The Quieting

The Quieting
(The Bishop's Family, Book 2)
Suzanne Woods Fisher
(Revell)
ISBN: 978-0800723217
May 2016/352 pages/$14.99
It was a well-laid plan--but it wasn't her plan . . .

It's all her grandmother's fault. For the last few months, Abigail Stoltzfus has helped her father with his genealogical research, hoping that breaking through a client's brick wall would also break his melancholy. But now her intrusive grandmother has set her sights on marrying off Abigail and insists she come to Stoney Ridge, where there is a plethora of eligible bachelors.

Except that Mammi is mistaken. There are no eligible bachelors in Stoney Ridge, barring one, and he's all wrong. Dane Glick has the wrong last name and the wrong relatives--including the bishop who is at odds over a church matter with Abigail's uncle, minister David Stoltzfus.

As the conflict grows, setting family against family, it's becoming clear that the path to a solution may lead to a Quieting--a removal of a church leader. But for which one? And when Abigail stumbles onto a curious connection during her genealogical research, it could help David solve one problem--but will it create another?


Read an excerpt.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Suzanne Woods Fisher is an award-winning, bestselling author whose most recent novels include The Imposter, Anna's Crossing, and The Inn at Eagle Hill series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace and The Heart of the Amish. She lives in California. Learn more at suzannewoodsfisher.com and follow Suzanne on Facebook and Twitter.

MY THOUGHTS

I don't read many Amish novels, but I never miss one by Suzanne Woods Fisher. The Quieting addresses a topic I was not familiar with: the rare instance when an Amish church leader must be removed from his position, a heart-wrenching, delicate--albeit fascinating--occurrence. While this is a major story thread, it is by no means the only one, and Fisher skillfully weaves it into the fabric of the other events of the story. I appreciate her realistic portrayal of the Amish as they face many of the same issues as Englisch believers. The family interactions-and disputes!-ring true, as does the inner conflict that David experiences as he seeks a solution to the dilemma about the bishop. As a detail person, however, my hands-down favorite character is Abigail. Bless her heart! She is so well-meaning yet so oblivious as she inundates folks with more than they ever wanted to know about any subject. While this is the second book (which works well as a stand-alone) in The Bishop's Family series, its Stoney Ridge setting is also home to Fisher's two previous series, and many of the peripheral characters are delightfully familiar. (There's even a brief mention of the vexatious Jimmy Fisher!) Kudos to Fisher for a tale that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. Don't miss The Quieting!


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free from Revell, a division of Baker Books 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.”


The Bishop's Family Series (click titles for my reviews)
The Imposter