Matchmaking Can Be Murder - A Review

Review

MATCHMAKING CAN BE MURDER by Amanda Flower

The First Amish Matchmaker Mystery

Widow Millie Fisher has a special power, she knows when two people are meant to be together. She knows that her niece Edith should not marry Zeke Miller, who only wants her for her greenhouse business. But as she's considering how to convince Edith, Edith tells her she will not go through with the wedding. Millie is secretly thrilled, but knows she must be discrete. When the news breaks at her Quilting Circle Millie tries to stem the tide of gossip, but will her efforts be enough? And when Zeke is found dead in the greenhouse gossip spreads like wildfire, from both the Amish and the English!

What a fun mystery! Even after finishing the book I continue to visualize several scenes and start laughing. Phillip and Peter, Millie's two goats, are the obvious scene stealers. As I write this I picture them chasing Ruth and I start laughing again. Another cause for laughter is Millie's old friend and new sidekick Englischer Lois. What a hoot! Outlandish and brash, her street smarts and boisterous sense of fun and adventure are a perfect counterpoint to the more reserved Amish Millie. Not that Millie is some prim older woman. Our protagonist is caring, wise, and has her own good sense of humor. She is not perfect and she realizes it. I am also pleased with her reaction to the return of another old friend, Uriah Schrock, and see some romance on this matchmaker's horizon, for herself!

Beyond the giggles is a heartfelt story. It's a tale of redemption, regret, and wrongdoing. Past deeds, and miscommunication created rifts and how the people involved deal with those issues creates the drama here. The past can't be changed, but can hurts be mended or has the damage been done, never to be rectified? And can more problems ensue? I also like the modern angles showcased here and the Amish shown in a realistic light in today's world. I also really like the interaction between the worlds of the Amish and the English; how they interact and what happens when their worlds collide.

MATCHMAKING CAN BE MURDER is a funny yet touching start to a charming new series. While this series is a spinoff from Amanda Flower's Amish Candy Shop series, you don't have to know anything about that series to thoroughly enjoy this one.