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Home Valley #2
Return to Grace
In the shadows of a graveyard, a SHOT rings out…
Hannah Esh fled the Home Valley Amish community with a broken heart, throwing herself into her worldly dreams of a singing career instead. But as much as she tries to run from her past, something keeps pulling her back. On a whim, she brings four worldly friends to the Amish graveyard near her family's home for a midnight party on Halloween. But when shots are fired and one of her friends is killed, Hannah is pulled back into the world of her past.
The investigation into the shooting uncovers deep-buried secrets that shock the peaceful Amish village to its core. Determined to prove her value to the community she left behind, Hannah attempts to bridge two cultures, working closely with both handsome, arrogant FBI agent Linc Armstrong and her former betrothed, Seth Lantz, now widowed with a young daughter.
Caught between Seth and Linc, between old and new, Amish and worldly, Hannah must choose her future. Unless a killer, bent on secrecy, chooses it for her.
Hannah Esh fled the Home Valley Amish community with a broken heart, throwing herself into her worldly dreams of a singing career instead. But as much as she tries to run from her past, something keeps pulling her back. On a whim, she brings four worldly friends to the Amish graveyard near her family's home for a midnight party on Halloween. But when shots are fired and one of her friends is killed, Hannah is pulled back into the world of her past.
The investigation into the shooting uncovers deep-buried secrets that shock the peaceful Amish village to its core. Determined to prove her value to the community she left behind, Hannah attempts to bridge two cultures, working closely with both handsome, arrogant FBI agent Linc Armstrong and her former betrothed, Seth Lantz, now widowed with a young daughter.
Caught between Seth and Linc, between old and new, Amish and worldly, Hannah must choose her future. Unless a killer, bent on secrecy, chooses it for her.
368 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
102 people are currently reading
690 people want to read
About the author
Karen Harper
78 books1,499 followersA New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Karen Harper is a former college English instructor (The Ohio State University) and high school literature and writing teacher. A lifelong Ohioan, Karen and her husband Don divide their time between the midwest and the southeast, both locations she has used in her books. Besides her American settings, Karen loves the British Isles, where her Scottish and English roots run deep, and where she has set many of her historical Tudor-era mysteries and her historical novels about real and dynamic British women. Karen's books have been published in many foreign languages and she won the Mary Higgins Clark Award for 2005. Karen has given numerous talks to readers and writers across the county. Her most recent books include THE SOUTH SHORES TRILOGY (CHASING SHADOWS, DROWNING TIDES and FALLING DARKNESS.) Her latest historical is THE ROYAL NANNY. Please visit her website at www.KarenHarperAuthor and her fb page at www.facebook.com/KarenHarperAuthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
December 10, 2013
three and a half stars. I have probably only read about two novels before to do with Amish, so it was interesting to learn more of their way of life. I was surprised they would wear colours like emerald green and sky blue as mentioned in this novel. Not sure why but guess I had thought they stuck to more sombre colours. That aside, I enjoyed this story of Hannah Esh, daughter of the bishop who has fled the Amish way of life to pursue a singing career. Yet now she is back with her Goth friends and ends up in the Amish graveyard for a midnight party. When Kevin one of her friends is killed and Hannah and others are shot at, Hannah finds refuge back with her parents.
Yet Hannah cannot let the FBI agent or their sheriff do their job without her trying to help. Her former betrothed Seth who broke her heart when he got Lena pregnant and married her instead, only serves to complicate matters more. Hannah finds herself constantly pulled between the promise of a singing career and a life in the world or returning to her Amish roots. Meanwhile it appears someone is out to kill her and anyone else who gets in the way.
This is a good read with plenty of action and a few twists and turns and yet I didn't find this as engrossing as I expected. Maybe that was me, as I was struggling with headaches and not feeling well at the time, or maybe it was that I just found the story a little unbelievable at times, although I liked the character of Hannah. I hadn’t read the first book in this series but hardly thought it mattered as it is easy to pick up what went before. While I liked the title, I tend to think it gave too much away.
