Dark Road Home

Maplecreek #1

by Karen Harper

After a murder case threatens her safety, attorney Brooke Benton seeks sanctuary in the quiet Amish community of Maplecreek. Although the locals disagree with her worldly ways, she soon manages to find a place in their lives. But when a tragic hit-and-run accident turns fatal, Brooke cannot abide by the community's belief in absolute forgiveness. She wants answers.

Daniel Brand left his childhood home to explore the outside world years ago. Now he has returned to his Amish roots, and worldly Brooke Benton does not fit into his plans. But when his niece dies, he slowly agrees that they must bring to justice the driver who killed her -- especially when a silent presence continues to threaten the community. Together, Brooke and Daniel begin a journey along a dark road, hoping to bring peace to the small community . . .and maybe lead their hearts home.

Genres: Mystery, Amish, Romance, Fiction, Suspense, Romantic Suspense, Thriller

429 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

A New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Karen Harper is a former college English instructor (The Ohio State University) and high school literature and writing teacher. A lifelong Ohioan, Karen and her husband Don divide their time between the midwest and the southeast, both locations she has used in her books. Besides her American settings, Karen loves the British Isles, where her Scottish and English roots run deep, and where she has set many of her historical Tudor-era mysteries and her historical novels about real and dynamic British women. Karen's books have been published in many foreign languages and she won the Mary Higgins Clark Award for 2005. Karen has given numerous talks to readers and writers across the county. Her most recent books include THE SOUTH SHORES TRILOGY (CHASING SHADOWS, DROWNING TIDES and FALLING DARKNESS.) Her latest historical is THE ROYAL NANNY. Please visit her website at www.KarenHarperAuthor and her fb page at www.facebook.com/KarenHarperAuthor

Reviews

[Jacqueline J · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. It's one of those books that is more of a meal not just a snack. I feel full after reading this. The portrait of the Amish was very detailed. I thought it was balanced and well rounded. The mystery element was not the strongest ever but was pretty good. The romance between the English Brooke and the Amish Daniel was not real intense. If the book lacks anything, it is in Daniel's decision not to take his vow to be Amish. His love for Brooke came out of nowhere for me. Perhaps because we saw very little from Daniel's POV and thus knew very little about his internal struggle over finally turning away from his heritage for an outsider woman. I liked it but it wasn't written as intensly as other portions of the book for example Emma's mental problems after Katie's loss. But I didn't really mind the lack luster romance because the rest of the book was so fulfilling.

[Alyssa White · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was a lot to do in this book. First off I enjoyed the idea that we got to view the story from different characters points of view. It allows the reader to have insight as to what is going on throughout the story. Very important note: It was recommended to me as a cozy mystery, but this was more intense than that, I would mark it as just a mystery. So if you want a mystery thriller then read this, a mystery cozy, no, not the book for that. it was a good read though. I did enjoy it.

[Lorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark Road Home by Karen Harper is the first book in the Maplecreek Amish trilogy. Brooke Benton, an attorney who won a case for a person who it was later discovered really did commit the crime, moves to Maple creek after being stalked from someone she thought because of the case she won. She stays with a friend of her deceased sister who owns a quilt shop. Brooke has also brought her sister’s daughter, Jennifer, Brooke promised her sister she would care for her daughter before her passing. Daniel Brand is a woodworker who left his Amish family to pursue his trade. Daniel buys the home next door to where Brooke is staying and plans to finally come home to be baptized into the Amish church. Daniel meets Brooke on the first night he comes home when he finds Brooke dancing with some Amish teens. As the teens leave on the dark road home, Daniel and Brooke hear a loud explosion like noise. As they get to the sight they learn that all but one teen, Katie, is dead and she later dies at the hospital. The driver of the car who hit their buggy left the scene. As an attorney, Brooke wants justice. This is not the way of the Amish and they frown on her trying to find the murder. Daniel decides to help her in the investigation and in the process they fall in love. The story also focuses on the depression and grief of Katie’s mom, Emma. Emma tries to take medication for her depression, but her husband frowns on the use of medicines to cope. Brooke tries to help her as loses the trust of a lot of the Amish people. As Brooke and Daniel investigate, someone starts to stalk Brooke again. Will he be safe in Maplecreek? What will happen to the forbidden love they find? Read to find out the answers to these questions.

I really enjoyed this book. There are several story lines going on at once and many twist and surprises in the story to keep the reader guessing. I have never lost a child but I think it would be hard not to be able to grieve. Emma’s husband wants her to just accept it as God’s will and move on. Emma can’t do that. I really liked this storyline. I also enjoyed seeing the growing love between Brooke and Daniel. I’ve read a lot of Amish fiction, but was able to still learn some new things about the Amish culture. The only thing I did not like is that I felt the killers were given away too early in the story, but other than that I loved it am really looking forward to reading the second book in this series, Dark Harvest.

[Helen]

I learned alot about the Plain People and their beliefs way of life, After finishing all three books I really felt a bond with these very down to earth people. I will never drive thry Holmes County again without remembering the wounderful stories in these three books. I talked to Karen Harper at our Book Fair here and home and she tells me there will be a 4th book to follow the families in the first three, I am looking forward to be available.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This leaned too much toward romance for me. There were several subplots that eventually came together, but the story often felt disjointed.

[Diana H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is suspense at its finest. Harper takes characters that seem weak at the start and grows them into strong people who carry this story along on a wild ride. By introducing plots points that appear unrelated, she keeps the reader asking, "what about this or what about that?". Then as the suspense builds, everything comes together and the reader is left asking, "so who is the bad guy?". Once Harper ties up all the loose ends, the final scenes make the reader sit back with a sigh of contentment, as realization dawns that we have been in the hands of a master story-teller.
Not a book to be missed by readers of suspense.

[Carolyn E · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story!! Actually, I believe I read it several years ago although I don't remember any of the story. So I decided to read it again. I am now looking forward to reading the second book in this series, Dark Harvest.

[Judy Wise · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story. Looking forward to reading more books by Karen Harper. Story is set in amish coutry but is not a strong amish story. It is a murder, with love and the outsider within the amish and learning about each other. Could not put this book down. Highly reccomend reading this.

[C. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Could not finish. Just wasn't engaging enough. Frequent profanity ,and crude talk.

[Monical · Rating 1 out of 5]

Really disappointing thriller-- started with a lot of promise, as the (female) medical examiner comes home to small town Pennsylvania after the discovery of the body of her sister, missing for 15+ years. And then the whole thing falls apart.... crappy science (hey, Karen, get your pathology and scientific details together! if you want to have a medical examiner protagonist) cardboard characters and ridiculously convoluted plot that totally falls apart at the end.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the second in the series and really enjoyed the story line, so I brought the first book in the series and I enjoyed learning about Daniel and the Brooke, the story turned out good, but at times I was worried that they would not get together or something would happen to another person. I enjoy learning about the Amish and the people that interact with them. If you like a good mystery and learning at the same time you will enjoy these books.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Amish books, but I can only read a little at a time because it makes me sleepy, but that was not the case with this book. I just completed it at 6 am and am sitting here holding my eyes wide open. LOL. I absolutely loved each of the characters and could picture every scene! The love between Brooke and Daniel is so sweet!!! They make the best parents for Jen. It's a must read if you love Amish books and also mystery!!!

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

There was a lot to do in this book. First off I enjoyed the idea that we got to view the story from different characters points of view. It allows the reader to have insight as to what is going on throughout the story.
I’ve read a some Amish fiction, and I was able to learn some new things about the Amish culture.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

the first in the series of maplecreek mysteries. Brooke finds a safe haven in maplecreek, or is it really safe. Brooke, a criminal attorney becomes a strong force in a mystery involving an amish accident

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved all the different point of views from all of the characters, to know what they're thinking and doing , it's a good romance mixed with mystery and a shocking twist to the book, honestly i never expected it , but i guess the signs were there the entire time .It's honestly a good book.

[Marianne Stehr · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not for me. I love a good Amish series but this was rough from the start. The storyline doesn’t hold water and it is trite. Contemplated quitting many times but powered through it felt like it had potential but then just couldn’t get a good story started

[L.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was surprisingly good. There were lots of little spelling and grammatical errors and parts were a bit awkward. I’m guessing this was maybe an early work by the author. But despite the somewhat rough edges, this was a really good story and I enjoyed it quite a bit more than I expected.

[LizZz Love · Rating 4 out of 5]

lekker klein maar dik boek wat dus fijn in de hand ligt.
Het verhaal leest lekker weg en was mijn tijd weer zeker waard.

[Fatima · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing extraordinary ,fairly simple actually ,not for fantasy fans

[Sherrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great Amish mystery.

[C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amish

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful read. No swear words or graphic sex scenes and a great lot of information about the Amish folks. This author is on my want to read list for sure.

[Laura]

Did not enjoy this.

[Kelly Steward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!

[Anna Joh · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all time favorite books from Karen Harper.

[aprilla · Rating 2 out of 5]

Like it says, it's OK. I'm beginning to really not like 'just OK' books. I'm finding too many of them

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting look into the surface of the Amish and their intersection with "American." Mystery was less than satisfying!

[Cindy Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the romantic relationship, but had the mystery figured out pretty quick.

[Janine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three stars was a bit high, I’d give this book a 2.5 stars. This was supposed to be a mystery but there really wasn’t any. Interesting information about the Amish.

[Rain · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as a preteen and remembered it randomly and had to hunt it down. This book has sat with me for almost 20 years. It’s wholesome and a little spooky, bit of sadness. Such a good book.