Murder Plainly Written by Mindy Steele - A Book Review

  

Wanda Miller, who coaches people toward healthier lifestyle choices at a local wellness center, has enjoyed writing articles on that subject. However, she longs to write a novel, something she has not revealed to her fellow members of the Plain Order Ink Society, a group of Amish writers who encourage one another and seek to grow in their writing skills together. Wanda had no idea as to what situations she would get involved in by befriending Englischer writer Sadie Lynch who had just arrived in the small Amish community to run the candle shop left to her by her aunt. Their common passion for writing quickly bonded the two, something Sadie would especially be very glad for as odd occurrences turned ominous.

This cozy Amish mystery is a fun read. The author gives us characters to befriend as well as some to be leery of. Both clues and red herrings are well placed along the way. Most readers will enjoy solving the mystery before the characters in the book come to a conclusion as to the identity of the culprit. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Murder Plainly Written from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Library of Forbidden Books by Mario Escobar - A Book Review

  

This book is an emotional story about a librarian in Berlin who, along with her friends and co-workers, strives to protect as many books as possible from destruction by Hitler's regime. The story also details the highs and lows of her family life as she works to balance her work and personal life while avoiding capture. Escobar is a wonderful storyteller who engages his readers emotionally and sensorily. One cannot read his work and remain detached or passive.

I am one of those people who read historical fiction, frequently fact checking to determine which parts are true and which are fiction. I was unable to find much at all about librarian Helene Nathan.At the end of the book, Escobar offers clarifications from history, revealing that very little of Helene Nathan's story matches the story told in Library of Forbidden Books. To say that that was a big disappointment is an understatement. If the notes at the beginning of the book had given a heads up, or if the author had chosen to make the character fully fictional, this let down could have been avoided. That is the only drawback to this intense read.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.