Linda Castillo has taken an interesting setting and strong characters and turned that into a riveting series that just gets better and better. Castillo’s writing style, including structure and pacing, are textbook. Review ran in print in the St. Louis post-Dispatch and is online at stltoday.com.

I loved this 13th book in Linda Castillo's "Kate Burkholder" series!
Fallen begins with the death of Rachel Schwartz. Her brutally beaten body is found in a motel room in Painter's Mill, Ohio. A town where she grew up Amish but left 12 years earlier.
Chief of Police Kate Burkholder is called to the scene where she immediately recognizes Rachel as a friend from many years ago when Kate herself grew up in the same Amish community.
Why such a violent, gruesome death? Rachel was a wild child and never one to obey the rules. Kate digs into Rachel's past determined to find out the truth, putting herself in danger along the way.
A captivating and suspenseful read!
It is always a pleasure to revisit the characters I have become quite attached to in Painter's Mill.
I can hardly wait for the next Kate Burkholder novel!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed the writing style in this book. The twists and turns kept my attention throughout. I will definitely be checking out other books by this author and I would recommend this book to friends and family.

Kate Burkholder is back as the police chief in her rural Ohio hometown of Painters Mill.

Painters Mill is home to an Amish community. The Amish and “English” live as neighbors. Chief Burkholder used to be a member of the Amish community. She is intimately familiar with the culture as related to the Amish community. As chief of police, she works hard to keep the community safe.

When a young woman, Rachel Schwartz, is discovered murdered in a local hotel room in Painters Mill, Kate Burkholder and her department are summoned to investigate the crime; Kate knows the victim. They grew up together as young Amish girls. But both women left the community for different reasons.

As Kate and her department investigate the crime, secrets come to light about the victim and the close-knit community. The flashbacks into the victim’s past added a level of intrigue to the story. The characters are well developed and easy to connect with. The story is told from Kate Burkholder’s point of view, as she follows the clues to solve the case.

This book is not my first one by this author. It felt like I was visiting old friends as I became immersed in the story. I could not read fast enough because I wanted to know why Rachel died and who her killer was. This was a great murder mystery set in an idyllic community. There were plenty of twists and turns to keep me guessing.

I highly recommend this book for any mystery fans.

BOOK REVIEW: Fallen by Linda Castillo

Great characters. Thrilling story. Wonderful series... Although Book 13 was my first read, I had no challenges from not reading the previous books... However, I plan to remedy that ASAP!… ✨😎✨

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All my reviews can be seen at This Is My Everybody | Books, Lifestyle & Home Ideas for Simple Living | Denise Wilbanks at www.thisismyeverybody.com

♡ Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

Although this is book 13 in the Amish series written by Linda Castillo, it is the first one I have ever read, but definitely not the last. Kate Burkholder is the Chief of Police in a largely Amish community. Having left the faith years prior, she is familiar with the ins and outs of the Amish ways even she no longer ascribes to their lifestyle and beliefs. When another fallen member of the community is found brutally murdered, it's up to Kate to find the killer.

Is the death of Rachael Schwartz related to her fall from the Amish? Her life in the English world? Did she make enemies along the way? Did her brash personality finally catch up to her? All questions Kate is trying to find the answers to.

Castillo writes descriptively and the story was captivating without being shocking (IMO). Gripping is an excellent descriptor for the ups and downs portrayed in the book. I was constantly left trying to figure out "who done it" and why... a great mystery with a fair bit of Amish history and knowledge mixed in.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

FIRST LINE: "She knew coming back after so many years would be difficult, especially when she'd left so much hurt behind when she departed."

With a dynamite opening, this 13th Amish mystery is off and running.

Rachael Schwartz left her tiny Ohio community, and her Amish faith a decade ago. Returning hoping to right a wrong, she is brutally murdered in her motel room. When Kate Burkholder, the Chief of Police in Painters Mill, recognizes Rachael the pain of it becomes personal. Kate herself had left the Amish community years earlier.

The first Kate Burkholder story I discovered was Her Last Breath #5 (Jul 17, 2015). Then I quickly devoured Sworn to Silence #1 (July 21, 2015) and Pray for Silence #2 (July 26, 2015). Then I stopped. I found the crimes against the Amish, especially the young women, too overwhelming. But because the series is so popular, I decided to try again. I'm glad I did. Although violence and death occurred in Outsider #12, there was more than enough life and happiness to balance the story. Fallen #13 reverts to the ugly violence and lives destroyed, but that didn't stop me from turning pages.

Linda Castillo can be counted on for a captivating plot and the reader is assured of a thrilling read. Although this is a series, the author provides more than enough repetition to remind the reader of the things they need to know. A few chapters labeled 2008 fill in the backstory proving more clues. And, as always, a highlight of the book is the translated Amish phrases and cultural details.

Thanks to the author, St. Martin's Press, and Net Galley for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

When Kate Burkholder learns that the latest murder victim in the small town of Painter's Mill is someone she knew and who had also left the Amish community like her, things feel a bit personal. Rachel Schwartz left her parents heartbroken when she decided not to join the Community as an adult. I am always anxiously awaiting the next installment in the Kate Burkholder series and this one did not disappoint.

Fallen by Linda Castillo is a great murder mystery that actually had me flummuxed for a while. The premise of the story is that a girl left the Amish way of life twelve years ago and had returned for an unknown reason when she was brutally murdered. IT is the why and the twists that hold you - wondering what really happened.

Kate Burkholder, the chief of police in the small town of Painted Creek has been called out to look into the situation. As Kate and her fellow lawmen look into the situation, Tomasetti is called in officially to help solve the case. It is clear that this case has ramifications into Kate’s past and her Amish upbringing. Kate’s dogged determination and her ability to put information together made the case even more interesting when she followed her instincts and asked hard questions.

This series of novels (Fallen is number 13) continues to entrance me each time. Although from a practical standpoint, Kate should have had serious brain damage by blunt force several times now. I love the mixture of the old (Amish and traditions) and new (rapidly changing civilization). I am sure that each case is going to be a sticky one and the characters of Kate and Tomasetti are strong and very likeable. I think because they present as fallible - they are more likeable.

Fallen by Linda Castillo is a fun murder mystery to read with just the right amount of suspense.

Fallen by Linda Castillo is the 13th book in the Kate Burkholder mystery series, and another great book. I love this series, and this book is no exception. Kate was raised Amish, but she left the community and now she is the Chief of Police in Ohio. Kate covers both the Amish and Englischers area. When a former Amish girl is found beaten to death in a motel, Kate, her officers, and her FBI boyfriend, Tomasetti, investigate. There are so many twists and turns in this book, like always. This is one of my favorite mystery series, and I strongly recommend this book. To understand Kate more, I also recommend you read the books in order, you will not be disappointed. I anxiously await Kate's next case.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

3.5 stars rounded up. This is another good addition to the Kate Burkholder series set in Amish country. I love this series and never fail to read one when it is released. Seems like I always learn something about Amish customs and beliefs. There's always suspense built around some scandalous crime in the Amish community. It's a great series for mystery/suspense fans, each could be read as standalones but would be even better if read in order. Looking forward to #14!

Good addition to series. Regular major and minor characters are all here. Story was interesting and you won’t guess who did it until it is revealed and wrapped up at the end.

I have to state from the beginning that I have read all of the Kate Burkholder series and these books are favorites of mine. That being said, I also need to state that this is the most graphically violent one that I have read. When a former Amish young woman returns to Painter’s Mill, she is brutally murdered on her first night in town. Chief Burkholder has to investigate and find the killer, with numerous possible suspects since Rachael Schwartz was not a rule follower herself. The usual team of deputies is there to assist her, along with a new dispatcher whom I enjoyed getting to know. Kate’s longtime love interest, FBI agent John Tomasetti, was also involved in the investigation. I did miss the romance between the two of them; it was present but not a real focus on this book. Most of the book was about Kate trying to discover why Rachael was in town and what got her killed in such an horrific way. The book was written with a sense of empathy for the grieving parents as well as a fast pace because of the necessity to find the killer quickly. I always enjoy the characterization employed by this author as she gives me a glimpse into the Amish way of life as well as that of those like Kate who have left that belief system behind. Although this is the thirteenth book in the series, it can certainly be read as a standalone. I thoroughly enjoyed it, but was somewhat dismayed and surprised at the description of the murder and the crime scene afterwards. It was very disturbing, but it also lent itself to reasons for haste in solving the murder. The time frame is dual, from the past when Rachael was growing up to the present when she returns to town and is killed. This was very well done and flowed seamlessly between the two, keeping me captivated throughout. This book was what I would describe as hard core violence, with an edginess about it that I had not noticed in the previous books. I look forward to reading the next one to see if it continues this trend or if it goes back to the light Amish mystery that I had become accustomed to. Fans of Castillo will not want to miss this latest one because of the insight into the characters and the wonderful way that the author handles balancing life between two different lifestyles.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from St. Martin’s Press via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Fallen was another excellent read in the Kate Burkholder series. Castillo is a master at mystery and suspense writing. She crafts engaging plots and appealing characters. As Kate unfolds another murder mystery in her small Amish town, she faces unique characters and situations. With new evidence and changing suspects throughout the book, Castillo keeps our mind intrigued.

FALLEN: A Kate Burkholder Novel
Linda Castillo
Minotaur Books
ISBN-13: 978-1250142924
Hardcover
Thriller

I type these words within a drive of an hour or so from Holmes County, where Linda Castillo for over a decade has set her very readable Kate Burkholder series within the fictional town of Painters Mill. located in the very real Holmes County (the Amish community to my northeast. On occasion --- usually scheduled around the publication of Castillo’s latest novel --- I will make a trip up there to attempt to trace the events of the book. Is the series still that compelling? Absolutely, and maybe even more than it was when it started.

Burkholder, the chief of police of Painters Mill, was born into the Amish community located in the town but left it when she attained her majority. Tom Wolfe may have said, “You can’t go home again” but Dion DiMucci responded, “Oh, yeah? Try to leave.” They were both right, as Castillo, through her creation, has noted repeatedly. The tension created by the return of the prodigal in a very different role touching the heart of the unchanged community has provided a great deal of grist for Castillo’s story mill.

FALLEN, Castillo’s latest Burkholder novel, pushes the envelope of the series just a bit, and in all the best ways. Burkholder is called to the scene of what is an all-but-certain homicide in a Painters Mill motel room. The victim has been brutally beaten but Burkholder recognizes her almost immediately. She is Rachael Schwartz, a girl that Burkholder used to babysit when she was still part of the Amish community. Schwartz even at a young age was spirited in ways that eventually put her into conflict with the quiet and sedate environs and practices of the Amish community. Her life paralleled Burkholder’s in many ways, including leaving the Amish ways at her first opportunity. Burkholder had not heard anything about Schwartz in over a decade, and her calamitous and tragic return is a mystery that echoes far beyond her murder. Burkholder through her investigation soon learns that no one, not even her parents, knew that she was returning to Painters Mill so her reason for being in that motel room at that time is unknown. Burkholder’s only clue is a telephone number on a slip of paper. It takes her outside of --- though not far --- from Painters Mill and while information is not exactly readily forthcoming it still moves her off of dead center. It becomes clear all too quickly, however, that someone does not want this case investigated, and Burkholder is placing herself in danger from a surprising source as she gets closer to the answer of why the community’s prodigal daughter returned. John Tomasetti, Burkholder’s love interest who also is an agent with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, is there to help and to bring the might and majesty of state law enforcement to the investigation, but even he may not have the horses to provide Burkholder with the assistance she needs. The conclusion of FALLEN results is a near thing, indeed, with a bittersweet ending.

I will confess that I initially wondered how long Castillo could keep the Burkholder series fresh and interesting, given the relatively small geographical area which provides its setting and the relative lack of crime within the Amish community. The answer to my concern at this point appears to be that Castillo will be able to maintain the high standards of the Burkholder books for as long as she wishes. FALLEN demonstrates that she is more than capable of extracting new stories from a deceptively but deeply complex culture that is as intricate as it is misunderstood. The series as constructed by Castillo also makes it easy for new readers to jump in at any point while urging veterans of the Burkholder novels to keep returning. FALLEN provides plenty for both camps. Recommended.

Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
© Copyright 2021, The Book Report, Inc. All rights reserved.

In Fallen Chief Kate and her police department endlessly try to unlock a mystery that involves the Amish as well as the Plain communities. While Rachael, Loretta, Fannie and their families and friends have guarded secrets, the suspense mounts. This is one of the best books I have read lately.

I hadn't realized that this book was part of a series, but it is still a great stand alone. Kate Burkholder is a detective. She was formerly brought up in the Amish community, but left it to pursue her own life. She is in the heart of Amish territory in Painters Mill, there to investigate the murder of a young girl Rachael. We learn through the story that Rachael had come back to the place she had abandoned years before. Her parents hadn't had contact with her, so why was she here, dead in a motel room. I found the story a little drawn out at the beginning, but towards the end, I was hooked and really enjoyed it.
Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Fallen by Linda Castillo is book thirteen in the Kate Burkholder mystery series. Rachael Schwartz was brutally murdered in a Painters Mill motel, and Chief of Police Kate Burkholder needs to find the killer. Rachael left the Amish community many years ago, and she upset a lot of people in the process. She did what she wanted, no matter what, and made many enemies. Burkholder has a lot of suspects to weed through. I enjoyed this book, and I've enjoyed this entire series thus far. Thanks to NetGalley for the free digital review copy. All opinions are my own.

Rachel was probably never meant to be Amish, if that makes sense, however what happened to her shouldn’t happen to anyone. This is a very very good book, only my second time reading a Kate Burkholder mystery and I have to say so far I’m a fan, this one kept me guessing to the very end. Never saw that one coming. 😮😲

I requested this book before realizing it was part of a series, so it was my first Kate Burkholder novel. However, it won’t be my last! I read it in less than a day and appreciated the fact that for the most part, this book reads like a standalone. It’s an easy, fast read and very suspenseful. I really liked Kate’s character and was quick to root for her. The glimpses into the Amish community were so interesting and have me excited to read more from this series.

Unfortunately, I did figure out the big twist before it was revealed. For me, I don’t feel that the killer matches up with the graphic nature of the crime in this book. Also, I appreciate the Amish language sprinkled in but it did get cumbersome to read what the characters were saying twice. I thought it messed with the flow of the dialogue in places.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and will definitely be reading more of the Kate Burkholder series. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books & NetGalley for the eARC!