Murder Freshly Baked

Amish Village Mystery, Book #3

By Vannetta Chapman

ISBN: 9780310322177

Author website: http://vannettachapman.com/blog

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Kayt

I won this book in a GOODREADS, FIRSTREADS GIVEAWAY. I would like to thank the author for an ARC copy of this book.

Synopsis:

When delicious baked goods become lethal, it’s time to find a killer. Kindness is a virtue Meanness is a sin Better watch your bakery pies For poison I’ve slipped in

The Amish Artisan Village in Middlebury, Indiana, has been decorated with every color of balloon and flower for the Race for a Cure. As manager of the Village, Amber Bowman is thrilled to see the turnout–and relieved to have something to distract her from the “Poison Poet”–an individual who has been sending notes containing bad poetry to warn of poisoned baked goods.

Then Ryan Duvall crosses the finish line of the race–and falls down dead, murdered in broad daylight. But who did it? And why? The police suspect Preston Johnston, but Amber refuses to believe her employee could do such a thing.

Amber once again looks to her young Amish friend Hannah Troyer to help her find the killer–and to determine if it’s the same person leaving the cryptic poems and pies. Can they help the police before the Poison Poet strikes again? Both Amber and Hannah will need to draw on their faith as they fight to preserve the peaceful community they’ve built at the Amish Artisan Village.

Review:

In Murder Freshly Baked Vannetta Chapman touches on some very important and poignant issues while giving the reader an intriguing mystery that captivates and enthralls. A wonderful Amish mystery filled with wonderful characters and heartfelt writing, this 3rd in a series is a fabulous conclusion to the An Amish Village Mystery series. Amber Bowman has seen just about everything as manager of the Amish Artisan Village of Middlebury, Indiana. Well at least she thought she had until notes start arriving with inept poetry hinting at poison pies in the village. The notes start to become personal and come to her in emails. Fearing for the safety of the village Amber has to take some drastic measures. Also worrying Amber and her young friend Amish Hannah Troyer, an attractive Englischer is dating several of the village women at the same time. Worrying that the ladies will be hurt, they enlist the help of handyman Preston. Preston meanwhile is struggling with his PTSD and his feelings for Zoey.

Preston’s struggle with crippling PTSD is one of those issues that Chapman brings to the reader in a meaningful and compassionate manner. This is not a subject I would have thought would have been so well represented and explored in an Amish mystery. Chapman deals with this in a way that opens the eyes of those who do not know the pain and disabling things those suffering from PTSD have to handle. It also brings their struggles to the forefront and the ways that others can help. When Preston is able to get a service dog, his life changes. (One thing not mentioned that has changed, PTSD is no longer considered a reason for a service dog by the VA and that is a true shame that needs to be addressed soon.) The details described in this great book are proof of the amazing research this author did. Preston is a wonderful character and I was thrilled to see him with a starring role in this book.

Another subject that is really important is cancer and the fight for a cure. The Village is hosting a Race for the Cure event and everything is decorated to the hilt. As one of the ladies in the Amish community is also struggling with cancer, this really does bring the whole thing full circle for Hannah. Although Amber welcomes the festivities as a way to forget about the poison pie poet, tragedy strikes at the finish line. The three timing Englischer is shot dead. Can the ladies find the killer and the poison pen before anyone else pays the price? They delve in with only their intelligence, a few clues and faith to guide them.

Vannetta Chapman writing style is descriptive and flowing. I felt the heart and faith in this book and I am sure other readers will as well. The mysteries are intriguing and entertaining. The characters are endearing, intelligent and well developed. There is action, danger, compassion and love throughout this wonderful cozy. If you are a fan of Amish mystery, a well written cozy or faith based intrigue, this is a book for you. It stands alone, but all three of the books in the series are terrific so do yourself a favor and read them all. Murder Freshly Baked is truly the icing on the cake of this delightful series.