Tamar Myers

I just finished this hilarious book this morning. Magdalena really cracked me up! I hadn't read a mystery in a really long time...so long that I'm not even sure I've ever read one! Besides the goofy storyline and humorous characters, I really liked how the author showed us a glimpse into how Magdalena viewed things on the "outside"--opposite from me! For instance, as she's checking people into her hotel, she says how she wishes she could go visit all these places that the people come from. That's ironic because the number one place that I would love to go visit is Amish country! Also, she says that all the English (non-Amish people) look alike to her--funny because the Amish all dress pretty much the same--(same clothes style, hair cuts or up-do's, shoes, buggies, etc.)--they all look alike to me!… (more)

Years have passed and Magdalena Portulacca Yoder Rosen is now 74 years old. She and her husband, Dr. Gabriel Rosen, have been married for 25 years and their children have moved to their own homes.
But she is still the mayor of Hernia PA, owns and operates the PennDutch Inn, (offering a genuine Amish experience), helps solve crimes, and retains strong friendships with her childhood friend Agnes and Police Chief Toy Graham. Her Apparition-American Grandmother still sits on her chair in the parlour.
The murders that have been committed in the Inn have increased the number of visitors who relish the opportunity to stay at what they hope is a haunted house.
In MEAT THY MAKER, four guests have arrived, three of whom are interesting in selling Schmucker Brothers’ Sausage, a local family business owned by three Amish brothers, who want to make their new and extremely popular product available in more locations. They each plan to negotiate a contract with the brothers and have come to meet with them. The two female guests are CEOs of grocery chains and one of the men owns a restaurant. The second man is a tourist.
Soon after they guests see part of the Schumucker operation, one of them is murdered in the inn. Magdalena joins with Toy as they try to find out who killed him. Suspicion falls on them and other people in the community.
There are some interesting twists and turns, red herrings, and commentary on religion and gender identity as well as Magdalena’s sexual fixation.
The ending is unexpected but works, showing more about life within the Amish and Mennonite communities.
MEAT THY MAKER is one of the best books in the series, more focused on the current crime and characters. It is, as usual, witty and thought provoking. The Afterword is interesting, but don’t read it until you have finished the book.… (more)