Very good cozy mystery with both "Englisch" and Amish characters. The setting is wonderful--a pleasant village constructed for the benefit of both locals and tourists in Middlebury, Indiana. The Amish Village includes a conference center, restaurant and several shops built adjacent to a pond on lovely grounds.
Although romance is not the main focus of the novel, a couple of budding romances are featured--one "Englisch" and one Amish. This novel offers an interesting cast of characters and is very entertaining. If you like cozy mysteries, I think you will enjoy this one.
Although romance is not the main focus of the novel, a couple of budding romances are featured--one "Englisch" and one Amish. This novel offers an interesting cast of characters and is very entertaining. If you like cozy mysteries, I think you will enjoy this one.
Carole J. (PianoLady357) reviewed Murder Simply Brewed (Amish Village, Bk 1) on + 157 more book reviews
Murder Simply Brewed is the most delightful story - a perfect blend of Amish fiction, cozy mystery, and romance that entertains and inspires. Vannetta's prose is tight, with every word moving the story along. A "comfort read" for me on the one hand as I enjoyed its characters and setting, I was still held in its grip, eager to see how the mystery element would be resolved.
The charming setting - an Amish Artisan Village in Middlebury, Indiana - is a place every reader will surely want to visit. Located on seventy acres, it consists of an inn, conference center, restaurant, bakery, and six artisan shops. Be sure to visit Vannetta's Pinterest board to get a feel for the village and surrounding area.
I especially appreciated the connection between two couples - one young and Amish, one older and Englisch - and the growing friendship between Amber and Hannah as well. Amber had been the village manager for 22 years, and was convinced that it was too late for God to satisfy her dream of marriage. Tate, a farmer in his early 50s, had a no-nonsense way about him and liked the quiet life. An unlikely pairing like this makes for great storytelling, and I loved the scene where Amber and Tate are trying to get his donkeys, Velvet and Trixie, out of the rain.
Hannah is the sweetest young Amish girl who struggles with vanity, but in an innocent way. The friendship between Amber and Hannah may have started because of Hannah's natural investigative skills - she was a good listener, noticed things, and people trusted her - but it quickly grew into much more. Hannah reflects that while Amish communities remain separate in some cases, "In Middlebury, it seems that Gotte has woven our lives together in some areas, especially at work. . . . What if we're supposed to look out for one another?" Hannah's neighbor, Jesse, is another delightful character, and I look forward to seeing the relationship between these two grow.
I am a huge fan of cozy mysteries and I can say that Vannetta excels in this area. It is so refreshing to read a mystery that is well plotted and thought out, populated with interesting suspects, and with spiritual overtones. Especially moving is the Amish view of death, reflected in Minerva's words to Hannah: "Often a death is just the end of one's completed life. I've seen many people struggle with that truth, because they weren't ready to be without their loved one. . . . We all must accept how temporary this life is, which is sometimes a painful idea."
Spiritual values shine in the way Amber and Hannah become a friend to the victim, even in death, and later to one who would do harm. Vannetta Chapman is an author that I never fail to enjoy, and I highly recommend Murder Simply Brewed. 5-star rating in comparison to other Amish fiction.
Thank you to Vannetta Chapman for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
The charming setting - an Amish Artisan Village in Middlebury, Indiana - is a place every reader will surely want to visit. Located on seventy acres, it consists of an inn, conference center, restaurant, bakery, and six artisan shops. Be sure to visit Vannetta's Pinterest board to get a feel for the village and surrounding area.
I especially appreciated the connection between two couples - one young and Amish, one older and Englisch - and the growing friendship between Amber and Hannah as well. Amber had been the village manager for 22 years, and was convinced that it was too late for God to satisfy her dream of marriage. Tate, a farmer in his early 50s, had a no-nonsense way about him and liked the quiet life. An unlikely pairing like this makes for great storytelling, and I loved the scene where Amber and Tate are trying to get his donkeys, Velvet and Trixie, out of the rain.
Hannah is the sweetest young Amish girl who struggles with vanity, but in an innocent way. The friendship between Amber and Hannah may have started because of Hannah's natural investigative skills - she was a good listener, noticed things, and people trusted her - but it quickly grew into much more. Hannah reflects that while Amish communities remain separate in some cases, "In Middlebury, it seems that Gotte has woven our lives together in some areas, especially at work. . . . What if we're supposed to look out for one another?" Hannah's neighbor, Jesse, is another delightful character, and I look forward to seeing the relationship between these two grow.
I am a huge fan of cozy mysteries and I can say that Vannetta excels in this area. It is so refreshing to read a mystery that is well plotted and thought out, populated with interesting suspects, and with spiritual overtones. Especially moving is the Amish view of death, reflected in Minerva's words to Hannah: "Often a death is just the end of one's completed life. I've seen many people struggle with that truth, because they weren't ready to be without their loved one. . . . We all must accept how temporary this life is, which is sometimes a painful idea."
Spiritual values shine in the way Amber and Hannah become a friend to the victim, even in death, and later to one who would do harm. Vannetta Chapman is an author that I never fail to enjoy, and I highly recommend Murder Simply Brewed. 5-star rating in comparison to other Amish fiction.
Thank you to Vannetta Chapman for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
My Comments
I was so thrilled to get a review copy of this book, Ive read so many of Chapmans books and they never disappoint. She has a unique talent of mixing Amish and Englischer characters within a small community and having her readers fall in love with these characters. I didnt connect with Murder Simply Brewed as much as I hoped I would, but I still really enjoyed what can be easily described as a cozy mystery.
The two women in this book are Amber and Hannah. They make an unlikely bond in this story that becomes a sweet friendship as they investigate a death in their community that the police deem is not a murder, but natural causes. However there are just too many coincidences related to Ethan Greys death that put Amber in a sleuthing role despite the risks that go with it. Hannah doesnt get as involved, but she does share any new information with Amber and they rely on each other throughout the story. Both women are very observant and eager to resolve the entire situation. The only question I have is, was Hannah finally able to taste the coffee she prepared or maybe thats for the next book?
I couldnt believe some of the pranks in this book; some were totally outrageous while others were utterly creepy! Even though the story started out slow for me, once these pranks were put into motion I was eager to find out what would happen next.
My two favorite characters were Tate and Elizabeth. They are both incredibly supportive of Amber and had me smiling.
There was a sweet romance between Tate and Amber and Jesse and Hannah. However, I really enjoyed reading more about Tate and Amber even though they start out as total opposites in personality. Tate is still grieving his late wife when the story begins, but he ends up helping Amber with the investigation and I just loved the scenes they have together. Leo the cat was also an enhancement to the story.
Even though I didnt connect with this story as Id hoped to, its still accurate to say that anything Chapman writes is wonderfully entertaining and always illustrates what it means to have faith in God no matter what culture youre from. The characters keep things interesting, I had no idea who the culprit was, the police had me suspicious because of their nonchalant attitude towards Amber, the romance is subtle but perfectly done, the friendships are pure delight, the Amish community stick together and help each other in such precious ways, and even when you discover who the villain is there is forgiveness available for this person. Im grateful for authors like Chapman and I know her readers will enjoy this book as I did!
I want to thank BookLook Bloggers and Zondervan for the review copy received. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.
I was so thrilled to get a review copy of this book, Ive read so many of Chapmans books and they never disappoint. She has a unique talent of mixing Amish and Englischer characters within a small community and having her readers fall in love with these characters. I didnt connect with Murder Simply Brewed as much as I hoped I would, but I still really enjoyed what can be easily described as a cozy mystery.
The two women in this book are Amber and Hannah. They make an unlikely bond in this story that becomes a sweet friendship as they investigate a death in their community that the police deem is not a murder, but natural causes. However there are just too many coincidences related to Ethan Greys death that put Amber in a sleuthing role despite the risks that go with it. Hannah doesnt get as involved, but she does share any new information with Amber and they rely on each other throughout the story. Both women are very observant and eager to resolve the entire situation. The only question I have is, was Hannah finally able to taste the coffee she prepared or maybe thats for the next book?
I couldnt believe some of the pranks in this book; some were totally outrageous while others were utterly creepy! Even though the story started out slow for me, once these pranks were put into motion I was eager to find out what would happen next.
My two favorite characters were Tate and Elizabeth. They are both incredibly supportive of Amber and had me smiling.
There was a sweet romance between Tate and Amber and Jesse and Hannah. However, I really enjoyed reading more about Tate and Amber even though they start out as total opposites in personality. Tate is still grieving his late wife when the story begins, but he ends up helping Amber with the investigation and I just loved the scenes they have together. Leo the cat was also an enhancement to the story.
Even though I didnt connect with this story as Id hoped to, its still accurate to say that anything Chapman writes is wonderfully entertaining and always illustrates what it means to have faith in God no matter what culture youre from. The characters keep things interesting, I had no idea who the culprit was, the police had me suspicious because of their nonchalant attitude towards Amber, the romance is subtle but perfectly done, the friendships are pure delight, the Amish community stick together and help each other in such precious ways, and even when you discover who the villain is there is forgiveness available for this person. Im grateful for authors like Chapman and I know her readers will enjoy this book as I did!
I want to thank BookLook Bloggers and Zondervan for the review copy received. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.
Kimberly N. (kimberlyrav) -
What a wonderful set of characters and a lovely town. This book had the perfect mix of mystery, light romance and Amish goodness. I loved it and look forward to the next book in the series!
