Plain Truth: A Novel

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Summary: This book is a treat!
Review: Jodi Picoult's "Plain Truth" is a gem of a story. I had a great sense of enjoyment as I read it. Her characters seem real and believable and the plot is well crafted. Katie and Ellie, as well as all the other characters, were likable, and acted like we might all act under the circumstances. The relationship between Katie and Samuel was sweet and touching. Underneath it all runs the thread of a tragedy that has affected the entire Fisher family. There could not have been a better ending...grounded in reality instead of implausible heroics. I enjoyed the setting amid the Amish culture. Ms. Picoult obviously researched her topic thoroughly, to be able to give her readers such a detailed view of their world. I look forward to reading other books by the author. I am starting "Harvesting the Heart" very soon!

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Summary: Exciting and interesting legal mystery
Review: When defense attorney Ellie decides to take a hiatus from her life, she retreats to her aunt Leda's house in Lancaster, PA. Leda is an excommunicated Amish women who still lives close to the community she was raised in. When Leda gets a phone call shortly after Ellie arrives and rushes off to the hospital, Ellie is intrigued. Soon the story comes out -- Leda's niece, a young Amish girl named Katie, has given birth to a baby out of wedlock and the baby has been discovered dead and hidden in the barn. Katie has been accused of murdering the child, though vehemently denies ever being pregnant in the first place. Leda pleads with Ellie to take the case and Ellie reluctantly agrees. To secure bail for Katie, the judge makes Ellie swear to move in with her family and not let Katie go anywhere without her. So, suddenly Ellie is back in the courtroom AND living on an Amish farm instead of enjoying her planned vacation. Initially, she isn't too happy about this, but as she gets to know Katie, she realizes something just isn't right here. First of all, Katie is definitely holding something back. But is it really possible that an Amish girl could kill her own child? This was a very engrossing and exciting courtroom drama that kept me glued to a chair for the last 100 pages. Even though the author drops a clue about 2/3's of the way through that is too obvious, I still was a little bit surprised at the end when I realized my suspicions were right. That's ALWAYS a good quality in a mystery. I really enjoyed this novel -- not only was the plot good, but getting to know the Amish way of life was truly fascinating. Highly recommended!

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Summary: Another winner by Jodi Picoult
Review: I became a fan of Jodi Picoult with "The Pact" and each new release moves her higher on my list of favorite authors. I live in Lancaster County, PA and found Picoult's depiction of the Amish culture to be extremely accurate. "Plain Truth" is suspenseful and yet sensitive to a way of life that many of us find hard to understand. If you are a fan of Jodi Picoult this is a must read. If you are new to Picoult read "Plain Truth" and you will be a fan for life.

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Summary: One of my year's favorites
Review: I just finished reading this book last night did not want it to end. What a terrific book--I never quite knew what or who would pop up next. It had a little of everything in it--love stories and triangles, court room. I felt like I was really there with both Ellie and Katie. It is also a great book for those who want to know more abt the Amish community and what their views are. I highly recommend it.

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Summary: Romance novel type of mystery
Review: I love mysteries...but not romance novels. I also enjoy Amish culture. I thought this novel might be a nice blend. It was OK but seemed to drag on without enough substance. The trial was just everything you were already told...all over again...I skimmed it. More a love story than mystery but it did keep me wanting to know the end...which I skipped to after some boredom along the way. Point of note: It would be nice if personal "reviewers" would not disclose the entire contents of the books. Some people would like to find the details out on their own. Overall views are good...plot details are not. The literary reviews in the beginning do enough of the job to "hint" whether you'd like to read it or not...no need to continue to divulge more plot by subsequent readers!

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Summary: Picoult scores again!
Review: Jodi Picoult is an author who just keeps getting better. This novel, set in Pennyslvania's Amish country, is both an edge-of-your-seat thriller and an up-close glimpse of the "quiet people" and how they choose to live or - for that matter - to defect from their rigorous rituals. When a young Amish woman is accused of killing her newborn, she steadfastly denies it. But if she didn't, who did? And why? A very confused and cosmopolitan attorney grapples with that question as the court permits the young woman bail on the condition that the barrister live with her and her family - sans the conveniences of modern life. In a nifty sub-plot, the lawyer finds an old love intruding on a new one. There are many love stories here - for a way of life, for family, for lover, for baby. And the suspense builds from chapter to chapter although this is far from just a haunting mystery. You may guess who donnit, but the lyrical writing and the even-handed insight into another culture makes it well worth the read. And you will care about the clearly defined characters as each wrestles with his/her personal demons.

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Summary: Should be the next Oprah Book CLub Selection...
Review: Jodi Picoult is a master storyteller! I hope someone tells Oprah about her! I had just finished "Keeping Faith" and could not wait to read her newest book. It has something for everyone, including suspense, mystery, a lesson in history and sociology, romance. A little bit ER, Little House on the Prarie, and the Practice rolled into one. When you reach the end of a page you just can't wait to turn to the next. Her words are simple to read but captivating. I have read many of the books on the Oprah Book CLub list and this one is right up there in a category of excellence-a must read!

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Summary: Jodi Picoult strikes again
Review: I've like Jodi's work since her book Harvesting the Heart. She writes of people who have become lost finding their way with the help of others. Her characters are likeable and she is an excellent storyteller. If you are tired of mediocre reading this book will be a refreshing break.

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Summary: Terrific in so many ways!
Review: This book has it all. Jodi Picoult is such a wonderful storyteller. This one has the elements of mystery, intrigue, attorney and courtroom drama, relationship issues, and most interestingly, set in the background of the Amish culture. I just can't say enough about what a great read this book was - I immediately gave it to my adult daughter to read and will recommend it to my teenage daughter as well.

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Summary: One of the best books read
Review: I grew up in Berks County, Pa which is the next county over from Lancaster----the setting for the story in this book. This was the first book I read from this author--and it won't be the last. She obviously researched the Amish a great deal and portrayed them in a perfect way---this is exactly the way they lived, thought, believed--so close to the truth. I could see a lot of my family in this book---a lot of our heritage, our German culture very much the same--including the Pa. Dutch dialect of the German language. I was raised in a family that spoke the same words---only our religion was different. The story was very realistic, probably even happened in real life to some family. I felt drawn into their lives as if I lived there again. I couldn't put this book down--and didn't want it to end. I guessed the ending since I knew their way of thinking. But it still was hard to reach the last page--I wanted it to continue. I really enjoyed her way of writing, the characters she introduced---you felt like you really knew them. It was easy to feel like you were there, feeling their pain, loving their way of life, their simple way of living and their focus not on themselves. We can all learn something from the Amish and perhaps be a better person from that lesson. A great story, a great read. Thank you.