The Hidden One is another great Chief Katie Burkholder book by Linda Castillo. The mystery in the Amish community that she solves has an unexpected conclusion. As always, Tomasetti is there for love and support.

I have not read every book in this series but I enjoyed the ones that I did read. I needed a break from thrillers and I hoped this would be just the ticket!! I was right and I thoroughly enjoyed this novel!!

Kate Buckholder is the chief of police in the small town of Painter’s Mill. She gets a visit from two Amish bishops from the town where she grew up, Belleville. Some skeletal remains have been uncovered along with a rifle. The remains of those of past bishop Ananias Stoltzfus who has been missing for over a decade.

The police have taken Jonas Bowman into custody because he readily admitted that the rifle was his and it was known that he had some past and very public arguments with the bishop. The evidence is circumstantial and these bishops aren’t so sure they have the right man.

Kate and Jonas had a long ago high school romance but she has known Jonas since she was 6 years old. With this long history and Kate’s reputation of getting to the bottom of things, they ask her to come and help with the investigation – although it will not be in an official capacity. Kate was also raised Amish and can speak their language and knows their ways.

On her arrival she meets with Jonas and is convinced that he didn’t commit this crime. The police aren’t very happy with her digging around and with the exception of one deputy they aren’t willing to share what evidence they have, etc.

Kate has a way of making people open up to her and soon she is sure that there is much more to the story of Ananias Stoltzfus – he perhaps isn’t the man they thought they knew.

This is a very multi-layered plot and there is more action than I’ve ever read in this series before. Kate’s life is threatened several times but she never gives up. She uncovers secrets long buried and makes connections that others didn’t see.

WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THIS BOOK:
I enjoyed the way the author portrays the Amish people, without judgment and with honest explanations of their lifestyle and beliefs.

There is a lot of human emotion in this book. There are those who just want Jonas locked away because of things he did in his youth and those that are hiding secrets that are damaging.

The characters are well developed and the setting of the beautiful Pennsylvania countryside is well described.

This mystery was not easy to figure out and it wasn’t until the final pages that the pieces of this puzzle fell into place.

This is just a great mystery series with believable characters and the pacing was great.

I can absolutely recommend this novel to Ms. Castillos fans and others who want to investigate this wonderful series.

I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to read and review this title.

Formerly Amish Kate Burkholder is the chief of police in her hometown of Painters Mill. She prides herself on her ability to keep the peace, run an efficient squad, and help get to the bottom of important cases. Her reputation has reached many English and Amish communities. That is why the town elders from another Amish community come seeking her help.

The bones of an Amish bishop - Ananias Stoltzfus - are found two decades after his disappearance. Knowing Kate's success navigating the Amish community and solving crimes the elders ask her to look into the murder. The evidence prove he was murdered. The evidence also points to Jonas Bowman as the murderer. Jonas Bowman and Kate have a steamy history that makes the situation personal.

As Kate investigates and looks into the type of person the bishop was she realizes he was not the person everyone believed he was. And when Kate starts receiving threats to stop investigating she is even more determined to figure out the secret.

Linda Castillo once again brings the book world a suspense thriller that will have readers turning pages. With each new clue and piece of evidence given readers are filled with questions that will have them on the edge of their seats.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Another great addition in the Kate Burkholder series! "The Hidden One" is book 14 and I have been a fan since book 1!

An old friend of Kate's is being accused of murder. An 18 year old cold case involving the death of the bishop. Kate heads to Pennsylvania to try to help in the investigation. The more Kate investigates however, the more dark secrets are revealed about the bishop and as Kate gets closer to discovering the truth, someone seems desperate to quiet her.

I will admit, I did miss her team. Pickles, Mona and Glock were not really involved in this one but I look forward to reuniting with them in book 15! A solid suspenseful addition to this series, I will be here for the next one!

A huge thank you to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley and Linda Castillo for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book!

Kate Burkholder is asked by a group of Amish elders to go to Pennsylvania to assist in the cold case of a church member they believe to be wrongly accused of an 18-year-old murder. Kate agrees with hesitation. She grew up with the accused, Jonas Bowman, and had a crush on him as a teenager.

When his muzzleloader is found next to a skeleton, Jonas -- now married with three children -- is accused of murdering the strict, unpopular bishop, Ananias Stoltzfus. As Kate investigates, while dodging attempts on her life, she learns details of the deceased bishop that just don’t add up: his supposed hometown in Minnesota has no record of him; his accent is slightly off; he occasionally makes a misstep in the Amish order of worship.

