Broken English (Ohio Amish Mystery Series #2) [Paperback]

P. L. Gaus (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2000

The peaceful town of Millersburg, Ohio, in the heart of Ohio's Amish country, is rocked by the vicious murder of one of its citizens at the hands of an ex-convict. When a local reporter covering the story ends up dead as well, with the convict already behind bars, suspicion falls on David Hawkins, father of the first victim. But Hawkins is nowhere to be found, not even among the protective Amish colony that had taken him in as one of its own regardless of his shadowy past. Following on the critical and popular success of his first book, mystery writer P. L. Gaus again brings us a moral and legal conundrum as Professor Michael Branden, Sheriff Bruce Robertson, and Pastor Cal Troyer set out to uncover the truth that seems so elusive in their otherwise quiet corner of the world. Along the way, Gaus paints a unique portrait of the relationship between the Amish and the "English" cultures as seen from the inside. Against this backdrop, Broken English is a tale of honor, deception, and revenge, where circumstances and the search for justice test the mettle of the closest of friends and reveal the desperate measures of the strongest of foes.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Readers who loved Blood of the Prodigal , the acclaimed debut in Gaus' Amish mystery series, may be a bit disappointed with this successor. One of the charms of the earlier book was the way Gaus incorporated characteristics of Amish life into his plot. The Amish setting still provides wonderful ambience, but the plot this time is more violent and less reflective of the setting. When amoral convict Jesse Sands is released from prison, he meanders his murderous way to Millersburg, Ohio, where he kills a Millersburg woman before he is caught. David Hawkins, the victim's father, an "Englisher" who has adopted Amish ways, attacks Sands in jail and then disappears. Sheriff Bruce Robertson believes Hawkins plans to assassinate Sands, Pastor Caleb Troyer staunchly defends Hawkins, and Professor Michael Brandon is caught in the middle, leaving the three childhood friends (all series regulars) in conflict. Though a less-satisfying novel than its predecessor, this is definitely a series worth reading. Jenny McLarin
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

Gaus's plot has some intriguing twists and turns, though the identity of the killer will be instantly apparent to anyone with a working knowledge of Hebrew. Part of Gaus's success comes from his seamless weaving of Amish life with small-town America: the multi-layered Hawkins, who has renounced violence and the lures of the world--or has he?--points to the fluidity of the actual boundaries between Amish life and the world of "the English." Those boundaries can bend or they can break, resulting in the intriguing title of the novel. (Beliefnet, July 2000) -- From Beliefnet

Product Details

• Paperback: 205 pages
• Publisher: Ohio University Press; 1 edition (June 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821413260
• ISBN-13: 978-0821413265
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,080,285 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good solid read--well worth your time, August 8, 2000

By 

Kevin C. Kropf "I ADMIT" (Albion, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Broken English (Ohio Amish Mystery Series #2) (Paperback)

Okay, I am biased. I grew up 20 minutes from where most of the story takes place and I like to read about home. However there is still a good mystery here. Even better is the fact that the ending is not entirely predictable. Gaus throws in enough twists that you might have to re-read the last 10 pages just to be sure that you figured it out correctly.

The characters are likable, believable and Gaus works at developing them. No one is going to confuse Gaus with Agatha Christie, but this series is certainly as well written as Grisham.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Gaus!, February 7, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Broken English (Ohio Amish Mystery Series #2) (Paperback)

I hope Paul Gaus continues on with his Amish work. I am a fan of Amish Lit. and mystery. I have read many books before about the Amish and "their ways" by people who claim to be experts. They are not, but Mr. Gaus is. Right from the begining to the last page, his detail and knowledge, entangled with suspense and intrigue will make you too, a Gaus reader for life. His story lines and characters are easy to follow, and you will not put it down until you are finished.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Love P.L. Gaus' books, December 19, 2008

By 

Diane Warcholak "Mystery Fan" (Goodyear, AZ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Broken English (Ohio Amish Mystery Series #2) (Paperback)

I have read all his books except the latest one and love them. The newest one is on my Christmas list. I lived about 90 minutes from where most of these took place and spent a lot of time in Wooster. Reading his books makes me feel like I'm back home. I have learned a lot about the Amish from him. Will keep buying his books. My thanks to the author.