The Candymakers by Wendy Mass is a mystery set at Life Is Sweet candy factory. This book is set in 4 different perspectives, that of Logan (the candymaker’s son), Philip (the rude boy in a suit and tie who is always scribbling in his notebook), Miles (the strange but sweet boy with a lot of strange allergies) and Daisy (the cheerful girl who can lift a fifty-pound lump of taffy without even breaking a sweat). With each new chapter and perspective, you discover new information about the goings-on at Life Is Sweet.
Miles, Philip, and Daisy are all at Life Is Sweet for 3 days because they are participating in the Annual Candymaking Contest. This is Life Is Sweet’s first year hosting contestants in years, and Miles, Philip, Daisy, and Logan are the lucky contestants from that factory. They get to tour the inside of the factory to find out the makings and then get to work to make their own candy to put into a contest with other contestants from other factories. But who is the real villain? And who will win the Annual Candymaking Contest?
This is a very sweet (pun intended) mystery! It also has a sequel, The Candymakers and the Great Chocolate Chase (review to come). If you are worried that it is too similar to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, think again. It has much more real and in-depth characters than Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and in my opinion, has a better storyline. Overall, I would give this book 4 stars because it is amazing but not my favorite book.
