Assaulted Pretzel

January 28, 2013
In Bradford’s delightful second Amish mystery (after 2012’s Hearse and Buggy), toy manufacturer Robert Karble, of Karble Toys, comes to Heavenly, Pa., to look into the local toymakers and launch a new line of their handcrafted work. This could mean an employment boon for the people of Heavenly. When Karble is found dead at the annual Amish Food Festival, a half-eaten pretzel and a blood-soaked rock near the body reveal both Karble’s last bite of food and the murder weapon. Claire Weatherly, the proprietor of an Amish-themed gift shop, Heavenly Treasures, turns sleuth. Lending assistance—and romantic interest for the divorced Claire—are Det. Jakob Fisher, who’s been excommunicated, and Benjamin Miller, who’s a less likely prospect because he’s Amish. That Karble was planning to make the new toys outside the Amish community provides a motive for murder. Well-portrayed characters and authentic Amish lore make this a memorable read. Agent: Jessica Faust, BooksEnds.