A Christmas Mourning · An Amish Mystery Short Story

**Claire Weatherly has come to respect how the Amish of Heavenly, Pennsylvania, value tradition. But not all traditions are necessarily quaint. When a decades-old mystery threatens the well-being of local police detective Jakob Fisher, she’ll pit herself against a community rooted in the past so that he can get on with his future.**

When Claire decides to visit the one-room schoolhouse Jakob attended as a young Amish boy, she’s puzzled by his refusal to go along too. As Jakob tells his story, Claire is stunned and saddened by the heartbreaking tale of a childhood mistake that led to the mysterious disappearance of a precious family artifact—and signaled the first break between Jakob and his mother, made all the more painful now that he’s been shunned by the family and community he loves.

Knowing there’s only one way to help heal the irreparable wound that continues to haunt Jakob, Claire sets off to follow the trail of the missing heirloom, never suspecting that it will lead her to Jakob’s oldest friend, a long-ago Christmas secret, and an enduring truth about family, love, and the power of forgiveness.

*Praise for the National Bestselling Amish Mysteries*

“The best cozy mystery debut I’ve read this year.” —#1 *New York Times* bestselling author Harlan Coben

“Delightful . . . Well-portrayed characters and authentic Amish lore make this a memorable read.” —*Publishers Weekly*

“A fascinating cozy that showcases the culture of the people.” —*Gumshoe Review*

“Bradford’s characters are some of the best developed, most interesting ones I’ve come across in a cozy mystery.” —*Lesa’s Book Critiques*

**About the Author:**

Laura Bradford is the national bestselling author of the Amish Mysteries, the Jenkins & Burns Mysteries, and the Southern Sewing Circle Mysteries (written as Elizabeth Lynn Casey). A new cozy mystery series will be added to the mix in 2016 with the release of The Emergency Dessert Squad Mysteries. Laura is a former Agatha nominee and the recipient of an RT Reviewer’s Choice Award in romance. In her free time, Laura enjoys making memories with her family, traveling, baking, and visiting the sea lions at the Central Park Zoo. For more information and all the latest book news, visit her website at [www.laurabradford.com](http://www.laurabradford.com).