Not My Kind of Mennonite

by Maria Moore

On a cold and snowy night in January 1972, George Peters was shot by his brother-in-law and left to die on a back road in rural Ontario. The investigation and trial of his murder would tell a story that compelled a jury to let his killer walk free. But his children and family were left to seek answers the judicial system couldn’t provide. Who was George Peters, and what life had he lived before meeting his untimely end?

George Peters and his wife, Anna, were born in Mexico and raised with the strict upbringings of the Old Colony Mennonite Church. At every stage of their life, they faced abuse but endured in silence for fear of excommunication and punishment. In order to try and find his family a better life, George decided to make the move to Canada. But with his wife suffering from severe undiagnosed mental illnesses and six children that were repeatedly being taken away by CAS for their own safety, it had been a constant uphill battle for him to do what he truly provide for his family.

Not My Kind of Mennonite is a personal dive into the history, culture, and religious and social pressures faced by one Mexican Mennonite family. Maria Moore, one of George’s own children, blends her research about the Mennonite community with firsthand accounts about her family to fully explore her father’s legacy, life, hopes, and dreams.

250 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 20, 2023

About the author

Maria Moore is the author of Not My Kind of Mennonite and The Silenced Path, two powerful works that blend personal history, cultural identity, and courageous storytelling. Born into an Old Colony Mennonite family, Maria’s early life was shaped by displacement, resilience, and the search for belonging—experiences that now form the emotional backbone of her writing.

Her debut book, Not My Kind of Mennonite, explores her family’s complex journey across countries, a murder that reshaped their future, and the adoption that changed her own life. Her second book, The Silenced Path, draws from the lived experience of her sister’s institutionalization within the Ontario-run Edgar Occupational Centre, weaving fiction and truth to illuminate forgotten stories with compassion and clarity.

Maria is deeply engaged with community conversations about trauma, survival, and voice. She speaks at book clubs, libraries, and local groups, offering thoughtful discussions that invite readers to reflect on identity, justice, and healing.

When she’s not writing, Maria enjoys exploring local history, connecting with readers, and bringing hidden narratives to light. She lives in Ontario.

Reviews

[Celina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I commend the author for having researched the truth of her history and for being brave enough to write about the lack of compassion toward people who don't meet the social or church standard, abuse and the trauma that is hidden in the history of her mennonite background. It's a heartbreaking story and reveals the great lengths the church will go to cover up crime to make sure their image is protected. Even with the errored writing, I think she did her story justice in bringing insight and awareness to many more stories similar to hers. Great read!

[Annie Friessen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve heard some really horrible stories of what’s in our history as Mennonites. But to have it written out and confirmed by first hand accounts was really harrowing. There are parts that are almost unbelievable, how can people be that cold? Such a sad story, and even sadder is the fact that it’s only one story out of thousands like it.
Thank you, Maria, for digging into your history to be able to share the struggle and legacy of your parents. You shared it beautifully.

[Hellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had mixed feelings in thinking of writing here about this book. Sadly these kinds of stories are all too prevalent among the Mennonites from Mexico and need to be told. Mennonite history is so often sanitized. On the other hand I fear that it will perpetuate the stereotype that is all too prevalent, in Canadian communities at least, that ALL Mennonites from Mexico live like this.

It takes courage to face our stories honestly and I'm glad the author was able to do so.

[Angelina Peters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a tragic story but admirable of the author to share it, knowing how much abuse is hidden in mennonite communities. Definitely recommend. The writing style is very amateur, but worth the read.

[Lilli Blackmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the type of book that stays with you.
Not My Kind of Mennonite starts and ends with the murder of the author’s father, George Peters. There’s no mystery regarding who his killer is or how he died. Instead the question that propels this family biography is: How could someone murder a man who was so beloved by his small community and then walk free? Why did the murderer feel so righteous about killing a man who presented no physical danger, and why did the court system condone his actions?
Maria Moore unravels the complicated story of her own family with unwavering honesty. She examines factors such as the role of the Mennonite church, her mother’s undiagnosed and untreated mental illness, the family’s poverty and cultural isolation, and a generations-long history of abuse.
Not My Kind of Mennonite isn’t an easy read. It deals with difficult topics and doesn’t sugarcoat any of them. In fact, the straightforward manner in which Moore describes the abuse her parents endured speaks perfectly to how commonplace such abuse was.
The tone throughout is gripping and foreboding. Moore describes the increasing desperation, despair, and isolation of her parents with a matter-of-fact clarity that’s truly chilling at times. As compelled as I was to keep reading, I had to step away from this book frequently because of the intensity of the story it told.
I highly recommend Not My Kind of Mennonite. It’s a deeply empathetic, non-judgmental, and comprehensive look at one family’s path to tragedy and dissolution. It’s honestly one of the best and most original biographies/autobiographies I’ve ever read. If I hadn’t already received my own physical copy as a gift, I would have had to go out and buy a hard copy to keep on my shelf.

[Lisa Brandt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a case of being glad that the author has told the story, but not a huge fan of how it was told. There was a lot of repetition that felt like filler. But I don't want to overshadow the fact that the author overcame deep trauma to make her family's story public and she deserves respect and admiration for that.

[Lezley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Recommended by Deb

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Woah! This book was 'terrifying' in a true-crime kind of way. I finished it in a day and so can you! I really applaud the author for growing up a functional person and writing this. This poor girl (now woman) has experienced true horrors that we (hopefully only) hear about "from a distance," in the news, as something that happens 'to other impoverished families but not really to anyone I know.' Not only was she able to face her own life trauma to write a book about it, but went in search of understanding both of her parents- why they ended up the way they did, and the abuses and horrors they faced as children and adults that made them grow into the completely dysfunctional family and parents that they were. I want to say I know Nothing about conservative Mennonites (or what I thought I did was WAY off) and this book was extremely alarming and 'eye opening' and disturbing. A lot lot lot lot of domestic abuse of all kinds you name it- physical, sexual, emotional, mental etc. As an outsider, it seems isolating and horrible - to basically everyone. Guys, this book was messed up! Ok so basically this is the story of the parents and family of a mennonite man who was shot and killed by his brother in law in front of his kids, as written by one of those kids who is now grown into an adult raised by foster parents. Before this altercation, their home life had deteriorated into a complete disaster, with the mom a complete alcoholic (and schizophrenic? bipolar? depressive?) to the point where she was prostituting herself to get alcohol and then later also offering her poor daughters (the oldest 11) who meekly tried to do just obey and do what their mom told them to do. It is so sad and disturbing and sickening. And meanwhile the father is out working 2 3 4 5 jobs all hours trying to just make money for them and the mom has completely fallen apart and just lays around drunk in bed or having men over and buying alcohol with all of the money. Ok I cannot even BELIEVE that CAS can come take your kids from this situation Then give them back to you so soon after!? !? !?! I know the foster system is also horrible but oh my goodness each time I read this I was begging please do not bring these poor children back here to this place and situation! Again , the stuff you hear horrors about on the news. Ugh ... Both the Mom and Dad though grew up abused, physically and sexually, and their whole community/lifestyle is like 'DONT tell a word to anyone because we have to save face for our : family, community, 'womanhoo'' and also it was your fault anyway that it happened. For BOTH boys and girls!? This book was just stressful. Idk I just never pictured mennonite life as 'stressful' I mean I literally was picturing happy well behaved boys and girls working hard on the farm all day and trying to be happy with simple pleasures and what life gives you and not all this wife beating and rape stuff going on behind closed doors. Yikes!!! Basically they both grew up in a culture where : the wifes job is raise all the kids, get dinner on the table and house clean BAR NONE - just had a baby (at home with no pain meds btw) ? Doesnt matter get up and cook and do laundry. Feeling sick? Doesnt matter. Just got attacked and assaulted by a local? Doesnt matter. And also, dont talk about any of your concerns at home, husbands dont like it. Dont know how to manage everything? Too bad 'figure it out' with not really any help. And then meanwhile to husbands, go work and make money to pay for your whole family or else you're a failure and a loser and everyone can see. If somethings not working out for you you better make your family obey you even through violence because otherwise you'll get judged for not 'controlling your family' and kicked out. Including your kids, just beat them and show them who is boss for the smallest transgressions. (And in some cases they dont Just beat the sense into them , if you know what i mean.) This was seriously messed up and I was alarmed but read the thing cover to cover. I was also surprised how little 'Bible study' there seems to be in this, its like just go to church and 'obey the elders' with very little apparent emphasis on the actual Word and Teaching or interpretation of the Bible and Jesus because these behaviours definitely do NOT seem Biblical or at least not New Testament? (Like I'm pretty sure dont beat up your wife or rape your son or sister ?) Idk if you like true crime go ahead and read but otherwise I think you will just be disturbed and feel sad after about these poor children and what happened to them all. I gave a 3 star rating because per goodreads "I like it" but the content is so sobering I dont think i could recommend it to a friend unless they were in the mood for True crime, also the writing style was simplistic but again I'm mind boggled the author could even grow up out of these origins to be able to face this and research this and write it.

[Dawn Beecroft Teetzel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kudoos to the author for researching her family's history and writing this book. To be honest, I couldn't put it down and it will linger with me for a long, long time.

I wish I could give it a five star, the storyline deserves it, however, I was not a fan of the writing or how the story was told. It was far too repitious and there were many grammatical errors. Still, none of that draws draws away from the fact that the author showed great bravery in writing this book and deserves to commended. It could not have been easy. I am pleased to know that she has found a way to forgive, move on, and find peace in her life.

[Paige Hardesty · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the content of the book is compelling and insightful, it is glaringly obvious this book was not ran by an editor at all. There are multiple spelling and grammatical errors on every page, so much so that it became a game while I was reading to highlight every error I found. It was hard to fully immerse myself in the book because I was constantly thinking about why the author didn’t have someone, even a friend, look over the book before sending it to the publisher. As much as I liked the content, I can’t in good faith give it higher than a three star review because of the errors.

[Mary Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for writing this book. We must care for one another and find ways to bridge cultural divides between neighbours. Our historical society would love to have you speak about the history of the Mennonite culture. I married a Mennonite and would like to learn more. Thank you again.
Mary Simpson

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fascinating and engrossing story, but it is so poorly written that I just can’t give it any more stars.
I am considering recommending this to my book club, but I’m worried that the terrible writing will turn people off.
I enjoyed learning about the Mennonite community, a group I’m not familiar with.

[Melissa Rockenfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

very powerful book. This woman has survived an incredibly difficult childhood and yet finds the grace to explore the who and why and how with forgiveness and incredible insight.

[Susan Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disturbing…..