Series: The Secrets of Crittenden County #1
Published by HarperCollins on March 20th, 2012
Genres: Amish & Mennonite, Fiction, General, Religious, Romance
Pages: 272
Can two young people survive the suspicions of their friends and neighbors when tragedy strikes a close-knit Amish community?
Perry Borntrager had been missing for months from the quiet Amish community of Crittenden, Kentucky, when his body is discovered at the bottom of an abandoned well. The first death from mysterious circumstances in more than two decades brings the scrutiny of the outside world: A police detective arrives to help the local sheriff with the investigation. His questioning begins with Lydia Plank, Perry’s former girlfriend, and Perry’s best friend, the Englischer Walker Anderson.
Lydia and Walker know they didn’t have anything to do with Perry’s death, but they both hold secrets about his final days. Do they dare open up about the kind of man Perry had become? In the oppressive shadow of these dark times, they discover strength in a most unlikely companionship: one that offers solace, understanding, and the promise of something more.
Note: Kristin reads and reviews both Christian and secular fiction on A Simply Enchanted Life. Out of respect for my readers, I am including a content review. This content review will help you decide whether this book is suitable for you.
Christian or Secular: Christian
ASEL Rating: The yellow MILD caution indicates that there may be some mild language, mild romantic, suggestive scenes but no descriptions or details, mild violence (though no detailed description), or other content to be aware of.
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Profanity: None
Sex: suggestive scenes but no descriptions or details
Violence: mild violence (though no detailed description)
Drugs & Alcohol: Non-descriptive drug use is mentioned as well as drinking.
Trigger Warning: Potentially an instance of sexual assault or harassment.
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Missing is book #1 in The Secrets of Crittenden County series by Shelley Shepard Gray. Other books in the series include The Search (#2), Found (#3)and Peace (#3.5).
Missing by Shelley Shepard Gray is not your typical Amish Romance. While there is a budding romance in this story, it’s mostly an Amish mystery. Be warned that the plot of Missing does not conclude in one installment. You will need to read the entire series for the conclusion.
It seems this book has mixed reviews. People either like the book or they don’t. I fall into the “like” group. I liked that the Amish are portrayed as real people with real problems. Their youth may make mistakes and get involved in activities that they shouldn’t. For one young Amish man, these mistakes have tragic consequences.
The story flowed at a nice, even pace. I read the book in one sitting and I find that I’m eager to pick up the next book to see how the story will progress.
I would love to have some major, insightful piece to add to the existing reviews on Goodreads, and the truth is, I don’t have that yet. Until I see how the rest of the story progresses, it’s hard to see the bigger picture.
What I can say is that for now, I like the characters. I want to know everything that Perry was involved in and if there will be negative consequences for Lydia and Walker.
I look forward to diving right into The Search just as soon as I clear up a spot on my reading schedule! 
About Shelley Shepard Gray
Shelley Shepard Gray is a two-time New York Times bestseller, a two-time USA Today bestseller, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time Holt Medallion winner. She lives in Southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town’s bike trail.
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