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Amish Quilt Shop Mystery #0.5
Plainly Murder
Welcome to Rolling Brook, Ohio, a quaint Amish community where life is less tranquil than it seems.
Angela Braddock has come to Rolling Brook to lend a hand at her Aunt Eleanor’s traditional Amish quilt shop. But when Eleanor’s quilting circle mourns the loss of their oldest member, Evelyn, they make a startling discovery about a tragic event in Evelyn’s past. More than a decade earlier, during a barn raising, Evelyn’s son Eric fell from the roof and died. Evelyn had always insisted that Eric was pushed, and now a clue in an old quilt convinces Angie to dig up the truth…and discover one of Rolling Brook’s darkest secrets.
Don’t miss the first novel in the Amish Quilt Shop Mystery series, Murder, Plain and Simple.
Angela Braddock has come to Rolling Brook to lend a hand at her Aunt Eleanor’s traditional Amish quilt shop. But when Eleanor’s quilting circle mourns the loss of their oldest member, Evelyn, they make a startling discovery about a tragic event in Evelyn’s past. More than a decade earlier, during a barn raising, Evelyn’s son Eric fell from the roof and died. Evelyn had always insisted that Eric was pushed, and now a clue in an old quilt convinces Angie to dig up the truth…and discover one of Rolling Brook’s darkest secrets.
Don’t miss the first novel in the Amish Quilt Shop Mystery series, Murder, Plain and Simple.
115 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 6, 2013
65 people are currently reading
706 people want to read
About the author
Isabella Alan
7 books330 followersIsabella Alan is the pseudonym for Amanda Flower, an Agatha-nominated mystery author, started her writing career in elementary school when she read a story she wrote to her sixth grade class and had the class in stitches with her description of being stuck on the top of a Ferris wheel. She knew at that moment she’d found her calling of making people laugh with her words. Her debut mystery, Maid of Murder, was an Agatha Award Nominee for Best First Novel. Amanda is an academic librarian for a small college near Cleveland.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
June 25, 2017
Angela Braddock lives in Texas but has always enjoyed visiting her aunt and uncle in Ohio over the years. Her uncle has passed away and now her aunt has cancer. Aunt Eleanor married into the Amish faith when she married and owns a quilting shop where Angie learned to quilt.
Aunt Eleanor has a request of Angie. One of the friends in her quilting group has passed away and Eleanor wants Angie to help figure out what happened when her friend's son died years ago. Maybe there is more to the situation than previously thought and an old quilt may have a clue.
This is a great way to meet the characters of the quilting group that meet in Aunt Eleanor's shop. I read the first book in the series before I read this novella and it was fine but it would probably be better to read this one first.
Aunt Eleanor has a request of Angie. One of the friends in her quilting group has passed away and Eleanor wants Angie to help figure out what happened when her friend's son died years ago. Maybe there is more to the situation than previously thought and an old quilt may have a clue.
This is a great way to meet the characters of the quilting group that meet in Aunt Eleanor's shop. I read the first book in the series before I read this novella and it was fine but it would probably be better to read this one first.
June 16, 2021
This is the first Amish book I’ve ever read and I really enjoyed it.
Main character, Angie, visits her ill Amish aunt in Ohio and investigates a 15-year-old cold case, determined to find a killer. Angie is a natural sleuth, and her Frenchie partner is adorable.
I’m now looking forward to reading the rest of the Amish Quilt Shop Mystery series.
Main character, Angie, visits her ill Amish aunt in Ohio and investigates a 15-year-old cold case, determined to find a killer. Angie is a natural sleuth, and her Frenchie partner is adorable.
I’m now looking forward to reading the rest of the Amish Quilt Shop Mystery series.
December 11, 2019
Still love Oliver! It was nice to see her Aunt when she was alive. The only thing that bothers me is she seems to be very forward with the Amish, and having been around them for a lot of her childhood, she should know and respect a few of their rules more than she does. Just my opinion. Still like the series overall so far and will continue on with it.
