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A Candy Holliday Mystery #2
Town in a Lobster Stew
Things start to boil over at the annual Lobster Stew Cook-Off when an award-winning recipe is stolen and a seven-time contest champion mysteriously disappears-leaving Candy no choice but to find out who in Cape Willington, Maine, would get steamed enough to break the law.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 20, 2011
66 people are currently reading
848 people want to read
About the author
B.B. Haywood
9 books218 followersB. 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.
Series:
* Candy Holliday
Series:
* Candy Holliday
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
June 8, 2015
I guess it's not a good sign, that when you reach that thrilling part of the story near the end of the book and you fall asleep? Ya this book was long and tedious in many parts. Candy is a moron. I am done with the series.
March 21, 2018
3.5 stars. I enjoyed this second entry in the series. I really like Candy and the supporting characters. I agree with the police that there are times she should call them before she does and let them discover the bodies. I enjoyed this entry set against the back drop of a lobster stew cook off and was surprised at the culprit (I just wish there had been a more in depth explanation of why, although there was a reason there wasn't). Looking forward to the next book.
January 16, 2016
2nd book In The Series
ISBN-10: 0425240010
ISBN-13: 978-0425240014
In the second trip to Cape Willington, we arrive just in time for the Lobster Stew Cook-off. Competition has always been stiff and for years the very same recipe always won the cook-off, but both those residents, that shared that recipe, have retired from the contest and become judges for the contest.
That is until one of them, Mr. Sedley, disappears and can't be found, the guest judge can't make it, and the other judge, Wilma Mae Wendell, faints at the start of the judging. Candy is asked to step in for the judge who disappeared, a friend of the newspaper editor is asked to fill in for the guest judge. Oh I forgot to mention, that recipe that won for so many years, the recipe that was hidden away in a secret place at Wilma Mae Wendell's house, has been stolen. So now there are only 2 judges deciding the winner. The judge that would have recognized her stolen recipe is out of commission, lying down recovering from whatever shock made her faint just before the judging started.
Candy is sure something fishy is going on, especially when the guest judge disagrees so vehemently about the actual winners. Candy who took over the Gossip Column vacated in the last book when that reporter was murdered, has learned quite a bit about reporting the news. Those instincts seem to kick in. Candy may end up in some hot water but she is going to boil down the clues to figure out who stole that Lobster Stew recipe and where in the devil is Mr. Sedley.
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.”
ISBN-10: 0425240010
ISBN-13: 978-0425240014
In the second trip to Cape Willington, we arrive just in time for the Lobster Stew Cook-off. Competition has always been stiff and for years the very same recipe always won the cook-off, but both those residents, that shared that recipe, have retired from the contest and become judges for the contest.
That is until one of them, Mr. Sedley, disappears and can't be found, the guest judge can't make it, and the other judge, Wilma Mae Wendell, faints at the start of the judging. Candy is asked to step in for the judge who disappeared, a friend of the newspaper editor is asked to fill in for the guest judge. Oh I forgot to mention, that recipe that won for so many years, the recipe that was hidden away in a secret place at Wilma Mae Wendell's house, has been stolen. So now there are only 2 judges deciding the winner. The judge that would have recognized her stolen recipe is out of commission, lying down recovering from whatever shock made her faint just before the judging started.
Candy is sure something fishy is going on, especially when the guest judge disagrees so vehemently about the actual winners. Candy who took over the Gossip Column vacated in the last book when that reporter was murdered, has learned quite a bit about reporting the news. Those instincts seem to kick in. Candy may end up in some hot water but she is going to boil down the clues to figure out who stole that Lobster Stew recipe and where in the devil is Mr. Sedley.
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.”
February 12, 2012
This is the seconds book in the Candy Holliday cozy mystery series. I have to say I enjoyed the first one more. This one wasn't terrible, but it wasn't stellar either.
Candy is surprised when a local woman calls her asking for help. The woman's friend is missing and her secret recipe for lobster stew has been stolen as well. Not wanting to get mixed up in a bunch of things again, Candy reluctantly agrees to help, but quickly finds herself in the middle of things as she is chosen to help judge the Lobster Stew contest and discovers that the stolen recipe has been entered. When another local ends up murdered it just adds to the case and Candy has to find out what happened, even if it means putting herself in danger again.
