CLARK, MINDY STARNS
SHADOWS OF LANCASTER COUNTY
What shadows darken the quiet valleys of Amish Country?
Anna Bailey thought she left the tragedies of the past behind when she took on a new identity and moved from Pennsylvania to California. But now that her brother has vanished and his wife is crying out for help, Anna knows she has no choice but to come out of hiding, go home, and find him. Back in Lancaster County, Anna follows the high-tech trail her brother left behind, a trail that leads from the simple world of Amish farming to the cutting edge of DNA research and gene therapy.
During the course of her pursuit, Anna soon realizes that she has something others want, something worth killing for. In a world where nothing is as it seems, Anna seeks to protect herself, find her brother, and keep a rein on her heart despite the sudden reappearance of Reed Thornton, the only man she has ever loved.
My Review:
Enthralling suspense. Lots of twists and turns and Clark feeds us clues that we don't realize are clues until farther on in the book. I had a lot of Aha! moments. I really couldn't put this one down.
For those who aren't into Amish stories -- this one isn't though they do play an integral part in the suspense. In fact, they play an integral part in a secondary suspense plot as well. Clark did an amazing job of weaving both together into a nail-biting read.
Told in first person, it's Anna's perspective that carries the story; her perceptions and memories that bring all the other characters to life. It's the story of a tragedy in Anna's past as much as it is about the one in her present and Clark does a brilliant job of twining the two together into a complicated mess that left me breathless! If you like suspense you will love Shadows of Lancaster County.
I love Mindy Clark's other series! She has a mystery series centering around a penny, nickel, dime, etc that is great:) Thanks for your thoughts on this one!
ReplyDeleteSounds really good. I'm usually not a real big fan of suspense, but I love Amish stories. This sounds like the best of both. I'll have to check this one out.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read that other series yet, Charity but I'm going to look for it. I really do like how she handles suspense -- and the emotional entanglements -- you! Riveting stuff.
ReplyDeleteCathy -- this is interesting because the main characters aren't Amish and yet the Amish play a privotol role. Really well down. You might just like it.