Linda Castillo knows how to pull a reader into a story. No matter how I end up feeling about one of her books, I can always count on being engrossed in it right from the beginning. This series has a formula that I've come to expect. There's always a murder in the very beginning, whether it just happened or is a scene from the past, and some unlucky person always happens upon the dead body. This time around, the murder was pretty gruesome, which is something that occurs in this series quite often. One thing that made it so gruesome was that it was told from the victims perspective.

This one did keep me guessing for a while. Although I suspected the murderer pretty early on, I decided that I was probably wrong, and that it was just too obvious of a choice. Needless to say, I went on to suspect several people before I found out, it indeed was this person. I was a little disappointed that it wasn't something a bit more clever, but I still enjoyed this book. I think the thing I enjoyed the most was Kate and Tomasetti finally making it official.

Kate did her usual thing of putting herself in danger instead of waiting for backup, which drives me crazy, but I've come to expect it. It's another part of the formula this series follows. I do wonder why there always has to be a showdown in every mystery novel. Why can't a person just be arrested at the end sometimes? I know people want to read the "edge of the seat" danger, but we all know how it's going to end up.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an ARC of this book.

3.5 stars

I haven't read any other books in the series, but I believe this could stand alone. The characters are well-crafted and realistic. There is some language that seems contradictory to the Amish characters, but then again, this isn't your typical Amish romance book. It looks a bit more at the harsh reality of our world. The mystery is solid with enough twists to keep readers guessing.

FINAL DECISION: This book blends an enthralling case with the pre-wedding journey of Kate and John and kept me captivated until the last word.

THE STORY: In Painters Mill, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder investigates the violent murder of Aden Karn, a well-liked young Amish man found dead. As Kate delves into Aden's life, she uncovers whispers of a hidden dark side and questions whether the rumors are an attempt to blame the victim. Determined to uncover the truth, Kate pursues every lead, even as her own wedding approaches. The case takes a dangerous turn when a woman shares a horrifying story, leading Kate to confront an unexpected opponent. As the shocking truth emerges, Kate confronts the devastating consequences of a hidden life.

OPINION: I absolutely loved this book. It seamlessly blends an enthralling case with the pre-wedding journey of Kate and John. Castillo's skillful storytelling effortlessly navigates the depths of their pasts, shedding new light on their complicated histories as the events of this novel unfold. As a long-time reader, I couldn't help but marvel at the remarkable growth exhibited by both Kate and John, both individually and as a couple. Their personal development adds layers of depth to the narrative, making their journey all the more compelling.

What sets this book apart is its ability to straddle the fine line between mystery and thriller genres. It is a true hybrid, offering the best of both worlds. The complexity of the story is nothing short of breathtaking. At every turn, Castillo creates an air of uncertainty, keeping readers guessing and second-guessing every piece of information. The mystery within the pages is incredibly intricate and expertly crafted, constantly revealing new secrets that kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end.

Just when you think you have it figured out, the plot takes an exhilarating twist, leaving you awestruck and hungry for more. Castillo's attention to detail and well-crafted pacing ensure that there is never a dull moment. From the opening pages to the heart-pounding climax, the story effortlessly maintains its grip on your imagination, refusing to let go.

Nothing is as it appears. The story brilliantly plays with your expectations to keep you on the edge of your seat. With every revelation, you realize that there are hidden depths to every character and a multitude of layers to the story. It is a testament to the author's talent that they can craft such a rich and multifaceted tale that keeps you guessing until the final pages.

WORTH MENTIONING: This book is so satisfying for someone who cares more about Kate and John than the murders.

CONNECTED BOOKS: AN EVIL HEART is the fifteenth book in the Kate Burkholder series. The mystery here is completely self-contained and so this book can be read on its own, but the character stories of Kate and the other supporting characters is so much better if the series is read in order.

STAR RATING: I give this book 5 stars.

NOTE: I received an eARC of this book via Netgalley in order to help prepare this review. I was not required to write a review or to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.

Hard to believe this is the 15th book in the Kate Burkholder series and I'm still loving this character. This installment is just as enjoyable as the others and filled with the suspense I've always craved. Added bonus, it has a bit more romance woven into the story. I've recommended this series over and over and I'm anxiously awaiting the next adventure. My thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

An evil heart was probably one of my favorite books. When I started it I thought it was too much like the other books but it really started changing. I loved the character development and learning a bit more about Tomasitti. The ending I did not see coming. Definitely give Linda Casitllo a try you will not be disappointed. These books have gotten me through so much over the years and I look forward to the new books each year.

