Description (from cover):
'In Appleseed Creek, the heart of Ohio's Amish Country, life is not as serene as it seems.
While her Cleveland friends have relocated to Southern California and Italy, twenty-four-year-old computer whiz Chloe Humphrey moves with some uncertainty to Appleseed Creek to direct technology services at a nearby local college.
Her first acquaintance is Becky, an ex-Amish teenager looking for a new home. While driving Chloe's car, Becky collides with a buggy, killing an Amish bishop. But what looks like an accident is soon labeled murder when police discover the car's cut brake line.
Now, Chloe must take on the role of amateur sleuth to discover who the real intended victim was before the murderer makes a second attempt. Becky's handsome Amish-turned-Mennonite brother, Timothy, a local carpenter, will come in handy along the way. And with God's help, they'll solve the mystery that's rocking this small community.'
My thoughts:
Let me first begin by saying that I normally do not pick up books that fall into the Christian genre. I am not a big fan of "preachy" type books and was surprised to actually learn that this was a religious book when I picked it up. Yes this book falls under Christian fiction, but it doesn't read like it. It was tastefully done and interesting from page one. I really am surprised that I enjoyed a book that is out of the norm for me and it has encouraged me to not be so judgmental of other genres outside what I normally read.
This book features the Amish community in a small town in Ohio. Chloe Humphrey is new to Appleseed Creek to take a job at the local college because this was the only place willing to hire her with no experience. She is unsure of whether she will enjoy living here as she is from the city and is not used to country ways. Another surprising factor for her is that the Amish community has deep roots in this small town. Chloe soon finds herself immersed in the Amish religion when, Becky, a teenager reaches out to Chloe to get away from the overbearing strictures of the local Amish community. Chloe offers Becky a place to stay in her new home. Soon thereafter Chloe learns Becky has been involved in a car accident with an Amish buggy and the buggy driver was killed in the accident. When the police tell Chloe that the brake line in the car was cut, she begins to question why someone wanted either her or Becky dead or injured and it leads her to asking questions in the very restricted Amish community.
I really enjoyed this book. The pace for the novel is set in the first chapter and the plot moves easily. I found it hard to put this one down and read it in one day. That says a lot about how much I enjoyed this one as usually it takes me longer to read a book. I really enjoyed learning about the Amish and the Mennonite religions and how these people interact with one another and in their own communities. I didn't know very much about the Amish before reading this book and the author makes them seem really interesting. The mystery was well-rounded out with suspects and clues and had me guessing until the very end. I love mysteries like that. I cannot wait until the next one is released and encourage cozy mystery lovers who enjoy reading outside the box to pick this one up.
I saw that this book is currently $2.99 for the Amazon Kindle and the Barnes and Noble Nook. I encourage you to go and get this fabulous read while it is so cheap. Please note that this special price is for a limited time and can change at any time. Go and get your copy before this awesome deal ends.
Overall Rating: 4.5
Title: A Plain Death
Author: Amanda Flower
Series: Appleseed Creek Mystery #1
Publisher: B&H Books
Publication Date: June 4, 2012
Pages: 338
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Disclaimer: This book was selected from the library by myself and I reviewed this book without compensation of any kind. All thoughts and opinions are solely mine.
