Rage by Linda Castillo

 Rage

Book Summary

In this gripping installment of the Edgar Award winning series, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder investigates a brutal double murder that takes her into the dark underbelly of society and exposes the dangers of Amish lives gone wrong.

Summer has arrived with a vengeance in Painters Mill, and a macabre discovery by three Amish children brings the quiet to a grinding halt. Chief of Police Kate Burkholder arrives on scene to find the dismembered body of 21-year-old Samuel Yutzy, a local Amish man who owned a successful landscaping business. What twisted individual murdered him in such a sadistic way?

The investigation has barely begun when, miles away, a second body is found, stuffed into a barrel and dumped in a ravine. The deceased is 21-year-old Aaron Shetler, Samuel Yutzy’s best friend. What could these two young Amish men have been involved in that led to such violent ends?

With a heat wave bearing down, Kate learns quickly that, for reasons she doesn’t understand, no one is willing to talk about what happened to the men. Just as she begins to fear the case may be hopeless, a mystery woman comes forward and reveals that fun-loving Aaron and Samuel had recently befriended some very unsavory characters—individuals who may have ties to a larger, more sinister, black market.

To solve the case, Kate must delve into the most sordid corners of her community, but when she gets too close, the killers target Kate herself. Will the secrets simmering beneath the surface of Painters Mill take another life before she can expose the truth? Or will Kate be the final victim?

My Thoughts

Rage by Linda Castillo takes us back to Painter’s Mill, Ohio where Kate Burkholder has an appalling murder case on her hands.  Rage is the seventeenth A Kate Burkholder Novel.  While Rage can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading the series in order.  It will allow you to get to know Kate and her backstory.  I thought Rage was well-written with developed characters.  The story has action, mystery, police procedures, suspense, and more.  Kate and her team along with John Tomasetti (Kate’s husband and an agent with BCI), Sheriff Rasmussen, and other law enforcement officers are working to unravel this case.  I could not believe the violence (it was described in detail).  

Kate finds herself in danger more than once (proving what a strong and courageous woman she is).  The mystery is complex with twists, turns, and shocking secrets.  I like the relationship between Kate and Tomasetti (they are perfect for each other).  The author’s descriptive writing transported me to Painter’s Mill where it was hot (I would not want to wear one of those Tyvek suits in that heat).  I found myself staying up late to finish the book (and my mother still yells at me to close my book and go to sleep). In addition to the violence, the story also contains foul language.  Rage is a twisty story with gripping suspense, gritty tableaus, police procedures, astonished Amish, a resilient leader, a supportive spouse, amazing action, and an exciting conclusion.

Rage is available from Amazon* as well as othe rmajor booksellers.  You can find the other A Kate Burkholder Novels here.  If you follow Linda Castillo on Amazon, they will send you an email when she has a new book release.  Thank you for stopping by today.  I will return on Tuesday, July 15 with Wayward Girls by Susan Wiggs.  I hope that you have a relaxing weekend.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

*This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.  Thank you for supporting The Avid Reader.

The Burning by Linda Castillo

The Burning 

Book Summary

Chief of Police Kate Burkholder investigates a gruesome murder that reveals a little-known chapter of early Amish history in this next riveting installment of the bestselling series by Linda Castillo.

Newlywed Chief of Police Kate Burkholder is awakened by an urgent midnight call summoning her to a suspicious fire in the woods. When she arrives at the scene, she discovers a charred body. According to the coroner, the deceased, an Amish man named Milan Swanz, was chained to a stake and burned alive. It is an appalling and eerily symbolic crime against an upstanding husband and father.

Kate knows all too well that the Amish prefer to handle their problems without interference from the outside world, and no one will speak about the murdered man. From what she’s able to piece together, Swanz led a deeply troubled life and had recently been excommunicated. But if that’s the case, why are the Amish so reluctant to talk about him? Are they protecting the memory of one of their own? Or are they afraid of something they dare not share?

When her own brother is implicated in the case, Kate finds herself not only at odds with the Amish, the world of which she was once a part, but also the English community and her counterparts in law enforcement. The investigation takes a violent turn when Kate’s life is threatened by a mysterious stranger.

To uncover the truth about the death of Milan Swanz, Kate must dive deep into the Anabaptist culture, peering into all the dark corners of its history, only to uncover a secret legacy that shatters everything she thought she knew about the Amish themselves—and her own roots.

