ARC Review: The Burning by Linda Castillo

The Burning
Author: Linda Castillo
Series: Kate Burkholder (Book 16)
Publication: Minotaur Books (July 9, 2024)

Description: Chief of Police Kate Burkholder investigates a gruesome murder that reveals a little-known chapter of early Amish history in this next riveting installment of the bestselling series by Linda Castillo.

Newlywed Chief of Police Kate Burkholder is awakened by an urgent midnight call summoning her to a suspicious fire in the woods. When she arrives at the scene, she discovers a charred body. According to the coroner, the deceased, an Amish man named Milan Swanz, was chained to a stake and burned alive. It is an appalling and eerily symbolic crime against an upstanding husband and father.

Kate knows all too well that the Amish prefer to handle their problems without interference from the outside world, and no one will speak about the murdered man. From what she’s able to piece together, Swanz led a deeply troubled life and had recently been excommunicated. But if that’s the case, why are the Amish so reluctant to talk about him? Are they protecting the memory of one of their own? Or are they afraid of something they dare not share?

When her own brother is implicated in the case, Kate finds herself not only at odds with the Amish, the world of which she was once a part, but also the English community and her counterparts in law enforcement. The investigation takes a violent turn when Kate’s life is threatened by a mysterious stranger.

To uncover the truth about the death of Milan Swanz, Kate must dive deep into the Anabaptist culture, peering into all the dark corners of its history, only to uncover a secret legacy that shatters everything she thought she knew about the Amish themselves―and her own roots.

My Thoughts: A call to a gruesome crime scene after midnight brings Kate Burkholder to her sixteenth murder investigation in THE BURNING.

An Amish man who was excommunicated from his community was found tied to a stake and burned to death. All everyone in the Amish community will say is that Milan was a "troubled man," but no one is willing to speak ill of the dead. 

Kate begins her investigation and learns that Swanz was a drunk, abused his wife and children, held grudges and acted on them. However, his grudges and abuses were contained in the Amish community, and the Amish are rather famous for being nonviolent and for turning the other cheek. 

Swanz even argued with Kate's brother Jacob which makes him a person of interest to the various agencies investigating this murder. And it makes Kate someone who should recuse herself because of her brother's involvement. No one else is better at getting information out of the Amish though since Kate was once a part of the community. 

Being placed on administrative leave doesn't stop Kate from her investigations which are turning up a part of the Anabaptist history that she hadn't know. At one time there was a group known as the Schwertlers who were not opposed to violence. Over time, this group has become almost a legend and a boogeyman from scary stories -- but if they exist, they might be to blame for Swanz's death.

So, Kate has to track down a legend who knows about her and who has threatened her if she wants to clear her brother's name and solve the murder.

This was another excellent episode in the Kate Burkholder series. I like the characters and the setting which provides lots of information about the Amish while telling a fast-paced and action-filled story. 

Favorite Quote:

The mayor raises his hand, trying to look as if he's in command. He only manages to look ridiculous and weak and everyone in the room knows he doesn't have the balls to say what he's been asked to say. 

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.