In New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray’s latest novel of suspense in her Amish of Hart County series, an EMT falls for a woman with ties to an Amish community where people are dying similar, suspicious deaths.
Sadie Detweiler never imagined she’d move to Kentucky, yet here she is: a pregnant, unmarried Amish girl banished by unforgiving parents to live with kin she barely knows. The men are gruff and her cousins are secretive. Worst of all, elderly matriarch Verba becomes mysteriously ill shortly after Sadie moves in. When EMT Noah Freeman arrives, Sadie immediately notices he’s unlike any other Amish man she’s met. Noah is warm, confident, and has an easy way with practically everyone in the community, both Amish and English. Though Sadie is drawn to him, she has little hope he will reciprocate her feelings once he learns she’s with child.
Noah can’t understand how a girl as sweet and lovely as Sadie ended up sleeping on a cot in Verba Stauffer’s kitchen. He also senses Sadie is terrified of something. Concerned, he checks up on her. Eventually they strike up a friendship and soon their attraction is undeniable. When Verba later dies at the hospital and her death is followed by two others, Noah’s boss wants him to dig around the Amish community for clues. He agrees—for Sadie’s sake—because only the truth will keep her safe and by his side.
Gray’s The Amish of Hart County is an exciting Amish series, and Her Fear is great new addition to it! I love the creative and unusual conflicts that Gray writes into her Amish novels, and Her Fear has a doozy. Sadie finds herself in a situation which is rarely mentioned in terms of the Amish but is a real problem in our American society. It’s refreshing to see this realism written into an Amish novel.
While the problems are real, Gray’s signature sweetness still rules the novel. Sadie’s faith and innocence, despite her problems, make her a loveable main character. I enjoyed the way that she works to overcome her problems and find a workable solution to them.
In that same vein, Noah is an exciting leading man. I admired his dedication to doing what was right and to helping others My favorite books are those that feature characters I’d want as friends, and Gray excels at creating this kind of cast.
Although this is the last book in the series, I’m excited to share that there’s a Christmas book, too! I’m super happy about that – we get at least one more visit to Hart County.
If edgy or unusual Amish fiction is your thing, you’ll definitely want to read Her Fear.
I received a free copy of Her Fear from the author. All opinions are my own.
