The Boy In Blue Denim

The Porch Swing Mysteries #2

by Patrick E. Craig

• A young boy murdered in a snowstorm and forgotten...
• A mysterious letter that sets Jenny on the trail...
• Secrets within secrets revealed - nothing is as it seems...

Imagine if Miss Marple were Amish!
Jenny Hershberger returns to Apple Creek, Ohio, called by Detective Elbert Wainwright to help solve another cold case—a young Amish boy murdered in a deadly snowstorm and never identified. But as she digs into the case, she finds so many connections to her own life that the story becomes like a house of mirrors. As Jenny and Bobby Halverson travel from Apple Creek to Shipshewana, toTexas and Colorado, and back to Apple Creek, the trail grows warmer each day. But each step uncovers a new murder... and a new twist. Who is the killer? And who is... THE BOY IN BLUE DENIM?

212 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 20, 2023

About the author

Patrick E. Craig is an award-winning author with twenty-two published books. He has won six Chanticleer International Book Awards, a Selah Award, and a Word Guild of Canada Award. His work includes three Amish murder mysteries, six Amish novels, three World War II historical novels with a short story sequel, two anthologies of Amish stories, a standalone novel, a memoir, two western novels, and two YA paranormal books.

In 2013 Harvest House published the first of his Apple Creak Dreams series, A Quilt For Jenna, followed by The Road Home and Jenny's Choice. All three books have been on bestseller lists in Amish and Mennonite Fiction on Amazon since then. In 2015 he self-published The Paradise Chronicles series which included The Amish Heiress, The Amish Princess and The Mennonite Queen.

In 2020 he began the Award-winning Islands series with co-author Murray Pura. The series included Far On The Ringing Plains, The Scepter and The Isle, and Men Who Strove With Gods, all CIBA award winners.

Now he is publishing his Amish mystery series, The Porch Swing Mysteries which includes The Quilt That Knew, The Boy in Blue Denim and the newly released 3 X 3.

He lives in Idaho with his wife Judy.

Reviews

[Scott Rezer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, Patrick Craig has written a mystery that is both endearing and heartbreaking at the same time. Miss Marple—or rather, Jenny Hershberger—is drawn into yet another murder mystery involving a young Amish boy. But this mystery cuts a little too close to home for Jenny as some of the particulars are reminiscent of her own life. And as a special treat—especially for new readers—we are invited into Jennie’s past in brief flashback glimpses without having to read the original series about her family. The Boy in Blue Denim is another page-turner that portrays the Amish in pure and honest terms, rather than in idealized notions. Not to be missed series!

[Courtnee Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Boy in Blue Denim is an Amish mystery by Patrick E. Craig. The remains of a ten-year-old boy were found in 1995, but despite the best efforts of law enforcement, his murder goes unsolved. Ten years later, a bored detective runs across his file as he is reviewing area cold cases. The unnamed boy appeared to be Amish, but the detective couldn't unearth anything further until a local writer and historian, Jenny Hershberger, who had some notoriety after solving a murder, contacted him about a letter she received from a reader of her newspaper column. Jenny feels drawn to the case, as so many of the details mirror events from her life before she was adopted. After following a lead, Jenny finds there may be more to the murder than anyone could have guessed.

Patrick E. Craig has researched the Amish community, and it shows in his writing. Craig sprinkles the German language throughout the text, making the dialogue believable and giving his characters a true voice. This is the second book in The Porch Swing Mysteries, but readers can absorb the mystery without looking through the first book, as the author has done a stellar job of recapping past events naturally through his story. Craig pulls his readers along, dropping hints about the larger puzzle, but just when you think the mystery is solved, it gets deeper and harder to predict. The Boy in Blue Denim is a good selection for readers who enjoy twisting mysteries, as they try to solve the crime with the protagonist, and stories relating to the Amish community.

[Lori Parrish · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn't your typical Amish novel but the title itself intrigued me.
I ended up loving this one!! I couldn't put it down so I ended staying up all night to finish it. All I can say is Wow!!
Such a wonderful murder/mystery that I was invested in since the beginning.
My heart sure went out to that little boy. My emotions were pretty high when I watched his case unfold.
Craig has done a marvelous job of keeping me guessing who the real Levon was!
Seems like some people aren't always who they seem and I even find that true in real life. Sometimes people will eventually show their true colors along the way somewhere.
It sure was nice to see Jenny Hershburger again. She's still my favorite character and now sleuther lol. Bobby too!
It felt like coming home to Apple creek and meeting the former characters.
I love this one and it left my heart feeling full and satisfied.
5 stars for an awesome read. I highly recommend.
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.
Lots of twists and turns that will keep you engaged all the way through

[Cherese Akhavein · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Boy in Blue Denim by Patrick E. Craig
Wow although this is a quick read you won’t be disappointed. This is Mystery at its finest, just when you think you can figure it out the next page brings new twists and turns to this storyline and it’s not until you reach the last page that it all fits together in a file of love, devastation, and heartbreak.
This is a story that will shed light on the old saying, “ It’s not as it seems”. I’m so convinced that everyone will love this book and want to read more by this author, he has developed well rounded characters, a storyline that holds your attention and a ending that will pull everything together in a case for the books. I really look forward to more books by this author. I was gifted a copy of this book but in no way was required to leave a review.
Happy Reading.

[Anne Rightler · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Boy in Blue Denim is second in The Porch Swing Mysteries series by Patrick E. Craig and I enjoyed it as much as the first. I like Amish stories and mysteries and this book did not disappoint. With lots of twists and turns to the plot and returning police-consulting duo, Amish woman Jenny Hershberger and retired detective, Bobby Halverson the pages almost turned on their own. I read a library copy of the book and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own. I'm looking forward to the next book in The Porch Swing Mysteries series.

[Sunnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great mystery and will keep you turning pages till the very end. I enjoyed the mystery and the continuation of the character, Jenny Hershberger, that I have enjoyed in past stories by this author. The story has lots of twists and turns. I think you will enjoy this book. It will keep you wondering throughout!

[Kristin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not enjoy this in the least. The story is boring. The investigation is slow, and EVERY time a new character is introduced the entire case history is re discussed. Almost like a serial novel from the 1800s where the author is afraid you might have missed something. This could have been a 100 page novella, but still wouldn't have been interesting.

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

This book was super. I'm so happy it ended the way it did. I tried to solve the case before the but in the end I was surprised.
I hope Patrick will keep writing these wonderful mysteries. I love the Jenny and Bobbie team!

[Beverly Duell-Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book!

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story! Truly captivating story, with tons of twists & turns. Loved it!!

[Barbara Symons · Rating 5 out of 5]

quilt story

This is the second book in this series and another interesting story. I thoroughly enjoyed it, even though there weren’t any mentions of quilt patterns.

[sue bright · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Boy In Blue Denim

Really good book. Read it one day. Lots of people murder sad story, but was a happy ending. Would love to read more story like this .

[Bonnie Baisden · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good

This was so good never saw it coming till the end I am going to start book 3 of this series

[Sandra Prater]

The book is so so good

This book was even better than the last one. Craig is a great writer. It is a true mystery. Can't wait to read the next one! Enjoy!!

[Kaye Wingo · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book