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Serenity's Plain Secrets #10
Wicked Legacy
Sheriff Serenity Adams teams up with U.S. Marshal Toby Bryant in this heart-stopping mystery thriller when it comes to light that eighteen-year-old women are disappearing from a nearby Amish community every four years. Is it some kind of ritualistic cult activity?
Serenity investigates, and the clues lead her to an isolated Nevada brothel in the desert—the perfect place to hide a scandalous and deadly secret.
Serenity investigates, and the clues lead her to an isolated Nevada brothel in the desert—the perfect place to hide a scandalous and deadly secret.
210 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 15, 2021
570 people are currently reading
305 people want to read
About the author
Karen Ann Hopkins
43 books1,410 followersYou can visit Karen Ann Hopkins at her website: www.karenannhopkinsfiction.com.
"I loved joining Rose and Noah during their journey in the Temptation series by Karen Hopkins."-Katie McGarry, acclaimed YA author
Karen Ann Hopkins resides in northern Kentucky with her family on a farm that boasts a menagerie of horses, goats, sheep, peacocks, chickens, ducks, rabbits, pigs, dogs, and cats. Karen rescues and fosters a variety of pets and farm animals, but she also finds time to give riding lessons, coach a youth equestrian drill team, and of course, write. She was inspired to create her first book, Temptation, by the Amish community she lives in. The experiential knowledge she gained through her interactions with her neighbors drove her to create the story of the star-crossed lovers, Rose and Noah.
Karen grew up about a mile from Lake Ontario in Upstate New York. She was bitten by the horse bug at the age of five, and after diligently taking riding lessons for several years, she was rewarded with her first horse at the age of eleven. The feisty horse's name was Lady, a Quarter Horse-Thoroughbred cross, who became Karen's steadfast companion. Through the years, the constant force in her life was horses. Eventually, Karen found her place as a riding instructor herself. Before accepting her fate in the barnyard, she worked a short stint as a paralegal, traveled abroad, and guided tourists on horseback riding tours in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.
Karen is currently working on her two interconnecting mystery/crime fiction series, Serenity's Plain Secrets and Possum Gap, along with several new projects.
To learn more about Karen and her books, please visit her website.
"I loved joining Rose and Noah during their journey in the Temptation series by Karen Hopkins."-Katie McGarry, acclaimed YA author
Karen Ann Hopkins resides in northern Kentucky with her family on a farm that boasts a menagerie of horses, goats, sheep, peacocks, chickens, ducks, rabbits, pigs, dogs, and cats. Karen rescues and fosters a variety of pets and farm animals, but she also finds time to give riding lessons, coach a youth equestrian drill team, and of course, write. She was inspired to create her first book, Temptation, by the Amish community she lives in. The experiential knowledge she gained through her interactions with her neighbors drove her to create the story of the star-crossed lovers, Rose and Noah.
Karen grew up about a mile from Lake Ontario in Upstate New York. She was bitten by the horse bug at the age of five, and after diligently taking riding lessons for several years, she was rewarded with her first horse at the age of eleven. The feisty horse's name was Lady, a Quarter Horse-Thoroughbred cross, who became Karen's steadfast companion. Through the years, the constant force in her life was horses. Eventually, Karen found her place as a riding instructor herself. Before accepting her fate in the barnyard, she worked a short stint as a paralegal, traveled abroad, and guided tourists on horseback riding tours in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.
Karen is currently working on her two interconnecting mystery/crime fiction series, Serenity's Plain Secrets and Possum Gap, along with several new projects.
To learn more about Karen and her books, please visit her website.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
March 3, 2022
Very Disappointed
The story line was interesting but the characterisation of the Amish was horrific.
The dark, cruel and evil people depicted in this book are absolutely nothing like the kind,caring, hardworking people that I lived near for 37 years.
I am not Amish but much of my adult life was spent in Northern Indiana living close to the Amish. I taught their children in my 2nd grade class, did business with them and attended some of their social gatherings.
I am sorry that the author found or created such an awful segment of the Amish community and therefore chose to paint all Amish this way. But I am greatly concerned that people who read this and are not familiar with the Amish will believe that this is an accurate portrayal of all of them. It is not.
This was the first book in this series that I read and it will be the last.
The story line was interesting but the characterisation of the Amish was horrific.
The dark, cruel and evil people depicted in this book are absolutely nothing like the kind,caring, hardworking people that I lived near for 37 years.
I am not Amish but much of my adult life was spent in Northern Indiana living close to the Amish. I taught their children in my 2nd grade class, did business with them and attended some of their social gatherings.
I am sorry that the author found or created such an awful segment of the Amish community and therefore chose to paint all Amish this way. But I am greatly concerned that people who read this and are not familiar with the Amish will believe that this is an accurate portrayal of all of them. It is not.
This was the first book in this series that I read and it will be the last.
June 26, 2021
I did enjoy reading this book; however, I am getting a little tired of the “tough-girl scenario” throughout the book. There is no shame in being a woman, and I find it a bit offensive that showing affection towards your husband or unborn child is a sign of weakness. A strong woman can be both strong and loving, not as cold as Serenity. The way her character is being portrayed is unrealistic in a modern woman’s life. I feel the “hard ass” side of her character needs to be toned down.
September 21, 2021
I have read each book in the Serenty Adam's series and am still not bored. It is possible to read as stand-alone books, but I would recommend reading in order as MS. Hopkins develops various characters and how they are intertwined.
In this book, every four years a young Amish woman who has just turned 18, disappears. The Amish community says the young woman just left the community and went English, but Bishop Esch has asked US Marshal Toby to find out what happened to his niece Melinda King. When the Marshal reports he has found Melinda and she is the Madam in a brothel in NV. Further, he finds there are several other Amish women working at the brothel, all from the King family and the Mt. Carmel community.
Sheriff Serenity Adams teams with Marshal Toby (his last name escapes me rightnow!) to find out why these women are in a brothel in NV, and why they all disappears shortly after their 18th birthday, and one every four years.
The investigation leads to a dark blood oath that is over 50 years old and involves the Mafia. Another good read from Ms. Hopkins.
In this book, every four years a young Amish woman who has just turned 18, disappears. The Amish community says the young woman just left the community and went English, but Bishop Esch has asked US Marshal Toby to find out what happened to his niece Melinda King. When the Marshal reports he has found Melinda and she is the Madam in a brothel in NV. Further, he finds there are several other Amish women working at the brothel, all from the King family and the Mt. Carmel community.
Sheriff Serenity Adams teams with Marshal Toby (his last name escapes me rightnow!) to find out why these women are in a brothel in NV, and why they all disappears shortly after their 18th birthday, and one every four years.
The investigation leads to a dark blood oath that is over 50 years old and involves the Mafia. Another good read from Ms. Hopkins.
February 23, 2022
Several years ago eighteen-year-old Amish Melinda King, who was living in Blood Rock with family, went missing. Everyone assumed she ran away.
She later turned up as the madam at a brothel where another young Amish woman was murdered.
The bishop of Blood Rock, Bishop Aaron Esch intrigued about Melinda’s disappearance asks U.S. Marshal Toby Bryant to look into the matter
US Marshall Toby’s official task is to discover why one of the ex-Amish women killed a fugitive, who was on the department’s most wanted list for armed robbery and murder.
US Marshall Toby then reaches out to Sheriff Serenity Adams since the case falls under her jurisdiction
She later turned up as the madam at a brothel where another young Amish woman was murdered.
The bishop of Blood Rock, Bishop Aaron Esch intrigued about Melinda’s disappearance asks U.S. Marshal Toby Bryant to look into the matter
US Marshall Toby’s official task is to discover why one of the ex-Amish women killed a fugitive, who was on the department’s most wanted list for armed robbery and murder.
US Marshall Toby then reaches out to Sheriff Serenity Adams since the case falls under her jurisdiction
February 28, 2022
Sherrif Serenity Adams once again has to deal with the self-governing of the Amish, but this case takes her to a brothel in Nevada as she helps Marshall Toby Bryant solve a murder that seems to involve a 20 year old kidnapping from the Mt. Carmel Amish community near Blood Rock. As they investigate, they find that the kidnapping stems from a nearly 50 year blood vendetta, fear of retribution, and unquestioningly following the Bishop's orders.
I've read all of Karen Ann Hopkins' books. Her characters are strong and very complex. Serenity is a sheriff that believes in honesty and integrity, yet still is learning that not every case is as black and white as she would prefer. She is also still learning that every citizen and every culture has a view that she has to navigate.
Excellent weaving of mystery, family, and societal beliefs. Once started, this book is nearly impossible to put down.
I've read all of Karen Ann Hopkins' books. Her characters are strong and very complex. Serenity is a sheriff that believes in honesty and integrity, yet still is learning that not every case is as black and white as she would prefer. She is also still learning that every citizen and every culture has a view that she has to navigate.
Excellent weaving of mystery, family, and societal beliefs. Once started, this book is nearly impossible to put down.
March 9, 2022
This is the 10th in the series. The main characters are Serenity and Toby. Serenity is a sheriff and Toby is a state cop. They are investigating a brothel in Nevada where they add a new girls every 4 years who is taken from an Amish town. No one knows why or how they get the girls to stay. Before long they almost figure it out but they are almost killed as well. It is amazing what they learn and how they take it down. They bring they last 2 girls back with them and are amazed that they are accepted. This was a great story.
August 20, 2022
I love the Serenity's Plain Secrets series, and I hope there are still lots of books coming there.
What I could not understand in this book - and I am sorry if this is a spoiler - she's in a situation where she does not have a phone, but she has a laptop with, so it seems, working internet: you can skype, you can send emails, you can telephone with a laptop and internet, so why? What did I miss?
Apart from that, as usual, a sad, moving story, and interesting dynamics between serenity and Toby.
What I could not understand in this book - and I am sorry if this is a spoiler - she's in a situation where she does not have a phone, but she has a laptop with, so it seems, working internet: you can skype, you can send emails, you can telephone with a laptop and internet, so why? What did I miss?
Apart from that, as usual, a sad, moving story, and interesting dynamics between serenity and Toby.
March 23, 2025
The story was bizarre and interesting but Serenity’s character is just getting old for me. She continues making the same mistakes and not thinking before acting. Daniel has the patience of a saint. The book was a quick read, the crisis point was an interesting development, and the ending sets up potential conflict down the road but after this many books I think I’m just kind of bored with Serenity as I don’t feel like I’ve seen any growth in her character. I think it will be a while before I revisit Blood Rock.
June 17, 2021
A typical Serenity story
Typical in some far fetched creative writing. Serenity once again puts her well being on the line. Poor Daniel, if I was him I’d think I was just her boy toy. Even more so as she flies across the country to visit a brothel with Toby.
She’s the sheriff of a small midwestern nestled in Amish country but she has more time than big city’s impoverished communities.
Typical in some far fetched creative writing. Serenity once again puts her well being on the line. Poor Daniel, if I was him I’d think I was just her boy toy. Even more so as she flies across the country to visit a brothel with Toby.
She’s the sheriff of a small midwestern nestled in Amish country but she has more time than big city’s impoverished communities.
Read
September 9, 2021Sheriff Serenity Adams teams up with U.S. Marshal Toby Bryant in this heart-stopping mystery thriller when it comes to light that eighteen-year-old women are disappearing from a nearby Amish community every four years. Is it some kind of ritualistic cult activity?
Serenity investigates, and the clues lead her to an isolated Nevada brothel in the desert—the perfect place to hide a scandalous and deadly secret.
OK. Continuing story.
Serenity investigates, and the clues lead her to an isolated Nevada brothel in the desert—the perfect place to hide a scandalous and deadly secret.
OK. Continuing story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 27, 2023
One must be thankful for small mercies and, at least, there was no foul or blasphemous language! However, there were a number of typos that any decent proofreader should have noticed. I also think that the story line was very harsh on the Amish people. Although I have never met any of them in person, what I had hitherto learned does not tie in - even remotely - with the characterisation in this novel.
February 23, 2022
Enjoyable Mystery
Another great addition to the series. Serenity gets drawn into a 20 year old missing persons case that exposes a decades long pact between the mob and the Mt. Carmel Amish community. Serenity perseveres through danger and the usual secrets of the Amish to solve the case and get justice.
Another great addition to the series. Serenity gets drawn into a 20 year old missing persons case that exposes a decades long pact between the mob and the Mt. Carmel Amish community. Serenity perseveres through danger and the usual secrets of the Amish to solve the case and get justice.
March 2, 2022
This is the first book I have read by this author, Karen Ann Hopkins.
I enjoy reading about Amish people especially when it involves a mystery.
Serenity is a very good, determined law woman. She bound to get to the truth.
I know this is book 10, so I guess I will have to start at the beginning, to learn more about her.
I enjoy reading about Amish people especially when it involves a mystery.
Serenity is a very good, determined law woman. She bound to get to the truth.
I know this is book 10, so I guess I will have to start at the beginning, to learn more about her.
November 24, 2022
Good as always
Another Sheriff Serenity Adams tale set in Amish country in Indiana, although it strays all the way out to the desert of Nevada. This one has bad guys a-plenty, Plain and otherwise, although few are all the way bad. It also has an interesting plot that is just barely plausible but could be. Aside from the odd editing mistake it was a very pleasant read.
Another Sheriff Serenity Adams tale set in Amish country in Indiana, although it strays all the way out to the desert of Nevada. This one has bad guys a-plenty, Plain and otherwise, although few are all the way bad. It also has an interesting plot that is just barely plausible but could be. Aside from the odd editing mistake it was a very pleasant read.
February 28, 2022
Who would have thought it?
Well crafted, breathtakingly suspenseful. Karen Ann Hopkins is a first-class master of the genre. I really didn't want to finish this book. Thank you.
Although I knew the Amish kept secrets, how could I imagine such darkness? Thrilling!
Well crafted, breathtakingly suspenseful. Karen Ann Hopkins is a first-class master of the genre. I really didn't want to finish this book. Thank you.
Although I knew the Amish kept secrets, how could I imagine such darkness? Thrilling!
March 4, 2022
Very enjoyable
This series of stories are well written and easy and enjoy to read. It also provides a limited view into the Amish way of live. I would recommend them to any reader that enjoys a continuing story.
This series of stories are well written and easy and enjoy to read. It also provides a limited view into the Amish way of live. I would recommend them to any reader that enjoys a continuing story.
March 11, 2022
Great read
I was pleasantly surprised to see that the author kept all of the characters going in this book. The subject matter is hard to read. It's difficult to imagine the families sending their children into such a hard life. Great ending.
I was pleasantly surprised to see that the author kept all of the characters going in this book. The subject matter is hard to read. It's difficult to imagine the families sending their children into such a hard life. Great ending.
March 16, 2022
Inspirational
The way this author writes is beyond words from me. Each one of this series is better than the last. I have no idea how its done but am thankful for it. Can not wait for the next obe!!
The way this author writes is beyond words from me. Each one of this series is better than the last. I have no idea how its done but am thankful for it. Can not wait for the next obe!!
August 23, 2022
Another good book in the Serenity series by Karen Hopkins
This story is about what is happening in an Amish community where every four years a young 18 y/ turns up missing and is found working in a brothel in Nevada.
This story is about what is happening in an Amish community where every four years a young 18 y/ turns up missing and is found working in a brothel in Nevada.
March 13, 2023
The story was different. You can see how the main character is evolving towards something more human and with her usual sense of morality and ethics. I like how she is perfectly okay with leaving behind anything that compromise her chatacter.
June 30, 2023
4 stelle e mezza
Per gran parte del libro non sono riuscita a capire quale potesse essere la soluzione del mistero, poi sono rimasta un pochino delusa dal finale perché non mi sembra che la giustizia abbia del tutto la meglio. Però la storia mi è piaciuta, pur essendo molto dura da digerire.
Per gran parte del libro non sono riuscita a capire quale potesse essere la soluzione del mistero, poi sono rimasta un pochino delusa dal finale perché non mi sembra che la giustizia abbia del tutto la meglio. Però la storia mi è piaciuta, pur essendo molto dura da digerire.
January 25, 2024
Fast hitting
This story was full of twists. It was fast hitting and infuriating. Serenity gets little help from those that know and finds herself up to her neck in trouble. I'm relieved she has the luck of the Devil on her side.
This story was full of twists. It was fast hitting and infuriating. Serenity gets little help from those that know and finds herself up to her neck in trouble. I'm relieved she has the luck of the Devil on her side.
July 31, 2025
I highly recommend this series about Serenity
I can't stop reading this series of books!
The author is very gifted, she keeps you waiting for each twist and turn of the plot. I'm very excited to see how Serenity adapts to being a working mother.
I can't stop reading this series of books!
The author is very gifted, she keeps you waiting for each twist and turn of the plot. I'm very excited to see how Serenity adapts to being a working mother.
July 12, 2021
Great book
I have no idea how she comes up with such wonderful stories. They are so worth the read. Do your self a favor and start from the beginning and read them all.
I have no idea how she comes up with such wonderful stories. They are so worth the read. Do your self a favor and start from the beginning and read them all.
August 21, 2021
Not my favorite.
Still really enjoy Karen Ann Hopkins’ books and am looking forward to reading the next in the series. And want to find out about Serenity and Daniel’s new surprise!
Still really enjoy Karen Ann Hopkins’ books and am looking forward to reading the next in the series. And want to find out about Serenity and Daniel’s new surprise!
November 9, 2021
3.5 ⭐️
Read
February 26, 2022Read 2/22
February 28, 2022
Needs a competent copy editor
Not a bad read, but for the frequent lapses in correct grammatical construction; things that's good copy editor would have pointed out.
Not a bad read, but for the frequent lapses in correct grammatical construction; things that's good copy editor would have pointed out.
March 1, 2022
Disappointed in heroine
For being such a strong person in many ways, Serenity was weak in total commitment to her husband and him only.
For being such a strong person in many ways, Serenity was weak in total commitment to her husband and him only.
March 1, 2022
Somewhat satisfying
I had not read any Serenity stories in some time. I was glad to read that she and Daniel were married. The other parts of this book were less compelling.
I had not read any Serenity stories in some time. I was glad to read that she and Daniel were married. The other parts of this book were less compelling.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews