Wednesday, August 9, 2023

BOOK REVIEW- An Evil Heart(Kate Burkholder# 15) by Linda Castillo

 

 Mystery & Thrillers 

 Chief of Police Kate Burkholder investigates the brutal death of a young Amish man in An Evil Heart, the latest installment of the bestselling series by Linda Castillo.

On a crisp autumn day in Painters Mill, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder responds to a call only to discover an Amish man who has been violently killed with a crossbow, his body abandoned on a dirt road. Aden Karn was just twenty years old, well liked, and from an upstanding Amish family. Who would commit such a heinous crime against a young man whose life was just beginning?
The more Kate gets to know his devastated family and the people—both English and Amish—who loved him, the more determined she becomes to solve the case. Aden Karn was funny and hardworking and looking forward to marrying his sweet fiancé, Emily. All the while, Kate’s own wedding day to Tomasetti draws near...

But as she delves into Karn’s past, Kate begins to hear whispers about a dark side. What if Aden Karn wasn’t the wholesome young man everyone admired? Is it possible the rumors are a cruel campaign to blame the victim? Kate pursues every lead with a vengeance, sensing an unspeakable secret no one will broach.

The case spirals out of control when a young Amish woman comes forward with a horrific story that pits Kate against a dangerous and unexpected opponent. When the awful truth is finally uncovered, Kate comes face to face with the terrible consequences of a life lived in all the dark places.

AMAZON LINK

5 STARS

What a story this was and the opening scenes of the first attack was truly brutal and cold blooded.  Kate has no idea how truly twisted this crime is going to turn into, with so many layers.  Secret after secret will have to be unraveled and it won't be easy.  It continued to surprise me which as a reader I really like.  She also has a really good team of people working with her.  Not just her own in her department but also other law enforcement departments come alongside to help.  I enjoyed their interactions with Kate with many that had actually become friends.  Even the coroner, Doc was an unusual character who was as skilled as he was unique.

There is plenty of emotions shown and not only by the shocked community.  Kate is still dealing with some of her own emotions with having been a former Amish person.  Her romance and upcoming wedding with Tomasetti was so good. He accepted her for who she was and so often was a steadying influence when she needed it.  They knew each other so well, that it was easy for them to know what the other needed and when they needed it.  I enjoyed that.  And if I haven't said it yet, I really liked BOTH of them as a couple and main characters.

Just like the opener of the story being a shocker, prepare yourself for a shocker of an ending. I dare anyone to say it was easy to figure how things were going to end. 

They will fight through stuff to get there but there will be a wedding.  And it's a sweet one at that !It added a great note to the end of the story.

 “I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

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