Every once in a while, I want to read a mystery, on my to be read bookshelves, I found book one and two of An Appleseed Creek Mystery series by Amanda Flowers. I have read her books before so after I figured one which was the first and settled down to enjoy an Amish cozy mystery. Cozy mysteries are a refreshing break after reading anything heavy and very intense. I needed a little reprieve from what is going currently in this frightening world.

Chloe Humphrey, age 26, comes from Cleveland to Appleseed Creek where there is a strong Amish presence, to her new position as a director of technology services. As she nears the small rental that she sees a girl on the road being harrassed and ens dangered by two men in a pickup truck. Chloe rescue the girl and lets her stay overnight. The girl, Becky is an artist who has recently left her Amish family. Becky hunts for a job to repay Chloe for her board but gets into serious trouble. She "borrows " Chloe's car rental and tries to brake for a buggy and fails killing a well loved Amish bishop.

The cause for the lack of brakes is determined later and then Chloe enlists the help of Becky's brother Timothy, who has not finished the requirements for Amish men to take their place in the community for an accident that caused him to doubt himself to be deserving of the role of an Amish man.

There are many suspects and even a hallmark of the cozy, animals, Chloe's siamanese cat named Giga aka Gigabyte and Timothy's large mixed breed dog. Amanda Flower employs the right amount of suspense to keeo you turning the pages. I am expecting more character development in the next book and will enjoy meeting familiar characters again. I enjoyed this book and the pull of suspense to give me a little relief from the serious and tragic current events. ( )

First in the series. I believe this would be (or is) considered 'christian fiction' - not generally my genre. This one, however, though it begins a bit heavy on the christian side, does back off a bit, and it fits the characters. The mystery was well handled until the end, where it appears the author couldn't figure out a more clever way to end it and did so in a clumsy and, frankly, unbelievable way. Flower has ended her other books in a much better fashion, so I'm hoping this is an anomaly. I enjoyed the characters and hope to learn more about them in a second book. ( )

Chloe Humphrey is the new director of technology at a small college near an Amish community. Her first new friend is a young woman she rescues at the roadside, a woman who has just left her Amish roots to live in the English world. Now that Chloe has rescued Becky, she feels somewhat responsible for her, and so she allows her to room with her, temporarily. She soon makes friends with Becky’s brother, and settles into her job at the college. But one day Becky borrows Chloe’s car, and collides with a bishop’s buggy, killing him. What looks like a careless accident at first takes on a sinister aspect when it is discovered that the brake lines had been cut. Now it is up to Chloe to try to figure out who could hate her enough to wish her bodily harm. Not a typical Amish tale, this story has engaging characters in a suspenseful plot. A good start to a new series. ( )

What a mystery! Great start to a promising series. I love the mainstream setting among the Amish community. The MC is not Amish, but many of the supporting characters are. ( )

A Plain Death by Amanda Flower is a sweet Amish mystery. It is the first book in the Appleseed Creek Mystery series. Chloe Humphrey has a new job at Harshberger College in Appleseed Creek as the Director of Computer Services. She is hoping to work there for two years to get the experience she needs for a job at a bigger college. On her way to her new home she encounters Becky Troyer. Becky is being hounded by new men and is desperate to escape them. Chloe rescues Becky and gains a new friend and roommate!

Becky Troyer is nineteen and has decided to leave her Amish home. Becky wants to be an artists (portraying faces) and it is not allowed by her Bishop. Chloe agrees to let Becky temporarily stay with her. Timothy Troyer is ex-Amish and is now a carpenter in Appleseed Creek. Timothy is Becky’s brother. Timothy tries to convince Becky to go home, but he is unsuccessful. Becky wants to pursue her art and is not ready to settle down and get married.

Chloe’s first week in Appleseed Creek is not what she expected. Her new rental home is very dilapidated. She meets her new employees and only two of them are welcoming. Then she gets a call from Becky. Becky has been looking for a job and decided to “borrow” Chloe’s car for an interview. Of course, Becky not having a driver’s license, insurance, or any driving experience did not stop her. Unfortunately, Becky had an accident and Bishop Glick is dead. Appleseed Creek Chief of Police, Greta Rose is looking into the incident. Becky could be charged with manslaughter.

At the same time someone is terrorizing the Amish in the community. They are destroying property. Who is trying to hurt these peace loving people and why are they doing it? Chloe and Timothy set out to clear Becky and find out who are hurting the Amish. A Plain Death has romance, mystery, friendship, great characters, and a lovely setting! I give it 5 out of 5 stars. The mystery is pretty easy to solve, but I enjoyed the story and characters. ( )