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Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery #5
Between a Wok and a Hard Place
An Asian tourist found strangled and run over by a horse and buggy draws Magdalena Yoder from her quaint PennDutch Inn and into the secretive local Amish community.
373 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 1998
About the author
Tamar Myers
63 books294 followersTamar Myers was born and raised in the Belgian Congo (now just the Congo). Her parents were missionaries to a tribe which, at that time, were known as headhunters and used human skulls for drinking cups. Hers was the first white family ever to peacefully coexist with the tribe, and Tamar grew up fluent in the local trade language. Because of her pale blue eyes, Tamar’s nickname was Ugly Eyes.
Tamar grew up eating elephant, hippopotamus and even monkey. She attended a boarding school that was two days away by truck, and sometimes it was necessary to wade through crocodile infested waters to reach it. Other dangers she encountered as a child were cobras, deadly green mambas, and the voracious armies of driver ants that ate every animal (and human) that didn’t get out of their way.
In 1960 the Congo, which had been a Belgian colony, became an independent nation. There followed a period of retribution (for heinous crimes committed against the Congolese by the Belgians) in which many Whites were killed. Tamar and her family fled the Congo, but returned a year later. By then a number of civil wars were raging, and the family’s residence was often in the line of fire. In 1964, after living through three years of war, the family returned to the United States permanently.
Tamar was sixteen when her family settled in America, and she immediately underwent severe culture shock. She didn’t know how to dial a telephone, cross a street at a stoplight, or use a vending machine. She lucked out, however, by meeting her husband, Jeffrey, on her first day in an American high school. They literally bumped heads while he was leaving, and she entering, the Civics classroom.
Tamar now calls Charlotte, NC home. She lives with her husband, plus a Basenji dog named Pagan, a Bengal cat named Nkashama, and an orange tabby rescue cat named Dumpster Boy. She and her husband are of the Jewish faith, the animals are not.
Tamar enjoys gardening (she is a Master Gardner), bonsai, travel, painting and, of course, reading. She loves Thai and Indian food, and antique jewelry. She plans to visit Machu Pichu in the near future.
Series:
* Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery
* Den of Antiquity Mystery
Tamar grew up eating elephant, hippopotamus and even monkey. She attended a boarding school that was two days away by truck, and sometimes it was necessary to wade through crocodile infested waters to reach it. Other dangers she encountered as a child were cobras, deadly green mambas, and the voracious armies of driver ants that ate every animal (and human) that didn’t get out of their way.
In 1960 the Congo, which had been a Belgian colony, became an independent nation. There followed a period of retribution (for heinous crimes committed against the Congolese by the Belgians) in which many Whites were killed. Tamar and her family fled the Congo, but returned a year later. By then a number of civil wars were raging, and the family’s residence was often in the line of fire. In 1964, after living through three years of war, the family returned to the United States permanently.
Tamar was sixteen when her family settled in America, and she immediately underwent severe culture shock. She didn’t know how to dial a telephone, cross a street at a stoplight, or use a vending machine. She lucked out, however, by meeting her husband, Jeffrey, on her first day in an American high school. They literally bumped heads while he was leaving, and she entering, the Civics classroom.
Tamar now calls Charlotte, NC home. She lives with her husband, plus a Basenji dog named Pagan, a Bengal cat named Nkashama, and an orange tabby rescue cat named Dumpster Boy. She and her husband are of the Jewish faith, the animals are not.
Tamar enjoys gardening (she is a Master Gardner), bonsai, travel, painting and, of course, reading. She loves Thai and Indian food, and antique jewelry. She plans to visit Machu Pichu in the near future.
Series:
* Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery
* Den of Antiquity Mystery
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
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July 30, 2011This book was typical for this series - I enjoy the inn/food tie-in and recipes but you must suspend belief for some aspects of the plot. To me, the character of Magdelena is kind of an acquired taste and by the end of the book I was a little irritated with how she jumps to conclusions, butts in and in this story I found it hard to believe that at age 46 she was so naive (and then obsessed) about the physical attributes of men! Despite these criticisms it was a fast read and I still seem drawn to pick up books in this series occasionally.
December 23, 2012
At this time of the year, I am mainly trying to read a few more books to get to 1400 on Goodreads. This was weird. It takes place in Pennsylvania Dutch country, and one redeeming feature is that it DOES have some recipes included. The characters are characters--off the wall, and the plot is strange. The title has almost nothing to do with the story--well, one victim is Asian. If I find I have anymore Tamar Myers's books, I'll just donate or pass them on.
October 18, 2010
I liked it somewhat better than the previous book. Between a wok and a hard place was definitely funnier than the wedding one but I may be reaching a threshold for the series. I'll read a couple more and see how they go. I found myself having a hard time enjoying parts of this one due to the plot twist employed for the series as a whole. It just irked me.
February 17, 2012
Another fun mystery at the PennDutch Inn! Love these stories!
My only complaint is with the poor, poor editing. Nearly every page has misspellings and omitted words. My English teachers wouldn't have passed me out of 5th grade with this plethora of errors, and I was always told editors were even tougher. Seems they don't bother checking at all anymore. Really too bad, as the errors interrupt the flow of an otherwise good story.
My only complaint is with the poor, poor editing. Nearly every page has misspellings and omitted words. My English teachers wouldn't have passed me out of 5th grade with this plethora of errors, and I was always told editors were even tougher. Seems they don't bother checking at all anymore. Really too bad, as the errors interrupt the flow of an otherwise good story.
April 25, 2018
Well, now I remember why I haven't read one of these for a while. The way they're written they start starts off charming and entertaining, but then go through repetitive and end up being grating and annoying.
August 5, 2019
Magdalena Yoder was driving back to her home from dropping her husband off at the airport when she nearly ran over a young Oriental woman laying dead in the middle of the street. Melvin Stoltzfus, Hernia's Chief of Police, requests Mags' help as he has a broken leg and believes that some Amish youths are to blame for the woman's death (he also has a bad reputation in the Amish community).
Mags also has guests in the hotel, including a family with children which she had promised Freni Hostetler that she would never allow children, but here they are......
With so many guests in the hotel, the basement was allowed to be used as a dark room for processing photography...... and Mags sees some sketchy pictures.
As Mags tracks down the killer of the young woman, unknown callers begin calling with flower names and eventually the unknown caller makes herself known. She turns out to be the roommate of the young woman, and gives Mags some very important information.
Two Amish young men were attacked, one died, one in the hospital under an alias, and Mags had a hard time getting the boy's parents to work with her...... but the killers found him anyway.
As for Aaron and Magda, she had been a virgin all her life until she was married (in the previous book). Aaron called her from Minnesota, where she had dropped him off for his flight in the beginning of this book. His last call was to tell her that his first wife was still his current wife and that their marriage was null and void, and that she was either an adulterer or a bigamist...... (take your pick).
Recipes:
Annie Kauffman's Dutch Country Chicken and Cabbage
Great-Grandma Blough's Upside-Down Caramel Apple Pie
Hernia Corn Fritter Cutlets
Bigamist's Breakfast Gingerbread
World's Best Chicken Salad
Mags also has guests in the hotel, including a family with children which she had promised Freni Hostetler that she would never allow children, but here they are......
With so many guests in the hotel, the basement was allowed to be used as a dark room for processing photography...... and Mags sees some sketchy pictures.
As Mags tracks down the killer of the young woman, unknown callers begin calling with flower names and eventually the unknown caller makes herself known. She turns out to be the roommate of the young woman, and gives Mags some very important information.
Two Amish young men were attacked, one died, one in the hospital under an alias, and Mags had a hard time getting the boy's parents to work with her...... but the killers found him anyway.
As for Aaron and Magda, she had been a virgin all her life until she was married (in the previous book). Aaron called her from Minnesota, where she had dropped him off for his flight in the beginning of this book. His last call was to tell her that his first wife was still his current wife and that their marriage was null and void, and that she was either an adulterer or a bigamist...... (take your pick).
Recipes:
Annie Kauffman's Dutch Country Chicken and Cabbage
Great-Grandma Blough's Upside-Down Caramel Apple Pie
Hernia Corn Fritter Cutlets
Bigamist's Breakfast Gingerbread
World's Best Chicken Salad
June 22, 2017
Advertisment for PennDutch Inn: Crabby, sarcastic innkeeper who really doesn't like people welcomes you to her fine establishment where you can pay extra to make your own bed, cook your own food and muck the stalls. Food will be good until the cook quits AGAIN! Small dog belonging to sister will only bite your ankles if it falls out of her bosom. You really won't see Mags all that much cause she's running around investigating crimes because the sheriff is hapless and helpless.
In all sincerity, I don't like Mags at all, don't really care for the other characters in the series, and couldn't stand any of the cast for this installment. The mystery didn't seem to be of much importance, other than to let the story have said label. And I don't usually comment on this, but the editing was bad. I don't foresee reading any more in this series, but stranger things have happened...
In all sincerity, I don't like Mags at all, don't really care for the other characters in the series, and couldn't stand any of the cast for this installment. The mystery didn't seem to be of much importance, other than to let the story have said label. And I don't usually comment on this, but the editing was bad. I don't foresee reading any more in this series, but stranger things have happened...
August 18, 2020
A wacky cozy mystery about a dot on the map called Hernia, Pennsylvania. This book was funny at times, but it grew kind of long. Perhaps if you had read the others and were really invested in the characters this book would earn a higher rating? Myers seems to imply that inbreeding and narrow family trees have resulted in police chiefs that might try to milk a bull and women who jump to conclusions. The hotel guests are wacky (of course) and the mystery is not that good, but this book may give you some laughs.
June 21, 2020
Well, I'd be lying if I said I didn't laugh the whole way through this book. Buuut I'd also be lying if I didn't tell you I was actually laughing *at* this book and it's ridiculous tropes than at any intentional comedy. Yikes. I am going to try one of the recipes, so that's where the second star comes from. ;)
June 16, 2017
A good book as all of the PDM have been so far. I enjoy the quirky characters, laugh out loud and "roll your eyes" liners in each book. This ending threw me for a loop. Sad but now I wonder what Ms. Myers has in store for the characters. Have to keep reading.
December 17, 2018
The average rating for this book is 3.74 stars. The reviewers are too kind. I won't be reading any more in this series.
August 14, 2022
A lot goes on in this 5th book of the series. A whole lot goes on starting with a dead Asian girl lying in the middle of the street. You learn a lot about Amish teen-agers. A strange group of paying guests make things hectic in Hernia.
December 7, 2017
Another good book
It was a good book. It has a shocker in it that floored me. Can't wait for the next book.
It was a good book. It has a shocker in it that floored me. Can't wait for the next book.
August 24, 2018
Excellent wit.
January 20, 2019
Magdalena faces another unsolved murder, along with marital woes. I will definitely be seeking out more from this series.
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March 18, 2020Long-awaited sequel to the Lee Mack/Steve Jenkins collaboration, "Wok Around the Clock."
May 7, 2025
loved it
March 4, 2017
The dotes didn't connect together like they have in the previous books. Usually the clues make sense, but I didn't understand how.
April 18, 2009
What is it about Magdalena Yoder? She is not at all my favorite character but here I am, finding myself going back to this series yet again.
Initially, I was disappointed that in the very next book after Magdalena married, her new husband had left - and it was quickly obvious it would be for good. But somehow that fits in Magdalena's life.
There are some things in the series that get on my nerves in a big way - Magdalena's constant adolescent references to sex, the callous and repeated description of how her parents passed away, and her frequent use of absurd alliterations among them. But then I find myself frequently chuckling at her relationship with her Amish neighbor/friend/mother figure/employee Freni. I'm also amused that somehow Magdalena gets to the bottom of things despite bullheadedness and her amazing ability to simply miss the main point of a conversation.
In this story, the solution to the mystery surprised me, although if I had been paying closer attention I might have figured it out.
I suppose this series is one of those guilty pleasures for me and yes, I'll read the next one in the series, too.
Initially, I was disappointed that in the very next book after Magdalena married, her new husband had left - and it was quickly obvious it would be for good. But somehow that fits in Magdalena's life.
There are some things in the series that get on my nerves in a big way - Magdalena's constant adolescent references to sex, the callous and repeated description of how her parents passed away, and her frequent use of absurd alliterations among them. But then I find myself frequently chuckling at her relationship with her Amish neighbor/friend/mother figure/employee Freni. I'm also amused that somehow Magdalena gets to the bottom of things despite bullheadedness and her amazing ability to simply miss the main point of a conversation.
In this story, the solution to the mystery surprised me, although if I had been paying closer attention I might have figured it out.
I suppose this series is one of those guilty pleasures for me and yes, I'll read the next one in the series, too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2013
"Between a wok and a Hard Place" or Magdalena's Mashuga Marriage and Mystery.
Magdalena is still swooning over her new marriage and husband Aaron Miller Jr. when an Asian woman is found dead in the road. Apparently run over by a horse and buggy...that is until she is found to have been strangled beforehand.
The Chief of Police, Melvin Stoltzfus who resembles a praying mantis, has asked Magdalena to handled the case for him due to an accident that has left him physically incapacitated. So without a badge or uniform Magdalena takes on the case of the murdered Asian woman.
I've been enjoying this series and by the looks of it will be continuing for quite some time. This book and series if recommended for all lovers of cozies with humor.
Magdalena is still swooning over her new marriage and husband Aaron Miller Jr. when an Asian woman is found dead in the road. Apparently run over by a horse and buggy...that is until she is found to have been strangled beforehand.
The Chief of Police, Melvin Stoltzfus who resembles a praying mantis, has asked Magdalena to handled the case for him due to an accident that has left him physically incapacitated. So without a badge or uniform Magdalena takes on the case of the murdered Asian woman.
I've been enjoying this series and by the looks of it will be continuing for quite some time. This book and series if recommended for all lovers of cozies with humor.
February 24, 2015
#5 in the Pennsylvania Dutch series. Magdelena Yoder runs the PennDutch Inn in Hernia, PA. This quaint series published #19 The Death of Pie in 2014. I haven't gotten past #5 but will have to remedy that situation.
Pennsylvania Dutch series - Magdelena's new husband Aaron phones her from MN and informs her that he was still married when they were wed and he has decided that he still loves his first wife. Magdelena discovers the body of an Oriental woman who appears to have been run over by an Amish wagon and is deputized by injured Melvin Stoltzfus to help investigate.
Pennsylvania Dutch series - Magdelena's new husband Aaron phones her from MN and informs her that he was still married when they were wed and he has decided that he still loves his first wife. Magdelena discovers the body of an Oriental woman who appears to have been run over by an Amish wagon and is deputized by injured Melvin Stoltzfus to help investigate.
September 6, 2012
I did not enjoy this book, though I read it through to the bitter end. The main character seemed ridiculously thick-headed to me, not at all the type to solve murders and the preachy nature of her religion rankled. I *think* the author intended her dense reactions to things to be funny but it just was tired. I will say that I read it after several very heavy literary novels so it did act as a ... cleanser? Glad I bought it at a used book store!
October 21, 2014
A Pennsylvania Dutch mystery with recipes. A little too sarcastic and trite for me but they are very light reading. Good for bedtime. The main character owns a B&B in the Amish countryside of Pennsylvania. She charges guests extra for a true Amish experience, which means they get to change their own linens, help with meals, muck out the barn, feed the chickens etc. and she does not have to pay any help to run her Inn or farm.
May 20, 2016
Police chief Melvin Stolftzus has broken his leg and asks Penn Dutch Inn owner Magdalena Miller to help find out who murdered and ran over an Asian woman in their Amish town of Hernia, Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, why is Magdalena's husband (Pooky Bear) spending so much time away from home? I love the Pennsylvania Dutch cozy mysteries, they are funny and a quick read. I am definitely going to read the next book in the series!
October 16, 2014
Main characters ought to be likeable, or at least respectable. Magdalena Yoder is neither. She seems like a nitwit with an attitude. I so wanted to like her. The idea of a Mennonite bed and breakfast mixed with murder was interesting (although it sounds odd now that I typed that!), but I just cannot like the book because SHE is on every page.
August 27, 2008
I stumbled upon this author by picking up this book from a 'free' book shelf on a base library and I am totally hooked! Puns galore and goofy, somewhat corny humor. Just my cup of tea. Plus, the books are sprinkled with recipes that are really good!
August 29, 2009
I normally enjoy this series but didn't like this one. The mystery of who killed a Chinese woman found on a road inhernia is shoved aside for most of the book until the hasty solution at the end. the turn Magdalena's personal life takes in this book annoyed me.
April 21, 2008
This is another great cozy and mystery in the Penn Dutch series. Great recipes too! Each one is interesting by far!
September 30, 2008
Love the characters and the story was fast paced and funny.
July 8, 2009
The humor in this series is getting old. It's basically the same jokes every book and is ceasing to be entertaining.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews