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Can two young people survive the suspicions of their friends and neighbors when tragedy strikes a close-knit Amish community?
Perry Borntrager had been missing for months from the quiet Amish community of Crittenden, Kentucky, when his body is discovered at the bottom of an abandoned well. The first death from mysterious circumstances in more than two decades brings the scrutiny of the outside world: A police detective arrives to help the local sheriff with the investigation. His questioning begins with Lydia Plank, Perry’s former girlfriend, and Perry’s best friend, the Englischer Walker Anderson.
Lydia and Walker know they didn’t have anything to do with Perry’s death, but they both hold secrets about his final days. Do they dare open up about the kind of man Perry had become? In the oppressive shadow of these dark times, they discover strength in a most unlikely companionship: one that offers solace, understanding, and the promise of something more.
Perry Borntrager had been missing for months from the quiet Amish community of Crittenden, Kentucky, when his body is discovered at the bottom of an abandoned well. The first death from mysterious circumstances in more than two decades brings the scrutiny of the outside world: A police detective arrives to help the local sheriff with the investigation. His questioning begins with Lydia Plank, Perry’s former girlfriend, and Perry’s best friend, the Englischer Walker Anderson.
Lydia and Walker know they didn’t have anything to do with Perry’s death, but they both hold secrets about his final days. Do they dare open up about the kind of man Perry had become? In the oppressive shadow of these dark times, they discover strength in a most unlikely companionship: one that offers solace, understanding, and the promise of something more.
245 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
162 people are currently reading
1523 people want to read
About the author
Shelley Shepard Gray
134 books2,331 followersLibrarian Note: AKA Shelley Gray (Western Romance).
Shelley Shepard Gray has published over seventy novels. She currently writes Amish romances for Harper Collins, Kensington, and Simon & Schuster and contemporary women’s fiction for Blackstone Publishing.
Her novels have been Holt Medallion winners and Inspirational Readers Choice and Carol finalists. Shelley’s novels have appeared on both the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists.
Her novels have been highlighted in the Philadelphia Enquirer, Washington Post, Time Magazine, and USA Today. She has also been interviewed on NPR as well as numerous regional radio stations.
Before writing romances, Shelley lived in Texas and Colorado, where she taught school and earned both her bachelor’s degree in English literature and elementary education and later obtained her master’s degree in educational administration. She currently lives in Colorado Springs and writes full time. Shelley is married, the mother of two young adults, and always has a dachshund by her side. She is an active member of her church, on Facebook and on Twitter. She also has a website, www.shelleyshepardgray.com.
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Shelley Shepard Gray has published over seventy novels. She currently writes Amish romances for Harper Collins, Kensington, and Simon & Schuster and contemporary women’s fiction for Blackstone Publishing.
Her novels have been Holt Medallion winners and Inspirational Readers Choice and Carol finalists. Shelley’s novels have appeared on both the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists.
Her novels have been highlighted in the Philadelphia Enquirer, Washington Post, Time Magazine, and USA Today. She has also been interviewed on NPR as well as numerous regional radio stations.
Before writing romances, Shelley lived in Texas and Colorado, where she taught school and earned both her bachelor’s degree in English literature and elementary education and later obtained her master’s degree in educational administration. She currently lives in Colorado Springs and writes full time. Shelley is married, the mother of two young adults, and always has a dachshund by her side. She is an active member of her church, on Facebook and on Twitter. She also has a website, www.shelleyshepardgray.com.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 182 reviews
September 28, 2012
I guess I should have read the tiny writing on the cover of the Playaway box BEFORE I started listening to this book. Although you practically need a magnifying glass to read it, it clearly says The Secrets of Crittenden County Book 1. Yes, there are two more books and I guess I will have to read all three if I want to know what happened to the missing, or in this case dead boy.
Missing takes place in a small Amish Community in Kentucky. The missing boy is Perry Borntrager, and until his body turns up at the bottom of an abandoned well, it was assumed that he had no longer wanted to be Amish and had simply run away. This people could understand, but a murder in Crittenden County? Now that was shocking!
The town Sheriff, Mose Kramer had been raised in an Amish family in Crittenden County himself, but had left the community to study Criminal Justice at The University of Cincinnati. When he was offered a job in his home town he was happy to accept the offer. He soon discovered, however that there were “complications in becoming sheriff in a town you grew up in.” He knew too much and people were just not willing to answer his questions. He was getting no where in his investigation of the Borntrager murder. Thinking that the towns people may be more willing to spill the beans to an outsider, he recruits his friend Luke to help with the investigation.
Luke could understand Mose’s frustration as he too felt that people knew more than they were willing to divulge. Everyone had secrets, but who had the key to solving the murder? First there was Abby Anderson, one of the three “Englishers” who discovered Perry’s body. Abby didn’t know why she was with these girls in the first place when she should have been in school at the time. She never felt like she quite fit in anywhere. Then there was Lydia Plank, Perry’s Amish ex- sweetheart. What was the real reason for their break up? And Walker Anderson, an Englisher who at one time was Perry’s best friend, although at the time of Perry’s disappearance they were no longer on speaking terms.
Missing is a mystery with a little romance thrown in and is an entertaining audio book. Each chapter opens with a quote about Perry, which I think is a nice touch. Although by the end of the book people were definitely starting to open up and secrets were revealed I still have no idea what happened to Perry. Book two is titled The Search and book three Found. The good news is that all three have been published. The bad news is that I have to read (or listen to) all three to find out “who dunnit!”. www.Fridaymorningbookclub.com
Missing takes place in a small Amish Community in Kentucky. The missing boy is Perry Borntrager, and until his body turns up at the bottom of an abandoned well, it was assumed that he had no longer wanted to be Amish and had simply run away. This people could understand, but a murder in Crittenden County? Now that was shocking!
The town Sheriff, Mose Kramer had been raised in an Amish family in Crittenden County himself, but had left the community to study Criminal Justice at The University of Cincinnati. When he was offered a job in his home town he was happy to accept the offer. He soon discovered, however that there were “complications in becoming sheriff in a town you grew up in.” He knew too much and people were just not willing to answer his questions. He was getting no where in his investigation of the Borntrager murder. Thinking that the towns people may be more willing to spill the beans to an outsider, he recruits his friend Luke to help with the investigation.
Luke could understand Mose’s frustration as he too felt that people knew more than they were willing to divulge. Everyone had secrets, but who had the key to solving the murder? First there was Abby Anderson, one of the three “Englishers” who discovered Perry’s body. Abby didn’t know why she was with these girls in the first place when she should have been in school at the time. She never felt like she quite fit in anywhere. Then there was Lydia Plank, Perry’s Amish ex- sweetheart. What was the real reason for their break up? And Walker Anderson, an Englisher who at one time was Perry’s best friend, although at the time of Perry’s disappearance they were no longer on speaking terms.
Missing is a mystery with a little romance thrown in and is an entertaining audio book. Each chapter opens with a quote about Perry, which I think is a nice touch. Although by the end of the book people were definitely starting to open up and secrets were revealed I still have no idea what happened to Perry. Book two is titled The Search and book three Found. The good news is that all three have been published. The bad news is that I have to read (or listen to) all three to find out “who dunnit!”. www.Fridaymorningbookclub.com
October 1, 2019
Times are unsettled and people are uneasy in this Amish community. A body has been discovered in an an abandoned well, and the question of where Perry went is answered, but how he came to be murdered is now the question in everybody’s mind. His parents and sister remember how he was before he turned away from them to drugs. The girls he dated and who left him because of his drug dealings are equally mystified at his untimely end. Secrets abound in this quiet community, and they all aren’t about Perry. A detective has come to help out his friend, the sheriff, investigate the case. But the people who were closest to Perry are a closed-mouth group, and Luke has gotten little cooperation. Author Shelly Shepard Gray has laid the foundation for a promising series, complete with a intriguing mystery and complex characters. This tale is well written and combines a bit of romance with some thought-provoking themes.
June 20, 2022
Missing by Shelley Shepard Gray 245+ pages Paperback
The Secrets of Crittenden County #1
Genre: Mystery, Christian Fiction > Amish, Family, Suspense, Adult Fiction
Featuring: Epigraphs, Crittenden County, Kentucky, Cincinnati, Ohio, Murder Investigation, Detective, Teens, Drugs, Secrets, Author's Letter, Discussion Questions, Book Preview: The Search
Rating as a movie: PG-13 for adult content
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐½
My thoughts: Page 32 of 245, Ch. 4 - This is going to be choppy.
📖 98, Ch. 11 - I see why I quit this book before. Sometimes I wish I could just speak for the characters so they can get on with the story. If your father use to be Amish, and your grandparents still are, you should have a lot more insight to offer on the topic of leaving the order or joining the church.
📖 181 Ch. 20 - I don't feel like I have much more information than I started with. This is most definitely the type of book that would be a one and done, but I feel determined to finish the series since I got all of the books. Now I'm thinking you have read them all to solve the mystery and this book is just an introduction of characters.
The characters grew on me a little but the title choices are frustrating. No one is missing, someone was but they were found on page 4. The murder isn't solved, and the next book is called The Search but again no one is missing, so I assume it's the search for the truth. I will say you shouldn't start this trilogy unless you plan on reading it all, it's clear to me I won't have answers til book 3. This book is slower than the other series I've read and it features an even mix of Amish, former Amish, and English characters. I think it's also the first non-romance story I've read by her, there is a romantic storyline, it's just not a romance story.
Recommend to others?: I wouldn't recommend it based off of my experience, but I could see how it would work for others.
The Secrets of Crittenden County #1
Genre: Mystery, Christian Fiction > Amish, Family, Suspense, Adult Fiction
Featuring: Epigraphs, Crittenden County, Kentucky, Cincinnati, Ohio, Murder Investigation, Detective, Teens, Drugs, Secrets, Author's Letter, Discussion Questions, Book Preview: The Search
Rating as a movie: PG-13 for adult content
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐½
My thoughts: Page 32 of 245, Ch. 4 - This is going to be choppy.
📖 98, Ch. 11 - I see why I quit this book before. Sometimes I wish I could just speak for the characters so they can get on with the story. If your father use to be Amish, and your grandparents still are, you should have a lot more insight to offer on the topic of leaving the order or joining the church.
📖 181 Ch. 20 - I don't feel like I have much more information than I started with. This is most definitely the type of book that would be a one and done, but I feel determined to finish the series since I got all of the books. Now I'm thinking you have read them all to solve the mystery and this book is just an introduction of characters.
The characters grew on me a little but the title choices are frustrating. No one is missing, someone was but they were found on page 4. The murder isn't solved, and the next book is called The Search but again no one is missing, so I assume it's the search for the truth. I will say you shouldn't start this trilogy unless you plan on reading it all, it's clear to me I won't have answers til book 3. This book is slower than the other series I've read and it features an even mix of Amish, former Amish, and English characters. I think it's also the first non-romance story I've read by her, there is a romantic storyline, it's just not a romance story.
Recommend to others?: I wouldn't recommend it based off of my experience, but I could see how it would work for others.
March 6, 2018
My foray into Christian Fiction continues into the land of the Amish. The audiobook was narrated by Bernadette Dunne and she did a decent job. This is book 1 in a series and not to be a spoiler but the end does not tell who the murderer was, I won't be picking up book 2, so I will forever remain in the dark and I can live with that. My rating says it all. This book was "ok". I was not looking forward to reading an Amish mystery and I didn't hate it. There wasn't much character building, there wasn't much of a romance (although, to be fair, it is Amish, so I didn't expect much) and the mystery of who murdered the bad Amish guy was not terrible.
May 22, 2025
I'm typically not drawn to Amish fiction, but this plot caught my interest, and it didn't disappoint. It was captivating right up until the end, though we're still left wondering who the murderer is. I'm now waiting for book 2 from the library.
September 8, 2016
Perry Borntrager's body was discovered in a well by Englisher, Abby Anderson. Her brother Walker had been friends with Perry. An investigation began to see why and how Perry died.
Luke Reynolds came to Critterden County, Kentucky as a favor to his friend, Mose Kramer, to help with the investigation. Mose was a former Amish man and had lived in Critterden most of his life. He was getting nowhere with the investigation of Perry's death so he called Luke, a Cincinnati, Ohio detective to help him. Everyone was keeping a tight lip about Perry. No one wanted to say anything bad about the young man, although it appeared a lot could be said. Mose thought Luke's outsider influence may get people talking.
Two people who were suspects in Perry's death joined forces so no one could discover what they knew. Lydia Plank was Perry's ex-girlfriend. Walker Anderson was Perry's friend before he started getting into things Walker wanted nothing to do with. Lydia had her own secrets to deal with as did Walker. Lydia and Walker discovered a bond they never suspected.
There were a few subplots going on. Abby had become a misfit at school even more since she discovered the body. Luke was getting used to the slower paced life of Critterden County, which surprised him. Mr Schrock was continually thinking up crazy ways to get people to come into his store.
As I read this book, I began to see why Lydia and Walker pulled away from Perry. He was involved in things that led to serious trouble. I really liked Walker, he seemed like a sensible college student. I felt sorry for Lydia, she had a lot to deal with in a short period of time. She was already keeping her own secrets before she discovered a family secret. But she trusted God for guidance in all she did. Shelley Shepard Gray portrayed Perry in such a negative light, especially in his relationship with Lydia. This isn't often seen in Amish Fiction. I can only recall one other time that an Amish person was portrayed so negatively. That would be Rachel Byler in Jerry Eicher's Rebecca Series. I have no idea who killed Perry, it will be interesting to find out as the series continues. Shelley Shepard Gray has blended mystery and romance into one good story.
Luke Reynolds came to Critterden County, Kentucky as a favor to his friend, Mose Kramer, to help with the investigation. Mose was a former Amish man and had lived in Critterden most of his life. He was getting nowhere with the investigation of Perry's death so he called Luke, a Cincinnati, Ohio detective to help him. Everyone was keeping a tight lip about Perry. No one wanted to say anything bad about the young man, although it appeared a lot could be said. Mose thought Luke's outsider influence may get people talking.
Two people who were suspects in Perry's death joined forces so no one could discover what they knew. Lydia Plank was Perry's ex-girlfriend. Walker Anderson was Perry's friend before he started getting into things Walker wanted nothing to do with. Lydia had her own secrets to deal with as did Walker. Lydia and Walker discovered a bond they never suspected.
There were a few subplots going on. Abby had become a misfit at school even more since she discovered the body. Luke was getting used to the slower paced life of Critterden County, which surprised him. Mr Schrock was continually thinking up crazy ways to get people to come into his store.
As I read this book, I began to see why Lydia and Walker pulled away from Perry. He was involved in things that led to serious trouble. I really liked Walker, he seemed like a sensible college student. I felt sorry for Lydia, she had a lot to deal with in a short period of time. She was already keeping her own secrets before she discovered a family secret. But she trusted God for guidance in all she did. Shelley Shepard Gray portrayed Perry in such a negative light, especially in his relationship with Lydia. This isn't often seen in Amish Fiction. I can only recall one other time that an Amish person was portrayed so negatively. That would be Rachel Byler in Jerry Eicher's Rebecca Series. I have no idea who killed Perry, it will be interesting to find out as the series continues. Shelley Shepard Gray has blended mystery and romance into one good story.
May 29, 2012
Though a murder has been committed within the community, this is not the main storyline in the book, but provides the backdrop and helps tie the other characters together. You get a good overview of many people in the community, from the Sheriff Mose Kramer and his police detective friend, Luke to the Schrock's, who run the local "Variety" store. I liked learning about all of them as this is the first book in a series, and I am sure they will come into play later. The main two characters though were Lydia and Walker.
Lydia is struggling with Perry's murder and what she knew towards the end, but she is more conflicted by what her parents have just shared with her about her own life. Walker is also wondering if he could have handled things differently with Perry, and finds a comrade in Lydia. While these two come from completely different backgrounds, they begin to acknowledge that there is an attraction. I am interested in seeing where this romance will go to as the two young adults learn more about themselves and where they fit in.
This book was a nice mix of Amish and English and gave a good contrast between the two. While Lydia struggles with where and if she fits in with the Amish community, Abby (Walker's sister) begins to seek out her Amish grandparents and begins to wonder whether being English is right for her.
You don't get a good resolution to the background mystery, but I am hoping to learn more from book 2, The Search, which is due out in June.
Lydia is struggling with Perry's murder and what she knew towards the end, but she is more conflicted by what her parents have just shared with her about her own life. Walker is also wondering if he could have handled things differently with Perry, and finds a comrade in Lydia. While these two come from completely different backgrounds, they begin to acknowledge that there is an attraction. I am interested in seeing where this romance will go to as the two young adults learn more about themselves and where they fit in.
This book was a nice mix of Amish and English and gave a good contrast between the two. While Lydia struggles with where and if she fits in with the Amish community, Abby (Walker's sister) begins to seek out her Amish grandparents and begins to wonder whether being English is right for her.
You don't get a good resolution to the background mystery, but I am hoping to learn more from book 2, The Search, which is due out in June.
March 27, 2013
What started out as a day of rebelling turned out to be a day that Abby Anderson will never forget and a day that started the ball rolling in a decision that would change her life for good. Whilst out with friends Abby spotted something in a well , a body which turns out to be the body of a boy from the Amish community whom disappeared a while back. The body of Perry Borntrager. Everyone thought that Perry had gone off into the Englisch world to live , no one thought he was dead more so murdered. Now the local Sheriff Moses with the help of an old friend whom he went through the Police Academy with Lucas must get to the bottom to discover what went on in those last days leading up to Perry's death and what he was like as a person. Missing will soon reveal a bundle of secrets, some unrelated to the case that people have been trying to keep hidden for years even decades .
Will secrets be revealed and faith tested in Missing ? Who had it out for Perry and who is keeping hidden the darkest secret of all ?
