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An Amish Mystery #4
Plain Missing
When sweethearts disappear, is it an elopement—or a crime? An Amish mystery by an author who “sympathetically portrays the members of this religious sect” (Publishers Weekly). Inn owner Rachel Mast is no longer a devout member of the Amish community of Stone Mill, Pennsylvania, but she still cares deeply for them. So she’s staying at her family’s farm to help her mother through an illness—and at the same time, trying to track down two missing people… When the young gather to sing, it’s usually an evening of wholesome fun—but this time, the event has stirred whispers of scandal. Elsie Hostetler and her sweetheart, Dathan Bender, never came home afterward. There’s not even a trace of their horse and wagon, leading some to suspect that they’ve run off to marry and join the Englisch world. But Rachel fears there’s more to the story than a rebellious elopement. Her fiancé, a state trooper, is out of town, so she starts investigating herself, using her Amish background to pry information from the tight-lipped community. It turns out things were not so peaceful between Elsie and Dathan—and there was also a confrontation at the singing with a short-tempered ex-Marine. Among the simple houses and quiet country roads of Stone Mill, Rachel must find out just what kind of sins have been committed—and who is need of forgiveness . . . Praise for the Amish Mystery series “An excellent addition to the Amish mystery subgenre.”—Library Journal “An exciting tale of mystery, love, and danger.”—Booklist “A well-informed look into the tranquil world of the Amish with a fairly edgy puzzler.”—Kirkus Reviews
311 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2017
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236 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
May 5, 2021
Wow! What a book!
It was everything I want and enjoy all wrapped up in a Cozy mystery book. It was scary, intense,unpredictable and definitely Edge of seat reading. I was totally drawn in from the beginning and kept in till the end. In my opinion plain Missing is the best book so far in this series.
The book begins with a prologue. A young courting Amish couple, Elsie Hostetler and Dathan Bender are on their way home from a youth group gathering . They are happily discussing their future together and enjoying their ride home. Then somewhere between the prologue and chapter one they have disappeared like a puff of smoke. Horse and buggy and the couple, gone without a trace. Now some claim they jumped the fence and ran off to be married . There are many different theories about what could have happened to them but the fact remains that both Elsie and Dathan were loyal and faithful to the Amish church. Both were preparing for baptism into the church. So our slueth, Rachel Mast has agreed to help the Families get some answers about what really happened to this couple. Something just doesn't seem right and the Families would like some closure. And so the mystery of their disappearance begins to unfold page by page until the truth comes in the final chapter.
I recommend this book to readers of Amish Fiction and Cozy mysteries. It could be read as a stand alone but characters and references from past books in the series are mentioned here in Plain Missing, so I would recommend starting out from book one Plain Murder.
I borrowed a copy from the digital library so a review wasn't requested. All opinions expressed here are my own.
It was everything I want and enjoy all wrapped up in a Cozy mystery book. It was scary, intense,unpredictable and definitely Edge of seat reading. I was totally drawn in from the beginning and kept in till the end. In my opinion plain Missing is the best book so far in this series.
The book begins with a prologue. A young courting Amish couple, Elsie Hostetler and Dathan Bender are on their way home from a youth group gathering . They are happily discussing their future together and enjoying their ride home. Then somewhere between the prologue and chapter one they have disappeared like a puff of smoke. Horse and buggy and the couple, gone without a trace. Now some claim they jumped the fence and ran off to be married . There are many different theories about what could have happened to them but the fact remains that both Elsie and Dathan were loyal and faithful to the Amish church. Both were preparing for baptism into the church. So our slueth, Rachel Mast has agreed to help the Families get some answers about what really happened to this couple. Something just doesn't seem right and the Families would like some closure. And so the mystery of their disappearance begins to unfold page by page until the truth comes in the final chapter.
I recommend this book to readers of Amish Fiction and Cozy mysteries. It could be read as a stand alone but characters and references from past books in the series are mentioned here in Plain Missing, so I would recommend starting out from book one Plain Murder.
