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Serenity's Plain Secrets #6
Evil in My Town
Some Amish communities aren’t so cozy. Evil in My Town is the dark and tension-filled new installment to the Serenity’s Plain Secrets’ mystery/crime thriller series. After a tragic mass shooting in Blood Rock, Sheriff Serenity Adams is shocked to discover ties to the local Amish settlement, and her teenage niece, who barely survived the carnage. The investigation takes her from the terror of a massacre to an equally horrific crime relating to a missing woman in the community.
Serenity must risk her own life to bring law, order, and safety to the town she loves. And this time, she is joined by a US Marshal, who might have his own agenda when it comes to helping Serenity on the case. As the story unfolds, long buried secrets will be revealed, and the climax will keep you flipping the pages until the riveting end.
Serenity must risk her own life to bring law, order, and safety to the town she loves. And this time, she is joined by a US Marshal, who might have his own agenda when it comes to helping Serenity on the case. As the story unfolds, long buried secrets will be revealed, and the climax will keep you flipping the pages until the riveting end.
244 pages, Paperback
First published May 17, 2019
1056 people are currently reading
601 people want to read
About the author
Karen Ann Hopkins
41 books1,407 followersYou can visit Karen Ann Hopkins at her website: www.karenannhopkinsfiction.com.
"I loved joining Rose and Noah during their journey in the Temptation series by Karen Hopkins."-Katie McGarry, acclaimed YA author
Karen Ann Hopkins resides in northern Kentucky with her family on a farm that boasts a menagerie of horses, goats, sheep, peacocks, chickens, ducks, rabbits, pigs, dogs, and cats. Karen rescues and fosters a variety of pets and farm animals, but she also finds time to give riding lessons, coach a youth equestrian drill team, and of course, write. She was inspired to create her first book, Temptation, by the Amish community she lives in. The experiential knowledge she gained through her interactions with her neighbors drove her to create the story of the star-crossed lovers, Rose and Noah.
Karen grew up about a mile from Lake Ontario in Upstate New York. She was bitten by the horse bug at the age of five, and after diligently taking riding lessons for several years, she was rewarded with her first horse at the age of eleven. The feisty horse's name was Lady, a Quarter Horse-Thoroughbred cross, who became Karen's steadfast companion. Through the years, the constant force in her life was horses. Eventually, Karen found her place as a riding instructor herself. Before accepting her fate in the barnyard, she worked a short stint as a paralegal, traveled abroad, and guided tourists on horseback riding tours in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.
Karen is currently working on her two interconnecting mystery/crime fiction series, Serenity's Plain Secrets and Possum Gap, along with several new projects.
To learn more about Karen and her books, please visit her website.
"I loved joining Rose and Noah during their journey in the Temptation series by Karen Hopkins."-Katie McGarry, acclaimed YA author
Karen Ann Hopkins resides in northern Kentucky with her family on a farm that boasts a menagerie of horses, goats, sheep, peacocks, chickens, ducks, rabbits, pigs, dogs, and cats. Karen rescues and fosters a variety of pets and farm animals, but she also finds time to give riding lessons, coach a youth equestrian drill team, and of course, write. She was inspired to create her first book, Temptation, by the Amish community she lives in. The experiential knowledge she gained through her interactions with her neighbors drove her to create the story of the star-crossed lovers, Rose and Noah.
Karen grew up about a mile from Lake Ontario in Upstate New York. She was bitten by the horse bug at the age of five, and after diligently taking riding lessons for several years, she was rewarded with her first horse at the age of eleven. The feisty horse's name was Lady, a Quarter Horse-Thoroughbred cross, who became Karen's steadfast companion. Through the years, the constant force in her life was horses. Eventually, Karen found her place as a riding instructor herself. Before accepting her fate in the barnyard, she worked a short stint as a paralegal, traveled abroad, and guided tourists on horseback riding tours in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.
Karen is currently working on her two interconnecting mystery/crime fiction series, Serenity's Plain Secrets and Possum Gap, along with several new projects.
To learn more about Karen and her books, please visit her website.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
November 29, 2019
After a tragic mass shooting in Blood Rock, Sheriff Serenity Adams is shocked to discover ties to the local Amish settlement, and her teenage niece, who barely survived the carnage. The investigation takes her from the terror of a massacre to an equally horrific crime relating to a missing woman in the community. Serenity must risk her own life to bring law, order, and safety to the town she loves.
3.5 stars
This is the latest book in this series, the "other" Amish mystery series I read. There are quite a few similarities between this one and the Kate Burkholder series. So much so that at times I wonder if one author doesn't get ideas from the other, but then there are probably only so many original ideas out there for Amish mysteries.
I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I'm so glad we've grown past the early stages of Serenity and Daniel's relationship. It felt more mature and Serenity seemed more mature as a character in this book. She still has some misgivings about marrying Daniel, but they were concerns that a real person would have considering their situation.
There wasn't really a lot of mystery about who did what in this book. It was pretty easy to figure out, but there was some mystery about why things happened and what happened to a couple of missing women. There is also Serenity's niece who is a danger magnet if I ever saw one! There is a school shooting in this book and we are left wondering what she knows about the boy who did the shooting and what she isn't telling her aunt and why. That secret is revealed slowly through flashbacks. I liked the the way that was done.
After reading the last book in the series I was hoping there would be more about Serenity's friend C.J. in this one. I really liked the direction that book took with her character and Joshua Miller, but I was disappointed that C. J. was hardly in this book. After finishing this book I found out why. The author is writing a spin-off series about them! I was so happy about that, I had to pick that one up and read it right away.
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader
3.5 stars
This is the latest book in this series, the "other" Amish mystery series I read. There are quite a few similarities between this one and the Kate Burkholder series. So much so that at times I wonder if one author doesn't get ideas from the other, but then there are probably only so many original ideas out there for Amish mysteries.
I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I'm so glad we've grown past the early stages of Serenity and Daniel's relationship. It felt more mature and Serenity seemed more mature as a character in this book. She still has some misgivings about marrying Daniel, but they were concerns that a real person would have considering their situation.
There wasn't really a lot of mystery about who did what in this book. It was pretty easy to figure out, but there was some mystery about why things happened and what happened to a couple of missing women. There is also Serenity's niece who is a danger magnet if I ever saw one! There is a school shooting in this book and we are left wondering what she knows about the boy who did the shooting and what she isn't telling her aunt and why. That secret is revealed slowly through flashbacks. I liked the the way that was done.
After reading the last book in the series I was hoping there would be more about Serenity's friend C.J. in this one. I really liked the direction that book took with her character and Joshua Miller, but I was disappointed that C. J. was hardly in this book. After finishing this book I found out why. The author is writing a spin-off series about them! I was so happy about that, I had to pick that one up and read it right away.
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader
August 2, 2019
My review for book 5 in this series commented about the poor editing, and my hope that the editing would improve for the next instalment. Unfortunately, there are still some glaring editing mistakes. However, it didn't detract from the overall story and it was decent enough.
July 3, 2019
Evil in My Town Book 6
Another good Karen Ann Hopkins book. I don't know if I can handle the wait for book 7 in 2020. This book had another surprise ending for me. Me Hopkins books have the best twisted endings.
Another good Karen Ann Hopkins book. I don't know if I can handle the wait for book 7 in 2020. This book had another surprise ending for me. Me Hopkins books have the best twisted endings.
October 13, 2020
The good:
1/ This is not a serial killer novel.
2/ Hopkins reveals the clues to solve the crime over the course of the story instead of dumping them in our laps near the end.
3/ The guilty party didn’t hold Serenity at gunpoint for 15 pages while he spills his guts about why he had to do what he did.
The neutral:
1/ Hopkins again presents some Amish as nastier than the public’s general perception of them as a gentle people. As with every group of people, there are good and bad both in all.
The bad:
1/ There are several crimes here that seem sort of related, yet Hopkins never firmly ties them together or separates them.
2/ The storyline seems scattered. We never get a solid reason for the crime that opens the book as other crimes seem to shove it off to the side, and all seem to be written off as evil people doing evil things.
3/ It almost seems like Hopkins is tying off a bunch of loose ends so she can get to the real purpose of the novel: Serenity and Daniel’s wedding, which takes up the last 20 pages (almost 10%) of the book, along with a hint to the storyline a future book.
This book isn’t really a bad book. It just seems to lack something that earlier entries in the series had.
I’ll give the next book in the series a go, but if it isn’t much better than this one, I’ll stop reading them.
Aside here: This Goodreads entry is messed up, listing this book as being 194 pages. It's 240 according to Amazon and 230 according to the book itself. I love consistency in data reporting.
1/ This is not a serial killer novel.
2/ Hopkins reveals the clues to solve the crime over the course of the story instead of dumping them in our laps near the end.
3/ The guilty party didn’t hold Serenity at gunpoint for 15 pages while he spills his guts about why he had to do what he did.
The neutral:
1/ Hopkins again presents some Amish as nastier than the public’s general perception of them as a gentle people. As with every group of people, there are good and bad both in all.
The bad:
1/ There are several crimes here that seem sort of related, yet Hopkins never firmly ties them together or separates them.
2/ The storyline seems scattered. We never get a solid reason for the crime that opens the book as other crimes seem to shove it off to the side, and all seem to be written off as evil people doing evil things.
3/ It almost seems like Hopkins is tying off a bunch of loose ends so she can get to the real purpose of the novel: Serenity and Daniel’s wedding, which takes up the last 20 pages (almost 10%) of the book, along with a hint to the storyline a future book.
This book isn’t really a bad book. It just seems to lack something that earlier entries in the series had.
I’ll give the next book in the series a go, but if it isn’t much better than this one, I’ll stop reading them.
Aside here: This Goodreads entry is messed up, listing this book as being 194 pages. It's 240 according to Amazon and 230 according to the book itself. I love consistency in data reporting.
March 2, 2020
Well, this was so much better than the last 3 books!! My main gripe was the proofreading and how the Mayor's name keeps changing between Fred and Ed. The solution here, it appears, is to avoid naming the guy at all... He is merely 'the Mayor' in this book. I'm not sure whether I agree with this solution but it certainly made me feel less annoyed.
In this instalment, the alternate POVs are between Serenity and her niece, Taylor. Taylor is sixteen and one morning as she arrived at school, a student took to shooting those in the hallway. As the perpetrator died, Serenity was left to investigate the background of this student and what, if anything, made him snap. As always, things are never what they seemed and the miasma of evil that has been hovering in this community has not gone but grown even darker.
Enjoyed the mystery though I do have to suspend belief (over the past few books as well) as to how casual it seems that the Sheriff have others in to assist her... I'm sure the rule handbook has been thrown out somewhere! Just seems completely unlikely that these would be allowed in real-life investigations. Nevertheless, good story.
In this instalment, the alternate POVs are between Serenity and her niece, Taylor. Taylor is sixteen and one morning as she arrived at school, a student took to shooting those in the hallway. As the perpetrator died, Serenity was left to investigate the background of this student and what, if anything, made him snap. As always, things are never what they seemed and the miasma of evil that has been hovering in this community has not gone but grown even darker.
Enjoyed the mystery though I do have to suspend belief (over the past few books as well) as to how casual it seems that the Sheriff have others in to assist her... I'm sure the rule handbook has been thrown out somewhere! Just seems completely unlikely that these would be allowed in real-life investigations. Nevertheless, good story.
August 15, 2019
Good story
I think it’s incredibly brave of any author to take on school shootings, and I believe that Karen Ann Hopkins did it really well in this story. As always, I appreciate the characters and the development that continues on them. I recommend this book, and I hope you enjoy it.
I think it’s incredibly brave of any author to take on school shootings, and I believe that Karen Ann Hopkins did it really well in this story. As always, I appreciate the characters and the development that continues on them. I recommend this book, and I hope you enjoy it.
June 18, 2022
This series just keeps getting better!
June 11, 2019
The story telling is weak in the middle
But the ending is satisfying.
I wonder if some of the beta readers from books 1 & 2 are gone. Or has her editor changed in book 3?
Things are slipping through that shouldn't. For example, there is a scene where a certain character must be in the Amish community and at a specific location.
Supposedly curiosity overcame fear and apprehension. And there was MUCH to fear. MUCH!!!
I just could not buy into that -- not for this character.
Sometimes words are used that just won't be. For example, asking a six-year-old Amish girl who is just now learning English if she "recalls" something when "remember" would make so much more sense. I think sometimes writers grope for a better word when they already have the right one.
I also found an error that should never have gotten through the final edit. I might have given this 4 stars except for the stated problems.
Note to authors: When you make me stop and reread a sentence or paragraph. When you make me stop and look back to see if this "scene" was already introduced but I don't remember it. When you make me stop for any reason, that severely LESSENS the enjoyment of the book.
It feels like the author was rushed to get out books 4, 5, and 6 in this series. The editing was not as good as books 1 & 2. Sometimes characters would just do or say something with no lead-in on WHY they would say or do that. Am hoping book 7 (due out soon) will be better, or it will be last in the series I read.
But the ending is satisfying.
I wonder if some of the beta readers from books 1 & 2 are gone. Or has her editor changed in book 3?
Things are slipping through that shouldn't. For example, there is a scene where a certain character must be in the Amish community and at a specific location.
Supposedly curiosity overcame fear and apprehension. And there was MUCH to fear. MUCH!!!
I just could not buy into that -- not for this character.
Sometimes words are used that just won't be. For example, asking a six-year-old Amish girl who is just now learning English if she "recalls" something when "remember" would make so much more sense. I think sometimes writers grope for a better word when they already have the right one.
I also found an error that should never have gotten through the final edit. I might have given this 4 stars except for the stated problems.
Note to authors: When you make me stop and reread a sentence or paragraph. When you make me stop and look back to see if this "scene" was already introduced but I don't remember it. When you make me stop for any reason, that severely LESSENS the enjoyment of the book.
It feels like the author was rushed to get out books 4, 5, and 6 in this series. The editing was not as good as books 1 & 2. Sometimes characters would just do or say something with no lead-in on WHY they would say or do that. Am hoping book 7 (due out soon) will be better, or it will be last in the series I read.
April 14, 2020
No conclusion on the case of shooting which occurred at the school. Nothing was said about the motive of the shooting. Only suggestions here and there. There is also no questioning with the shooter's parents to know about the motive. The story starts with one case and ends with another.
There are many times reference is about the cases dealt in the previous series and this goes and on.
There are many times reference is about the cases dealt in the previous series and this goes and on.
July 12, 2021
12/2, Blood Rock, Amish community. Blood Rock Public HS. In the hallway Jackson Merritt (student) found who he was looking for.
He raised the AR-15 & began shooting. Pop. Pop. Pop.
Ms. Fletcher lay on the floor covered in blood, clutching Jimmy Cramer in her arms.
Mr. Dodgly was hollering at everyone to run for their lives.
Pop. Pop. Pop.
Deputy Sheriff Jeremy Dickens, Deputy Sheriff Hernandez, Deputy Sheriff Baker, Deputy Sheriff Todd Roftin, & Sheriff Serenity Adams, entered the school with their 9mm’s drawn.
Jackson was still at large & students were trapped/hiding.
Beth & Raymond & the EMT’s arrived on the scene.
Bobby Humphrey (coroner) had his work cut out for him.
23 kids, Mr. Dodgly, Amber Lewis, & Greg Sullivan were killed/died.
Taylor Johnson had survived.
Jackson had taken a bullet/died.
Matthew Troyer would be joining the Amish church.
What happened between Daniel Bachman & Sheriff Serenity Adams?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
An awesome book cover, & proper great font & writing style. A very professionally Amish crime thriller written book. It was amazingly easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great Amish crime thriller movie, or better yet a mini-TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is a quite easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; BookGorilla; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
He raised the AR-15 & began shooting. Pop. Pop. Pop.
Ms. Fletcher lay on the floor covered in blood, clutching Jimmy Cramer in her arms.
Mr. Dodgly was hollering at everyone to run for their lives.
Pop. Pop. Pop.
Deputy Sheriff Jeremy Dickens, Deputy Sheriff Hernandez, Deputy Sheriff Baker, Deputy Sheriff Todd Roftin, & Sheriff Serenity Adams, entered the school with their 9mm’s drawn.
Jackson was still at large & students were trapped/hiding.
Beth & Raymond & the EMT’s arrived on the scene.
Bobby Humphrey (coroner) had his work cut out for him.
23 kids, Mr. Dodgly, Amber Lewis, & Greg Sullivan were killed/died.
Taylor Johnson had survived.
Jackson had taken a bullet/died.
Matthew Troyer would be joining the Amish church.
What happened between Daniel Bachman & Sheriff Serenity Adams?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
An awesome book cover, & proper great font & writing style. A very professionally Amish crime thriller written book. It was amazingly easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great Amish crime thriller movie, or better yet a mini-TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is a quite easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; BookGorilla; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
January 2, 2022
While investigating a school shooting that involves her 16-year-old niece in the town of Blood Rock, Sheriff Serenity Adams discovers ties to the local Amish community. The investigation takes her to an equally horrific crime involving a missing woman from the community, and possibly a friend who came to help her. She’s joined in the investigation by a U.S. Marshal who may have ulterior motives for helping her. And she’s doing all this two weeks away from her wedding to her former Amish fiancé. He thinks she’s dragging her feet and that there will never be a “good” time for them to get married. Maybe he’s right.
This is one of my favorite mystery/thrillers. It has well-developed characters, vividly described settings, and gritty, topical plots. I like watching Serenity work. She has to navigate a fine line between her world as sheriff and the Amish culture, and she does it with grace and persistence. Frankly, I’d line the suspects, both English and Amish, up in a row and slap them into next week, but her even temper and desire to get at the truth no matter the cost serve her well. It’s interesting to see the conflict between law enforcement and Amish culture. I like that the Amish are portrayed as real, three-dimensional people as well.
I was actually pulling for the relationship between her and the U.S. Marshall, but that went another direction. I mean, her fiancé helps her and actually backs her up on some calls, but I think he wants to mold her into something she’s not, and that bothers me. She and the marshal have similar natures, and are equally dedicated to their jobs. I think he’d be a much better match for her.
These books can be read out of order, but I think they are much better in order. I have enjoyed watching Serenity grow into her authority, and figure things out about herself. I will read more in this series.
This is one of my favorite mystery/thrillers. It has well-developed characters, vividly described settings, and gritty, topical plots. I like watching Serenity work. She has to navigate a fine line between her world as sheriff and the Amish culture, and she does it with grace and persistence. Frankly, I’d line the suspects, both English and Amish, up in a row and slap them into next week, but her even temper and desire to get at the truth no matter the cost serve her well. It’s interesting to see the conflict between law enforcement and Amish culture. I like that the Amish are portrayed as real, three-dimensional people as well.
I was actually pulling for the relationship between her and the U.S. Marshall, but that went another direction. I mean, her fiancé helps her and actually backs her up on some calls, but I think he wants to mold her into something she’s not, and that bothers me. She and the marshal have similar natures, and are equally dedicated to their jobs. I think he’d be a much better match for her.
These books can be read out of order, but I think they are much better in order. I have enjoyed watching Serenity grow into her authority, and figure things out about herself. I will read more in this series.
October 16, 2021
We don’t think we’re speaking out of turn to evaluate this 6th tale (of already 12 novels) in Hopkin’s Serenity Adams set (both author and protagonist new to us) as pretty much a knockoff of Linda Castillo’s excellent Kate Burkholder series. In that set, Kate is police chief of a small Ohio town, half Amish and half English, with the chief an ex-Amish woman able to speak their language and intimately understand their culture. Herein this novel, Serenity is sheriff of a small Indiana town, half-Amish, half English, with her fiancé a now ex-Amish person intimate with that culture.
The book no sooner starts than when a horrific school shooting occurs with some two dozen deaths and injuries. While the area is of course soon flooded with all ranks of law enforcement (and media), that event incredulously almost takes a back seat to two missing Amish women and some other troubles in that community. The story is told first person somewhat annoyingly narrated in alternate chapters by Serenity and her teenaged niece Taylor. With that much of the book devoted to the niece’s outlook and activities, we weren’t sure this whole thing wasn’t intended almost as a young adult episode, with all the teenaged angst on display soon tiresome.
A dangerous and suspenseful denouement wrapped everything up, but we were not particularly wowed. Sticking with Castillo is probably a better option!
The book no sooner starts than when a horrific school shooting occurs with some two dozen deaths and injuries. While the area is of course soon flooded with all ranks of law enforcement (and media), that event incredulously almost takes a back seat to two missing Amish women and some other troubles in that community. The story is told first person somewhat annoyingly narrated in alternate chapters by Serenity and her teenaged niece Taylor. With that much of the book devoted to the niece’s outlook and activities, we weren’t sure this whole thing wasn’t intended almost as a young adult episode, with all the teenaged angst on display soon tiresome.
A dangerous and suspenseful denouement wrapped everything up, but we were not particularly wowed. Sticking with Castillo is probably a better option!
June 7, 2021
It's all kicking off in Blood Rock
With an od case and the disappearance of Erin Swarey niggling at Serenity's gut instinct she's sure that Nicholas and Monroe Swarey have questions to answer but the Amish have shut down any attempt to investigate Erin's case.
Serenity is forced to set it aside when a shooting spree at the school leaves them with 26 more bodies, mostly students, and no answers as she has only one way to stop the shooter from killing her niece, Taylor.. shoot him. With Jackson Merritt's death and no one talking can she find the answers the community desperately needs to be able to move on?
It's all down to a handful of secrets and those secrets are not going to be revealed on Serenity's schedule. Taylor becomes the key to everything from being in the wrong place at the right, or maybe wrong, time. She's not just protecting her own family though she's trying to help her Amish friends help one of their own.
Can it be wrapped up so that Daniel and Serenity can finally tie the knot? Or will she postpone her big day?
With an od case and the disappearance of Erin Swarey niggling at Serenity's gut instinct she's sure that Nicholas and Monroe Swarey have questions to answer but the Amish have shut down any attempt to investigate Erin's case.
Serenity is forced to set it aside when a shooting spree at the school leaves them with 26 more bodies, mostly students, and no answers as she has only one way to stop the shooter from killing her niece, Taylor.. shoot him. With Jackson Merritt's death and no one talking can she find the answers the community desperately needs to be able to move on?
It's all down to a handful of secrets and those secrets are not going to be revealed on Serenity's schedule. Taylor becomes the key to everything from being in the wrong place at the right, or maybe wrong, time. She's not just protecting her own family though she's trying to help her Amish friends help one of their own.
Can it be wrapped up so that Daniel and Serenity can finally tie the knot? Or will she postpone her big day?
December 7, 2020
This is an engaging suspense/thriller that takes place in two communities: a typical American town and a neighboring Amish community. The book opens with a scene of a mass shooting at a school, then weaves its way through determining what the potential motivation for the shooting was. I have not read any of the other books of the series, yet didn't find the lack of any background they may have yielded to detract from the story in this one. Well-written and edited (I always notice the editing), the story is told from the viewpoint of a town sheriff (technical misstep as sheriffs serve counties, so Serenity's job would have extended beyond Blood Rock) and her niece, with chapters alternating between one viewpoint and another. However, the transitions are smooth and mesh in a way that allows the plot to move well.
I'd recommend this book to anyone liking the genre. It has piqued my curiosity well enough to make me perhaps pick up another book by this author.
I'd recommend this book to anyone liking the genre. It has piqued my curiosity well enough to make me perhaps pick up another book by this author.
March 27, 2021
Story continues
I am enjoying this series except for a few things. The characters are realistic and stay pretty much true and stable throughout the series. The story lines are smooth and flow well. I agree with a previous reviewer that the novels contain spoilers if not read in order. I, myself, read the Widow first and that contained information that would have been better not knowing before I read the other novels. As to the second thing that takes away from the enjoyment is I feel like yelling "Stop" with the constant reference to "deep kissing". That reference would be adequate without the further description of tongues in each other's mouth. Your readers are not 13 year olds titillated by that explanation. We know what a deep kiss is. Leave it at that.
I am enjoying this series except for a few things. The characters are realistic and stay pretty much true and stable throughout the series. The story lines are smooth and flow well. I agree with a previous reviewer that the novels contain spoilers if not read in order. I, myself, read the Widow first and that contained information that would have been better not knowing before I read the other novels. As to the second thing that takes away from the enjoyment is I feel like yelling "Stop" with the constant reference to "deep kissing". That reference would be adequate without the further description of tongues in each other's mouth. Your readers are not 13 year olds titillated by that explanation. We know what a deep kiss is. Leave it at that.
Read
July 28, 2019After a tragic mass shooting in Blood Rock, Sheriff Serenity Adams is shocked to discover ties to the local Amish settlement, and her teenage niece, who barely survived the carnage. The investigation takes her from the terror of a massacre to an equally horrific crime relating to a missing woman in the community. Serenity must risk her own life to bring law, order, and safety to the town she loves. And this time, she is joined by a US Marshal, who might have his own agenda when it comes to helping Serenity on the case. As the story unfolds, long buried secrets will be revealed, and the climax will keep you flipping the pages until the riveting end.2019 (less)
Good
Good
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2020
Enjoyed this book!!
I love these books. It is always interesting visiting the Amish and this book is no exception. While one would think that the a group like the Amish that tries (and usually succeeds) to maintain its isolation within
the structure of a town or city and follow the rules and regulations of governing area. Clashes do happen, but generally nothing on a large scale. Not so in Blood Rock. Murder does happen in this small town and this time It was a mass shooting. Serenity Adams, Sheriff of this town is in charge of understanding why it occurred as well as the presence of drugs. Great writing and wonderful characters. I cannot wait for the next book!
I love these books. It is always interesting visiting the Amish and this book is no exception. While one would think that the a group like the Amish that tries (and usually succeeds) to maintain its isolation within
the structure of a town or city and follow the rules and regulations of governing area. Clashes do happen, but generally nothing on a large scale. Not so in Blood Rock. Murder does happen in this small town and this time It was a mass shooting. Serenity Adams, Sheriff of this town is in charge of understanding why it occurred as well as the presence of drugs. Great writing and wonderful characters. I cannot wait for the next book!
June 16, 2019
Great read!
If you like Linda Castillo you will like Karen Ann Hopkins. I love Amish fiction, but the Amish romance novels get a little stale after a while. Both Castillo and Hopkins have taken their stories and plots a little differently. This book in particular, is well around and plot is well constructed. Fast moving and keeps one in suspense with a little more shadowing of what is to come in Book 7....can not wait. Thank goodness Castillos new book is due out in July so I will have something to read while waiting!
If you like Linda Castillo you will like Karen Ann Hopkins. I love Amish fiction, but the Amish romance novels get a little stale after a while. Both Castillo and Hopkins have taken their stories and plots a little differently. This book in particular, is well around and plot is well constructed. Fast moving and keeps one in suspense with a little more shadowing of what is to come in Book 7....can not wait. Thank goodness Castillos new book is due out in July so I will have something to read while waiting!
July 8, 2020
Evil on My Town
Ms Hopkins brings us another super read. This story addresses one of today’s headlines, namely mass shooting at a high school. This affects the town children but also children in the Amish community. Sheriff Serenity Adams finds herself embroiled in the aftermath of the shooting but what are it ties back to past crimes. Another “who dunnit” to keep you interested. Also what’s happening with Serenity and Daniel’s romance. Can they overcome their differences??? Look forward to next book.
Ms Hopkins brings us another super read. This story addresses one of today’s headlines, namely mass shooting at a high school. This affects the town children but also children in the Amish community. Sheriff Serenity Adams finds herself embroiled in the aftermath of the shooting but what are it ties back to past crimes. Another “who dunnit” to keep you interested. Also what’s happening with Serenity and Daniel’s romance. Can they overcome their differences??? Look forward to next book.
August 20, 2021
I actually did not read it so I gave it a three to not skew the rating by real readers. I decided not to read it because of the reviews stating that it paints the Amish in a bad light. I have lived among the Amish. They are people just like all people, good and bad but overall they are the kindest, most gentle, considerate and loving people I have ever met. I get very defensive of them because I don't think I have ever heard them speak out in their own defense and I doubt many of them come on line to read reviews or even bother to read books about themselves.
August 26, 2021
WHAT AN EXCITING START, RIPPED RIGHT OUT OF TODAY’S HEADLINES.I DON’T KNOW WHY ANYONE WOULD WANT TO LIVE IN THE TOWN OF BLOODROCK, ITS AN EVIL PLACE. THAT TOWN HAS HAD MORE MURDERS THAN A LARGE CITY HAS.
IV’E READ BKS#1-2 AND SKIPPED TO BK#6, I REALIZED I JUST DON’T LIKE SERENITY. THIS HAD WAY TOO MUCH DISCUSSION ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED IN PREVIOUS BOOKS. IN A SERIES YOU’D EXPECT CHARACTERS TO GROW & CHANGE (her relationship with Daniel) BUT SERENITY SEEMS TO BE GOING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION. I LIKE DANIEL AND THINK HE DESERVES BETTER. I’M GLAD THIS ENDING THE WAY I HOPED IT WOULD. ;<
September 2, 2021
My impression of the book was that it was a well-written thriller/murder mystery tale of a horrendous small-town school massacre torn right out of the front pages of America. The lead character, town sheriff Serenity Reni, is ripped between two very different cultures living under her jurisdiction, a tight-lipped Amish community, and the " English" Americans.
The story is absorbing as the plot intertwines characters from both cultures and tries to make sense of the events and the reason a seemingly regular kid could kill, wound, and devastate so many lives.
The story is absorbing as the plot intertwines characters from both cultures and tries to make sense of the events and the reason a seemingly regular kid could kill, wound, and devastate so many lives.
September 12, 2019
Number 6 in the Serenity Series
Despite the typo ‘s , I have enjoyed this series. I found myself sitting up most of the night trying to finish it.
After reading 6 books the characters have become familiar to the reader.
This story is about a school shooting in Blood Rock. The emotions and the. Story reflected compassion,dynamics and understanding how an event like this effects everyone. Loved the series. Can’t wait till 2020 for the next book.
Despite the typo ‘s , I have enjoyed this series. I found myself sitting up most of the night trying to finish it.
After reading 6 books the characters have become familiar to the reader.
This story is about a school shooting in Blood Rock. The emotions and the. Story reflected compassion,dynamics and understanding how an event like this effects everyone. Loved the series. Can’t wait till 2020 for the next book.
January 14, 2020
Amish Ways, Murder, Drugs and Love
Serenity is sheriff in a small Indiana town where there is an Amish community. Her fiance Daniel was raised in the Amish community, but left and was shunned for several years. Now, Serenity is trying to solve murders, women disappearances, and make sense of a mass school shooting wherein her niece Taylor may have been targeted. You will not get bored while reading this book.
Serenity is sheriff in a small Indiana town where there is an Amish community. Her fiance Daniel was raised in the Amish community, but left and was shunned for several years. Now, Serenity is trying to solve murders, women disappearances, and make sense of a mass school shooting wherein her niece Taylor may have been targeted. You will not get bored while reading this book.
June 17, 2020
Evil is flourishing in Blood Rock.
This series is about a female sheriff in a small town named Blood Rock, Indiana. When had things start happening in the Amish dsettlement in her district it is a test of her strength and knowledge that helps her solve multiple cases. If you like Amish stories along with suspense and mystery then you are going to like these books by Karen Ann Hopkins.
This series is about a female sheriff in a small town named Blood Rock, Indiana. When had things start happening in the Amish dsettlement in her district it is a test of her strength and knowledge that helps her solve multiple cases. If you like Amish stories along with suspense and mystery then you are going to like these books by Karen Ann Hopkins.
July 28, 2020
Il libro inizia con una sparatoria in una scuola che è un vero e proprio massacro e fa paura pensare che queste cose succedono davvero in America... Le indagini su questa strage si intrecciano con quelle sulla sparizione di due donne e ben presto ho capito quale sarebbe stata la soluzione, anche se alla fine c'è stata comunque una sorpresa al riguardo. In conclusione una lettura veloce e interessante, anche se il tema era duro da digerire.
September 1, 2021
Engrossing and enthralling
À truly engrossing and enthralling story about a Sherrif in an area surrounded by an Amish congregation. Troubling times and events as the integration of the 2 sets of people try to socially interact with one another. People with dark secets, drug poisoning and even murder. How will the sheriff, Serenity, solve the mysteries surrounding the community?
À truly engrossing and enthralling story about a Sherrif in an area surrounded by an Amish congregation. Troubling times and events as the integration of the 2 sets of people try to socially interact with one another. People with dark secets, drug poisoning and even murder. How will the sheriff, Serenity, solve the mysteries surrounding the community?
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July 19, 2022Although I don't know much about the Amish, I feel like the author educates us in each of her books about how their family hierachy works, what their religion means to them, how their children are instructed, etc. this is so different from the Protestant religion. In these books we learn that Amish do not believe in an eye for an eye but rather as pacifists.
Very enjoyable books with a plot that keeps you guessing and has you rooting for our heroine, Serenity
Very enjoyable books with a plot that keeps you guessing and has you rooting for our heroine, Serenity
June 29, 2019
Worst book in the series
No need to retell the story every other chapter. So tedious. Doesn’t anyone edit anymore? An author and an editor should no that instant and instance are not interchangeable, too many grammatical errors. I felt I should be reading while applying a red pen.
No need to retell the story every other chapter. So tedious. Doesn’t anyone edit anymore? An author and an editor should no that instant and instance are not interchangeable, too many grammatical errors. I felt I should be reading while applying a red pen.
July 16, 2019
Clean read
This is my first Serenity novel and it won't be my last. Sheriff Serenity has her hands full trying to find out what is going on in the near by Amish community. Missing people, murder, drugs all keeping the sheriff from her plans to marry an ex Amish man. Plenty of mystery and strong characters.
This is my first Serenity novel and it won't be my last. Sheriff Serenity has her hands full trying to find out what is going on in the near by Amish community. Missing people, murder, drugs all keeping the sheriff from her plans to marry an ex Amish man. Plenty of mystery and strong characters.
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