Lori C. (dollycas) reviewed Murder, Served Simply (Amish Quilt Shop, Bk 3) on + 704 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Dollycass Thoughts
I love this series more with each new story.
Angies parents arriving to spend the holidays was great even though they brought her ex with them and that her mother still expected them to patch things up and have Angie move back to Texas. But Angie has gotten stronger and made a home and friends in Ohio. One very special friend but will their new relationship be tested by Ryans arrival?
Several years ago I was part of a progressive dinner so I loved that part of the story. Sadly were didnt travel to each stop by sleigh, that would have been so awesome. In the story it was a great way for Angies parents and Ryan to meet the people of Rolling Brook.
The Amish-themed Christmas play was the catalyst in this story because the actress in the leading role had been Amish and left for the Englisch way of life to follow her dream in New York only to return to star in this play. Could someone from her Amish life have something to do with her death or was it someone from the troupe? Alan takes us down some cold and slippery slopes as we follow the clues with Angie.
The characters a very fleshed out. You can tell the author has taking a lot of time researching and developing them and their personalities. Amish people generally keep to themselves and their orders. We only get to meet them if we visit their shops and farms. Isabella Alan shares their way of life with us in a very identifiable and engaging way. She only brings the Englisch folks to life in a way that the interactions between themselves and with the Amish feel very real and true. Angie goes between both worlds and because of her aunts influence she seems very comfortable doing so.
The story had a more serious tone than Murder, Simply Stitched but it was such a fantastic read. I had a very hard time putting it down even to eat dinner. Trying to relate to a mother whose child leaves a way of life behind. A way of life that basically demands that child be forgotten. Then to have them be so close only to have them die before any chance of communication was possible just ripped my heart apart. It made me want to hug my kids and call them just to tell them I loved them.
There are lighter moments like the way the pets play with each other. The Christmas theme runs throughout the entire story. Angies mother takes on the project of decorating Angies house for the holidays. You wont believe what she does but that entire part of the story will have you giggling. There is also a major announcement that sets the readers up for the next installment to this wonderful series.
I am so looking forward to my next visit to Holmes County!
I love this series more with each new story.
Angies parents arriving to spend the holidays was great even though they brought her ex with them and that her mother still expected them to patch things up and have Angie move back to Texas. But Angie has gotten stronger and made a home and friends in Ohio. One very special friend but will their new relationship be tested by Ryans arrival?
Several years ago I was part of a progressive dinner so I loved that part of the story. Sadly were didnt travel to each stop by sleigh, that would have been so awesome. In the story it was a great way for Angies parents and Ryan to meet the people of Rolling Brook.
The Amish-themed Christmas play was the catalyst in this story because the actress in the leading role had been Amish and left for the Englisch way of life to follow her dream in New York only to return to star in this play. Could someone from her Amish life have something to do with her death or was it someone from the troupe? Alan takes us down some cold and slippery slopes as we follow the clues with Angie.
The characters a very fleshed out. You can tell the author has taking a lot of time researching and developing them and their personalities. Amish people generally keep to themselves and their orders. We only get to meet them if we visit their shops and farms. Isabella Alan shares their way of life with us in a very identifiable and engaging way. She only brings the Englisch folks to life in a way that the interactions between themselves and with the Amish feel very real and true. Angie goes between both worlds and because of her aunts influence she seems very comfortable doing so.
The story had a more serious tone than Murder, Simply Stitched but it was such a fantastic read. I had a very hard time putting it down even to eat dinner. Trying to relate to a mother whose child leaves a way of life behind. A way of life that basically demands that child be forgotten. Then to have them be so close only to have them die before any chance of communication was possible just ripped my heart apart. It made me want to hug my kids and call them just to tell them I loved them.
There are lighter moments like the way the pets play with each other. The Christmas theme runs throughout the entire story. Angies mother takes on the project of decorating Angies house for the holidays. You wont believe what she does but that entire part of the story will have you giggling. There is also a major announcement that sets the readers up for the next installment to this wonderful series.
I am so looking forward to my next visit to Holmes County!
Bonnie A. (ladycholla) -
I really enjoyed this book in the series. Romance resolved, mystery solved and all is well. Enjoy Oliver and Dodger, want to read more of them later on. I did figure out who the killer was, but it took some time and a couple of clues. Once I caught on it wasn't hard to follow and why it was done. More interesting information on the Amish way of life and their life styles.
Kathleen W. (catsandbooks) reviewed Murder, Served Simply (Amish Quilt Shop, Bk 3) on + 68 more book reviews
Quick summary: quilt shop owner knows more than the police and solves murders. Some cozies have plots that are believable, and some are in the realm of "you've got to be kidding." That's where this one rests. In previous books in the series the main character was involved in solving murders of someone she knew or someone who was close to her in some way. In this one she of course knows more than the police and is intent on solving the murder of a relative stranger for no apparent reason other than putting one over on the sheriff. There is no information as to how the sheriff is proceeding in his investigation - it's all her. I kept wondering why she just doesn't go to a police academy and join the force. I finished it to see who the culprit was, but did not enjoy it. In addition, it was poorly cross-checked and there are several instances where the facts don't make sense (i.e. the dog was leashed and two paragraphs later it's leashed again). I don't think the author cared and just threw this one out there. A disappointment.
Valerie S. (VolunteerVal) -
This is the third book in this cozy mystery series about Angie, a woman whose 7-year relationship ends and her beloved Amish aunt passes, leaving Angie her quilt shop in an Amish community in Ohio.
Angie's parents come to Ohio to celebrate Christmas with her, and as a surprise they bring Ryan with them, the fiance who jilted her, now realizes his mistake, and wants her back. The plot revolves around "An Amish Christmas", a play being performed that is anything but Amish and upsets many, especially because the star of the show is a young woman who was raised Amish but left the community to pursue an acting career in NYC.
The murder and the resolution were rather creative. There's lots of relationship talk as Angie figures out whether she wants to resume her relationship with Ryan or take the next step in her developing relationship with the town's handsome sheriff.
Angie's parents come to Ohio to celebrate Christmas with her, and as a surprise they bring Ryan with them, the fiance who jilted her, now realizes his mistake, and wants her back. The plot revolves around "An Amish Christmas", a play being performed that is anything but Amish and upsets many, especially because the star of the show is a young woman who was raised Amish but left the community to pursue an acting career in NYC.
The murder and the resolution were rather creative. There's lots of relationship talk as Angie figures out whether she wants to resume her relationship with Ryan or take the next step in her developing relationship with the town's handsome sheriff.
