Customer Reviews

Corruptions Child

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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In his third "Sticks" Hetrick novel, Corruption's Child, Lindermuth takes us back to life in the small rural Pennsylvania town of Swatara Creek. While billed as a "Sticks" Hetrick novel, in fact, there is an ensemble cast of recurring characters. The author draws the reader into their day to day lives as the characters interact with one another and, at the same time, try their best to do their job of dealing with the unsavory underbelly of peaceful small town and rural America.

There is Aaron Brubaker, the current police chief who is insecure in the job he inherited from Sticks and, much to his consternation, has to lean on Sticks' expertise when it comes to criminal investigations. There is Flora Vastine, rookie cop and the only female on the Swatara Creek police force, who has to fight for respect as a bonafide officer of the law. Flora is now an item with Harry Minnich, a veteran of the force who brings a history of other women to their relationship. This is my second visit to Swatara Creek and I've become heavily invested in Lindermuth's characters.

In Corruption's Child, a girl is found dead, antiques are being stolen from Amish homes, during which an elderly Amish man is attacked and later dies, money is missing from the police department's evidence room, an illegal rave is raided at an abandoned building and a misguided Amish girl becomes mixed up in the unfamiliar world of the "English." Are these isolated events or are they, in some unfathomable way, interconnected? The author deftly leads both his interesting ensemble of characters and the reader through an intricate maze of mystery and suspense to the exciting conclusion.

I highly recommend Corruption's Child and am adding J. R. Lindermuth to my list of favorite authors.

I do appreciate a sequel that I can read without getting lost in the plot line because I haven't read the first book(s). Corrpution's Child is one of those sequels. the third in the sticks hat trick mystery series, Corrpution's Child is a well written exploration of murder, theft and love.

Corrpution's Child is based around a retired police chief Daniel "Sticks" Hetrick who assists his inexperienced successor, Aaron Brubaker, with different crimes in the area. There is a murder to investigate as well as some robberies in the local Amish community. Sticks feels like they're linked in some way but can't figure out how. To top things off, Chief Brubaker discovers money missing from the station evidence locker.

The robbery investigation heats up when an old man dies from a head wound inflicted during one of the robberies. "Sticks" calls on the resources his deceased wife had in the antiques world in the attempt to capture the perpetrators before there are any other deaths. When an officer on the force disappears, the teams battle against time to bring one of their own back alive.

I enjoyed reading Corruption's Child. There was good character development and it was an interesting peek into the Amish community. Most readers of a good mystery will appreciate and enjoy Corruption's Child. There are some graphic scenes and coarse language so faint of heart be warned.

Corruption's Child is an impressive tale that mixes two worlds, the Amish and the English (or non-Amish) along with the underbelly of corruption, into a mystery with consistent suspense that dashes throughout the entire storyline coming to a breathless crescendo. The characters are well developed by clear and detailed descriptions and good dialog. A great read for mystery lovers.

Sticks Hetrick is the retired police chief of Swatara Creek, PA. However, as in prevous entries in this fine series (this is the third) his "reitrement" is only marginal because the current chief --- Brubaker, a competent enough man, though lacking in self-assurance and experience --- frequently calls on Sticks to help with high profile cases where Hetrick's great experience can be beneficial. The relationship between these two is very well done, with Brubaker steadily growing in his role yet nevertheless wise enough and not too proud to know when he needs assistance, and Hetrick being gracious enough to help when needed without show-boating or doing anything to make the new chief look bad. This is just one of many excellently drawn relationships and character studies salted throughout the colorful recurring cast of this series. The locale of fictional Swatara Creek and surrounding areas is also vividly and memorably presented, giving the overall setting a distinct flavor.
Secondary characters who come and go (including the bad guys and their henchmen) are also colorful and well drawn.
In CORRUPTION'S CHILD we learn much about the Amish culture and traditions. It is interesting and well described without ever getting in the way of the story being told. The plot here involves murder, home invasions in the Amish community, corrupt antique dealing, illegal "raving" and drug trafficing ... all interwoven skillfully into a climax that will shock and surprise. And along the way you will meet Katie --- a disturbed, hauntingly beautiful young woman who will by turns sadden and anger you and by the end, I guarantee, will stick in your mind long after you put aside the book.
Good stuff. Highly recommended.

COP'S DAUGHTER GRACE IS THE LATEST AND BEST TO DATE IN THE COP'S DAUGHTER SERIES. THE STORY HOLDS YOUR INTEREST FROM THE FIRST PAGE WITH A FLASHBACK TO THE PAST AND THEN JUMPS AHEAD TO THE PRESENT WITH THE LATEST COP'S DAUGHTER INVESTIGATING A BIZARRE SADISTIC KILLER WHO'S RUNNING A SEX SLAVE BUSINESS. MS HENION KEEPS UP THE SUSPENSE THROUGHOUT THE BOOK AND IT'S A REAL PAGE TURNER. I LOVED THE BOOK AND HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT TO ALL. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT COP'S DAUGHTER - THIS WILL BE HARD TO BEAT!