🚧 🩸 🪣 “Crime Scene Witness” (Amish Country Justice #15) (2023) 🪣🩸 🚧 – Book Review
MY REVIEW
Series: Amish Country Justice (Book #15)
Paperback: 224 Pages
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense (April 25, 2023)
Language: English
ISBN 10: 1335587691
ISBN-13: 978-1335587695
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“Finding a safe haven
is the only way to stay alive
When crime scene cleaner Lissa Page discovers a clue at a murder site, she’s attacked and becomes the killer’s new target. Now Deputy US Marshal Micah Bender must protect the single mother from becoming another victim. But with threats coming from every direction, Micah needs to hide Lissa—and the Amish community he left behind might be the answer to keeping his witness safe.”
Thank you in advance to the author, Dana R. Lynn, for providing a complimentary review copy through her review group. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.
First of all – my apologies to the author for the late review. I got this book a few months ago, and due to being a 24/7 caregiver to my mother, as well as spending three weeks on bed rest due to being sick – a lot of reading and reviews were neglected.
So, the late the review is NO reflection on the author or the book.
That said …
I have LOVED the romantic-suspense genre for well over 20+ years; particularly ones that deal with U.S Marshals (FBI and local law enforcement are my second and third picks respectively). The U.S Marshals preference I blame on the 1994 movie The Fugitive and the 1998 sequel U.S Marshals. (Having LOVED The Fugitive so much, I was BEGGED for another movie – and got it).
I also enjoy Amish romantic-suspense, which is in part due to the Harrison Ford movie Witness (1984). I also blame a few others for getting me into READING the genre – but, it’s definitely a good thing.
Moving on …
This is the third Love Inspired Suspense book I’ve read by the author (I read books #13 & #14), and have the entire collection of her Amish Country Justice series on my TBR list (so, I’ve got about 12 books to read).
Covers are usually the first thing to draw the reader in, and there’s something about a suspense cover that usually grabs my attention. Whether it’s a person, scenery, or a vehicle (I LOVE the vehicle ones) – it just grabs me.
But, what really drew me in – not just the U.S Marshals being involved, but the occupation of the woman – a crime scene cleaner. Despite the many suspense books I’ve read, rarely do I see it as a profession that is mentioned or held by a main charater.
Having watched a LOT of cop shows from the 70’s-current, the CSI franchise (Miami and NY), as well as NCIS (original and NOLA) – one thing I was grossed out by, yet intrigued by – crime scene clean-up. After the scene is photographed, sketched, and evidence is collected – what next, especially with a homicide in a home?
I always wondered about that job, because let’s face it – it isn’t for the faint of heart (like Lissa says), and it’s pretty rough, particularly homicide scenes. One has to wonder how one can work such a job, how they are contracted, and who pays for the clean-up. I have SO many questions!
As much as I LOVE what the other authors offer, this was definitely a REALLY HAVE TO READ story as result of that occupation FINALLY getting some exposure.
I also like that Lynn included a deaf character who wears cochlear implants. As someone who is HOG (hard of hearing) and SHOULD be wearing hearing aids; seeing a character like Lissa is inspiring.
Getting all that out of the way …
As this is a series, I HIGHLY recommend reading the other books in the series so that one knows what is going on.
The books directly and “indirectly: connected to this one (based on the characters) are:
Amish Country Threats (#10) (introduces Nicole)
Amish Christmas Escape (#12) (introduces Jack)
Amish Cradle Conspiracy (#13) (introduces Steve; features Nicole & Jack)
Her Secret Amish Past (#14) (Joss and Steve; introduces the Bender Family)
Nicole and Jack do not return, nor are they mentioned. However, I mentioned them solely due to the connections, and readers might benefit from reading the previous books as some events in those books are mentioned in this one.
Returning characters:
🚓 Chief Mike Spencer
🚓 Lt. Kathy Bartlett – Amish Cradle Conspiracy (book #13; she was previously a Sergeant, and later wounded in that book. She returned in book #14 along with a promotion)
🚓 Sgt. Steve Beck – Amish Cradle Conspiracy (book #13) (Joss is seen at the end of this book)
🚓 Deputy U.S Marshal Micah Bender – Joss’ brother from Her Secret Amish Past
🪚 Nathan Bender (Micah’s father)
👒 Edith Bender (Micah’s mother)
🪚 Gideon Bender (Micah’s brother and Joss’ twin)
🐎 Zeke Bender (Micah’s brother)
👩🏻 Joss Beck (Born Christina Bender, twin to Gideon, kidnapped as a child)
Lynn then introduces:
👩🏻 Alyssa (Lissa) Page
👧🏻 Shelby (Lissa’s adorable 5-year-old daughter)
👩🏻 Ginger (Shelby’s babysitter)
👒 Iris (Zeke’s wife)
🚓 Deputy U.S Marshal Parker Gates (Micah’s partner)
Despite the amount of characters, the story is only told through Lissa and Micah’s POV. Yet, even with all the characters, it doesn’t overwhelm the story. Some characters are only mentioned and/or seen in passing. The book focuses mostly on Micah, Lissa, and darling Shelby.
Lissa is a single mom working as a crime scene cleaner. At 20, she got pregnant with Shelby and was on her own when she was dumped by the man who got her pregnant and her family tossed her to the side. Three years later, she met Teddy, but he didn’t want to be shackled to a kid that wasn’t his and a deaf wife (though she does wear cochlear implants and can hear pretty well with them).
Lissa is waiting at a restaurant and trying to get ahold of her friend, Sutter Springs Police officer Tracy Huber. It isn’t long until Lissa gets a call from her boss with a familiar address.
She pulls up only to find the Sutter Springs police there. It’s worse than Lissa imagined – Tracy has been killed. [Let’s face it – that HAS to be hard; not just someone you know, but a friend].
After the police leave, Lissa gets to work. As usual, Gage is late. And, it isn’t long until Lissa runs into the killer who attacks her; however, she won’t remember who it is for some time.
Micah is arriving to the house due to it being a serial killing, the same killer who killed his fiancée, Penny, along with 1-2 other women. Micah finds Lissa, who is alive, but the killer/attacker gets away.
Unfortunately, being a witness puts Lissa in danger, as well as her daughter. Micah is assigned to keep them safe. Of course, he has to keep his heart safe. Not only is Lissa the kind of woman he’d ask out if he was in the market for a girlfriend, her daughter Shelby is a little heartbreaker as well.
They don’t even last a night at Lissa’s before the killer is after them. The media, due to birthday cards being left at the scene, is dubbing him the Birthday Card Killer (BCK) – a moniker those on the task force refuse to use. (That was an interesting note as well).
While trying to get to another safe place, they’re attacked. [As of note – flaming arrows? That’s definitely different]. Micah’s SUV is put out of commission.
Even though they aren’t close, Gage calls Lissa for help, but it turns out to be a trap. Unfortunately, he soon becomes a suspect, especially when his travels coincide with the murders. One interesting one was a Star Trek convention (see note about that below).
Micah and Lissa also fight their mutual attraction – each one not wanting to become attached to anyone else. For her, it’s about trust; for him – it is his failures with Penny as well as Joss – which he tells Lissa about.
However, each time they think they’ve got a safe place to stay – someone finds them. That leads Micah to head to some place that SHOULD be safe – his family’s Amish farm. But, they aren’t safe for long – and one threat is closer than they realize.
Lynn focuses more on the suspense than the romance of the story, with the end and HEA taking place about two (2) months AFTER the climax and “end” of the case.
Lynn drew me right in from the first chapter and held my attention (shortish chapters helped) until the very end … and beyond, which is why I’m going to be reading the next book in the series, Hidden Amish Target. It’s part of an upcoming JustRead tour (July 25-29). That will be Zeke’s story, and readers of this book won’t want to miss that one given how this one ends.
There’s also a good chance I’ll be reading her next release, Hunted at Christmas, later this year. That will be Isaiah Bender’s story (heads up: he’s a bounty hunter). I’m definitely looking forward to that one given the revelation in this book.
I also like when the author doesn’t always have the hero and heroine returning to the Amish community, but living alongside it. Each of Lynn’s books varies with regard to that, so they’re all quite different.
I had to laugh on page 108 with Lissa and her coffee. I do the SAME thing, especially when it comes to Pumpkin Spice. I took that very personally when Micah asked Lissa “Are you sure you want coffee with your creamer?” 🤣
I absolutely adored Shelby. Her nickname – Sweet Pea – is my mother’s nickname for me as it is my birth flower. My grandmother called me Tinkerbell though. I was also glad that Shelby’s stuffed pony Sonny survived. Too many writers tend to have the villain put an item in a child’s toy which needs to be torn or ripped into. While, in reality I’m sure it happens quite a bit, as someone who still loves stuffed animals – that hurts. The little kid took being dragged from place to place quite well and was definitely a trooper. The Bender family was such a treat as well, and I hope to see them back in the next two releases.
I would like to see Parker get a story somewhere in this series. I absolutely LOVED him! I love his sense of humor when Micah’s first SUV goes up – he tells him it’s toast and can’t be repaired.
I’d also like to see Kathy get her own story as well. She’s been shot in one book and gotten promoted upon her return to the department.
So, yes … I’ll definitely keep reading the author’s work – and “hope” to get to the 12 other previous books as well (though it’s not looking good for this year 🤣).
Despite this being from the Love Inspired line, and featuring Amish characters, the faith references are kept at a minimum. Readers won’t have to feel as if it is too preachy.
However, Lynn had a wonderful “moment” when Lissa says “Jesus forgives us all our sins, but people don’t.” It is definitely a true statement. I see it in the way people act not only in person, but the internet as well.
Fans of the author and genre will no doubt want to read this book, and the next two releases! This was definitely an exciting, intense, fast-paced, explosive, action-packed “stay-up-past-your-bedtime” to finish it read.
Now, about that Star Trek convention reference …
Between 1988 and 1993, I went to a few Star Trek conventions and met some of the actors, mostly from the older series. We stopped going due to money issues, and a lack of interest on my part.
On a fun note –> I did skip a June 1989 one in Los Angeles that featured both the ENTIRE Star Trek and Star Trek: The Next Generation casts, along with other actors.
While my mother and I had originally decided to go to the 3-day event, we ended up going to Disneyland for two (2) days and Knott’s Berry Farm between those days. I have NO idea how I got talked out of going to the convention – it wasn’t my mother. However, she did agree the theme parks were cheaper and a better idea. We checked out of the expensive hotel for a cheaper one closer to Disneyland. No regrets though. While I didn’t get to meet some of the actors, many who’ve passed, I still have no regrets.
So, reading about Gage going was a real treat and a bit of nostalgia.
RATING:
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/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:
Series: Amish Country Justice #13
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…”
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.”
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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