A Perfect Square

Title: A Perfect Square

Author: Vannetta Chapman

Publisher: Zondervan

Series: Shipshewana Amish Mystery, Bk 2

ISBN: 9780310330448

Pages: 337 + Group Discussion Questions

Obtained: Library copy

Comments:

After I wrote my post on the first book in this series, Falling to Pieces, I didn't have much to add for this one.  Like with the first I found myself in a state of warmth and kind of longing while reading it.  It is a different story though.  This time, the murder has less to do with Callie and more to do with the Amish citizens of Shipshewana (and elsewhere).  While Callie is interested in the truth of the matter, Deborah takes on much more of an amateur sleuth interest.  Callie ends up adopting another case... one of a man who lost his daughter as a child years ago.  He'd like to reunite with her before he passes and for some reason this really connects with Callie.

As for character development, Callie's friendships within the community grow and she seems to be exploring a new relationship at the end that I am very pleased about.

Anyway,  I look forward to reading the third book, Material Witness, which I am currently on the library's request list for.

Falling to Pieces

Title: Falling to Pieces

Author: Vannetta Chapman

Publisher: Zondervan

Series: Shipshewana Amish Mystery, Bk 1

ISBN: 9780310330431

Pages: 318 + Group Discussion Questions

Obtained: Library copy

Comments:

I heard good things about this series, and it looked appealing; I just had to find the time to sit down and read it.  Once I did I found myself absorbed in an interesting mystery in an intriguing and appealing setting with very likable characters.

Oh, the characters.  I do like them so.  I've since read the second book in the series as well (I'll get to that in it's own post), and I still can't get enough of the characters.  They're just so admirable and inspiring - Amish and English alike (except for the bad guy and such of course).  This is the first print book I read after listening to The Casual Vacancy and the difference in characters between the two books is remarkable.  It's amazing what context of your overall reading can do for your impressions of a book.  But beyond that...

Callie has just come to Shipshewana after the death of her aunt, and she's lost.  Not physically lost, but emotionally.  She's floundering.  Confused and without direction.  But a trio of local Amish women need her to reopen her aunt's quilt shop, and suddenly she finds friends and at least temporary purpose... Then she becomes a suspect in a murder, and it's a good thing she's started developing friendships because she needs all the help she can get.

As with most cozy mystery series, this first book is setting the scene for the rest of the books.  This means we get to see an overall image of what Shipsewana is like.  And I would love to visit.  Ideally coming during one of the market days (I wonder if they really have those?), and maybe staying to see/feel the place after the rest of the tourists have gone.

Anyway, I really enjoyed this book, and (as I've already said) I already finished the second book.

More cozies. And some more magic.

Hearse and Buggy (Amish Mystery, Bk 1) by Laura Bradford aka Elizabeth Lynn Casey (library copy ... I purchased a copy at LitFest, but figured why not read the library copy since it was here?) -

Claire has moved to Heavenly, Pennsylvania where the "English" and Amish worlds meet.  The setting was interesting (I've done the tourist thing in a place like that, though more Midwest).  The detective had a particularly interesting backstory.   I wasn't so drawn to Benjamin as Claire seemed to be, though.  While he seemed like a nice guy, I kept thinking, "What's she thinking?  It's an impossible - or at least incredibly difficult - scenario."  Regarding the mystery, it was interesting.  I guessed the murderer, but some surrounding mysterious going ons."  Anyway, I enjoyed the introduction to Claire and gang and look forward to getting to know them better in book 2, Assaulted Pretzel (due out March 2013).

Corpse in the Crystal Ball (Fortune Teller Mystery, Bk 2) by Kari Lee Townsend (library copy) -

The first book in this series, Tempest in the Tea Leaves, left a good impression on me due to lack of preaching (and apparently despite some other things that I didn't remember until re-reading my comments just now), so I was pretty eager to read this addition to the series.  Sunny jumped to a couple conclusions that I wouldn't have been so quick about, but otherwise the story went well.  I guessed the murderer but nothing to do with motivation or surrounding events.  Regarding characters, I'm still fairly hesitant about the detective.  Sunny's parents are still annoying, though scarce.  And Sunny's Granny is a fun addition to the story.  We'll see what happens next in Trouble in the Tarot, also due out March 2013.

Brownies and Broomsticks (Magical Bakery Mystery, Bk 1) by Bailey Cates aka Cricket McRae (library copy) - 

First, I have to say the cover is great.  Despite being über pink-and-purple I'm drawn to it every time I see it. Anyway... on to the actual contents of the book.  I liked the story.  While I liked Katie she seemed a bit more, um, meek than I might have expected.  I'm sure that's not entirely true since she wasn't meek about seeking answers regarding the murder.  Maybe it was a nick in her self-confidence that I was sensing.  Whatever the case, I did find the setting and characters interesting.  Regarding the love interest triangle (because there almost always is anymore.  Both the above books also have one), I got the feeling she was more into Declan over Steve.  Just thought I'd mention is was the opposite for me.  Guess I'll have to read the next book, Bewitched, Bothered, and Biscotti (due out December 2012), to learn more.