Kate Burkholder faces a new investigation in this 13th volume in the series when a young, former Amish woman is discovered in a motel room, bludgeoned to death. As usual, Kate's own Amish past both helps and hurts her work. Her lover Tomasetti plays a minor role in this investigation but they are still considering marriage. I love this author's writing. She is detailed and very descriptive, in a way that is fascinating and readable. I enjoy spending time with Kate and helping her to solve the crimes. Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Minotaur Books for providing an ARC.

I have been a huge fan of this series for years, so when another book in this great series is released it automatically moves to the top of my TBR pile. I dive in immediately without reading anything about the plot. I love each and every book in this series and Fallen is no exception. This author has a way of weaving both cultures Amish and Plain seamlessly. When, my favorite police Chief Kate Burkholder is called to the town motel, she sees the most gruesome scene she has ever seen and apparently an old shunned Amish friend is brutally murdered. From there we are off on a twisty turn of an investigation which makes for another awesome book.
Why was she shunned? What has she been doing all these years? Who doesn’t want her dead?
There were a lot of jaw dropping moments in this book

This series just keeps getting better and better ! I can’t wait for the next case Chief Buckholder has to solve !

Minotaur is one of my favorite publishers, and I enjoy the Kate Burkholder series. I was happy to be approved for this title, number thirteen in the Amish suspense series, and I quickly dove in.

When a "fallen" Amish woman is found brutally murdered in a Painters Mill motel, Kate Burkholder is called to the scene and quickly realizes she knows the victim. As she wades through Rachael Schwartz's life and connections, the mystery surrounding her final days thickens. Why did she return home? Who was she meeting?

I liked this book.

Kate Burkholder is a delightful character. She's smart and even-tempered. I appreciate her insight into police procedure juxtaposed with her former life as a member of the Amish community. Speckled throughout is Amish diction and unique knowledge of the daily life of the community, and I find these sections both entertaining and enlightening.

I struggled a bit with this book for a few reasons.

First, I found the constant translation from Amish to English distracting and repetitive. While I love the inclusion of the language, I was able to use the context within the dialogue to piece together what was being said without having to always being explicitly told.

I also found the procedural element was oversimplified, with longwinded explanations of different aspects of the investigation I assumed were common knowledge. The plot itself was interesting but fairly predictable, and while this isn't my cup of tea, I think this would be an excellent starting point for a reader outside the genre looking for an accessible transition into suspense. Kate is a stellar protag, her meticulous dissection of facts and pursuit of justice are admirable, and there's enough mystery to keep you guessing. I can definitely see this being a hit with other readers, though, as Castillo's writing is readable and engrossing.

Overall, Fallen is a light suspense with an interesting focus and strong female protagonist that many readers will love.

Big thanks to Minotaur and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for honest review consideration.

Intense
Exceptional
Eye Opening
Fabulous

I'm sure I can come up with more words to describe what I felt about this book, but why bother? This was a fabulous addition to the Kate Burkholder series, and I can't recommend it enough, especially if you have been following this series.

I can recommend this book to those who haven't been reading this series since there is enough back story to make this a comfortable read for you. Not enough back story to bore long-time readers, though.

This was a single-day read for me and would be perfect for those looking for something to read over a rainy weekend!

The mystery seems to be an easy one to figure out, but the author keeps you just discombobulated enough, so you are never absolutely sure of who-dun-it.

I loved this book and will be re-reading it over the weekend -maybe I will re-read the whole series while I'm at it. I adore seeing how everyone has grown, how relationships have changed, and learning about the Amish and their various religious off-shoots.

ARC provided by the publisher, the author, and NetGalley.

I absolutely love this series and always look forward to reading them each summer. I was so excited this year to get an advanced copy, and of course it didn't disappoint. This story had the typical gruesome start that left me just desperate to put everything aside and get right into it. It's about a young ex Amish woman who is found brutally murdered in Painters Mill. Of course, nothing is as it seems and Kate Burkholder must delve into this woman's past to try and figure the truth from embellishment. The story flows smoothly and Castillo does an excellent job of keeping the pace up throughout the whole novel.

My only issue with this book is that I really really wish we could get more into Kate's personal life. I feel as though in the earlier novels we learned so much of Kate and Castillo took the time to really develop her relationship with Tomasetti. The last few books nothing much has happened further between the two characters and I miss reading about them! Perhaps in her next novel we will see their relationship progressing further??

All in all, loved the book and can't wait to share it with the patrons at my Library. We have many Linda Castillo fans in my small town and her books often have waitlists! This one will be no different.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher!

Another blast from the past shows up in Chief Burkholder’s proverbial Painters Mill doorstep. This time DEAD. Our book opens with <b>the murder scene</b> (I would have added a sound effect but I don't see how to do so in the formatting tips). A woman opens the door of her motel room and welcomes in a visitor, who suddenly proceeds to bludgeon her to death…not a pretty picture. Katie is called in and immediately recognizes the woman as a fellow Amish was-been, Rachael Schwartz, who left the fold in her tumultuous teens and later went on to write a tell-all book about the seedier members of her community. Rachael was not a very nice person, as it turns out, and she earned quite a few enemies in her short lifetime, all potential persons of interest in the case.

This was one of my favorite Kate Burkholder mysteries to date! Glock, TJ, Pickles, Mona, and the steamy Tomasetti were all in attendance, and also, Lois Monroe, a new player, who takes over as dispatcher, freeing Mona to assume her duties as Painters Mill’s first fulltime female police officer.

Castillo keeps us guessing to the end. I nearly hurled my Kindle across the room in frustration when Castillo tossed in a red herring, <spoiler>Katie’s brother apparently has a secret related to Rachael, according to Bishop Troyer </spoiler> but then buried it and never gave us the scoop, after dangling a prospective juicy tidbit in front of our noses. Dang! I really wanted to know the secret!

Although she did manage to smash up another Explorer, at least this time Katie did not enter the suspects house without first calling in backup (well not exactly anyway), but she still managed to get herself seriously roughed up and dig herself in deep (double entendre intended, LOL) in the final exciting scene.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur for an ARC of this newest book in my favorite series by Linda Castillo. I LOVED IT!

Fallen by Linda Castillo – 5 Stars
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
ISBN: 9781250142924

I have read all the books in the Kate Burkholder series. Each has a unique plot set in the Amish community. Kate has left the community but still has respect for its way of life.

Fallen begins with a brutal murder and the action never lets up. Events in peaceful Painters Mill sometimes turn dark. Kate, its sheriff, does not stop searching until she learns the truth, even when the search becomes life threatening. Her relationship with her fiancé and members of her staff is skillfully woven into the plot, as are descriptions of Amish life and Pennsylvania Dutch language.

I absolutely enjoyed Fallen and as always, I look forward to reading more books in this series.

Reviewer: Nancy

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Police officer Kate is surprised to find the body of a woman who used to be amish in a hotel room. The woman was beaten. Kate is coming up with more questions than answers. This book kept me guessing until the very end.

I live returning to Painter's Mill. Rachel, a young former Amish woman is found bludgeoned to death in a local hotel. Kate Burkholder and her Amish history help to solve the dramatic crime. Live these books. Learn a lot about the Amish culture while being completely immersed in a thriller!

Kate Burkholder returns with another crime to solve - Rachel has been excommunicated but she seemingly wants to return to the community, but no one is expecting her so no one knows why - except for the one person she has been communicating with and that person's lips are sealed.. Rachel has been living the high life ever since she left the Amish but now it has come time for her to pay her dues. No one should have tp pay the price she paid..

Can Linda Castillo get any better than this? Each book is a gem, polished to perfection. I loved this book - I couldn't put it down..

I am a HUGE fan of the Kate Burkholder series and this may be my new favorite! The ending was a surprise to me and I usually figure them out fairly early on.

The characters are well developed and I've loved watching them grow over the series. I recommend this series quite often and I'll continue to do so.

Thank you Netgalley, St Martins' Press, and Linda Castillo for allowing me to read this ARC of Fallen.

Sometimes cultures don’t mix, and in this novel it’s the Amish and English that don’t. This is the first book I’ve read in the Kate Burkholder series, and I was really impressed by the plot development as well as the characters. Kate, the police chief grabs strand after strand until she’s woven together the a tapestry that reveals the whole picture.

Rachael Schwartz returns to Painters Mill,, Ohio with an agenda. She makes one phone call and within hours, she is dead, horrifically murdered, and Chief Kate Burkholder is involved in a case that is personal.

Kate was Rachael’s babysitter and remembers the dead woman as a lively, rebellious young girl. Rebellion and the Amish faith do not mix, so Kate was not surprised when Rachael, still a teenager, was excommunicated. She left Painters Mill and rarely returned to visit her family. What brought her back to Painters Mill now? Kate relies on information given by Loretta Bontrager, Rachael’s childhood friend. As Kate tries to understand what happened in Rachael’s past that caused her violent death, there is another attack. Will Kate solve this case before the murderer acts again?

Linda Castillo has done it again. Painters Mill, the residents of the town, the small police force, and the dominant Amish lifestyle drive this mystery. Rachael Schwartz is a deeply flawed person but Kate uncovers her dark secrets, secrets that have been long hidden in her home town. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Minotaur Books and Linda Castillo for this ARC.

This series continues to deliver! Always a strong storyline and interesting mystery with a cast of characters that is well developed and believable. I like the mix of Amish culture, provides a view of a different lifestyle and how it mixes with the "English'. culture. This one has a bit more human drama than some of the others, which definitely strengthened the plot. Definitely a good series, but you could enjoy this as stand alone too!

Thank you Netgalley, St Martins' Press, and Linda Castillo for allowing me to read this ARC of Fallen. I have read every book in this series and this might be my favorite! The story was great - I had no idea how the book was going to end, though I had an inkling near the end. The characters were great as usual. Near the end I cried a little seeing how the team was like a family, how they understood and respected each other's needs. It was a beautiful moment for me, because I love seeing relationships grow over time, especially when they aren’t romantic relationships. Seeing people grow and change is why I love reading a book series. So if you haven’t read this series, you should! (Some of the books are really graphic though, so be warned.)
It goes without saying that the writing was stellar and will keep you reading until the end.

Another great mystery with Kate and her boyfriend John! Linda Castillo doesn't end this mystery until the very end! A quick read...but when will Kate and John tie the knot!

4.5 "lucky 13" stars

For me, a new Kate Burkholder book is a treat and I drop whatever I’m doing to read it. I’m amazed that this is #13 in the series and it is still going strong! The trademark elements are all here – a compelling story in Amish country, a smart police chief, and a few twists I didn’t figure out.

The book opens with a brutal murder of a young woman and Chief Burkholder is shocked to realize that she knew her as a child. In fact, Kate is a bit like the murdered woman, Rachael, in that they both left the Amish faith. Why was Rachael back in Painters Mill and who murdered her? She has a lot of enemies, but the Amish are typically pacifist and non-violent, so the police are broadening the suspect pool.

The book has some chapters from Rachael’s time growing up with her best friend and we learn how Rachael just didn’t fit in with a typical Amish lifestyle. Kate interviews people from Rachael’s past, touching on Kate’s past as well.

There’s a great twist at the end that I did not see coming and a very tense ending, I was holding my breath as I turned the pages!

My only request to Linda Castillo -- more romance for Kate! I need a wedding in her future!

I love Linda Castillo. I never thought I'd enjoy her books as much as I do!
I read one of her books A Gathering Of Secrets (didn't realize till just now it was book 10 in a series)
But that was my first Linda book and it was amazing!
Fallen was right there with AGS it was real, raw just amazing

Linda Castillo's Kate Burkholder series is always engaging and stays fresh with interesting new plots. Kate is called to a grizzly murder scene and horrified to realize she knew the victim from childhood. Rachael Schwartz left the Amish life behind, for many of the same reasons Kate found. Peeling back the layers of Rachael's life, past and present, brings shocking revelations. It is hard to believe that someone you know can be guilty of heinous acts, and Kate must look deeply below the surface to solve this one, and to survive. Great installment in this series with a complex and captivating plot.

This was a really interesting book that stands out from other mysteries/thrillers due to the fact that one of the main characters is Amish. A really good mystery, plus I learned a lot about the Plain people and their customs, which was really nice.