When Vernon King, his son, and son-in-law are involved in a terrible accident, three women are left to cope with their deaths, as they become the sole providers of the family they have left. The women’s only income must come from the family greenhouse, but someone seems to be trying to force them out of business.
Amy King has just lost her father and brother, and her mother needs her to help run the family’s greenhouse. It doesn’t seem fair to ask her to leave a job she loves, when there is still a sister and brother to help. But Sylvia is also grieving for her husband while left to raise three children, and Henry, just out of school, is saddled with all the jobs his father and older brother used to do. As Amy assumes her new role, she also asks Jared Riehl to put their courtship on hold. When things become even more stressful at the greenhouse, will Amy crumble under the pressure?
...my thoughts...
Wanda Brunstetter's new Amish Greenhouse Mystery series is off to a rousing start with The Crow's Call. As the story unfolded, an ominous wind was in the air so when Amy King heard the sound of a crow calling she knew it wasn't a good day to celebrate her mother's birthday. She shouldn't be superstitious but every time she heard a crow call, something always seemed to go wrong. Then, later that evening, tragedy times three changed her family's life forever. The chilling dynamics of grief are as varied as the person who is suffering. Picking up the pieces for her family wasn't going to be easy but Amy seemed to let the responsibility rest on her shoulders. As she pitched in to help her mother run the family greenhouse, she assumed much more than the duties required to help the business continue.
Mysterious things began to happen that seemed to be coincidences until they began to happen more often. Who could possibly wish to undermine their family business? Her brother Henry resented helping out in the greenhouse. He also didn't want to do chores on the farm and didn't understand why he couldn't go enjoy a bit of fun with his friends. Was he pulling pranks on the family? Or was it Sylvia, who, as a young wife and mother couldn't raise her head above the daunting task of raising her small children alone, let alone live without her beloved husband.
The cast of characters in this story are as complex as the mystery surrounding the greenhouse. Amy and her mother seemingly manage to get through each day by running their business and learning the ropes that Vernon so effectively handled before his death. Now, though, with so many upsetting random acts of vandalism, they are wondering just who is doing this and why.
Could it be teenagers on their rumpspringa? The new English neighbor who has made it plain she doesn't care to live near the Amish? The homeless lady who shows up at odd times or someone else? Only one situation was resolved in this book, so maybe the culprit will be discovered when I read the next book of the series. I do like a good mystery, and The Crow's Call kept me guessing. I recommend this one to anyone who enjoys a good mystery. Thanks to Barbour Books and #NetGalley who provided me a copy of this book for an honest review. My opinions are mine.
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