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Amish-Country Mysteries #6
Separate from the World: An Amish-Country Mystery
This title has been removed from sale by Penguin Group, USA.
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 8, 2008
20 people are currently reading
260 people want to read
About the author
P.L. Gaus
17 books101 followersPaul L. Gaus writes The Amish-Country Mysteries, set authentically in the Amish settlements of Holmes County, Ohio. Three life-long friends - Professor Michael Branden, Sheriff Bruce Robertson, and Pastor Caleb Troyer - work sometimes together and other times at crossed purposes to solve mysteries involving the often inscrutable Amish sects of the region. The rich cast of English characters includes the professor's insightful wife Caroline, Holmes County's tenacious Medical Examiner Melissa Taggert, and young Ellie Troyer, the sheriff's resolute dispatcher/secretary. Paul's novels illuminate Amish culture and lifestyle in the context of murder investigations that pull aside the veil on the daily lives of these purposefully plain religious separatists.
There are currently eight novels in the series, published by Plume, a Division of Penguin Group USA. The ninth novel, Whiskers of The Lion, is soon to be published by Plume. The first seven of his novels were originally published as The Ohio Amish Mysteries, by Ohio University Press, before they were all republished as trade paperbacks by Plume.
Paul’s extensive knowledge of the culture and lifestyle of the many Ohio Amish sects comes from over forty years of travel throughout Holmes and the surrounding rural counties in Ohio. His stories are rich with culture, much like the works of Tony Hillerman. It was Paul's friendship with Tony Hillerman that first inspired him to write culture-based mysteries about Amish people.
There are currently eight novels in the series, published by Plume, a Division of Penguin Group USA. The ninth novel, Whiskers of The Lion, is soon to be published by Plume. The first seven of his novels were originally published as The Ohio Amish Mysteries, by Ohio University Press, before they were all republished as trade paperbacks by Plume.
Paul’s extensive knowledge of the culture and lifestyle of the many Ohio Amish sects comes from over forty years of travel throughout Holmes and the surrounding rural counties in Ohio. His stories are rich with culture, much like the works of Tony Hillerman. It was Paul's friendship with Tony Hillerman that first inspired him to write culture-based mysteries about Amish people.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
December 13, 2017
It's final exam time and spring commencement time at Millersburg College. Professor Michael Brandon feels burnout when it comes to grading and debates retirement. An Amish dwarf comes to his office to ask him to investigate the death of his brother which was ruled accidental but can only be murder. During his visit, a young woman falls from the college's bell tower. Professor Brandon recognizes her as one of his students. The young man with her is also one of his students. Did she jump or was she pushed? The seemingly unrelated threads merge together for a suspenseful conclusion. The perpetrator in the Amish case, worsening as more adversity strikes the Erb family, is clever, leaving little evidence other than a psychological profile. This is a strong installment in the series. I listened to the audio version read by George Newbern who always does a great job with this series.
April 2, 2012
Gaus lives amongst the Amish - and it shows, unlike other books purporting to portray them. The academic atmosphere and the mystery aren't bad either. I am glad that these books keep getting written and published. Really glad to see the audio version available.
June 9, 2012
This was different from most Amish novels I have read. Most are not mystery novels. I am going to have to look for more of these books!
June 4, 2013
Probably more like 4 1/2. I have now read all 7 books in the series, and this one was probably the best.
July 31, 2015
A good story although it took me awhile to get into it for some reason. I liked it though.
October 21, 2020
Well, this isn't my usual reading material, but I was in the mood for something different, and something quick. I picked this up at a used book store awhile back, intrigued because I know Gaus both through my publisher and my alma mater, where he was a professor. I typically enjoy reading books that evoke a local landscape, in this case, my dear, sweet Ohio. The fictional college is really the elite College of Wooster with a few changes. It really is surrounded by Ohio's Amish country, and Gaus really is one of several experts on Amish life. That said, this story was a little far-fetched and heavy-handed for me. I am supposed to believe that a college professor is busy helping the campus and local police solve kidnappings and murders? That a pseudo-psychology description of a stereotyped sociopath who is described by the registrar: "I don't like it, Mike, when people think they're so special that they don't have to follow the rules." (Who does THAT sound like??) I am supposed to believe that the college president is so jaded that he only cares about rich-parent donors, so much so that he ignores two "suicides" and a couple of murders? Sigh.
What I did like were the descriptions: of the Amish children, buggies, barns, houses. The pretty rural landscape; the local restaurants. Those save the story.
What I did like were the descriptions: of the Amish children, buggies, barns, houses. The pretty rural landscape; the local restaurants. Those save the story.
September 22, 2020
I surprised myself by really liking this book. I know a lot about the Amish, as I live in NJorthern Indiana where there are quite a few, and had an Amish roommate in college (Yes, she left the church in order to get a nursing degree.) But the story of the Amish and their reasoning and submission to God's will seemed quite believable, and the interplay between "English" and the Amish was also portrayed realistically--never quite fully understanding or agreeing with each other, but learning to deal with each other reasonably, for the most part. The mystery part was somewhat pat, and really quite lurid, with the protagonist being a real sociopath, and fulfilling the police chief's expectations of a"snotty rich kid". There was little to no background on what had made him so unfeeling, but that is perhaps fodder for another book. I liked Gaus writing style, and his portrayal of the professor. Again, it was a little "pat" in terms of the histrionic Aiden Newhouse, professor who led the students on marches, reliving his VietNam war years. Some of these characters were not fully fledged out and therefore hard to be sympathetic to, but all in all, a worthy read. I'd like to read some more of this series.
November 2, 2022
Michael Branden, Caroline Branden, Cal Troyer, Bruce Robertson and the regular complement of support characters return in book six of the Ohio Amish Mystery series. In this installment Professor Branden's Millersburg College plays a central role, and this, in turn, introduces another cast of characters heretofore not seen. I kept wondering how or if the college scene and the Amish characters would merge. This book provides a forum for P. L. Gaus to explore the Amish view of science and medicine and the conflict that can result. This is the last P. L. Gaus ebook that I am able to borrow from the library, and the other books in the series are not available for purchase on Amazon. They are, however, available on Kobo, but this requires a Kobo reader or Kobo reader app. I am undecided at this point whether I will make that commitment or not.
January 21, 2018
This novel kept me reading when I should have gone to bed. I have enjoyed all of the books in this series so far, and this one is full of the twists and turns in the plot that I have come to expect of Mr. Gaus' works. Once again, I enjoyed reading about recurring characters and the suspense was probably more intense than some of the previous books. I will definitely keep reading this series.
June 30, 2021
Gaus’s mysteries of the meeting place between English (contemporary America) an d the Amish community are fascinating in the custom and culture, but the belief and philosophy of the Anabaptist believers. Once again, the conflict revolves around a murder…or two…and how to see that justice is achieved.
June 22, 2024
Tough to rate. I enjoy these stories. This one felt slightly rushed. The end was abrupt--like the publisher demanded a quick finish. Also? So much about poor dead Benny Erb. Then we have a dvd with video footage, but there is never a moment when anyone views that footage and gives the reader a moment in which Benny comes alive.
July 31, 2017
A little gruesome in parts.
August 22, 2017
I was pleasantly surprised by this book.
August 5, 2018
Not like I thought
Hard to keep my interest and not like I thought.
Felt like I was reading a case study than an actual book.
Hard to keep my interest and not like I thought.
Felt like I was reading a case study than an actual book.
October 10, 2018
I have always been fascinated with the amish people. This is the first murder mystery involving the Amish that I have read.
November 19, 2018
Great story! Loved it!
June 30, 2024
This was a very good book by a very good author. I really liked this mystery in the Amish community. It was interesting to see a side of a little person.
March 2, 2011
If you switched Agatha Christie over a century and placed her in the middle of Amish country you would have “Separate from the World”, it is that type of a cozy.
Here you have Professor Michael Branden, teacher at a small town college and a native of the area, who has been best friends with the local sheriff, Bruce Robertson, since grade school. Along with another grade school buddy, Caleb Troyer, the local pastor, the trio becomes this group of investigators in a series of books that Gaus gives us, solving mysteries that involve the complexity of the Amish.
In “Separate from the World”, we meet the Erb family, and it’s descendants, that through apparent cross breeding with the families, has developed an unusual number of dwarf’s in the gene pool. The study of the genetics, blood studies and inbreeding becomes a study subject for a number of the students at neighboring at Millersburg College, and surprisingly the Erb family provides them with family history until the split in the Amish way of life is discovered and the elder forbids any further discussion with the students.
At the same time an apparent suicide of a female student opens an investigation into improprieties from another professor which opens the lead for Gaus to link her death with the controversial genetics study into the Erb family. He leads us a circuitous route, unraveling clues until the very last moment, leading to a very satisfying ending.
Here you have Professor Michael Branden, teacher at a small town college and a native of the area, who has been best friends with the local sheriff, Bruce Robertson, since grade school. Along with another grade school buddy, Caleb Troyer, the local pastor, the trio becomes this group of investigators in a series of books that Gaus gives us, solving mysteries that involve the complexity of the Amish.
In “Separate from the World”, we meet the Erb family, and it’s descendants, that through apparent cross breeding with the families, has developed an unusual number of dwarf’s in the gene pool. The study of the genetics, blood studies and inbreeding becomes a study subject for a number of the students at neighboring at Millersburg College, and surprisingly the Erb family provides them with family history until the split in the Amish way of life is discovered and the elder forbids any further discussion with the students.
At the same time an apparent suicide of a female student opens an investigation into improprieties from another professor which opens the lead for Gaus to link her death with the controversial genetics study into the Erb family. He leads us a circuitous route, unraveling clues until the very last moment, leading to a very satisfying ending.
January 18, 2016
If you switched Agatha Christie over a century and placed her in the middle of Amish country you would have 1CSeparate from the World 1D, it is that type of a cozy.
Here you have Professor Michael Branden, teacher at a small town college and a native of the area, who has been best friends with the local sheriff, Bruce Robertson, since grade school. Along with another grade school buddy, Caleb Troyer, the local pastor, the trio becomes this group of investigators in a series of books that Gaus gives us, solving mysteries that involve the complexity of the Amish.
In 1CSeparate from the World 1D, we meet the Erb family, and it 19s descendants, that through apparent cross breeding with the families, has developed an unusual number of dwarf 19s in the gene pool. The study of the genetics, blood studies and inbreeding becomes a study subject for a number of the students at neighboring at Millersburg College, and surprisingly the Erb family provides them with family history until the split in the Amish way of life is discovered and the elder forbids any further discussion with the students.
At the same time an apparent suicide of a female student opens an investigation into improprieties from another professor which opens the lead for Gaus to link her death with the controversial genetics study into the Erb family. He leads us a circuitous route, unraveling clues until the very last moment, leading to a very satisfying ending.
Here you have Professor Michael Branden, teacher at a small town college and a native of the area, who has been best friends with the local sheriff, Bruce Robertson, since grade school. Along with another grade school buddy, Caleb Troyer, the local pastor, the trio becomes this group of investigators in a series of books that Gaus gives us, solving mysteries that involve the complexity of the Amish.
In 1CSeparate from the World 1D, we meet the Erb family, and it 19s descendants, that through apparent cross breeding with the families, has developed an unusual number of dwarf 19s in the gene pool. The study of the genetics, blood studies and inbreeding becomes a study subject for a number of the students at neighboring at Millersburg College, and surprisingly the Erb family provides them with family history until the split in the Amish way of life is discovered and the elder forbids any further discussion with the students.
At the same time an apparent suicide of a female student opens an investigation into improprieties from another professor which opens the lead for Gaus to link her death with the controversial genetics study into the Erb family. He leads us a circuitous route, unraveling clues until the very last moment, leading to a very satisfying ending.
January 24, 2016
The 6th book in the Ohio Amish mystery series. I've been wishing from the start that the story writing by Gaus would improve because I love the local scenery and his writing of all things Amish, but after reading the last one (#5) I didn't have much hope of them getting any better and wasn't even sure if I would read the last one I had sitting here. Imagine my surprise when I decided to read it so I could give them back to my friend on her next visit, and I found this last book to be really really good!!! The best in this series, and it stumps me as to how it read so much better....? Just when I'd decided to never waste my time reading another book by this author. Go figure. - It's a story of the Amish becoming divided between those that favor the use of medicine and the participation in a college study of genetic traits of dwarfism that's particular to a family in this Amish community, and those that reject any outside influence. A suicide of one of the college students opens an investigation that links her death with the genetics study, and Professor Branden and his friends Pastor Troyer and Sheriff Robertson team up again to find the truth. A definite thumbs up.
