What do you think?
Rate this book
Shadows of Lancaster County
Anna Bailey thought she left the tragedies of the past behind when she took on a new identity and moved from Pennsylvania to California. But now that her brother has vanished and his wife is crying out for help, Anna knows she has no choice but to come out of hiding, go home, and find him. Back in Lancaster County, Anna follows the high-tech trail her brother left behind, a trail that leads from the simple world of Amish farming to the cutting edge of DNA research and gene therapy. During the course of her pursuit, Anna soon realizes that she has something others want, something worth killing for. In a world where nothing is as it seems, Anna seeks to protect herself, find her brother, and keep a rein on her heart despite the sudden reappearance of Reed Thornton, the only man she has ever loved. Following up on her extremely popular gothic thriller, Whispers of the Bayou , Mindy Starns Clark offers another suspenseful standalone mystery, one full of Amish simplicity, dark shadows, and the light of God's amazing grace.
326 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
126 people are currently reading
1061 people want to read
About the author
Mindy Starns Clark
56 books629 followersMindy Starns Clark is the bestselling author of more than 30 books, both fiction and nonfiction, and has received numerous literary honors, including two Christy Awards and RT Book Review Magazine’s 2012 Career Achievement Award. Mindy and her husband, John, have two adult children and live near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews
May 26, 2022
Really enjoyed this mystery, especially the Amish connection. If I can't live there, I can at least live it through books. The plot wasn't totally something which could really happen without more carnage but was a great plot! Several connections in the plot that makes this an interesting read. Highly recommend!
April 8, 2015
This was not a typical Amish Book nor was it an Amish romance.
January 20, 2009
About the book:
Anna thought she left the tragedies of the past behind when she moved from Pennsylvania to California, but when her brother vanishes from the genetics lab where he works, Anna has no choice but to head back home. Using skills well-honed in Silicon Valley, she follows the high-tech trail her brother left behind, a trail that leads from the simple world of Amish farming to the cutting edge of DNA research and gene mapping.
Anna knows she must depend on her instincts, her faith in God, and the help of the Amish community to find her brother. She also must finally face her own shadows—and pray that she's stronger than the grief that threatens to overwhelm them all.
My review:
I dare say I have discovered the perfect suspense/mystery novel today when I finished Shadows of Lancaster County by Mindy Starns Clark.
Phenomenal. Intelligent. Masterful. Complex. Amazingly well-written, and full of intrigue. These are a few of the things that come to mind as I reflect on the mystery/suspense aspects of the story. The entire novel was edge-of-your-seat suspense, but there was also a very complex and believeable plot that thankfully didn't insult my intelligence. By that I mean it was easy to follow but brilliantly plotted. I learned a lot while putting the pieces of the mystery puzzle together.
And the red herrings actually worked! Plus, the "surprise" at the end was totally believable, which is often not the case. Sheesh, I don't even like mysteries or suspense novels all that much but even I was riveted to the text. The romantic element was pleasurable, too. This was simply an incredible story that captivated me from start to finish. It's going to make my best fiction list, too. I've been fortunate with my reading selections as of late. Those I finish, anyway.
One final note. I love it when I am so into a story that even I don't know who to trust. Did I mention this was an incredible story? It's one not to miss. The last time I read an intelligent novel with ethical dilemmas that captivated me as much as this novel was over a year ago when I read Informed Consent by Sandra Glahn, (Cook 2007). That was a masterpiece, too, but I daresay Ms Starns Clark has managed to top that one as well.
Anna thought she left the tragedies of the past behind when she moved from Pennsylvania to California, but when her brother vanishes from the genetics lab where he works, Anna has no choice but to head back home. Using skills well-honed in Silicon Valley, she follows the high-tech trail her brother left behind, a trail that leads from the simple world of Amish farming to the cutting edge of DNA research and gene mapping.
Anna knows she must depend on her instincts, her faith in God, and the help of the Amish community to find her brother. She also must finally face her own shadows—and pray that she's stronger than the grief that threatens to overwhelm them all.
My review:
I dare say I have discovered the perfect suspense/mystery novel today when I finished Shadows of Lancaster County by Mindy Starns Clark.
Phenomenal. Intelligent. Masterful. Complex. Amazingly well-written, and full of intrigue. These are a few of the things that come to mind as I reflect on the mystery/suspense aspects of the story. The entire novel was edge-of-your-seat suspense, but there was also a very complex and believeable plot that thankfully didn't insult my intelligence. By that I mean it was easy to follow but brilliantly plotted. I learned a lot while putting the pieces of the mystery puzzle together.
And the red herrings actually worked! Plus, the "surprise" at the end was totally believable, which is often not the case. Sheesh, I don't even like mysteries or suspense novels all that much but even I was riveted to the text. The romantic element was pleasurable, too. This was simply an incredible story that captivated me from start to finish. It's going to make my best fiction list, too. I've been fortunate with my reading selections as of late. Those I finish, anyway.
One final note. I love it when I am so into a story that even I don't know who to trust. Did I mention this was an incredible story? It's one not to miss. The last time I read an intelligent novel with ethical dilemmas that captivated me as much as this novel was over a year ago when I read Informed Consent by Sandra Glahn, (Cook 2007). That was a masterpiece, too, but I daresay Ms Starns Clark has managed to top that one as well.
May 13, 2014
This is a mystery story set in Amish country , Lancaster PA. It is about the Amish people and their customs as well as Genetic DNA testing and research. I liked this story a lot . Although I had at one point or another chosen one " English" after another; I did not figure out "who done it" until the end. 3.5 stars from me
August 10, 2014
From Goodreads:
Anna Bailey thought she left the tragedies of the past behind when she took on a new identity and moved from Pennsylvania to California. But now that her brother has vanished and his wife is crying out for help, Anna knows she has no choice but to come out of hiding, go home, and find him. Back in Lancaster County, Anna follows the high-tech trail her brother left behind, a trail that leads from the simple world of Amish farming to the cutting edge of DNA research and gene therapy.
During the course of her pursuit, Anna soon realizes that she has something others want, something worth killing for. In a world where nothing is as it seems, Anna seeks to protect herself, find her brother, and keep a rein on her heart despite the sudden reappearance of Reed Thornton, the only man she has ever loved.
Following up on her extremely popular gothic thriller, Whispers of the Bayou, Mindy Starns Clark offers another suspenseful standalone mystery, one full of Amish simplicity, dark shadows, and the light of God's amazing grace.
My Thoughts:
This one is going to be short and sweet. The book was just ok for me and even though it wasn't that long ago that I read it, nothing is really sticking out for me to talk about.
I picked this up at a used book store during a trip up to see my cousin. I've been on a Christian Fiction/Amish kick lately. I love the purity of these books, but that they also have mystery, suspense, and a little love story woven in.
This one had all three of those, along with a little DNA testing that really pulled the story together.
But it fell flat for me. It was just ok. It took me several days to get through it and at points, I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to finish it.
I give Shadows of Lancaster County 2.5 out of 5 bookmarks. However, this book is getting lots of great reviews on Goodreads. Check them out here. I did buy another book by this author when I was at the book store. I will definitely give it a try, but it may be a while before I'm ready to pick it up.
Anna Bailey thought she left the tragedies of the past behind when she took on a new identity and moved from Pennsylvania to California. But now that her brother has vanished and his wife is crying out for help, Anna knows she has no choice but to come out of hiding, go home, and find him. Back in Lancaster County, Anna follows the high-tech trail her brother left behind, a trail that leads from the simple world of Amish farming to the cutting edge of DNA research and gene therapy.
During the course of her pursuit, Anna soon realizes that she has something others want, something worth killing for. In a world where nothing is as it seems, Anna seeks to protect herself, find her brother, and keep a rein on her heart despite the sudden reappearance of Reed Thornton, the only man she has ever loved.
Following up on her extremely popular gothic thriller, Whispers of the Bayou, Mindy Starns Clark offers another suspenseful standalone mystery, one full of Amish simplicity, dark shadows, and the light of God's amazing grace.
My Thoughts:
This one is going to be short and sweet. The book was just ok for me and even though it wasn't that long ago that I read it, nothing is really sticking out for me to talk about.
I picked this up at a used book store during a trip up to see my cousin. I've been on a Christian Fiction/Amish kick lately. I love the purity of these books, but that they also have mystery, suspense, and a little love story woven in.
This one had all three of those, along with a little DNA testing that really pulled the story together.
But it fell flat for me. It was just ok. It took me several days to get through it and at points, I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to finish it.
I give Shadows of Lancaster County 2.5 out of 5 bookmarks. However, this book is getting lots of great reviews on Goodreads. Check them out here. I did buy another book by this author when I was at the book store. I will definitely give it a try, but it may be a while before I'm ready to pick it up.
November 4, 2010
Annalise Jensen has a past she'd rather leave behind. Now living in California as Anna Bailey, she is lising a far cry from the Pennsylvania Dutch Country she grew up in. But, after a frantic call from her sister-in-law which alerts her to her brother's disappearance, Anna is sucked back into the past as well as thrust into a brand new mystery - where is her brother?
I'm almost ashamed to admit how much I enjoyed this. This was not my first foray into Christian Fiction, but it was the first time I was aware of that before starting to read and that may have made a big difference. This time, I was prepared to encounter a lot of God and praying and religious activities and convictions whereas before, I had been completely caught off-guard by their appearance. The reason why I liked this book so much is a combination of factors - it wasn't overly preachy, though it may have been heavier on the proselytizing than I expected. Additionally, this book focused on the Amish, a culture that is endlessly fascinating to those of us on the outside. Finally, I really felt that this book was more about the story than the religion: there were multiple plot lines and points of view and the multiple mysteries focused on things that I found really interesting: family history and missing jewels and genetic engineering. I just thought it was really well-done. Anna is a likable heroine, though sometimes she was a bit slow to catch onto things. The pacing was quick and suspenseful and, of course, there was a joyful ending. It's difficult for me to reconcile the notion of having enjoyed a book that must be labeled Christian fiction, but I definitely think my eyes have been opened. I may even try some other titles in the future.
I'm almost ashamed to admit how much I enjoyed this. This was not my first foray into Christian Fiction, but it was the first time I was aware of that before starting to read and that may have made a big difference. This time, I was prepared to encounter a lot of God and praying and religious activities and convictions whereas before, I had been completely caught off-guard by their appearance. The reason why I liked this book so much is a combination of factors - it wasn't overly preachy, though it may have been heavier on the proselytizing than I expected. Additionally, this book focused on the Amish, a culture that is endlessly fascinating to those of us on the outside. Finally, I really felt that this book was more about the story than the religion: there were multiple plot lines and points of view and the multiple mysteries focused on things that I found really interesting: family history and missing jewels and genetic engineering. I just thought it was really well-done. Anna is a likable heroine, though sometimes she was a bit slow to catch onto things. The pacing was quick and suspenseful and, of course, there was a joyful ending. It's difficult for me to reconcile the notion of having enjoyed a book that must be labeled Christian fiction, but I definitely think my eyes have been opened. I may even try some other titles in the future.
September 2, 2017
Okay, the second day of reading I picked up the book and just couldn't put it down, finishing well after midnight! I would be giving this book 4 1/2 out of 5 if I could. Such a wonderful blend of personal journey for Anna, mystery of missing and murdered persons, historical quests for missing jewels and for ones DNA roots due to possible genetically transmitted disease. So many stories that dovetail in a week of fear, travel, searching, hiding, discovering, grief and relief.
I couldn't quite give this book 5 stars as there were a couple of things that seemed a bit contrived and over the top, but in general this story was well written and a very enjoyable read. I am looking forward to checking out Mindy's website to discover just how much of this story was based on historical fact. I did recognize a few things, but love it when authors give the historical roots that birthed their fictional writings!
I couldn't quite give this book 5 stars as there were a couple of things that seemed a bit contrived and over the top, but in general this story was well written and a very enjoyable read. I am looking forward to checking out Mindy's website to discover just how much of this story was based on historical fact. I did recognize a few things, but love it when authors give the historical roots that birthed their fictional writings!
August 23, 2015
Meh. It was OK. Not typically a book I would choose to read, but my mother-in-law insisted that I borrow and read it. The first half was unbelievably slow. Then it picked up and got a little more interesting.
The story line was decent, It kept me interested. I didn't expect the outcome or the true identity of the murderer.
The whole religious aspect annoyed me through the whole book. Not the parts about the Amish and their religion, but the parts with Anna praying or going on about God for one reason or another. I don't read books by Christian authors, and this is why - it's just not my thing. But, I just roll my eyes at it and move on.
The story line was decent, It kept me interested. I didn't expect the outcome or the true identity of the murderer.
The whole religious aspect annoyed me through the whole book. Not the parts about the Amish and their religion, but the parts with Anna praying or going on about God for one reason or another. I don't read books by Christian authors, and this is why - it's just not my thing. But, I just roll my eyes at it and move on.
October 26, 2011
This is set in Pennsylvania in Amish country and the story revolves around the Amish. It was a good story and I love the Amish philosophy on life that is brought out in telling the story. And it's a scary tale of what is happening right on in DNA research and how it can get really out of hand and scary.
October 21, 2012
As a writer, I was amazed at the intricacies of the plot for this story. I can't imagine keeping all the different threads straight. Writing a story like this would drive me bonkers. But it's well-written and kept my interest all the way through. It offered interesting background from WWII and the setting in Amish country provided a nice contrast with the historical events.
January 20, 2018
Incredible book. Full of mystery, suspense, humor, heartache. Kept me guessing on each page. I loved it because it included my favorite topics of genealogy and family history, small town groups, as well as what can be learned from dna research of families. It was extremely clean, Amish and English characters commingling, and an occasional Christian message inserted felt natural.
January 7, 2011
I enjoyed the characters and the romance. But, while some of the DNA detail was well researched, not all of it was. The same goes for the mystery the lead character has to solve. Enough details were either inaccurate or not fully explained to make it hard for me to buy into the story.
February 14, 2016
This is such a good book, I couldn't put it down!!
June 20, 2021
Hidden secrets fill this story with many twists in the plot.
When Anna’s brother disappears, she is called on to put her skills as a skip tracer into play. After her sister-in-law contacts her she returns to the place she left behind years ago. As Anna search’s for her brother old buried hurts and secrets are uncovered. Strange attacks happen, a man falls to his death. Seemingly random they do have a common thread.
This is an early novel for Mindy that I have never read one of her older books. Not quite as “polished “ maybe as her newer stuff, but still very good. Library book that I got because one I had never read.
When Anna’s brother disappears, she is called on to put her skills as a skip tracer into play. After her sister-in-law contacts her she returns to the place she left behind years ago. As Anna search’s for her brother old buried hurts and secrets are uncovered. Strange attacks happen, a man falls to his death. Seemingly random they do have a common thread.
This is an early novel for Mindy that I have never read one of her older books. Not quite as “polished “ maybe as her newer stuff, but still very good. Library book that I got because one I had never read.
April 10, 2020
Not what I was expecting, but good. I really enjoyed all of the science/DNA story.
April 3, 2010
Title: SHADOWS OF LANCASTER COUNTY
Author: Mindy Starns Clark
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
January 2009
ISBN: 978-0-7369-2447-4
Genre: Inspirational/suspense
What shadows darken the quiet valleys of Amish County?
Anna Bailey has worked hard to put the tragedies of the past behind her when she took on a new identity. She moved from Pennsylvania to California. Anna is caught off-guard when her sister-in-law calls her saying that Anna’s brother, Bobby, has disappeared and she needs help. Not only that, but while Anna is on the phone with Lydia, an intruder is in Anna’s house demanding that Anna hands over some rubies…ruby’s that Anna knows nothing about.
With no choice but to go home to look for her brother, Anna is baffled trying to follow the high-tech trail her brother has left behind—a trail that leads from the simple world of Amish farming to the cutting edge of DNA research and gene therapy.
It doesn’t take long in the pursuit, Anna realizes that she has something that others want—something worth killing for. And now Anna seeks to protect herself, find her brother, and keep a rein on her heart when a former love interest appears on the scene.
I have read all of Mindy Starns Clarks books so far, and I love this author. The story is more telling than showing, but the mystery is so well-developed, and the story line and plot so engaging that I can’t help but being drawn in.
I loved Anna, and sympathized completely with her as she was forced to relive the horrors of her past. I also enjoyed the point of view of an ancient relative of Anna’s that were written into the story in the forms of letters or diary entries. Reed, Anna’s former love interest, was a flawed hero, but definitely realistic.
I completely enjoyed SHADOWS OF LANCASTER COUNTY and while I did guess some of the story line, I didn’t completely guess everything. This book is highly recommended for mystery lovers everywhere. $13.99. 326 pages.
Author: Mindy Starns Clark
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
January 2009
ISBN: 978-0-7369-2447-4
Genre: Inspirational/suspense
What shadows darken the quiet valleys of Amish County?
Anna Bailey has worked hard to put the tragedies of the past behind her when she took on a new identity. She moved from Pennsylvania to California. Anna is caught off-guard when her sister-in-law calls her saying that Anna’s brother, Bobby, has disappeared and she needs help. Not only that, but while Anna is on the phone with Lydia, an intruder is in Anna’s house demanding that Anna hands over some rubies…ruby’s that Anna knows nothing about.
With no choice but to go home to look for her brother, Anna is baffled trying to follow the high-tech trail her brother has left behind—a trail that leads from the simple world of Amish farming to the cutting edge of DNA research and gene therapy.
It doesn’t take long in the pursuit, Anna realizes that she has something that others want—something worth killing for. And now Anna seeks to protect herself, find her brother, and keep a rein on her heart when a former love interest appears on the scene.
I have read all of Mindy Starns Clarks books so far, and I love this author. The story is more telling than showing, but the mystery is so well-developed, and the story line and plot so engaging that I can’t help but being drawn in.
I loved Anna, and sympathized completely with her as she was forced to relive the horrors of her past. I also enjoyed the point of view of an ancient relative of Anna’s that were written into the story in the forms of letters or diary entries. Reed, Anna’s former love interest, was a flawed hero, but definitely realistic.
I completely enjoyed SHADOWS OF LANCASTER COUNTY and while I did guess some of the story line, I didn’t completely guess everything. This book is highly recommended for mystery lovers everywhere. $13.99. 326 pages.
April 17, 2010
Another good mystery from Mindy Starns Clark. I've read her Trouble with Tulip books and enjoyed them, and I also liked "Whispers of the Bayou". This one is similar to Whispers of the Bayou in that it's a good plot, and even though it can be a bit far-fetched in places, it's hard (for me) to figure and therefore a good page-turner.
I had expected a lot of Amish aspects to this book, based on the title. However, it's not overly "Amish", but merely set in that area with a bit of their history and heritage and current life woven into the story line.
Here's a blurb from Christianbook.com about the book, since other people are better at writing these things than me!
"Anna thought she left the tragedies of the past behind when she moved from Pennsylvania to California, but when her brother vanishes from the genetics lab where he works, Anna has no choice but to head back home. Using skills well-honed in Silicon Valley, she follows the high-tech trail her brother left behind, a trail that leads from the simple world of Amish farming to the cutting edge of DNA research and gene mapping.
Anna knows she must depend on her instincts, her faith in God, and the help of the Amish community to find her brother. She also must finally face her own shadows-and pray that she's stronger than the grief that threatens to overwhelm them all."
I had expected a lot of Amish aspects to this book, based on the title. However, it's not overly "Amish", but merely set in that area with a bit of their history and heritage and current life woven into the story line.
Here's a blurb from Christianbook.com about the book, since other people are better at writing these things than me!
"Anna thought she left the tragedies of the past behind when she moved from Pennsylvania to California, but when her brother vanishes from the genetics lab where he works, Anna has no choice but to head back home. Using skills well-honed in Silicon Valley, she follows the high-tech trail her brother left behind, a trail that leads from the simple world of Amish farming to the cutting edge of DNA research and gene mapping.
Anna knows she must depend on her instincts, her faith in God, and the help of the Amish community to find her brother. She also must finally face her own shadows-and pray that she's stronger than the grief that threatens to overwhelm them all."
March 5, 2020
Intrigue and a bit or terror
Anna just wanted to get lost and live quietly. Her brother went missing and pulled her out of her self imposed exile. She returns to the last place she wants to be, her home town. Every turn brings the unexpected. Loved it.
Anna just wanted to get lost and live quietly. Her brother went missing and pulled her out of her self imposed exile. She returns to the last place she wants to be, her home town. Every turn brings the unexpected. Loved it.
April 24, 2010
Shadows of Lancaster County was my first Mindy Starns Clark book and I really enjoyed it. It is full of twisting plots and unexpected discoveries.Just when I thought I had it all figured out, something else would happen that took me in an entirely different direction.
When Anne Bailey's brother, Bobby, disappears leaving behind his pregnant wife, Lydia, and his son, Isaac, she begins a search to find him. Leaving California where she had created a new life for herself far away from the crime that destroyed her future, Anne returns to her childhood home in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. While using the skills of her current job, Anne follows the high-tech clues her brother left behind and finds herself going from the simple world of Amish farming to being completely engulfed in the cutting edge of DNA research, gene mapping and long lost rubies.
Anne knows, that in order to find her brother, she must depend on her faith in God, her instincts, and the help of the Amish community. This is a moving story of the power of forgiveness and love that will appeal to both romantic thriller fans and readers who the love the growing genre of Amish literature.
When Anne Bailey's brother, Bobby, disappears leaving behind his pregnant wife, Lydia, and his son, Isaac, she begins a search to find him. Leaving California where she had created a new life for herself far away from the crime that destroyed her future, Anne returns to her childhood home in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. While using the skills of her current job, Anne follows the high-tech clues her brother left behind and finds herself going from the simple world of Amish farming to being completely engulfed in the cutting edge of DNA research, gene mapping and long lost rubies.
Anne knows, that in order to find her brother, she must depend on her faith in God, her instincts, and the help of the Amish community. This is a moving story of the power of forgiveness and love that will appeal to both romantic thriller fans and readers who the love the growing genre of Amish literature.
May 17, 2009
Excellent book - very suspenseful, lots of plot turns and twists that were unexpected but not unbelievable. The ending seemed a little too contrived, almost with a rush to wrap things up quickly. I was surprised when it suddenly turned to a fast ending rather than building with slow momentum (like most suspense novels). This is Christian fiction, and I loved the way it portrayed the positives and negatives of various faiths (Amish, traditional Protestant, faith movements, etc.). There wasn't so much emphasis on the Christian aspect that it would turn off a non-Christian reader. The narrator acknowledged her own faith and admired the spiritual aspects of the Amish - I think after witnessing the forgiveness of the Amish in the wake of the school shootings most would agree whether or not are a Christian. This was an enjoyable read, and I will read it again. Great literature it is not, but it is well-written. It's part of the Books A Million Faithpoints book club - their May selection. I look forward to attending the discussion, as well as picking up another book by this same author.
July 4, 2009
Shadows of Lancaster County by Mindy Starns Clark if a suspense novel chockfull of twisting plots and unexpected discoveries. Anne Bailey has created a new life for herself in California. Far away from her childhood home in Lancaster County,Pennsylvania and from the crime that destroyed her future. When her brother Bobby disappears leaving behind pregnant wife Lydia and son Isaac, Anne sets out to find him. That quest sets her on a course that will unearth secrets about DNA, long-lost gems, and the Amish. I'm a huge fan of Clark's work, and in the hands of any other author, this story would have been overburdened by all of the different plotlines and twists, but she handles them deftly, keeping readers flying through the pages. There's a lot of info about genetic testing and gene therapy that end up pulling the various story threads together. Clark's novel will appeal to readers who love the growing genre of Amish lit, as well as romantic thriller fans.
October 8, 2016
You won't go wrong with Mindy Starns Clark's triple wrapped mystery. Definitely the most enjoyable in Grandame's stack of books so far, Shadows of Lancaster County is engaging and well paced. The characters had a good balance of mystery and development. My one objection is the unfortunate whodunit plot twist.
June 9, 2021
This was a good mystery that kept me guessing until almost the end, which I thought was very impressive. I’ll give her 4 stars for that alone! At times, all the DNA talk got a little overwhelming—maybe because I was skimming over those parts a little(?). I wouldn’t discount the book for that, though; I think I just don’t have much interest in that topic.
Having once lived close to Lancaster, I found the Amish parts of the story interesting and accurate (from what I know, not being Amish myself). I was surprised at some of the ideas of what an Amish woman would allow, but I don’t want to give anything away so 😶.
This was my first book by this author, but I do plan on trying another of hers without all the DNA stuff haha.
Having once lived close to Lancaster, I found the Amish parts of the story interesting and accurate (from what I know, not being Amish myself). I was surprised at some of the ideas of what an Amish woman would allow, but I don’t want to give anything away so 😶.
This was my first book by this author, but I do plan on trying another of hers without all the DNA stuff haha.
December 8, 2017
Anna Bailey left her Pennsylvania home and reinvented her life years ago. After being convicted of manslaughter along with her brother and three best friends as a teenager, she needed a new start away from the media that stalked her and the guilt that haunted her.
When her sister.in-law calls her, frantic because her brother Bobby has gone missing, she knows she has to go back. She reconnects with family and friends and Reed Thornton, the only man she has ever loved.
This is a mystery in every sense of the word. There is a romance, but is secondary and mostly ignored. Good book!
When her sister.in-law calls her, frantic because her brother Bobby has gone missing, she knows she has to go back. She reconnects with family and friends and Reed Thornton, the only man she has ever loved.
This is a mystery in every sense of the word. There is a romance, but is secondary and mostly ignored. Good book!
February 5, 2019
I'm in a weird book book club at work, and this was our first book: an "Amish mystery" is the way it was described to me. It's got some Amish bits and pieces, mostly as the setting of the main story, but it's generally a modern story. It's not written especially well, and there were times I just rolled my eyes and skipped ahead a paragraph or two... Or three... All in all, though, it kept me generally interested enough to finish the book. Not really the sort of thing I'd read for my own pleasure, but certainly not the worst book I've had to read because of a book club 🤣
Read
September 4, 2010Shadows of Lancaster County was the 2nd book I've read by Mindy Starns Clark. In both, she has woven a thread from the past with the mystery in the present. She also infuses her characters with life and vulnerability. She made me care very much about her characters. I enjoyed the surprise reveal at the end. I'm not one of those people who want to guess ahead of time who the villain is. I like surprises and Mindy Starns Clark wowwed me. I highly recommend this intriguing story.
March 29, 2018
A teenage mishap, changed five lives. This story begins with Anna, a new name and now in Calif, working as a skip tracer. A call saying her brother is missing, and if that ever happened to call her. She reluctantly returns to the town and people of her past,with intruders, murder, and no answer.this was a complex plot, giving one the in site to Amish, DNA and hidden history of her family. Readers will wonder how this will get solved, with surprises along the way
July 26, 2019
Shadows of Lancaster County
A delightful mystery full of potential romance, suspicions, suspended trust and unwavering belief and loyalty in Anna’s fellow characters. Includes exposure to topics unknown and current shedding light in areas once dim. Just as you think the mystery is solved, new twists and turns emerge leaving you wanting more! I can’t wait to read another of her books, leaving sleep for later!!
A delightful mystery full of potential romance, suspicions, suspended trust and unwavering belief and loyalty in Anna’s fellow characters. Includes exposure to topics unknown and current shedding light in areas once dim. Just as you think the mystery is solved, new twists and turns emerge leaving you wanting more! I can’t wait to read another of her books, leaving sleep for later!!
March 26, 2017
While enjoyable, I think there were a couple too many story lines going on in this book. would have been great to stick with 1 story line, like the genealogy or the unlawful dna stuff, but to mix them together was a little bit much. I did enjoy the book, but would have enjoyed it a little more with one story line.
May 7, 2019
Intriguing mystery
Mindy Starns Clark held her reader captive with a developing mystery that at first seemed like a nice story about two roommates living in a beach home in California. The story blossomed with an Amish history of their family and a current day murder mystery. I loved it!
Mindy Starns Clark held her reader captive with a developing mystery that at first seemed like a nice story about two roommates living in a beach home in California. The story blossomed with an Amish history of their family and a current day murder mystery. I loved it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews