Isabella Alan

Angie owns an Amish quilt shop, Running Stitch, even though she's not Amish. It was left to her by her Amish aunt, and she's coming to be a part of the community, and making friends among the Amish. She's excited to be having a few of her aunt's quilts up for auction in the Rolling Brook Amish Auction. Her friend and business neighbor, Rachel Miller, is also selling baked goods from her bakery. Rachel's husband Aaron is planning to open a factory for the pies, but not everyone is happy about show more it.

When Wanda Hunt, a town trustee, comes to Rachel's table she tells her that there's no way the factory will be approved and Aaron should have looked at the rules before he bought the land. Rachel is upset, but refuses to involve herself in her husband's business, instead offering one of her fry pies to Wanda. Later, while chasing her dog Oliver, Angie chases him through the auction grounds where she finds Wanda dead -- holding what's left of a blueberry fry pie. Now, with Rachel in the hot seat, Angie vows to do whatever it takes to keep her friend from being unfairly accused of a crime -- even if she winds up in the sights of a killer...

This is the second book in the series and I have to say that I did like it better than the first. Although it still bothers me that Angie's snooping is too overt - by that I mean she just walks up to people and asks them questions without even trying to be subtle about it. It's invasive and just a tad uncomfortable to read. I find myself skimming over most of it, when I shouldn't have to do that, because I want to see what peoples' answers would be. I would like to see Angie tone it down a bit when it comes to trying to get information out of people. In real life, her actions would more than likely get her physically attacked by someone.

Other than that, it was nice to see the connections she's making in the community, and one especially that will bring her closer to the Amish. I do like that her relationship with Sheriff Mitchell might be moving forward, as it's obvious they're both attracted to each other; although I do think that his ex-wife, while protective of her son, might be using him as a weapon against her husband to get him to do what she wants, and I really don't like that.

I also don't care much for Angie's mother. She's deluded in her daughter's life and refuses to allow Angie to grow up and do what she feels as right. Even from Dallas she's trying to run her life. Angie just hasn't moved far enough away to get away from this woman. I don't know how she dealt with her. I wouldn't be able to - at least not for long.

The mystery itself was interesting, and there were plenty of characters who could have killed Wanda, even though there never seemed to be a motive strong enough until later in the book. Once we had the motive, we pretty much knew how to narrow it down. So, although not many clues, it was still done nicely. All in all, even though it was an easy read and can be read in one night, I have to say that I really dislike it when the author leaves cliffhangers at the end. However, I will read the next in the series, but if it follows the same formula for the ending, I won't pursue this any further. show less

What a Fun Amish Cozy!!

really loved Murder, Plainly Read,part of The Amish Quilt Shop Mystery series. I have missed several books between the first and this, but had no trouble picking enjoying this one. Englischer Angie Braddock cannot keep her nose out of others' business, especially if it involves an Amish friend or two of hers. Can she outmaneuver her controlling, socialite mother; stay friends with her childhood friend, Jonah, whose wife hates her; and dig to find the truth without show more alienating the handsome Sheriff Mitchell?

This is cozy reading at its best. Isabella Allen provides a murder, without tons of gore. We see a slice of Amish life, but also Englischer and Amish being friends. And did I mention the obligatory quirky characters? Love how distinctly odd some of Angie's friends and relatives are. Whether Willow, who owns a tea shop, has purple hair and makes horrible original teas; to Angie's mother who is clueless to what makes Angie tick, the supporting characters help make the mystery not just dangerous but also a barrel of laughs!! ( And don't forget Petunia the Goat!!)

Well-done, Isabella (Amanda Flower)!! I have found a cozy series to love!!!! show less

In the cozy mystery genre (sub-genre?), Amish is the new bandwagon.

I suppose when trying to develop unique themes for series mysteries, it gets to be rather hard to find anything new, and the Amish culture certainly seems to be one that a lot of people find fascinating (including myself). I love contemplating a life without technology; without electricity. Could I do it? Or would I end up tackling some poor, unsuspecting Englischer for his iPhone? Honestly, I suspect the dress and bonnet show more would get to me long before the lack of tech. Oh well, in the meantime, I can read about being Amish.

The author, Isabella Alan, published a short story before the release of this first book, introducing the characters and allowing readers to meet Angie's Aunt before she passes away (the premise of the series being Angie moves back to her hometown when she inherits her Aunt's store). It was a nice little novella that I reviewed earlier, and it did make it easier to dive into this story without needing the introductions
I like Angie as the main character, she's got some life in her, a little bit of sass, and she dotes on her dog. She feels like a real character to me; not as deep as she could be, but not nearly so shallow or caricature-istic as some cozy characters. The supporting cast is mostly Amish and I give kudos to the author - she doesn't create one-dimensional characters out of them just because they're Amish. There are likeable characters and there are a few that ought to go back and brush up on the basic tenants of their faith a bit more. A couple are just mean and nasty. The obvious love interest is the Sheriff, of course (makes it hard for the amateur sleuth to investigate without an 'in' with the authorities), and I liked him - not a lot of detail about him in this book, but what there is is likeable. The author also had me at "aquamarine eyes". I fell hard for a boy in high school simply because he had the most amazing blue-green eyes I had ever, and have ever, seen. But Angie's old childhood friend, Jonah (Amish) looks to create some awkward moments, though there's no chance of a love triangle developing - thank god!!!

The plot itself was very well done. Red herrings, lots of suspects, and I didn't have a clue until the author dropped the give-away hint. The ending, well, not the most plausible ending I've read, but certainly not the most far-out.

I'll definitely be on the lookout for her next book in this series - not to mention a 'donut-as-big-as-my-head' - where can I get me one of those? And can I get it filled with custard please? show less

Probably my favorite in this series as Angie Braddock takes on a new set of problems when the electrician working at her parents' home turns up electrocuted and the coroner rules it a murder. The chief suspect is Angie's childhood friend Jonah, who also happens to be the son of one of her best friends, Anna. Angie not only has to unravel the facts of the murder, run down more suspects, and find the real killer, but she is forced to do this while navigating a horde of Bigfoot enthusiasts who show more have descended on the town because of the misguided enthusiasm of her friend Willow. Only Alan could put a plot together that maintains believability in the midst of this group of quirky characters. A fun read! show less