Jodi Picoult presents a fascinating portrait of Amish life rarely witnessed by those outside the faith-and discovers a place where circumstances are not always what they seem, where love meets falsehood, and where relationships grow strong enough to span two worlds.Though it begins as the quietly electrifying story of an unmarried Amish teenager who gives birth to a baby she is accused of then smothering, Picoult's latest (after Keeping Faith) settles into an ordinary trial epic, albeit one centered intriguingly on an Amish dairy farm near Lancaster, Pa. Moving seamlessly from psychological drama to courtroom suspense, Plain Truth is a triumph of contemporary storytelling. Now, just as this man from Ellie's past reenters her life, she must uncover the truth about a complex case, a tragic loss, the bonds of love-and her own deepest fears and desires. Immersing herself in Katie Fisher's life-and in a world founded on faith, humility, duty, and honesty-Ellie begins to understand the pressures and sacrifices of those who to live 'plain.' As she peels away the layers of fact and fantasy, Ellie calls on an old friend for guidance. She finds herself not only in a clash of wills with a client who does not want to be defended but also in a clash of cultures with a people whose channels of justice are markedly different from her own. But taking on this case challenges Ellie in more ways than one. Suddenly, Ellie sees the chance to defend a client who truly needs her, not just one who can afford her. Single at thirty-nine and unsatisfied with her relationship, Ellie doesn't look back when she turns down her chance to make partner and takes off for an open-ended stay at her great-aunt's home in Paradise.įate brings her to Katie Fisher. But her latest court 'victory' has set the sands shifting beneath her. One hundred miles away, Philadelphia defense attorney Ellie Hathaway has achieved an enviable, high-profile career. Although Katie denies the medical proof that she gave birth to the child, circumstantial evidence leads to her arrest for the murder of her baby. And the infant did not die of natural causes.

A police investigation quickly leads to two startling disclosures: the newborn's mother is an unmarried Amish woman, eighteen-year-old Katie Fisher. But that peace is shattered by the discovery of a dead infant in the barn of an Amish farmer. The small town of Paradise, Pennsylvania, is a jewel in Lancaster County-known for its picture-postcard landscapes and bucolic lifestyle. Gifted with 'a remarkable ability to make us share her characters' feelings' (People), Picoult now explores the complex choices of the heart for a young Amish woman-the compelling journey of discovery for an urban lawyer who befriends and protects her.

Jodi Picoult has touched readers deeply with her acclaimed novels, such as Keeping Faith and The Pact.

Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult