The Burning is a thrilling, heart pounding and can’t-stop-reading story in the Kate Burkholder series by Linda Castillo. Extraordinary story telling so that I could not easily put the clues together but tried to do so alongside of Chief of Police Kate Burkholder. This heinous crime was a shocker but also a complicated one. I always learn something from Kate in this story, this time it was not to blame the victim no matter how despicable he was when living. The focus is to stop the killer from killing again. More than once I was actually afraid that goal would not be meet with Kate or someone she loved dying.

The Amish community may be different and consider themselves nonviolent but they are far from perfect which this series has shown. They have many of the same struggles, weaknesses and vices as the regular population living around them. Kate is exceptional in her role as Police Chief solving the cases in this close but tight-lipped community. Tomasetti and Kate are a great team as well as a great now married couple. I am hooked on this series. It is all because of these two characters.

The Burning is the sixteenth book in the Kate Burkholder series. Each on is a wonderful addition to the series. Each one is a stand-alone read. Although the series is fantastic and worth reading in its entirety,

Kate Burkholder gets a phone call in the early hours of the morning. Two of her officers have found a body that was burned at the stake. This will kick off an intense investigation into finding the truth. Kate's brother becomes a person of interest.

As Kate talks to the Amish, they do not offer any new information freely. But slowly she finds information that leads her to believe a group of formerly Amish might be responsible for the murder.

This is a gripping, fast paced and intense story that holds the reader firmly in its grasp. Kate Burkholder is a wonderful character. I look forward to reading each new book that comes out. Linda Castillo is a very talented writer who knows how to deliver a strong story to her readers. I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series.

A dark and chilling winter scene immediately draws readers into the storyline in The Burning by Linda Castillo. This crime thriller and police procedural features Kate Burkholder, the chief of police in the small town of Painters Mill in Ohio. Set in the middle of Amish country, this sixteenth book in the series is somewhat darker than usual. Kate and Tomasetti have only been married for a couple of months, but doesn’t stop the midnight call to her from dispatch when a suspicious fire and scream are seen and heard in the woods. A charred body is found that had been wired to a stake. Since the Amish prefer to handle their problems without interference from the outside world, gathering information about the deceased is difficult. When Kate’s brother is implicated, she finds herself clashing with both the Amish community and her counterparts in law enforcement.

The characterization is excellent, making each person come to life for me. Readers of the series will be familiar with many of them. One thing that struck me as slightly odd was the number of nicknames for officers on Kate’s investigation team. She has learned to delegate, likes to finish what she starts, is focused, hates the politics and media side of the job, and is respected by her officers. She’s loyal, driven, intelligent, has good instincts, and is courageous. Kate comes alive and it’s easy to connect with her and want her to succeed in finding the killer.

This novel is graphic in places and the murder descriptions are brutal and hard to read at times. The descriptive narrative transported me to Kate and her team’s suspenseful investigation. The plot twists worked well and the ending was action-packed. Ms. Castillo is an excellent storyteller who kept me engaged with gripping scenes and a creative plot that built suspense. The story captivated me from beginning to end. The book did a great job bringing together historical events and current events within the storyline. Ms. Costillo is clearly a master at building tension and delivering exciting results that keep readers engaged. Themes include trust, transparency, conflict of interest, respect, secrets, murder, and complicated family and community relationships.

Overall, this book was briskly paced, suspenseful, and gripping. This novel should delight those readers that enjoy police procedurals, crime thrillers, and mysteries that have a strong female lead character. However, be aware that it is also unsettling at times. I’m looking forward to reading more by this author.

St. Martin’s Press – Minotaur Books and Linda Castillo provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently expected to be July 09, 2024. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.

This is the first novel I've read from Linda Castillo but I will be going back to read the rest in this series. The story is about an Amish man who was burned at a stake and the police chief, ex-Amish, Kate must unravel the mystery of what happened.

Growing up in the rural midwest I've always been peripherally around the Amish communities and the premise is what drew me into the story. It was paced well, twisty and I really enjoyed the character of Kate. I am looking forward to reading the rest of her books.

I have read a fair number of the Kate Burkholder Series and have to say this was the most action packed one yet!. Kate for sure felt this case, as each time you turned a page she was facing someone wanting to kill her for trying to found out what happened to the Amish man burned at the stake. The final scene with Tomasetti and Kate is action packed from the start and keeps you turning pages to see how they could possibly get out of this one alive.

