Cheryl's Book Nook

A deadly fire exposes the dark side of Amish life in this harrowing new thriller in the New York Times bestselling series. When a historic barn burns to the ground in the middle of the night, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder is called in to investigate. At first, it looks like an accident, but when the body of eighteen-year-old Daniel Gingerich is found inside—burned alive—Kate suspects murder. Who would want a well-liked, hardworking young Amish man dead? Kate delves into the investigation only to find herself stonewalled by the community to which she once belonged. Is their silence a result of the Amish tenet of separation? Or is this peaceful and deeply religious community conspiring to hide a truth no one wants to talk about? Kate doubles down only to discover a plethora of secrets and a chilling series of crimes that shatters everything she thought she knew about her Amish roots—and herself. As Kate wades through a sea of suspects, she’s confronted by her own violent past and...

In this electrifying new thriller in the New York Times bestselling series, a convicted murderer is on the run and Chief of Police Kate Burkholder must catch him before he strikes again. Eight years ago Joseph King was convicted of murdering his wife and sentenced to life in prison. He was a "fallen" Amish man and, according to local law enforcement, a known drug user with a violent temper. Now King has escaped, and he’s headed for Painters Mill. News of a murderer on the loose travels like wildfire and putting Chief of Police Kate Burkholder and her team of officers on edge. A nightmare scenario becomes reality when King shows up with a gun and kidnaps his five children from their Amish uncle’s house. He’s armed and desperate with nothing left to lose. Fearing for the safety of the children, Kate leaps into action, but her frantic search for a killer leads her into an ambush. When King releases her unharmed, asking her to prove his innocence, she begins to wonder whether t...

Chief of Police Kate Burkholder is called upon by the sheriff's department in rural, upstate New York to assist on a developing situation that involves a reclusive Amish settlement and the death of a young girl. Unable to penetrate the wall of silence between the Amish and "English" communities, the sheriff asks Kate to travel to New York, pose as an Amish woman, and infiltrate the community. 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 rumor 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 cr...

Paul and his three children are heading home in their buggy. The children are signing and everyone is happy. Paul is just going around the corner when he sees a flash of headlights. The last thing he hears is the splintering of the buggy and silence. When Kate arrives on the scene she recognizes Paul. For Kate the case just got more personal. Paul is the husband of Mattie Kate’s friend. Kate will do everything she can to solve the case. Another winner for Mrs. Castillo. I love Kate and John together. They are such a great couple. So glad that they are finally starting to take their relationship to the next level. I have always had a fascination about the Amish. The way of life for these people is amazing. So when you mix Amish with a murder mystery then you have a winner, especially when the books are written by Linda Castillo. After reading these books, I have come to enjoy the working dynamics of Kate and the rest of the police. They all build off each other nicely. It ...

Chief Kate Burkholder receives a call. It appears that there are three bodies out on the Slabaugh farm. At first it seems an unfortunate accident that Mr. Slabaugh, his wife and his brother fell into the manure pit and died of lack of oxygen. Though, after the autopsy report is finished, it seems that the Slabaugh’s deaths were the result of foul play. Luckily for Kate, she will not be alone when she solves this triple murder. She is joined by her lover, FBI agent John Tomasetti. Breaking Silence if book three in author, Linda Castillo’s Amish mystery series. I really enjoy this series. Chief Kate Burkholder is great at her job. She has this mixture of being personable and hard headed, that just makes me like her all the more. It was great to see John again. He and Kate are good together. Though, they did not spend much time together romantically. There is just something about Amish country and the people there that really help to add to the suspense of this series. Maybe it is because...

Painters Mill, Ohio is a quiet Amish town. People come for the peace and quiet. That is exactly how Chief of Police Kate Burkholder likes it. Unfortunately the quietness is about to be shattered. Deputy T.J. Banks was out trying to corral one of the local farmer's cows when he sees a bloody trail leading him to the naked body of a woman. Her throat has been slashed and she has some Roman numerals craved into her. The last time Kate saw a Roman numeral was sixteen years ago. At that time she had come face to face with one of the worse monsters' imaginable. She thought that nightmare was over but she was wrong. As the body count rises, Kate starts to feel the pressure to stop the killer once and for all. Agent John Tomasetti with the BCI has joined Kate to help solve the case. The only person not realyl thrilled with Agent Tomasetti's assistance is Kate. The only question that remains is...What is Kate hiding and why is she sworn to silence? Sworn to Silence is the first boo...