A quaint Amish community in Marion, KY, is the perfect setting for a mysterious murder with a touch of romance.
THE SEARCH: THE SECRETS OF CRITTENDEN COUNTY by Shelly Shephard Gray focuses on the discovery of a body in an abandoned well. It also highlights the budding romance between a visiting detective and the Amish owner of the local bed-and-breakfast.
Bernadette Dunne narrators the story with just the right amount of emotion to bring the characters to life. Her tone and dialect places the listener in the Amish setting to get the full effect of the story. She gives each characters their own unique voice.
Perry Borntrager was a troubled young man who had fallen in with a group of Englishers. No one was surprised when he disappeared thinking he had merely left the Amish way of life.
When his body is discovered, foul play is suspected. The sheriff calls in a favor from a friend, Cincinnati P.D. Detective Luke Reynolds, to help solve the mysterious murder.
Luke soon learns the owner of the B & B, Frannie Eicher, and the victim had been secretly courting. She was also with him the day he disappeared. With Frannie a possible suspect, Luke tries to distance himself from her but feels a strong attraction towards her. Frannie knows Luke is all wrong for her but is drawn to him anyway.
As Luke works to solve the murder, he must also confront his feelings for Frannie and the direction his life is taking. Frannie must decide if a more suitable Amish man is what her life needs.
Author Shelly Shephard Gray has created characters that are well balanced showing strength and independence, as well as apprehension to love and trust the unknown. Her descriptions of the Amish community and way of life add another layer to the story.
THE SEARCH is the second installment in the Crittenden County series, but can be read alone. However, the surprise ending will have listeners and readers eagerly awaiting the third installment, FOUND, slated for release in September.
Author Shelly Shephard Gray’s website is http://shelleyshepardgray.com/
The Search: The Secrets of Crittenden County, Book Two by Shelly Shephard Gray, Performed by Bernadette Dunne, Harper Audio, @2012, ISBN: 978-0062089724, Unabridged, Digital Download, Listening Time: 7 Hours 1 Minute
FTC Full Disclosure - This digital download audio book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.
Do you enjoy stories set in the Amish community? Thanks so much for stopping by. Have a great day.
Mason - What an interesting context for a novel! And it sounds as though the story itself - the murder and its investigation - are absorbing and interesting too. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
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