This is the first book I have read in the "Amish Mystery" series but it will not be the last. I had no problem with following the story or the characters even though it is the third book in the series.

Rachel Mast, is a character that lives between two worlds. Born and raised Amish, she left home at seventeen to go to university and then went to live in the big city and work for Corporate America. When that did not pan out, she returned home, but not to the Amish home, she lives as an Englisher and runs a Bed & Breakfast as well as a gift shop. She is the chairperson of the "Winter Frolic" a festival to highlight the town and well as the Amish people. The only bee in her bonnet at this time is Bill Billingsly, a nosy, interfering, newspaperman with lots of gossipy research. Then he is discovered, dead of exposure, frozen to death on his front porch. With all the people he has upset and alienated, there are many suspects and Rachel is one of them. She must find out who the real culprit it to clear her name.

This story is filled with mystery, suspense, and romance. Rachel's character is strong, loyal, smart, stubborn, persistant and doing an amazing job of balancing her old and new worlds. She is so caring of the Amish world and its traditions that they let her in, even though she has left the "Plain World" to live as an Englisher. The mystery in this story is well plotted and will keep you guessing as to who is the guilty party. I changed my mind on who it was a few times and I love when I think I have it all figured out only to be thrown in a different direction by the author. I did figure it out just before the reveal, and that made the story even more interesting for me. Definitely an author I will follow, especially as I learn more about the Amish life. ( )

http://joannesbooks.blogspot.com/2016/01/plain-dead-amish-mystery.html ( )

Plain Dead by Emma Miller is the third book in the An Amish Mystery series. Rachel Mast owns and runs the Stone Mill Bed and Breakfast. Rachel was raised in the Amish faith, but she decided not to be baptized into the faith. She tried the corporate life, but Rachel found it unsatisfactory. Rachel is happy to have returned to Stone Mill, Pennsylvania. She is currently dating Evan Parks who is a detective with the state police. The one thorn in Rachel’s side is Bill Billingsley. He is the local newspaperman who has started a nasty gossip column (he is printing people’s secrets). Bill has also been taking pictures of the local Amish against their will (you should always get permission first). Rachel has a secret that she does not want anyone to find out (she has not told her family or Evan). Rachel decided to confront Bill late one night and even got as far as his house. Rachel changed her mind and went home.

The next morning Bill is found tied to his front porch and frozen to death. Unfortunately for Rachel, she is the number one suspect. Rachel will have to investigate to clear her name and prove to Evan that she is not guilty. It turns out that plenty of people in the area have secrets that they wish to keep hidden. Will Rachel be able to find the killer before she ends up in jail or becomes the next victim? Rachel also has her hands full organizing the Winter Frolic and deciding whether or not to wear Evan’s engagement ring (he proposed at the end of the last book).

Plain Dead is well-written and easy to read. The mystery was interesting (best part of the book). I just wish the writer had provided more clues. We keep getting told different information, but none of it helps the reader to find the killer (just one clue right before the killer is revealed). I did find Rachel a wee bit frustrating. Rachel left the Amish way of life, but she still caters to her family (by dressing the way they expect when she goes visiting for example). The one thing that had my blood boiling was the comments from an Amish man about a woman’s place. I would hope that in this day and age no one would actually expect a woman to stay home, cook, clean, and raise children (evidently the Amish do though). If that is what a woman choses to do, that is fine. But it should not be a given (sorry for the rant). Plain Dead is a good book, but it was not my favorite in the series. I give Plain Dead 4 out of 5 stars. While Plain Dead is a part of a series, it can be read alone. The author does a good job at updating the reader.

I received a complimentary copy of Plain Dead from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ( )