Her Brother's Keeper

I wanted to mention some wonderful books that are coming out tomorrow.  The Girl Who Wrote in Silk by Kelli Estes (just magnificient), The Curiosity Keeper by Sarah E. Ladd, and Someday Home by Lauraine Snelling (if you are in your 40's and going through menopause you should read this book).  Some cozy mysteries that are coming out are:  Spellcasting in Silk by Juliet Blackwell, Butter Off Dead by Leslie Budewitz, Magic and Macaroons by Bailey Cates, Fatal Reservations by Lucy Burdette, Death of an English Muffin by Victoria Hamilton, Hooked on Ewe by Hannah Reed, and Wound Up In Murder by Betty Hechtman.  The first in a new series is Peaches and Scream by Susan Furlong!  So many books and so little time to read them! 

Her Brother’s Keeper (An Amish Secrets Novel) by Beth Wiseman is set in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.  Charlotte Dolinsky wants to find out what happened to her brother.  Ethan Dolinsky went to Pennsylvania to work on a roofing job.  He ended up staying and was converting to the Amish faith.  Ethan was also engaged to be married to Hannah King.  Then Ethan hung himself.  Charlotte was not able to get answers to her letters or phone calls from Hannah (Hannah was grieving and upset over Charlotte’s insistence that Ethan’s body be sent home to Texas for burial).  Charlotte came up with the idea to go to Lancaster County and impersonate an Amish person (a cousin to the King’s) to get her answers.  Ryan Hanemann, Ethan’s best friend when they were growing up, does not think it is a good idea, but he is unable to discourage Charlotte. 

Charlotte’s research involved talking to people at the market in Beeville, Texas and looking at some sites online (she would have been better off reading some books or even watching the Amish reality show).  Charlotte picked up her clothing at a secondhand Amish clothing store.  Charlotte arrives in Lancaster County and introduces herself as Mary.  Charlotte is welcomed into the family.  Lena King, Hannah’s mother, is hoping that Mary will get Hannah out of her grief.  Hannah has withdrawn from life since the death of Ethan (she is just going through the motions).  Hannah can tell there is something different about Charlotte.  She does not under their language, she never helps with the cooking, cleaning up, lousy at gardening, and she sleeps very late.  Lena says it could be the difference in their districts.  When Hannah finally asks Charlotte about not understanding their language, Charlotte explains that she did not come to the Amish faith until she was nineteen (more lies). 

As Charlotte and Hannah get to know each other, they become quite close (like sisters).  Charlotte is starting to get some answers to her questions, but she is feeling guilty about her lies (Ryan got Charlotte to start exploring religion).  Will Charlotte get the answers she is seeking about Ethan?  Is she prepared to accept the truth about her brother?  What will happen when the King family finds out about Charlotte’s deception?  Hannah is starting to get over Ethan and is interested in Isaac Miller (a neighbor who has been taking care of his parents for several years). Is Hannah ready to move on with her life?  Will the answers Charlotte finds about Ethan upset Hannah?

I give Her Brother’s Keeper 4 out of 5 stars.  It is a charming story that is well-written.  I liked most of the characters in the story.  Charlotte was my least favorite character in the beginning of the book.  I did not understand why she did not just come to King’s as herself (honesty is the best policy approach).  They would have welcomed her with open arms since she was Ethan’s sister.  I like the way the suicide was handled and the way the answers were revealed (about Ethan and his life).  Reading Her Brother’s Keeper is an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon.  Her Brother's Keeper will be out tomorrow, July 7, 2015!

I received a complimentary copy of Her Brother’s Keeper from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  The review and opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you for visiting and reading my review!  Devious Maids is on tonight (just love that show).  Have a relaxing evening and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader