Murder, Plainly Written

The Plain Order Ink Society #1

by Mindy Steele

She just wanted to fit into Amish Country. . .now she’s standing out!
 
First novel in The Plain Order Ink Society series, in which Amish writers crack the case of local mysteries.
 
Sadie Lynch thought inheriting her late Amish aunt’s candle shop was a blessing—a chance to leave her stalled writing career behind and find a fresh start. But running a Plain business when she's not Amish isn’t exactly filling her store with customers—especially when the local minister insists she sell out.
 
Sadie, who doesn’t want to leave, thankfully meets Wanda—an Amish woman with a secret obsession. As Wanda continues to visit the candle shop, an unexpected partnership blooms when Wanda agrees to help Sadie’s shop in exchange for writing advice.
 
But the grand reopening of the candle shop takes a deadly turn when the body of the Amish minister is discovered behind the counter. Now Sadie is the only suspect, prompting Wanda and the Plain Order Ink Society to try helping her solve the mystery.
 
But in this Plain community, secrets burn brighter than flames—and nothing is as simple as it seems.

Genres: Mystery, Christian Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Amish Fiction, Cozy

309 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 1, 2026

About the author

Born and raised in Kentucky's timber country, Mindy Steele writes inspirational romance and captivating suspense from her natural surroundings. A best selling author that enjoys coffee indulgences, weekend road trips, and all things peanut butter. To learn more about Mindy, go to https://mindysteeleauthor.wordpress.com

Reviews

[Karen R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cozy mystery fans may enjoy this fun new series set in an Ohio Amish community. A gathering of amateur authors help a newcomer when threatening notes aimed at her take a deadly turn.

Steady paced writing with many characters kept the story moving and had me guessing at who was really behind the crimes. Sadie was a sweet, hard working young woman looking for a place to belong and Wanda became such a steadfast friend to her. I liked how Wanda's writer's group had so many different personalities and how they took on the task of helping Sadie.

The backstory of the aunt added an extra unfolding mystery and was quite touching. Family, friendships--old and new --plus a surprising romance later on, added light and hope to the story. There was more action and peril towards the end and a sighworthy conclusion worth the wait.

Recommend to readers looking for a lighter mystery with a hint of romance and some inspirational moments. Looking forward to the next book.

(An ebook was provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.)

[Cathy Salsberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Plain Order Ink Society Book 1: Murder, Plainly Written by Mindy Steele is a fun mystery story in an Amish setting. Sadie, an Englisher, inherits the Plain Scents Candle Shop from her great-aunt, Verna, an Amish lady. Sadie moves to the Amish community where the candle shop is located to learn how to make candles and sell them. She gets visits from the Amish minister, Joe, who wants her to sell the candle shop. Things get even more interesting when threatening notes appear. When a dead body is discovered on Sadie’s Grand Opening Day at the candle shop, Sadie becomes a prime suspect. Sadie’s friends at the Plain Order Ink Society are determined to help Sadie solve this mystery. I enjoyed getting to know Sadie, her deputy boyfriend, her friend Wanda, and the members of the Plain Order Ink Society. This was one of those books I didn’t want to put down until the mystery was solved. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I received an advanced copy of this book. I was not asked to leave a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

[Shilo Goodson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of those books where I have very strong, conflicting feelings. I really enjoyed the interactions between the characters, especially Sadie and Wanda. I like the sense of community presented in the story. It did take a while to get to the actual murder mystery, and the story felt a bit rushed from there, though.

My biggest issue was that, at least for me, it was way too clear who had committed the murder. I don't mind guessing the right person, but I definitely want to at least consider other characters or second-guess myself on my guess. This character was introduced, and I was sure that person was the murderer. I couldn't see it being anyone else. In a murder mystery, I need the mystery, and that element was missing from the story.

This is a clean book. There's no swearing, sexual content, or graphic violence. There is talk of women being pregnant outside of marriage, though. It is an Amish book, but I also liked that it emphasized having a strong Christian faith, no matter your denomination.

I won this in a Goodreads Giveaway, and I provided a voluntary review.

