"The perfection of Picoult novels...is not just the "Oh" factor, but the "Ah" factor."
Jodi Picoult is a master at what she does and, in Plain Truth, she does it once again.
Moving from psychological drama to courtroom
suspense, Picoult tells the story of Ellie, a lawyer, whose aunt calls on her help when a young Amish cousin, Katie, is accused of the murder of her newborn child.
Katie at first denies having the child at all. Whether she is truly unable to recall it or just hiding the sin isn't clear. But what is clear is that, even if she did have the child, she would not, could not, have killed it and attempted disposal of the body.
With the help of an old lover and the young girl's Amish community members (including her betrothed, who happens to not be the child's father), Ellie attempts to convince a jury (of not-so-much Katie's peers) that she is innocent. As with Picoult's work, there is a "surprise ending"...though honestly, I saw this one coming a mile away, calling it at about chapter two.
The perfection of Picoult novels, however, is not just the "Oh" factor, but the "Ah" factor. What Picoult does so well is build characters and relationships that you can not help but feel, deeply, in your bones. Plain Truth is no different, offering a fascinating portrait of Amish life rarely seen or understood by those outside the community.
Though not perhaps her best work, if you are a fan of Picoult you will not be disappointed. If you do not love (or know) her work, however, this would not be the best choice. Some of her other books are so much better. This one, while entertaining, was just "good".
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