Another great Kate Burkholder mystery! Linda Castillo constantly writes wonderful mysteries with fast-paced plots and characters that you get attached to. You never know who the Killer is and even though the twists are realistic (her stories are very realistic in terms of this could actually happen in real life) they are still unpredictable. I still love the focus on the Amish community and I can't wait for the next one!

Rage is another installment in Linda Castillo’s Kate Burkholder series, and it doesn’t disappoint. The story kicks off with a shocking murder in Amish country, and as Kate digs deeper, things get darker fast.

Follow along as Kate and her team rush to solve this murder before someone else dies. It’s intense and the storyline moves fast.

If you’re into crime thrillers with heart and atmosphere, Rage is definitely worth the read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy for an honest review.

Ah, Kate Burkholder. After 16 books, she is like a family friend. I’m always interested to see what she has been up to and how things are going with John Tomasetti. This book lived up to all my expectations and kept me turning the pages. This series is still going strong and I’m already anxiously waiting for the next book.

Kate Burkholder is back! The ex-Amish cop we all know and love returns in another gripping installment—and once again, her passion and dedication to protect her people shine through.

Linda Castillo delivers yet another strong addition to the series. The mystery surrounding the brutal murder of Amish boy Samuel Eicher is intense, and Kate gives it everything she’s got to find the truth. The story flows so well, with the perfect mix of emotion and suspense.

I also love Kate’s team—though I always find myself wishing for more Tomasetti scenes (he’s definitely my book boyfriend in this series!).

A solid, page-turning mystery that keeps the series going strong. Can’t wait for the next one!

Big thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC!

This was another great Kate Burkholder mystery, and Linda Castillo kept the crimes and elements fresh - impressive for the 17th book! I'm not going to describe the plot, because I worry about spoilers. I will say that I love the setting of Painter's Mill, and I love Kate's team of officers. It is also really interesting to see the glimpses into Amish life. I'm sure I'll always be picking up these books as long as the author keeps writing them!

I had the opportunity to read Rage: A Novel by Linda Castillo, the latest installment in the Kate Burkholder series. This is the second book I’ve read in the series, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Castillo once again delivers a layered and compelling mystery that explores the complexities of life on the fringes of the Amish community.

One of the things I really appreciate about this series is how accessible each book is—you don’t need to have read the others to understand or enjoy the story. The author weaves in just enough background to keep new readers informed without slowing down the plot. The character of Kate continues to evolve in meaningful ways, and the plot was filled with unexpected twists that kept me turning pages.

Castillo’s attention to cultural detail and emotional nuance really elevate the story. This was a strong, engaging read and a great example of why I keep coming back to this series. I’m looking forward to picking up more of these books in the future.

It is time for our annual trip back to Painter's Mill, Ohio, and this time Kate Burkholder and her minions are deep in it with the first body found which was in pieces and then the second found in a barrel and when the third was found and appeared as if the young woman was running away from her pursuer. I do have to say this series gets better and better and each could be read as a standalone.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for my gifted listeners edition of this one! And NetGalley for e-copy.

I read The Burning last year and absolutely loved it. So, when I saw a new installment of the Kate Burkholder series was coming out, I jumped on requesting it!

It did not let me down. It starts out with a bang, when Chief Kate Burkholder is called to a scene only to find the dismembered body of a local Amish man. As the summer carries on, more bodies are found with Kate herself being a target. Just what secrets has she unearthed?

I’ve always been a little obsessed with the ways of the Amish so I was thoroughly invested in this story. I’ve only read one other book in this series, but those characters make a come back, including Tomasetti (Kate’s husband and from the Ohio FBI). I love the balance between work and personal life here.

Of course, Kate gets herself into some sticky situations, she can’t help it! lol. And Tomasetti to the rescue!

This was highly entertaining, and I just may go back and read all 15 previous books 🤣

Rage is another great installment of Kate Burkholder and her life as Sheriff in the Amish Community of Painter’s Mill, Ohio. When a young Amish man is murdered, Kate steps in to investigate a mystery that blows open this small town. The tale moves fast, and from the start you will not be able to put this story to rest. I read this straight through, which was not an easy feat while sitting on the edge of my seat the entire time. The subject of human trafficking might be hard to comprehend, but it’s out there and we all need to be aware and educate our love ones, neighbors and community. The Amish way of life is very interesting and Linda Castillo gives us an insight of how their faith is strong and noble.

Thank You to NetGalley, The Author Linda Castillo and the Publisher St, Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for allowing me the honor of reading this novel for my honest review. Well Done Ms. Castillo!

4.25 Stars

Kate Burkholder is the sheriff in a rural Ohio county where a large portion of the population are Amish. In fact, Kate herself was raised there in an Amish family. She has first hand knowledge of the culture and why some people leave the faith as adults. This is the latest book in Linda Castillo's series featuring Kate, and begins with the discovery of a body by Amish children playing on their farm. The victim is a young Amish man that had gone away from the faith but was recently returning to it. Shortly after this discovery two more young victims are discovered, and time is of the essence to find the killer or killers and prevent more deaths. This series is one that I will always be excited to read, and this newest book did not disappoint!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Series: #17 Kate Burkholder (but friends call her Katie).
And Katie grew up Amish ... Genre: Amish Mystery.

Linda Castillo's "Kate Burkholder" series is well known to those readers who love Amish mysteries. If you have not read any of this series, I suggest reading "Sworn to Silence" first. There are 16 books (and some novellas) between that first book and this one. And I've read every one of them because Castillo is my favorite Amish mystery writer, followed by Marta Perry, Karen Harper, and Karen Ann Hopkins. Reading the first book will introduce much of what makes Katie tick.

If you enjoy cozy mysteries, then this series may not be for you. Katie deals with murder. Gritty, unacceptable murder. The opening sentence of the description says, "a brutal double murder that takes her into the dark underbelly of society and exposes the dangers of Amish lives gone wrong." A young Amish man will never be old. And the people who find his body will never forget. They won't forget his name either -- Samuel Yutzy.

He had made some bad choices. A so-true quote from the book, "The worst kind a man can make are the ones he doesn't learn from." He had learned plenty. That knowledge led to his return to his faith.

Investigating this -- and the second death -- challenges Katie, Tomasetti, and her small police force. When Katie begins to have a glimmer of what was going on, SHE becomes a target.

I have liked and loved every book in this series. But "Rage" is a non-stop action mystery. I didn't read this one. I devoured it. "Rage" is one of those who-cares-dirty-dishes-in-the-sink-laundry-to-be-done-YOU-ARE-OUT-OF-GROCERIES books, and YOU DO NOT CARE. So Katie Burkholder fans, you are warned.

This story gets a five-star rating. And highly recommended.

I received a complimentary DRC (digital review copy) of “Rage” 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
Cover: Makes you want to not go down that road. Fits the book.
Pages: Unknown but probably 250-300
Publish Date: 8 July 2025
#Rage #LindaCastillo #NetGalley #netgalleyreviewer

So excited that I got this book as an ARC. This is my first book by the author and it certainly won’t be my last. Linda Castillo’s writing seriously makes me feel like I’m at the crime scenes and in the book experiencing it first hand. Great read and highly recommended.

I've been a fan of the Kate Burkholder series for years, and Rage delivered another intense and suspenseful read! This one starts with the brutal death of a young Amish man and spirals into something much darker.

What I enjoy about Castillo's writing is how she weaves in Amish culture while keeping the pace fast and the mystery compelling. You don't have to read the series in order, she gives enough background for new readers to jump right in.

Some scenes are very detailed (trigger warning for graphic violence and trafficking), but I appreciated the realism. I felt like I was solving the case alongside Kate.

My only critique is that Kate still tends to act recklessly with her own safety, a consistent trait that adds drama, but can also strain believability.

Still, this was a tense, well-written thriller that I really enjoyed. If you enjoy suspense with a strong female lead, this one's for you!

Whole Network of those groups probably all over the country. It's great that the author is bringing attention to it. I'm sure they try to be undercover! This book is another great read and I was thrilled to be among the first to read it. It's belivable and very sick that people get away with so much crime and especially the little innocents like children. How this book ends is also what makes it a good! The suspense of are they going to get away with it? I highly recommend you to read it! Thanks NetGalley and publisher!

Another amazing read.from Linda Castillo. Loved the characters and the story line. Amazing stories from an amazing author.

Police Chief Kate Burkholder is at it again, solving difficult crimes in the Amish community of Painters Mill, Ohio.
This story begins with Amish children discovering the dismembered body of a young Amish man buried near the creek where they play hide and seek. This is soon followed by the discovery of another body stuffed in a barrel and disposed of in a ravine. These murders seem more like those that happen in a big city, not the cozy Amish area they call home. This may not be the end of the murders. The reason for the murders is complicated and the Chief has to figure it out. It is often hard to pull information out of the community members. This crime seems bigger than most and it is more far reaching. As always her investigations put Kate in danger. She does seem rather fearless. The author tells a good story and we re-visit characters we are familiar with. If you like a quick read and a good mystery, this book and Linda Castillo’s whole series, is a good choice for you. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and to give an honest review of this book.

Review for “Rage” by Linda Castillo. If you are a fan of the Kate Burkholder series or new then you’re in for a treat. I love most about Linda’s book is she doesn’t waste time and it’s never a slow burn (my opinion). She grabs your attention from the first page. Rage is no different and I devoured it. There was suspense, murder and it was even slightly creepy (all things I love in book). This was a big puzzle and I was scrambling trying to put the pieces together. I give this 4.5 stars and I highly recommend to readers. This is part of a series. However, if you wanted to read this out of order and go back and read the others then it’s fine.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for this advanced reader's copy. In exchange, I am providing an honest review.

An innocent game of hide-and-seek ends for three children when they stumble across a gruesome scene. Body parts were buried in shallow holes deep in the woods. It's a scene that Chief of Police Kate Burkholder hasn't encountered very often, if ever. It's a horrific scene, and it's about to get worse. Another day or so after finding the dismembered body of 21-year-old Samuel Eicher, another body is found. This time, the body had been stuffed in a plastic barrel and rolled down the hill of a ravine. The victim in the barrel is Samuel's best friend, 21-year-old Aaron Shetler. What could these two Amish men have gotten themselves into to come to the kind of end they did? And who felt the need to end them the way they did? Kate calls in reinforcements because this investigation is going to require a lot of people power to get to the bottom of what is going on. For a few days, there is no momentum in the investigation. Kate and her team are unable to gain traction with any of the leads they pursue. But then, as it does eventually in most investigations, cracks start to appear and let the light in on this very dark secret. And it is a very dark secret, one that, if left unaddressed, threatens to swallow up anyone unfortunate to enter into its orbit.

I honestly do not understand how Linda Castillo continues to write these books and keep them good! With every book, I wonder if that's the last good one, because how long can she keep creating storylines that don't feel tired? But she does. At the same time, she continues the character development of Kate Burkholder and the relationship development of Kate and her husband, fellow law enforcement officer John Tomasetti. Castillo doesn't hold back with the macabre details of the crimes she chooses to execute in her novels. Many of her titles prompt a very visceral response from me; she does such a good job of bringing her stories to life that I have to remind myself they are fiction. Brava once again, Linda Castillo.

I am an avid reader of Linda Castillo's Kate Burkholder series and this one is great. I love how Castillo delves into the Amish culture tying it into more modern day problems. Linda pens some of the most gruesome murders ever and I enjoy the methodical way she peels back the layers of the crime and ultimately solves the crime. I look forward to her next book.

This book is the first I have read by Linda Castillo. It was a compelling read that incorporates two sordid and sanguinary murders discovered by three Amish children in Painters Mill, Ohio. The primary character, police chief Kate Burkholder, is a determined and adamantine law enforcement officer who follows the dark stories and histories of the community with passion and drive to solve the mystery in front of her.

The plot of the book incorporates and interweaves the lives of some of the Amish in the community. Ultimately, there is a focus on human trafficking that seems rather circumspect to begin with but is brutally honest as a focus of the book. Castillo's book is fast moving and contemporary, and I recommend the book for any readers who are mystery aficionados.

Thanks to Net Galley and St. Martins/Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read this book.