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Kate Burkholder #15
An Evil Heart
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.
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.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published July 11, 2023
About the author
Linda Castillo
92 books5,918 followersLinda Castillo is the author of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Kate Burkholder mystery series, set in the world of the Amish. The first book, Sworn to Silence, was adapted into a Lifetime original movie titled An Amish Murder starring Neve Campbell as Kate Burkholder. Castillo is the recipient of numerous industry awards including a nomination by the International Thriller Writers for Best Hardcover, a nomination for the Mystery Writers of America’s Sue Grafton Memorial Award, and a nomination for an “Audie Award” for best mystery audiobook. Her work has appeared on numerous bestseller lists and earned a spot on the Boston Globe’s shortlist for best crime novel.
In addition to writing, Castillo’s other passion is horses. She lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, three Appaloosas, and two feisty, but loveable Blue Heelers.
She loves hearing from readers. Contact her at books@lindacastillo.com.
In addition to writing, Castillo’s other passion is horses. She lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, three Appaloosas, and two feisty, but loveable Blue Heelers.
She loves hearing from readers. Contact her at books@lindacastillo.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,393 reviews
February 25, 2023
Book fifteen of the Kate Burkholder series…and it just keeps getting better and better!
There are wedding bells chiming in Kate’s near future. But first things first. Before she can walk waltz down that aisle with Tomasetti, she has a murder…or two to wrap-up.
Kate Burkholder is the Chief of Police in the town of Painters Mill Ohio. She grew up Amish, and though she left that life behind, many of her cases bring her into daily contact with the very private community.
This latest case for Kate involves a young Amish man, Aden Karn who was on Rumspringa. (A time when Amish teens are entering adulthood. This is the first time they step outside their community to experience an English life. With the understanding that at the end of this journey they’ll choose to either return to Amish life or leave it behind forever).
When Aden is found murdered on the side of the road it’s up to Kate to find the killer. Why would anyone target an innocent Amish teen that everyone seemed to love?
The deeper Kate digs into her investigation, disturbing and ugly secrets are un-rooted.
I absolutely love this series. Always look forward to the latest release every year! Linda Castillo provides such detailed insight into the Amish community, while delivering a dark, pulse-pounding thriller.
At the risk of flagrant gushing, I can’t recommend this series enough! But make sure to start at the beginning to get the full experience, as each release builds on the previous. Now I have to (im)patiently wait for next years’ release!😫
A buddy read with Susanne.
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press
There are wedding bells chiming in Kate’s near future. But first things first. Before she can walk waltz down that aisle with Tomasetti, she has a murder…or two to wrap-up.
Kate Burkholder is the Chief of Police in the town of Painters Mill Ohio. She grew up Amish, and though she left that life behind, many of her cases bring her into daily contact with the very private community.
This latest case for Kate involves a young Amish man, Aden Karn who was on Rumspringa. (A time when Amish teens are entering adulthood. This is the first time they step outside their community to experience an English life. With the understanding that at the end of this journey they’ll choose to either return to Amish life or leave it behind forever).
When Aden is found murdered on the side of the road it’s up to Kate to find the killer. Why would anyone target an innocent Amish teen that everyone seemed to love?
The deeper Kate digs into her investigation, disturbing and ugly secrets are un-rooted.
I absolutely love this series. Always look forward to the latest release every year! Linda Castillo provides such detailed insight into the Amish community, while delivering a dark, pulse-pounding thriller.
At the risk of flagrant gushing, I can’t recommend this series enough! But make sure to start at the beginning to get the full experience, as each release builds on the previous. Now I have to (im)patiently wait for next years’ release!😫
A buddy read with Susanne.
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press
March 11, 2023
An Evil Heart begins with a shocking murder scene. It left me with my pulse pounding and my mouth hanging open! Linda Castillo started the book strong and never let up. This was equal parts gripping, shocking, thought provoking and intense.
Kate Burkholder responds to the scene where an Amish man has been murdered. Who would want to kill twenty-year-old Aden Karn? He comes from a good home, people in the community had nice things to say about him. It appears that he was respected and liked by those in his life, and yet, someone wanted him dead!
Kate has a murder to solve and her wedding to Tomasetti is drawing near. She doesn't let her upcoming nuptials get in her way when she has a case to solve. As she delves deeper, she learns that there are those with secrets - dark and dangerous secrets. When a young Amish teen/woman comes forward with what happened to her, everything changes on a dime.
Whew! This was such a fantastic book. I loved doing my own super sleuthing along with Kate. There are a few suspects in this book and Castillo had me re-evaluating and changing my suspect list as the book went along.
There was never a dull moment in this book. I had a hard time putting this book down as I was fully invested in the plot. This was another well written, engrossing, riveting and intense book by Castillo and a brilliant addition to the Kate Burkholder series. Another plus, is that I do believe this book would work well as a stand-alone.
Gripping, shocking, tense, and hard to put down!
Highly recommend.
*Traveling Friends buddy read.
4.5 stars
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
Kate Burkholder responds to the scene where an Amish man has been murdered. Who would want to kill twenty-year-old Aden Karn? He comes from a good home, people in the community had nice things to say about him. It appears that he was respected and liked by those in his life, and yet, someone wanted him dead!
Kate has a murder to solve and her wedding to Tomasetti is drawing near. She doesn't let her upcoming nuptials get in her way when she has a case to solve. As she delves deeper, she learns that there are those with secrets - dark and dangerous secrets. When a young Amish teen/woman comes forward with what happened to her, everything changes on a dime.
Whew! This was such a fantastic book. I loved doing my own super sleuthing along with Kate. There are a few suspects in this book and Castillo had me re-evaluating and changing my suspect list as the book went along.
There was never a dull moment in this book. I had a hard time putting this book down as I was fully invested in the plot. This was another well written, engrossing, riveting and intense book by Castillo and a brilliant addition to the Kate Burkholder series. Another plus, is that I do believe this book would work well as a stand-alone.
Gripping, shocking, tense, and hard to put down!
Highly recommend.
*Traveling Friends buddy read.
4.5 stars
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
July 12, 2023
4.5⭐
One of the best in the series! I don't know how I'll wait until next year to revisit Painters Mill, Ohio. Painters Mill is an Amish town where our Police Chief Kate Burkholder grew up. Kate left the Amish life in her late teens and has since returned to protect and serve.
In An Evil Heart, Aden Karn, a young Amish on Rumspringa was murdered in the early hours on his way to work. He was cruelly killed with a crossbow. As Kate investigates, the hardworking and kind young man was beloved by those who knew him. His fiance, Emily is distraught. Meanwhile, Tomasetti, Kate's husband to be has a kidnapping case to solve.
I love reading novels with Amish themes and this is a special, AMISH THRILLER that I love so much!! I love that this series is so different from my normal Amish romance and cozy reads. Kate Burkholder series can be pretty dark and gruesome. There's a bit of faith mentioned from the Amish family's point of view and does not feel preachy. I enjoy reading about the Amish way of life. I'm already looking forward to listening to the next one. Kathleen McInerney is fabulous and I'm sticking with the audiobook for every novel in this series.
Thank you Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for my ALC.
Out Jul 11, 2023!
One of the best in the series! I don't know how I'll wait until next year to revisit Painters Mill, Ohio. Painters Mill is an Amish town where our Police Chief Kate Burkholder grew up. Kate left the Amish life in her late teens and has since returned to protect and serve.
In An Evil Heart, Aden Karn, a young Amish on Rumspringa was murdered in the early hours on his way to work. He was cruelly killed with a crossbow. As Kate investigates, the hardworking and kind young man was beloved by those who knew him. His fiance, Emily is distraught. Meanwhile, Tomasetti, Kate's husband to be has a kidnapping case to solve.
I love reading novels with Amish themes and this is a special, AMISH THRILLER that I love so much!! I love that this series is so different from my normal Amish romance and cozy reads. Kate Burkholder series can be pretty dark and gruesome. There's a bit of faith mentioned from the Amish family's point of view and does not feel preachy. I enjoy reading about the Amish way of life. I'm already looking forward to listening to the next one. Kathleen McInerney is fabulous and I'm sticking with the audiobook for every novel in this series.
Thank you Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for my ALC.
Out Jul 11, 2023!
May 31, 2023
The sights and sounds of a beautiful autumn morning greet readers in
An Evil Heart
by Linda Castillo. However, as the fifteenth book in the Kate Burkholder mystery thriller and police procedural series gets underway, those same readers will likely be surprised by what happens next.
This series features Painters Mill, Ohio, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder who investigates the death of a young Amish man, Aden Karn. He’s well-liked, funny, hardworking, and engaged to Emily Byler. Did he have a dark side or is something else happening in the community?
Besides being the chief of police, Kate is trained as an emergency medical technician. She’s intelligent, has good instincts, and wants to repair her relationships with her family. Tomasetti, the man she will be marrying soon, is obsessive and intense when he’s on a case. He works for the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and they met when he assisted on one of her cases.
The author takes readers on a journey through the life of Aden Karn from his family dynamics to his girlfriend and her family, his co-workers, and those who he spent time with. Additionally, Castillo seamlessly blends Kate’s personal life and events into the story line. Kate shows some growth in this novel as her wedding approaches and she interacts with her family and friends.
The characterization is excellent, making the numerous characters come to life for me making it easy to keep track of them. Readers of the series will be familiar with many of them. One thing that struck me as slightly odd was the number of nicknames for officers on Kate’s investigation team.
The descriptive narrative transported me to Kate and her team’s suspenseful investigation. The plot twists worked well and the ending was action-packed. Ms. Castillo is an excellent storyteller who kept me turning the pages with gripping scenes and a creative plot that built suspense. This novel shines light on law enforcement cooperation, family, jealousy, lies, betrayal, friendship, death, and the darker side of some communities.
While the novel works well as a standalone, readers will be able to better appreciate Kate’s full background if the series is read in order. Readers should also be aware that there are some disturbing scenes in the book.
Overall, this book was briskly paced, suspenseful, and gripping. This novel should delight those readers that enjoy police procedurals and mysteries that have a strong female lead character. I’m looking forward to reading more by this author.
St. Martin’s Press – Minotaur Books and Linda Castillo provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for July 11, 2023. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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My 4.34 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
This series features Painters Mill, Ohio, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder who investigates the death of a young Amish man, Aden Karn. He’s well-liked, funny, hardworking, and engaged to Emily Byler. Did he have a dark side or is something else happening in the community?
Besides being the chief of police, Kate is trained as an emergency medical technician. She’s intelligent, has good instincts, and wants to repair her relationships with her family. Tomasetti, the man she will be marrying soon, is obsessive and intense when he’s on a case. He works for the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and they met when he assisted on one of her cases.
The author takes readers on a journey through the life of Aden Karn from his family dynamics to his girlfriend and her family, his co-workers, and those who he spent time with. Additionally, Castillo seamlessly blends Kate’s personal life and events into the story line. Kate shows some growth in this novel as her wedding approaches and she interacts with her family and friends.
The characterization is excellent, making the numerous characters come to life for me making it easy to keep track of them. Readers of the series will be familiar with many of them. One thing that struck me as slightly odd was the number of nicknames for officers on Kate’s investigation team.
The descriptive narrative transported me to Kate and her team’s suspenseful investigation. The plot twists worked well and the ending was action-packed. Ms. Castillo is an excellent storyteller who kept me turning the pages with gripping scenes and a creative plot that built suspense. This novel shines light on law enforcement cooperation, family, jealousy, lies, betrayal, friendship, death, and the darker side of some communities.
While the novel works well as a standalone, readers will be able to better appreciate Kate’s full background if the series is read in order. Readers should also be aware that there are some disturbing scenes in the book.
Overall, this book was briskly paced, suspenseful, and gripping. This novel should delight those readers that enjoy police procedurals and mysteries that have a strong female lead character. I’m looking forward to reading more by this author.
St. Martin’s Press – Minotaur Books and Linda Castillo provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for July 11, 2023. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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My 4.34 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
July 12, 2023
4.35⭐
Genre ~ police procedural
Series ~ Kate Burkholder, #15
Others in the series ~ Can't list them all, so here's the series link
Publication date ~ July 11, 2023
Page Count ~ 311
Audio length ~ 9 hours 25 minutes
Narrator ~ Kathleen McInerney
POV ~ single 1st & 3rd
Featuring ~ murder, references to r@pe, se*ual assault
How is it that I've aged 14 years and Kate has barely aged at all 🤣. I hate that I have to wait a whole year before I get my next fix of this wonderfully graphic series.
Kate is back solving another brutal murder in Painter's Mill, while simultaneously getting ready to finally marry John Tomisetti. Long time readers will agree that we've been waiting ages and ages for this moment.
We open up with Aden getting shot with a crossbow and thus sets forth the investigation into his death. We've got another murder thrown into the mix to keep us on our toes.
Overall, another fast paced, great addition to the series. Yes it's technically a standalone, but Kate's life is progressing even though there's a new murder to solve each time.
I was fortunate enough to have a kindle and an audio copy.
Narration notes ~ a bit robotic, but a fine job. It's not the voice I picture in my head for Kate, but it'll do.
*Thanks to Linda Castillo, St Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ARC and audio copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook
Genre ~ police procedural
Series ~ Kate Burkholder, #15
Others in the series ~ Can't list them all, so here's the series link
Publication date ~ July 11, 2023
Page Count ~ 311
Audio length ~ 9 hours 25 minutes
Narrator ~ Kathleen McInerney
POV ~ single 1st & 3rd
Featuring ~ murder, references to r@pe, se*ual assault
How is it that I've aged 14 years and Kate has barely aged at all 🤣. I hate that I have to wait a whole year before I get my next fix of this wonderfully graphic series.
Kate is back solving another brutal murder in Painter's Mill, while simultaneously getting ready to finally marry John Tomisetti. Long time readers will agree that we've been waiting ages and ages for this moment.
We open up with Aden getting shot with a crossbow and thus sets forth the investigation into his death. We've got another murder thrown into the mix to keep us on our toes.
Overall, another fast paced, great addition to the series. Yes it's technically a standalone, but Kate's life is progressing even though there's a new murder to solve each time.
I was fortunate enough to have a kindle and an audio copy.
Narration notes ~ a bit robotic, but a fine job. It's not the voice I picture in my head for Kate, but it'll do.
*Thanks to Linda Castillo, St Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ARC and audio copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook
July 13, 2023
Linda Castillo's novels require us to put aside our preconceived idyllic notions and reveal that humanity's darker side is alive and well in the Mennonite community.
Spoiler alert: This novel reminded me of Miriam Toews' book, Women Talking, which focused on a Bolivian community of Mennonites that had been experiencing unexplained mass sexual assaults for several years. (A movie based on these true events is now available on Apple TV, Google Play, Amazon Prime, etc.)
Obviously, the Bolivian victims were being drugged in some way, but it appeared that the Bolivian government declined for many years to intervene in the "self-government" of this remote Mennonite community. Indeed, it is, in part, thanks to Miriam Toew's courageous exposure of this horror, and the impact of the movie adaptation of her book, that the silence surrounding sexual abuse in the Mennonite community is finally being addressed. Miram Toews: RESPECT!!!!
Major Spoiler Alert: In An Evil Heart the rural community of Mennonites in Painters Mill is experiencing a similar "drug-rape" epidemic amongst the younger members of Castillo's fictional world. Chief of Police Kate Burkholder is tasked with capturing and exposing the perpetrator(s) of these heinous acts. But it appears that someone armed with a crossbow is also out to put a stop to such "unholy" behaviour in their community.
