Disclosure: I received this book to review. Post contains affiliate links; opinions shared are mine.

Rarely do we hear of anyone but the good, obedient Plain Person in an Amish fiction book.  In The Quieting by Suzanne Woods Fisher, Abigail is anything but ordinary!   Here are some reasons why Abigail was one of my favorite characters of the summer.

1.  She wasn’t boy crazy.  Abigail hoped to be married someday, but she wasn’t actively seeking a husband. She was patiently waiting for God to send the right person to her.
2.  She had her own life.  Abigail’s passions for geneology, organization, and helping her father were enough to keep her busy.  She didn’t take on more than she could handle, either.
3.  She didn’t worry about what others thought.   Her black-and-white way of viewing the world seemed odd to many people, but she didn’t try to be someone she wasn’t.  I wondered if she might be on the autism spectrum, due to her awkward interactions with people  I loved how her sister Laura guided her through social situations.
4.  She had a kind heart. Abigail truly wanted to serve others, and did so in ways that she felt talented.  She took the initiative to do what needed doing.  While the outcome wasn’t always ideal for those around her, Abigail had the best of intentions.
5.   She was willing to go, do, and be.  When led to help, Abigail was willing to follow God’s lead.

The main story of The Quieting was not quite related to Abigail, but she was my favorite part of the book. The Quieting actually referred to a situation within the Amish church where the church leader’s authority is revoked.  I’ve seen this happen in traditional Christian churches before, but it’s not a pretty situation.  It’s usually handled behind closed doors and with a sudden announcement in church one Sunday, when we all notice that a guest speaker’s name is listed on the bulletin instead of our minister.  The Amish handle wrongdoing in a different way, and I appreciated learning about the process.  While David (the minister) was the initiator of The Quieting, I wondered what his true intentions were.  It seemed that he would be the likely bishop of the church instead of Freeman, and that seemed to be a conflict of interest.  Still, the story didn’t hinge on this predicament, despite the title of the book.    I really liked this story and can’t wait to see what happens next with the Stoltzfus family!

The Quieting

by Suzanne Woods Fisher

It was a well-laid plan–but it wasn’t her plan . . . 

It’s all her grandmother’s fault. For the last few months, Abigail Stoltzfus has helped her father with his genealogical research, hoping that breaking through a client’s brick wall would also break his melancholy. But now her intrusive grandmother has set her sights on marrying off Abigail and insists she come to Stoney Ridge, where there is a plethora of eligible bachelors.

Except that Mammi is mistaken. There are no eligible bachelors in Stoney Ridge, barring one, and he’s all wrong. Dane Glick has the wrong last name and the wrong relatives–including the bishop who is at odds over a church matter with Abigail’s uncle, minister David Stoltzfus.

As the conflict grows, setting family against family, it’s becoming clear that the path to a solution may lead to a Quieting–a removal of a church leader. But for which one? And when Abigail stumbles onto a curious connection during her genealogical research, it could help David solve one problem–but will it create another?