Murder, Served Simply

Amish Quilt Shop Mystery #3

By Isabella Alan

ISBN# 9780451413659

Author’s Website:  www.isabellaalan.com

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie

Synopsis:

Amish quilt shop owner Angie Braddock has a lot on her plate this Christmas. But things only get worse after someone develops a taste for murder…

Angie’s parents are visiting Rolling Brook for Christmas—but unfortunately, her ex is joining them. Luckily, Angie has no time to dwell on her romantic troubles as she prepares her store, Running Stitch, for the town’s traditional progressive dinner, featuring a sleigh ride stopping at each shop for a different course of the meal.

The meal ends with an Amish-themed Christmas play at the Swiss Valley Hotel and Barn. But the performance is cut short when an actress falls from the scaffolding to her death. After the sheriff suspects foul play, tensions between the Amish and Englisch heat up, as do rivalries among the acting troupe. Now Angie and her quilting circle must stitch together clues before they’re the ones running for cover… (Goodreads)

Review:

Isabella Alan writes the most captivating, fun mysteries in her Amish Quilt Shop mystery series!  Murder, Served Simply is the third book in this delightful series and is everything and more that I anticipate with her novels.  From cover art that includes the adorable French Bulldog, Oliver, to the very last page, it is an adventure for which the pages seem to turn themselves.  As the third book in the series, there is consistency with prior ones, yet this can be read as a stand-alone mystery, as can the others.  Personally, I feel this series is so good that  I wouldn’t want to miss even one of them!

Angie Braddock is the owner of her late Amish Aunt Eleanor’s quilt shop, Running Stitch.  She is owned by her French Bulldog, Oliver, and “his” kitten, Dodger.  This is her first Christmas as a resident of Holmes County, Ohio, where she has been welcomed by most of the townspeople of Rolling Brook whether or not they knew her aunt.  She has also recently become a town Trustee and is frequently volunteered to help with local functions.

As Christmas approaches, Angie’s calendar is full.  Her parents have come for Christmas with Angie’s former fiance, power-suited Ryan Dickinson, a highly successful attorney in Dallas in tow..  Angie is dating someone special who knows that Ryan is coming – can we spell awkward?

The Amish progressive holiday dinner has been joined by Angie’s parents and Ryan, and culminates at the Swiss Valley Hotel for the main course.  Immediately following is a play, “An Amish Christmas”, by the first Broadway theater group to perform in the huge converted barn at the Hotel.  Eve Shetler is the female lead; she was born and raised Amish, yet dreamt of a career in theater, hoping to be on Broadway.  She left Holmes County during her Rumspringa, or running around years, before taking her final vows to the church.

Angie was seated next to Eve during the dinner and liked the lovely young woman.  Angie settled in to watch the play, and watched in horror with the rest of the audience as the swing prop that Eve rode in the second act broke, sending the sweet young woman to her death.  And upon further examination, it was discovered that the rigging had been tampered with.

There is no shortage of suspects, Angie finds, in spite of Sheriff James Mitchell’s warnings to her to not investigate the crime.  The cast and crew includes people who seem less than saddened by her death.  Eve still has family in the area, one of whom is a bit unbalanced and angry that the Englischers are putting on a production that many feel mocks the Amish.  Can the sheriff, or Angie, find the culprit before the upcoming progressive dinners and performances are cancelled, or anyone else is harmed by the murderer?

Character developments are excellent, with a depth of emotions and actions that only improve with each novel in the series.  The people who are introduced for the first time in this mystery are also well-defined.  If I were to go to Holmes County, I would almost expect to see Angie with Oliver and Dodger in the Rolling Stitch with her friends, both Amish and Englisch.  The personalities of Isabella Alan’s regular and short-term characters shine!

Murder, Served Simply is fast-paced and includes scenes that are, in turn, funny, sweet, frightening, warm and friendly, or even dark and brooding.  Overall, the plot is thoroughly executed with twists and surprises that this reader did not anticipate.  I appreciate a mystery in which the culprit is not obvious.  Isabella Alan exceeded my hope in that I was blindsided by who the real killer was – while I was looking behind doors numbered 1, 2, and 3, up pops door #4, and she has outsmarted me again!  And that’s a good thing, one of the many things that will have me in line for the next book in the series.

I highly recommend Murder, Served Simply to young adults and adults of any age who appreciate Amish fiction that includes mystery, culture, humor, and a touch of romance.  Pet lovers will also enjoy the prominent place that Dodger and Oliver have in the novel.  Those who have an interest in quilting will find a pattern for a quilt piece that is great for Christmas gifting or to be enjoyed throughout the winter.  The only disappointing moment for this reader is when the last page has turned and I await Ms. Alan’s next book.

 

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title as part of their ongoing blog tour*