Dark Glass Ponderings

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. -1 Corinthians 13:12


This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
The Silent Order
Summerside Press (November 1, 2010)
by
Melanie Dobson






ABOUT THE AUTHOR:




Melanie Dobson is the award-winning author of The Black Cloister; Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana; and Together for Good.




Prior to launching Dobson Media Group in 1999, Melanie was the corporate publicity manager at Focus on the Family where she was responsible for the publicity of events, products, films, and TV specials. Melanie received her undergraduate degree in journalism from Liberty University and her master's degree in communication from Regent University. She has worked in the fields of publicity and journalism for fifteen years including two years as a publicist for The Family Channel.



Melanie and her husband, Jon, met in Colorado Springs in 1997 at Vanguard Church. Jon works in the field of computer animation. Since they've been married, the Dobsons have relocated numerous times including stints in Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Colorado, Berlin, and Southern California. These days they are enjoying their new home in the Pacific Northwest.



Jon and Melanie have adopted their two daughters —Karly (6) and Kinzel (5). When Melanie isn't writing or entertaining their girls, she enjoys exploring ghost towns and dusty back roads, traveling, hiking, line dancing, and reading inspirational fiction.





ABOUT THE BOOK




Rural America - 1928. After the murder of his partner, Detective Rollin Wells hides away in an Amish home near Sugarcreek, Ohio, to find out who in the police force is


collaborating with Cleveland’s notorious mob. While Rollin searches for answers to his partner’s death, he befriends an elusive young Amish woman named Katie and her young son. As Rollin learns about Katie’s past, he’s shocked at the secret Katie is hiding - a secret that has haunted Rollin for eight years.



If you would like to read the first chapter of The Silent Order, go HERE.

Julia's Review:

Prohibition era, the Mafia, and the Amish make for a surprising but delightful combination in Dobson’s novel.



This novel was a slow starter, but about 75 pages in I began tearing through the novel at breakneck pace.


The Silent Order is about the power of secrets. It is a power that ultimately destroys many of the characters in the novel.


Its also about the freeing power of forgiveness. Rollin Wells has spent his whole life trying to expose the Cardano family after his girlfriend dies at their hands. Will he find his life purpose beyond the chase.


I felt myself drawn in to the plot of The Silent Order with its twists and turns. The characters were likeable, although perhaps not as drawn out as I would have liked. Amish is not my preferred genre, but nothing about this book fit the clichés. In all I would rate Dobson’s book a 4 star read, fun, and quick-paced with spiritual takeaway.

2 comments:

Amish isn't really my favorite genre either, but I did enjoy a few Christmasy Amish books because I expected them to be fast, light reads. It does seem an oddity to pair Amish culture with the Mafia . . . I saw a movie once where a detective hid out with an Amish family. It got a little violent but did make for an unusual premise!

Renee Ann,

The odd thing is that my WIP registers as theme-similiar an Amish movie...maybe just because it centers around a cult.

I usually find they are very quick reads, but I can see that they might make better Christmas reads.


Julia M. Reffner

About Me

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Christ-loving bookworm & homeschool mom of 2 stealing the rare quiet moments to pursue that all elusive writing dream. I also write book reviews for Title Trakk and The Historical Novel Society.

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