Another great story in the Kate Burkholder series!

With tension and fast pacing right from the start, THE BURNING is an action packed thrill ride with sleuthing, murder and mystery. Listening to the audio format kicked things into high gear even more!

*many thanks to Macmillan audio and Netgalley for the audio copy for review

The Burning is the 16th book in the Kate Burkholder series. I requested and advance listener copy, without realizing it was part of a series, but the book provides enough background to be read as a standalone.

The audiobook is narrated by Kathleen McInerney, who does a great job.

I really enjoyed this book—it kept me guessing from start to finish. Looking forward to reading more books from the series in the future.

#theburning #netgalley
Pub Date Jul 09 2024

The Burning by Linda Castillo, narrated by Kate Rudd, is an intense, gripping audiobook that pulls you deep into the heart of Amish country where secrets and danger lurk. Rudd’s narration perfectly captures the tension and emotion of the story, bringing the characters to life with each twist and turn. Castillo’s writing is sharp and suspenseful, blending a chilling mystery with rich, layered characters. While the pace may slow in a few spots, the story quickly regains momentum. The Burning is a fantastic listen for fans of suspense, crime, and thrilling twists. A solid four stars for its compelling plot and great narration!

This 16th book in the Kate Burkholder series was another hit for me.

I loved this story but at times when reading her books I have to cringe at the atrocities that some people will go to.

Painters Mill Chief of Police Kate Burkholder receives an urgent suspicious call regarding a fire in the wood.

Once there Kate discovers a charred body. The corner believes the man was chaned to a stake and set of fire to burn the man alive.

As a prevously Amish person, Kate is well versed in the way of the Amish and can communite with. It falls to her to deliver all the bad news and to check the story to make sure it is solved to her satisfaction,
A captivating plot and suspenseful read!
It is always a pleasure to revisit the characters I have become quite attached to i

What a fun book to read. There was a little bit of everything in to keep you entertained.

Looking forward to seeing what trouble will befall Painter's Mill.

The Burning by Linda Castillo is a gripping, tense thriller that combines the chilling elements of a murder mystery with the deep, complex ties of Amish culture. Chief of Police Kate Burkholder is called to the scene of a horrific crime: an Amish man, Milan Swanz, has been burned alive in the woods, his body chained to a stake in a brutal, symbolic act of violence. As Kate investigates, she uncovers a man with a troubled past, recently excommunicated, yet the Amish community remains tight-lipped, unwilling to speak about him—or the crime.

Castillo’s writing shines in its ability to draw the reader into the mystery and the deeply insular world of the Amish. Kate’s connection to this community, from which she was once a part, adds an emotional depth to her investigation. As she digs deeper, she not only faces resistance from the Amish but also comes into conflict with both the English community and her colleagues in law enforcement. The stakes get even higher when her own brother becomes implicated, putting her in a difficult position personally and professionally.

The audiobook, narrated with a steady and compelling voice, enhances the atmosphere of suspense and urgency, making it an even more immersive experience. As the plot twists and turns, Kate’s life is threatened by a mysterious stranger, pushing her to confront a dark legacy within the Amish world—one that shatters her perceptions of both the culture and her own roots.

The Burning is a well-crafted and intense story, filled with emotional and psychological depth, and is perfect for fans of mysteries that explore complex cultures and the secrets they hide. It’s a captivating listen that keeps you on edge until the very end.

I enjoyed this book. This author is great at capturing suspense. I will definitely read the rest of the series.

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* Another great kate burkholder book! Im not super into the romance aspect ngl but i still love this series!

Installment 16 of Linda Castillo's Kate Burkholder series did not disappoint! I love how Kate does such a great job switching between her roles and the differing communities. I can't wait for the next in the series! Linda Castillo is on my always-read list!

I love this series! Even though we are now at #16 with several novellas in the mix, it has not and I mean NOT gotten old and staid. Kate and Tomassetti are now finally married and they still work so well together. Kate has been called in the middle of the night because of a murder in the middle of the woods, a burned body, and it turns out it is an Amish man. So many twists and turns and even when her brother is implicated Kate does not stop investigating. Even if you have not read anything in this series, you could pick up this one and enjoy it but I recommend you start closer to the beginning of the series to see how Kate and Tomassetti have developed and grown, you will not be disappointed.

