Where Hope Dwells

Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries #2

by Elizabeth Ludwig

The Amish of Sugarcreek are experiencing a baby boom!

Cheryl Cooper loves the air of excitement these new arrivals bring, and as a recent member of the community, she enjoys getting to know her neighbors by delivering congratulatory gifts to the families. She never dreamed that one of these visits would end in an awful discovery...a baby has been snatched from his cradle!

When Cheryl happens across a lead that could reunite the child with his mother and put the kidnapper behind bars, she must take matters into her own hands. But will the truth she uncovers spell happily ever after or will it expose a deeper, more sinister problem?

Genres: Mystery, Amish, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Amish Fiction, Cozy Mystery

248 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2015

About the author

Elizabeth Ludwig is an accomplished speaker and teacher, often attending conferences where she lectures on editing for fiction writers, crafting effective novel proposals, and conducting successful editor/agent interviews. Book three in her popular EDGE OF FREEDOM series, Tide and Tempest, was named a finalist for the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence. Elizabeth was also named a finalist in the 2015 Selah Awards for her novella “One Holy Night”, part of the bestselling anthology collection, Christmas Comes to Bethlehem, Maine. Most recently, she was honored to be awarded a HOLT Medallion for her book, A Tempting Taste of Mystery, part of the SUGARCREEK AMISH MYSTERIES series from Guideposts. Her latest releases include Sheeps Passing in the Night, part of the MYSTERIES OF MARTHA’S VINEYARD series, also from Guideposts, and The Coffee Club Mysteries from Barbour Publishing. To learn more, visit ElizabethLudwig.com.

Reviews

[Shirley Chapel · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always I enjoy a good Amish cozy mystery book. The Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries is a series I always love to read more than most Amish cozy mysteries. Two sleuths, Cheryl Cooper and Naomi Miller are kept quite busy solving mystery after mystery through out this series.
In book two of this series, Where Hope Dwells, this reader was kept on the edge of her seat as Naomi and Cheryl try to find baby John Swartzenruber who was snatched from his crib while his mother, Rachel and Cheryl set in the kitchen enjoying a cup of coffee.
The kidnapper was quick and left no traces of evidence behind as to their identity. Who could the kidnapper be and why would they take baby John while his twin Joseph slept next to him in the crib? Will Cheryl and Naomi be able to find this kidnapper before too much time passes and all clues grow cold?
I loved the excitement and the extent that our slueth team was willing to take as they tracked down suspect after suspect with little to go on. There was a good lesson on forgiveness and letting go and letting God heal hurting hearts. Humor played its part in this story which bought a round of chuckles from this reader.
If you like good clean reading with no cussing or sex you will be comfortable reading this book. If you love Amish Fiction or cozy mysteries don't miss reading Where Hope Dwells. In fact you will love the entire series.

[Brooklyn Esh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so much fun and highly recommend ☺️

[Susann Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book of overcoming prejudice, forgiveness, and yielding to God’s voice set in Amish country (with a heavy dose of mystery.) It just goes to show that no matter our background, we are all very human.

[Pamela Pavkov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where Hope Dwells is book two written by Elizabeth Ludwig. This is a new author to me but I enjoyed her writing style very much. This book brings back main characters in the series Cheryl Cooper, Naomi, Esther, and Levi along with the addition of a few new ones. The main characters really add great style to the story. The mystery that is involved in this story will bring tears to the readers eyes. I enjoyed following Cheryl and Naomi as they persue the leads they uncover.

With arrival of twin sons to an Amish couple, Cheryl decides to pay a visit to delivery a very special basket from her and Naomi. While visiting with the baby's mamm something very unexpected happens and Cheryl carries the guilt for maybe distracting the mamm. While visiting baby John has been kidnapped from his cradle. With no physical clues to go on Cheryl and Naomi develope a suspect list and anyone of them could be the kidnapper. This is another well developed mystery that will keep the reader guessing but when all is revealed it may shock you.

I was not given a complimentary copy of this book to read and review. I was not approached to post a favorable response and all opinions are my own. I have rated this story with five stars for meeting my expectations of a wonderful story that I can highly recommend to others.

Congratulations to Elizabeth Ludwig for writing such an I triguing story filled with friendship, family, and faith.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Readers will find excitement and some bizarre behavior by a lady buying baby items in a hurry, a kidnapping, and estranged relationships between family members in Where Hope Dwells. This cozy mystery was heartbreaking with infant John being kidnapped but his twin brother left behind then moments of laughter with Cheryl Cooper, Sugarcreek sleuth traveling around with her Amish friend Naomi trying to assist the police to solve the case.

Who, Why, and What was the motive for the kidnapping? Fans of Amish cozy mysteries will not want to miss this one in the Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries series by Guideposts.

I borrowed this from the church library, thus a review was not required. All thoughts expressed are my own.

[Becka · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the mystery element was so obvious that I knew where it was going by chapter 3, the theme of forgiveness is well done. It was also fun to read a book set in Sugarcreek. The town is definitely romanticized (which is typical in cozies), but it still made me smile to read about the Honeybee Cafe, the New Phila Welcome to our town sign, and the Tuscora park Ferris wheel. Bonus points awarded to the audiobook narrator for correctly pronouncing Tuscarawas!

[Madeline · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

Very entertaining and relaxing. I was able to forget the outside world for awhile.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy this series. It's light reading, and certainly not for everyone, since both cozy mysteries and Christian fiction need to appeal to you, but the characters are endearing, the mystery is engaging, and there is a good message woven in as well. I particularly enjoyed this visit to Sugar Creek. Once again, the mystery was not a murder, but a kidnapping -- the fact that they give the mysteries in this book a little variety is something that really catches my attention as well! -- and there were some excellent twists that I didn't expect. I especially appreciate that this book had some uplifting moments, with its underlying thoughts on forgiveness, and the sprinkling of a potential budding romance feels well placed. Already looking forward to Book 3.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cheryl lives in an Amish community and is excited to meet new people by delivering gifts to them. While she is visiting a family with twins, they hear the dog bark once and when the mother goes to look one of her twin sons is missing. This did seem a little odd that neither her or the mother heard a door open but to conintue the story,Cheryl goes looking for the baby. She learns more about the Amish and herself before finding the baby.

[Ana Abreu · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are great reads. Even though this story was about a missing baby the message was bueatiful. Open your heart let God in and forgiveness will come easy!

[Cammie Arneson]

Love Sugarcreek, Ohio.

[Sheri Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice, quick, enjoyable read. This one kept me guessing as to who took the baby. I thought I had it figured out a couple of times then talked myself out of it because I was hoping it wasn't true. While that part of the story was horrifying, the rest of the book was great. The characters are realistic and show how nice it is when friends help friends. I'm looking forward to reading more Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries.

[Gloria Piper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Curious about an Amish mystery? I certainly was. For one thing, don't expect someone to be murdered. Enough mystery abounds without that ingredient.

In this cozy, a baby is kidnapped, and Cheryl Cooper, relatively new to Amish society, finds that not every day is humdrum. She's already made herself known to the local police for her sleuthing abilities. She and her best friend, Naomi, can't help but follow the leads, even as the chief of police tries to discourage them.

Through it all, the main lesson from God is forgiveness. Can Cheryl allow forgiveness in her private affairs even as she may urge others to forgive?

Emotions seemed overdrawn throughout the story, and at times events seem a bit scattered. Nevertheless the read is worthy. Here is a refreshing approach to mystery as we peer into the lives of the Amish. And as a bonus, the author includes a recipe for pumpkin butter.

[MrsK Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cheryl works at the Swiss Miss gift shop. Gifts made by local craftsmen are always sought after by customers, although on this day before Thanksgiving, she did not expect a customer who would be both in an extreme hurry and rude at the same time. Who was this customer? Why did she leave a foreboding impression?

Naomi is Cheryl's "mystery-solving" partner. Today they are on their way to drop off Rachel's baby items, which include Naomi's beautiful quilts for the sweet twins.

Rachel is an Englisher who has newly married into the Sugarcreek community. One of the twins is keeping her awake and exhausted so this moment of coffee shared with her friends is a blessing. That is until Rachel goes to check on the twins... the urgency of her shout has ended the peace... one of the twins is missing!

An Amber alert is issued and thus the mystery begins. Will Rachel recover from the baby-napping? Will the Sugarcreek community rally around her for support? Will Rachel's estranged relationship with her parents finally come to their daughter's home? For Cheryl, the news that the strange customer had been quickly purchasing baby items throughout the community is the lead that Cheryl and Naomi will follow.

This is a very "sweet" mystery. Your heart aches for the young family. You follow the leads as the mystery unravels, and as with every Amish romance, you will enjoy the "goodness" of a community that in today's world is hard to find.

Grab a cup of tea, and a comfy quilt, and relax with this "cozy" Amish mystery,
MrsK

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not religious, but greatly enjoyed this book by Guideposts Publications. It was a good, clean cozy mystery centered around a woman named Cheryl Cooper who was minding her Aunt Mitzi's shop in a mostly-Amish town. Her co-workers and friends are Amish, the guy she likes is Amish, lots of Amish families around... you get the picture. They talk about praying to god, trusting god, and forgiveness every so often, but it wasn't preachy, which I appreciated.

The whodunit part was clever, although I honestly would have gotten the police involved instead of what actually happened at the end; no one who kidnaps a baby for any reason should get off lightly, in my opinion. That was pretty much the only big flaw in an otherwise decent book.

I would definitely read another novel or two in this series (it has 30 books!), as I have taken a liking to Naomi Miller, the main character's friend (and stepmother to the guy Cheryl likes). Overall, I recommend this book!

[Debbie Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 of a series I didn't know I was going to start reading this year. I have so many series already going. I am trying to finish up the series I am already reading/listening to... but then I keep adding to it as well.

Naomi and Cheryl try to find baby John who was snatched from his crib. Will Cheryl and Naomi be able to find this kidnapper? Of course they will or there would be no book... but HOW do they find the kidnappers and Who are they? Why would they steal an Amish baby? There is a background theme, forgiveness, it is needed in a lot of character's lives, including Cheryl. I love the faith background and important issues it addresses. This was an exciting, clean, Amish Cozy mystery.

Using this book for the The 52 Book Club 2025 Challenge prompt #49 - Set in a country with an active volcano (The USA)

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

2nd book in series. This book is about a young Amish couple who have a set of twin boys. One day Cheryl comes to visit with Rachael and while their one of the babies s kidnapped from the bedroom. Cheryl and Naomi try to help the couple and the police find strange things that happens around town that day. They come across a women who is visiting and is acting strange. She is going around town in a hurried way and buying baby toys and items with cash. Then there's the young Amish couple that just lost their infant son to luekemia. They have been devistated by this and they seem to be falling apart as a couple. When Rebecca leaves town they become suspects for Cheryl and Naomi to investigate.

[Jessica Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Cheryl goes to visit one of her Amish friends to check on the new arrival of fraternal twins, she wasn't expecting such an awful visit. After an hour of visiting drinking coffee, one of the boys begins to cry. Rachel jumps up as if he was on cue and raced to the colicky baby. When she arrives in the boys room, she notices John is gone. Feeling heartbroken and guilty as if it were her fault, Cheryl rushes out to fetch her beloved friend Naomi Miller as they search the towns whereabouts for the kidnapper and baby John. Do they find the kidnapper and put him behind bars? Does baby John make it home safe and sound to his mother? Set your feet up, make some coffee and get ready to tag along with Cheryl and Naomi as they adventure around SugarCreek.

[Kat Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I saw that this book was written by another author, I was afraid that the storyline would be different,but was surprised to see it followed the same style of writing as the first book. The author even brought up details mentioned in the first book that are important to this storyline and I found it really helpful with all the details given in the first book.

I love the Chevi (Cheryl and Levi) moments in this book. I ship them since the very first time they met and am hoping they will end up together sometime during the series. I also love the friendship between Naomi and Cheryl.

[Mayda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cheryl is visiting a friend who’s recently had twins. When the mother says she is going to peek at the sleeping babies, Cheryl hears her scream. One of the babies is missing, snatched from his crib while the two friends chatted. So starts this intriguing cozy mystery. Cheryl feels guilty, thinking she distracted her friend from keeping a close eye on the babies. So she sets off to find the kidnapper and the baby. This second installment in the series is quite well written and is an entertaining mystery.

[Krystyl Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was sooooo good! Amazing talent in the writing! I love the investigative tactics Naomi and Cheryl used as well as how funny this book was, especially towards the end. Some of the things they did had me dying laughing because the imagery created excellent and I could picture exactly what they looked like. The mystery was a good one and how the suspects were spread out was also great. I definitely enjoyed it. Didn’t want to put it down!

[Marissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, I still like the characters. Slightly more annoying on the sleuthing side, but I didn't know 'whodunnit' until the end. Also intrigued by the budding romance of the main character.
All that to say, I will be reading the next book, and all of the books, because I bought the whole series off of FB Marketplace because I have a DIAGNOSABLE BOOK BUYING PROBLEM. Prayers for my husband as he slowly accepts this fate.

[Shalonne Plummer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love this storyline and the characters are greatly inspirational and believable even the animals that are included. The main character Cheryl Cooper is a kind and loving person who from various experiences learns a lot about herself in doing so grows spiritually and emotionally to help others.

[Judy Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great Amish mystery. Cheryl had gone to visit her friend for the afternoon. While visiting something happened to one of Rachel’s twins. Cheryl couldn’t deal with the quilt that this happened while she was in new friends home. She enlists Naomi to help her solve this mystery. Who would do this awful thing, and could they find the person in time.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cheryl Cooper is hiding in the Amish community of her aunt, tending her store while she is doing missions.
A baby is kidnapped in the community and Cheryl feels some responsibility as she was visiting with the mother when it took place.
How she and a friend solve the mystery....
How she is accepted into the community....

Easy read 266 pp.

[Lynn Sallee · Rating 3 out of 5]

THIS IS AN ADDITION TO THE SUGARCREEK AMISH MYSTERY SERIES. CHERYL COOPER IS THE NIECE OF HER AUNT WHO IS ON A LONG TERM MISSION TRIP. SHE IS RUNNING SWISS MISS WHICH SELLS AMISH GOODS. SHE AND HER OLDER AMISH FRIEND NAOMI WORK ON CLUES FOR A KIDNAPPING OF A TWIN AMISH BOY. IT IS COZY MYSTERY SERIES WORTH READING AND THE CHARACTERS ARE DEVELOPINGSD AS TIME PASSES.

[Debby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do not usually read books about the Amish. I find they are often too heavy on the romance part. I enjoy the mystery part of the book, it was a good story line. There is just a little too much romance for me. I purchased the whole series at a book sale. I will read on but I am on the fence on how much I like the books.

[Anne Rightler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good cozy mystery with Englischer store-keeper, Cheryl, and Amish friend, Naomi, looking into the kidnapping of an Amish baby. Twists to the plot, great characters kept the pages turning. I’m enjoying this series of books set in Sugar Creek, Ohio. I listened to a library copy of the audiobook. I was not required to write a review.

[Stacey E. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't get me wrong, I love a Guidepost cozy mystery, and I'm enjoying this series, BUT I dont understand why everyone romanticizes the Amish culture and religion. I live amoung them and yes there are good and bad like in our society but don't get it. It's also weird that an English girl would want to live that lifestyle...... I have to remind myself that this is not real life.

[Dee Schwinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not like the conclusion. The plot and mystery were good. The characters were interesting as was the insight into Amish religion and choices made in life but the ending was flat. Too many questions.