Murder, Handcrafted by Isabella Alan is the fifth Amish Quilt Shop Mystery novel. Angela "Angie" Braddock owns Running Stitch in Rolling Brook, Ohio. Angie gets a call that her father hurt himself (his back) trying to take down cabinets in her parent's kitchen (they are starting a renovation). Her father insisted he could do it (you watched some videos). Angie hurries over to her parents' house with her dog, Oliver (she takes him everywhere with her). While Daphne (Angie's mother) takes Kent (Angie's father) to the hospital, Angie gets her best friend, Jonah Graber (they grew up together) to finish the kitchen. Jonah is getting assistance from Eban Hoch, a newcomer to Rolling Brook. But then Jonah finds out that the electrician is Griffin Bright. Jonah blames Griffin for the death of his cousin, Kamon. But the two agree to work together to complete the kitchen. Things proceed until Angie gets a call early one morning. She rushes over and finds out that Griffin Bright is dead (this kitchen project seems doomed). He was electrocuted. Jonah ends up being the number one suspect. Sheriff James Mitchell (and Angie's boyfriend) knows that Jonah would not hurt anyone, but he has to follow the evidence (which points to Jonah). Angie blames herself since she got Jonah involved in the project and sets out to clear Jonah's name. Miriam, Jonah's wife, intensely dislikes Angie (I believe she dislikes Angie more than the goat, Petunia--did I mention Jonah's goat mowing service). Angie does not understand why and this incident is not helping the situation. Maybe Anna, Jonah's mother can shed some light on the situation. Angie will have to rely on her capable employee, Mattie Miller to take care of Running Stitch. But Mattie has been a little secretive lately. Something is up with her. Then there is the Bigfoot problem! Life is certainly not dull in Rolling Brook, Ohio. Join Angie in her investigation in Murder, Handcrafted.
Murder, Handcrafted is just charming. I liked how the murder was committed (very clever), but I was quickly able to identify the killer. The Bigfoot subplot was funny and added some humor to the story (but was not too ridiculous). There was a lack of clues in the book. They did not seem to pop up until right before the reveal of the killer (not that you need them, but I like finding the clues in the story). The novel had a sweet, romantic ending that I enjoyed. I give Murder, Handcrafted 4 out of 5 stars. I did find that some information was repeated a couple of times. Overall, the novel is well-written and had a good flow (pace) which made for a pleasurable reading experience. I will definitely be reading more books by Isabella Alan (aka Amanda Flower) in the future. There is a preview of Prose and Cons at the end of the book.
I received a complimentary copy of Murder, Handcrafted from NetGalley (thanks to the author and her publisher) in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel.
Murder, Handcrafted is just charming. I liked how the murder was committed (very clever), but I was quickly able to identify the killer. The Bigfoot subplot was funny and added some humor to the story (but was not too ridiculous). There was a lack of clues in the book. They did not seem to pop up until right before the reveal of the killer (not that you need them, but I like finding the clues in the story). The novel had a sweet, romantic ending that I enjoyed. I give Murder, Handcrafted 4 out of 5 stars. I did find that some information was repeated a couple of times. Overall, the novel is well-written and had a good flow (pace) which made for a pleasurable reading experience. I will definitely be reading more books by Isabella Alan (aka Amanda Flower) in the future. There is a preview of Prose and Cons at the end of the book.
I received a complimentary copy of Murder, Handcrafted from NetGalley (thanks to the author and her publisher) in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel.
Dollycas's Thoughts
Another amazing read from Isabella Alan.
Angie Braddock life is so good, you just know something is going to go wrong. That's is just what happens when her dad starts a huge kitchen redo and injures himself. Angie asks her friend Jonah to take over the remodeling while her dad heals but the Amish man ends up in the middle of a murder investigation when the electrician for the job is found dead outside her parent's home. Angie knows it is up to her to find the real killer and proving Jonah's innocence sure sparks her resolve. Hopefully she can do it without making her boyfriend, Sheriff James Mitchell too upset or getting herself right in the killer's sights.
I love, love, love this series. I love the way Angie and James' relationship is progressing even when getting a major push from her mom. I love Angie's relationship with Jonah. Friends since childhood, their relationship could have gone several ways. But it has grown into a platonic true friendship and certain people just have to deal with it. I also love the way the author's knowledge of Amish life is told in these stories. There are some conflicts between the Amish and the Englisch but Angie plays the perfect co-between so most things can be resolved.
Where this story tops previous installments in the unexpected character the author introduces. BIGFOOT!! in Ohio!! Could it be??? No spoilers here! You are going to have to read the book yourself!!
As always, Ms. Alan gives us a great mystery that kept me guessing right up to the end. It was filled with plenty of action too.
An awesome story with fantastic characters, humans and their 4 legged friends.
I am so upset this is the last book in the series. I definitely wanted more trips to Holmes County. Thank you to the author for leaving us with a happy ending.
Another amazing read from Isabella Alan.
Angie Braddock life is so good, you just know something is going to go wrong. That's is just what happens when her dad starts a huge kitchen redo and injures himself. Angie asks her friend Jonah to take over the remodeling while her dad heals but the Amish man ends up in the middle of a murder investigation when the electrician for the job is found dead outside her parent's home. Angie knows it is up to her to find the real killer and proving Jonah's innocence sure sparks her resolve. Hopefully she can do it without making her boyfriend, Sheriff James Mitchell too upset or getting herself right in the killer's sights.
I love, love, love this series. I love the way Angie and James' relationship is progressing even when getting a major push from her mom. I love Angie's relationship with Jonah. Friends since childhood, their relationship could have gone several ways. But it has grown into a platonic true friendship and certain people just have to deal with it. I also love the way the author's knowledge of Amish life is told in these stories. There are some conflicts between the Amish and the Englisch but Angie plays the perfect co-between so most things can be resolved.
Where this story tops previous installments in the unexpected character the author introduces. BIGFOOT!! in Ohio!! Could it be??? No spoilers here! You are going to have to read the book yourself!!
As always, Ms. Alan gives us a great mystery that kept me guessing right up to the end. It was filled with plenty of action too.
An awesome story with fantastic characters, humans and their 4 legged friends.
I am so upset this is the last book in the series. I definitely wanted more trips to Holmes County. Thank you to the author for leaving us with a happy ending.
Bonnie A. (ladycholla) -
Liked this one in the series very much. Good story and introduction of several new characters as well as the repair of a couple of relationships. Good one and hope for more of the same.
Valerie S. (VolunteerVal) -
This is the fifth and final installment in the Amist Quilt Shop series. This was a strong finish to the series with an interesting murder to solve, new characters to meet, and becoming better acquainted with others ... plus Bigfoot! The focus remained on the murder but had just enough "wrap up" of the personal storylines to be satisfying. I thoroughly all five visits to Ohio Amish country and hope all the colorful personalities live happily ever after.
