Rating: 
Summary: Surprising!
Review: I bought this book totally on a whim because the plot sounded interesting then it turns out to be one of the best books I have read in a long time. It was very interesting to get a glimpse of Amish life and their interactions with the outside world. I would highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more books from this author.
Rating: 
Summary: Good and informative read.
Review: Good and informative read. I learned a lot about the Amish culture. It was interesting to see the two cultures join for a common cause and to see the different veiws. The 1st half of the book moved slowly for me because I was absorbing a lot of information and was the judge and the jury at that point. The 2nd half moved along a lot faster but didn't hold my attention very well during the trial, sort of a been there done that situation until there was a twist. I was also getting very annoyed w/Katie I'm mean GEEZ snap out of it girl. I was disappointed w/the last chapter. It seemed like it came right out of Scott Turrow's 'Presumed Innocent' movie. All in all it was a good read I read in w/in a week. It needed an epilog to say this and this occured w/in a year or so or even a ten year look back to see where everyone was. Only because you got to know all the characters very well.
Rating:
Summary: Educated, intriguing, and exciting....
Review: What a strange combination... A murder and an Amish community. The topic certainly had me intrigued when I sat down to read it. I was not disappointed. After I read the first page I found it nearly impossible to put the book down. I stayed up all night reading it. I really enjoyed gaining a better understanding of a very misunderstood people. The Amish were presented in a fair light, and, it was very interesting learning about them. I had always thought that the Amish were like saints. It was interesting, and reassuring to learn that they are people just like everyone else. There are good Amish, bad Amish, happy, and sad, rich and poor. The characters were very vivid, and I was intrigued by the way they stayed real. This was a definite plus to the novel. I am not usually one for courtroom thrillers, but this book was informative, exciting and EXTREMELY well written. The strength of the family is highlighted in this book, and that is important to me. It is a very realistic novel because of the issue of the role of the family. I was very impressed by this highly recommended author. Now, I can give the same recommendation, Picoult is a genius!
Rating:
Summary: Incredible mingling of cultures
Review: Attorney Elly Hathaway is visiting a mutual relative of hers and of Amish farmers the Fishers when a dead baby is found on an Amish farm. ALL emphasis falls on teenaged, unmarried Katie Fisher. There is shock and scandal in the Amish community. Elly reluctantly takes the case. This is culture shock for Elly, who must stay at the farm because Katie is released into her custody. The conditions are appaling for an attorney in that she doesn't have a way to use the Net or her laptop, or even to charge her cell phone. Nonetheless, as she tries to find out who really killed the baby, she warms to the different environment. There are twists and turns in both Elly's and Katie's lives throughout the book that make me HOPE!!! for a sequel. The story is warm and, despite the murder, as clean as linens on the line. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good mystery or anyone who is looking for a different kind of modern mystery.
Rating:
Summary: Very enjoyable
Review: I grabbed this book because I had nothing to read one day and ws pleasantly surprised. It reminded me of the movie "Witness" and was just as informative and enjoyable. I learned about the Amish and also got involved in a very strong and interesting story with characters one could care about. I would highly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: page turner!
Review: Loved this book, read in 3 days, hard to put down,,,I usually don't read like that,,,but couldn't help it with this one.
Rating:
Summary: I can't say enough good things about this book!
Review: Hands down this is the best book I have read this year. Its possibly one of the best books I have read EVER! The story was aboslutely wonderful. The depcitions of the Amish way of life alone would have made this a great read, but Ms. Picoult went further than that. The research that had to be done into Amish life, legal process and medical proceedures had to have been extensive, and the results are a a beautiful book. She has portrayed a segment of American people many of us know little or nothing about in a very dignified way. I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the Amish. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys courtroom fiction. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys love stories. In short, I would recommed this book to anyone who is looking for a stellar read.
Rating:
Summary: The Truth, the Whole Truth, and the Plain Truth
Review: Plain Truth is an interesting glimpse into the life of Plain People, also known as Amish. The play on words in the title becomes apparent halfway through the book as the truth of this mystery lies embedded in what is true in the Amish way of thinking, not necessarily what is right or true in our American judicial system. Author Jodi Picoult gives us two very different women as main characters in this mystery/courtroom drama. There is Katie, the young Amish girl who hides her out-of-wedlock pregnancy, gives birth in the barn to a baby later found dead, and stands trial for his murder. There is also Ellie, the burned-out Philadelphia lawyer who defends Katie. As fate would have it, thirty-nine-old Ellie would like nothing better than to have a baby. Because of circumstances, Ellie must live on the Amish farm with Katie before and during the trial. Her "baptism by fire" is an accurate and engrossing look at the Amish life in Lancaster County, PA. Add to the mix a cold-hearted father, a complacent mother, a shunned brother with a roommate who studies ghosts, Katie's Amish boyfriend who planned to marry her, a former college sweetheart who happens to be a psychiatrist, and you have an absorbing mystery with motive, romance, and a somewhat-surprising if not disturbing ending.
Rating:
Summary: Engrossed until the last 2 pages!
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I knew virtually nothing about the Amish except their shunning of modern conveniences. It was very interesting to me to learn of their life style, religion, and beliefs. I went through stages as I read where I pitied Katie who was accused of murdering her baby...then I would be furious at her for withholding information and "acting" ignorant. All through the book I kept changing my mind on what actually happened to the baby, but never once did I guess what the ending would be. The reason I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5 is I was livid at the ending. I hate to go into it because it would give away the whole book, and it is worth reading. I cannot believe Ms. Picoult chose the ending she did. I was in a daze for hours with disbelief. I was angry at everyone in the story when I finished this book, including the author. I don't want to spoil it for people who will read this book, otherwise I'd give you my reasons for being so upset with the outcome. All in all it was a good read and peeked into the Amish culture which I found very intriguing.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful, Powerful, Fast Pace----Got to Read Book
Review: I Loved this book. It is about the Amish faith, which I knew little about until I read this novel. The characters are so familiar as you go along, you feel a kinship with them. This read offers so much; romance, murder, courtroom drama, and so much more. For me the ending is such a surprise, and I love that. I don't want to give anything away, so I will just say buy the book and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy. I will be reading more of Jodi Picoult's books, you can bet on it!
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