I borrowed a copy from the digital library so a review wasn't requested. All opinions expressed here are my own.
March 25, 2017
This is a well written murder mystery with the added twist of being set largely within an Amish community. Whilst this is the fourth book in the series, I can honestly say that I throughly enjoyed it without having read any of the earlier books . . . . though I do intend to rectify that in the future!
Although she is no longer a member of the Stone Mill Amish community, Rachel Mast still has strong family ties and returns to her childhood home to help look after her mother who is undergoing treatment for breast cancer. When her young cousin, Elsie Hostetler, and her sweetheart, Dathan Bender, go missing, Rachel is determined to track them down, not believing they have run away together. There are secrets being kept within the Amish community as Rachel strives to discover just what happened to the missing couple - and why. She will discover more about the community she used to belong to, how things have changed since she left and put herself in danger as the mystery unfolds.
This is a brilliant combination of mystery and life in the Amish community. It is an absorbing read with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. There are revelations regarding life and attitudes within the Amish community and how sometimes these are secretly circumvented, especially by younger members. I have no idea if this is true or not but I still found it fascinating reading and have no hesitation in highly recommending this to anyone who enjoys a magnificent mystery crafted by an accomplished author. Many thanks to the publishers for gifting me a copy of this novel, via NetGalley, with no obligation. This is my honest review. I’ll certainly be looking out for more in this series and by this author in future!
Although she is no longer a member of the Stone Mill Amish community, Rachel Mast still has strong family ties and returns to her childhood home to help look after her mother who is undergoing treatment for breast cancer. When her young cousin, Elsie Hostetler, and her sweetheart, Dathan Bender, go missing, Rachel is determined to track them down, not believing they have run away together. There are secrets being kept within the Amish community as Rachel strives to discover just what happened to the missing couple - and why. She will discover more about the community she used to belong to, how things have changed since she left and put herself in danger as the mystery unfolds.
This is a brilliant combination of mystery and life in the Amish community. It is an absorbing read with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. There are revelations regarding life and attitudes within the Amish community and how sometimes these are secretly circumvented, especially by younger members. I have no idea if this is true or not but I still found it fascinating reading and have no hesitation in highly recommending this to anyone who enjoys a magnificent mystery crafted by an accomplished author. Many thanks to the publishers for gifting me a copy of this novel, via NetGalley, with no obligation. This is my honest review. I’ll certainly be looking out for more in this series and by this author in future!
February 17, 2017
Plain Missing tells a tale of life in the Amish world.
Rachel Mast has left the Amish life, choosing to live her own. Returning to the family home to help her family during her mam's illness causes a stir in the community, especially inside her parent's home.
Being seated at the children's table is a formality, one in which Rachel doesn't like. Her mother's lack of communication with Rachel directly is another thorn in her side. She knows her mam has deep roots in her religious beliefs, however, she doesn't like the feeling of being left out.
On a Friday night sing in, Rachel's cousin Elsie doesn't return home. Talk is that she left the Amish community with the young man she has been seeing.
Rachel knows this isn't true. Rachel and her cousin Mary Aaron seek to find the truth, uncovering the stories that lead to the young girl's disappearance.
Set in a quiet Amish community, Plain Missing tells a wonderful story filled with mystery and intrigue. The author weaves a tale incredibly believable. I look for ward to reading more in the series.
I voluntarily read an ARC of this book provided by Kensington Books& NetGalley.
Rachel Mast has left the Amish life, choosing to live her own. Returning to the family home to help her family during her mam's illness causes a stir in the community, especially inside her parent's home.
Being seated at the children's table is a formality, one in which Rachel doesn't like. Her mother's lack of communication with Rachel directly is another thorn in her side. She knows her mam has deep roots in her religious beliefs, however, she doesn't like the feeling of being left out.
On a Friday night sing in, Rachel's cousin Elsie doesn't return home. Talk is that she left the Amish community with the young man she has been seeing.
