My description …
What kind of heart does a person have to kill an Amish man on his way to work? To brutally kill. To escalate the brutality. No wonder the title of this book is An Evil Heart. Another in the Kate Burkholder series.

My review …
Linda Castillo is one of my very favorite Amish mystery writers. “So,” you ask, “why haven’t you read and reviewed this book that was published six months ago?” I read it before the publish date but some health issues equaled no written reviews. Since then, I’ve purchased this book and re-read it again with the published version.

My description is purposely short. Kate Burkholder fans have already read the fairly long description on Amazon, Goodreads, etc. I wanted to get a prospective reader to think about the title and what kind of person would do this brutal killing.

Like all Kate Burkholder mysteries, the whodunit is not easy to nail down. You will probably do as I did — guess several different people and find out it wasn’t them.

In the beginning, a joyful event is going to happen within a few days. But this murder occurs and, as usual, Kate plows in getting banged up in the process. Determined is our Kate. I wouldn’t want to be on her negative radar. Add Tomasetti — and if Kate is in danger, you always get Tomasetti.

I have to admit I am a huge fan of this series. An Evil Heart is #15 and the last published in the series. The next book, The Burning, will be published on July 9, 2024. and yes, it’s already pre-ordered.

I received a complimentary DRC (digital review copy) of An Evil Heart via NetGalley from the publisher, St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books. A positive review was not required; the opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Rating: 5 stars
Series: Kate Burkholder #15 of 15 (#16 will be published 9 Jul 2024)
Cover: Captures the eye.
Pages: 311
Publish Date: 11 Jul 2023
#AnEvilHeart #NetGalley #LindaCastillo

I really enjoyed this page-turner, another excellent mystery novel by Linda Castillo. We follow Kate Burkholder, Chief of Police in a small Ohio community. As a former member of the Amish community, she has a unique perspective when there are crimes that involve the Amish. This latest novel in the series takes an unexpected turn. There were some graphic scenes that were hard to read, but a very powerful story.
TW: rape, abuse, sexual assault, murder, attempted murder.

"An Evil Heart" by Linda Castillo is a tour de force in the crime thriller genre, delivering yet another pulse-pounding installment in the riveting Kate Burkholder series. As a devoted fan of the series, I can confidently say that Castillo continues to raise the bar with each new release.

In this latest installment, Castillo once again showcases her masterful storytelling prowess. The pacing is impeccable, with every chapter leaving me eager to uncover the next piece of the puzzle. The plot is intricately woven, and the suspense is palpable from start to finish. The author's ability to create a tense atmosphere and maintain it throughout the narrative is truly commendable.

Kate Burkholder remains a captivating and multi-dimensional protagonist. Her complex past and unwavering dedication to seeking justice make her a character that readers can't help but root for. Castillo's portrayal of Burkholder's inner struggles and her relentless pursuit of truth adds a layer of depth that sets this series apart.

What sets "An Evil Heart" apart is its exploration of the human psyche and the motives that drive individuals to commit heinous acts. Castillo delves into the psychology of both the perpetrators and the investigators, providing a thought-provoking look into the dark recesses of the human mind.

The supporting cast of characters is equally well-developed, each contributing to the rich tapestry of the narrative. The interactions and dynamics between the characters feel authentic and add depth to the overall story. Castillo excels at creating a sense of community within the fictional town of Painters Mill, which adds an extra layer of resonance to the plot.

Without giving away any spoilers, the resolution of the central mystery in "An Evil Heart" is both satisfying and shocking. Castillo expertly ties up loose ends while leaving just enough room for future developments in the series.

For fans of the Kate Burkholder series, "An Evil Heart" is an absolute must-read. Linda Castillo's skillful storytelling, well-drawn characters, and expertly crafted suspense make this book a standout in an already exceptional series. For those new to the series, this book serves as an excellent entry point into the world of Kate Burkholder, and I highly recommend starting here to experience the full impact of Castillo's narrative brilliance.

I was provided an advanced copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I did enjoy the story. It’s a typical police procedural story but the setting of the Amish community made it interesting. I was shocked by the ending and totally see why people love this series so much. It’s my first but definitely won’t be my last!

An Evil Heart is an incredibly fast-paced crime procedural that brings readers to the heart of Ohio's Amish Country where a young Amish man is found murdered. This is the 14th book featuring Kate Burkholder, and while I've never read anything featuring this character before, it was very easy to read as a standalone. There was certainly some backstory that I was a little lost on, but for the most part, I found that things were explained.

Overall, I really enjoyed this story. I couldn't put it down and it's definitely a page-turner. I also thought it was interesting having the main character be a previous part of the Amish community, and her family still was. It was interesting to learn about their customs too.

I'm looking forward to reading more books from Castillo, along with reading more about Kate Burkholder.

Thank you Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the eARC!

An Evil Heart by Linda Castillo is the fifteenth book in the Kate Burkholder series. Kate, as chief of police in Painters Mill, is called to investigate the brutal death of a young Amish man. But as she investigates, she starts to realize that this young man may have not been very innocent. Did he end up paying with his life for the consequences of his actions? This was a very compelling story, just like the previous books. I enjoy this series, and I can't wait for the next book to come out. Thanks to NetGalley for the free digital review copy. All opinions are my own.

I have read all the books in this series as they've come out and I have to say... An Evil Heart is the best yet! The murder mystery, the ramped up romance, the Amish community, and all the fleshed out characters always makes for an excellent read. Kate and Tomisetti FINALLY got married y'all!! I have to say, this season of the series has a fantastic mystery to it and I can't wait for all y'all to experience it as well 😉

Thanks netgalley for giving me the advanced copy so that I can share my thoughts and opinions with y'all 💛

4.5 this was one of the best in the series. I enjoy Kate's detective skills and her past with the Amish sheds the light on so many things a typical cop may not see.

Back in Painters Mill, for another Amish murder. This is the second book in the series I've read and I actually quite liked it. I felt comfortable with the characters and the relationships between each other and it made jumping into this book easy. The story starts out with a murder and a pretty grizzly one at that. As the plot develops and you learn more about the secrets people are keeping you learn nobody is who you think they are. What's that saying? - Don't judge a book by the cover - that never rings more true than it does in this book because nothing is what it seems. I figured out who the killer was halfway through but it actually made it more interesting to figure out why. And then you get Kate and Tomasetti's relationship where it deepens even more, leading up to their wedding day. Overall, a great mystery in an unique locale and I would happily read more books in the series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the arc.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

This is the second Kate Burkholder that I have read. It is always interesting to follow a set of characters from book to book and see how their personal stories develop. In addition, learning about the Amish customs and lifestyles adds to the development of the narrative.

Kate grew up Amish but left the fold as a teenager. Now she is Chief of Police in a predominately Amish community in Ohio. While she is in the midst of planning her wedding, she is investigating the brutal death of a young Amish man. Shortly after beginning her investigation, a young woman's body is found. Now Kate has two murders to solve and the wedding date is getting closer.

I thoroughly enjoyed An Evil Heart and look forward to future books in this series.

Kate Burkholder is back! And there are wedding bells in her future. I loved witnessing the community of Painter's Mill help with wedding preparations, even if it did stress me out that Kate was fighting criminals the entire time.

I enjoy this series, but sometimes they are a little graphic for me. I'm pleased to report that in spite of a violent opening scene, I found this one to be much more palatable than some of the others in the series. If you've liked any of the past Burkholder novels, you should give this one a try.

Note: I read most of this one, but listened to the last few chapters on audio. Kathleen McInerney does a fantastic job.

3.5 stars rounded up.

While I was interested to keep reading and finding out what happened the story aside from the murder didn't pull me in, in the books defense I 100% think that was because I have only read one other in the series. And while it is a stand alone you obviously are just going to feel more for the characters and MC if you had followed from the beginning.

Thank you to Netgalley and Minotaur Book for providing me with a review copy.

Chief of Police Kate Burkholder is back with another puzzling case to solve in Painters Mill. Kate responds to a call regarding a man lying dead in the street. As the investigation begins, it becomes immediately apparent that the Amish man was murdered with a crossbow. At the time of his death, Aden Karn was just twenty years old, a seemingly well liked young man from a good family. As Kate digs in, will she find out that there is more to Aden than meets the eye?

An Evil Heart was an average read, with little character development and story progression. This story seemed a bit formulaic, following the same path of the previous novels. The end of the novel had a bit of a personal conclusion for Kate, which to me seemed like a natural ending to the series. An Evil Heart was a fast read, but not one I would definitely recommend.

Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Reader's Copy by NetGalley and the publisher. I made the decision to read and review this novel all on my own.

AN EVIL HEART is the 15th book in Linda Castillo's Kate Burkholder series, and it's another gripping crime thriller. Chief of Police for Painters Mill, Kate Burkholder, is called to the scene of what they think is an accident. When she arrives, she finds a murder scene, where an Amish man on his rumspringa has been brutally murdered and left along the side of the highway. The victim is Aden Karn a young Amish man with a stellar reputation and recently engaged. His death by crossbow shocks the community and leaves Kate and her team scratching their heads. No one has an unkind thing to say about him, but eventually Kate finds someone who has a secrets about Aden. This opens the door and gives them direction to what is going on in his life, and he is not what everyone thinks.

I love the character of Kate Burkholder. Growing up Plain, she left the Amish community to go to college and become a police officer. She still had family in the community and she can also speak Pennsylvania Dutch, so the Amish people will speak to her about what they know before talking to others. There are some brutal and difficult scenes in this book, but they are all necessary to the story. Linda Castillo writes gripping police procedural/crime thrillers and An Evil Heart is no exception. I was kept guessing and I have to say, I was angry with some of the things she finds out in her investigation. Not only was there a murder to solve, but as the story unfolded, there were other crimes as well. The main plotline in this story was similar to one in a previous book, so that is the only reason I didn't give this one 5 stars. There are twists, red herrings, several suspects and motives that made it difficult to solve until just before the reveal. There is also a personal storyline with Kate and Tomasetti's wedding coming up. She is getting married at her sister's home and it is going to be an Amish reception, but will this case derail that. Another wonderful addition to this series, but I am hoping the next book will have a more original storyline.

Another great who done it by Linda Castillo, kept me guessing until the end who the killer was, when the clues were in the storyline the whole time. Anther great story to the series.

I need to go back to the first chapter because there was something that caught my attention but wasn't clear by the end. It's possible that I misread or forgot something, or maybe there's a gap in the story.

The book was intense and graphic, more than any other book I've read from Castillo. It wasn't until halfway through the book that a possible suspect list started to form. As I was narrowing my list of suspects, a new tragedy occurred -- out went the old list, in came the new.

I was surprised that Castillo took the time to reintroduce her recurring characters in the fifteenth book of the series. It might be me, but I can't imagine anyone starting a series with the fifteenth book. Speaking of jumping, Kate is no novice, but the number of fences she jumped over made me chuckle.

Some parts were repeated, and some sections felt drawn out, but overall, I highly recommend this series.

Even though this is book 15 in the series, I was not at all lost just jumping into this one. The plot had me hooked from the start and the characters were so wonderful and well written and the suspense did not let up or let me down

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? This series just gets better with age and this book did not disappoint. Any of the books in the series can be read as a standalone but I recommend reading in order to follow the growth and development of Kate over the years. Looking forward to the next in the series. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced readers copy for review.

This is the fifteenth installment in Linda Castillo excellent Chief of Police Kate Burkholder series. As Kate prepares for her upcoming wedding and reconciling with her family, a young, charming Amish man is brutally murdered. What follows is a gritty, complex investigation that is the trademark of this series, and this is one of the best.

Linda Castillo’s Kate Burkeholder series is one of my favorites. An Evil Heart is a good police procedural set in Amish country in Ohio. The mystery is a good one and filled with action. More violence than found in a cozy mystery but I thought it added to the theme. Another great edition!