Cast a Blue Shadow: An Amish-Country Mystery (#4) Audiobook, by P. L. Gaus Play Audiobook Sample

Cast a Blue Shadow: An Amish-Country Mystery (#4) Audiobook

Cast a Blue Shadow: An Amish-Country Mystery (#4) Audiobook, by P. L. Gaus Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: George Newbern Publisher: Random House Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 4.33 hours at 1.5x Speed 3.25 hours at 2.0x Speed Series: The Amish-Country Mystery Series Release Date: December 2011 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9780449009277

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

77

Longest Chapter Length:

07:54 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

13 seconds

Average Chapter Length:

05:04 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

0

Publisher Description

After the first blizzard of an early winter, a Mennonite college girl with a troubled past appears curled up and bloodied outside the offce of her childhood psychiatrist. Mute for many years as a child, Martha Lehman is again not talking. That same morning, the wealthy mother of Martha’s boyfriend is found murdered in her mansion in the country west of Millersburg, Ohio. Professor Mi chael Branden and Sheriff Bruce Robertson begin an investigation that, in the space of a single weekend, implicates Martha, threatens to tear apart the fabric of Millersburg College, pits one professor against another, and brings Caroline Branden near to a breaking point over the girl she once tried so fervently to help and who now seems determined to let no one help her at all. As Martha struggles to understand her enigmatic past and as Professor Branden wrestles with the murder of the college 6's leading benefactor, the real story of Martha Lehman emerges—born Amish, converted to Mennonite, and drawn to the English world for the worst of reasons. In Cast a Blue Shadow, his fourth Ohio Amish Mystery, P. L. Gaus continues to explore the thresholds of culture and faith among the Amish sects and their English neighbors of northern Ohio. Through interwoven plots, Gaus portrays these ways of life at odds with one another despite their seeming harmony. Coupling those clashes with the petty and desperate scufflings of academic politics, Gaus spins a suspenseful tale of power, pride, and tested faith. With Cast a Blue Shadow, Professors Branden and Gaus have done it again.

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"Maybe a little less. This is part of a series called "Amish-Country" mysteries, and there was very little about the Amish or the Mennonite in it, though what was there was very good. Still, it was a good story."

— John (4 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • A sensitively observed series.

    — Marilyn Stasio, New York Times
  • Gaus's Amish-Country Mysteries examine the ethical, moral and scriptural nuances of the Amish, and the challenges their community faces co-existing with technology and temptations of the modern world.

    — Sharon Short, Dayton Daily News (Ohio)
  • Of all the dastardly crimes that might spark a good whodunit, a buggy robbery doesn't seem very promising—unless the author is P. L. Gaus, who writes a discerning series set among the Old Order Amish sects of Holmes County, Ohio... Gaus is a sensitive storyteller who matches his cadences to the measured pace of Amish life, catching the tensions among the village's religious factions.

    — Marilyn Stasio, New York Times
  • An interesting who-dunit read, keeping me guessing in addition to providing insight into a unique way of life... This insightful novel will satisfy your hunger for a good murder mystery while it subtly educates you on the beliefs and values of a facet of society most know little about.

    — Bonnie Papenfuss, The Sahuarita Sun (Arizona)
  • For more than a decade, P. L. Gaus has been writing quietly spellbinding mysteries about one such group, the conservative Old Order Amish of Holmes County, Ohio... [A] sensitive account of the impact on this community when outsiders (that is, the cops) descend to deal with an Amish youth who has confessed to the murder of his fiancee's older, richer and very persistent admirer.

    — Marilyn Stasio, New York Times
  • Gaus spins a fine mystery with a strong background of Amish faith and plenty of detail on the difficulties the Amish face in the modern age.

    — Michele Leber, Booklist
  • What makes this book stand out as exceptional is the method in which Gaus describes events. There is intrigue, tenderness, religion, and much conflict... Blending of old-world culture with modern detective work makes this continuation of the same characters in key roles with different murders a true mystery series... If you like good mysteries, without salacious sex or mayhem, and adash of religion mixed in, you will want to read this book... A four star book and is highly recommended.

    — Clark Isaacs, Reviewer's Bookwatch
  • Series regulars Professor Michael Branden, in Pinecraft, and Pastor Cal Troyer provide comfort and continuity in this eighth Amish-country mystery. Loose ends in the murder case lend realism and augur well for the next installment.

    — Michele Leber, Booklist
  • With each new mystery, P. L. Gaus treats us to yet another view of life among the Old Order Amish in Wayne County, Ohio... [H]e has great admiration for the Amish themselves, writing with quiet gravity about aspects of their lives rarely shown to strangers.

    — Marilyn Stasio, New York Times
  • "The latest in this too-little-known series again combines a fascinating, realistic look at an Amish community in Ohio with a gently satiric take on academic life.

    — Barbara Bibel, Booklist

Cast a Blue Shadow Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 2.71428571428571 out of 52.71428571428571 out of 52.71428571428571 out of 52.71428571428571 out of 52.71428571428571 out of 5 (2.71)
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Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
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Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " P. L. Gaus did not disappoint with this book in his Amish-Country Mystery series. Another interesting storyline that really drew me in. I especially loved seeing the relationship develop between Sheriff Robertson and the medical examiner, Missy. "

    — Angela, 10/2/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " About a murder of a millionaire-It could have had nothing to do with an Amish?? it could have been omitted and it could have been the same story...would have given it 2 1/2 stars "

    — Melissa, 2/23/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Was an OK mystery story but really had nothing to do with the Amish except it mentioned a buggy once in a while. "

    — Charmaine, 1/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Amish Girl with a history of sex-abuse. Family turns Mennonite. Rich widow with 2 kids. Son dates amish girl but mother opposes it. Chem prof poisons widow when his funding is getting cut. son bashes mom's head in after she is dead. "

    — Gwen, 9/8/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This was my book for the trip home. With the 3 hours of delays we had, it needed to be much longer. I finished with 1 1/5 hours left on the plane to SLC. Anyway, I felt like there was much left unresolved, but I will probalby read more in the series. "

    — Jolynne, 8/15/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I think this series is getting better as it moves along. "

    — Judith, 6/2/2012
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Like the Holmes County setting, because I visited there many times before it became so touristy. My husband's parents lived nearby. Story is ok, but not as good as his 1st book, Blood of the Prodigal. "

    — Sandy, 3/10/2012

About P. L. Gaus

P. L. Gaus was born and raised in Ohio, and has lived with his wife, Madonna, in Wooster, Ohio, for over thirty years.

About George Newbern

George Newbern is an Earphones Award–winning narrator and a television and film actor best known for his roles as Brian MacKenzie in Father of the Bride and Father of the Bride Part II, as well as Danny in Friends. As a voice actor, he is notable for his role as Superman on the Cartoon Newtork series Static Shock, Justice League, and Justice League Unlimited. He has guest starred on many television series, including Scandal, The Mentalist, Private Practice, CSI: Miami, and Numb3rs. He holds a BA in theater arts from Northwestern University.