The Amish Clockmaker

The Amish Clockmaker
(The Men of Lancaster County, Book 3)
Mindy Starns Clark and
Susan Meissner
(Harvest House)
ISBN: 978-0736957380
February 2015/358 pages/$13.99

Newlywed Matthew Zook is expanding his family’s tack and feed store when a surprising property dispute puts the remodel on hold—and raises new questions about the location’s mysterious past.

Decades earlier, the same building housed a clock shop run by a young Amish clockmaker named Clayton Raber. Known for his hot temper, Clayton was arrested for the murder of his beloved wife, a crime almost everyone—including his own family members—believed he’d committed, even after charges were dropped. Isolated and feeling condemned by all, Clayton eventually broke from the church, left Lancaster County, and was never heard from again.

Now the only way Matthew can solve the boundary issue and save his family’s business is to track down the clockmaker. But does this put Matthew on the trail of a murderer?

A timeless novel of truth, commitment, and the power of enduring love, where secrets of the past give way to hope for the future.


Read an excerpt.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Mindy Starns Clark is the author of many books, which include the popular Smart Chick Mysteries, Whispers of the Bayou, Shadows of Lancaster County, and Under the Cajun Moon. In addition, Mindy’s plays and musicals have been featured in schools and churches across the United States. Visit her website.

Susan Meissner is a multi-published author, speaker, and writing workshop leader with a background in community journalism. Her novels include The Shape of Mercy, named by Publishers Weekly as one of the 100 Best Novels of 2008 and a Carol Award winner. She is a pastor’s wife and the mother of four young adults. When she's not writing, Susan writes small group curriculum for her San Diego church. Visit Susan at her website: www.susanmeissner.com, on Twitter at @SusanMeissner, or at www.facebook.com/susan.meissner.


MY THOUGHTS

I read and enjoyed the first book in this series, The Amish Groom (my review is here), but somehow missed The Amish Blacksmith, Book 2. Since each novel stands alone, I had no trouble jumping right in and connecting with this third collaborative book between Mindy Starns Clark and Susan Meissner. I truly loved this story. It is clear that both authors blended their unique gifts into a seamless and powerful tale. While I don't know exactly how they approached the project, it is clear that Clark's background writing Amish and suspense novels provides a wonderful setting and plot while Meissner's talent for intertwining a contemporary story with one from the past shines, yielding beautiful and flawless transitions between Matthew's life and that of the mysterious Clayton Raber decades before. The many layers of this multi-faceted story gave me much to ponder, staying with me long after I turned the final page. Don't miss this compelling story of love and forgiveness.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free from Harvest House as part of a blog tour. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”