Murder, Plain and Simple: Book One of Amish Quilt Shop Mystery By Isabella Alan

I received this book from the author, Isabella Alan, for no charge in exchange for my honest review of this book. The opinions expressed here are my own.


Book Description:   

 When Angela Braddock inherits her late aunt’s beautiful Amish quilt shop, she leaves behind her career and broken engagement for a fresh start in Holmes County, Ohio.

With her snazzy cowboy boots and her ornithophobic French bulldog, Angie doesn’t exactly fit in with the predominantly Amish community in Rolling Brook, but her aunt’s quilting circle tries to make her feel welcome as she prepares for the reopening of Running Stitch.

On the big day, Angie gets a taste of success as the locals and Englisch tourists browse the store’s wares while the quilters stitch away. But when Angie finds the body of ornery Amish woodworker Joseph in her storeroom the next morning, everything starts falling apart.

With evidence mounting against her, Angie is determined to find the culprit before the local sheriff can arrest her. Rolling Brook always appeared to be a simple place, but the closer Angie gets to the killer, the more she realizes that nothing in the small Amish community is as plain as it seems.... 



My Thoughts:  

 Murder, Plain and Simple is the first book in Isabella Alan's newest series, The Amish Shop Mystery. Isabella Alan also writes under the name Amanda Flowers, of who I am a huge fan! Angela finds out she has inherited her aunt's quilt shop in Holmes County, Ohio.  Angie is definitely not like the others in Rolling Brook, which is a predominantly Amish community. Angie decides she wants to run the quilt shop and plans to make some changes and have a reopening of Running Stitch.  Her aunt's quilting circle and close friends do everything they can to help and encourage Angie. Angie has a great reopening but the next day she finds Joseph, an Amish woodworker from next door, dead in her storeroom. Joseph and Angie were in an argument about the shop and the actual ownership of the store, which puts Angie as a suspect.  Angie knows she has to catch who did this and clear her name before she is arrested. As Angie starts talking to others in Rolling Brook, Amish and Plain, she finds that this small community isn't what it seems.

Murder, Plain and Simple is a fantastic book.  Isabella Alan who also writes as Amanda Flowers is one of my favorite authors.As my followers know Amish Fiction is my favorite genre and this one is at the top of my list of favorites.  Isabella Alan, writes with such authority on the Amish and their lives, quilting, business, investigating, and mystery.  From the start this book grabbed me and has many twists and turns that it keeps you guessing until the end. I loved the humor of this book, I found myself laughing out loud in many parts especially with Angie and her dog.  As I read, I felt like I was right there watching the events unfold throughout the whole book.  I loved all the characters especially Angie. She is a fantastic main character, her life isn't simple but she keeps going, very determined. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Amish fiction with mystery. You will not be disappointed.  I cannot wait to read more from Isabella Alan/Amanda Flowers. I am so grateful to Amanda for giving me the opportunity to read and review her books.  I give this book 5 STARS.