As you will know from the blurb, murder and mayhem occur, all very wittily described by the author who also sets up some very amusing dialogue for the listeners enjoyment. This in itself makes for some really funny listening. I love the way she suckers people into the 'Amish experience'! Savannah, the sister in question, has a very pampered dog, and she has men, she smokes and she, well, let's say she's a lively lady, she also takes no notice of the prim and proper Magdalena. Quick to judge others, and often times her own sister, who is all but a fallen woman, Magdalena succinctly rationalises her own, sometimes less than Christian, attitude.

Magnificent Magdalena, whose puritanical, thrifty and penny pinching ways adapted surprisingly well to the sharp business practices necessary to maintain her family home. It did take a while to get into the story, but I was soon hooked, it didn't take long to realise that a certain wry sense of humour is needed to enjoy Magdalena. It's the start of hunting season - and her inn is packed to capacity! What at first seems to be a horrible accident (and insurance nightmare for Magdalena!) could turn out to be a much more sinister event and when another mishap occurs, Magdalena is certain there is a killer in her group - and it's up to her to sniff out the culprit…before the world's most incompetent town sheriff throws her in jail! ©1994 Tamar Myers (P)2014 Tamar Myers My Review I must begin by confessing little knowledge of the Amish and Mennonite faith, other than that gleaned from the odd TV programme. When one of her more reclusive guests takes a tumble down the PennDutch's picturesquely steep staircase and breaks his neck, the timing couldn't be worse. This debut mystery introduces Magdalena Yoder, prim, proper, and persnickety proprietor of the PennDutch Inn, where guests luxuriate in the true 'Amish experience,' (read: doing Magdalena's chores and paying top dollar for the opportunity!). Publishers Summary Readers will delight in this laugh-out-loud cozy mystery debut - and relish the country cooking recipes included.

Too many crooks spoil the broth