Holmes County, Ohio, has highest concentration of Amish in the world, and the largest in the Buckeye State, according to several reputable sources. Heading northeast a bit, Geauga County boasts Ohio's second largest settlement. By way of more than a nodding acquaintance in proximity to both, I was attracted to this series, which is set in Holmes County. But that was just at the outset; it's the stories that keep bringing me back for more (this is the 15th installment). For those who care about such things, I'll say that it's more graphic than the others I've read, but to me, that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Kate Burkholder, who grew up Amish but officially left the fold nearly two decades ago, is the police chief in Painters Mill in Holmes County. As this story begins, she's about to be married to the guy she's been living with for a couple of years, FBI agent John Tomesetti, with the wedding held at her brother and sister-in-law's home in mostly Amish fashion. But not long before that happens, a 20-year-old Amish man is found dead along a rural roadside - shot twice with a crossbow. There's no acceptable version of murder, of course, but this was a particularly gruesome way to go.

The death of Aden Karn is even more surprising in that he had a steady girlfriend everyone (including her) thought he'd marry, a job and an almost stellar reputation as one of the good guys. Why, then, would anyone want to kill him? Is this just a random act by a madman (or woman) who's out for no reason other than wanting to kill someone? It's a puzzlement, or at least until the investigation starts getting legs of its own; Aden, it seems, may not have been the quintessential Amish lad. Gradually, new facts emerge - some of them quite disturbing - to reveal a far more sinister side that may have sparked a motive. But getting to the whole truth also may have sparked a killer's desperate need to bring the investigation to a halt, thereby putting Kate in mortal danger.

All told, it's another intriguing and entertaining adventure that's well worth reading. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy. Well done!

I tried to make this one last, but couldn't put it down. How does Linda Castillo make each book even better than the last? This one has a LOT of violence and grisly details, but the story is so unique and complex. Each time I finish one of the Kate Burkholder books, I want to reread the series.

This is the first book I have read from this author. I really enjoyed it and read it in one day! I will definitely read more from this author. There were some twists I didn't see coming and it was well written. I would definitely recommend this book.

This is a very good, solid series, featuring Chief of Police Kate Burkholder in Painters Mill, Ohio. The story starts strong and the tension continues throughout. I have read several books in the series and, although it is helpful for backstories, it is not necessary to read previous books to enjoy this one. Highly recommend this series by this talented writer.

Castillo’s annual summer book featuring Kate Burkholder takes readers on another great mystery and not revealing the true killer until the end. There are a lot of shady characters in this book and everyone gets their due justice in the end. And what about Kate’s wedding - read this book!

This is honestly my favorite series ever. Linda Castillo can't go wrong with Kate Burkholder in my eyes. Also, I grew up in the area she writes about, so I just love the books. They never get old to me! This one was a bit trigger warningish with the sexual abuse/rape aspect, so I'd warn my readers about that.

Kate Burkholder, Chief of Police in a n Amish town in Ohio is about to get married. Aden Karn, a young Amish man has been viciously killed when on the way to work on his bicycle. He has been shot by two bolts from a crossbow which were pushed through his midsection to his back, and his mouth to the back of his head, and Kate goes to the scene. Then she talks with Aden's parents, who tell her Aden has been living with Amish friend Wayne Graber during rumspringa and is courting Emily Byler. Kate then goes to the Byler family where she is told about an argument about a truck which Vernon Fisher bought from Aden and Wayne, and goes to talk to them both.

It is difficult to get much information at first, but finally as Kate delves deeper into Aden's life, she finds that he wasn't all sweet and industrious and had a dark side. He is a little too fond of women, and doesn't always treat them well. When a young woman who has been selling herself is found wrapped in plastic not too far from where Aden was killed, Kate soon believes the killings may be related. After Kate is attacked by a suspect and then tells Thomasetti that she doesn't think he murdered Aden, she finally gets a clue from the Doctor who had gotten some new lab details on the crossbow bolts. This information immediately gives Kate a new suspect, and puts her in great danger as her wedding day draws close!

I thank Netgalley and St. Martins press for an ARC for me to make an honest review.

Will spotlight on instagram/lindsaykinah for publication day. Have already put up group spotlights of various Berkley books several times with this included.

WOW, another great whodunnit, in the Burkholder series. A tightly knit community finds itself on the edge of evil. The romance between Kate and Tomasetti, keeps this story balanced, but the darkness is profoundly complex. Do not miss this one. Edge of your seat and unputdownable.

Another good book in the Kate Burkholder series. I’ve read most all of them so the characters are like old friends.
It’s a fast paced mystery with the usual Amish drama and danger to the main character but the plot is good and fast pace
Thanks to Netgalley for the review copy

Katie Burkholder is back in this new Painters Mill mystery about the death, by crossbow, of a young Amish man. Aden Karn seemed to be well-liked by all, engaged, and working hard to get his life started. But, it appeared that Aden had some mysteries of his own.

Chief of Police Burkholder finds some unusual things in the room he rents but is having a difficult time learning if the young Amish man has been set up or if he truly had his own murky places. Places he kept hidden from the Amish community.

As usual, Katie finds herself in physical danger. And, as usual Tomasetti is nearby to back her up and boost her spirits. During all the horror of this murder, the two are planning their wedding. At last. And, Katie is going to marry at her brother's farm.

Fans of the series will be happy to see progress on the marriage front as well as enjoying the twists this latest mystery takes.

An Evil Heart by Linda Castillo does not disappoint. I will admit I am obsessed with the Kate Burkholder series. Castillo seems to somehow lead Kate into harrowing situations and give us endings that we never see coming. I truly hope that when she decides to end the series that Kate lives happily ever after but I would not be surprised to see her killed off by sacrificing herself to save someone else. As far as An Evil Heart goes, Kate and her police force find themselves involved in another Amish murder. But this one is a little different. Of course the obvious suspects are definitely not going to be the murderer. I am not necessarily talking about the murder being different but the details are surprising. Without giving anything away, the events leading up to the murder almost seems like something pulled from modern-day headlines but not something you would expect from the Amish community.
Castillo gives us another story where we become part of the plot. We know these characters and the town of Painters Mill as if we are part of the community. I always enjoy the mystery of finding the killer but keeping up with the community and police force of Painters Mill is just as enjoyable. Another great read from Linda Castillo!
I voluntarily received a copy of this book from Netgalley.

I have read most of the series and always enjoy being reunited with Kate Burkholder! This book begins with the gruesome murder of an Amish boy on his Rumspringa. It is hard to stop reading because you want to find out who did this to him. As Kate investigates the crime she discovers more and more about his past. There are many twists and turns throughout the book that keep you guessing. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series!

An Evil Heart is a fantastic mystery that has an ending that you cannot see coming! This book is about the murder of Aden Karn, an Amish teen (who would kill an innocent Amish teen?) and it's investigation by Katie Burkholder, chief of police and an Englischer of Painter's Mill who grew up Amish. With twists and turns, we learn many unexpected things of the lives of the Amish teens and young adults of Painter's Mill and all isn't what we expect it to be. And as the investigation goes on, we go from no possible reasons for the murder to numerous reasons. Then, it all comes to a head and the culprit is found, and think again!

A compelling story with compelling characters that keeps your internet - a must read!

I love this series, and Kate Burkholder. The entire series, all 15 of them, are not to be missed. AN EVIL HEART might be the best so far, and that’s saying a lot. In this installment, Kate must unravel a series of dark and convoluted crimes that include murder and sexual abuse. Her investigation begins when the corpse of twenty-year-old Aden Karn, the well-respected son of a prominent Amish family, is found along a rural road. It appears he was murdered with a crossbow. Yes, a crossbow. As Kate peels back the layers of Aden’s life, and death, questions arise. Was he as upstanding as he seemed? Did he have a dark side? Did he and his friends have closely guarded secrets, and how far would the friends go to protect them, and themselves? Does Aden’s seemingly innocent fiancé Emily have her own dark secrets? As usual, Castillo’s plotting and writing skills are on full display.

DP Lyle, award-winning author of the Jake Longly and Cain/Harper thriller series

3.5 stars

In this 15th book in the Kate Burkholder series, the Police Chief investigates the brutal murder of a young Amish man on Rumspringa (the period during which Amish youth are given greater personal freedom, usually ending with the choice of baptism into the church or leaving the community). The book can be read as a standalone, but there are developments in Kate's personal life that might be a spoiler.

SPOILER ALERT SPOILER ALERT

*****

Police Chief Kate Burkholder grew up in an Amish community in Painter's Mill, Ohio but left as a teenager. After Kate became a law enforcement officer, Painter's Mill offered her a job and she returned to head the police department. Kate's Amish background is advantageous because she speaks Pennsylvania Dutch and is familiar with Amish culture.

As the story begins, 21-year-old Aden Karn is bicycling to work along a country road when he's struck down by a killer wielding a crossbow. When Kate and her team start investigating the murder, they learn that Aden - who was on Rumspringa - was roommates with his best friend Wayne Graber, worked at Buckeye Construction, and was courting a pretty Amish girl called Emily Byler. Almost everyone speaks well of Aden, though Kate discovers Aden had a monetary dispute with a garage owner named Vernon Fisher about a car.

It's very difficult to look into a crime in the Amish community because the Amish are exceptionally close-mouthed and almost never speak ill of a fellow member.....no matter what. Still, there are hints that Aden wasn't the saint he appeared to be on the surface.

Things get more complicated when another murder victim is found under a bridge, a naked young woman without ID. The corpse has painted fingernails and toenails, so she's probably not Amish, but Kate surmises there MUST be a connection between the the deaths of Aden and the young lady.

As Kate struggles to make progress finding the killer(s) she's also planning her wedding to long-time beau John Tomasetti, who's an agent with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

Kate is happy to wear the wedding dress worn by her mamm and her sister, and glad to have the wedding at the home of her brother, Jacob. This will solidify the (very slow) rapprochement between Kate and her Amish family, who disapproved of her leaving the faith.

With the nuptials on her mind, and two extremely difficult murder enquiries, Kate has a few sleepless nights. As always in this series, Kate finds herself in some harrowing situations before the perpetrator(s) are exposed, partly because she insists on plowing into dangerous scenes without backup. (This carelessness on Kate's part always disturbs me; she's the police chief, for God's sake, and should know better.)

Still, I always enjoy the books in this series, and like the glimpses into Amish life and customs. I must say, the Amish wedding dinner - which includes roast chicken with bread stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, creamed celery, apple pies, and cherry pies - sounds quite delicious. 🙂

I highly recommend the novel to mystery readers, especially fans of the Kate Burkholder series.

Thanks to Netgalley, Linda Castillo, and Minotaur Books for a copy of the manuscript.

I have loved every single book that Linda Castillo has written in the Kate Burkholder series. Once again Kate has a mysterious murder to solve in this quaint Amish country and hunky Tomasetti makes his appearance as well. I've enjoyed watching their relationship progress over the past few years and sure hope there is more to come.

I always have fun trying to figure out who did it. This is definitely one of my favorite long series of all time!

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 11 July 2023.

Katie is finally getting married, but first she has to find a killer. There is evil lurking in Painter’s Mill. An evil that encompasses some that others never thought possible. As Katie’s wedding day looms closer, so does an unsolved murder. Another excellent Kate Burkholder murder mystery. Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press Minotaur Books for an ARC. This review is my honest opinion.

I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Chief Kate is such a wonderful char. This isn't your typical police books. Adding the Amish community is fascinating. This book is a true page turner.

What an absolutely thrilling story in the kate Burkholder series. I have read all of these but they can always read as a stand alone. We finally get the wedding we have all been waiting for but in true Kate fashion she has to put it all on the line and give us a scare first. I was on the edge of my seat and cannot wait for the next installment .

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.