Helpful Score: 3
Rachel Mast is a widow and mother of young twin boys. Since her husband's death in a freak accident, she has been struggling to tend the farm left by her husband. Fortunately, she lives in an Amish community full of people willing to help her with the farm chores, and her non-Amish neighbor Jennie helps care for the boys. The farm's barn is in need of repairs, and Rachel receives offers from a number of people wanting to buy the farm. In addition to turning down real estate offers, Rachel is also busy turning down Eben Yoder, the local bishop who is determined to court her. She also finds herself intrigued by Mitch Randall, one of the potential buyers for the barn.
Rachel's quiet life begins to unravel when strange things start happening - items belonging to her deceased husband start appearing around the farm, and her boys claim to have seen their dead father. She suspects that members of her Amish community may be involved, so she turns to Mitch to help her investigate. Soon Rachel and Mitch realize that her husband's death may not have been an accident.
This book is marketed as romantic suspense, but it is truly more than that. Rachel's struggles with her desire for independence versus faith and her traditional community make for an engrossing story. The mystery builds slowly, and is not the focus of the book for the first half of the book, which is spent introducing Rachel and acclimating the reader to her community and the Amish way of life. Surprisingly I found those parts of the story far more interesting than the whodunnit.
Highly recommended!
Rachel's quiet life begins to unravel when strange things start happening - items belonging to her deceased husband start appearing around the farm, and her boys claim to have seen their dead father. She suspects that members of her Amish community may be involved, so she turns to Mitch to help her investigate. Soon Rachel and Mitch realize that her husband's death may not have been an accident.
This book is marketed as romantic suspense, but it is truly more than that. Rachel's struggles with her desire for independence versus faith and her traditional community make for an engrossing story. The mystery builds slowly, and is not the focus of the book for the first half of the book, which is spent introducing Rachel and acclimating the reader to her community and the Amish way of life. Surprisingly I found those parts of the story far more interesting than the whodunnit.
Highly recommended!
Helpful Score: 3
Excellent. Couldn't put it down. I really enjoy books about the amish.
Helpful Score: 3
This was a quick read, and a good way to pass the time. I wouldn't say it was a fantastic book, and it's definitely not literature, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. It's a little bit of an insight into a part of Amish life, and a crime novel all rolled into one.
For me this book was a page turner. The story line is great and at the same time I got a feel for the Amish community. Recomend reading.
Helpful Score: 2
This book had alot of Amish info and was a very good story.
Helpful Score: 2
THIS IS ONE THAT WILL KEEP YOUR INTEREST RIGHT UP TO THE END,GREAT READ!
For me this book was a page turner. The story line is great and at the same time I got a feel for the Amish community. Recomend reading.
Helpful Score: 1
Good Amish mystery.
Helpful Score: 1
This is the first time I have read a book by this author. Good read. Liked the background on the Amish. I will buy more of her books.
Helpful Score: 1
great reading! keeps you guessing.
Helpful Score: 1
A glimpse into the lives of the modern-day Amish carries this romantic suspense from the author of The Baby Farm. After a freak accident kills Rachael Mast's husband, strange things start happening around her Amish farm. Chores are being mysteriously done, her late husband's presence seems to be everywhere and her twin sons claim that "daadi" isn't dead but living in the barn, a disturbing notion that seems to be substantiated by evidence that someone has been spying on her from the hayloft. Refusing to be manipulated or terrified, Rachael sets out to learn who is behind the acts--and why. When bones are unearthed from a shallow grave beneath the barn's floor, Rachael must turn her back on Amish ways and depend on a new friend, antique-barn restorer Mitch Randall, for protection, even though he fits the profile of a stalker. Harper's choice of setting and lifestyle for her heartwarming characters adds a fresh twist to an otherwise familiar mystery.
Helpful Score: 1
A good Harper read.
One of my keepers. It had a geat mystery,did not figure it out till Harper let me! The Amish life was very interesting to read about also. Wonderful story.
Excellent read! I really mean it!! LOL
1st time author for me but I was not disappointed.
Deep in the Heart of a Small Amish community lies a secret someone thought was buried forever, but one woman may have just unknowingly uncovered it
Fascinating blend of Amish and modern ways
Deep in the heart of a small Amish community lies a secret someone thought was buried forever. But one woman may have just unknowingly uncovered it.
This was the first book that I read of hers. I found it very good, and hard to put down. It keeped me in suspence.
This was the first book that I read of hers. I found it very good, and hard to put down. It keeped me in suspence.
Against the Amish traditions that Rachel was raised with, she is running her small farm and raising her twin boys on her own after her husband's tragic death. Then things start happening...Her dead husband's belongings turn up in unexpected places, her sons are acting strangely and she feels as if she's being watched. As Rachel begins to dig up the past for answers, someone is equally deteremined to keep it buried and won't stop at murder to keep the truth hidden.
This is set in Amish country and had some interesting twists and turns. Their are secret in this small Amish community that some don't want revealed.
Another great Karen Harper. Mystery, murder, romance, all set among the Amish community. A quick read.
For me this book was a page turner. The story line is great and at the same time I got a feel for the Amish community. Recomend reading.
aanother great book by Karen Harper its another AMISH mystery one you wont want to put down.
Kept me up reading late into the night!!!!!!!!!
Kept me up reading late into the night!!!!!!!!!
A good fast read for those of us who are intriqued with the Amish lifestyle. The main character, Racheal, is a strong determined lady and will not give in to the males in her community, even when threatened with expulsion from the church. A good mystery evolves making the book interesting throughout.
Interesting story of Amish Life mixed in with a mystery tale.
I am surprised to see so many good reviews of this book on here. I have read a couple of Harper's other books and enjoyed them. But this one was slow and kind of dull. I liked the premise: Amish woman being spooked at her farm after her husband dies, but there wasn't enough "scary" stuff for me. There were a few little mini mysteries as well, but I just felt it got repetitive after awhile. I did read til the end, but skimmed MANY pages just so I could get there!
When Rachel's husband is killed in a freak accident, she is determined to continue to raise their twins and farm their land with only nominal help from her fellow Amish brethren and her English-speaking friends. She begins to suspect that her husband was murdered as strange events start to happen-first his tools and then his clothing are moved, and then her children see him. Intellectually, she realizes that many of her friends, both new and old, Amish and non-Amish, had the motives and opportunities to kill him
If you like a mystery with cultural interest and a little romance thrown in, this is it. "Down to the Bone" had me guessing who-done-it the entire way through. I thought it was very well written and so interesting to learn about the culture of the Amish community.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Rachel Mast is doing all she can to keep her life together one year after the tragic death of her husband. Against all Amish traditions, she is running her small farm and raising her twin boys on her own. And for the first time in a long time, Rachel is happy.
Then things start happening.... Her dead husbands belongings turn up in unexpected places, her sons are acting strangely and Rachel feels as if shes being watched. She knows someone is trying to scare her, but who and why? Is it Eben Yoder, her Amish neighbor, whos determined to make her his wife? Or someone else in the community who wants her to conform to their ways? Or is it Mitch Randall, the stranger who has taken an unusual interest in her barn...and in the young widow herself, making Rachel feel things shes never felt before?
As Rachel begins to dig up the past for answers, someone is equally determined to keep it buried. Someone who wont stop at murder to keep the truth hidden.
Rachel Mast is doing all she can to keep her life together one year after the tragic death of her husband. Against all Amish traditions, she is running her small farm and raising her twin boys on her own. And for the first time in a long time, Rachel is happy.
Then things start happening.... Her dead husbands belongings turn up in unexpected places, her sons are acting strangely and Rachel feels as if shes being watched. She knows someone is trying to scare her, but who and why? Is it Eben Yoder, her Amish neighbor, whos determined to make her his wife? Or someone else in the community who wants her to conform to their ways? Or is it Mitch Randall, the stranger who has taken an unusual interest in her barn...and in the young widow herself, making Rachel feel things shes never felt before?
As Rachel begins to dig up the past for answers, someone is equally determined to keep it buried. Someone who wont stop at murder to keep the truth hidden.
From the Publisher
Rachel Mast is doing all she can to keep her life together one year after the tragic death of her husband. Against all Amish traditions, she is running her small farm and raising her twin boys on her own. And for the first time in a long time, Rachel is happy.
Then things start happening.... Her dead husbands belongings turn up in unexpected places, her sons are acting strangely and Rachel feels as if shes being watched. She knows someone is trying to scare her, but who and why? Is it Eben Yoder, her Amish neighbor, whos determined to make her his wife? Or someone else in the community who wants her to conform to their ways? Or is it Mitch Randall, the stranger who has taken an unusual interest in her barn...and in the young widow herself, making Rachel feel things shes never felt before?
As Rachel begins to dig up the past for answers, someone is equally determined to keep it buried. Someone who wont stop at murder to keep the truth hidden.
From The Critics
Debbie Richardson - Romantic Times
This story brilliantly paints a picture of a world most of us can only imagine, as a backdrop for a frightening tale where all the characters seem to have something to hide. This book is a keeper.
School Library Journal
Adult/High School-A wonderful mystery with romance and a hint of ghosts. When Rachel's husband is killed in a freak accident, she is determined to continue to raise their twins and farm their land with only nominal help from her fellow Amish brethren and her English-speaking friends. She begins to suspect that her husband was murdered as strange events start to happen-first his tools and then his clothing are moved, and then her children see him. Intellectually, she realizes that many of her friends, both new and old, Amish and non-Amish, had the motives and opportunities to kill him. While the story moves quickly, the mystery builds slowly and hooks readers, as Harper gradually introduces one clue or suspicion after another. The characters are well drawn; readers suspect nearly everyone and will identify with Rachel's wish to be independent. Amish beliefs and customs are woven into the plot.-Claudia Moore, W. T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.
Rachel Mast is doing all she can to keep her life together one year after the tragic death of her husband. Against all Amish traditions, she is running her small farm and raising her twin boys on her own. And for the first time in a long time, Rachel is happy.
Then things start happening.... Her dead husbands belongings turn up in unexpected places, her sons are acting strangely and Rachel feels as if shes being watched. She knows someone is trying to scare her, but who and why? Is it Eben Yoder, her Amish neighbor, whos determined to make her his wife? Or someone else in the community who wants her to conform to their ways? Or is it Mitch Randall, the stranger who has taken an unusual interest in her barn...and in the young widow herself, making Rachel feel things shes never felt before?
As Rachel begins to dig up the past for answers, someone is equally determined to keep it buried. Someone who wont stop at murder to keep the truth hidden.
From The Critics
Debbie Richardson - Romantic Times
This story brilliantly paints a picture of a world most of us can only imagine, as a backdrop for a frightening tale where all the characters seem to have something to hide. This book is a keeper.
School Library Journal
Adult/High School-A wonderful mystery with romance and a hint of ghosts. When Rachel's husband is killed in a freak accident, she is determined to continue to raise their twins and farm their land with only nominal help from her fellow Amish brethren and her English-speaking friends. She begins to suspect that her husband was murdered as strange events start to happen-first his tools and then his clothing are moved, and then her children see him. Intellectually, she realizes that many of her friends, both new and old, Amish and non-Amish, had the motives and opportunities to kill him. While the story moves quickly, the mystery builds slowly and hooks readers, as Harper gradually introduces one clue or suspicion after another. The characters are well drawn; readers suspect nearly everyone and will identify with Rachel's wish to be independent. Amish beliefs and customs are woven into the plot.-Claudia Moore, W. T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.
A wonderful mystery with romance and a hint of ghosts. When Rachel's husband is killed in a freak accident, she is determined to continue to raise their twins and farm their land with only nominal help from her fellow Amish brethren and her English-speaking friends. She begins to suspect that her husband was murdered as strange events start to happen-first his tools and then his clothing are moved, and then her children see him. Intellectually, she realizes that many of her friends, both new and old, Amish and non-Amish, had the motives and opportunities to kill him. While the story moves quickly, the mystery builds slowly and hooks readers, as Harper gradually introduces one clue or suspicion after another. The characters are well drawn; readers suspect nearly everyone and will identify with Rachel's wish to be independent. Amish beliefs and customs are woven into the plot.
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL REVIEW
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL REVIEW
