There are three things that I love reading about: Amish, love, and mystery. This book had all three! I do not recall reading an Amish mystery/suspense story recently, and I loved how Vannetta included that in this book. It had me on the edge of my seat, trying to figure out exactly who it was that was wreaking havoc in this poor community! I would come to a point where I thought I knew the answer, and then I was thrown a curveball so I had to try again. No joke, I had probably blamed three or four different characters until I determined who the villain actually was!

I have forever been a fan of Vannetta’s books, and I think this one is in my top five book of hers for sure. It had a lot of different aspects to it that you don’t typically see in Amish fiction, such as the issue of dyslexia, an arsonist, and the interesting way that Henry could draw scenes so accurately, down the little detail. In the book his parents mentioned that it could be a blessing but also a curse, and I have to say I’d agree with that. I’m sure it weighs heavily on his mind as he is presenting them to people, especially the arson investigator.

Here was my favorite part of the whole book : The sweet friendship between Henry and Emma. Most relationships in Amish fiction are between younger people, so to see a pair of sixty year olds coming together, counting on each other, and strengthening their friendship was really a joy to read for me. I also loved Lexi, Henry’s beagle. I think perhaps she brought a little joy in his life that he didn’t realize he was missing.

Amish fiction fans will love this book. Be prepared for some suspenseful scenes too that may or may not have you biting your nails! But never fear, the message that Gods in control reigns throughout the book. I hope there are more of these mysteries in the future!

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Vannetta Chapman has written a wonderful Amish mystery by developing the character of Bishop Henry Lapp. I was intrigued by his savant abilities that allowed him to draw pictures from his subconscious.  Henry was able to capture many interesting and valuable pieces of information in his drawings, including people’s emotions as he walked through various events in this story.

After capturing my attention from the first page,  Chapman gave  a different twist on the normal mystery by using Henry’s gift to help solve the crimes of fire and murder. 

I found this story exciting and it gave me the desire to visit an Amish community.   I could tell you more of this story but don’t want to spoil the ending.   I also look forward to the sequel of this book.

I was given the opportunity to read this book by NetGalley and the publisher but it didn’t influence my evaluation of this book.

This book has a unique storyline and relatable  characters.  I'm always happy when I read something that's different from anything that I've read before.

I will have to say that oddly enough, the bishop was not my favorite character.  That's not to say that I disliked him, because that's certainly not the case.  My favorite character was Emma and quite honestly, she was the reason I kept reading.  
For me, the story moved at a slow pace and I lost interest about halfway through.  The pace picked up near the end and there are some things that kind of had me on the edge of my seat.  
If you like Amish fiction with a bit of suspense, you'll like this book.
I received a copy of What the Bishop Saw through Netgalley and have given my honest opinion.

I’m not Amish but I sure wish I could attend Henry Lapps services, what a kind loving man, and yet he has had to deal with his own daemons.
The setting for this story is the breath taking valley of San Luis Colorado, and a quaint and closely-knit Amish community. What happens here is about to tear apart this group of plain people, and in the end leave some hurt and worse dead.
Now in his sixties Henry has a blessing, or a curse, depending on how you look at it, and now he needs to make a decision to use this for the greater good. As a youngster he was hit in the head with a baseball, a brain injury and that turned on a switch that gave him a rare ability.
As we travel this story to find the person responsible for the terror that these people are facing. Will they find the arsonist before they loose any more, or will be more be hurt and force some to make a hard decision to leave for their peace of mind.
These are pacifists and they are surely put to the test by the perpetrator, but why are these peaceful people being targeted? When you discover who is responsible, I had a feeling that he had been let down by society, and yet he is so wrong.
You won’t want to leave here and found myself doing so extra reading about being savant, very interesting. I hope we will be visiting with Henry and his community again; I wanted to immerse myself with the people.

I received this book through Net Galley and Harvest House Publishers, and was not required to give a positive review

What the Bishop Saw is a terrific Amish suspense.  It is very well written with a good plot and great cast of characters.  This is not you run of the mill Amish book.  I look forward to reading more of Ms. Chapman's work .

What the Bishop Saw by Vannetta Chapman is the first book in The Amish Bishop Mysteries.  Bishop Henry Lapp lives in San Luis Valley, Colorado.  Henry is awakened with news of a fire at nearby Vernon Frey’s house.  When Henry arrives at the scene, he finds out that Vernon did not survive.  It is disturbing to find out that the fire was set deliberately.  Henry is asked to write a list of people who might have wished to harm Vernon.  Within days a second fire breaks out at a construction site in town.   Sam Beiler spots the fire and calls 911.  Turns out that Sam also called in Vernon’s fire.   Sam is soon arrested for arson and the murder of Vernon.  Henry visited Vernon the day before the fire, and he has a gift that could assist the investigators.  Henry has not used his talent in fifteen years.  But it seems the time has come to use his God given gift once again.  It could provide a helpful clue that will lead to the arsonist.  Unfortunately, the fire bug is not finished and Henry’s workshop becomes the next target.  Meg Allen, the arson investigator, works with Henry and the Amish community to ferret out clues.  Will they be able to identify the arsonists before he claims more victims?

