This is the seventeenth Kate Burkholder book in the series and I've read quite a few of them, so I was happy to see this one. I do like this series and enjoy the character.

Description:
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 Eicher, a local Amish man who owned a successful landscaping business. What twisted individual murdered him in such a sadistic way?

The investigation has barely begun when, 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?

With a heat wave bearing down, Kate learns quickly that, for reasons she doesn’t understand, no one is willing to talk about what happened to the men. Just as she begins to fear the case may be hopeless, a mystery woman comes forward and reveals that fun-loving Aaron and Samuel had recently befriended some very unsavory characters―individuals who may have ties to a larger, more sinister, black market.

To solve the case, Kate must delve into the most sordid corners of her community, but when she gets too close, the killers target Kate herself. Will the 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 Thoughts:
The murders in the quiet, Amish community are horrific. Kate has her work cut out for her, and there don't seem to be many clues. I enjoy reading about Kate and how she uses her background of growing up Amish to help her communicate and understand those in the Amish community even though she is not a part of it anymore. The case is a difficult one and Kate can't seem to find her way though it, but then someone comes forward. Well, not quite - she has to push. Scared people don't like to talk. This was a challenging investigation that I enjoyed following.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books through Netgalley for an advance copy.

This one is action packed! I've only read some of the books in this series but find that I can read them as individual books without missing out on much. The story started with an intense scene and then continued on at a fast pace. I enjoyed the pace and the action in this one. I really enjoy Kate as the lead character and her relationship with Tomasetti too. I look forward to reading more in the future. I received an advance copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Rage is the latest Chief of Police Kate Burkholder mystery featuring the Amish in the community of Painters Mill. When a young Amish man is murdered and found dismembered, Kate begins to investigate all the young man’s friends and ties in the community . After two more bodies are found, Kate finds herself in danger and uncovering things she never would believe in her small town. Action packed and full of suspense make this, the story twists into a high energy thriller that keeps the pages flying by for another great read in the series. My voluntary and unbiased review is based upon a review copy from NetGalley.

Another page-turner in one of my all-time favorite series! This one grabs you from the beginning and doesn't let go. Kate is such a great character and I love her determination. The entire cast of characters are wonderful. I feel like I'm catching up with old friends when I pick up one of these stories. The reveal stunned me. Highly recommend!

Body parts, bodies, mystery and Chief Kate Burkholder is running raged with her small team trying to find out why the Amish are being killed. Rage also goes into the underbelly and the Amish girls are at risk. I really thought the way Rumspringa was referenced really showed what could happen. This was a dark and twisty tale. Impetuous Kate makes the right call, but then never waits. Guess its progress she calls in for backup. I thoroughly enjoy this series, I am never 100% sure of what will happen, but I know I want to go along for the ride. Thank you for the advance copy. I freely share my honest thoughts and opinions. #Rage #KateBurkholder #LindaCastillo #StMartins-Minotaur books #NetGalley

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4-4.5 stars. A young Amish man is found murdered and dismembered in the sleepy little town of Painters Mill, Ohio. He had recently returned to the fold after some wild ways during his rumspringa. Kate Burkholder, Chief of Police and formerly Amish herself, has to figure out what mischief he'd gotten into that got him killed.

I've dipped into this series a few times now and always find a real page-turning mystery. This one is no exception and can be read as a standalone.

Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new mystery via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

When one reads the blurb, "A Kate Burkholder Novel", that's a ticket to a wild ride.
Samuel Yutzy is feeling guilty. He knows he needs to make amends. He isn't going to get the chance.
I received an advanced reader's cope of "Rage" from author Linda Castillo, St. Martin's Publishing/Minotaur Books through NetGalley. This is my own opinion about the book.
It's a solid 4 star read for me. Chief of Police, Kate Burkholder has her hands full with this murder case from the moment she gets to the scene discovered by Amish children. A dismembered body. A lot of questions. Another dead body is discovered, and the questions and intense investigation leads to major trouble, including danger for Kate.
I like that the author has vast knowledge of crime scene investigation, tools and process. She keeps the story moving and a building interest. She easily takes what reflects on real time crime and the heartbreaking abuse of naive Amish teens or young adults and makes a chilling, suspense filled story. I like her character building, especially Kate's team, including her husband, that she has for the law enforcement community.
She certainly features what power hungry and abusive adults can do to others who are vulnerable. It's chilling and action packed. It's scary to think about how this could really happen.
Triggers: Abuse, graphic content, female victims

Rage by Linda Castillo takes us back to Painter’s Mill, Ohio where Kate Burkholder has an appalling murder case on her hands. Rage is the seventeenth A Kate Burkholder Novel. While Rage can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading the series in order. It will allow you to get to know Kate and her backstory. I thought Rage was well-written with developed characters. The story has action, mystery, police procedures, suspense, and more. Kate and her team along with John Tomasetti (Kate’s husband and an agent with BCI), Sheriff Rasmussen, and other law enforcement officers are working to unravel this case. I could not believe the violence (it was described in detail). Kate finds herself in danger more than once (proving what a strong and courageous woman she is). The mystery is complex with twists, turns, and shocking secrets. I like the relationship between Kate and Tomasetti (they are perfect for each other). The author’s descriptive writing transported me to Painter’s Mill where it was hot (I would not want to wear one of those Tyvek suits in that heat). I found myself staying up late to finish the book (and my mother still yells at me to close my book and go to sleep). In addition to the violence, the story also contains foul language. Rage is a twisty story with gripping suspense, gritty tableaus, police procedures, astonished Amish, a resilient leader, a supportive spouse, amazing action, and an exciting conclusion.

This is a series but can be read alone. This is the first book I have read by Linda Castillo and may now go back and read the others. I will definitely read more books by her. There are two murders of young Amish people who were breaking away, and it becomes clear that something evil is going on. This was really enjoyable. This is a page-turning mystery that keeps the series going strong. Can’t wait for the next one!
Thank you St Martin Press and NetGalley for the ARC!

Rage is a suspenseful, action-packed police procedural!
Painters Mill police chief, Kate Burkholder, has seen some gruesome crime scenes, but the dismembered and not-well-buried body of a 21-year-old Amish man in the woods near his workplace is especially grisly. When the body of his best friend is also found dumped in the countryside, Kate realizes that she needs to figure out what these young men had gotten themselves involved in if she is to solve their murders, but doing so might put a target on her own back. I love the characters in this series. Kate is a smart and tough cop, but we get to see her softer side in her relationship with her husband, John Tomasetti, who works with the Ohio state Bureau of Criminal Investigation and helps her out on this set of cases. The story is well written and the pacing is spot-on. While this is the 17th book in the series, I think a reader could easily jump into the series here.

Chief of Police Kate Burkholder returns in full action mode for this 17th novel. Kate’s newest case begins when body parts are found on an Amish farm. Moving the investigation quickly she learns the victim was 21, and a local Amish man. He owned a successful landscaping business. He is a bit estranged from his family as they didn’t trust his English friends and wondered where his cash money came from. Usually when dealing with the local Amish they are tight lipped about events in the community. But this time there is genuine concern when Ben’s best friend has also gone missing.

As always these stories are fast paced procedurals. There is going to be information gathered from the crime scene, autopsy and interviews. Even the secretaries at the office pitch in to check on social media and other background information. Kate very much works with her department as a team. This book focuses slightly on the young adult Amish who have lived very sheltered lives and are reaching the time in their lives that they need to decide if they are going to commit to the community through baptism. Not choosing to stay Amish can cost them their families and friends. I enjoyed the speed of the investigation and it wasn’t hard to pick out who the culprits were. But of course there has to be evidence gathered. One thing I do get tired of is how many times Kate can get personally attacked. You don’t see that happen too often in real life.

I’ve read several of the books in the series and they are easy to recommend to people who like police procedurals novels. The novels themselves are stand alone so you can pick up and begin anywhere in the series. About the only spoilers is the progress in her relationship with her once boyfriend who is now her husband.

Every year I look forward to Linda Castillo's latest Kate Burkholder installment. Rage is book #17 and I enjoyed it just as much as book #1!

Once again we return to Painter's Mill to see all that's going on with former Amish/Chief of Police Kate Burkholder and her hubby John from the Ohio Bureau of Investigations. As usual, there is a murder or two or three to solve in this Amish community. I love watching Kate figure it all out and of course she always ends up in a bit of trouble along the way. I have been reading this series since 2017 and have faithfully and eagerly looked forward to each installment. I hope there are many more to come!

Kathleen McInerney does a wonderful job as usual narrating this series.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and listen to the audio version of Rage! It is always a pleasure to sit back and immerse myself in her latest! All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 8 July 2025

Rounded up from 4.5 - Loved the story and characters as much in 17 as I did in 1. More Kate!

Thanks to the invite from Minotaur via Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Linda Castillo returns to Painters Mill in Rage, the 17th in her excellent Kate Burkholder series. Samuel Yutzy, respected owner of a local nursery, is found dead, his body dismembered. As Kate, with new husband John Tomasetti’s help, searches for a vicious killer, the body of Samuel’s best friend is found. Who would want to murder these two young Amish men? Kate’s investigation leads her from a seedy strip club to an exclusive country club and to an angry customer of Yutzy’s business as she struggles to uncover the connection between the victims. She slowly realizes that there is a criminal enterprise involved, one far bigger than Painters Mill, and she is now a target herself.

Rage is full dark themes and disturbing violence but as usual Painters Mill, the residents of the town, the small police force, and the dominant Amish lifestyle drive this mystery. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Linda Castillo for this ARC.

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press | Minotaur Books, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest book by a favorite, Linda Castillo, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Kathleen McInerney. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Three Amish children make a gruesome discovery in Painters Mill, and Police Chief Kate Burkholder is on the case to discover who would dismember a young Amish man. It's not long before another body is discovered. Just what is happening in her community? Will she be the next victim?

I have been reading the loving this series since the first book, and now that we are on #17, it just keeps getting better. It's a wonderful police procedural set in Amish country, and while each book could be read as a stand alone, they are much better read in order. That way, you get to see the progression of the characters' personal lives as well. This is the second book that I have mostly listened to on audiobook, and enjoy hearing the Amish language spoken aloud. This latest chapter has everything you've come to expect from this series, so don't miss it!

3.5 stars

In this 17th book in the Kate Burkholder series, the Police Chief investigates the murder and dismemberment of an Amish man. The novel provides enough background information to be read as a standalone.

*****

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.

Kate is now married to John Tomasetti, an agent with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI). The couple's dual law enforcement careers are advantageous, because, when it's appropriate, Tomasetti can provide support for Kate's investigations.

When the dismembered body of 21-year-old Amish landscaper Samuel Yutzy is found on a secluded road, Chief Kate Burkholder hurries to the scene. Puzzled by the bizarre murder, and looking for a motive, Kate talks to Samuel's parents, Orlah and Leona Yutzy. The Amish are VERY diffident about speaking to outsiders, but Samuel's parents tell Kate that their son was on rumspringa (a period of freedom for Amish youth) and "Like a lot of Amish boys, got to going out and running around like them English youngsters do. Drinking and whatnot."

The Yutzys also say Samuel brought a girl named Cass to dinner - a troublemaker with a painted-up face, tattoos, and woman parts hanging out all over the place, who smoked by the barn. A girl who looked English but sounded Amish. Orlah and Leona Yutzy would be even more shocked to know Cass is a dancer in a gentleman's club.

Kate learns that two of Samuel's best friends are Aaron Shetler, who works at the tire center of a farm store; and Joseph Stoltzfoos - who has a small farm. Kate can't find Aaron at work or at home, and when she locates Joseph, he says he hasn't seen Samuel in months. Joseph says, 'I didn't like the road he was going down. Sammy was partying a lot. Drinking. Smoking dope. Picking up women. Taking them home.'

On top of his other concerns, Samuel was having trouble with a club owner called Carter Brooks. Brooks was suing Samuel, and Brooks' letter of intent to sue states: "I hired Samuel Yutzy, owner of Yutzy's Tree Nursery, to landscape my home at 1923 Marigold Road. I paid $10,569 for a hedge, six shade trees, two ornamental trees and a pavestone walkway....After the job was finished a storm came through and water flooded my basement. An engineer told me landscaper Yutzy did not install a drain as he should have.' Brooks is suing for over $15,000, a huge sum for the Amish youth.

When Kate interviews Brooks, the club owner admits "I think Samuel was an honest guy. I'd have settled for less than the fifteen. It was sort of an ask-for-a lot-get-a-little strategy."

All this gives Kate and her team a lot to investigate, and things escalate further when a body is found in a barrel at the bottom of a ravine, and another body is found in the woods. All the deceased are Amish, and Kate comes to suspect drug dealing or some other criminal activity.

Much of the novel is a police procedural where Kate, her deputies, and Tomasetti investigate the multiple killings. As usual, Kate blithely strides into dangerous situations without backup, and gets beat up and almost killed (twice). I've mentioned in previous reviews that this trope is getting old, but I've come to accept it will happen in every book. 😕

It turns out the murders have serious implications for rural Ohio, where urban crime seems to have reared its ugly head.

I always enjoy Kate Burkholder mysteries, but I do have a couple of cavils about this novel.

First, the reason for dismembering Samuel and placing another body in a barrel is not clear. The deceased could just have been left where they were killed. After all, it's not like the murders wouldn't be discovered otherwise in this close Amish community. (It's not Los Angeles after all.)

Second, the story takes place at the height of summer, and Kate CONSTANTLY describes her discomfort: "I was sweating profusely beneath my uniform"; "Despite the sweat dripping down my back, I motion toward the leg that Glock discovered"; "I'm standing outside the crime scene tape, sweating like a sieve beneath my Tyvek suit"; "I'm sweating profusely as I slip the second pair of gloves over the first"; and much more. I can empathize, but the perspiration talk seems to be overdone.

On the upside, Castillo's Amish mysteries are always off-the-beaten-track and engaging. In addition, it's nice to get a glimpse of Kate and Tomasetti at home in their farmhouse, where they enjoy private time, have meals and drinks, and discuss the case. In this book, Tomasetti finds a cat, a Manx, who's now a member of the household - and who might help with the mouse population in the barn.

The book will appeal to readers who like Amish mysteries, especially Kate Burkholder fans.

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

This is book #17 in the Kate Burkholder series, a series I love and I look forward to reading the new book in the series every summer. I love Kate, Tomasetti, and all of the side characters in Painter’s Mill.

This was a good read and a very quick read. The story was engaging. The reason I didn’t give it 5 stars is because Kate does some stupid stuff in this book and it takes her sooo long to figure out what’s going on when it seemed pretty obvious. But it’s still worth a read especially if you’re a fan of the series. It could be read as a stand-alone but do yourself a favor and read the whole series.

**Thanks to the author and Minotaur Books for the e-arc I received in exchange for my honest opinion.**

As someone who’s read and thoroughly enjoyed all 16 previous books in the Kate Burkholder series, I can confidently say Rage is another strong, gripping installment that delivers exactly what fans have come to expect, and more.

This time, Chief Burkholder is faced with one of her most brutal cases yet: the murders of two young Amish men with mysterious ties to the darker edges of society. As always, the tension is high, the stakes are personal, and the pacing keeps you turning pages late into the night.

Linda Castillo continues to balance gritty crime with deep emotional insight, and Kate remains a compelling, layered protagonist whose strength and vulnerability make her feel real. While each book stands on its own, longtime readers will especially appreciate how the series continues to evolve without losing its core. That said, Rage also works well as a standalone. New readers can easily jump in without feeling lost, as Castillo weaves in just enough backstory without slowing the pace.If you've come this far in the series, Rage won't disappoint. It's dark, intense, and thoroughly satisfying.

Highly recommended for new and old Burkholder fans!

* I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books in exchange for my honest review

I have read everyone of Ms. Castillo's Kate Burkholder novels. I even ma few years ago when the made a Lifetime or Hallmark movie based on one of earlier novels. Her stories, through her research, the Amish population and their beliefs to all of us who read her novels.
This story is centered on the young adults who have been to Amish rumspringera and ultimately left the fold or returned. The Amish do deal with the non-Amish population from an early age, but they are brought up very disciplined and different life from our social norms of a modern everchanging world. But as they reach the age of 16 they are allowed to leave before being baptized in their church and entering marriages. Most do return, but a few leave the fold. This is the story of a few who made a choice to leave., but decided to come back to start again.

Rage is a case that involves consequences for actions taken during rumspringa and while trying to amend them does not always workout, and some seek retribution. With each novel you meet new characters and revisit others who have appeared in previous books. They all play a part in the storyline. These are the people Kate grew up with before she left and she knows them well. Kate must work out who it is, before it consumes not only her, but those she loves.

I would definitely recommend this book, it was tense at times and heartbreaking at other times. But it was another look into the life of the Amish and what they face everyday.

I was provided and Arc copy by the publishers and Ms. Castillo, so all comments are purely by own.

Thank you to @stmartinspress @minotourbooks and Netgalley for my #gifted copy!

Kate Burkholder is back trying to solve another heinous crime in her town. This is book 17 in the serious and in my opinion, I don't think you have to read the others in the series to understand and enjoy this one. But I highly recommend the series. I started in on it at bout book 14-15 and plan to go back and read the rest! Chief Burkholder is called for a body found on a back part of an Amish farm. The murder is brutal, and they have to try to make sense of how and why this could happen! I love the mix between the Amish and the outside world. These murders are trying to make sure no one gets in their way and are going to do whatever it takes to get the Chief off their backs. I love following Kate as she try's solve this and puts pieces together with her team. This one goes deeper then they originally then they had imagined. There are a lot of tense moments that keep you tied into the story, that had me not wanting to put it down. This is definitely 0ne of my favorite police procedural series. It has a great mix of dark and twisted with hopefully moments and a great gang of characters.