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I'm always looking for good books to read and I freely admit that I really like a good mystery. And when I learned that Wanda Brunstetter, the famous Christian novelist, was writing mysteries, my ears perked up a little bit.
I have read a Wanda Brunstetter book before. In fact, she had a book signing several years ago and I purchased her book "The Brides of the Big Valley." She had the book signing locally because the book takes place in the Reedsville/ Belleville area. "The Brides of the Big Valley" is actually three short romances in one book, written by Wanda, her daughter-in-law, and her granddaughter. All three stories take place in the Big Valley, local businesses are named, and it was a fun read because the story used place-names that I was familiar with. "The Brides of the Big Valley" is owned by the library and has been checked out 56 times.
I did not realize there was a sequel called "Return to the Big Valley." This book is again three stories in one, written by Wanda and her daughter-in-law and granddaughter and also takes place in Reedsville and Belleville. The library owns this book as well and has been checked out 41 times.
Wanda Brunstetter's books are still very popular among the readers at Mifflin County Library who are looking for a light-hearted romance, not spicy in any way, and with a happy ending. So I was really surprised to learn that she's written mysteries that are subtitled "A Mifflin County Mystery."
There are three in all, set in the Big Valley, and the stories center around the mysterious disappearance of Rosa Petersheim.
"The Protector" discusses Rosa's initial disappearance and her brother Norman's focus on finding her while dealing with the strain her disappearance has on the family. This book is available at Kish Library in Belleville and has been checked out 12 times.
"The Peacemaker" takes place a year later and Rosa is still gone. This novel focuses more on Ephraim, Rosa's boyfriend. Everyone thinks he did something to Rosa. A mysterious arson fire doesn't help him to look any less suspicious. This book is available at Kish Library in Belleville and has been checked out 11 times.
The third book is called "The Pretender" and takes place after another year has gone by. I don't want to give away any spoilers; let's just say Rosa's body turns up. This book is available at Kish Library in Belleville and has been checked out 10 times.
If this series or the other two books of Wanda Brunstetter's are of interest to you, please call the library. We can place the books on hold and call you when they come available. Remember, you don't have to drive to Kish Library in Belleville to get the book. We can have it brought into MCL in Lewistown for you.
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Susan Miriello is the Executive Director of the Mifflin County Library. You can call the library at (717) 242-2391. Kish Library's phone number is (717) 935-2880. Visit the library website at www.mifflincountylibrary.org.