Synopses & Reviews
New York Times bestselling author Linda Castillo delivers an electrifying thriller in which Chief of Police Kate Burkholder must confront a dark evil to solve the mysterious murders of an entire Amish family.
The Plank family moved from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to join the small Amish community of Painters Mill less than a year ago and seemed the model of the Plain Life—until on a cold October night, the entire family of seven was found slaughtered on their farm. Police Chief Kate Burkholder and her small force have few clues, no motive, and no suspect. Formerly Amish herself, Kate is no stranger to the secrets the Amish keep from the English—and each other—but this crime is horribly out of the ordinary.
State agent John Tomasetti arrives on the scene to assist. He and Kate worked together on a previous case during which they began a volatile relationship. They soon realize the disturbing details of this case will test their emotional limits and force them to face demons from their own troubled pasts—and for Kate, a personal connection that is particularly hard to bear.
When she discovers a diary that belonged to one of the teenaged daughters, Kate is shocked to learn the girl kept some very dark secrets and may have been living a lurid double life. Who is the charismatic stranger who stole the young Amish girls heart? Could the brother—a man with a violent past, rejected and shunned by his family and the Amish community, have come to seek out revenge? As Kates outrage grows so does her resolve to find the killer and bring him to justice—even if it means putting herself in the line of fire.
Topping her own bestselling debut, Linda Castillo once again immerses us in the world of the Amish with a chilling story that is both a fast-paced thriller and intriguing psychological puzzle.
Review
"Though the violence level is high, the brutality is offset by Kates and her teams very capable police procedure and investigation. Another solid effort that will appeal to fans of Karin Slaughter and Tami Hoag.”—Library Journal
“Another knock-out job. I love this series.”—Alex Kava
“Castillo excels at detailing gory crimes scenes.”—Publishers Weekly
“[The] unique setting and a very human heroine make this a good recommendation for readers seeking an alternative to the urban whodunit.”—Booklist
“The second book in Castillos series is . . . as well crafted, interesting and unique as the first. The combination of Amish life and the brutal work of a police chief create plenty of tension and excitement.”—Romantic Times (Top Pick, 4 1/2 stars)
“With a serial killer and now a mass murder in tiny Painters Mill, Castillo will need to be inventive to maintain the plausibility in this addictive series. Fortunately, she seems up to the task.”—Akron Beacon Journal
“Castillo keeps the pace quick, the story compelling, and her manner towards the Amish reverent.”—Katherine Osborne, Indiebound
Review
“Its shades of In Cold Blood when a family of seven is brutally murdered at their home in Painters Mill, Ohio. But the Plank family was Amish—and their teenage daughter was flirting outside the fold. Another chilling thriller by the author of 2009s Sworn to Silence.”—People magazine“Violent and earthy, and completely impossible to put down.”—BookPage
"Though the violence level is high, the brutality is offset by Kates and her teams very capable police procedure and investigation. Another solid effort that will appeal to fans of Karin Slaughter and Tami Hoag.”—Library Journal“The second installment in Castillos strong series finds Police Chief Kate Burkholder once again face-to-face with pure evil. . . . A unique setting and a very human heroine make this a good recommendation for readers seeking an alternative to the urban whodunit.”—Booklist
“Castillo excels at detailing gory crimes scenes.”—Publishers Weekly
“The second book in Castillos series . . . is as well crafted, interesting and unique as the first. The combination of Amish life and the brutal work of a police chief create plenty of tension and excitement.”—Romantic Times (4 ½ stars, top pick)
“Castillo pushed boundaries with her first in this series, but Pray for Silence blows all of those out of the water: her handling of the subject matter is impressive and the book is very well plotted. Again, not for the easily shocked and one that will utterly consume you as you follow Burkholder and her team. This series seriously needs a warning label.”—Bookbitch.com"With a serial killer and now a mass murder in tiny Painters Mill, Castillo will need to be inventive to maintain the plausibility in this addictive series. Fortunately, she seems up to the task.”—Akron Beacon Journal
Review
“Its shades of In Cold Blood when a family of seven is brutally murdered at their home in Painters Mill, Ohio. But the Plank family was Amishand their teenage daughter was flirting outside the fold. Another chilling thriller by the author of 2009s Sworn to Silence.”People magazine“Violent and earthy, and completely impossible to put down.”BookPage
"Though the violence level is high, the brutality is offset by Kates and her teams very capable police procedure and investigation. Another solid effort that will appeal to fans of Karin Slaughter and Tami Hoag.”Library Journal“The second installment in Castillos strong series finds Police Chief Kate Burkholder once again face-to-face with pure evil. . . . A unique setting and a very human heroine make this a good recommendation for readers seeking an alternative to the urban whodunit.”Booklist
“Castillo excels at detailing gory crimes scenes.”Publishers Weekly
“The second book in Castillos series . . . is as well crafted, interesting and unique as the first. The combination of Amish life and the brutal work of a police chief create plenty of tension and excitement.”Romantic Times (4 ½ stars, top pick)
“Castillo pushed boundaries with her first in this series, but Pray for Silence blows all of those out of the water: her handling of the subject matter is impressive and the book is very well plotted. Again, not for the easily shocked and one that will utterly consume you as you follow Burkholder and her team. This series seriously needs a warning label.”Bookbitch.com"With a serial killer and now a mass murder in tiny Painters Mill, Castillo will need to be inventive to maintain the plausibility in this addictive series. Fortunately, she seems up to the task.”Akron Beacon Journal
Review
“This sequel to SWORN TO SILENCE, narrated by Kathleen McInerney, gives us the continuing tribulations of Police Chief Kate Burkholder and the town of Painters Mill, Ohio…With creativity and authenticity, McInerney skillfully navigates a wide variety of characters—from cops and criminals to the Pennsylvania Dutch-speaking Amish. Her performance takes diverse situations in stride.” - AudioFile magazine "Kathleen McInerney does an excellent job portraying this diverse cast...A compelling listen, well-written and expertly narrated." - Publishers Weekly “Kathleen McInerney portrays Burkholders unquiet feelings and the complex feelings of a heroine who cant help remembering her own difficult teenage years growing up in the Amish faith.” - The Chapel Hill Herald
Synopsis
Chief of Police Kate Burkholder must confront a dark evil to solve the mysterious murders of an entire family of seven. Topping her own bestselling debut, Castillo once again immerses readers in the Amish community with a chilling story that is a compelling psychological puzzle.
Synopsis
One family. One horrific murder. An entire town under suspicion…
The Planks moved from Lancaster County Pennsylvania to the small Amish community of Painters Mill, hoping to resume the comforts of the Plain Life in Ohio. Less than one year later, the family of seven is found dead—slaughtered on their own farm.
“Shades of In Cold Blood . . . Another chilling thriller.”—People magazine
Police Chief Kate Burkholder and her small force have few clues, no motive, and no suspect. Formerly Amish herself, Kate is no stranger to the secrets the Amish keep from their “English” neighbors—and each other. When the diary belonging to the rebellious teenager Mary Plank turns up, Kate is surprised to find not only a kindred spirit but a murder suspect: the charismatic stranger who stole Marys heart.
“Violent and earthy, and completely impossible to put down.”—BookPage
Then theres Marys brother, Aaron. Shunned by his family and the rest of the Amish community, could he have returned to seek revenge? Now its up to Kate to search for some dark truths about the Planks—and confront long-buried secrets of her own. As Kates obsession with the case grows so does her resolve to bring the killer to justice—even if it means putting herself into the line of fire . . .
“Will appeal to fans of Karin Slaughter and Tami Hoag.”—Library Journal
Synopsis
In this electrifying thriller, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder must confront a dark evil to solve the mysterious murders of an entire Amish family.
Synopsis
The
New York Times bestselling author of
Sworn to Silence delivers an electrifying thriller—Chief of Police Kate Burkholder must confront a dark evil to solve the mysterious murders of an entire Amish family In the quiet town of Painters Mill, an Amish family of seven has been found brutally murdered on their farm. Chief of Police Kate Burkholder and her small force have few clues, no motive, and no suspect. Formerly Amish herself, Kate is no stranger to secrets, but she cant get her mind around the senseless brutality of the crime.
State agent John Tomasseti arrives on the scene to assist. He and Kate worked together on a previous case during which they began a tentative relationship, but each is wary of commitment. The disturbing details of this case will push them to their limits and force them to face demons from their own troubled pasts.
When Kate discovers a diary, she realizes a haunting personal connection to the case. One of the teenage daughters may have been leading a lurid double life. As the case develops, Kates list of suspects grows. Who is the attractive stranger that stole the heart of the innocent young Amish girl? Did her estranged brother—a man with a violent past who was shunned by his family and the Amish community—come back to seek out revenge? Driven by her own scarred past, Kate swears shell find the killer and bring him to justice—even if it means putting herself in the line of fire.
Topping her own bestselling debut, Linda Castillo once again immerses readers in the world of the Amish with a chilling story that is both a fast-paced thriller and compelling psychological puzzle.
About the Author
Linda Castillo is the New York Times bestselling author of the Kate Burkholder novels, including Sworn to Silence and Breaking Silence, crime thrillers set in Amish country. She is the recipient of awards including the Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence, the Holt Medallion and a nomination for the RITA. Besides writing, Castillos other passion is horses, particularly her Appaloosa, George. She lives in Texas with her husband.