Graphic Violence Warning: The descriptions of various assaults and attacks were very detailed.
The heart-pounding ending had me cringing and kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Contrarily, I found the investigatory portions very slow, occasionally tedious, and repetitive, but I get that this attention to detail and "re-examination" is probably true to life in a real murder investigation. (In retrospect, I realize now that they were also a welcome respite in between all those aforementioned high impact scenes!)
On the bright side: this is also the installment in this ongoing series where Kate and Tomasetti are scheduled to tie the knot, finally! ... Or will there be yet another delay?!!!
Highly recommended - a 4.3 rating from me. My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC of the audiobook of this novel in exchange for an honest review. (I suspect I would have preferred to read the ebook ARC, but I was a bit late in the game when I noticed this title, so was grateful to receive this well performed audiobook.)
Spoiler alert: This novel reminded me of Miriam Toews' book, Women Talking, which focused on a Bolivian community of Mennonites that had been experiencing unexplained mass sexual assaults for several years. (A movie based on these true events is now available on Apple TV, Google Play, Amazon Prime, etc.)
Obviously, the Bolivian victims were being drugged in some way, but it appeared that the Bolivian government declined for many years to intervene in the "self-government" of this remote Mennonite community. Indeed, it is, in part, thanks to Miriam Toew's courageous exposure of this horror, and the impact of the movie adaptation of her book, that the silence surrounding sexual abuse in the Mennonite community is finally being addressed. Miram Toews: RESPECT!!!!
Major Spoiler Alert: In An Evil Heart the rural community of Mennonites in Painters Mill is experiencing a similar "drug-rape" epidemic amongst the younger members of Castillo's fictional world. Chief of Police Kate Burkholder is tasked with capturing and exposing the perpetrator(s) of these heinous acts. But it appears that someone armed with a crossbow is also out to put a stop to such "unholy" behaviour in their community.
Graphic Violence Warning: The descriptions of various assaults and attacks were very detailed.
The heart-pounding ending had me cringing and kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Contrarily, I found the investigatory portions very slow, occasionally tedious, and repetitive, but I get that this attention to detail and "re-examination" is probably true to life in a real murder investigation. (In retrospect, I realize now that they were also a welcome respite in between all those aforementioned high impact scenes!)
On the bright side: this is also the installment in this ongoing series where Kate and Tomasetti are scheduled to tie the knot, finally! ... Or will there be yet another delay?!!!
Highly recommended - a 4.3 rating from me. My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC of the audiobook of this novel in exchange for an honest review. (I suspect I would have preferred to read the ebook ARC, but I was a bit late in the game when I noticed this title, so was grateful to receive this well performed audiobook.)
January 23, 2024
When Chief of Police, Kate Burkholder, was called to the site of a young man's death, she didn't expect to discover he'd been killed by a crossbow - in a deliberate act, as there was no way it was an accident. Aden Karn was Amish, and was a well-liked young man, with no one having a bad word to say about him. As the investigation deepened and Kate continued to hit a wall, her frustrations grew. But when Kate heard rumours that Karn had a side to him that people didn't talk about; a side that pointed at a darkness which was horrific, Kate doubled her efforts. With the help of Tomasetti of BCI - and also her soon to be husband - and the nearby Sheriff's department, Kate felt they were drawing nearer. But were they? What would be the outcome to this dreadful case which was bringing both the Amish and English together?
An Evil Heart is the 15th in the Kate Burkholder series by Linda Castillo and it was another exceptional episode. I've loved this series from the beginning, and An Evil Heart didn't disappoint. The upcoming wedding is a long-waited for event - I'm looking forward to the next in the series. Highly recommended.
An Evil Heart is the 15th in the Kate Burkholder series by Linda Castillo and it was another exceptional episode. I've loved this series from the beginning, and An Evil Heart didn't disappoint. The upcoming wedding is a long-waited for event - I'm looking forward to the next in the series. Highly recommended.
July 17, 2023
Although An Evil Heart by Linda Castillo was the fifteenth book in this fabulous police procedural series it was the second book that I had the pleasure of listening to. I listened to the audiobook that was read brilliantly by Kathleen McInerney. She was able to clearly distinguish between the many characters and the intonation of her voice led to a very enjoyable experience for me as I listened to the An Evil Heart unfold. As in Linda Castillo’s previous books, I was able to get a glimpse of authentic Amish life and their desire for protectiveness and privacy in their close knit community. It helps to read this series from the start but each book can easily be read as a stand-alone book.
Imagine the devastating shock the Amish community experienced as they learned about the fate of one of their own, a young man named Aden Karn! Aden had biked to work on that fateful fall morning. He took the same route he always took. A passerby discovered his lifeless body on the side of the road. Aden Karn had been killed with a crossbow. Kate Burkholder, the chief of police in Painters Mill, Ohio, was notified and immediately went to the scene of the incident. Kate knew the victim’s family from her years living among the Amish, before she chose to leave the Amish community. She quickly learned that Aden was well liked, funny, a gentle man who avoided conflict and came from an upstanding Amish family. Aden had been on Rumspringa, a period of time when a young Amish teen was recognized as an adult. Rumspringa allowed the Amish teens to experience and explore English life for the first time in their lives. The hope was that the temptations offered in the English lifestyle would not sway these young and impressionable Amish teens. It was the hope of the elders of the Amish community that these teens would choose to return to the Amish way of life rather than leave. They prayed that these teens on Rumspringa would embrace the Amish way of life as their own and return. Some did but some did not. Kate learned that Aden had been a hardworking man and that he had recently gotten engaged to a young and sweet Amish girl named Emily. It was Kate’s hope and determination to figure out who killed Aden Karn and why. The more she dug into the case, the more she discovered about Aden. Kate systematically uncovered dark secrets, flaws in Aden’s character and unprecedented actions that had not been revealed by those who knew him best. Kate had an agenda of her own. She was finally marrying Tomasetti so solving this case before her big day was a priority. Will Kate be able to uncover who killed Aden Karn and discover what motivated the killer before her wedding?
I have come to expect thrilling and sometimes dark police procedural action in Linda Castillo’s Kate Burkholder series. An Evil Heart did not disappoint. I loved all the twists in the plot as Kate got closer and closer to solving the mystery of who killed Aden Karn and what the motive was for killing him. As in all her books in this series, I enjoyed learning about the Amish way of life. I enjoy that she always includes the Amish dialect and gave explanation for the Amish language. As always, Linda Castillo did an excellent job developing the characters both Amish and English. I was surprised by the ending but felt that it was satisfying and made sense. Now, l look forward to the next installment in this addictive series. I highly recommend An Evil Heart to all that enjoy a good mystery/thriller with a touch of Amish.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to An Evil Heart by Linda Castillo through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Imagine the devastating shock the Amish community experienced as they learned about the fate of one of their own, a young man named Aden Karn! Aden had biked to work on that fateful fall morning. He took the same route he always took. A passerby discovered his lifeless body on the side of the road. Aden Karn had been killed with a crossbow. Kate Burkholder, the chief of police in Painters Mill, Ohio, was notified and immediately went to the scene of the incident. Kate knew the victim’s family from her years living among the Amish, before she chose to leave the Amish community. She quickly learned that Aden was well liked, funny, a gentle man who avoided conflict and came from an upstanding Amish family. Aden had been on Rumspringa, a period of time when a young Amish teen was recognized as an adult. Rumspringa allowed the Amish teens to experience and explore English life for the first time in their lives. The hope was that the temptations offered in the English lifestyle would not sway these young and impressionable Amish teens. It was the hope of the elders of the Amish community that these teens would choose to return to the Amish way of life rather than leave. They prayed that these teens on Rumspringa would embrace the Amish way of life as their own and return. Some did but some did not. Kate learned that Aden had been a hardworking man and that he had recently gotten engaged to a young and sweet Amish girl named Emily. It was Kate’s hope and determination to figure out who killed Aden Karn and why. The more she dug into the case, the more she discovered about Aden. Kate systematically uncovered dark secrets, flaws in Aden’s character and unprecedented actions that had not been revealed by those who knew him best. Kate had an agenda of her own. She was finally marrying Tomasetti so solving this case before her big day was a priority. Will Kate be able to uncover who killed Aden Karn and discover what motivated the killer before her wedding?
