Kate Burkholder, John Tomassetti and the gang is back!

The Burning is the sixteenth book of the Kate Burkholder series, which is an Amish murder series.
After arriving at a mysterious fire in the woods, Kate soon realizes that there was a body in the middle of the fire tied to a stake. An Amish man named Milan Swanz was burned at the stake. While trying to solve his murder Kate learns about ancient Amish history.

I’ve read every single book in the Kate Burkholder series and Linda Castillo never disappoints! It’s one of my favorite series and I always look forward to the new one. I’m always amazed reading the series, I live about two hours away from where the series is based and our Amish community has really built up.
I don’t know how she does it, every book with Kate Burkholder is like gold. And let’s not forget Tomassetti, who is my favorite book boyfriend.
I 100% recommend the whole series(a little more than 16 with a few novellas) including the new one to everyone. If I could give it more than five stars I would, I read it in one sitting.

The Burning is another great Kate Burkholder mystery. This series keeps getting better with each book. Linda Castillo knows how to tell a story that engages the reader and keeps us turning the pages to see what happens. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my review copy of this book, I highly recommend this series!

Every time I read a Kate Burkholder mystery, I think it's my fave of all time. This one is no different. The plotting, the concept of who the murderer is and why they're murdering, and just the likeable Kate and Tomasetti couple make this one a home run. I was literally glued to the storyline, neglecting making supper for my family, until I turned the last page. The villain was nuanced and the takeaway of the murder(s) thought-provoking. Castillo is in her writing groove, and her stories are each well-plotted gems (never formulaic) with characters we care for. This is one of those rare series I will read every book in and never get tired of. I appreciate how Kate thinks and her take on justice. I can't wait for the next one!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

Linda Castillo has an apparently endless imagination when it comes to drawing us in to police procedurals involving the Amish and similarly insular communities, while maintaining respect for others' beliefs.

You merely need to be a fan of police procedurals to enjoy Chief Kate Burkholder's fearless and dogged pursuit of justice. In this novel, Kate does so without the support of her own justice department as she attempts to obtain justice for those killed by medievally torturous means.

Five stars from this reader, I followed the series, and then I set it aside for a bit (not due to any shortcoming in the series, but rather a wealth of reading material).

I can assure you, starting, or rejoining Linda Castillo's captivating Kate Burkholder's series is as easy as climbing back up on your favorite friendly horse, you immediately become engaged and comfortable.

The Burning is a fascinating mystery and police procedural

This latest book is her best yet, as Castillo skillfully weaves in symbolism, and what it means to be a member (current and former) of an insular community within a community.

Linda Castillo hit another home run! I was on the edge of my seat with each page I turned!

I am a HUGE fan of the Kate Burkholder Amish thriller series! I was EXTATIC when I was able to get this book before the release date! I have my family and friends who are also fans of the series very jealous!!

I appreciate character growth as series evolves. Kate and John are finally married and the effort of the author to expand her research into the history of the Amish shows her commitment into creating a series that I will always read. I throughly enjoyed this book, but felt it was a bit slow in the beginning but worth hanging on for. This was the book after An Evil Heart which was one of the best on the series, so this one didn’t hit at the same level. I still highly recommend this book and the entire series.

My description …
The author/publisher description is, well, perfect. It discloses just the right amount of information without giving away the plot. And those of us who love the Kate Burkholder series know that Katie will go through some rough times, that she will get the perpetrator or perpetrators in the end, and that the murder will not be an ordinary one. And yep! I’m a Kate Burkholder series fan. BTW, I have to remind myself it’s the Kate Burkholder, not the Katie, series.

This was a page-turner for me.

My review …
Hold onto your hat! This one will have your head spinning. The murders that Katie must solve are usually a bit dark. And this one is darker than most. I do NOT like dark books. But with this series, there are many other elements to the story. The Burning can be read without touching the previous 15 books in the series, but I would highly recommend reading at least Sworn to Silence, the first book so you have an understanding of the key characters. Or at least watch the movie An Amish Murder based on the first book. That movie is how I discovered the author and this series.

Reading the prior books also places her brother Jacob, who figures (as the description states) into the story. Why is his name mentioned regarding the murder? The personalities of her staff and associated law enforcement officers are important. I suspect most of this series fans have a favorite among these. Mine is Pickles. Reading The Burning I was surprised by one of them and I bet Katie never quite trusts him again like she has in the past.

I have researched the Amish more than most. My first school, a one-room schoolhouse, became the first schoolhouse for the Amish community just starting in Jamesport, Missouri. I was fascinated from the first time I saw a buggy. Our family doctor was the same the Amish used and I often saw them in the waiting room. Many years later when I “got into genealogy”, I researched them heavily as I believed one of my great-great-great-grandfathers (various surname spellings but Cauffman was often used). You see, I haven’t been able to find who his parents or siblings were and I’ve been researching since October 1998. I thought there might be a possibility he was shunned. Bummer. I found no connection after years of research and still have the same brick wall.

One of the pluses of this series is that the Amish stay — what is a good word? Maybe grounded. Certain Amish people behave differently and do things they shouldn’t but for someone like me who has studied the Amish quite a bit, I’m not trying to sort out what kind of Amish are these.

Another aspect of Linda Castillo’s work is her ability to set a scene with such a small number of words but yet exactly right. Characters are rich and developed. One feels when reading that you are growing in your knowledge of each character. Oh, and characters are never dumped on the reader making it almost impossible to know who is who.

When the issue with Katie investigating “the Anabaptist culture, peering into all the dark corners of its history, only to uncover a secret legacy that shatters everything she thought she knew about the Amish themselves.” ~~ quoted from the description — my antenna went into overdrive. I had never read about this or even a hint of it. I believe avid readers of Amish fiction, especially Amish mysteries, will find it fascinating just as I did.

Someone right now is thinking but she hasn’t told us ANYTHING about the plot. The story. That’s right. I haven’t. I will not ruin a great plot and story in The Burning. The author/publisher description is all you need to know. And if you are curious about such things, this is a series where I gulp when I look at the price and pre-order the book anyway. Yes, I highly recommend this sixteenth book in Linda Castillo’s Kate Burkholder series.

I received a complimentary DRC (digital review copy) of The Burning via NetGalley from the publisher, St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books. A positive review was not required; the opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Rating: 5 stars
Series: Kate Burkholder #16 of 16
Cover: Grabbing and foreboding.
Pages: 320
Publish Date: 9 Jul 2024
#TheBurning #NetGalley #LindaCastillo

The Burning is the `16th book in the Kate Burkholder series. I have read this series from the beginning. Kate is the sheriff of Painter Ridge, Ohio. She was hired because she had been Amish and could work with the large Amish community that lived there. She has recently married her long time boyfriend, John Tomesetti who is an agent with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. She has made amends with her family and was married on her brother, Jacob's family farm.

Milian Swanz was walking home drunk from a bar in the snow. A car drives up to him and offers him a ride. He gets in the car. The next thing he knows someone in the back seat puts a strap around his neck and tightens it. He passes out and when he awakes he finds himself outside standing on wood pallets with firewood and kindling under it. He is bound and tied with wire to a pole. The driver of the car comes over with another man and they spinkle the diesal fuel on the pallets and lights the pallets. He realizes that they are setting him on fire.

Officer Chuck Skidmore (Skid) and Officer Mona Kurtz meet at the bridge on Dogled Road. They both work for the Painter Ridge Police Department.. They are kissing, etc. when they hear a scream and smell and see smoke in the woods. They arrive at the meadow and see the fire and man tied to the stake. Skid calls the dispatcher and reports the fire and man tied to the stake. Kate is called to come to the crime scene. She arrives and finds the fire and body in the field. Skid, Mona and Kate try to get to the body who is tied to the pole. They get him loose but he is dead. The EMT, coroner, etc. have arrived. They check out the body and find his wallet with the information they need., It is Milan Swanz who is Amish. Mike Rasmussen a Holmes County sheriff also arrives at the scene.

In checking out Milan's trailer Kate comes across a note book that has her brother, Jacob's name in it. She goes and questions him and finds out that Milan had worked for him but he found him in the barn with his young son. He had stopped Milan before he could assault his son. Because of this Jacob is a suspect.

Kate goes to see his wife who is now his ex. They were divorced 5 months ago.. He was working for an Amish furniture company but was fired as they think he set the building on fire. He also had a dispute with his neighbor, Lester Yoder about the fence line as well as Milan set Yoder's 22 acre field on fire.. Kate also goes to speak to his parents, Orla and Ella Mae Swanz. In speaking with them Kate learns that he is a disturbed person did not get along with people and blamed them for his problems. He had been excommunicated from the church. He also assaulted Bishop Troter and his wife Frida. He had been living in a trailer owned by his parents on another piece of property. His best friend is Clarence Raber.

After talking to the Bishop and leaving, Frida comes out and tells them about a rumor about a group of men who were former Amish, Amish and Mennonite that take things into their own hands. They are called Sc;hwertlers. In checking this information out she gets the name Isaiah Hafer who is a Hutterite. They are antabaptists like the Amish but more modern and live in a commune type setting. Kate goes to speak to him. The meeting did not go well.

This is where the story gets interesting. There is too much to put it all on paper. I will let the reader enjoy the story to the exciting ending.

I love this series. The author gives you a good insight of the Amish community. I look forward to the next book.

Thank you NetGalley and Minataur Books for this ARC..

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books for the copy of The Burning, book 16 in the Kate Burkholder series by Linda Castillo. This series just keeps getting better and better! If you haven’t started this series yet you can still read this book, but you would be missing out on the amazing character development from the previous 15 books. If you’re looking for a compelling read with engaging characters, a shocking crime, and a startling reveal, get The Burning.

WOW. This is the second book I have read from this author in this series and she sure knows how to grab a reader and keep them obsessed right to the end! This one was dark and opens with a man being abducted and burned. This one really had me turning pages almost faster than my eyes could read!

I LOVE this series.. I was so excited to be selected to read the newest in the Kate Burkholder series and The Burning didn't disappoint. The plot starts strong with an excommunicated Amish man being burnt alive and Kate/Tomasetti and team trying to unravel the truth ... who are the perpetrator(s) what motives were at play for the heinous crime to occur? I love the Kate/Tomasetti relationship and can't wait to see where it goes from here. I read this very quickly as I was racing to answer all of the burning questions! Definitely recommend checking out this series if you enjoy thrillers.. and the Amish community connections add another twist!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for presenting me with this ARC!

This is an Amish Thriller/Police Mystery, and this is the 16th book in the Kate Burkholder series. I have read the first 15 books in this series before picking up this book, and I do feel that it would help if you read this series in order. This book took me on a wild ride that I loved so much. This book pulled me into the story and made me want to keep reading because I had to find out what was going on. The ending had my heart going and I was loving it so much. There were so many times I was sitting on the edge of my seat while reading this book. I loved this book so much, and the mystery in this book was so good, and it is fast paced with a ton of action. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.

Thank you Minotaur for the early read and Linda Castillo very a great read. Sheriff Burkhalter is at it again with another Amish death with a burning at the stake. How can anyone do this to another human being? The characters, suspense and details are so so connected which leads us to solving the mystery. Love, suspense and the Amish life make it a novel to read!

Fans of Linda Castillo eagerly anticipate the release of a new Kate Burkholder every July. This will not disappointed with this latest tale. Answers to a sadist murder will have Kate exploring the deep dark secrets of an Amish fable. Is this murder a fable or a reality? Readers will have a hard time putting this novel down as the story moves through unimaginable twists and turns. Highly recommended!

4.5 stars for another fantastic read by Linda Castillo. I always look forward to books in this series and this one was a great book - storyline, characters, and pacing were all on point. There was a couple of plot items that were a bit confusing (i.e. the address list) but in the grand scheme didn't make a difference to the overall story. The author is so good at developing characters and subplots in the story that make these books so fun to read. In this story we get more of her newlywed life and workplace dynamics that add a lot to this book and I'm sure to future books - which I can't wait for! Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I have been hooked on this series since the earliest few books had been released and I was so excited when I saw I was approved for this one! I have always been so impressed with how detailed the writing is, in everything from the innocuous scenes to the crimes themselves and this book definitely keeps that going. I would have loved to see more of the sub-plot involving the two particular officers, but it also wasn't necessary for the main story so I'm at least happy with what we did get to see. Overall this book is a great addition to the series, and now I'll go back to anxiously awaiting the next one!

I received an ARC of The Burning by Linda Castillo ( thank you NetGalley) in exchange for my honest review.
This book was another thrill ride by Ms. Castillo! I couldn't read it fast enough and just when I thought I had it figured out, I realized that I didn't. I have read every book in this series and each one is better than the last one.
There has been a gruesome murder of an excommunicated Amish man.
Painter's Mill Police Chief, Kate Burkholder, must try to unravel the mystery of who and why?
Hitting dead ends at every turn, it's proving to be very difficult. The Amish don't want to speak ill of their own, especially one who is dead, but rumors are plentiful.
This Amish man was excommunicated for many reasons, reasons that go beyond the unthinkable..
Even good people can be driven to murder, and those same people will do whatever it takes to keep their secret hidden.
Chief Burkholder isn't one who will stop, will this case cost her or those she loves their life?
This is an absolute must read!

Another great installment of the Kate Burkholder series! Easily read as a stand alone, a dso good I devoured it in a single day. I always enjoy the Amish mysteries the author writes, and this one included some interesting history. Highly recommend.

I love Linda Castillo/Kate Burkholder books. Castillo is so dark in her writing, which really seems juxtaposed to the Amish world. The case is always interesting. The dynamics between her and Thomasetti are very enjoyable to read. I honestly did not know how they were going to survive in this one.

I have read every book in this series, and I was beginning to wonder if they were all going to be the same. But, this book seemed different to me. From the beginning, there is a violent crime that sucks you right into the story. Then, in the course of the investigation, Kate encounters a few violent times of her own. This book was definintiely more intense than some of the others, but it was a welcome change. I can't wait to read more by this author!