Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Falling to Pieces: A Quilt Shop Murder (Shipshewana Amish Mystery #1)

by Vannetta Chapman (Goodreads Author)

4.11 of 5 stars 4.11 · rating details · 366 ratings · 120 reviews

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...more

Paperback, 336 pages

Published September 27th 2011 by Zondervan (first published September 20th 2011)

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

Christian Mystery/Suspense Books

17th out of 206 books — 136 voters

The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson

Best Christian Fiction Book Covers

201st out of 558 books — 445 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 1,181)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Mar 26, 2012 Mercedes Cordero rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: christian-fiction

Oh, this is a very intriguing mystery. Mrs. Chapman does a wonderful job of combining Amish and English life, presenting both equally and in a true to life form, and mixing it up with murder. She really is a very skilled writer. Callie is a character that almost anyone can relate with, and Deborah is the one you wish you could be more like. Although you will know the murder victim since the beginning, you will not guess who or why. And let me tell you: I thought the book was very well written, w...more Oh, this is a very intriguing mystery. Mrs. Chapman does a wonderful job of combining Amish and English life, presenting both equally and in a true to life form, and mixing it up with murder. She really is a very skilled writer. Callie is a character that almost anyone can relate with, and Deborah is the one you wish you could be more like. Although you will know the murder victim since the beginning, you will not guess who or why. And let me tell you: I thought the book was very well written, with a nice and slow pace, with enough time to get to know the characters (most of them, anyway) and their motivations, with enough descriptions to get a real sense of the place; never boring, but you're always anticipating, with this cannot-wait expectation of WHO and WHAT is he looking for and WHY, my goodness, WHY?! And then, with all this tension, anxiety and desperation built up, you get to the climatic scene that does not disappoint in any way and there you are: expectant, trying to figure it out, to make sense for yourself... Don't bother; just enjoy the ride, loose yourself in the drama and mystery, and be advised: it is impossible to outsmart this novel. You will not guess it, but you will like it.
The motive behind everything is the only thing that left me, I don't know... kind of wanting something else, wishing it was for a more fantastic reason. But Mrs. Chapman is clear from the beginning: this is set in today's world, with today's worries, and complications. So don't expect a mysterious reason or surprise in the end. Like I said before, it is true to life.
Something I liked but also disliked? The love interests for Callie, only because I have my heart set on one specific law enforcement officer and I sense that Callie is not headed in that direction... *sigh*
There are a few loose strings, which I figure will be covered in the sequel, A Perfect Square, that came out this month. So read up and enjoy, but, fair warning, you would most likely want to buy the sequel.(less)

2 likes · like · see review

Nov 26, 2011 Chrissy♥Dev rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: anyone who loves a mystery

Recommended to Chrissy♥Dev by: the author

Shelves: contemporary, mystery, owned-won

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This is a book that i wouldnt normally pick up to read, since i won it i decided to give it a try. Man did i ever judge a book by its cover. because it said Amish i thought it would be boring by i surprisingly wrong. This book was full of adventure, excitement and a lot of action and drama.I am so glad that i won this book on Goodreads, it helped me open up my horizons on different types of books.

Summary:

Callie Harper moves to Shipshewana not for a new life but to fix up and move things after he...more

3 likes · like · see review

Oct 28, 2011 Loraine rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: amish, mystery

I loved this "cozy mystery". The main characters, Esther, Deborah, Melinda, three Amish women, and Callie an Englisher who comes to take over her aunt's quilt shop upon her death, all find themselves involved with the police in mystery, murder, and mayhem. When Callie is accused of the crime, the three Amish friends come to the aid of their new Englisher friend. Looking forward to more "cozy mysteries" from this author.

2 likes · like · see review

Mar 04, 2012 Kaye rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle-book, 2012-challenge

Excellent mystery set in Amish community of Shipshewana, IN. Very likeable characters, wonderful sense of place.

2 likes · like · see review

Dec 04, 2011 Meagan rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I picked this up because it was on sale and sounded like a good change of pace. It was perfect for what I wanted as a whimsical mystery, and the addition of Amish people was interesting as I haven't read much about them. The pacing of the mystery and reveal was believable and interesting. I also connected better than I thought I would with the characters. I found myself hoping Callie would begin to feel better and realize that she was making new friends. Deborah was

It sometimes felt more conser...more

1 like · like · see review

Jun 28, 2012 Janet rated it 3 of 5 stars

Falling to Pieces - Vannetta Chapman This is the first book in a new 3 book series. It connects the English with the Amish. Callie comes to town from Houston to see to her aunt's affairs. Her aunt Daisy owned a quilt shop in town before she died and Callie having suffered some heartache thinks a change of scenery for a little bit might be healing to her. She is not interested in making friends – she is just there to sell the shop and move on – although she is not sure where she is moving on to....more

2 likes · like · see review

Sep 11, 2011 Alison rated it 4 of 5 stars

Amish murder mystery! If you like Agatha Christie you'll get a kick out of this novel, for both the writing style and the mentions of the author.
One of my issues with Amish romances is the tendency to give the characters all a horrific tragedy in their past and make part of the subplot a lesson on accepting every thing as gods will, it might make good christan lessons but it makes for horrible plots, Falling to Pieces didn't suffer from this. The lessons in trusting god were subtle and well wove...more

2 likes · like · see review

Jun 29, 2012 Andrea rated it 5 of 5 stars

Easy to read and enjoy! Enough suspense to keep you guessing! Life is full of changes and doesn't always go the way you think. Sometimes God has better unexpected plans! Callie experienced this as well as finding her new "normal" life. She had a few twists and turns in her path.

3 likes · like · see review

Nov 13, 2011 Brenda Casto rated it 4 of 5 stars

A cozy mystery that involves Amish characters and a quilt shop, I just knew I was going to enjoy this book and boy was I right.
Callie Harper finds herself in Shipshewana after inheriting Daisy's Quilt Shop from her recently deceased aunt. She thinks she will just go for a few weeks and clear out her aunts things and sell the shop, but things don't go according to plan. When Deborah Yoder shows up at the shop with an armload of quilts, Callie learns that her aunt had an agreement with Deborah an...more A cozy mystery that involves Amish characters and a quilt shop, I just knew I was going to enjoy this book and boy was I right.
Callie Harper finds herself in Shipshewana after inheriting Daisy's Quilt Shop from her recently deceased aunt. She thinks she will just go for a few weeks and clear out her aunts things and sell the shop, but things don't go according to plan. When Deborah Yoder shows up at the shop with an armload of quilts, Callie learns that her aunt had an agreement with Deborah and two other Amish ladies to sell their quilts. Deborah soon convinces Callie that she should reopen the shop and take the quilts on consignment. When Callie decides to try her hand at auctioning the quilts on Ebay the Amish quilt makers quickly agree, but when Mr. Stakehorn the editor of the local paper writes a story suggesting that Callie might be taking advantage of the Amish quilting group Callie becomes furious and wants a retraction. When several people see Callie arguing with Mr. Stakehorn hours before he is found dead, Callie becomes a prime suspect. Deborah is certain her new friend could never commit murder, and when several other things start to happen in town the two put their heads together to try and figure out who the murderer might be.
This was a fast paced who-dun-it that really gave us several suspects. I liked how the story unfolded allowing the reader to see the friendship between Deborah and Callie grow. Callie was a character that was totally easy to relate to, I thought that it was interesting that snippets of her life was revealed in her aunts old journal. Callie was grieving not only for her aunt but for the loss of another loved one from a few years back. I thought the author allowed her to grow through out the story, it felt like she had finally found a place to call home. Deborah was different than most of the Amish characters that I read about, her husband seemed to allow her more freedom. She really looked out for her friends, and she and Callie really made a great investigative team. I always get excited when the author writes a dog into the story and in this one we had Max, a golden that Callie had inherited from her aunt Daisy. He was a comfort to Callie and turned out to be a hero.
This was one of those stories that when I started it I just couldn't put it down. The author's words really brought the scenes to life and there were several scenes that while tense also had humor woven in. There were plenty of twists and turns that made this a page turner for me, while I was a bit disappointed with the ending, overall I found it a great read and look forward to reading the next book in this series!
A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. (less)

1 like · like · see review

Oct 14, 2012 Lois rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is the first book of the Shipshewana Amish Mystery series. I read the second book in the series first, and the first book second. The advantage of living a backwards life like I do, is the first book explains how some things came to be in the second book, providing hindsight. Either way, you don't need to read them in order, but doing so might help keep your sense of balance aligned.

In many ways I liked this one better than #2 (A Perfect Square) mostly because it set the stage and introduce...more

1 like · like · see review

Sep 08, 2012 Shelton TRL rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: quilting-facts-and-fiction

A "Quilt Shop Cozy" mystery that is the first in a three-book series by Vannetta Chapman. The story takes place in a small Amish community of Shipshewana, Indiana. Callie Harper finds herself in Shipshewana after inheriting her Aunt Daisy's quilt shop. Her intention is to sell the shop and return to Houston, but then meets Deborah, an Amish woman who convinces her to re-open Daisy's Quilt Shop and sell some of her quilts on Ebay. Callie agrees to do just that, but only until she finds a buyer fo...more

1 like · like · see review

Aug 28, 2012 Jeannie and Louis Rigod rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is one occasion when reading the cover blurb can give a person slightly the wrong impression. I had the feeling that the two main characters, Callie (Englisher,) and Deborah, (Amish) had differences more than just their ways of living. So, I was more than pleased when I found out quickly that the two women were forging a lasting friendship.

Ms. Chapman took the time to produce an 'Amish' or Pennsylvanian Dutch glossary. This was fun to read and it allowed me to enjoy the book all that much m...more

1 like · like · see review

Jun 26, 2012 Riccarla Roman rated it 4 of 5 stars

There's a huge market right now for Amish books. Most are really good but in a crowded market, how can you find the good ones?

This is a good book that stands out from the crowd. It's a mystery set in the Amish community of Shipshewana, Indiana. The proprietor of Daisy's Quilt Shop has died and her niece, Callie, has come to take care of her affairs. Callie left a high-powered job in Houston to settle things. She is going to settle all the business and leave. Then she meets Deborah Yoder, a young...more

1 like · like · see review

May 29, 2012 Lindy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Short Summary
Callie, an Englisher in Amish terms, is yearning for a peace she hasn’t had in years but stays too busy to come to the realization on her own. After an argument with her boss in Houston, she quits. Will she now have that time? Will inheriting a quilt shop and closing out her Aunt Daisy’s affairs after her untimely death provide her with any peace? A Texan who is very dependent on her electronics and fast paced life is called to the much slower paced town of Shipshewana, Indiana. Can...more

1 like · like · see review

Feb 10, 2012 Iola rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: amish, 2012, christian-fiction, kindle, mystery-thriller, netgalley

Three young Amish mothers, Deborah, Esther and Melinda, have been friends and quilting partners for years. With the death of Esther's husband and the rare illness of Melinda's son placing financial pressure on them, they sew traditional quilts to sell to tourists in Daisy's Quilt Shop. But when Daisy dies and her niece Callie inherits the shop, they have to persuade her to reopen the shop and try and sell their quilts at ibby (They mean online via an eBay auction - I thought that ‘ibby’ was quit...more Three young Amish mothers, Deborah, Esther and Melinda, have been friends and quilting partners for years. With the death of Esther's husband and the rare illness of Melinda's son placing financial pressure on them, they sew traditional quilts to sell to tourists in Daisy's Quilt Shop. But when Daisy dies and her niece Callie inherits the shop, they have to persuade her to reopen the shop and try and sell their quilts at ibby (They mean online via an eBay auction - I thought that ‘ibby’ was quite funny).

Callie is hiding her own hurts, having lost a child and her husband. She is reluctant to commit to staying in Shipshewana, but no longer has any ties to Houston and the home she shared with her husband. The friendship of the Amish women persuades her to stay temporarily, but an argument with the local newspaper editor and his subsequent murder may mean she has to stay longer than intended...

I have read a few mysteries lately, which is a new genre for me. I have to say that I am enjoying them, and Falling to Pieces is no exception. The plot is typical for the genre – most scenes are from the point of view of either Callie or Deborah, with the occasional scene from the murderer’s viewpoint. There were the potential suspects, the requisite red herrings, the surprise at the end when the culprit is revealed, and a potential touch of romance for Callie. All in all, Falling to Pieces is a very satisfying read.

Most of the Amish books I have read have been romances, and it has to be said that they can get very repetitive. The standard plot line seems to feature a teenage girl who hasn’t yet been baptised into the Amish faith, who then has to choose between the Englisch world and her family (with the Amish hero often playing a large part in that decision). As someone who is (ahem) no longer a teenager, I’m over the angst of teenage romance (although I can quite see myself encouraging my almost-teenage daughter to read them in a few years).

But I have read a couple of other mysteries set in Amish communities, and I have to say that I enjoy them. The women are older, usually married with children, and they seem more intelligent (or that could just be more mature). The Amish romances tend to stress the separation of the Amish from the Englisch world, while the mysteries feature a combination of Amish and Englisch characters living and working together in relative harmony – at least, until someone gets murdered. So while I’m not going to be hurrying out there to get another Amish romance, Vannetta Chapman and Falling to Pieces have convinced me that Amish mysteries are worth looking for. (Others I have read and enjoyed include Secrets of Harmony Grove by Mindy Starns Clark and Hide in Plain Sight by Marta Perry).

The second book in the Shipshewana Amish series, A Perfect Square, will be released on 6 March 2012. It has always been a standing joke with my parents that no one who wants to live should be anywhere near Miss Marple, Inspector Morse, Taggart or the village of Midsomer. It sounds as though Shipshewana might be joining this list.

Thanks to Zondervan and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review. This review also appears on my blog, www.christianreads.blogspot.com.
(less)

1 like · like · see review

Feb 02, 2012 Jackie rated it 3 of 5 stars

I'm not sure what I was expecting when I plucked this book from the library shelf. I'm fond of mysteries and the spine of this one bore a sticker indicating just such a book. And from the cover picture (yes, I know, NEVER judge a book by it's cover) it looked as though it might be fairly clean. I was more certain of that suspicion when I saw the publisher.

So - I might actually give this one 3.5 stars rather than 3 but not quite 4 as I'm not necessarily that enthusiastic about it. A couple revie...more

1 like · like · see review

Aug 02, 2011 Louise rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian-fiction

Story Description:

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 want...more Story Description:

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.

My Review:

Twenty-seven-year old Callie Harper has inherited a quilt shop from an aunt she hasn’t seen in 10 years. After travelling from Houston, Texas to the small Amish town of Shipshewana, Indiana, she has no intentions of staying. She just wants to sell and get out.

Deborah Yoder pulls up in her buggy one afternoon with an armful of quilts to try and convince this new woman in town to re-open Daisy’s Quilt Shop but Callie is NOT re-opening the shop and tells Deborah all she wants to do his find a realtor to sell. Deborah tells Callie that her husband, Jonas, knows a realtor and will ask him to send him over to see her about listing the place for sale. Before Deborah leaves she asks Callie if she can leave the quilts there because she had shopping to do on the way home and didn’t want the quilts to get soiled in the buggy. Her ulterior motive was that Callie seeing the quilts sitting there every single day would help to change her mind. Sure enough it works and soon they are selling quilts in the store and at an online auction.

Callie and Deborah are slowly becoming friends when there is a murder and the person the police have pegged as the killer might surprise you. The two women are fed up with being questioned by police and think they can solve the murder together and begin the arduous task of making up a whodunit-list.

I loved this story as it was a bit different than most Amish stories I’ve read. I don’t ever remember reading an Amish story that included a murder with such intense suspense and mystery which makes this novel stand out from most. I fell in love with Deborah, Callie, Melinda and Esther and wished I could sit down and have a cup of tea with each of them. I’m definitely looking forward to reading books two and three in this series.

***Preview courtesy of Netgalley***

(less)

1 like · like · see review

Jul 04, 2011 Tracy Smith rated it 5 of 5 stars

Surviving loss, building new friendships, and solving a small-town mystery create this wonderful amish tale of "Falling to Pieces."

Callie Harper is recovering from the tragic loss of her husband only a year ago, and now is faced with the death of her Aunt Daisy and the inheritance of her quilt shop in the small Amish community of Shipshewana. Her story begins with meeting and making new friends, as well as business acquaintances in the area. But, of course, as in all ventures, not everyone agre...more

1 like · like · see review

Apr 22, 2012 Rhonda rated it 5 of 5 stars

I read them backwards. LOL I read A Perfect Square first which is the sequel to Falling to Pieces. But it was all good!! I love mysteries and Amish fiction and Christian romance and I got all these rolled into one with Falling to Pieces. Callie comes to Shipshewana, Indiana from her home in Texas to sell her aunt's quilt shop....or so she thinks. Callie has known great sorrow in losing most of her family and yet, she finds not only a mystery to solve but friends. True friends who come to help yo...more

2 likes · like · see review

Nov 10, 2012 Mandolin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Hurt and alone, her life falling to pieces, Callie Harper finally finds the incentive to leave her high-pressure, unrewarding life in Houston when she learns that she's the new owner of a quilt shop in the tiny Amish town of Shipshewana, a legacy of her recently deceased aunt. Her plans to sell the shop quickly and move on to what has to be something better than the pain she's left behind are soon destroyed, however, and Callie is forced to settle down for a time in the quiet little town. The st...more

1 like · like · see review

Nov 21, 2011 Laura rated it 4 of 5 stars

Title: FALLING TO PIECES
Author: Vannetta Chapman
Publisher: Zondervan
September 2011
ISBN: 978-0310330431
Genre: Inspirational/contemporary/mystery

Deborah Yoder is an Amish woman, married, with five children. But she has two friends who are both needy. One has lost her husband, and is relying on the community for support and care, the other has a seriously ill child and needs a lot of money for medical care. Deborah and her friends start stitching quilts which they sell locally at Daisy’s Quilt Sho...more Title: FALLING TO PIECES
Author: Vannetta Chapman
Publisher: Zondervan
September 2011
ISBN: 978-0310330431
Genre: Inspirational/contemporary/mystery

Deborah Yoder is an Amish woman, married, with five children. But she has two friends who are both needy. One has lost her husband, and is relying on the community for support and care, the other has a seriously ill child and needs a lot of money for medical care. Deborah and her friends start stitching quilts which they sell locally at Daisy’s Quilt Shop. But then the unthinkable happens and Daisy dies of a heart attack while tending her garden.

Callie Harper has inherited her aunt’s quilt shop and that inheritance turns her life upside down. Already reeling from losing her husband and the death of her baby, Callie doesn’t want a quilt shop in the middle of Shipshewana, Indiana. She needs to start looking for a new job where she belongs—in Houston, Texas. Callie has no intentions of reopening her aunt’s store, and Deborah has no intentions of taking no for an answer.

But then, due to circumstances out of her control, Callie learns she’ll sell faster if it’s open. Deborah talks her into selling the quilts on eBay. And that move has several in the community upset. But then a murder occurs and Deborah and Callie try to set aside their differences and try to solve the mystery…

FALLING TO PIECES is the first book in Ms. Chapman’s Shipshewana Amish Mystery series. Technically, this is not an Amish fiction since the main character is English, not Amish, but there are Amish in there—such as Deborah (and her friends.) I love the setting. I had the opportunity to briefly visit Shipshewana once, and would love to go again sometime.

Ms. Chapman has a unique idea here, using the popularity of a Amish tourist attraction as a setting for her cozy mysteries. She did keep me guessing with whom the murderer might be, which is a good thing. If you are looking for a mystery to read, then pick up FALLING TO PIECES. Don’t judge this book by it’s cartoonish cover. An excerpt from her second book in this series, A Perfect Square, is included at the end. $12.99. 332 pages.

(less)

1 like · like · see review

Oct 17, 2011 Judy Iliff rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011

Kathryn H recommended this book to me because she knows I like 1)cozies, 2)quilting, 3)stories centered around the amaish. Falling to Pieces fit the bill in all 3 areas.

Callie goes to Shipshewana, IN, to settle her aunt's estate. The aunt owned Daisy's Quilt Shop and sold quilts for some of the Amish women. When Callie gets to Shipshe (as they call it), her plan is to sell everything and then move on. Instead, she learns that she needs to actually operate the shop so people will be drawn to a pr...more

2 likes · like · see review

Jul 06, 2011 stormhawk rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: pre-publication-galley, kindle

I started out by wondering what was so mysterious about an elderly woman dying of natural causes in her very beautiful garden ...

Okay, so it's not so mysterious. But there were hints of some mysterious goings-on in a small market town in Indiana surrounded by Amish farmsteads.

This is the first book of a series, but I'm hoping that Shipsewanna, Indiana doesn't become something like Murder, She Wrote's Cabot Cove, where the leading cause of death was murder ... because there aren't that many peo...more

1 like · like · see review

May 05, 2013 Jalynn Patterson rated it 5 of 5 stars

About the Book:

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 n...more About the Book:

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.
About the Author:

Vannetta Chapman has published over one hundred articles in Christian family magazines, receiving over two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups. She discovered her love for the Amish while researching her grandfather's birthplace of Albion, Pennsylvania. Her first novel, A Simple Amish Christmas, quickly became a bestseller. Chapman lives in the Texas hill country with her husband.

My Review:

I don't read many Amish mysteries but I have to say that Mrs.Vannetta has done it again with this book Falling to Pieces which is the first book in the Shipshewana Amish Mystery Series. It starts at the beginning really slow and subtle and gradually builds and then gives you a good,strong climax, which is awesome! The start of the story takes into the lives of several women trying to help each other through some major life crises at the present moment and shows exactly what they have done to help their neighbors in need.

God commands us to "Love Thy Neighbor" and this book shows us the lengths these friends would go to for their friends and neighbors. I really enjoy reading Mrs. Vannetta's books. The characters are sometimes alot of different people that you wouldn't expect to be in the main storyline and she is able to mingle and mix the two different backgrounds so well that the pages seem to come alive and draw you in to another place.

**Disclosure** This book was provided to me by the author for my honest review.(less)

1 like · like · see review

Oct 23, 2011 Regina Jennings added it

Falling to Pieces by Vannetta Chapman is about Callie Harper, pharmaceutical rep from Houston, who inherits her aunt’s quilt shop in Shipshewana, Indiana. Callie knows less about quilting than I do, but the Amish women in town rely on the shop to sell their quilts to the tourists on market days. Completely unfamiliar with the Amish, this thoroughly modern, conceal-and-carry approved woman (if you don’t know what that means you aren’t from Texas) is surprised to find herself accepted into the com...more

2 likes · like · see review

Dec 09, 2011 Carrie Pagels rated it 5 of 5 stars

Callie is a young widow who comes to Shippshewanna after her beloved aunt dies. Auntie owned a quilt shop and several Amish women are reliant upon her to sell their quilts. One of the women has a significant need for the funds as she has a child with a rare illness. Callie is a spunky woman from a big city in Texas suddenly in small town Indiana. A real fish out of water. But as the story progresses one senses she was a goldfish swimming in the ocean who needed to be in a tank, required the cozy...more Callie is a young widow who comes to Shippshewanna after her beloved aunt dies. Auntie owned a quilt shop and several Amish women are reliant upon her to sell their quilts. One of the women has a significant need for the funds as she has a child with a rare illness. Callie is a spunky woman from a big city in Texas suddenly in small town Indiana. A real fish out of water. But as the story progresses one senses she was a goldfish swimming in the ocean who needed to be in a tank, required the cozy closeness that provided. Lovely job of dropping that into the story over time. The Amish quilters are lovely women, each with distinct voices that are also unlike most other Amish stories I have heard.

Callie hasn’t gotten over the loss of her husband, in fact doesn’t even share this with her new friends until very late in the book. She is an endearing character despite her prickly behavior, which furthers the story line, especially when she becomes the prime suspect in a murder. This is not a romance but there are a couple of romantic possibilities. By the end of the story we have a real possibility for a boyfriend in the next book, which I am looking forward to reading/listening to!

This was a great Christmas season listen because it a) has an easy tempo b) has an excellent narrator (amazingly she sounds almost exactly like the real Vannetta Chapman!) c) it’s like having a girlfriend in your room with you telling you the story d) while it is a suspense/mystery it has a cozy feel and is not knuckle whitening – I mean who needs that this time of year? It has a soothing quality to it despite the suspense and the murder mystery. It may be one of the first women’s fiction reads I’ve read in a long time, but Vannetta’s book almost defies genres.

I plan to listen to this book again sometime as I really liked it and it has the qualities of a repeat listen - great voice, characterization, and pleasing story line.

Bibliotherapy: Loneliness, estrangement, grieving, child with a rare disease, and friendships.

Formats: I listened through http://audible.com and it is available in paperback, ebook (e.g., Kindle), and audio.(less)

1 like · like · see review

Oct 22, 2011 Melanie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: amish, christian-fiction

Falling to Pieces
Vannetta Chapman
A Shipshewana Amish Mystery

When I first saw the cover of this book, and read its description I just had to contact the author for a copy to review! Amish mystery in Shipshewana sounded like such a great story, and a new Amish Fiction writer to spotlight. Vannetta’s first novel A Simple Amish Christmas was a bestseller and this series is well on its way to joining it!

Daisy’s Quilt Shop is a hub for not only the tourists in Shipshewana during market days, but for t...more Falling to Pieces
Vannetta Chapman
A Shipshewana Amish Mystery

When I first saw the cover of this book, and read its description I just had to contact the author for a copy to review! Amish mystery in Shipshewana sounded like such a great story, and a new Amish Fiction writer to spotlight. Vannetta’s first novel A Simple Amish Christmas was a bestseller and this series is well on its way to joining it!

Daisy’s Quilt Shop is a hub for not only the tourists in Shipshewana during market days, but for the Amish ladies who gather to quilt and fellowship with one another. When Daisy is found deceased out in the garden she loved, Niece Callie inherits the shop. Having no desire or knowhow to run a shop, Callie hopes for a quick sale and to get back to her so called life in TX. She soon realizes that nothing is beckoning her back to TX and to sell her aunts shop may be easier if the shop reopens. Along with new found Amish friend Deborah, Callie reopens the store and makes some changes and upgrades by putting some of the Amish quilts on ebay for a higher selling price, much to the chagrin of the Amish Bishop.

Local newspaper editor Mr. Stakehorn slanders Callie and her attempts to help sell the Amish quilts making for an uprising in the small community. Callie doesn’t take it standing down, insults Mr. Stakehorn and threatens to get back at him. Later that night Mr. Stakehorn is found dead…. Of course Callie is a prime suspect!!

Along with her Amish friends, new newspaper editor Trent, and the officers of the local police force, Callie seeks to find out the mystery behind Mr. Stakehorn’s death and the recent burglaries.

I loved the combination of the quilt shop, Amish and a good mystery. I have been to Shipshewana during market days when the town swells to 30,000 people and it was so fun to be brought back there to the small town setting and the friendships that developed between the English and Amish. Despite difference in living style, clothing, religion, Callie and her Amish friends came together with a mission in mind, and that helped to grow their relationship with each other, and within themselves. Deborah’s influence on Callie was a blessing to her working through some past issues that needed resolved.

So excited that this was just the first in a 3 part series! Excited to join Callie back in Shipshewana for the next book A Perfect Square.
(less)

1 like · like · see review

Oct 09, 2011 Katie Robinson rated it 5 of 5 stars

I actually loved this book. I wasn't sure that I would when I read that the author had written romance and christian literature before. I figured that the religious aspect would be overwhelming and I was pleasantly surprised. I immediately fell in love with the characters and im secretly hoping that Callie will hook up with Gavin lol.

Anyways, Callies aunt, Daisy dies in a small Amish community of 600. So, Callie being the last family member alive leaves her Texas life to come and try to sell he...more

1 like · like · see review

Aug 09, 2011 Beth rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: e-books, arcs, read-in-2011, arc-reading-challenge

Callie Harper is still getting over the loss of her husband when her Aunt Daisy dies. Daisy owned a quilt store in Shipshewana, an Amish community. Callie comes to wrap up her aunt's affairs only to find herself running her aunt's quilt store until it can be sold. She meets Deborah Yoder, an Amish woman who wants Callie to help sell her quilts in the store to help out two of Deborah's friends who have fallen on hard times. Callie accepts the challenge of selling the quilts while she waits for th...more

1 like · like · see review

Apr 07, 2013 Christina rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Lovers of Cozy Mysteries

I read this book for my book club. I have read "Amish" books before and didn't really like them, so I wasn't anxious to start this one. I was pleasantly surprised with this book. It's what is commonly called a "cozy", I believe--a simple, sweet mystery. It was a nice introduction to the series, and all the characters. It left you wanting more, to know what happens with the other characters. I especially liked the bonds of friendship that were forming and already formed, and the hints at future r...more

1 like · like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 39 40 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
Book Giveaways: Amish mystery giveaway	1	5	Jan 04, 2012 07:27am

combine
Other Editions (3)

Videos About This Book

Add a comment

Genres

Mystery

24 users

Christian Fiction

12 users

Christian Fiction > Amish Fiction

8 users

Mystery > Cozy Mystery

7 users

Christian

6 users

Contemporary

2 users

Suspense

2 users

Thriller > Mystery Thriller

2 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Vannetta Chapman

Vannetta Chapman writes inspirational fiction full of grace. She has published over one hundred articles in Christian family magazines, receiving more than two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups. She discovered her love for the Amish while researching her grandfather’s birthplace of Albion, Pennsylvania.

Her novel, Falling to Pieces, was a 2012 ACFW Carol Award winner for...more

More about Vannetta Chapman...

Books by Vannetta Chapman

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About Falling to Pieces...

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

title link	preview: Falling to Pieces: A Quilt Shop Murder
avg rating	preview: Falling to Pieces: A Quilt Shop Murder Goodreads rating: 4.11 (366 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10631698-falling-to-pieces?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1312389648l/10631698.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10631698-falling-to-pieces?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Falling to Pieces: A Quilt Shop Murder by Vannetta Chapman[/url]

Falling to Pieces: A Quilt Shop Murder (Shipshewana Amish Mystery #1)

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website