The Quieting Book Review

The Bishop's Family

Book Two

SUMMARY:  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?

REVIEW:  Reading this book, and this series, is like watching your favorite television series.  There are a lot of stories going on at the same time.  While the focus of this book was on Abigail and Dane, I preferred the parts that were about David and Birdie.  Abigail's obsessive compulsiveness with keeping everything organized was distracting.  I like how it really helped in her genealogy research but, like everyone in David's house, it made me a little crazy.  Dane's passiveness was a little too passive for most main love interests.  I like how he still wanted to help Abigail with her research into his family tree even though other family members did not like her or what she was doing.

     David's desire to help his community is one to be admired.  After finding out how Freeman took control of who became a minister instead of letting God choose, I like how David follows Jesus's command in Matthew 18:15-17 in confronting him.  I also like how he and Birdie, a very unlikely couple, work together, in solving the dilemmas David faces.
     The ending of the book was unique.  The way the author tied Abigail's genealogy research with David's problems and created an original solution was excellent and very enjoyable.

This book was provided by Revell for review without compensation.

Suzanne Woods Fisher is an award-winning bestselling author whose most recent novels include 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 www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and follow Suzanne on Twitter@suzannewfisher.