July 1, 2012
The most important person in Lizzie Engel's life is her six-year-old daughter, Charity. When their safety is threatened, Lizzie has no choice but to seek refuge in the one place she swore she'd never return to, Kingdom, Kansas, a Mennonite town of only 300. Even though she is loath to return to the sternness and judgmentalism of her youth, Lizzie feels sure Kingdom is far enough off the map to free her of the man stalking her and sending threatening letters. Mehl does a remarkable job of showcasing the lifestyle of the Mennonites against the backdrop of a modern mystery as Lizzie revisits her roots and has a chance to heal childhood wounds. Any reader with a difficult past will appreciate the way Mehl gently removes layers of old lies and insecurities, leaving Lizzie whole again while, as in most small-town tales, featuring a cast of colorful and endearing characters along with a few unsavory types. The uniqueness of Mennonite living makes this story a refreshing change from Amish romances and mainstream contemporary suspense.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)