I would like to thank NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and Linda Castillo for the advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review. Painters Mill Ohio Chief of Police Kate Burkholder discovers her Amish childhood friend, Joseph King, has escaped from prison. Kate, a former member of the Amish community herself, feels a great urgency to inject herself into the situation. King, imprisoned for killing his wife, kidnaps Kate and holes up in a house where his 5 children are living during his incarceration. She pleads with him to do the right thing and turn himself in, but he insists on his innocence. Tragically, he is shot down by SWAT and killed in front of his children. She begins to investigate his allegations that someone else murdered his wife. As Kate digs deeper into the case, she begins to uncover secrets to King's past. She must find the truth quickly, for her safety and career are becoming increasingly threatened.

I always enjoy Linda Castillo and her character Kate Burkholder, and this was no exception. If you're into the Amish Community and their ways, this book may have pushed the truth a bit. Even though, it was still a great book.

This is my favorite book by Linda Castillo. she does such a wonderful job with her mystery and with the characters. Can not wait for the next new release

I love the Kate Burkholder series of books and looked forward each year to the next addition. As always this book is a fast paced adventure with lots of action. This is great Amish mystery with a secular spin. Looking forward to the next one. Highly recommend the whole series!

There are a ton of Amish romance novels out there, and if that’s what you’re looking for, then this is not the book for you. If, however, you want a story that will grab you by the throat and a heroine that’s too smart for her own good, then you picked up the right book. Chief of police Kate Burkholder knows the Amish community well, she used to be part of it. Her knowledge of the culture and the people allows her access into their world that the “english” don’t normally have access to. Another former member of the community, Joseph King, was convicted of murdering his wife years ago, but he’s escaped prison and now he’s heads home to Painter’s Mills where he takes his five children hostage. Desperate to save the children, Kate puts her own life on the line, only to have King spare her, as he begs her to prove his innocence. Did King really kill his wife or are the police hiding something? Linda Castillo is the gold standard for mystery writers