A young Amish man, Aden Karn, is killed in a gruesome murder and a formerly Amish woman, Kate Burkholder, now a police officer is on the hunt for his cold-blooded killer.

I didn’t realize this book was part of a series when I picked it up, but it’s apparently the 15th book in the Kate Burkholder series! I don’t think you need to read the first books though, I didn’t feel lost in any way while reading this book. The book hooked me immediately, with the beginning playing out the horrific murder. The book had a lot of detail and twists that kept you guessing as to who murdered Aden and what he was involved in that got him murdered. It was very well written and engaging, and I like how it intertwined the life of the Amish with the life of a girl who used to be Amish and is now a detective. I will definitely be starting from book 1 and reading the rest of this series.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, and @NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Sheriff Kate Burkholder is days away from finally marrying the love of her life Mike Eddie but first she will have to solve the death of a young Amish boy. Aidan Carn was only 20 years old and only months into his roomspringa, he was loved by many but not by everyone. Who would kill this nice easy-going young man? Soon after the case begins Kate thinks she has found a perfect suspect a dislikable auto mechanic name Fisher who bought a truck from Aiden and his roommate Wayne and then refused to pay it off after it stopped running but did he do it or is Kate barking up the wrong tree? I really thought after solving the mystery she would finally be married but it seems they are dragging this out to the the enth degree and it really irritates me this has been a long trek with Kate and Mike Eddie and although we came close the wait goes on. The case was interesting as always and I really love these books I just feel like they are dragging on the wedding plot line way too long. Having said that I am still giving this book four stars because I did and do love this book and the series . I want to think Saint martins press and Net Galley for my free arc copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

Four stars for the printed version.

Although An Evil Heart is the fifteenth entry in the Kate Burkholder series, it is my first, and also the first time I have read a book by Linda Castillo. I came to this one on the advice of Goodreads friends, and they weren’t wrong. My thanks go to Net Galley, Macmillan Audio, and St. Martin’s Press for the review copies. This book is available to buy now.

Our story is set in the fictitious town of Painter’s Mill, Ohio, where the Amish make up about a third of the population. Kate Burkholder, the chief of police here, is preparing for her wedding when a call comes in about a bizarre murder. A young Amish man, Aden Karn, has been shot with a crossbow and left to die. This would be unusual anywhere, but for the peaceable Amish, it is a tremendous blow. Who would do such a thing? And then there’s another murder as well. Are they linked, and if so, how?

Of course, things are not what they seem. Eventually, Emily Byler, Aden’s girlfriend, comes in to the station accompanied by both of her parents. Emily has finally confessed the horrible deeds that Aden has visited upon her. As the girl, burdened by “a dark mix of horror, shame, and grief,” buries her face in her mother’s shoulder, her mother says “Let me tell you about Aden Karn. The devil whispered his name and Aden Karn took his hand and went.”

But Emily didn’t kill Aden, so the case is far from being solved; if anything, it’s become more complex. Now Kate wonders whether Aden did such things to other girls as well.

At the outset I listen to the audio version of this book, and friend, it’s dreadful. For awhile I wonder whether it’s read by an A.I., because the sound is choppy, the words cut off in a way that suggests it’s not the fault of any narrator. But as I reach the 20th percentile, I realize that actually, the reader is not doing well, either. When it comes to voicing the male characters, the narrator sounds amateurish, and I have never said this about a narrator before. I begin to dread opening this book again, and that’s when I abandon the audio entirely and settle in with the digital review copy instead. It is the right thing to do. Castillo is a good author with a poor narrator, and I hope the glitches in the sound quality have been dealt with now that it’s publication day.

The ending is somewhat predictable, but not until the last quarter or so of the book. I would cheerfully read further entries into this series, and can tell you from experience that you can jump in right now without concerning yourself over the first 14 books if you choose. I recommend the printed version of this book to all that love the genre.

Welcome back to Painters MIll and murder most foul and a wedding we have been waiting a long time for. Lots of plot twist and turns and I didn't figure it out till the reveal. Love this series.

Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

4/5 stars
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Wow! This book was definitely a rollarcoaster of a ride. This is book 15 in a series, but honestly I was able to read it as a standalone, as I haven’t read any of the other books in the series. The cover and the description of the book drew me in and made me want to read it, and I’m so glad that I did. This is a police procedural that follows Kate (the chief of police) as she investigates the brutal murder of an young Amish man. The secrets that become exposed as the book went on were so very shocking and I could not turn away from it. There were some parts that definitely seemed to be repetitive throughout the book so that kind of took away from the storyline at times, but not in a way that made me want to put the book down. Overall, this was still a good book that kept my attention and made me want to keep turning the pages!
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This review will be posted to my Instagram blog (read_betweenthecovers) in the near future!