Yet Hannah cannot let the FBI agent or their sheriff do their job without her trying to help. Her former betrothed Seth who broke her heart when he got Lena pregnant and married her instead, only serves to complicate matters more. Hannah finds herself constantly pulled between the promise of a singing career and a life in the world or returning to her Amish roots. Meanwhile it appears someone is out to kill her and anyone else who gets in the way.
This is a good read with plenty of action and a few twists and turns and yet I didn't find this as engrossing as I expected. Maybe that was me, as I was struggling with headaches and not feeling well at the time, or maybe it was that I just found the story a little unbelievable at times, although I liked the character of Hannah. I hadn’t read the first book in this series but hardly thought it mattered as it is easy to pick up what went before. While I liked the title, I tend to think it gave too much away.
April 12, 2020
Hannah Esh, daughter of an Amish bishop, left this life 3 years ago to pursue a singing career. On Halloween night, she brings four goth friends to party at an Amish graveyard. Shots ring out as one person is killed and two others injured, including Hannah.
Hannah moves back in with parents to convalesce. This return brings her in close proximity to Seth who left her years ago to marry another woman. FBI agent Linc Armstrong becomes involved due to the possibility of a hate crime against the Amish or goths. My first thought was someone shot them for partying in a graveyard. Maybe too simple.
This marks the first time I've read one of Karen Harper's series dealing with the Amish. It was a slow moving story much like the Amish way of life. I don't think Linc gave a good portrayal of an FBI agent.
If you are a reader who likes non-violent scenes, no bad language, and books about the Amish community, you might like this book. I love the outstanding Amish series by Linda Castillo which features Sheriff Kate Burkholder. This particular book was fine but Hannah is not the outstanding character that Kate is.
Hannah moves back in with parents to convalesce. This return brings her in close proximity to Seth who left her years ago to marry another woman. FBI agent Linc Armstrong becomes involved due to the possibility of a hate crime against the Amish or goths. My first thought was someone shot them for partying in a graveyard. Maybe too simple.
This marks the first time I've read one of Karen Harper's series dealing with the Amish. It was a slow moving story much like the Amish way of life. I don't think Linc gave a good portrayal of an FBI agent.
If you are a reader who likes non-violent scenes, no bad language, and books about the Amish community, you might like this book. I love the outstanding Amish series by Linda Castillo which features Sheriff Kate Burkholder. This particular book was fine but Hannah is not the outstanding character that Kate is.
July 10, 2022
A young girl who left the Amish community to pursue a music career returns and appears to bring tragedy with her. The return is accompanied with her Goth friends at Halloween time, resulting in the death of one and wounding of herself, along with a friend. She stays to help bring justice to the community and to try and right the hurt she brought to her family. As the investigation unfolds details come to light that the assault's purpose was to cover up other sinister workings that are happening in this community. She puts herself in further jeopardy, and struggles with whether the Amish lifestyle is indeed her future.
September 10, 2016
Hannah Esh decides to leave behind her Amish life and becomes goth to get as far from it as possible. One night, her goth friends decide to have some fun and have a Halloween graveyard party at the Amish cemetery. And that's where everything goes wrong.
The mystery was very good. I was kept guessing as to who the murderer was and why until the very end. I didn't like that it was set in Amish country though. I live near an Amish community in Indiana, and based on my experience, there were too many things that made me think, "The Amish don't do that! Or at least I don't think they do." Either the Ohio Amish are much more lax than in Indiana, or I think the author should have done some more research.
In the book, it says they have refrigerators and freezers on a small generator. Based on conversations I've had, the Amish don't do this. They would instead have an ice box.
It also made is sound like the telephone shacks are pretty common. I've rarely seen one. When I do, it's in an area where several houses can reach it.
Overall an interesting mystery, but somewhat unrealistic culturally.
The mystery was very good. I was kept guessing as to who the murderer was and why until the very end. I didn't like that it was set in Amish country though. I live near an Amish community in Indiana, and based on my experience, there were too many things that made me think, "The Amish don't do that! Or at least I don't think they do." Either the Ohio Amish are much more lax than in Indiana, or I think the author should have done some more research.
In the book, it says they have refrigerators and freezers on a small generator. Based on conversations I've had, the Amish don't do this. They would instead have an ice box.
It also made is sound like the telephone shacks are pretty common. I've rarely seen one. When I do, it's in an area where several houses can reach it.
Overall an interesting mystery, but somewhat unrealistic culturally.
May 16, 2022
Return to Grace is an amazing mystery written by Karen Harper. This story has it all from murder to returning to the Amish fold. This story starts right out with the suspense as to why goth kids were shot and killed in an Amish cemetery on Halloween night. So many suspects and not a lot of answers. Innocent peoe being attacked and missing adds to the suspense but the underlying story as to whether an Amish girl will return to her community and the man that hurt her so deey really makes for an amazing read. When the real killers are revealed I had a bit of it figured out but not the why and the outcome really shocked me. The author definitely keeps you guessing as to who and what will happen next. The characters are fantastic and very likeable. I enjoyed getting to know Hannah's story from start to finish. I am anxious to read the third book in this series.
I was not given a complimentary copy of this book to read and review. I was not approached to post a favorable response and all opinions are my own. I have rated this story with five stars for meeting my expectations of a wonderful mystery that I can highly recommend to others.
I was not given a complimentary copy of this book to read and review. I was not approached to post a favorable response and all opinions are my own. I have rated this story with five stars for meeting my expectations of a wonderful mystery that I can highly recommend to others.
September 26, 2020
I read a lot of Amish mysteries, it's one of my favorite genres, but this is the worst one I've had a chance to read. The awkward sentences slowed my reading pace as I read and then re-read passages to find understanding. The actions of the Amish characters seemed a bit too worldly or modern and I found it difficult to suspend my disbelief when the main character's (in particular) personality swung from wild and daring to meek and respectful to risk taking and challenging. I'm questioning how much research actually went into this story.
August 22, 2021
Hannah Esh fled her Amish family and way of life a few years before to pursue a music career after her come-calling friend got another woman pregnant, confessed, was baptized and married the pregnant woman. She and four goth friends decide to visit the Amish cemetery in Hannah's old community when shots are fired and one of those friends is killed.
There are things I liked about this book, such as the mystery part of it, but I am not big on love triangles--if you like those, this book has at least one involving Hannah, Seth (her former come-calling friend whose wife died unexpectedly of natural causes about a year before this) and Linc, the FBI agent who is pursuing this case. Yes, we see Hannah's friend Sarah from the first book a wee bit, and there are some scenes with their friend Ella, but we see a fair bit of Ray-Lynn who was in the firsr book as well.
I am also not big on series that feature new main protagonists in every book, but will probably read the third book at some point.
There are things I liked about this book, such as the mystery part of it, but I am not big on love triangles--if you like those, this book has at least one involving Hannah, Seth (her former come-calling friend whose wife died unexpectedly of natural causes about a year before this) and Linc, the FBI agent who is pursuing this case. Yes, we see Hannah's friend Sarah from the first book a wee bit, and there are some scenes with their friend Ella, but we see a fair bit of Ray-Lynn who was in the firsr book as well.
I am also not big on series that feature new main protagonists in every book, but will probably read the third book at some point.
January 16, 2019
Nice mystery with great characters!
October 7, 2019
If you like reading about the Amish and their way of life, this is a good one. Add a good mystery to it and its great reading.
March 6, 2020
I'm not a fan with series where each instalment features different protagonists. I like that constant in my series and so I started to read this with some misgivings especially noting that the protagonist, Hannah Esh, left the community when the man she loved betrayed her and had to marry another woman. He's still there. He's now widowed. And of course, he still loved her...
Hannah returned due to a misadventure she had while in the area which require some medical attention. As she's left before she was baptised into the church, she was not shunned and was even more welcome to stay at home with her family. Her misadventure, however, has messed up other people's dirty schemes and she & her loved ones are more in danger than ever.
The ending (I'm referring to the romance) was predictable, of course, and while I can appreciate the sweetness, it also kind of annoyed me... I guess, no matter who you are, you just have to follow your heart. The mystery part was very engaging and I'm actually keen to read the next book in the series.
Hannah returned due to a misadventure she had while in the area which require some medical attention. As she's left before she was baptised into the church, she was not shunned and was even more welcome to stay at home with her family. Her misadventure, however, has messed up other people's dirty schemes and she & her loved ones are more in danger than ever.
The ending (I'm referring to the romance) was predictable, of course, and while I can appreciate the sweetness, it also kind of annoyed me... I guess, no matter who you are, you just have to follow your heart. The mystery part was very engaging and I'm actually keen to read the next book in the series.
January 12, 2018
This mystery held a very different concept than what your mind is trying to process and I liked it. The two male love interests were interesting, one I loved in the beginning and disliked in the end and the other visa versa. I love how the author allows you to view from different characters in the story but keeps things flowing, it is wonderful.
September 25, 2018
Very good read.. Couldn't put it down!
Very good Amish read.
Hannah fled from her Amish community heartbroken. On Halloween she brings her four worldly friends to the Amish graveyard near her family's home.
Shots are fired and one of her friends is killed.
Hanna attempts to bring two cultures together to solve the shooting.
Very good Amish read.
Hannah fled from her Amish community heartbroken. On Halloween she brings her four worldly friends to the Amish graveyard near her family's home.
Shots are fired and one of her friends is killed.
Hanna attempts to bring two cultures together to solve the shooting.
June 1, 2023
The book "Return to Grace" by Karen Harper from the A Home Valley Amish series maybe an older tale but has creative characters, Ohio setting, and a true Amish ending that will have readers searching for more. The story has murder, lost love, and finding good in all and will keep the story line fresh and creative. copy right 2012 489 pages large print edition
March 11, 2019
A beautiful story, which leaves a very pleasant taste in the mouth. Looking forward to reading more of the same. I do like happy
Endings. A well paced and written tale with first class proofreading. No silly mistakes anywhere such a joy. Thank you.
Endings. A well paced and written tale with first class proofreading. No silly mistakes anywhere such a joy. Thank you.
June 20, 2022
I Absolutely Loved this book. What an incredible Love story. Hannah left her Amish Community after the man she Loved shattered her heart. I have found an author, Karen Harper that I will definitely be reading again.
March 31, 2023
A great read about the Amish
Sheriff's e wife is involved with Hood in Las Vegas. She got the local butcher to hide bodies in newly buried bodies by dig up the graves and laying murdered bodies on top of coffins in the graves.
Sheriff's e wife is involved with Hood in Las Vegas. She got the local butcher to hide bodies in newly buried bodies by dig up the graves and laying murdered bodies on top of coffins in the graves.
March 26, 2019
Meh. I was disappointed by the ending and I did sort of figure out the mystery. No great desire to read another Amish mystery by Harper.
April 11, 2019
It's a page turner!
March 30, 2021
Enjoyed the characters and the mystery in Amish country.
Read
December 9, 2021Hannah has left her Amish family to try have a singing career. She gets involved in a murder in her amish family.
March 27, 2023
Couldn't put it down!
May 21, 2023
A romantic suspense book. Not particularly strong on the suspense side. Not my cup of tea
December 20, 2023
I usually read Linda Castillo’s Amish Detective series. This who done it set in Amish country was ok. Decent storytelling.
April 27, 2024
It’s a good story redemption. Harper does a good job at not letting the reader fully recognize who the culprits are that stirred up the peaceful Amish country of Homestead Valley.
December 28, 2017
Although fictional I learned a bit more about the Amish community
December 29, 2011
I enjoyed this story set in an Amish community. Hannah Esh was a very interesting main character whose life had taken a sharp turn from her Amish roots. Her life veered away from the course she had planned when she was betrayed by the man she loved and hoped to marry. I liked Hannah and thought that she turned out to be a much stronger person than she was portayed in the beginning in the cemtery with her Goth friends. I liked Hannah's friends Sarah and Ella, although their roles in the story were fairly small. I also became attached to Sheriff Freeman and Rae-Lynn. I enjoyed Linc Armstrong's role in the story, but had a difficult time warming up to Seth. I felt that there was never a satisfactory explanation given for Seth's betrayal of Hannah. He said he made "a mistake," but I never felt enough remorse from him to feel certain that he would ever stay faithful.
Hannah Esh and her Goth friends decide to party in an Amish Cemetery close to her family home on Halloween. A shooting occurs and one of Hannah's friends is dead, while she and another are injured. The FBI is called in to investigate, and it is soon discovered that a few graves in the cemetery contain an extra body. Hannah's brush with danger and injury have brought her back to the family fold, at least temporarily. As she becomes accustomed to the Amish community again, she must also confront her remaining feelings for Seth, the man who was not faithful to her. His betrayal is what drove her from her home and to the Goth lifetyle. It soon becomes clear that danger is still rampant in the Amish village, and Hannah tries to help unravel who is behind both the shooting and the extra bodies in the cemetery.
This was a very interesting book. I enjoyed the storyline and was kept guessing through much of the book. I suspected several different characters at different points in the book. I liked Hannah'a character and found her to be a sympathetic heroine. I wasn't so pleased with Seth. I never developed much attachment to Seth's character due to his prior treatment of Hannah. When she came back, his devotion and loyalty to Hannah just weren't believable enough for me. I did enjoy the setting of this story, and look forward to more by this author. I appreciated the opportunity to read and review this ARC through Netgalley.
Hannah Esh and her Goth friends decide to party in an Amish Cemetery close to her family home on Halloween. A shooting occurs and one of Hannah's friends is dead, while she and another are injured. The FBI is called in to investigate, and it is soon discovered that a few graves in the cemetery contain an extra body. Hannah's brush with danger and injury have brought her back to the family fold, at least temporarily. As she becomes accustomed to the Amish community again, she must also confront her remaining feelings for Seth, the man who was not faithful to her. His betrayal is what drove her from her home and to the Goth lifetyle. It soon becomes clear that danger is still rampant in the Amish village, and Hannah tries to help unravel who is behind both the shooting and the extra bodies in the cemetery.
This was a very interesting book. I enjoyed the storyline and was kept guessing through much of the book. I suspected several different characters at different points in the book. I liked Hannah'a character and found her to be a sympathetic heroine. I wasn't so pleased with Seth. I never developed much attachment to Seth's character due to his prior treatment of Hannah. When she came back, his devotion and loyalty to Hannah just weren't believable enough for me. I did enjoy the setting of this story, and look forward to more by this author. I appreciated the opportunity to read and review this ARC through Netgalley.
February 8, 2012
This mystery novel drops the reader right into the middle of the action as Hannah and her goth friends decide to spend Halloween in an Amish graveyard near her childhood home. Yet, unbeknownst to her, the graveyard on which she treads holds more than just the dead buried there, leading to an intense murder mystery as Hannah and her friends become victims of a graveyard shooting. As the investigation unfolds, Hannah is forced to move back home to her Amish roots, facing the same situations and people she ran away from so long ago, including the man who broke her heart.
Return to Grace is an intense mystery novel that had me captivated from the very first page. I love novels about the Amish way of life, and when these stories are combined with that of a mystery, one of my favorite genres, I am eager to read them. Like Marta Perry, Harper weave’s an intricate tale of murder, love, and betrayal within the Amish countryside, juxtaposing the quiet Amish life with the hustle and bustle of the fast-paced city as Hannah’s community is drawn into the public’s eye due to the violence she survived in the graveyard.
Hannah is a complex character, torn between what is “right” and what she wants. Though she’s donned the gothic lifestyle to replace that which she has lost, she hasn’t truly given up her past. Her struggle is very vivid and real, extremely believable, and I couldn’t help but be drawn in by her, rooting for her all the way. She has many difficult choices to make, including whether to stay and join the church, marrying Amish, or go back out into the world—should she survive the murderer on the loose. Harper’s cast of complex characters throughout this novel were extremely well written and I enjoyed them all, especially the characters of Seth and Linc as they both vied for Hannah’s attention, offering her different pieces of the world that she yearns after.
To read my full review upon release (2/21/12):
http://bookvacations.wordpress.com/20...
Return to Grace is an intense mystery novel that had me captivated from the very first page. I love novels about the Amish way of life, and when these stories are combined with that of a mystery, one of my favorite genres, I am eager to read them. Like Marta Perry, Harper weave’s an intricate tale of murder, love, and betrayal within the Amish countryside, juxtaposing the quiet Amish life with the hustle and bustle of the fast-paced city as Hannah’s community is drawn into the public’s eye due to the violence she survived in the graveyard.
