Hidden Poison

Hidden Poison is the second book in the Amish Book Club Mystery Series by Tracy Fredrychowski. I reviewed Buried Secrets last month and loved it. This series is Amish fiction but the writing formula belongs in the mystery genre. Hidden Poison was just published on May 1, 2026. 

The publisher's summary: 

A poisoned pot of cream. A bishop with too much power. And one woman’s race to save her friend before the town turns against her.

Rosie Weaver finds joy in her garden, hosting book club, and sharing slow, simple mornings at the Buttered Biscuit. But her peaceful routine shatters when the bishop collapses and dies during breakfast, and the two ministers seated beside him fall ill themselves.

The town is stunned. But while some mourn the loss, others quietly admit the bishop had made enemies with his heavy-handed ways. When whispers begin to blame Lucy Fisher, the former Amish woman who owns the cafe, Rosie, Lovina Frey, and Irma Gingerich refuse to stay silent.

With the sheriff closing the diner and rumors spreading like wildfire, Rosie enlists her book club friends to help clear Lucy’s name. But the deeper they dig into the bishop’s secrets, the more dangerous the truth becomes.

Can they uncover the real poisoner before Lucy loses everything… including her place in Sweet Briar?

The story opens with Amish Bishop Enick Zook falling forward while eating breakfast in a diner owned by an ex-Amish woman. The bishop dies. The doctor's at the hospital determined that he was poisoned and wanted to perform an autopsy. The family refused, citing their faith. Identifying the killer was difficult because every one in the Amish community hated Enick, including his two sons. He was always yelling at people and finding fault where there was none. Without an autopsy the field of suspects was large and difficult for Sheriff Carr to sift through. Complicating matters were two ministers who were angling to be voted the next bishop. In addition, there were three break-ins at the Zook dairy farm that caused their cows to roam free in the street as well as breaking a pipe necessary for the production of milk and cream. 

Into this mix is Rosie Weaver and her two friends, Lovina and Irma, who are members of her murder mysyery book club. Known in the community as gossips, the trio is having a hard time getting neighbors to answer questions. Their plan is to be wherever large groups of people are gathered and to listen carefully to the whispers. The plan works of course. 

Hidden Poison is a delightful cozy Amish mystery that cozy lovers will enjoy. 5 out of 5 stars.