Shadows of Lancaster County

Title: SHADOWS OF LANCASTER COUNTY
Author: Mindy Starns Clark
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
January 2009
ISBN: 978-0-7369-2447-4
Genre: Inspirational/suspense

What shadows darken the quiet valleys of Amish County?

Anna Bailey has worked hard to put the tragedies of the past behind her when she took on a new identity. She moved from Pennsylvania to California. Anna is caught off-guard when her sister-in-law calls her saying that Anna’s brother, Bobby, has disappeared and she needs help. Not only that, but while Anna is on the phone with Lydia, an intruder is in Anna’s house demanding that Anna hands over some rubies…ruby’s that Anna knows nothing about.

With no choice but to go home to look for her brother, Anna is baffled trying to follow the high-tech trail her brother has left behind—a trail that leads from the simple world of Amish farming to the cutting edge of DNA research and gene therapy.

It doesn’t take long in the pursuit, Anna realizes that she has something that others want—something worth killing for. And now Anna seeks to protect herself, find her brother, and keep a rein on her heart when a former love interest appears on the scene.

I have read all of Mindy Starns Clarks books so far, and I love this author. The story is more telling than showing, but the mystery is so well-developed, and the story line and plot so engaging that I can’t help but being drawn in.

I loved Anna, and sympathized completely with her as she was forced to relive the horrors of her past. I also enjoyed the point of view of an ancient relative of Anna’s that were written into the story in the forms of letters or diary entries. Reed, Anna’s former love interest, was a flawed hero, but definitely realistic.

I completely enjoyed SHADOWS OF LANCASTER COUNTY and while I did guess some of the story line, I didn’t completely guess everything. This book is highly recommended for mystery lovers everywhere. $13.99. 326 pages.