Plain Dead by Emma Miller

Rachel is happily running a bed and breakfast and chairing a winter festival for the Amish to show off their arts and crafts.  When the local newspaper man hints he will print something nasty in the paper about her, she loses her temper and shouts at him.  He's already hurt an Amish family with his gossip column.  She doesn't want her past to ruin her future.  That becomes another worry for her.  It's even worse when he's found dead the next day...

Kensington Books and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you).  It is being published today so you can grab a copy now.

I enjoy reading books about Amish people.  I admire their lifestyle and their way of life.  I wouldn't want to live it but I appreciate the style and find it appealing.

Rachel is engaged to Evan.  He's the local cop.  Since she has left the Amish, it's a bit uncomfortable when she goes home to visit but she's trying to introduce Evan to her family.  She hasn't mentioned her engagement and that she plans on marrying him yet.  It's probably just as well since she goes on the suspects list for the murder.  That drives a wedge between her and her beloved.  She can't believe he'd do that.  He tells her he knows she didn't do it, but she had that argument with the man, went to his house that night, and even has a key to his house.  Nobody broke in to kill him; they must have had a key.

While Rachel and Evan are arguing, they are both searching for the murderer.  I had absolutely no idea who the murderer was.  The ending was shocking and sad for the Amish community.  Several people had come under suspicion, so it will take a while to mend hurt feelings and for life to settle down again.  In cases like this, it's good that the community will support the family that is left after the tragedy.  He's going to need them.