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An Amish Mystery #2
Plain Killing
When the Amish community of Stone Mill, Pennsylvania, refuses to discuss a murder with the police, it's up to Rachel Mast to bridge the cultural gap and stop a killer from striking again. . .
While swimming in a local quarry, Rachel and her cousin Mary Aaron discover the body of an Amish girl, fully clothed in her white bonnet, floating face down in the water. The drowned young woman, Beth Glick, had left Stone Mill and her Old Order Amish life a year ago, causing her to be shunned by her family and her people.
But if Beth had joined the English world, why was she found dressed in Amish clothing and strangled? Rachel's boyfriend, police detective Evan Park, is getting nowhere with questioning Beth's family. He's also troubled over the fate of three other Amish girls who left Stone Mill in the last two years. As someone who gave up the Plain lifestyle herself then returned to operate a B&B, Rachel is able to use her ties to the community to learn more about the missing girls. But when her search eventually leads to the dark underbelly of the secular world, Rachel finds her own life in dire jeopardy. . .
"Miller has written an exciting tale of mystery, love, and danger that will have readers turning the pages like crazy, wondering what the next big secret to be revealed will be and how Rachel will handle it." --Booklist
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 20, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
July 10, 2022
Spectacular story. It digs deep into the culture of the Amish of Pennsylvania. Having grown up around this Amish, I was very much aware of the intricacies of being Amish in a modern world. The author hits it on the head—well done.
August 22, 2020
Plain Killing is the second book in Emma Miller's An Amish Mystery series. This reader is getting to love her mysteries. She is very informed in the way of the Amish and she has a way of making her stories seem so realistic. I found it to give new meaning to edge of seat reading with unpredictable situations a time or two in the book. It actually boarder on suspense. Miller was well researched on the subject of human trafficking and it served her well on the pages of this book. In both of the books in this series Miller has placed her main Character in a dangerous heart pounding situations.
If you love Amish Fiction and cozy mysteries you will not want to miss this book. It can be read as a stand alone but I recommend that you read Book one of the series first since the characters are carried over to book two. I gave it five Stars and I hope you will enjoy it as much as this reader did.
I downloaded a ebook copy of Plain Killing from the Ohio Digital Library. A review was not requested. All opinions expressed here in this review are my own.
If you love Amish Fiction and cozy mysteries you will not want to miss this book. It can be read as a stand alone but I recommend that you read Book one of the series first since the characters are carried over to book two. I gave it five Stars and I hope you will enjoy it as much as this reader did.
I downloaded a ebook copy of Plain Killing from the Ohio Digital Library. A review was not requested. All opinions expressed here in this review are my own.
August 10, 2015
Synopsis:
When the Amish community of Stone Mill, Pennsylvania, refuses to discuss a murder with the police, it's up to Rachel Mast to bridge the cultural gap and stop a killer from striking again. . .
While swimming in a local quarry, Rachel and her cousin Mary Aaron discover the body of an Amish girl, fully clothed in her white bonnet, floating face down in the water. The drowned young woman, Beth Glick, had left Stone Mill and her Old Order Amish life a year ago, causing her to be shunned by her family and her people.
But if Beth had joined the English world, why was she found dressed in Amish clothing and strangled? Rachel's boyfriend, police detective Evan Park, is getting nowhere with questioning Beth's family. He's also troubled over the fate of three other Amish girls who left Stone Mill in the last two years. As someone who gave up the Plain lifestyle herself then returned to operate a B&B, Rachel is able to use her ties to the community to learn more about the missing girls. But when her search eventually leads to the dark underbelly of the secular world, Rachel finds her own life in dire jeopardy. . .
"Miller has written an exciting tale of mystery, love, and danger that will have readers turning the pages like crazy, wondering what the next big secret to be revealed will be and how Rachel will handle it." (Goodreads)
Review:
When Rachel and her cousin go swimming, they never expected to find a dead body. But that is exactly what happens. They find an ex-Amish girl, Beth, floating in the water. Rachel is confused when she sees that the girl is dressed in her Amish clothes. It has been over a year since Beth left and joined the English world, so why is she garbed in traditional Amish clothing. Rachel is the liaison between both worlds and is determined to help find out what happened. Her boyfriend, Evan, is a police detective so this gives her an inside track on gathering information.
The characters are well rounded and well developed. I really like the fact that Rachel is able to relate to both the Amish and the English. I enjoyed reading about her relationships with both sides. She is someone who I would like to hang out with.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The author is very talented with her ability to describes people, places and situations with the written word. The mystery is carried on throughout the entire book and there were many twists and turns to throw the reader of track. I really enjoy when that happens.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well-crafted mystery. If you enjoy Amish mysteries, like I do, then this book is a must read. I love reading Amish mysteries and this book is so good. This author has a new fan.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.
When the Amish community of Stone Mill, Pennsylvania, refuses to discuss a murder with the police, it's up to Rachel Mast to bridge the cultural gap and stop a killer from striking again. . .
While swimming in a local quarry, Rachel and her cousin Mary Aaron discover the body of an Amish girl, fully clothed in her white bonnet, floating face down in the water. The drowned young woman, Beth Glick, had left Stone Mill and her Old Order Amish life a year ago, causing her to be shunned by her family and her people.
But if Beth had joined the English world, why was she found dressed in Amish clothing and strangled? Rachel's boyfriend, police detective Evan Park, is getting nowhere with questioning Beth's family. He's also troubled over the fate of three other Amish girls who left Stone Mill in the last two years. As someone who gave up the Plain lifestyle herself then returned to operate a B&B, Rachel is able to use her ties to the community to learn more about the missing girls. But when her search eventually leads to the dark underbelly of the secular world, Rachel finds her own life in dire jeopardy. . .
"Miller has written an exciting tale of mystery, love, and danger that will have readers turning the pages like crazy, wondering what the next big secret to be revealed will be and how Rachel will handle it." (Goodreads)
Review:
When Rachel and her cousin go swimming, they never expected to find a dead body. But that is exactly what happens. They find an ex-Amish girl, Beth, floating in the water. Rachel is confused when she sees that the girl is dressed in her Amish clothes. It has been over a year since Beth left and joined the English world, so why is she garbed in traditional Amish clothing. Rachel is the liaison between both worlds and is determined to help find out what happened. Her boyfriend, Evan, is a police detective so this gives her an inside track on gathering information.
The characters are well rounded and well developed. I really like the fact that Rachel is able to relate to both the Amish and the English. I enjoyed reading about her relationships with both sides. She is someone who I would like to hang out with.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The author is very talented with her ability to describes people, places and situations with the written word. The mystery is carried on throughout the entire book and there were many twists and turns to throw the reader of track. I really enjoy when that happens.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well-crafted mystery. If you enjoy Amish mysteries, like I do, then this book is a must read. I love reading Amish mysteries and this book is so good. This author has a new fan.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.
July 20, 2016
Plain Killing , written by Emma Miller, continues the series involving B&B owner Rachel Mast! The author instantly reunites her readers with characters from her previous book and takes them thru another exciting mystery involving the Amish.
Will Rachel Mast be able to solve this mystery without putting herself at risk? How does her friend and cousin Mary Aaron help in solving this mystery especially still being Amish?
Will detective Evan step in and insist Rachel stay out of this case?
This book keeps getting better with every twist and turn it takes. The mystery leads them to several different places including Bourbon Street in New Orleans but what brings Rachel here?
I was not given a complimentary copy of this book for review! I am submitting my honest review for you the readers to decide to read it for yourself. I highly recommend this book to all those who love mysteries involving the Amish! I have rated this book with five stars for a wonderful mystery that meets my expectations! Congratulations to Emma Miller for another exciting mystery and I will be watching for your next book!
Will Rachel Mast be able to solve this mystery without putting herself at risk? How does her friend and cousin Mary Aaron help in solving this mystery especially still being Amish?
Will detective Evan step in and insist Rachel stay out of this case?
This book keeps getting better with every twist and turn it takes. The mystery leads them to several different places including Bourbon Street in New Orleans but what brings Rachel here?
I was not given a complimentary copy of this book for review! I am submitting my honest review for you the readers to decide to read it for yourself. I highly recommend this book to all those who love mysteries involving the Amish! I have rated this book with five stars for a wonderful mystery that meets my expectations! Congratulations to Emma Miller for another exciting mystery and I will be watching for your next book!
May 25, 2020
Rachel and her cousin Mary Aaron are on a girl’s picnic when they find the body of an Amish girl. She had left 2 years ago and everyone wonders where she went , when she came back and why she was killed. Even though Rachel’s policeman boyfriend wants her to stay out of it, she wants to find the killer. What she finds is several girls missing and a disturbing tread. The story is added to by the relationship with her parents and her mixed feelings about being ex Amish.
September 6, 2021
Plain Killing by Emma Miller is the second book in this cozy mystery series. While swimming with her cousins and sisters, Rachel Mast discovers a body of an Amish girl, Beth Glick, fully clothed floating face down in the water. The drowned woman had left Stone Mill and her Old Order Amish life a few years before, causing her to be shunned by her community. None of the Amish community would speak to the police, so Rachel feels she has to try to discover what happened since she was formerly Amish and hopes they will open up to her. This is a story that grabs the reader and engages you until the very end.
September 15, 2015
Series An Amish Mystery,book#2"Plain Killing" by Emma Miller
I really enjoyed reading this suspenseful story and did not guess who the culprit was until revealed at the end...
Cousins taking time out from busy schedules to enjoy a quarry filled with water and fun and...unbeknownst to them danger. Rachel and Mary AAron were close as sisters- though they were cousins and the whole group was saddened when they saw the body of a young girl that had left the community several years before,floating in the waters near the shore with eyes wide open. Rachel called her friend and the girls were gone before any lawmen showed up.
Rachel had left the community also but came back and started a bed and breakfast where she was able to have communication with the amish families she grew up with but just not too closely. She also had a special friend that was in law enforcement who too had left and was now back working close by.
The investigation caused much havoc in the lives of the Amish and well as the nearby town.
Emma did a great job of showing the Amish way of handling death and murder along with the investigation that was needed and Evan and Rachel was able to help some. It was much more then just a young girl dying and the ending was sure to help others that might think of leaving and the dangers involved.
I really enjoyed reading this suspenseful story and did not guess who the culprit was until revealed at the end...
Cousins taking time out from busy schedules to enjoy a quarry filled with water and fun and...unbeknownst to them danger. Rachel and Mary AAron were close as sisters- though they were cousins and the whole group was saddened when they saw the body of a young girl that had left the community several years before,floating in the waters near the shore with eyes wide open. Rachel called her friend and the girls were gone before any lawmen showed up.
Rachel had left the community also but came back and started a bed and breakfast where she was able to have communication with the amish families she grew up with but just not too closely. She also had a special friend that was in law enforcement who too had left and was now back working close by.
The investigation caused much havoc in the lives of the Amish and well as the nearby town.
Emma did a great job of showing the Amish way of handling death and murder along with the investigation that was needed and Evan and Rachel was able to help some. It was much more then just a young girl dying and the ending was sure to help others that might think of leaving and the dangers involved.
June 6, 2019
The heat is on in Pennsylvania's Stone Mill, in more ways than one!
Rachel, her cousin and some other young Amish ladies are cooling down by having a picnic and swim at a local flooded quarry, just as they are about to head home Rachel discovers a young Amish girl face down in the water, although she and her cousin (Mary Aaron) manage to get the girl out it is too late for her, when they realise that this a girl who ran from her Amish family post baptism questions start to be asked, even more so when the shocking news comes that she was dead before she went in the water, and not from natural causes, with the Amish community not wanting to talk to the police Rachel acts as a go between again .... and then she gets a desperate phone call from another run away and life starts getting more interesting and a lot more dangerous!
Rachel, her cousin and some other young Amish ladies are cooling down by having a picnic and swim at a local flooded quarry, just as they are about to head home Rachel discovers a young Amish girl face down in the water, although she and her cousin (Mary Aaron) manage to get the girl out it is too late for her, when they realise that this a girl who ran from her Amish family post baptism questions start to be asked, even more so when the shocking news comes that she was dead before she went in the water, and not from natural causes, with the Amish community not wanting to talk to the police Rachel acts as a go between again .... and then she gets a desperate phone call from another run away and life starts getting more interesting and a lot more dangerous!
August 31, 2015
I enjoyed this Amish mystery which has Rachel Mast discovering the body of a girl whose family left the Amish the previous year. As she investigates, with a little help from her boyfriend, Evan Park, her own life is soon in danger.
This was an entertaining book with good characters and an interesting storyline. I'm enjoying the series and looking forward to more. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC in return for an honest review.
This was an entertaining book with good characters and an interesting storyline. I'm enjoying the series and looking forward to more. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC in return for an honest review.
July 6, 2015
good cozy mystery
September 29, 2023
Another great mystery/detective/thrilling story. I just loved reading these stories about Rachel Mast, former Amish, her cousin Mary Aaron(still Amish), Evan Parks, (Rachel's Trooper Boyfriend), Hulda & Ada(Rachel's employees @ her B & B), and many more of the Amish and Englischers that become a part in all the stories in this series.
Rachel's the 'in-between' person for the Amish and the Police, in their small town of Stone Mill. If anything happens in the Amish Community, in which it involves the local Police, then Rachel is the one, since Evan's her bf, to help find out info within the community. She's able to do so, because she's former Amish, now English, since she wasn't Baptized into the Church before she left her Faith.
In this story, Rachel, Mary Aaron, and each of their sisters, all play hooky for the day to go on a picnic, as well as swimming at the local quarry, their hidden swimhole. Rachel borrowed her neighbor's van, so they could all fit in together, plus their towels, and picnic items too, since her Jeep wasn't roomy enough for all of them. They get to the quarry and set up their blanket with their food & supplies.
They decide to go and swim. Then they eat for a bit. before, the dog, Sophie starts barking like crazy & Rachel tries to get the dog to come to her.
Sophie won't come, so Rachel says she'll go after her. The crazy dog just keeps acting crazier & crazier, and Rachel is thinking she's fighting with a snake. Meanwhile, Mary Aaron had decided to go with Rachel, for fear of what it could be causing the dog to act so crazy.
As Rachel & Mary Aaron get closer they realize there's a person in the water floating face down. Rachel dives in to help/retrieve them. She turns them over, realizes it's a female wearing Amish clothes with a bonnet on, and she's dead. She tells Mary Aaron to call 911, but in the meantime, Rachel's sister Lettie had come to see what was going on. So, Rachel told her to help her get the girl out if the water. Lettie told her she didn't think she could. Rachel told her she had to, and that she could do it. They both managed & then Rachel got out herself.
After this ordeal is when everything got crazy, puzzling, mindboggling, adventurous, scary, unsure, interesting, questionable, and so much more.
This story was brilliantly written with such great thought with descriptive words so, us, readers couod, actually, visualize what was being told to us in the story!!
A great book to read, along with all the others in this series
Rachel's the 'in-between' person for the Amish and the Police, in their small town of Stone Mill. If anything happens in the Amish Community, in which it involves the local Police, then Rachel is the one, since Evan's her bf, to help find out info within the community. She's able to do so, because she's former Amish, now English, since she wasn't Baptized into the Church before she left her Faith.
