Searching for Rose

Searching for Rose by Dana Becker is a unique Amish novel. April has had a difficult life and made some poor choices. The one person she has always been close to is her sister, Rose. When Rose disappears without a trace, April becomes determined to find her. She gets help from a bakery owner and an Amish man who works at the Amish diner next to the bakery. I thought the characters lacked development. Last names for our main characters would have been nice. The pacing is slow in the first half of the book. It does increase in the second half as the mystery picks up speed. The mystery was interesting. There are good clues to help readers figure out who is behind the crime. There are also some disturbing details. I would have liked a better wrap up to the mystery. It felt incomplete. Searching for Rose is more of a romantic suspense than an Amish mystery (which is what I was expecting). April and Joseph become close while looking for Rose. Their relationship is a rocky one. April has a hard time trusting people. I did find some inconsistencies in the book that I hope were corrected before publication. I did like seeing April trying to improve her lot in life. It turns out that Searching for Rose will have a sequel. I hope any unfinished issues from Searching for Rose will be resolved in the follow-up. Searching for Rose is an Amish romantic suspense with a missing sister, an Amish Romeo, a kindhearted baker, and a shocking tale.