What the Bishop Saw is well-written and is easy to read.  The book has a good pace.  The story has engaging characters.  My favorite are Henry Lapp and Emma Fisher.  They are adorable and nicely complement each other. They both have loving hearts and you can tell how much Henry cares for the people in his community.  It was good to see growth in the characters by the end of the book.  I loved the subtle, slow paced romance between Henry and Emma.  I appreciated the author’s unique setting.  I have not read an Amish novel set in Colorado previously.  I found the scripture and prayer quotient to be medium level (it goes well with the book).  I give What the Bishop Saw 4 out of 5 stars.  The mystery was interesting, though, readers can easily identify the culprit based on the clues.  There is a little suspense near the end that will have readers on the edge of their seats.  I did feel that the book was a little long and some information was repeated.  I liked the epilogue.  It was a good ending to the story.  What the Bishop Saw is the beginning of a delightful series.

Thoughts:

WHAT THE BISHOP SAW by VANNETTA CHAPMAN leads us into an Amish mystery where all eyes are on the Bishop and the past he blatantly ignores.

In Colorado's San Luis Valley, the growing season dawns, but the dry season is dangerous. Once a fire sparks things can move quickly, but something is amiss when fingers point in different directions. However, Bishop Henry Lapp moves us into action to bring about something he keeps hidden!

Only a few will talk about it, but he is the only one living with it.

The congregation has been through much in a short time, from the expectations that did not materialize to the loss of others that they love, but they hold on to Gotte and to each other. Sometimes, happenings will steer them onto a new path. It may be that sometimes a Bishop needs to let go, but his heart may forever change in the middle of it all.

Flames bring the fire department, the neighbors, and the police onto the scene, but a death lures an Arson Investigator to their community. While the Amish people want to handle disturbances without law enforcement, this cannot happen inside a murder investigation.

One can see but not give an accurate depiction that anyone could believe. While during other times, what one knows is more than anyone would ever see.

When does a gift become a burden and when does anger turn into murder?

These answers take shape inside an excellent beginning to a new series that will keep you reading!

***This opinion is my own.***

Preview:

In WHAT THE BISHOP SAW by VANNETTA CHAPMAN a fire takes a Colorado Amish community into a storm leaving death, damage, and destruction in its wake.

The dry season of San Luis Valley always becomes a danger, but when a fire is set to hide a body, everything inside this Plain community is about to go under an Arson Investigator’s purview. Outsiders are not welcome here, and the people seem to take prodding more personally to land them at the top of a suspect list for murder!

Vernon Frey’s list of possible enemies engulfs two worlds, and those in the congregation are not immune to the problems seen among the Englisch. In fact, some money issues and family problems still plague this community, but could someone they know have killed Vernon?

It has come time for Bishop Henry Lapp to unearth the truth in the only way he knows how.

While his position may be a gift, it is a tremendous responsibility to weigh heavily on a man, and to run away can seem the better answer. Faith gets him through with courage, and Henry does have friends to help him in this task. Emma Fisher helps the way she always does, but his heart teeters inside a new territory.

Could beauty come from the ashes and would Grace heal the broken hearts?

I enjoy knowing I will learn something new when I read a Vannetta Chapman book. 

We join Henry and his community while they are trying to figure out who killed one of their own in a suspicious fire. Henry has a special talent in being able to draw a scene and see things he does not consciously remember. 

You will come to love Katie Ann who holds a special place in so many hearts. 

It was pleasing to read about an Amish community in a not so familiar setting. I didn't know there was an Amish community in Colorado. 

This is a great novel for Amish and mystery fans alike.

When a much disliked Amish man dies in a fire set by an arsonist, Bishop Henry Lapp must guide his people to safety and the truth. It doesn't help that the Englischer they have to communicate with most is a young, brash,red-haired female investigator. As the arsonist ramps up his attacks, Henry has to watch the People lose life, property, and even desire to remain in this Colorado community. Will he make the ultimate sacrifice that almost cost him dearly years ago in Goshen, In?

I truly love Vannetta Chapman's Amish mysteries, and this is the best one yet. So often the bishop of the People is portrayed as being strict, stiff, and power-hungry. Henry is none of these. He truly seeks God's will in all things, puts others before himself, and sees people with "the Father's Eyes." It would be a blessing to be a friend of Henry's.

We also get to know Emma's family. They are as complex as Henry, and are woven into the story along with others of the church to make a tightly woven,multi-dimensional tale.

One quote true for Amish and Englischers alike:
"They would all be remembered by their deeds, their kindnesses to one another,and the roots of love they left behind."
What The Bishop Saw motivates me to ask God for vision to see people as incredibly compassionately as Henry and ultimately God our Father see them.

I gratefully received this book from the publisher and NetGalley. I am freely leaving a review. I am solely responsible for the opinions therein.

What The Bishop Saw (The Amish Bishop Mysteries-Book One )
By: Vannetta Chapman
What The Bishop Saw is book one in The Amish Bishop Mysteries Series by Vannetta Chapman. Chapman did not disappoint me . I believe What The Bishop Saw is one of her best mystery and suspense. If you love a Good mystery and suspense , then you will love What The Bishop Saw. Chapman has woven a page turner in her first book in this series. I could not read fast enough or turn the pages fast enough to see what was going to happen next. The story and the characters both were so real and well developed. I really liked Bishop Henry Lapp . To me he was not like some of the other Bishop’s that I had read about. There is a fire in Bishop Henry’s District and he gets involved . He begins to think that the fire and the death of an Amish man , Vernon, was no accident. So is there an arsonist in the area? Henry has a very special talent. Will he use his talent to help find out who the killer and arsonist is ? This is a very exciting story and will keep you on the edge of your seat . I cannot wait to read book two in the Amish Bishop Mysteries.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book by NetGalley and Harvest House Publishers, but was not told that I had to give a positive review.

What the Bishop Saw was a great book that kept me engaged from page one right up until the very end. The book is suspenseful and has a touch of romance that is endearing. I love how Chapman writes about the Amish community. She captures their deep faith as it impacts how they live each day of their life.  

In a quiet Amish community in Colorado, a fire occurs that kills an Amish man, Vernon Frey. The fire chief determines the fire was intentionally set. The Bishop, Henry Lapp, visited Vernon the day before the fire. When there are no clean suspects, members of the community encourage Henry to use his "gift" to help solve the arson/murder.  Henry has the ability to draw a scene in detail that he has seen before. Even things he did not notice on the surface, is able to come across in his pictures. Henry has been told his whole life that this gift he has is a curse. The community helps him to see his ability as a gift that God has given him. The drawings prove to provide crucial evidence. Henry works together with the police and the arson investigator to help determine the identity of the arsonist. He is able to aid their investigation by helping them rule out Amish suspects that are innocent. The Bishop takes his job of caring for his community seriously. He is deeply committed to them and they in return care deeply for him. But as more fires occur, the community begins to be in fear. The arsonist is targeting the Amish community and members begin to ready themselves to leave the community and go elsewhere. Henry works hard to keep his community working together to solve the crimes instead of running away.  

Emma Fisher and her granddaughter, Katie Ann, are members of the same community and help Henry out by cleaning his home weekly. Henry and Emma have been friends for a long time. They have supported each other through the deaths of their spouses and are close friends. Henry is pursued by the widows of the community, but he has a soft spot for Emma. When Emma and Katie Ann are almost killed by an intentionally set fire, Henry realizes his care for Emma goes beyond friendship. As they get closer to discovering who the arsonists is, the more danger the community finds themselves in. 

Chapman does a good job of giving little clues along the way that reveal the identity of the arsonist. I was not sure of who it was until right up to the moment the arsonist was revealed. I had to change my pick of who it was several times. I really liked the characters in this book. I loved that the romance in the book was not just that of young people, it involved people who were more seasoned. I found that to be endearing and heart warming. This book was so well written that it really is a must read.

What the bishop saw is an incredibly poignant read.  A story bridging two communities. American and Amish. A slightly awkward beginning, but stick with it because you will soon be hooked. Who is setting out to harm the Amish community? What could they have done to anger someone so much? The story begins to flow quite well once it has got over the akwarndness in the beginning.  Carefully weaving  a gentle scene of the plain way of life lived by the Amish community, bridged by Mennonites into American society scared into action by arson.
A gentle read that makes the reader question their own way of living leaving the question
"What can we do to help those around us who don't seem to fit in?"  Quote taken from the questions at the end of the novel.

I will admit I was very unsure about this book as I stopped reading a lot of Amish novels as they turned into the same romance novel with just different characters.  But this one is not that at all, it is a very good murder mystery.  The Bishop saw has a lot of good twists and turns with very good story telling.  I am very impressed by this author and want to read more of their writings.

I enjoyed Vannetta Chapman's book, "What the Bishop Saw". An Amish suspense book where the main character is in his sixties. I enjoyed getting to know Henry, who is the Bishop and a savant. There are interesting characters in the community of the San Luis Valley in Colorado who come together to help solve a murder and discover an arsonist.  They will learn to lean of God and work together with the authorities to get it accomplished.  I received this book from NetGalley for my honest review.

On the edge of your seat read.  You will find yourself turning the pages fast to find out what happens.  The author does an excellent job with the characters and the plot.  Anyone can relate to story and will hate seeing it end.  A book you will want to read again.

I am not an Amish Fiction fan.  That said, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book.  It had insightful and deep characters with a wonderful thread of suspense woven throughout the story.  I enjoyed the unique plot line and all of the characters.  If you love Amish Fiction, you will love this book.  If you are not a typical Amish Fiction fan, you will STILL love this book!  Highly reccommended.

A fire breaks out  and a Amish man Vernon Frey is found dead. The fire department tells Bishop Henry Lapp that the fire was not a accident but it was set. When a man is accused of the fire Bishop Henry Lapp knows that the man is innocent and uses his gift from God to prove it. Bishop Lapp has the power that he can draw and see the accident. As more fires happen the Amish is afraid and some choice to move. This books keeps you wondering who is starting the fires and why are they doing it. A story of Faith and Love and forgiveness.

I enjoyed reading this book centered around a Bishop of an Amish community.  This was different being centered around a male leader of the community, rather than the female aspect which we normally read in the Amish genre.

Bishop Henry is a very devoted man who has a real heart for his people.  He also has a special talent that resulted from a head injury he received as a child.  He is able to recreate scenes of happenings that he consciously doesn’t remember, but once starts drawing, his mind takes over and  “remembers” and creates those scenes with extreme detail.  He has always felt this was a curse and when a fire takes place and kills one of his Amish members, he has to decide whether or not to use this talent, which he hasn’t used for years.  Would it really help in finding the arsonist, who seems to be targeting the Amish community?

His neighbor, Emma, encourages him to help the English investigator to find out who is setting fires and has killed their Amish friend.

Since the Amish strive to remain separated from the Englisher world, this is a hard thing for the Amish community to accept, however, they know this person must be caught.  

The interaction between the Amish and English is very well written.  I highly recommend this book to anyone who like reading the Amish genre.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, Harvest House Publishers, and was not required to give a positive review.

Found this book a little hard going. I am not American and whilst I know a bit about the Amish, I found it hard to follow - it almost felt that I was dropped in the middle of a series.  The mystery was good but I would have liked a bit of background to colour in the picture. I found the reference to the way of life and religion quite understated and fitting.

I was really looking forward to reading this one and I was definitely not disappointed! 
A suspenful novel waiting to keep you on the edge of your seat waiting to see what would happen next!
This a darker Amish novel and I felt I could connect with the characters much better. 
I like that the author shows us that Amish people are much the same as us. Only difference is they don't believe in striking back.
Emma is a wonderful lady whom In can definitely relate to because she has migraines.(I suffer from migraines too but unlike Emma usually take something for mine. Sometimes it helps and sometimes it doesn't and I'd have to go lie down in a dark corner).
Emma is a woman full of wisdom and has a quiet peace about her that I sort of have somewhat myself.
I admire Emma in more ways than one. Too me, she is what I'd like my own mother to be.
Henry is pretty awesome himself.
He is another of my favorites. I love his ability that he can draw and it seems such a shame that he felt it wasn't a talent to be used unless something bad happens.
(I too love to draw only drawings consist of horses and other animals. 
I definitely can't draw people).
I enjoyed this book very much! I even burned some midnight oil too!!!
Most often bullying starts from how a person is raised. I can relate to that also as I too have been made fun of and I can't make friends very easily and when I do they usually end up stabbing me in the back. It's why I'm a loner but I'd never ever stoop as low as this person did.
I have my Jesus to thank for that as He is the one true friend I'll ever have.
But, even bullies and make mistakes and more often than not they will catch up with you
It is a cry for help. 
I'm so glad Henry is the bishop and the man he's supposed to be and for the I admire the Amish greatly! We Englishers can learn a thing or too from them like planting our gardens because there may come a time when we might have to!!!
Thank God for wonderful authors that entertain me through their books! Books are a woman's bestest friend ever!!!!
Vannetta Chapman you have outdone yourself in this book! Will
Henry and Emma get married in the future? I don't understand how theyare both blind to each other after all these years!
Love is a funny thing I guess. It can sneak up on you or hit you hard between the eyeballs. Who knows?
Guess we'll just have to wait and see!
This is definitely a must read novel by Vannetta Chapman and I strongly recommend this book for people who love reading Amish stories 
I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley and was in no way required to review this book