I have come to expect thrilling and sometimes dark police procedural action in Linda Castillo’s Kate Burkholder series. An Evil Heart did not disappoint. I loved all the twists in the plot as Kate got closer and closer to solving the mystery of who killed Aden Karn and what the motive was for killing him. As in all her books in this series, I enjoyed learning about the Amish way of life. I enjoy that she always includes the Amish dialect and gave explanation for the Amish language. As always, Linda Castillo did an excellent job developing the characters both Amish and English. I was surprised by the ending but felt that it was satisfying and made sense. Now, l look forward to the next installment in this addictive series. I highly recommend An Evil Heart to all that enjoy a good mystery/thriller with a touch of Amish.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to An Evil Heart by Linda Castillo through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
September 19, 2023
*4.5*
“I don’t want to be that hardened cop. The one who doesn’t feel anything. The one who doesn’t care. The one who looks at everyone as if they’re a criminal.”
This is just one of the reasons I enjoy reading this series. Castillo has created a character who is flawed yet consistently pushes herself and those around her to a higher level.
Book fifteen is a perfect blend of Kate’s past and future. She and Tomasetti are finally getting married, she’s wearing a dress her Amish grandmother sewed by hand, and she’ll be surrounded by her Amish family and her English friends and coworkers.
This case forces Kate to dig below the surface, and the dark underbelly she finds is quite horrific. The first chapter of this book was one of the more gruesome murders I’ve read. By the end of the book, it didn’t bother me so much.
This is just one of the reasons I enjoy reading this series. Castillo has created a character who is flawed yet consistently pushes herself and those around her to a higher level.
Book fifteen is a perfect blend of Kate’s past and future. She and Tomasetti are finally getting married, she’s wearing a dress her Amish grandmother sewed by hand, and she’ll be surrounded by her Amish family and her English friends and coworkers.
This case forces Kate to dig below the surface, and the dark underbelly she finds is quite horrific. The first chapter of this book was one of the more gruesome murders I’ve read. By the end of the book, it didn’t bother me so much.
October 25, 2023
The fifteenth book in this great series and I have read them all - except it seems #14.5 Hallowed Ground, and I intend to fix that immediately.
Anyway, back to An Evil Heart in which the wedding is approaching, and of course there is no way that our Kate will be dressed in white with no obvious damage to her person. As the big day approaches she is bound up in discovering why a young Amish man has been left murdered by the side of the road. As she investigates things become extremely dangerous.
This is an excellent book which is very hard to put down for even a moment. It is a great mystery with lots of tension in between solid police work. Of course Tomasetti is Kate's hero. I loved it all and look forward to the next book.
Anyway, back to An Evil Heart in which the wedding is approaching, and of course there is no way that our Kate will be dressed in white with no obvious damage to her person. As the big day approaches she is bound up in discovering why a young Amish man has been left murdered by the side of the road. As she investigates things become extremely dangerous.
This is an excellent book which is very hard to put down for even a moment. It is a great mystery with lots of tension in between solid police work. Of course Tomasetti is Kate's hero. I loved it all and look forward to the next book.
May 15, 2023
3.5 stars
In this 15th book in the Kate Burkholder series, the Police Chief investigates the brutal murder of a young Amish man on Rumspringa (the period during which Amish youth are given greater personal freedom, usually ending with the choice of baptism into the church or leaving the community). The book can be read as a standalone, but there are developments in Kate's personal life that might be a spoiler.
SPOILER ALERT SPOILER ALERT
*****
Police Chief Kate Burkholder grew up in an Amish community in Painter's Mill, Ohio but left as a teenager.
After Kate became a law enforcement officer, Painter's Mill offered her a job and she returned to head the police department. Kate's Amish background is advantageous because she speaks Pennsylvania Dutch and is familiar with Amish culture.
As the story begins, 21-year-old Aden Karn is bicycling to work along a country road when he's struck down by a killer wielding a crossbow.
When Kate and her team start investigating the murder, they learn that Aden - who was on Rumspringa - was roommates with his best friend Wayne Graber, worked at Buckeye Construction, and was courting a pretty Amish girl called Emily Byler. Almost everyone speaks well of Aden, though Kate discovers Aden had a monetary dispute with a garage owner named Vernon Fisher about a car.
It's very difficult to look into a crime in the Amish community because the Amish are exceptionally close-mouthed and almost never speak ill of a fellow member.....no matter what. Still, there are hints that Aden wasn't the saint he appeared to be on the surface.
Things get more complicated when another murder victim is found under a bridge, a naked young woman without ID.
The corpse has painted fingernails and toenails, so she's probably not Amish, but Kate surmises there MUST be a connection between the deaths of Aden and the young lady.
As Kate struggles to make progress finding the killer(s) she's also planning her wedding to long-time beau John Tomasetti, who's an agent with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
Kate is happy to wear the wedding dress worn by her mamm and her sister, and glad to have the wedding at the home of her brother, Jacob. This will solidify the (very slow) rapprochement between Kate and her Amish family, who disapproved of her leaving the faith.
With the nuptials on her mind, and two extremely difficult murder enquiries, Kate has a few sleepless nights. As always in this series, Kate finds herself in some harrowing situations before the perpetrator(s) are exposed, partly because she insists on plowing into dangerous scenes without backup. (This carelessness on Kate's part always disturbs me; she's the police chief, for God's sake, and should know better.)
Still, I always enjoy the books in this series, and like the glimpses into Amish life and customs. I must say, the Amish wedding dinner - which includes roast chicken with bread stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, creamed celery, apple pies, and cherry pies - sounds quite delicious. 🙂
Roast Chicken with Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
Apple Pie
Cherry Pie
I highly recommend the novel to mystery readers, especially fans of the Kate Burkholder series.
Thanks to Netgalley, Linda Castillo, and Minotaur Books for a copy of the manuscript.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com
July 31, 2023
Even though I'm new to this series, I was excited to receive a gifted copy of An Evil Heart from Minotaur Books because of the Amish setting. I went to college in an area where seeing a horse and buggy was a regular occurrence.
As soon as I finished the first chapter, I realized that I was in for a dark and gritty ride. The crimes in this novel are pretty horrific, but the darkness of these acts is balanced by the positive relationships between law enforcement officers and our heroine, Chief Kate Burkholder, and her fiancé.
Kate is such a well-drawn, realistic, and likable character that I am eager to start this series at the beginning to get to know her better. My only criticism is that it wasn't difficult to identify the killer because there weren't many suspects, but Ms. Castillo still managed to create a sense of urgency in the denouement.
As soon as I finished the first chapter, I realized that I was in for a dark and gritty ride. The crimes in this novel are pretty horrific, but the darkness of these acts is balanced by the positive relationships between law enforcement officers and our heroine, Chief Kate Burkholder, and her fiancé.
Kate is such a well-drawn, realistic, and likable character that I am eager to start this series at the beginning to get to know her better. My only criticism is that it wasn't difficult to identify the killer because there weren't many suspects, but Ms. Castillo still managed to create a sense of urgency in the denouement.
March 7, 2023
An Evil Heart is the 16th book in the Kate Burkholder series. I have read this series from the beginning and love this series. It starts with Aden Karn riding his bike to work. He is confronted by a man with a crossbow who shots him with a bolt. The man comes up to him and withdrew the bolt and then puts another one in his mouth and fires. He withdraws the the bolt.
Kate Burkholder, chief of police in Painter Ridge, Ohio, is at her sister Sarah's house being fitted for her upcoming wedding in a dress that has been in the family. Kate is not Amish anymore but her brother has agreed that she can be married at the family farm. She is marrying John Tomasetti who is an agent with Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Kate has left the Amish faith when she was 18. While there she gets a call of a dead body found by Julie Faulkner taking her children to school.
Upon arriving at the scene Kate finds an Amish teen who she recognizes as Aden. She knows his parents, She does not know what happened. She calls Doc Coblentz the coroner. Upon seeing the body he thinks that the victim was killed by a crossbow bolt. After the autopsy it is confirmed that it was the method of his death. Kate and her deputies start the investigation of why he was killed. Mike Rasmussen; sheriff of Holmes County is also brought into it. Later there is another body found. A woman named Paige Rossburger.
This story has so much going on that it is hard to put on paper. I will leave it to the reader to follow and enjoy. The story comes to an exciting conclusion with the attack on Kate when she finds out who killed Aden, The story also ends with her marriage to Tomasetti.
I look forward to the next book in this series and what is next for Kate and Tomasetti.
Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for this ARC.
Kate Burkholder, chief of police in Painter Ridge, Ohio, is at her sister Sarah's house being fitted for her upcoming wedding in a dress that has been in the family. Kate is not Amish anymore but her brother has agreed that she can be married at the family farm. She is marrying John Tomasetti who is an agent with Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Kate has left the Amish faith when she was 18. While there she gets a call of a dead body found by Julie Faulkner taking her children to school.
Upon arriving at the scene Kate finds an Amish teen who she recognizes as Aden. She knows his parents, She does not know what happened. She calls Doc Coblentz the coroner. Upon seeing the body he thinks that the victim was killed by a crossbow bolt. After the autopsy it is confirmed that it was the method of his death. Kate and her deputies start the investigation of why he was killed. Mike Rasmussen; sheriff of Holmes County is also brought into it. Later there is another body found. A woman named Paige Rossburger.
This story has so much going on that it is hard to put on paper. I will leave it to the reader to follow and enjoy. The story comes to an exciting conclusion with the attack on Kate when she finds out who killed Aden, The story also ends with her marriage to Tomasetti.
I look forward to the next book in this series and what is next for Kate and Tomasetti.
Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for this ARC.
July 23, 2023
The book starts with the brutal killing of a young Amish man. Chief of Police Kate Burkholder who is in the midst of preparing for her upcoming wedding (finally) is called to the bizarre murder scene.
Who would want to kill Aden Karn?
And with a crossbow?
As we come to learn things are not as they seem. The more and more that Kate digs into the case, the more she rattles the Amish community, and eventually Aden’s girlfriend comes forward with her parents to share something about him.
She apparently has been burdened by “a dark mix of horror, shame and grief.” Emily’s mother is rather forthcoming when she shares, “Let me tell you about Aden Karn. The devil whispered his name and Aden Karn took his hand and went.”
At this point we might think that Emily killed him, right?
Wrong.
There is more to this case than meets the eye.
If Aden did this to Emily, could he have hurt other women?
Typical as always, Castillo’s books are a slow burn. And then a twist and a turn, and then…fast suspense…
And then, Kate getting herself mixed in the middle of danger.
But…
The cases are always solved satisfactorily.
And…
About that wedding?
March 25, 2023
Kate Burkholder investigates the death of an Amish boy shot with a bow and arrow.
He turns out to be not such a moral person as she thought he was. Devastating secrets and lies are revealed. This was a good suspenseful read and is the 15th in the series.
Thanks NetGalley and St. Martins Press for this ARC that will be released July 11, 2023!
He turns out to be not such a moral person as she thought he was. Devastating secrets and lies are revealed. This was a good suspenseful read and is the 15th in the series.
Thanks NetGalley and St. Martins Press for this ARC that will be released July 11, 2023!
August 22, 2023
4.0 Stars
Video: https://youtu.be/fZRV-5G4pTI
After reading 15 volumes of this mystery thriller series, I am still enthralled by Kate Burkholder's small town police team.
This series definitely falls into patterns and tropes, yet I can't stop reading it. At this point I am very attached to the characters. This novel has a heavy focus on relationship development (which is normally not my thing) but I'll admit I got pretty emotional over how far these characters have grown.
As for the mystery, it was a standard but interesting one. I like that this series walks the line between being cozy while still dealing into some very dark subject matter.
At this point I will read for as long as Linda Castillo writes. I would absolutely recommend this mystery series for anyone looking to get lost in a long running, character driven story.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
Video: https://youtu.be/fZRV-5G4pTI
After reading 15 volumes of this mystery thriller series, I am still enthralled by Kate Burkholder's small town police team.
This series definitely falls into patterns and tropes, yet I can't stop reading it. At this point I am very attached to the characters. This novel has a heavy focus on relationship development (which is normally not my thing) but I'll admit I got pretty emotional over how far these characters have grown.
As for the mystery, it was a standard but interesting one. I like that this series walks the line between being cozy while still dealing into some very dark subject matter.
At this point I will read for as long as Linda Castillo writes. I would absolutely recommend this mystery series for anyone looking to get lost in a long running, character driven story.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
July 11, 2023
Four stars for the printed version.
Although An Evil Heart is the fifteenth entry in the Kate Burkholder series, it is my first, and also the first time I have read a book by Linda Castillo. I came to this one on the advice of Goodreads friends, and they weren’t wrong. My thanks go to Net Galley, Macmillan Audio, and St. Martin’s Press for the review copies. This book is available to buy now.
Our story is set in the fictitious town of Painter’s Mill, Ohio, where the Amish make up about a third of the population. Kate Burkholder, the chief of police here, is preparing for her wedding when a call comes in about a bizarre murder. A young Amish man, Aden Karn, has been shot with a crossbow and left to die. This would be unusual anywhere, but for the peaceable Amish, it is a tremendous blow. Who would do such a thing? And then there’s another murder as well. Are they linked, and if so, how?
Of course, things are not what they seem. Eventually, Emily Byler, Aden’s girlfriend, comes in to the station accompanied by both of her parents. Emily has finally confessed the horrible deeds that Aden has visited upon her. As the girl, burdened by “a dark mix of horror, shame, and grief,” buries her face in her mother’s shoulder, her mother says “Let me tell you about Aden Karn. The devil whispered his name and Aden Karn took his hand and went.”
But Emily didn’t kill Aden, so the case is far from being solved; if anything, it’s become more complex. Now Kate wonders whether Aden did such things to other girls as well.
At the outset I listen to the audio version of this book, and friend, it’s dreadful. For awhile I wonder whether it’s read by an A.I., because the sound is choppy, the words cut off in a way that suggests it’s not the fault of any narrator. But as I reach the 20th percentile, I realize that actually, the reader is not doing well, either. When it comes to voicing the male characters, the narrator sounds amateurish, and I have never said this about a narrator before. I begin to dread opening this book again, and that’s when I abandon the audio entirely and settle in with the digital review copy instead. It is the right thing to do. Castillo is a good author with a poor narrator, and I hope the glitches in the sound quality have been dealt with now that it’s publication day.
The ending is somewhat predictable, but not until the last quarter or so of the book. I would cheerfully read further entries into this series, and can tell you from experience that you can jump in right now without concerning yourself over the first 14 books if you choose. I recommend the printed version of this book to all that love the genre.
Although An Evil Heart is the fifteenth entry in the Kate Burkholder series, it is my first, and also the first time I have read a book by Linda Castillo. I came to this one on the advice of Goodreads friends, and they weren’t wrong. My thanks go to Net Galley, Macmillan Audio, and St. Martin’s Press for the review copies. This book is available to buy now.
Our story is set in the fictitious town of Painter’s Mill, Ohio, where the Amish make up about a third of the population. Kate Burkholder, the chief of police here, is preparing for her wedding when a call comes in about a bizarre murder. A young Amish man, Aden Karn, has been shot with a crossbow and left to die. This would be unusual anywhere, but for the peaceable Amish, it is a tremendous blow. Who would do such a thing? And then there’s another murder as well. Are they linked, and if so, how?
Of course, things are not what they seem. Eventually, Emily Byler, Aden’s girlfriend, comes in to the station accompanied by both of her parents. Emily has finally confessed the horrible deeds that Aden has visited upon her. As the girl, burdened by “a dark mix of horror, shame, and grief,” buries her face in her mother’s shoulder, her mother says “Let me tell you about Aden Karn. The devil whispered his name and Aden Karn took his hand and went.”
But Emily didn’t kill Aden, so the case is far from being solved; if anything, it’s become more complex. Now Kate wonders whether Aden did such things to other girls as well.
At the outset I listen to the audio version of this book, and friend, it’s dreadful. For awhile I wonder whether it’s read by an A.I., because the sound is choppy, the words cut off in a way that suggests it’s not the fault of any narrator. But as I reach the 20th percentile, I realize that actually, the reader is not doing well, either. When it comes to voicing the male characters, the narrator sounds amateurish, and I have never said this about a narrator before. I begin to dread opening this book again, and that’s when I abandon the audio entirely and settle in with the digital review copy instead. It is the right thing to do. Castillo is a good author with a poor narrator, and I hope the glitches in the sound quality have been dealt with now that it’s publication day.
The ending is somewhat predictable, but not until the last quarter or so of the book. I would cheerfully read further entries into this series, and can tell you from experience that you can jump in right now without concerning yourself over the first 14 books if you choose. I recommend the printed version of this book to all that love the genre.
March 31, 2023
Author: Linda Castillo
Series: Kate Burkholder #15
Publisher: Saint Martin’s Press ~ Minotaur Books
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Pub Date: July 11, 2023
My Rating: 4.4 Stars!
This is #15 in the Detective Kate Burkholder series
Kate Burkholder is the Chief of Police in Painters Mill a (fictional) small Northeast Ohio town where most the residences are Amish.
I have read many but not all in this series, although I enjoy Amish mystery novels and find the culture super interesting; I wasn’t pleased with Kate in the very early stories so I skipped a few in the series ~ however, totally loved the last several I read and have been looking forward to this story.
If you are new to this series, Kate was born Amish but left the congregation when he was
eighteen.
Although she is trying to leave her Amish past, she states she misses home.
Kate is in a relationship with John Tomasetti who is an agent with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and usually helps Kate in cases involving investigation. In fact, in this story Kate and Tomasetti are making plans for their upcoming wedding.
Story starts with Kate Burkholder responds to a call which turns out to be young Aden Kam an Amish man who has been violently killed with a crossbow, Aden is well liked from an upstanding Amish family.
As Kate investigates the case she finds that Aden Karn was engaged to Emily and looking forward to their upcoming marriage.
Wow Wow Wow.
Although this story was disturbing and very emotional, I could not put it down! Linda Castillo did not disappoint! She definitely gets better with every story!!!
Want to thank NetGalley and Saint Martin’s Press – Minotaur Books for granting me this WOW early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for July 11, 2023
Series: Kate Burkholder #15
Publisher: Saint Martin’s Press ~ Minotaur Books
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Pub Date: July 11, 2023
My Rating: 4.4 Stars!
This is #15 in the Detective Kate Burkholder series
Kate Burkholder is the Chief of Police in Painters Mill a (fictional) small Northeast Ohio town where most the residences are Amish.
I have read many but not all in this series, although I enjoy Amish mystery novels and find the culture super interesting; I wasn’t pleased with Kate in the very early stories so I skipped a few in the series ~ however, totally loved the last several I read and have been looking forward to this story.
If you are new to this series, Kate was born Amish but left the congregation when he was
eighteen.
Although she is trying to leave her Amish past, she states she misses home.
Kate is in a relationship with John Tomasetti who is an agent with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and usually helps Kate in cases involving investigation. In fact, in this story Kate and Tomasetti are making plans for their upcoming wedding.
Story starts with Kate Burkholder responds to a call which turns out to be young Aden Kam an Amish man who has been violently killed with a crossbow, Aden is well liked from an upstanding Amish family.
As Kate investigates the case she finds that Aden Karn was engaged to Emily and looking forward to their upcoming marriage.
Wow Wow Wow.
Although this story was disturbing and very emotional, I could not put it down! Linda Castillo did not disappoint! She definitely gets better with every story!!!
Want to thank NetGalley and Saint Martin’s Press – Minotaur Books for granting me this WOW early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for July 11, 2023
April 6, 2023
Kate Burkholder, chief of police in Painters Mill, is getting married to her longtime love, Tomassetti. But she has a new worrisome case: a young Amish man, Aden, who everyone has praised for his kindness, has been murdered with a crossbow. Then there's another murder, and the Amish, typically reticent about speaking ill of their people, start to talk to Kate. Maybe Aden wasn't the saint he's been described as? Could he have done something so unspeakable that the killing was revenge? What was his relationship with women, particularly when he had been drinking, since he was on rumspringa? Kate's wedding is getting closer, and she hopes to wrap up the case soon, but it seems unlikely when there are so many loose ends and disturbing revelations. Thanks the the publisher and Edelweiss for the ARC.
April 27, 2023
I'm not sure how this happened, but I had never read any of Linda Castillo's books until this one. Looks like I've been missing out, because I really enjoyed this one. I liked the Kate Burkholder character and think I will dive into some of the earlier books in this series.
The Description:
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:
I like that Kate Burkholder is compassionate and thoughtful as she goes about her duties. Also, that she takes her cases seriously and looks for alternative scenarios, not always accepting an initial reaction as truth. The setting in a mostly Amish community was picturesque. It was intriguing to follow Kate's attempts to mesh her life now that she is no longer Amish with her family who are Amish. The murder investigation was tense and exciting. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a good mystery.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on July 11, 2023.
The Description:
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:
I like that Kate Burkholder is compassionate and thoughtful as she goes about her duties. Also, that she takes her cases seriously and looks for alternative scenarios, not always accepting an initial reaction as truth. The setting in a mostly Amish community was picturesque. It was intriguing to follow Kate's attempts to mesh her life now that she is no longer Amish with her family who are Amish. The murder investigation was tense and exciting. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a good mystery.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on July 11, 2023.
February 20, 2023
This book was a fabulous entry in the Kate Burkholder series! Kate and Tomasetti are finally (FINALLY!) getting married - their wedding is a handful of days away - when a murder investigation is dropped into Kate's lap and a kidnapping investigation is dropped into Tomasetti's. Will they be solved? (Positively, in John's case?) Of course they will, and it's a doozy. I loved revisiting all of my favorite characters, and I loved seeing Mona in action as a cop finally - she's worked so hard for this! She's green, but has potential. All in all five stars and I can't wait for book 16.
February 28, 2024
I enjoy every one of the Kate Burkholder stories. I’ve been waiting a long time for Kate and Tommasetti’s wedding!!! Can’t wait for the next book!
August 5, 2023
An Evil Heart – Linda Castillo
Narrated by Kathleen McInerney
This is the most recent in the Kate Burkholder series, of which I am a faithful fan. I suppose part of the charm is that the books take place in Ohio, from whence I hail. Next, it deals with the Amish community, not an unfamiliar scene in rural Ohio and neighboring Pennsylvania, which is always a source of fascination to the Englishers amongst us. We may not pray in the same Temple but as landsman they feel a little like family….
In this latest installment, Kate Burkholder, lapsed Amisher and Chief of Police in Paintersville, Ohio, is investigating the crossbow murder of an Amish teen currently on Rumspringa (a respite from the stringent rules of the sect, where the young Amish experiences life outside of the fold, before generally returning home to settle back down into the Amish community). Everything about the murder is bizarre, particularly the method by which it was executed. Who could have a bone to pick with this nice Amish boy who comes from a sheltered community? Everyone that Katie interviews describes the boy, already engaged to a young Amish girl, as akin to saintly. Such is not the case with regards to the company he keeps and the places that he frequents. Also, while investigating the murder, Katie gets a shocking eyeful while searching his bedroom for clues. I won’t bore you with the salacious details of the boy’s extracurricular activities (you can read them yourself). Illicit sex and murder are the themes in this latest book of the series.
The murder investigation takes place against the backdrop of Katie and steamy Tomasetti’s upcoming nuptials, due to (finally) take place in the days to come. It will come as no shock to a reader familiar with the series, to find that Katie will be showing up to her wedding with a broken nose and stitched up in several places. Okay, so maybe the nose was not broken – that was not 100% clear to me, but, at the very least, she must have had (and deserved) two black eyes for not waiting for her backup to arrive before entering the premises of a murderer and getting punched in the face and head (sound familiar?)
Most of Katie’s team take a backseat in this story, except for Mona, previously a dispatcher and now a fully trained officer. The case was Mona’s Baptism by Fire (not in the religious sense). Did she withstand the test? What decision will she make once the dust settles? This latter question will only be answered in Castillo’s next book of the series – I can hardly wait.
Although I love all the books in the series, this was probably my favorite to date. I listened to the audio and McInerney’s delivery was excellent. Her voice is so familiar to me from the series that I hear her narration in my head, even when occasionally the ebook lands on my shelf first. 4½ stars rounded up.
Narrated by Kathleen McInerney
This is the most recent in the Kate Burkholder series, of which I am a faithful fan. I suppose part of the charm is that the books take place in Ohio, from whence I hail. Next, it deals with the Amish community, not an unfamiliar scene in rural Ohio and neighboring Pennsylvania, which is always a source of fascination to the Englishers amongst us. We may not pray in the same Temple but as landsman they feel a little like family….
In this latest installment, Kate Burkholder, lapsed Amisher and Chief of Police in Paintersville, Ohio, is investigating the crossbow murder of an Amish teen currently on Rumspringa (a respite from the stringent rules of the sect, where the young Amish experiences life outside of the fold, before generally returning home to settle back down into the Amish community). Everything about the murder is bizarre, particularly the method by which it was executed. Who could have a bone to pick with this nice Amish boy who comes from a sheltered community? Everyone that Katie interviews describes the boy, already engaged to a young Amish girl, as akin to saintly. Such is not the case with regards to the company he keeps and the places that he frequents. Also, while investigating the murder, Katie gets a shocking eyeful while searching his bedroom for clues. I won’t bore you with the salacious details of the boy’s extracurricular activities (you can read them yourself). Illicit sex and murder are the themes in this latest book of the series.
The murder investigation takes place against the backdrop of Katie and steamy Tomasetti’s upcoming nuptials, due to (finally) take place in the days to come. It will come as no shock to a reader familiar with the series, to find that Katie will be showing up to her wedding with a broken nose and stitched up in several places. Okay, so maybe the nose was not broken – that was not 100% clear to me, but, at the very least, she must have had (and deserved) two black eyes for not waiting for her backup to arrive before entering the premises of a murderer and getting punched in the face and head (sound familiar?)
Most of Katie’s team take a backseat in this story, except for Mona, previously a dispatcher and now a fully trained officer. The case was Mona’s Baptism by Fire (not in the religious sense). Did she withstand the test? What decision will she make once the dust settles? This latter question will only be answered in Castillo’s next book of the series – I can hardly wait.
Although I love all the books in the series, this was probably my favorite to date. I listened to the audio and McInerney’s delivery was excellent. Her voice is so familiar to me from the series that I hear her narration in my head, even when occasionally the ebook lands on my shelf first. 4½ stars rounded up.
September 20, 2023
There is no acceptable reason for me not to have reviewed the audiobook right away. Because I devoured the book as I always do with any Kate Burkholder book I read..
Once a year I dive into the sometimes very chilling stories set in the Amish countryside in Pennsylvania by Linda Costello, and they always leave me very satisfied and ready for the next one.
Besides the fantastic murder story, I love that there is a continuous growth between Kate and her Amish family. I love seeing her getting more and more respected by the Amish community. And of course her relationship with her now husband. A little bit of daily life on the farm, a little bit of romance goes a long way in an otherwise sometimes dark plot.
As always I was glued to my phone, listening to the audiobook in record time, and enjoying my time in rural Pennsylvania to the fullest.
A must read for everyone who loves thrillers, American mysteries and police procedurals.
___________________________________
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review. My opinions have not been influenced by the publisher or the author.
Once a year I dive into the sometimes very chilling stories set in the Amish countryside in Pennsylvania by Linda Costello, and they always leave me very satisfied and ready for the next one.
Besides the fantastic murder story, I love that there is a continuous growth between Kate and her Amish family. I love seeing her getting more and more respected by the Amish community. And of course her relationship with her now husband. A little bit of daily life on the farm, a little bit of romance goes a long way in an otherwise sometimes dark plot.
As always I was glued to my phone, listening to the audiobook in record time, and enjoying my time in rural Pennsylvania to the fullest.
A must read for everyone who loves thrillers, American mysteries and police procedurals.
___________________________________
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review. My opinions have not been influenced by the publisher or the author.
July 11, 2023
**Happy Publication Day!**
"I can't abide you doing what you're doing," says the killer as he finishes off his victim, a young Amish man named Aden Karn. When Chief of Police Kate Burkholder begins investigating the homicide, she is struck by how everyone who knew Aden seems to sing his praises. Who'd want to kill him? But she knows that some people excel at hiding the evil that lurks in their heart.
This is a great addition to this long running series. Besides the intriguing crime investigation, there's an interesting look into the lives and habits of the Amish community in Ohio. They apparently have a 'code of silence' just like the mafia, haha. On the personal side, Kate and Tomasetti's relationship is poised to take a big leap forward. If she can survive that long...
I received an arc of this exciting new thriller from the author and publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
"I can't abide you doing what you're doing," says the killer as he finishes off his victim, a young Amish man named Aden Karn. When Chief of Police Kate Burkholder begins investigating the homicide, she is struck by how everyone who knew Aden seems to sing his praises. Who'd want to kill him? But she knows that some people excel at hiding the evil that lurks in their heart.
This is a great addition to this long running series. Besides the intriguing crime investigation, there's an interesting look into the lives and habits of the Amish community in Ohio. They apparently have a 'code of silence' just like the mafia, haha. On the personal side, Kate and Tomasetti's relationship is poised to take a big leap forward. If she can survive that long...
I received an arc of this exciting new thriller from the author and publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
August 12, 2023
AN EVIL HEART is book #15 in Linda Castillo's Kate Burkholder series, and it's another riveting thriller in the series! When Painters Mill Chief of Police Kate Burkholder is called to a murder scene along a highway, she's shocked at the brutality and cruelty of the kill. The victim Aden Karn is a young Amish man with a stellar reputation and a promising future. No one has an unkind word to say about him. His death by crossbow shocks the community and confounds the investigators. But as Kate digs deeper, what she discovers is quite different from what's she's been told as it appears there are some dark, ugly secrets being covered up. With her wedding to Tomasetti only days away, Kate vows to solve this case before saying I Do. Will she make it to the church on time?
The character of Kate Burkholder is unique in that she grew up as a member of the Amish Community only to eventually turn away from the lifestyle. However having lived the life, she has the ability to move freely among the people with an understanding of their customs in a way other policemen can't, and she uses this to her advantage to solve some graphic, gruesome and emotionally disturbing crimes. Castillo's writing is sharp and well-structured, and she has the ability to pull readers into the scenes alongside the characters while challenging them to solve the crime. As in previous books, AN EVIL HEART is a heart pounding story with graphic death scenes with several red herrings thrown in to keep the investigators and readers on their toes. The pace is quick and the tone dire. While all books in this series stand alone, the character development is huge and for this reason I highly recommend reading the books in order.
Narrator Kathleen McInerney does a fantastic job rendering AN EVIL HEART with the perfect tone and pacing to keep readers listening. I highly recommend the audiobook version if you're a fan of audiobooks. Highly recommended to fans of this series and fans of great psychological thrillers. an
Special thanks to Minotaur Books for an arc of this title and to MacMillan Audio for the audiobook. All opinions expressed are my own. This review is available on my blog Cross My Heart Reviews.
The character of Kate Burkholder is unique in that she grew up as a member of the Amish Community only to eventually turn away from the lifestyle. However having lived the life, she has the ability to move freely among the people with an understanding of their customs in a way other policemen can't, and she uses this to her advantage to solve some graphic, gruesome and emotionally disturbing crimes. Castillo's writing is sharp and well-structured, and she has the ability to pull readers into the scenes alongside the characters while challenging them to solve the crime. As in previous books, AN EVIL HEART is a heart pounding story with graphic death scenes with several red herrings thrown in to keep the investigators and readers on their toes. The pace is quick and the tone dire. While all books in this series stand alone, the character development is huge and for this reason I highly recommend reading the books in order.
Narrator Kathleen McInerney does a fantastic job rendering AN EVIL HEART with the perfect tone and pacing to keep readers listening. I highly recommend the audiobook version if you're a fan of audiobooks. Highly recommended to fans of this series and fans of great psychological thrillers. an
Special thanks to Minotaur Books for an arc of this title and to MacMillan Audio for the audiobook. All opinions expressed are my own. This review is available on my blog Cross My Heart Reviews.
April 4, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me an early preview of An Evil Heart by Linda Castillo.
This is the 15th book in the Kate Burkholder series.
This is only the 2nd book in the series I have had the pleasure of reading so I have some catching up to do.
Kate Burkholder is the Chief of Police in Painters Mill, a primarily Amish community. Chief Burkholder left the Amish community when she was 18 years old, but found her way back as Chief of Police. She is not quite an outsider, but she also does not belong to the Amish community anymore.
Chief Burkholder finds herself investigating the death of a young Amish male who was brutally murdered by someone using a crossbow. Everyone in the community thought the victim Aden Karn was an upstanding young citizen, and was upset about the death of such a fine young man. Chief Burkholder is investigating this murder that happens days before she is supposed to get married, but nothing will stop Kate from solving this crime. Unfortunately, another body is found which creates havoc on the investigation, leading to some unpleasant discoveries about the first victim.
I truly enjoyed this novel, and can't wait to get my hands on more of the Kate Burkholder series. This was an incredibly quick read, and I found myself not wanting to put it down. It is not the typical thriller novel that I read, but a series i intend to get into.
This is the 15th book in the Kate Burkholder series.
This is only the 2nd book in the series I have had the pleasure of reading so I have some catching up to do.
Kate Burkholder is the Chief of Police in Painters Mill, a primarily Amish community. Chief Burkholder left the Amish community when she was 18 years old, but found her way back as Chief of Police. She is not quite an outsider, but she also does not belong to the Amish community anymore.
Chief Burkholder finds herself investigating the death of a young Amish male who was brutally murdered by someone using a crossbow. Everyone in the community thought the victim Aden Karn was an upstanding young citizen, and was upset about the death of such a fine young man. Chief Burkholder is investigating this murder that happens days before she is supposed to get married, but nothing will stop Kate from solving this crime. Unfortunately, another body is found which creates havoc on the investigation, leading to some unpleasant discoveries about the first victim.
I truly enjoyed this novel, and can't wait to get my hands on more of the Kate Burkholder series. This was an incredibly quick read, and I found myself not wanting to put it down. It is not the typical thriller novel that I read, but a series i intend to get into.
July 11, 2023
This story is full of twists and turns that’s you’ll never see coming. I don’t know how she does it after so many books in this series but every time is a new adventure into Amish Country. I always look forward to anything from this amazing author.
It starts off from the first chapter and never lets go.
Kate Burkholder and John Tomasetti are planing there wedding when she’s called to the scene of a DB.
Criminals keep terrible hours. They work nights. Weekends. Holidays. You name it and they’re out there, wreaking havoc.
“If you want to see action, schedule your ride-along for the graveyard shift,” he’d said. “That’s when the zombies come out. That’s when you find out what really goes on after the sun goes down. That’s when you’ll know if you have what it takes.”
Nothing is what it seems in this action packed 15th installment of this series. With a shocking revelation and a ending that’s a long time coming.
“Tomasetti, if I didn’t know better, I might just think you were smitten with the chief of police.”
It starts off from the first chapter and never lets go.
Kate Burkholder and John Tomasetti are planing there wedding when she’s called to the scene of a DB.
Criminals keep terrible hours. They work nights. Weekends. Holidays. You name it and they’re out there, wreaking havoc.
“If you want to see action, schedule your ride-along for the graveyard shift,” he’d said. “That’s when the zombies come out. That’s when you find out what really goes on after the sun goes down. That’s when you’ll know if you have what it takes.”
Nothing is what it seems in this action packed 15th installment of this series. With a shocking revelation and a ending that’s a long time coming.
“Tomasetti, if I didn’t know better, I might just think you were smitten with the chief of police.”
March 1, 2023
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐ Another winner by Linda Castillo!
This is the 15th book in the Kate Burkholder series and I swear they just keep getting better and better!
"An Evil Heart" starts with a bang with the gruesome murder of an Amish boy. When Chief of Police Kate Burkholder starts to dig into the investigation, dark secrets about the victim himself are revealed. Things are not always what they seem! Dark and chilling, this was a definite page turner!
I cannot recommend this series enough! I’ve read every single book and I can honestly say this is one of the best out there! I love Kate Burkholder and can't wait to see what the author comes up with next. Let's go book number 16!
This is the 15th book in the Kate Burkholder series and I swear they just keep getting better and better!
"An Evil Heart" starts with a bang with the gruesome murder of an Amish boy. When Chief of Police Kate Burkholder starts to dig into the investigation, dark secrets about the victim himself are revealed. Things are not always what they seem! Dark and chilling, this was a definite page turner!
I cannot recommend this series enough! I’ve read every single book and I can honestly say this is one of the best out there! I love Kate Burkholder and can't wait to see what the author comes up with next. Let's go book number 16!
July 16, 2023
4.5 Stars
My first book by this author and didn’t realize this was a series but can be read as a stand-alone.
Kate is the Chief deputy in an Amish community.
In this case a young man is killed by a cross bow riding his bicycle to work.
Without motive Kate thinks this case is going to be a hard to solve.
As far as she knows the victim was an upstanding citizen of the Amish community. But was he?
It’s left to Kate to find out who committed this crime and why?
Loved the writing and the characters.
I’ll be reading more of this series.
My first book by this author and didn’t realize this was a series but can be read as a stand-alone.
Kate is the Chief deputy in an Amish community.
In this case a young man is killed by a cross bow riding his bicycle to work.
Without motive Kate thinks this case is going to be a hard to solve.
As far as she knows the victim was an upstanding citizen of the Amish community. But was he?
It’s left to Kate to find out who committed this crime and why?
Loved the writing and the characters.
I’ll be reading more of this series.
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