ARC Review: An Evil Heart by Linda Castillo

An Evil Heart
Author: Linda Castillo
Series: Kate Burkholder (Book 15)
Publication: Minotaur Books (July 11, 2023)

Description: Chief of Police Kate Burkholder investigates the brutal death of a young Amish man in An Evil Heart, the latest installment of the bestselling series by Linda Castillo.

On a crisp autumn day in Painters Mill, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder responds to a call only to discover an Amish man who has been violently killed with a crossbow, his body abandoned on a dirt road. Aden Karn was just twenty years old, well liked, and from an upstanding Amish family. Who would commit such a heinous crime against a young man whose life was just beginning?

The more Kate gets to know his devastated family and the people―both English and Amish―who loved him, the more determined she becomes to solve the case. Aden Karn was funny and hardworking and looking forward to marrying his sweet fiancé, Emily. All the while, Kate’s own wedding day to Tomasetti draws near...

But as she delves into Karn’s past, Kate begins to hear whispers about a dark side. What if Aden Karn wasn’t the wholesome young man everyone admired? Is it possible the rumors are a cruel campaign to blame the victim? Kate pursues every lead with a vengeance, sensing an unspeakable secret no one will broach.

The case spirals out of control when a young Amish woman comes forward with a horrific story that pits Kate against a dangerous and unexpected opponent. When the awful truth is finally uncovered, Kate comes face to face with the terrible consequences of a life lived in all the dark places.

My Thoughts: The fifteenth Kate Burkholder has Kate trying to solve two murders just days before her long-awaited wedding to Tomasetti. 

Twenty-one-year-old Aden Karn was shot to death via a crossbow while riding his bike to work. Everyone from his parents to the girl he is courting tell Kate that he was a friendly, hardworking, helpful man that everyone loved. It doesn't look like anyone wanted him dead but nothing about the murder looks like an accident either. 

Kate investigates but penetrating the Amish wall of silence isn't easy from Kate despite the fact that she was once a part of the Amish community herself. That might, in fact, make it harder. Then a second body is found. She was a part-time prostitute from a nearby town. She was found wrapped in plastic and with evidence of physical and sexual abuse on her body. 

Kate feels that the two cases are connected but the connections are anything but clear cut. With Tomasetti busy with a kidnapping case of his own, Kate isn't able to call on his assistance as much as she would like. But the more she investigates, the more she comes to learn that Aden Kern wasn't the man everyone said he was.

This was another excellent episode in this long-running series. I liked the way Kate is reconnecting with her brother and sister as the wedding plans build. I liked the setting of the story and the connections to the Amish community where Kate grew up. I liked Kate's determination to find the killer even though she really comes to hate the victim. Tomasetti reminds her that she doesn't fight for the victim because of who they are but because of who she is. 

Favorite Quote:

Every case has its own unique personality. Some are orderly from the get-go; not quite cooperative, but the puzzle pieces come together with some degree of congruity. Other cases are a study in chaos. Every move is a misstep. Every lead is a dead end. Every break, a false flag. The murder of Aden Karn falls into the latter category. It's like trying to put together a puzzle in which the pieces simply do not fit.

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