My Thoughts

The Burning by Linda Castillo is an intriguing story.  The characters are developed and realistic. Kate Burkholder is now happily married to John.  Her latest case is a dark and gruesome one (the details are quite graphic).  This case hits close to home for Kate when her brother ends up one of the prime suspects. Trying to get answers out of the Amish is like pulling a wisdom tooth (tough and painful).  Kate should see if the local hospital has a frequent visitor program because someone is determined to sideline her.  I was surprised that case details were repeated so often.  The case leads to a suspenseful reveal.  The Burning can be read as a standalone.  I believe it would be helpful, though, to read Sworn to Silence (the first book in the series--available through Kindle Unlimited) which would give you an introduction to the characters (or watch An Amish Murder).  The story does contain some “salty” language.  John and Kate had an interesting conversation at the end.  I will be curious to see what becomes of it.  The Burning took me on a roller coaster (Kate too and she has the bruises to prove it) and I am looking forward to Kate’s next adventure.  

The Burning can be obtained from Amazon*  Sworn to Silence is the first book in the Kate Burkholder series (it is available through Kindle Unlimited).  If you follow Kate Burkholder on Amazon, they will send you an email when she has a new book release.  Thank you taking time out of your day to visit me.  I will be sharing my thoughts on Murder on Devil's Pond by Ayla Rose tomorrow.  It is the first A Hummingbird Hollow B&B Mystery.  I am off to set up my fun in the summer sun display in my front yard.  It has been raining every day which is good for the garden, but it is not good for laying out a display in your front yard.  I hope that you have an amusing day (we need positivity in our lives to offset the current political climate).  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.  Thank you for supporting The Avid Reader. 

An Evil Heart by Linda Castillo

 An Evil Heart

Book Summary

Chief of Police Kate Burkholder investigates the brutal death of a young Amish man in An Evil Heart, the latest installment of the bestselling series by Linda Castillo.

On a crisp autumn day in Painters Mill, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder responds to a call only to discover an Amish man who has been violently killed with a crossbow, his body abandoned on a dirt road. Aden Karn was just twenty years old, well liked, and from an upstanding Amish family. Who would commit such a heinous crime against a young man whose life was just beginning?

The more Kate gets to know his devastated family and the people—both English and Amish—who loved him, the more determined she becomes to solve the case. Aden Karn was funny and hardworking and looking forward to marrying his sweet fiancé, Emily. All the while, Kate’s own wedding day to Tomasetti draws near...

But as she delves into Karn’s past, Kate begins to hear whispers about a dark side. What if Aden Karn wasn’t the wholesome young man everyone admired? Is it possible the rumors are a cruel campaign to blame the victim? Kate pursues every lead with a vengeance, sensing an unspeakable secret no one will broach.

The case spirals out of control when a young Amish woman comes forward with a horrific story that pits Kate against a dangerous and unexpected opponent. When the awful truth is finally uncovered, Kate comes face to face with the terrible consequences of a life lived in all the dark places.

My Thoughts

An Evil Heart by Linda Castillo takes us back to Painter’s Mill, Ohio days before the wedding of Kate Burkholder and her fiancé, John Tomasetti.  An Evil Heart is the fifteenth A Kate Burkholder Novel.  While it can be read as a standalone, I do recommend reading the series in order.  It allows readers to get to know Kate and see how her relationship with John came about.  Each book in the series builds upon the previous one. I thought An Evil Heart was well-written with realistic, developed characters.  Kate Burkholder is a strong, smart woman.  Her background (being raised Amish but she is now Englisch) helps her when it comes to cases she handles.  John Tomasetti works for the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.  He is a good partner for Kate.  He understands her long hours and her devotion to her job.  The pair work well together when John joins Kate on a case.   

Chief of Police Kate Burkholder’s latest case is a gruesome one.  Amishman Aden Karn was killed on his way to meet his ride to work.  Kate delves into the case.  Kate questions Karn’s family, friends, girlfriend, roommate, and coworkers.  She wants to get to know the victim and discover what could have led to the victim’s demise.  Kate works to piece together the clues and then narrows in on the guilty party.  Kate is methodical in her investigation.  She is a hard worker.  Kate has a good team to assist her.  The mystery can be solved early in the story.  The why takes longer to uncover.  The reveal scene was action packed and full of suspense which had me quickly flipping the pages.  There are graphic details that could disturb some readers and trigger others.  The story also contains foul language.  Kate and John’s wedding day is special.  

The planning is emotional for Kate.  She grew up Amish and dreamed of an Amish wedding.  But now she is English.  Kate wants to find a way to merge the two cultures.  Kate is also working on her relationship with her family.  The wedding can, hopefully, bring the Burkholder clan closer.   The author beautifully blends the whodunit and Kate’s life into one engaging story.  I especially enjoyed the ending.  An Evil Heart is a suspenseful story with a macabre murder, wedding worries, dubious acquaintances, an unusual weapon, a curious clue, and a cruel killer.  

An Evil Heart is available from Amazon*.  You can find the other A Kate Burkholder Novels here.  If you follow Linda Castillo on Amazon, they will send you an email when she has a new book release.  Thank you for stopping by today.  I will return tomorrow with A Cryptic Clue by Victoria Gilbert.  It is the first A Hunter and Clewe Mystery.  On July 17, Pine Creek Matchmaker by Amity Hope comes out.  It is the third Pine Creek Amish series. I hope that you have an energizing day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Hidden One by Linda Castillo

 The Hidden One

Book Summary

The discovery of an Amish bishop's remains leads chief of police Kate Burkholder to unearth a chilling secret in The Hidden One, a new thriller from bestselling author Linda Castillo.

Over a decade ago, beloved Amish bishop Ananias Stoltzfus disappeared without a trace. When skeletal remains showing evidence of foul play are unearthed, his disappearance becomes even more sinister.

The town’s elders arrive in Painters Mill to ask chief of police Kate Burkholder for help, but she quickly realizes she has a personal connection to the crime. The handsome Amish man who stands accused of the murder, Jonas Bowman, was Kate’s first love. Forced to confront a painful episode from her past, Kate travels to Pennsylvania’s Kishacoquillas Valley, where the Amish culture differs dramatically from the traditions she knows. Though Bishop Stoltzfus was highly respected, she soon hears about a dark side to this complex man. What was he hiding that resulted in his own brutal death?

Someone doesn’t want Kate asking questions. But even after being accosted and threatened in the dead of night, she refuses to back down. Is she too close to the case—and to Jonas—to see clearly? There’s a killer in the Valley who will stop at nothing to keep the past buried. Will they get to Kate before she can expose the truth? Or will the bishop’s secrets remain hidden forever?

My Thoughts

The Hidden One by Linda Castillo is the fourteenth novel in the Kate Burkholder series.  It can be read as a standalone as the author provides Kate’s background information for new readers.  You will be missing out though if you do not read this series from the beginning.  Kate travels from Painter’s Mill, Ohio to Belleville, Pennsylvania where elders from an Amish community paid her a visit.  Kate’s first love, Jonas Bowman has been arrested for murder.  Ananias Stoltzfus, the bishop of the community, disappeared eighteen years ago.  His remains were found two months ago in a farmer’s field along with a gun.  The gun belongs to Jonas.  Jonas and Ananias had been at odds at the time of the bishop’s disappearance.  Kate travels to Pennsylvania to see if she can prove Jonas’ innocence. 

I thought The Hidden One was well-written with realistic, developed characters.  I like that we get to learn more about Kate’s past.  I did miss Painter’s Mill and Kate’s significant other, John Tomasetti.  I like how the author portrays the Amish people.  We see them as they are (not sugarcoated).  There are explanations for the way they live and how they do things.  The mystery was intriguing (I love solving the mystery before the reveal) and well-plotted.  It is a cold case which makes it more of a challenge.  I liked all the action in the story.  Someone did not want Kate to find out the truth.  You can tell that they do not know Kate (she is tenacious).  There are clues to help readers solve the crime (if you pay close attention).  People were judging Jonas for his past actions and not the man he is now.  There was one piece of the puzzle that gave me the answer to this clever mystery.  I enjoyed the suspenseful reveal.  The books ending was sweet.  I enjoyed reading The Hidden One. This is one of my favorite books in the series.  I am looking forward to Kate’s next adventure.  The Hidden One is a revealing suspense novel with a confusing cold case, an old love in jail, a beau’s birthday, meaningful memories, perilous incidents, and one curious Kate.

