What the Bishop Saw by Vannetta Chapman [Review & Giveaway]

My thoughts:  The author has begun a new series - The Amish Bishop Mysteries - with a delightful story about a group of Amish who settled in the San luis Valley area of Colorado. I don't know if the series will feature Bishop Henry Lapp in all of the books, but I just love his gentle guidance that carries a bit of humor and a lot of strength for the members of his community. I hope to read more about him in future stories.

As a peaceful, pacifist group they find themselves embroiled in and the target of murder and arson when one of their own's home is burned out and left murdered in the fire. This is only the start of a series of violent arson acts that seem connected. Yet, the arsonist also strikes a couple of non-Amish establishments leading to questions about how they, too, would be the object of the serial arsonist's attention.

Characters' experience with special gifts of intelligence are brought forth and it is shown how their gift can affect personality and development. Henry is considered a savant because of his unique ability to draw detailed images from his subconscious memory. A good link on savant syndrome is at the NIH website. A concise definition could be....
Savant syndrome is a rare, but extraordinary, condition in which persons ... have some ‘island of genius’ which stands in marked, incongruous contrast to overall handicap. ...Whatever the particular savant skill, it is always linked to massive memory. 
I found one of the warm-fuzzy charcters to be the little puppy that Bishop Henry Lapp adopts added a layer of warmth and joy to the story. Delightful. Heartwarming. And the young girl, Katie, is so loveable. I am thinking she would be a strong interest to follow should the author continue the series with the same characters.

Vannetta Chapman writes an easy to read story and her mysteries are interesting and just suspenseful enough to keep one's attention and yet not get too convoluted. Character development is always a plus with Chapman's books and the story line is always well developed.

I can highly recommend What the Bishop Saw.

About the book: Somewhere in the Embers Lies the Truth

A fire blazes out of control in the San Luis Valley of Colorado, leaving an elderly Amish bachelor dead. Bishop Henry Lapp rushes to the scene, and he learns the fire was no accident. Someone intended to kill Vernon Frey. But who would want to kill Vernon? Well, practically everyone—Amish and Englisch alike.

When the police point the finger at a suspect Henry knows is innocent, the bishop must decide whether or not to use his mysterious, God-given gift—one he's tried desperately to ignore all these years—to try and set the record straight. His close friend and neighbor, Emma, encourages Henry to follow God's leading.

Could the clue to solving the case be locked somewhere deep in his memory? Will Henry find the courage to move forward in faith and put the right person behind bars? Is his friendship with Emma becoming something more?

What the Bishop Saw is a story of extraordinary talents, the bonds of love and friendship, and the unfailing grace of God.
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DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from the author to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own and I was not compensated. Winner's copy is provided and shipped by author or publisher.

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