The Silent Order

Legacy of Love #8

by Melanie Dobson

Cleveland, Ohio, 1928. Secrets bind the notorious Cardano family together, but Detective Rollin Wells is close to exposing the family’s dark secrets. The Cardanos are working in the hills south of Cleveland, and when Rollin travels to Sugarcreek to investigate, he discovers that the Cardanos want him dead.

Rollin hides out in an Amish home, trying to uncover why the Cardanos are in Amish country and who is collaborating with them. As he gets closer to the truth, he also attempts to find out what a beautiful Amish woman named Katie Lehman—a woman who reminds him of the girl he once loved—is hiding.

Will Katie trust him with her secret…and her heart? Or will the Cardano code of honor silence them both?

Genres: Amish, Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Romance, Historical, Mystery

343 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2010

About the author

Writing fiction is a fun excuse for Melanie to explore ghost towns and old houses, travel to unusual places, and spend hours reading dusty books and journals. She writes both contemporary and historical fiction with threads of romance and suspense.

Melanie is the award-winning author of almost thirty time-slip, historical romance, suspense, and contemporary novels including Catching the Wind, The Winter Rose, and The Wings of Poppy Pendleton. Five of her novels including Chateau of Secrets have won Carol Awards, Catching the Wind won the Audie 2018 Inspirational Fiction award, and Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana won Best Novel of Indiana. Catching the Wind and Memories of Glass were both finalists for Christy Awards in historical fiction.

Melanie and her husband, Jon, have two daughters. After moving numerous times with Jon's work, the Dobsons have finally settled near Portland, Oregon, and they love to travel and hike in both the mountains and the cliffs above the Pacific. When Melanie isn't writing or researching, she enjoys line dancing, biking, and making up stories with her kids.

More information about her and her books is available on her website at www.melaniedobson.com. You can also connect with Melanie at www.facebook.com/melaniedobsonfiction.

Reviews

[Stefanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Italian Mafia meets Amish country? This book is as intriguing as those five words entail.
Katie Lehman lives a quiet life in Amish Country, but danger comes to the area, which brings flashes of her past screaming back to her.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was definitely a different style that hooked my attention quickly. You know you've got something good when you mix Amish and Mafia together.
Definitely recommend this read from Melanie Dobson!

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

"People could learn a lot about the present if they'd take the time to learn about the mistakes and regrets of the past."

Set in Ohio during Prohibition, Nikola has escaped her Cleveland Mafia family and is now living under an assumed name, along with her son, with her Amish aunt and uncle. Rollin Wells, a Cleveland police detective, is trying to shut down the Cardano mafia and put them all in prison. Will his stool pigeon within the Cardano family help him achieve his dream or will it be Nikola aka Katie who will put the pieces together?

This book was quite interesting with the peace loving Amish versus the Mafia who takes over an empty farm in Sugarcreek. The Amish played a very different role in this book yet they always stuck to their principles. It was obvious Dobson did a lot of research on both the Mafia and Prohibition, and this research brought the time period and its players to life.

This book was part of Dobson's Legacy of Love series which I really enjoyed.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

BOOK BLURB
Rural America - 1928. After the murder of his partner, Detective Rollin Wells hides away in an Amish home near Sugarcreek, Ohio, to find out who in the police force is collaborating with Cleveland's notorious mob.

While Rollin searches for answers to his partner's death, he befriends an elusive young Amish woman named Katie and her young son. As Rollin learns about Katie's past, he's shocked at the secret Katie is hiding - a secret that has haunted Rollin for eight years.


MY REVIEW
I have read several of Melanie's books and always enjoyed them as I did this one. It was really good and kept me on the edge of my seat at times. What a different story line for an Amish book, it kept me captivated throughout. If you like a good mystery and/or Amish stories I think you will enjoy this book. Good job Melanie.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

What happens when the Mafia meets the Amish? Secrets and danger. Detective Rollin Wells is determined to get the Cordano family organization down along with their criminal activity. When he learns there will be big activity in Sugarcreek, he goes to investigate. When he becomes injured he is given shelter in an Amish home. Katie Lehman reminds him of someone whom he loved years ago but she has her own secrets. Will they be able to trust each other?

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

What does a quiet Amish community and the Mafia have in common? A great deal more than one would think in this great work of suspense, THE SILENT ORDER.

Two worlds are covered in this novel in a masterful way. On one hand you have a corrupt family who is making illegal liquor during Prohibition involving murder and evil in the basest of human beings. And when they encroach on the Amish lifestyle, more than one secret is unearthed.

I thought the suspense was well done, drawing my attention deeper into the plot. The tension was ratcheted at the right moments. I thought it had a good equation between romance, suspense and the secrets that were suffocating beneath it all. Towards the end the stakes were raised and the growth of the characters pushed beyond the comfort zone.

What I loved so much about this book is it took two worlds you would never think would touch and brought them together in a great story. From beginning to end I really enjoyed this book. Great characters, great suspense and while I had a good idea of where the secrets were leading, they were cloaked in a way that still kept me wondering if I was right. I love the Prohibition era in novels and enjoyed the settings. I thought it was well captured from beginning to end and brought me into the middle of it all.

This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the author for my copy to review.

[Joleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't believe I've ever read a book that mixed Amish with Mafia along with prohibition during the 20’s. But it worked, and it was pretty good.
A remote home in the Amish country of Ohio becomes the meeting site for something big that the mafia are planning. A couple police from nearby Cleaveland catch wind of it and drive down to investigate, but are ambushed, leaving one dead and one bleeding. He manages to run into the corn and escape onto another Amish farm where they take him in. The rest of the book is a mystery about a young woman helping him heal who has the appearance of girl he loved and lost many years ago, and the how the mafia is mixed up with all of them.
Good story, very different, which left me saying, "About time!" So many of the Christian romance stories are so alike it's hard to want to even get into them
Good job Ms. Dobson!

[Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have never read anything before from this era. I am also not a big fan of Amish books but setting the story in Sugarcreek fit well into the storyline. It was chosen by a woman in our book club then she changed her mind because she felt it was too violent. I didn't think it was too much. I loved Chateau of Secrets by Melanie Dobson much more, but this was an excellent story.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't normally like books that have the mafia in it but this one was a very good read and on top of that it took place in the 20s which is always fun to read that time period. I found it a very interesting and exciting book. Could not put it down. The prologue had you on the end of your seat. Detective Rollin Wells is determine to expose the Cardanos family and to do so he has to travel to Amish country. He meets Katie Lehman who reminds him of a girl he once loved about 9 years ago. He has to trust the Amish to protect but he also doesn't want to put them in danger. Great characters in both the Amish community and the Cardanos with some secrets that slowly come out. Great book for a weekend read.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: THE SILENT ORDER
Author: Melanie Dobson
Publisher: Summerside Press
November 2010
ISBN: 978-1-60936-019-1
Genre: Inspirational/historical romantic suspense

Dark secrets bind the notorious Cardano Family together. Detective Rollin Wells is close to exposing them. He witnesses a vicious murder, with his partner, but they don’t have enough backup to take down the Cardano Family at that time—still, he is determined he will win this war against them.

Katie Lehman is an Amish woman with a young son. She has a beau, wanting to court her and willing to wait for her answer, but Katie hesitates, hoping to someday feel something.

When Rollin travels to Sugar Creek to investigate why the Cardanos are in Amish country he is determined to find out who is collaborating with them. He hides out in an Amish home—but as Rollin gets to know the Amish he is attracted to the beautiful Katie, a woman who reminds him of a woman he once loved.

But Katie has secrets of her own—and these secrets could get herself, her son, and Rollin killed…

THE SILENT ORDER is a different sort of Amish story, centered around the mafia in Cleveland, and then moving to Amish country where suddenly things that earlier didn’t seem to have any bearing on anything else became glaringly clear. I had to keep reading to find out what happened.

If you like stories where two very different words collide, then you’ll want to read THE SILENT ORDER. $12.99. 343 pages.

This was my own copy of this book – no review expected.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Melanie Dobson has created a really different plot here! Mixing the Amish with the Mafia sort of......I just finished this one and I must say it was interesting to say the least. The suspense over wondering who Henry's father was nail biting, but I had it in my mind who it was and at the end of the book I found out I was correct...
I enjoyed the book and finished it in just 3 days. Pretty good for my busy household. I thought it brought out Amish customs pretty good and was authentic in those. The characters were a good mix too. Katie Lehman is a sweet soul and I was happy at the way her life was settled in the end. Read this one, you wont be sorry!!!!

[Kristy Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

Um, it was a good book. It didn't really leave a lasting impact on me. I read it a couple of months ago, and I'm just now getting around to putting it on goodreads, so I can't remember my last impression right after reading the book. But I remember liking it, there were a lot of twists and surprises that made the story sweet.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first endeavor into reading an Amish novel. The story is similar to the movie 'Witness' with the main characters being a police detective and an Amish woman. It was well-written and entertaining.

[Jennifer Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Silent Order by Melanie Dobson is another title in her Legacy of Love series. Set during Prohibition, Detective Rollin Wells is determined the take down the Cardano crime family. After he and his partner are gunned down deep in the country of the Ohio Valley, he is nursed back to health by the Lehmans, an Amish family who have their own secrets to hide. Katie Lehman is trying to raise her son and doesn’t want the trouble that this outsider will bring. As Rollin continues to find evidence against the Cardano family, Katie struggles to keep her deepest, darkest secret hidden. Will Katie trust Rollin and finally reveal the truth? Will Rollin be able to bring down the family?
This is the second book I’ve read in the Legacy of Love series and once again it was a great book. I loved The Silent Order. It is an excellent story with lots of twists and turns. From the opening scene to the final chapter, the story held my attention that I didn’t want to put it down. I love a story in which I cannot reveal too much as it would spoil plot points. When Katie reveals the secrets she has been hiding, I can say I did not see it coming. Once again, Ms. Dobson’s historical details are spot on and I enjoyed seeing more of the Prohibition era than just Chicago or New York. The characters of the Cardano family were terrifying and I was afraid of the Cardano family and held my breath as Rollin got closer to a final showdown. I highly recommend The Silent Order!

The Silent Order
is available in eBook and paperback

[Nancy DeValve · Rating 3 out of 5]

I keep saying, "No more Amish books." I mean mostly they romanticize life among the Amish and make it sound better than I'm sure it is. Yet the simplicity and the life of peace appeals to us. So, why did I pick up yet another novel taking place in Amish country? Ha! I'm not sure. I just wanted something simple and peaceful to read, I guess!
Well, this one was certainly different than most. It takes place in the 1930's in Cleveland, Ohio and in Amish country in central Ohio. The Italian mafia meets the Amish. Yep, that's the gist of the book. But the plot is a little more complicated than that, and I'll not spoil it by giving details.
So, if you're looking for a book that moves along quickly, is fairly well-written, and is a little different from most, this is a great weekend read.

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nikki was always on call for her sister Liz, and trouble seemed to follow.
How often covering when Liz slipped out for the nightclubs. They knew of her father’s mistress, the dirty money, a web they were caught in.
Detective Wells, and the police force, was to find out who was supplying the goods for making liquor. A partner is killed, and the Detective goes undercover in Sugarcreek, Ohio, an Amish community. There is someone there that is working with the mob.The one enjoyment that Rollin Well has, is meeting Katie and her young child. The secrets she holds, have haunted him for eight years. Different, with the mob and the Amish, very well done, a look at the darker side of webs,and of lies that wouldn’t stay hidden.

[Marta Ratliff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not your typical Amish book,

I loved this book! Have never read an Amish book like this before. It takes place in the roaring 20s with the mafia in Cleveland. One of the family members has to run away with her son to live with her Amish aunt and uncle to be safe. No one knew her mother was once Amish so she would be safe there. Not to spoil the ending but there was a lot of suspense in this book. I loved it from beginning to end. I'm looking forward to reading more books from Melanie Dobson.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!

I enjoyed the story from beginning to end. In fact, I think there should be a sequel. Learning about two completely different cultures in the first part of the 20th century was so interesting. The characters are so realistic. I was surprised at the end. I had a hunch, but it turned out a little differently than I expected. If you like historical novels focusing on the United States in the 1920s and possible romance, I suggest this book. It is very clean and captivating.

[Joy]

Excellent book!

When two rival gang families go to war with each other in Cleveland, Ohio, they make horrible enemies between themselves and the public. Amazing huge amounts of money during prohibition, lives are lost, families torn apart and the only sage place to hide was in the Amish community. This is an amazing tale of people who are direct opposites and the suffering that finally ends this particular war. Love wins the battle between good and evil in ways one cannot imagine.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

was a good book having to do with a crime family back in the 1920"s and the people out to stop them..is about a cop named Rollins who was in love with a crime bosses daughter ill she was killed and then later on he is after the family to stop them during the prohibition when alcohol was illegeal to sell..he meets up with a lovely young Amish lady whose family helps him out..read the book if you like crime drama and don't mind some relgioin throw in.

[Melody Tregear · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well worth reading!

This is one of the most unusual Amish stories I've ever read. Very interesting, but also sad. I did not like the way things went down in Sugarcreek. And the conclusion without follow up or closure regarding Antonio was distressing. We also not told how many got away. And last but not least: it would have been nice to read about Henry been told about his father. Despite these things, i highly recommend this story.

[Lavon Moffett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book

I thoroughly enjoyed this great story. It was well written and the characters were outstanding. I also loved the descriptions of the sisters and their differences in personalities. Katie's strong belief in God and how this helped her find the faith she needed to carry on.

[Chanover55 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, couldn't put this book down. Set in Cleveland in the late 1920's, this book is the story of a Cleveland crime family during Prohibition and a seemingly unrelated Amish family located in Sugar Creek, Ohio. The intertwining of both families made for a good story. A happy ending for some, a tragic ending for others. I like Melanie Dobson & this didn't disappoint!

[Bruce Dinsman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow quite the plot eh?

Mob bosses and Amish communities are at odds because they think a certain cop knows to much. The weird thing is that the farm the go to is actually owned by one their own that they thought was dead. Rhys book had so much intrigue I had to keep backing up to see what I missed. Good job!

[Joan Grejtak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read

Smooth fast read with good plot. Page turner that keeps you interested. Gave it 3 stars because it had too many wordy descriptive paragraphs that I skipped. Also I had a hard time with mix of Italian mafia and Amish folk involved in the same storyline. Just my opinion, but seems farfetched.

[Kirsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting enough. I liked the idea of the Amish/Mafia mash-up. That being said, I didn’t learn anything about history. The plot kept me engaged, especially during the end. I was a little mixed up on who Katie’s character was for a while, so I liked that it kept me guessing a little. I thought I really weird that Rollin tried to identify Liz by her toes. Would he really know her feet in a time where it would have been a little scandalous for him to have seen them? I mean I guess it’s implied that they slept together but it still seems weird and out of place. Why not like a freckle on her arm or something? 😂

[Teresa Nasson · Rating 5 out of 5]

After struggling to get through my May reading challenges, I thought I would dive into a Melanie Dobson story. I love this author and knew she would not disappoint to offer the escape I needed. And true to my word, this story was great. Two very different worlds colliding - Amish vs Italian mafia. Well written.

[ANNETTE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!, Never read anything by Melanie Dobson before.
1920's Cleveland mafia and old order Amish come together and combine a fast pace book , Faith based , loyalty and community join together . Would love to see a second book off this story.

[Karen Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a different story

A young woman who ends up running to the Amish family. There was a lot of twists and turns in the story. Greed is not worth losing your family no matter what goes on.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good story.

Set during Prohibition, this story has mystery, intrigue, suspense from the mafia types and the stoic faith and acceptance of God’s will of the Amish. I enjoyed reading it.

[Phyllis Lind · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a surprise!

I have never read an Amish novel about Prohibition before--what a great story of grace and redemption! This book took me in and kept me guessing. A great read that I highly recommend.