Helpful Score: 4
This is a great mystery and suspense novel that is set in Amish country in Ohio. Although there is a bit of language from the "Englishers" in the book, I would say that it is a very, very good read. This happens to be book number 1 in the trilogy.
i't a great book with lots of twists and turns got it yesterday and finished it today
Helpful Score: 2
An excellent story by Karen Harper, who is one of my all-time favorites! The first in a series, this is a great mystery!
Helpful Score: 2
If the Amish series are of interest to you this is no exception. Murder, mystery and love make this a must read.
Helpful Score: 2
A very good mystery.It gives some in site into the Amish life. I really enjoyed this book.
Helpful Score: 2
Murder mystery and romance, but just as interesting is it's depiction of Amish life.
Helpful Score: 2
An okay story, had a little trouble getting into it-but got better towards the end.
Helpful Score: 2
Compelling story. A truly heartwarming depiction of the Amish and their way of life. Plus suspense and romance! What's not to like?
Helpful Score: 2
Didn't get past page 200, just too much descriptions and makes the story just drag and drag, lost interest in the storyline when so much description took up most of the pages and it took nearly 50 pages just to get to the cemetary, just can't stick with a book that is made up of descriptions galore.
Helpful Score: 1
This is a great book one of three in a story....
Its about Amish life with a mystery behind it.
I have not read a book of Karen Haper that I have not liked.
Just good clean reading I love her
Its about Amish life with a mystery behind it.
I have not read a book of Karen Haper that I have not liked.
Just good clean reading I love her
John A. and Marguerite E. W. (aliennightbird) reviewed Dark Road Home (Amish Maplecreek, Bk 1) on + 40 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I read "Dark Harvest", the second book in the "Maplecreek Amish" mystery series first. However, although I liked "Dark Harvest", I enjoyed this book, the first book in the series, far better.
The characters and the situation were introduced in a better manner and not any part of the plot seemed unrealistic or forced. The descriptions are good, the characters and their conflicts are decently drawn, the pace is fairly quick, and the mystery/thriller tension is held throughout the book.
Here is my synopsis of the story without (hopefully) giving anything away:
A young defense lawyer flees the city when she draws a dangerous stallker after a trial acquits the man she defended wio turned out to be not only guilty, but to go on to murder. Accompying her is her 7-year-old niece whose mother has died and her father has abandoned.
Soon after she arrived in Amish country and took over a quilt shop for a vacationing friend, four Amish teenagers are killed in a late-at-night hit-and-run buggy-vs.-car accident after stopping at her home for ice cream. Unable to accept the Amish attitude of forgiveness and leaving all justice up to God.
Meanwhile, a young man who left the Amish community in his running-around period comes home disillusioned with the world and willing to join the Amish church at last. But, conflict about whether or not to investigate the accident as well as a growing love for the "English" lawyer living next door makes him wonder once again if he is cut out to be Amish afterall.
And what is it about the seemingly-friendly trophy wife of an entertainment mogul and her family who stopped by the store one day?
A side plot that drew me in was about an older Amish woman who not only lost her baby, but also her oldest daughter in the hit-and-run accident. She was in deep clinical derpression, but her husband would not allow her to take medication or go to therapy. the lawyer conducts her own investigation of the accident, much to the anger of the Amish community.
Overall, the book is a nice, tight mystery/thriller. I would recommend it.
The characters and the situation were introduced in a better manner and not any part of the plot seemed unrealistic or forced. The descriptions are good, the characters and their conflicts are decently drawn, the pace is fairly quick, and the mystery/thriller tension is held throughout the book.
Here is my synopsis of the story without (hopefully) giving anything away:
A young defense lawyer flees the city when she draws a dangerous stallker after a trial acquits the man she defended wio turned out to be not only guilty, but to go on to murder. Accompying her is her 7-year-old niece whose mother has died and her father has abandoned.
Soon after she arrived in Amish country and took over a quilt shop for a vacationing friend, four Amish teenagers are killed in a late-at-night hit-and-run buggy-vs.-car accident after stopping at her home for ice cream. Unable to accept the Amish attitude of forgiveness and leaving all justice up to God.
Meanwhile, a young man who left the Amish community in his running-around period comes home disillusioned with the world and willing to join the Amish church at last. But, conflict about whether or not to investigate the accident as well as a growing love for the "English" lawyer living next door makes him wonder once again if he is cut out to be Amish afterall.
And what is it about the seemingly-friendly trophy wife of an entertainment mogul and her family who stopped by the store one day?
A side plot that drew me in was about an older Amish woman who not only lost her baby, but also her oldest daughter in the hit-and-run accident. She was in deep clinical derpression, but her husband would not allow her to take medication or go to therapy. the lawyer conducts her own investigation of the accident, much to the anger of the Amish community.
Overall, the book is a nice, tight mystery/thriller. I would recommend it.
Helpful Score: 1
Very interesting. Mystery and suspense set in Amish country.
Helpful Score: 1
Excellent story with adventure, romance and suspense.
Helpful Score: 1
After a murder case threatens her safety, attorney Brooke Benton seeks sanctuary in the quiet Amish commnity of Maplecreek. Although the locals disagree with her worldly ways, she soon manages to find a place in their lives. A great reading mystery. Gook from beginning to end.
Helpful Score: 1
An Amazon.com Review:
An Ohio Amish community is the setting for this romantic suspenser by award-winning historical novelist Harper (The Wings of Morning). Terrorized by a stalker, Columbus attorney Brooke Benton flees with her seven-year-old niece to an isolated community, where she takes over the running of a friend's quilt shop. When a hit-and-run driver kills four Amish teenagers who had just visited her, Brooke is drawn into the investigation. Soon she finds herself knee-deep in suspects, facing new threats and falling in love with a man seeking to return to his Amish roots. The book is strongest in its loving depiction of Amish life, its creation of a dark mood and its development of the central romance. Subplots involving several unrelated evildoers diffuse the tension, however, especially since key developments are telegraphed. Credibility vanishes during the climax, which stems from an implausible story line involving two cartoonish villains whose machinations are awkwardly contrived.
An Ohio Amish community is the setting for this romantic suspenser by award-winning historical novelist Harper (The Wings of Morning). Terrorized by a stalker, Columbus attorney Brooke Benton flees with her seven-year-old niece to an isolated community, where she takes over the running of a friend's quilt shop. When a hit-and-run driver kills four Amish teenagers who had just visited her, Brooke is drawn into the investigation. Soon she finds herself knee-deep in suspects, facing new threats and falling in love with a man seeking to return to his Amish roots. The book is strongest in its loving depiction of Amish life, its creation of a dark mood and its development of the central romance. Subplots involving several unrelated evildoers diffuse the tension, however, especially since key developments are telegraphed. Credibility vanishes during the climax, which stems from an implausible story line involving two cartoonish villains whose machinations are awkwardly contrived.
Helpful Score: 1
Make the mistake of not reading them in order. Enjoyed the whole trilagy.
Helpful Score: 1
Again another book by Karen Harper that is a winner!
Helpful Score: 1
If you love amish books and mysterys you will love this book. Keeps you wondering right to the end.
This book is awsome, I could not put it down. I give it ten stars.
Enjoyed reading this book as the plot left you sitting on the edge of your seat. Was hard to put the book down
Marlene W. (KansasSunflower) -
An interesting and engaging look at Amish life, not to mention a really interesting story. It held my attention and I hated to stop reading when I had other things I had to do. I look forward to reading the other two in the series.
after a murder case threatens her safety, attorney brooke benton seeks sanctuary in the quite amish community of maplecreek. when a tragic hit-and-run accident turns fatal, brooke cannot abide by the community`s belief in absolute forgiveness. with the help of daniel brand she sets out to find the driver, who killed his niece.
After a murder case threatens her safety, attorney Brooke Benton seeks sanctuary in the quiet Amish community of Maplecreek. Tho the locals disagree with her worldly ways, she soon manages to find a place in their lives. When a tragic hit-and-run accident turns fatal, Brooke cannot abide by the community's belief in absolute forgiveness.
Entertaining story. A little predictable but nicely twisted.
ok. Nothing to write home about.
The story is based in an Amish community. The author does a great job describing the Amish lifestyle.
