Grave Amish Secrets

by Patricia Johns

Solving a cold case

means facing down a murderer…

When her Amish grandfather’s body is found, State Police Detective Penny Moore learns he didn’t abandon his family fifty years ago—he was murdered. But the whole truth is still unknown, and after several vicious attacks on Penny and her partner, Detective Stewart Jones, it’s clear someone will kill to keep their secrets buried. Unearthing community scandals and delving into Penny’s traumatized family past bring them closer to each other—and a dangerous truth. But can they outwit a killer before they become the newest victims in this cold case?

Genres: Love Inspired Suspense, Amish, Romantic Suspense, Christian Fiction, Suspense, Harlequin, Amish Fiction

211 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 21, 2025

About the author

Publishers Weekly bestselling author Patricia Johns writes sweet romance. She lives in Alberta, Canada with her husband and son.

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Reviews

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read. Not a lot of suspense though.

[Rhonda McKnight · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never read an Amish story before. I enjoyed this story. I enjoyed learning more about the Amish, which was the reason I choose to read it. I liked John's writing style. The emotional conflict was believable, particularly Penny's based on her history. Generational trauma/injury is a real thing, but with respect to this story is was sadder. I won't spoil it by giving away why.

I wish Harlequin would do more audiobooks. The narrator did a good job.



Note - I compare books to over books in the same genre/category and rate accordingly.

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an Amish Romantic Suspense. I listened to the audiobook for this book, and I found the audiobook to be good. I really enjoyed the mystery parts of this book, but I did not feel the connection between the two main characters. Overall, I liked this book, but it was not my favorite. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.

[Marilyn Rushing · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing read. If you love Amish fiction with just a little suspense, this book will cover both. A hard to put down book.
A body is found in an old well on an Amish farm. Penny Moore and Stewart Jones are the detectives on the case. What makes the case more personal for Penny is the farms belongs to her grandmother. The dental records prove the body is her long lost grandfather who was thought to have abounded his wife and children nearly fifty years ago. She along with Stewart are determined to solve this case even though they are being threatened to keep the truth from being revealed.

[Lauren Smalley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my very first book review as an adult—and my first book I picked up completely on my own, with no one telling me to do it. Lately I’d been feeling that strong pull to step away from my phone and all the noise of social media. So I grabbed a book instead, and I’m so glad I did.
Grave Amish Secrets completely drew me in. From the beginning, I could tell the two detectives—Penny and Stewart—were going to fall for each other, and I was totally here for it. But the murder mystery? That really surprised me and hit hard in the best way.
What I loved most was watching God take something so painful and use it for healing. The story showed how unforgiveness can become a generational curse, but when truth finally comes to light, hearts can soften, minds can change, and forgiveness becomes possible—even in a broken, fallen world where people sometimes do terrible things.
This book felt personal to me. My husband is a detective, and he comes home carrying the weight of everything he’s seen and heard that day. Reading this gave me a little window into his world while also reminding both of us that light can break through even the darkest cases. For a little while, I got to slow down, step into someone else’s story, and in my own small way become a detective alongside Penny.
I’m officially hooked on reading again. If you need a fast-paced mystery that still leaves you feeling hopeful and closer to God, this one is worth every page.

[Pam Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ALC (Advanced Listener Copy) of this audiobook from NetGalley & Harlequin Audio

🎧 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🎧
I didn’t have any expectations going into this book, so I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this fast-paced story. I am fascinated with the Amish community so books like these are right up my alley.
Detective Penny and her partner get called out to uncover who murdered her grandfather who was thought to have abandoned his family over fifty years ago.

New wounds get opened from not only Penny’s past, but her mother and grandmother as well who go through their own gambit of emotions. Believing your father/husband had abandoned the family is hard enough but learning he was murdered is a little more than they could take.

It was surprisingly gripping and had me on the edge of my seat wanting to know who did it. I never suspected.

New narrator for me Liz Fodor did a great job giving voice to this unique and interesting story. I will be looking up both the narrator and the author again.

[Dali Castillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kept Me Guessing

Grave Amish Secrets is a fantastic read that kept me turning pages and guessing to the very end. It is a wonderful mix of mystery and intrigue with a touch of romance, and the author blended everything
perfectly. I loved how well and in tune Penny and Stewart worked together, which was key in everything they went through to solve the case.

I found it very interesting how much the case and its history played into Penny's idea of "being overly careful," which impacted her trust issues. While that partly had me frustrated with Penny, it also had me sympathizing with her as I came to understand the entire situation. As for Stewart, he was great. Even with the issues he was dealing with, he persevered.

The mix of digging into the past as revelations came to the surface for solving the cold case, along with great characters, made this a perfect blend of a story that is a must-read for sure.

[Wenona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grave Amish Secrets is a quick cozy mysteries style read that takes place in the heart of Amish Country. 50 years ago, a young Amish wife and mother learned her husband "left" her to return to the English World - and this set a course for this entire family.

One by one, each of her children left the Amish faith and had one failed marriage after another. When after 50 years of his disappearance, a body is found and the granddaughter, now cop, is trying to get the the mystery of it all. What secrets lie beneath the well and can past hurts & demons bring healing from the truth? This was what I love most about a nice cozy read - well done!

[Tammy G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This size of book is wonderful. The font is just right and I love holding this size in my hand.

I believe that this is the first suspense story that Patricia Johns has written and I sincerely hope she writes more. This is a fantabulous story!

I love the christian aspect that she brings to the table. She also shows the difference in the Amish church and the Englisch church. So interesting.

The mystery of Penny's grandfather's death is a difficult one. Just when I thought I had the mystery figured out another clue popped up.

There's just enough romance and there's a whole lotta of mystery to figure out.

I loved this read and hope you'll grab your copy today!

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful book by Patricia. Lots of suspense from the very start.

Penny a police detective and her partner Stewart are called to Penny’s Amish grandmother’s property because a body was found in an old well and it identified as Penny’s grandfather who left to return to the English world 50 years before so everyone believed. So it’s up to Penny and Stewart to find out what really happened and why.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. The review expressed here is my honest opinion.

[Shelley Marushak Langelaar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first Patricia Johns story I have experienced and it definitely will not be my last. From the very beginning I was drawn in and engaged and this was my experience throughout the entire story. The characters were well developed and likable. They had quirks but not outrageous ones. The mystery itself was intriguing and not predictable — kept me guessing. I highly recommend checking it out.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this copy. All opinions are my own.

[DV K · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was a nice mix of character development, mystery and faith. I was invested in the main character arc, and wanted to see Penny Moore find love in spite of the generational trauma her family had experienced.

I would like to read more books of this genre. It’s definitely a book I could see myself reading while cozying up in an arm chair while it’s snowing outside, and I’m all snuggly and warm under a blanket or near a fire with a nice cup of coffee. 😊

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lots of repetition in this book. Sometimes the same sentence would have the same word three or four times. For me, that makes difficult reading. I ask myself, why did she not use a different word at least once. My mind trips over the repetition, not in a good way.

If I had read the summary, ai never would have ordered this book from the library, but I did, so I suffered (OH, the agony!) of reading it. Okay, a little drama there.

[Debbie Earls · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penny and Stewart work together as detectives at the police department. When a body is discovered on her Amish grandmother's farm in an old well, life as Penny has known it gets turned upside down. The body is Penny's Amish grandfather that disappeared years ago. The family thought he abandoned them. Now it's up to Penny and Stewart to unravel this mystery and bring justice to the family and arrest the murderer. This is a good read. This story is about love, forgiveness, trust, faith and taking chances.

[Mary Mccauley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an amazing story

I enjoy books by this author. This one is full of twists as 2 detectives try to solve a old cold case. It involves 1 of their family's history and shows how family history impacts future generations. I was well written and the characters were ones I could relate to. It also deals with forgiveness and faith.
I highly recommend it.

[Martha Radcliffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Page Turner

I could not put it down until I knew who the culprit was. I love Amish stories but this one had many levels of emotions that kept the storyline alive and moving forward. My first book by Patricia John’s. But surely there are more in my future reads.

[Sherry Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grave Amish Secrets is about solving a Cold Case that keeps Detectives Penny Moore and Stewart Jones busy! The book had surprising secrets that keep it a page turner from the beginning to end! Very good!

[Lori Santimarino · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first Amish mystery book and my first book I've read by Patricia Johns. I have to say it never disappointed me and kept me wanting to keep on reading to the end. Thank you for this Patricia Johns and I can't wait to read more of your books!

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was tremendous. It was filled with a mystery that spread for generations. In spite of it all love was the winner. Love is always the winner if you let love take the driver seat of our lives.

[Rhoda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very much enjoyed this clean, clever mystery. This is my first by Patricia Johns and I like her writing style and appreciated the mystery and romance. Listened on HOOPLA and the narrator was also very good.

[Sheri Jesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very, very good story!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good story

This was a good murder mystery. It didn't really have any suspense to me, just a cold case murder and family needing to know what happened.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I had a hard time putting it down once I started it. It held my interest from the beginning to the very end. Another great book but a wonderful author.

[Ethelann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story! Read it in 2 days.

[Angela (Kentuckybooklover) Brocato-Skaggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick clean read filled with mystery and romance.

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

Great book!

[Ashley Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was definitely a good book, looking forward to a good Amish book/ mix with people who are outsider this will be a book you will enjoy

[Gwen Holloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wish I could this book more than a 5star rating.
If you like suspense than this book is for you.
Great great read.

[Berna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book pleasantly surprised me by having a really good balance of romance, family and suspense.

[Laurel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a real page turner that will keep you guessing who the guilty party is until the end.