Behind the Book - Bringing Amish Country Killer to Life

 

One of the most important parts of writing suspense—especially when weaving it through the quiet world of Amish country—is making sure the story feels authentic. For Amish Country Killer, that authenticity came from tons of research into real communities, criminal behavior, law enforcement procedures, and the hidden traumas that shape my characters.

Real-Life Amish Communities in Kentucky

Rachel’s Crossing, Kentucky, the fictional town where the story takes place, is inspired by real Amish communities I’ve researched—particularly those in Casey County, Munfordville, and Liberty. These towns, nestled among rolling hills and quiet farmland, offered the perfect blend of peace and isolation—making them an ideal backdrop for suspense.

I spent time studying their customs, Ordnung (church rules), and the cultural dynamics that exist when the Amish and Englisch worlds intersect. It was important to me that the portrayal of the community felt respectful, grounded, and real—even as dark secrets start to surface.

The Heroine: Chief Diana Fisher

Diana Fisher is a woman shaped by loss and haunted by the past. She returns home to take over a small-town police department once run by her father—determined to uncover the truth behind her mother’s disappearance. As I developed her character, I researched women in law enforcement, especially those with K-9 units, and the unique emotional and physical challenges they face.

Her Dutch Shepherd, Kit, is more than a partner—she's a lifeline, a protector, and one of the first to sense when danger is near. Through Diana’s eyes, we see what it means to confront childhood trauma while standing firm against present-day evil.

The Hero: DCI Agent Micah Nissley

Micah’s journey is a deeply personal one. Once Amish, now a seasoned agent with Kentucky’s Department of Criminal Investigations, he’s still haunted by the unsolved disappearance of his fiancée, Tessa, fifteen years ago. Building his backstory meant diving into the emotional toll of being a suspect, of losing faith, and finding it again.

I researched cold cases, especially those involving rural communities and missing Amish women, to better understand how these investigations unfold—and often stagnate—over time. Micah became my lens for exploring guilt, redemption, and the lengths someone will go to find justice.

The Killer: A Faceless Monster Returns

Perhaps the darkest part of the research was creating the serial killer who haunts Rachel’s Crossing. I studied real cases involving missing women in rural areas, as well as behavioral profiles of serial offenders who target vulnerable populations. The killer in Amish Country Killer uses ketamine to subdue his victims—a detail inspired by actual abduction cases. He’s a phantom who once terrorized the community and now returns, deadlier than ever.

The most terrifying killers are the ones who blend in. The ones who watch. Wait. Plan.

And when Diana returns to Rachel’s Crossing… he decides it’s time to strike again.

 

Amish Country Killer is more than just a suspense novel—it’s a story about coming home, about confronting what you thought you left behind, and about shining light into the darkest corners of our past.

Real research into real places and real pain helped bring every twist of this story to life. And I hope that when readers walk the roads of Rachel’s Crossing, they feel the weight of its history—and the courage of those determined to rewrite it.

Congratulations to my last post’s winner of a copy of Amish Country Killer, Cherie J.

If you were investigating a cold case in a small town like Rachel’s Crossing, what’s the one clue you’d hope to find first—and why?

Comment for a chance to win a copy of the book and be sure to include your email address.