Monday, June 13, 2011

Book Review of The Amish Midwife by Mindy Starns Clark

Up today is a review of an Amish book titled, The Amish Midwife. This is a mystery/Amish book written by Mindy Starns Clark. Mindy is a well-known author for writing suspense books and this time she takes it to a new level introducing us to the Amish.

A dusty carved box containing two locks of hair and a century-old letter regarding property in Switzerland, and a burning desire to learn about her biological family lead nurse-midwife Lexie Jaeger from her home in Oregon to the heart of Pennsylvania Amish country. There she meets Marta Bayer, a mysterious lay-midwife who desperately needs help after an Amish client and her baby die.

Lexie steps in to assume Marta’s patient load even as she continues the search for her birth family, and from her patients she learns the true meaning of the Pennsylvania Dutch word demut, which means “to let be” as she changes from a woman who wants to control everything to a woman who depends on God.

A compelling story about a search for identity and the ability to trust that God securely holds our whole life—past, present, and future.



Mindy Clark is an author I am familiar with as I have read a couple of her other books. She is a very talented writer and I always come away feeling like I didn't waste my time. This book was no different! It is the first book in the series so I wasn't missing anything. But opening the book at the first chapter, I felt like I was stepping into the middle of the story. It was a great opening and mystery was evident in the first couple pages:) Just my type of book!

I don't want to give out too much information but I want to let you know how much I loved this book. So if I am a bit vague, that is the reason why:) Lexie's father is dying and she has been told that she was adopted when she was little. Right before her "father" dies, he tells her about a chest that she needs to investigate. In this chest she finds information that pertains to her birth family. The man she is dating, James, tells her she needs to go searching. And thus begins her journey to find her family and also her beginning to the future.

There was one statement I really loved in this book. Lexie has called James and tells him that she is in the middle of finding things out and that her mother might have rejected her in the past and would only do so again if she found her. The answer he comes back with just really jumped out at me. I don't want to give the specific quote but he says that there are worse things than being rejected. And she says like? He responds with, "Not being loved." Lexie thinks these are the same things, but I believe, like James, that they aren't. What a lesson here to be learned!

One of my favorite characters throughout the book was Zed. Him and Ella kept me entertained during the story and his knowledge was amazing. Marta kind of got on my nerves with her hiding secrets and not telling Lexie what she knew. Lexie gets kind of close to a young doctor as she is away from James and I was hoping things wouldn't get muddled with the three of them. I really liked James and his spirituality and gentle manners with Lexie. He was a real gem:) And I am not going to tell you what happens with them as it would spoil things for those who have not read this book yet.

So, there you have my thoughts on this book. Mindy kept me turning pages into the night trying to find out what had happened in the past. She did an excellent job throwing out hints and clues but then taking another twist, just when I thought I had it figured out:) This is somewhat Amish but has to deal a lot with other things as well. If you like a mystery that has many twists and turns and keeps you guessing until the end, this is a book for you! It can be found at the publisher, Harvest House, or on Amazon.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes. I did not receive any monetary compensation. All thoughts are 100% mine.

2 comments:

desitheblonde said...

wow this book sound so good i love to read and blog on it two

Josiah said...

Sounds good.
josiahsreviews (at) yahoo (dot) com

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