Amish Outsider

May 6, 2019
Perry (Shattered Silence) opens an Amish romantic suspense series with a master class in balancing characterization and suspense. After Michael Forster’s estranged wife is murdered, and he becomes a suspect in that murder, he returns to his Pennsylvania hometown with his withdrawn eight-year-old daughter, Allie. She starts attending the local Amish school under the instruction of teacher Cathy Brandt, but Michael finds it difficult to settle into his old life with suspicion hanging over his head. Soon the investigation intrudes on all of their daily lives when a private investigator appears and a mysterious stalker follows Cathy and Allie home from school. As tensions rise, Michael and Cathy grow closer through their shared goal of protecting Allie (though they sometimes go overboard, hiding facts and feelings from her even when she clearly needs someone to talk to) and their community. Perry effortlessly blends the Amish and non-Amish aspects of the small Pennsylvania town, showcasing the acceptance and rejection on both sides. The secondary characters, particularly the police chief and Michael’s brother-in-law, enhance the overall theme of fellowship, and the final revelation of the culprit is inevitable without being predictable. Emphasis on personal growth as well as romance make River Haven a place readers will gladly return to.

June 1, 2019

Suspected of but not charged with the murder of his estranged Englischer wife, Diana, Michael Forster takes his young daughter, Allie, and leaves Harrisburg, PA, to return to the Amish community where he was born, hoping for a better life for both of them. For Michael, Allie's happiness is key, and when she bonds with kind, optimistic teacher Cathy Brandt, Michael can't help but be attracted to her, as well. But not everyone welcomes them back, including some of Diana's Englischer high school friends. Then a private investigator shows up, and the Harrisburg police take a renewed interest in the case. Michael knows he'll never be free of suspicion until the real killer is caught--a killer who might just be targeting everyone he loves in order to keep that secret safe. VERDICT Caring, decency, and family solidarity underpin this frightening but ultimately heartwarming tale of hate, retribution, and evil that is made all the more chilling by the peaceful, nonviolent setting. Perry (Shattered Silence) divides her time between rural Pennsylvania and South Carolina.

Copyright 2019 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.