In this story, Rachel, Mary Aaron, and each of their sisters, all play hooky for the day to go on a picnic, as well as swimming at the local quarry, their hidden swimhole. Rachel borrowed her neighbor's van, so they could all fit in together, plus their towels, and picnic items too, since her Jeep wasn't roomy enough for all of them. They get to the quarry and set up their blanket with their food & supplies.
They decide to go and swim. Then they eat for a bit. before, the dog, Sophie starts barking like crazy & Rachel tries to get the dog to come to her.
Sophie won't come, so Rachel says she'll go after her. The crazy dog just keeps acting crazier & crazier, and Rachel is thinking she's fighting with a snake. Meanwhile, Mary Aaron had decided to go with Rachel, for fear of what it could be causing the dog to act so crazy.
As Rachel & Mary Aaron get closer they realize there's a person in the water floating face down. Rachel dives in to help/retrieve them. She turns them over, realizes it's a female wearing Amish clothes with a bonnet on, and she's dead. She tells Mary Aaron to call 911, but in the meantime, Rachel's sister Lettie had come to see what was going on. So, Rachel told her to help her get the girl out if the water. Lettie told her she didn't think she could. Rachel told her she had to, and that she could do it. They both managed & then Rachel got out herself.
After this ordeal is when everything got crazy, puzzling, mindboggling, adventurous, scary, unsure, interesting, questionable, and so much more.
This story was brilliantly written with such great thought with descriptive words so, us, readers couod, actually, visualize what was being told to us in the story!!
A great book to read, along with all the others in this series
May 15, 2023
I’m this second book of the series, Rachel discovers the body of an Amish girl who left their community 2 years ago and ended up dead. In her desire to find justice for the young Amish victim, and to prevent other young Amish girls from suffering the same dreadful fate, she begins searching for the murderer.
Throughout the story there are layers of love, family ties, and traditions that keep Rachel from being fully welcomed back into her Amish family since she became English, even though it was prior to her baptism. Her deep friendship with her Amish cousin helps her save other young Amish girls who are questioning their faith, all while Rachel struggles as she straddles the two worlds.
Her deepening friendship with State Trooper Evan Parks is shifting and changing, creating yet another mystery about her feelings for him that she must face and solve.
This story captivates you from the first page. The deep love felt between so many people draws you in. The tender commitment to faith and family within the Amish community creates a beautiful backdrop for this series. I will definitely keep reading this series.
Throughout the story there are layers of love, family ties, and traditions that keep Rachel from being fully welcomed back into her Amish family since she became English, even though it was prior to her baptism. Her deep friendship with her Amish cousin helps her save other young Amish girls who are questioning their faith, all while Rachel struggles as she straddles the two worlds.
Her deepening friendship with State Trooper Evan Parks is shifting and changing, creating yet another mystery about her feelings for him that she must face and solve.
This story captivates you from the first page. The deep love felt between so many people draws you in. The tender commitment to faith and family within the Amish community creates a beautiful backdrop for this series. I will definitely keep reading this series.
April 20, 2022
Once again, Miller shows the tension between the Amish and English way of approaching law. While I'm not certain if I agree with all the secrecy of Amish, I can certainly understand it.
I didn't like the inept portrayal of the local police in this book. Especially that of Trooper Evan Parks, who is supposed to be the love interest. To be fair, though, the heart of the series is how to one solves a murder mystery with no viable clues and tight-lipped witnesses. And he does redeem himself at the end by figuring out how to find Rachel after she was kidnapped.
Finally, I find it fascinating that Miller managed to make so much happen even with the slow trickle of evidence coming in. An overall good read.
I didn't like the inept portrayal of the local police in this book. Especially that of Trooper Evan Parks, who is supposed to be the love interest. To be fair, though, the heart of the series is how to one solves a murder mystery with no viable clues and tight-lipped witnesses. And he does redeem himself at the end by figuring out how to find Rachel after she was kidnapped.
Finally, I find it fascinating that Miller managed to make so much happen even with the slow trickle of evidence coming in. An overall good read.
July 12, 2025
“Plain Killing” by Emma Miller is the second book in this cozy Amish mystery series. Rachel Mast, her cousin, and others spend an afternoon having a picnic at the quarry. While there, Rachel finds a murdered Amish girl.
Rachel is the owner of the local B&B and formerly part of the Amish community. Rachel gets involved in the investigation to help bridge the cultural and communication gap between the police and the Amish community.
Many of the characters from the first book are in the second book, too. While I read the first book, I think this book can be read as a standalone.
I recommend this book to others, especially Amish fiction and cozy mystery fans.
Rachel is the owner of the local B&B and formerly part of the Amish community. Rachel gets involved in the investigation to help bridge the cultural and communication gap between the police and the Amish community.
Many of the characters from the first book are in the second book, too. While I read the first book, I think this book can be read as a standalone.
I recommend this book to others, especially Amish fiction and cozy mystery fans.
August 23, 2021
Book 2 (this book) is better than Book 1 (Plain Murder). I like the characters and the community that Emma Miller is building. Stone Mill and its inhabitants remind me a bit of Louise Penny’s Three Pines, only Emma Miller’s fiction is a lighter read. I like that there’s redemption in each book, and Rachel Mast is a protagonist that keeps growing and evolving. I’ll read the next book.
October 13, 2021
Second book I read by this author. While I enjoyed her first book I think I enjoyed this on even more. I am not big into the Amish romance books, but this is an Amish mystery. I would recommend reading the books in order for background, it makes it a better read. This was a real page turner. I look forward to her other three books in the series.
May 1, 2019
Fantastic read
This was even better than first book. We completely in the dark about who was helping the Amish teenagers or who had killed Beth. Was shocked with disbelief at the ending. Loved this book so much!
This was even better than first book. We completely in the dark about who was helping the Amish teenagers or who had killed Beth. Was shocked with disbelief at the ending. Loved this book so much!
September 25, 2019
I chose to read this book because it was the selection for the local library mystery book club. I found it mildly interesting but the murderer was clearly evident from early on and the Christian themes got tiresome.
July 27, 2021
This novel is the 2nd in a series by Emma Miller, dealing with Stone Hill. Rachael and her cousin once again are trying to find answers to why a missing Amish young person is found murdered. They accidentally stumble into a bigger crime ring, in the search for justice.
September 24, 2021
a death
Well it was hot that day and I thought that playing instead of working for the afternoon sounded great. So picnic basket and the girls we off to play. Who new what would happen next….
Well it was hot that day and I thought that playing instead of working for the afternoon sounded great. So picnic basket and the girls we off to play. Who new what would happen next….
November 1, 2022
I've read two mysteries in this series
The first book was a cozy mystery. This one was more exciting. I almost couldn't read fast enough at the end. The characters are developing nicely. I'll be reading the next one tomorrow.
The first book was a cozy mystery. This one was more exciting. I almost couldn't read fast enough at the end. The characters are developing nicely. I'll be reading the next one tomorrow.
October 22, 2024
Decent book
The book was ok, not totally impressed. I figured it out halfway through. The storyline was decent, but I don't like way Rachel treats Evan. I won't be reading the rest of the series.
The book was ok, not totally impressed. I figured it out halfway through. The storyline was decent, but I don't like way Rachel treats Evan. I won't be reading the rest of the series.
December 17, 2017
Emma's books are always thoughtful and have a great plot.
August 14, 2018
Quick read
I liked the book, but the premise and the drama seemed a little unbelievable and not as interesting to me as I'd hoped.
I liked the book, but the premise and the drama seemed a little unbelievable and not as interesting to me as I'd hoped.
October 26, 2018
Loved it!! Such good flow. I kept turning the page .
June 11, 2019
Good read
Want to read
December 27, 2019AVAILABLE ON HOOPLA E-BOOK
May 24, 2021
Not very plausible. The plot didn’t make sense and there were a lot of errors.
June 10, 2021
Reading these backwards but another good book with a good twist
November 16, 2021
This is a good series!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews