Description: A Pennsylvania Amish bishop, missing for years, has been found — a murder victim. Amish elders come to Painter’s Mill and ask Chief of Police Kate Burkholder for assistance. They are concerned for the Amish man who has been arrested, a man that Kate knows from childhood.
The more Kate investigates — the hidden and dark side of the old bishop is uncovered. And someone wants Kate to stop and go home. As Kate gets closer to the truth, the threats escalate.
Review:
I will admit that I am a huge Linda Castillo fan since I saw the movie, “An Amish Murder“. I’m acquiring the books in the Kate Burkholder series because so far each is a book I will re-read, But as much as I love this series, I know that when a series grow long the writing can get weaker.
The tension builds and builds as Kate explores the murder of the old bishop — was he beloved or was he hated? The arrest of Kate’s childhood friend and first love, the uncooperative Pennsylvania police department. And you just got from this review what will be said about it. I refuse to give you a single detail of the main plot. I want you to enjoy finding out just like I did.
The Hidden One pulls you into the plot. Frankly, I started the book meaning to stop and take care of some things. Instead, I got a snack and my favorite afternoon beverage and kept reading until I hit The End. The pacing just kept me engaged the entire read.
Special things…
- I loved the beginning where we meet her Painter’s Mill police team and Tomasetti, her significant other. I have favorite characters on that team. Love Pickles, the oldest member, and Mona and Glock. Even though I know each of them, it was nice to meet them again.
- The “f” word only appears once. I really don’t like books with that word and the ones that come with it. I handle them in the Kate Burkholder series because they are never used gratuitously or out of context.
- And I loved the ending.
So, yes, I rate book #14 in the series as 5 stars. Can you read it standalone? Yes, but I believe you will enjoy it more if you’ve read a couple of the early books. Do you have to have read ALL of the series? Nope. I haven’t. And I relished The Hidden One. Oh, make sure you start the book with the Prologue. It is a key part of the story.
I received a complimentary e-ARC copy of The Hidden One via NetGalley from the publisher, St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books. A positive review was not required; the opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
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