March 18, 2012
People who are trustworthy tend to be trusting of others, sometimes when they shouldn’t be. This premise is evident in the plot of this tale. A split in the Amish community seems inevitable as people takes sides either for against a scientific study that could help prevent genetic birth defects. Students at a nearby college worked on such studies for their senior theses, interviewing Amish in the community. An Amish dwarf falls from a ladder, an accident that his brother says is murder. A coed falls from a bell tower on the college campus, and officials have to determine if she jumped or was pushed. Professor Branden is in the thick of things and seeks to find the truth, no matter who it may hurt. P. L. Gaus pens a masterful mystery that illustrates events that could occur when the Amish community interacts with the English people. Should the knowledge of the English world be embraced or rejected? Is it helpful or hurtful? What exactly does it mean to be separate from the world?
April 7, 2011
This book was a good mix of the Amish Culture and a mystery that involved drugs. The kids involved were involved in the Amish rite of passage, Rumshpringe where they can cast of their Amish clothing, shave their beards, and spend time experiencing the "English" way of life. Three of the kids come up missing and one is discoverd dead and they don't know who killed him. The Amish people find they were using GPS units and pay as you go cell phones, etc.
The mystery does get solved, we find out what happened to the kids, where the drugs came in, etc. The author put together a nice mystery, and tied up all the ends so that everything is resolved at the end, it doesn't leave you wondering what happened to anyone. It was a quick read at 210 pages, but the print was pretty small so hard to read if you are starting to get tired or if you are reading and the light isn't bright enough.
The mystery does get solved, we find out what happened to the kids, where the drugs came in, etc. The author put together a nice mystery, and tied up all the ends so that everything is resolved at the end, it doesn't leave you wondering what happened to anyone. It was a quick read at 210 pages, but the print was pretty small so hard to read if you are starting to get tired or if you are reading and the light isn't bright enough.
June 11, 2011
While Gaus does an interesting job intersecting the Amish and English lives in a fairly dry, academic way; the essence of the book - a murder mystery - reads rather like an elementary paint-by-numbers exercise, with the level of skill, excitement and depth you could expect from viewing such a painting.
It was all a bit two-dimensional and dull.
Its not that the writing was bad; or the plot was horrible; but there wasn't anything original about it. When you can puzzle out in your head when the crime is introduced (at least the who - and the why is puzzled out as soon as a secondary character is introduced) - it is tough not to start screaming at the book.
Of course, then given how the town supposedly runs it police department, I can't say I am surprised. I am sure it is addressed a bit earlier in the series, but it is difficult to think of a scenario in which a history professor would be given police powers except as a plot device.
It was all a bit two-dimensional and dull.
Its not that the writing was bad; or the plot was horrible; but there wasn't anything original about it. When you can puzzle out in your head when the crime is introduced (at least the who - and the why is puzzled out as soon as a secondary character is introduced) - it is tough not to start screaming at the book.
Of course, then given how the town supposedly runs it police department, I can't say I am surprised. I am sure it is addressed a bit earlier in the series, but it is difficult to think of a scenario in which a history professor would be given police powers except as a plot device.
August 18, 2013
Had the first half of the book been as good as the second half, I would have given the book at least a 4-star rating. A quick read, I finished the last half of the book in a couple of hours.
Murder among the Amish is a difficult setting to make believable, but Gaus is able to do so. Unfortunately I found myself on several occasions wondering who edited the book, and why they missed some duplicate conversations that also didn't ring true to the setting and the characters.
A good plot with a compelling resolution and a satisfying denoument, a little better job of moving the story along in the first half (and better editing) would have helped considerably.
Insight into Amish culture and its interaction with "English" (my grandfather was born Amish, so I know a little about the culture) was well-integrated into the story, and represented well the Amish perspective on faith and life.
I will seek other other books by this author - they're worth consideration.
