Kate Burkholder is just starting to get used to newlywed life, when a call comes out about a dead body. Responding to the scene, she discovers a gruesome murder: apparently the man was burned alive at a stake. This case sets her on a course that challenges not only her detecting skills, but also may put a wedge between her and her tenuous relationship with family and the Amish community, as well as endangering her job and even her life. Once again Ms. Castillo has provided her reader with a true rollercoaster ride of mystery, murder and survival. This is definitely one of my favorite series and I cannot wait for another book in this series. Disclosure: I am voluntarily review this book received through NetGalley and all opinions are strictly my own.

In typical Castillo fashion, this book moves along as fast as Burkhalter does on the roads of Painter's Mill. The Burning is the latest in the Katie Burkhalter series, and just as suspenseful as earlier ones. Each character in Katie's life is evolving with the books, as is her relationship with her new husband and her Amish family. Warning to readers: The Burning is true to its name and the prologue is disturbing. There are many instances of violence. (Katie's trusty Gerber knife is almost a main character.) That said, there is an interesting storyline which deals with the history of the Anabaptist which readers will be intrigued by.

I love Linda Castillo's books. The Amish setting is always interesting to me, and fits with my experiences. The Burning will have you on the edge of your seat. Well done.

An engrossing and suspenseful 4-star read! Linda Castillo's latest installment in the Kate Burkholder series, "The Burning," is a gripping murder mystery that delves into the little-known history of the Amish community. Newly married Chief of Police Kate Burkholder is called to investigate a gruesome crime – an Amish man named Milan Swanz has been chained to a stake and burned alive. As Kate digs deeper into the case, she finds herself at odds not only with the Amish community she once belonged to but also with her own colleagues in law enforcement.

Castillo masterfully weaves a complex plot, skillfully blending intrigue, suspense, and a glimpse into the insular world of the Amish. Kate's investigation takes her on a perilous journey, uncovering dark secrets and a shocking legacy that challenges everything she thought she knew about her roots. With vivid descriptions and a compelling narrative, Castillo keeps readers on the edge of their seats, immersed in the twists and turns of the case. "The Burning" is a must-read for fans of the series and anyone who enjoys well-crafted, suspenseful mysteries.

Thank you, Netgalley, Linda Castillo, and St. Martin's Press, for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

It’s always rewarding to read a new Linda Castillo Chief Burkholder. The push/pull between the Amish and the English community is fascinating. In this taut mystery the quiet Amish and their silence put many at risk. Kate is now married to a long time character John Tomasetti. He’s an experienced investigator and a great sounding board for her. Castillo mixes in some interesting Amish history that is applicable so many years later in taking care of the Amish community without involving the police. Kate is warned off but doggedly pursues those that have committed an execution style murder. She’s suspended from the case when her brother Jacob an observant Amish man is arrested. You won’t want to put this one down as Kate seeks justice.

I enjoyed every word of this excellent book. Kate Burkholder, the main character, shines as always. She was raised Amish and understands the Amish community in and around Painter's Mill.

Kate has had some recent life changes. She is the new police chief and is encountering some resentment about her promotion. She is also newly married to John Tomasetti, who is a federal investigator with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

A local farmer sees smoke in the woods and discovers a horrific sight: a man tied to a pole who was burned alive. The deceased is an Amish man who had been expelled from their faith. As Kate tries to interview the Amish people who had known the deceased, she runs into a brick wall. She finally finds one person willing to talk to her and discovers that there were reasons for several people to have wanted the deceased dead.

This book works fine as a standalone read although it is #16 in the series. I received an e-arc of this book from publisher St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books, and voluntarily read and reviewed it.

Thank you NetGalley for giving me a review copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book was a five star read for me. After 16 books, I still find myself inhaling these books. I could tell, just like with all her other books, this book was well researched. This book was a little darker than her previous books. The author handled some of the more delicate themes of this book with care and consideration to the reader. The book may have been a little long, but it held my interest until the very end. Overall, I would really recommend this book to those who are looking for a thrilling ride. I can't wait to read the next book!

Excellent!

I've read almost all the books in this series, and this one is one of my favorites. Kate Burkholder is now married to Tomasetti, and life is good. When she gets called to a horrific scene, she has no idea where this crime will lead her. Let me assure you, it is a very interesting and well-crafted story, mixing Amish history and traditions with modern crime-fighting techniques.

I enjoyed that Kate and Tomasetti relationship continues to flourish, and that Kate is closer to her brother Jacob. She has the unwavering support of her Painters Mill police team, even when others try to undermine it. Kate respects the Amish ways despite leaving the religion years ago. Highly recommend this book!

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

This book is very intense at times. Such great characters and a very interesting story. I love reading the different aspects of the Amish way of life. Having that combined with the exciting murder mystery is a great combo. I am looking forward to what may come next for Kate.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

Another stellar mystery in one of my favorite series. A fast paced, read it in one sitting thriller. My only pet peeve is how many times, and in how many ways, can Kate Burkholder defy death? This one really had me rolling my eyes. And yet, I love this character and look forward to her yearly appearance in my reading life. Highly recommend this series. It isn't formulaic like so many others.

I probably will be one of the first to review because I was lucky enough to be picked to read this book early. I can tell you that I was in super speed read mode. The first paragraph I was entranced as usual with another of her books. The Burning is an awesome book from Linda Castillo and the Amish Community. The whole book keeps you guessing and our minds are reeling with excitement and suspense. To start off this book a man is burned at the stake! What a shocker to begin with huh? Chief Kate has to start interviewing all of Painter's Mill to try and get the killer or in this case killers. But as Kate digs deeper, violence strikes again, and this time hitting close to home. Her brother is suspected to be part of the crime. Kate tries to defend him by searching for who is the killer. Get this book right away and enjoy.

I loved this book, this is one of my favorite authors and my favorite characters. The things that the Chief goes through and the things she finds always amazes me, I feel like I’m seeing and hearing the things she does. In The Burning, Milan Swanz was a mean miserable man, even he did not deserve what happened to him, it was never explained, but could the man in black in the bar have been his friend, and what happened to his car.

Linda has done it again in this amazing Burkholder series!!!! Since I’m from Ohio originally and I know these towns to speaks of I can feel right in the story. I want to be a detective with her and feel at home doing so! I loved this so so much! This series is definitely one of my favorites

Once again another great installment in this series. Not as heart pounding as the others but still a great story and mystery. Can’t wait for the next one. Would definitely recommend.

Book #16 in the series and it just keeps getting better and better! I always look forward to a new installment of Kate Burkholder and her Amish mysteries! thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Burning by Linda Casitillo is the 16th novel in the Kate Burkholder police procedural series. The reader is plunged immediately into the action as a former Amish man is burned alive by an unknown assailant as an apparent punishment for some unidentified transgressions. Police Chief Burkholder, her now husband and BCI Agent John Tomasetti, and Kate's small police force must uncover secrets about the victim that the Amish would prefer to keep hidden in order to determine who committed such a brutal crime. The case becomes personal when Kate's brother becomes a suspect.

The Kate Burkholder series remains of remarkably high quality even after 16 novels and numerous novellas and short stories. Those who have read the entire series will recognize some recurring formulas: Kate goes off by herself and almost gets killed (she really could use some funding for additional deputies), there is a tense conversation with the bishop, and Kate and John struggle with emotional intimacy. Nonetheless, I have read and will continue to read every entry of this consistently excellent series.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an eGalley of this book. The thoughts and opinions shared in this review are my own.

Kate and Tomasetti are married now. The newlyweds are sleeping soundly when the call of a horrific, horrific crime breaks the silence of night. As Kate and her crew continue to dig into this crime, the danger to Kate becomes more. The murder victim was an Amish man that has been excommunicated from the flock. As Kate digs into the details, she has to confront an old tale from her Amish childhood.
Linda Castillo keeps brining the books alive and well. I am already patiently waiting the next book!

HOLY GUACAMOLE


I don’t even know where to start. This was heart pounding OUTSTANDING. WOWZA! What a ride. I have been reading this series a long time. I sold sooooo many copies of the beginning of this series in my Borders days. I have been lucky to meet this author multiple times.

This series just keeps getting better and better. It’s so good. The characters are so great and I can’t get enough. I’m so sad I have to wait for the next. Linda Castillo has made us invested in the people of Painters Mill, Ohio. Chief Kate Burkholder is one of my favorite characters next to Detective Josie Quinn. If you love this series I suggest you check out Lisa Regan. You will thank me.

This is another outstanding offering in the series, featuring Kate finally married, and her first fore is a horrendous
scene that will become a homicide that challenges everyone in town to their core, Tomasetti, Kate and everyone
they can muster, will have their hands full of an investigation that gets under the skin of the Amish community as
well as the English folks. Because Kate has Amish roots with English training and understanding, this murder will
be far more challenging to everyone, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to the next installment.
My thanks to St Martin’s Press / Minotaur Books via NetGalley for the download of this book for review purposes.

I really enjoy the Kate Burkholder series so when I saw this on Netgalley (I already had it on my upcoming reads list) I went for it. I don't think it will disappoint any of Ms. Castillo's fans. Be warned: the murder is gory (many of the murders in this series are) so this isn't for anyone who is squeamish.

I suspect that prior knowledge of the series and characters isn't absolutely necessary but it will definitely enhance your reading experience. In fact, I've been wondering if it isn't time for me to go back and do some rereading of the earlier books as it's been a while...

Do I have any gripes? There are some odd word choices here and there...I accuse an overreaching auto correct program of targeting perfectly good word choices and replacing them with words that just aren't what the author intended. My other gripes are those which attend any mystery series--how many injuries can a human body sustain over a short number of days and just keep coming back for more (with no time for recuperation) and how many murders can take place in a comparatively small community without the place becoming a ghost town (I'm looking at you, Midsomer...). I admit that the first bothers me more than the second-- we all accept that these towns have an unlimited number of disposable characters but the injuries... I find them difficult. Or, more precisely, I have issues with the characters' abilities to jump right back into the fray with hardly a twinge. We've all been injured or ill and had to push through for one reason or another. We do what we have to do. But when injuries pile on top of injuries and are then virtually forgotten by the next page... it bugs me. (But I keep reading all the same.)

My thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and Ms. Castillo for making this book available to me. I truly appreciate this service.