Hannah is a complex character, torn between what is “right” and what she wants. Though she’s donned the gothic lifestyle to replace that which she has lost, she hasn’t truly given up her past. Her struggle is very vivid and real, extremely believable, and I couldn’t help but be drawn in by her, rooting for her all the way. She has many difficult choices to make, including whether to stay and join the church, marrying Amish, or go back out into the world—should she survive the murderer on the loose. Harper’s cast of complex characters throughout this novel were extremely well written and I enjoyed them all, especially the characters of Seth and Linc as they both vied for Hannah’s attention, offering her different pieces of the world that she yearns after.
To read my full review upon release (2/21/12):
http://bookvacations.wordpress.com/20...
April 1, 2012
Return to Grace by Karen Harper
5 STARS
I was really into this story. I believe this was second book in this series. Now I want to go back and read the first book.
Hannah Esh has left her amish home a few years back after a fight with her father the Bishop and after her long term boyfriend who told her he got someone else pregnant and was going to marry her.
Hannah was back with friends on halloween they all are goth and are at a amish cemetary after they had broke in a closed corn maze. A couple of her friends where dancing around the cemetary and drinking and it just happened it was on Seth's wife grave. Hannah was upset and homesick when all of a sudden shots where fired at them. Kevin was dead and tiffany shot and then she realized she was shot.
While she was on her cell to 911 Seth heard screaming and loud music as he was going home from hunting and even recongized Hannah voice talking.
Seth quickly found Hannah and wrapped her wrist to stop the bleeding and then stopped Tiffany's bleeding with preasure bandage.
The Bishop and his wife did not live far from the cemetary and when they found out Hannah was wounded her mom got in the ambulence with her. Hannah thought she could die after seeing her parents and Seth.
While Hannah was in the hospital her mom stayed with her. They were going to take her home with them.
The sheriff and FBI were waiting to talk to her about the night.
Hannah was so a shamed about the trouble she brought home to her family.
FBI agent Link was interested in Hannah. So was Seth he never stopped loving her and felt guilty in his part why she left to go out into the world.
This was full of drama finding dead bodies and people where disappearing.
Hannah was trying to solve who killed her friend. Seth was trying to find out what was happening and trying to protect Hannah.
I was given this ebook to read in exchange of honest review from Netgalley.
02/28/2012 PUB Harlequin HarlequinMira
5 STARS
I was really into this story. I believe this was second book in this series. Now I want to go back and read the first book.
Hannah Esh has left her amish home a few years back after a fight with her father the Bishop and after her long term boyfriend who told her he got someone else pregnant and was going to marry her.
Hannah was back with friends on halloween they all are goth and are at a amish cemetary after they had broke in a closed corn maze. A couple of her friends where dancing around the cemetary and drinking and it just happened it was on Seth's wife grave. Hannah was upset and homesick when all of a sudden shots where fired at them. Kevin was dead and tiffany shot and then she realized she was shot.
While she was on her cell to 911 Seth heard screaming and loud music as he was going home from hunting and even recongized Hannah voice talking.
Seth quickly found Hannah and wrapped her wrist to stop the bleeding and then stopped Tiffany's bleeding with preasure bandage.
The Bishop and his wife did not live far from the cemetary and when they found out Hannah was wounded her mom got in the ambulence with her. Hannah thought she could die after seeing her parents and Seth.
While Hannah was in the hospital her mom stayed with her. They were going to take her home with them.
The sheriff and FBI were waiting to talk to her about the night.
Hannah was so a shamed about the trouble she brought home to her family.
FBI agent Link was interested in Hannah. So was Seth he never stopped loving her and felt guilty in his part why she left to go out into the world.
This was full of drama finding dead bodies and people where disappearing.
Hannah was trying to solve who killed her friend. Seth was trying to find out what was happening and trying to protect Hannah.
I was given this ebook to read in exchange of honest review from Netgalley.
02/28/2012 PUB Harlequin HarlequinMira
January 30, 2014
Again, I rounded up the rating for this book from about 3.5 to 4.
