Murder, Plainly Written (The Plain Order Ink Society) by Mindy Steele

ABOUT THE BOOK

She just wanted to fit into Amish Country. . .now she’s standing out!
 
First novel in The Plain Order Ink Society series, in which Amish writers crack the case of local mysteries.
 
Sadie Lynch thought inheriting her late Amish aunt’s candle shop was a blessing—a chance to leave her stalled writing career behind and find a fresh start. But running a Plain business when she's not Amish isn’t exactly filling her store with customers—especially when the local minister insists she sell out.
 
Sadie, who doesn’t want to leave, thankfully meets Wanda—an Amish woman with a secret obsession. As Wanda continues to visit the candle shop, an unexpected partnership blooms when Wanda agrees to help Sadie’s shop in exchange for writing advice.
 
But the grand reopening of the candle shop takes a deadly turn when the body of the Amish minister is discovered behind the counter. Now Sadie is the only suspect, prompting Wanda and the Plain Order Ink Society to try helping her solve the mystery.
 
But in this Plain community, secrets burn brighter than flames—and nothing is as simple as it seems.

AMAZON     BARBOUR BOOKS

MY THOUGHTS.....

Mindy Steele tackles a new genre in her newest book, and she successfully scores a touchdown! I loved Murder, Plainly Written, the first book in her new cozy mystery series from Barbour Publishing. It has an unlikely friendship between a middle-aged Amish woman and a younger Englisch woman, a group of fledgling Amish writers who quickly become amateur detectives, and, of all things, a murder! I could understand that the often demanding Amish minister was disliked, but who would consider murdering him?

Clever clues that are sometimes misleading kept me guessing, but there's also the intrigue of two romantic entanglements. One ended long ago, and the other is plagued with obstacles, but I've learned that Steele often provides hope for troubled relationships! I can only hope that we'll find answers in the next book in the Plain Order Ink Society.

If you enjoy wonderful character development, witty dialogue, and a charming blend of Amish common sense and inspiration, grab a copy of Murder, Plainly Written. It is a must-read for fans of Amish fiction and cozy mysteries!

I received a complimentary digital ARC from the author. There was no obligation for a positive review.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Raised in Kentucky timber country, Mindy Steele writes Amish Romance peppered in humor, using her rural surroundings as her muse. She is a best-selling author and the winner of the 2022 FHLCW Reader's Choice award for sweet romance. Steele creates realistic characters for her readers and believes in engaging all the senses to make you laugh, cry, hold your breath, and root for the happy-ever-after ending. Readers can find themselves, somewhere within the pages of her Amish fiction or romantic suspense novels.

Learn more by visiting Mindy's Website. 

You can also follow her on Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter  

 

The Plain Order Ink Society

Murder, Plainly Written  

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Wanda E. Brunstetter's Inspiring Year of Transition: A Mini-Interview

Many people are aware that this well-known Amish author suffered a tremendous loss last year, when Richard Brunstetter, her beloved husband of 62 years, died on July 25, 2025 in Yakima, WA. In a recent mini-interview, Wanda E. Brunstetter graciously shares her thoughts about this year of transition. 

Question #1: This has been a year of change for you. Can you give a brief update on how you are doing and what you are working on for your readers?

    I still have times of missing my dear husband, who passed away almost a year ago, but keeping busy has helped. I am currently working on the first book in a new series set in Ohio. The name of Book 1 is The Persistent Bachelor, which is scheduled to come out in March 2027. In this series, there will be two more books to follow.

Question #2: What Scripture is most meaningful to you right now?

    A verse I have found to be very meaningful to me is: "Behold, God is my helper, the Lord is the upholder of my life." Psalm 54:4 (ESV)

Question #3: What do you love most about writing books with your family members?

    It's been fun to write with family members, because we are able to talk one-on-one and share ideas with each other. Often times, as in the case of The Melody of Love, which I wrote with my daughter, Lorine, we found that our writing styles were so similar, we sometimes had trouble remembering who wrote certain sections when the book was done.

Question #4: What do you hope readers take away from The Melody of Love?

    My hope is that readers will have not only enjoyed the storyline, but will come away with a better understanding of what it's like for a parent to raise a child on the spectrum. We also wanted to offer some ways that would help the child and parent deal with circumstances that might arise, such as melt-downs and dealing with sensory issues. Lorine and I hope that our novel will offer the assurance that, with God's help, we can face any of the obstacles that may come our way in this life.

I'm sure all of her fans continue to pray for Mrs. Wanda as she continues to share her faith through her inspirational Amish fiction!

Order/Pre-order links for her latest books are listed below.

The Melody of Love   July 1, 2026

The Beloved Christmas Quilt  September 1, 2026  (Reissue)

A Castle of Sand  October 1, 2026

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

New York Times bestselling author Wanda E. Brunstetter is one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre. With over 12 million copies sold, Wanda's stories consistently earn spots on the nation's most prestigious bestseller lists and receive numerous awards.

When Wanda visits her Amish friends, she finds herself drawn to their peaceful lifestyle, sincerity, and family ties. She and her husband, Richard, have been blessed with two grown children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

To learn more about Wanda, visit her  Website  Facebook  Twitter  Pinterest