Book Three "Plain Truth" by Jodi Picoult

This past week, I had some trouble picking a book to read. Nothing seemed to jump out and speak to me the way that I felt they should. I was telling a co-worker about my dilemma, and she suggested that I read anything by Jodi Picoult. I had heard good things about this particular author, but had never read anything by her.

Although I have always been told to never judge a book by it's cover, I always seemed to be swayed by it. I chose Plain Truth because of the serene landscape on the front of the book. However, the plot of the book couldn't be farther from serene and peaceful.

The book starts with a dead newborn found in a barn in the Amish community in Paradise, Pennsylvania. Medical Examiners are lead to believe that they infant was murdered, and all signs point to Katie, the 18 year old daughter of the farm owner. Katie, however, has no recollection of giving birth or ever being pregnant.

Eventually she is arrested and charged with first degree murder. It is at her preliminary hearing, when she meets lawyer Ellie Hathaway. The only way to get Katie out on bail is for Ellie to have complete custodial car for her. Thus, Ellie ends up living in the Amish community for the next 4 months while trying to get Katie acquitted of this heinous crime.

Eventually, memories start to come flooding back to Katie. She slowing starts to remember details minor details of the pregnancy that she tried to force out of her mind. Eventually she even remembers giving birth to the child at 2 am in her fathers barn. However, she has no recollection of killing her child. All she remembers is giving birth, cutting the umbilical cord, and holding her baby right before she passed out of exhaustion. When she work up 30 minutes later, the blood was cleaned up and the baby was no where to be seen. Thinking that her prayers from god were answered, she ran back to the house, hid her bloody nightgown and went back to bed.

The storyline has more twists and turns and eventually leads to a startling conclusion that I will not be writing about as to not spoil it for others. I will say that it was a good, easy read. It is probably a perfect book for a weekend read.