Review + GIVEAWAY): Kappy King and the Puppy Kaper

Kappy King and the Puppy Kaper
By Amy Lillard
An Amish Mystery #1
Kensington, 2017


Summary

Content to be unmarried and plain-spoken, Kathryn “Kappy” King is an odd-woman-out in the Amish community of Blue Sky, Pennsylvania. But she’s skilled at making the special kapps local women need to cover their hair. And she might be the only one who can unearth the danger hiding in this peaceful valley . . .

When Kappy’s neighbor, Ruth Peachey, turns up dead in her yard, everyone in Blue Sky believes it’s a tragic accident. Until the Englisch police find the gentle dog breeder was deliberately struck down—and arrest her mentally-challenged son, Jimmy, for the crime . . .

Jimmy’s sister, Edie, returns to Blue Sky clear his name, yet no one will speak to a shunned former Amish woman, much less give her information. Determined to help, Kappy starts digging for the truth among her seemingly-innocent neighbors. But suddenly a series of suspicious “accidents” threatens Edie and the Peachey farm—property Edie is determined to protect for her brother’s future.

Now, as danger looms large in the small community, Kappy must bait a trap for a killer snapping hard at her heels. And Edie must decide whether to make a home once more in the town she thought she’d left behind . . .


My thoughts

Quirky, funny, entertaining, and full of puppy love … Kappy King and the Puppy Kaper has a lot of heart and I loved it! Amy Lillard begins a delightful new series that combines the best of cozy mystery and Amish fiction. I can honestly say that I’ve never read anything quite like it, and that’s very good.

One strength of this mystery is the crime-solving duo of Kappy and Edie. I’m not sure this pairing would work in any other setting, but it is most delightful here. Kappy, who makes Amish kapps, is a perfect example of someone who marches to their own drumbeat, as the saying goes, and I rooted for her all the way. She’s basically the district’s eccentric, choosing to remain on the fringes of her community. How could I not connect with a character who refuses to conform to tradition, yet is a strong woman of faith in God?

One area of being out of step is in speaking to her neighbor, Edie, who is under the Bann for leaving the Amish church after being baptized – and not only speaking to, but befriending. Actually, each is what the other needs and I love their friendship. Edie’s brother Jimmy, who has Down syndrome – "sweet as pie, stubborn as a mule, and cute as a button on a shirt" – is one of my favorites. Honestly, how could anyone believe he could be guilty of the crime with which he is charged? The author does a great job making Jimmy real and showing all that someone with this disability is capable of.

It was fun to follow the well-crafted mystery as Kappy and Edie questioned people – and the beagle puppies are absolutely precious! (Spoken by a cat lover). Spiritual themes are subtle, evidenced by Kappy’s conviction that God has a plan for everybody, especially for these three – one in jail for murder, one seemingly invisible to the Amish community, and one on the outskirts of that community.

I would love more character depth in Kappy and Edie – and that’s a compliment, because Lillard has created characters I want to know better and I’m eager to read the next story that releases in June 2018. Kappy’s closing thoughts indicate that there’s a lot more to come …

After all, it was a new day in Blue Sky.

And on a new day anything could happen.

I was provided a copy of this book through Great Escapes Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

_________________________

Amy Lillard is the award-winning author of more than twenty novels, including the Wells Landing series, The Quilting Circle  novels, the Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries  and the Kappy King Mysteries .

Born and raised in Mississippi, she now lives with her husband and son in Oklahoma. Please visit her online at www.AmyWritesRomance.com.

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