Who killed Russell Dixon?When Agatha Lapp’s brother and sister-in-law are tragically killed in a buggy accident, Agatha relocates to the new Amish community in Hunt Texas, nestled in the Texas Hill Country. She’s there to make a success of her brother’s dream–an Amish B&B. Agatha is friendly, efficient, and capable. She’s also a fifty-five year old widow who has learned to be independent. … learned to be independent. When she discovers Russell Dixon’s lifeless body in Cabin 3, she runs next door where retired detective Tony Vargas lives. The police determine that her guest died of natural causes, but as Agatha and Tony put together the events of the previous two days they become convinced that the police are Dead Wrong.
Dead Wrong is a story of discovering new friendships and embracing a different path in the midst of tragedy. Above all else, it’s a story of God’s grace and provision.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Agatha hurried down the path carrying the towering pile of fresh linens. Fonzi lay in the sun, curled like the letter U. She’d inherited the yellow cat with the B&B.
One more cabin to service and she could turn her attentions to putting the finishing touches on dinner.
Cabin 3 sat a little farther down the path and around the bend. Perhaps that’s why Mr. Dixon had chosen it. He seemed to value his privacy. Agatha stepped onto the porch but paused outside the front door. She clearly stated that the rooms would be serviced in the afternoon between three and five, but there was always the possibility that Mr. Dixon had decided to take a late afternoon nap.
Nothing worse than walking in on a guest who was fast asleep, snoring with his mouth wide open and his glasses askew. She’d learned that lesson the first week she’d reopened the B&B.
Knocking firmly on the door, she called out, “Anyone home? Agatha Lapp here.”
No answer.
Well, she hadn’t thought there would be.
It was a beautiful June afternoon. Why would anyone be inside?
She tried the door on the off chance it had been left unlocked.
Definitely locked, and the curtains were drawn tight as well. Agatha called out one more time, then reached into the pocket of her apron and fetched her master key. Slipping it into the lock, she pushed the door open with what she hoped was a friendly, “Anyone home? Just here to change the…”
She never did finish that sentence.
Her mind reeled, trying to make sense of the scene before her.
Mr. Dixon’s suitcase had been flung open and clothes tossed around the room. The breakfast tray she’d left on the porch earlier that morning sat on the nightstand by the bed, though the mug had been knocked over and lay shattered on the floor. The bedding had been dragged toward the open back door. She glanced around as if Mr. Dixon might pop out from the broom closet.
But there was no sign of the man.
No indication of what had happened.
She stepped toward the back door and peered outside, which was when her knees began to shake. She reached for the doorframe with one hand as her other fluttered to her chest and pressed against it to slow the hammering of her heart.
She simply couldn’t make the details of what she was seeing fit together into a cohesive picture—Russell Dixon lying face down at the edge of the clearing, one hand trapped beneath him and the other reaching over his head. The unnatural position confirmed what her mind couldn’t accept.
Mr. Dixon wouldn’t be caring if she changed his linens because Mr. Dixon was literally dead to the world.
more
I like the quaintness of this book and the smattering of Amish philosophy. The mystery was entertaining, and it kept me interested enough to read to the end. Dead Wrong is a very nice antidote to hard-hitting crime fiction. If you want a quick and pleasant read, this one is for you.
Another great mystery from my friend Vannetta! Agatha Lapp is the quintessential Amish woman who somehow comes across as quirky and fun. Tony Vargas is her perfect wounded counterpart. Together with Sassy Gina, one of the workers at the B&B, Agatha and Tony must solve who killed Russell Dixon, This is one mystery you don’t want to miss!
I love Vanenetta Chapmans writing style. Her Amish mysteries draw you right in making you feel you’re there in the midst of these amazing characters. Dead Wrong, an Amish Bed & Breakfast mystery, kept me on the edge of my seat, and I read it in one sitting.
A great read I highly recommend!
Darlene WM
Agatha Lapp takes over running her deceased brother’s bed and breakfast, but never dreamed it would become a murder scene. She and her neighbor, widower Tony Vargas, a retired police detective, team up to try to solve the crime, but put themselves in danger in the process. This cozy mystery offers an entertaining read with an Amish setting immersed in the surrounding world and guests of both types at the B&B. The realistic characters have their quirks and their secrets, peopling a compelling plot as the suspense increases. All the threads and surprises make for a satisfying read. All opinions are my own.
Wow~ this was a really good cozy. Very well written, wonderful characters. A lot of very different characters that were expertly mixed. Insight to the Amish community without beating you over the head with religion. I really liked it.
Agatha Lapp moves from Shipshewana, Indiana to Hunt, Texas, a small town nestled in the Texas Hill Country. The tragic death of her brother and sister-in-law leads her there to take over the Amish B&B that her brother envisioned.
When Agatha discovers one of her guests dead on the lawn she runs to a neighbor for help. Little did she know that her decision to run that direction was the best thing she could have done. The former police detective and Agatha soon find themselves in the hunt for a killer.
This is the first book in the Agatha’s Amish B&B series. It didn’t take long for me to become interested in the storyline and characters. A friendship develops between Agatha and Tony as the plot moves along. It’s nice to see that course of events rather than an immediate romantic storyline. I look forward to reading the next book and recommend Dead Wrong.
I found Dead Wrong to be an entertaining and unpredictable cozy mystery. It was an easy to read page turner that captured me from the prologue to the last page. There were plenty of suspects that kept me guessing until close to the books ending. I wasn’t able to guess whodunit but enjoyed trying to solve the mystery.
Agatha Lapp makes a move from Indiana to Hunt Texas to reopen her late brothers Bed and Breakfast and make his dreams come true. The place needs a lot of tender loving care and attention which Agatha is able to do. Ten months later she has the Bed and Breakfast up and running and a full house of guests. But Agatha finds a dead guest behind one of her cabins and the police soon learn he didn’t die of natural causes. Lieutenant Barrister thinks Agatha is the murderer and she calls on her neighbor Tony Vargas, retired police detective, to help her solve this crime and prove her innocence. Is the real murderer a guest staying at the Bed and Breakfast? If so they must find out who it is and why they would have killed this man, before the week is up and her guests leave to go back to their homes. They have their work cut out for them and only a few days left to solve this mystery. Can they do this before the Lieutenant arrests Agatha for a crime she didn’t do?
I recommend this book to readers of cozy mysteries and fans of Vannetta Chapman.
I purchased a copy of Dead Wrong from Amazon. A review wasn’t requested. All opinions expressed here are my own.
I especially like that the hero was not only a woman of faith, courage and intelligence but also over fifty and full of energy.
Better than most Amish books. Because her business was a combination of Amish and English rules, the story could move along just as a mystery, not a story of how different the Amish lifestyle is. Liked the neighbor and his helpfulness. His job at the end was a treat so he would not have to go back to his lonesome life.
Unusual story development
Dead wrong by Vanetta Chapman is a delightful murder mystery. Her characters are likable and realistic. The beautiful Texas Hill country is a wonderful setting and I loved the attitudes of the characters. Agatha Lapp inherits a B&B from her late brother. She is a good person, not a goody goody. There is a difference. I also liked her neighbor, retired detectiveTony Vargas, again so believable, so human, so sympathetic. I enjoyed every part of Dead Wrong; it was not predictable. And I liked especially that at the end all the red herrings were explained. I don’t like it when dubious clues are left hanging. To me, that’s sloppy writing. So thank you Vanetta for another great read!
Wow. I LOVED this book! It’s everything you want a cozy mystery to be. DEAD WRONG is well written, with a great plot, and wonderful characters. Chapman does a great job building the different personalities in the main characters and in growing their relationship. The Amish aspect isn’t overdone or cliche. I can’t wait to read the next one in the series.
The long-awaited next Amish cozy series by Vannetta Chapman is here. I am a big fan of Vannetta Chapman’s Amish cozies. Dead Wrong, # 1 Agatha’s Amish B&B, takes place in Hunt, Texas, where Agatha has moved to take over her dead brother’s rather unsuccessful b&b.
One of the qualities of a Chapman Amish cozy is that Chapman is not afraid to have Amish and Englischers interact and be friendly. In this book, neighbor Tony Vargas, retired police chief, is essential to Agatha’s sleuthing and peace- of- mind. This spirit of inclusivity makes me especially sympathetic to Ms. Chapman’s particular groups of Amish.
I like the way that Agatha takes life one day at a time, not stressing out overly much about things. Instead, she trusts in God and stays sensible enough to calm her guests and to be aware of incongruities in stories and behavior.
Agatha’s cool head and sensibility shine as we read such phrases as,
”…she’d learned long ago that if you argue with a fool, both of you look stupid,” and,
”You can look a man into the face, but not into the heart.
As the season of merriment, stress, and wishing for things we don’t truly need comes, I found a quote that brought me back to reality:
”Sometimes we have to be reminded that the next great thing comes after this life. Our job in this one is to be good stewards with what we have.”
Totally a great book if you are looking for a fun, clean cozy and like a touch of Amish included.
Book One in the “Agatha’s Amish B&B” series has left me eager for book two. Seriously, author Vannetta Chapman knocked this one out of the park.
The characters are so well developed that you will want to go meet them for coffee, and maybe stay at Agatha’s B&B. I really enjoyed getting to know them. They have the same quirky qualities that we do! And the descriptions of the surrounding countryside were perfect.
Dead Wrong moved along at a really good pace, and I hated putting it down so make sure you have a good span of time to read as this one is a page turner.
If you enjoy a good whodunit, snatch this one up!
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
A Whodunit That Will Keep You Guessing Til the Very End
From the minute I heard about Vannetta Chapman’s new Amish mystery series, I couldn’t contain my excitement. Needless to say it was worth the wait!
One of the first things I loved about the story is that Agatha, the main character, is not a twenty or thirty something. I’m not biased against that age group, but it was refreshing to have a main character that is a little more seasoned in age. And what a fun and delightful character she is! Agatha is strong in her faith. She’s a hard worker and very caring, There were many times when her answer to questions and situations brought a smile to my face. It would especially happen when she would matter of factly respond with, “I’m Amish,” as if that explained everything. Although Agatha moved to Texas to take over her deceased brother’s B&B, her attitude about the difficult situation was accepting it as God’s will.
