Rage is the seventeenth installment in Linda Castillo's Kate Burkholder series, centered on the formerly Amish chief of police of the bucolic Painter's Mill. Despite having already delivered sixteen gripping thrillers that are centered on crimes involving the Amish, Castillo gives us another thriller with a story that feels both familiar in its setting but fresh in its plot. Rage sees Kate Burkholder investigating the murder of not one, not two, but three young Amish individuals. While there are connections between the three individuals, there's nothing pointing to why these three young people are murdered. The investigation takes us to some of the seedier sides of Painter's Mill, and the discovery of a sinister underbelly to the town. Thrilling in its conclusion, we get plenty of mystery, action, and sweet moments between Kate and Tomasetti. While we see a resolution to the majority of the mystery, a few threads are left hanging at the end of the novel, making me quietly excited about seeing threads of this novel continue in future works. As someone who has been reading the Kate Burkholder series for years, this novel feels like a 'welcome home' to us from the familiarity of Painter's Mill while still simultaneously being able to thrill me with a new mystery.
 
Kate and Tomasetti's relationship feels so comfortable at this point in the series, and I'm here for it. I feel like the bit of uncertainty that I used to feel about Tomasetti - the possibility that one day he will just decide that he isn't cut out for a relationship again and leave - is pretty much gone at this point. Happily married, Tomasetti is Kate's number one supporter and you just know that now he has committed, he's in 1000% for his woman. The comfortable familiarity they exhibit with each other makes the on-page relationship moments between them that much sweeter to read.

'Rage' is another five-stall installment from seasoned author Linda Castillo. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/ Minotaur books for providing me with an eARC of this novel to read and review.

I look forward to the next Kate Burkholder book every year, and this one did not disappoint! A series that is now 17 books strong is impressive. I recommend this series to EVERYONE.

There were so many twists and turns in this one that I could not put it down. And although I thought fairly early on that we were dealing with <spoiler>some sort of trafficking</spoiler> I did not think it would be that big. I always love the overarching personal stories of Kate and Tomasseti as well as her officers, that you miss if you read these books as a stand alone.

Thanks to Netgally for the ARC.

I was so excited to see the latest visit with Katie Burkholder show up so it went to the top of my list. Linda Castillo does not disappoint and with no real rehashing, was straight into the latest case. Defiantly could be a stand alone with intense settings that will carry you through to the end. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Another great story to this series! Great plot, detective work and mystery set in Painters mill. Can’t wait for the next one. Thank you netgalley for letting me give an honest review of this book.

Thank you for the opportunity to read an ARC! Absolutely page turner! This is my first by this author but it was beautifully written. Hard to put down!

Another great Kate Burkholder book. I have read every single book in this series. Rage does not disappoint. Great characters and great storyline. Sex trafficking is a big problem now . Very well written book. Loved it !

Thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy of this exciting novel.

It's a hot August when Kate receives the news that body parts have been found in a ravine. A few days later, another body is found in a barrel. Kate and her team work ceaselessly to found what happened. But the killers want to stop her, and almost succeed.

This was a very exciting story, and I read it very quickly. Good job - I'm looking forward to more in this series.

This is another great book in the series by Linda Castillo, but this can be read as a stand alone book. The book was filled with the authors usual combination of mystery and suspense. A few twists towards the end added to the enjoyment of this book. This is a book which I would recommend to those who enjoy mysteries, bonus if you want a series!
Thanks to St. Martin's press and NetGalley for my review copy of this book.

Thank you SO MUCH for letting me read this ARC. I look forward to reading Linda's Amish murder mysteries every year, and each book is better than before. This was a bit more graphic and modern than most of her writing, but it was a fantastic page turner and I can't wait to share it with my audience. Thank you!

Rage is my first book by Linda Castillo.

I was introduced to Kate Buckholder as she unravels the mystery of two young murder victims all while juggling her personal life.
Fast-paced with quick chapters keeps the reader moving along wanting one more chapter.
I enjoyed this book and look forward to read more books by Linda.

Thank you to St Martin's Press and NetGalley for allowing me the ARC.

Once again in Rage, Linda Castillo reminds us that all is not copacetic in Painters Mill. This time, a group of Amish children make a gruesome discovery—a dismembered body—and Chief Kate Burkholder, along with her team and her new husband, John Tomasetti, is soon on the case. What follows is classic Castillo: a gripping mystery, insight into Amish life, the inevitable destruction of a police vehicle, and a well-paced plot.

However, what feels missing this time is deeper character development. Familiar faces like Pickles and Skid make appearances but feel underused, while Mona, a promising new officer, deserved a richer subplot. While Rage delivers as a solid entry in the Burkholder series, it doesn't quite rise to the level of Castillo’s best. Still, any Kate Burkholder novel is a good read—and this one is no exception. Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur books for the ARC in return for my honest opinion.

Chief Kate Burkholder is in the midst of a deadly situation surrounding the Amish people and must put pieces together to stop the violence and madness. Great story line that will have you racing to the end! This is a great series and Chief Kate is fully committed and capable to get the job done!

WOWZA!

Ok. My pulse was pounding. I gotta tell you even though I know things will work out I’m always so worried about the Chief & Tomasetti. This was a page turner. I could not stop until I finished. I needed to know. Plus I had to make sure my favorite characters would be ok. Every book in this series just grabs you and does not let go. I can’t wait for more.

A body was found in the woods in multiple pieces. Chief Burkholder and team now have a new crime and it leads to all kinds of trouble. I just have to say that I love the relationship that continues to build between Tomasetti and the Chief. As a long time reader, their relationship bring me happiness. This book kept me turning the pages. I finished it in two settings and I am already looking forward to the next book.

Linda Castillo does it again with book #17 in the series! This is my favourite series for a reason! Absolutely loved the suspense and trying to piece together everything but still left with unexpected twists near the end of the book. Too bad I have to wait another whole year for the next book! Can’t wait to read what happens in Painters Mills next!
Thank you Macmillan and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book!!

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the ARC.

Murder, mayhem and Kate smashes up her Tahoe again. Welcome back to Painters Mill in the 17th Kate Burkholder novel.

Honestly I love these books and would read Linda Castillos' grocery list.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the advanced reader copy of RAGE. All opinions are my own.

My only disappointment in reading this book is that I read it too fast. However, the temptation to do so is irresistible with Linda Castillo's fabulous Kate Burkholder series. Each book is so well-written, perfectly-paced suspense thriller and police procedural, as always with a memorable cast of characters. I love how she portrays the Amish community as people with foibles, fears, and personal mistakes, just like everyone else. It is, and has been, one of my favorite thriller series for the past 16 years.

In this episode, Kate has the gruesome murder of three young Amish people to sort out. She and her team must find the underlying motive and suspect(s) before more deaths can occur, possibly even her own. Highly recommend.

I love this series and this installment was one of the best 4.5 stars! I am totally invested in Kate and her community and look forward to visiting Painters Mill every year. The storyline in this book was really well done and the characters were on point - what a crew Kate has to help her in solving all the mysteries that come her way. Kate is the kind of law enforcement officer you want in every community - smart, spicy, relentless, and somehow totally relatable to everyone. She has grown through every book and I am so happy I have been along for the ride. I liked that this book highlighted a problem many communities are having and bringing awareness to this often hidden issue in society. I was thrilled to receive an ARC of the book for my honest review. Many thanks to the publisher, Author, and NetGalley for this opportunity. I look forward to visiting Painters Mill again very soon!

Rage: A Novel by Linda Castillo is the latest in the long running Kate Burkholder series. A series that, while still very good, is becoming increasingly graphicly detailed in terms of the violent murders and the aftermath. In this case, the aftermath of what was done to the first victim.

Painters Mill Chief of Police Kate Burkholder and Officer Chuck “Skid” Skidmore are out at Painters Mill Elementary School as the books begins. Chief Burkholder loves doing the annual presentation for the kids. Officer Skidmore is not enjoying himself as he is cooking alive in the costume he must wear to play the role of “Kip the Cow.” It is late August, the first week of school, and unbelievably hot.

During their presentation, Chief Burkholder gets a call from dispatch regarding the fact that some kids have found something very disturbing. They think they have found pieces of a body. Before long, Burkholder and Skidmore are on their way to the scene.

Upon arrival at Sweet Potato Ridge Road, an area known to flood, Burkholder is still hoping it isn’t what the kids, and now their dad, thinks it is alongside the creek. That hope is quickly dashed by Officer Rupert “Glock” Maddox who has confirmed the presence of body parts.

The kids were playing down in one area next to Painters Mill creek when one of them found things that no child should have ever see. The kid found a severed hand and a foot. Soon, more parts are discovered and it becomes abundantly clear this was no accidental drowning and somehow the body just fell apart.

It won’t be the last killing either.

The latest read in the series is another good one with a lot going on throughout the book. It also goes into incredibly graphic detail about the murders as well as the disposal of the bodies. Those who were disturbed by that in The Burning are sure to be bothered here. This reviewer, who did not have that much of a reaction to that stuff in that read, was considerably bothered here. Especially in terms of the depiction here of the recovery and later autopsy of the various body parts of the first victim.

With that caveat in mind, Rage: A Novel by Linda Castillo, is a good one and well worth your time. I have been a fan of this series since the very beginning with Sworn to Silence. Still am. But, I just don’t really need things to be as graphic as they are here with the first body. Even though I read a ton of mystery and crime fiction each year, in this case, it was a bit much.



My digital ARC came by way of the publisher, Minotaur Books, through NetGalley, and with no expectation of a review.



Kevin R. Tipple ©2025

Linda Castillo is rapidly becoming one of my favorite authors, and this is the second book of hers that I have had the pleasure to read. I am particularly fond of the protagonist, Chief Kate Burkholder. She is a compelling character—strong yet relatable. The story is filled with action and suspense from the outset, as Kate investigates the murder and dismemberment of 21-year-old Amish man Samuel Eicher. The plot is laden with unexpected twists, and additional murders keep the narrative engaging and dynamic. It’s a quick and enjoyable read that avoids being formulaic. If you appreciate small-town police procedurals, this book is a must-read. I confidently rated it five stars.

I would like to express my gratitude to NetGalley and the publisher for providing the ARC for this review. This is my honest assessment.