Hunting Butterflies

by Karen Ann Hopkins

A young Amish woman is shot dead while hanging clothes on a clothesline in Oklahoma and Sheriff Serenity Adams is tasked in her new role as FBI Special Agent to find the killer.

When Serenity is forced to team up with former friend and now adversary, US Marshal Toby Bryant, she quickly discovers that the murder mystery is far from simple in the dusty, close-knit settlement. With bodies piling up, spanning multiple states, Serenity fears she has a serial killer on her hands. The chilling case becomes one of Serenity’s most baffling investigations as she races to find the killer before they strike again.

Serenity begins to question everything she’s always believed about law and order, realizing that to stop a monster, she might have to become one herself.

An intense, nail-biting novel with plenty of unexpected twists and turns, Haunting Butterflies is a riveting addition to Serenity’s Plain Secrets and also an excellent place to start your next binge-worthy series.

215 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 24, 2026

About the author

You can visit Karen Ann Hopkins at her website: www.karenannhopkinsfiction.com.

"I loved joining Rose and Noah during their journey in the Temptation series by Karen Hopkins."-Katie McGarry, acclaimed YA author

Karen Ann Hopkins resides in northern Kentucky with her family on a farm that boasts a menagerie of horses, goats, sheep, peacocks, chickens, ducks, rabbits, pigs, dogs, and cats. Karen rescues and fosters a variety of pets and farm animals, but she also finds time to give riding lessons, coach a youth equestrian drill team, and of course, write. She was inspired to create her first book, Temptation, by the Amish community she lives in. The experiential knowledge she gained through her interactions with her neighbors drove her to create the story of the star-crossed lovers, Rose and Noah.

Karen grew up about a mile from Lake Ontario in Upstate New York. She was bitten by the horse bug at the age of five, and after diligently taking riding lessons for several years, she was rewarded with her first horse at the age of eleven. The feisty horse's name was Lady, a Quarter Horse-Thoroughbred cross, who became Karen's steadfast companion. Through the years, the constant force in her life was horses. Eventually, Karen found her place as a riding instructor herself. Before accepting her fate in the barnyard, she worked a short stint as a paralegal, traveled abroad, and guided tourists on horseback riding tours in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.

Karen is currently working on her two interconnecting mystery/crime fiction series, Serenity's Plain Secrets and Possum Gap, along with several new projects.

To learn more about Karen and her books, please visit her website.

Reviews

[Brittany Earl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hunting Butterflies brings readers back into the quiet yet suspenseful world of Serenity’s Plain Secrets, where small-town life and hidden truths collide. In this installment, Serenity Adams once again finds herself drawn into a mystery that proves things aren’t always as peaceful as they appear on the surface.

Karen Ann Hopkins continues to blend cozy elements with darker undertones, creating a story that feels both familiar and intriguing for longtime fans of the series. The investigation slowly unfolds as Serenity follows the trail of secrets, uncovering connections that keep the tension building throughout the book.

What makes this series work so well is the balance between the mystery and the characters. Serenity’s determination and compassion make her an engaging lead, and the surrounding community adds depth and atmosphere to the story.

With twists, emotional moments, and a steady build of suspense, Hunting Butterflies is another solid addition to the long-running series.

A satisfying mystery for fans who enjoy small-town intrigue, layered secrets, and a strong, persistent amateur sleuth.

[Author · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great Serenity storyline set amidst the Amish community involving the death of an expectant mother.

In a community where crimes of this nature are non-existent, it falls to the detective/FBI special agent to support the local sheriffs in their evidence gathering and interviewing techniques.

The community is richly supportive, despite fears that the killer is one of their own, and when the time of death is reconsidered based on new testimony, the goal posts shift exponentially.

As always, Karen Ann Hopkins has provided a well-written plot punctuated by short, sharp chapters that keep the momentum going. Hunting Butterflies is a great read, and I thoroughly devoured it. With plenty of suspects, you'll need to follow diligently to be in with a guess of the culprit. This book, in my opinion, is highly recommended for Serenity fans. As Book 22 in the Serenity Plains Secrets series, it hits all the expected hallmarks and does not disappoint.

I thank the author and Book Sirens for the opportunity to read this eARC and happily leave this review voluntarily.

[Gee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Serenity Adam’s is still not sure that being a Special FBI Agent is going to work well with her main role as a Sheriff in West Virginia. When the FBI need her in Troublesome Prairie, Oklahoma, to help the local Sheriff with the murder of an Amish woman so soon after her first case with them, she starts to have doubts about how this will work. She longs to be with her family but also needs to prove to herself she can make it all work.

This is slightly different from Serenity’s usual cases, in that the two police officers in the town have never dealt with anything like this before.

Another fast paced complex investigation with the bulk of the responsibility on Serenity’s shoulders. Drawn in to another Amish Community where secrets are kept well hidden Serenity’s gut instincts are well in play. I was hooked from the first chapter, and read the book in one sitting.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Anne G. Kasaba · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good addition to the series. I did however miss the other semi-regular characters and Serenities interactions with them. I guess I prefer her dealing with her own small town as sheriff rather than as an FBI agent. I also noted that she was more aware of her interactions with people in this story and more openly emotional, something rarely seen with people she is close to. This book flew by and I was actually surprised when I got to the end. Looking forward to the next book by this author.

I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review.

[Margaret Yelton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hunting Butterflies by Karen Ann Hopkins this is the 22nd book in the Serenity's Plain Series. Each book in this series has been riveting in its own way. In this story line we find Serenity in Troublesome Prairie another Amish community, wearing her Special FBI Agent in this book. With two very young officers one the sheriff the other the deputy, Serenity has to do the vast majority of the crime solving on her own. I would recommend this book to others.

I received and ARC from BookSirens and I am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I love all the books I have read by this author. It doesn't take long for me to get totally absorbed in her books and have a hard time putting it down. Looking forward to the next one.

[Jereeq · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again the amount of errors was bothersome. The word "farther" is used for physical distance.

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was happy to see another Serenity Plain story. I have been following this series for years and I really enjoy them.