Broken English

A man who has just been released from prison begins journeying west. He stops in Ohio where he murders one man and then goes to the town of Millersburg in the heart of Ohio's Amish country. He breaks into a home and kills a young woman who returns home about that time. A local resident tackles the suspect before the sheriff's department arrives on the scene. The home into which he broke was the home of a former sharp shooter. The girl killed was the man's daughter. The father goes missing. The sheriff is convinced the man wants to kill the suspect in revenge. Pastor Cal Troyer is convinced the man has changed as a result of his newly found Amish faith. Professor Brandon believes Troyer at first, but as he continues to investigate, show more evidence seems to point to the sheriff's theory. Is the man out for revenge or not? This is one that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. This is a mystery that has more to it than meets the eye. I listened to the audio version of the book. show less

I'm gradually getting comfortable with the various characters, and the author's rhythm and getting used to the word "English" as referring to the non-Amish in the community, sorta like haoles in Hawaii, or gringos in Hispanic areas. The term is certainly not meant pejoratively but it takes a bit to become attuned to its usage in this context.

Here we have our English professor Brandon trying to help Pastor Troyer prove that a converted war vet who has every reason to exact revenge is NOT the murderer they are looking for. It's a well-developed mystery, some good red herrings, excellent character development, and all in all a very satisfying read.

I enjoy this series and will probably read more, but it's one of those that I wouldn't be show more able to read more than two at a time without a break. And until you get used to who is who, they're probably better read in print rather than audio.
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In this intriguing mystery, P. L. Gaus explores the facets of guilt and culpability, deception and dishonor. Set in the Amish country in Ohio, the Amish and English live peaceably side by side. But can an ex-Army sharp shooter really turn his back on all he was and live a simple, plain life from now on? And when his newly acquired morals are put to the test, what will be the outcome? In this tense tale of murder and trust, Gaus sets up a series of complex circumstances that finally converge as the guilty party takes that last chance for revenge. Or is there more than one person involved in the plot? And who is really more guilty? Just when you think you have it all figured out, you realize there is far more to this mystery than murder.

The daughter of an ex-military sniper, David Hawkins, is murdered in the small town of Millersburg, Ohio. The sheriff believes Hawkins is out for revenge when Hawkins disappears after the presumed killer is caught by a passing security guard. Professor Michael Branden, however, thinks differently. He has been talking to Pastor Caleb Troyer, who firmly believes Hawkins has given up his old ways to embrace the Amish life. He even proposed to an Amish woman and it appears the two are very much in love.

Branden decides to seek out other answers, especially to the question of who killed the journalist who was investigating Hawkins' past. What he finds out causes him to wonder what is going on here and could he be looking in the wrong show more direction?

It's an interesting take on a mystery, with the Amish life interwoven into the English. show less

An evil man released from jail goes on a revenge rampage during which several innocents are murdered. The question is whether the father of the last victim, David Hawkins can get past this without reverting to the skills that made him turn from on old life.