This is the second of three books in Karen Harper's "Home Valley Amish" series. I would say it is crucial to read these books in order to be able to keep up with the characters who reappear.
The female lead, Hannah, left the Amish community when her fiance, Seth, betrayed her with another young woman. Hannah originally tried to make it as a musician, but she then became a Goth, about as far from Amish as it was possible to move. She had doubts about her choices and often would sneak back to visit her friend, Sarah, from Book One.
One again, there is a deadly mystery to solve. Several people in the community have been shot and/or killed, including "English" as well as Amish.
This smart, sharp heroine makes more than one really dumb dangerous move: while I was reading parts of the story, I kept thinking of the naive heroines of old gothic stories (no pun intended).
Seth's account of how he went astray is a big blank in the story, which makes the acceptance-rejection rules of the community seem much harder on the talented young women in Harper's stories so far. The other assumption made in the first two books has the featured Amish young women much more outspoken and independent than what seems to be realistic for Northeast Ohio. Of course, my direct contact with Amish people is limited but not absent entirely.
Now that I've read the first two books very quickly, I will read the third. I wish I could rave over these stories and recommend them more highly, but I also must say that the characters are interesting, whether accurately portrayed or not.
Again, I did not figure out the villain(s) here. The revelatory scene was very, very short and not as well written as it could have been.
This is the second of three books in Karen Harper's "Home Valley Amish" series. I would say it is crucial to read these books in order to be able to keep up with the characters who reappear.
The female lead, Hannah, left the Amish community when her fiance, Seth, betrayed her with another young woman. Hannah originally tried to make it as a musician, but she then became a Goth, about as far from Amish as it was possible to move. She had doubts about her choices and often would sneak back to visit her friend, Sarah, from Book One.
One again, there is a deadly mystery to solve. Several people in the community have been shot and/or killed, including "English" as well as Amish.
This smart, sharp heroine makes more than one really dumb dangerous move: while I was reading parts of the story, I kept thinking of the naive heroines of old gothic stories (no pun intended).
Seth's account of how he went astray is a big blank in the story, which makes the acceptance-rejection rules of the community seem much harder on the talented young women in Harper's stories so far. The other assumption made in the first two books has the featured Amish young women much more outspoken and independent than what seems to be realistic for Northeast Ohio. Of course, my direct contact with Amish people is limited but not absent entirely.
Now that I've read the first two books very quickly, I will read the third. I wish I could rave over these stories and recommend them more highly, but I also must say that the characters are interesting, whether accurately portrayed or not.
Again, I did not figure out the villain(s) here. The revelatory scene was very, very short and not as well written as it could have been.
March 7, 2012
This story starts right off with a murder as the main character, Hannah, and her goth friends picnic in an Amish cemetery near her childhood home. Unknown to them, a shooter is hiding in the trees. One is killed and Hannah and a friend are injured. To recuperate, she moves back home with her Amish family. As the investigation unfolds, Hannah is forced to face the same situations and people she ran away, including the man who broke her heart. Hannah is a wonderfully complex character, torn between the world she knows, and the outside world where her dreams of being a singer lie.
The angst Hannah feels as she is torn between the two worlds is well written, as is the description of both worlds. What I had a problem with was the depiction of the sheriff. His "good-old-boy" language was a bit off-putting for me. Having grown up in Dutch country and with a relative who was the local cop, it struck me as a little too forced. I will say that she redeemed him by the end, but I was still a little put off by it.
Still, except for a couple of little nits, this was a good story. The mystery is a decent one and the angst of Hannah very well done. If you like Amish mysteries, you'll really like this one. Definitely recommended for those who enjoy the genre.
The angst Hannah feels as she is torn between the two worlds is well written, as is the description of both worlds. What I had a problem with was the depiction of the sheriff. His "good-old-boy" language was a bit off-putting for me. Having grown up in Dutch country and with a relative who was the local cop, it struck me as a little too forced. I will say that she redeemed him by the end, but I was still a little put off by it.
Still, except for a couple of little nits, this was a good story. The mystery is a decent one and the angst of Hannah very well done. If you like Amish mysteries, you'll really like this one. Definitely recommended for those who enjoy the genre.
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