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Courting Can Be Killer–partially requited love

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Courting Can Be Killer

by Amanda Flower

Millie Fisher, the “sedate Amish woman,” and Lois Henry, the “flamboyant Englisher,” join forces again to solve a murder, one quite personal to Millie. Don’t worry If you missed the first book in the Amish Matchmaker Mystery Series as author Amanda Flower is quite skilled in providing background information. There are also tie-ins to Flower’s Amish Candy Shop Mystery Series, but the two function independently of each other.

In Courting Can Be Killer, Millie and Lois were childhood friends and are now in their sixties. They are as opposite as possible, but they complement each other and prize their friendship. Lois loves being the sidekick of the “Amish Marple” and is a bonus to the relationship because she is not bound in her investigations by the strict Amish code, sometimes stretching the truth until it breaks. Her driving a car and having a cell phone are quite handy as well.

When a fire breaks out in a flea market, Millie’s “adopted nephew” Ben is found dead. Rumors spread fast in the Amish community that Ben, who recently moved to the area and is therefore considered an outsider, is responsible for the fire. The duo set out to defend the young man’s reputation. In the process, Millie comes under attack although the long-suffering Deputy Sheriff Aiden has warned her numerous times that her interviewing various suspects is dangerous. Lois, however, is delighted as she see the assault as a sign that they are getting close to discovering the murderer.

Woven into the main plot are some potential romances as Millie is known as the local matchmaker. Animals provide both chaos and humor as Jethro the potbellied pig makes an appearance, and Millie’s two mischievous Boer goats, Phillip and Peter, cause havoc and provide protection. The Amish are not immune from having dysfunctional families, and we meet several in this cozy mystery. The ending is a surprise and justice is served. The epilogue gives closure for the characters with a little positive philosophy thrown in as well, and the sound advice is from the Englischer!

I would like to extend my thanks to NetGalley and to Kensington Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 5/5

Category: Mystery

Notes: #2 in the Amish Matchmaker Mystery Series

Publication: December 1, 2020—Kensington

Memorable Lines:

“…in this life one should always be willing to take a chance and roll the dice.” She grinned. “That sounds like one of the Amish proverbs you recite all the time, doesn’t it?” “It doesn’t.” I shook my head. “Not at all.”

“I knew when my second husband bought a singing bass for our living room wall that there were no more rules when it came to good taste.”

A feeling of peace came over me. I knew the Good Lord had moved Lois to come and check on me. It gave me comfort to know this, and the fear I had been holding onto all evening started to melt away.


13 Comments

  1. Good review Linda, I haven’t started this series and I feel it be a good read. Happy Thanksgiving.

    Liked by 2 people

  2. dfolstad58 says:

    wonderful writeup. I love that you shared memorable lines from the book. I always feel like doing that when I read books. Especially if the line makes me smile. – David

    Liked by 2 people

    • lghiggins says:

      Thank you. It is one of my favorite parts of the review. I choose something I especially enjoyed or was meaningful to me. I like to let the writer’s voice shine through. When I can share the humor, I like to do that although sometimes it can be hard because often the humor relies on context or character background. I’m glad you enjoyed them.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. This sounds fun and different, thanks Linda!

    Liked by 2 people

  4. Anita says:

    Hi there,
    Thank you very much for sharing this good review and I’m happy to discover your blog
    Good sunday
    Kisses
    Anita

    Liked by 1 person

  5. I need to pick up an Amanda flower novel soon! I’m a newbie.

    Liked by 1 person

    • lghiggins says:

      Yes. I really like her work. She is great at incorporating humor in some of her cozy mystery series–like this one. Both of her series that include Amish characters include as many Englisch characters. The two worlds can collide and unite in interesting ways.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Carla says:

    Great review Linda. I love seeing how this duo work together and Lois is such a hoot. I am ready for the next in this series.

    Liked by 1 person

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