Publication Oct. 24, 2023
Comfortable. I realized at some point while reading that I felt quite comfortable and safe in Harvest, Ohio, maybe because I knew whatever happened, Millie and Lois would handle it. I also chuckled early-on as author Amanda Flower revealed that one of the activities of the fair was axe-throwing. Not long ago, Flower shared her own experiences trying out this sport at a fair. Let's just say, while she eventually did okay, she'd better keep her writing job. Lois Henry, Millie's best-friend-forever in the series, turned out to be amazingly proficient. Unfortunately for Millie, though she didn't try throwing around an axe, one of her talents seems to be stumbling over bodies. In this case, it's the body of Tara, who was not only to judge the quilting competition that Millie had entered but was chief organizer of the fair itself.
It was fun to watch the differing ways Lois and Millie approach investigating. Millie, Amish and unassuming, is quietly competent, not eager to call attention to herself. Lois, on the other hand, is flamboyant and quite vocal about how they've helped the police in the past. Let's face it, with her multi-colored, heavily gelled, spiky hair, non-Amish Lois doesn't exactly fade into a crowd. Hard to believe these two are in their 60's. Part of the fun of this series is learning a bit more about the Amish beliefs and lifestyle with each book. I love how Flower uses bits of their language and even sayings, my favorite this go-round being "You are only poor when you want more than you have."
The whole pace of this series/book might be described as gentle. Rather and odd term when so much is going on, much of it involving the well-being of a child, but it also falls into the slower paced Amish style at times. Let's face it, Millie drives a horse and buggy when she has to go somewhere, so there is ample time to ponder clues and things like her own romantic life. Unlike Lois, who remains eternally hopeful where love is involved, Millie is more cautious, slow to allow herself to yield the widow's life she's now lived for so many years. She puts her own concerns aside repeatedly, however, to dive into finding out whodunit as well as be of help to others, which makes her easy to like. Of course, we have ample critter antics for comic relief with even Jethro, the almost-star pig of a related series making an appearance. I also wanted to give Millie's patient horse a carrot for all the driving around they were doing in what was a very hot spell.
So, who killed Tara? It was fun to watch Lois and Millie tackle suspect after suspect. Maybe it was the ex-husband? Why does he keep turning up? Surely not the owner of the mangled quilt found with the body? Then again, the quilter was not happy with Tara. Maybe someone working at the fair? Who let the goats out anyway? Or, maybe it was....nah. Enough teasers. This is a delightful, easy read, full of fun characters, mischief loving goats, cute kittens, romance, and more. You'll like the ending, I think, and it definitely moves the series along, too, for fans. Thanks #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks - #KensingtonCozies for allowing me a sneak peek both into Lois and Millie's world but, hmm, maybe what's coming with Bailey and Aiden? Somehow I just know Jethro will play a major role.
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