🚓🚨 “Her Secret Amish Past” (Amish Country Justice #14) (2023) 🚨🚓 – Book Review
MY REVIEW
Series: Amish Country Justice (Book #14)
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense (January 24, 2023)
Language: English
ISBN: 1335587519
ISBN-13: 978-1335587510
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“Stolen from the Amish…
with no memory of her past.
When her mother is shot as they flee an unknown threat, Josslyn Graham discovers her entire life is a lie. Not only is she adopted but she's the target of armed assailants—and she doesn’t know why. With an old doll the only clue to her true identity, Joss needs Sergeant Steve Beck’s help to find the truth…before a deadly criminal ring buries the remaining evidence: her.”
Thank you in advance to the author, Dana R. Lynn, for providing a complimentary review copy through her launch team. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.
As of note – this is the LONGEST running series I’ve read by an author. This is the 14th book, and there is a 15th one set to release July 25, 2023.
I have the entire series on my TBR list (well, books 1-12), and this is the second one I’ve read. I read the 13th book, Amish Cradle Conspiracy back in June 2022. While some can act as standalone reads; I truly believe readers would get the best impact by reading the previous books.
In all honesty, my first introduction to “Amish Suspense” came with Harrison Ford’s Witness (1985). Honestly – that song (cover of Sam Cooke’s “What a Wonderful World”) and the barn dance? How could I NOT like it?
But, it wasn’t until I became a “host” through JustRead tours that I discovered both Amish romantic-suspense and Amish romance.
Right off, the cover of this book drew me in, but it was the back blurb that REALLY got me hooked. Joss – kidnapped from an Amish community with no memories of her past life.
Despite this being part of a series, only certain characters return, with some being introduced in previous books:
🚓 Nicole – Amish Country Threats (book #10; June 29, 2021)
🚓 Chief Mike Spencer – Nicole’s boss
🚓 Lt. Kathy Bartlett – Amish Cradle Conspiracy (book #13; May 24, 2022. She was previously a Sergeant, and later wounded in that book. She returns here along with a promotion)
🚓 Sgt. Steve Beck – Amish Cradle Conspiracy (book #13; May 24, 2022; introduced in this book)
Lynn introduces:
👩🏻 Josslyn Graham
👩🏻🦳 Linda Graham/Emily Hogan
🚓 Micah Bender
There are going to be some potentially disturbing themes of kidnapping and baby-selling (these are the background points, but occur prior to the story) as well as a bombing that kills an officer.
This opened with an ominous message: “I KNOW WHO YOU ARE” stuck under the windshield wiper of Joss’ mother’s (Linda) car. This spooks Linda in having Joss pack up so they can leave – yet again, something Joss is tired of. [As someone who moved a lot from age 5-18, I tend to agree with her – I’d be tired of moving as well].
But, they’re too slow for someone stalking them and Linda is shot.
Steve is the one who responds and guards Joss who has little clue as to who wrote the shot and who shot her mom. One thing is certain – she got a look at the shooter.
It is at the E.R when Joss gets a shock – her blood type doesn’t match her mom. Joss is O, and Linda is AB. While Joss can give to her, there is something wrong. Joss is questioning almost everything about her life, and Linda’s motives.
Mike tells Steve to stay with Joss as they’re short-handed.
The accident reminds Steve of losing his family some 15 years earlier when his father drove drunk. In addition to his father’s death, Steve (then 15) lost his mother, and twin sisters who were 10. He feels guilt over not being able to stop it – though in all honesty, he likely couldn’t have and would’ve been dead as well had he been there.
The two head to the tow yard to retrieve the note as whatever Linda was running from is big and deadly. Yet, Joss is targeted there, and another person ends up dead. And, the note isn’t there.
Some clues about Joss are in Linda’s journal and phone. That leads Joss back home and she finds an Amish dress for a little girl along with a tattered Amish doll. Joss soon gets the feeling – these belonged to her, though she can’t remember.
Joss and Steve learn Linda’s real name – Emily. And, they learn she was married to a man by the name of Kevin, someone who dealt in black market babies.
This leads to many questions for Joss as to whether she wants to meet her biological family, she also knows she won’t be part of their “world”. Steve is wondering why “Linda” didn’t just take Joss to the police.
A U.S Marshal comes forward – Micah Bender – who knows Joss’ identity. Formerly Amish himself, he identifies her as his sister, having known what happened the day Joss/Christina went missing. And, it is the Bender family who offers Joss a safe place to hide while Steve and the rest of the police department track down Linda/Emily’s husband.
Joss and Steve get close in a will they won’t they. He doesn’t think he’s good enough for her, and she is under the impression she’s just another case to him.
And, Lynn keeps readers’ attention until the very end for not only the case resolution, but the romance as well in this edge-of-the-seat, suspenseful, and exciting read with a high body count and intense plot.
This was definitely an “I can’t put this down” read. The “shortish” chapters (for the line) and fast-pacing really kept me reading. And, if it weren’t for some errands and a family issue I had to deal with, I could’ve EASILY read this in 1-2 days. I have been known to read a book of this size in a day.
One of my favorite things was the “balance” in the story with [slight spoiler] Joss not returning to the Amish community after discovering who she was. I’ve seen it in too many books, and it is a relief to see the Amish/Englisch family balance. I also liked her idea of her name – combining her first and last name for her identity.
One thing I do have a hate/like relationship with – but it is NOT solely unique to this author – is the “I’m not good enough for anyone because of my baggage” trope. I hate it because it seems SO overused, but then again … there are moments I go through it myself. So, it is one that I tend to sigh and go “ugh, really”; yet I totally get it.
But, overall – I ABSOLUTELY enjoyed this read! It was close to perfection!
There was an unresolved plot point. I was curious as to WHO hired Kevin to kidnap Joss as a child. That was left open and I REALLY hope to get an answer down the road.
At first, Kathy seemed like a witch, but after reviewing what happened to her in the previous book, I kind of understood. And, after a while, I did kind of like her. I was happy to see she not only returned, but was promoted as well. Though, I would’ve liked some mention of it.
I definitely felt so sorry for Mike when Steve said he didn’t want his job and Mike agreed he didn’t even want his job.
I had to laugh at the suspect who was a victim of the dog, Princess. He wanted to “sue” and it was far too much, though honestly – I could see it happening.
And, I also had to laugh at Joss who wanted to pack her books, journals, and favorite pens. As someone who LOVES and collects pens – I don’t think I could choose which ones to leave behind. I have a HUGE reusable shopping bag full packed, and some more on my desk, even more in a box or two. Same with my books and other stuff. I’d honestly need an SUV (BIG bad Chevy Suburban) for just me and my stuff 🤣
That said …
Despite this being an Amish story and part of the Christian line of Harlequin (Love Inspired Suspense), there were no real faith theme tones. It was lighter in faith, but not completely devoid.
I am DEFINITELY going to sign up for the author’s launch team for the next book in the series. From the Amazon description – it looks like this will be Zeke Bender’s story. Readers of this book will immediately note that is Micah and Joss’ brother.
Fans of the author and genre definitely won’t want to pass this book up!
RATING:
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html;update https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2022/07/what-goes-into-my-reviews-2022-edition.html)
PREVIOUS BOOKS IN THE SERIES:
Language: English
ISBN: 1335587519
ISBN-13: 978-1335587510
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“To protect an Amish community…
She’ll make herself a target.
After a pregnant Amish woman and her toddler are abducted, police sergeant Nicole Dawson charges in to save them. But when the kidnapper escapes with the child—and thinks Nicole can identify him—she becomes his new obsession. Determined to protect his ex-fiancée, FBI special agent Jack Quinn joins the case. But the clock is ticking in their race to uncover the baby-trafficking ring before another innocent is taken…”
MORE BOOKS IN THE SERIES:
more Amish Country Justice series titles
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
She can also be found on the following social media sites:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WriterDanaLynn/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danarlynn/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanaRLynn
**This review contains Amazon affiliate links.
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