THE PROTECTOR BY WANDA BRUNSTETTER 

In book one of A Mifflin County Mystery series, after a night out with her boyfriend, Rosa Petersheim has disappeared from the Big Valley without a trace. Norman Petersheim always considered himself his sister’s protector, and he can't believe she would have left home of her own accord. Clearly, he must have failed her. He throws all he has into helping the authorities search for Rosa, while trying to support his parents and siblings--who are struggling both mentally and physically. Salina Swarey loves Norman and hopes they are headed toward marriage, but his obsession with Rosa’s whereabouts is driving them apart. Can Norman find peace and contentment, even if he never learns where Rosa has gone?

MY REVIEW 

This is a wonderful start to a new series. The book starts out with a mystery that  rocks the Amish community. Rosa has turned up missing with no trace for anyone to follow. Right away  I was glued to this intriguing book. I adored Norman and his intense need to protect his family and those around him. Each day his sister is missing, he deepens his search to find her. Why aren’t the police looking diligently for her? Did she run away or did something far worse happen to her? Norman tries so hard to keep his wits about him while juggling work, a relationship and watching over  his family. I loved his deep faith but it upset me to think he blames himself for his sister’s disappearance. Have you ever blamed yourself for something that you didn’t have control over? 

I have to mention one of Norman’s younger sisters. Susan has a big problem with jealousy over her older sister that is missing. She feels like her mother loves Rosa more than her. When Rosa disappears, Susan steps up to get her mother to love her more. It was so sad to see this young woman more worried about being the favorite in her mother’s eyes than being concerned about  her older sister missing.  The author does an excellent job of showing how jealousy can turn a person’s heart to bitterness. 

The author also touches on Graves Disease. Norman’s mother has been diagnosed with it and now the family has become more concerned for her health. I didn’t know anything about this illness but I appreciate how the author gives us facts that  help us understand it better. The family is starting to become overwhelmed with everything going  on which starts to affect relationships. One thing that is important about  this book is how we need to always make time for God. In the story many of the characters become so involved in things going on in their lives, they stop spending time with God. “There are too many lukewarm Christians warming benches, so to speak.” 

Don’t miss this unforgettable story about faith, trust, loss and reconciliation. I love the different scriptures used in the story and faith that was illustrated throughout the story. I anxiously await the next book in this series. 

I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. The review is my own opinion.