An awesome first book to a series that I look forward to reading more if only to discover who killed Perry and why.
Will secrets be revealed and faith tested in Missing ? Who had it out for Perry and who is keeping hidden the darkest secret of all ?
An awesome first book to a series that I look forward to reading more if only to discover who killed Perry and why.
December 26, 2020
Do not read this book unless you want to read the other books in the series. The writing is good, I enjoyed the characters, and the plot was interesting, but nothing gets solved at the end of this book. You still don’t know who the murderer is, which doesn’t seem right. If I bought this in a bookstore I would feel very cheated. That’s too bad, because this is my first Shelley Shepherd Gray book. I will only be reading more if my library has them. She lost me as a paying reader for sure. A book that could have been great felt like half a book to me.
February 25, 2023
This is the first book I have read by Shelly Shepard Gray.
I loved the Amish English relationships that developed throughout this book. The mystery kept me turning pages and I am looking forward to books 2 & 3 !
I loved the Amish English relationships that developed throughout this book. The mystery kept me turning pages and I am looking forward to books 2 & 3 !
May 28, 2013
Found this book very hard going. I kept waiting for something exciting to happen but it never did. I thought the story was about the body that had been found, but despite a bit about that at the start of every chapter, it ended up being about a kiss between 2 characters. It didn't hold my interest at all and therefore took me much longer to read than I'd usually take to read a book - I couldn't be bothered to keep reading into the night as I usually do as it bored me. I would have loved the Amish/English theme to be explored further.
May 10, 2012
As I read this book, I found more editing mistakes than I have ever seen. That being said, I loved this book! There are so many different characters from a wide range of backgrounds. Throughout the progression of the book, the plot reveals how some of the characters are connected yet keeping the reader guessing as to who and why perry was killed. I can't wait for the next book to find out more in this unsolved mystery!
August 11, 2013
It did take a while to get into the book. I thought they would give more details into Perry's murder. I am enjoying Lydia and Walker's upcoming relationship and where it may lead.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2023
This Summary/Review was copied from other sources and is used only as a reminder of what the book was about for my personal interest. Any Personal Notations are for my recollection only.
**
Perry Borntrager's body was discovered in a well by Englisher, Abby Anderson. Her brother Walker had been friends with Perry. An investigation began to see why and how Perry died.
Luke Reynolds came to Critterden County, Kentucky as a favor to his friend, Mose Kramer, to help with the investigation. Mose was a former Amish man and had lived in Critterden most of his life. He was getting nowhere with the investigation of Perry's death so he called Luke, a Cincinnati, Ohio detective to help him. Everyone was keeping a tight lip about Perry. No one wanted to say anything bad about the young man, although it appeared a lot could be said. Mose thought Luke's outsider influence may get people talking.
Two people who were suspects in Perry's death joined forces so no one could discover what they knew. Lydia Plank was Perry's ex-girlfriend. Walker Anderson was Perry's friend before he started getting into things Walker wanted nothing to do with. Lydia had her own secrets to deal with as did Walker. Lydia and Walker discovered a bond they never suspected.
There were a few subplots going on. Abby had become a misfit at school even more since she discovered the body. Luke was getting used to the slower paced life of Critterden County, which surprised him. Mr Schrock was continually thinking up crazy ways to get people to come into his store.
As I read this book, I began to see why Lydia and Walker pulled away from Perry. He was involved in things that led to serious trouble. I really liked Walker, he seemed like a sensible college student. I felt sorry for Lydia, she had a lot to deal with in a short period of time. She was already keeping her own secrets before she discovered a family secret. But she trusted God for guidance in all she did. Shelley Shepard Gray portrayed Perry in such a negative light, especially in his relationship with Lydia. This isn't often seen in Amish Fiction. I have no idea who killed Perry, it will be interesting to find out as the series continues. Shelley Shepard Gray has blended mystery and romance into one good story.
**
Times are unsettled and people are uneasy in this Amish community. A body has been discovered in an an abandoned well, and the question of where Perry went is answered, but how he came to be murdered is now the question in everybody’s mind. His parents and sister remember how he was before he turned away from them to drugs. The girls he dated and who left him because of his drug dealings are equally mystified at his untimely end. Secrets abound in this quiet community, and they all aren’t about Perry. A detective has come to help out his friend, the sheriff, investigate the case. But the people who were closest to Perry are a closed-mouth group, and Luke has gotten little cooperation. Author Shelly Shepard Gray has laid the foundation for a promising series, complete with a intriguing mystery and complex characters. This tale is well written and combines a bit of romance with some thought-provoking themes.
**
**
Perry Borntrager's body was discovered in a well by Englisher, Abby Anderson. Her brother Walker had been friends with Perry. An investigation began to see why and how Perry died.
Luke Reynolds came to Critterden County, Kentucky as a favor to his friend, Mose Kramer, to help with the investigation. Mose was a former Amish man and had lived in Critterden most of his life. He was getting nowhere with the investigation of Perry's death so he called Luke, a Cincinnati, Ohio detective to help him. Everyone was keeping a tight lip about Perry. No one wanted to say anything bad about the young man, although it appeared a lot could be said. Mose thought Luke's outsider influence may get people talking.
Two people who were suspects in Perry's death joined forces so no one could discover what they knew. Lydia Plank was Perry's ex-girlfriend. Walker Anderson was Perry's friend before he started getting into things Walker wanted nothing to do with. Lydia had her own secrets to deal with as did Walker. Lydia and Walker discovered a bond they never suspected.
There were a few subplots going on. Abby had become a misfit at school even more since she discovered the body. Luke was getting used to the slower paced life of Critterden County, which surprised him. Mr Schrock was continually thinking up crazy ways to get people to come into his store.
As I read this book, I began to see why Lydia and Walker pulled away from Perry. He was involved in things that led to serious trouble. I really liked Walker, he seemed like a sensible college student. I felt sorry for Lydia, she had a lot to deal with in a short period of time. She was already keeping her own secrets before she discovered a family secret. But she trusted God for guidance in all she did. Shelley Shepard Gray portrayed Perry in such a negative light, especially in his relationship with Lydia. This isn't often seen in Amish Fiction. I have no idea who killed Perry, it will be interesting to find out as the series continues. Shelley Shepard Gray has blended mystery and romance into one good story.
**
Times are unsettled and people are uneasy in this Amish community. A body has been discovered in an an abandoned well, and the question of where Perry went is answered, but how he came to be murdered is now the question in everybody’s mind. His parents and sister remember how he was before he turned away from them to drugs. The girls he dated and who left him because of his drug dealings are equally mystified at his untimely end. Secrets abound in this quiet community, and they all aren’t about Perry. A detective has come to help out his friend, the sheriff, investigate the case. But the people who were closest to Perry are a closed-mouth group, and Luke has gotten little cooperation. Author Shelly Shepard Gray has laid the foundation for a promising series, complete with a intriguing mystery and complex characters. This tale is well written and combines a bit of romance with some thought-provoking themes.
**
February 1, 2019
This was a well-written beginning to a great Amish series full of great characters. This is a rather unique series of books because the first three novels involve a mystery that is solved by the end of the third novel and at the same time three different couples sort through various obstacles in their way to forming a life together, but the fourth tag-along novel is a suspenseful romance due to a secondary romance that was introduced in the second novel. (According to the author's note, this was a piece of the story that she didn't expect to become as developed as it did. I still get confused by authors saying such-an-such character surprised me or such things. I think of authors as being God except than an author's characters aren't real and don't have free will like people do, so why wouldn't you know what your creation was going to do? But I digress.) In this particular novel, we focus mainly on Lydia, an Amish woman, and Walker, an Englisch man, who fall in love, but as I said, their romance isn't brought to a full conclusion until the end of the third novel, and to be fully honest, I felt that the ultimate solution to their lifestyles clashing was too quickly resolved and didn't feel fully authentic. But anyhow, I really enjoyed this series and fell in love with the characters and the small town feel of Crittenden County.
August 17, 2024
I really enjoyed the story of Lydia and Walker and how their friendship developed. Lydia is a strong female protagonist who faces a lot of challenges in her young life and is courageous enough to face them head on and deal with them. Her new English friend Walker helps her face her difficulties while also facing his own. The two were friends with Perry Borntrager, a young man who got involved in drugs and had some shady and perhaps dangerous friends. When his body is discovered, Lydia and Walker support each other because both of them knew him. The characters were well portrayed, the plot was moderately well paced with characters introduced whose stories were not fully developed. The entire book left me feeling as if there should be more and the open ending was a disappointment to me. Whenever I read a book with a mystery, I am accustomed to the solution being presented by the end. I was not prepared for the open ending and the fact that the story is continued in the next book. But I am glad that there is a next book.
Disclaimer: I checked out a copy of this book from my local library using the LIbby App. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.
Disclaimer: I checked out a copy of this book from my local library using the LIbby App. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.
February 14, 2025
Rated PG
Well, I should pay more attention to the book cover revealing that this is book 1 of a series, otherwise, I wouldn't have been so disappointed that the murderer is not revealed by the end. Do you mean, I have to read probably two more books of drivel to find this out?
The dead body of an Amish young man is found on the Miller's land in a quiet Amish community and an outside detective noses around to investigate. Two suspects, Lydia and Walker are remaining closed mouthed for most of the book and most of this book's focus is on them and their budding friendship/romance.
While I like a good murder mystery and some romance, I'm horribly disappointed the mystery is not solved by the end. Lydia is at times whiny and annoying and Walker, well, doesn't have much personality or is just a cardboard cut out of an Englisher. I don't know if I want to endure the sequel unless Gray offers some better characters. Luke, the detective, might draw me back in. He and his old friend, Mose, the chief of police are the only ones I liked, and they didn't show up that much. Obviously, this book is more an Amish Romance novel (snore) than a murder mystery.
Well, I should pay more attention to the book cover revealing that this is book 1 of a series, otherwise, I wouldn't have been so disappointed that the murderer is not revealed by the end. Do you mean, I have to read probably two more books of drivel to find this out?
The dead body of an Amish young man is found on the Miller's land in a quiet Amish community and an outside detective noses around to investigate. Two suspects, Lydia and Walker are remaining closed mouthed for most of the book and most of this book's focus is on them and their budding friendship/romance.
While I like a good murder mystery and some romance, I'm horribly disappointed the mystery is not solved by the end. Lydia is at times whiny and annoying and Walker, well, doesn't have much personality or is just a cardboard cut out of an Englisher. I don't know if I want to endure the sequel unless Gray offers some better characters. Luke, the detective, might draw me back in. He and his old friend, Mose, the chief of police are the only ones I liked, and they didn't show up that much. Obviously, this book is more an Amish Romance novel (snore) than a murder mystery.
March 12, 2019
This is the first in a trilogy (more like one book divided into 3 parts). Set in a small rural community in Kentucky, the story opens with an English teenager (whose grandparents are Amish) finding the body of an Amish boy who had disappeared on New Year's Eve, a few months back. The Sheriff, an ex-Amish/now Mennonite man who grew up in the community, is having difficulty getting anyone to talk to him. He calls in his English friend, a detective from Cincinnatti, who is on leave, recuperating from a gunshot wound to his leg. Although the detective, an outsider, is having a difficult time moving forward with the case, he does discover a few secrets - secrets that make the case even more confounding.
I'm enjoying getting to know the characters, and my curiousity as to what happened to the dead boy is leading me on to book 2.
I'm enjoying getting to know the characters, and my curiousity as to what happened to the dead boy is leading me on to book 2.
February 4, 2023
Missing is the first in an Amish trilogy—decent blend of both worlds if the reader is familiar with Amish communities but kinda a slap in the face for Amish men—one’s a drug runner/addict who is murdered, leaving behind two old girlfriends, one is a bit of a slack jaw concerning women, and there’s a third Amish man whom I believe is also up to no good. The young women are hardy workers and all on journeys to do as God would have them do but each is impatient to find their one true love. The mystery works, the sheriff is Amish born and returned to the community to live and work, when his good friend from the police academy comes to visit to help solve the murder in the one officer town. Plenty cliched, but a fun afternoon listen. The Narrative is solid, but Sheriff Moses sounds like a gruffy old man and not a contemporary of his buddy Luke—the character development is a bit off!
May 20, 2022
Missing is the first book in The Secrets of Crittenden County trilogy written by Shelly Shepherd Gray. This is a quick Inspirational fiction/Christian romance read. The story is set among an Amish community where a terrible crime has been committed. The young adults involved, not only have the conflict of the secrets they might have with the case but also their choices of growing up and remaining Amish vs English. A quote from the book I liked, “Don't forget about how God works with us, Abby. He has the answers. We, on the other hand, merely try to figure things out. Remember the saying?
... I know not what
the future holds, but I know
Who holds the future."
The “Who done it?” continues through the second book, The Search.
... I know not what
the future holds, but I know
Who holds the future."
The “Who done it?” continues through the second book, The Search.
June 21, 2018
Missing, The Search, and Found a trilogy by Shelley Shepard Gray
A three-part mystery novel centered around an Amish county. There was a young man who was considering leaving the Amish community who turned up murdered. The books weave a tale of a close-knit community that doesn't want to let a murder, even of one of their own, be solved out of fear that they're (a) not being good forgiving Amish, (b) are afraid of what their little piece of the puzzle says, and (c) dislike the outsiders who are investigating.
Included in each of the three novels are individual coming of age stories and blooming romances, showing that even in the middle of a terrible situation, life goes on.
A three-part mystery novel centered around an Amish county. There was a young man who was considering leaving the Amish community who turned up murdered. The books weave a tale of a close-knit community that doesn't want to let a murder, even of one of their own, be solved out of fear that they're (a) not being good forgiving Amish, (b) are afraid of what their little piece of the puzzle says, and (c) dislike the outsiders who are investigating.
Included in each of the three novels are individual coming of age stories and blooming romances, showing that even in the middle of a terrible situation, life goes on.
September 11, 2021
I was overjoyed to get to read a book about the Amish and the fact that it is based only 3 hours from my hometown. Win win for me!! I loved how Shelley brought mystery and excitement into the book and kept my interest throughout. This may have been one of the first series that I read of hers and it was a great introduction to the Amish lifestyle for me. I read this book along with the other two, The Search and Found, and they were equally great as well. I was always trying to figure out what was going to happen next so I was definitely surprised in the third book. I am always looking for a good, clean read and I found it her series. Shelley is an amazing author.
July 22, 2022
I love reading books set in my home state and pair that with SSG as the author and you have a home run.
I rarely start a book without reading the synopsis but this one I jumped in with both feet. Boy, was I surprised at the topic. Drugs in Amish country. Then add a murder and you got yourself a mystery.
I was surprised when I got the last page and realized the mystery goes through the trilogy. I was disappointed I didn’t have the second book but never fear my library did through the Libby app.
Now, excuse me as I continue my journey in Crittenden County, Kentucky.
I rarely start a book without reading the synopsis but this one I jumped in with both feet. Boy, was I surprised at the topic. Drugs in Amish country. Then add a murder and you got yourself a mystery.
I was surprised when I got the last page and realized the mystery goes through the trilogy. I was disappointed I didn’t have the second book but never fear my library did through the Libby app.
Now, excuse me as I continue my journey in Crittenden County, Kentucky.
July 28, 2024
Great Book and Series
This is the first book in The Secrets of Crittenden County series. It is a good blend of mystery and romance that introduces the characters in the series. It starts with Perry Bontrager's discovery and continues with the mystery of what happened to him. In the process, those who had experienced some type of relationship with him became integral players in what happened to Perry. Law officers Luke and Mose must solve the mystery, which turns out to be a not-so-easy task. As they continue their task, relationships among the friends take a turn, and romance begins to bloom between the two of them.
This wonderful mystery kept me guessing and turning pages, which the special touch of romance enhanced. The mystery continues with the second book of the series, and I will definitely be reading that one next.
This is the first book in The Secrets of Crittenden County series. It is a good blend of mystery and romance that introduces the characters in the series. It starts with Perry Bontrager's discovery and continues with the mystery of what happened to him. In the process, those who had experienced some type of relationship with him became integral players in what happened to Perry. Law officers Luke and Mose must solve the mystery, which turns out to be a not-so-easy task. As they continue their task, relationships among the friends take a turn, and romance begins to bloom between the two of them.
This wonderful mystery kept me guessing and turning pages, which the special touch of romance enhanced. The mystery continues with the second book of the series, and I will definitely be reading that one next.
November 27, 2017
Missing by Shelley Shepard Gray is first in the Secrets of Crittenden County series and I, for one, am looking forward to reading the next books in the series. Gray writes a good mystery with characters that are realistic and likable and a story that entertains and captures one's imagination. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator, Bernadette Dunne Flagler, does a great job giving voice to the characters, making for an enjoyable listening experience.
December 29, 2021
It was an interesting look into an Amish community, but the mystery is resolved through the rest of the trilogy. I don't have the next books, nor am I interested in getting them. The secrets so far are benign, the two main main characters are just perfect and beautiful and not super interesting, and while I enjoyed it well enough, I wouldn't say that I would recommend it or keep it.
August 4, 2023
book one in the Crittenden County, Missing; shows Lydia learning she doesn't know if she was born english or amish. She feels she is missing out on something in her life, she needs to know. Englisher, Walker Anderson comes into her life, and they both knew Perry Borntrager, who was found deceased, under circumstances no one knows of yet.
January 16, 2026
I've been wanting to read this series for quite some time and finally got started with it. Shelley Shepard Gray's Amish novels are NOT your typical Amish novels. She is not afraid to tackle tough topics and she is not afraid to leave some things untidy. This novel quickly plunges you into the atypical, tough, and terribly untidy.
May 13, 2017
I was surprised with how much I enjoyed this book and have already recommended it to others. I was not aware when I started reading it that it's one of a set of 4 and have yet since been able to find the other 3 but would love to read those as well.
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