The Hidden One is available from Amazon*.  You can find the other thirteen Kate Burkholder novels here. You can follow Linda Castillo on Amazon in order to receive updates on her latest book releases.  Some other books that were released today are A Cold Nose for Murder by Jennifer Hawkins, The Warmth of Sunshine by Kelly Irvin, Listen to Me by Tess Gerritsen, and Death by Bubble Tea by Jennifer J. Chow.  I appreciate you stopping by today and reading my review.  I hope that everyone had a fun and safe Fourth of July weekend.  I learned how to use an automotive battery charger.  I needed to pick up a prescription.  I got in the car and nothing happened.  I was able to hook this device up to the car battery and get it charged enough to get to Autozone.  They were very nice and helpful.  They installed the battery for me.  I was on my way within twenty minutes.  I am glad that my brother-in-law told me to get that device for my car. It also helps maintain it (since I do not go out often). I will return tomorrow to share my thoughts on The Warmth of Sunshine by Kelly Irvin.  It is the second book in the Amish Blessings series.  I hope that you have a happy day. Take care, stay cool, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Fallen by Linda Castillo

 Fallen

Book Summary

In New York Times bestselling author Linda Castillo’s new thriller Fallen, a rebellious Amish woman leaves the Plain life, but the secrets she takes with her will lead Chief of Police Kate Burkholder down a dark path to danger and death.

When a young woman is found murdered in a Painters Mill motel, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder is shocked to discover she once knew the victim. Rachael Schwartz was a charming but troubled Amish girl who left the fold years ago and fled Painters Mill. Why was she back in town? And who would kill her so brutally?

Kate remembers Rachael as the only girl who was as bad at being Amish as Kate was—and those parallels dog her. But the more Kate learns about Rachael's life, the more she's convinced that her dubious reputation was deserved. As a child, Rachael was a rowdy rulebreaker whose decision to leave devastated her parents and best friend. As an adult, she was charismatic and beautiful, a rabble-rouser with a keen eye for opportunity no matter who got in her way. Her no-holds-barred lifestyle earned her a lot of love and enemies aplenty—both English and Amish.

As the case heats to a fever pitch and long-buried secrets resurface, a killer haunts Painters Mill. Someone doesn’t want Rachael’s past—or the mysteries she took with her to the grave—coming to light. As Kate digs deeper, violence strikes again, this time hitting close to home. Will Kate uncover the truth and bring a murderer to justice? Or will a killer bent on protecting a terrible past stop her once and for all—and let the fallen be forgotten?

My Thoughts

Fallen by Linda Castillo starts off with a bang courtesy of a horrific, bloody murder.  Even seasoned Police Chief Kate Burkholder has a hard time with the crime scene at the local motel.  The victim turns out to be Rachael Schwartz whom Kate babysat as a child.  Rachael left the community and became Englisch when she was seventeen.   Rachael is the type of person who did not pull any punches.  She pulled pranks, got into mischief, and managed to annoy most of the people she encountered.  Rachael still did not deserve to die in that manner.  Kate with help from John Tomasetti sets out to find Rachael’s killer.  The characters in this series are complex, developed, and realistic.  I especially enjoy Kate and John’s relationship.  They are cute together and John understands Kate.  I like the mix of Englisch and Amish.  The mystery was well-done.  It was well-plotted and a delight to solve.  I enjoyed following Kate as she followed the clues, questioned suspects, and consulted with Tomasetti.  There are subtle clues that can aid readers in identifying the guilty party.   I did find the amount of violence (this one was a little extreme) and foul language to be a turn off (not enough to stop reading though).  Fallen is the thirteenth A Kate Burkholder Novel.  For those who are new to this series, Fallen can be read as a standalone.  Personally, I have found it beneficial to read the series in order.  Fallen is a complex whodunit with a motel murder, a rowdy rulebreaker, disappointed parents, severe violence, a cruel killer, and a committed chief of police.  

Fallen publishes Tuesday, July 6 and can be obtained from Amazon*.  The other A Kate Burkholder Novels can be found here.  Follow Linda Castillo on Amazon to get updates on her latest releases.  Thank you for stopping by today and reading my review.  Tomorrow I am featuring Danielle Steel's latest release Nine Lives.  I hope that all of you have a carefree day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Shamed by Linda Castillo

Welcome!  I hope everyone is doing well on this Sunday!  Here are some new books that are coming out on August 18:  Death at High Tide by Hannah Dennison, Little Disasters by Sarah Vaughan, The London Restoration by Rachel McMillan, and The Mersey Girls by Sheila Riley.  This Sunday, I am doing a blast from the past by featuring Shamed by Linda Castillo which came July 16, 2019. 

Empty Amish farmhouse liked Schattenbaum's

Shamed by Linda Castillo has Chief Kate Burkholder at the old Schattenbaum house where she finds a screaming little girl stating that the Da Deivel killed her grandmother and kidnapped her sister, Elsie.  Kate finds Mary Yoder dead in the farmhouse from a brutal attack.  After verifying that Elsie Helmuth is indeed missing, she calls in Agent John Tomasetti as well as help from the county sheriff’s office.  It is all hands on deck to find Elsie as quickly as possible.  Ivan and Miriam Helmuth are eager for the return of their daughter and answer Kate’s questions.  Kate begins digging and uncovers a discrepancy that could explain the reason Elsie was taken.  A long held secret puts more than Elsie’s life in danger.  Can Kate find the little girl in time?

Shamed by Linda Castillo is the 11^th A Kate Burkholder Novel.  I thought Shamed contained good writing with a well-plotted crime.  It can be read as a standalone, though, you would know and understand the characters better if you read the series in order.  Shamed gets off to a shocking start with the death of Mary Yoder.  Kate, John, and other police personnel begin searching for clues and for the missing child.  Elise is seven years old and has Cohen syndrome.  Kate has a gut feeling about the case that does not take her in the same direction as Tomasetti.  Kate’s hunches, though, are rarely wrong.  Kate ends up in a small, isolated Amish community that calls into question everything Kate knew about the Amish.  The mystery is a tense one which ramps up the longer the little girl is missing.  The author created a multifaceted whodunit that is complex and suspenseful.  The beginning is violent and gory.  There is a significant amount of foul language in the book as well.  I enjoyed the authors vivid descriptions of Painters Mill, the people, and the other Amish town.  You will find yourself quickly turning the pages to find how Shamed plays out.  Shamed is a gripping tale with kidnapped child, a messy murder, a crazed killer, incomprehensible information, close calls, and a stupefied police chief.  

Shamed is available from Amazon*.  The latest A Kate Burkholder Novel is Outsider.  The series began with Sworn to Silence.  You can find the other A Kate Burkholder novels here.  Thank you for reading my review today.  Tomorrow I will be sharing my thoughts on The Lost and Found Bookshop by Susan Wiggs.  I hope you have a restful day.  Take care, stay safe, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.

Outsider by Linda Castillo

Welcome!  A Walk along the Beach by Debbie Macomber will be out on July 14 along with What You Wish For by Katherine Center.  A Charming Deception by Tonya Kappes releases on July 30.  It is the 13th A Magical Cures Mystery.  So many books delightful new books coming out this summer!

Outsider by Linda Castillo has Adam Lengacher enjoying a sleigh ride with his three children in Painter’s Mill, Ohio when they find an abandoned vehicle with blood nearby.  Adam searches the area and finds an unconscious woman who is bleeding.  Adam takes her back to his home where she asks for Kate Burkholder, the chief of police.  When Kate arrives, she is surprised to see the woman is Gina Colorosa.  Kate and Gina shared an apartment in Columbus as well as went to the police academy together and began their careers together with Columbus Division of Police.  Kate has not seen or spoken with Gina in ten years.  Kate learns that there is a warrant out for Gina’s arrest.  Gina reported corruption within the vice unit and now they are out to eliminate her.  They have framed her for the death of a confidential informant and raided her home in an attempt to kill her.  Kate calls John Tomasetti who is her beau as well as an agent with Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.  Tomasetti is able to get little information.  Something odd is definitely going on.  They need to keep Gina under wraps until the snowstorm blows over and they can transport her to right officials.  Unfortunately, there are people who want to make sure that Gina does not talk, and they are willing to brave the heavy snowfall to accomplish it.  Will Kate be able to keep everyone safe?

Outsider by Linda Castillo is the 12^th A Kate Burkholder Novel.  It can be read on its own for those new to the series, but I recommend reading this suspenseful series in order. I thought Outsider was well-written with developed characters and it moves along at a fast pace.  Outsider starts off with a bang in the prologue with Gina Colorosa, a vice unit cop from Columbus, on the run after a no-knock warrant is executed at 3 a.m. on her home.  Gina was prepared for this action and was able to escape, but she was shot in the shoulder.  Gina knows only one person whom she can trust and that is Kate Burkholder.  Adam Lengacher, an Amish widower with three children, rescues Gina and takes her into his home.  Kate is shocked when she sees Gina because it has been ten years since they parted.  Kate would not have become a police officer if not for Gina.  Gina tells Kate about corruption within the police force in Columbus.  There is suspense, action, mystery, and intrigue in Outsider.  You wonder if Gina is disclosing all the information to Kate, who is involved in the corruption, and what will happen next.  There is graphic violence in Outsider and along with an extensive amount of foul language (fair warning).  I thought Outsider was more violent than the earlier books in A Kate Burkholder series.  I like that we get to learn more about what happened to Kate after she left home, her time at the academy, and her early years on the force in Columbus.   We also discover why Kate has not spoken to Gina in ten years.  There are some cute moments in Outsider as well.  Adam’s three kids are sweet.  Sammy was my favorite.  He is a curious boy.  There was a calf who had been spurned by his mama that needed nurturing.  I like the relationship between Kate Burkholder and John Tomasetti.  They manage to balance their work and their private life.  I liked the author’s descriptive writing which brought the scenes to life.  I enjoyed the vivid word imagery of the sleigh ride especially.  I like the glimpses of Amish life which felt authentic.  Outsider is a suspenseful novel with a cute calf, a well-proportioned widower, a friend on frightful footing, substantial snowfall, corrupt cops, an auto accident, and a barrage of bullets.

Outsider is available from Amazon* as well as other major booksellers (Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Google Play, Powell's).  You can find the other novels in A Kate Burkholder series here.  Kate Burkholder's tale began with Sworn to Silence.  Thank you for joining me today.  I am heading off to do a little cleaning.  On July 9, I am featuring A Million Little Lies by Bette Lee Crosby.  I hope you have an upbeat day.  Take care, stay safe, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Do you recognize this scene?  Which book is it from?

*This post contains affiliate links.

A Gathering of Secrets: A Kate Burkholder Novel

Welcome!  In His Father's Footsteps by Danielle Steel will be available on September 4.  I started reading her books when I was twelve (I liberated them from my mother's bookshelves) and have read them ever since.  Hitting the books by Jenn McKinlay will published on September 11 along with Ours for a Season by Kim Vogel Sawyer.

A Gathering of Secrets by Linda Castillo is the tenth A Kate Burkholder Novel. Kate Burkholder, the police chief for Painters Mill, gets a late night call about a barn on fire at the Gingerich’s.  Kate arrives and is told that Daniel Gingerich is missing.  It looks like an accidental barn fire until Daniel’s body is found inside the locked and barricaded tack room.  Someone wanted to make sure that Daniel did not survive the fire.  Kate begins her investigation, but the Amish in Painters Mill are less than forthcoming.  Despite being raised Amish and having family in the community, Kate’s uniform and position holds her apart.  She is determined, though, to find out who murdered Daniel and set fire to the Gingerich’s barn.  The more Kate learns about Daniel, the more unsettled she feels.  Can Kate break through the wall of silence to get the answers she needs?  

I do not recommend reading A Gathering of Secrets on its own.  While it can be read alone, you will miss out on Kate’s backstory.  Why she is no longer Amish, how she become the police chief, her relationship with John Tomasetti, and how she gets along with her family.  In A Gathering of Secrets, we follow Kate as she delves into Daniel’s life.  She gathers evidence, interviews family and friends, follows up on anonymous tips, etc.  Kate finds herself once again in a situation that endangers her life.  I am amazed that she allowed herself to fall for the one incident.  Kate has enough experience to know better (I would say more but it would be a spoiler).  A Gathering of Secrets contains good writing and I like Kate’s character.  She is a strong, smart woman who does a difficult job.  It cannot be easy being English in a community where you grew up Amish.  I would like to see Kate grow more as a person.  It is time for her to move beyond what happened to her as a teenager (she will never forget it, but she needs to find a way to deal with what happened to her so she can have a future).  I was disappointed that A Gathering of Secrets is exactly like the nine books before it.  The author seems to follow a formula for her books and she is sticking with it.  The descriptions are the fire, the body and other crimes are vivid and explicit.  There is an uncalled for amount of foul language as well.  I liked that the author included different Amish sects (Beachy Amish and Swartzentruber) and explained the differences.  The mystery had depth, but the solution was obvious.  I kept hoping there would be a surprise/twist that would shock me.  I was amazed at the amount of violence from non-violent people.  My rating for A Gathering of Secrets is 3 out of 5 stars (it was okay).  While I was not enamored with A Gathering of Secrets, I will read the next A Kate Burkholder Novel.

I appreciate you visiting today and reading my review.  If you find my reviews helpful, please consider following my blog or adding me to your Google circle (upper right). On Tuesday, I will be sharing my thoughts on Dim Sum of all Fears by Vivien Chien.  I will also tell you about the new books that have been published.  May you have a whimsical day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Down a Dark Road: A Kate Burkholder Novel

Happy Book Release Day!  Some of the novels that are available today are The Writing Desk by Rachel Hauck, 30 Second Death by Laura Bradford, Two Nights by Kathy Reichs, To Kill a Hummingbird by J.R. Ripley, A Basket Full of Bargains by Lorraine Bartlett and Down a Dark Road by Linda Castillo.  If you like to read historical, Christian novels, Tamera Alexander publishes a new novel in August.  It is titled To Wager Her Heart and it is the third novel in A Belle Meade Plantation series.  

Down a Dark Road by Linda Castillo is the newest A Kate Burkholder Novel.  Kate Burkholder is the chief of police in Painters Mill, Ohio.  Kate receives a call from Deputy Warden Jerry Murphy at the Mansfield Correctional Institute saying that Joseph King has escaped.  Joseph was convicted two years prior of murdering his wife.  His five children now live with their aunt and uncle on a farm outside Painters Mill.  Kate grew up with Joseph until his family moved away when she was thirteen.  She remembers the crush she had on Joseph and how he changed after his father passed away.  Kate does not think Joseph will return to town, but she sets up a watch on Rebecca and Daniel Beachy’s home.  Around 3 a.m. Kate is checking the perimeter when she is attacked.  Joseph gets the drop of Kate and forces her into the farmhouse.  Joseph is holding Kate along with his five children hostage.  Joseph swears to Kate that he is innocent, but he refuses to give himself up.  He does not want to go back to prison and he will not let the children go.  Joseph wants Kate to investigate and prove he did not murder his wife, Naomi.   Kate is set free and faces the criticism of her colleagues.  She remembers what Joseph was like as a young boy.  Kate sets off on her quest for answers.  Did Joseph kill Naomi as the evidence suggests?  Kate is in for a bumpy ride in Down a Dark Road.

I look forward to reading the latest Kate Burkholder book each year and Linda Castillo did not let me down with this tome.  Down a Dark Road captured and held my interest.  I found the book to be well-written and have a steady pace.  The mystery is complex with many twists and turns along the way (you can feel the suspense building up).  I did solve the mystery early in the story, but I enjoyed reading on to see how it would unravel. I would find dealing with the Amish very frustrating if I was a police officer (Kate is so patient).  Their reluctance to talk and help the law astounds me.  Kate Burkholder is a complicated person.  I liked that more of her youth was revealed to us (Kate looks back remembering her time with Joseph).  It is nice to see how Kate was as a girl (she grew up Amish).  I also appreciated seeing a more vulnerable side of Kate.  My rating for Down a Dark Road is 4.5 out of 5 stars.  While Down a Dark Road is the ninth book in the series, it can be read alone.  Personally, I am glad to have read the whole series, because each volume builds upon the previous. A new layer of Kate’s character is exposed and we discover a little more about Kate.  The epilogue was lovely and heartwarming.  I look forward to reading the tenth book in A Kate Burkholder series when it releases next year.  

I appreciate you stopping by and reading my review.  I am currently read Killer Party by Lynn Cahoon.  May you have a pleasant day and find some delightful new books to read.  I will be reviewing A Crime of Passion Fruit by Ellie Alexander next.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader