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An Amish Mystery #2
Assaulted Pretzel
Claire Weatherly found the simple life she always wanted when she opened a gift shop in Heavenly, Pennsylvania—a small town in the heart of Amish country. But when murder disrupts her Heavenly home, it’s up to Claire and Detective Jakob Fisher to find the not-so-simple truth.
The quiet town of Heavenly is buzzing with excitement over the latest guests at the local inn, Sleep Heavenly. Toy manufacturer Rob Karble is in town to meet the members of the Amish community who will soon be crafting a new toy line for his company. But when word gets out that Karble intends to use the Amish designs without employing the Amish to make them, someone sends the interloper to his final reward.
No one wants to believe anyone from the Amish community could commit such an act, but as Claire and Detective Fisher have learned, no one is above sin—or suspicion.
The quiet town of Heavenly is buzzing with excitement over the latest guests at the local inn, Sleep Heavenly. Toy manufacturer Rob Karble is in town to meet the members of the Amish community who will soon be crafting a new toy line for his company. But when word gets out that Karble intends to use the Amish designs without employing the Amish to make them, someone sends the interloper to his final reward.
No one wants to believe anyone from the Amish community could commit such an act, but as Claire and Detective Fisher have learned, no one is above sin—or suspicion.
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
159 people are currently reading
818 people want to read
About the author
Laura Bradford
58 books882 followersAka Elizabeth Lynn Casey.
While spending a rainy afternoon at a friend's house nearly forty years ago, Laura Bradford fell in love with writing over a stack of blank paper, a box of crayons, and a freshly sharpened number two pencil.
Those early attempts at the craft had her writing and illustrating stories for young children. Wise beyond her years, Laura saved her first writing attempt in a hand decorated shoe box (complete with sparkly stickers) and moved on to her next idea. Her second book—O’Casey’s Wish—was so utterly brilliant, she sent it off to a well-known New York publishing house at the tender age of ten, confident she was on the verge of becoming the next Don Freeman (Corduroy) or Shel Silverstein (Giving Tree).
Months later, she received her first form letter rejection.
While she wasn’t of the mindset to save that first crushing blow for posterity, Laura did save the original copy of this particular literary masterpiece in the event the letter was a mistake.
Desperate to prove her flexibility as a writer, Laura soon found herself dabbling in jokes (for her Girl Scout troop’s newsletter), stories of angst (a somewhat autobiographical look at her teenage years), movie reviews (for the Xavier University Newswire), and countless news and feature articles (for newspapers in CT, SC, TN, and MO).
It wasn’t until Laura was home raising children of her own though, that she was finally able to dust off that rainy day dream and bring it back to its original form—writing fiction. Today, she is a bestselling mystery author with Berkley Prime Crime (Penguin Publishing), and an award winning romance author with Harlequin American. She lives in New York with her family.
Oh, and if you meet Laura at a book event in the future, ask her about O’Casey’s Wish. It tends to travel with her everywhere she goes.
While spending a rainy afternoon at a friend's house nearly forty years ago, Laura Bradford fell in love with writing over a stack of blank paper, a box of crayons, and a freshly sharpened number two pencil.
Those early attempts at the craft had her writing and illustrating stories for young children. Wise beyond her years, Laura saved her first writing attempt in a hand decorated shoe box (complete with sparkly stickers) and moved on to her next idea. Her second book—O’Casey’s Wish—was so utterly brilliant, she sent it off to a well-known New York publishing house at the tender age of ten, confident she was on the verge of becoming the next Don Freeman (Corduroy) or Shel Silverstein (Giving Tree).
Months later, she received her first form letter rejection.
While she wasn’t of the mindset to save that first crushing blow for posterity, Laura did save the original copy of this particular literary masterpiece in the event the letter was a mistake.
Desperate to prove her flexibility as a writer, Laura soon found herself dabbling in jokes (for her Girl Scout troop’s newsletter), stories of angst (a somewhat autobiographical look at her teenage years), movie reviews (for the Xavier University Newswire), and countless news and feature articles (for newspapers in CT, SC, TN, and MO).
It wasn’t until Laura was home raising children of her own though, that she was finally able to dust off that rainy day dream and bring it back to its original form—writing fiction. Today, she is a bestselling mystery author with Berkley Prime Crime (Penguin Publishing), and an award winning romance author with Harlequin American. She lives in New York with her family.
Oh, and if you meet Laura at a book event in the future, ask her about O’Casey’s Wish. It tends to travel with her everywhere she goes.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews
March 23, 2021
Let me start with saying I rate my cozy mysteries different than all other genres of books I read. I still use a five star rating system (or with cozies I like to think instead of stars how many cups of coffee/tea.….which is my idea of cozy). The following is how I rate my cozies:
1 cup of coffee- did not finish or will not continue on in series.
2 cups of coffee- this book has potential, but on the fence whether I will read the next book.
3 cups of coffee- good- will definitely continue series, but did have some issues
4 cups of coffee- great- will definitely continue series- minor issues
5 cups of coffee-EXCEPTIONAL!
What I think about when I give my ratings:
1.) There called cozies for a reason, and that being said I know they are not for everybody. I love them. Therefore the first thing I think about is how cozy/cheesy are they? The more cheese the better for me…lol. The horrible puns in the titles…LOVE THEM. Yes…if you’re wondering I am the person who loves laffy taffy jokes.
2.) Characters/ and relationships with secondary characters
3.) Setting
4.) The mystery
This book is a 3.50. I really enjoy the facts about the Amish, the author does a good job of describing the setting, and I loved the title (Assaulted pretzel)…I am chuckling even now.
I did think there were times when the chapter/ and or a conversation ended abruptly, and it made for some transitions to seem confusing.
I also hope this series doesn’t get caught up in a “forever” love triangle. When after so many books of them not being able to choose between 2 love interests….your so irritated you could care less who they end up with.
Although the who-done-it wasn’t obvious which I appreciate…I also didn’t think it ever gave you a single clue to suspect the killer.
In conclusion I enjoyed the read and will continue with the series.
1 cup of coffee- did not finish or will not continue on in series.
2 cups of coffee- this book has potential, but on the fence whether I will read the next book.
3 cups of coffee- good- will definitely continue series, but did have some issues
4 cups of coffee- great- will definitely continue series- minor issues
5 cups of coffee-EXCEPTIONAL!
What I think about when I give my ratings:
1.) There called cozies for a reason, and that being said I know they are not for everybody. I love them. Therefore the first thing I think about is how cozy/cheesy are they? The more cheese the better for me…lol. The horrible puns in the titles…LOVE THEM. Yes…if you’re wondering I am the person who loves laffy taffy jokes.
2.) Characters/ and relationships with secondary characters
3.) Setting
4.) The mystery
This book is a 3.50. I really enjoy the facts about the Amish, the author does a good job of describing the setting, and I loved the title (Assaulted pretzel)…I am chuckling even now.
I did think there were times when the chapter/ and or a conversation ended abruptly, and it made for some transitions to seem confusing.
I also hope this series doesn’t get caught up in a “forever” love triangle. When after so many books of them not being able to choose between 2 love interests….your so irritated you could care less who they end up with.
Although the who-done-it wasn’t obvious which I appreciate…I also didn’t think it ever gave you a single clue to suspect the killer.
In conclusion I enjoyed the read and will continue with the series.
March 20, 2013
I love reading about the Amish and I like the idea of a mystery series in the Amish community. The scenes involving that community were by far the best parts of this book. I'm hooked on Benjamin, and I'm loving the story line surrounding the difficulties (read: impossibilities) of a relationship between an English and an Amish.
Unfortunately, I'm not overly fond of the constant reflection, introspection and earnestness of the main character, Clair. She reads a bit like a 12 year old as told by nuns. No sharp edges, no interesting bits at all. Just constant introspection (which I'm not a fan of in the best of books) and an awful lot of hallmark-card-platitudes. She doesn't feel realistic to me. Don't get me wrong, I like that she's positive and thankful to find herself in Heavenly - I get that. But there's no frustration, no anger, no irritation. When her Aunt chastises her for spending time with an Amish man, she just meekly takes it and then thanks her Aunt for it. Her Aunt may be giving her very sage and pertinent advice, but no real grown woman takes being told how to live her life with her head hung low and then gives thanks for the dressing down. Clair has no fire, and the story is so much the weaker for it, in my opinion.
I ended up skimming a good percentage of this book - maybe 30%? I skipped an entire page and a half at one point, so I can't say I loved this book. But there are parts I genuinely liked. If another one is published, I'll definitely take a look.
Unfortunately, I'm not overly fond of the constant reflection, introspection and earnestness of the main character, Clair. She reads a bit like a 12 year old as told by nuns. No sharp edges, no interesting bits at all. Just constant introspection (which I'm not a fan of in the best of books) and an awful lot of hallmark-card-platitudes. She doesn't feel realistic to me. Don't get me wrong, I like that she's positive and thankful to find herself in Heavenly - I get that. But there's no frustration, no anger, no irritation. When her Aunt chastises her for spending time with an Amish man, she just meekly takes it and then thanks her Aunt for it. Her Aunt may be giving her very sage and pertinent advice, but no real grown woman takes being told how to live her life with her head hung low and then gives thanks for the dressing down. Clair has no fire, and the story is so much the weaker for it, in my opinion.
I ended up skimming a good percentage of this book - maybe 30%? I skipped an entire page and a half at one point, so I can't say I loved this book. But there are parts I genuinely liked. If another one is published, I'll definitely take a look.
July 10, 2017
Another good entry in the series! I really like Claire and Heavenly. The town seems so peaceful (except for all the murders that keep happening there). I'm interested to see what will happen next in Claire's personal life too.
January 4, 2020
Opportunity seemed to be coming to the Amish of Heavenly Pennsylvania when Robert Karble, President of Karble Toys became interested in manufacturing a line of Amish wooden toys. He had come to town to see toy maker Daniel Lapp and his assistant Isaac Fisher. Plans were to open a manufacturing facility there in Heavenly Pennsylvania, employing the Amish, to make the wooden toys. Then word got out that Robert Karble had misled Daniel and Isaac and was planning on actually making a wooden toy line, using the Amish toy makers designs, at their plant in Grand Rapids Michigan.
The Amish are shocked and especially Daniel and Isaac. This had offered so much hope for more employment for the local Amish. And after all Mr Karble had gave his word. Then while at The Taste of Amish Festival, Mr. Karble is found dead, right behind Ruth Miller's bakery booth.
Who would actually want Karble dead? Police detective Jakob Fisher gets busy investigating the crime and sifting through the evidence surrounding the murder. Then the Heavenly Bed and Breakfast finds that someone has ransacked the Karbles room looking for something. Claire Weatherly, sleuths detective, starts snooping around and asking questions and making a list of suspects. She can't rest until she finds the killer.
I love cozy mysteries and Laura Bradford didn't disappoint this reader. I had my own list of suspects but I was totally wrong. Not even close! As usual it's always the person you would least suspect. That's what makes a cozy murder mystery so good!
If you love cozy mysteries then Assaulted Pretzel is for you. If you enjoy Amish Fiction you will like this book. I recommend it for your reading pleasure.
I downloaded an ebook version of Assaulted Pretzel from the Ohio Digital Library. A review was not requested. All opinions about the book expressed here in this review are my own.
The Amish are shocked and especially Daniel and Isaac. This had offered so much hope for more employment for the local Amish. And after all Mr Karble had gave his word. Then while at The Taste of Amish Festival, Mr. Karble is found dead, right behind Ruth Miller's bakery booth.
Who would actually want Karble dead? Police detective Jakob Fisher gets busy investigating the crime and sifting through the evidence surrounding the murder. Then the Heavenly Bed and Breakfast finds that someone has ransacked the Karbles room looking for something. Claire Weatherly, sleuths detective, starts snooping around and asking questions and making a list of suspects. She can't rest until she finds the killer.
I love cozy mysteries and Laura Bradford didn't disappoint this reader. I had my own list of suspects but I was totally wrong. Not even close! As usual it's always the person you would least suspect. That's what makes a cozy murder mystery so good!
If you love cozy mysteries then Assaulted Pretzel is for you. If you enjoy Amish Fiction you will like this book. I recommend it for your reading pleasure.
I downloaded an ebook version of Assaulted Pretzel from the Ohio Digital Library. A review was not requested. All opinions about the book expressed here in this review are my own.
January 18, 2020
Number 2 is Even Better
This is going to be a great series to read. Another murder to solve and plenty of romance and Amish Country sweetness!
This is going to be a great series to read. Another murder to solve and plenty of romance and Amish Country sweetness!
August 7, 2017
My eyes just burned from the tears and emotions through the last half of this book...and of course I don't have the next book in the series yet! Ugh! The story was just wonderful to read, I enjoyed every moment of it.
January 16, 2016
Claire Weatherly found the simple life she always wanted when she opened a gift shop in Heavenly, Pennsylvania—a small town in the heart of Amish country.
It is time for the Amish Food Festival and Sleep Heavenly has some very special guests. Rob and Ann Karble have come to town not just enjoy the delightful Amish food creations but to add their own excitement to the quiet little town. Rob is the president of Karble Toys and he has plans to add a line of toys designed and created by the Amish. Daniel Lapp and Issac Schrock have been making toys and selling them through a catalog and out of their shop to tourists so this news means they will be able to employ more Amish as their sales catapult.
Then a memo is passed around at the festival from Karble Toys. It states the new line will no longer be made in Heavenly but at one of their factories. This drives someone to commit murder. Rob Karble has been sent to his final reward. No one wants to believe anyone from the Amish community would kill someone but Detective Fisher and Claire have learned the no one is above sin or suspicion. They need to track down the killer before anyone else becomes heaven bound.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Amazing! Laura Bradford in an amazing author!
Heavenly, Pennsylvania is right in the heart of an Amish Community. Tourists come to the little town for a glimpse of their simpler way of life and stop into the shops along Lighted Way owned by both English and Amish residents.
Clare Weatherly has come to Heavenly to get away from the rushed life she was living and a man she realized was completely wrong for her. She has opened up Heavenly Treasures where she sells items crafted by her Amish neighbors. She has quickly made herself at home in Heavenly.
Bradford blends a clever mystery with a little romance to captivate cozy readers. There are two men that make Clare “tingle” but one is totally off limits and the other has his mind on other things, like solving a murder.
Fantastic characters, a delightful setting, and a whodunit that will keep you guessing until the very end. The first book in this series, Hearse and Buggy, was one of my favorite cozies in 2012 and this one is even better. Both books are Heavenly Treasures and get my highest recommendation. I can’t wait for the next installment of this wonderful series!
It is time for the Amish Food Festival and Sleep Heavenly has some very special guests. Rob and Ann Karble have come to town not just enjoy the delightful Amish food creations but to add their own excitement to the quiet little town. Rob is the president of Karble Toys and he has plans to add a line of toys designed and created by the Amish. Daniel Lapp and Issac Schrock have been making toys and selling them through a catalog and out of their shop to tourists so this news means they will be able to employ more Amish as their sales catapult.
Then a memo is passed around at the festival from Karble Toys. It states the new line will no longer be made in Heavenly but at one of their factories. This drives someone to commit murder. Rob Karble has been sent to his final reward. No one wants to believe anyone from the Amish community would kill someone but Detective Fisher and Claire have learned the no one is above sin or suspicion. They need to track down the killer before anyone else becomes heaven bound.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Amazing! Laura Bradford in an amazing author!
Heavenly, Pennsylvania is right in the heart of an Amish Community. Tourists come to the little town for a glimpse of their simpler way of life and stop into the shops along Lighted Way owned by both English and Amish residents.
Clare Weatherly has come to Heavenly to get away from the rushed life she was living and a man she realized was completely wrong for her. She has opened up Heavenly Treasures where she sells items crafted by her Amish neighbors. She has quickly made herself at home in Heavenly.
Bradford blends a clever mystery with a little romance to captivate cozy readers. There are two men that make Clare “tingle” but one is totally off limits and the other has his mind on other things, like solving a murder.
Fantastic characters, a delightful setting, and a whodunit that will keep you guessing until the very end. The first book in this series, Hearse and Buggy, was one of my favorite cozies in 2012 and this one is even better. Both books are Heavenly Treasures and get my highest recommendation. I can’t wait for the next installment of this wonderful series!
May 20, 2022
A man seeking to mass produce Amish toys turns up dead at a food festival. Knowing the peaceful ways of the Amish, the detective in charge of the case doesn't know where to look for suspects, but Claire, the shop owner/cozy sleuth, finds clues. The mystery lacks the interaction between the detective and cozy sleuth that it needs. I did not feel there was a very good sense of place. I felt the Amish were an add-on instead of an integral part of the action. Perhaps this one was a tad too cozy?
January 11, 2019
Things in Heavenly Pennsylvania was going pretty good until the toy man, Rob Karble came to town. At first it was good news as he was going to make Amish toys by the Amish so it would provide work for a lot of Amish men. Then he seemed to take that all back with a memo that got sent out and not long after that he ends up dead.
Jakob the detective who use to be Amish is having a hard time with being back in Heavenly near his family that isn't supposed to talk to him. Also one of them could be a killer as he had a lot to lose along with another Amish man, which is making it doubly hard on Jakob. Claire steps in to try and figure out what is going on and who might have killed Karble while also wrestling with her feelings for two different men. (Not a huge fan of love triangles and this was is very strange though I think the triangle might have been dealt with or at least I hope. :) )
I really enjoy the characters and learning about Amish things. I really like Claire but question her thinking some times especially when it comes to Ben, that should have so stayed in the friend zone! I really like Jakob and feel bad for him and wish he could see his family without having to be sneaky. Her Aunt Diane is a great character to and I felt bad for her and what happened at her inn and how it made her questions how she runs things.
I can't wait to get to the next one! I would recommend this series!