I'm not sure what's going, but I'm going to investigate because I would swear Linda did not write this whole book. It sounded like her voice in the beginning and then it changed. It not only didn't sound like her but I'm not sure who this person was, but they don't know Amish. To my literary horror, an Amish mother said her son was 'tight' with someone! What? Not only that but Kate formerly Amish, was asking why those parents hadn't spoken to their son in a month or so, knowing full well he was excommunicated and they aren't allowed to speak to him. Yes, some would find a way, but Kate shouldn't have asked that. The writing was disturbing in other ways too. Then, it started sounding like Linda again (or Kate). This left me then wondering if part of the book was written by someone else and there was an editing issue or if that section was 1st draft language and somehow didn't get fixed before the eArc was released. Part of me wants it to be that, but the 2nd half was pretty polished while that other part was not. When it sounded like Linda again, I was so glad. I love this series and her writing but the last couple of books have had issues like this, I'm going to get a published copy and see. It was a good story and I loved the second half. The story itself is 5 stars, but the weird section changes it to 4 stars.

Thank you to St Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for providing an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

The Kate Burkholder series by Linda Castillo is one of my favorites and also, in my opinion, one of the best written murder mystery/police procedurals available. This installment can be read as a stand alone, but I highly recommend beginning with the first in the series, Sworn to Silence.

Here we find Kate and her team investigating the murder of an Amish man burned at the stake. Milan Swanz, we learn, is divorced and has been excommunicated from Painter Hill's Amish community a few months earlier. He was known to drink a lot and had made enemies. One of the last people Milan had an argument with was Kate's brother, Jacob. The sheriff arrests Jacob, but Kate and her team, along with her husband, Tomasetti, look into the case " off the books."

As much as Milan was disliked by the Amish community, no one wants to talk. What exactly is going on, and why was he killed? Kate is threatened and viciously attacked.

The story grabs your attention immediately and keeps up the pace. Once you start, you will not want to put it down. I can hardly wait for the next book!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Minotaur Books, for an ARC. The review is my own.

Book #16 Kate Burkholder series.

The story begins with screams, then the smell of smoke.. a fire in the woods.. but not just any fire, this is a person who is being burned at the stake. The first officers arrive too late finding a nightmarish sight. Police Chief Kate Burkholder opens her investigation into this bizarre murder. Turns out the victim is a troubled, divorced former schoolmate of Kate’s who’s recently been excommunicated by the Amish and is barred from seeing his children or ex. Kate’s theory of the crime is based on stories in a book popular with the Amish. Sounds bizarre right. Even Kate has trouble believing it. When Kate’s own brother becomes a suspect, she is dropped from the case, but by continuing her investigation it prompts the killer(s) to set their sights on her. Layer by layer Castillo plays out this story of deadly revenge with many twists and turns, along with Kate’s chilling scenes of escaping her own demise, but if you’ve read this series you know Kate can hold her own when under threat. It’s a truly creepy tale that made my blood run cold. Fantastic, unputdownable and leaves you wanting for more. 4.5 stars — Pub. 7/9/24

I received an advanced copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

The Burning is the latest in the Kate Burkholder series by Linda Castillo. I think it’s it favorite in the series so far. I stayed up very late because I wanted to know the ending.

Painters Mills police officers Skid and Mona are secretly meeting by the woods in the middle of the night when they hear a scream and smell smoke. A man has been tied to a post and set on fire- burned at the stake. The crime sends starts rumors of witches and cults and people are afraid.

Kate’s brother is named as a suspect, and Kate learns of the possible existence of a vengeful sect of Anabaptists that she thought were folklore. With tensions rising between the Painters Kills police, the sheriffs office, and the BCI, Kate must continue her investigation in secret before her brother is arrested for a crime she knows he didn’t commit.

This book was excellent- a fast paced mystery with a side of Anabaptist history. Thanks to the publisher, the author, and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A dynamic addition to the long running series that will also be a great read as a standalone. Chief Kate Burkholder has a real nasty one on her hands when two of her officers find Milan Swanz burning at a stake in the woods. Everyone agrees that he was a horrible man but, as is often the case, the Amish don't want to tell Kate everything they know- at first. Unfortunately, her brother Jacob was one who is known to have argued with Milan and thus when he comes under scrutiny, she's ordered off the case. But you know that's not going to happen and Kate finds herself researching a dark element of the Anabaptists and then a target herself. This is nicely twisty with unexpected turns. The characters are terrific, the setting atmospheric, and I learned something new along with Kate. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Great read - I'm looking forward to the next one (and to Kate's future).

This is the second book I’ve read in this series and I definitely enjoyed it
A fast paced police procedural from star to end ; some interesting personal dynamics and I enjoy learning more about the Amish community.

There is something about Linda Castillo’s books that always draws me in right away. While perhaps it is the mystique of the Amish, it is definitely Kate Burkholder, and the stories Linda Castillo weaves so seemingly effortlessly. She has a knack of pulling me into the story immediately and keeping me engaged throughout. I enjoy the interactions between the Amish and “English” which I personally find so very interesting. The police department Kate works for definitely needs her knowledge being a former Amish in order to do their jobs effectively. Of course the male resentment is always there, as in this book.
The settings in this book served to ratchet up the tension with their remote atmospheric rural settings. Kate’s strength, intelligence, and fortitude once again stole the show.
I found the historical aspects of this book to be very fascinating, while also scary. I suspect we have not seen the last of the Schwertler Anabaptists. I look forward to reading your next Kate. Burkholder book.
Many many thanks to Linda Castillo, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for affording me the opportunity to read an arc of this read, to be published on 7-8.

Kate Burkholder is always getting her butt handed to her (chuckle). She is one tough Sheriff. Linda Castillo has created an amazing law officer who even when down keeps on going after the truth even when it’s to her detriment. This ends up being a key component in The Burning. I say that, but it isn’t a strong line, but it is an undercurrent that kicks off the book and runs throughout and ends with that thought. The choices she is making and what present and future does she want.

This does not mean that Castillo doesn’t drop kick us into a great mystery. There are lots of strings and I love it. Burkholder has to follow each one and the crumbs sometimes lead somewhere or give us something to chew on. These crumbs I think will change future relationships too as the information is revealed. I actually can’t wait to see if Castillo follows through on what the aftereffects of The Burning should have on everyone. There are also some strings that never got answered which is interesting.

The Burning is packed with action, danger, red herrings, and a couple things that will have you “Ooo Ooo” like Horshack on Welcome Back, Kotter. I keep coming back for more Burkholder for a reason: it’s a guaranteed good ride.

Great new novel in the Kate Burkholder series. I love that these books work so well as stand alone novels but also are a joy to read for fans of the series. In this new read, Kate rushes to uncover the motive and murder when an Amish man, Milan, is found burned at the steak. As she starts to uncover Milan’s dark past, she realizes how close to home this crime may be.
Great read!

* I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books in exchange for my honest review

I love these book of Linda Castillo about the Amish and Chief of Police Kate Burkholder. I wasn't in on the beginning but I have read the last five books of this wonderful series. Wonderful because Ms Castillo knows the Amish culture and their history. CofP Burkholder was raised Amish but left to live with the "English'. When a place opened up for a new police person, she applied and was accepted. Many were suspicious of her because she did leave the fold. But now, when something happens that involves that requires police presence, she is the only 'English' they will talk to.

In The Burning, newly wed Burkholder is called to a homocide of a man who has been burned alive when nailed to a stake. It is grizzly and every question produces more questions. As if she weren't competent, a higher up is brought in as the main investigator, a man who looks down his nose at Kate and poo poos every move she makes. She is on her own.

With her usual skill, Castillo keeps us guessing and keeps the story fascinating while we accompany Kate in questioning people she knows and loves. Her brother becomes a suspect and she is officially suspended from the case. Kate's knowledge of the Amish and Amish past gives her the edge to ask probing questions while risking her life.

I highly recommend this book.

This is another nail biting drama in this series. Kate is on top of her game as she works on solving a gruesome murder that becomes personal to her. The plot is a maze of exciting twists and turns as it takes the reader on pages filled with adventure. The characters are magnificent. The author has a way of describing the characters that brings them to life in a readers mind that is just awesome. Her use of dialogue and language is excellent and easy to read. It is an intense story that will leave readers guessing almost to the end.

This is a fast paced mystery that starts off with a rather gruesome murder. It’s another good book in this series. Kate finds herself in a case that her brother is a suspect. I like Kate, she’s tough and determined to do the right thing. Looking forward to what happens next in this series

It's hard to believe I've read 16 books in this series. This latest installment starts out with a very gruesome murder, and quite frankly, I had a hard time reading the details. From looking at the cover, I thought someone's barn would be set on fire but unfortunately it wasn't a barn. If you've read the books description then you'll know, but I didn't read it beforehand.

There were some interesting historical things about the Anabaptist culture in this book, and I had to look those things up on my own and read about them. I also enjoyed Kate and Tomasetti as they embarked on life as a married couple, and he even attempted to help her with this case. This book was pretty average for the series. Kate, as always, did some things I thought weren't very well thought out, and on top of that she came off as super human with the way she kept taking beatings yet could keep going. That aspect of the story wasn't very believable.

Overall I liked this book but it wasn't one of my favorites in the series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for providing me with an ARC of this book.

I’ve known for a long time that I should be reading Linda Castillo’s novels, but for some reason just never got one in my hands. The Burning confirms my inclination: Castillo writes an excellent thriller with Kate Burkholder, former Amish and current police chief who carries a unique perspective on and cultural ties to the crime central to this story. I appreciated how Castillo built and managed the different tensions between Kate and her Amish family members and juxtaposed different tensions between Kate and her peace officer peers. I will definitely find space in my reading schedule to back read this series and continue with future books as well.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, Netgalley, and the author for early access to this suspenseful novel.

I very rarely have complaints about a Kate Burkholder, and #16 continues that streak. Man was I pissed off for her in this one though. Already can't wait for the next.

Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review