Amish On Stage
By Isabella Alan
When the actors dressed in Amish costume burst into song and dance, I knew I had the setting for my next Amish Quilt Shop Mystery. I was visiting Holmes County on a research trip. I live about an hour from Holmes County, so I rarely spend the night there. However on this particular visit, I booked a hotel stay and show because I was curious about the annual Amish-themed play that the hotel had. Never in a million years did I expect it to be a musical. I think I made the assumption that it was strictly a regular play because many Amish don’t sing outside of church and they definitely do not dance. Seeing actors on stage wearing Amish dress prance about, tickled my funny bone, but as amusing as I found the performance to be, I knew many plain folk would not see the humor in it.
Because I’m a nosy sort, I asked some Amish and Mennonite people I knew how they felt about the musical version of Amish life. Most of them thought it was fine. They were happy with the play because it brought even more tourists to the county. Many plain people depend on tourism for their livelihood. However, others, if not outright hostile about the play, made it clear they didn’t care for how it portrayed the Amish. This diverse reaction to the play among the Amish and Mennonites just confirmed to me that a play was the perfect setting for an Amish mystery novel.
In Murder, Served Simply, the story opens in the middle of a progressive dinner. The progressive dinner was the idea of the Rolling Brook Township Trustees to increase tourism to the tiny township. The big finish for the dinner is a play, An Amish Christmas, at an inn in town. The only problem is the lead actress for the play is a former Amish girl named Eve Shetler. Most of the Amish in Rolling Brook are indifferent to the play, but they do not like it that Eve is an actress. They feel she is mocking her upbringing. So it comes as no surprise that poor Eve ends up dead before curtain call. Now, quilt shop owner, Texas transplant, and amateur sleuth Angie Braddock must find the killer even it means taking a long hard look at her dear Amish friends.
About the Author:
National Bestselling Author Isabella Alan is the pseudonym for Amanda Flower. Amanda Flower, a two time Agatha-nominated mystery author, started her writing career in elementary school when she read a story she wrote to her sixth grade class and had the class in stitches with her description of being stuck on the top of a Ferris wheel. She knew at that moment she’d found her calling of making people laugh with her words. Amanda is an academic librarian for a small college near Cleveland.
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Amish quilt shop owner Angie Braddock has a lot on her plate this Christmas. But things only get worse after someone develops a taste for murder…
Angie’s parents are visiting Rolling Brook for Christmas—but unfortunately, her ex is joining them. Luckily, Angie has no time to dwell on her romantic troubles as she prepares her store, Running Stitch, for the town’s traditional progressive dinner, featuring a sleigh ride stopping at each shop for a different course of the meal.
The meal ends with an Amish-themed Christmas play at the Swiss Valley Hotel and Barn. But the performance is cut short when an actress falls from the scaffolding to her death. After the sheriff suspects foul play, tensions between the Amish and Englisch heat up, as do rivalries among the acting troupe. Now Angie and her quilting circle must stitch together clues before they’re the ones running for cover…
Jennifer’s Review of Murder, Served Simply
Review (4.5 Stars): This is the third book in the Amish Quilt Shop series and I love being able to take a look into the quiet life of an Amish community, especially around the holiday season. Angie Braddock is gearing up for the holiday season at her shop, Running Stitch, and has her parents visiting her for Christmas with an unexpected guest in tow. The town is also preparing for their traditional progressive dinner, which is to be followed by an Amish-themed play to end the festivities and has traditional members of the Amish community up in arms about the subject matter. Before the final curtain falls, the lead actress of the play is found dead and it is up to Angie to help find the killer before battle lines are drawn within the community. This holiday season may not be so festive with a killer on the loose and time running out for this sleepy little community.
Angie is one of those characters that you will instantly adore because she is sweet, smart and has a great love of cowboy boots. She has worked very hard over the course of the series to become a part of this diverse community and I enjoy that Ms. Alan is able to provide us a glimpse of this private community with each and every mystery. I also liked how Angie’s relationship has grown with Sheriff Mitchell in this book even though there was a bit of drama in regards to her ex-boyfriend coming to visit her along with her parents. Murder, Served Simply is a well-written mystery that will be sure to charm cozy readers and is the perfect distraction for this holiday season. Looking forward to reading more about Angie and her continuing adventures in the Amish community.
Giveaway
I’m excited to give away a copy of Murder, Served Simply. This giveaway is for US Residents only. To be entered in the drawing by December 12th, answer me this question in the comments:
What is your favorite holiday tradition?
We love driving around town to look at all the Christmas decorations!
I love holiday cards and family newsletters. This is a great time to catch up with the family scattered all over the USA!
My favorite holiday tradition was just this last week-end. The annual Christmas tree hunt. My family caravans to a tree farm and each family must have a group conses on the best tree for their family, even the youngest must agree with the choice. Then when all the trees are cut and on cars, the caravan goes to our favorite South American restaurant for lunch. Then the caravan comes to our house , where we decorate our home and tree. Everyone decorates and we sing carols and “remember” who bought or made the decorations for the tree. The little ones add something new that they’ve made that year. (Probably the best part of the day). Then the other families go home, where this is repeated at their homes the following day. We also like watching the movie “CHRISTMAS Vacation” because it so reminds of of these family times!
decorating the tree together
My favorite is singing Christmas carols with the kids, and watching Christmas movies.
Tradition? As in just one? That’s tough. But my favorite is probably watching all the great movies and TV specials. That’s something I do every year either with others or on my own.
Thanks for the chance to win.