When the Bishop Needs an Alibi

By Vannetta Chapman

A Terrible Secret Hides in the Bulrushes

Amish bishop Henry Lapp eagerly awaits the annual arrival of 20,000 sandhill cranes to the San Luis Valley of Colorado. But his visit to the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge reveals more than just a miracle of God's creation. Hidden among the bulrushes and cattails is the deceased body of a young woman.

As the local authorities attempt to unravel the mystery, Henry feels God's calling to use his extraordinary talent to aid in the investigation. His ability to draw from memory in photographic detail could help solve this puzzling case.

Henry's closest friend, Emma Fisher, has always urged him to embrace his gift. As their relationship deepens, Henry realizes his involvement could put him and those he loves in the direct path of a killer, one who is willing to do anything to cover up a brutal crime, including framing the bishop.

When the Bishop Needs an Alibi is a compelling story of faith, friendship, and finding courage only God can provide.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
• Release date: Aug 29, 2017
• ISBN: 9780736966504

Vannetta Chapman

Vannetta Chapman writes inspirational fiction full of grace. She is the author of sixteen novels, including the Pebble Creek Amish series, The Shipshewana Amish Mystery series, and Anna’s Healing, a 2016 Christy Award finalist. Vannetta is a Carol award winner and has also received more than two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups. She was a teacher for fifteen years and currently resides in the Texas hill country. Visit Vannetta online: VannettaChapman.com, Twitter: @VannettaChapman, Facebook: VannettaChapmanBooks.

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Reviews for When the Bishop Needs an Alibi

[alekee_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The second book in this series is just as good as the first one, and I could not put it down once I turned the first page.We see this beautiful, majestic country through the eyes of Henry, the Amish Bishop, and Emma, a long time friend of Henry’s, and we travel around this Amish Community, which takes place in the San Luis Valley of Colorado in the foothills surrounding the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. As with the first book, Henry’s gift of being able to draw with a rather photographic memory helps with the solving of a horrendous crime.When we first start reading we are soon aware of a crime, but it is so much deeper than we realize, and there is so much evil. The author has us walking in Henry’s shoes, and with our hearts in our throat, waiting for the other shoe to drop.You will keep guessing what is going on, and who is responsible right to the very end, and we can only hope that those we care about will survive.I would love to be able to go to a church meeting in Henry’s district, oh if only it weren’t fiction, and of course it would help if I were Amish.Thank you Vannetta, I loved this time I spent in Colorado, and I want to go and see the cranes.I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Harvest House, and was not required to give a positive review.

[becky_l-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love this series by Vannetta Chapman! Imagine the most peaceful, serene atmosphere you know(for many of us, an Amish community). Juxtapose that against the worst scenario possible(trying to expose a crime while hoping not to lose your life). Bingo. Herein is the setting for Chapman's second book of the Amish Bishop series, When the Bishop Needs an Alibi.First of all, I am in love with the gentleness of these particular people Chapman has presented. This is one unusual bishop in an Amish community. He truly loves his people and loves helping them with their burdens. Indeed, it is this compassion that draws him to Sophia Brooks.I enjoyed the physical setting of the book as well. The San Luis Valley of Colorado sits between mountains and has (at least, in this story) a nature preserve. How awesome it sounded!Chapman enjoys including relevant Amish proverbs, a few English proverbs, and many well-placed Bible verses. These enhance the story so much.One thing I like, though, is that the Amish and Englischers have found a way to live and work together. Every community could take lessons in compatibility from this area.Unfortunately, good as this book was, it reminded me at the end of a phone call with a loved one that can't quite end. The book reached its climax, then seemed to have an afterthought. Then that chapter finished, and there would be another seeming afterthought. Then another. The book could have wrapped up neatly a little earlier.All in all, though, a story not to be missed. It can be a stand alone, but is much better read as the second book in the series. Waiting to see if there will be a third.

[kris_anderson-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

When the Bishop Needs an Alibi by Vannetta Chapman is the second installment in The Amish Bishop Mysteries. Henry Lapp is the bishop of the small Amish community in San Luis Valley, Colorado. Henry is out birdwatching with his beagle, Lexi at the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge when he discovers the body of Sophia Brooks. Sophia had been in town for about five weeks where she worked at Maggie’s Diner (Henry eats several meals a week at the diner). Henry could tell that something was troubling Sophia by her nervous and furtive behavior. Henry and Emma Fisher tried to help the woman, but she would not let them assist her. When Henry ends up being the police’s prime suspect in Sophia’s death, he can tell someone is setting him up. It is up to Henry’s friends to follow the clues and clear his name. Henry had done some drawings of Sophia at the diner that aids the group in their investigation. But the killer is willing to go to great lengths to keep his activities under wraps. When the Bishop Needs an Alibi is well-written and has a great main character. Ms. Chapman’s word imagery brings the scenes alive. I like Henry Lapp with his unwavering convictions, strong faith, love of animals, his gentle nature and his unique ability. Emma Fisher is the perfect companion/counterpart for Henry. They nicely complement each other. I thought When the Bishop Needs an Alibi to have a nice, steady pace and full of suspense. I kept reading to see what would happen next. The mystery is complicated, but only a small part can be solved before the reveal. The mystery is one that plays out and we must read to find out how it will turn out (that was disappointing). As most of you know, I prefer a mystery that I can solve. While When the Bishop Needs an Alibi is the second novel in this series, it can be a stand-alone. Everything a reader needs to know is included in this story (about the community, Henry’s ability, what happened to Henry in the past, his relationship with Emma). However, I do recommend reading What the Bishop Saw as it is a wonderful story. My rating for When the Bishop Needs an Alibi is 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). The ending is heartwarming and so sweet (it will make you smile). There are discussion questions, recipes, and a glossary at the end of the book. I will definitely be reading Who the Bishop Knows when it comes out next spring.

[lcjohnson1988_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Title: When the Bishop Needs an Alibi (The Amish Bishop Mysteries #2)Author: Vannetta ChapmanPages: 352Year: 2017Publisher: Harvest House PublishersMy rating is 4 stars out of 5.Henry Lapp, the bishop for the local Amish community, is a widower. As a result, he eats at a local diner often. He develops a friendship with one of the young waitresses. He notices that she always seems wary and looking over her shoulder to see if someone is watching her. He asks what is wrong and she eventually confides a little of her suspicions to Henry. Henry once again uses his amazing drawing talents to recreate scenes from the diner and others to help discover commonalities and perhaps what this young waitress was afraid of.Henry is also an avid birdwatcher and goes to a federal nature refuge to watch cranes. On one of his treks, he discovers a dead body. Since the body was discovered on federal land, the FBI is involved. Henry is the number one suspect in the crime from the get-go according to the agent in charge. Of course, anyone who knows Henry finds the idea of him as a murderer ludicrous, but he has no alibi for the time of the murder. He was at home alone. His good friend, Emma, teams up with the decedent’s sister to clear Henry’s name and bring justice to the victim’s killer. However, the closer they get to unraveling the mystery, the more danger to Emma. Henry realizes he feels more than friendship for Emma and is going to protect her. Does Emma feel the same for him? Henry Lapp is an example for all believers. In the midst of his own personal trials, he kneels to pray. His prayer includes supplication for his friends, community, even an ambitious FBI agent who is trying to hurry up and close the case to spur on his career. He doesn’t pray, “Lord, get me out of this! Amen.” He encourages others to depend on God no matter what and he lives out that example. He reminds his flock of appropriate Scripture at times when they need it most. He is not afraid to share his faith with others outside the Amish community. It was nice to read about a romance for Henry, a man in his mid-sixties. I thought the mystery portion of the story was very original. I hope there are many more mysteries to come in this series!

[lamb521 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Title: When the Bishop Needs an Alibi (The Amish Bishop Mysteries #2)Author: Vannetta ChapmanPages: 352Year: 2017Publisher: Harvest House PublishersMy rating is 4 stars out of 5.Henry Lapp, the bishop for the local Amish community, is a widower. As a result, he eats at a local diner often. He develops a friendship with one of the young waitresses. He notices that she always seems wary and looking over her shoulder to see if someone is watching her. He asks what is wrong and she eventually confides a little of her suspicions to Henry. Henry once again uses his amazing drawing talents to recreate scenes from the diner and others to help discover commonalities and perhaps what this young waitress was afraid of.Henry is also an avid birdwatcher and goes to a federal nature refuge to watch cranes. On one of his treks, he discovers a dead body. Since the body was discovered on federal land, the FBI is involved. Henry is the number one suspect in the crime from the get-go according to the agent in charge. Of course, anyone who knows Henry finds the idea of him as a murderer ludicrous, but he has no alibi for the time of the murder. He was at home alone. His good friend, Emma, teams up with the decedent’s sister to clear Henry’s name and bring justice to the victim’s killer. However, the closer they get to unraveling the mystery, the more danger to Emma. Henry realizes he feels more than friendship for Emma and is going to protect her. Does Emma feel the same for him? Henry Lapp is an example for all believers. In the midst of his own personal trials, he kneels to pray. His prayer includes supplication for his friends, community, even an ambitious FBI agent who is trying to hurry up and close the case to spur on his career. He doesn’t pray, “Lord, get me out of this! Amen.” He encourages others to depend on God no matter what and he lives out that example. He reminds his flock of appropriate Scripture at times when they need it most. He is not afraid to share his faith with others outside the Amish community. It was nice to read about a romance for Henry, a man in his mid-sixties. I thought the mystery portion of the story was very original. I hope there are many more mysteries to come in this series!