Member Reviews

I was quickly drawn in to the story, then sorely disappointed when I could not proceed past the first two pages.. Locked out by the program. I thought I had 48 hours to read. Nonetheless, I highly recommend this book. The writing is excellent, and I anticipate the plot will thicken.

I can’t leave a review on two, pages .of a book publicly.

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This is the second book I have read recently that revolve around the Amish. It also introduced me to Kate Burkholder, a police detective and a former member of the Amish community.

When a bishop's remains, who had been missing for quite a time, are found in a newly acquired pasture, Kate is called in to investigate because of her former Amish roots. Her former love interest, Jonas Bowman, is accused of the murder of Amish bishop Ananias Stoltzfus, a supposed loved member of the community. His disappearance ten years ago set the community worrying and Jonas on the eventual path of being called a murderer.

However, Stoltzfus was no saint, and as Kate investigates, some forces seem to be against her and quite threatening. Her memories are also triggered as she again in thrown into an Amish community and her former love.

Someone did kill Stolzfus and the list of possibles seem to grown as more is discovered about the man who was a supposed saint but really a sinner.

Thank you to Linda Castillo, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for granting me an ARC of this story.

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This is an excellent book! No other words needed! I really enjoyed this book! Thank you for a great book!

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I really enjoyed the relationships, but the rest seemed very reminiscent of other books in this series. (listened to the audiobook) (3.25/5)

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The Hidden One is a mystery that immerses readers in the atmospheric world of Amish country. Castillo expertly weaves together intricate plotlines with vivid descriptions, drawing readers into a world where secrets lurk behind every corner. Chief of Police Kate Burkholder, is a compelling and relatable character whose tenacity and vulnerability make her a great lead. As the investigation unfolds, the tension mounts, keeping readers guessing until the very end. With its blend of suspense, rich cultural detail, and unforgettable characters this is a must-read for fans of crime fiction.

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Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the advanced reader copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to Linda Castillo for writing another terrific, original adventure for Kate Burkholder. Here she takes the police chief out of Painter's Mill, as a civilian helping an old friend and lover who has been unfairly accused of murder.

Kate Burkholder has become one of my favorite fictional characters: smart, tough and honest to a fault. I love how in each book a little more of Katie Burkholder is revealed about her past, what a great way to keep the series fresh while moving her forward at the same time. I found it very interesting that the victim in this case was a very bad man whose body is found in a deserted spot, echoing the demise of the man who took away Katie's innocence (in the first book in series). I love that this scene brought back her personal history. There are many hidden meanings in her books that echo Kate's experiences- I just love how this author does that. Highly recommend.

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Review limited to Goodreads due to 2 star rating.

Definitely my least favorite Burkholder novel. Can’t put my finger on why. I’ felt this book dragged on which is unlike her other novels with me.

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Thank you NetGalley and St Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

I had no idea when I chose to read this book that it was knee deep into a series I haven’t read. I guess I will see how well I can follow. If there were less than 13 books before this I would have read them! From other reviews it seems this book can be a standalone novel.

I did find this novel to present enough information that it can stand alone. It centers on Chief Police Kate Burkholder of Painters Mill, Ohio. She is asked by town elders in Belleville, Pennsylvania's where Kate was raised to look into the case. She lived in the Kishacoquillas Valley of Amish Country until she was 18 years-old. She is asked to help find the killer of Amish bishop, Ananias Stoltzfus, a dark, complex man who was brutally killed. Although this occurred in another state when she is told the main suspect is Kate's first love, Jonas Bowman she knows she needs to be involved even though she hasn't seen him since she left. Due to conflict of interest, Kate is asked to step back but when she is threatened she thinks that she might be closer to this case than she realized.

It is filled with suspense with reflections to the past and present secrets. I can imagine the previous books must add to the backdrop of the characters development and history.

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Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

I had been recommended books by Linda Castillo for years and finally selected this one to try. I am was not dissapointed.

I had never read a story about the Amish quite like this one before, and I really enjoyed it. I didn't know at the time, but this book is a part of a series, but it was still ok to read as a stand alone.

I really enjoyed this one, and will look forward to reading other books by Linda Castillo in the future.

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I didn’t realize this book was part of a series, but fortunately I did not feel lost or confused. I loved Kate! I hadn’t read a thriller centered around the Amish community before, so that was unique and a nice change. This was a suspenseful and twisty story that I could not put down! I definitely want to read the other books in this series.

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I love all of her books, keeps you guessing til the end. I try to figure out on my own the whodunnit, haven’t gotten it right yet. The writing puts me right in the story I feel like I’m there, seeing everything.

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I love Castillo's Kate Burkholder series because there's always a good mystery going on over in Amish Country. Things are never wrapped neatly in a bow like most Amish fiction out here, rather each book is riddled with realistic character banter and action-packed twists, and that's why I'll always say this series stands out from the rest. Castillo is deeply immersed in the Amish culture; this is evident throughout the entire series, and I think it adds to the experience she gives the reader with each book. Once I start a Kate Burkholder murder mystery, I don't wanna stop!

Thanks netgalley for giving me the advanced copy so that I can share my thoughts and opinions with y'all 💛

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4.5 this was one of the best in the series. I enjoy Kate's detective skills and her past with the Amish sheds the light on so many things a typical cop may not see.

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I went into this book not knowing it was part of a much larger series. However, I was able to keep up with what we going on. Kate is a cop who used to be part of the Amish community, and she needs to clear her ex from a crime that he is accused of committing.

There is a great deal of uncomfort in this book, because Kate seems like she doesn’t visit Amish country often. There are some very rough parts to read because this book had a lot of flashbacks that circle around Kates past, and corrupt police officers as well as people in power. But overall not a bad book.

3.5 stars

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An Amish Archbishops body is discovered after 12 years of no one knowing what happened to him. Kate who left the Amish community is asked by the elders to come help an old friend clear his name. Through her investigation you walk back through her past and secrets are uncovered of the archbishop.

I enjoyed the flashbacks to Kates life and her relationship with Jonah.

Thank you # NetGalley for the advance copy

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Thank you, NetGalley and Minotaur Books, for the ARC of The Hidden One. I have loved all of Linda Castillo’s Kate Burkholder novels, set in Amish country. This is another excellent installment in a fabulous series. I highly recommend, and look forward to the next one!

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I LOVE LINDA CASTILLO!!! She is an auto buy author for me. I never want to Kate Burkeholder series to end!!! I really love when Kate and Tomasseti have interactions and wish there were more in each book. I find in so interesting how almost every book takes us back thru Kate background in some form or another and I love learning about the Amish community. I can not wait to read the next book in the series!!

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I love books depicting the Amish culture. This is part of a series but can be read as a stand alone thriller.
Plenty of clues for the reader to guess the ending.

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This was an action packed edition to the Kate Burkholder series. I had missed a few of the previous books but I had no problem following along. This could actually be read as a stand alone. I really enjoy this unique series with it's unique characters.

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This is a good mystery/suspense and it's interesting to learn more about Kate's Amish background through the flashbacks.

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