Looking back, I suppose my decision to join the Heavenly, Pennsylvania Police Department as a detective should have given me more pause than it did. But I did it as a way to be closer to my childhood family.
And by closer, I mean geographically.
The other kind of “close” isn’t possible, now or ever.
You see, I might blend in with my fellow police officers and English neighbors now, but back then, I wore suspenders and a straw hat just like my Amish brethren. Sure, I spent much of my abbreviated Rumspringa soaking up everything I could about police work, but, in the end, I made the decision to be baptized and live an Amish life.
It was a commitment I fully intended to keep until a member of our community was murdered and the police seemed at a loss in finding the culprit. I guess all those hours spent shadowing the police while my counterparts experimented with more dicey parts of English living, reared their head and I knew I had to spend my life making sure justice was served.
Sadly, heeding that noble calling meant I could no longer have a relationship with my parents or my siblings. In fact, the Ordung—an unwritten code of order adhered to by the Amish regarding the laws of social and spiritual behavior—virtually demanded my ex-communication from my community and my family.
Yet here I am, seventeen years later, back in Heavenly, doing my best to keep the streets my family travels, and the community in which they live, safe. Every glimpse I catch of my sister, Martha, my niece, Esther, or any other member of my childhood family is simply a bonus.
Sort of a win-win, or so I thought…
Finding Amish Dairy Farmer Harley Zook’s body in the middle of a popular corn maze a few days ago has made me rethink my decision to return to Heavenly.
How could it not when the clues to his killer are leading me straight to my father’s doorstep?
You can read more about Jakob in Shunned And Dangerous, the third book in the “Amish” mystery series, published by Berkley Prime Crime. The first book in the series is Hearse and Buggy. Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
GIVEAWAY: Comment on this post by noon EST on March 8, and you will be entered for a chance to win a copy of Shunned And Dangerous. One winner will be chosen at random. Unless specified, U.S. entries only.
Meet the author
Laura Bradford is the national best-selling author of the Amish Mysteries (Berkley Prime Crime). The third title in the series—SHUNNED AND DANGEROUS—is now available. To learn more about Laura and the Amish Mysteries, you can visit her website: www.laurabradford.com, “like” her page on Facebook, or follow her on Twitter.
Follow dru’s book musing on Facebook for book giveaways, contests, posting about discounted books and some of my reading musings.
This is a new to me author thanks to your blog. Definitely will check these mysteries out!
This book sounds great, I’d love to read/win it
I haven’t read any Amish cozies! I would love to start with this one! Thank you for the giveaway!
I read the first two books in the series. They were great. This one sounds wonderful as well.
Count me in please.
I live near an Amish community so this series really sounds good to me, thanks
This is a new author for me. I’m looking forward to reading this series. Thanks for the intro!
Thank you for the chance to win. I love Amish mysteries.
I enjoyed the earlier books in this series.
I love this series – can’t wait to get my hands on this book.
Enjoyed Jakob’s words–it can be hard to go home again. Thanks for the chance to win!
OHHHH, an Amish mystery, love it, thank you for the chance to win this book.
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
I wasn’t planning to start this series, but the recent reviews have really intrigued me.
Thanks for the opportunity to win this book.
I enjoyed the first 2 books in the series. I’m sure I’ll enjoy this one too. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
I would be thrilled to win a copy of this book. Please accept my entry in this wonderful giveaway. Thank you.
Love reading all kinds of Amish books. This one sounds really good. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
Sounds like a good read.
I always enjoy a good Amish mystery, but have not read this author as yet. This would be a good starting point for sure!
I love reading your books. I lived in Pennsylvania in Mennonite country many years ago, and your books take me back to that landscape. I look forward to this one.
I’d like to learn more about the Amish life. Thanks for the giveaway.
I really enjoy Amish mysteries. Thanks for the chance to win.
Jakob and I thank you for stopping by today and we truly hope you enjoy the latest Amish Mystery, SHUNNED AND DANGEROUS. It was an interesting and fun book to write, that’s for sure.
Sorry to say, I have not yet read Laura’s Amish series although I do have Hearse and Buggy in my pile of to be read books. But I would really love to start her series after having spent a week in Lancaster and PA Dutch Country this past November where we celebrated our 50th anniversary with our daughter, her husband and three grandchildren all with us. We all love Amish country and that is where we wanted to celebrate all of our years together with our favorite people in the whole world. I will share my books with our daughter too as I know she would love to read them as well. Thank you for this chance. Cynthia
An Amish mystery sounds very intriguing. I have read Amish romances before and really enjoyed them. I’ll have to check out this series.
I will have to check out this series. I love the idea of an Amish mystery. The Amish romances have always been enjoyable so I bet these would be too.
This sounds like a great read!
I love this series.
kaye.killgore@comcast.net
I’m really enjoying these Amish cozies because I can count on them being fun, “clean” reads.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Oh wow! I need to put this series on my tbr list!
Like others, this is a new series to me. It sounds intriguing. TBR!
New series for me would love to read it.
New author for me. Will be putting Laura’s books on my list.
I love this series!!! Laura writes a wonderful story& I can’t wait to read this next one!!
I love Laura’s books & can’t wait to read this one. People who haven’t discovered her yet will be in for a delightful surprise at how wonderful her stories are. Thank you for the giveaway.
I love this series! Laura is an awesome author. I live in York, Pennsylvania, so it makes this series even more special. Anxious to read this one! Thanks for the giveaway! 🙂
Would love to win. Looks like a series I will enjoy!!
contest is closed.
Why by noon today? I only just got online after taking care of household needs?
Oh well. It does sound like a fascinating book.
I agree, Libby. Dru, is there some reason why some giveaways are on such short notice? Thanks for feedback.
Sounds great. I am always on the lookout for a new series.
Sounds like a great cozy mystery.