Jakob the detective who use to be Amish is having a hard time with being back in Heavenly near his family that isn't supposed to talk to him. Also one of them could be a killer as he had a lot to lose along with another Amish man, which is making it doubly hard on Jakob. Claire steps in to try and figure out what is going on and who might have killed Karble while also wrestling with her feelings for two different men. (Not a huge fan of love triangles and this was is very strange though I think the triangle might have been dealt with or at least I hope. :) )
I really enjoy the characters and learning about Amish things. I really like Claire but question her thinking some times especially when it comes to Ben, that should have so stayed in the friend zone! I really like Jakob and feel bad for him and wish he could see his family without having to be sneaky. Her Aunt Diane is a great character to and I felt bad for her and what happened at her inn and how it made her questions how she runs things.
I can't wait to get to the next one! I would recommend this series!
July 28, 2016
Though not quite as good as the first, Assaulted Pretzel was a wonderfully engaging book that I enjoyed.
Claire is the same wonderful MC she was portrayed to be in the first book. Benjamin and Jakob are also wonderful, but for them it's a bad thing, in my opinion. If, and that's a big if, I like a love triangle in my mysteries it's only if one of the characters will be a clear winner. That didn't happen here, though, and it's honest to goodness annoying because both men are portrayed as equally great guys.
Diane grated on my nerves a bit, also. She was portrayed as such a strong character in the first book, but in this book she reversed all of that and became so fragile it was annoying. If an author's going to make a strong character please keep them at least moderately strong.
The mystery was well thought out. It was filled with twists and turns and I honestly didn't know what would happen next.
Overall a very solid book that I enjoyed! I will be reading the next one.
Claire is the same wonderful MC she was portrayed to be in the first book. Benjamin and Jakob are also wonderful, but for them it's a bad thing, in my opinion. If, and that's a big if, I like a love triangle in my mysteries it's only if one of the characters will be a clear winner. That didn't happen here, though, and it's honest to goodness annoying because both men are portrayed as equally great guys.
Diane grated on my nerves a bit, also. She was portrayed as such a strong character in the first book, but in this book she reversed all of that and became so fragile it was annoying. If an author's going to make a strong character please keep them at least moderately strong.
The mystery was well thought out. It was filled with twists and turns and I honestly didn't know what would happen next.
Overall a very solid book that I enjoyed! I will be reading the next one.
June 19, 2018
The annual Amish food festival has arrived, but on the happy day bad news arrives. Rob Karble, a toy manufacturer who came to Heavenly to discuss an Amish toy line which would bring jobs and money to the community, is instead going to make the toys out of state. Shortly after word spreads about this blow to the town, Karble dies suddenly. Claire must intercede for Jakob to find out who the killer is.
I found Claire to be very annoying in this book. She pushed Jakob way too hard and way too often to connect with his family who shunned him. Her conflict between Jakob and Ben was too prominent, and she kept going on and on about how she wasn't ready for a new romance. I became impatient and would have preferred the book to be heavier on the mystery and a lot lighter on the divorcée's angst and cultural interference. I hope the balance is restored in the next one.
I found Claire to be very annoying in this book. She pushed Jakob way too hard and way too often to connect with his family who shunned him. Her conflict between Jakob and Ben was too prominent, and she kept going on and on about how she wasn't ready for a new romance. I became impatient and would have preferred the book to be heavier on the mystery and a lot lighter on the divorcée's angst and cultural interference. I hope the balance is restored in the next one.
April 17, 2020
Claire's quiet town is excited because a guest at the inn is planning on selling Amish wooden toys through his company using local talent. It isn't long before they find out he has changed his mind and will just be using their ideas and the town is crushed. when the guest is found murdered and his room torn apart at the inn Claire tries to figure it out. She is also trying to decided between the ex-Amish sheriff and an Amish man who likes her. Enjoyable read.
August 8, 2013
Claire's simple life is just getting back in order after a nasty murder she helped solve is finally moving from her mind. Just when she thinks she can focus on her feelings for Jakob, the handsome detective, and Benjamin, the handsome but out of the question for a relationship Amish friend of hers, another murder occurs in the small Amish town of Heavenly. Claire again is helping Jakob try to figure things out and clear the people she has come to love and respect for their ways of life. Rob Karble was a big city toy manufacturer who was coming to work out some kind of deal with the Amish toy makers. It would have meant big money and exposure of their toys for the Amish and even bigger money for Rob Karble. Only problem is, he turned on the Amish and decided after being there that he was going to mass produce the toys and not have them make them for him, which would mean huge losses for the Amish because the mass produced ones would be much cheaper for customers to buy. Shortly after the letter comes out in the Amish community Rob Karble is found dead at an Amish festival. Simple and kind folk like the Amish would never kill a man over toys would they? Or would they when it means a dramatic hit in how they make money for their own survival? Can Claire and Jakob sort this all out before word gets out about this and it still hurts the Amish way of life? Who would kill Rob?
This was a nice continuation to the first book in this series, "Hearse and Buggy". Just like that book, I loved the Amish way of this book. I found the setting and characters to be just as intriguing to me in this book as I did the first one. It is a book that slows down the readers world to see the beauty in the Amish ways of living. The other great thing about this continuation is; you don't have to have read the first book to completely understand this one. It flows very well and Bradford does a fantastic job with putting in just the right amount of backtrack when she needs to, to make the book make perfect sense whether you read the first book or not. I think, like any series, it is much better and adds more to have read the first book though. I loved watching the characters develop even more throughout this book. I also enjoyed the new characters that I got to meet in this new book. I can't wait to see where the characters go from here. The plot was great and the flow of the book was very good. It was fast enough to keep me wanting to read on, but also had a relaxing feel to it almost. I would highly recommend this book to any mystery reader looking for a relaxing mystery read. I hope to read on in this series for many books to come. Bradford is a terrific, new to me, author that I can't wait to read more of.
5/5 Stars!
This was a nice continuation to the first book in this series, "Hearse and Buggy". Just like that book, I loved the Amish way of this book. I found the setting and characters to be just as intriguing to me in this book as I did the first one. It is a book that slows down the readers world to see the beauty in the Amish ways of living. The other great thing about this continuation is; you don't have to have read the first book to completely understand this one. It flows very well and Bradford does a fantastic job with putting in just the right amount of backtrack when she needs to, to make the book make perfect sense whether you read the first book or not. I think, like any series, it is much better and adds more to have read the first book though. I loved watching the characters develop even more throughout this book. I also enjoyed the new characters that I got to meet in this new book. I can't wait to see where the characters go from here. The plot was great and the flow of the book was very good. It was fast enough to keep me wanting to read on, but also had a relaxing feel to it almost. I would highly recommend this book to any mystery reader looking for a relaxing mystery read. I hope to read on in this series for many books to come. Bradford is a terrific, new to me, author that I can't wait to read more of.
5/5 Stars!
June 11, 2019
The community of Heavenly is excited when a toy manufacturer comes to town, interested in the old fashioned toys hand made by the Amish. Excitement turns to dismay when it is discovered that the company will manufacture the toys in house, rather than having the Amish make them. If a large company produces their stolen designs cheaply, the toy making income so important to Daniel and Jakob's brother isaac, would disappear. Because of their religion's pacifist beliefs, they would not even fight the company legally.
When the owner of the company, Rob Karble, is murdered, once again Claire is worried that one of her new friends could be the killer.
Claire is shocked when Benjamin offers to leave the Amish faith for her, even though it would mean being shunned. He says his family would survive without him, but Claire knows because of Jakob's pain what this decision would cost him. She tells him they should remain friends.
Jakob is still struggling with not being able to speak with his family. His sister starts sneaking out to the pond so they can talk, but her daughter notices her disappearances and is frightened when she thinks her mother is sick and visiting the doctor. This is not the sort of life that Claire wants for Benjamin!
When the owner of the company, Rob Karble, is murdered, once again Claire is worried that one of her new friends could be the killer.
Claire is shocked when Benjamin offers to leave the Amish faith for her, even though it would mean being shunned. He says his family would survive without him, but Claire knows because of Jakob's pain what this decision would cost him. She tells him they should remain friends.
Jakob is still struggling with not being able to speak with his family. His sister starts sneaking out to the pond so they can talk, but her daughter notices her disappearances and is frightened when she thinks her mother is sick and visiting the doctor. This is not the sort of life that Claire wants for Benjamin!
May 23, 2013
I read Hearse and Buggy by the same author and thoroughly enjoyed it. The same characters are in this book with a few more. Claire Weatherly is one of the main characters, she is a young divorcee and owner of "Heavenly Treasures", a gift shop with Amish crafted items. Heavenly is a popular stop for tourists which keeps the Amish revenues up.
This years' 'Amish Food Festival' is drawing the attention of the famous 'Sleep Heavenly' toy manufacturer, Rob Karble. Great hopes hang on his partnership with the local master toy makers. Death, however has a different agenda. Rob Karble is murdered at the festival.
As Claire tries to figure out who murdered the toy maker, she must also figure out her heart. Two men hold her attention, one forbidden and one protecting his heart. Benjamin a widowed Amish man and Jakob, a former Amish man who is shunned by his community for leaving the Faith & becoming a Police detective.
This years' 'Amish Food Festival' is drawing the attention of the famous 'Sleep Heavenly' toy manufacturer, Rob Karble. Great hopes hang on his partnership with the local master toy makers. Death, however has a different agenda. Rob Karble is murdered at the festival.
As Claire tries to figure out who murdered the toy maker, she must also figure out her heart. Two men hold her attention, one forbidden and one protecting his heart. Benjamin a widowed Amish man and Jakob, a former Amish man who is shunned by his community for leaving the Faith & becoming a Police detective.
May 29, 2015
Everyone, English and Amish alike, are talking about toy maker Rob Karble being in town to make a deal to distribute toys made by the local Amish. However, not too long after word leaks he intends to use his factory instead of the local Amish, he is found murdered. Once again, Claire Weatherly finds herself getting involved to clear her new Amish friends.
I still can’t get over how strong the characters in this series are. They pull you in and make you care about every page. The plot is good, and kept me guessing until the end. I did find the romantic triangle a bit too prominent, and yet with the way it ended, I can’t wait to find out what happens next there as well. The strong characters are to blame for that contradiction.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
I still can’t get over how strong the characters in this series are. They pull you in and make you care about every page. The plot is good, and kept me guessing until the end. I did find the romantic triangle a bit too prominent, and yet with the way it ended, I can’t wait to find out what happens next there as well. The strong characters are to blame for that contradiction.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
October 31, 2016
Clare Weatherly is enjoying the simple life after a messy divorce as a shopkeeper in Amish country, PA. A large toy company owner has promised to share the profits of his new Amish toy line but he winds up murdered after he doubled crosses them. One of the suspects is Detective Jakob Fisher's brother and Claire can't help but try to clear his name. I really like this cozy mystery series. There is also an interesting romantic triangle between Claire, Jakob and an Amish man, Benjamin. I will be moving on to the next book in the series.
July 10, 2022
While it was good and the final twist was out of the blue, it was very repetitive. The same phrase was used in almost every chapter about Daniel selling part of his farm to work on his toys. It got to be a bit much. I'm also not one for love triangles. I can see why it's there, but I still don't like it.
While I do respect the Amish and their way of life, I still do not like the fact of shunning, just because you leave the faith to become English. It's not right.
While I do respect the Amish and their way of life, I still do not like the fact of shunning, just because you leave the faith to become English. It's not right.
May 18, 2019
2019 bk 158. Another fine mystery from Laura Bradford. A toy manufacturer dies during an Amish food festival. There is much behind this murder - and the clues slowly are revealed. Suspects are many, including Jakob's foster brother, Isaac, and his partner in a making toys. This is the book that really created a desire to read more in the series. The first was good, but this was better.
August 21, 2016
Greatly enjoyed the second instalment of Laura Bradford's Amish Mysterys. I am falling in love with Heavenly and am just a little sad that there is not real town just like this! Can't wait to read the rest of this series!
January 29, 2018
Another fun little book. A toy maker promising to start a line of Amish toys mad by the Amish reneges on the deal and is found murdered at the annual food festival. Naturally, Claire steps in to help Jakob out.
I really enjoy this series.
I really enjoy this series.
March 6, 2018
This book romanticizes an oppressively heteronormative society but I also couldn’t stop reading. So much shunning!
January 11, 2019
Things in Heavenly Pennsylvania was going pretty good until the toy man, Rob Karble came to town. At first it was good news as he was going to make Amish toys by the Amish so it would provide work for a lot of Amish men. Then he seemed to take that all back with a memo that got sent out and not long after that he ends up dead.
Jakob the detective who use to be Amish is having a hard time with being back in Heavenly near his family that isn't supposed to talk to him. Also one of them could be a killer as he had a lot to lose along with another Amish man, which is making it doubly hard on Jakob. Claire steps in to try and figure out what is going on and who might have killed Karble while also wrestling with her feelings for two different men. (Not a huge fan of love triangles and this was is very strange though I think the triangle might have been dealt with or at least I hope. :) )
I really enjoy the characters and learning about Amish things. I really like Claire but question her thinking some times especially when it comes to Ben, that should have so stayed in the friend zone! I really like Jakob and feel bad for him and wish he could see his family without having to be sneaky. Her Aunt Diane is a great character to and I felt bad for her and what happened at her inn and how it made her questions how she runs things.
I can't wait to get to the next one! I would recommend this series!
Jakob the detective who use to be Amish is having a hard time with being back in Heavenly near his family that isn't supposed to talk to him. Also one of them could be a killer as he had a lot to lose along with another Amish man, which is making it doubly hard on Jakob. Claire steps in to try and figure out what is going on and who might have killed Karble while also wrestling with her feelings for two different men. (Not a huge fan of love triangles and this was is very strange though I think the triangle might have been dealt with or at least I hope. :) )
I really enjoy the characters and learning about Amish things. I really like Claire but question her thinking some times especially when it comes to Ben, that should have so stayed in the friend zone! I really like Jakob and feel bad for him and wish he could see his family without having to be sneaky. Her Aunt Diane is a great character to and I felt bad for her and what happened at her inn and how it made her questions how she runs things.
I can't wait to get to the next one! I would recommend this series!
April 10, 2013
This novel is the second in a good, solid, and easily read romantic mystery series set in a community that is both Amish and English, Heavenly, PA.
Our sleuth is Claire Weatherly, Divorcee and owner of "Heavenly Treasures", a gift shop featuring items crafted and sewn by the Amish. Heavenly is a popular stop for tourists which keeps the Amish revenues up. As the Amish population grows, the land is becoming more scarce and more of the population is having to find alternative means for income.
So, it is with great excitement that this years' 'Amish Food Festival' is drawing the attention of the famous 'Sleep Heavenly' toy manufacturer, Rob Karble. Great hopes hang on his partnership with the local master toy makers. Death, however has a different agenda.
As Claire tries to figure out who murdered the toy maker, she must also figure out her heart. Two men hold her attention, one forbidden and one protecting his heart. The romance is as compelling as the mystery in this well crafted and written novel.
I enjoyed the journey to find the murderer and was surprised by it's outcome. I also enjoyed Claire's personal journey and liked the outcome.
I'm looking forward to the next book out.
Our sleuth is Claire Weatherly, Divorcee and owner of "Heavenly Treasures", a gift shop featuring items crafted and sewn by the Amish. Heavenly is a popular stop for tourists which keeps the Amish revenues up. As the Amish population grows, the land is becoming more scarce and more of the population is having to find alternative means for income.
So, it is with great excitement that this years' 'Amish Food Festival' is drawing the attention of the famous 'Sleep Heavenly' toy manufacturer, Rob Karble. Great hopes hang on his partnership with the local master toy makers. Death, however has a different agenda.
As Claire tries to figure out who murdered the toy maker, she must also figure out her heart. Two men hold her attention, one forbidden and one protecting his heart. The romance is as compelling as the mystery in this well crafted and written novel.
I enjoyed the journey to find the murderer and was surprised by it's outcome. I also enjoyed Claire's personal journey and liked the outcome.
I'm looking forward to the next book out.
April 29, 2013
I read the first book in this series as part of a cozy mystery discussion group. I wasn't truly impressed with the work, but it was a nice distraction. I decided to check out the second book to see if the plot and characters developed further. This time around the author focused much more on the characters' love triangle. While it is interesting, it was also heartbreaking, and a little unrealistic. the murder plot line was pretty well done, but I still didn't feel as though the main character was truly investigating anything at all. The amount of "worry" in this book was a bit overwhelming and made the story less relaxing than it should have been. Overall, it is a quick read that isn't bad, but could be better.
August 20, 2013
"English" shopkeeper Claire is torn between the handsome widowed Amish farmer and the excommunicated (former Amish) policeman, but when a guest at her aunt's inn is murdered at the local food festival, she feels she must help investigate. Nothing against them, but I've never bought into the romantic view of the Amish that you get in these quasi-romance, quasi-mystery books. By the way, the title doesn't have anything much to do with the plot.
February 8, 2019
Perfect puzzle!
I really loved this book! Claire, Jakob and the rest of the characters from the first book are back, with another murder to solve. Who killed the toymaker, and did he really come to steal plans for Amish toys? I didn't see the answer coming until the reveal! I did enjoy the complex development of characters and relationships, in addition to tne sprinkling of information about tne Amish through the book. I can't wait to read the next one!
I really loved this book! Claire, Jakob and the rest of the characters from the first book are back, with another murder to solve. Who killed the toymaker, and did he really come to steal plans for Amish toys? I didn't see the answer coming until the reveal! I did enjoy the complex development of characters and relationships, in addition to tne sprinkling of information about tne Amish through the book. I can't wait to read the next one!
November 14, 2016
Really enjoyed this book; read the majority of it in an afternoon. Great plot twists and red herrings. Would never have guessed the killer!! Also like the romantic triangle between Claire, Benjamin and Jakob--but it doesn't overpower the mystery.. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series..
September 1, 2018
I read this on the kindle
This is the 2nd book in this series
I was flittling between 2 people who I thought was the murderer one I didn't think until further in to the book it was so clear as in the 1st book
I enjoy the friendship that Claire has between Benjamin who is Amish & Jakob the ex Amish police detective who's family still live in Heavenly where he grew up
This is the 2nd book in this series
I was flittling between 2 people who I thought was the murderer one I didn't think until further in to the book it was so clear as in the 1st book
I enjoy the friendship that Claire has between Benjamin who is Amish & Jakob the ex Amish police detective who's family still live in Heavenly where he grew up
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