Plain Discovery by Susan Lantz Simpson

Good Day!  The Bride of Ivy Green by Julie Klassen comes out on December 4.  It is the third book in Tales from Ivy Hill series.  A Bad, Bad Thing by Elena Forbes publishes on December 1.  It is the first book in The Eve West Mystery series.  

Plain Discovery by Susan Lantz Simpson is the second book in Plainly Maryland series.  Esther Stauffer lives in St. Mary’s County, Maryland where she is worried about her niece and nephew.  David and Ella have been diagnosed with Celiac disease and, on the right diet, they do well.  However, they have been losing weight, tired and listless recently and Dr. Kramer, who is substituting for Dr. Nelson, has been unable to find a cause for their decline.  Andrew Fisher has returned to town and he is not someone Esther wishes to encounter.  He teased her terribly when they were in school and Esther cannot get past how her tormented her to see that Andrew has grown up.  To make matters worse, family members keep pushing Andrew and Esther together.  Esther learns that other members of the community have been ill and are not getting better despite the medication prescribed by Dr. Kramer.  She does not know what is going on, but Esther intends to get answers.  Despite her misgivings, Esther teams up with Andrew to investigate their substitute physician.

Plain Discovery may be the second installment in the Plainly Maryland series, but it can be read alone.  I thought the story was well-written with steady pacing.  The characters are likeable and relatable.  Esther is an intelligent young woman who enjoys working with plants (it is her gift).  She loves her family and community.  When she sees that sick people in her community are not getting better, she knows that something is off.  Andrew has returned to St. Mary’s County and he would like to get to know Esther.  However, Esther has a hard time overcoming how he treated her when they were children.  She has yet to learn the difference between teasing and cruelty (bullying).  I enjoyed the authors casual writing style that made Plain Discovery easy to get into and read.  I preferred Plain Discovery to Plain Haven (first book in this series).  The Christian elements are woven into the story (forgiveness, faith, prayer, God’s will) and enhance the story.  I appreciated that Plain Discovery was not just a predictable romance.  There is a mystery to solve and it helps bring our two main characters together.  I am giving Plain Discovery 4 out of 5 stars. 

Thank you for checking in today and reading my review.  I hope you have a sparkling day.  I am going to share my thoughts on Lover Come Hack by Diane Vallere tomorrow.  It is the sixth A Madison Night Mystery.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader