When Amish wife and mother Lettie Byler disappears, her daughter Grace is left confused and ferhoodled---while her father acts like nothing's wrong. Terminally ill, Englischer Heather Nelson seeks healing from a naturopath in Lancaster County. When paths cross, missing pieces of life's puzzle are woven together to reveal the merciful and loving hand of God. 352 pages, softcover from Bethany.
Popular novelist and Amish specialist Lewis (The Brethren) launches a new series with this volume. Two young women, Amish Grace Byler and graduate student Heather Nelson, stand as counterpoints in parallel plots involving two secrets. Grace's mother is troubled; Heather, whose mother has died of cancer, tells no one in her circle of her own diagnosis of terminal illness, which drives her to Pennsylvania Amish country in search of healing. Grace's mother makes a decision that painfully complicates the action and drives it forward. Grace, her family and friends and the Amish milieu are drawn with characteristically ample detail, right down to jars of preserves set out on the tables at many bountiful Amish meals. Lots of powerful emotions go characteristically unspoken in this reticent culture, though the reader won't miss them. By comparison, the emotional high-stakes Heather plot is less detailed and consequently less engrossing. Lewis lays out—and knots—many plot threads to pursue and resolve in subsequent installments in the series, ensuring readers' return. (Mar.)Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.
Average Rating: 4 out of 5 stars(4 out of 5 stars)
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4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Christy Janes (Cordova, TN), December 08, 2009
While this book in no way is as good as some of Ms. Lewis' earlier works, I have to say that it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. In fact, I quite enjoyed it. I've read several reviews that practically bashed it, saying that it's too depressing, that there are too many characters to follow, that there are loose ends not resolved, etc. I have a few things to say about each one of those points.
First of all, yes, the book is slightly depressing, but I don't think she meant for this particular series to start off as happy. Yes, the mother leaves her husband and her children, and none of them know why. They are left to pick up the shreds of their dignity among their community. None of that is pleasant, but that's the story Ms. Lewis chose to write.
Secondly, the characters. I didn't think there were too many to follow; it seemed to be an adequate amount to keep it interesting, but not too many to keep up with. The only complaint that I had were a few characters had names that were too similar. Martin and Marian look very similar, as do Adam and Andy. I think a little bit more creativity could've been used when she selected the names.
Lastly, yes, there are loose ends at the end of the book, but that's the author's preference. Not every author is going to have a complete resolution at the end of every book. There are several storylines that are going on, and they can't all be covered in one book. Otherwise, there would be complaints that the story was too rushed. Personally, I didn't mind that the story ended the way it did. The actual "secret" of the book was revealed, but how it will play out will be revealed in books 2 & 3.
I am quite excited to read the rest of the series, mainly because the storyline is outside the norm for Amish fiction. Women just do not walk out on their families in the Amish world. I'm not expecting happy resolutions all around, but I do think it will be some great reading....I'm really looking forward to it.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Karen Ruwet (Union Bridge, MD), November 01, 2009
Yet another great story by Beverly Lewis. Her knowledge of the Amish community is quite amazing and factual. I love reading her books.
3 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Anonymous (USA), October 13, 2009
I have to honestly say that I'm writing this review for the first and second books. I loved the characters of Grace and Yonnie. I haven't seen anything like them before. But Lettie, her husband, and Heather I just didn't enjoy as much. I've read all of Beverly Lewis's books and to me this one wasn't as good as some of her others. She already used the child out of wedlock story in Abram's daughters, the englisher-once-Amish story in Annie's people, and just seemed like it wasn't original. It wasn't really planned either. The fact that heather is adopted just pops up, no leading up to it or anything. There it is she's adopted. The second book was so slow. Nothing happened. It was so predictable that I let a friend borrow it not more than a week after it was out and she returned it claiming she had read it before.
I fairly devoured the 2nd book only to reach a cliffhanging end and feel completely ripped off. There was no information that was really conveyed in the 2nd book. And not only that, I have to wait till next year to read what I know already happens.
If you plan on reading this book, I recommend you wait till the last one is done and have all three readily available to read in one sitting, that way you won't feel let down.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Marjorie Walsworth (Hart, MI), July 30, 2009
Again Beverly Lewis has written an excellent book! The story keeps moving and keeps you interested. It's hard to put it down until it's finished.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by John Hessedence (Hazel, SD), July 27, 2009
actually Karen is the one who ordered and read it. I loved the book and can't wait to read #2 coming in Sept. that I have already ordered. Beverly Lewis is one of my favoriate authors and I love reading the Amish books.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Sharon Caldwell (Georgetown, OH), July 20, 2009
REALLY good - and again makes us realize that perceptions of another's actions are just that and not always reality! Am really looking forward to the sequel!
1.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Leslie (Tamarac. Florida), July 20, 2009
I apologize for such a poor review but I must be honest. Beverly Lewis is one of my favorite authors, however, I have not enjoyed her last few books, as much as, her earlier novels. "The Secret" was SO dull, it took me three weeks to trudge through it. I had to force myself to pick it up and read. I usually devour this genre of novels, but not this one. The author failed to tie these two unrelated storylines together. I don't mind a cliffhanger, but this book lacks any suspense. The ending was flat... it just stopped... What's with that??? The character development and personalities were more worldly and odd for Amish. On a good note, I am glad to see writings about the life of a woman in her 40's. BUT did she have to be such a FLAKE??
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by k (ga), July 12, 2009
I enjoyed this book, as I usually do enjoy Beverly Lewis. However, I have a question: On page 297, it is written "Grace had left lean ground beef to thaw on the counter while she was in Bart." How did she get it frozen? I thought this family did not have electricity and I'm wondering what kind of freezer she might have. But the book held my attention throughout and was very enjoyable.
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