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Customer Reviews for Zondervan Falling to Pieces: A Quilt Shop Murder - eBook

Zondervan Falling to Pieces: A Quilt Shop Murder - eBook

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4.6
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Customer Reviews for Falling to Pieces: A Quilt Shop Murder - eBook
Review 1 for Falling to Pieces: A Quilt Shop Murder - eBook
Overall Rating: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

What delightful mystery!

Date:May 21, 2013
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TellNJasmine
Location:Montana
Age:25-34
Gender:female
Quality: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Value: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Meets Expectations: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
What delightful mystery!
I wasn't sure exactly how you could mix a murder mystery and Amish fiction but Vannetta Chapman pulled it off! From the first page to the last I was hooked.
This book really is the quintessential Amish book with the sweet family and faith influence that we have come to expect from the genre but it also serves up a nice dash of mystery.
I found myself really liking Callie and Deborah. At first they aren't quite sure what to make of each other but that soon turns into a wonderful friendship. When Callie is taken in for questioning in relation to a a death she discovered, Deborah is the one to find a lawyer to help her friend.
The two women along with some unlikely help, in the form of a newspaperman and the cop that roughly questioned Callie after she discovered the body, work together to find out just who is breaking into the quilt shop and other businesses, what the connection between Callie and the break ins is, and just who really did kill Roger Stakehorn.
This book really has it all, a mystery, the Amish, quilting, a light touch of romance, and even a great dog!
I, myself, am going to be looking for the next book in this series, I gotta find out what happens to Callie and Deborah next!
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Review 2 for Falling to Pieces: A Quilt Shop Murder - eBook
Overall Rating: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

Mystery & Friendship--a great combo

Date:April 6, 2013
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Bitsymc
Location:Red Lion, PA
Age:55-65
Gender:female
Quality: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Value: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Meets Expectations: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
This is Book One in a series of three but can easily be read alone; however, you will definitely want to finish the series. Falling to Pieces is full of mystery and friendship of women who are not alike in their beliefs or dress but alike in their need to help others. You will enjoy all the twists and turns in familiar Vannetta Chapman fashion.
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Review 3 for Falling to Pieces: A Quilt Shop Murder - eBook
Overall Rating: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

Great reading

Date:March 22, 2013
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great gifts
Location:OH
Age:Over 65
Gender:female
Quality: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Value: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Meets Expectations: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
This was my first Amish mystery book to read. Very well written, suspenseful and entertaining. Will definately be reading more!
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Review 4 for Falling to Pieces: A Quilt Shop Murder - eBook
Overall Rating: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

Delightful Read with Mystery,Friendship, Romance!

Date:January 8, 2013
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Wman4JC
Location:miami, fl
Age:25-34
Gender:female
Quality: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Value: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Meets Expectations: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Wow, what a DELIGHTFUL book! I have had the pleasure of getting to know Vannetta Chapman on facebook and have been eager to read her book for a while now. I highly recommend chatting and connecting with authors on facebook. It’s a chance to know what they like, how to pray for them, and it’s both a treat and a blessing to do so. Falling to Pieces was sooooooo worth the wait for me! It is one of my fave reads for 2012 and one of the best Amish books I’ve read! Chapman brilliantly brings the Amish and the English together in this cozy mystery from the first page and keeps the reader both intrigued and delighted throughout.
Daisy Powell is enjoying her day with her garden and her dog Max when there’s a disturbance nearby and the next thing you know someone finds her dead. However, she is mentioned throughout the story and Chapman keeps her memory alive in such a way that her character is felt in a loving and honorable way. Enter Callie Harper, Daisy’s niece, who arrives from Texas to sell the quilt shop she knows nothing about. She is determined to get closure about the aunt she barely knew and get back to Texas to restart her life. Little does she know that God has another plan for her right there in Shipshewana.
Deborah Yoder is the one to find Daisy’s body. Now she has to find a way to continue selling her quilts with best friends Melinda and Esther when she hears about Daisy’s niece moving in. Will Callie agree to help with this business arrangement or will she really sell the shop?
I love how Deborah and Callie meet and it was lovely watching their friendship develop throughout the story. Callie is broken in so many ways, but as she gets to know this quaint town and its charming community, healing comes in ways she didn’t expect. Watching Callie fall in love with Shipshewana, its culture, and the people there was a delightful journey for me to experience. I enjoyed this book in such a way that it literally was a cozy atmosphere for me to read. I felt at home with Callie, Deborah, Esther, and Melinda as if I was there with them trying to place together clues as they do quilts. I laughed with them, I felt their pain and losses, and I understood their reactions to everything.
Chapman has created a story with genuine characters that you immediately fall in love with and don’t be surprised if you find yourself cheering for Callie and Deborah along the way! Callie’s personality reminded me of Chapman also; they are both loving, humorous and spunky women that will pull you in and keep you wanting more.
There are references to eBay, the internet, and Paul Revere.
This book is not just for those who enjoy Amish fiction. No way…this book is for anyone who loves a good mystery, unexpected situations, an amazing dog, romance, starting over, friendship, and a community that helps its own and embraces newcomers. I’m sooooo looking forward to A Perfect Square, the sequel, and more of these characters that both entertained me and touched me. I was hurting about something and every time I picked up this book, it was just the story I needed that both encouraged and helped me forget my own little world. Vannetta Chapman blessed me tremendously with this book and I highly recommend it for anyone experiencing changes, adjustments, loneliness, or just a different kind of adventure. You will be pleasantly surprised and when you finish reading, the characters in this story will stay with you as if they’d been your friends all along. Please visit Vannetta Chapman at her website to learn more about her books, her quilting, or just to get to know her better.
I want to thank Zondervan for sending me a paperback review copy. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.
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Review 5 for Falling to Pieces: A Quilt Shop Murder - eBook
Overall Rating: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

Loved This!!!

Date:October 11, 2012
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Lake View Church
Location:Camden, MI
Age:55-65
Gender:female
Quality: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Value: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Meets Expectations: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
I love books and received this as a gift. I enjoyed reading it and didn't have the plot figured out until the very end. Couldn't wait to start the next book ... which I did immediately. Vannetta is a very gifted writer with a fresh look at the Amish community.
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Review 6 for Falling to Pieces: A Quilt Shop Murder - eBook
Overall Rating: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5

This is a good Amish based mystery.

Date:July 26, 2012
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MotherMary
Location:Green Bay, WI
Age:Over 65
Gender:female
Quality: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Value: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Meets Expectations: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
There was a good mix of Amish and Englisher parts to it, showing that the two communities can get along well. The mystery kept you guessing right up to the end.
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Review 7 for Falling to Pieces: A Quilt Shop Murder - eBook
Overall Rating: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5

Date:September 8, 2012
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Army Mom
Age:45-54
Gender:female
Quality: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Value: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Meets Expectations: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
In a word..ADORABLE! This is one of the best books about the Amish world that I have read in a while. I always prefer when the Amish and English worlds blend and this author did a great job of making this happen. This was a well rounded piece of work that made all the characters likable and believable, while balancing the plot and not focusing on one area more than any other. By doing that the reader gets the best picture of what's going on in the whole story. I have the second book already and I can't wait to get started with it.
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Review 8 for Falling to Pieces: A Quilt Shop Murder - eBook
Overall Rating: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

Enjoyed this Sweet Mystery

Date:August 27, 2012
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Cara Putman
Location:Indiana
Age:35-44
Gender:female
Meets Expectations: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
I received this book as a gift ... and though I enjoy Amish books, it's not usually the first genre I choose. However, this book was so fun and rich, that I promptly bought book two, inhaled it in a day and now eagerly await book three. There's something about the combination of Englisch and Amish in Shipshewana that made the story fresh. It also had an engaging mystery, quirky supporting characters, and emotional subplots that tugged me to Callie, the Englisch main character. This book is a great addition to a reading pile for those who enjoy Amish stories that have a mystery or those willing to give the genre a try.
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Review 9 for Falling to Pieces: A Quilt Shop Murder - eBook
Overall Rating: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5

A unique addition to the Amish fiction genre!

Date:July 30, 2012
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Christianfictionaddiction
Quality: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Value: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Meets Expectations: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
When the elderly owner of Daisy's Quilt Shop passes away, her niece, Callie Harper, comes to town with the intention of quickly seeing to her aunt's things, selling the shop, and returning to her life in Texas. However, Amish neighbour Deborah Yoder has other ideas, and her determination to see the shop re-opened to enable her and her friends to sell their quilts for much needed income soon convinces Callie to try her hand at running the quilt shop. But when Callie and Deborah decide to try selling the quilts on ebay, they find themselves under the criticism of the editor of the local paper, and Callie ends up in a very public confrontation with the man. When he is later found dead, Callie suddenly finds herself the main suspect in a murder investigation. Deborah and Callie "must work together to attempt to solve the mystery and catch a killer".
Vanetta Chapman has written a unique addition to the Amish fiction genre, with quirky characters and a mystery full of twists of turns. I have no doubt that readers will soon find themselves enamored with Callie and Deborah and will be rooting both for their attempts to make the quilt shop successful and also to uncover the truth and solve the mystery. I found the book to be well-paced and to hold my attention throughout, and the plot is interesting enough to make it stand out from the crowded field of Amish books that are available today. I did have to suspend my belief a bit at the conclusion of the book, especially that Deborah's Amish husband would not put up any fuss to his wife playing bait to try and catch someone suspected of murder. However, that one plot element aside, I felt the story was well-written and had a satisfying conclusion. I look forward to seeing what these characters will be up to in the next installment of the Shipshewana Amish Mystery series! 4 out of 5 stars.
Book has been provided courtesy of the publisher, Zondervan, for the purposes of this unbiased review.
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Review 10 for Falling to Pieces: A Quilt Shop Murder - eBook
Overall Rating: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5

Date:March 16, 2012
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lilakaser
Location:Coshocton, Ohio
Age:45-54
Gender:female
Quality: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Value: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Meets Expectations: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
This is the first book I have read by this author. For me, it was kind of slow but as kept reading it got better as the book went on. It is about a niece of a woman who own a quilt shop in Indiana in Amish country. T.he aunt dies and she comes to close the shop. A group of Amish women comes to her and ask her to put their quilts on Ebay. Some people don't like the idea especially the towns newspaper editor. This book is sort of different for an Amish book. It has suspense and romance and friendships between two people who are entirely different from each other. I recommend this book highly.
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Review 11 for Falling to Pieces: A Quilt Shop Murder - eBook
Overall Rating: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

Excellent reading.

Date:April 12, 2012
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marg
Location:SImcoe, On. Canada
Age:Over 65
Gender:female
Quality: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Value: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Meets Expectations: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Love the suspense. Hard to put down. Waiting for the next one.
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Review 12 for Falling to Pieces: A Quilt Shop Murder - eBook
Overall Rating: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

You do not want to put the book down

Date:March 7, 2012
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Shelia Wade
Location:Columbus, IN
Age:55-65
Gender:female
Quality: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Value: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Meets Expectations: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
This book is one you do not want to put down once you start reading it. It has Mystery, Mayhem, Murder, Love and Friendship all rolled into one wonderful book. If you have never visited this little town after reading this book you will want to.
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Review 13 for Falling to Pieces: A Quilt Shop Murder - eBook
Overall Rating: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

A Wonderful Amish/Englisher Mystery!

Date:March 2, 2012
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Judy K Burgi
Location:Kendallville, IN
Age:55-65
Gender:female
Quality: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Value: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Meets Expectations: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Callie Harper makes a trip to Shipshewana , Indiana to get her deceased aunt’s affairs in order. Her aunt has passed away and she has inherited her aunt’s quilting store. Callie has every intention of cleaning up Daisy’s Quilt Shop to sell and once sold getting out of Shipshewana as soon as possible.
The first person Callie meets in Shipshewana is an Amish woman named Deborah Yoder. Deborah talks Callie into selling her quilts on the internet. Callie finally agrees and forms a partnership to auction Deborah’s quilts online.
Callie has a run in with the town newspaper editor, Mr. Stakehorn, over something he had printed in the newspaper regarding her. He accused her of hustling the Amish’s wares (Quilt’s) on the internet highway. Callie even goes so far as to threaten Mr. Stakehorn that if he didn’t print a retraction he would regret making an enemy of her.
This is where all the excitement and mayhem begins! Is it a coincident that things begin to happen since Callie came to Shipshewana? Is she the cause of all the chaos that is going on? Is someone out to frame Callie? If so, what would someone have against a newcomer?
I love a good mystery! There are a couple of reasons why I loved this book. I really enjoyed the author’s very first novel “A Simple Amish Christmas”. After reading "A Simple Amish Christmas" I was hooked. I couldn't wait to see what her next book would be. Another reason I loved this book is, Falling to Pieces” was written about a small town called Shipshewana and that small town is just a hop, skip and jump from where I live. I know exactly where LaGrange County , Indiana is. Fort Wayne, Indiana was also mentioned in the book and that is where I go to do some major shopping. I’ve also eaten at The Blue Gate Restaurant many times! So it was exciting to read about places where I’ve actually been.
Thank you Vannetta Chapman for such a good read. I am so looking forward to reading “a Perfect Square”.
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Review 14 for Falling to Pieces: A Quilt Shop Murder - eBook
Overall Rating: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5

