A Perfect Square

A Shipshewana Amish Mystery, Book 2

By: Vannetta Chapman

Narrated by: Pam Ward

Length: 10 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

There’s more to the quaint northern Indiana town of Shipshewana than handcrafted quilts, Amish-made furniture, immaculate farms, and close-knit families. When a dead girl is found floating in a local pond, murder is also afoot. And Reuben Fisher is in jail as the suspect!

Reuben refuses to divulge any information, even to clear himself of a crime Deborah is certain he didn’t commit. So, with her English friend, Callie—fellow sleuth and owner of Daisy’s Quilt Shop—Deborah sets out to uncover the truth. But the mystery deepens when an elderly man seeks Callie’s help in finding his long-lost daughter, missing since the days of the 1965 Palm Sunday Tornadoes.

An old man who has lost his past. A young man who may lose his future. Once again Deborah and Callie find themselves trying to piece together a crazy quilt of lives and events—one that can bring unexpected touches of God’s grace and resolve the tragedy that has shaken this quiet Amish community.

©2012 Vannetta Chapman (P)2012 Zondervan

Excellent Sequel

This trilogy of books is so well written that I enjoyed each one as much as the other.

God's plan in perfect, in good times and bad times

In book two of the Shipshewana Amish mysteries, A PERFECT SQUARE is not only quilted by the Amish women in this community, but it becomes the guidance for God's perfect leading in one's life, even in the painful and difficult times for God's people.

When a young girl is found dead in a local pond, all the evidence points to one man, but the ladies of Callie's quilt shop are sure that the wrong man has been arrested. The biggest problem in proving his innocence, is his determination to say nothing in his defense. At the same time, an elderly Amish man shows up in Callie's garden, wanting Callie to find his daughter, but his dementia makes his request seem a bit unbelievable, as the man's grown son says that he doesn't have a sister.

Once again the "Englisher", Callie, and her new Amish friends, are drawn into both of these mysteries. Through many situations of family life, romantic strife, thrilling situations, and the love of God and his people, everything fantastically, comes into perfect alignment for everyone's lives in the long run. Though everything does not necessarily turn out as the characters would have hoped for, they all see God's leading in their lives.

Lovely story of friendships and belief in God, once again produces a winning book in this fun and beautiful series. There is just enough tension to keep the reader thoroughly interested in what will happen next. And just enough comic relief to keep the story from becoming maudlin. Looking forward to reading the next book in this very enjoyable series!

Amish Integrity

This second in the series hit me hard and made me think. The integrity of the Amish people goes way above and beyond anything which I’ve encountered. This story is on a deeper level than most I’ve listened to. This quiet, thought-provoking tale may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it certainly is mine. In a world filled with the world-wide-web and instant gratification, there are still those who live by a different measuring stick. And thank God that there are. If I had been the one arrested and imprisoned as Reuben Fisher, I would NOT have kept quiet. And that saddens me. These quiet, gentle people are to be applauded and respected. We don’t have to understand it all, for one day, when we enter the pearly gates, we will see it all clearly. As Callie, owner of Daisy’s Quilt Shop and her Amish friend, Deborah begin to investigate the death of a young woman found dead on Reuben’s farm, details begin to emerge. At the same time, an old Amish man with dementia comes into Daisy’s Quilt Shop, asking Callie to find his long-lost daughter, who went missing in the 1965 Palm Sunday Tornadoes. As usual, the local authorities are not happy with Callie and Deborah’s investigation into the murder. Very satisfying story and resolution to both mysteries. Can’t wait for the next in the series.

Really enjoyed this book

What did you love best about A Perfect Square?

It made me loose myself in the kind of world that I still hope exists, where people are basically good.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

It did not need to. It was the characters that made this book.

Great narrator; interesting story.

Being set in Shipshewana, Indiana, captured my interest immediately and was amazingly accurate as far as what Shipshewana is really like.

Very good book!

I recommend this book to all ages. You feel like you get to know all the characters personally.
Vanetta Chapman is a terrific writer of Amish mystery.
Pam Ward narrates wonderfully. Clear voice and easy to follow along with.

Long and somewhat boring, disappointed.

Would you try another book from Vannetta Chapman and/or Pam Ward?

Yes, Pam Ward is great reader, story was just very drawn out and boring to me.

Would you be willing to try another book from Vannetta Chapman? Why or why not?

Yes, just didn’t like this one

mysteries become the amish

the familiar setting and characters make it easier to listen as the murder mystery unfolds in Shipsewanna, Indianna. As the clues twist and turn the and a new mystery weaves in, the quilting buddies untangle and help solve not 1 but 2 mysteries, entertaining listeners in the process.