there is more to come after The WoodCarvers Secret!!!!
These books were so good! I love the plot, characters, and the mystery of the box. I love getting immersed into her story/stories!!! Hopefully, there is more to come after The WoodCarvers Secret!!!!
October 31, 2021
Sinister
This book is fabulous like all the others. Some new characters and unique chocolates. Beau has to chase down a sinister scamming con artist couple, but who killed who? Read to find out the answer and to enjoy another sweets sweet story. I love this series.
This book is fabulous like all the others. Some new characters and unique chocolates. Beau has to chase down a sinister scamming con artist couple, but who killed who? Read to find out the answer and to enjoy another sweets sweet story. I love this series.
June 3, 2024
Making individual boxes of chocolate for her jet-setting friend at $200/box is quite the undertaking. Beau is called out to a car accident, but finds a murder instead. Taos, New Mexico is an interesting place to work and live!
June 21, 2018
Great series
I loved this series. This is one that's hard to put down. Connie Shelton is one of the best writers. Can't wait for the next one in the series.
I loved this series. This is one that's hard to put down. Connie Shelton is one of the best writers. Can't wait for the next one in the series.
June 25, 2018
Sweet Sweets
I always look forward to reading about Sam and Beau. You never know what she might get into. I cannot wait to see where her story goes from here
I always look forward to reading about Sam and Beau. You never know what she might get into. I cannot wait to see where her story goes from here
May 3, 2019
Guilty pleasure. These mysteries take place in and around Taos, New Mexico, and are a great way to pass the time.
September 15, 2020
Amazing
The number of wedding cakes baked and decorated at Sweet’s Sweets makes me wonder if Taos has it’s own Cupid.
The number of wedding cakes baked and decorated at Sweet’s Sweets makes me wonder if Taos has it’s own Cupid.
May 27, 2022
What a wonderful series!
April 3, 2023
Finished,.
At this time I am not very happy with the direction this series is heading. I will try to read the next book, but I am not holding my breath. This was a forced read.
At this time I am not very happy with the direction this series is heading. I will try to read the next book, but I am not holding my breath. This was a forced read.
October 11, 2024
Easy read but too much chat on making cake decorations etc. I want more information on the use of her box That is why I’m drawn to this series.
October 5, 2026
Riveting. Really like this series
November 4, 2018
Read this series consecutively in order and was disappointed to end it. Hope there are more planned.
October 5, 2019
When I saw book 13 in the series was out, I suddenly realized I had missed reading this book! So happily I have two new Samantha Sweet books in a row to enjoy! And this one was a really great story. A mysterious death originally thought to be a car accident, overlaps with Sam's bakery and even a favor she does for her old boss of house cleaning recovered properties. All sorts of mysteries, challenges, and life in general tangle together to make a book that was over too soon and stayed in my mind. One of the best in the series. So if you have missed this as well, be sure to take time to read it now...you'll be glad you did!
June 19, 2018
This is a fantastic book! Samantha Sweet runs Sweet’s Sweets pastry shop and chocolate factory and they both keep her on her toes. Between breaking into another house and working up a very large order for chocolates, Sam also tries to help her sheriff husband, Beau, solve a murder. I had a hard time putting this book down. Each chapter kept me so enthused and wondering what was going to happen next.
April 13, 2019
can't find 03/01/19 finally on Hoopla 12/05/19 waited a long time for this book to be on Hoopla, don't if it was worth the wait
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews