I stayed up late to finish this one. Mysteries and stories with Amish characters are favorites of mine, and the combination of the two was a real treat. This book is the 14th book in a series. I had only read one or two books in the series years ago, but had no difficulty in following this story.

Kate Burkholder is the chief of police in Painter's Mill, Ohio, but she grew up Amish in the small town of Belleville, Pennsylvania. She is surprised to receive a visit from Amish elders from her old town. The body of one of their bishops who had disappeared almost twenty years before has been found and it looks suspicious. Another Amish man, Jonas Bowman, is suspected of killing the bishop. They had a public disagreement soon before the bishop disappeared. Jonas remained Amish, and is now married and has children of his own.

Kate was asked to come because of her Amish background, history with the town and because she now works in law enforcement. Remembering the town brings back a lot of painful memories for Kate but she agrees to come and ask a few questions. It is especially difficult because Jonas Bowman was her first boyfriend.

However, someone in the town wants to stop Kate from digging in the past, particularly when she begins to look into the past of the dead man. She is attacked in her hotel room, is run off the road in a dangerous spot, and her car is vandalized. The local police won't help her, and many of the Amish won't talk to her. I did not guess who was behind it all.

I particularly loved the ending of the book, when Kate was back home with her fiancee. Visiting the past had also helped her to heal and she was looking forward.

I received an advance reading copy of this book from St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books via NetGalley. It was entirely my pleasure to read and review this book.

The Hidden One by Linda Castillo
(Kate Burkholder #14)

Kate "I'm a cop" Burkholder doesn't spend a lot of time in Painter's Mill in this 14th novel of the Kate Burkholder series. She has been asked for help by the elders of another town because a man of their town has been accused of a long ago murder. Of course Kate will help, the man is her first love, someone she hasn't seen or spoken to since she was fifteen years old. Kate nosing around into a crime in a town that isn't in her jurisdiction doesn't go over well with the local law enforcement of that town but details like that never stop Kate. Another thing that never stops Kate is body damage that would kill a mere mortal. As usual, Kate finds herself in nearly fatal situations a time or four but that's par for the course for her.

Jonas Bowman, Kate's first love, has been accused of Amish bishop Ananias Stoltzfus's murder . Stoltzfus disappeared years ago and only now have his bones been found. On the surface, Stoltzfus was well respected but when digging deeper, Kate finds he had a very dark side and that he'd made enemies over the years. Too bad Jonas aired his grievances with Stoltzfus in public so it's very easy to pin the murder on him. Never fear, nothing stops Kate Burkholder, when she's on the trail of justice. This story checks all the Kate Burkholder marks and she'll show the local cops how crime solving is done right.

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

Another great book in this series. It includes flashbacks to Kate’s Amish childhood, which is a fun addition to the novel. Seeing how the character dealt with feelings that would eventually lead to her leaving the fold is always interesting. A murder implicating an old friend, brings Kate to the case in an area outside her jurisdiction, so she must investigate without help or back-up.

In any series, the author has to deal with Cabot Cove Syndrome. In the latest, this is dealt with by having Katie Burkholder called out of town to investigate a murder in another state. Katie is unique as a formerly Amish police chief and she is visited by a contingent from Pennsylvania to investigate the murder of a bishop. The matter becomes complicated when she realizes the accused was her first love. Full of twists and turns, The Hidden One is worth your time.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press for access to a digital ARC on NetGalley.

Seeing a new book from Linda Castillo always makes me happy. I love the protagonist, Police Chief Kate Burkholder of Painters Mill, Ohio, and the love of her life, John Tomasetti, who works for the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. For those unfamiliar with this series, Kate was born and raised Amish but left when she was a teenager. However, because she still speaks Deitsch, she's in a unique position to investigate crimes that involve the Amish community. Castillo does a masterful job of giving the reader a taste of the pure, simple life led by the Amish, but also provides insight into the darker side of that community. It's fun as a reader to imagine the serenity and simplicity of Amish life, but of course, then our attention is drawn back to our cell phones and iPads and real life takes over.

In The Hidden One, Kate is visited by three Amish bishops with news that a friend of hers from childhood has been accused of murder in a small town in Pennsylvania. Kate will need to leave her love and her loyal deputies back in Ohio while she travels to Pennsylvania to look into the situation. The accused murder, Jonas Bowman, holds a special place in Kate's heart that makes it impossible for her to imagine him having anything to do with a murder. But people do change, so she needs to investigate for herself.

Right off the bat, Kate is feeling threatened by both the local police and by members of the community who want to see Bowman sent away for the murder. Personally, I thought Kate was a little slow in figuring out the root cause of the murder, which I thought was foreshadowed pretty clearly. Nonetheless, Castillo is a consistently great writer, making this entry in the series just as enthralling as the thirteen earlier novels.

Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books/St. Martin's Press for providing me an eGalley for review. I thoroughly enjoyed reconnecting with an old friend.

The Hidden One by Linda Castillo is the 14th book in the Kate Burkholder series. The novel is not set in Painters Mill but in a nearby community in Pennsylvania. Some elders from the community have come to see Kate for her help. An member of their Amish Community has been arrested by murder of a bishop and they want her to come and help solve the mystery.

Kate realizes that she knows (from the past) the person who has been charged, Jones Bowman. The murder happened years ago, but the body was just discovered this year. Kate agreed to help figure out the mystery. As expected not all is as expected. There seems to be a lot of circumstantial evidence, but as Kate starts asking questions, it is clear that someone does not want her to find the answers. Old clues are hard to find, but some things just don’t make sense about Bishop Stoltzfus. Too many questions are showing up, without easy answers.

Linda Castillo has written another humdinger of a murder mystery. The novel moved right along, with interesting characters and lots of questions. The twists at the end were not predictable. Kate Burkholder was her usual dogged self with the questions. It is also during this story we learn more about Kate’s life when she was younger. The Hidden One by Linda Castillo was a good read.

Katie Burkholder grew up Amish but left the community, now she is the Chief of Police. She receives a visit from some Elders in an Amish Community in Pennsylvania. They want her help to exonerate Jonas Bowman, a young man in their community, who has been accused of an 18-year-old murder of a Bishop. There was bad blood between Jonas and Ananias Stoltzfus.

This is the 14th in the series and even though I have not read any of the previous book I don't feel that I missed anything except maybe some character development. I liked Katie and how she was able to straddle being English now but understanding the ways of the Amish. I thought the mystery was very good and there was pretty heart racing stuff going on quite early. Kept my interest until the end and I have to say no matter how I tried I could not figure out the culprit. There will be more Kate Burkholder books in my future.

I would like to thank Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with a digital copy.

The Hidden One by Linda Castillo is one of the most well written mysteries I’ve read in a while. I was a little hesitant about whether or not I would know what was going on as this is book 14 in a series of which I have read none, but once I got into the story, I found myself immersed in it and realized it didn’t necessarily matter as there was enough flashback and description of characters to understand what you needed to.
Kate Burkholder is chief of police in a small town in Ohio. She used to be Amish but left when she was 18 as she realized it wasn’t a fit for her. In The Hidden One, she is welcomed back to an Amish community to assist in solving a decade old murder of an Amish bishop. Her first love is the one who stands accused and she must fight for him like she hadn’t before. This one is so well written and now I am looking forward to eventually reading the rest of the series.
Thank you to Netgalley and Mintoaur Books for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest opinion.

The plot of The Hidden One captured my attention from the outset and kept it throughout. Chief of Police Kate Burkholder accepts a job to investigate a cold-case murder that is outside her jurisdiction. It turns out that the suspect who has recently been identified and arrested is Jonas Bowman, an Amish man that she knows from her childhood. They grew up together and she can’t believe he could be a murderer. The story follows Kate’s investigation into the murder with all its sordid details. I had my suspicions as to the identity of the murderer but the conclusion was both surprising and believable. The narrative is filled with descriptions of Amish life in Pennsylvania and includes many members of the community, both Amish and Englischers.

I have not previously read any books by Linda Castillo and I found the premise of this novel intriguing. The Hidden One is a well-written, fast-paced, and exciting read, one I could not put down. I plan to check out more novels by this author.

I loved this book! Kate Burkholder, chief of police in a small town in Ohio, is asked to look into a murder charge of an old friend/old flame in Pennsylvania. Kate is formerly Amish, and her friend is Amish. This is a very good story by a very good writer. I look forward to reading more from Linda Castillo. Recommended!

Linda Castillo is one of my favorite authors, and I can always count on her to deliver a five-star read! What I liked about this book was that we are learning more about Kate’s past. Her relationship with Jonas as a teenager gives us a glimpse of Amish life and the rules imposed on the flock. We are learning more about Kate and what brought her to where she is today. I only wished Tomasetti had been a little more involved in solving this case. I love the way they bounce scenarios off each other and brainstorm. But Kate comes home to him, and they are actually talking about marriage – I absolutely LOVE this idea! I will definitely be recommending this book/series to others and look forward to the next installment!

The Hidden One is the 14th book in the Kate Burkholder series. This can be a stand alone read, but there is so much rich history that makes you fall in love with Kate, Tomasetti and her co-workers, is missed if you don't make a point to read them all. This one is slightly different as her band of merry men aren't involved as prominently since is doesn't take place in Painters Mill.

Kate gets a visit from elders of a church in Belleville, Pennsylvania. They tell Kate that Jonas Bowman has been arrested for the murder of an elderly Amish Bishop, Ananias Stoltzfus. Kate is somewhat shaken to hear that her first love may be in trouble. They ask her to help but she is not sure how much she can do and will think about it. By the time she gets home she has decided to go and discusses it with her current love Tomasetti.

Kate arrives and in her usual quiet way starts her investigation, first with Jonas, then his family. But it doesn't take long for Kate to ruffle some feathers and be in danger herself. The police shut her out as far as looking at the files of some of the victims and suspects, but Kate has a way of finding out things that others consider unimportant.

I was so happy to have received this book from NetGalley. After I read The Fallen, the first book known to me, I went back to the beginning of the series. I love this character and even her co-workers. Kate gets better with each book. Kate is a strong woman because of past. She has over come a lot and I have been rooting for her as she comes into her own. I had such a good feeling after I finished this one, I panicked that this might be the last one!!! I sincerely hope not!

Once you start reading these books you are happily following along as an observer. The details about the farms and the settings are so vivid you can picture them as if you are there. I was immediately engrossed with the story. It didn't just pick up where we left off, but it was as if visiting an old friend. This book and the series are a wonderful treasure. The Hidden One is a thrilling and enjoyable ride.

Doyle Schlabach was cutting his hay in a small Amish community in Pennsylvania when he thought he'd hit a rock. On examination, he realizes it is a human scull. The police come and identify it as Ananias Stoltzfus, the Amish Bishop who went missing 18 years previously. Shortly before he disappeared, Stotzfus had had words with Jonas Bowman. Jonas quickly becomes the main suspect when his rifle is found buried near the body. When Jonas admits it's his rifle, and he hadn't realized it was missing, he is put in jail. Three Amish men from Pennsylvania call on Kate Burkholder to come to Pennsylvania to try to save Jonas, and she goes to help. Jonas and Kate had been very close when she was 14 and 15 and he was 18 and 19, and there are several flashbacks of those times.

She has trouble getting the local police to give her any information and allow her to help. However, she does manage to get him bailed out of jail, and she forges ahead with sleuthing. However, someone is intent that Jonas be charged guilty, and Kate is attacked in her hotel room and then driven off the road.

The story becomes very exciting, and it isn't until near the end that Kate is almost killed, and the reader realizes the real culprit. I think this is one of the best books in the series.

I love when a new Kate Burkholder mystery is released! In this one, Kate is asked by the elders of an Amish community to help investigate a cold case. A childhood friend of hers has been arrested for murder.
Kate is a great character, and I always love seeing more of the Amish community. I especially fell in love with a group of children who work so hard to keep the business going while their father is in jail. I also liked seeing more of Kate's past.

I always recommend this series to people who enjoy mysteries, and I'll continue to do so. Thank you to Netgalley an Minotaur Books for the ARC.

I only recently discovered the Kate Burkholder series. Although this is the fourteenth, it is only the second one I have read.

Kate, who grew up Amish, left the church, and is now the police chief in the small Ohio town of Painters Mill. Three Bishops from an Amish community in Pennsylvania visit her to request her assistance in the case of recently discovered remains of a long ago murdered Bishop. She agrees to travel to PA to investigate as the person who has been charged with the crime is the man who was her childhood friend and first love.

With a solid plot, this is an engrossing, fast read. Where else can you find a mystery, a thriller, and insight into the Amish culture?

I like the main character. She is smart, persistent, has a strong sense of justice, but does seem to find herself in dangerous predicaments. Set in a location outside of Painters Mill, I did miss the usual characters who surround her at home.

Seeing someone who once played a big role in her life was emotional for Kate, but also gave her a sense of resolution and growth. I liked the ending; especially Kate’s bittersweet recollections about the passage of time and the fragility of life.

This could easily be read as a standalone. If I ever find the time, I want to go back and read numbers one through twelve!

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur for the DRC

My first Kate Burkholder novel and I loved it. From the first page, I was engaged by the writing. The plot provided insight into the Amish community with an insider's perspective. And enough plausible red herrings to keep the story interesting to the surprising ending.

I appreciate being offered this book for a preview and review by Linda Castillo, St. Martin's Press and Netgalley.

Having read a previous book in the series I’m quickly becoming a fan of Kate Burkholder. This book can easily been read as a standalone but I think like many of us you will go after the previous books ones you get to know Kate.
This plot was very involved. To what extend will you go to hide the past of your parents? Life hasn’t been easy for Kate. No longer belonging to the Amish Community but as police chief in the local area she still has to deal with them when problems arrive. Requested to help solve an old murder and worried that her childhood friend might be guilty brings old memories and feelings back to the surface. To top it off some of the Amish are threatening her downright hostile.
We have many twist and turns and even if you think you know what is going on the ending might still surprise you. I’m already looking out for the next one in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for a review.

Kate Burkholder was raised Amish until she reached her teens and left the congregation. Now she is back in her home town as the chief of police. There are a few of the faithful who still shun her, but one day a group of Amish leaders from a small town in Pennsylvania come to ask for her help. One of their congregation, a man with whom Kate grew up and was her first love, has been charged with an 18-year-old murder after his gun is discovered near the partially-buried body. Kate hasn't seen Jonas Bowman in over 20 years, but she has never forgotten him and she agrees to help however she can in clearing his name.

The local authorities are not impressed by a chief of police from a small Ohio town and refuse to give her much help. But Kate is a good investigator and treats the case like it is one of her own, following clues and talking to whoever will talk to her. Being Amish, even lapsed, is an advantage, as she knows the customs and the language.

Soon, she is receiving threatening phone calls, her hotel room is broken into and she is attacked, and her car is forced off the road. Someone knows she is making progress!!

This is the 14th book in the Kate Burkholder series and I haven't read any of the previous ones, but it stands alone, with enough background that I didn't feel lost. I will look for others in this series and catch up with Kate!!

I want to move to Painters Mill and become friends with Kate and Tomasetti although I fell in love with Jonas when we meet him at the skating rink and wants half pint on his team. I have not read every book in this series, in fact I only read 1 this is number 2. This one slapped me upside the head and said go read the rest. I was not lost, I was totally immersed in this book I felt the rain, I was battered and I was totally enthralled with the intensity of Kate doing whats right, searching for the truth. Loved the past recollections of Kate's life. Learning of her past and how it shaped her. I will admit my insides turned to mush with Jonas and his family. Just something about Jonas had me enthralled. Enjoyed the information that was shared in the plot with Amish. We had lots of characters that could be the guilty party, maybe more than one, but the actual culprit and the twisted tale was a winner.I stayed up all night to finish this book as I could not stop. I read it in one setting! The epilogue made me smile as it yelled at me to go read the rest and reminded me I want to move to Painters Mill. Thank you #netgalley #lindacastillo # minotaurbooks for the arc. I freely volunteer my thoughts and opinions.

Police Chief Kate Burkholder gets a visit from Amish elders/bishop from Pennsylvania informing her that her childhood friend Jonas has been arrested for murder and asking for her help. She goes with the intention of seeing if she can help him as she feels she is the reason her family was asked to leave their community. The back story of Jonas and Kate is just as interesting as her investigation into this 18 year old murder. The local police are not helpful and someone wants to keep long held secrets buried. Katie is determined to get to the truth and doggedly pursues it in this heart-pounding whodunit. A great installment in this favorite series.