The Search

Perry’s murder continues to affect this Amish community. Some condemn him for his involvement with illegal drugs and blame him for selling them to others. When a detective, Luke Reynolds, comes to investigate the murder even while recovering from an injury and on leave, he is taken with Frannie, an Amish innkeeper. But Frannie withholds some secrets from Luke concerning her relationship with Perry. This novel, the second in the series, combines the elements of mystery and romance in a well-written and engrossing tale of intrigue.

The murderer still is at large in the Amish community of Crittenden County and Detective Luke Reynolds is still questioning the residents fearing that he is getting no where closer to the truth. After discovering the body of Perry Borntrager at the bottom of the well on the Miller's Farm, it seems like quite a few of the townspeople have secrets that they hope will never be discovered.

Frannie Eicher was the last person to see Perry alive, and not being the type to want to share more details than necessary about the dead, she avoids providing some information to Luke. She believes that these details are necessary for helping him solve the case, but it seems the more times Luke discovers new information, it points back to Frannie and show more causes him to not trust what she has been telling him. He knows she is holding something back but can't figure out why.

In the second book in the series, The Secrets of Crittenden County, The Search by Shelley Shepard Gray picks up right where the first book, The Missing left off. It seems like there is a connection between Perry's murder, his unusual and unpredictable behavior, and the secrets certain people are keeping about what they know about Perry. Someone within this small Amish community is hiding a very deep secret and it's up to Detective Luke Reynolds to find out where this search will lead him.

I love this series of books because Shelley is taking her time with her readers in this murder case involving an Amish resident, a young man, who seems to have gotten mixed up with the wrong crowd, but is that the men who are selling drugs, the Englischers, or someone in town that wanted Perry gone in whatever manner it took? I can't wait to find out who it is, and I've got my own suspicions using details from both books who it might be. For those of you looking for a bit more than is usually found in your Amish novels, you might want to pick up this series. You'll get a great cast of characters that are carefully created and you will always meet someone new along the way. I loved, Frannie's father and Beth, her friend in this novel. Their inspiration to helping Frannie find the answers she needs, are worth reading about.

I received this novel compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review. I would have to say this one rates right up there with the first one, a 5 out of 5 stars. Now if I can only wait until September this year, for The Found to be released, I might have my answers in who I believe killed Perry. Maybe I have what it takes to make a great detective, but I know I have found a true love in reading Shelley Shepard Gray's novels. They have a forever home on my bookshelf. show less

The Mystery Continues!

The Secrets of Crittenden County Book Two, The Search, is loaded with suspense. The mystery surrounding Perry Borntrager's death continues. Who is responsible?

Shelley Shepard Gray does a great job of keeping us guessing. She not only keeps us guessing who killed Perry but she throws in the chance of some love relationships. The question is, can these relationships work out? How well does the Amish world and the English world mix?

I loved this book and had to find out who would commit this horrible crime. I even loved how the book ended! Can't wait to read Book Three, Found.

The Search

Shelley Shepard Gray

Back Cover: In the midst of a murder investigation in the heart of Amish country, one young policeman finds his heart led astray. The serenity of the quiet Amish community of Marion, Kentucky, is disrupted when the body of Perry Borntrager is discovered in an abandoned well. Now the small town faces the first death by mysterious circumstances in more than twenty years, and Detective Luke Reynolds is brought in to help investigate. But before he can solve the crime, he faces unexpected feelings for Frannie, the Amish owner of the local bed-and-breakfast. Though they butt heads at first, Luke finds himself drawn to Frannie's bedside when she's injured in a kitchen accident. Soon it becomes clear that Frannie show more knew Perry better than she let on . . . they'd been secretly courting when he disappeared. Has Luke fallen for the very woman responsible for the crime?

Review: I was looking forward to part two. I racked my brain throughout to figure out who it could possibly be. I think I know and am waiting for the reveal in book 3. I am enjoying the series and the suspense but sometimes think it is too long. I do like all the characters and am finding it hard to choose anyone as the murder. I like how the `mixed’ relationships are not made to be super simple because for each couple has real challenges to face when people have to adjust their religious practices. Even from Baptist to Presbyterian is a challenge for most couples. I liked the ending for the most part. I am hopeful for Beth. I would really like to see wonderful things happen to her. More than anything else I am looking forward to find a resolution to the death of Perry.
I would like to thank Above the Trees and Avon Books for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and I was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone. show less

Always enjoy stories with the Amish. This is the story of Frannie, an Innkeeper, the murder of her ex-boyfriend, her friend, Beth, and the men who come into their lives to solve the crime. I just wish I had know this was the second book in a trilogy. Now will have to go back and read the first before I read the third.

The Secrets of Crittenden County, Book Two is called “The Search”, written by Shelley Shepard Gray. This book is a sequel to the first book of the series, “Missing”. I really enjoyed this book. It is set in a little eastern Kentucky town in the midst of Crittenden County. The characters are a mix of Amish, Mennonite and “Englischers”. In the first book, a young Amish man goes missing and is found dead. The sheriff calls for help from an old friend, Luke, who is recovering from bullet wounds, sustained in his work as a detective with the Cincinnati police. During the investigation we are treated to many different story lines. I really enjoy the give and take among the various characters and the suspense that comes from trying show more to determine who committed the crime and also who would become romantically involved before the end of the story. The sequence of books, “Missing”, “The Search”, and the next book in the series, “Found”. Each book definitely leads to the next and you are bound to read the next one just to find out “the rest of the story”. I am eagerly awaiting the next book. I hope to find out what happened to the young man and if a crime was committed, who did it. We’ll also find out who lived happily ever after, I hope. I think you’ll like this series published by Harper Collins. show less

Second book in this series. I read a lot so it took me a while to get up to speed again on who everyone was and what had happened in the first book.

This is mainly Luke and Frannie's story with bonus mini stories of Beth, Chris. We saw Abby, Walker and Libby too.

I am anxioius for the third book to find out how everyone's story ends.