This installment in the series fills in more of Kate Burkholder’s back story. However, because it takes place in a neighboring state, we miss reading about Glock, Pickles, Mona, and the other Painters Mill gang. Nevertheless, a welcome addition.

I don't even know where to start with a review of this book. Kate Burkholder and Painters Mill are so real to me that I feel a sense of loss each time I finish a book. Linda Castillo has done it again with The Hidden One. Kate finds herself in the middle of a murder but this time she isn't on her home turf. Actually, she has no authority in the investigation at all. But, because an old friend has been accused of the crime, Kate leads with her heart and jumps into the middle of an eighteen year old cold case. Castillo proceeds to take the story through every twist and turn possible. The Hidden One is so hard to put down!! There isn't a comfortable stopping point and definitely no slow moving chapters. This might be my favorite Kate Burkholder mystery yet!
I voluntarily received a copy of the book from Netgalley.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Love Kate Burkholder series!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books for the ARC! Standard rating for Linda Castillo's books are 5 stars for me. Love her writing style and I love all the regular characters in this series. In each story we learn more about Kate as the author delves deeper into Kate's former Amish life.
This story will grab you and hold you until the end. Did not see that one coming. As usual a lot of suspenseful action. Well worth the read! As with all the other Kate Burkholder books I highly recommend this one!

I adore Costillo's books. She paints life in the Amish community so well. This time, a childhood friend,Jonas, us charged with murdering a village bishop many years ago. Kate is called to investigate after a skull anduzzleloader are discovered in a field. This was another fun read by master mystery author.

What I love about the Kate Burkholder mystery series is the way Linda Castillo contrasts the Amish way of life with that of the non-Amish in an authentic and non-judgmental fashion. Most of the characters are not stereotypes, but fully-fleshed-out human beings with both strengths and flaws.

Now chief of police in Painters Mill, Ohio, Kate was raised Amish but left the community as a teenager after a traumatic event and went on to a career in law enforcement. Her background makes her the perfect foil for portraying both types of culture. Throughout her career, Kate has been called upon numerous times to intercede in an investigation that has one or more Amish suspects or victims.

In the 14th series entry. the elders of an Amish community in Pennsylvania ask her to assist unofficially in a case where the already-jailed prime suspect was Kate's high school first love. The evidence points to him as the murderer of a former Amish bishop who was thought to be too strict by much of the community, but there are a variety of folks who could have benefited from the bishop's death.

I consider The Hidden One to be one of the best in a very solid series, and I have read them all. The case and the investigation are laid out in a way that is easy to follow and thoroughly engrossing. The characters are realistic, and there are twists aplenty. Kate herself is a protagonist who has her own faults, but she is easy to root for. There isn't a lot of time spent on Kate's romance in this book, but I continue to appreciate the way her relationship with Tomasetti has grown and developed in a down-to-earth, true-to-life way. Onward to #15 (I hope)!

My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Books - Minotaur for affording me the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

This series just keeps getting better - love the Amish/English dynamic, strong characters and really good investigative mystery. You won't be putting it down until you're done!

This is the first book I've read in this series, and I'm hooked. I'm gonna be going back to the beginning of the series and start with the first book. I love books about the Amish, and I love mysteries, to get both my loves in the same book awesome. Especially when the book is as well written as this one. Even though I didn't start at the beginning of the series, I didn't feel lost, or that I was missing something I should know. This book is well written and has a great story that will keep you guessing to the very end. Can't wait to get started on book 1 of this series.

I fell in love with Kate Burkholder’s story from the first book and this one was no exception! After receiving a visit asking for help for an old friend, Kate travels to Pennsylvania to investigate. As always, strong Amish themes are present with some historical ties in there as well. If you’re looking to continue this series, this one is worth your while! If you’re new to Painters Mill, start at book 1 and work your way here. Already looking forward to the next one!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

The Hidden One

Linda Castillo

Publication: July 5, 2022

The Hidden One is book 14 in the Kate Burkholder series. Once again, the author does not disappoint. This series is so solidly written with a perfect balance of suspense as well as giving a taste of the quiet Amish life. And while there always seems to be murder surrounding a lifestyle that is supposed to be peaceful and life affirming it feels realistic in the storyline involving crime and death and how everything plays out. I really enjoyed the flashbacks of Kate’s Amish days. It’s like getting another piece of the puzzle of what makes Kate who she is today. My only wish is that there was more of Kate and Tomasseti…you can never have too many moments with them together!

I love this series and as always, I will listen to the audiobook following reading the book! And I am counting down to book 15!!

Thank you Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review this book. I have read all of Linda Castillo’s books in the Kate Burkholder series. In this book Kate travels to a neighboring town to help a childhood friend prove his innocence in a murder, without much help from the local law enforcement there. As in all of the books in this series, Linda Castillo does not disappoint. From beginning until the end it was hard to stop reading because I was so enthralled with the mystery. I also liked learning more about Kate’s youth. Very well written!

“Do you love him”
“ No, but I care”

In this book Katie is asked by the Pennsylvania Amish the “ DIENER” to come and investigate a cold case murder which involves her friend Jonas.

Not only does Kate travel to Pennsylvania to help her long lost friend, we get flashbacks as she travels back 25 years to give the reader a glimpse of her relationship with Jonas

This one has all the twists and turns that we have come to know and love from Katie, along with some surprises.

I absolutely loved this book ! One of my all time favorite series.

A huge thank you to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley and Linda Castillo for the opportunity to read this great book!

Title: The Hidden One
Series: Kate Burkholder, #14
Author: Linda Castillo
Genre: Mystery, Suspense, Amish
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books
Release Date: July 5, 2022
Format: Kindle (read), Audiobook, Hardcover
Pages: Unknown
Source: NetGalley

Description:
A Pennsylvania Amish bishop, missing for years, has been found — a murder victim. Amish elders come to Painter’s Mill and ask Chief of Police Kate Burkholder for assistance. They are concerned for the Amish man who has been arrested, a man that Kate knows from childhood.

The more Kate investigates — the hidden and dark side of the old bishop is uncovered. And someone wants Kate to stop and go home. As Kate gets closer to the truth, the threats escalate.

Review:
I will admit that I am a huge Linda Castillo fan since I saw the movie, “An Amish Murder“. I’m acquiring the books in the Kate Burkholder series because so far each is a book I will re-read, But as much as I love this series, I know that when a series grow long the writing can get weaker.

The tension builds and builds as Kate explores the murder of the old bishop — was he beloved or was he hated? The arrest of Kate’s childhood friend and first love, the uncooperative Pennsylvania police department. And you just got from this review what will be said about it. I refuse to give you a single detail of the main plot. I want you to enjoy finding out just like I did.

"The Hidden One" pulls you into the plot. Frankly, I started the book meaning to stop and take care of some things. Instead, I got a snack and my favorite afternoon beverage and kept reading until I hit The End. The pacing just kept me engaged the entire read.

Special things…
-- I loved the beginning where we meet her Painter’s Mill police team and Tomasetti, her significant other. I have favorite characters on that team. Love Pickles, the oldest member, and Mona and Glock. Even though I know each of them, it was nice to meet them again.
-- The “f” word only appears once. I really don’t like books with that word and the ones that come with it. I handle them in the Kate Burkholder series because they are never used gratuitously or out of context.
-- And I loved the ending.

So, yes, I rate book #14 in the series as 5 stars. Can you read it standalone? Yes, but I believe you will enjoy it more if you’ve read a couple of the early books. Do you have to have read ALL of the series? Nope. I haven’t. And I relished "The Hidden One". Oh, make sure you start the book with the Prologue. It is a key part of the story.

I received a complimentary e-ARC copy of "The Hidden One" via NetGalley from the publisher, St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books. A positive review was not required; the opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

#TheHiddenOne #LindaCastillo #NetGalley #minotaurbooks

I absolutely loved loved loved this book. All the characters were so likeable even though I did find myself keeping all of them straight. I throughly enjoyed how some of the chapters we got a glance into Kate and Jonas’ past together. I have always been intrigued by Amish culture and I feel like this book gives you a decent idea of how the community is ran and the dynamics. My only complaint is I feel like this ended with so many loose ends, I wish there were more information on why this murder happened.

Overall, great, quick read! 4.5/5

This book was another hit in this series from the author. As always the book was filled with much mystery and suspense that keeps the reader turning the pages. Additionally, a good twist at the end. This is a book which I would recommend to all.

I am so glad that i was able to read this early. Another great book by Linda Castillo. An interesting crime to solve and we learn more about Kate's background. ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

The Hidden One is another great entry in the Kate Burkholder series by Linda Castillo. Kate goes to Pennsylvania to help with a cold case after the remains of an Amish bishop are discovered in a field. The bishop, who disappeared 18 years ago, was known as a strict enforcer of the rules. But as Kate keeps digging, she realizes that he was hiding a big secret. She risks her safety to unearth the truth, especially when her childhood friend is accused of the murder. One of the reasons I loved this book is that the reader gets to learn more about Kate when she was younger and how her experiences shaped who she is today. Linda Castillo weaves another twisted web of secrets and lies in The Hidden One. I finished this book in 2 days and I'm looking forward to the next one. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.