Enjoyable New Mystery Series

Date:February 10, 2012
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Iola
Location:New Zealand
Age:35-44
Gender:female
Quality: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Value: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Meets Expectations: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Three young Amish mothers, Deborah, Esther and Melinda, have been friends and quilting partners for years. With the death of Esther's husband and the rare illness of Melinda's son placing financial pressure on them, they sew traditional quilts to sell to tourists in Daisy's Quilt Shop. But when Daisy dies and her niece Callie inherits the shop, they have to persuade her to reopen the shop and try and sell their quilts at ibby (They mean online via an eBay auction - I thought that ‘ibby’ was quite funny).
Callie is hiding her own hurts, having lost a child and her husband. She is reluctant to commit to staying in Shipshewana, but no longer has any ties to Houston and the home she shared with her husband. The friendship of the Amish women persuades her to stay temporarily, but an argument with the local newspaper editor and his subsequent murder may mean she has to stay longer than intended...
I have read a few mysteries lately, which is a new genre for me. I have to say that I am enjoying them, and Falling to Pieces is no exception. The plot is typical for the genre – most scenes are from the point of view of either Callie or Deborah, with the occasional scene from the murderer’s viewpoint. There were the potential suspects, the requisite red herrings, the surprise at the end when the culprit is revealed, and a potential touch of romance for Callie. All in all, Falling to Pieces is a very satisfying read.
The second book in the Shipshewana Amish series, A Perfect Square, will be released on 6 March 2012. Thanks to Zondervan and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
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Review 15 for Falling to Pieces: A Quilt Shop Murder - eBook
Overall Rating: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

You won't be disappointed.

Date:January 24, 2012
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Mae L. Emenheiser
Location:York, Pa.
Age:35-44
Gender:female
Quality: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Value: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Meets Expectations: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
If you're looking for something differant this is the book for you. Go ahead and get this book.
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Review 16 for Falling to Pieces: A Quilt Shop Murder - eBook
Overall Rating: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

Really well done!

Date:January 13, 2012
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Lesa Brassette
Location:Grand Junction, CO
Age:35-44
Gender:female
Quality: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Value: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Meets Expectations: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
So, it usually takes me several weeks or even months to comment on books I've read. It is hard to remember to do it while I'm browsing on CBD.
This one though? This one I finished today and I couldn't wait to tell anyone who would listen how much I enjoyed this story. I believe this is the first book I've read by this author but it will not be the last. That's "for sure and for certain" as some books say the Amish would say.
I love it when I find an Amish themed book with a mystery to solve and with suspense to mesmerize you. For the passed few days I've been eager to get to bed so I could read more. Tonight I was sad when I realized I had finished it and would have to wait until the second book comes out to get more of the really great author.
I have said before that I am pretty stingy with my stars. I don't give out a lot of 5's. This book is really great and for those of you who love Amish fiction like I do, you shouldn't miss this one!
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Review 17 for Falling to Pieces: A Quilt Shop Murder - eBook
Overall Rating: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

Falling to Pieces

Date:January 3, 2012
Callie Harper went to Shipshewana, Indiana because she needed to settle her Aunt Daisy's estate after her unexpected death. She regretted not visiting her aunt for 15 years. Daisy was the last surviving family member Callie had. Callie felt she had no friends either, her job kept her too busy. She was feeling very alone.
Callie met Deborah Yoder, an Amish woman, who was Daisy's friend. Daisy owned a quilt shop where Deborah and her friends sold their quilts. Deborah approached Callie about keeping the quilt shop open. They become fast friends. Callie decided to re-open the quilt shop so that it would sell faster.
Mr. Stakehorn, the editor of the local newspaper, printed a lie about Callie and the quilt shop in the Gazette. Callie threatened she would get even with him unless he printed a retraction. Mr. Stakehorn was found dead. Callie became a suspect.
Deborah and Callie's friendship continued to grow. Callie found out all of the stereotypes she believed about the Amish were not true. Deborah reminded Callie of the importance of prayer and that God had plans for her life. Callie hadn't thought much about God in the past year.
If you like Matlock or Murder She Wrote, you will enjoy this story. It involves the search for Mr. Stakehorn's killer. There is death, but it is not described with gory details. All the characters were likable or not likable, as they were supposed to be. As the story continues, the reader discovers more about Callie. You see why she seems so out of sorts. You also find out the reason why Deborah wants the quilt shop to stay open. Most of all, you'll discover that friendship is what helps everyone get through life.
This is the first of three books in the Shipshewana Amish Mystery Series.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for my honest review.
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Review 18 for Falling to Pieces: A Quilt Shop Murder - eBook
Overall Rating: 
3 out of 5
3 out of 5

Loved the honesty in the characters!

Date:December 20, 2011
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Robin Prater
Location:Missouri
Age:35-44
Gender:female
Quality: 
3 out of 5
3 out of 5
Value: 
3 out of 5
3 out of 5
Meets Expectations: 
3 out of 5
3 out of 5
What are my thoughts?
Friendship, business and murder come to life in these pages. It's funny, we learn about real friends and acquaintances and the differences between the two. Vannetta shows us how to count on one another when life seems to be falling to pieces. We see that before we can become friends we must first open our hearts. For some, that's the very part that is most difficult as we find out as we see these characters before us come alive. In many ways this is a story about letting go and finding trust in others.
This was really unlike any Amish book I have ever read before. Usually you don't see suspense and Amish combined. I enjoyed this story. The characters were real. This book showed people really struggling and how everyday life is. Is sure isn't perfect. People are not perfect. We are a work in progress, just as we find out through these characters. We can often put people in a category and think this is how they are to be. Vannetta shows us here that we couldn't be any more wrong in doing so.
This book was a gift from Zondervan for it's review.
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Review 19 for Falling to Pieces: A Quilt Shop Murder - eBook
Overall Rating: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

Great Cozy Amish Murder Mystery!

Date:December 9, 2011
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Carrie
Location:Virginia
Age:45-54
Gender:female
Quality: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Value: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Meets Expectations: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Callie is a young widow who comes to Shippshewanna after her beloved aunt dies. Auntie owned a quilt shop and several Amish women are reliant upon her to sell their quilts. One of the women has a significant need for the funds as she has a child with a rare illness. Callie is a spunky woman from a big city in Texas suddenly in small town Indiana. A real fish out of water. But as the story progresses one senses she was a goldfish swimming in the ocean who needed to be in a tank, required the cozy closeness that provided. Lovely job of dropping that into the story over time. The Amish quilters are lovely women, each with distinct voices that are also unlike most other Amish stories I have heard.
Callie hasn’t gotten over the loss of her husband, in fact doesn’t even share this with her new friends until very late in the book. She is an endearing character despite her prickly behavior, which furthers the story line, especially when she becomes the prime suspect in a murder. This is not a romance but there are a couple of romantic possibilities. By the end of the story we have a real possibility for a boyfriend in the next book, which I am looking forward to reading/listening to!
This was a great Christmas season listen because it a) has an easy tempo b) has an excellent narrator (amazingly she sounds almost exactly like the real Vannetta Chapman!) c) it’s like having a girlfriend in your room with you telling you the story d) while it is a suspense/mystery it has a cozy feel and is not knuckle whitening – I mean who needs that this time of year? It has a soothing quality to it despite the suspense and the murder mystery. It may be one of the first women’s fiction reads I’ve read in a long time, but Vannetta’s book almost defies genres.
I plan to listen to this book again sometime as I really liked it and it has the qualities of a repeat listen - great voice, characterization, and pleasing story line.
Bibliotherapy: Loneliness, estrangement, grieving, child with a rare disease, and friendships.
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Review 20 for Falling to Pieces: A Quilt Shop Murder - eBook
Overall Rating: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5

Not your usual Amish novel

Date:November 16, 2011
Customer Avatar
Rachel Ropper
Location:Scotland, UK
Age:18-24
Gender:female
Quality: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Value: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Meets Expectations: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
GENRE: AMISH MYSTERY
PUBLISHER: ZONDERVAN
PUBLICATION DATE: OCTOBER 1, 2011
RATING: 8 OUT OF 10
Callie Harper had never planned to run a quilt shop, but following the death of her aunt she finds herself moving to Shipshewana, Indiana to look after her aunt’s property. Running the quilt shop is not at all what she intended, and while she’d prefer to simply sell the shop and move on with her life, the Amish women who frequent the shop and depend on it for their income are very persuasive at convincing Callie that she should reopen and take over its management. Deborah Yoder in particular knows how much her friends need the money they make from selling quilts in Daisy’s Quilt Shop. Callie doesn’t plan on getting too close to her new Amish friends, but she soon finds herself relying on Deborah when the owner of the local newspaper is found dead, and Callie the main suspect. Although many people in the town saw Callie arguing with him several times before his death, Deborah knows that Callie isn’t capable of murder. But who is? And is the murderer still in Shipshewana? As more bizarre events begin to occur, Callie and Deborah have more on their minds than selling quilts. Can these two unlikely allies figure out who the murderer is and prove Callie’s innocence?
Vannetta Chapman’s debut novel, A Simple Amish Christmas, was the first book that I ever professionally reviewed, so Vannetta holds a special place in my heart. Having adored her first book, I jumped at the chance to review the first novel in her cozy Amish mystery series. While I’ve read mysteries and thrillers in the past – everything from Agatha Christie to romantic suspense – I’d not previously encountered a cozy mystery, so this was a brand new experience for me. Knitting, baking and quilting are all hobbies that tend to be utilised in cozy mysteries, which makes them fit in quite well with the Amish genre. After all, what is more cozy than snuggling up underneath an Amish quilt?
And this is just what our protagonist, Callie, finds herself doing for the best part of her initial visit to Shipshewana. Having fond memories of her Aunt Daisy but not visited her in a long time, she’s shocked and surprised at her aunt’s death and at inheriting her quilt shop. I found Callie to be a very relatable and sympathetic character, always trying to help those in need, like her new Amish friends, but also getting emotional and upset at wrong-doings, to the extent of dunking a glass of juice over the head of the local newspaper when he refuses to retract n article! Having an Amish and an English protagonist working together to solve the mystery is a nice touch, and while I felt like I could connect with Callie more than Deborah, Deborah was still an interesting character. Like Callie, she had a habit of acting before she’d thought things through and accidentally bringing trouble on herself. Since Shipshewana is quite a different Amish community from the more well-known ones in Pennsylvania and Ohio, readers will likely be intrigued by how closely the Amish and English work together in their daily lives, as shown through Callie and Deborah in the quilt shop. I hope that the subsequent books in the series will also delve deeper into the lives of Esther and Melinda, the other Amish women who contribute quilts to the shop.
As I mentioned, this is my first cozy mystery and I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly I became immersed in Deborah and Callie’s attempts to track down suspects and figure out who was behind the events occurring in their town. There’s one scene near the end of the novel where I simply could not put the book down until I learned the outcome and found out that all the characters were safe and sound! I hadn’t expected quite so much suspense, so having my heart thumping as I urged Callie and Deborah on in their sleuthing was definitely unexpected but very welcome. My only real complaint about the mystery is that the ending was a bit of a letdown. After all the interviewing of suspects and laying traps, the person behind it all wasn’t really related to the main characters. It made me wonder why some of the people Deborah and Callie had been following up had been acting so suspiciously in the first place, but maybe they will feature in other mysteries later in the series. I don’t want to give away anything about the ending, but I’ll just say that I wasn’t entirely satisfied.
After waiting almost a year for the next book from Vannetta Chapman, I can say that Falling to Pieces was definitely worth the wait. While I normally prefer reading Amish romances, this mystery was a fun and compelling read and I’m looking forward to reading more about Callie and Deborah’s sleuthing in A Perfect Square, the next book in the series. If you enjoy Amish books but want something different from the usual tales of courtships and shunnings, then definitely check out Falling to Pieces.
Review title provided courtesy of Zondervan.
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