Amish Outsider (River Haven, 1)

Amish Outsider is a compelling novel. I thought the book was well-written and it proceeded at a steady pace. Amish Outsider is different from other Amish novels. There is mystery, suspense, family, friendships and romance. I liked getting to know the residents of River Haven. Stubbornness seems to run in the Forster family. Michael left home as a teenager with Diana and has been living as an Englischer. He was running a successful construction company until his wife died and the legal bills crippled him financially. Diana was unhappy with their life which ended up with the pair becoming separated. Michael did not kill his wife, but he is unable to convince the police of his innocence. Michael wants a safe place for his daughter, Allie and he hopes it is in River Haven with his Amish family. Aunt Verna and Sarah provided levity with their schemes to help their family. Family is important as we see in Amish Outsider and they stick together which I found endearing. I like how the community came together to help when one of their own was in need and to support a good cause. I delighted in the unpredictability of an Amish Outsider. You never knew what would happen next. The scary incidents were suspenseful and kept me on the edge of my seat. The tension builds as the story progressed in this page turner. There are several suspects in Diana's murder with good clues. One of the phrases that stuck with me from Amish Outsider is "Evil can be anywhere. But peace is inside us." Marta Perry has outdone herself with the absorbing and suspenseful Amish Outsider.