Monday, July 4, 2022

** Book Review- The Hidden One (Kate Burkholder #14) by Linda Castillo

   

Mystery & Thrillers 

Description

The discovery of an Amish bishop's remains leads chief of police Kate Burkholder to unearth a chilling secret in The Hidden One, a new thriller from bestselling author Linda Castillo.

Over a decade ago, beloved Amish bishop Ananias Stoltzfus disappeared without a trace. When skeletal remains showing evidence of foul play are unearthed, his disappearance becomes even more sinister.

The town’s elders arrive in Painters Mill to ask chief of police Kate Burkholder for help, but she quickly realizes she has a personal connection to the crime. The handsome Amish man who stands accused of the murder, Jonas Bowman, was Kate’s first love. Forced to confront a painful episode from her past, Kate travels to Pennsylvania’s Kishacoquillas Valley, where the Amish culture differs dramatically from the traditions she knows. Though Bishop Stoltzfus was highly respected, she soon hears about a dark side to this complex man. What was he hiding that resulted in his own brutal death?

Someone doesn’t want Kate asking questions. But even after being accosted and threatened in the dead of night, she refuses to back down. Is she too close to the case—and to Jonas—to see clearly? There’s a killer in the Valley who will stop at nothing to keep the past buried. Will they get to Kate before she can expose the truth? Or will the bishop’s secrets remain hidden forever?

 AMAZON LINK

4 STARS

This was a well written story and Kate Burkholder made for one interesting  main character.  What a life she has led both as an Amish woman who didn't quite fit and now a very smart chief of police.  She is stubborn, thorough and never gives up.  Something that endears her to some and offends others on both sides of the fence. I liked John Tomasetti who she often calls just Tomasetti.  He's been her calm rock and I enjoyed the few times that he shows up in the story. They live together and have quite the unique homestead. He just "gets her." 

There are flashbacks to years ago when Kate was living as a young girl and Amish.  Although I'm not a huge fan of a lot of flashbacks in a story it is well done and sets more of a foundation.  

The emotions, secrets and mysteries were well done.  There is more than one surprise in the story which I enjoyed. About the time I thought the adversary was identified, another surprise popped out.  Everything was well done and comes to a good conclusion.  

 

 " I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book through Netgalley. And these are my honest opinions about it.”

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