A man burned at the stake begins this story.. Kate is called to the scene only to discover the victim is an excommunicated Amish. Finding information is incredibly difficult and when her brother comes under suspicion, Kate is taken off the case. This story grips you from the beginning and holds you until the end. Wonderful story telling and an amazing plot keep you guessing to the end. This is a great read and addition to this long running series.

Loved it!!! I would give it 4.5 stars. This is one of my favorite series. With the amount of crime/murders that occurs in Painters Mill and the surrounding area, Kate Burkholder definitely has job security. Who could have killed Milan so violently? At first I felt so bad that a died such a horrible death. The more I got to know him, I can see why he wasn't well liked. Should he have been burned alive? Probably not. Milan should have been rotting in jail for the rest of his life. He was not a nice person and constantly got revenge on people he thought wronged him. The story kept me guessing until the end. There were so many twists and turns. Kate is definitely a cat with nine lives with how much she gets injured on the job. She needs to be wrapped in a bubble or get a police dog who is always by her side. Chambers, Rasmussen and Mayor Brock should have listened to her. They had tunnel vision and knew who they wanted as the murderer. Hated the way Chambers taunted Kate about her brother. I love when Kate interacts with her family. Jacob and Kate have come a long way.

Definitely recommend the book. It was a great mystery/thriller. Loved the characters, story and writing style. I can't wait to find out what's next in store for Kate and John. I'm thinking maybe babies???? Look forward to reading more books by the author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

When two police officers happen upon an Amish man burning at the stake in the middle of the woods, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder has to rely on her Amish upbringing to find out why he might have ended up there. And the more she uncovers about him, the more everyone seems to have a motive to want the deceased dead - even someone very close to her.

This is no. 16 in a series featuring Kate Burkholder, a formerly Amish Chief of Police in her mid-thirties. I hadn‘t read any of the previous books in the series before this one and did not feel like I was missing out, as the novel stands on its own. The only thing that baffled me and that might have been better understood with knowledge of the previous books was the relationship between Kate and her newly minted husband, BCI agent John Tomasetti. It just felt so off! Even though they‘re both in law enforcement working the same case (though what exactly Tomasetti does all day solving this case never became clear to me), they hardly ever talk, except maybe to snipe at one another. Moreover, Tomasetti is actually a pretty unlikeable and condescending character for most of the book, and I just didn‘t get the appeal.

As for Kate herself, she is a wonderful character - driven, smart, takes no prisoners. But in this book at least, all her redeeming qualities are overshadowed by her stubborn refusal to follow any rules of procedure, like stepping back from the investigation when a person of interest is someone close to her. It was neither cute nor „you go, girl!“ to see her ruin any chances of a conviction at trial just because she thinks she knows better. It also felt odd that she was always off doing her own thing and never checking in with her team.

The mystery itself was intriguing, but the whodunnit and the final confrontation fell flat and felt strangely anticlimactic.

I‘m sure fans of the series will love this newest addition, so it‘s probably just a „me“ problem, but I was slightly disappointed, especially given the author‘s stellar reputation and the stunning cover. That being said, I‘d still give the next book in the series a go.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin‘s Press / Minotaur Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

„The Burning“ is slated to be released on July 9, 2024.

I got an ARC of this book, realizing it was a series, but not realizing it was like book 15 in the series. (I actually didn't know that until I was done with the book.)
Luckily, this reads like any serial crime series. I could glean enough from the beginning about Kate Burkholder and her life that i didn't actually need all of the previous books.
I enjoyed this read. The Amish perspective lent a bit of a different twist to your typical detective series. It made me curious about the other books in the series, so I enjoyed it enough to add others to my list!

To start, let me say I am a long-time reader of the Kate Burkholder series. I discovered this series I don't even know how long ago, but I've been reading each new release as soon as I can get my hands on it! I've been lucky enough to get e-ARCs from St. Martin's for the last few books, and I always dive in soon after receiving them, because I just can't wait to read it!

That being said though, this one was only a 3.5 star entry into what's normally a 4-5 star every time series, and no one is sadder about that than I am. I just feel like the end was so rushed and it wasn't clear on what happened to several characters. I hope that we'll find out in the next entry in the series, but I'm also painfully aware that outside the first few books, Linda has never really carried stuff like that over to the next book. However! I do still love the series, and will definitely be reading book #17; I just think that this book was not the best in the series, at least not for me. 3.5 stars, rounded down.

Riveting

You know that once you begin reading one of author Linda Castillo's books, you are going to get hooked right from the first page. And The Burning is no exception.

It is riveting and suspenseful all the way through. Once I started reading, I could not put it down until I got to the very end. It had me sitting on the edge of my seat, holding my breath, and guessing who had done it up to the very end.

The discoveries Kate made and the connections to them made the story even more compelling and intriguing. It is a total page-turner, and although it includes some pretty gruesome descriptions and obscenities, none of them are overdone. It is an absolute must-read.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book. All comments and opinions are voluntary and completely my own.

The Burning by Linda Castillo is the sixteenth book in the Kate Burkholder mystery series about the chief of police in a small Amish town. I've read all of these books so far, and this series is consistently well-written and captivating to read. Highly recommend. Thanks to NetGalley for the free digital review copy. All opinions are my own.

Kate Burkholder investigates the case of an excommunicated Amish man, Milan Swanz who was burned at the stake. The man had made many enemies with his wicked ways.
This was an entertaining story full of interesting characters that had me reading into the night.
Thanks NetGalley and St. Martins Press for this eARC that will be released July 9, 2024!

Tightly written detective mystery set around an Amish community. Chief Burkholder is a strong woman not afraid to do what needs to be done. Even though she left the Amish community at 18, they still trust her, to a point. The characters were well developed and the murder mystery was intriguing. I found it difficult to put the book down as the story evolved.

My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions are my own.

Kate Burkholder, former Amish, is police chief in a small community. Two of her officers stumble on a murder right after it happens. Since the victim is ex-communicated Amish will the community help to solve the crime.
This is another gripping Kate Burkholder thriller. It is a quick read and you will not want to put it down. You can not go wrong choosing any of Linda Castillo's books. The cover has the heat that is perfect for this time of the year. Give this book a read you won't be sorry.

Thank you to #NetGalley, #LindaCastillo and #MinotaurBooks for a copy of this book.
#TheBurning

The Burning is the 16th book in the Kate Burkholder series by Linda Castillo. This book can be enjoyed as part of the series or as a standalone mystery.

Wow! This was such an intense book. It dealt with some heavy stuff and I was very worried for Kate. I found this one fascinating and I could not stop reading it!

I definitely recommend reading this one!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I received a copy from NetGalley. I've read others in the series, but think this would work okay as a stand alone or introduction to the series. Very fast paced and quick read, though the crime was terrible.

The Burning by Linda Castillo is an intriguing story. The characters are developed and realistic. Kate Burkholder is now happily married to John. Her latest case is a dark and gruesome one (the details are quite graphic). This case hits close to home for Kate when her brother ends up one of the prime suspects. Trying to get answers out of the Amish is like pulling a wisdom tooth (tough and painful). Kate should see if the local hospital has a frequent visitor program because someone is determined to sideline her. I was surprised that case details were repeated so often. The case leads to a suspenseful reveal. The Burning can be read as a standalone. I believe it would be helpful, though, to read Sworn to Silence (the first book in the series) which would give you an introduction to the characters (or watch An Amish Murder). The story does contain some “salty” language. John and Kate had an interesting conversation at the end. I will be curious to see what becomes of it. The Burning took me on a roller coaster (Kate too and she has the bruises to prove it) and I am looking forward to Kate’s next adventure.

Another excellent Kate Burkholder mystery! Loved the story line, and where her and Tomasetti's relationship is heading. Also like that her relationship with her siblings is evolving. Definitely kept me reading and wanting to know what's next!

Another solid Kate Burkholder mystery. This one involves family, for Kate and the victim. Each book in the series lets you learn a little more about the main characters, and this one is no exception.

Linda Castillo does it again!

I love this series ! She never disappoints and she just writes fantastic. It has drama, mystery, twists and turns.

Keep up the good work and i will read anything this author writes.

Thanks NetGalley for letting me read and review.

LOVE LOVE LOVE the Kate Burkholder series and this one did not disappoint. I just finished this and can't wait for the next! Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC.

The Burning
Linda Castillo
July 09, 2024

Castillo’s latest Kate Burkholder adventure is really hair-raising for the Chief. She begins her novel with an ungodly murder of a local Amish man. She continues with attempts to find the murderer from the force and her husband, John Tomasetto. As reader’s have learned, local Amish do not converse with English folk. When pressed Burkholder can sometimes get answers.
The Burning will be published by Minotaur Books of New York. I appreciate their allowing me to read and review Ms. Castillo’s latest novel via NetGalley. This is #16 in the Kate Burkholder series. As many readers, I have read and enjoyed every book she has written. The Burning kept me binge reading for the entire novel. Right up to the conclusion I was unhinged as to how it would be solved. No spoiler here, if you are a Castillo fave you won’t miss it, for suspense and mystery this is excellent.Should you never have read her books,be certain to get a copy. Do enjoy!

We’re back with police Chef Kate Burkholder as she investigates a crime of a man being burned at the stack. We start off fast with thr crime being committed and it never slows down. I love that about this series! Being from the Amish world she has the useful ability to speak with the Amish who tend to tight lipped. This one comes closer to home than she’d like and also has interdependent control issues! Fast paced and nerve boring, I flew through trying to figure it all out. And I loved the way ended, with who was involved!

Thank you to Minotaur Books and Netgalley for my gifted copy!

Milan Swanz, under the ban of excommunication from the Amish Church, is burned at the stake. His screams are heard by two local police officers who immediately alert the Chief of Police, Kate Burkholder.. An investigation is opened and, as a former Amish member, she understands the reticence of the community to answer questions about their neighbors. When her brother becomes a person of interest and her life is threatened, she is thrown off the case. What she does uncover is the existence of an underground sect who “martyrs” evil people to guarantee them atonement. As bizarre as it seems, Linda Castillo provides the Anabaptist history of persecution which spawned the heinous practice. Her novels never fail to surprise and enlighten as we follow an experienced law officer fight crime in a closed society.