Linda Castillo did it again! Perfection! I love these characters, and can't wait for future adventures with them. I could read this author endlessly, and never get bored. Great job!

Linda Castillo's Fallen is the thirteenth in her mystery series starring Painters Mill Police Chief Kate Burkholder, who grew up Amish, but renounced that life after being raped by a neighbor.

This episode opens on Rachael Schwartz's early morning murder in a dirty motel, on her return to Painters Mill (in the heart of Amish country) after leaving as a rebellious 17-year-old.

Called to the brutal murder scene, Kate remembers Rachael (precocious and questioning) as the only girl she'd met who 'was worse at being Amish' than Kate was.

The story moves back and forth in time between the present investigation and recollections of Rachael's Amish upbringing. More violence follows, leading to a shocker of an ending, that's almost the end for Kate as well.

RATING: 4.5 STARS
2021; Minotaur Books/St Martin's Press/Macmillan Audio
Narrated by Kathleen McInerney

Every summer I look forward to another Kate Burkholder novel, by Linda Castillo and narrated by Kathleen McInerney. As much as I love Linda Castillo's writing, I also appreciate Kathleen's narration. Her voice is Kate, but also manages to capture every other character and distinguish between them. I was so excited that with the audiobook, there was an author and narrator chat at the end of the story. It was so interesting to hear more about how a narrator preps for each book, and what they think of the story. With this being book 13 in a series (plus 12-ish novellas) you wonder if the narrator actually likes the books they are reading. At times Kathleen reminded me of me asking Linda questions I wanted to know.

Right, the review for the book now, lol. As you know I love reading series in order. One of the reasons I would recommend you to do that for this series, is the character growth. I love seeing Mona achieve her dreams, and Pickles get a bit of recognition. I feel like I say this with every book, but this story was really amazing. The victim, Rachel in this case is formerly from the Amish community, that like Kate decided to live in an English world. Rachel is murdered when she returns home. What is she doing back here? And, why would she be killed here? In this one we see how Kate feels about leaving the Amish community in comparison with Rachel. Sigh, now I have to wait another year for another guaranteed good read.

***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook & audiobook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***

I always look forward to the next book in the Kate Burkholder series, I enjoy Amish stories and Linda Castillo never fails to draw me into her stories.
Kate Burkholder is chief of police in a small Amish town called Painters Mill. Kate left the Amish life but has returned to her home town. When she responds to a murder, she is shocked to see that she knows the victim. With a small force of 5, resources get stretched as Kate begins her investigation. Luckily, she has her boyfriend, Tomasetti, helping her. He is with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
So many twists and turns going on!
Definitely recommend this series. I do recommend you read the series in order. There is so much backstory to Kate and her past life.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.

I've enjoyed both the concept and execution of the Kate Burkholder novels, and in this thirteenth entry in the series, Linda Castillo has certainly written one heck of a page-turner, and it opens with so much brutality, that I feel it necessary to warn those who can't handle graphic violence that the opening chapter of this novel is horrifically brutal, and additionally, this novel also includes rape triggers, so if either is an issue for you, you might want to read something else. Neither of the aforementioned triggers is an issue for this reader, and this novel hooked me from the first page, kept me guessing throughout, and had a surprise ending I really didn't see coming, but which also was slightly problematic, which is the reason for my 4-star rather than a 5-star rating.

The novel opens with the return of formerly Amish, Rachael Schwartz, to Painters Mill, Ohio, her hometown, after a 12 year absence. She was excommunicated only 6 months after being baptized into the Amish faith at the age of 17, a bit sooner than usual among the Amish. She was a wild one and a rule breaker even as a young child, so her abrupt departure from Painters Mill didn't surprise those who knew her, and she has not informed her family of her return. She's staying in a shabby motel room and waiting for someone, but she's not expecting that she's about to be violently and brutally murdered.

When Rachael's battered, broken, and bloody body is found in her motel room the next morning, it's up to Painters Mill police chief, Kate Burkholder, who, if this is your first read in the series, was also formerly Amish, and who used to babysit Rachael years ago, to find out who murdered her and why. She does so with the help of her significant other, John Tomasetti, who works for the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and whom Kate always refers to by his last name, as she's done throughout the series, and I wish, just once, that she'd call him John. It's a minor point, but I do find it irritating.

What follows is an intense and suspenseful police procedural beginning with virtually no evidence, no fingerprints, no clues, and a myriad of possible suspects, and it kept me turning pages until the wee hours of the morning. Having spent quite a bit of time in my youth among the Amish community in and around Lancaster, Pennsylvania, this series has always held a great deal of appeal for me, and this novel, like the others in this series, paints a picture of the Amish that isn't always flattering, but which also shows the authors respect for their values of faith, family, hard work, community, honesty, humility and integrity, even though the Amish generally prefer not to deal with outsiders, in their words, "the English", and that's especially true when it comes to law enforcement--they simply would rather stay out of it. It's why having a formerly Amish police chief works so well in these novels, since Kate straddles both worlds, and has remained respectful of the friends and families in the Amish community in Painters Mill.

While I don't read many mystery novels because I usually guess the endings way too soon, this well-written and suspenseful novel kept me guessing to the very shocking and surprising end, and although I found the ending highly improbable, Ms. Castillo has once again done a remarkable job and written a taut, tense, page-turner that I'm happy to recommend.

I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.

This being the 13th book in a series I assume it should have read at least one other book in this series before grabbing book 13. I was impressed how as a new readers the author kept readers updates quickly and just the right amount to keep from slowing down the story.
I found the Fallen to be a interesting look in to the Amish community.
The story goes between Kate past and childhood to the present giving readers a better understanding of why the Chief of Police Kate Burkholder choose to stay in her home town and why she choose to protect it.
The characters are different in the best way. The mystery will pull readers in never letting go until the very last page.
Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy of Linda Castillo Fallen.

Another riveting, fast-paced, page-turner from Linda Castillo. For whatever reason, the rich backstory of a chief of police in a small town who used to be Amish adds just the right layer of mystique and questions to every mystery. Not your typical police procedural, and again, I'm enthralled as much with the community and its past as with the solving of the crime itself. I will continue to be a fan of the Kate Burkholder series, and so glad I stumbled upon it.

I was so excited to return to Painter's Mill! Linda Castillo has hooked me on this series, and Fallen did not disappoint me. What a thriller! This book definitely has a twist that I did not see coming. Amish teens face the same challenges as others, and this story is a testament to that. I love the "secret" relationship between Burkholder and Tomasetti. I want them together but don't know that I want them to marry. The clandestine nature of their relationship is thrilling. I look forward to Castillo's next installment in Painter's Mill!

This is a Amish Mystery, and this is the 13th book in the Kate Burkholder series. I have read and review books 1-12.5 before picking this book up. I read the first 33% of this by kindle edition book and the last part of the book I listen to the audiobook. I have to say I love the narrator for this book's audiobook. I have to say this book is full of suspense, and this book made me think of the first book in this series. I really loved this book, but I want Kate's personal life to stop this circle. The ending of this book is the hardest one to read so far and full of suspense. This book is full of twist and turns. I was kindly provided an e-copy and e-audiobook of this book by the publisher (Minotaur Books) or author (Linda Castillo) via NetGalley, so I can give honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

Clever and fast-paced mystery. I enjoyed reading as Kate and her team raced to solve the murder of a former town resident who had turned away from the Amish community. There are some twists and turns, and a slew of suspects...which made for a very interesting and intriguing storyline. I was also intrigued by the Amish town of Painter's Mill. This is the first book I've read in this series, but I felt like I was able to follow along pretty well.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor or expectation.

#NetGalley #Fallen

Even the Amish have secrets! Ride along with Sheriff Kate Burkholder as she chases a vicious murderer in a rural Ohio town in Fallen.

Rachel was Amish. She was also recently alive. But after returning to her hometown, she was beaten to death in her motel room.

“Painters Mill was a place of brutal lessons, rules she couldn’t abide by, and crushing recriminations by people who, like her, possessed the power to hurt.”

Was Rachel killed because of her past Amish life? Did someone follow her from her current life in Cleveland to murder her? Could it have been her allegedly true tell-all about her life in the small rural Amish community that set someone off? Sheriff Kate needs to find the answer in the thirteenth entry in this riveting police procedural series.

It’s always a pleasure to return to Painters Mill, and this series entry is no exception. Clear clues and a complex motive add fun to the chase for justice. Fallen is perfect for armchair detectives. 4 stars!

Thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this book. I was hooked from the first page all the way to the last page. I found myself reading faster to see what was going to happen next. I love when books do that to you. Can't wait to read more from this author.

Another great book in the Kate Burckholder series.The authors writes so well each book has drawn me in to the stories the people the mystery,This is a series an author I am always recommending.

Exquisitely written Amish thriller filled with secrets , shocking murder and violence ! This is a MUST read for sure ! I highly recommend ! Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review this book ! Opinions are solely my own .#Netgalley #St.Martin'sPress #Fallen

It says something about an author who creates a character that I find endearing just a little more after each book. That is the case with Kate Burkholder. I admire this intriguing woman and have not grown even a little bitty bored with her even after thirteen books which Fallen by Linda Castillo certainly is. Also I love seeing her with Tomasetti. Every scene with him she just shines. This time my favorite police chief almost doesn’t make it. So while the guilty party in the murder at the motel is figured out pretty soon by me. I read on knowing that more is to come. Boy, does it ever.

Chief of Police Kate Burkholder doesn’t have any high ideals about the Amish, knowing that some can be capable of bad as well as good gives her a realistic approach to dealing with the crime in the community she serves. Sometimes it is not only the ones who have left but also ones who tricked themselves in thinking God will back them. Even she is shocked this time, “What I can’t reconcile is that these … were willing to commit multiple violent crimes—including murder—to protect their secrets. What they did goes against the very foundation of what it means to be Amish. How could they possibly believe that God would forgive them their sins and they would be welcomed into heaven? Were the stakes so high that they convinced themselves the risk of hell was worth the gain?” A serious question only the guilty could answer.

An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Fallen by Linda Castillo starts off with a bang courtesy of a horrific, bloody murder. Even seasoned Police Chief Kate Burkholder has a hard time with the crime scene at the local motel. The victim turns out to be Rachael Schwartz whom Kate babysat as a child. Rachael left the community and became Englisch when she was seventeen. Rachael is the type of person who did not pull any punches. She pulled pranks, got into mischief, and managed to annoy most of the people she encountered. Rachael still did not deserve to die in that manner. Kate with help from John Tomasetti sets out to find Rachael’s killer. The characters in this series are complex, developed, and realistic. I especially enjoy Kate and John’s relationship. They are cute together and John understands Kate. I like the mix of Englisch and Amish. The mystery was well-done. It was well-plotted and a delight to solve. I enjoyed following Kate as she followed the clues, questioned suspects, and consulted with Tomasetti. There are subtle clues that can aid readers in identifying the guilty party. I did find the amount of violence (this one was a little extreme) and foul language to be a turn off (not enough to stop reading though). Fallen is the 13th A Kate Burkholder Novel. For those who are new to this series, Fallen can be read as a standalone. Personally, I have found it beneficial to read the series in order. Fallen is a complex whodunit with a motel murder, a rowdy rulebreaker, disappointed parents, severe violence, a cruel killer, and a committed chief of police.

Heading back to Painters Mill and visiting Kate Burkholder feels like hanging out with old friends. I have read them all and was so excited for this ARC! Thank you to Linda Castillo for never disappointing me! Kate is once again called to back to her Amish roots when another previously Amish woman from her youth is beaten to death. What follows is a nice, twisty mystery involving both the Amish and Englishers. I am so happy to see Mona getting more and more involved with actual policework now that she is finally an officer and hope to see her do more in the future. I am also a huge fan of the Kate/Tomasetti relationship. One of the things I really enjoy the most though, beside all of my favorite characters are Kate's frequent explanations for why officers think and do certain things. It makes me feel like I am a part of the investigation. I do not really enjoy getting involved in series books, but the Painters Mill series is one of my few exceptions. The books can also be read as standalones, but you are definitely missing out if you do not go back and start from the beginning!

Thank you to #NetGalley, Linda Castillo and St. Martin's Press for this much appreciated ARC!

A great entry point to the Kate Burkholder series. I believe this is the 13th book in the series. It's interesting for me to see the relationships and tensions between the English and the Amish. I tell patrons who pick this up that this isn't "Amish Fiction" or Christian Fiction because that's what they think they're getting sometimes - with just a little mystery instead of romance. This series has quite a bit of violence and gritty descriptions.

This series just gets better every time.

Kate Buckholder is called to the scene of a horrendous murder scene. This one hits a little to close to home. Kate has grown so much as a character since the series started and every adventure is exciting, fresh and edge of your seat awesome.

“I figured you wouldn’t be able to go long without hearing the sound of my voice.”

manage a pretty decent rendition of a laugh. But Tomasetti’s an astute man—or maybe I’m not as good at my seasoned-cop equanimity as I think, because he asks, “What’s wrong?”

I love Tomasetti so much and he is Kates perfect match.

3.5 Stars

Rachael Schwartz returns to Painters Mill, Ohio after leaving her hometown and her Amish family and way of life behind twelve years ago. Rachael intends to right a wrong, but never gets the chance. Chief of Police Kate Burkholder is called to the scene of a brutal murder in a motel room and the victim is identified as Rachael. Kate also used to be Amish and was acquainted with Rachael before she left town. Kate calls for assistance from the bureau of investigation and the agent assigned is Kate’s boyfriend John Tomasetti. Both Kate and John are determined to get justice for the victim whose life has been cut way too short.

Fallen is the thirteenth book in the Kate Burkholder series. It is a gritty, suspenseful crime novel that will keep your interest from start to finish. I’ve read a couple of the prior novels and short stories that are in this series, but this book reads as a standalone. Kate is an excellent investigator and even though she has left the Amish faith, her background helps her to understand those still in that community even if many of them don’t accept her because of the choices she made. All the stories I’ve read in this series are well-written and give what seems to be a true look at what life is like for the Amish. Kate really identifies with Rachael, another young woman like her, who didn’t fit in with the Amish community, and this makes the investigation even more difficult. Although Kate and John are both working on the case, most of their work is done separately with them coming together to share information. This seems realistic, but I would have liked them to work together more.

Rachael enjoyed stirring up trouble, so Kate is able to uncover several viable suspects, some of whom are really despicable characters. I had seen one of the revelations at the end of the book which was supposed to be a bombshell from the first time the character was introduced and it’s hard to believe Kate didn’t, too. However, other twists that occur did take me by surprise. The biggest of all is the identity of the murderer. I appreciate being surprised in a mystery or suspense novel, but in this case I couldn’t reconcile the killer with the murder. Without spoiling anything, I find this part of the story hard to believe and that influenced my opinion of the book overall. It is still a good book and there are some truly terrifying scenes toward the end during which I couldn’t turn the pages quickly enough, but it isn’t my favorite by this author.

~ Christine