[Mary Hake · Rating 4 out of 5]

This delightful story offers a bit different type of read than your typical Amish tale. Sadie Lynch has inherited an Amish candle shop from a great aunt she didn’t even know she had. An author, she is ready for a change, and she certainly gets one in her new community. I enjoyed seeing her explore not only a new location, but new relationships with people quite different from her. She is stretched in several areas as she deals with threats, her poor relationship to her mother, and business problems. Then she encounters a murder in her own store and becomes a suspect. The Amish author group helps solve the mystery. The novel contained many elements I like to read about—clean mysteries, writing, the Plain life, and character growth, plus a positive faith element. The unique characters make you want to know more about them. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. #MurderPlainlyWritten #NetGalley

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unexpected inheritance, a chance for a new beginning, and a murder bring Sadie Lynch to an Amish Community which she didn't even know was part of her past and maybe her future. Per the terms of the will, Sadie must hire only Amish workers. However, the local minister has other plans. When his body is found the day of opening, Sadie becomes the prime suspect. Will the Plain Order Ink Society be able to find the murderer before Sadie is run out of town or in jail? I really enjoyed this beginning story and look forward to more to the series. I received a copy through Netgalley. A review was not required.

[Vicki F · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secrets, an unexpected inheritance, a handsome deputy sheriff, murder, and faith - what more could you ask for in a novel? Enough romance to keep the reader cheering for Sadie and August. Enough secrets to keep one turning the pages to discover them. A murder gone awry. And a strong foundational faith. Will the murder be solved in time or will the murderer achieve his/her goal?

Released Sept.1st. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book. Great story and mystery. Loved the characters. Quaint little town.

[Patti Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy Christian Amish mysteries, you need to read Murder, Plainly Written by Mindy Steele

really enjoyed the cozy-mystery feel of this story, especially the unexpected friendship at its heart. Sadie Lynch arrives in Amish Country hoping that inheriting her aunt’s candle shop will give her a fresh start. Still, instead of quietly fitting into the community, she quickly finds herself standing out—and not always in the best way.

Sadie’s struggle to make the candle shop work immediately made me want to root for her. She isn’t Amish; she’s trying to find her place in a community with very different expectations, and just when she thinks things might finally be turning around, the Amish minister is found dead behind her counter. Suddenly, her fresh start has turned into a murder investigation, and Sadie is the prime suspect.

What I especially enjoyed was Sadie’s relationship with Wanda. Their friendship begins in such an unexpected way, with Wanda visiting the candle shop because of her secret interest in writing. Sadie needs help with the shop, Wanda wants writing advice, and somehow the two discover that they make a pretty great team. I loved watching that friendship develop, and it added warmth to the mystery, keeping the story from being all about the murder.

Of course, the Plain community has plenty of secrets of its own, and Sadie and Wanda quickly discover that figuring out who killed the minister isn’t going to be easy. There are plenty of questions, suspicious circumstances, and people who may not be quite as innocent as they appear. I enjoyed trying to piece together the clues alongside them.

This was a fun introduction to The Plain Order Ink Society series, and I liked the unique premise of Amish writers coming together to solve local mysteries. The candle shop setting also added a cozy touch that fit perfectly with the Amish-country atmosphere.

If you enjoy Amish fiction with a mystery woven into it, quirky friendships, small-town secrets, and a cozy setting, this is a series worth checking out. I’m definitely curious to see what mysteries Sadie, Wanda, and the Plain Order Ink Society get themselves into next.

So if you enjoy Christian Amish mysteries, check out Murder, Plainly Written by Mindy Steele.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder, Plainly Written by Mindy Steele
Volume 1 (The Plain Order Ink Society)
Part of: The Plain Order Ink Society (1 books)
She just wanted to fit into Amish Country. . .now she’s standing out!

First novel in The Plain Order Ink Society series, in which Amish writers crack the case of local mysteries.

Sadie Lynch thought inheriting her late Amish aunt’s candle shop was a blessing—a chance to leave her stalled writing career behind and find a fresh start. But running a Plain business when she's not Amish isn’t exactly filling her store with customers—especially when the local minister insists she sell out.

Sadie, who doesn’t want to leave, thankfully meets Wanda—an Amish woman with a secret obsession. As Wanda continues to visit the candle shop, an unexpected partnership blooms when Wanda agrees to help Sadie’s shop in exchange for writing advice.

But the grand reopening of the candle shop takes a deadly turn when the body of the Amish minister is discovered behind the counter. Now Sadie is the only suspect, prompting Wanda and the Plain Order Ink Society to try helping her solve the mystery.

But in this Plain community, secrets burn brighter than flames—and nothing is as simple as it seems.
Part of series
The Plain Order Ink Society
My favorite quote is
Wanda looked down at her own hands folded over her notebook
as Jay went first. Someday, she thought, I won’t just write short pieces
for Women’s Journal or Home Life Magazine. Someday, I’ll write that
novel. A full three hundred pages with a beginning that sang and an
ending that stayed with readers long after the book had collected dust.
Jay’s voice broke through her thoughts. “That was nice, Rufus. Wanda? You want to go next?”
I recommend this book.
Murder, Plainly Written by Mindy Steele is a 5-star book.
I am looking forward to reading more books by Mindy Steele.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions shared here in this review are my own.

[aishareadsnrambles · Rating 3 out of 5]

REVIEW
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

STORYLINE :
The storyline was promising, but it fell short for me. What was promised in the blurb is different from what was delivered (although it was finally delivered close to the book's ending). There were too many elements for a book that's supposed to be a series and I felt the author would have had more time to gradually add them as the series progressed.
I chose the book mainly for the mystery, unfortunately, it was not the main plot. I had to wait until I reached midpoint before the actual murder happened.
I get that this is first in the series and we needed background info, but it drew focus away from what should have been the main thing.
The actual solving of the crime fell short and didn't feel like a cozy mystery.

CHARACTERS:
The main characters, Sadie and Wanda were amazing women and I liked them.
Sadie, a writer, had to move her whole life to an Amish county for her inheritance and I liked how she adapted fast enough.
Wanda, is an amateur writer and professional dietitian and a devout Amish woman. She was friendly and a great support system.
The other characters were okay too. Although, I woukd have liked it better if Sadie had joined the Plain order ink society earlier.

WRITING STYLE:
It was okay. Although, the pace could have been better.

SETTINGS:
It felt as if the Amish county came to life. I could read the amount of work the author had put into it. I liked reading about a candle shop too.

OVERALL:
Regardless, it was an okay book. I would have preferred some tweaks here and there, but it was not that difficult to read.
I think it would make a great series if the author works on the pacing and murder storyline.

[April Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder Plainly Written by Mindy Steele is the first book in the Plain Ink Society Mysteries, an inspirational cozy mystery series set in Ohio’s Amish Country. This was also my first book by Mindy Steele, and I really enjoyed it.

Inspirational romance writer Sadie Lynch inherits her great-aunt Verna’s candle shop in Walnut Creek, Ohio. The inheritance comes as quite a surprise, not only has Sadie never heard of Aunt Verna, but she also discovers that her beloved late grandmother, Reba, was once Amish.

The inheritance includes a couple of unusual conditions: Sadie cannot change the name of the candle shop or sell it, and she must hire Amish people to work there. As she settles into Walnut Creek, Sadie befriends Wanda Miller and becomes friendly with Deputy August Yoder. However, not everyone is happy to have her in town. A local Amish minister repeatedly pressures Sadie to sell him the shop, even after she explains that she cannot. Then Sadie finds him dead behind the counter and becomes the prime suspect. Can Sadie and Wanda discover who killed the minister before Sadie ends up in prison?

Wanda was one of my favorite characters. She is an Amish woman who works at a local wellness center but dreams of becoming a writer. She belongs to an Amish writing group called the Plain Ink Society,

I thought the story was well paced, especially since there were many characters to meet and we experienced the story through both Sadie’s and Wanda’s perspectives. The story has secrets, found family, a strong sense of community, inspirational themes, and a touch of romance. I did not guess the identity of the killer until the end. I hope there will be more books to come in the Plain Ink Society Mysteries!

Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for the chance to read this story and give my opinion.

[Victoria (hotcocoaandbooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars
This started out pretty slowly and not much was happening, but once it got to about page 130, things started to move a lot more and the investigation was rather exciting and fun. Then I just loved learning more about the story after that. It turned out to be very nice.

This is about Sadie, a published author who just moved to town after inheriting her great-aunt's candle shop. Her great-aunt was Amish while she is not, causing the Amish pastor to be upset because it is supposed to be a plain shop. She explains that it is still plain. He constantly offers to buy the place. There are two young Amish girls who work at the shop and take the time to teach Sadie how to make the candles.

Wanda is our other main character. She is an Amish woman who also understands how to do nursing. She cares a lot for the community. She and Sadie form a friendship. Wanda is interested in writing books and has a book club she is a part of. She asks Sadie questions. Both of these women learn to trust one another. They both also are starting to get threats.

Sadie also is getting to know a deputy in town, August, who has Amish roots as well. However, when a murder takes place, Sadie is a suspect and the sheriff isn't so certain that Sadie is innocent, while August is pretty sure she had nothing to do with it.

There was a sweet amount of faith in this (light) and the story had some about grudges and forgiveness. I did end up liking it. I am glad I was able to get this story and read it before it comes out, because the cover actually drew me in right away. Adorable cozy mystery.

content: someone is murdered, there are mentions of pregnancy out of wedlock, also mentions of a mother who had never really lived that great of a lifestyle and didn't raise her child

[Kendra Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amish Fiction is a genre that I absolutely LOVE. I have been a fan of Mindy Steele for many years. Murder, Plainly Written is Book 1 in the Plain Order Ink Society Series. I am very excited about this series as it is a bit different from the Amish Fiction I normally read.

I dove right into reading this book and it was hard to put it down. I didn't put it down until I finished it. The setting is in Ohio Amish Country. The 2 main characters in this book are Sadie Lynch and Wanda. Sadie is a young aspiring Writer. Her career is stalled, so she is excited when she inherits an Amish Candle Shop from her Aunt. Sadie makes the move to the Amish Community to run the Candle Shop. She is trying to find her place in the Amish Community, as she is not Amish herself. The local Minister is trying to convince her to sell the Candle Shop, but Sadie is standing strong and looking forward to the Grand Opening. Wanda is a local Amish Woman is has become a friend to Sadie. Wanda agrees to work in the Candle Shop and give Writing Advice to Sadie. The story takes an unexpected twist when the Local Minister is found dead in Sadie's shop on Grand Opening Day. Sadie is immediately looked upon as the suspect. Wanda and Sadie know Sadie isn't the murderer and are determined to uncover the truth. Wanda and her group of Writing buddies take on the case of work to resolve the murder mystery. I really LOVED watching the Friendship between Sadie and Wanda blossom. Sadie took a leap of faith moving to an Amish Community, and it helped her in many areas of her life. The book is one of Faith, Friendships, and Mystery. I absolutely LOVED this Cozy Amish Mystery! I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian Amish Fiction! FANTASTIC BOOK!

[Deana Dick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the story and how the author shows us how someone may find it hard to fit in an Amish community. They have many rules that can be hard to understand as Sadie soon finds out. She is excited and cautious at the same time when she learns she has inherited her aunt’s Amish candle shop. I was thinking how I would be a bit overwhelmed by this news and wondering where I would begin. Sadie has no idea how to run the shop but that doesn’t stop her. I like how she is determined to make a success at it even though she is not really welcomed by some in the community.

Wanda is just what Sadie needs when they strike up a friendship. Sadie is an established author while Wanda secretly wants to be one. They soon find a way to help each other which opens doors for a bright future they hope. I really liked Wanda because she is kind, genuine and compassionate.

The Amish minister is not happy with Sadie at all. He wants her to sale the shop and is not very hospitable. It sure is not what I would expect from a minister but he seems to make decisions in the community with little concern what others think. I began to wonder if he was going to step up his demands when he sees that Sadie is determined to stay.

When someone is murdered in the community fingers start pointing and gossip runs rampant. Who would want to murder someone in this close knit community? The story not only gives us mystery, but secrets, faith and exciting adventure as the guilty person is discovered.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

[Kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Murder, Plainly Written is the first book in The Plain Order Ink Society series and the first book I've read by the author. There were many things I liked about the book, but some things that aren't what I like in a cozy mystery. I liked the main characters, Sadie and Wanda; Both thoughtful, caring, helpful women. I didn't like how towards the end the author fast forwarded so far into the future. I personally don't like books that do that, it leaves me with a sense of missing out. One is getting to know the main characters then all of a sudden we miss all the 'middle' good stuff. That's just my preference, keep the timeline steady.
Sadie (one of the main characters) and her deceased grandmother provided many inspirational philosophies, that was one of the best features. They actively care about and help everyone ("harvesting"), not just people in their own religion. I found one of the story lines sad (an aspect of Wanda's life), with no hope. Overall, some times I was enjoying it and sometimes it left me bummed out. In my opinion, if you like true to life stories, you'll like it. If you lean more to having overall good vibes while reading and at conclusion, you might feel a little down at times.

Thank you Netgalley and Barbour Publishing for this ARC. I'm leaving my honest review.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Step into the glow of an Amish candle shop, add a close-knit community full of secrets, and you have the inviting spark that makes Murder, Plainly Written by Mindy Steele such a delightful cozy mystery. Set in the heart of Ohio’s Amish country, the story introduces Sadie Lynch, who has inherited her Amish aunt’s candle shop and soon finds herself drawn into a puzzling murder investigation. I especially enjoyed Wanda, a gracious and forthright woman who befriends Sadie and faces disappointment without letting it define her. As Sadie gets to know the community, readers are introduced to a memorable cast of characters, each with their own stories and secrets. The mystery surrounding the deceased minister is intriguing, and Sadie’s work with The Plain Order Ink Society gives the investigation a fresh, engaging twist. I appreciated the author’s friendly writing style, the cozy candle shop setting, the sense of faith and family, and the appealing idea of Amish writers joining together to solve a whodunit. With friendship, community, mystery, faith, and a gentle touch of romance, Murder, Plainly Written is a warm and satisfying debut for The Plain Order Ink Society. This series is off to a charming start, and I am already looking forward to the next visit with Sadie and her sleuthing circle.

[Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sadie Lynch is excited to start fresh after inheriting her Amish aunt's candle store in Amish country. But business is slow and the locals are not keen to frequent the shop of an Englisher.

A little bit of a slower start as Sadie gets settled in her new home, and we meet many community members. I liked that there were a variety of people from different plain communities, and it was fun to meet the many different characters as Sadie learns more about her heritage, and finds new friends. I liked her friendship with Wanda and how they bond over writing. Wanda is a lovely woman, and I admired her for being honest about her disappointments, but not letting them hold her down.

A fun read that sets up the series well for future books, with a full cast of characters and secrets are revealed as Sadie gets to know her new community. I liked her growing friendship with August.

Overall, an enjoyable read that builds as the story goes along. I liked that Sadie connected with people even though they lived their lives differently and bonded over their faith. A very enjoyable read with great characters and lovely community. I'm excited to read more in the series!


I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Dali Castillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and Engaging

Murder, Plainly Written is a wonderful cozy mystery. As Sadie finds herself owning a shop she knew nothing about from a relative she never knew existed, she moves forward filled with the hope that this new beginning offers. The last thing she expected was to be considered a top suspect in a murder case, and as the case unfolds, more and more clues surface, leaving more questions than answers. Through it all, friendships and relationships develop, impacting the case. While finding the guilty party, the motives, and how it all took place kept me guessing, I was also turning pages to find answers to Sadie's own mystery.

This wonderful mystery had elements of friendship, community, faith, family, and a touch of romance. Through the writings of Sadie and the Plain Order Ink Society, it also provided key information about what the writing process entails. I found it very insightful and felt it greatly enhanced the storyline.

This fun and engaging story is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a great cozy mystery, and if it's not your thing, I recommend trying it anyway. You won't be disappointed.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book. All comments and opinions are entirely my own and voluntary.

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wanda Miller, who coaches people toward healthier lifestyle choices at a local wellness center, has enjoyed writing articles on that subject. However, she longs to write a novel, something she has not revealed to her fellow members of the Plain Order Ink Society, a group of Amish writers who encourage one another and seek to grow in their writing skills together. Wanda had no idea as to what situations she would get involved in by befriending Englischer writer Sadie Lynch who had just arrived in the small Amish community to run the candle shop left to her by her aunt. Their common passion for writing quickly bonded the two, something Sadie would especially be very glad for as odd occurrences turned ominous.

This cozy Amish mystery is a fun read. The author gives us characters to befriend as well as some to be leery of. Both clues and red herrings are well placed along the way. Most readers will enjoy solving the mystery before the characters in the book come to a conclusion as to the identity of the culprit. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Murder Plainly Written from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

[Michelle Rhoden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the storyline taking place in an inherited candle shop that Sadie received from her Amish aunt who recently passed away. It really became intriguing when the local Amish minister continually insists Sadie sells the shop against her wishes and threatening notes begin to appear. When the minister is found dead inside the shop, Sadie is the prime suspect since she is an outsider in the community. Her only hope of proving her innocence is from Wanda, an Amish lady who begins helping Sadie with the candle making business and begins to teach Sadie how to fit in with her Amish neighbors. Will Wanda and the help of The Plain Order Ink Society be enough in proving if Sadie did or did not commit the murder? Such a fun book with amateur detectives who try to right a wrong. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to the next one. Mindy Steele’s books never disappoint me because she is a talented writer. If you have never read her books, you will definitely want this one on your to be read pile.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. It is scheduled to be released on September 30, 2026 and all words are my own.

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

Murder in Amish Country. Sadie, a romance writer, has moved from Louisville, KY to Ohio Amish Country after inheriting her great aunt’s candle store. A great aunt she didn’t know she had. As Sadie learns how to make candles and run a business she makes friends with unexpected people. Wanda, an Amish writer among other things proves to be her closet. Until Deputy Handsome, err Deputy August, starts courting her. Unfortunately, an Amish minister who has been hounding Sadie to sell her business has died in her candle shop. With more suspects than a rough draft Sadie is short on deadline before she ends up behind bars.

A cozy mystery with all the things that make it cozy. Clean in language and romance scenes. No crude language by any character. A book that would be perfect for younger readers ready to dip their toes in the world of cozy mysteries.

Recipes for vegan brownies and biscuits are included. Always a plus in books.

Amazon has the digital book ready for purchase but the print book doesn’t release until 9/1. The second book is already in the works.

#bookstagrammer #kentuckybooklover #readersofbookstagram #amishfiction

[Connie Saunders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mindy Steele tackles a new genre in her newest book, and she successfully scores a touchdown! I loved Murder, Plainly Written, the first book in her new cozy mystery series from Barbour Publishing. It has an unlikely friendship between a middle-aged Amish woman and a younger Englisch woman, a group of fledgling Amish writers who quickly become amateur detectives, and, of all things, a murder! I could understand that the often demanding Amish minister was disliked, but who would consider murdering him?

Clever clues that are sometimes misleading kept me guessing, but there's also the intrigue of two romantic entanglements. One ended long ago, and the other is plagued with obstacles, but I've learned that Steele often provides hope for troubled relationships! I can only hope that we'll find answers in the next book in the Plain Order Ink Society.

If you enjoy wonderful character development, witty dialogue, and a charming blend of Amish common sense and inspiration, grab a copy of Murder, Plainly Written. It is a must-read for fans of Amish fiction and cozy mysteries!

I received a complimentary digital ARC from the author. There was no obligation for a positive review.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable cozy mystery that was a delight to read. It was clean, funny, and not a dull moment getting to know Wanda Miller and Sadie Lynch. Sadie is new to the quaint Amish community, having accepted Plain Scents Candle Shop from her great-aunt whom she’d never met. She meets an intriguing cast of characters that befriend her and ones that are aggressive in inquiring to buy her shop. She then begins to receive threatening letters, getting weird stares from a certain fellow, as well as being followed. Then, before you know it, she meets Deputy August Yoder.
Wanda is a loyal friend and support to Sadie, and, I would say my favourite character. She plays a big role and has a little mystery of her own that pops up. Will amateur sleuths, Wanda and the Plain Order Ink Society be able to solve this case before it’s too late? I look forward to reading more from this author. I received this e-book for free from Celebrate Lit Tour and the opinions I express are my own.

“I don’t understand. I thought her name was Thelma.” Opal had clearly lost all the marbles she had left.” — Quote from book

[Anne Wolters · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Sadie Lynch unexpectedly inherits a candle shop from her great Amish aunt—a woman she never met—she’s eager for a fresh start in a new town. Although she knows nothing about candle making, she quickly befriends Wanda, an Amish woman who generously teaches her the craft and helps her navigate the community. Sadie soon discovers that being an English woman running an Amish business is far more complicated than she imagined. Customers are scarce, the local minister repeatedly urges her to sell, and unsettling, anonymous threats begin to appear.
With Wanda’s help, Sadie plans a grand reopening to breathe new life into the shop. But on the morning of the celebration, a dead body is found inside—and Sadie’s only employee has vanished.
This engaging story is filled with charming, memorable characters who felt like friends by the final page. I’m delighted this is the first book in the Plain Order Ink Society series, and I look forward to spending more time with these wonderful characters.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.

[DianeLikesToRead · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Mindy Steele has done it again! After mastering Amish fiction, she's now ventured into the Amish mystery genre with this delightful series starter.
Sadie Lynch inherits her great aunts candle shop. But… she never knew she had an aunt or that she was Amish!
Enter Wanda, an Amish woman who is part of The Plain Order Ink Society. She and Sadie become fast friends. Sadie is excited for the grand reopening of the candle shop. However, the minister is found dead in the shop and Sadie is the main suspect. Good thing The Plain Order Ink Society, a group of Amish amateur writers, is there to help solve the mystery. Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
#MurderPlainlyWritten
#MindySteele #NetGalley #BarbourPublishing #AmishFiction #AmishMystery #BookLove #Bookstagram #SummerRead


What I loved:
* The unique premise of Amish writers solving mysteries
* The friendship between Sadie and Wanda
* The cozy candle shop setting

[Joy Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the first in a brand new series by this author. Sadie has inherited a candle shop from her great aunt, that she never knew. As soon as she comes to town, she starts getting threatening notes from someone about leaving. Then a local minister starts coming by and telling her that she needs to sell since she is not Amish. But she makes a friend, Wanda who is a member of the Plain Order Ink Society. Who is behind all the notes? Is it the minister who wants her to leave or is it someone else entirely? Then on the grand reopening of the candle shop, the minister winds up dead. Was it his time to go or did someone help him into an early grave? I fell in love with the characters and am looking forward to many more books in this series. I received a complimentary copy of this book, but was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are what I thought of the book.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sadie is an author who is in a writing slump, but has recently inherited her aunt's candle shop in Ohio. She knows nothing about making candles or running a business, but she is willing to learn and eager to keep her aunt's business running despite the fact candle making is all new to her.

Wanda is an Amish lady who is a wannabe writer. In exchange for helping Sadie with her new adventure, Sadie helps Wanda with her writing. Even though they come from different lifestyles a beautiful friendship starts.

A few people in town do not like the fact that Sadie has inherited this candle shop and that she is not Amish. She feels pressure to sell, but has no desire to do so. One such person that is pressuring her is the local minister Joe Hilty. Unfortunately for Sadie and the minister, but during the grand opening of the store the minister has died and Sadie becomes a suspect.

With the help of Wanda's writing group, The Plain Order Ink Society, the killer is found out.


This is the first book in this new mystery series by Mindy Steele. It is written in the area of Holmes County, Ohio and some of the places in the book that are mentioned are real places you can visit. I have been to the area on numerous occasions and so I find this book to be pretty special because of the location.

This is a easy read. I enjoyed the fact the book was about friendship and community and starting over. I look forward to the other books in this series.

[Gail Hollingsworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sadie gets an unexpected inheritance from a great aunt she didn’t know she even had. But she’s excited and ready to make a go of it. Her inherited candle shop was previously owned my her Amish Great Aunt. Sadie is not Amish and the minister is against her owning it and wants her to sell, but she cant sell or change the name or she loses it all. Written threats begin showing up for her to leave. After three visits by the minister wanting her to sell, he is found dead in her shop. Who is to blame? Her friends she’s made know she couldn’t possibly be guilty but others aren’t so sure. Is her dream going up in “smoke”?
I enjoyed the sequence of events and wonderment from the clues. Her friends helped her stay sane through it all, even with the threat of jail. And what a surprise in the end!
I received an ebook copy from the publisher through Celebrate Lit but was not required to write a review.

[Susan Werner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder, Plainly Written by Mindy Steele is a perfect mix of “English” and Amish culture. There is a nice blend of romance and mystery. Wanda and Sadie make delightful heroines . Sadie is an author with writers block and Wanda is a struggling writer who hasnt quite found her niche in writing just yet. The book builds up to the murder. All of the supporting characters have a role in solving the mystery along with learning valuable life lessons. Wanda was my favorite character and i liked the way Mindy developed her throughout the book . It was unexpected and a pleasure to see her happy and content in spite of her circumstances. I love all of Mindy’s book but this is one of my favorites.


I received an advance copy of this book and was not required to write a review. All opinions are my own.

[Lisa Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder, Plainly Written is the first book in the new series of The Plain Order Ink Society by Mindy Steel was a delightful read. 

I loved all of the sweet, corky and clever characters;  I loved how the friendship of Sadie and Wanda grew with their love of writing, I kind of felt like I might have gotten a peak in the Mindy Steels writing mind. 

This fun faith-based, fast-moving mystery that takes place in the beautiful Ohio Amish country and will keep you on your toes with all the clever misdirects of the actual murderer.

The story was so well written I could so clearly see all of the characters including the crazy coffee obsessed Opal, Sadie, Wanda, the stoic Minister and of course we can't forget Deputy Handsome. 

I know this is going to sound crazy, but this was such a fun cozy murder mystery. I highly recommend and I am looking forward to the next book.