Simple Secrets (The Harmony Series 1)

From Publishers WeeklyCozy mystery author Mehl (In the Dead of Winter) offers fans a new tale turning on the age-old collision of ultraconservative religion and contemporary grace-driven faith. Gracie Temple (city girl) and Sam Goodrich (smalltown fruit farmer) find themselves thrown together after Gracie inherits her deceased uncle's home in a Mennonite community. From the get-go, Gracie has some negative vibes about the whole situation since her uncle shunned her parents years earlier, when they left the community. Still, Gracie travels to her inheritance and soon discovers a cryptic letter from her uncle making a claim that leaves Gracie's mind and heart spinning. In the days that follow, Gracie and Sam become close allies in the search for truth, and this alliance comes with no little cost. As Gracie notes, all around are friendly, nice people—one of whom is a killer. Mehl's dialogue reads smoothly enough throughout, but even this vital narrative element isn't enough to overcome the all-too-predictable story line. (June) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. ReviewNancy Mehl pieces together an unpretentious mystery. This is a pleasant story where the setting almost becomes a main character. Her descriptions bring the small town to life, and I found myself wanting to visit and get a taste of the simple life. Sam is a strong, very likable hero, whom you cannot help but be a little sweet on. Watching Gracie fall for the town and its people, especially her next door neighbor, is so realistic it is like witnessing your friend falling in love. The mystery had balance of tension and levity without being too easy or hard to solve. Overall, I found this to be a delightful suspense story with just the right amount of romance.(Venus Cahill Coffee Time Romance )