Lizzie's Little Mouse - (The Heart of the Amish) by Anne Blackburne (Paperback)

Amish cooking is certainly some of the best, but Lizzie Miller longed to offer French recipes to the people in Willow Creek, Ohio. Her dream of having a bakery was answered until strange happenings threatened to destroy all she'd been working for. Why was her bakery vandalized on its opening day, and who continued to target The Plain Beignet? This newest addition to the Heart of the Amish series is a pleasing mix of romance, mystery, and the Amish lifestyle. Likable characters, an interesting hundred-year-old murder, and a surprising villain make this an intriguing cozy mystery! I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

Lizzie, a young Amish woman, has worked for years to have her own bakery, and now her wish has come true--almost. From the day the bakery opened, bad things have happened. On that day, two odd men questioned her, one told her she should give up the idea, and close her store. Both men were strangers in the community. That was followed by someone breaking in the bakery during the night. It was really traumatizing because Lizzie lives above the bakery. Later a brick, with a threatening note, was thrown through her front window. As Lizzie and her friends try to figure out who is doing this, more bad things happen. Lizzie is on thin ice with her bishop, he has not told her to stop sleuthing--yet. John, the brother of her best friend, is helping her try to figure things out. But the more time she spends with him, the more confused her feelings towards him are. Little Mouse, her cat, plays an important part in the story. As a bonus, there are two recipes in the back of the book, including one for beignets, along with the best way to eat them. This is a great book that is both an Amish story, and a very good mystery. The ending has many twists, with things I did not see coming. This five-star book has one of the best mysteries I have ever read. Get a copy, and see if I am right! Fans of mysteries, Amish books, and well-written stories will enjoy this great tale. Thank you, Barbour Books, for providing Tickmenot with a book to review. Opinions are my own.

This was a really fun cozy mystery. I loved the characters and Little Mouse, especially! As someone makes efforts to foil Lizzie's plans for a successful New Orleans style French bakery, Lizzie and her friends face several obstacles to keep things going. Her friends are there to help and a little romance adds to the story, of course. Who is trying to cause her to give up on her plans? And I love the historical aspect that totally engages me! It is a refreshing new book of an Amish Entrepreneur who faces unexpected trials and twists! I loved it! I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.