Material Witness (Shipshewana Amish Mystery, A) [Kindle Edition]

Vannetta Chapman (Author)

Book Description

Tragedy strikes on the opening night of the Fall Crafters Fair when a woman is killed in the parking lot of Daisy's Quilt Shop, and the only material witness is one of Melinda Byer's boys. The investigation takes a more bizarre turn when detective Shane Black becomes convinced the killer was actually after Callie.
This time it's a madman loose in the largest crowd of the year, and he's looking for something or someone. If they can't figure out what, one of Deborah and Callie's close circle of friends may be next.
Masked identities, antique quilts with hidden messages, an Amish boy whose handicap makes him stronger, one brave dog, and a possible hidden treasure ... this time it's nonstop action, danger, and a dash of romance.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Vannetta Chapman has published over one hundred articles in Christian family magazines, receiving over two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups. She discovered her love for the Amish while researching her grandfather's birthplace of Albion, Pennsylvania. Her first novel, A Simple Amish Christmas, quickly became a bestseller. Chapman lives in the Texas hill country with her husband.

Product Details

• File Size: 2021 KB
• Print Length: 321 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0310330459
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Up to 5 simultaneous devices, per publisher limits
• Publisher: Zondervan (September 4, 2012)
• Sold by: HarperCollins Publishing
• Language: English
• ASIN: B007JJXP70
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Not Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #27,662 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Amish Mystery threaded with adventure & romance September 4, 2012

By Harold Wolf TOP 50 REVIEWER

Format:Paperback

UPDATE Sep 2012; This author WINS the ACFW Mystery Carol Award for her book in this series: "FALLING TO PIECES" (link provided at the end of this review.)

Shipshewana, IN, is real. Vannetta Chapman writes Amish mystery convincingly. It reads real. I like that. She does mystery to Amish Shipshe, what J. Karon did cozy quaint to Mitford. Chapman adds suspense to a horse-n-buggy village, like P. Gulley added humor to his Harmony, IN series. All good reading. I hope the "Shipshewana Amish Mystery" series continues forever. Like the others, it is Christian fiction.

Individual books are stand-alone by plot and events, but there is a core carry-through group of Amish and Englischers endearing to the series' readers. After two previous Amish murder mysteries, there is another Shipshe murder 50 feet from Callie's quilt shop. Having helped clear herself as a murder suspect 15 months earlier, it would not be long before her quilting needles were replaced by sleuthing tools. Her Amish quilting friends, Deborah, Melinda, and Esther, return equally involved. It's not exactly the Amish way, nor appreciated by Shipshe police.

Unfortunately Melinda's young Amish handicapped boy saw the attack. Worse, the attacker saw that he had witnessed. He's a 7-yr-old material witness of murder from the shadows of quilt material. The victim's shop competed feverishly with Callie's. Is she a suspect, again?
Another attack. The perp's intent needs rethought. For the 3rd time, will local cops need Callie's Agatha Christie sleuthing instincts? Of course the plot(s) get much, much more complex.

Men will like this heavy mystery, light on romance. Suspense adventure strongly includes several youth. It may also appeal to younger readers. Series previous: Falling to Pieces (A Shipshewana Amish Mystery), A Perfect Square (A Shipshewana Amish Mystery). Book includes a glossary, family groups, and discussion questions.

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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Winner! September 4, 2012

By Michelle

Format:Paperback

Happy times are flowing through Shipshewana, Indiana, that is until Aaron, Melinda Byer's little boy witnesses a murder in the parking lot of Callie Harper's quilt shop that sends this small town into shock. Material Witness has our quartet of leading ladies: Callie, Ester, Deborah and Melinda, who are once again involved in a murder investigation. Callie is beside herself and cannot believe this is happening. Little does she know that her world is about to be turned upside down and inside out. The killer wants something that Callie has and will not rest until they get it. Shane Black is back on the scene to investigate along with Andrew Gavin. Shane vows to protect Callie, who has taken up space in his heart and little Aaron who is the only one who can identify the mad man. Time is of the essence and they must all work together to figure out why Callie is involved before the killer strikes again. The ladies seem to think there are clues to this mystery hidden on a set of quilts that they were given. Shane thinks they may be off their rockers. A stack of quilts can't possibly hold the answers they are looking for right? Or can they.........

Material Witness grabs your attention right off the bat and doesn't let you go until your fingers have turned the last page. This book had my heart pounding one minute and the next minute I was smiling and giving a little fist pump! The love between family, friends, and how far one is willing go to protect them is captured beautifully in this book. The interaction between the children was an added surprise because I think they stole the show! Although I am sad that my adventures are over in Shipshewana, I am fully satisfied with how Vannetta has ended this amazing series of books. All three books are top notch and will always have a spot on my bookshelf. When I read a book that is as wonderful as Material Witness, I am always a little miffed why on earth people say they don't care to read Amish fiction. Vannetta Chapman has crafted a clever and witty tale that is full of suspense and engaging characters. Why would you not want to read something that will fill you to the brim with honest to goodness writing and beautiful story telling?

This book was provided to me from Zondervan via NetGalley for review.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Material Witness February 5, 2013

By Susan Fryman

Format:Paperback

This book was as wonderful as the first 2. I love the Amish women and Callie. I really love how their relationship has continued to develop. I believe this is the last in the series and will miss these characters. Callie's romance continues to blossom. I became quite engrossed with the solving of this murder, the figuring out of the quilt puzzle and how the characters all protected one another. I always love that God is intertwined through the pages. Enjoy and blessings. Susan Fryman

More About the Author

Vannetta Chapman writes fiction full of GRACE. She has published over one hundred articles in Christian family magazines, receiving more than two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups. She discovered her love for the Amish while researching her grandfather's birthplace of Albion, Pennsylvania. Her first novel, A Simple Amish Christmas, quickly became a bestseller. Chapman lives in the Texas hill country with her husband.

For more information, visit her at
webpage -- www.VannettaChapman.com
blog -- http://vannettachapman.wordpress.com
facebook -- www.facebook.com/VannettaChapmanBooks, and
pinterest -- http://pinterest.com/vannettachapman

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#71 in Kindle eBooks > Religion & Spirituality

#71 in Kindle eBooks > Religion & Spirituality