This book grabs you right from the very first page and doesn't let you go. A murder occurs in Painter's Mills, one of incredible savagery, and someone close to Kate is one of the suspects.

For the first time, Kate and her husband work together, and it doesn't really have the desired results.

This book did not let me down, and I think it was the best one yet,

Added to the mystery is an interesting background history of a little-known Anabaptist sect that may or may not be responsible for a few of these types of murders.

I think this was the best book yet, and they have all been great!

*ARC was Supplied by the publisher Minotaur Books, the author Linda Castillo, and NetGalley.

THE BURNING is the newest book in the Kate Burkholder series. Milan Swanz is drinking in a bar. His ride leaves without him, so he decides to walk home. It is a cold, winter night, and he accepts a ride from a stranger. What a mistake. He ends up burned alive. My curiosity is piqued. Who could have done this? Why?

It's nice to return to Painter’s Mill and the Amish. I feel in good hands with Chief Kate Burkholder on the case. She is now married, a nice addition to her characterization. Most books have plots that bog down a little in the middle, but this book is interesting and keeps me engaged throughout. One of the things I like about the Kate Burkholder series is that I read about the Amish way of life. The mystery may be the main event, but the Amish backdrop is important to the story. Thank you, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley, for the chance to read and review an advance reader copy of THE BURNING.

The Burning
is a Katie Burkholder mystery set in Ohio Amish country. Katie left her Amish roots at 18 and ended up in law enforcement. Now she is the Chief of Police in her hometown.
The police discover a body burning in the woods. Is it symbolic? Even more puzzling is the victim is a local Amish man. With Katie’s Amish roots she is a threat to the watchful killers.
This is a very enjoyable series - all the characters are well drawn. There is enough suspense and action right to the end.

This was one of my favorite installments in this series! Kate was in so much trouble and the anticipation of seeing how she would overcome these challenges kept me rapidly turning the pages. I also really enjoy her relationship with her husband. This series still has legs and I highly recommend this one for suspense fans.

I really enjoy the Kate Burkholder series. I live near where this series takes place so I'm really familiar with the setting. That beginning scene really set the tone for the book and had me hooked!

This is another excellent book in the series featuring Chief of Police Kate Burkholder, of Painters Mill, Ohio. I have read several books in the series and, although it is helpful for the characters’ backstories, it is not necessary to read previous books to enjoy this one. Highly recommend this series by this talented writer!

Title: The Burning
Author: Linda Castillo
Series: Kate Burkholder #16
Publisher: Saint Martin’s Press ~ Minotaur Books
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Pub Date: July 9, 2024
My Rating: 4.4 Stars!
Pages: 328

This is #16 in the Detective Kate Burkholder series
~ If you are new to this series, Kate was born Amish but left the congregation when she was
eighteen. Although she is trying to leave her Amish past, she states she misses home. </i>
Kate is now married to John Tomasetti an agent with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and has helped Kate in many cases
involving investigation.

Kate Burkholder is the Chief of Police in Painters Mill a (fictional) small Northeast Ohio town where most the residences are Amish.
Story starts when Kate is called to investigate a fire in the woods. Two of her deputies Officer Chuck ‘Skid’ Skidmore and Police Office Mona Hurtz were near the by when they heard the scream and saw the smoke from a fire. They discovered that a body had been wired to a post and surely was dead. They found his wallet charred but identification was okay. The ID stated Milan Swanz. was killed in this way. After questioning his wife and neighbors they learn Milan Swanz was not a nice man and had been excommunicated and was not allowed near his wife or children.
As Kate and her team continue to investigate they have many suspects who had words with Swanz. Including Jacob Burkholder, Kate’s brother who had been seen arguing with Swanz. Kate knows her brother isn’t guilty but as she continues to investigate thinks get more and more involved.

The story mentions a group of vigilantes former Amish, Mennonite and Hutterite and perhaps Anabaptist.
I am familiar with Mennonites as we lived in Central Illinois and there was a large group of Mennonites living in that area. I was not familiar with the others so did a Google search.

"Schwertler" in distinction from other Moravian Anabaptists the "Schwertler" party died out by 1529.
Hutterites live communally and do not own private property. Hutterites are also more open to the use of technology than the Amish;
Hutterites utilize industrial farming practices.

I have read most of novels in this series. I enjoy Amish mysteries, the culture very interesting. Personal Note: At first I wasn’t pleased with Kate’s nasty language so I skipped a few ~ but got back on the Linda and Kate train and call myself a fan. There was more profanity than I thought necessary in this story but there is no doubt author, Linda Castillo writes great stories! True this was disturbing and emotional, but I could not put it down!

Want to thank NetGalley and Saint Martin’s Press – Minotaur Books for granting me this WOW early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for July 9, 2024

This is my second Kate Burkholder novel and it is again one of my favorites. Kate's character is so likeable and it's always interesting to learn more every book about the Amish culture. A gruesome murder takes place of a local Amish man burned alive. Kate gets down to business trying to figure out what exactly happened and who was responsible. What she finds is jaw dropping!

This was my first book of this series but I was hooked from the beginning. A brutal murder in the Amish community, a mysterious secret Amish group, and too many people hiding information makes a hard case for the police to deal with. And when Kate finds her every move to solve the case hindered by other officials she becomes frustrated and angry. Will she step down?
A fast moving, action filled mystery that keeps you turning pages - an excellent read. Even if you have not read any of the other books in the series you will enjoy this one.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

Sometimes with series, the books get a little boring. This book was exciting and kept me wanting to continue reading to figure out what had happened. This was one of the best in the series!

It's book 16 in the Kate Burkholder series, and it does not disappoint!

We follow newlywed Kate as and BCI hubby Tomasetti, they investigate a horrendous murder - a local Amish man has been burned alive at the stake.

As she looks into the background of the victim, Milan, she quickly discovers that his past isn't as clean as she initially thought. He's been somewhat recently excommunicated from the Amish community, and trouble seemed to follow him wherever he went. He had issues with pretty much everyone who dealt with him, but who did he enrage SO much that they would murder him in such a torturous manner? The more she learns, she discovers that this case may go far, far deeper than she could have ever imagined.

Kate's going to find many roadblocks in this case, most personal one being her brother becoming a person of interest. She knows Jacob could never commit such an atrocity, she just needs the proof before higher ups decide to take her off the case for protecting her brother.

As always, there are many harrowing moments throughout the book. By this point, I'm fairly certain that Kate is part cyborg or something. She's able to shake off and survive far more than what should be humanly possible. Also, I hope the relationship hinted at right before the body was discovered gets further touched on in future books. It felt really important at the beginning, and then just kind of faded away.

All in all, I seriously loved this one, as brutal as it was. It's been over a year since I finished the first 15 books in the series, and I forgot just how much I enjoy it. And now I'm sad to have to wait at least a year before (I assume anyway) the next one is released. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for an advanced copy!

Book 16 in a series, and my first read of this character and series. Arson in an Amish setting leads to good plot fodder.

The Burning is the second book in this long series that I’ve read. We follow cop Kate Burkholder as she tries to solve a crime of a man being burned at the stake.

The writing is still amazing and descriptive. Each character stays true to themselves. I hate how Kate can be so reckless, but at the same time, I’m entertained anyway. The plot moves along at a good pace and had me questioning everything.

I received this ARC from NetGalley for my honest opinion.

“The Burning” by Linda Castillo
Burned the Mid-night oil reading this one!
I was hooked on this story by the time I finished reading Chapter 1. Although I must admit the descriptions in the first chapter were excruciatingly vivid; so, I may have read them a bit quicker that the author intended. That sounds like the rest of the story was not so vivid which would be a lie. It is just that, for me, the rest of the story was easier for me witness. This is an excellent murder-mystery-drama. It definitely kept me within its pages and on the edge of my seat. Happy Reading ! !

Castillo once again brings an exciting thriller in the latest installment of the Kate Burkholder series. Each book ramps up the suspense, engaging readers with a compelling storyline that keeps them on edge. The tension is the good kind, adding to the excitement. Waiting for the next book in the series is definitely worthwhile, and for those who haven't explored this series yet, now is the perfect time to start from the beginning.

The biggest thanks and appreciation to St.Martin’s Press and Netgalley for approving my E-Arc request!

a BIG thank you to NetGalley/St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for the eARC.

Police Chief Kate Burkholder is awakened by an early morning call about a fire..with an added twist, an excommunicated Amish man has been burned at the stake. medieval?? gruesome?? YES! on both counts. And so begins the investigation into why. As with all of the Kate Burkholder novels...now is the time for the reader to strap in and hold on for the wild ride you are about to begin.

If you have read any of the other books in the series, you will encounter the group of characters that you have grown to appreciate: John Tomasetti, Skid, Mona, TJ, Pickles, Glock, Bishop Troyer, Jacob Burkholder, etc as well as learn so many facts and history of the Amish (always so skillfully included in the story line).

If you are not familiar with the series, you are in for a very enjoyable ride and will want to read many more of the Kate Burkholder series.

This is book 16 in the Kate Burkholder series. It opens with a horrific crime that hasn't been heard of in years. Chief of police Kate Burkholder, her staff, and husband, agent Tomasetti are tasked with solving this case. They hit many roadblocks from the Amish and the top brass. To complicate matters even further, Kate is removed from the case because of a family connection. But does this stop her? Of course not! We see her courage through all the brick walls, pain and agony.
I really enjoyed this book and was able to read it in a short time. I'm hoping in the next book we hear more about Mona and Skid??? The story started with them but got lost along the way.
I would like to thank Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the arc of this book.

Glad that I got to read this early as I've read all of her books. It was not one of her best. ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

Kate is facing a case that hits close to home. The burning to death of an Amish man. Her Brother becomes the prime suspect. There are no witnesses to the crime and the Amish are very closed mouth with outsiders. There is something evil and people who don’t want the case solved. This book is well written with great characters. It has a story that will keep you turning the pages. The book is part of a series but could be read as a stand alone. Than you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

This was a quick read that kept my attention. I enjoyed the background history of the Amish community and beliefs and thought that it was nicely tied into the solving of the crimes.