Murder among the Amish is a difficult setting to make believable, but Gaus is able to do so. Unfortunately I found myself on several occasions wondering who edited the book, and why they missed some duplicate conversations that also didn't ring true to the setting and the characters.
A good plot with a compelling resolution and a satisfying denoument, a little better job of moving the story along in the first half (and better editing) would have helped considerably.
Insight into Amish culture and its interaction with "English" (my grandfather was born Amish, so I know a little about the culture) was well-integrated into the story, and represented well the Amish perspective on faith and life.
I will seek other other books by this author - they're worth consideration.
February 21, 2011
I won a copy of an advance uncorrected proof from the author. The book is well written, well thought out, and in the end the story was finished with all of the loose ends tied up. I never knew that the Amish may have a problem with their inbreeding causing health problems. That was a good part of the story involved with the Amish in this mystery. The inbredding as they don't marry outside of their group, caused problems such as dwarfism and other problems.
I don't want to give away the premise of this story, I'll give you the rest of the story as written on the back of the book:
Enos Erb, an Amish man, claims that his brother,-benny,-a dwarf like himself- has been murdered. Upon investigation, links to a controversial genetics study examining the effects of inbreeding within the Amish community are uncovered-a study in which both Enos and benny had participated
I don't want to give away the premise of this story, I'll give you the rest of the story as written on the back of the book:
Enos Erb, an Amish man, claims that his brother,-benny,-a dwarf like himself- has been murdered. Upon investigation, links to a controversial genetics study examining the effects of inbreeding within the Amish community are uncovered-a study in which both Enos and benny had participated
May 20, 2013
I read books with an Amish background if they seem authentic and have plots that raise interesting issues. This is the first book I've read by P. L. Gaus. It had more German than I normally see in an Amish themed novel written by an Englisher. The only lapse from authenticity that bothered me in this book was an Amish man using Englisher slang regarding sex. I can see him knowing sexual slang from Rumspringer, but not actually using the slang in ordinary conversation. I didn't abandon the book at that point because I'd gotten involved with the plot.
I was interested in the Amish genetic study and other aspects of the novel, though I did lose interest when it turned into a standard serial killer kind of plot.
I was interested in the Amish genetic study and other aspects of the novel, though I did lose interest when it turned into a standard serial killer kind of plot.
November 18, 2008
This was entertaining and a very fast read but not very believable. The bad guy was TOO bad; there were no layers to him. I don't believe that he would have committed the crimes he did based on the motive given in this book. And the end scene seemed very cliched to me. I feel like I've read that same climax scene in a dozen other (although not Amish) mystery stories. Also, there was a bit of a disconnect for me since I didn't read the first books in this series - I have no idea why this professor is out solving Amish crimes. A strange choice for our community reading project this year but I did enjoy the book overall.
March 29, 2015
I bought this book at the airport after I finished the book I had brought with me and after I was told my flight would be delayed for several hours. I ended looking at this book because I liked the cover, but then bought it because the book jacket described it as a mystery that tied in genetic research on the Amish. I found the writing, at least at first, a little sparse. There were a lot of characters and not much detail about or depth to them; perhaps if I had read the earlier books in the series I would have had the appropriate background and/or investment in the characters. I finished the book, but didn’t overall find it particularly intriguing.
May 13, 2014
This book had a good story line. However, I had no idea this was part of a series. Nowhere in or on this book did it say this was not a stand alone book. Because of this, I was very confused as to why a college professor and a preacher would even be allowed to be in on a criminal investigation, even if they were the sheriff's best friends. I found this very irritating, as this is just not believable in the real world. Also, I find it confusing when the author is conveying two characters's thoughts. The point of view shifts back and forth between characters with no distinction between the two. Overall, a good quick story, but I won't be reading anymore from this author.
February 25, 2009
I really was not a fan of this book and the only reason it got 2 stars instead of 1 is because it was so bad, I have kept thinking about it for two days after I finished reading it. The characters were one-dimensional and boring. The dialogue was unbelievable and stale. The mystery wasn't very intriguing, seemed to be based on too ridiculous of a motive, and the only twist at the end was that there WAS no twist. I don't get Amish people and this book certainly didn't make them any more understandable. Boo and hiss.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews