Wanda E. Brunstetter

Another one of my Net Galley wins was this latest book by Wanda Brunstetter. The Protector is an Amish fiction story about a family that must deal with a mysterious disappearance that shakes their faith. It is the first book in a trilogy and will be published on August 1, 2024.

The publisher's summary:

In book one of A Mifflin County Mystery series, after a night out with her boyfriend, Rosa Petersheim has disappeared from the Big Valley without a trace. Norman Petersheim always considered himself his sister's protector, and he can't believe she would have left home of her own accord. Clearly, he must have failed her. He throws all he has into helping the authorities search for Rosa, while trying to support his parents and siblings--who are struggling both mentally and physically. Salina Swarey loves Norman and hopes they are headed toward marriage, but his obsession with Rosa's whereabouts is driving them apart. Can Norman find peace and contentment, even if he never learns where Rosa has gone?

Initially I thought that the story would be about finding Rosa. Up until the end I expected her to reappear to her family. That did not happen though. The story is mainly about the fallout. While Rosa's mother and brother were actively searching for her, problems of their own came up that they had to deal with. Mom stopped eating and cried often but she was later diagnosed with an illness where the symptoms were similar. Dad, a bishop, only cared about his reputation with the church and did not like being married to someone who no longer served his needs. Norman and his mother spent so much time searching for Rosa that they stopped living for themselves. Rosa's two sisters dealt with the disappearance differently but their personalities changed significantly. There was a one year passage of time between Rosa's disappearance and the story's end. I think this is a normal period of time where most families in real life who must deal with a missing relative put their lives on hold.

The whodunit and whodunit of Rosa's disappearance was prominent to the story and brought plenty of mystery. I was disappointed that she was never found but this was a realistic ending.… (plus d'informations)

This is the second book in this series, the Fischer brothers, and their relationship, or brother Samuel's.
As the story opens he has tragically lost his beloved wife, and now he is trying to take care of of his children alone.
We journey with Samuel, and his family, as life goes on, but he has made up his mind that he will always remain true to his wife.
He does meet someone, but he knows he can't have a relationship with another woman, and his life becomes so unsettled.
We are with this family as they pick up the pieces and try to move on.
I wondered when he would begin to really live his faith, keep reading!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Barbour, and was not required to give a positive review.… (plus d'informations)