Homespun Homicide

Amish Inn Mysteries #12

by Elizabeth Penney

Pleasant Creek, Indiana's first annual summer arts and crafts fair has Liz Eckardt beaming. Tourists are coming out of the woodwork to get their hands on Amish-inspired goods, and the Olde Mansion Inn, her bed-and-breakfast, is full to the rafters. But when sawbucks start disappearing from the vendors, and Mayor Jackson Cross's furniture samples are marred, it's clear someone is trying to throw a monkey wrench into the festivities.

Unfortunately, Jackson has bigger worries. His ex-employee is mad enough to spit nails, and when he is found polished off -- murdered with a distinctive table leg -- Jackson becomes the prime suspect.

Liz decides to investigate when she suspects that some of the guests under her roof are not on the level -- a mysterious Texan, two very nosy ladies, and a gentleman clearly using an assumed name. And what about the family who've arrived in Pleasant Creek ostensibly looking to dust themselves off and make a fresh start? Are they who they seem to be, or are they responsible for the sinister handiwork around town?

Liz and the rest of the Material Girls will need all the tools of the trade to hammer out a solution to the crimes in Pleasant Creek before Jackson is sent to the Big House -- permanently.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy, Amish, Cozy Mystery

204 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2017

About the author

Elizabeth Penney lives in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, where she pens novels and tries to grow things. Elements that often appear in her novels include vintage summer cottages, past/present mysteries, and the arts. After spending early years in England and France, she grew up in Maine, settings that are reflected in her books.

Elizabeth is the author of the Apron Shop Series and Cambridge Bookshop Series from St. Martin's as well as over twenty novels, short stories, and hundreds of business articles. A former consultant and nonprofit executive, she holds a BS and an MBA. She's also written screenplays with her musician husband.

She loves walking in the woods, kayaking on quiet ponds, trying new recipes, and feeding family and friends.

Reviews

[Christa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Homespun Homicide finds Liz and friends on the trail of another mystery to solve in Pleasant Creek, Indiana. At an arts and crafts festival, Mayor Jackson Cross' furniture is damaged by a vandal. He suspects a disgruntled former employee who he fired. Things get more complicated when the former employee is murdered. Jackson is the primary suspect, so Liz and her group of friends have to investigate to find the real killer.

Liz and her friends are great characters, Jackson included. I enjoyed seeing them on another adventure as they solved a murder. The storyline had enough action to hold my interest, and I thought this book was a good addition to the series.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

There were some personal reasons that made this one a little more difficult, but I was able to set that aside and just enjoy this one. I absolutely love this series.

[Pamela Pavkov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Homespun Homicide is a thrilling mystery written by Elizabeth Penny in the Amish Inn Mystery series. This storyline is filled with suspects and it's up to Liz Eckardt to figure out who is behind the thefts and murder. When Pleasant Creek host their annual arts and crafts festival there is no shortage on on suspects. Mayor Jackson Cross has expensive furniture marred and now he is the prime suspect in the murder of an former employee. With craft boothes being robbed of their money Liz has her hands full to figure it all out. She knows Jackson is innocent and sets out to clear her man friend. Staying at the B&B is a mysterious Texan, two very nosey ladies, and a gentleman who clearly is using an assumed name. The Material Girls put their heads together and devise a plan to catch the thief and who they catch may surprise you. This mystery keeps changing with each days events but definitely keeps the readers interest.

I was not given a complimentary copy of this book to read and review. I was not approached to post a favorable response and all opinions are my own. I have rated this story with five stars for meeting my expectations of an interesting mystery that I can highly recommend to others.

[Mayda · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s time for the arts and crafts fair, but what should have been a fun and successful time for Liz and her friends turns out to be anything but. Murder, thefts, and kidnapping mar the days of the fair. Liz and the Material Girls are hot the trail, well, actually more than one trail. They are also working to help the homeless. One thing for sure, life is never boring in Pleasant Creek, Indiana. This book and the series are all well written, maintaining a high consistency of intriguing mysteries and likable characters leading interesting lives, even though the series has multiple authors.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm ready to bake some pumpkin muffins!

[Sharon Bezrutczyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great series

[Lis Sigona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Amish Inn Mystery with All the regular characters and some added characters to add to the storyline to help make the story creative and lively. Enjoy these sort of stories that are connected but not continuations of prior storylines. Delightful, insightful, and very intriguing in each of their own way.