Murder, Plainly Written: Volume 1

By: Steele, Mindy

She just wanted to fit into Amish Country. . .now she's standing out

First novel in The Plain Order Ink Society series, in which Amish writers crack the case of local mysteries.

Sadie Lynch thought inheriting her late Amish aunt's candle shop was a blessing--a chance to leave her stalled writing career behind and find a fresh start. But running a Plain business when she's not Amish isn't exactly filling her store with customers--especially when the local minister insists she sell out.

Sadie, who doesn't want to leave, thankfully meets Wanda--an Amish woman with a secret obsession. As Wanda continues to visit the candle shop, an unexpected partnership blooms when Wanda agrees to help Sadie's shop in exchange for writing advice.

But the grand reopening of the candle shop takes a deadly turn when the body of the Amish minister is discovered behind the counter. Now Sadie is the only suspect, prompting Wanda and the Plain Order Ink Society to try helping her solve the mystery.

But in this Plain community, secrets burn brighter than flames--and nothing is as simple as it seems.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0GC4YXXHY
• ISBN13: 9798891514072
• Release Date: October 2026
• Publisher: Barbour Fiction
• Length: 256 Pages

Customer Reviews

Charming & Original

I loved the originality of this first book in The Plain Order Ink Society and it was fascinating to discover the group actually exists. I never imagined a group of Amish getting together to discuss writing therefore this book piqued my interest from the beginning. The storyline is well-developed and contains all the elements I enjoy. With just enough romance to make you swoon over the handsome deputy, mysterious threatening notes, a dead body, quirky friends, struggles to make a successful business, & family secrets all compile to make you feel invested in Sadie’s life. As I turned pages I wanted to discover Wanda’s backstory and when I discovered that gem I was heartbroken for her. The Faith thread is woven in seamlessly and gives the characters an all-around dimension. I definitely look forward to more antics of The Plain Order Ink Society. I received a complimentary copy from CelebrateLit/Barbour Publishing. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.