Article and Interview by Elise Cooper
Lemon Drop Dead by Amanda Flower highlights a town, Harvest, Ohio, where both Amish and “English” people co-exist along with tourists, babies, and killers. This book continues Flower’s winning streak of writing fun and riveting stories. Not only do they gain a glimpse into Amish culture, but also have great characters, some humor, and a who-done-it mystery.
In this novel, a friend and co-worker of the main character, Bailey King, is pregnant. Although not an Amish tradition, Emily Esh accepts a baby shower from the town. During the shower, a mysterious woman confronts Emily about a secret from her past. The woman disappears before Bailey could find out who she was. A few hours later, she is found dead in the pretzel shop owned by Emily’s family, with a threatening note written by Emily’s sister, Esther, found on her body.
As a teenager, six year earlier, Emily had a baby out of wedlock, something frowned upon by the Amish community. Her sister and brother forced her give up the baby for “adoption,” although no formal papers were signed. Now the child’s adoptive mother is found dead in the pretzel shop. Both siblings have looked down upon Emily for her indiscretion. But now Bailey is asked to prove that Emily’s sister, Esther, did not murder the woman found in her shop.
There is also some tension in the relationship between Bailey and Deputy Sherriff Aiden. It seems he is taking a job with Ohio’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation, which would take him away from Harvest. In this story, this relationship is unresolved considering it appears it might have to be long distance. The other relationship between Bailey’s cousin and co-worker Charlotte and Deputy Luke Little is resolved in the story.
As with all Amanda Flower books, readers can quickly lose themselves between the pages. The mixture of sweets, Amish traditions, likeable characters, humorous banter, and murder always makes for an exciting mix.
Elise Cooper: Do you think you came full circle since your first book, Assaulted Caramel, in the Amish Candy Shop Mystery series?
Amanda Flower: Yes. I also left some unanswered questions that I wanted to resolve. They have been in other books. I never really explained what happened to Emily’s child out of wedlock. Before the series ends, I wanted to write about this subject. The series will go for at least two more books.
EC: How would you describe the sister, Esther Esh?
AF: Not very likeable and very stubborn. She is prickly, proper, and judgmental. At her core she wishes she could have a relationship with her sister. She is bitter about having to run the pretzel shop all on her own. Basically, she is an unhappy person.
EC: How would you describe Emily Esh?
AF: Sweet, kind, quiet, shy, and naïve. Amish girls are not told about the birds and the bees. She has accepted the fact her brother is a jerk but wants to connect with her sister.
EC: The plot delves into a child born out of wedlock?
AF: Emily gave birth to Hannah six years ago. She gave her up right after she was born so she does not know Hannah is deaf. Bailey’s personal morals is at odds with the Amish community that frowns upon children born out of wedlock. Emily was judged very harshly for a mistake made when she was a teenager. In the Amish community reputation is highly valued.
EC: Lois from your other series plays a role in this book?
AF: I decided to have her understand sign language, so I made her more involved. Hannah looks at her as a sweet grandma. I wanted to have a character with a disability, in this case deafness, because I wanted to show how the Amish respond to it.
EC: You always delve into Amish culture. Can you talk about a husband’s responsibilities?
AF: The wife must always ask the husband for permission. Their marriage is not equal. I think that is why Esther never married. She did not want to have to answer to anyone. An Amish woman must defer to the husband’s wishes.
EC: What about birth certificates, health insurance, and adopting?
AF: Most Amish children are born at home. Rarely do they go to a hospital for births. They also do not inform the government about a child’s birth. It is sad, but they do not have health insurance. They depend on the community to take up a collection to pay for someone’s illness. When my mother was in the hospital, I saw Amish people there as well. I knew about my mom’s medical bills, and I could not imagine having nothing to help. The Amish do not accept anything from the government like Medicaid. They would have to ask a Bishop for permission to have any help with their medical bills.
EC: Amish are gossipers?
AF: They are a close-knit community where everyone knows everyone’s business. I went on a buggy ride with this older Amish man. He was talking about his neighbors and telling me information. They do gossip about each other. This is something the Esh family worried about with Esther’s first pregnancy.
EC: Amish horse racing?
AF: The Amish like to gamble. I was told about it from a friend. I put in the story this scene where someone explains to Bailey about it. The Amish have been racing horses for a very long time. They do harness racing with two-wheel carts. The wheels are bicycle wheels called a sulky. The horses are much faster than buggy horses.
EC: Lemons in the title and in the story?
AF: I love them. It is my favorite flavor. Every time I go to Amish country, I try to get a piece of Lemon Meringue Pie.
EC: Next book(s)?
AF: Out in December will be another “Amish Matchmaker” titled Marriage Can Be Mischievous. It is about solving a cold case from the 1980s. It delves into spousal abuse. This time next year will be another “Amish Candy Shop” novel titled Peanut Butter Panic. It has Margot’s mother involved in a murder. Out in the winter is the second Hallmark book titled Frozen Detective. It has a murder happening at a posh New Year’s Eve party at a ski resort. The murder weapon is a bow and arrow.
EC: THANK YOU!!
