A thriller set in Minnesota with a television reporter getting the scoop on a child that fell in a sinkhole but also discovered a dead woman. The woman turns out to be an Amish girl that has been shunned. Shocking discoveries await this reporter who possibly solves the mystery. I liked this book but the fact that at the end, two of the bad people die, really? What a convenient way to dispose of them but not realistic. ( )

I usually read the kind of Amish fiction that Riley read and didn't like, but I do read mysteries now and then. I liked this one for the most part, but I'm not sure if I'll seek out other books in the series. ( )

I finished reading “Shunning Sarah” by Julie Kramer and was disappointed that I reached the end. This book was intriguing and frustrating at the same time. I always enjoy mysteries, especially when they take place in an Amish or Mennonite community. It gives a totally different slant to the story when characters are restrained by the non-violent code of the Ordnung. This story had two lines to follow; one, the crime that was committed and two, the insight to the life of the investigative reporter, Riley Spartz. I found this book fascinating. Just to switch back and forth between the crime, the law and the reporter. I don’t want to say too much about the book in order to keep your interest if you read it. I was able to read this book in two days because I found that one chapter led interestingly to the next, and the next. I think anyone who enjoys mysteries will enjoy this book. There is no end to the list of suspects.

This book is an Advanced Reader’s Copy given freely by the publisher for review.

Other reviews can be found at:
http://imhookedonbooks.wordpress.com/2012/06/26/shunning-sarah-by/
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Shunning Sarah is the fifth book in this series featuring television reporter Riley Spartz. Riley thinks she's going to report on a basic boy-in-a-sinkhole story near her parents' farm in rural Minnesota, but it turns into a lot more. When the young boy is rescued, a woman's body is found at the bottom of the sinkhole. The woman's body at the bottom of the sinkhole turns out to be an 18 year old Amish girl named Sarah Yoder. Riley then becomes involved in investigating the Amish community and their culture—as well as bear research?? Although I enjoyed this series in the past, this one was a bit too much—particularly as the twists, turns and addition of more plot points (sexual harassment, bear research etc) became of improbable and difficult to believe. 2 out of 5 stars. ( )

Kramer's mysteries and writing just keep getting better and better. Riley Spartz, after the horrific end of the previous story, is back on the beat, juggling new responsibilities via the direction of a new news director and trying to keep up with fresh new stories. A tip about a boy in sinkhole leads to a homicide outside the Channel 3 viewing area. Because Amish stories are always interesting, Riley gets the go ahead to hit Southern MN, camera in tow. I always appreciate Kramer's attention to newsroom detail, and how Riley's relationship with Nick Garnett and her parents always seem so realistic. ( )