A man is burned tied to a wooden pole in the middle of the woods, and Chief of Police Kate Burkholder is called to the gruesome scene. An autopsy indicates that the victim was burned alive, and Kate cannot figure out why and who of this excessively brutal murder. As she investigates, Kate discovers that the victim was a violent man who attacked the vulnerable and sought revenge against anyone whom he thought had wronged him. Recently excommunicated from the Amish community, the victim had caused harm to plenty, including his ex-wife and the Amish Bishop, so the list of possible suspects is quite daunting. Another piece of evidence leads Kate to investigate the lore of a group of Amish-related men who would take upon themselves the sin of murder to rid the community of deviants. Could this case be the result of a remnant from that legendary group? As Kate gets closer to answers, her life and her husband's are endangered. It's an intriguing read that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

THE BURNING (KATE BURKHOLDER, #16)
BY: LINDA CASTILLO

This excellent series which is new to me was introduced to me as a Buddy Read and has come highly recommended. I was vacillating on whether to read this one since the murder that takes place sounded too sadistic and gruesome for my liking. Full disclosure: it is very graphic and definitely both a sadistic and gruesome murder takes place at the beginning. It is a very compelling story with suspense and Kate Burkholder and her team are characters that you will love. Before reading this I read her first one in this series which I thought to be more graphic and gory in descriptive detail. It is called, Sworn to Silence. I forgave it though since it delivered a pure high octane adrenaline rush that thrills. For the sake of a powerful thriller it had a strong beginning that might be Linda Castillo's best one. I was hooked. So I read #2, although compelling, it didn't have as much going on as the first one in this series, but still a good thriller. It is called, Pray for Silence. They are both available to read for free to Kindle Unlimited Subscribers. I switched it up a bit and decided to skip ahead and read the prior one published #15, in this series called, An Evil Heart. This provided me with context to prepare for this one #16, called, The Burning. Despite it's violent beginning, I ended up loving this one and the secret is to allow yourself to get past the vivid detailed descriptions of murder and mayhem that happen in the beginning, which is the hook from what I can tell. This one had me never able to guess the murderers, but it's female protagonist did have me suspending disbelief because of her super human strength. It still was a great thriller that had me going on a shopping spree buying five more of this series. I guess if that doesn't convince you to try this series nothing will.

It is quiet, desolate out of the way part of the County, and Mona and Chuck Skidmore, who are both reporting police to Chief Kate Burkholder, obviously are meeting for a romance that wasn't further explored in this one. They see smoke, hear screams which they stumble on to the crime scene. They try to get to the victim, but it's too hot and too late. They do manage to put out the fire with a portable fire extinguisher. It's still too hot. They wake up their boss in the A.M. early hour, waking up Kate Burkholder and she promptly arrives at the crime scene. The Fire department and Coroner also arrive. The victim is identified as Milan Swanz, who Chief Kate Burkholder notifies his next of kin who doesn't seem to react emotionally to hearing that her husband is dead. The victim's wife says that Milan Swanz is her ex-husband and that he was the one who wanted the divorce. Still why isn't she upset at hearing her ex-husband and the father of her children is dead when notified? Why no shock or surprise reaction?

It turns out the victim Milan Swanz was excommunicated from the Amish church by Bishop Troyer and he tells Kate to question her brother Jacob. Jacob is holding back on telling Kate the truth of the reason why he was witnessed having an argument with the victim for good reason, but it isn't revealed right away. Kate talks to his former employer and his son who fired Milan Swanz, after he accidentally started a fire that burned the owners workplace. Milan Swanz was a very disturbed person who did some truly vile acts that made many people have a motive to kill him. There are many people who become persons of interest in Kate Burkholder's investigation. He also was responsible for doing something that caused a fight with his neighbor. Are any of these people responsible? Since Kate's brother Jacob is a suspect she gets suspended from the murder investigation and put on administrative duty. Why isn't anybody talking?

It's a good thing that Kate's team who are all lovable characters as well as Kate is lovable, also are still loyal to her. One of the main reasons why I fell in love with this series is because of the characters. I love all of her recurring team members and Kate who is finally married to Tomasetti. They are all so relatable and you can't help but root for them. I think that the characters are the driving force that makes me want to read all of Linda Castillo's books. In this one like the first two in the series it is impossible pretty much to guess who the murderers are. Kate Burkholder is determined to keep working this murder investigation quietly behind the scenes and off the record. Tomasetti her husband is supportive of her and with his connections and her team she is relentless in her pursuit of getting justice served for this deeply troubled victim. I like learning more about the Amish people who regularly don't involve their disputes with the English police. They are peace loving people, but there is a deviation in this one. I recommend this series highly to thriller lovers who enjoy a suspense driven plot and appealing character development that delivers every time. It is also a police procedural genre that I'm going to say is a new favorite series that is still going strong in this sixteenth installment. I can't wait for the next one to be published, but will savor the ones that I haven't read yet, since this is a new discovery. They can be read as a standalone which elevates this author as extremely talented. I love this one! I love the previous three that I have read, also. So far this one called, The Burning, and the first one called, Sworn to Silence are my top favorites.

Publication Date: July 9, 2024

Thank you to Net Galley, Linda Castillo and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books for generously providing me with my fantastic eARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

#TheBurning #LindaCastillo #StMartinsPressMinotaurBooks #NetGalley

Thank you to Net Galley for this advance copy of The Burning. Linda Castillo is one of my favorites so it pains me to say that her books are becoming formulaic. Her connection to the Amish community always plays an outsize roll in the story. The Burning focuses on the death of a lapsed Amish man, murdered in a gruesome fashion. Sheriff Kate has the case but is, once again, unfairly pushed off by State level law enforcement, The most problematic part of this book and most of the others in this series, for me, is that Kate routinely puts herself into ridiculously dangerous situations. These situations are usually the climax to the story and leave Kate no wiser than the ten times it happened before! Maybe more time could be spent developing her character and her marriage and a bit less time revisiting all the reasons she is no longer Amish. Or, maybe it is time for a new series for a very capable author?

First, let me just say how much I am enjoying this series, and man, there is some bad stuff happening in these particular Amish communities. This story kept me on the edge of my seat. Twisted, gruesome evil invades Kate and Tomasetti’s world. The reason and outcome are unsettling,as the story progresses, the reader is wrapped with anticipation and the possibilities of several different outcomes. This is book has a high degree of tension and is an excellent read.

In book 16 of the Kate Burkholder series, once again there is murder and mayhem in the Amish community. Is Painters Mill home to a killer, secret Anabaptist or just another Englischer?

A shocking and brutal murder has occurred, and Chief of Police Kate Burkholder has been called in to investigate! The Burning is equal parts shocking, gripping and tension filled! I was sucked in from the very first page and attempted to do my very own super sleuthing to find whodunit.

Milan Swanz, a local Amish man was chained to a stake and burned alive in this shocking installment in the Kate Burkholder series. Investigating the case will be somewhat difficult as the Amish like to keep things to themselves and not speak ill of the dead. The investigation will lead her down many paths, one of which is the Anabaptist culture.

As I mentioned, I enjoyed this book from cover to cover. I had not heard of the Anabaptist culture prior to reading this book and found myself looking it up. I love learning new things while reading. Another thing that I loved is that Kate and Tomasetti are newlyweds. Woohoo!

When Kate's brother is implicated in the murder, things get even more interesting and tense! He is not the only one that comes under suspicion during the investigation. I had my suspects lined up and had several in mind during various points of the book.

I enjoyed the mounting sense of tension and danger which kicks into overdrive toward the end of the book! I enjoyed the suspense as it ramped up and Kate found herself in dangerous situations more than once, proving herself to be like wonder woman. Nothing stopped her!

Gripping, well written, tension filled and shocking!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Police chief Kate Burkholder is back as a newlywed in the latest book in this series. The story is about a ritualistic burning at the stake murder in an Amish community known as Painter's Mill. Chief Burkholder is closely tied to the community even though she herself is no longer Amish, but it seems she may be a little too close to this particular investigation.
This book was great. I love that I'm always learning something new about the Amish religion/community. I love how persistent Kate Burkholder is even though that persistency usually gets her into dangerous situations. Although this is part of a series, I believe it could be read as a standalone.

The Burning was very well done and, as a result, very enjoyable. The characters were human with flaws, but believable. The mystery wound around with its many clues, but not too much. The interaction with the Amish community was tasteful and tactful. And the ending was satisfying.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review The Burning. I easily give it five stars.

The Kate Burkholder series never disappoints. While this one did take a bit longer to get into than the rest, it still was a fast & easy read.

An Amish man is burned alive…found charred on a stake. Chief of Police, Kate Burkholder, former Amish herself, is on the case. What starts as a hunt to find the killer(s) turns into trying to find a vigilante group of ex-Amish who think it’s their mission to get rid of lost sheep.

I really enjoyed this story and had no idea this was part of a series! Now I need to go back and read the others!

Special thanks to Minotaur and NetGalley for the early copy in exchange for an honest review!

O my goodness Linda Castillo has brought together a situation that leaves you Burning to find out what happened. Plenty of stone walls to make you grumble as to what direction is needed next. No need to read the prior books as this one does very well back to itself but, Why did you miss the other ones??. Thank you Netgalley for presenting this opportunity!

The Burning is a suspense thriller. Chief of Police Kate Burkholder investigates the gruesome murder of a man burned alive on a cross and the early Amish history involvement.

This is my first Linda Castillo book, and it won't be my last. Even though it is part of a series, it can be read as stand-alone, you can follow the story without missing much. It is a fantastic read, fast-paced, a page-turner, and has an interesting, well-crafted, and intriguing story.

Kate is well aware that the Amish prefer to solve their problems internally, without outside interference. When a man is murdered and her own brother becomes a suspect, Kate finds herself in a difficult position. She must navigate conflicting loyalties to the Amish community, of which she was once a part, as well as to the English community and her colleagues in law enforcement.

The story takes a twisty turn when some strange individuals threaten Kate’s life and she becomes the target.

For fans of suspense, crime investigation, and mystery, this book is a great read. All characters are well-developed and likable. I highly recommend it.

Content: mention of domestic abuse, rape, and child abuse

Posting Reviews on Goodreads, and Barnes & Noble immediately and on Amazon Publication Date, July 9.

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for the eARC.

This is another great Kate Burkholder book! I have not read all of the others but I love that I am able to jump back into the story and remember most of the characters. Now I want to go back and read the others I missed. I enjoy the interactions with the Amish as well as learning more about how they live and interact with others. This book had Kate investigating a horrific murder while also trying to deal with the politics of the other agents involved. This kept my attention and was reading late into the night.

Right in line with Linda Castillo's other Kate Burkholder series...I am a huge fan of this author and always find her books quick reads and enjoyable. Lots of twists and turns - I will say that this book was a bit darker than the previous ones in the series, but done well.

SYNOPSIS
Receiving a call in the middle of the night is never a good sign, especially when it's directed to the Chief of Police. For Kate Burkholder, that call marks the beginning of an investigation into a horrifying murder that seems to have ties to her Amish background. The victim, an Amish man named Milan Swanz, was found chained to a stake and burned alive, according to the coroner's report.

Kate understands the Amish preference for handling issues internally, without involvement from the outside "English" world. However, with her connections within the community, she starts piecing together details about Swanz's troubled life that led to excommunication from the faith. Yet, the Amish community remains tight-lipped about him. Is this silence to protect one of their own, or is there a deeper fear preventing them from sharing the truth?

Things take a personal turn for Kate when her brother, Jacob, is implicated in the case, leaving Kate in conflict with the Amish community, the broader English community, and her fellow law enforcement officers.

THOUGHTS

As the 16th entry in the Kate Burkholder series, THE BURNING continues to prove that the series deserves its longevity. At the heart of this mystery is a look into the early roots of the Anabaptist culture, its martyrs, and defenders. Once again, the author, Linda Castillo delivers an intriguing crime mystery that demonstrates the separateness of the Amish and “English” communities without making judgments on either. In Castillo’s narratives, there are good and bad people on both sides. While the crime at the center of the story is gruesome, the unfolding story suggests that the victim, Milan Swanz, has a dark side that reaches deep into the lives of the Amish community that Kate has known all her life.

The Painter’s Mill community both the Amish and English are portrayed with an authenticity that rings true despite the cultural divide. Even as the Amish close ranks and largely refuse to help Kate as she tries first to solve Milan Swanz’s murder but then to understand the perpetrators’ motives, the actions of all the characters appear quite rational within the constraints of the dual societies.

One standout aspect of THE BURNING’s story is its portrayal of the tender side of Kate and Tomasetti’s romance. Castillo avoids clichés, instead showcasing a relationship that continues to evolve without falling into tired tropes. As newlyweds, grappling with balancing their personal and professional lives, their connection adds depth to their characters and the story. Their relationship has evolved throughout the series managing to stay sweet and sound. Kate's connections: marital, familial, and professional—serve as the foundation to seamlessly transition between her roles as a wife, sister, and Chief of Police. This portrayal reflects the realism and consistency that Castillo has maintained throughout the series.


RECOMMENDATION 4 Stars
THE BURNING earns a strong recommendation. Linda Castillo skillfully immerses readers in the intricacies of life within the Painter's Mill community, where the coexistence of Amish and English cultures fuels the novel's suspenseful narrative.

Thank you to Netgalley for access to this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

#Theburning #Netgalley

I love this series. Castillo writes about a culture I've had only passing encounters with a few times, and the setting and culture are complex and lovingly drawn.

In this book, a dark chapter in Amish and Anabaptist history echoes in a contemporary, horrible crime. Burkholder has both a professional and personal need to get to the bottom of the case, as her brother becomes a suspect.

There's a depth to Castillo's series that I always find totally entrancing. When a new Burkholder book comes out, it immediately goes to the top of my tbr pile. The personal tragedies that both Tomasetti and Burkholder have lived through give weight to their current actions and relationship. The mystery is always well-written, with three-dimensional characters and tight but complex plotting. This one doesn't disappoint and has a couple of edge-of-my-seat scenes, too. I always recommend this series!

Review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Every year I look forward to reading the new installment in the Kate Burkholder series. I love reading about Kate's interactions with the Amish community and her deepening relationship with Tomasetti.

When an Amish man is found chained to a stake and burned to death, Kate needs to find his killer. This book has a complex plot and was another page turner for me. The hours flew by on a long plane ride. I will admit, however, that there were times that I began to wonder if Kate was related to Wonder Woman. That being said, I love Kate and am eagerly awaiting Linda Castello's next book in this series.

Thank you, St. Martin's Press and Net Galley for an advanced copy of this book to read and review.

As usual, Linda Castillo doesn't disappoint. I thought her case from her latest book had such a grisly murder but she may have surpassed that this time. I love the character of Kate Burkholder. The tie in with the Amish is very interesting. I encourage anyone who wants an interesting series to get into to read these books. Always entertaining and interesting.

Kate is back and better than ever. She takes a lot of crap thrown at her in this installment and she is capable of beating it all back and making a difference in her town. The character is as strong as ever and I love to see her develop, even 16 books in. I still wonder how so much bad stuff happens in and around her town, but I guess those are the breaks. Regardless, this book was great and I loved the historical aspect of it and how Kate overcame the odds. A perfect lead-up to what I assume is the next chapter in her life. I'm curious where things are going to go, but there was a pretty big hint at the end of this one. It will be interesting, to say the least.

Chief Kate Burkholder’s newest case involves an excommunicated Amish man, who was burned at the stake in the middle of the night. No one in Painters Mill will miss Milan Swanz; nevertheless, it is murder. During the investigation Kate finds a list of addresses in Swanz’s home – apparently a list of people he had grudges against. Among the addresses is the farm of Kate’s brother, Jacob, who refuses to discuss his relationship with the deceased.

When Jacob becomes a person of interest, Kate is relegated to administrative duties. Not to be dissuaded, Kate follows up on a lead regarding a type of vigilante group she vaguely remembers hearing about as a child. This takes her to the Amish & Mennonite Heritage Center in Holmes County (a real museum) to research the Schwertlers (loosely translated ‘of the sword’) and Balthasar Hubmaier who was burned at the stake in 1528 (a historical person). At this point, I paused in the book and fell down a Google hole. I was fairly familiar with Anabaptist history, but this was new to me.

This new installment is a page-turner. Readers will enjoy getting reacquainted with the Painters Mill police force, as well as exploring a little-known aspect of Amish history. Highly recommended.