AMISH JANE DOE BY SHELLEY SHEPARD GRAY

Escaping his Amish community as a teen was about survival, but leaving meant breaking LizBeth Troyer’s heart. Now Detective Jackson Lapp is working a cold case—and the clue to a murdered Amish girl’s identity leads him back to his hometown. Can Jackson and LizBeth rebuild their broken trust and work together to catch a killer before another young Amish woman is murdered?

MY REVIEW

This is definitely one of my favorite books from this author. The title grabbed my attention and I knew this would be a book I wouldn’t be able to put down. I love how the author introduces us to Jackson by giving us a little background on him. Growing  up Amish was hard on him because his dad was so strict.  There were times that Jackson knew if he didn’t leave he may not be able to handle the abuse his dad continued  to dish out. The hardest part for him was leaving in the middle of the night without saying goodbye to his mother or sister. What brings him back to his  hometown is a missing young woman whose case has never been solved. 

LizBeth  moved on when Jackson left but what a surprise she has when she runs into him in her town.  All these emotions are running through her as the man she thought she had a future with left without a word. This is a great teaching moment in the story when Jackson and LizBeth finally speak after so many years. Will LizBeth forgive Jackson ? Can Jackson explain his disappearance and why he has suddenly reappeared? The author shows us how two people can work things out if they forgive and swallow their pride.

The part of the story I really liked was when Jackson’s sister Marie  becomes involved with someone she thinks will help her be on her own.She is not sure she can trust her brother since he abandoned her when she was young. Their relationship is strained and Marie is not wanting to share anything with him. Her decision to leave home may be a costly mistake when the man she thought she could trust becomes mean and cold to her. The moment when Marie was in extreme danger was written so well that it sent chills down my arms. The suspense is intense and I was shaking as I felt like I was next to Marie. The author takes you right into the scene as Marie lets out a scream that shatters the night. The story takes a darker turn when it isn’t just about one missing young Amish girl. I never saw this coming but wow did the author catch me completely off guard. 

There is a good faith thread in the  story which shows how God protects us in our darkest hour. We learn that relationships can be mended and are reminded we all have sinned. We must remember that we are not to judge but be kind and compassionate to others. The ending brings  closure for some  and for others it brings a second chance. 

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

Shelley Shepard Gray is a NYT and USA Today bestselling author. She's published over a hundred novels and has over a million books in print. She currently lives in northern Ohio and writes full time. 

Shelley lives just an hour from Holmes County, where many of her Amish-themed novels are set. She currently writes contemporary romance and Amish fiction for a variety of publishers. When not spending time with her family or writing, she can usually be found walking her two dachshunds on one of the many trails in the Cleveland area. 

She also bakes a lot, loves coconut cream pie, and will hardly ever pull weeds, mow the yard, or drive in the snow.

Shelley also spends a lot of time on line! Please visit her website, www.shelleyshepardgray.com to find out her latest news or to sign up for her newsletter. Shelley can also be found on FaceBook, Instagram @shelley.s.gray, or on Twitter @ShelleySGray.