Christian Mystery Novel w/ Character List: “Play It Again, Spam®”

Key Takeaways

∙ Play It Again, Spam® is a part of the Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery series by Tamar Myers.
∙ The book combines humor and mystery, making it a light and engaging read.
∙ The protagonist, Magdalena Yoder, is a quirky and endearing character who drives the story.
∙ The setting in Amish country adds a unique cultural backdrop to the narrative.
∙ Readers praise the book for its witty dialogue and clever plot twists.
∙ A list of the book’s major characters follows the review. (To jump directly to the list, highlight Character List, then click Ctrl-F to open a search window and click the “down” arrow.)

Quick Overview of Play It Again, Spam®

Play It Again, Spam® is the seventh installment in Tamar Myers’ Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery series. This book continues to follow the adventures of Magdalena Yoder, a Mennonite innkeeper with a knack for solving mysteries. The title itself hints at the humor embedded within the story, making it a delightful read for mystery lovers who enjoy a good laugh.

Author’s Unique Style and Humor

Tamar Myers is known for her distinctive writing style that blends humor with mystery. Her background as a Mennonite gives her a unique perspective, which she skillfully weaves into her stories. Myers’ use of witty dialogue and humorous situations makes her books stand out in the crowded mystery genre.

For instance, in Play It Again, Spam®, the protagonist’s quirky personality and the amusing scenarios she finds herself in create a light-hearted atmosphere. This combination of humor and mystery keeps readers engaged and entertained throughout the book.

Plot Summary of Play It Again, Spam®

The story revolves around Magdalena Yoder, who runs the PennDutch Inn in the heart of Pennsylvania’s Amish country. When a group of WWII army veterans wants to book the inn for a reunion, Magdalena is hesitant. Her Amish/Mennonite community will not smile on these old warriors – both the Amish and Mennonites are devoted to pacifism. But Magdalena and her inn are just recovering from a tornado that flattened the house and barn. She doesn’t have much choice. She needs to jump-start her prosperous business again.

Key Characters and Their Roles

Magdalena’s personality drives much of the story’s humor and charm. She is intelligent and resourceful, with a sharp wit that often leads to amusing situations. As usual in Myers’ stories, you’ll meet a list of quirky characters, each with their own secrets and motives.

Of course, there are the regulars: Freni, the inn’s cook who has enjoyed her four-month, post-tornado holiday, is practicing for her expected triplet grandchildren with five-pound bags of flour and mason jars of water. Susannah, Magdalena’s sister, has decided to marry Magdalena’s nemesis, Chief of Police Melvin Stoltzfus, and she wants Magdalena to give her away.

Strubbly Sam: An egg-and-butter-delivering neighbor who has the nerve to call Magdalena “Big Magdalena” because of the size of her nose, actually takes over the kitchen when Freni quits. Again.

Then there are the inn’s guests for the week: Four WWII army veterans with their wives and an extra couple who are retired, the husband a former professor and the wife a former concert pianist.

Effectiveness of Dialogue

Dialogue is one of Myers’ strongest tools in Play It Again, Spam®. She uses it to reveal character traits, advance the plot, and inject humor into the story. The conversations between Magdalena and the other characters are filled with witty exchanges and clever repartee, showcasing Myers’ talent for creating humorous and engaging dialogue.

Recurring Motifs and Their Significance

Myers uses several recurring motifs to enhance the themes and add layers of meaning to the story. These motifs are woven into the narrative, providing subtle clues and insights.

One such motif is food. The PennDutch Inn is known for its hearty, traditional Amish cuisine, and food plays a significant role in the story. Meals and recipes are often used as metaphors for community, comfort, and tradition. The humorous use of Spam® in the title and throughout the book serves as a playful nod to this motif.

Reception and Reviews

Play It Again, Spam® has been well-received by both critics and readers. The book’s blend of humor and mystery, along with its unique setting and memorable characters, has earned it a loyal following.

Critical Reception

Critics have praised Myers for her ability to create engaging and entertaining mysteries that are both light-hearted and thought-provoking. The book’s witty dialogue, clever plot twists, and well-developed characters have been highlighted as its strengths.

Readers have also expressed their appreciation for Myers’ unique approach to the mystery genre. The combination of humor and suspense, along with the charming setting, has made Play It Again, Spam a favorite among fans of cozy mysteries.

Comparison to Other Books in the Series

Play It Again, Spam® is the seventh book in the Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery series. Like its predecessors, it features Magdalena Yoder as the protagonist and is set in the charming Amish country. However, each book in the series has its own distinct plot and set of characters, making them stand-alone stories that can be enjoyed independently.

Play It Again, Spam® is well-crafted, with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers guessing. Fans of the series will appreciate the familiar characters and setting, while newcomers will find it an accessible entry point into the world of the PennDutch Inn.

Comparing Tamar Myers to Other Mystery Authors

Tamar Myers’ writing style and approach to the mystery genre set her apart from other authors. Her use of humor and satire, combined with her unique cultural perspective, make her books distinct and memorable. In comparison to other cozy mystery authors, Myers’ work is notable for its wit and light-hearted tone.

For example, while authors like Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle are known for their intricate plots and serious tone, Myers’ books offer a more relaxed and humorous reading experience. This makes them ideal for readers who enjoy mysteries but prefer a lighter, more entertaining approach.

Final Thoughts

Play It Again, Spam® is a delightful addition to the Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery series. Tamar Myers’ unique blend of humor and mystery, combined with her well-developed characters and charming setting, make this book a must-read for fans of cozy mysteries.

Character List for Play It Again Spam

This list carefully avoids spoilers. Names and descriptions below reflect the original information given about each character. Main characters are listed, along with some minor players.

Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery Series Regulars

Magdalena Yoder – 46 year-old Mennonite and proprietress of the PennDutch Inn of Hernia, Pennsylvania

Susannah Yoder Entwhistle – Magdalena’s 35-year-old sister. She ran off and married a Presbyterian after the death of her parents. Now divorced, she is lazy and irresponsible. She billows when she walks because she drapes herself in “enough fabric to clothe a small third-world country.”

Papa and Mama Yoder, deceased – The parents of Magdalena and Susannah died about 13 years earlier in a highway smash-up, their vehicle being sandwiched between a truck full of running shoes and a tanker full of milk. Previously Mr. Yoder had been a dairy man and Mrs. Yoder sold eggs. They may have already passed on to Glory, but you’ll hear about them, especially Mama.

Mose Hostetler – age: mid 70’s, a kinsman and handyman for the inn – Amish instead of Mennonite

Freni Hostetler – Mose’s wife – the cranky cook for the PennDutch Inn – 75 years old, according to Magdalena

Aaron Miller, Jr. – Magdalena’s former “Pooky Bear” (in other words, the man she married, not knowing he was already married)

Melvin Stoltzfus – Hernia’s Chief of Police

Zelda Root – assistant police chief

Jonathan Hostetler – Mose and Freni’s son who now runs their farm while they work for Magdalena

Barbara Hostetler – John’s wife – 6 feet tall – always at odds with Freni until she finally gets pregnant with triplets

A.L.P.O. – Amish Lifestyle Plan Option – Penn Dutch Inn guests pay extra to take care of their own rooms, laundry, and meals

PennDutch Animals
• Shnookums – Susannah’s tiny dog
• Bessie and Matilda – milk cows

Characters in Current Story

PennDutch guests

∙ Bob Hart – from Tulsa, Oklahoma – reserved four rooms for himself and his buddies from the 43rd tank brigade in World War II – a veritable giant of a man
∙ Sandy Hart – Bob’s wife – Magdalena takes an instant hatred to her – her husband blames her behavior on the fact that she is bipolar
∙ Jimmy Hill – from Arkansas – married 50 years
∙ Doris Hill – Jimmy’s wife – they are the cutest little couple ever
∙ Frank Frost – from Missouri, but lives in Anchorage now -age: 76 – rarely speaks
∙ Marjorie Frost – Frank’s wife – self-defined klutz – age: 24
∙ Scott Montgomery – from Minnesota – they bring Magdalena a gift: a tin of SPAM® Lite
∙ Dixie Montgomery – Scott’s wife – they are an attractive couple in their 60s
∙ Samantha Burk – from Pennsylvania, just outside Pittsburgh – a retired musician
∙ Dr. John Burk – Samantha’s husband – a retired history professor

*Mary Alice Gorman and Richard Goldman – proprietors of the Mystery Lovers Bookshop in Pittsburgh

Samuel Berkey – the (deceased) Bishop’s son-in-law, Strubbly Sam – age: early 70s

Amanda Berkey – Samuel’s deceased wife

Elvina Stoltzfus – Melvin’s widowed mother – age: 75

Lodema Schrock – Magdalena’s pastor’s wife – dyes her hair – makes it her business to monitor the morals of the congregants

Reverend Schrock – does not approve of his wife’s vigilante activities

Diana Lefcourt – aka Mother Anjelica Houston – aka Ankhesenamen – head of a New Age commune or retreat – it’s hard to tell exactly who she thinks she is

Irma Yoder – “Old Irma,” age: 102 – has a “cheddar-shredding tongue” – she’s becomes part of the story by going missing

Megan – Bob Hart’s ex-secretary and his “bimbo,” according to his wife – Heather and Angie are also named as possible romantic interests of Bob’s

Emil – Sandy Hart’s “boytoy” (her term for him)

Hugh Ginerich – Reverend Schrock’s fishing partner

Esther Ginerich – Hugh’s wife

Aaron Miller, Sr. – Magdalena’s former father-in-law

Rebecca Miller – Aaron’s deceased wife

Earl Whitaker – agent for Hernia Realty who has been trying to sell the Miller farm

Dr. Gabriel Rosen (Gabe) – a Jewish ex-heart surgeon

Franz von Weimar – assistant chief of military intelligence in France during WWII

Johanne Burkholder – protégé of Franz von Weimar

Here’s a down-loadable character list:

Recipes

∙ SPAM® Jambalaya
∙ SPAM® Western Bean Soup
∙ Hearty SPAM® Breakfast Skillet
∙ SPAM® Stuffed Potatoes Florentine
∙ Singapore SPAM® Salad
∙ Ragin’ Cajun SPAM® Party Salad

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Here’s a link to the book on Tamar Myers’ website: Play It Again, Spam®

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