Author: Linda Castillo
Series: Kate Burkholder #15
Publisher: Saint Martin’s Press ~ Minotaur Books
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Pub Date: July 11, 2023
My Rating: 4.4 Stars!

This is #15 in the Detective Kate Burkholder series
Kate Burkholder is the Chief of Police in Painters Mill a (fictional) small Northeast Ohio town where most the residences are Amish.
I have read many but not all in this series, although I enjoy Amish mystery novels and find the culture super interesting; I wasn’t pleased with Kate in the very early stories so I skipped a few in the series ~ however, totally loved the last several I read and have been looking forward to this story.
If you are new to this series, Kate was born Amish but left the congregation when he was eighteen.
Although she is trying to leave her Amish past, she states she misses home.

Kate is in a relationship with John Tomasetti who is an agent with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and usually helps Kate in cases involving investigation. In fact, in this story Kate and Tomasetti are making plans for their upcoming wedding.

Story starts with Kate Burkholder responds to a call which turns out to be young Aden Kam an Amish man who has been violently killed with a crossbow, Aden is well liked from an upstanding Amish family.

As Kate investigates the case she finds that Aden Karn was engaged to Emily and looking forward to their upcoming marriage.

Wow Wow Wow.
Although this story was disturbing and very emotional, I could not put it down! Author, Linda Castillo did not disappoint! She definitely gets better with every story!!!

Want to thank NetGalley and Saint Martin’s Press – Minotaur Books for granting me this WOW early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for July 11, 2023

An Evil Heart: A Kate Burkholder Novel by Linda Castillo opens just a few days before Chief of Police Kate Burkholder is to be wed to John Tomasetti. Fall has come to the Amish country side Surrounding Painters Mill, Ohio, and the land is pretty as the trees take on their fall colors. Kate’s on the wedding is soon destroyed as she has a case to work. What might have been a simple hit and run is instead a murder. Not just a murder, but a brutal and savage execution.

Aden Karn is the victim of being shot twice by a crossbow. A bolt was fired into his abdomen a couple of inches above his navel. Then, with the twenty-year-old man gravely wounded, the shooter manually pushed the bolt through his body and out his back. That freed bolt was retrieved, and then is forced deep into his mouth before being fired again through the back of the throat and back of his head. The person who did this wanted to inflict a lot of pain and terror to kill in such a brutal way.

Aden Karn initially seems to have been a great guy. But, nobody’s perfect. As Chief Burkholder and her team work the case, it becomes clear that Karn was hiding a lot of dark things. Plenty of folks had a reason to kill him. Isolating who did it gets increasingly complicated and more difficult in An Evil Heart: A Novel.

After the events of The Hidden One took Kate Burkholder away from home, An Evil Heart keeps her local and makes the tale stronger thanks to the inclusion of the usual secondary characters. All the regulars are fully involved in this brutal and violent case. The latest in this long running series as a complicated and detailed read that works on all levels. Well worth your time, it is nice to have Burkholder and the gang back together in the powerfully good, An Evil Heart: A Novel by Linda Castillo.


My reading copy came by way of an ARC by way of NetGalley. The currently scheduled release date is July 11th.

Kevin R. Tipple ©2023

In "An Evil Heart," Linda Castillo delivers another thrilling installment of the Kate Burkholder series. The brutal murder of Aden Karn, a well-liked and upstanding Amish young man, sets the stage for a gripping investigation by Chief of Police Kate Burkholder. As Kate delves deeper into the case, she uncovers secrets and scandals that threaten to unravel the tight-knit community of Painters Mill.

Castillo masterfully weaves together a complex web of intrigue, keeping readers guessing until the very end. Kate Burkholder is a compelling and relatable protagonist, and the supporting cast of characters is equally well-drawn. The author's portrayal of Amish life and culture adds a unique and fascinating dimension to the story.

The pacing is brisk, with plenty of action and suspense to keep readers on the edge of their seats. The climactic reveal is shocking and satisfying, tying together all the threads of the mystery in a satisfying way.

Overall, "An Evil Heart" is a gripping and well-crafted thriller that will appeal to fans of the Kate Burkholder series as well as newcomers to the series. The only reason I didn't give this book a full 5 stars is that the ending felt a bit rushed and tidy. Nevertheless, it's a solid 4-star read that I highly recommend.

I would like to thank Netgalley, Linda Castillo, and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books for providing me with an eARC of "An Evil Heart" in exchange for an honest review.

Kate Burkholder investigates the death of an Amish boy shot with a bow and arrow.
He turns out to be not such a moral person as she thought he was. Devastating secrets and lies are revealed. This was a good suspenseful read and is the 15th in the series.
Thanks NetGalley and St. Martins Press for this ARC that will be released July 11, 2023!

Chief of Police Kate Burkholder responds to a person down call only to arrive and realize that it is a young man from the Amish community she has departed. The young man was brutally killed, and Kate is determined to get to the bottom of this crime. As she delves into the details of the case, she starts to hear rumors that the deceased may have led a darker life than it appears. When Kate finally puts the pieces together she finds herself in terrible danger. Will she be able to come out of this alive or will the killer claim her life as well?

Ah I love a good police procedural and this one did not disappoint. I loved the main character, Kate so much. Its always great to see women in positions of power – and in her case it’s a pretty high position. I enjoyed how this book was detailed without being too technical so readers won’s get lost. I even added the touch of romance that went along with Kate’s upcoming wedding – it was nice to see a community pull together and help her like they did.

This was my first in this long standing series – but I was not let down anyway by this one. I think you can totally read it as a standalone.

I highly recommend you check out this series July 11th.

Thank you to the publisher St Martin’s Press, @stmartinspress, @Minotaur_Books, and Netgalley @netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Another fantastic story! But- can't help & ask - did Linda write tihe entirely herself? The subject matter was darker (no murder has been this graphic) and the tone felt off between the 2 main love interests.
THANK YOU for this ARC - I look forward to these books every year.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Absolutely another five-star reading from NetGalley. I'll admit I've been so lucky with my ARC selections and this is yet another! It was designated to be a 4-star rating for me until about 2/3 of the way through then BLAM, POW and WHAM....a riveting twisty twist. I didn't realize the Amish, in fiction, could be so deviant. Now I must go back and read the rest of the series from beginning to end. Linda Castillo now has a new reading groupie.
NetGalley description of An Evil Heart reads as follows: "Chief of Police Kate Burkholder investigates the brutal death of a young Amish man in An Evil Heart, the latest installment of the bestselling series by Linda Castillo.
On a crisp autumn day in Painters Mill, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder responds to a call only to discover an Amish man who has been violently killed with a crossbow, his body abandoned on a dirt road. Aden Karn was just twenty years old, well liked, and from an upstanding Amish family. Who would commit such a heinous crime against a young man whose life was just beginning?
The more Kate gets to know his devastated family and the people—both English and Amish—who loved him, the more determined she becomes to solve the case. Aden Karn was funny and hardworking and looking forward to marrying his sweet fiancé, Emily. All the while, Kate’s own wedding day to Tomasetti draws near...
But as she delves into Karn’s past, Kate begins to hear whispers about a dark side. What if Aden Karn wasn’t the wholesome young man everyone admired? Is it possible the rumors are a cruel campaign to blame the victim? Kate pursues every lead with a vengeance, sensing an unspeakable secret no one will broach.
The case spirals out of control when a young Amish woman comes forward with a horrific story that pits Kate against a dangerous and unexpected opponent. When the awful truth is finally uncovered, Kate comes face to face with the terrible consequences of a life lived in all the dark places."
Thank you Linda Castillo, NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Minotaur Book for this amazing ARC.
@lindacastilloauthor @netgalley @stmartinspress #thrillerreads #amishfiction #booktok #bookstagram #fivestarread #mystery

This book was great. It kept me on my toes and I enjoyed it to the very last page. I haven’t read anything by Linda Castillo so now I’m looking forward to finding some more treasures by her.

I love walking alongside Kate Burkholder, Chief of Police, as she solves another crime in the mixed Amish/English town of Painters Mill. This time, a young man on Rumspringa -- Aden Karn -- is discovered killed by a crossbow. Aden was well-like in both the Amish community and among his English co-workers.

A few days later, a second body is discovered, that of a 26-year-old woman with a history of prostitution and drugs. Kate thinks the two murders may be connected. As the investigation continues, she suspects someone is leading a double life. But who? And why?

Meanwhile Kate and John Tomasetti’s wedding is a few days off. In the midst of the preparations, Kate and her Old Order siblings come to a new understanding of each other’s worlds.

I have read this entire series and look forward to each new installment. “An Evil Heart” does not disappoint.

Never think you should pick up one of Linda Castillo’s Kate Burkholder mysteries just because it’s set in Ohio’s Amish country. If you’re looking for cozy, try Laura Bradford’s Amish mysteries. If you’re looking for riveting police procedurals, a strong female police chief and her team, and the investigation of gruesome, realistic crimes, check out Castillo’s books, including the fifteenth in the series, An Evil Heart.

The book opens with the violent killing of a young Amish man who is on his way to work on his bicycle. Everyone says Aden Karn was such a kind, gentle man with a good heart. The parents of the young Amish woman he hoped to marry approved of him. His parents were heartbroken when Police Chief Burkholder had to break the news to them. Aden was on rumspringa, living with a childhood friend who was like a brother. Who would want to attack him twice with a crossbow? Early on in her investigation, Kate says, “The only things I know for certain at this point is that the person responsible is a danger to the community and it’s my job to find him before he hurts anyone else.”

