Hiding in Plain Sight

Title: HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT
Author: Amy Wallace
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
April 2012
ISBN: 978-0-7369-4731-2
Genre: Inspirational/Mennonite/women’s fiction

Police officer, Ashley Walters is new to Montezuma, Georgia and thus the rookie on the force, even though she’s a good officer, proven in her old town. She is still healing, ten years later, from her brother’s unsolved murder, and fighting those demons. Bradley Yoder, a Mennonite teenager, reminds Ashley of her brother, and when he’s caught shop-lifting, Ashley is determined to do whatever it takes to help Bradley.

Patrick James is Bradley’s counselor, and he’s also on the city commission. The city is planning on revitalizing the downtown and wants to open a Mennonite museum. Only thing is, the Mennonites are against the museum, unless they are allowed to share their faith there. But the township is against the Mennonites sharing their faith.

Ashley and Patrick begin dating, and the relationship seems to be going well, but the Mennonite issue is putting them on opposite sides of the fence. Not to mention, a Mennonite man, Bradley’s uncle, also is attracted to Ashley. What will it take to bridge the gap between the peaceful Mennonite world and the suspense and drama of the English one?

HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT is the first book in Ms. Wallace’s Place of Refuge series. It is very well written and engaging. There is a love-triangle, a romance, and suspense, with plenty of drama. I had to keep reading to see what happened next.

Bradley is a trouble teen, broken from his birth mother’s abandonment, and upset over his adoptive father’s death. He’s also bothered that no matter what he does, no one seems to notice or appreciate him. His character is heartbreaking, tugging unbelievably at my heartstrings. I could feel his pain. Ashley also is hurting, desperate to reach Bradley before it’s too late, since he reminds her of her deceased brother. Both Patrick and the Mennonite man, Jonathon, are good God-fearing men, yet on opposite sides of the township issues.

If you are looking for a great Mennonite read, or love Amish fiction and want to read it’s “close cousin” then HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT is a great book to consider. Highly recommended. 4.5 stars. $13.99. 304 pages.