Dead Wrong - Vannetta Chapman

Dead Wrong

By Vannetta Chapman

  • Release Date: 2019-11-05
  • Genre: Religious Fiction
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 389 Ratings

Description

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.

Then 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.

Agatha's Amish B&B
Dead Wrong, Book 1
Dead Broke, Book 2
Dead Set, Book 3

Reviews

  • Enjoyable Cozy Mystery

    4
    By llbmb
    Enjoyable reading material. Twist and turns in the story made you want to continue turning the pages. It showed the positive, perseverance and friendship no matter the circumstances..
  • Good little mystery

    5
    By juilia.wilkes
    I really enjoyed reading this book in my free time. It was a good mystery that kept me guessing till the end.
  • Dead wrong

    4
    By DRC SSI
    Enjoyed the mystery.good clean fun! Would recommend it to my friends.
  • Dead Wrong

    5
    By Bev teacher
    A terrific mystery. Good characters.
  • Disappointing

    2
    By PierresFamily
    Chapman is a good writer and I Had high hopes for this one, but sadly, I lost interest after a few chapters due to stereotypes and cliches. I will give this author another chance because I like her.
  • Debut of Agatha's Amish B&B Mystery series

    4
    By Kris Anderson, The Avid Reader
    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.