November 2, 2024
Angela (Angie) has come to visit her Aunt Eleanor, who has cancer. Visiting a sick Aunt isn't unusual on its own, but when that Aunt happens to be Amish it does pose some challenges. Angela is familiar with the Amish somewhat, because she stayed with her Aunt and Uncle when she was a child. Eleanor owns and runs the quilt shop in town and taught her niece how to quilt during her former visits.
While visiting Eleanor asks Angie to help her with a dear friends final request. Evelyn wanted Eleanor to deliver a quilt to someone in the community, and to ask her how her son Eric really died. Angie willingly does what her aunt requests of her and gets involved with following the trail to discover if Eric's so called accidental fall off the roof of a barn was actually murder.
I really enjoyed this. I am glad I was able to read this first before I read the first book in the series. I liked the characters and the story line. The story flowed well and the characters were very engaging.
While visiting Eleanor asks Angie to help her with a dear friends final request. Evelyn wanted Eleanor to deliver a quilt to someone in the community, and to ask her how her son Eric really died. Angie willingly does what her aunt requests of her and gets involved with following the trail to discover if Eric's so called accidental fall off the roof of a barn was actually murder.
I really enjoyed this. I am glad I was able to read this first before I read the first book in the series. I liked the characters and the story line. The story flowed well and the characters were very engaging.
April 13, 2021
Evelyn died with one last wish. She wanted her best friend Eleanor to give a quilt to Lilly and to ask her what really happened to her son Eric.
The small Amanda town already thought the woman was a little crazy and that she could never get over the death of her son.
Angie was in the middle of planning her wedding, bit decided on a trip to visit her Aunt Eleanor who was born English and had married Amish. Her aunt had owned a quilt shop and met with the quilting circle regularly until she became ill. Now they occasionally bring the circle to her.
Angie volunteers her time in trying to help her aunt delivery the quilt to Lilly. Well, as the saying goes, what’s done in the dark, will come to the light, sooner or later.
I read this book as a buddy read and I am glad that I did. I enjoyed this quick and straight to the point read. I loved learning more about the Amish community and culture, the internal dialogue was funny and I enjoyed the clean humor. Honestly, there was not one thing I didn’t like about this book.
The small Amanda town already thought the woman was a little crazy and that she could never get over the death of her son.
Angie was in the middle of planning her wedding, bit decided on a trip to visit her Aunt Eleanor who was born English and had married Amish. Her aunt had owned a quilt shop and met with the quilting circle regularly until she became ill. Now they occasionally bring the circle to her.
Angie volunteers her time in trying to help her aunt delivery the quilt to Lilly. Well, as the saying goes, what’s done in the dark, will come to the light, sooner or later.
I read this book as a buddy read and I am glad that I did. I enjoyed this quick and straight to the point read. I loved learning more about the Amish community and culture, the internal dialogue was funny and I enjoyed the clean humor. Honestly, there was not one thing I didn’t like about this book.
October 24, 2017
Excellent prequel to the Amish Quilt Shop series. This was my first Amish based cozy and not my last. Very well written with great characters and mystery. Angie comes to town to visit her sick aunt and is asked to help find out if Eric, the son of her aunt’s recently deceased friend, was pushed to his death 15 years ago or was it truly an accident. Angie annoys several townfolk and business people but gets to the bottom of things. Her dog, Oliver, is a big part of Angie’s life amd he sounds so cute!
August 1, 2017
I must admit that Amish setting is not my cup of tea...this will be the first and last Amish cozy mystery for me.
March 15, 2015
http://openbooksociety.com/article/pl...
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Jeanie
Plainly Murder, a prequel novella in the Amish Quilt Shop Mysteries, is a delightful introduction to Angie Braddock, her Texan English bulldog pup Oliver, and her Aunt Eleanor and her friends in Rolling Brook, Ohio. Eleanor had converted to the Amish church when marrying the love of her life and had no children of her own. Eleanor owned a quilting shop, Running Stitch, for many years. When growing up, Angie spent summers with her aunt and learned what she knew about quilting from her. It has now been a long time since Angie visited her beloved Aunt Eleanor, whose health is now failing, so she took a break from planning her wedding with her over-zealous mother and fiance in Texas. Seeing Rolling Brook through adult eyes after years in a huge city was quite a pleasant awakening!
Eleanor has a quest for Angie while in Rolling Brook, that she fulfill the final wishes of Eleanor’s late friend Evelyn. This included delivering Evelyn’s quilt to the young woman who had dated her late son as well as find out who had murdered the young man several years ago by pushing him from the roof of a barn being raised. Angie barges into some of the small town relationships and asks questions, meeting people and annoying many of the locals and the law enforcement. Will Angie be able to make headway even while being deterred by the Amish who were at the barn raising that day? Will anybody even speak of it any longer due to their practice to forgive and forget the past? Aunt Eleanor’s friends and quilting circle members begin to accept Angie because of Eleanor, but they can’t quite get used to a very forward Englischer with a pet dog who wears color-coordinated winter clothing and footwear and is afraid of … birds?
Isabella Alan has a quirky sense of humor and a fine eye for detail. I enjoyed reading the first-person perspective, and appreciated the lifestyle differences between a small town in the Midwest and a big, noisy desert metropolis. While I have not experienced living in an Amish town or having Amish friends, it sounds that Ms. Alan has done her research well. I very much enjoyed the challenge of trying to solve a mystery, especially in the Amish culture, before the answers were revealed.
And a challenge it is in the case of Plainly Murder, as the plot thickens with each new clue. It was a blast to meet the residents of this wonderful little town and see their reactions to Angela and Oliver! If there was anything at all that I was less than happy with, it was that I felt hurried through the adventure due only to the nature of a novella – short! I absolutely look forward to the full-length novels to come!
I give this prequel to Ms. Alan’s new series two thimbles up!! I highly recommend this to mystery lovers who like to read about the Amish lifestyle, quilting, female sleuths, or short cozies in general. It is young-adult friendly, and can be enjoyed by adults of all ages. This is one author who I hope will be writing for a very long time!
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Jeanie
Plainly Murder, a prequel novella in the Amish Quilt Shop Mysteries, is a delightful introduction to Angie Braddock, her Texan English bulldog pup Oliver, and her Aunt Eleanor and her friends in Rolling Brook, Ohio. Eleanor had converted to the Amish church when marrying the love of her life and had no children of her own. Eleanor owned a quilting shop, Running Stitch, for many years. When growing up, Angie spent summers with her aunt and learned what she knew about quilting from her. It has now been a long time since Angie visited her beloved Aunt Eleanor, whose health is now failing, so she took a break from planning her wedding with her over-zealous mother and fiance in Texas. Seeing Rolling Brook through adult eyes after years in a huge city was quite a pleasant awakening!
Eleanor has a quest for Angie while in Rolling Brook, that she fulfill the final wishes of Eleanor’s late friend Evelyn. This included delivering Evelyn’s quilt to the young woman who had dated her late son as well as find out who had murdered the young man several years ago by pushing him from the roof of a barn being raised. Angie barges into some of the small town relationships and asks questions, meeting people and annoying many of the locals and the law enforcement. Will Angie be able to make headway even while being deterred by the Amish who were at the barn raising that day? Will anybody even speak of it any longer due to their practice to forgive and forget the past? Aunt Eleanor’s friends and quilting circle members begin to accept Angie because of Eleanor, but they can’t quite get used to a very forward Englischer with a pet dog who wears color-coordinated winter clothing and footwear and is afraid of … birds?
Isabella Alan has a quirky sense of humor and a fine eye for detail. I enjoyed reading the first-person perspective, and appreciated the lifestyle differences between a small town in the Midwest and a big, noisy desert metropolis. While I have not experienced living in an Amish town or having Amish friends, it sounds that Ms. Alan has done her research well. I very much enjoyed the challenge of trying to solve a mystery, especially in the Amish culture, before the answers were revealed.
And a challenge it is in the case of Plainly Murder, as the plot thickens with each new clue. It was a blast to meet the residents of this wonderful little town and see their reactions to Angela and Oliver! If there was anything at all that I was less than happy with, it was that I felt hurried through the adventure due only to the nature of a novella – short! I absolutely look forward to the full-length novels to come!
I give this prequel to Ms. Alan’s new series two thimbles up!! I highly recommend this to mystery lovers who like to read about the Amish lifestyle, quilting, female sleuths, or short cozies in general. It is young-adult friendly, and can be enjoyed by adults of all ages. This is one author who I hope will be writing for a very long time!
January 5, 2016
In this novella we are introduced to Angie and her aunt Eleanor. Angie used to come to the Amish community that her aunt lives in years before when she was a child. Now Angie is grown up and engaged to be married. Aunt Eleanor is ill and Angie has come to see her. When Eleanor's quilting group gather together talk turns to the recent death of one of their friends. Evelyn has commissioned Eleanor to deliver a quilt to another woman and to find out what happened to Evelyn's son many years before. Evelyn's son fell off the roof of a barn during a barn raising. Evelyn always said that it was murder, but there was never any investigation since bringing in the police is not the Amish way. Volunteering to deliver the quilt for her aunt, Angie makes it her mission to find out exactly what happened all of those years before.
Now THIS is the book I should have started reading the series at! It introduces all of the main characters of the Amish Quilt Shop Mysteries. Angie has a curiosity streak, not to mention a stubborness, that makes her the perfect person to solve all of the crimes that she becomes involved in once she moves to Holmes County. I thought this was a perfect introduction to the characters and if I hadn't already read all of the other books in the series I would definitely be grabbing them up. I think Oliver's character really shone in this novella! He was too cute, and I could totally picture him in his little sweaters and read boots!
As always Isabella Alan(aka Amanda Flower) inserts humor into her writing and I always look forward to seeing what her next character will do.
Now THIS is the book I should have started reading the series at! It introduces all of the main characters of the Amish Quilt Shop Mysteries. Angie has a curiosity streak, not to mention a stubborness, that makes her the perfect person to solve all of the crimes that she becomes involved in once she moves to Holmes County. I thought this was a perfect introduction to the characters and if I hadn't already read all of the other books in the series I would definitely be grabbing them up. I think Oliver's character really shone in this novella! He was too cute, and I could totally picture him in his little sweaters and read boots!
As always Isabella Alan(aka Amanda Flower) inserts humor into her writing and I always look forward to seeing what her next character will do.
January 13, 2014
"Plainly Murder: A Penguin Special from Obsidian" by Isabella Alan is a five star book. Isabella Alan is the pseudonym for Amanda Flower. It is an Amish story but even if you don't like reading Amish stories you would like this one!
Angela Braddock is at her Aunt Eleanor’s traditional Amish quilt shop on a visit from New York when her Aunt gives her a quilt to give to another lady and asks her to found out what really happened to the lady's son fifteen years ago.
The other lady refuses to accept the quilt and claims that the son's death was just an accident. But was it?
Angela is determined to found out what really happened and why!
The facts aren't exactly adding up to be just an accident! Why did a marriage that was supposed to happened called off and why did one of the son'd best friend leave the Amish way of life?
This story will have you turning the pages to find out the why, who, how!
You will love Oliver, Angela's dog and the characters in this story. This story is written so well with just enough details without making you wished the author left out some of the details and got on with the story.
I really didn't see this story ending the way it did!
I have the next book in this series "Murder, Plain and Simple: An Amish Quilt Shop Mystery" read and this novella was a perfect lead in to the series!
Now on to the next review, on the book "Murder, Plain and Simple: An Amish Quilt Shop Mystery"
Angela Braddock is at her Aunt Eleanor’s traditional Amish quilt shop on a visit from New York when her Aunt gives her a quilt to give to another lady and asks her to found out what really happened to the lady's son fifteen years ago.
The other lady refuses to accept the quilt and claims that the son's death was just an accident. But was it?
Angela is determined to found out what really happened and why!
The facts aren't exactly adding up to be just an accident! Why did a marriage that was supposed to happened called off and why did one of the son'd best friend leave the Amish way of life?
This story will have you turning the pages to find out the why, who, how!
You will love Oliver, Angela's dog and the characters in this story. This story is written so well with just enough details without making you wished the author left out some of the details and got on with the story.
I really didn't see this story ending the way it did!
I have the next book in this series "Murder, Plain and Simple: An Amish Quilt Shop Mystery" read and this novella was a perfect lead in to the series!
Now on to the next review, on the book "Murder, Plain and Simple: An Amish Quilt Shop Mystery"
September 11, 2016
This was a nice little novella that set the stage for the up coming series of the Amish Quilt Series.
It starts by introducing you to Angie Braddock, who is visiting her favorite Aunt Eleanor in the Amish region of Ohio. Angie lived in Rolling Brook until she was 10 and her family moved to Dallas.
Her Aunt married an Amish man and converted to the Amish religion and way of life. While on this visit an old friend of Eleanor's has passed away and in her will has asked her to deliver a quilt to her deceased son's girlfriend and find out how he died.
The death was ruled accidental by the Amish bishop but his mother still has her doubts, even after 15 years.
Since her aunt is in poor health Angie, with the help of some of the other ladies in the community set out to find the truth.
For me I was extremely glad I went back and read this one to start the series, since I first read #4 in the series first. It helped lay the ground work and set the stage for all the up coming books. It's fun to solve a 15 yr. old murder and I'm wondering if any of the characters from that murder will pop up in future books. It's also fun to meet the main characters right from the very beginning and see how they all met and became friends.
On to book #1 of the series.
It starts by introducing you to Angie Braddock, who is visiting her favorite Aunt Eleanor in the Amish region of Ohio. Angie lived in Rolling Brook until she was 10 and her family moved to Dallas.
Her Aunt married an Amish man and converted to the Amish religion and way of life. While on this visit an old friend of Eleanor's has passed away and in her will has asked her to deliver a quilt to her deceased son's girlfriend and find out how he died.
The death was ruled accidental by the Amish bishop but his mother still has her doubts, even after 15 years.
Since her aunt is in poor health Angie, with the help of some of the other ladies in the community set out to find the truth.
For me I was extremely glad I went back and read this one to start the series, since I first read #4 in the series first. It helped lay the ground work and set the stage for all the up coming books. It's fun to solve a 15 yr. old murder and I'm wondering if any of the characters from that murder will pop up in future books. It's also fun to meet the main characters right from the very beginning and see how they all met and became friends.
On to book #1 of the series.
August 8, 2013
I pre-ordered the first book in this series, Murder, Plain and Simple, so when I saw this release I grabbed it, eager for an introduction to the characters and setting.
This felt longer than most of the in-between novellas I've read and definitely a bit more involved. Was Eric pushed or did he fall from the roof during a barn raising 15 years ago? It's a very straight forward mystery, as it needs to be in it's shorter format. As such, the suspects are few and the outcome somewhat predictable. But you don't really to buy a novella for the plot, so much as for more information on the characters. I liked Angie and the dog sounds like a gem. I was disappointed that it seems we can count on a cantankerous old biddy who will be going out of her way to make Angie's life miserable in future books, in the form of Martha. Hopefully she'll be offset by Anna, and possibly Rachel.
Overall, a good introduction if you're interested in reading the first book of the series.
This felt longer than most of the in-between novellas I've read and definitely a bit more involved. Was Eric pushed or did he fall from the roof during a barn raising 15 years ago? It's a very straight forward mystery, as it needs to be in it's shorter format. As such, the suspects are few and the outcome somewhat predictable. But you don't really to buy a novella for the plot, so much as for more information on the characters. I liked Angie and the dog sounds like a gem. I was disappointed that it seems we can count on a cantankerous old biddy who will be going out of her way to make Angie's life miserable in future books, in the form of Martha. Hopefully she'll be offset by Anna, and possibly Rachel.
Overall, a good introduction if you're interested in reading the first book of the series.
October 23, 2014
I have just finished reading Plainly Murder… and I discovered the strangest thing…
It didn’t read at all like the other mysteries I’ve been reading –- of course, I’ve been reading mysteries by Amanda Flower, and this one is by Isabella Alan ;)
How did she do that!!!
Well… however she did it -– it was great!
I can honestly say I enjoyed it from beginning to end… and can’t wait to begin reading Murder, Plain and Simple!
… and I have to admit that I got a big kick out of the numbering of the books
• Plainly Murder (ebook) = #0.5
• Murder Plain and Simple = #1
• Murder, Simply Stitched = #2
• Murder, Served Simply = #3
… and I’ll be back to review each and every one of them, even the newest sequel — Murder, Served Simply — with a release date of December 2, 2014 — a perfect Christmas gift for mystery lovers.
Don’t miss this great new series! Order yours today!
August 7, 2013
A quick ebook read to introduce us to Angie and the rest of the characters from Rolling Brook! It gives some background and context to Murder, Plain and Simple which is the official 1st book in the series which I read last week from NetGalley.
I don't want to give too much away but it was a quick mystery read where Angie and her aunt try to solve an old murder.
I don't want to give too much away but it was a quick mystery read where Angie and her aunt try to solve an old murder.
August 24, 2019
Great Prequel
I've already read the whole series, so it was nice to go back to it's origin and meet the characters as they were introduced. Oliver is still my favorite character in this series. I especially enjoyed the scenes with Angie's aunt. Since we only hear about her in the longer novels, it was nice to get acquainted with her character first hand.
I've already read the whole series, so it was nice to go back to it's origin and meet the characters as they were introduced. Oliver is still my favorite character in this series. I especially enjoyed the scenes with Angie's aunt. Since we only hear about her in the longer novels, it was nice to get acquainted with her character first hand.
November 6, 2013
This was a great short story! Sucked me in right from the first line and I can't wait to start the first book in the series later today!! :)
February 6, 2017
I read this on the kindle
This is a easy mystery not a intensed or dark if you want a gentle who done it with Amish mix put in
I will be reading the next book in this series
This is a easy mystery not a intensed or dark if you want a gentle who done it with Amish mix put in
I will be reading the next book in this series
March 2, 2025
February 22, 2025
I can see why this book is a short story instead of a full-length novel. I'm glad. One hundred pages was the perfect length for this story instead of stretching it out to three hundred.
The story itself is okay. As a newcomer to this series, I had a bit of trouble trying to remember everyone's names and keep track of who was whom. The basic plot of the book is that Eleanor, the aunt of the main character Angie, inherits a quilt from her friend, Evelyn, who recently passed on with a note that says to give it to Lily. Evelyn was a bit on the crazy side and was convinced that her eighteen-year-old son, Eric, was deliberately pushed off of a roof—murdered—instead of merely falling off by accident fifteen years ago. Angie wants to get to the bottom of this, so most of the book is spent traveling around town and talking to people to see who, if at all, murdered Eric. Angie eventually comes to the conclusion that Ira, Lily's husband, was responsible for the murder. He finally confesses to the police.
It felt like an abrupt ending. The story was neat and tidy, and the buildup to Ira's confession was nice—but then we never actually see his confession. So Angie went to his store to try to give Lily the quilt one last time, as she had refused to take it multiple times previously. Ira was in the store and cornered Angie, wielding a broomstick as a weapon, and they go back and forth as Angie reveals what she knows and tries to get him to confess.
Overall, it was an enjoyable book if you have a good memory for character names. It's a laid-back book that doesn't pretend to be more ambitious than it is.
I can see why this book is a short story instead of a full-length novel. I'm glad. One hundred pages was the perfect length for this story instead of stretching it out to three hundred.
The story itself is okay. As a newcomer to this series, I had a bit of trouble trying to remember everyone's names and keep track of who was whom. The basic plot of the book is that Eleanor, the aunt of the main character Angie, inherits a quilt from her friend, Evelyn, who recently passed on with a note that says to give it to Lily. Evelyn was a bit on the crazy side and was convinced that her eighteen-year-old son, Eric, was deliberately pushed off of a roof—murdered—instead of merely falling off by accident fifteen years ago. Angie wants to get to the bottom of this, so most of the book is spent traveling around town and talking to people to see who, if at all, murdered Eric. Angie eventually comes to the conclusion that Ira, Lily's husband, was responsible for the murder. He finally confesses to the police.
It felt like an abrupt ending. The story was neat and tidy, and the buildup to Ira's confession was nice—but then we never actually see his confession. So Angie went to his store to try to give Lily the quilt one last time, as she had refused to take it multiple times previously. Ira was in the store and cornered Angie, wielding a broomstick as a weapon, and they go back and forth as Angie reveals what she knows and tries to get him to confess.
"You were mad at the Dudeks because they stole your idea. Fine. But why did you push Eric off the barn?" I asked, because now I knew that he had.Even then, that still isn't murder because it wasn't intentional... And then this scene is interrupted by Ira's wife and son walking in and asking what in the world he's doing. They converse in Pennsylvania Dutch for a minute, and then Ira trips on a marble and falls. He breaks down and says to call the police, and the book ends. I kinda wanted a little bit more than that...
"Do you think that I'm happy about what I've done? I've lived with it day in and day out for fifteen years. I think about it every day, and now you come here and make my torturous memories worse."
"You could have avoided that if you hadn't pushed him," I said, immediately regretting it.
His eyes flashed. "It was an accident. I was angry, but I never intended to kill him. I thought that he would be able to keep his footing."
Overall, it was an enjoyable book if you have a good memory for character names. It's a laid-back book that doesn't pretend to be more ambitious than it is.
April 12, 2022
I’m sorry to say that this is the second Amish-themed cozy series that I’ve decided to drop. I really want to find one that holds my interest and I’ll continue to look.
There was nothing wrong with this story, but I don’t feel I was drawn in enough by the characters to continue.
Oliver was super adorable though.
There was nothing wrong with this story, but I don’t feel I was drawn in enough by the characters to continue.
Oliver was super adorable though.
September 27, 2021
Plainly murder was a good book. Simply written, but complex enough that one wants to read on.
October 24, 2024
Needs an audiobook edition
April 6, 2025
A very enjoyable story. The typographical errors drove me nuts though.
March 14, 2017
A nice quick read to introduce us to the series.
September 16, 2017
Plainly Murder
Amish Quilt Shop Mystery #1
By: Isabella Alan
(Also writes as Amanda Flowers)
Kindle Edition
Penguin Obsidian, August 6, 2013
Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Fiction, Amish, Quilt
Plainly Murder is the first book in the Amish Quilt Shop Mystery series. Angie Braddock briefly leaves her high powered fiancé and glamorous lifestyle in Dallas to help her ailing Aunt Eleanor run her Amish quilt shop (Running Stitch) in a predominately Amish community in Ohio.
While Angie is helping out at the quilt store, she learns that one Aunt Eleanor’s quilting circle friends (Evelyn) dies, and she has a seemingly bizarre final request for her friend Eleanor. Many community members think that Evelyn had lost her mind, because she believed someone had killed her son Eric at a barn raising gathering several years prior. Although Eric’s death had been ruled an accident, Evelyn was steadfast in her claims that he was murdered. Since Aunt Eleanor is ill, Angie is determined to fulfill Evelyn’s final request herself, and get to the bottom of Eric’s death.
Although this was the first in the Amish Quilt Mystery series, I only read it a few days ago because I did not have an electronic device to read it on when it came out. I had read the rest of series to date before reading Plainly Murder. This is a wonderful introduction to this quaint series! Alan uses a charming blend of humor, suspense, and some factual information on the Amish community to create this delightful cozy mystery series.
Awards/Recognition(s): Amish Quilt Mystery is a National Bestselling series, USA Today Bestselling series, Agatha Award® winning author writing as Amanda Flowers
Amish Quilt Shop Mysteries in order by: Isabella Alan
Plainly Murder
Murder, Plain and Simple
Murder, Simply Stitched
Murder, Served Simply
Murder, Plainly Read
Murder, Handcrafted
Amish Quilt Shop Mystery #1
By: Isabella Alan
(Also writes as Amanda Flowers)
Kindle Edition
Penguin Obsidian, August 6, 2013
Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Fiction, Amish, Quilt
Plainly Murder is the first book in the Amish Quilt Shop Mystery series. Angie Braddock briefly leaves her high powered fiancé and glamorous lifestyle in Dallas to help her ailing Aunt Eleanor run her Amish quilt shop (Running Stitch) in a predominately Amish community in Ohio.
While Angie is helping out at the quilt store, she learns that one Aunt Eleanor’s quilting circle friends (Evelyn) dies, and she has a seemingly bizarre final request for her friend Eleanor. Many community members think that Evelyn had lost her mind, because she believed someone had killed her son Eric at a barn raising gathering several years prior. Although Eric’s death had been ruled an accident, Evelyn was steadfast in her claims that he was murdered. Since Aunt Eleanor is ill, Angie is determined to fulfill Evelyn’s final request herself, and get to the bottom of Eric’s death.
Although this was the first in the Amish Quilt Mystery series, I only read it a few days ago because I did not have an electronic device to read it on when it came out. I had read the rest of series to date before reading Plainly Murder. This is a wonderful introduction to this quaint series! Alan uses a charming blend of humor, suspense, and some factual information on the Amish community to create this delightful cozy mystery series.
Awards/Recognition(s): Amish Quilt Mystery is a National Bestselling series, USA Today Bestselling series, Agatha Award® winning author writing as Amanda Flowers
Amish Quilt Shop Mysteries in order by: Isabella Alan
Plainly Murder
Murder, Plain and Simple
Murder, Simply Stitched
Murder, Served Simply
Murder, Plainly Read
Murder, Handcrafted
November 5, 2014
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
August 5, 2015
This is a prequel to the Amish Quilt Shop series and more a novella than a full novel. Still, it's a good beginning and we get a taste of what it's like for Angela moving from a big city to a small town to stay with and help her aunt who is quite ill. While she's there, she helps solve a 15-year-old mystery about the death of a young Amish man. Did he fall off the barn roof by accident or was he pushed? Everyone believed it was an accident at the time except for his mother. Now all this time later, Angela begins to believe the woman was right and not just suffering from grief and denial.
Even though the resolution of the mystery doesn't seem very realistic, I do like Angela and the other characters who are introduced and will be in the following books.
Even though the resolution of the mystery doesn't seem very realistic, I do like Angela and the other characters who are introduced and will be in the following books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2017
I liked this book.
Angela Braddock has come to Rolling Brook to lend a hand at her Aunt Eleanor’s traditional Amish quilt shop. But when Eleanor’s quilting circle mourns the loss of their oldest member, Evelyn, they make a startling discovery about a tragic event in Evelyn’s past. More than a decade earlier, during a barn raising, Evelyn’s son Eric fell from the roof and died. Evelyn had always insisted that Eric was pushed, and now a clue in an old quilt convinces Angie to dig up the truth…and discover one of Rolling Brook’s darkest secrets.
Angela Braddock has come to Rolling Brook to lend a hand at her Aunt Eleanor’s traditional Amish quilt shop. But when Eleanor’s quilting circle mourns the loss of their oldest member, Evelyn, they make a startling discovery about a tragic event in Evelyn’s past. More than a decade earlier, during a barn raising, Evelyn’s son Eric fell from the roof and died. Evelyn had always insisted that Eric was pushed, and now a clue in an old quilt convinces Angie to dig up the truth…and discover one of Rolling Brook’s darkest secrets.
August 7, 2013
An introductory novella for a new Holmes County mystery series by Isabella Alan (aka Amanda Flower.) Interesting characters with possibilities, good sense of a familiar place. I did have problems believing the premise, but it is hard enough to introduce a new series in short form fiction that I will give it a pass this time. Looking forward to the novel length title due out in a couple weeks.
May 31, 2014
Now why did I pick this up? Did he fall or was he pushed? There's hardly any story in it, just quaint people in an interesting setting and an extremely predictable end. It must be for quilt-lovers or Amish-curious only, but it doesn't encourage me to read any more of the series: I need more to get my teeth into!
January 22, 2016
Glad I didn't start with this one when I read the rest in the series. This author puts Angie's dog Oliver right up there with the worst for me. There's nothing this dog can't do and it's so silly and unbelievable and completely over-done!! This read is not very Amish. Cooper certainly not Amish. I have however enjoyed the series that came before this novella. I usually skip the dog paragraphs.
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