Mystery
![Linda Castillo - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_a_linda_castillo.jpg)
The Hidden One: A Novel of Suspense (Kate Burkholder, 14)
The discovery of an Amish bishop's remains leads chief of police Kate Burkholder to unearth a chilling secret in The Hidden One, a new thriller from bestselling author Linda Castillo.
Over a decade ago, beloved Amish bishop Ananias Stoltzfus disappeared without a trace. When skeletal remains showing evidence of foul play are unearthed, his disappearance becomes even more sinister.
The town's elders arrive in Painters Mill to ask chief of police Kate Burkholder for help, but she quickly realizes she has a personal connection to the crime. The handsome Amish man who stands accused of the murder, Jonas Bowman, was Kate's first love. Forced to confront a painful episode from her past, Kate travels to Pennsylvania's Kishacoquillas Valley, where the Amish culture differs dramatically from the traditions she knows. Though Bishop Stoltzfus was highly respected, she soon hears about a dark side to this complex man. What was he hiding that resulted in his own brutal death?
Someone doesn't want Kate asking questions. But even after being accosted and threatened in the dead of night, she refuses to back down. Is she too close to the case―and to Jonas―to see clearly? There's a killer in the Valley who will stop at nothing to keep the past buried. Will they get to Kate before she can expose the truth? Or will the bishop's secrets remain hidden forever?
Over a decade ago, beloved Amish bishop Ananias Stoltzfus disappeared without a trace. When skeletal remains showing evidence of foul play are unearthed, his disappearance becomes even more sinister.
The town's elders arrive in Painters Mill to ask chief of police Kate Burkholder for help, but she quickly realizes she has a personal connection to the crime. The handsome Amish man who stands accused of the murder, Jonas Bowman, was Kate's first love. Forced to confront a painful episode from her past, Kate travels to Pennsylvania's Kishacoquillas Valley, where the Amish culture differs dramatically from the traditions she knows. Though Bishop Stoltzfus was highly respected, she soon hears about a dark side to this complex man. What was he hiding that resulted in his own brutal death?
Someone doesn't want Kate asking questions. But even after being accosted and threatened in the dead of night, she refuses to back down. Is she too close to the case―and to Jonas―to see clearly? There's a killer in the Valley who will stop at nothing to keep the past buried. Will they get to Kate before she can expose the truth? Or will the bishop's secrets remain hidden forever?
Editorial Reviews
"With great suspense, well-drawn characters and a totally unexpected ending, The Hidden One is a standout installment in a rightfully beloved series." –Bookpage (starred review)
"Castillo--who is not Amish but has done wagon-loads of homework--paints such a vivid picture of Amish farm country that we can almost smell the fresh-cut hay and hear the clopping of horses' hooves. Always, she goes beyond beards-and-bonnets stereotypes to present Amish characters as individuals." –St. Louis Post-Dispatch
"Captivating...memorable characters help keep the pages turning." –Publishers Weekly
"Another impressive entry in this always-entertaining series, which continues to combine a fascinating look at the Amish community with pacy action and a tenacious, thoughtful heroine." –Booklist
Praise for Fallen:
"Exhilarating...Castillo adds surprising twists to the gripping plot and touches upon police brutality and Amish discrimination. This sterling entry can be easily read as a standalone." –Publishers Weekly (starred)
"An absolute cracker of a book." –Booklist (starred)
"Castillo uses her Ohio background and knowledge to superb effect. She conceives and creates fully fleshed characters, devises an intricate and twisty plot and examines complex issues of religion and morality. A series of literary weight, Castillo's work appeals to connoisseurs of crime fiction who expect powerful purpose as well as serious storytelling." –Fredericksburg Free-Lance Star
"Castillo is terrific at constructing a story, and her pacing is impeccable…this series just gets better and better; Fallen may be the best entry yet." –St. Louis Post Dispatch
"Fallen successfully pushes the envelope of the series…Castillo is more than capable of extracting new stories from a deceptively but deeply complex culture that is as intricate as it is misunderstood." –...
"Castillo--who is not Amish but has done wagon-loads of homework--paints such a vivid picture of Amish farm country that we can almost smell the fresh-cut hay and hear the clopping of horses' hooves. Always, she goes beyond beards-and-bonnets stereotypes to present Amish characters as individuals." –St. Louis Post-Dispatch
"Captivating...memorable characters help keep the pages turning." –Publishers Weekly
"Another impressive entry in this always-entertaining series, which continues to combine a fascinating look at the Amish community with pacy action and a tenacious, thoughtful heroine." –Booklist
Praise for Fallen:
"Exhilarating...Castillo adds surprising twists to the gripping plot and touches upon police brutality and Amish discrimination. This sterling entry can be easily read as a standalone." –Publishers Weekly (starred)
"An absolute cracker of a book." –Booklist (starred)
"Castillo uses her Ohio background and knowledge to superb effect. She conceives and creates fully fleshed characters, devises an intricate and twisty plot and examines complex issues of religion and morality. A series of literary weight, Castillo's work appeals to connoisseurs of crime fiction who expect powerful purpose as well as serious storytelling." –Fredericksburg Free-Lance Star
"Castillo is terrific at constructing a story, and her pacing is impeccable…this series just gets better and better; Fallen may be the best entry yet." –St. Louis Post Dispatch
"Fallen successfully pushes the envelope of the series…Castillo is more than capable of extracting new stories from a deceptively but deeply complex culture that is as intricate as it is misunderstood." –...
Readers Top Reviews
Carol L. HoefsViv
I am not going to do a long involved review. I am going to leave it up to each reader how they enjoy the book. This is #14 in the Kate Burkholder series by Linda Castillo. I have read all of the series from the beginning and every time Linda Castillo knocks it out of the park with the story she writes. I highly recommend this one as I have all the other books. Once you read a Linda Castillo book you will be hooked.
teolewisCarol L.
I've read all of the Kate Burkholder novels and a few of the short stories. This is my favorite so far. It seems a little more laid back, not as frantically paced, but still a page turner. One thing I liked better than the last few of the books is there was very little smut language.. Also, God's name was not used in a derogatory manner in this book for which I had knocked my reviews down a star in the last few books. This is a procedural and a page turner like all the other Kate Burkholder novels. I liked the ending and hope it's a sign of things to come.
N. Garganoteolewi
I have been reading this series from the beginning and although I have liked every book, I have liked some more than others. This one is, by far, a favorite. I started reading it this morning and could not put it down until I finished it. The story was great, the way the mystery unfolded through the investigation was so interesting and the ending was a great payoff. Highly recommended.
Ruth Anne GarciaN
Kate Burkholder is approached by 3 men who want to save her old friend from a murder charge. Jonas was her first love and she can't refuse. So, with Tomasetti's urging, Kate travels to Pennsylvania to get to the bottom of it. While investigating she is discouraged, injured, and nearly killed. Still, she presses on to find the killer. The Bishop isn't who he claims to be, secrets have been kept, and people don't want to speak ill of him but the truth comes out. Shocking as it may be. The killer was unexpected and I was pretty shocked. I would've liked to know more about the Bishop's past but the author chose to allow the reader to fill in the blanks with their imagination. Castillo produced yet another great book. The ending between Kate and John made me smile and look forward to seeing where they end up.
Kindle Ruth Anne
This series has become one of my favorites, competing with John Sandford and David Balducci as automatic purchases immediately upon publication. The plot has characters whose way of life is so foreign to me, yet at the same time whose experiences are ones I can easily relate to. Kate, the lead character is multidimensional, interesting and so very human in her foibles. Her spunk and dogged determination are admirable. While I figured out the ending fairly early on, it in no way detracted from enjoying the book to the end. The unique setting within the Amish community and interweaving of their practices and beliefs make this book unique in its genre. If you have not read these books I would suggest you start with the first one. While not necessary to understanding and enjoying later entries, it does serve to fill in the background and history of the characters.
