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

Shunning Sarah (Riley Spartz #5)

by Julie Kramer (Goodreads Author)

3.48 of 5 stars 3.48 · rating details · 322 ratings · 86 reviews

An insular Amish town . . . A secret that won’t stay buried . . . Minneapolis’s star investigative reporter Riley Spartz is constantly in search of her next TV sweeps piece. When she hears that a young boy is trapped at the bottom of a sinkhole, she smells ratings. Little does she know just how big the story will be—not only does it involve a tragic murder, but the local A...more

Hardcover, 320 pages

Published August 7th 2012 by Atria/Emily Bestler Books (first published June 26th 2012)

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

This book is not yet featured on Listopia. Add this book to your favorite list »

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 690)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Aug 15, 2012 Michele Grant rated it 5 of 5 stars

Julie Kramer is a journalist, turned novelist whoe experience makes this story both intriguing and compelling. We get a glimpse into the perceived quiet and non-violent Amish community as well as a look into the operations of a TV news studio.

Riley Spartz was originally going to cover the story of a little boy who had fallen into a sink hole. What she uncovers also with the boy's rescue is a yound girl who has been murdered and body dumped into the hole.

There is a shakeup going at the news stat...more

like · see review

Aug 09, 2012 Judith Starkston rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery, strong-women

Fast-paced with a sense of humor and a shiver of terror, Shunning Sarah uncovers layers of mire in the Amish community of Harmony, Minnesota and among the TV broadcast staff of Spartz’s Channel 3. Julie Kramer’s Riley Spartz, veteran TV reporter, is back after a Hamlet-sized ending of death in the last book. She’s limping a bit—her truly annoying new boss is crimping her style, and her nightmares and loneliness haunt her. When her mother calls with a tip about a boy trapped in a sinkhole, she th...more

like · see review

Aug 05, 2012 Brenda Casto rated it 5 of 5 stars

Riley Spartz is an investigative reporter in Minneapolis who knows a good news story, even when her new boss Bryce doesn't. When she gets a tip about a ten year old boy who has fallen into a sink hole in Harmony Minnesota, a rural area that is in the middle of an Amish community, she convinces her boss that it is a newsworthy story. By the time she arrives on the scene though the little boy Josh Kueppers has already been rescued.Undaunted Riley decides to interview the sheriff on the scene, and...more Riley Spartz is an investigative reporter in Minneapolis who knows a good news story, even when her new boss Bryce doesn't. When she gets a tip about a ten year old boy who has fallen into a sink hole in Harmony Minnesota, a rural area that is in the middle of an Amish community, she convinces her boss that it is a newsworthy story. By the time she arrives on the scene though the little boy Josh Kueppers has already been rescued.Undaunted Riley decides to interview the sheriff on the scene, and soon learns that there is another story. A dead body was down in the sinkhole with Josh, a body that might be hard to identify because it is missing its face. Riley is determined to see the case solved, even if it puts her own life in jeopardy.

I am a huge fan of Amish fiction and when there is mystery and suspense involved I know I am in for a great read. With "Shunning Sarah" the author spins a story that pulled me in from the beginning.
A little boy trapped, I wondered how or if he would be saved, but then the real story begins after he is rescued. A woman's body at the bottom of the sinkhole who turns out to be an 18 year old Amish girl named Sarah Yoder. What happened to Sarah? Well that question kept me turning the pages to find out. As a fan of Amish fiction I admit I was most fascinated by the Amish portion of the story, but there was also an interesting secondary story going on as well that involved the drama of TV news. Ms. Kramer is truly knows how to paint a picture with her words, she brings her scenes, and characters to life, without being overly graphic in her descriptions.

Even though this book wasn't the first in the Riley Spartz series I had no problems diving right in. The author provided enough background information so that I didn't feel lost. While Riley was the main character in the story, for me I couldn't get Sarah out of my head, as her story is finally revealed my heart broke for her. Fans of mystery, suspense,and a plot filled with more twists than a winding country road will certainly want to read this one, the Amish twist is an added bonus. On a scale of one to five I would easily give this book a six, and plan on going back and reading the rest of the series! Highly recommended.

A complimentary copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. (less)

like 1 like · see review

Aug 04, 2012 Nancy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Julie Kramer is back with another stunning thriller! Riley Spartz is trying to put her life back together, and needs another big story to make her new boss believe she still has the right stuff. She gets a tip about a boy trapped in a sink hole, in the middle of Amish country, and goes for the story. But she soon finds she is in the middle of a much bigger story, a woman murdered and her body tossed aside only to be found in dramatic fashion. Riley keeps after the story, even when the Amish comm...more

like · see review

Jun 26, 2012 Barb Klein rated it 4 of 5 stars

I finished reading “Shunning Sarah” by Julie Kramer and was disappointed that I reached the end. This book was intriguing and frustrating at the same time. I always enjoy mysteries, especially when they take place in an Amish or Mennonite community. It gives a totally different slant to the story when characters are restrained by the non-violent code of the Ordnung. This story had two lines to follow; one, the crime that was committed and two, the insight to the life of the investigative reporte...more

like · see review

Aug 19, 2012 Paul Pessolano rated it 3 of 5 stars

“Shunning Sarah” by Julie Kramer, published by Emily Bestler Books.

Category – Mystery/Thriller

Sunning is a term used by the Amish to indicate that a person is being ostracized from their community. Sarah Yoder has been shunned by the Amish community.

Riley Spartz is a reporter for a TV station in Minneapolis-St. Paul and becomes involved in the case when she is covering a story about a young man that was trapped in a sinkhole. When the young man is rescued he tells the authorities that a dead bod...more

like · see review

Nov 06, 2012 Sallee rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

like · see review

Jul 15, 2012 Kathy rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is my first introduction to the Riley Spratz series by Julie Kramer and I am very impressed. She has a captivating writing style that keeps you reading. The main character Riley Spartz is a television news reporter whose investigative skills take her deep into a mystery in the Amish country of Minnesota.

Amish books particularly in the romance field are very popular these days. I would imagine it is because in our complicated technology filled lives it is nice to go to a simpler place...the...more

like 1 like · see review

Aug 19, 2012 Sharon Redfern rated it 5 of 5 stars

Riley Spartz is a TV reporter who has survived a mass shooting at her station. In addition to the killings of several coworkers, the incident was the death of her engagement to the government agent who killed the shooter. A new station manager has come on board and is pretty much a young bean counter with an eye to the ladies. His brilliant new idea is that the reporters will carry their own cameras and shoot their stories themselves.
Riley has become involved in the story of a young boy who fell...more

like · see review

Jul 28, 2012 Brittany rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads, amish, mysteries

As a fan of both mystery and Amish fiction novels, I was delighted when I found that free copies of Shunning Sarah, by Julie Kramer, were up for a giveaway on this site. Luckily, I was one of the eight chosen to receive a free advance copy from Atria. Knowing that Julie Kramer is a National Best Seller, and based on reviews of her past novels, I was confident that I would enjoy the mystery aspect of the novel. What I was a little more hesitant about was the accuracy of the Amish aspect of the no...more As a fan of both mystery and Amish fiction novels, I was delighted when I found that free copies of Shunning Sarah, by Julie Kramer, were up for a giveaway on this site. Luckily, I was one of the eight chosen to receive a free advance copy from Atria. Knowing that Julie Kramer is a National Best Seller, and based on reviews of her past novels, I was confident that I would enjoy the mystery aspect of the novel. What I was a little more hesitant about was the accuracy of the Amish aspect of the novel. Having read Lewis, Woodsmall, Fisher, Brunstetter (among others) and combined with the research I’ve done on Amish culture and language, I was hesitant when I first cracked open Shunning Sarah. The last thing I wanted to read was an otherwise fascinating novel that was full of inaccuracies concerning the main suspects.

Luckily, my fears were ungrounded. Not only did I get a crash course into the world of Riley Spartz and investigative reporting, but the Amish aspects that I read where intriguing and – most importantly – largely correct. In addition to a murder on Amish soil, the reader also gets to grapple with an angry bear on the loose, Riley’s unconventional new boss, and corruption within the law.

When it comes to mystery novels, the ending often makes or breaks the book. For fear of divulging too much information, I won’t say too much other than you won’t be disappointed! Many aspects of this novel are largely unprecedented when it comes to Amish culture and the ending will leave you thinking long after you finish the last page and put the book back on the shelf. Is someone truly unforgivable? When should a society that values forgiveness over revenge finally seek help from outsiders to help protect loved ones? And these are only a couple of questions...

Overall, if you are looking for a great mystery novel – one that will keep you turning the pages well past midnight – pick up a copy of Shunning Sarah! Even those who haven’t read the previous installments in the Riley Spartz series (like me) can appreciate this book as a stand alone novel if need be. As for me, I will certainly be reading the four previous books in the series and anxiously awaiting more in the future!
(less)

like 2 likes · see review

Jul 28, 2012 Book Him Danno rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, books-sent-by-author-publisher-for

Okay I'm from Minnesota and so I have a definite affinity for books about Minnesota, I also enjoy reading John Sandford. As a book blogger I find that authors are like Rock Stars to me and Julie Kramer is one of those stars in my book. Of course most of my favorite series authors only release one new book a year and that makes me sad. L I wish they could write just a bit faster, because when I get their new book it's very bittersweet to finish them knowing it will be a long year before I get to...more Okay I'm from Minnesota and so I have a definite affinity for books about Minnesota, I also enjoy reading John Sandford. As a book blogger I find that authors are like Rock Stars to me and Julie Kramer is one of those stars in my book. Of course most of my favorite series authors only release one new book a year and that makes me sad. L I wish they could write just a bit faster, because when I get their new book it's very bittersweet to finish them knowing it will be a long year before I get to read the next one. Well enough about me, now back to the review.

I find Riley Spartz, Julie Kramers main character, a character I can get behind and cheer for. She's always looking for a breaking news story, but she doesn’t stop there. She digs and digs until everyone around her is sick of seeing her face, including those in law-enforcement and even her own boss. She has spunk and drive and a horrible track record in the romance department and boss department. Her parents are so much like people I know around here that I can visualize their mannerisms with the words the author writes for them. Riley and her parents have become some of my favorite fictional characters and I look forward to a new glimpse into their lives every year. Who knows what crazy things they will do, like attending the funeral of …. You have to read that book…so funny.

I don’t want to give the book away, but it's a mystery that keeps you turning the pages wondering Who-dunnit. Even when you think it is over….it isn’t. This is a mystery/ mini-thriller…some of the other things happening in Riley’s life slow down the action for the thriller aspect to hold strong, but it adds to the story line…both the current one and the small on-going one that weaves through all of her books. Reoccurring characters and ones that were lost in the past book play apart in this tale. It is fast paced and interesting with short chapters that keep you reading. I have to admit that I hated nearing the end of this book knowing it would be another year before I got to catch up on Riley and her cast of friends, co-workers at the news station, quirky family, and last but not least Nick.

If you enjoy mysteries, then this is a great series for you. Working in a news room never seemed interesting to me, but now I see a whole other aspect of it. Julie Kramer is a journalist turned writer, who also worked in broadcast television…she knows her stuff.

You can start anywhere, but I would suggest the first book, Stalking Susan, so you can really get to know Riley from the start. Here is the link of our review for that book. http://bookhimdanno.blogspot.com/2010...

If you have read Julie Kramer then you know what I’m talking about, if you haven’t then go get one of her books and give her a try…you won’t be disappointed. Her older books are at your local library or bookstore just waiting to be picked up.
(less)

like · see review

Oct 22, 2012 Carolyn rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book was not quite what I expected. The central character is a TV reporter, Riley Spartz, who is investigating the death of a young Amish woman, Sarah Yoder. Sarah was 18 and had been shunned by her Amish community. We don't discover why she was shunned until close to the end of the story. I found the reason for her shunning very disturbing. In the course of Spartz's investigation, she also discovers evidence of fraud, deception, and police corruption within the community.

I enjoyed this boo...more

like · see review

Aug 23, 2012 Tia rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: amish, who-did-it, sex-abuse-crimes, should-have-been-better

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

like 1 like · see review

Oct 03, 2012 Terri Tinkel rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: amish, abuse-difficulty-in-life, family

As soon as I began this book, I liked it. I got caught up in the storyline and was really enjoying the mystery. The main character is a female news reporter for a local network. There's a new Features Manager who is a jerk and causes her some trouble. That storyline didn't appeal to me at all...it seemed unnecessary to the main theme. However, learning some new things about the Amish was the best part. However, just when everything seemed to be moving towards the conclusion; the author went off...more

like · see review

Mar 19, 2013 Kira Gimm rated it 2 of 5 stars

Eh. My mom told me to read it and raved about how awesome it was. But it was only ok. The premise of the story was good, but what really bugged me was the author is local (which is fine), but how many Minnesota references does she want to make? I swear every other page she was making a mention about small town MN life, or referencing some MN landmark or history etc. It was very annoying and distracting. I get it, you hail from MN and want to show your MN pride but come on! Also, this book had ab...more

like · see review

Jul 25, 2012 Lynn rated it 2 of 5 stars

A tv news staffer reports the story of a boy who fell into a sinkhole and was subsequently rescued. BUT, far from being the end of the story, this is only the beginning. In the sinkhole is the body of a young girl. Searching for her identity and her killer leads reporter Riley Spartz on a perilous journey, involving the local sheriff, the nearby Amish community, and the hunt for a black bear.

Author Julie Kramer gives us plenty of information about the Amish lifestyle and the hectic pace of a tv...more

like · see review

Oct 02, 2012 Julia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Kramer's mysteries and writing just keep getting better and better. Riley Spartz, after the horrific end of the previous story, is back on the beat. She's juggling new responsibilities via the direction of a new news director and trying to keep up with fresh new stories. A tip about a boy in sinkhole leads to a homicide outside the Channel 3 viewing area. Because Amish stories are always interesting, Riley gets the go ahead to hit Southern MN, camera in tow. I always appreciate Kramer's attentio...more

like · see review

Feb 05, 2013 Yvonne rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shunning Sarah was definitely less riveting than many other "who-done-its" but still got you going on a few false paths. Dealt more gently with the horrors of death, running from men with wicked intentions, love and relationships than most books of this genre. I think this is the first book that I have read in which the Amish have not been depicted as completely loving, forgiving, law-abiding people but rather are like the rest of us but living under not necessarily healthy rules of living. Wort...more

like · see review

Dec 28, 2012 Holly rated it 3 of 5 stars

It looks like I came in on the third of a series about TV investigative reporter, Riley Spartz and the latest murder mystery. It was a decent murder mystery read -- the pacing was good, and the killer was a surprose (to me) at the end. What I really liked though was the respect with which Julie Kramer treated two societies/cultures: the Amish and the Hmong. She could have gone for the cheap and easy thrill, but she never did that. In fact, she explained some of the differences in beliefs and lif...more

like · see review

Jan 16, 2013 Mathilde rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Riley Spartz is a TV reporter from Minneapolis. After her parents call her with a "tip" about a boy trapped in a sinkhole in southern Minnesota, Riley gets herself involved in the investigation of the murder of an Amish woman, enjoying the attention of a formerly Amish man, and the fate of a bear tagged for research. She also has to deal with a boss whose goal is to save the station money and is a womanizer and with some post-traumatic stress of a recent shooting in her newsroom. This is intersp...more

like · see review

Aug 15, 2012 Melissa rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

like · see review

Sep 10, 2012 Courtney rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Karen

Shelves: borrowed, crime, mystery, series

Apparently I missed two books in the series, so I was confused on some backstory, but luckily, some of that information was filled in near the beginning of the book. Aside from that, the murder mystery was a good one, although a little more grisly than I would have liked. Riley once again proves herself to be a smart reporter and a better detective, when following leads after an Amish woman is found murdered. There was more behind-the-scenes information about being a news reporter. However, I co...more

like · see review

Sep 14, 2012 Zabel rated it 2 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

like · see review

Jan 01, 2013 Don O'goodreader rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery, thriller, popular-science

Are you getting bored of James Patterson et al? Here is a new writer with similar pacing, but less macho violence and a fresh voice. There are enough subplots and plot twists for the hardest-core thriller-mystery fans. This single-sitting page-turner has the added bonus, that dead vehicles count exceeds the dead body count.

For more see: http://1book42day.blogspot.com/2013/0...

like · see review

Dec 22, 2012 Jael rated it 3 of 5 stars

I must confess, I let Shunning Sarah by Julie Kramer fall by the wayside. I started it in August and didn't finish it until December. It was not a bad book at all, it was actually pretty good. But because I read so many books at once, I often give some priority over others. Anyway, better late than never!!

This was my first introduction to Julie Kramer's books and the character Riley Spartz. Riley is both funny and intelligent in her adventures as an investigative TV reporter. She's always search...more

like · see review

Apr 13, 2013 Pat rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013

This was not the book I thought it would be. I was expecting a hard crime/thriller type of book similar to the Mo Hayder series. While this book was not a cozy mystery (and I occasionally like a cozy mystery after some of the hard crime novels I read), it did fall somewhere between a cozy and a crime/thriller. I gave it 2 stars for being ok but not the type of novel I like read.

like · see review

Jan 13, 2013 Amy Scissors rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-read-in-2013

I enjoyed this book, but the beginning half was slow moving and it took a while for me to care about the plot or the characters. Some of the dialogue felt forced and unnatural, and the characters could have used a few more pages of development to help them come to life. There were several instances where I felt that the main character, Riley, made poor decisions that a smart journalist would not make. I did enjoy learning about Amish culture, but this story definitely does not reflect favorably...more

like · see review

Mar 15, 2013 Annie Michelle rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: local, mystery-thriller

a most excellent 5 star read
gotta love my Riley! although, hanging around her seemed to be quite dangerous this time around.
Loved the www.bear.org cam, the bits about the horrid intersection on Hwy.52, Amish country, the
corn mazes..."help! wer're lost in the corn. we can't find the end." hahahaha and all the other
little refrences to "home". What is with Riley and Garnett anyway, sheesh...get together already!
I also enjoy the back of the book when you reference your "faithful beta readers", Kevyn...more

like · see review

Jan 28, 2013 Debra rated it 4 of 5 stars

Another solid addition to Julie Kramer's series featuring the fictional character of Riley Spartz. Living in the Midwest I love that her thrillers are all set regionally. If you have not read any of her books yet start with Stalking Susan..Julie Kramer has one of the best new thriller series in crime fiction I have read!!

like · see review

Oct 07, 2012 Courtney rated it 5 of 5 stars

I hadn't read Julie Kramer before but I'm interested in the Amish lifestyle so I read this one. I really liked her style of writing and it really kept me engaged in the characters. She is also a local author for me so that always makes it more fun also. I highly recommend this book.

like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 22 23 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend it | Stats | Recent status updates

combine
Other Editions

More editions...

Genres

Mystery

19 users

Mystery > Crime

3 users

Thriller > Mystery Thriller

3 users

Adult Fiction

2 users

Book Club

2 users

Mystery > Cozy Mystery

2 users

Thriller

2 users

Christian Fiction > Amish Fiction

2 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Julie Kramer

Julie Kramer is has moved from journalist to novelist. She writes a mystery series set in the desperate world of television news—a world she knows well from her career working as a freelance news producer for NBC and CBS, as well as running the acclaimed WCCO-TV I-Team in Minneapolis.

Her thrillers, STALKING SUSAN, MISSING MARK, SILENCING SAM, KILLING KATE and soon to come - SHUNNING SARAH (Aug. 7)...more

More about Julie Kramer...

Books by Julie Kramer

The Julie Kramer Collection #1: Silencing Sam, Killing Kate, and Shunning Sarah

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About Shunning Sarah

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

title link	preview: Shunning Sarah
avg rating	preview: Shunning Sarah Goodreads rating: 3.48 (322 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12999111-shunning-sarah?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1339798340l/12999111.jpg[/img][/url] [url=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12999111-shunning-sarah?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Shunning Sarah by Julie Kramer[/url]

Shunning Sarah (Riley Spartz #5)

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website