Rachel knows this isn't true. Rachel and her cousin Mary Aaron seek to find the truth, uncovering the stories that lead to the young girl's disappearance.
Set in a quiet Amish community, Plain Missing tells a wonderful story filled with mystery and intrigue. The author weaves a tale incredibly believable. I look for ward to reading more in the series.
I voluntarily read an ARC of this book provided by Kensington Books& NetGalley.
September 25, 2017
I love this series! I love Rachel and her crazy cat and unique friends and the interesting characters that make up Stone Mill -- both Amish and Englisch. This is the fourth book in An Amish Mystery series but reads very well as a standalone. The only thing that carries over from one book to the next is the romance so Rachel is now engaged to the possible love interest in the first book. :-)
The mystery is heart wrenching and all too close to home. Rachel can't rest until she finds the answers her grieving community needs. Over time, she has gained the trust of her Amish neighbours who are more willing to talk to her than the police -- though not by much! But Rachel is nothing if not dogged and she's not about to give up. And neither is her Amish cousin, Mary Aaron, who makes a great sidekick.
This book has a bit more of a serious feel to it, though there are still plenty of quips and laughs too. There's a wonderful inspirational thread about finding spiritual peace in the hard times as Rachel begins to find a balance between her Amish and Englisch worlds.
But it is the relationship between Rachel and her mother that touched me the most. Though Rachel left the Amish over fifteen years ago, her mother has had a difficult time adjusting to the loss. If you've been following the series you'll have more of a feel for their relationship as their attempts to reconnect have slowly developed throughout the books and I was actually moved to tears at the end of this one!
Sweet perfection in a cozy mystery with an Amish twist!
The mystery is heart wrenching and all too close to home. Rachel can't rest until she finds the answers her grieving community needs. Over time, she has gained the trust of her Amish neighbours who are more willing to talk to her than the police -- though not by much! But Rachel is nothing if not dogged and she's not about to give up. And neither is her Amish cousin, Mary Aaron, who makes a great sidekick.
This book has a bit more of a serious feel to it, though there are still plenty of quips and laughs too. There's a wonderful inspirational thread about finding spiritual peace in the hard times as Rachel begins to find a balance between her Amish and Englisch worlds.
But it is the relationship between Rachel and her mother that touched me the most. Though Rachel left the Amish over fifteen years ago, her mother has had a difficult time adjusting to the loss. If you've been following the series you'll have more of a feel for their relationship as their attempts to reconnect have slowly developed throughout the books and I was actually moved to tears at the end of this one!
Sweet perfection in a cozy mystery with an Amish twist!
June 12, 2020
Bella storia, con vari colpevoli possibili anche se a un certo punto avevo capito più o meno cosa fosse accaduto. E' tutta un'invenzione, ma è davvero triste che qualcuno possa morire per un motivo così stupido...
March 27, 2017
Plain Missing by Emma Miller is the fourth book in An Amish Mystery series. Rachel Mast is staying at her parents’ house to help take care of her mother, Esther while she is undergoing chemotherapy for her breast cancer. It is difficult because Esther refuses to talk with Rachel directly or let Rachel sit at the dining table with the rest of the family. This has been going on for over seventeen years. Late Friday evening, Rachel is sitting on the back porch when she notices a light bobbing across the field towards the Mast home. It is her cousin, Mary Aaron seeking Rachel’s assistance. Elsie, Mary Aaron’s sister, failed to arrive home from the singing. Rachel and Mary Aaron drive around to see if they can find Elsie and the man who drove her home, Dathan. After twenty-four hours, Elsie or Dathan are still missing and so are the horse and wagon. Rachel contacts Trooper Lucy Mars for assistance since her fiancé (and detective) Evan Parks is out of town. The police cannot do much since both parties are over twenty-one. The police believe that the pair decided to elope and escape into the English world. Elsie’s family knows that she would never do that. Rachel is determined to find out what happened to Elsie and Dathan. People in the community are keeping secrets, and Rachel is going to ferret them out.
Plain Missing may be the fourth book in the series, but it can be read alone. The author provides the needed background information on Rachel and her family. The book is nicely written and, for the most part, easy to read. The pace was a little slow at times especially when Rachel was speculating. The author tried to make the mystery complicated, but it can easily be solved early in the story. There are several major clues in the book that assist readers in untangling the riddle. I give Plain Missing 3.5 out of 5 stars. We get to see what life is like in an Amish community for its members, outsiders, and young people who have yet to decide whether or not to join the Amish church. I can see the pros and cons for each choice. I cannot imagine, though, living without modern technology (it has to be different if you have never had it). I do wonder, though, if Amish are as naïve as they are made out to be in novels. Are the young people aware of the dangers in our society? While Plain Missing is a nice story, my attention was never fully captured by the writing. I just felt that something was lacking and that the book was too long. The ending was stretched out. I did appreciate the epilogue and the growth in Esther’s character.
Plain Missing may be the fourth book in the series, but it can be read alone. The author provides the needed background information on Rachel and her family. The book is nicely written and, for the most part, easy to read. The pace was a little slow at times especially when Rachel was speculating. The author tried to make the mystery complicated, but it can easily be solved early in the story. There are several major clues in the book that assist readers in untangling the riddle. I give Plain Missing 3.5 out of 5 stars. We get to see what life is like in an Amish community for its members, outsiders, and young people who have yet to decide whether or not to join the Amish church. I can see the pros and cons for each choice. I cannot imagine, though, living without modern technology (it has to be different if you have never had it). I do wonder, though, if Amish are as naïve as they are made out to be in novels. Are the young people aware of the dangers in our society? While Plain Missing is a nice story, my attention was never fully captured by the writing. I just felt that something was lacking and that the book was too long. The ending was stretched out. I did appreciate the epilogue and the growth in Esther’s character.
March 10, 2019
Excellent! You can't go wrong with an Emma Miller mystery.
February 23, 2017
Talk about mystery, this book will keep you guessing right to the last page, and with a surprise to warm your heart at the end.
We are in Amish country and two of their own have gone missing, such speculation and very different views here, but fact remains that they are gone. We have a woman Rachel Mast who has, as the Amish say, gone English, and running the local B & B, but she is also a close to her cousin whom is one of the missing. You are going to chuckle about how her Mom treats her, talking to her through others, she can hear her, and that is often her retort, but this is how her Mom deals with her leaving the Amish faith.
What happened to the two that are missing, and how could a horse and wagon also be missing? The answers are here, but it is going to take awhile to get them, with some sad events in between.
I received this book through Net Galley and Kensington Books, and was not required to give a positive review.
We are in Amish country and two of their own have gone missing, such speculation and very different views here, but fact remains that they are gone. We have a woman Rachel Mast who has, as the Amish say, gone English, and running the local B & B, but she is also a close to her cousin whom is one of the missing. You are going to chuckle about how her Mom treats her, talking to her through others, she can hear her, and that is often her retort, but this is how her Mom deals with her leaving the Amish faith.
What happened to the two that are missing, and how could a horse and wagon also be missing? The answers are here, but it is going to take awhile to get them, with some sad events in between.
I received this book through Net Galley and Kensington Books, and was not required to give a positive review.
February 16, 2017
Plain Missing is a pretty good read. I enjoyed the combination of mystery and Amish.
Recommended.
4 stars
Recommended.
4 stars
April 23, 2019
Exellent story!
This is an excellent book. I really enjoyed it and the other 3 before it. Looki g forward to reading #5 in this series.
This is an excellent book. I really enjoyed it and the other 3 before it. Looki g forward to reading #5 in this series.
January 25, 2021
Enjoyed this Amish mystery kept me on my edge.
May 8, 2017
Plain Missing
By Emma Miller
Travel back to Stone Mill, Pennsylvania, where Rachel Mast, who left the Amish life for the English one, has returned home and opened a bed and breakfast. Join her as she struggles to see where she belongs and tries to find God’s plan for her.
When her mom is diagnosed with breast cancer, she returns to the family home to assist in any way she can, while leaving her cousin Mary Aaron and her neighbor Hulda to look after the B & B. While there, her cousin Elsie and Elsie’s boyfriend Dathan go missing one night after a singing. With Rachel’s fiancé, police detective Evan, away at a training seminar, it is up to her and another detective to discover what happened. Most think the two ran away to the English world, but Rachel has a gut feeling that they didn’t. When the horse that was leading the missing couple’s wagon returns without them or the wagon, Rachel is even more convinced something went wrong that night. But, what is it? How can she find out? Who can she trust? Using her Amish background, she tries to find the answers. But, will she walk into dangers path herself?
This was a great book and I really enjoyed it, just as I have the others in this series. You don’t have to read the whole series though. It stands alone and tells a wonderful story. I received this book from NetGalley for my honest review.
By Emma Miller
Travel back to Stone Mill, Pennsylvania, where Rachel Mast, who left the Amish life for the English one, has returned home and opened a bed and breakfast. Join her as she struggles to see where she belongs and tries to find God’s plan for her.
When her mom is diagnosed with breast cancer, she returns to the family home to assist in any way she can, while leaving her cousin Mary Aaron and her neighbor Hulda to look after the B & B. While there, her cousin Elsie and Elsie’s boyfriend Dathan go missing one night after a singing. With Rachel’s fiancé, police detective Evan, away at a training seminar, it is up to her and another detective to discover what happened. Most think the two ran away to the English world, but Rachel has a gut feeling that they didn’t. When the horse that was leading the missing couple’s wagon returns without them or the wagon, Rachel is even more convinced something went wrong that night. But, what is it? How can she find out? Who can she trust? Using her Amish background, she tries to find the answers. But, will she walk into dangers path herself?
This was a great book and I really enjoyed it, just as I have the others in this series. You don’t have to read the whole series though. It stands alone and tells a wonderful story. I received this book from NetGalley for my honest review.
March 23, 2017
Plain Missing is a book of going back home again. Rachel left home to live on her own, but her Mam (Mom) got sick so she went back to take care of her and the rest of the family just to be treated shabbily. As you know the Amish are very strong in their faith (as should we - Amen?), but in that she was left out of everything because of all the decisions she has made in her life. They make her do things like sit at the children's table, which really ticks her off. She is made to feel like an outsider in the community and worst of all in her own family (ouch), even though she is the one that is taking care of everyone. During all of this her cousin goes missing and everyone thinks she ran away with the guy she was seeing, but Rachel feels in her bones differently. So, Rachel goes and tries to find her cousin and Rachel knows that she is in GOD's hands and that HE can guide her steps and direct her path, all she needs to do is trust in HIM and let HIM lead but will she? I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
if you would like to read more of my Christian book reviews go to christianlybookreviewers.blogspot.com
if you would like to read more of my Christian book reviews go to christianlybookreviewers.blogspot.com
February 23, 2017
Emma Miller excels at writing suspense in this series, just as she does in her regular romances for Harlequin. It was a treat to "re visit" Rachel Mast and see how she and her fiancé Ethan are coming along. And to see how Rachel finds ways to stay close to her Amish family even after having left the fold many years before, now that she is living nearby and running her bed and breakfast. In "Plain Missing" Rachel is living back with her parents helping her mother recover from cancer treatment. Her mother never directly addresses Rachel, as she never quite forgave her for leaving. Rachel is brought into a family crisis for assistance when her young cousin Elsie goes missing after a date with her boyfriend Dathan. Elsie's parents did not approve of Dathan and were reluctant to involve police in the search. Rachel and Mary- her cousin and best friend, and Elsie's sister, bring in the police. Sadly, Elsie and Dathan are not found alive. This leads to a confusing twist of events to find who is responsible. I highly recommend this beautiful and deeply touching novel.
September 8, 2025
4.5 stars! “Plain Missing” by Emma Miller is a fantastic cozy mystery set in Stone Hill, PA - a combined community of Amish and English. This is the 4th book in the series. While it can be read as a standalone book, the background of many of the characters is in the previous books.
Rachel Mast, the B&B owner and former Amish, is drawn into a mystery when her young cousin and boyfriend do not return home after an Amish Singing. The Amish community is hesitant to speak to the police, but trust Rachel. This mystery has many turns and is not guessed until the end.
I recommend this book to those who love Amish fiction, cozy mysteries, or general fiction. I am looking forward to reading Book 5 of the series.
Rachel Mast, the B&B owner and former Amish, is drawn into a mystery when her young cousin and boyfriend do not return home after an Amish Singing. The Amish community is hesitant to speak to the police, but trust Rachel. This mystery has many turns and is not guessed until the end.
I recommend this book to those who love Amish fiction, cozy mysteries, or general fiction. I am looking forward to reading Book 5 of the series.
June 25, 2017
Rachel Mast has left the Amish faith, but is home to help her mom with cancer treatments.....and you are immediately drawn into the story of intrigue and mystery about a murder wrapped in an Amish setting. Although I haven't read the other books in this series, you aren't lost quickly and can catch up to where the characters are in their life journey. Filled with lessons of faith, family first, and community care this was an enjoyable, easy to read story that kept you interested until the very end.
May 5, 2022
This is the fourth book in the series about Rachel Mast. Rachel was Amish but left her community even before she was baptized. She has come back but now she runs a bed and breakfast in town. In this book an Amish couple going missing including her one cousin. The only problem I have with the book is that they have become to predictable. She some how always gets in a life or death situation, I would love to see her once not have this happen.
May 29, 2017
This story in the series gently questioned the Amish practice of shunning, vets dealing with PTSD, drinking and young love. I read then ending several times because I enjoyed the spunk of the old blind man. I'm hoping that Rachel's mom will finally speak directly to her and I that her cousin will come to a decision about her Amish faith. This series is always a great read!
November 22, 2023
The not so Amish Detective strikes again!
Our heroine is much more likable and much more controlled in this second book. The plot keeps you tied to the story and is very well written. You will be uncertain as to who is the culprit until almost the end! The sub plot of do you stay or leave the Amish way is a constant thread and well presented. You will enjoy this story.
Our heroine is much more likable and much more controlled in this second book. The plot keeps you tied to the story and is very well written. You will be uncertain as to who is the culprit until almost the end! The sub plot of do you stay or leave the Amish way is a constant thread and well presented. You will enjoy this story.
June 29, 2018
The mystery truly had me guessing. There were some sweet and spiritual moments, too. I've read this series in a short time frame, so I notice some editing inconsistencies (e.g., Mary Aaron's license). Still, it's one I'm growing into.
June 13, 2017
The issues of family, religion and trust took center stage more than the mystery. This was a solid addition to the series but it wasn't my favority.
August 24, 2017
Excellent fiction.
Excellent, but not 5 star quality. Slow writing, in several chapters, but recommendable for the total book. Hope to see more stories like this.
Excellent, but not 5 star quality. Slow writing, in several chapters, but recommendable for the total book. Hope to see more stories like this.
September 4, 2017
Predictable.
December 28, 2017
Rachel Mast is no longer Amish, but she's still considered more trusted than the average Englisher. When a young Amish couple shows up missing, she is called to help the English police/
June 28, 2019
not much action with Rachael/Evan
July 12, 2019
This series has yet to disappoint.
Want to read
December 27, 2019AVAILABLE ON HOOPLA E-BOOK
August 29, 2020
Very good book. Rachel will search for her missing cousin and her boyfriend and then search for the killer.
April 28, 2021
Another very good book.
January 14, 2022
Book #4 in the series, and I I enjoyed the continuing story of the people in the town.
It’s a page turner, suspenseful, and reads well as a stand-alone.
It’s a page turner, suspenseful, and reads well as a stand-alone.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews