Murder Simply Brewed

Amish Village Mystery, Book #1

By Vanettaa Chapman

ISBN # 9781613755952              

Author’s Website: http://vannettachapman.com

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Mary

Synopsis:

Spring has arrived in Middlebury, Indiana, and Amber Wright can see profits in sight for her collection of Amish artisan shops—until she receives a call that Ethan Gray is dead. Hurrying over to A Simple Blend, she finds a single hole in the front window and Mr. Gray dead from an apparent heart attack. All the money is still in his register. Hannah Troyer takes over the shop’s duties, and she and Amber become fast friends as well as amateur sleuths. The police believe Gray’s death to be a by-product of vandalism, but Amber and Hannah aren’t so easily convinced.

Old Testament clues that don’t add up, a neighbor who is pulled into the midst of the investigation, a town with secrets to hide, and blossoming romance—all will combine to push Amber and Hannah into unfamiliar roles in order to solve a mystery and bring peace to the Amish community. (Goodreads)

Review:

I’ve read Ms. Chapman’s Shipshewana Amish Mysteries and looked forward to this new series. I wasn’t disappointed. The characters, the place, the plot, all drew me in from the first chapter. I especially liked Hannah Troyer, an Amish girl, who works in the AmishArtisanVillage at the quilt shop. She worries about her looks, whether her glasses are attractive, and if she might need a little makeup. These are things most Amish girls don’t concern themselves with. I chuckled at some of her weighty concerns that Englischers wouldn’t think about twice. I found this endearing and felt it didn’t make her less Amish, only more human.

The story opens with Hannah wondering why she doesn’t smell coffee coming from Ethan Gray’s coffee shop, A Simple Blend. When she goes to investigate, she finds the shop window with what looks like a bullet hole, and the not-so-lovable owner of the shop dead of what police say is an apparent heart attack, possibly from the vandalism. However, Hannah has her doubts and Amber soon feels the same.  Hannah is asked to take over running the shop since she used to fill in for Ethan. Although skeptical she can do it, Hannah agrees. Throughout the story, we see Hannah grow in confidence and ability to manage the coffee shop. She even agrees to train a clumsy Amish boy who manages to mess up every job Amber assigned him. He adds a touch of humor to this sometimes solemn tale.

Acts of vandalism continue with verses from the Old Testament of Daniel left at the scene.  They are dire warnings of things to come if not heeded. Hannah and Amber join forces to try and find the meaning behind the vandalism and if it’s connected to Ethan’s murder. A sly reminder of murders in Shipshewana is inserted into the story. Ethan’s wife, sister, and co-workers are presented as possible suspects as the police begin to realize that Ethan’s heart attack might not be an accident. Muddying the waters is a group of mystery hunters who are being offered prizes for clues to the murder that someone posted on the internet. Is this a connection to the murder or just a prank?

A touch of romance begins with Hannah and her next door neighbor and co-worker, Jesse. He helps her when she needs assistance with the investigation. As with everything else, she is uncertain whether she loves him, but is content to see what develops. Amber develops a relationship with widower Tate Bowman.  He’s a farmer that lives next door to the Village and has been unfriendly and unhappy with the Village since before his wife died. Although I felt the romantic aspect moved a little fast, considering his previous antagonism, they seem to be quite compatible and Tate is instrumental in helping solve the murder.

The descriptions of Amish life, the town and village, brings to mind the days when life was easier and less complicated. It was just the type of place I’d love to live and work. The romance and faith-based remarks didn’t overshadow the story. I felt as if I’d like to know these people better.  We get to see the murder and the people from both the Amish and non-Amish view as both Hannah and Amber try to puzzle out the clues.

I recommend this book, along with a nice cup of coffee. You can’t go wrong with a little romance, a lot of mystery, and a love of all things Amish.