I will always read a Linda Castello novel & Rage did not disappoint. A woman born Amish but left the Order and became the chief of police of the town she was born into. This is a slow burn with a good plot & an ending that did not leave you hanging.
Thank for @NetGalley for the ARC

This story was interesting, fast paced, and included lots of interwoven stories that had to be unraveled to solve the mystery. I really enjoyed this book and will be looking for other Linda Castillo books to read in the future.

The book itself was fine, they just seem to follow a pattern. Unfortunately there are not really any surprises in Linda Castillo's writing. They just tend to be easy reads.

Rage is the latest addition to the "Kate Burkholder" series and with each book it seems to be getting better and better.
In this gripping installment (#17) Chief of Police Kate Burkholder investigates a brutal double murder within the Amish community. As Kate digs deep into the lives of the victims she discovers dark secrets that quickly put her life in danger.
This well-written story, full of twists and turns, had me riveted from the first page to the last.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

It's hard to believe that this is the 17th Kate Burkholder book! Each book in this series is so fresh, new, and exciting! This book is a bit darker than the others, along with the usual mystery and suspense and I loved every minute of it!

This is one of my favorite series, and Kate is a favorite character. I can't wait to meet up with her again in book 18!!

Thank you @netgalley, @stmartinspress and @minotaur_books for the #gifted e-arc and @minotaur_books for the #gifted physical copy!

Intense. Gritty. Edgy!

Master storyteller Linda Castillo returns with the highly anticipated 17th installment of her beloved Amish cop procedural series featuring Kate Burkholder, entitled RAGE.

In this gripping narrative, Kate faces perhaps her most intense and harrowing cases to date. As she investigates the shadowy underbelly of Painter's Mill, she uncovers a web of deceit and danger that reveals how easily the Amish can become entangled with a perilous crowd.

Trusting the wrong person can have deadly consequences, forcing Kate to navigate treacherous waters where each decision could mean the difference between life and death.

About...

The book starts with a brutal murder when three Amish kids discover a dismembered body of 21-year-old Samuel Eicher, a local Amish man who owned a successful landscaping business.

Why would someone murder him in such a sadistic way?

Then, shocking news, miles away, a second body is found, stuffed into a barrel and dumped in a ravine. The deceased is 21-year-old Aaron Shetler, Samuel Eicher’s best friend.

What could these two young Amish men have done to deserve such violent ends?

Kate and her husband have their work cut out for them in solving the double brutal murder and the motive. However, the closer they get to the truth, the more danger they are in. There are more connections and more lives at stake.

Will the dark, sinister secrets simmering beneath the surface of Painters Mill take another life before she can expose the truth? Or will Kate be the final victim?

My reflections...

RAGE is an exhilarating tapestry of action, suspense, and corruption that ensnares readers from the very first page. The novel plunges you into a world populated by gritty realities and high stakes, where danger lurks just out of sight with every turn of the page. From The Cheetah Lounge and beyond, caught up in a trafficking ring, exploitation, damaged forever—a journey that will not be easy.

Even when you're young and Amish and ensconced in the protective web of your community, innocence can be a precarious thing. This is personal for Kate as she remembers her troubled teens and her trauma of that fateful summer when she was fourteen.

The author masterfully weaves vivid, evocative descriptions that paint a haunting picture of a disturbing and unsettling murder, intricately binding the lives of many as they navigate a world fraught with unseen monsters.

How could innocent Amish boys and girls find themselves ensnared in such a malevolent web that culminates in their brutal deaths or the survivors, trafficked, burdened with trauma? Their heartbroken families turn to the tenacious Kate for answers, hoping she can pierce through the shroud of darkness that surrounds their loss.

As is often the case, the tightly-knit Amish community remains reluctant to share its secrets, complicating Kate's quest for the truth. The walls of silence are thick, and each interaction feels like a dance around hidden truths.

In this gripping narrative, Kate, alongside her determined team and her husband Tomasetti, with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, finds herself deeply entwined in this heart-wrenching investigation. The killers are relentless, willing to go to any lengths to bury their secrets and evade justice.

Kate’s character shines with relentless determination, sharp intellect, and unwavering courage. The author expertly balances the tension, creating a pulse-pounding atmosphere while developing rich, complex characters that draw you in and make you care deeply about their fates. This intense cop procedural, steeped in crime fiction and suspense, will keep you perched on the edge of your seat, breathless with anticipation.

I have always appreciated the dynamic between Kate and her husband as they navigate their challenging personal and professional lives against a backdrop of darkness, grief, and the stark realities of human evil. Their journey and cases delve into profound themes of trust, greed, desperation, secrets, loyalty, innocence, and the intricate relationships within families and the Amish communities.

I wholeheartedly recommend this captivating series and eagerly await more enthralling installments in the future.

Audiobook ...

A Kate Burkholder mystery is incomplete without the remarkable talents of Kathleen McInerney, whose narration profoundly transforms the story. Her award-winning performance adds an intricate layer of emotion, suspense, and intensity that pulls listeners in from the very first moment. With each character she portrays, McInerney brings depth and nuance, creating an engaging and gripping listening experience that lingers long after the final chapter. I wholeheartedly recommend the audiobook for anyone seeking a thrilling auditory adventure.

Recs...

RAGE is a must-read for devoted fans of the author and the beloved Kate Burkholder series. It also caters to those who relish intelligent police procedurals and suspenseful thrillers that delve deep into the intricacies of human nature. The narrative is anchored by strong, complex female protagonists who bravely confront perilous situations, making it a compelling choice for readers who appreciate this dynamic. Additionally, fans of authors like Karin Slaughter, Lisa Unger, and Lisa Gardner will find much to enjoy within the pages of this thrilling installment.

Special thanks to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, Macmillan Audio, #MacAudio2025, and NetGalley for an advanced reading and listening copy as well as a hardcover copy.

@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: July 8, 2025
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3.5 stars rounded up to 4

Another great installment in the Kate Burkholder series! Gritty, fast-paced, and emotionally intense, Rage dives into some dark subject matter while still keeping the character driven core that makes this series so compelling. The Amish setting continues to offer a unique and haunting backdrop for Castillo’s tightly plotted mysteries.

The audiobook, narrated by Kathleen McInerney, is clean and well-paced. While a bit flat at times, her delivery fits Kate’s no-nonsense personality and keeps the story moving smoothly. At times i found myself switching to the eARC because of this.

Highly recommended this series for fans of procedural thrillers with rich atmosphere and strong female leads.

Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for an eARC and Macmillan Audio for an ALC of this book.

I really jumped into this one at #17, but that was ok. I have visited the Amish before and was able to connect with the characters quickly. The mystery was intriguing and kept me hooked. I will go back and start from the beginning!

First thanks to #netgalley for allowing me to read this ARC. This is the first book I've read in this series and I really enjoyed it.
Without giving too much of a spoiler, the novel opens one's eyes that even in private communities like the Amish, there is crime. It was interesting to learn a bit of the lifestyle without the crime and also how people will stray from a closed community.
The writing is well done, the beginning was a bit slow but that could be because I didn't know the background of the main character.

Fantastic so much fun! Great premise and even better story! I need more now I can't wait!! A must read for fans of Linda Castillo!!

This did not disappoint! Page turner from the very first page. Police chief Kate Burkholder is back- piecing together the body of an Amish nursery owner- literally. As she follows the clues she discovers something sinister afoot in her small town.

Another great book in this series! Kate is investigating the brutal murder of an Amish man which leads her to two more brutal murders. As she and Tomasetti investigate, they find dark forces are working in their small Ohio community.

Castillo delivers with another thrilling case that takes twists and turns all the way to the end. You would think 17 books in, Kate would figure out not to go into situations alone, but it all adds to the thrill of the case. This story can easily be read standalone, but I highly recommend you read the entire series - it's just that good.

Thanks to the publisher for a review copy via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I loved this book. I love this author and have read everyone of these books in the series. I also live in the area and love to see the connection to places I know and I can sometimes guess which businesses and places she's using as inspiration which is fun.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

This is another excellent episode in the Kate Burkholder series. Kate is the sheriff in the Ohio town of Painters Mill. Although she was raised Amish, she no long practices these beliefs. However, her experiences and background make her the perfect bridge between the Amish and the "English" in the community.

This case involves a particularly brutal murder and Kate and her new husband find themselves in the midst of the mystery.

Although this is the 17th book in the series, it can easily be read as a standalone. I have read and enjoyed many of the previous books.

A welcome return to the heartland of Ohio. I'm originally from Ohio (though I've been gone for years) and reading these books feels like a visit from a high school friend. Kate was there for me during the pandemic (I binged all 12 books during lockdown) and I will always revel in a new book. This one was no different. I love Kate, the town of Painters Mill, her crew and her new husband(!). The killer and motive in this one was also good. Nothing too groundbreaking, but a new bend on an old trope. I quite enjoyed it. I know the Amish sub=genre has been booming in recent years, but Linda Castillo still proves she's the best of the bunch. I hope Kate never stops doing her thing. I'm in it for the long haul.

How Linda Castillo keeps coming up with new topics for the Kate Burkholder Series is beyond me. Thus is the 17th book in the series. If you have read them, you know that the 16th book, Burning, was a little graphic and gruesome. The Rage is no different.

Kate Burkholder, the Police Chief in Planters Mill, Ohio, is called to a scene where a human bone has been found. Soon, another body is found in Planters Mill. Is someone after the Amish?

Castillo gives the reader of the Kate Burkholder Series a glimpse of the Amish life. She shows how the English world butts against the Amish. The problems that are in the English society corrupt the naive lives of the young Amish and is on full display in the Rage.

I have read all the books in this series, and I love how Castillo has grown all the characters. Castillo doesn't just grow Burkholder, but also the recurring characters. Some of the recurring characters have grown families, moved up in the ranks, learned to deal with heartache from loss of family, and matured throughout the series. Kate Burkholder has grown a whole lot. She has gone from alone to dating and now married. Because Castillo writes about a police chief, who is an ex-Amish, the reader gets a look at how the Amish treat those that have left the way.

I highly recommend the Kate Burkholder Series. Though the books can be read as stand-alones, I would suggest reading them in order. That way, you'll know the back story on all the characters.

Published July 8, 2025

Thanks to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, and Linda Castillo for the E-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

#Netgalley #Stmartinspress #minotaurbooks #LindaCastillo #Rage
#KateBurkholderSeries

Absolutely well done Novel with great writing, but extremely upsetting content but highly relevant and needs more attention too in order to put an end to the market. This time trying to unravel the mystery of a dismembered body found in a field. When more bodies turn up, she's forced to take a closer look at the first victim's relationship with his clients. Police Chief, Kate Burkholder, and her motley crew (her fellow officers) along with hubby, John Tomasetti are on the case of some of the most gruesome murders in the history of the series. This is probably one of the darkest and most twisted installments Girls are leaving their Amish flock for the outside world; only to find that it comes with its price. The continuing character development of Kate and Tomasetti, along with some of the other characters continue to exhibit that all is not what it seems in Painters Mill, Ohio.
Thank NetGalley, the author and St Martin’s Press for the opportunity will definitely be checking out more.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

I am so invested in this series! Even though this is book 17, I never get tired of reading about Kate Burkholder and her cohorts. Even though I should find it disturbing that there are so many gruesome murders surround the Amish community. You could read this as a standalone, but I think you would get a fuller picture with the character development that has occurred throughout the series. This is another solid addition filled with mystery, on the edge of your seat moments, dark backstories, and all the clues that are revealed leading to the grand reveal. This book is disturbing with graphic and realistic crime scenes, so be warned.

My favorite parts of the book are any with Kate and her husband, John Tomasetti. :)

Waiting for book 18!

4 stars

Summer has arrived with a vengeance in Painters Mill, and a macabre discovery by three Amish children brings the quiet to a grinding halt. Chief of Police Kate Burkholder arrives on scene to find the dismembered body of 21-year-old Samuel Yutzy, a local Amish man who owned a successful landscaping business. What twisted individual murdered him in such a sadistic way?

I have never read a book by this author. And this is book 17 in the Kate Burkholder series. I did not feel lost, BUT, I wanted to know more about Kate. She is a fantastic character and it sounds like she has an interesting background. I need to add these to my NEVER ENDING TBR.

I enjoyed quite a lot about this story. It is complex and I loved how it unfolded. I especially enjoyed learning about the Amish. To me, this added a bit more mystery! And this story is full of riddles and drama!

Need a mystery with great characters…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

Linda Castillo delivers another great book in her Kate Burkholder Series, in fact probably one of the best I have read. Painter Mills is again plagued by a series of gruesome deaths. Kate and her crew work diligently to solve this one, almost taking it to the end of the book to figure out what is going on. Again, a group of Amish young adults are involved and the plot delivers on a group of bizarre murders. Her team is all there and Kate works diligently to solve the crimes
St. Martin’s Press – Minotaur Books and Linda Castillo provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley.