Bestselling author Linda Castillo is the recipient of numerous writing awards, including the Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence, the Holt Medallion and a nomination for the Rita. She lives in Texas with her husband and is currently at work on her next thriller, also set in Amish Country and featuring Chief of Police Kate Burkholder.
A rainy night, a father returning home with his three children, a speeding car hurtling toward them out of nowhere. What at first seems like a tragic, but routine, car accident suddenly takes on a more sinister cast as evidence emerges that nothing about the crash is accidental. But who would want to kill an Amish deacon and his children? He leaves behind a grieving widow and a young boy who clings to life in the intensive-care wing of a hospital, unable to communicate. He may be the only one who knows what happened that night. Desperate to find out who killed her best friend's husband and why, Kate Burkholder begins to suspect she is not looking for a reckless drunk, but instead is on the trail of a coldblooded killer. It is a search that takes her on a chilling journey into the darkest reaches of the human psyche and strikes at the heart of everything she has ever believed about the Amish culture into which she was born.
Solly and Rachel Slabaugh, and his brother Abel, have drowned in the hog pit leaving the four children as orphans. As the investigation progresses, it seems that the Slabaugh deaths were not an accident, and the case suddenly becomes a murder enquiry. As the case deepens, Kate develops a bond with the children, particularly the 15-year-old daughter, Solome. Maybe she is reminded of herself at that age, and maybe there's something about this case which stirs up memories for her. The events surrounding the deaths puzzle her something doesn't feel right. As more information comes to light, a tragic incident turns into something much more shocking.
July 2010 Good Housekeeping selection. In Pray for Silence by Linda Castillo, a gruesome murder on an Amish farm leads police chief Katie Burkholder to discover that someone close to home has been leading a lurid double life.
December 2009 Book of the Month. A well devised plot with Amish and ‘English’ communities facing the prospect that a serial killer from the past has returned to their now peaceful lives. With plenty of characters harbouring a secret the plot unfolds tantalisingly and moves towards a suspense-filled ending. A gripping thriller with another in the series lined up.
Kate's long time love interest, State Agent John Tomasetti, is dead set against her taking on such an unorthodox assignment, knowing she'll have limited communication and even less in the way of backup. But Kate can't turn her back, especially when the rumour mill boils with disturbing accounts of children in danger. She travels to New York where she's briefed and assumes her new identity as a lone widow seeking a new life. Kate infiltrates the community and goes deep under cover. In the coming days, she unearths a world built on secrets, a series of shocking crimes, and herself, alone...trapped in a fight for her life.
From the New York Times bestselling author of THE DEAD WILL TELL comes a new short story offering a glimpse into Chief of Police Kate Burkholder's past and her Amish roots.It's autumn in Painter's Mill, and fourteen year old Katie Burkholder has been tasked with picking apples in Zimmerman's Orchard with her brother. It's just another day filled with chores-until her best friend Mattie arrives to help. Somehow, boredom transforms into fun and games whenever the girls are together. The innocent fun comes to an end when Billy Marquardt and his gang of friends interrupts. Katie is no prude, but she knows better than to associate with the older English boys, especially since they're known troublemakers. Mattie has no such compunction. Thumbing her nose at the Ordnung and all of the Amish rules, she disappears into the old barn with Billy. Moments later, the Zimmerman's barn is consumed by fire. Katie suspects Billy had something to do with the blaze, but he denies it. When the facts don't add up, Katie begins her own investigation-and she doesn't like what she finds. Will her friendship with Mattie survive the truth?
IN THE NEWS: Ex-navy search and rescue pilot Drew EvansFAMILY HISTORY: His adopted brother is one of the genetically engineered Extraordinary FiveDEEPEST SECRET: Haunted by the only mission he failedHardened hero Drew Evans had thought his tragic past was behind him, until the woman he'd secretly loved-his best friend's widow-stepped back into his solitary life. But single mom Alison Myers was in need of his help to save her ailing son-and quench her own hidden longings. Alison had never expected to see devastatingly handsome Drew again, the one man who made her feel the forbidden stirrings of passion. But could she trust him with the two most precious things in her life...her son and her heart?
Wenn die Geister der Vergangenheit sprechen1979: Ein amischer Vater und vier seiner Kinder sterben bei einem missgluckten Raububerfall. Seine Frau wird von den Tatern entfuhrt und nie wieder gesehen. Allein der vierzehnjahrige Sohn Billy Hochstetler uberlebt diese grausame Nacht.2014: Jeder in Painters Mill wei, dass es auf der verlassenen Farm der Familie Hochstetler spukt. Aber nur einige wenige wissen, was damals in jener Nacht tatsachlich geschah. Und nun wird einer nach dem anderen auf grausame Weise ermordet. Wer ist ihrem Geheimnis auf die Spur gekommen?
Wer hat Angela Blaine gesehen? Die junge Frau verschwand spurlos vor zwanzig Jahren. Nur ihre blutigen Kleider fand man am Ufer des Flusses. Kate Burkholder und John Tomasetti ermitteln und stoen dabei auf ein lange gut gehutetes Geheimnis. Spannend und bewegend: Lange Vermisst ist eine spannende und unterhaltende Kurzgeschichte, die im Land der Amischen spielt.
In this electrifying thriller by New York Times bestseller Linda Castillo, Kate Burkholder must uncover a family's long-hidden past to solve a brutal murderWhen a tornado tears through Painters Mill and unearths human remains, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder finds herself tasked with the responsibility of identifying the bones-and notifying the family. Evidence quickly emerges that the death was no accident and Kate finds herself plunged into a thirty year old case that takes her deep into the Amish community to which she once belonged. Meanwhile, turmoil of an emotional and personal nature strikes at the very heart of Kate's budding relationship with state agent John Tomasetti. A reality that strains their fragile new love to the breaking point and threatens the refuge they've built for themselves-and their future. Under siege from an unknown assailant-and her own personal demons-Kate digs deep into the case only to discover proof of an unimaginable atrocity, a plethora of family secrets and the lengths to which people will go to protect their own.
New York Times bestselling author Linda Castillo immerses readers in the world of the Amish in this chilling series that is equal parts fast-paced thriller and intriguing psychological puzzle.Sworn to SilenceSixteen years ago, a brutal serial killer left a trail of victims before vanishing into thin air. Now, he may have returned, and only one woman can stop him-but can she solve the case without revealing a terrible secret that links her to the original murders?Pray for SilenceIn the quiet town of Painters Mill an Amish family of seven has been found slaughtered on their farm. Police chief Kate Burkholder and her small force have few clues, no motive, and no suspect. Breaking SilenceWhat appears to be a gruesome accident that left three people dead turns more sinister when evidence of foul play emerge. Together with agent John Tomasetti, Kate searches for answers and uncovers a dark secret at work beneath the placid surface of this idyllic Amish community.
When a baby-only hours old-is discovered on the Amish bishop's front porch in Painter's Mill, Ohio, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder is called in to investigate. The newborn is swaddled in an Amish crib quilt, and the only other item found with the child is a hand-carved wood rattle, which Kate also recognizes as Amish. The little girl seems healthy and whole; but who would abandon her and why? Though the quilt and rattle could be purchased, Kate suspects the mother is Amish, possibly young and unmarried, both of which would be powerful motives for such a desperate act. With the rattle and the baby quilt as the only clues, Kate must call upon her own Amish roots, and with the help of state agent John Tomasetti, search the Amish and "e;English"e; communities of Painters Mill for clues to unravel the poignant, puzzling mystery.
When a baby - only hours old - is discovered on the Amish bishop's front porch in Painter's Mill, Ohio, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder is called in to investigate. The newborn is swaddled in an Amish crib quilt, and the only other item found with the child is a hand-carved wood rattle, which Kate also recognizes as Amish.The little girl seems healthy and whole, but who would abandon her and why? Though the quilt and rattle could have been purchased, Kate suspects the mother is Amish, possibly young and unmarried, both of which would be powerful motives for such a desperate act.With the rattle and the baby quilt as the only clues, Kate must call upon her own Amish roots and, with the help of state agent John Tomasetti, search the Amish and "e;English"e; communities of Painters Mill for clues to unravel the poignant, puzzling mystery.
Everyone in Painters Mill knows the abandoned Hochstetler farm is haunted. Ghost stories abound, but no one knows what really happened that terrible night thirty-five years ago when an Amish father and his four children perished-and his young wife disappeared without a trace. When Chief of Police Kate Burkholder is called to the scene of an apparent suicide-a man found hanging from the rafters in his barn-evidence quickly points to murder. She finds herself following an elusive trail that points back to the tragedy of that long ago incident. Meanwhile, Kate has moved in with state agent John Tomasetti and for the first time in a long time, she's happy. Their newfound bliss is shattered when one of the men responsible for the murders of Tomasetti's family four years ago is found not guilty and walks away a free man. When a second man turns up dead, Kate discovers a link that sends the investigation in a direction no one could imagine and uncovers a horrifying truth that reaches deep into the past and strikes at the very heart of Painters Mill. As Kate draws a bead on a stone cold killer, a murderer vows to right old wrongs and kill anyone who stands in the way.
After nine years as one of Chicago' s finest, Erin McNeal had come to sleepy Logan Falls for a second chance, not to be watched over by a man as infuriatingly overprotective- and disarmingly attractive- as Nick Ryan.She was no damsel in distress, but someone wanted her dead, and Nick knew better than to entrust a guilt-driven daredevil with her own safety. It was his duty to protect her- whether she liked it or not. It seemed the only thing the chief of police and his newest deputy could agree on was the one thing they couldn' t resist- each other. Could the cautious single father and the reckless beauty be cops... and lovers?
Agent: Robert DavidsonMission: Pinpoint exact location of the missing agent in Rebelia.Deepest Secret: He's never recovered from the horror of watching the woman he loved die.Robert Davidson thought he could handle returning to Rebelia, the war-ravaged country that nearly cost him his life-and had cost him Lily Scott, the passionate journalist he'd fallen in love with. But nothing could have prepared him for the shock of finding Lily still alive-with a child.With Lily's and her son's life in danger, Robert must set aside his jealousy-and desire-in order to protect the only woman he's ever loved. But Lily has one more secret-which will change his life forever.