Rating: 
Summary: Entertaining but a character change doen't make sense
Review: After driving her husband, Aaron, to the airport, Magdalena Yoder, a Mennonite businesswoman and owner of the prosperous Penn-Dutch Inn, finds the body of an Asiatic woman lying in the street. Since the police chief is incapacitated, he deputizes Magdalena, who has experience investigating murders, to officially examine what happened. Soon, an Amish boy is shot to death. Magdalena concludes that he must have witnessed the first murder. The other person who was in the buggy with the deceased lad was also shot and lies unconscious in a nearby hospital. Magdalena continues her investigation even as she receives a personal shocker from Aaron. Tamar Myers is renowned for her Pennsylvania Dutch cozies and the authentic recipes interspersed throughout her books. BETWEEN A WOK AND A HARD PLACE is a well written who-done-it that would please mystery fans as a stand alone or first novel. However, as the fifth book in the Yoder series, this story will disappoint fans because of the radical personality change of Aaron (mindful of Booby wakening up after a nightmare), thereby, negating the past and making the sub-plot seem more like a contrived device. The trademark heroine's acerbic humor and a superb mystery still exist, but may not prove to be enough for Ms. Myer's numerous fans. Harriet Klausner
Rating: 
Summary: Magdalena Deputized!
Review: As in the other books in this series, this book is really thin in the plot area, and in this one the motive for the killing is not plausible, but it's still a funny story in it's own way. Readers must be die-hard cozy fans to enjoy this series, and they must be willing to give the author a lot of latitude since Ms. Myers really needs an editor for her books. This book is about what appears to be a hit-and-run murder, and at first glance it looks like it might be local Amish boys that did it. That is why Melvin Stoltzfus deputises Magdalena to help him solve the mystery. I'm really not sure about this series. Each book seems more disjointed than the last one, and they make less and less sense. But I do finish the books, even though it seems like an almost guilty pleasure.
Rating:
Summary: Magdalena Deputized!
Review: As in the other books in this series, this book is really thin in the plot area, and in this one the motive for the killing is not plausible, but it's still a funny story in it's own way. Readers must be die-hard cozy fans to enjoy this series, and they must be willing to give the author a lot of latitude since Ms. Myers really needs an editor for her books. This book is about what appears to be a hit-and-run murder, and at first glance it looks like it might be local Amish boys that did it. That is why Melvin Stoltzfus deputises Magdalena to help him solve the mystery. I'm really not sure about this series. Each book seems more disjointed than the last one, and they make less and less sense. But I do finish the books, even though it seems like an almost guilty pleasure.
Rating:
Summary: Good Fortune Predicted for This Book
Review: I don't know how she does it, but Ms. Myers has written yet another truly entertaining book in this - her 5th in her Penn/Dutch mystery series. Her new marriage ends in this one, which is an important reason to read these in order (so why doesn't the publisher put the Number on them?). Each page is engaging; her writing and wit superb. However in this book I found it to be somewhat weak in plot (that's why the 4 stars). The book is not a disappointment, though, as she carries it thru with her unique sense of humor and just plain talent. Don't miss it!
Rating:
Summary: Good Fortune Predicted for This Book
Review: I don't know how she does it, but Ms. Myers has written yet another truly entertaining book in this - her 5th in her Penn/Dutch mystery series. Her new marriage ends in this one, which is an important reason to read these in order (so why doesn't the publisher put the Number on them?). Each page is engaging; her writing and wit superb. However in this book I found it to be somewhat weak in plot (that's why the 4 stars). The book is not a disappointment, though, as she carries it thru with her unique sense of humor and just plain talent. Don't miss it!
Rating: 
Summary: Good fortune
Review: I had missed this one in my collection, so I had to buy it and fill in the blanks. As always, Ms. Myers kept me chuckling the whole way through. Once I got started, I literally couldn't put it down. I was glad to find out the details about what happened to Aaron (the rat!). I love her characters (especially Freni) and the humor is terrific. I'm ready for another one!
Rating:
Summary: Fortune cookie say, "Have hernia in head to buy book"
Review: I love a good "who done it", and its even better if it adds a little humor. But come on! This story had more loose ends then a ball of yarn that my cat Socks just finished with. Tamar introduces a character and then they disappear. She starts a story line and then stops it. She uses more worn out phrases then 14 grandmothers at a AARP meeting. I did get a laugh here and there, but most of the story was spent trying to understand the lastest branch of her tree. a couple of the sub-characters are ok, the police chief never develops, her sister never develops and the deal with her husband already being married just lays there. Summing it up. A good idea for story line, too many weak characters, and too many side trips. I do have to say that a book is like a work of art, some people love it, some hate it and a few like myself would rather have had eggroll.
Rating:
Summary: Fortune cookie say, "Have hernia in head to buy book"
Review: I love a good "who done it", and its even better if it adds a little humor. But come on! This story had more loose ends then a ball of yarn that my cat Socks just finished with. Tamar introduces a character and then they disappear. She starts a story line and then stops it. She uses more worn out phrases then 14 grandmothers at a AARP meeting. I did get a laugh here and there, but most of the story was spent trying to understand the lastest branch of her tree. a couple of the sub-characters are ok, the police chief never develops, her sister never develops and the deal with her husband already being married just lays there. Summing it up. A good idea for story line, too many weak characters, and too many side trips. I do have to say that a book is like a work of art, some people love it, some hate it and a few like myself would rather have had eggroll.
Rating:
Summary: A great book
Review: In this one Mags's husband is away while trouble is stirring up in Herina. Mags is a talented detective, but can she eat her way this one? Read it to find out!
Rating: 
Summary: A hit-and-run mystery
Review: Magdelena Yoder has always been the nemesis of police chief Melvin Stoltzfus. It might have something to do with the fact that she tends to solve crimes before he does. In this addition to the Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery series, Melvin decides since he can't beat her, he'll ask her to join him. Magdelena is called upon to be a temporary deputy in order to help Melvin solve the murder of an Asian visitor who has been strangled and then run over by an Amish buggy. Magdelena has her usual group of interesting guests at the PennDutch Inn and they are suspects along with some local teenage boys who love to drive their buggies around town late at night. She is unwittingly aided by her father-in-law who is in search of aliens and flying saucers and who helps her uncover some important evidence. This one is a bit thin as to the plot, and the murderer's motive is pretty shaky, but it's still good fun if you're a "cozy" fan.
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