Advanced
Error loading page.
Try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, there may be a network issue, and you can use our self test page to see what's preventing the page from loading.
Learn more about possible network issues or contact support for more help.
Title details for The Witnesses by Linda Byler - Available

The Witnesses

#3 in series

by Linda Byler
ebook
1 of 1 copy available
Borrow Read a sample Read a sample
1 of 1 copy available

Who is responsible for setting the barn fires that continue to keep the Amish of eastern Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, on edge? Who is responsible for seeing that they are stopped?
In this third and final novel in the Lancaster Burning series, author Linda Byler takes us inside the home of Davey Beiler, the leader of this Amish district. He clearly feels the heat in more ways than one. Some of the younger members of his church are ready to testify against the man who has allegedly started at
least several of the fires. Davey counsels patience and forgiveness.
But when Sarah, Davey's daughter, spots flames late one night in the widow Lydia's barn, Sarah refuses to let the fire win. She gets the horses out just in time, but not before a beam explodes overhead, knocking her to the ground as the barn rages in flames all around her. In that moment, Sarah's life “turned darker than black." Gone were her lovely good looks, her life as a teacher, and perhaps the attention of the two young men who had been so drawn to her.
No one suffers more torment than Davey, who wonders if he was really responsible for Sarah's accident. If he had agreed to have police guard the Amish farms, as some wanted, Sarah would not have been hurt.
The Amish may be peace-loving, but they are not without their tensions. Author Byler, who is herself a member of the Amish, writes a tautly told story, full of dark fears, difficult dilemmas, and deep love.

  • Creators

  • Series

    Lancaster Burning

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    May 12, 2015

  • Formats

    • Kindle Book

    • OverDrive Read

      • ISBN: 9781680990836
      • File size: 1445 KB

    • EPUB ebook

      • ISBN: 9781680990836
      • File size: 1445 KB

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • Publisher's Weekly

      February 24, 2014
      Amish author Byler (Lizzie Searches for Love) delivers an insightful final novel to the Lancaster Burning series, her Amish-themed stories set in Lancaster County, Penn. Sarah Beiler has waited for Matthew Stolzfus to make her his wife, and now it might be only six months away. But Matthew sets conditions: Sarah must put her Amish life behind her, which would result in her being shunned. Meanwhile, someone is setting barn fires, terrorizing the community. Sarah attempting to rescue horses gets trapped in a burning barn, resulting in months of grueling pain and surgeries in the burn center. Sarah returns home with physical and emotional scars, yet a clearer vision of love, marriage, Matthew, and another suitor, Lee Glick. While the plot lacks somewhat in suspense, Byler makes up for with thematic interest: Amish rules of the church (Ordnung), values and customs (even recipes). During a meeting about the fires, Sarah's father, Davey Beiler, confronts community dissension regarding forgiveness versus vengeance, and the Amish way of nonresistance: "We don't resist. We don't believe in war. If someone takes your coat, give him your cloak." This richly layered representation of a peaceful, close-knit community provides an intriguing glimpse into Amish life and lore for new Byler readers, and a solid series conclusion for her fans.

    • Library Journal

      April 15, 2014
      In this final book in Byler's trilogy ("Fire in the Night; Davey's Daughter"), barn fires are still making the residents of Lancaster County, PA, fear for their lives and property. Davey Beiler, the district leader, counsels the members of his community to be patient and find forgiveness for the arsonist. The younger members are not swayed and want to get law enforcement involved. Beiler refuses, and as another barn catches fire, his daughter Sarah rushes to free the horses and is caught in the flames when the barn collapses. She is left horribly scarred. The scars daily remind her father of his failure to act. Sarah wonders if she will ever find someone who will love her despite her disfigured face. VERDICT Fans will not be disappointed by this final series installment. The author was raised in an Amish family and is active in the Amish church, which lends tremendous authenticity to her story. Readers new to this series might find the translations interspersed in the prose ("I'll "sark" (care) for you") to be a bit cumbersome. An inspiring tale about the power of faith and love to heal all wounds.

      Copyright 2014 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Formats

  • Kindle Book
  • OverDrive Read
  • EPUB ebook

subjects

Languages

  • English

Loading