Chief of Police Kate Burkholder responds to a call after an Amish man has been violently killed and his body abandoned on a dirt road. Seemingly without motive, Chief Burkholder uncovers the dark history of young Aden Karn and the not so innocent side of the young in her community. From the first few sentences, this is a gripping Chief Burkholder volume that also delves deeper into her personal relationship while she attempts to uncover the motives for murder.

The is the 2nd book by Linda Castillo that I have read. I wish I had read them in order of which there are 17 but each is good as a stand-alone. Kate Burkholder is the chief of a police department in Painter's Mill, Ohio that is both Amish and English. She gave up being Amish 20 years ago. Getting ready for her wedding, a case comes up with an Amish boy on rumspringa. He is on his way to work and is killed by someone with a crossbow. Now it is Kate and her department's job to figure out "who done it".

Between the wedding and gathering clue to find the killer, you get insight into both Amish and English life and how the two work or don't work together. The twist and turns the story takes left me wanting to read late into the night. I certainly had no clue to the killer until the author revealed it. She kept me interested with every chapter and the blend of Amish and English captured my attention to the very end of the book. The last couple of chapters were non-stop happenings.

Linda Castillo as always stirred the emotions that put you right in the middle of her story. The suspense of her books provides for a page turner and the storyline is easy to follow. Her character’s unpredictable and keeps you in suspense until the end.

I enjoyed the premise of this book, and even though I didn't realize it until after I'd started that it's #15 in a series, I felt like I wasn't really missing a whole lot for me to follow along with the overall events (though, of course, some of the references to earlier events were a bit lost on me). I wasn't really a fan of the constant use of 10 codes/abbreviations and then immediately defining them, as it came across more like the author just trying to prove she did the research and knows what they mean, which pulled me out of the story at various parts, but otherwise it was a pretty decent plot. I thought I knew who did it somewhat early on, then started second-guessing myself based on new evidence and interviews, so that added to the plausibility of the case. There were some bits that seemed a bit contrived and a little to easily obtained, but that can be said for a lot of books in this genre, so unless it's particularly egregious, I've learned to let it go.

All in all, I would recommend this book and will likely read others in the series, as following the chief of police who primarily works in an Amish community is a new and interesting take, IMO, and something I'd like to dive into a bit more.

3.5 stars

**I received a review copy from Netgalley and am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and comments contained within are my own.**

This series is amazing. The books just keep getting better and the stories more suspenseful and complex. This is a mystery series set in the Amish community.

The Amish keep to themselves, but when Kate investigates the unaliving of a young Amish man, it appears things aren't as they appear. While Aden appears to have been a well liked man, the community has some dark secrets they are trying to hide. I was absolutely transfixed following the clues alongside Kate.j

This book is a quick read because you won't want to put it down!

Great addition to the series about Kate! Each story has a vivid imagery and amazing plot that makes you not want to put the book down.

The Kate Burkholder series is one of my favorites and this one was no exception.

I loved the mystery and how determined Kate was to solve the murder. She truly cares about the victims no matter what and will stop at nothing to get justice.

I definitely look forward to many more in this series!

Another great entry in the Kate Burkhholder series set in Amish country of Ohio. .

I didn’t realize this was a book 15! It reads like a standalone though and I enjoyed the cat and mouse feel to it.

I received an ARC copy of An Evil Heart via #NetGalley

I absolutely love the Kate Burkholder series, and this was another great installment. Kate and Tomasetti's impending nuptials plays well against the backdrop of the murder investigation. The plot of full of twists and turns until the very end, keeping you guessing the whole time. I highly recommend it. And you don't need to be familiar with any of the other books in the series as this works well as a standalone.

I love the Kate Burkholder series and this was no exception. This book almost had a cat and mouse vibe and kept me guessing with so many secrets throughout the book. I love the mysteries and all the little twists and turns the stories take in these books. I would definitely recommend this book.

I loved this book! I didn’t realize it was book 15! But it read like a standalone. I added the others one to my massive to be read list! Can’t wait to dive into this world. This was my first book by this author and i loved it.

This series gets better and better with each mystery delving a little deeper into Amish culture and the deepening relationship of Police Chief Kate Burkholder and her fiancé Tomasetti.

An Evil Heart by Linda Castillo is the fifteenth book in the Kate Burkholder series, but the first one I read, I have since read the series from the beginning and am hooked on it. Kate, as chief of police in Painters Mill, is called to investigate the brutal death of a young Amish man. As she investigates, she realizes that this young man may have not been innocent. Did he end up paying with his life for the consequences of his actions? This was a book I read quickly to see what happened. I can't wait for the next book to come out. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the free digital review copy. All opinions are my own.

This is an Amish Mystery/Thriller, and this is the 15th book in the Kate Burkholder series. I have read and reviewed most of the other books in this series before picking up this book, but I do feel you can read this book as a standalone without any problems. I really love this series and the characters in this series. This book kept me on the edge of my seat because there was just so much going on. You get Tomasetti and Kate's planning their wedding throughout this book, and while they are planning their wedding Kate is trying to figured out what is going on and Tomasetti is fighting his own issues. This book is action packed, fast paced, suspenseful, and gripping. I loved all the action mixed with the family drama going on. Great Read. I enjoyed the narrator of this book's audiobook. I was kindly provided an e-copy and e-audiobook of this book by the publisher (Minotaur Books) or author (Linda Castillo) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

An Evil Heart is a slow-paced yet interesting story that follows police chief Kate Burkholder as she investigates the murder of Aden Karn. The author does a good job blending elements of mystery and suspense with insights into Amish culture, keeping readers engaged from the beginning. With its intriguing plot twists and portrayal of small-town life, An Evil Heart delivers a satisfying and enjoyable read.

Voluntarily reviewed after receiving a free copy courtesy of NetGalley, the Publisher, and the author, Linda Castillo.

This book starts out with a brutal, senseless murder and doesn't let go until the end. I have never read any of Linda Castillo's work before and I am definitely a fan after this one! Her ability to combine Amish and English is awesome and educational. Great characters and a great storyline. I will be making time to read through this series in order.

I have come to expect thrilling and sometimes dark police procedural action in Linda Castillo’s Kate Burkholder series. An Evil Heart did not disappoint. I loved all the twists in the plot as Kate got closer and closer to solving the mystery of who killed Aden Karn and what the motive was for killing him. As in all her books in this series, I enjoyed learning about the Amish way of life. I enjoy that she always includes the Amish dialect and gave explanation for the Amish language. As always, Linda Castillo did an excellent job developing the characters both Amish and English. I was surprised by the ending but felt that it was satisfying and made sense. Now, l look forward to the next installment in this addictive series. I highly recommend An Evil Heart to all that enjoy a good mystery/thriller with a touch of Amish.

I have always enjoyed this series from LInda Castillo and this one did not disappoint!
This was a wonderfully written thriller and mystery. Ms. Castillo always does a wonderful job of developing the characters in this story. Kate Burkholder again is faced with a crime that she puts everything into solving. Throughout the book I felt how tense Kate felt trying to solve the case. I also enjoyed the side characters and the ending was a solid ending.
Thank you for the opportunity to read this book early! I look forward to another Linda Castillo mystery!

One day I was searching for a new audiobook and stumbled across this series. I fell in love instantly and was lucky that there were already 7 books released. Now I have to wait with everyone else every year for the next installment. This book was another exceptional Kate Burkholder mystery. There was a lot to unwind in this case, but Kate and her team are always up tot he task. Kathleen McInerney IS Kate Burkholder, so much that when I hear her narrating another book/character, it always make me think of Kate. Fantastic narration!