BOOKS & STUFF

I’ll soon be back to reading e-books as we’ll be at Lincoln’s basketball tournaments. The first two are in Merrill, so I’ll have plenty of time to read while Tom drives. It is about the only way I can stay awake when I’m a passenger.
I have had many Amish friends, so when I skimmed the back of Karen Harper’s “Dark Harvest,” I knew I wanted to read the book.
Katherine “Kat” Lindley had a rough childhood. She believes that if she hadn’t rebelled about their foster home, she and Jay never would have been separated, and he wouldn’t have died of a burst appendix. Now a Columbus, Ohio, police officer, Kat is drawn to kids in danger. Little John Seyjack was one she tried to save, but her efforts ended with the death of John and his abusive father and Kat severely wounded.
After a long stint in rehab, it is clear that Kat’s wrist injury will prevent her from working as a street cop again. Deciding to follow an old dream of opening an antiques and collectibles shop, Kat moves to the quiet town of Maplecreek. The village is situated in the middle of Amish country, with several businesses either run by or employing Amish men and women. The area is fast becoming popular with tourists and antique hunters, so Kat is confident that she can be successful.
She also realizes she’ll need a job in order to get established and answers an ad for a police dispatcher. By the second day on the job, Kat is called into the chief’s office and introduced to Luke Brand. He explains that the Amish community has been experiencing harassment. The pranks had escalated to ruining handmade quilts, but on Friday night, someone on a motor bike had thrown fireworks into an Amish bonfire. When the panic was over, Luke’s niece was in a coma and his son, Eli, had a severe eye injury.
Against Amish tradition, Luke convinced his father, Bishop Brand, to allow the “English” police to investigate. Before she knew it, Kat had agreed to become Katie Kurtz, the widowed Luke’s betrothed. She would live as the Amish did and listen for information on the attacks.
Being quiet and obedient is not Kat’s way, but she’s surprised at how much she actually likes their way of life. Part of her cover is helping the local school teacher, but she is furious when they are attacked by thugs shooting paint balls. Kat redoubles her efforts and soon has a clue when Luke’s father dies after eating soup laced with poisoned mushrooms.
When she breaks the case, everyone is shocked to learn that it was someone they knew and trusted as a dear friend. The motive was even more disturbing. No one is prepared for what takes place after life returns to normal and the harvest begins.
Once again, Kat is in a situation where her actions could end in triumph or tragedy. As the perpetrators are captured without violence, Kat realizes how much this gentle community has come to mean to her. But she is a worldly woman who must return to Columbus to pick up the pieces of her former life.
A month later, Kat is settling into a job as dispatcher. Her former partner and many old friends are throwing a welcome back party for her when Luke Brand walks in. He has given her time to heal and think, but now he has come to declare his love and ask her to return to Maplecreek with him. You can guess the rest of the story.
Life throws us curve balls all the time, but the way we deal with them makes all the difference. Your public library has lots of books with characters dealing with life’s surprises. This would be a good time to stop by to check them out.