Where do I begin with this! First, a recap.
A young Amish man is found dead in a barn that was on fire. Let me add this: the fire was set on purpose. Who would want to kill an Amish man and why? It is up to Chief Kate Burkholder to find out what, when, why, what and how. This is the 10th book in a series, but you could really read it as a stand alone. However, it made me immediately want to start book one in the series.
I am a huge fan of Amish fiction. However, a word of warning. If you like Christian/Amish fiction, you may like this, but be forewarned, it is darker than most Amish fiction. There are curse words and Amish folk that have left the fold and are quite bitter, most for good reason.
The other interesting aspect of this is the main character, Chief Burkholder used to be Amish herself. So, she sometimes struggles between her current life and her past roots.
I am so excited that this is a series and I have the opportunity to go back and read 9 other stories in this series. This book is due to release next month, July 2018. I highly recommend it. I read it in a very short time.
I received an Advance Reader's Copy from Minotaur books (just love them!). No review was required.
I was so happy to win this book from from Berkley Publishers. I have read a few books by Karen White before so I couldn't wait to dive in. Plus, look at that gorgeous cover!
Larkin was raised sometimes by her mother, Ivy and sometimes by Ivy's mother's friend, CeeCee. Also a big presence in Larkin's life was another friend of her grandmother, Bitty. Larkin's grandmother, Margaret died before Larkin ever knew her. This book takes place in the Lowcountry, but years prior, Larkin fled to New York to start a new life, dismissing her roots.
When Larkin is called back to her hometown after her mother, Ivy gets hurt, old wounds are reopened and the past comes calling. Larkin learns about her past, where she came from and has to face relationships she thought she had left behind for good.
This book claimed to have secrets waiting to be revealed as well, but I didn't feel that this was a mystery. I thought that's what I was getting and was just a tad disappointed when it turned out it really wasn't one.
However, I saw another reviewer say that it needs to be viewed as a story, not a mystery and when I look at it that way, it became better. There is a HINT of mystery, but I am not a big fan when the reader knows what the "secret" is before the character. I always feel that I am sitting here knowing it and then there is no big "reveal" when the character finds out.
That aside, this was a good story. Karen White writes with, and gives her characters a depth that is not commonly seen in books today. I would definitely recommend this book.
No review was required even though I won an Advanced Reader Copy.