Anthony “Tony” Vargas was almost Agatha’s exact opposite. He’d suffered his wife’s illness and passing. In his case, the loss kept just coasting day to day. He was a a retired detective until Agatha’s knock on the door changed it all.
As Agatha and Tony work together to solve the mystery of Russel Dixon’s death, a strong friendship is formed. Along with the friendship comes healing to a hurting soul. Add to that some fun moments, hold your breath moments, and a whodunit that has you wondering til the very end and you have a wonderfully entertaining cozy mystery which is sure to leave you wanting more. All of these reasons are what made me love this story, and I’m sure you’ll love it too!
*I received an advanced copy of this book by the author. All opinions and comments are strictly my own.*
Dead Wrong by Vannetta Chapman is the debut of Agatha’s Amish B&B series. I was quickly engrossed in this engaging Amish cozy mystery. Agatha Lapp has inherited her brother’s bed and breakfast in Hunt, Texas on the Guadalupe River. She relocates from Shipshewana, Indiana and quickly begins fixing up the rundown building. Ten months later, Agatha has a successful inn that Englisch and Amish like to visit. When Agatha finds guest, Russell Dixon dead outside his cabin, she rushes to her neighbor, Tony Vargas for assistance. Tony is a retired detective who lost his wife to cancer in the last year. He has been sitting in his home mourning while life continues to go on around him. Vannetta Chapman took the time to establish the characters. We get to know Agatha, Tony and Gina Philips (Agatha’s friend and employee). Gina provided some humorous moments that had me giggling. I like Agatha’s character. She is a caring woman with faith and fortitude. The mystery is complex with several suspects and a variety of clues. I like that this whodunit was difficult to solve (they are the best type). This is one mystery that will keep you guessing with a great reveal. I was just delighted with Dead Wrong. I thought Dead Wrong was well-written and it moved along at a steady clip. There are some great characters including Bishop Jonas Schrock. I am eager to read the next book in the Agatha’s Amish B&B series. Dead Wrong is a charming Amish cozy mystery with suspicious guests, helpful friends, gorgeous countryside, a determined investigator, and a caring community.
This is a quick read I was able to start and finish in the same day! (Though I’ll add that a big part of that was because I had to find out whodunit and how!)
I’ve read a number of Vanetta Chapman’s books, and enjoyed them all. This is definitely one of my favorites of hers, and I’m so excited she’s started a new series! Agatha is a delightful character, and Tony Vargas is so endearing. Can’t wait to see more of him! And Gina is the best friend any girl would want.
An excellent first installment in this series, and a great intro to Chapman’s work if you’re not familiar with it. I was kept guessing until the end!
I received a copy of the book from the author. All opinions are my own.
For several years now, I’ve loved Vannetta Chapman’s mystery/suspense books in both the Amish and contemporary genres. This is first book in her new series combines the background of the Amish community with quite an intriguing murder mystery. This author writes dialogue that’s snappy and witty, and I always feel as if I’m actually listening in to the conversations as I’m reading. Her plots are never simple or easy to solve, and this story kept me guessing all the way through the book.
But in every one of Vannetta Chapman’s books, it’s the characters that we come to love. In this book, I love the character of Agatha. She’s smart, compassionate, and full of faith. She’s the perfect owner of an Amish B & B. Two of her best friends are Tony, a retired detective who is also her next door neighbor; and Gina, an English friend who helps her run the B & B. I liked the way that these characters each used their own talents in solving the mystery. It was nice reading an Amish story where both Amish and English respected each other and were willing to accept each other’s differences as they worked together.
If you love the clean and sweet “cozy mystery’ genre, you’ll love this one as it’s definitely the best one I’ve read this year. I’m already looking forward to the next book to see what happens next with Tony, Gina, and Agatha.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Dead Wrong ( Agatha’s Amish B & B Book #1 )
By: Vannetta Chapman
I love a really good cozy mystery and Dead Wrong starts a new series Agatha’s Amish B & B . I was drawn in at the start and did not want to put it down. This is one mystery book you do not want to miss. This is not your average Amish book . The author includes the Amish and the English in her characters. A death right off had me guessing who the killer was till the end. I liked the two main characters Agatha, who owns the B & B , and Tony a retired detective. I had a few laughs from these two. I good mystery that all will enjoy.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions ate my own.
I enjoyed this cozy mystery so much! If you are a fan of cozy mysteries, Dead Wrong is a novel that I definitely recommend. The author had me guessing throughout the entire book about who was behind the death of Russell Dixon. This story was really a page turner for me!
I liked the way the author wrote this book to include both Amish and Englisch characters. This was definitely not a typical Amish style book, where all things were focused on the Amish culture. I feel that this story could be enjoyed even by those who are not fans of Amish fiction, as it is primarily focused on solving the mystery of the murder and the various friendships and interactions between characters. Their backgrounds and religious beliefs were important in understanding who the characters were and enhanced the story and made the characters feel like real people to me.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.