A Prayer for the Night: An Amish-Country Mystery

Amish-Country Mysteries #5

by P.L. Gaus

Amid a whirlwind of drugs, sex, and other temptations of the “English” world, a group of Amish teenagers on the Rumschpringe test the limits of their parent’s religion to the breaking point. The murder of one teenager and the abduction of another challenge Professor Michael Branden as he confronts the communal fear that the young people can never be brought home safely.

Along with Holmes County Sheriff Bruce Robertson and Pastor Cal Troyer, Professor Branden works against the clock to find a murderer and a kidnapper, and to break a drug ring operating in the county, determined, wherever the trail may lead him, to restore the shattered community.

In A Prayer for the Night, his fifth Ohio Amish Mystery, P. L. Gaus deftly balances the pace and practices of Amish life in northern Ohio against the unfolding urgency of a hostage situation. As Gaus has proven before, the mystery gains from its exploration of the ever-widening chasm between the traditional life of the Amish people and their interaction with the outside world.

Genres: Mystery, Amish, Fiction, Christian Fiction, Audiobook, Christian, Mystery Thriller

228 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Paul L. Gaus writes The Amish-Country Mysteries, set authentically in the Amish settlements of Holmes County, Ohio. Three life-long friends - Professor Michael Branden, Sheriff Bruce Robertson, and Pastor Caleb Troyer - work sometimes together and other times at crossed purposes to solve mysteries involving the often inscrutable Amish sects of the region. The rich cast of English characters includes the professor's insightful wife Caroline, Holmes County's tenacious Medical Examiner Melissa Taggert, and young Ellie Troyer, the sheriff's resolute dispatcher/secretary. Paul's novels illuminate Amish culture and lifestyle in the context of murder investigations that pull aside the veil on the daily lives of these purposefully plain religious separatists.

There are currently eight novels in the series, published by Plume, a Division of Penguin Group USA. The ninth novel, Whiskers of The Lion, is soon to be published by Plume. The first seven of his novels were originally published as The Ohio Amish Mysteries, by Ohio University Press, before they were all republished as trade paperbacks by Plume.

Paul’s extensive knowledge of the culture and lifestyle of the many Ohio Amish sects comes from over forty years of travel throughout Holmes and the surrounding rural counties in Ohio. His stories are rich with culture, much like the works of Tony Hillerman. It was Paul's friendship with Tony Hillerman that first inspired him to write culture-based mysteries about Amish people.

Reviews

[Donna · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was just okay for me. I had a hard time with the story line. I couldn't for one minute believe this. I would have liked more structure to support this wild thread. I'm willing to believe anything, if the author paints the world and pulls me in.....that didn't happen with this.

I did enjoy the writing about the Amish community. I also like the MC in this series. So 2 stars.

[Mayda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Temptations and choices. We face them every day. Should I eat that second slice of pie? What will happen if I call in sick and go to the ball game instead? Should I marry for money or remain single? Some are not important decisions; others are life changing. For young Amish people, perhaps the most important decision of their lives is whether to become baptized Amish or join the English and embrace their worldly temptations. In this tale, P. L. Gaus illustrates what can happen when formerly obedient Amish youth become ensnared in the world of drugs and liquor. Tempted by cell phones, cars, computers, ipods, and more, these young people are soon in over their heads on a path that can only lead to death and destruction. Is it too late to renounce the English world and return to the peaceful safety of the Amish community? Will the wrath of the drug dealers follow them to their homes and endanger others? This exciting, well written mystery will keep you enthralled to the very end.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mystery novels are my go-to choice for mindless reading. Problem is, often there is more language, sex and gore than I really care to read about. Given this is a mystery book about the Amish community, I figured it would be a better bet for lazy summer reading than some of the others I have tried. This book succeeded for me in being interesting without being too bawdy with a satisfying mystery-solved conclusion.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read several books in this series and I think it's probably the best one yet. The story is well written, it flowed well and kept me reading till the end.

[Dave Weller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read the first three of the Ohio Amish Mystery series, I planned to move on to number four; however, it was unavailable to loan from the Denver library, and I was unable to find an ebook to purchase on Amazon, so I skipped ahead to book five and borrowed it from the library. A Prayer for the Night is about a Rumschpringe (pronounce that one) gone awry. Rumschpringe is the period when the Amish "run wild" and give into the temptations of the English world and ultimately make the choice to recommit to the Amish way of life or leave the Amish community. Michael Branden, Cal Troyer and Bruce Robertson continue in their roles as crime solvers from outside the Amish community. In this installment I particularly liked the new Amish characters, Sara Yoder and Jeremiah Miller. P. L. Gaus does a fine job of explaining Rumschpringe and the difficult life decisions faced by Amish youth. I will figure out a way to read book four before it rolls around again on my schedule.

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t realize I was reading the fifth in a series and might have enjoyed this better with additional character background I assume is in the other books.

I found some parts of this to be repetitive but found satisfaction in the mystery and characters and small twists. Primarily, I love reading books set in places I know so enjoyed this from a local writer and look forward to going back to earlier books in the series.

[Mary Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book in the Amish Country Mystery series. I have become familiar with the characters who repeatedly appear in this series of books and enjoy watching their interactions. This book concerns some of the Amish youth who get into a lot of trouble during their years of being allowed to live among the English.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm really liked this book, this mystery. I am surprised by the current GR rating of 3+ stars.
My favorite character was the Bishop. His anguish over Rumpringa over--how much freedom. the rapid change of what temptations were available on an ever increasing rate to his youth.

A story of tasting freedom taken too far and the impact on the youth and everyone around them is very well done.

[Gail Richmond · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy the picture of the Amish and related sects as presented in this mystery series. This is a good one, as several Amish young people go way outside the norm, getting involved with drugs, drinking, and rock n roll! It takes a murder and serious violenceto make things come around.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder, shooting, drugs, kidnapping and hidden gold--not what you expect in a book about the Amish!!

[Anna Nolley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. Regardless of how well you try to raise your children, some are destined to learn about life the hard way. Prayer is all that holds us together in rough times.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book got confusing with all the names and different things going on. It seemed like more details would’ve helped.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this story very disjointed - didn’t enjoy as I have others of this author’s books.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

A prayer for the Night: This book covered many issues which are missing most times in books about Amish culture of what could happen to Amish children during their finding themselves (Rumschpringe) time. They are given freedom/permission to follow some of the many things available to non-Amish children before their baptism into the faith We don’t know what harm comes to many of the children who for one reason or other have no safety net especially when their parents have embraced the Amish custom and are unable to go freely into the English world..

The finding a missing Amish son opened up a entirely different venture first for Sara Yoder who had some concerns when she was unable to contact her friend John Schlabaugh who was one of the group of them who was in this rumschpringe. Her hunt brought her to his dead body.

Two concerned officials Holmes County Sheriff Bruce Robertson and Pastor Cal Troyer, rush to find out who was the killer since other within this group could have been at risk of death. The book pointed out how not knowing all much of what happen in the; underworld may pull them in without their knowledge of the danger.

I really enjoyed reading this mystery – although I have not read other books by the author will check out other books authored by this writer.

[Joe A · Rating 2 out of 5]

A Prayer for the Night is an Ohio Amish mystery story written by Paul Gaus. A Prayer for the Night is about an Amish community whose teenage members struggle to resist the temptations of the modern world. Among such temptations are technology, drugs, and teenage relationships. Secret meetings and uncustomary practices by some teenagers in the community present possible trouble. The disobedient group soon find themselves in more trouble than they ever could have imagined when a person is murdered, and another person is kidnapped. Drug dealers, who have been noted as a threat to many of the community’s children, add another element to the mounting trouble. Leaders Reverend Cal Troyer and Professor Michael Brandon work against the clock with local Sheriff Bruce Robinson to find the murderer and the kidnapper, and to put an end to the drug dealers operating in the area in order to restore their traditional way of life.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not sure if this is the third or fourth book by P.L. Gaius that I've read. I think I read them because I grew up in Ohio and because he clearly admires the good qualities of the Amish faith. My own distaste for patriarchy in any form makes me less impressed with the Amish life, but I am comfortable about Gaus' portrayal. I have also read all of Linda Castillo's books, which like Gaus' are mysteries that take place among the Amish of Ohio. I like both authors' efforts but for different reasons. Gaus' characters seem to have less realistic conversations but more theological savvy. His love of his Amish neighbors may at times come through too clearly. Castillo's main characters come from a more English than Amish perspective, which is probably just as well since she has had less contact with the Amish. Her writing skills seem a little more fine tuned than Gaus', but I enjoy both of their books for their tales of police solving puzzles in the very rural parts of Ohio.

[Paul Lunger · Rating 3 out of 5]

P.L. Gaus's "A Prayer for the Night" is another entry in his Amish Country mystery series set in Holmes County, Ohio. In this installation, the Amish rite of passage known as Rumschpringe is explored when Amish youths are given a chance to throw off their way of life briefly in order to experience life as an English person would. The story follows Sara Yoder who is embarking on this rite of passage & her discovery of the body of fellow teen John Schlabaugh things get a bit interesting. When she & her friend Abe Yoder though come up missing after the fact the search is on for both them & a killer. Gaus's story is actually relatively quick & easy to read & explroes a side of the Amish that may or may not be known to we the outsider. The mystery part isn't bad although it gets solved without a few hitches along the way. Overall a basically average mystery in this series so far.

[Janice · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the 5th book from the Ohio Amish mystery series that my friend lent me to read. A group of Amish teens on their Rumschpringe get involved in drugs, sex, and other temptations of the “English” world. Professor Michael Branden along with his friends, Holmes County Sheriff Bruce Robertson and Pastor Cal Troyer are challenged to find a murderer and a kidnapper, and to stop a drug ring operating in the county. I'm afraid that I've been hoping the story writing would improve in this series because I like the way the author writes about the Amish and their culture, etc. and because it is a local author that uses local towns for the background. However, when I read this one I wasn't thrilled that I had one more book left to read. I really didn't like it at all.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t think the publisher gives enough marketing support to this author which is a shame. This is the second book in the Amish series by this author and I find him a really good writer. I also like how he looks at Amish life in Ohio with respect and factual information rather than just making it up. He portrays their life with sensitivity. If you like reading fiction based around the Amish, I recommend this series. Most of the Amish fiction I’ve seen revolves around a love story or takes place in the past. These are mysteries in which the main character is not Amish.

[Gay Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sarah rushes in her Amish buggy to a deserted barn where her teen gang meets, to find the gang leader missing and she suspects trouble. Has her friend been kidnapped or been caught by drug dealers? This fast-paced mystery takes sudden twists and turns, as facts on Amish culture intertwine with unexpected events. Readers meet realistic Amish teens and non-Amish characters, who attempt to help unravel the disappearance. The teen issues that appear throughout the story are ones that both Amish and English teens face. This is not your usual romantic Amish fiction.

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rumspringa is the Amish word for when their teenagers go to explore the "English" world of alcohol, cars, technology, sex, and parties. Will they come back and join the church? Or will they be lost to the world? This book is about Rumspringa gone bad, even tragic.

[Samuel · Rating 2 out of 5]

The plot was OK, the main characters are cardboard cutouts just like previous books. There are also plausibility issues in the relationship of the three main characters and the Old Order Amish. I keep hoping for real development in the characters because I like the concept.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The P L Gaus Ohio Amish Mystery series is published by Ohio Univesity (where I work) so I believe I've read all of them. Its fun to see place names you recognize.

[Lynn Kearney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This account of adolescent rebellion among Amish youth seemed wildly exaggerated and improbable to me, though I assume the author would have checked his facts.

[Sandy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Amish teen-agers mixed up in a drug ring in the Millersburg, Ohio area. Not a very good story.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written as well as well rounded, a book I was impressed by.

[Susie Brazeau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Choices. We all make them every day. Some good...some not so good but each will affect the outcome of our life.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Want to finish this series

[Andy Plonka · Rating 3 out of 5]

not the best in the series, but it shows some of the modern day stresses that Amish teenagers face when they have to decide to remain Amish or to live in the "English" world.

[John Hanscom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe even a little more. This is the 5th in a series, and it is probably the best so far.