Beechdale Road: Where Mercy is More Powerful Than Murder. A True Story

by Megan Shertzer, Tim Rogers, Kate Lab (illustrator)

On Sunday, June 21, 2020, eighteen-year-old Linda Stoltzfoos 
of Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania, was kidnapped and later murdered 
by Justo Smoker—a member of our family. This book is our attempt to share our story of grief, anger, and pain
 but also of unexplainable grace, kindness, and mercy at the hands
 of the Amish community—of which Linda Stoltzfoos was a part. 
We hope that in sharing our story you can experience what it’s like 
when undeserved mercy confronts undeniable evil, when kindness upends condemnation,
 when heaven engages hell.

92 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 1, 2024

Reviews

[Anissa Mohler · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Undeserved mercy is always more powerful than even the harshest tragedy.”

For being such a short and quick read, I was very moved by this book and will be thinking about it for a long time. I remember seeing this case unfold, and I’m sure almost everyone else in Lancaster County remembers it as well. I deeply respect the authors for speaking so openly, and for allowing us to see how God can bring beauty out of even the darkest of circumstances.

[Heidi Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short read but a good one.

I was in awe of how the Amish community of the victim sought out the family of the murderer and showed them such undeserved kindness. They were in the midst of their own deep grief, yet still had such compassion for the “other side”.
They showed Jesus’s love in such a massive way and it is moving to read about!

[Joelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute must-read. Finished in 2 hours but closed it with my heart slightly changed and softened forever.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Didn’t intend to finish this in one sitting, but I couldn’t stop reading. I prayed daily for Linda and her family and was gutted when I heard the news. I’ve grown up near the Amish community and know of their testimony for bold forgiveness, but reading a first-hand account from an incident that happened locally was riveting. The power of God’s grace, mercy, and overwhelming love to flow so naturally from Linda’s family was such a gut-wrenchingly beautiful picture of what God did for each and every one of us. Grab some tissues and settle in to be rebuked, humbled, and assured of God’s grace that “exceeds our sin and our guilt.”

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful glimpse into the powerful and uncomfortable reality of experiencing undeserved forgiveness and grace. A glimpse into what our Father offers us.
Even more real as I remember seeing posters of Linda all over during those years.
Life is complex and hard.
The Lord is so so good.

[Howard Petersen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very powerful book. It shows the mercy and grace of God being offered by an Amish community in their own pain. Quite inspirational.

[Sarah Parmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly powerful.

[Joshua Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautifully written story that started with a tragedy and turned into love and forgiveness. An incredibly moving story of two different communities coming together after a tragedy. Such a great read! Incredibly inspiring. Reminds you to always be kind to everyone you meet. We are all in this life together. Let’s spread the love and kindness with everyone no matter our differences.

[Alyssa Groff · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible story of grace during a difficult time.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading about the forgiveness and kindness the Amish community gave this family, amidst the tragedy they themselves were coping with, was inspiring and heart touching. Seeing the love of God work through this community was a reminder of the grace and mercy He offers us all. It wasn't an easy read, but was a reminder to me to offer forgiveness even in the hardest of circumstances. I really appreciated this point of view from Justo Smoker's family.

[Dave Weiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good friend recommended this book and I decided to give it a read. It's short, only 92 pages, but entirely worth the read. It's a true story of grace and forgiveness extended by the family of an Amish girl who was murdered to the family of her killer. The story is told from the perspective of two members of the killer's family. It is a very honest view of what these people experienced as they navigated the days after finding pout a beloved family member had committed this horrible crime. How can they balance the good times in the past with the reality of what he has done? Further they balance these feeling with the kindness and love shown to them by the Amish community, including members of the slain girl's family. This is an important read and if you really want to understand grace and forgiveness, give this little book a read.

[Natalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beechdale Road isn’t just a book - it’s something I felt deeply. The story of Linda Stoltzfoos broke my heart, but what stayed with me even more was the incredible grace her Amish community showed. The way they chose mercy over anger, even toward the family of the man who took her life, was beyond anything I’ve ever encountered.

It made me really think about what it means to live with quiet faith - and how powerful true forgiveness can be. The kind that’s not loud or showy, but steady and deeply human.

It wasn’t always easy to read, but it was healing in a quiet, unexpected way. I finished the book in awe of the strength and goodness that can still rise out of something so painful. It’s one of those books that lingers with you.

[Andrea Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am from York county Pennsylvania so this book is local. I remember hearing about Linda missing and worrying about her safety. I also remember when they announced Justo being arrested for her murder and wondering why he did this to an Amish girl. A girl that was holier than most. The Amish are hardworking and God fearing. How could this happen! I still don’t understand why he did it. I was very hesitant to read this book because I just soak up others pain! But my mom said, it’s ok, read it. I feel for victims families but I also feel for the perpetrators families. They are also losing a family member. God is here for us all. We must live and follow him.

[Patricia Fischer · Rating 4 out of 5]

In June of 2020, an 18 year-old Amish girl named Linda Stoltzfoos went missing while walking home from church. It was eventually discovered that she was kidnapped and murdered. This book is written by the perpetrator’s brother-in-law and niece. The book isn’t about the crime itself; the only details provided are ones necessary to tell the story, which is about how the Amish community, including the family of the victim, reached out to the murderer’s family, offering compassion, forgiveness, and love. An inspirational read.

[Reading is my Sport · Rating 5 out of 5]

deeply impactful

I will be thinking about this for the rest of my life. The measure of Mercy and Grace freely given is outstanding. The impact to my own life as I think of the Mercy and Grace God has given me in my own sinful life is deep and convicting.
The deeper answers to the hardest of life’s questions are very thought provoking.

Thank you Tim and Megan for sharing your pain and the message found woven throughout this story.
I am praying for all of you and for Justo.

[Gina Rodkey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put the book down until I was finished. I live in the area that the crime happened and remember the Amish community and the outpouring of help from the rest of the community all searching for Linda. Very heartbreaking circumstances. The book tells the story of the families of the victim and perpetrator and how they came together to heal through God's amazing grace in the face of evil actions. Powerful, the story stays with you.

[Cher Kent · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a page turner!! I am not into reading but it kept me interested and drew me into the emotions put into it. I was anxious to learn about the families and how they could be merciful when tragedy struck their lives. Reading how they dealt and still deal with the pain has opened up my eyes and heart in dealing with my own life events and perspectives.

[Renée | apuzzledbooklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘I learned that Grace isn’t just a cute, soft expression of kindness. Grace is difficult, and it’s painful, and it’s awkward.

This story has a different perspective than you’ll usually find, under these circumstances. It focuses purely on grace and forgiveness, extended from the community and family of the young woman who was murdered.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and beautiful; I found this on my mom's bookshelf while visiting her and read it one night in less than an hour; the story followed me through the night and I woke with it still on my mind.

Key takeaway: Love and forgiveness is not always graceful or predictable. Sometimes it's awkward and uncomfortable, and arrives in the form of disliked veggies. But it's always, always powerful.

[Tina Forry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in one sitting. I remember seeing Linda’s posters at various businesses in her general area. This book may be small but it is powerful. I recommend having tissues nearby. What a atory of redemption and grace.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A family writes about human tragedy reshaped by forgiveness. This is a non fiction recount of an unimaginable event that occurred to a family in Bird-in-hand and the grace they extended. I picked this up on a whim in an Ice Cream shop in New Holland, PA and I'm so glad I did.

[Lisa Brodsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was living near Lancaster, PA when this happened so this book really hit home. It was heartbreaking to read about what Justo's family went through, but how the Amish visited them and got them through that time was amazing. The Amish are truly a wonderful group of people.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend!! This book is a different perspective from really any I’ve read before in the face of a tragedy like this. Just a good book to read. May we all extend grace as was given in this situation!

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short yet powerful book captivated me in a single day. The profound grace and redemption shown by the Amish community in the face of such heartbreak deeply moved me, leaving an impression that will stay with me for a long time.

[T · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book may be small, but it captivates readers with its exploration of genuine forgiveness.

[Clara K Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbelievable story of unconditional love and mercy extended to the family of the man that kidnapped and murdered a young Amish girl, from the Amish family and community.

[Carol Slifka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellant true story on forgiveness and mercy. Thank you, Megan and Tim for sharing your story.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read book on forgiveness in action.

[Julia Bills · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book flipped the narrative of such a hard story. It is such a beautiful example of how grace and mercy rewrites our stories!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a well written book about mercy and forgiveness. A true story about a tragic event in the Amish community and the grace and healing that was shared. Excellent book, highly recommend ed.