Trying to fit in with her high school crowd, Abby Anderson endures a little hazing and teasing by her two friends and gets upset when her orange backpack gets tossed by one of them into a field as the three teenage girls trespass on an Amish farmer's land near Crooked Creek. As Abby goes to retrieve it, she is shocked to discover that it has fallen down a well and landed on the body of a dead Amish man.

Leading the investigation into the murder of Perry Borntrager is Deputy Sheriff Mose Kramer. Having been raised Amish and spent most of his life in Crittenden County, Kentucky, he knows how secretive people there could be. Why Perry wasn't reported missing is a mystery. Knowing his good friend, Luke Reynolds, a Cincinnati, Ohio detective was on medical leave, he appealed to him for help with the investigation as he believes Luke will find out things that his familiarity with local folks may cause him to overlook. As Luke probes, some secrets get further hidden, yet small clues are revealed.

Seeking background information, Luke interviews Abby's older brother, Walker, who happened to have been friends with Perry and had worked with him. Walker has secrets of his own and clams up on Luke. Walker then seeks out Lydia, a lovely and quiet Amish girl and Perry's former girlfriend, to make sure they keep their stories straight. Can Luke crack an edge in this clannish and secretive community? Can Lydia find solace by keeping her own secrets hidden? Why was Perry killed and who wanted Perry silenced?

Well known for her romantic inspirational books, MISSING is the first book in Shelley Shepard Gray's latest series, The Secrets of Crittenden County. Gray skillfully develops this intriguing story of family and friendship with a strong plot, thoughtful character insights, and a great attention to the details of life that illuminate both the Amish and Englischer way of life and being.

Her depictions of Lydia's feelings after having new secrets revealed and the intensity of emotion she feels are heart rendering and you just want to keep reading to find out how it will end. The title, MISSING, is interesting as it references not only Perry's disappearance as well as the needs many of the characters feel as they as they search for what they feel is lacking as life changes around them. This book is optimally read as a series, so fans will appreciate that the next book, in the trilogy, THE SEARCH, will be out in June, followed by the concluding book in September, 2012.

This is a different Amish mystery you are sure to enjoy!