I can’t believe this is the 15th book in the Kate Burkholder series! I have enjoyed every book and look forward to many more to come. Kate and Tomasetti are finally preparing for their wedding, but of course Kate must solve a murder before the big day! The use of a crossbow as a murder weapon was very shocking. There are many layers of mystery for Kate to solve in this story, not just identifying the killer but also uncovering who the victim really was.

I have read all of the Kate Burkholder books and this one is the best so far, although at times the darkness in it seemed to overwhelm me. I really thoroughly enjoy the police procedural parts of the book and getting to know the reality of the Amish people who have just as many flaws as those who are not Amish. Kate is about to get married to her longtime lover Tomasetti, but her plans are interrupted by a horrific murder of a young Amish man, killed by a crossbow on a rural road as he went to work. Aden seems to have been totally innocent and there is no simple explanation for his murder. But as Kate delves deeper into his life, secrets emerge that are head-spinning. I really enjoyed the characters in this book as all were portrayed realistically. I especially liked the twists and red herrings. Just as I thought I had figured out who the killer was, another twist happened and I had to guess again. I enjoy books that keep me guessing and on my toes and this one fit the bill perfectly. Even the secondary characters are not all what they seem, but as usual, the author does a masterful job of weaving a complicated plot and coming to a totally satisfying conclusion. There are some real surprises in this one and it is a book that is almost impossible to put down and sure to be enjoyed by those who like Amish mysteries with gritty police procedural as well.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

NYT bestselling author Linda Castillo returns with her popular Amish series, Kate Burkholder #15, with her latest, AN EVIL HEART —A riveting emotional suspense crime/cop thriller mystery of a brutal death of an Amish man and more.

A shocking new case that begins with a vicious murder and gets darker from there. "Nailbiting! Castillo's commendable storytelling will keep fans eagerly waiting for the next Kate Burkholder installment.

Kate Burkholder is the Chief of Police in Painters Mill, Ohio. She grew up Amish, and though she left that life behind, many cases bring her into daily contact with this community. It is autumn in Ohio, and she has a new case to solve before Kate can return to her wedding plans.

A young Amish teen, Aden Karn, age 21, was on his bike on Hansbarger Road (a backroad), saw something in the ditch, and stopped. The person has a crossbow and aims it at him. One shot and a second one. Then he is gone. DEAD. According to the forensics, this was a brutal murder and close-up.

Kate spends time investigating his family, co-workers, girlfriend, Emily Byler (age 17), and her family. Her family thought they would be married one day. Was he targeted or an accident? It was not self-inflicted, so someone was waiting for him on the way to or from work.

Then there was the business with an old truck. Aden and Wayne (his roommate) bought the beat-up truck, made repairs, and sold it to Vernon Fisher (gas station owner). Then it stopped running. He was mad and stopped paying. So the boys went to his house and repossessed it.

Does this have to do with the truck or something else? At the start of the investigation, it seems everyone liked the nice Amish boy Aden, but others come forward later, and it appears he may have had a temper and a dark evil side. A sexual predator?

Kate is also planning her upcoming long-awaited wedding that is drawing near within a week or so with John Tomasetti. Her family is planning a wedding at her brother's farm. Her sister, Sarah, is excited about the wedding. Kate has not been Amish for eighteen years. She will try to blend the two cultures.

In addition to being the chief of police, Kate is trained as an emergency medical technician. She is razor sharp, intelligent, has excellent instincts, and is compassionate.

Tomasetti is also in the business and works for the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. They met when he assisted on one of her cases. A total match. I love these two together! —They remind me of Karen Slaughter's Will Trent and Sarah Linton. And Lisa Gardner's DD Warren and Alex. John is strong and has had to overcome tragedy like Kate. The murder of his wife and two children almost killed him. He is now working on a kidnapping case.

Kate's investigation becomes more complex as a young woman is found dead, wrapped in plastic thrown off a bridge. Do the two cases connect? She needs a motive. She is missing something. Who hated Aden enough to ambush him on a lonely back road and end his life with a crossbow? Who would kill a young woman and brutally assault her?

The case spirals out of control when a young Amish woman presents a horrific story that pits Kate against a dangerous and unexpected opponent. When the awful truth is finally uncovered, Kate faces the terrible consequences. The masks people wear and how they contrast with the personas they present to the rest of the world.

Often the monsters are in front of us, and the evil lurks among us where things (or persons) are not always as they appear. There is so much more to the story in AN EVIL HEART (fitting title), so you MUST READ to find out!
I LOVED this book!

AN EVIL HEART is a superb and timely thriller full of devious twists, disturbing evil secrets, and shocking surprises you won't see coming. Riveting, fast-paced suspense that will have you hooked from the first page to the conclusion, anxiously awaiting the next in the series.

Readers, this is not a cozy mystery but an edge-of-your-seat real deal! Yes, the Amish are human, too, and as evil and cold-hearted as the English, as we find here. Well-developed characters, a twisty plot, expert writing, and an unstoppable main character.

AUDIOBOOK: Do yourself a favor and be sure and get the audiobook! I am a big fan of narrator Kathleen McInerney (a favorite), and here she was, KILLER! A perfect match for Kate and Linda. Seeing Kathleen's name swayed me to listen, but after finishing, I am now sold on Linda Castillo and this series.

This is the first book I have read in the series, and yes, it can be read as a standalone; however, I am dying to purchase all the audiobooks in the series—Highly impressive! I connected with Linda on Twitter and started looking for her books. This is what I found, and wow, was I hooked. I adore Kate - strong and resilient! I love her personality, and the blending with her personal life and the Amish was seamless.

Triggers: Sexual assault, drugging, and rape. I enjoyed the e-book and audiobook. Get this gem on your TBR for summer!

Thanks to #MinotaurBooks #StMartinsPress for a gifted ARC and #MacmillanAudio for an ALC via #NetGalley. All opinions expressed here are my own. #MinotaurInfluencers #SMPInsfluencers

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: July 11, 2023
My Rating: 5 STARS
July 2023 Must-Read Books

This was such an interesting murder mystery with a look into amish culture. It is obvious that Castillo has done her research and also has a careful approach about a closed-off group. Kate was a wonderful investigator and a strong leader which I always appreciate. I didn’t realize this was #15 in a series but the good news is that it can read as a standalone perfectly fine! It’s funny that they talk about how murders like this don’t happen in the town, but if there are fourteen other books I imagine they are quite common . I do want to go back and read the entire series now and I’ll be starting with book one, Sworn to Silence.

Another excellent addition to the series,Linda Castillo has written another tense chilling thriller that can be read as a stand alone.Thx series set in the Amish world is always a good read.#netgalley #st.Martins

As former Amish, police chief Kate Burkholder knows most of the area Amish and their ways, as well as the English residents. When a young Amish man is found dead on a desolate road, Kate is having a hard time figuring out who would murder someone everyone, everyone says was liked by all, Amish and English alike, and had no enemies. Then an English woman is found murdered; are the cases connected? Kate believes they are. While untangling the evidence and information collected it is clear that the young man was definitely not what he seemed and not liked by everyone.

Wow, I didn't see that coming. I am new to this series and was not expecting a book about the Amish to be so riveting. The twists are amazing and so unexpected I had to put it down for a minute. I love an unexpected villain, and this is a good one. While I wait on the next installment I will be catching up on this series.

Linda Castillo has done it again. This is a solid five star murder mystery set in Amish Country. Aden Karn is found brutally murdered on the side of the road. Police chief Kate Burkholder investigates the crime. Who murdered Aden and why? Is he the squeaky clean Amish boy he pretends to be or does evil lie beneath the surface? TRIGGER WARNING - Rape. Happy pub day tomorrow 7/11/23.
Thank you @netgalley for the ARC.

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Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest book in the wonderful Amish police procedural series by Linda Castillo, wonderfully narrated by Kathleen McInerney - 5 stars!

Painters Mill Chief of Police Kate Burkholder responds to a call and finds an Amish man who has been violently killed with a crossbow. By all accounts, Aden Karn, just twenty years old, was well liked, from an upstanding Amish family, and engaged to Emily, a young Amish girl. But as her investigation steps up, Kate discovers that people are keeping secrets that may reveal a different side to Aden.

This is by far my favorite series - I'm always so excited to read her latest book and this is #15! But know that if you want to read this is as a stand-alone, it would work perfectly, although they are so good you should start from the beginning! The books are gripping, tense, and full of wonderful recurring characters. In this book, Kate and John are on the eve of their wedding and I love the personal relationships we've followed along. While Painters Mill is not a real location, there are enough real Ohio Amish country spots to make things feel familiar to those who lived nearby or visited. Plus, I always appreciate the way the author includes the Pennsylvania Dutch language but translates it to English for better understanding - and Kathleen McInerney's narration was perfect. Highly recommended!

I received a free copy from NetGalley. I have read a few others in the series but it does okay as a stand alone. Strong female lead and interesting characters. I keep meaning to add others from this series to my to-read list.

Date is for the review, not the reading.