Set in Pennsylvania’s Amish community, a brutal murder has shaken the quiet town, and Chief of Police Kate Burkholder—ex-Amish herself—must solve the case. Not only to deliver justice but also to bring peace to a community she remains deeply connected to, despite living outside of it for many years.

I haven’t read any of Linda Castillo’s other books, and I was pleasantly surprised to learn that this is part of a series. I can already see myself getting attached to Kate’s way of thinking and solving problems. I appreciated the lightness with which Castillo tells the story—there was just enough information to keep me engaged and actively involved in solving the case alongside Kate.

Even though this is X book in the series, it didn’t take anything away from the experience. I didn’t feel like I needed any prior knowledge to enjoy the story fully. The audiobook, which was amazingly narrated, only added to my enjoyment. I’ve always believed that simple, mindful writing combined with a good narrator can create a powerful experience, and that’s exactly what happened here. I devoured the audio in just two days—I couldn’t put it down.

One aspect I truly appreciated was how easy it was to stay connected to the story. Even when my mind occasionally wandered, I could jump right back in without feeling lost. I know many readers will value this type of straightforward yet immersive storytelling.

I’m not a connoisseur of the genre, but as far as murder mysteries go, I had a grand time with this one!
Thank you so much for the advance listener copy in exchange for an honest review.

I’m still very much fascinated with this series, and The Burning was no exception. This 16th installment in the Kate Burkholder series continues to deliver the suspense, crime, and mystery I’ve come to expect from this gripping series set in Amish country. The tension is palpable, the plot twists keep you on the edge of your seat, and the character development of Kate Burkholder remains strong.

Kate Burkholder novels are never boring, always starting with a bang, and The Burning is no different. From the very first page, Castillo pulls you in with intensity, and as the story unfolds, she dives deep into the Amish community, slowly revealing secrets that many would prefer to keep buried. It’s this unflinching look at the darker side of Amish life that makes the series so compelling.

Kate was shunned when she left the community, and while she’s often seen as an outsider, her deep Amish roots and family connections make her a part of it, too. Over the course of the series, there’s been a slow thaw in her relationship with the Amish community, especially with her brother and his family. While their bond has deepened, there are still limits to their connection, with old wounds and tensions lingering, making the dynamic all the more complex and rich.

This time, the case was particularly interesting—maybe even a tad bit unrealistic—but nevertheless captivating. The twists and turns kept me hooked, as always, with plenty of suspense and surprises along the way.

The narration, as always, was spot-on. Hearing the familiar voice brought the story to life in a way that felt like coming home to something familiar.

If you’re a fan of suspenseful crime dramas set in unique, atmospheric settings with complex, evolving relationships, this one is a must-read!

The Burning is book #16 in the Kate Burkholder series and it's still going strong!

I'm excited to return to Amish country in Painters Mill, Ohio. When I think of the Amish community, ghastly murders certainly do not come to mind. Here we are with a charred body tied to a stake and burned alive.

Chief of Police Kate Burkholder is called to the crime scene of Milan Swanz. Who would want this Amish man dead in such a gruesome way?

Kate begins to investigate before the case turns personal. As always, Kate found herself in imminent danger.

The Burning is a well-written police procedural mystery and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Linda Castillo knows how to pace her story, and gives a good amount of backstory and history without getting bogged down. I love her style.

I've listened to all her books narrated by the talented Kathleen McInerney and highly recommend it.

Thank you Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the ALC.

This is part of a series, but I read it as a standalone. It is about an ex-Amish police chief who is tasked with figuring out how an Amish man died. He was found basically burned at the stake. And people could hear him scream. So super creepy. However, even with the creepy premise, this seemed like a ‘light’ thriller/mystery to me.

I have been an avid reader and fan of the Kate Burkholder series since the first book came out in 2009. The Burning is the 16th book in this series, and I enjoyed just as much as I did all the prior books. Some long-standing series lose steam by the time they get past a certain number of books, but the Kate Burkholder series still has strong characters and plots each time. Linda Castillo never disappoints!

This time, Kate is called to the scene of a mysterious fire, only to discover it's also the scene of a horrific murder as well. Why would someone chain an Amish man to a stake and then burn him alive? Kate soon faces opposition from all sides due to the grisly nature of the crime, reluctance of the Amish to open up to outsiders, and a suspect who is very close to her.

I enjoyed this book immensely from start to finish. The suspense and plot kept me totally engrossed in the story. The story moved along at a perfect pace with plenty of investigation and possible suspects. Kate really shines as a strong main character in this newest book. It was a rough investigation. Made for a very twisty, suspenseful story!

I backtracked about half way through the book and started over again with the audio book version. I love having suspense stories read to me...so it was worth starting over to enjoy the audio. Kathleen McInerney always does a great job narrating this series. The audio is about 10 hours long. I enjoyed every minute!

A great addition to this series! I can't wait for the next book in this series -- always a wonderful read!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book and audio book from St Martins Press and Macmillan Audio. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

I enjoyed this one as a procedural set in Amish country. I remember reading the book right before this as my entry into this series and enjoyed the followup.

I liked the various different aspects - including the Anabaptist side of things - and followed along with anticipation through the mystery. Lots of action in this one.

Can recommend to those who enjoy thrillers and a unique perspective of a once-Amish lead.


Note: Lots of language in this one.

My rating: 3.5*
___
Thanks to NetGalley for this gifted listening copy. All opinions are my own.

I love police procedurals and Linda Castillo writes fantastic ones.
This one started with a bang and it was impossible to stop listening until the end. Full of suspense, fast-paced and addictive. This is the 16th book in a series but can be read as a standalone.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this complimentary audiobook.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 by Linda Castillo released July 9, 2024.

I love reading series, especially mystery series (blame it on Nancy Drew!) - and I'm usually a stickler for reading any series in order. But somehow I ended up starting this series somewhere in the middle. Lucky for me, Linda Castillo is good about giving just enough backstory at times when it's needed so that I never feel totally lost, yet leaves me wanting to go back and read the books I've missed. That was the case again with this book - this is a dark and gritty book about some appalling sins and horrifying retribution. I find myself liking the fact that while Kate Burkholder is a smart and capable cop, she isn't above letting her emotions (and pride) get the better of her at times and not always making the best decisions. Kind of like us mere mortals, rather than a supercop. We feel her frustration as she not only has to battle with an unknown perpetrator, but with her (male) superiors in law enforcement. As always, it left me wanting to read more about Kate and her journey.
I had both the ebook and the audiobook, and ended up mostly listening to the audiobook. As usual Kathleen McInerney does an excellent job with the narration.
Thanks to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for providing copies for an unbiased review.

"Chief of Police Kate Burkholder is called to a fire in the middle of the night. A man has been tied to a stake and burned to death. The man, Milan Swanz, had recently been ex-communicated from the Amish community. Kate knows the Amish like to handle things themselves and it is unlikely she will find someone willing to speak about Swanz. But the more she digs she stumbles across men that are willing to do anything to protect the Amish community...and their secret."

This book starts out slowly but once Kate finds what's lurking in the community, it takes off. Kathleen McInerney does an excellent job with the audio, especially the end and Kate's desperation.
There were some stereotypes - local sheriff, overbearing state law enforcement takeover - but it doesn't stray too far into that. The ending is wild and you never know who is going to make it.

Interesting clash of cultures from Castillo.

Another Kate Burkholder novel, and another time where I’m reminded that she’s one of my favorite characters. She has a strong moral compass, a love for her family, her community (and the community she left years ago) along with her team.

The audio narration was wonderful (as always). The narration really brings out how detail-oriented and thoughtful Kate is in every aspect of her life.

In The Burning, I was HORRIFIED by the initial crime. The writing and narration were INTENSE so early in the book. The investigation that followed was great. I learned a lot about types of Amish communities, and though I definitely didn’t jump to the same conclusions that Kate did and had no idea how she came to hers, I’m glad for the book’s ending.

THE BURNING, Kate Burkholder #16
Linda Castillo, author
Mystery/Thriller

Follow along as a former Amish practitioner turned Chief of Police Kate Burkholder as she once again dives into the Amish community to solve a murder. This time it is personal though as her brother is the suspect.

I am a huge fan of this series. They can be read as standalone books, I picked them up mid-series. It has everything expected from a mystery with a dash of Amish fun facts in the mix. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.