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.
Following up on her extremely popular gothic thriller,Whispers of the Bayou, Mindy Starns Clark offers another suspenseful standalone mystery, one full of Amish simplicity, dark shadows, and the light of God’s amazing grace.
When a narrative opens with the words “I’m dead,” the reader generally accepts that come-hither, and Clark (Whispers of the Bayou) keeps up the pace set by a nighttime motorcycle ride in the opening scene of this Christian suspense novel. “Skip tracer” Anna Jensen, who finds missing people, must face her checkered past when she returns home to Pennsylvania’s Amish country in order to find her vanished brother. Complicating the plot is a tale of missing jewels and complex personal histories; Clark has a lot going on, and not everything is equally successful. The end-game plot twist is surprising, though not completely convincing, and the romantic element is much less successful than the atmosphere of suspense and the intricate plotting. The religious element, present but not preachy, is natural in this tale of unfolding revelation. Clark weaves a web of characters and events that will draw in Christian suspense fans. (Jan.) Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.
Average Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars(4.5 out of 5 stars)
8 of 28 Reviews Showing:(View All Reviews)
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Marianna Gennett (Stratford, WI), September 24, 2009
an excelent read kept my interest through the entire book. I like this author and would read again
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Penny Hardaway (Alpine, TX), September 04, 2009
This book wasn't exactly what I expected. But it was such a great mystery. The going back and forth between the past and present really kept my interest high. I could hardly wait to finish it. I will watch for more books by this author.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by diana (seward, Il), August 19, 2009
This author is so good! If you like mysteries, this one is a real page turner. It is not really an Amish story for those of you who are looking for that. The description makes the book sound a little "over my head" with the mention of DNA, genetics, and high tech but it was not.
3.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Christy Lockstein (Oconto Falls, WIsconsin), July 03, 2009
Shadows of Lancaster County by Mindy Starns Clark if a suspense novel chockfull of twisting plots and unexpected discoveries. Anne Bailey has created a new life for herself in California. Far away from her childhood home in Lancaster County,Pennsylvania and from the crime that destroyed her future. When her brother Bobby disappears leaving behind pregnant wife Lydia and son Isaac, Anne sets out to find him. That quest sets her on a course that will unearth secrets about DNA, long-lost gems, and the Amish. I'm a huge fan of Clark's work, and in the hands of any other author, this story would have been overburdened by all of the different plotlines and twists, but she handles them deftly, keeping readers flying through the pages. There's a lot of info about genetic testing and gene therapy that end up pulling the various story threads together. Clark's novel will appeal to readers who love the growing genre of Amish lit, as well as romantic thriller fans.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Sharon Mcmills (Palo Alto, CA), June 15, 2009
Mindy Starns Clark you are such a gifted story teller.
Shadows of Lancaster County pulls you in from the very beginning into a suprising story that leads you through a great mystery, of a underhanded scheme and plot to deceive the innocent.
I love how you write Mindy Starns Clark. Please write more write faster.
2 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Ruth Hallock (Oregon, OH), June 03, 2009
Didn't have enough everday Amish in it. To much modern world stuff happening. On the other hand if you are into mystery, more than everday happenings of the Amish, this book is for you. You never could guess what was happening, just when you think you have it figured out, there was another twist. Didn't have the calming effect on me like other Amish stories that make you unwind and wish you could go into their peaceful life just to avoid the hassles, but was a good mystery.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Debra Brooks ( Ludowici, GA), May 20, 2009
This is an excellent book. It is well written, and has mysteries within mysteries as well as a surprise ending! The characters have depth, and struggle with forgiveness and other christian issues we all face; including choosing the world over Christ.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Breezie (Rochester, NY), April 24, 2009
Shadows of lancaster County was MSC's best book thus far. I felt for Anna and her struggles and coming to terms with her past and present. Very interesting and informative on the life of the Amish and the whole DNA reasearch was great. Loved the ending of who done it and the "Happy Ever After" part:) I can't wait to read her next book, Under the Cajun Moon.
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