"A Plain Disappearance" book 3 of the Appleseed Creek Mysteries by Amanda Flower

About the book: It's Christmastime in Amish Country, and Chloe Humphrey has begun settling into her life in Appleseed Creek excited to see where her new relationship with Timothy Troyer will lead. Unfortunately it leads to murder when the couple discovers the body of Amish teenager Katie Lambright while on their first date.

Near the scene there is evidence that Timothy's friend and auto mechanic Billy Thorpe is involved with the crime. The police reveal Billy is not really who he said he was and has been living the last decade in Knox County under a stolen alias. Now, Chloe and Timothy must find Billy, bring him to justice, or prove his innocence. 

My thoughts:  For those of you who grew up reading Nancy Drew or the Hardy Boys mysteries, you are in for a new take (sort-of) of their adventures as author Amanda Flower modernizes, intensifies, and deepens the old tried and true youth mysteries. Those old stories involved young folks who were not detectives or police but got themselves involved in the solution of various crimes and mysteries.

Here in A Plain Disappearance we have a young lady who is an "Englischer" computer geek at the local college and her not-quite-boyfriend, Timothy, involved with the local police in the solving of a murder. Actually, Chloe and Timothy are the ones who discovered the body of the young Amish girl in the snow. (Prepare yourself for a nice cozy mystery.)

This story while not a deep dark read does actually present a varied community of folks. We see Amish who are very strict living with family members who have left the church for the more "modern" Mennonite faith. We also see relationships developing between Mennonite, Timothy, and Englischer, Chole. Interesting indeed.

This book also brings out a darker side to some of those who live within the Amish community and who are living as "respected" church members. There is intense anger, cruelty, abuse, and isolation. But to our true enjoyment, the story also brings the delightful character, Grandfather Zook, to the forefront and you will absolutely fall in love with him. And I would be derelict if I did not mention "Sparky" - the faithful old horse that they all love.

As usual, family is a big part of the story as it is in all Amish tales. But as I mentioned, these families are beginning to mix it up a bit with leaving the faith and embracing another faith and yet being allowed to remain in the family and fringes of the community.

A Plain Disappearance is book 3 in the series Appleseed Creek Mysteries by Amanda Flower who is a prolific writer of Amish stories, middle reader adventures, and contemporary cozy mysteries. She is an Agatha-nominated author (A Plain Scandal, A Plain Death), and published by B&H Books.    Read my review of Andi Unexpected  which is one of her middle reader adventures.

I received a complimentary copy of A Plain Disappearance for the purpose of rendering my honest review. Opinions expressed are solely my own. I received no compensation for this review.