In the course of the investigation, Burkholder discovers another side of Aden Karn who seemed to present two faces to the world. Most of the Amish knew that gentle, hardworking young man. But, people who hung out at a local bar saw another side to him. And, when a young woman’s wrapped body was found in a creek, Kate wonders if two such brutal crimes in the small community of Painters Mill are connected.

Castillo alleviates tension with preparations for the upcoming wedding between Kate and Tomasetti. Kate’s family shoulders the preparations, and, because she’s deep into the investigation of two murders, she has little time to get involved. However, because she never thought she’d be close to her sister and brother again, she’s overwhelmed by the love and kindness they show at this time. Castillo shows the violence and evil of the crimes in this book, and contrasts it with the depth of feeling and emotions between Tomasetti and Kate. That love and kindness is extended from Kate’s family, and many of the people in the Amish community.

If you’re prepared for a compelling, violent police procedural, contrasted with kindness and love, pick up An Evil Heart. Linda Castillo shows us there’s tenderness, despite the viciousness in the world.

This series just continues to get better and better! The 15th installment of Linda Castillo's Kate Burkholer series may just be the best. But I do feel like I say that after I finish each new book in this incredible series.

This time around Chief of Police Kate Burkholder is investgating the death of a young Amish man who by all accounts, was a terrific young man. But looks can be deceiving. The murder in this book is very violent, and sets the tone for what is to come in the rest of the story. There are a lot of secrets, and Chief Burkholder leaves no clue unexplored and investigates every avenue. Her detective work is unrelenting. She discovers a lot about some of the young people in Painters Mill, and the author weaves a tale that will keep you guessing until the end.

I think what I love most about this series is Kate's voice throughout the stories. She makes the reader feel as though they are riding along with her in her Explorer. She takes the time to explain her thinking about the case, and she explains police and relevant to the case terms to the reader so you always know her moves and where her thinking is going. She clearly loves her job and takes the responsibility very seriously. The reader feels like they know her. I have been along for the ride with her for all 15 books. Picking up a new Kate Burkholder book is like catching up with an old friend. I look forward to it every year.

Everyone in this amazing cast of characters is along for the ride this time. I enjoy catching up with the officers in her group, Doc Coblentz, everyone at the BCI, and the Sherriff. It is also always wonderful to see her Amish family. She has a complicated history, and watching her navigate it makes her seem so real. Agent Tomasetti is of course here and if you are like me, you have been waiting for this particular storyline with him. No spoilers!

I screamed out loud when I received an advanced reader copy of this book! This is one of my most anticipated reads of the year! Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read this book early. If you aren't reading this series, start today! I highly recommend each and every book, and this one didn't disappoint!

An Evil Heart is another stellar entry in the always excellent Kate Burkholder series. This time the police chief of Painters Mill, Ohio, is investigating the brutal murder of Aden Karn by crossbow. By all accounts, Aden was a wonderful young Amish man with a lovely young girlfriend and many good friends. As Kate immerses herself in looking for his killer, another body turns up, that of a prostitute from another town. None of Aden’s friends admit to knowing her or what could’ve happened. But with her unfailing instincts and hard work, Kate manages to determine that Aden was not quite fine young man she had assumed he was. And some of his friends aren’t much better. The suspense of solving the murders, along with the anticipation of her imminent wedding to long-time love Agent John Tomasetti, make this an extremely un-put-downable mystery. Highly recommended.

I am a Huge fan of this series. Every instalment gets better and better and An Evil Heart doesn't miss!. A must read for ongoing fans and new to the series who enjoy action packed thrillers

On a crisp autumn day in Painters Mill, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder responds to a call only to discover an Amish man who has been violently killed with a crossbow, his body abandoned on a dirt road. Aden Karn was just twenty years old, well liked, and from an upstanding Amish family. Who would commit such a heinous crime against a young man whose life was just beginning?

An Evil Heart begins with a shocking murder scene. It left me with my pulse pounding and my mouth hanging open! Linda Castillo started the book strong and never let up. This was equal parts gripping, shocking, thought provoking and intense.

Kate Burkholder responds to the scene where an Amish man has been murdered. Who would want to kill twenty-year-old Aden Karn? He comes from a good home, people in the community had nice things to say about him. It appears that he was respected and liked by those in his life, and yet, someone wanted him dead!

Kate has a murder to solve and her wedding to Tomasetti is drawing near. She doesn't let her upcoming nuptials get in her way when she has a case to solve. As she delves deeper, she learns that there are those with secrets - dark and dangerous secrets. When a young Amish teen/woman comes forward with what happened to her, everything changes on a dime.

Whew! This was such a fantastic book. I loved doing my own super sleuthing along with Kate. There are a few suspects in this book and Castillo had me re-evaluating and changing my suspect list as the book went along.

There was never a dull moment in this book. I had a hard time putting this book down as I was fully invested in the plot. This was another well written, engrossing, riveting and intense book by Castillo and a brilliant addition to the Kate Burkholder series. Another plus, is that I do believe this book would work well as a stand-alone.

Gripping, shocking, tense, and hard to put down!

Highly recommend.

Kate Burkholder solves another one!
I love her character and she and Thomasetti finally get married.
This one is a particularly good one as it really has me wondering who had done it, but Kate does get the bad guy in the end. She also helps mend the ties with the Amish and helps them in any way she can.

Even with 15 Kate Burkholder mysteries under her belt, Linda Castillo has masterfully maintained the quality of her highly-lauded series. Much of the credit rests with her remarkable protagonist, a woman who split with her Amish family and community almost 20 years earlier but brings her deep understanding of Amish culture to the role of police chief of her home town, Painters Mill, Ohio. Kate carries out the responsibilities of her role with skill and diligence but is sensitive to the differences in the way she must approach her extended family and the other locals, depending on whether they are part of the Amish or the Englischer community.

In this book, a brutal (and briefly though graphically described) crime occurs in the first chapter, and a young Amish man lies dead. His parents, his roommate, and his young fiancee are devastated, but before Kate and her team can identify and apprehend the killer, another murder occurs.

I am fascinated by the way Kate conducts an unfaltering and oft-dangerous investigation while maintaining a long-term relationship with live-in fiance Tomasetti, a law enforcement agent in Ohio's FBI affiliate. An Evil Heart is largely a dark story, with a breathless, pulse-pounding scene toward the conclusion of the book. Fortunately we have Kate's wedding with Tomasetti to look forward to after the mystery is resolved. The author's ability to juggle suspenseful scenes with ones charged with deep emotion--especially the not-quite-Amish wedding--is nothing short of a marvel.

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

An Evil Heart by Linda Castillo is book 15 in the Kate Burkholder series. I really like the cover!

Chief of Police Kate Burkholder responds to a call and discovers an Amish man who has been violently killed with a crossbow, his body abandoned on a dirt road. The case spirals out of control when a young Amish woman comes forward with a horrific story that pits Kate against a dangerous and unexpected opponent. When the awful truth is finally uncovered, Kate comes face to face with the terrible consequences of a life lived in all the dark places.

Linda Castillo does a great job of unraveling the storyline and providing suspense in each scene, drawing to a thrilling conclusion. I've read other books by Ms. Castillo and would recommend this book and this series.

A good addition to the Kate Burkholder series. I enjoyed learning more about the Amish culture.

A solid 4 out of 5 stars.

#NetGalley @StMartinsPress

Thank you NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. I couldn’t put this book down! I was hooked from the first scene. The storyline is crafted together that almost anyone could have been the murderer. I extremely surprised who actually committed the murder. However, this book does bring up several questions If the crimes of the murdered victim are so heinous, did they get what they deserved for the vile acts they committed? Was the murderer justified in their actions?

This is the 15th book in the author's Kate Burkholder mystery series. I have read and loved them all. The author is consistently excellent in her writing, her characters, and her settings. I always feel like I am riding along with the Chief of Police as she solves the murders that seem to occur regularly in her county. In this book, Kate investigates the murder of a young Amish man who appears to have no enemies or flaws, a true pillar of the community. When a second body is discovered, Kate begins to discover things about the dead man that raise lots of questions. To complicate matters, the ongoing investigations are happening a few days before Kate and her betrothed, Tomasetti, are planning to marry on Kate's Amish family's farm. I highly recommend this book and the entire series! Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Minotaur Books for providing an ARC.

Kate’s marriage to Tomasetti is fast approaching, but Kate must investigate and hopefully solve the murder id a young Amish man, killed by a crossbow. Kate devotes herself full-time to the crime, going through many clues, some good ones and some red herrings. In the middle of all this, another murder happens, a young girl savagely killed and left wrapped in plastic by a stream. Kate thinks they are connected, but is not sure how. During her investigation, she finds that things are not what they seem as far as both victims are concerned. Can she figure it all out in time to make her wedding? Sure hope so—and so does everyone involved.

This was a tough book to read because of the grisly murders and some of the events that occurred during the investigation. However, I kept with it and found the tale to be one of her better ones. I have read all of the author’s books about Kate. This one ranks among the very best, but then, most do. I was thrilled to see the nuptials between her and her guy after all this time. The investigations were true to form and just like I figure Kate would do them. The ending did happen a bit quickly and was a bit of a surprise, as nothing really led up top it, but it did make sense. Once again, the chemistry between Kate and her groom-to-be was ever present. Her crew was, as usual, very professional and well skilled in their jobs (for a small, quiet little town without much real action). I highly recommend the book to any of the fans of the author and the series and to anyone else looking for a new series to latch on to. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.