Shadows of Lancaster County

It's been seven years since Anna Bailey left Pennsylvania for California, where she now works as a skip tracer while rooming with the eccentric but caring coworker Kiki. Her new life is shattered by a panicked phone call from her sister-in-law Lydia with the news that Anna's brother has disappeared and information about Anna has been stolen. Eleven years ago, a 17 year-old Annalise Jensen and four friends suffered through a fun night gone tragically wrong, with casual drinking resulting in a barn burning down and an Amish family destroyed. After a horrific trial that played out in the media, community service, and probation, Anna fled her home, changed her name, and created a whole new identity. When her roommate is brutally attacked and the intruder demands rubies from Anna, she knows that she must return home to her old life if she wants answers to the source of the threats and why her brother disappeared. One of the most enjoyable aspects of this novel is how Clark introduces the reader to the largely Amish community of Lancaster. Rumspringa, the close ties of the Friends, and all of their culture prove to be as informative and fascinating as the mystery, which incorporates a historical treasure with DNA experimentation. Anna is a delightful character who refuses to passively accept her fate or leave it to the authorities who betrayed her. This is an enjoyable read that manages to blend romance, history, and religion into one cohesive mystery.

Although she still suffers nightmares, she felt she paid her dues a long time ago when she left her Dreiheit, Pennsylvania Dutch home for California. Anna Bailey changed her name from Annalise Jenson and became a skip tracer. However, the call from her sister-in-law Lydia Jenson changes all that. Anna's brother Bobby, the only person back in Amish country who had her phone number gave it to his wife last night telling her to use it if something happens; Bobby is missing. Anna agrees to come home to search for Bobby although she ruefully knows her "J'accuse" past will surface in living color. In Dreiheit, Anna investigates the clues of her sibling's disappearance and soon links him to missing rubies. As she gets closer to the truth of what happened to Bobby and the treasure, her fears grow that he is dead and if she survives somehow this time fleeing to the West Coast may not be stabling enough for her; however this time also there is Remy Villefranche and especially Reed Thornton. This is an exciting Christian investigative suspense thriller that hooks the audience with the shocking opening proclamation, a terrific story line and a fabulous final twist. The story is fast-paced from the moment Anna knows Annalise is coming home and never slows down as she conducts her inquiry. Although the romantic subplot feels a bit forced, Mindy Starns Clark provides her grateful audience with a strong tale of redemption with deliverance from a fabrication by the more powerful. Harriet Klausner

Anna Bailey changed her name and moved to California in an attempt to escape from a tragic accident in her past. But it all comes rushing back to her with the ringing of the phone. On the other end is her sister-in-law saying that her brother, Bobby, is missing. Anna isn't inclined to rush back to Pennsylvania until someone breaks into her house, almost kills her roommate, and holds Anna at gun point demanding the Beauharnais Rubies, whatever those are. Against her better judgment, Anna decides to make the trip back to Amish country and try to figure out what is happening. Trying to dodge the media, she sets out to learn what she can. But what happened to Bobby? What secrets is he hiding? And just want are those jewels? Ever since I first found Mindy Starns Clark, I have loved her books. This was no exception. I was absorbed in the story from page one. I only put the book down with extreme effort. The pacing was perfect, giving us just enough info to keep us going while withholding the big reveals until the second half. I had a couple small niggles with the ending, but really, they are very minor. The characters were equally wonderful. I loved Anna immediately. We get to know several Amish as the book progresses, and the look into their way of life was fascinating. I was very sorry to see this book end. It just may be my favorite by this author. I'm already looking forward to wherever her next book takes us.

Phenomenal. Intelligent. Masterful. Complex. Amazingly well-written, and full of intrigue. These are a few of the things that come to mind as I reflect on the mystery/suspense aspects of the story. The entire novel was edge-of-your-seat suspense, but there was also a very complex and believeable plot that thankfully didn't insult my intelligence. By that I mean it was easy to follow but brilliantly plotted. I learned a lot while putting the pieces of the mystery puzzle together. And the red herrings actually worked! Plus, the "surprise" at the end was totally believable, which is often not the case. Sheesh, I don't even like mysteries or suspense novels all that much but even I was riveted to the text. The romantic element was pleasurable, too. This was simply an incredible story that captivated me from start to finish. One final note. I love it when I am so into a story that even I don't know who to trust. Did I mention this was an incredible story?

This is the 3rd book of Mindy Starns Clark that I have read. She researches her topics well and writes about them weaving a story that brings so many elements to life. The story brings insight on what Amish life is like and intertwines it with those around the Amish and how they live their lives as Christians. She shares about total forgiveness no matter what crime happens against another, whether an accident or intentional. I enjoyed this book a lot.