Macmillan Audio review of: An Evil Heart by Linda Castillo

I was asked to review one of Linda Castillo’s Kate Burkholder novels for Library Journal a few years ago and was very pleasantly surprised because I wasn’t expecting the depth of crime drama and the incorporation of Kate’s past with the Amish into her policing. Needless to say I was hooked and from then on have enjoyed the Macmillan Audio editions of the series. They all have an edge, they’re all dark some darker than others and this one is one of those very dark ones and it was one heck of a story so read on to see what I thought.
Enjoy!

ASIN: B0BK2WX27X
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Release Date: 7-11-2023
Length: 9 hours-25 minutes
Source: Publisher for Review
Kate Burkholder #15
Buy It: Audible/Chirpbooks

ADD TO: GOODREADS

Overview:

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 Review:

Castillo’s An Evil Heart is a fantastic twisty turny look into the very darkest of humanity. The author’s masterful storytelling will lead her audience down some really dark and disturbing roads giving them a glimpse of the underbelly of human nature and leaving them wondering if anything is sacred. As in all the novels in her series Linda’s storyline melds an amazing plot, Amish and English (non-Amish) characters, lifestyles and dialogue keeping fans up to date with all the goings on from past trips to Painter’s Mill, Ohio as well as one heck of a mystery unique to this novel. Her knowledge of Amish language and customs then mixing it with murder and mayhem make this novel a one-of-a-kind crime drama that will appeal to a wide range of mystery/thriller fans. Fans of this fantastic author, JT Ellison and Lisa Gardner will find this read absolutely unputdownable.

NARRATION:
Kathleen McInerny as always does an incredible job of bringing this novel to life for her listeners. Her perfection with the Amish language and her portrayal of Kate is outstanding but then she goes one better with her world class inflections and then perfectly portraying every other character in the novel making the Macmillan Audio edition of the novel the best way to enjoy it.

 

Kate Burkholder has a lot on her mind right now, she and John Tomasetti are finally tying the knot, but with only days before the wedding where the ceremony will be held is still up in the air. To make matters worse she gets a call about the body of a young Amish man found on a secluded road and horrifically learns that what she originally thought was a hit and run turns out to be a very violent murder and she’s left wondering who would want to kill twenty-year-old well-liked and respected Aden Karn with a crossbow. While digging into the case and into Aden’s life she is getting two very different pictures of Aden and begins to suspect that the Amish man may have had a nefarious side. Between wedding preparations and reconnecting more with her Amish family Kate’s investigations into the case is getting her more questions than answers but there’s one thing she knows for sure and that is she won’t give up until she knows all the facts.

Editorial Reviews:

"Skillful storytelling... An Evil Heart proves this is a series that continues to soar." ―Oline Cogdill, Shelf Awarness, starred review

“Characters you care about and a cleareyed look at their unique culture make this series the best of the Amish bunch.” ―Kirkus Reviews

"Castillo’s punchy prose and well-developed characters keep the pages turning... Series fans will be eager for the next entry." ―Publishers Weekly

Praise for the Kate Burkholder novels:

“Electrifying.” ―Publishers Weekly

"A captivating story by a gifted storyteller." ―The Washington Book Review

"An atmospheric thriller about fear, revenge, and the dark side of Amish life...Linda Castillo is a true master of suspenseful police procedurals." ―Bustle

“Magnetic.”―People Magazine

“Exquisitely plotted…a standout in a stellar series.”―Associated Press

“Castillo weaves the particularities of the Amish mindset into a complex mystery that will leave you crying with pity or seething with rage.” ―Kirkus Reviews (starred)

“Thrilling...Castillo skillfully sets each scene, compelling readers to fear the raging stream, sense the tension in a room.” ―Publishers Weekly

About the author:
Linda Castillo is the author of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Kate Burkholder series, set in the world of the Amish. The first book, Sworn to Silence, was adapted into a Lifetime original movie...