Falling to Pieces by Vannetta Chapman Series: Shipshewana Amish Mystery #1
Published by Zondervan on September 26, 2011
Genres: Amish & Mennonite, Christian, Fiction, Suspense
Pages: 332
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In this first book of a three-book series, author Vannetta Chapman brings a fresh twist to the popular Amish fiction genre. She blends the familiar components consumers love in Amish books---faith, community, simplicity, family---with an innovative who-done-it plot that keeps readers guessing right up to the last stitch in the quilt.When two women---one Amish, one English---each with different motives, join forces to organize a successful on-line quilt auction, neither expects nor wants a friendship. As different as night and day, Deborah and Callie are uneasy partners who simply want to make the best of a temporary situation. But a murder, a surprising prime suspect, a stubborn detective, and the town's reaction throw the two women together, and they form an unlikely alliance to solve a mystery and catch a killer.Set in the well-known Amish community of Shipshewana, Falling to Pieces will attract both devoted fans of the rapidly-growing Amish fiction genre, as well as those who are captivated by the Amish way of life.
Oh Vannetta, Vannetta, Vannetta. You have yet to disappointment me. And because I can’t dig up even a twitch of disappointment I’ve having a hard time settling into this review. Have you ever noticed that I only have a hard time writing the review if I’ve read the book? I feel like I frequently find myself in this situation, and complaining about it. But only like 99% of my reviews. Well, that’s not true. The truth is I really only struggle when I truly loved a book because how do I put all those feels into actual words. Words are hard people. And words with depth and emotion are harder, especially when you don’t want to give anything spoilerish away. The other time I truly struggle is when I didn’t care for a book but there’s no real obvious ‘aha’ reason. More just a meh moment. This book is obviously reason A from above.
That’s right. I have nothing to complain about. Vannetta builds rich characters that exhale off the pages. She builds communities, not just ‘settings’, that are vibrant and somewhere I’d love to visit or even relocate to. Into these amazing people in this amazing characters she weaves in suspense and mystery that is captivating and keeps me on the edge until the bitter end. Not that the end is bitter, it’s usually sweet and encompassing and grounded in the faith that is seamlessly woven throughout the entire story. Set in the real community of Shipshewana, Indiana with a community that probably mirrors so many communities throughout the country Deborah and Callie show what real friendship has the potential to become. They didn’t know each other when they met but they had a connection that drew them deeper. I’ve had those friendships. This is what it’s like when you meet a bestie and know you are tethered for life.
Guys, I’m struggling here. I envy this community. The closeness of the residents and the truth of the friendships. I love that I get such an abiding richness of faith without feeling as though I was preached at. . .Vannetta is amazing at this by the way. Words are hard here. Reviews are hard. This book though? That’s easy. It’s amazingly well written with amazing characters and a solid story line. That alone is worth the read. M’kay?
About Vannetta Chapman
Vannetta Chapman writes inspirational fiction full of grace. She is the author of many novels, including the Pebble Creek Amish series, Shipshewana Amish Mystery Series, and Plain and Simple Miracle series. Vannetta is a Carol award winner and also received more than two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups. She currently writes Christian suspense, Amish romance, and Amish mystery. She was a teacher for 15 years and currently resides in the Texas hill country.
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