Candy is ok as a character. She does a lot of things but I never really feel connected to her. I guess her emotions are never put on display along with her detective skills. Her dad is a little better, but he's not really in this book too much. Her best friend Maggie at least is a little more flamboyant and has more personality, but she can act extremely immature at times too. There are plenty of side characters, but we're never really given a plethora of information to become connected to them either.
These mysteries are hard to solve. In fact there are minimal clues and it always ends up a twist, which can take some of the fun out of it. I at least like to have a fighting chance at guessing who the murderer is. I don't want it to be too easy, but it shouldn't be near impossible like this one was. This book had a very slow moving pace as well. It just didn't hold my attention and it actually took me a week to finish this book, when it should have just been a cozy evening read. Thank goodness for the recipes at least. All about lobster they looked delicious, even though getting lobster around here will be near impossible.
An ok mystery. Not the best, but slightly entertaining to read. I'll probably look into the next one in the series.
Town in a Lobster Stew
Copyright 2011
365 pages
Review by M. Reynard 2012
More of my reviews can be found at www.ifithaswords.blogspot.com
Candy is surprised when a local woman calls her asking for help. The woman's friend is missing and her secret recipe for lobster stew has been stolen as well. Not wanting to get mixed up in a bunch of things again, Candy reluctantly agrees to help, but quickly finds herself in the middle of things as she is chosen to help judge the Lobster Stew contest and discovers that the stolen recipe has been entered. When another local ends up murdered it just adds to the case and Candy has to find out what happened, even if it means putting herself in danger again.
Candy is ok as a character. She does a lot of things but I never really feel connected to her. I guess her emotions are never put on display along with her detective skills. Her dad is a little better, but he's not really in this book too much. Her best friend Maggie at least is a little more flamboyant and has more personality, but she can act extremely immature at times too. There are plenty of side characters, but we're never really given a plethora of information to become connected to them either.
These mysteries are hard to solve. In fact there are minimal clues and it always ends up a twist, which can take some of the fun out of it. I at least like to have a fighting chance at guessing who the murderer is. I don't want it to be too easy, but it shouldn't be near impossible like this one was. This book had a very slow moving pace as well. It just didn't hold my attention and it actually took me a week to finish this book, when it should have just been a cozy evening read. Thank goodness for the recipes at least. All about lobster they looked delicious, even though getting lobster around here will be near impossible.
An ok mystery. Not the best, but slightly entertaining to read. I'll probably look into the next one in the series.
Town in a Lobster Stew
Copyright 2011
365 pages
Review by M. Reynard 2012
More of my reviews can be found at www.ifithaswords.blogspot.com
November 6, 2016
I didn't read the first in the series and now that I've read the second, I'm glad. I disliked the main character, Candy Holliday. This story took much longer to tell since Candy wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed. I won't be continuing this series.
May 1, 2021
Candy is getting ready for the lobster stew cook off. Wilma Mae asks Candy to find out who stole her recipe that she had gotten from Mr Sedley. There are odd happenings at the cook off and later Mr Sedley is found dead in Wilma’s house. The ending is disappointing leaving on a cliff hanger.
June 8, 2014
Two and a half stars.
Candy is much less annoying in this installment than in the first one, even if her friend Maggie is now in the running for the Delaine Duck Terrible Sidekick Award. The only way not to win is to tone it down five or six clicks, lady.
The mystery had an intriguing backstory, and I love a good cook-off mystery, but the villain stepped on stage, shook everyone's hands briefly and handed out business cards reading: [redacted], Light Villainy and Consultations.
"Oh, what do you do, [redacted]?"
*hahahahahahaha* "Evil, mostly. I'm just up here to kill someone and do a little stealing. But I hear I should put the town lighthouse on my intinerary, huh? Huh?"
Oy vey. Also, even if you haven't read the first book, where Candy winds up confronting that villain on the roof of the PRUITT OPERA HOUSE and now every time she sees the PRUITT OPERA HOUSE she remembers that awful night on the roof of the PRUITT OPERA HOUSE because it's hard to go anywhere without running into the PRUITT OPERA HOUSE where she nearly died (on the roof) ten months ago.
At first it made me roll my eyes, but then it turned into more of a "something nasty in the woodshed" moment.
I really liked the supposedly terrible Wanda Boyle, even when she was unapologetically doing terrible things. She was piquant and memorable.
Plus the setting is so darn Mainey that if you cut it it bleeds lobster stock, and I'm entirely here for that.
Candy is much less annoying in this installment than in the first one, even if her friend Maggie is now in the running for the Delaine Duck Terrible Sidekick Award. The only way not to win is to tone it down five or six clicks, lady.
The mystery had an intriguing backstory, and I love a good cook-off mystery, but the villain stepped on stage, shook everyone's hands briefly and handed out business cards reading: [redacted], Light Villainy and Consultations.
"Oh, what do you do, [redacted]?"
*hahahahahahaha* "Evil, mostly. I'm just up here to kill someone and do a little stealing. But I hear I should put the town lighthouse on my intinerary, huh? Huh?"
Oy vey. Also, even if you haven't read the first book, where Candy winds up confronting that villain on the roof of the PRUITT OPERA HOUSE and now every time she sees the PRUITT OPERA HOUSE she remembers that awful night on the roof of the PRUITT OPERA HOUSE because it's hard to go anywhere without running into the PRUITT OPERA HOUSE where she nearly died (on the roof) ten months ago.
At first it made me roll my eyes, but then it turned into more of a "something nasty in the woodshed" moment.
I really liked the supposedly terrible Wanda Boyle, even when she was unapologetically doing terrible things. She was piquant and memorable.
Plus the setting is so darn Mainey that if you cut it it bleeds lobster stock, and I'm entirely here for that.
March 27, 2011
Though I liked the first book well enough, this one just didn't click for me. I liked the prologue but by chapter three I was already finding it difficult to pay attention to the story. I ended up skimming through most of the next three chapters and then just skipped to the end. Most of the dialogue and character interactions felt contrived, not to mention a bit cliched. I will most likely not read the next book in this series.
November 23, 2015
Another fun Candy Holliday mystery! I love a good cozy mystery now and then and this series set in small town Maine is just right.
September 25, 2018
If you paid attention to the characters in the book, then you will figure out who the killer is. But I still doing know why they did what they did. Then there is a cliffhanger at the end that has to do with the killer, so I guess I'll have to read the next book to see if the author tells us why. I"m looking forward to that.
February 9, 2011
It's just before Memorial Day in the little town of Cape Willington, Maine and the residents are getting all excited in anticipation of the town's 29th annual lobster Stew cook-off. Much prestige is associated with winning the coveted trophy so the competition is very cut-throat.
Candy Holliday, part time writer for the Cape Crier and part owner of Blueberry Acres has a bit of a reputation as a detective. When she is asked by the elderly Wilma Mae to help her find her trophy- winning lobster stew recipe, Candy was a little reluctant at first but then events started heating up and Candy is sucked into the intrigue as Wilma Mae insists it was stolen from her secret drawer.
Who knew emotions would run so high over this competition or is there something else at stake? Enough to inspire theft, rigged entries, clandestine meetings,family secrets,skulduggery,collusion, jealousy and backstabbing?
Oh, and did I mention a missing person and murder? Ayuh, seems it does!
Despite Chief Durr warning her to mind her own business, Candy and her best friend Maggie just can't seem to leave well enough alone. Candy keeps thinking whoever stole the recipe is the murderer. And so the adventure begins . . . .
In this second in the Candy Holliday series, B.B. Haywood ingeniously incorporates all these elements in a cohesive and well plotted mystery. There are enough red herrings to keep any reader guessing. Just when I thought I knew for sure "whodunnit", I was wrong. Several times, in fact! There are some really good twists in the story to keep cozy/mystery fans very happy.
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. They sure have the flavor of New England and the characteristics of it's inhabitants down to perfection. So many wonderfully quirky characters that could populate any small town; some with stronger personalities and less ethics than others! I could picture the fog, and hear the foghorns in my head as Candy tootled around the waterfront back roads in her little jeep looking for clues. Some of the descriptions of the area actually made me homesick!
I really liked the ending to this one too; a little bit of ominous foreshadowing and a preview has me anxiously awaiting the next in the series: Town in a Wild Moose Chase . If you'd like to read the first in the series, read Town in a Blueberry Jam . Lobster and chowder recipes are also included at the end of the book. 4*
Candy Holliday, part time writer for the Cape Crier and part owner of Blueberry Acres has a bit of a reputation as a detective. When she is asked by the elderly Wilma Mae to help her find her trophy- winning lobster stew recipe, Candy was a little reluctant at first but then events started heating up and Candy is sucked into the intrigue as Wilma Mae insists it was stolen from her secret drawer.
Who knew emotions would run so high over this competition or is there something else at stake? Enough to inspire theft, rigged entries, clandestine meetings,family secrets,skulduggery,collusion, jealousy and backstabbing?
Oh, and did I mention a missing person and murder? Ayuh, seems it does!
Despite Chief Durr warning her to mind her own business, Candy and her best friend Maggie just can't seem to leave well enough alone. Candy keeps thinking whoever stole the recipe is the murderer. And so the adventure begins . . . .
In this second in the Candy Holliday series, B.B. Haywood ingeniously incorporates all these elements in a cohesive and well plotted mystery. There are enough red herrings to keep any reader guessing. Just when I thought I knew for sure "whodunnit", I was wrong. Several times, in fact! There are some really good twists in the story to keep cozy/mystery fans very happy.
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. They sure have the flavor of New England and the characteristics of it's inhabitants down to perfection. So many wonderfully quirky characters that could populate any small town; some with stronger personalities and less ethics than others! I could picture the fog, and hear the foghorns in my head as Candy tootled around the waterfront back roads in her little jeep looking for clues. Some of the descriptions of the area actually made me homesick!
I really liked the ending to this one too; a little bit of ominous foreshadowing and a preview has me anxiously awaiting the next in the series: Town in a Wild Moose Chase . If you'd like to read the first in the series, read Town in a Blueberry Jam . Lobster and chowder recipes are also included at the end of the book. 4*
July 27, 2011
A Candy Holliday Murder Mystery - Book 2
I mentioned before that I stumbled onto this series through a crosspost against another book I read and reviewed. Sometimes those can be hits and other times misses, but so far, I am liking this series.
Once again we find Candy in the middle of some unexpected events in town, including murder, trickery, rivalry and long ago affairs. This time it also includes a recipe for Lobster Stew, a locally famous recipe that has won the annual Lobster Stew Cook-off 13 years!
We find the story behind the original recipe, how it was created and for who, and why it has been placed in retirement and not been in the Cook-off for awhile, but it's claim to fame, the number of wins, still have people clamoring for it, trying to buy it, and when all else fails, stealing it, which leads to the first murder of the book.
Betrayal among thieves leads to the second murder, but isn't that the case, thieves do not make the best friends, nor the most trustworthy people to hang around with. And betrayal between them results in the most action.
This book centers around the town of Cape Wellington, things are changing in town, but it is still the same old sleepy little town, although the local insurance agent is embezzling money, which leads to some side line action, but nothing the story could do without, it makes me wonder if we won't see this in another book, because it was just barely mentioned, and yet seems like it could have a whole story around it. Hum.
Another good book, that kept me turning the pages right to the end. Now I am going to have to find the rest of this series, or at least another couple books to keep me going! Really finding that I like the people of Cape Wellington, and I want to go back in another book and see what happens to them, how they continue.
I mentioned before that I stumbled onto this series through a crosspost against another book I read and reviewed. Sometimes those can be hits and other times misses, but so far, I am liking this series.
Once again we find Candy in the middle of some unexpected events in town, including murder, trickery, rivalry and long ago affairs. This time it also includes a recipe for Lobster Stew, a locally famous recipe that has won the annual Lobster Stew Cook-off 13 years!
We find the story behind the original recipe, how it was created and for who, and why it has been placed in retirement and not been in the Cook-off for awhile, but it's claim to fame, the number of wins, still have people clamoring for it, trying to buy it, and when all else fails, stealing it, which leads to the first murder of the book.
Betrayal among thieves leads to the second murder, but isn't that the case, thieves do not make the best friends, nor the most trustworthy people to hang around with. And betrayal between them results in the most action.
This book centers around the town of Cape Wellington, things are changing in town, but it is still the same old sleepy little town, although the local insurance agent is embezzling money, which leads to some side line action, but nothing the story could do without, it makes me wonder if we won't see this in another book, because it was just barely mentioned, and yet seems like it could have a whole story around it. Hum.
Another good book, that kept me turning the pages right to the end. Now I am going to have to find the rest of this series, or at least another couple books to keep me going! Really finding that I like the people of Cape Wellington, and I want to go back in another book and see what happens to them, how they continue.
April 17, 2011
Town in a Lobster Stew
By: B.B. Haywood
Copyright February 2011
Publisher Berkeley Prime Crime
Candy Holliday has a mostly idyllic life in her seaside village of Cape Winnington, Maine. She helps her father on their blueberry farm, works part time for the local bakery, and handles the Community Activities column of the local weekly newspaper. She also occasionally gets to play Nancy Drew and helps solve a murder or two.
With the crowds of tourists beginning to flood the town for the beginning of the Memorial Day Weekend, Candy and her friends are looking forward to attending the Lobster Stew Cook-Off.
Candy gets a call from elderly Wilma Mae to please come to her home to discuss a problem. Wilma Mae explains that she had been the caretaker of Mr. Sedley’s seven time award winning recipe for Lobster Stew. He had actually made it for her as a gift when they were younger. The other problem is that Mr. Sedley also seems to be missing.
It appears that Candy, and her BFF Melissa are off and running on another mystery which leads to murder and lobster mayhem.
This is the second book in the Candy Holliday Mystery Series and Ms. Haywood has given us a tasty treat to enjoy. Candy Holliday is a well planned and fun character to hang out with. Her father and his crew add lots of color and senior humor to the mix.
FTC Full Disclosure: I borrowed this book from my local library with the full intent of reviewing it.
By: B.B. Haywood
Copyright February 2011
Publisher Berkeley Prime Crime
Candy Holliday has a mostly idyllic life in her seaside village of Cape Winnington, Maine. She helps her father on their blueberry farm, works part time for the local bakery, and handles the Community Activities column of the local weekly newspaper. She also occasionally gets to play Nancy Drew and helps solve a murder or two.
With the crowds of tourists beginning to flood the town for the beginning of the Memorial Day Weekend, Candy and her friends are looking forward to attending the Lobster Stew Cook-Off.
Candy gets a call from elderly Wilma Mae to please come to her home to discuss a problem. Wilma Mae explains that she had been the caretaker of Mr. Sedley’s seven time award winning recipe for Lobster Stew. He had actually made it for her as a gift when they were younger. The other problem is that Mr. Sedley also seems to be missing.
It appears that Candy, and her BFF Melissa are off and running on another mystery which leads to murder and lobster mayhem.
This is the second book in the Candy Holliday Mystery Series and Ms. Haywood has given us a tasty treat to enjoy. Candy Holliday is a well planned and fun character to hang out with. Her father and his crew add lots of color and senior humor to the mix.
FTC Full Disclosure: I borrowed this book from my local library with the full intent of reviewing it.
October 6, 2015
I just have to say I was disappointed in this book. I guess I kind of thought that this book would start with a "hit the ground running" type of mystery, even though the last one did not. I was disappointed in that expectation. The book started out with a huge OH BOY factor and then it kind of stalled out. The book, like the last one, seemed to just mosey along until almost half or three quarters of the way through, then it took off and was a real page turner. I guess I have to rate the book overall a decent rating, as once it got going it was amazing, but it took a LONG time to get going. Once again, I say...great characters and theory behind the plot. Great mystery aspect. Just poorly executed in my opinion. Had I just read the last hundred pages or so and not the rest I'd say, amazing book and an edge of my seat book that blew my mind.
So, short review for this book....yes, but I just can't give my usual.type review for a book I don't feel great about. Sorry to say, but I don't foresee myself continuing on in this series. The books have amazing covers and such fun titles....just not a book that took off very well out of the reading gate. Kind of reminded me of a racer that came from behind to win in the end.
3/5 Stars
So, short review for this book....yes, but I just can't give my usual.type review for a book I don't feel great about. Sorry to say, but I don't foresee myself continuing on in this series. The books have amazing covers and such fun titles....just not a book that took off very well out of the reading gate. Kind of reminded me of a racer that came from behind to win in the end.
3/5 Stars
June 25, 2012
Who knew a recipe could create so much chaos? When an award winning lobster stew recipe goes missing, Candy Holliday offers to help find the ledger book containing the recipe, but before she makes any notable progress, dead bodies are found. Who could possibly want the ledger and the information it contains badly enough to kill for it? And will Candy get all the pieces in place and solve the mystery before she finds herself in hot water herself? Cape Willington, Maine, makes for a fresh locale for a cozy mystery series and many of the secondary characters are interesting, but I find myself often irritated by the protagonist's bumbling and her lack of common sense. Hopefully Candy Holliday will mature in the third installment of this series, or this reader will move on to a different series.
July 11, 2015
I didn't like this book near as much as I did the first. I won't be following up on this series.
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
April 2, 2011
A thoroughly engrossing cozy with Candy Holiday, blueberry farmer and amateur sleuth. This one opens with a death and proceeds from complication to complication, keeping the reader engrossed. B.B.Haywood throws in plenty of red herrings--at least twice I thought I knew whodunit only to be proved wrong. Nicely captures the atmosphere of a small Maine coastal town and the descriptions of lobster stew are mouth-watering.
And when you think it's all wrapped up . . . there's an opening for another book to come.
I enjoyed the previous book, Town in a Blueberry Jam, but in this one Haywood seems in much better control of her plot and her characters.
And when you think it's all wrapped up . . . there's an opening for another book to come.
I enjoyed the previous book, Town in a Blueberry Jam, but in this one Haywood seems in much better control of her plot and her characters.
August 3, 2012
Farmer and columnist Candy Holliday knows a lot will be happening as the tourist season starts on Memorial Day weekend. She expects the lobster stew cookoff, a feature of the festivities for years, and the influx of new people. She doesn't expect to end up as a judge of the cookoff, or the murder of all-time cookoff champion Mr. Sedley, nor does she expect to be looking for the murderer at the behest of elderly Wilma Mae, whose scandalous past is belied by her grandmotherly manner. Haywood has added mysterious characters who appear and disappear making gnomic comments, which slows the action down.
March 5, 2013
It's strange how competition , envy and jealousy can be there in a little town. But it works for the plot and also this second book of series is interesting and is a enjoy reading. Finally ,Candy know what is her call, to do the detective . I don't still understand the character of Ben, and if is new the fact that there aren't kiss or sex between two them ,still their relationship is a bit strange,Candy is smart but maybe a bit naive on men .I liked the environment , a little town in Maine where the life is simple and slow, and Candy as also her friend Maggie are very realistic characters.
February 20, 2011
Town in a Lobster Stew by B.B. Haywood, was a great-paced, action filled, murder mystery with an interesting twist.
The main character is sleuth, Candy who is busy trying to help the family farm, part-time Bakery assistant, baking pies for sale, and newspaper columnist who is hot on a mystery that becomes a murder mystery as well.
The town is flavored with full-spiced characters and yet, it seems that these are persons you might truly meet if you visited Cape Willington, ME.
I look forward to the next adventure.
The main character is sleuth, Candy who is busy trying to help the family farm, part-time Bakery assistant, baking pies for sale, and newspaper columnist who is hot on a mystery that becomes a murder mystery as well.
The town is flavored with full-spiced characters and yet, it seems that these are persons you might truly meet if you visited Cape Willington, ME.
I look forward to the next adventure.
April 15, 2011
Good story. I think I'll read more of the series.
This is the 2nd in the series, but the first I've read.
Candy Holiday is a reporter for the newspaper and is being called a detective by others in the town. She solved a murder in the 1st book in the series and now along comes another or two.
Nice town, quirky people.
Sometimes I get tired of non-detective detectives who solve crimes. Especially when they withold information and therefore gets themselves into a mess of trouble. That's why I gave it only 4 stars.
Takes place in Maine, a state I'd really like to visit.
This is the 2nd in the series, but the first I've read.
Candy Holiday is a reporter for the newspaper and is being called a detective by others in the town. She solved a murder in the 1st book in the series and now along comes another or two.
Nice town, quirky people.
Sometimes I get tired of non-detective detectives who solve crimes. Especially when they withold information and therefore gets themselves into a mess of trouble. That's why I gave it only 4 stars.
Takes place in Maine, a state I'd really like to visit.
October 8, 2014
A fresh, lively cosy mystery set in Maine, this book features a would-be reporter called Candy Holliday who lives with her father on a small blueberry farm and covers local stories for the local paper.
This story introduces deadly rivalry over a lobster stew contest and secret recipe. There's a historic lighthouse and other old buildings to set the scene, with elderly fishermen, berry pickers and mystics galore. All of them want in on the action when Candy tries to solve the murder of an elderly man.
At the end are some of the lobster recipes to try. Have fun!
This story introduces deadly rivalry over a lobster stew contest and secret recipe. There's a historic lighthouse and other old buildings to set the scene, with elderly fishermen, berry pickers and mystics galore. All of them want in on the action when Candy tries to solve the murder of an elderly man.
At the end are some of the lobster recipes to try. Have fun!
March 9, 2011
I'd like to think that people wouldn't really kill over a prized lobster stew recipe, but that's what we're led to believe in TOWN IN A LOBSTER STEW. Apparently, it's a huge deal to win the Lobster Stew Cook Off and some people are willing to do anything, including killing, to win it.
Luckily, the story has more going for it than the zany premise, including a quaint setting and some likable characters. Light and easy, it's pretty much brain candy.
Luckily, the story has more going for it than the zany premise, including a quaint setting and some likable characters. Light and easy, it's pretty much brain candy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2013
I hoped this series would get better as it went, when I was not happy too happy with book 1. I was terribly let down on that front. While the concept of the small town is cute,it is too Cabot Cove and too many melodramatic characters just ruin the story line. The ending which is as about as subtle as an ice pick to the eye,clearly sets up the villain for the next book, which to me is too much telegraphing.
August 3, 2013
Not a bad quick mystery read. It has a tendency to be formulaic, also a lot of story cliches. The characters are not richly defined but are not unlikeable. The main downside were many under-thought out plot scenarios. But, the story layout is pretty simple.
I'm not picky at all with what I read. I mix up genres and topics for reading. I enjoyed this book as a light mystery read. I liked the idea of putting recipes into the book.
I'm not picky at all with what I read. I mix up genres and topics for reading. I enjoyed this book as a light mystery read. I liked the idea of putting recipes into the book.
January 2, 2014
The second book in the Candy Holliday mystery series, does not disappoint. The carachters are well written and so is the town of Cape Willington, Maine. I was surprised with the final who done it and epilogue. I am so happy to have discovered another series that I had not known about and I am truly enjoying getting caught up in the series. Next one on the list is Town in a Wild Moose Chase. Can't wait to see what Candy, Maggie, Doc and the rest are up to now.
May 6, 2012
I liked this book, but like the last one in the series I thought it was a bit slow and long winded. There are so many useless details that are added in for no purpose,sometimes full paragraphs worth of them! If you can look past that and learn to skim a bit, this book can be a pretty enjoyable read.
February 22, 2011
Took me a while to get into this book. I'm not into lobster (allergic to shellfish) but I like the Maine town and some of the characters so I can't put my finger on why this left me kind of blah. I don't know - it was kind of dry or something. But I still plan to read the next book in the series and hope it gets better.
April 2, 2011
Fun, fun story! I read this one with a big grin on my face. Not everyone is who or what they seem to be in this not-so-sleepy little Maine town. As a sleuth Candy relied just a little too much on luck and circumstance for this to be a five star book, but it is fun and light and well worth reading.
July 25, 2014
This is the second book in the Candy Holliday Murder Mystery series. This time Candy is involved with trying to find a missing lobster stew recipe which turns into murder. Candy is doing numerous jobs to help her dad keep the blueberry farm.The story is set in Cape Willington,Maine. The book is easy to read.
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