The Burning by Linda Castillo

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.

 

 

Book 16
Buy Links

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Hardcover (US)  ~  Minotaur Books (Macmillan)

Audiobook (US)
Narrated by Kathleen McInerney

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the sixteenth book in the series, but if you are a new fan, don't worry, there is enough contextualising that you will be able to enjoy the story, but may well think you need to invest some time in learning more about the life of lead protagonist Kate!

This book starts with a very gruesome crime, which sets off an investigation for Kate Burkholder and her new husband and long-time partner, Tomasetti. It brings in issues for her own Amish family, and also some very disturbing under the radar activity. She is convinced that this is not a one off and has to engage her whole team in the search for an answer.

This story gets personal for Kate and though she has her delicious, supportive, and understanding husband by her side, she still cannot help being somewhat reckless with her own safety. I had to (not literally) hide my head behind a cushion at times as she went into dangerous situations. I loved how that was dealt with and how maybe she will be a little more thoughtful in future... who knows!

A very intense and engaging storyline, and delicious moments of harmony in the face of crazy when she and Tomasetti get time to be together.

 

 

LINDA CASTILLO is the author of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Kate Burkholder 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. In addition to writing, Castillo’s other passion is horses. She lives in Texas with her husband and is currently at work on her next book.

Connect with Linda Castillo!

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ARC provided by

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided with a free copy of The Burning (Kate Burkholder #16) by Linda Castillo to read and review.