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Stella Crown Mystery #5
Different Paths
When Stellaas friend and veterinarian Carla Beaumont is car-jacked itas just the beginning of a rash of vicious attacks on local business women. A truck driver, minister, and personal trainer are next in line for vandalism and theft, but the community is shaken to the core when the kind-hearted Dr. Peterson is found murdered in her office.
Stella, worried that she and her farmhand Lucy might be next in line, takes it upon herself to find the connection between the victims a something other than their gender. Who knew about these women enough to go after them? It seems obvious that someone is targeting specific leaders in the town, and Stella makes it her job to track down the killer and get the good Detective Willard to stop the violence.
Meanwhile, Stellaas boyfriend, Nick, joins her on the farm when he hears of the danger surrounding her. Will he, with his newly diagnosed MS, be able to protect her? And does she even want him to? Itas hard enough that Nickas younger sister hates Stella and what she represents, but will that be able to keep them from making the decisions about the future?
As Stella investigates she finds much that doesnat seem right in her usually quiet town. Between her suspicions of steroids at the local gym, irate patients at the doctoras office, and Carlaas brand-new boyfriend, Stellaas not sure which way to focus her attention. But she knows she must--before any more women die.
Stella, worried that she and her farmhand Lucy might be next in line, takes it upon herself to find the connection between the victims a something other than their gender. Who knew about these women enough to go after them? It seems obvious that someone is targeting specific leaders in the town, and Stella makes it her job to track down the killer and get the good Detective Willard to stop the violence.
Meanwhile, Stellaas boyfriend, Nick, joins her on the farm when he hears of the danger surrounding her. Will he, with his newly diagnosed MS, be able to protect her? And does she even want him to? Itas hard enough that Nickas younger sister hates Stella and what she represents, but will that be able to keep them from making the decisions about the future?
As Stella investigates she finds much that doesnat seem right in her usually quiet town. Between her suspicions of steroids at the local gym, irate patients at the doctoras office, and Carlaas brand-new boyfriend, Stellaas not sure which way to focus her attention. But she knows she must--before any more women die.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2008
3 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Judy Clemens
15 books79 followersJudy Clemens is the author of LEAVE TOMORROW BEHIND, the newest book in the Anthony and Agatha-nominated Stella Crown mysteries. She also writes the Grim Reaper mysteries, and wrote LOST SONS, which is a stand-alone.
She lives in the beautiful state of Ohio with her family.
She lives in the beautiful state of Ohio with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 24, 2008
I picked this book up at the library the other day, totally out of the blue. I don't usually read mysteries but something about this one called to me...
My laptop is awaiting a new AC adapter (I'm using my daughter's) so I needed something to do while I crocheted at the library. This book caught my eye and I began reading it while I waited for my daughter to finish her daily assignments.
Before I knew it, I had read several chapters and I was hooked.
Stella, the main character reminds me a bit of myself. She's an atypical person who seems to live by her own rules while getting along nicely enough with the people she cares most about.
She's independent, self-employed, stubborn, a little judgmental, but also forgiving, friendly, and intelligent.
In this novel, she connects a series of seemingly unrelated crimes, something the (male) law enforcement officials in her parts don't get until she points 'em in the right direction.
Having been the victim of criminal actions herself, she might be super sensitive to what's going on around her but she should be.
The supporting characters -- Stella's significant other and friends and family members in Stella's community -- all make for a well-rounded tale.
I'll probably read more by this author (specifically more "Stella" books) when I'm done with this one.
My laptop is awaiting a new AC adapter (I'm using my daughter's) so I needed something to do while I crocheted at the library. This book caught my eye and I began reading it while I waited for my daughter to finish her daily assignments.
Before I knew it, I had read several chapters and I was hooked.
Stella, the main character reminds me a bit of myself. She's an atypical person who seems to live by her own rules while getting along nicely enough with the people she cares most about.
She's independent, self-employed, stubborn, a little judgmental, but also forgiving, friendly, and intelligent.
In this novel, she connects a series of seemingly unrelated crimes, something the (male) law enforcement officials in her parts don't get until she points 'em in the right direction.
Having been the victim of criminal actions herself, she might be super sensitive to what's going on around her but she should be.
The supporting characters -- Stella's significant other and friends and family members in Stella's community -- all make for a well-rounded tale.
I'll probably read more by this author (specifically more "Stella" books) when I'm done with this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 27, 2022
Different Paths by Judy Clemens is the sixth book of the Stella Crown mystery series set in contemporary rural Pennsylvania. Stella Crown owns and operates a dairy farm, originally established by her grandfather. She loves her cows, she loves her land, she loves her friends living nearby. A small hitch: Nick, her sweetheart, lives many hours away in Virginia. He's a real estate developer, also running a family business. And stricken with MS.
A string of vandalism, then murder, targets women in Stella's community. What links all the crimes? All victims were strong, independent women. Stella has overheard angry feelings voiced against women taking on jobs formerly held only by men. Among the victims are a veterinarian, truck driver, personal trainer, a pastor for the local church, a medical doctor. As a dairy farmer by profession, and a tattooed biker by choice, Stella certainly fits the woman-in-a-man's-role profile. She gets busy sleuthing, not trusting the local detective to understand and pursue the important clues (he doesn't).
Her ever-loyal assistant Lucy watches Stella's back as she helps Stella manage the farm. Nick comes for a surprise visit, bringing his sister. She makes it clear Nick should be home where he belongs, with his family in Virginia. And yet...in a deadly confrontation with a killer...she saves Stella's life.
A string of vandalism, then murder, targets women in Stella's community. What links all the crimes? All victims were strong, independent women. Stella has overheard angry feelings voiced against women taking on jobs formerly held only by men. Among the victims are a veterinarian, truck driver, personal trainer, a pastor for the local church, a medical doctor. As a dairy farmer by profession, and a tattooed biker by choice, Stella certainly fits the woman-in-a-man's-role profile. She gets busy sleuthing, not trusting the local detective to understand and pursue the important clues (he doesn't).
Her ever-loyal assistant Lucy watches Stella's back as she helps Stella manage the farm. Nick comes for a surprise visit, bringing his sister. She makes it clear Nick should be home where he belongs, with his family in Virginia. And yet...in a deadly confrontation with a killer...she saves Stella's life.
June 14, 2025
I have enjoyed this series since the very first book, probably in large part because it's set not far from me in Pennsylvania and it features a Harley-riding woman running a dairy farm on her own. That's a far cry from the women usually seen in that part of our state (commonwealth), so it's easy to root for her.
I like Stella, the MC, and the people she has in her life. Even some characters who may seem gruff and even scary are great friends and wonderfully supportive. Even the local police detective has learned to listen to her and trust her instincts, although he's limited to crimes that occur in his jurisdiction.
The murder here occurred well into the story, although there was some activity before that. The victim was well liked, but given her profession, there were several possible but vague suspects. I had one or two characters near the top of my list as the book progressed, but was still a little surprised at which one of them turned out to be the culprit. Given that person's backstory, the motive made sense, but it was selfish nonetheless.
There's only one book left in this series, which I will read eventually but probably not anytime soon, as I need to find a copy of it somewhere.
I like Stella, the MC, and the people she has in her life. Even some characters who may seem gruff and even scary are great friends and wonderfully supportive. Even the local police detective has learned to listen to her and trust her instincts, although he's limited to crimes that occur in his jurisdiction.
The murder here occurred well into the story, although there was some activity before that. The victim was well liked, but given her profession, there were several possible but vague suspects. I had one or two characters near the top of my list as the book progressed, but was still a little surprised at which one of them turned out to be the culprit. Given that person's backstory, the motive made sense, but it was selfish nonetheless.
There's only one book left in this series, which I will read eventually but probably not anytime soon, as I need to find a copy of it somewhere.
July 6, 2020
It has been awhile since I read a Stella Crown mystery. I had forgotten how much I enjoy these characters. Stella is a dairy farmer in Mennonite country in Pennsylvania. She is in love with a young man who lives in Virginia, whose little sister does not like her one bit. Stella is a strong independent woman who runs her life and dairy well with help from a few other folks. A series of violent attacks against women has been taking place and Stella is helping the police find the attacker. I enjoy all of Stella's quirks, her crabbiness, her tattoos, and her quick judgment calls about people.
June 20, 2017
Not as much h drama
This book introduces some new characters and also features all the old favorites. Somebody seems to be targeting women in the little community near Stella's farm. Several women are hurt and finally one is killed. The culprit is unexpected and doesn't give up easily. I'm looking forward to book #6.
This book introduces some new characters and also features all the old favorites. Somebody seems to be targeting women in the little community near Stella's farm. Several women are hurt and finally one is killed. The culprit is unexpected and doesn't give up easily. I'm looking forward to book #6.
February 3, 2010
This is number 5 in the Stella Crown series but the first one for me. I didn't expect much of it, since I hadn't heard of the author but it turned out to be a good mystery, well-plotted and well-paced. The characters are multidimensional and, for the most part, real. Stella herself has some flaws she could work on--but don't hold your breath. If there is a negative here it is that Stella is a dairy farmer. Even murder doesn't relieve the necessity to milk the cows twice a day and muck out the stalls. Her frequent graphic descriptions of all things cow have given me an experience I didn't particularly want to have. Nevertheless, I do plan to drop back and read the rest of the series.
April 1, 2015
Another great entry in the Stella Crown series, set in rural Pennsylvania. One of the reasons I like Stella is that she's not easily pigeonholed; she's an independent dairy farmer with loose ties to the Mennonite church, but also a tattooed biker chick. She has an awesome set of friends as secondary characters and runs into a few interesting problems out in the countryside.
For quite some time, I put off reading this book as I had thought it was the last one in the series, but there is another, written several years after this one--very glad to hear it!
For quite some time, I put off reading this book as I had thought it was the last one in the series, but there is another, written several years after this one--very glad to hear it!
March 18, 2012
I've read the entire series and loved them all. I love Stella. She's an off beat dairy farmer, living in Pennsylvania, and gets into all kinds of trouble solving crimes in her community. There's a lot of local color in these books, about the Mennonite community in PA. Great characters, busting stereotypes about tattoos and bikers. This series is available for ereaders from the publishers, Poisoned Pen Press.
August 18, 2014
"Different Paths" is exciting and will keep you wanting more. Stella is still caring for her cows and her farm. Stella and Nick are still together and making plans for their futures. A great read that will keep you guessing "Who done it?"
December 24, 2008
Another satisfying Stella Crown mystery.
January 14, 2009
It was good and I will look for more.
May 23, 2011
I enjoyed this entry in the Stella Crown series. This time Stella is trying to stop a series of crimes against women in her small community.
July 4, 2014
It seems these Stella Crown mysteries always have some sort of social agenda to push. This is no exception but this book wasn't quite so preachy; therefore, more enjoyable.
June 9, 2016
I loved it! I love Stella! I want the rest of the story!!!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews