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Kingdom Come
(Elizabeth Harris Mystery #1)
by
In Kingdom Come, the first in a new mystery series from Jane Jensen, an ex-NYPD detective seeks escape in Amish country and finds darkness instead.
When a beautiful, scantily clad "English" girl is found dead in the barn of a prominent Amish family, Detective Elizabeth Harris knows she's uncovered an evil that could shatter the peace of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Even ...more
When a beautiful, scantily clad "English" girl is found dead in the barn of a prominent Amish family, Detective Elizabeth Harris knows she's uncovered an evil that could shatter the peace of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Even ...more
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Start your review of Kingdom Come (Elizabeth Harris Mystery #1)
3 1/2 stars. I'm perfectly happy to read a decent mystery, with a good cast of characters and an interesting setting, and that's what I got with Kingdom Come. Elizabeth Harris is a cop, who moves from New York City to rural Pennsylvania after her husband is killed. She joins a small local police force. A dead girl is found on a local Amish farm. Harris has to figure out how to get information from members of this closed tight community. Although her superiors acknowledge that she has great exper
...more
A systems programmer and game designer-cum-creative writer, Jane Jensen has stepped away from her Gabriel Knight adventure series to debut a mystery novel. This is my first time reading this author; in looking over Ms. Jensen’s previous works, I see that she has used religious themes and symbolism in some of her adventure stories, and in this novel, she uses the Amish way of life as her backdrop. The author has introduced a promising new character, Elizabeth “E” Harris. Harris is a homicide dete
...more
Sep 17, 2016
David
rated it
it was ok
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Rick Castle, fans of whoopie pies, Amish girls gone wild
This book would have been a lot better without the Amish romance.
The premise is interesting enough if you like the standard trope of "big city detective has to solve crime in an unfamiliar culture." Elizabeth Harris is a former NYPD detective who moved to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, after her husband was murdered. She is getting used to the slower pace of things, trying to establish herself on the force without being perceived either as weak or as an obnoxious ball-buster, and of course angsting ov ...more
The premise is interesting enough if you like the standard trope of "big city detective has to solve crime in an unfamiliar culture." Elizabeth Harris is a former NYPD detective who moved to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, after her husband was murdered. She is getting used to the slower pace of things, trying to establish herself on the force without being perceived either as weak or as an obnoxious ball-buster, and of course angsting ov ...more
I both liked and disliked this book.
The like: set in Lancaster PA Amish country the reticence of the Amish to engage with the "English" has a definite ring of truth. I can understand their desire to be left alone. Ms. Jensen writes well, makes some of the characters appealing, and others less so.
The dislike: Detective Harris being unable to put her lust aside while investigating the crime. This dislike may be due to my not liking romances in general and particularly those that start with lust ...more
The like: set in Lancaster PA Amish country the reticence of the Amish to engage with the "English" has a definite ring of truth. I can understand their desire to be left alone. Ms. Jensen writes well, makes some of the characters appealing, and others less so.
The dislike: Detective Harris being unable to put her lust aside while investigating the crime. This dislike may be due to my not liking romances in general and particularly those that start with lust ...more
GoodReads Giveaway
Overall I liked this book, interesting characters, realistic setting (and I visit Lancaster, Pa often) and a good mystery but......
The romance was a little too much, too fast. I'm guessing Jensen is planning a series with these characters, and I look forward to that, but I think it would have been better if Elizabeth and Ezra's relationship was developed over a few books. ...more
Overall I liked this book, interesting characters, realistic setting (and I visit Lancaster, Pa often) and a good mystery but......
The romance was a little too much, too fast. I'm guessing Jensen is planning a series with these characters, and I look forward to that, but I think it would have been better if Elizabeth and Ezra's relationship was developed over a few books. ...more
2.5
Wouldn't have been as cheesy if the love story had been omitted. But, the writing was weak. ...more
Wouldn't have been as cheesy if the love story had been omitted. But, the writing was weak. ...more
Whoa. This was a random purchase resulting from Audible's "Daily Deal" series... I was drawn in by the balance between the Amish community and an experienced big city (female) detective. I didn't know if I'd LOVE it or if it'd flop, but figured that I'd be okay with the $3.00 risk. And, what a win!
I couldn't stop listening to this one. Couldn't. Stop. Listening.
Jensen's ability to make interesting characters, an intense plot line, and maintain tension between the substories is what earns this ...more
I couldn't stop listening to this one. Couldn't. Stop. Listening.
Jensen's ability to make interesting characters, an intense plot line, and maintain tension between the substories is what earns this ...more
Why does every novel that contains a female detects protagonist use the same female chacter for that role?
The woman is always beautiful, considered the best derective around, and she immediately gains the respect & loyalty of her male squad, & she is haunted by a death or break up or some other trauma that women can't let go of.
Surely, if an author can write an intricate mystery or who-gone-it, they can create an original character.
(kindly ignore typos- they're the result of brain cancer) ...more
The woman is always beautiful, considered the best derective around, and she immediately gains the respect & loyalty of her male squad, & she is haunted by a death or break up or some other trauma that women can't let go of.
Surely, if an author can write an intricate mystery or who-gone-it, they can create an original character.
(kindly ignore typos- they're the result of brain cancer) ...more
I enjoyed this 1st in a new mystery series. It was more an introduction than a riveting mystery. The stories take place in Amish country with a young, savvy woman detective solving the murders. I really like the characters, which I hope to learn more about in future books. (Don't pick it up if you can't overlook strong language. Some disturbing elements due to the type of crime. Romantic thread.)
...more
The mystery was decent, the detecting so-so and the romance bit, forced.
Detective Elizabeth Harris returns home after her husband is murdered. Now she is a member of team that have been called to an Amish farm to find an "English" girl murdered and posed in a barn. All clues point to the Amish but they close ranks. Then a disappearance of an Amish girl is discovered and linked to the murdered girl. How do they connect. Now Elizabeth has started a friendship with a widowed Amish man and cannot fight the growing attraction to him. He is a suspect in her case and she k
...more
Ezra=Yum!! looking forward to reading the next Elizabeth Harris: In the Land of Milk and Honey
NYPD detective Elizabeth Harris leaves New York City after the murder of her husband Terry and returns to Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She’s hoping the quiet setting of the Amish countryside will be a respite from big city life and crime. Elizabeth starts a new police job in Lancaster County; and it’s not long before she and partner/boss, Lt. Mike Grady, are called to an Amish farm where an “English” girl has been found dead. Elizabeth begins asking questions, but she finds the Amish do not want to
...more
4.5 An "English" detective takes on the murder investigation of an Amish girl and her "English" (non-Amish) best friend. Although you get an idea about whodunit and why as the story progresses, there's also a - spoiler alert - love story element that didn't put me off as much as some other books with this device have. It's done well, I think, and is quite believable. I love these fascinating looks into the lives of another religion and culture, particularly the Amish. I couldn't put this book do
...more
Very interesting and a good story. A generous mix of crime, drama, suspense and romance. Didn't figure out who dunit until the very end. Not a predictable plot. Followed a logical sequence, easy to follow the storyline. Great array of believable characters. Set in Lancaster County, PA. Can't wait to read the second in the series. Detective Elizabeth Harris is a very likable main character.
...more
I picked this up during one of Audible's sales. I worried that it would be a boring police procedural. I needn't have worried. I enjoyed it very much and I'm now listening to the second book in the series.
...more
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Detective Elizabeth Harris comes home from New York after her husband was murdered. She needs a quieter life to start over. But life at home isn’t at all what she expected. A body is found in a barn in the heart of the Amish community. The young girl is “English”, and her body had clearly been moved. Why would she be here were violence is condemned and life is “simple”? As the most experienced officer Elizabeth is assigned to the case, she thinks the killer is nearby while oth ...more
Detective Elizabeth Harris comes home from New York after her husband was murdered. She needs a quieter life to start over. But life at home isn’t at all what she expected. A body is found in a barn in the heart of the Amish community. The young girl is “English”, and her body had clearly been moved. Why would she be here were violence is condemned and life is “simple”? As the most experienced officer Elizabeth is assigned to the case, she thinks the killer is nearby while oth ...more
For a more in depth review, please visit my blog, Chorley Chronicals!!
I absolutely love Linda Castillo's Kate Burkholder series, so when I came across Kingdom Come, I was very interested to see how another author would approach an Amish Murder Series with another female detective. I was a little apprehensive at first, but was able to quickly get lost in the story of Elizabeth Harris, a former NYPD detective that has recently relocated back to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and has quickly found ...more
I absolutely love Linda Castillo's Kate Burkholder series, so when I came across Kingdom Come, I was very interested to see how another author would approach an Amish Murder Series with another female detective. I was a little apprehensive at first, but was able to quickly get lost in the story of Elizabeth Harris, a former NYPD detective that has recently relocated back to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and has quickly found ...more
Listened for Fun (Audible)
Overall Rating: 3.50
Story Rating: 3.50
Character Rating: 3.50
Audio Rating: 4.00 (not part of the overall rating)
First Thought when Finished: The mystery in Kingdom Come was excellent there was just a little too much relationship drama.
Overall Thoughts: I am a big fan of Gabriel Knight (a video game series) and so I knew that Jane Jensen wrote excellent storylines that are methodical and compelling. I am thrilled that translates into the ability to write really good novel ...more
Overall Rating: 3.50
Story Rating: 3.50
Character Rating: 3.50
Audio Rating: 4.00 (not part of the overall rating)
First Thought when Finished: The mystery in Kingdom Come was excellent there was just a little too much relationship drama.
Overall Thoughts: I am a big fan of Gabriel Knight (a video game series) and so I knew that Jane Jensen wrote excellent storylines that are methodical and compelling. I am thrilled that translates into the ability to write really good novel ...more
Death would be a cruel and unwelcome thief.
Detective Elizabeth Harris has come back to Lancaster County from her beat in New York. She is ready to take life a little simpler after the tragic death of her husband. When the murder of a young girl shows up in a Amish barn, she begins to wonder if there is any simplicity left. As she uncovers the identity of the victim, it becomes personal and leads to another victim. The Amish are not forth coming in helping the department with case and it becomes ...more
Detective Elizabeth Harris has come back to Lancaster County from her beat in New York. She is ready to take life a little simpler after the tragic death of her husband. When the murder of a young girl shows up in a Amish barn, she begins to wonder if there is any simplicity left. As she uncovers the identity of the victim, it becomes personal and leads to another victim. The Amish are not forth coming in helping the department with case and it becomes ...more
Elizabeth, known as E, returns home to Pennsylvania Dutch country after her husband is murdered. An experienced NYPD detective, she's hired by the local police force. She's called to investigate a body of an "English" girl found in an Amish barn. The investigation follows many different leads and then a second body, this time an Amish girl, is found similarly dead. It turns out that these girls were friends, planning to run away to a more exciting life.
The mystery unfolds as a conflict of two di ...more
The mystery unfolds as a conflict of two di ...more
Interesting detective murder mystery set in Amish country. I could easily be convinced to read more in this series.
Jul 09, 2016
Jon Abbott
rated it
liked it
Shelves:
action-heroine-2016,
fiction,
reviewed,
romance,
series,
strong-alpha-women,
amish-or-christian,
mystery,
audio,
suspense
3.5 stars. Murder mystery. Set in Amish community. Heroine: Female detective with agency and a few blind spots. Romantic interest: Amish man. 1st POV. Reasonably easy to guess whodunit, IMHO.
3.5, but I bumped it up for the earlier good feelings and because I didn’t guess the murderer. It didn’t end with such good feelings because the epilogue jumped ahead 7 months and skipped over some important life events which could have developed over multiple books. I’m disappointed in how they rushed the relationship as the book went on and how the relationship seemed a bigger story than the actual murder investigation. I was anticipating half a dozen books of them flirting and dating and then
...more
I found Jane Jensen's first book in the Elizabeth Harris Mystery Series, Kingdom Come, to be an enjoyable read. The action takes place in Lancaster, PA, where there is a large community of Amish people. Jessica Travis is a beautiful, teenaged, "English" girl found murdered in an Amish family's barn. Elizabeth Harris is the former NYPD detective, now working at the Violent Crimes Department of the Lancaster City Bureau of Police, tasked with finding her killer. Elizabeth is leaning towards findin
...more
In the middle of a cold winter in Lancaster County, PA a girl is found dead on an Amish farm and Detective Elizabeth Harris is assigned to the case.
PROS: I thought the author was very respectful of the Amish community and did not glamorize it and make them look like a tourist attraction. I thought the author was very careful to keep to the Amish beliefs and not to take creative liberties and make them appear not as they really are.
CONS: I typically am not crazy about murder mysteries that have ...more
PROS: I thought the author was very respectful of the Amish community and did not glamorize it and make them look like a tourist attraction. I thought the author was very careful to keep to the Amish beliefs and not to take creative liberties and make them appear not as they really are.
CONS: I typically am not crazy about murder mysteries that have ...more
Trigger warnings: murder, sexual abuse, loss of a baby (in the past), death of a spouse (in the past).
Not gonna lie, pretty much the only reason why I picked up this book is that it's set in Pennsylvania and I'm trying to read books set in every US state this year. So.
Anyway. This was intriguing to begin with. A dead girl is found on an Amish farm, and Elizabeth Harris, the detective on the case, finds it difficult to get any answers out of the Amish community. She also finds herself inexplica ...more
Not gonna lie, pretty much the only reason why I picked up this book is that it's set in Pennsylvania and I'm trying to read books set in every US state this year. So.
Anyway. This was intriguing to begin with. A dead girl is found on an Amish farm, and Elizabeth Harris, the detective on the case, finds it difficult to get any answers out of the Amish community. She also finds herself inexplica ...more
Amish Murder Mystery
I liked this one in the end a lot more than I was expecting too. The story revolves around the discovery of a dead girls body in an Amish couples barn, that quickly gets complicated as the local Amish community is quick to close out outsiders and be as unhelpful as possible towards the investigators.
For the first few chapters, I was very much thinking that this all seemed to be a by the numbers murder mystery novel, but as the conspiracy within the Amish community began to ...more
I liked this one in the end a lot more than I was expecting too. The story revolves around the discovery of a dead girls body in an Amish couples barn, that quickly gets complicated as the local Amish community is quick to close out outsiders and be as unhelpful as possible towards the investigators.
For the first few chapters, I was very much thinking that this all seemed to be a by the numbers murder mystery novel, but as the conspiracy within the Amish community began to ...more
Leaving behind the law enforcement hassles of a big city, Detective Elizabeth Harris relocates to rural Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and goes to a work for a small town police force that rarely see major crimes. The uneventful life she hoped to find is shattered when the body of a young woman is found in the barn of an Amish elder. Her investigation leads in directions that her supervisor finds uncomfortable, and she crosses an ethical line that puts her job in jeopardy. Compulsively, she pers
...more
The story opens with a pretty English teen found dead in an Amish barn. Elizabeth Harris is determined to discover what happened to her. E as she likes to be called grew up in Lancastor PA and has returned after working as a NYC police detective. After her husband is killed in a robbery she is back home and working for the Lancastor PD. It seems to be going in circles to nowhere this investigation. Then the teen is connected to a missing Amish girl that was wild her parents say. E keeps looking
...more
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Jane Jensen is the game designer of the popular and critically acclaimed Gabriel Knight adventure games and author of the novels Judgement Day and Dante's Equation.
Jane Jensen was born Jane Elizabeth Smith, the youngest of seven children. She received a BA in Computer Science from Anderson University in Indiana and worked as a systems programmer for Hewlett-Packard. Her love of both computers and ...more
Jane Jensen was born Jane Elizabeth Smith, the youngest of seven children. She received a BA in Computer Science from Anderson University in Indiana and worked as a systems programmer for Hewlett-Packard. Her love of both computers and ...more
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