A Plain Death (Appleseed Creek Mystery #1)

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A Plain Death (Appleseed Creek Mystery #1)

by Amanda Flower (Goodreads Author)

3.99 of 5 stars 3.99 · rating details · 188 ratings · 75 reviews

Welcome to Appleseed Creek, the heart of Ohio’s Amish Country, where life is not as serene as it seems.

While her Cleveland friends relocated to Southern California and Italy, 24-year-old computer whiz Chloe Humphrey moves with some uncertainty to Appleseed Creek to direct technology services at a nearby college. Her first acquaintance is Becky, an ex-Amish teenager looking...more

Paperback, 336 pages

Published July 1st 2012 by B&H Books (first published June 4th 2012)

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Apr 26, 2013 Jodie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013, 2013-50-state-challenge, 2013-new-author-challenge, amish-fiction, net-galley, 50-states-challenge

Chloe moves to the Amish town of Appleseed Creek in pursuit of a new job, only to find herself in the middle of a murder mystery. When a death occurs because of her car, she begins to wonder if she should have moved to Appleseed. Now, she needs to find the person who caused the string of mishaps before someone else is killed.

I don't know where to begin with this one. I normally can't stand to read first person stories, however, that's not what bothered me with this one. I felt the first person w...more

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May 06, 2013 Michelle rated it 5 of 5 stars

I have a new author on my radar and I am not about to let her out of my sight! Amanda Flower has written a fantastic book! I must say I simply adored this book. It follows Chloe Humphrey, a twenty-four year old computer techy, who takes a job in the small quaint town of Appleseed Creek, Ohio. Right from the start Chloe realizes this small town may not be so small after all. As she is driving along a rural road she sees a young girl in distress. The girl is being accosted by two men who seem to w...more I have a new author on my radar and I am not about to let her out of my sight! Amanda Flower has written a fantastic book! I must say I simply adored this book. It follows Chloe Humphrey, a twenty-four year old computer techy, who takes a job in the small quaint town of Appleseed Creek, Ohio. Right from the start Chloe realizes this small town may not be so small after all. As she is driving along a rural road she sees a young girl in distress. The girl is being accosted by two men who seem to want to do harm. Chloe intercedes and scares the men away. And so it begins…. Chloe finds out that the girl is Becky Troyer, who is Amish and is leaving home. Becky asks to stay with her and Chloe agrees for a few days. She seems harmless and Chloe likes her from the get go. Besides, she knows no one in town so this is a start. Becky promises to find a job and she is determined to do so. She gets an interview at a local greenhouse and decides to borrow Chloe’s car without her knowledge to get there. Never mind that she has no license, she wants this job! On the way to the interview tragedy occurs. The brakes go out on the car, and Becky is unable to stop going down a hill and slams into a horse and buggy killing the beloved Bishop Glick. Shocked and horrified Becky manages to only receive a broken arm. Becky is in a heap of trouble. Chloe and Timothy Troyer, who is Becky’s brother, rush to her defense. Chloe knows her car was in proper driving condition so what happened? After some investigation, it’s discovered that the brake line was cut. Who would do such a thing? As the mystery deepens and I was drawn into the investigation, I quickly realized everything was not what it seemed…..

A Plain Death has it all- mystery, intrigue, and a cast of characters that you will think about long after the last page is turned. Throw in Timothy, a handsome suitor for Chloe, and you have a recipe for a prize winning book. Amanda Flower has cooked up a real winner and I can’t wait for seconds!(less)

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Mar 17, 2013 Rhonda rated it 4 of 5 stars

4 STARS

A Plain Death: An Appleseed Creek Mystery by Amanda Flower
It is the first book in An Appleseed Creek Mystery. It is a good clean entertaining read. It is hard for me to say how well the suspense and mystery part was because I read book 2 A Plain Scandal first. So I already knew some facts about the storyline.
I like this series and see that their is going to be a third book. I want to read that someday.
Appleseed Creek is a small town in Ohio. It has a collage and a Amish community. It is m...more

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Feb 16, 2013 Ann rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is a good book! Chloe Humphrey has moved to the small town of Appleseed Creek, Ohio to start a job as the director of the computer science department at Harshberger College. On her way into town, she comes upon Becky, a young Amish girl, who is being accosted by two men. Chloe takes the girl into her home and finds that she has left the Amish community and is trying to become her own person. A local Amish man is killed when Becky takes Chloe's car for a job interview and crashes into his bu...more

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Nov 14, 2012 Becky rated it 5 of 5 stars

I really liked this book.

I didn’t think I would ever like the “Amish books” that have been so popular the past few years. But then I read one, and then another, and I was really hooked. Now comes a new version, an Amish story combined with a mystery. What a great combination!

Chloe Humphrey leaves city life to move to the little town of Appleseed Creek, Ohio, to work in the computer department of a small college. On her way into town, Chloe meets Becky when she literally rescues her from the side...more I really liked this book.

I didn’t think I would ever like the “Amish books” that have been so popular the past few years. But then I read one, and then another, and I was really hooked. Now comes a new version, an Amish story combined with a mystery. What a great combination!

Chloe Humphrey leaves city life to move to the little town of Appleseed Creek, Ohio, to work in the computer department of a small college. On her way into town, Chloe meets Becky when she literally rescues her from the side of the road.

Becky guides her rescuer to the house Chloe rented sight unseen from the internet. The house turns out to be in terrible disrepair. Becky, an Amish girl, is experiencing a time of freedom in her life exploring the world called rumspringa. Although they have just met, she assumes Chloe will let her move in with her as a house mate. Fortunately, Becky has a handsome brother, Timothy, who is also a carpenter-and is willing to do some repairs to the home, if this is where his sister will be living.

Becky and Timothy introduce Chloe to their Amish world and family. Chloe finds their world both fascinating, as well as, puzzling. Becky also causes a car accident that results in a death. But all is not as it seems, and Chloe is suspicious about this “accident,” and attempts to find the truth. She does this while trying to fit in at a new job that has its share of complications and difficult people to work with-all the while attempting to adjust to small town life.

I loved this story and would highly recommend it, although I felt the end was a bit of a cliff hanger. This story was a real page turner, and was hard to put down. I would give it five stars, and look forward to reading more in the series.

The author has provided me with a copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have not been compensated in any other manner. Despite my receiving the book free, it has not influenced my judgment, and I have given an honest opinion.

The Author’s Web Site: http://www.amandaflower.com
My Blog: http://fushiacat.wordpress.com/ (less)

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Oct 29, 2012 My Book Addiction and More MBA rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: amish, inspirational-romance, inspirational-fiction

A PLAIN DEATH by Amanda Flower is an intriguing and interesting inspirational cozy mystery set in Ohio's Amish Country. It is book #1 in "An Appleseed Creek Mystery" which is full of mystery,love,faith,Amish community,attempted murder,Mennonites and full of twists and turns you want see coming. Follow, amateur sleuth, Chloe Humphrey and Timothy,the local carpenter,who was Amish but turned Mennonite as they try to save Timothy's sister,Becky,solve a mystery and find a would be killer. Add a bit o...more

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Oct 06, 2012 Kathleen (Kat) Smith rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: amish-historical-romance-fiction, chick-literature, christian-action-adventure, christian-fiction, christian-suspense-fiction, contemporary-fiction, murder-mystery, supense-thriller-fiction

I absolutely LOVE it when you find a great author that can immediately get you involved as part of her book from the very first page. To me it's a great sign of a talented writer if they can engage you from the beginning and keep you hooked turning pages as fast as you can read them. Success achieved with the latest novel from Amanda Flower, A Plain Death. This is just one of the many that will soon follow in the Appleseed Creek Mystery series and I can't wait for the adventure to continue.

The...more I absolutely LOVE it when you find a great author that can immediately get you involved as part of her book from the very first page. To me it's a great sign of a talented writer if they can engage you from the beginning and keep you hooked turning pages as fast as you can read them. Success achieved with the latest novel from Amanda Flower, A Plain Death. This is just one of the many that will soon follow in the Appleseed Creek Mystery series and I can't wait for the adventure to continue.

The book introduces us immediately as twenty-four-year old Chloe Humphrey is attempting to find her way to her new home and job in Appleseed Creek, Ohio. As she is getting her bearings thanks to a GPS device that is as lost as she is, she happens upon a young Amish girl, Becky Troyer being harrassed by two English men. Chloe rescues the poor girl and in return Becky kindly guides Chloe to her new location. She learns that Chloe is heading up the new technology department at the local college and soon introduces Chloe to her handy Amish brother, Timothy, who offers to help around Chloe's new home fixing things. But it seems Becky is hiding more than she is willing to let on to Chloe who has become her new hero. When Chloe offers Becky a place to stay with her, she immediately accepts.

Seeing Becky has some issues since leaving her Amish faith, Chloe wants to help her find a new start. She locates a job at a local greenhouse that would be perfect for her. But rather than wait for a ride, Becky "borrows" Chloe's car, even though she doesn't have a license. On her way to the interview, Becky gets into an accident killing the local bishop. It's here that the novel really takes off. It seems that someone has tampered with Chloe's car and that the brake lines had been cut. Who is responsible? Are they after Chloe or Becky? Well to find out, you'll just have to pick up the latest copy of A Plain Death from Amanda Flower!

I received A Plain Death, compliments from B & H Publishing Group and Net Galley for my honest review and I am so glad I picked this one up to review. I love it when a great writer will combine elements from different genre's and create a masterpiece that will grab new readers and make them want even more. Amanda Flowers does that and so much more. I can't wait to pick up the next book in this series, A Plain Scandal, and for those of you that love Christian Amish with a blend of mystery added, then you will LOVE this one. I personally rate it a 5 out of 5 stars!(less)

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Aug 19, 2012 Robin rated it 5 of 5 stars

A Plain Death
Amanda Flower
Book Summary: Welcome to Appleseed Creek, the heart of Ohio’s Amish Country, where life is not as serene as it seems. While her Cleveland friends relocated to Southern California and Italy, 24-year-old computer whiz Chloe Humphrey moves with some uncertainty to Appleseed Creek to direct technology services at a nearby college. Her first acquaintance is Becky, an ex-Amish teenager looking for a new home. While driving Chloe’s car, Becky collides with a buggy, killing an...more

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Aug 13, 2012 Ausjenny rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: amish, mystery

My Review:
Thanks Netgalley for my review copy.

I loved the look of this book and I wasn't disappointed. I am still recovering so reading has taken longer than I would like but this book had me wanting to read faster than I could. This is different from most Amish books. We have a heroine, Chloe who is not Amish and has moved to Appleseed Creek to work. On her way to her new home she encounters Becky an Amish Teen who is looking for a new way of life. We also meet Becky's brother who has also left...more

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Jul 23, 2012 Rhonda rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: rhonda-s-2012-book-challenge

An unlikely friendship between a high-tech woman and a runaway Amish girl leads to murder. Her first day in Appleseed Creek, Ohio, Chloe Humphrey, befriends Becky, an ex-Amish teenager looking for a new home. While driving Chloe’s car, Becky collides with a buggy, killing an Amish bishop in the process. The case moves from accident to murder when police reveal a cut brake line. Now, Chloe and Becky’s handsome brother, Timothy, must discover who the real intended victim is before the murderer mak...more

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Jun 24, 2012 Iola rated it 4 of 5 stars

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

Chloe Humphrey is a twenty-four-year old Masters graduate, a computer geek with a pet cat called Gigabyte and counts two suitcases full of obsolete computer parts among her most precious possessions. She is moving from Cleveland to Appleseed Creek, Ohio, to take a two-year job as Director of Computer Services at the local college. As she is driving to her new home, she picks up an Amish woman who is being harassed by two men. Nineteen-year-old Becky has recently left home, following an argument...more

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Apr 28, 2012 Mary rated it 4 of 5 stars

This mystery is a perfect afternoon read, written by a librarian, who spent her early life in Amish Country in the state of Ohio. As a reviewer of mostly mystery books, I wanted to read this as I loved the writer's earlier books, Maid of Murder and Murder in a Basket. I don't know what I expected, as I'm not into Amish Country books all that much, but, I loved this one too. Apparently, the author is an avid believer in writing what you know and she knows libraries and Amish living.

In this newes...more This mystery is a perfect afternoon read, written by a librarian, who spent her early life in Amish Country in the state of Ohio. As a reviewer of mostly mystery books, I wanted to read this as I loved the writer's earlier books, Maid of Murder and Murder in a Basket. I don't know what I expected, as I'm not into Amish Country books all that much, but, I loved this one too. Apparently, the author is an avid believer in writing what you know and she knows libraries and Amish living.

In this newest Flower installment, Chloe Humphrey, a young computer maven, moves to Appleseed Creek in Ohio. This little college town is smack in the middle of Amish Country. Chloe has come to Appleseed Creek to be the Director of Technology Services at a small college. The first person she comes in contact with is Becky, an Amish teenager who is running away from home and looking for a new one. Becky has gotten herself into a bit of a mess, trying to get away from a couple of real bozos who are bothering her on the road. Chloe comes along and gives her a ride, which puts Chloe on their list to harrass. Chloe tells Becky that she can stay with her a while until she finds a job and another place to stay. Enter, Becky's extremely handsome brother, Timothy, who is a carpenter by trade and becomes a big help to the girls. The following day, Becky is on her way to see someone about a job. She is driving Chloe's car and, by the way, does not have a driver's license when she has an accident with an Amish buggy, killing an Amish elder. Becky is in big trouble but, that changes a little when the police find that the brake line was cut on the car and now perhaps Chloe was the intended victim. Chloe goes into investigative mode to find the culprit before someone else gets hurt. With the help of Becky's family, including the handsome brother, they try to find out who wanted to hurt Chloe or the Amish gentleman and save the day.

The storyline is great, perfect Amanda Flower writing and the characters are easy to both love and not love. I won't say hate because the characters don't seem to hate anyone. This is a new series by the author and, I think, will take off. A very good book that covers much of the problems between the Amish and the Englischers in the small town and the college. It reminded me a bit of the movie Witness that showed the huge differences between the people and the way they both lived. Good Work!!!
(less)

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Apr 21, 2012 Edna Tollison rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is the first time I have read anything by Amanda Flower but I loved this mystery about the Amish and the English joined together trying to solve a death (or murder).

As I started to read Chloe Humphrey was moving to Appleseed Creek Ohio to start a new job as the head of the computer department at Harshberger College. She had rented a house over the Internet and had no idea what it would be like. As she neared town she saw a green truck stopped and the two men were harassing a young Amish wom...more

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Mar 23, 2012 Maureen Timerman rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012

This is a story that reads like an actual happening. Chloe Humphrey is on her way to Apple Creek OH to start her first job. On her way she has a chance encounter with a couple of men in a green truck tormenting and perhaps abducting a young Amish girl.
This is the start of her new adventure...Becky Troyer ends up moving in with her as she moves in. Actually in her past she moved in with another family, and rather feels she should help Becky. Because of this decision, her life becomes involved wit...more

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Mar 06, 2012 Cindy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Chloe Humphrey is moving to Amish country. She is not really sure what to expect, but knows that this job can give her the experience that she needs. Technology Services director at the small local college, she knows that she will gain great experience, what she doesn't count on is the tension in her department, nor does she expect the job of having to decide who will be downsized in her department.

The first day she arrives in town, is an eventful day for Chloe, topping the hill coming into tow...more

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Jun 28, 2012 Victor Gentile rated it 5 of 5 stars

Amanda Flower in her new book, “A Plain Death” Book One in the Appleseed Creek Mystery Series published by B&H Publishing Group introduces us to Chloe Humphrey and Appleseed Creek, Ohio.

From the Back Cover: Welcome to Appleseed Creek, the heart of Ohio’s Amish Country, where life is not as serene as it seems.

While her Cleveland friends relocated to Southern California and Italy, 24-year-old computer whiz Chloe Humphrey moves with some uncertainty to Appleseed Creek to direct technology servi...more Amanda Flower in her new book, “A Plain Death” Book One in the Appleseed Creek Mystery Series published by B&H Publishing Group introduces us to Chloe Humphrey and Appleseed Creek, Ohio.

From the Back Cover: Welcome to Appleseed Creek, the heart of Ohio’s Amish Country, where life is not as serene as it seems.

While her Cleveland friends relocated to Southern California and Italy, 24-year-old computer whiz Chloe Humphrey moves with some uncertainty to Appleseed Creek to direct technology services at a nearby college. Her first acquaintance is Becky, an ex-Amish teenager looking for a new home.

While driving Chloe’s car, Becky collides with a buggy, killing an Amish elder. But what looks like an accident is soon labeled murder when police discover the car’s cut brake line.

Now, Chloe must take on the role of amateur sleuth to discover who the real intended victim was before the murderer makes a second attempt. Becky’s handsome Amish-turned-Mennonite brother, Timothy, a local carpenter, comes in handy along the way. With God’s help, they’ll solve the mystery that’s rocking this small community.

At the end of a hard day I like to sit down with a good murder mystery. It takes my mind of the events of the day and I enter into a new environment, in this case Appleseed Creek, Ohio. Tampering with Chloe’s car meant someone wanted to kill her. It is just accidental that Becky was driving at the time the brakes went. However, Chloe is new in town so who and why would someone want to kill her? M. Flower has crafted a real puzzler of a mystery. ”A Plain Death” keeps you guessing and I defy you to figure out who really did it. Add to the pot a cast of characters that are just wonderful, some good, some bad and Ms. Flower has given us a great setting for what looks like a terrific series. If you enjoy a good murder mystery like I do then this book is for you. I enjoyed this book a lot and am looking forward to the next one.

If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.

To listen to 24 hours non-stop Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book for free from Wynn-Wynn Media for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”(less)

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Jun 22, 2012 Christa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook-arc

I thought that A Plain Death was a delightful and fun to read story. I am very glad to have read it, and started the 2nd book in the series as soon as I finished this one. I really enjoyed the characters of Chloe, Timothy, and Betsy, and I have to say that my favorite so far is Grandfather Zook. He is a joy to read about. The storyline caught my attention right away, and held it throughout the book. After finishing the first two books in the series, I can't wait for more to see what happens to t...more

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Oct 22, 2012 Jeannie and Louis Rigod rated it 5 of 5 stars

This novel was a strong debut introducing us to the town of Appleseed Creek, Ohio and to the new Director of Computer Services for the nearby Harshberger College,Chloe Humphrey. Driving her car and U-Haul to her new rented home, Chloe encounters a young girl in apparent trouble walking by the road. The girl is being accosted and Chloe, scared,but knowing she must help, stops and gives the girl a lift.

This was the one challenge to those of us who live in cities today, would you have aided the gir...more

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Aug 14, 2012 Emily rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: amish, mystery, romance-contemporary

I wanted this book to be good, I really did. I have a great interest in Amish faith and culture, and was curious how the book would deal with the topic.

Good: the author tried to get the Amish right. Amish people weren't all portrayed as perfect. Grandfather Zook is fantastic!! The college politics subplot was interesting, even though Joel was over-the-top.

Bad: The author seemed to grasp "different Amish are different", but lacked basic understanding about Amish church organization and what belie...more

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Nov 27, 2012 Shari Larsen rated it 5 of 5 stars

After her best friend relocates to Italy, 24 year old computer whiz Chloe Humphrey moves from Cleveland, Ohio, to the small town of Appleseed Creek to direct technology services for a nearby college. Her first acquaintance is Becky, an ex-Amish teenager who is looking for a new home.

While driving Chloe's car, Becky collides with a buggy, killing an Amish bishop. But what looks like an accident is soon labeled a murder after police discover that the car's brake line was cut.

Chloe takes on the rol...more

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Jul 30, 2012 Glenajo rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: action, amish, christian, murder-mystery, mystery, romance, romantic-suspense

Chloe Humphrey, a big city girl, moved to Appleseed Creek to take over the IT department at the local college. On her drive to the town she notices a young Amish girl being hassled by two scary looking men, so she gives her a ride. This act of generosity opens the door to other Amish friends, dangers, and problems. When her new roommate, the young Amish girl, borrows her car and kills an Amish Bishop, she decides to get involved to try to save her young friends.

I totally enjoyed this book, and w...more

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Feb 25, 2013 Elizabeth S. rated it 4 of 5 stars

"A Plain Death" by Amanda Flower opens on a country road as Chloe Humphrey hauls her entire life in a rental trailer hitched behind her small car to what may seem like an even smaller town. If it weren't for the job she were recently offered, she would never have caught herself on such a journey.

Along the bumpy ride, Chloe spots a young girl being harassed by two men in a green pickup truck along the side of the road. She did what any responsible person would do. She rescued young Becky Troyer....more "A Plain Death" by Amanda Flower opens on a country road as Chloe Humphrey hauls her entire life in a rental trailer hitched behind her small car to what may seem like an even smaller town. If it weren't for the job she were recently offered, she would never have caught herself on such a journey.

Along the bumpy ride, Chloe spots a young girl being harassed by two men in a green pickup truck along the side of the road. She did what any responsible person would do. She rescued young Becky Troyer. Little did she know that this simple, ex-Amish young girl would be the cause of an even bumpier ride.

Before Chloe knew it, she was thrown into the middle of more excitement Appleseed Creek had ever seen. Becky began living with Chloe, which attracted more than just her handsome older brother, Timothy, who Chloe had more than once blushed over, but most unfortunately, Becky also attracted the entire town's attention when she killed Bishop Glick who just so happened to be the father of the man she was suppose to marry had she stayed in the Amish faith.

At first, everyone thought it was an accident, but when police Chief Rose shined light that the brake line had been cut, the realization of murder hung in the air like a bad stench. Chloe was determined to find out who sabotaged her vehicle and why, just as much as to help her new friend. She dove head first into the mystery as an amateur sleuth to find the answers no one else seemed to be asking. Was her brake line cut to hurt Chloe or Becky, and if it was to hurt Becky, how did they know she would be the one to drive the car that day when she doesn't even have a license. Something else weighed on Chloe's mind, If everyone in Appleseed Creek knew everyone and all their little secrets, how come no one was coming forward about other crime in the area that might have been linked to Bishop Glick's murder? Chloe was going to uncover the truth even if she had to question every single person in Appleseed Creek including the resistant Amish who seemed to know more than they were letting on.

Usually I am very fond of books written about a world not open to outsiders: the world of the Amish. The Amish have always fascinated me. I don't particularly know why. It could be a mixture of many things: their closeness to each other, their secrecy, their simple ways of life that teach a person to be patient, kind, understanding, and to stop and smell the roses after an honest and long day of useful work.... What ever the reason, I enjoy slipping easily into the pages of a book that involve the Amish. I feel that for a brief moment, I have been given permission to slide past their rules and into the heart of their lives to uncover a little bit more of who they are.

Amanda Flower's "A Plain Death" does a great job of engaging the reader. I fell in love right away with her characters whether it was the courageous Chloe, the naive Becky, or the strong and handsome Timothy. I enjoyed reading through their moments of friendship, love, and struggles.

However, as much as I loved the characters and the story as a whole, I was disappointed with the ending. I was able to forgive the grammatical errors, but it was the story losing steam that deflated my spirits. It seemed just as the story was getting to the climax of uncovering the true antagonist-- Amanda Flower either realized the story was taking too long, or perhaps her agent told her to eliminate some of her word count--the ending cut short. The finalization happened much too quickly. I was hoping for a little more of suspense. Don't get me wrong. This book was good, which is why I gave it four stars. Personally, however, I would have preferred a little bit more UMPH to the ending.

I received this book courtesy of Netgalley and B&H Publishing Group. In no way has my review of this book been influenced by either of these companies.(less)

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Jul 30, 2012 Duffy Brown rated it 5 of 5 stars

Love this book. Appleseed Creek is a great place to visit and the Amish setting always intriguing.
The characters from different worlds makes for a good read and love Chloe and Becky.

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Apr 13, 2012 Mercedes Cordero rated it 3 of 5 stars

I really liked the premise of this book, and for the most part, it delivered. It is nicely written, very simple but, nevertheless, nice. The main characters —Chloe, Timothy and Becky— were ok. It has a very good pace; never felt dragged or too slow or boring. The mystery is a good one; you form your ideas here and there, you try to piece it all together and you kind of know, but then you're not so sure, so you go back and then you're pretty sure and the author changes it up a bit once you get to...more

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Jul 26, 2012 Kay Defreese rated it 5 of 5 stars

I am so excited to discover Amanda Flowers. Mystery/suspense is my favorite genre to read. I am always trying out new authors. Some I like and some not so much. I am so glad I tried out Amanda Flowers. I enjoyed this story. I loved the Troyer family and really loved Grandpa Zook. Who wouldn't love to have a grandpa like him? I loved the way the mystery unfolded. Chloe Humphrey is new in town with a job as a computer technology expert at the local college. Chloe is alone in the world. Her father...more

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Oct 14, 2012 Kelley rated it 4 of 5 stars

First off, I don't typically ready Christian Fiction. It is a choice I have made and am content with that decision. And while, I would catagorize "A Plain Death" as a Christian Mystery, I am very glad I stumbled upon it. There were times, I admit, I almost put it down having realized it had Christian tendencies in it. But, the story and writing were so good and the characters were so well done, I kept with it. And I am glad I did. I thought the mystery itself was well done and had my attention t...more

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Dec 31, 2012 Phil rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, spiritual

A Plain Death: An Appleseed Creek Mystery Amanda Flower
I’m not exactly sure how I got sucked into this one, but it was a Nook Book and I gave it a try. This is the story of a 24 year old IT graduate from Cleveland, Chloe Humphrey, with her first job at a small liberal arts college in Knox County, Ohio. In Holmes and Knox County of Ohio lives the largest population of Amish people in the world and Chloe becomes friends with them and they become accepting of her. Chloe befriends a young lonely girl...more

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Apr 06, 2013 Rebecca Lewis rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: netgalley, new-author, reviewed-books

Chloe Hunphry is new to Appleseed Creek where she becomes the director of technology services at the local university. She soom gets involved with Becky and Timothy, a brother and sister who are ex-Amish, Becky is accused of murder and Chloe and Timothy investigates on their own to help solve this mystery. As the mystery deepens what will they discover about the people they know and their small community?

Amanda Flowers is a new author for me and I'm going to keep my eye on her. Her writing has i...more

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Jun 08, 2012 Carol rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery, advance-copy

As a mystery, the plot-line is well-constructed and timely, given the location. And Becky's reasons to take up the case made sense. She wasn't just being nosey. It concerned her and someone she cares about, but beyond that, the Amish tend to keep to themselves, not going to law enforcement with the problems.

It feels honest. There's the mystery that forms the base of the book, but how people interact is important too. Chloe's the new woman at the college, and she faces some resistance and resentm...more

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Jul 23, 2012 Susan rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery-ohio

Just starting a new job at Harshberger College, in tiny Appleseed Creek, Chloe befriends an Amish girl who is fleeing her family because their religion won't let her study art. Between acclimating Becky to the modern world, fighting off attraction to her brother, who has also left the Amish community, and dealing with adjustments to her new job as director of computer services, Chloe has her hands full. Then what seems like an accident turns into a threat against Chloe and Becky--and she must ad...more

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Mystery

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Christian Fiction

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Christian

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Mystery > Cozy Mystery

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Christian Fiction > Amish Fiction

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Suspense

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Romance

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Mystery > Murder Mystery

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Thriller > Mystery Thriller

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About Amanda Flower

Amanda Flower, an Agatha-nominated mystery author, started her writing career in elementary school when she read a story she wrote to her sixth grade class and had the class in stitches with her description of being stuck on the top of a Ferris wheel. She knew at that moment she’d found her calling of making people laugh with her words. Her debut mystery, Maid of Murder, was an Agatha Award Nomine...more

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Books by Amanda Flower

A Plain Scandal (Appleseed Creek Mystery #2)

Murder in a Basket (India Hayes Mystery #2)

A Plain Disappearance (Appleseed Creek Mystery #3)

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A Plain Death (Appleseed Creek Mystery #1)

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