Murder, Plainly Read

Isabella Alan

Oct 2015 · Amish Quilt Shop Mystery Book 4 · Sold by Penguin

About this ebook

In the latest from the author of Murder, Served Simply, an Amish man checks out permanently, but quilt shop owner Angie Braddock’s got this mystery covered…

With so much to do between running her shop and spending time with her new boyfriend, it’s amazing Angie is able to help organize the Rolling Brook library's annual book sale. Luckily she’s working alongside brash librarian Austina Shaker, a lady who isn’t afraid to make waves to get books to her patrons—even the Amish. Unfortunately, this draws the ire of cranky Bartholomew Belier, an Old Order Amish bishop, who publicly vows to ruin Austina.

And she certainly might be ruined after Belier is found dead in her bookmobile. Now Angie must employ the help of her loyal quilting circle—as well as her beloved French bulldog, Oliver—if she hopes to prove Austina’s innocence before the real killer books it…

INCLUDES QUILTING TIPS

Ratings and reviews

Murder, Plainly Read by Isabella Alan is the fourth book in An Amish Quilt Shop Mystery series. Angela Braddock is the owner of Running Stitch a quilt shop in the town of Rolling Brook, Ohio. She inherited the shop from her Amish aunt about a year ago. Angie is also a town trustee. She is taking a quilt that her quilting circle made (customer order) to Austina Shaker, the librarian on the bookmobile. Angela gets roped into running the library sale that weekend (someone hurt themselves and cannot run it). When Angela shows up the next day, she finds Austina standing over the body of Bishop Bartholomew Beiler. Bishop Beiler was against the bookmobile and books in general. He felt that they would corrupt the people in his district. When Sheriff James Mitchell (and Angela’s boyfriend) shows up, he is not happy to see Angela at the scene of another murder (she does have a knack for finding dead bodies). Austina is the immediate suspect (she was standing over the body and no sign of forced entry). Austina asks Angela to investigate the murder and clear her name (actually insists). Anna Graber (a feisty Amish friend of Angela’s in her 60’s) loves investigating and tells Austina that they will take the case. Angela sets out to clear Austina’s name and find out who killed Bishop Beiler. Along the way Angela will have to deal with her interfering and overbearing Mother who decides to help with the book sale (and push Angela towards the alter). I found Murder, Plainly Read to be so much fun to read. There are times when you will be laughing out loud (especially from the antics of Angela’s mother). It was nice to revisit Rolling Brook, Angela, Anna, Mattie, Sheriff James Mitchell, and the rest of the characters. I found the mystery to be medium level (I solved it before I was halfway through the book) but the author did a good job leaving clues and trying to lead the reader down different paths. Murder, Plainly Read is well-written and is a pleasant way to while away a few hours. I give Murder, Plainly Read 4.75 out of 5 stars (since I was able to figure out the killer early in the book). I cannot wait for the next book in An Amish Quilt Shop series. I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley (and the author) in exchange for an honest review.

About the author

Isabella Alan is the national bestselling author of the Amish Quilt Shop Mysteries, including Murder, Handcrafted; Murder, Plainly Read; Murder, Served Simply; Murder, Simply Stitched; and Murder, Plain and Simple. An academic librarian for a small college in Ohio, she grew up visiting the state’s Amish country with her family. As Amanda Flower, she is the author of the Agatha Award–nominated Maid of Murder as well as the Magical Bookshop Mysteries.