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Sworn to Silence: A Kate Burkholder Novel (Kate Burkholder, 1) Paperback – March 15, 2011
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Now the subject of the Lifetime original movie An Amish Murder
Sworn to Silence is the first in Linda Castillo's New York Times bestselling Kate Burkholder series.
Some secrets are too terrible to reveal. Some crimes are too unspeakable to solve. . . .
In Painters Mill, Ohio, the Amish and "English" residents have lived side by side for two centuries. But sixteen years ago, a series of brutal murders shattered the peaceful farming community. A young Amish girl named Kate Burkholder survived the terror of the Slaughterhouse Killer . . . but ultimately decided to leave her community.
A wealth of experience later, Kate has been asked to return to Painters Mill as chief of police. Her Amish roots and big-city law enforcement background make her the perfect candidate. She's certain she's come to terms with her past―until the first body is discovered in a snowy field.
Kate vows to stop the killer before he strikes again. But to do so, she must betray both her family and her Amish past―and expose a dark secret that could destroy her.
- Print length384 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateMarch 15, 2011
- Dimensions5.54 x 1.03 x 8.23 inches
- ISBN-100312597169
- ISBN-13978-0312597160
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Editorial Reviews
Review
“Romance novelist Castillo, who grew up near Amish country, convincingly switches gears with this debut thriller, balancing chilling suspense and a nuanced portrait of the English-Amish divide. Starring a tough, complicated cop who speaks Pennsylvania Dutch as smoothly as she downs a vodka, Silence is the opening salvo in what promises to be a gripping series.” ―People magazine (3 ½ out of 4 stars)
“Lovers of suspense will find no better novel to read this summer than Sworn to Silence, a teeth-chattering debut thriller from romance writer Linda Castillo. . . . This first in a series will delight fans of Chelsea Cain and Thomas Harris . . . compelling characters, excellent plotting and a hair-raising finale.” ―USA Today
“Absolutely stunning. . . . A perfectly crafted thriller.” ―Lisa Scottoline
“[Castillo] combines the protagonist's Amish background with her tough cop persona so skillfully and with such finesse, that both aspects of her character are totally believable. She also makes police procedure anything but tedious.” ―Sandra Brown
“Complicated, haunted protagonists, shocking murders, psychological twists and bizarre crime scenes. . . . Sworn to Silence is a nail-biting series debut.” ―Chelsea Cain
“Castillo's backdrop of Amish Country is so alive and crawling with atmosphere that you'll swear you can hear the snow crunching underfoot. Sworn to Silence packs a healthy dose of twists but it's Kate's memorable voice that will leave you wanting to hear more.” ―Alex Kava
“Kate Burkholder is the real deal and Sworn to Silence is a vivid, intense, and brutal page-turner of a novel.” ―C.J. Box
“With an utterly compelling protagonist, sharp twists and a setting so real you feel it, Castillo doesn't just hit the ball out of the park, she knocks the skin off the ball.” ―John Hart
“This book will keep you up late and follow you into your dreams.” ―Brian Freeman
“‘A gun-toting, cursing, former Amish female chief of police' stars in this excellent first in a new suspense series . . . Adept at creating characters with depth and nuance, Castillo smoothly integrates their backstories into a well-paced plot that illuminates the divide between the Amish and ‘English' worlds.” ―Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Sworn marks Castillo's move from romantic suspense to straight mystery, and judging by this novel, the move is a good one . . . this is very well done. The small-town setting, complicated relationships among the inhabitants, and the strong but battle-scarred protagonist bring Julia Spencer-Fleming's series to mind.” ―Library Journal (starred review)
“Castillo's hardcover debut should come with a warning: Pick up when you have time to finish. Excitement, danger, mystery, a fascinating setting and a conflicted heroine make this a book you won't put down.” ―Romantic Times (Top Pick, 4 1/2 stars)
“Think Harrison Ford in the movie Witness and add just a touch of the Coen brothers' Fargo and you have the feel of this brilliant, nail-biting thriller. . . . Very dark, intricate and packed with twists, it literally chokes the breath from your body. It's that good.” ―Daily Mail (UK)
“Sworn to Silence promises to be the breakout title for [Castillo]. Katie Burkholder, a character I hope we see much more of in the future, is a great lead with a different background--a former member of a close-knit Amish community who has returned home to become Chief of Police. . . . Fans of Thomas Harris and Chelsea Cain are going to love this one.” ―BookBitch.com
“Sworn to Silence immediately shot to the very top of my 'Best Books of 2009' list. . . . A 5-star thrilling ride from Linda Castillo that fans have come to expect from this prolific writer.” ―ArmchairInterviews.com
“Romance writer Linda Castillo makes a successful move to crime fiction with an evocative and often heartfelt look at Amish society . . . chillingly realistic . . . Set during a bitter Ohio winter, Sworn to Silence will make you forget about any summer heat wave.” ―South Florida Sun-Sentinel
“The story moves along at a fast clip, making this tasty little beach read.” ―The Herald (Rock Hill, SC)
“There's a new sheriff in thriller-ville. And her name is Kate Burkholder. . . . The thriller is marked by interesting characters, strong plotting, suspense and gore galore.” ―Cleveland Plain Dealer
“Impressive.” ―The Arizona Republic (Phoenix)
“Sworn to Silence is one of the good ones. . . . fast-paced . . . Linda Castillo is an author to be watched and Sworn to Silence is a book to be enjoyed.” ―Mystery News
“The complicated relationships between the Amish and ‘English' worlds add more drama to this suspense novel. Fast-paced and very well written, it is worth a read.” ―The Oklahoman
“Sworn to Silence is a gripping thriller whose story will stay with you a long time. . . . Excellent pacing and clue-dropping keep suspense and interest high. Characters are believable . . . and the setting is described so well it feels like you're there in the snow with Kate. After a certain point, you'll let supper burn rather than put this book down.” ―I Heart a Mystery.com
“Linda Castillo has come up with a story of striking originality . . . Castillo ratchets up the suspense with each page, as Kate is faced with a diabolical murderer, an antagonistic town council member and a dark secret from her past that threatens to derail the investigation. The first in a projected series, Sworn to Silence is filled with blood-chilling storytelling, fair play with clues and arresting prose.” ―Richmond Times Dispatch
“[G]ripping and suspenseful.” ―Midwest Book Review
“Castillo has created a spell-binding thriller that draws readers in from the beginning and doesn't let go until the last page. There's no putting this book down . . . What readers will enjoy are the twists and turns along the way, as well as the great heart that Linda Castillo has given to the police department in Painters Mill.” ―ReviewingTheEvidence.com
About the Author
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Sworn to Silence
A NovelBy Linda CastilloMinotaur Books
Copyright © 2011 Linda CastilloAll right reserved.
ISBN: 9780312597160
Chapter OneThe cruiser’s strobes cast red and blue light onto winter dead trees. Officer T.J. Banks pulled the car onto the shoulder and flipped on the spotlight, running the beam along the edge of the field where corn stalks shivered in the cold. Twenty yards away, six Jersey cows stood in the bar ditch, chewing their cud. "Stupid fuckin’ cows," he muttered. Besides chickens, they had to be the dumbest animals on earth. He hit the radio. "Dispatch, this is forty- seven." "What’s up, T.J.?" asked Mona, the night dispatcher. "I got a 10- 54. Stutz’s damn cows are out again." "That’s the second time in a week." "Always on my shift, too." "So what are you going to do? He ain’t got no phone out there." A glance at the clock on the dash told him it was nearly two a.m."Well, I’m not going to stand out here in the frickin’ cold and round up these stupid shits." "Maybe you ought to just shoot ’em." "Don’t tempt me." Looking around, he sighed. Livestock on the road at this hour was an accident waiting to happen. If someone came around the curve too fast it could be bad. He thought of all the paperwork an accident would entail and shook his head. "I’ll set up some flares then go drag his Amish ass out of bed." "Let me know if you need backup." She snickered. Yanking the zipper of his coat up to his chin, he slid his flashlight from its nest beside the seat and got out of the cruiser. It was so cold he could feel his nose hairs freezing. His boots crunched through snow as he made his way to the bar ditch, his breaths puffing out in front of him. He hated the graveyard shift almost as much as he hated winter. He ran the flashlight beam along the fence line. Sure enough, twenty feet away two strands of barbed wire had come loose from a gnarled locust- wood post. Hoofprints told him several head had discovered the opening and ventured onto the shoulder for some illicit grazing. "Stupid fuckin’ cows." T.J. went back to the cruiser and popped the trunk. Removing two flares, he set them up on the centerline to warn traffic. He was on his way back to the cruiser when he spotted something in the snow on the opposite side of the road. Curious, he crossed to it. A solitary woman’s shoe lay on the shoulder. Judging from its condition and lack of snow cover, it hadn’t been there long. Teenagers, probably. This deserted stretch of road was a favorite place to smoke dope and have sex. They were almost as stupid as cows. Frowning, T.J. nudged the shoe with his foot. That was when he noticed the drag marks, as if something heavy had been hauled through the snow. He traced the path with the flashlight beam, tracking it to the fence and into the field beyond. The hairs at the back of his neck prickled when he spotted blood. A lot of it. "What the hell?" He followed the trail into the ditch where yellow grass poked up through the snow. He climbed the fence and found more blood on the other side, stark and black against pristine white. It was enough to give a guy the willies. The path took him to a stand of bare- branched hedge apple trees at the edge of a cornfield. He could hear himself breathing hard, the dead corn stalks whispering all around. T.J. set his hand on his revolver and swept the beam in a 360- degree circle. That was when he noticed the object in the snow. At first he thought an animal had been hit and dragged itself there to die. But as he neared, the beam revealed something else. Pale flesh. A shock of darkish hair. A bare foot sticking out of the snow. Adrenaline kicked hard in his gut. "Holy shit." For an instant he couldn’t move. He couldn’t stop looking at the dark circle of blood and colorless flesh. Giving himself a hard mental shake, T.J. dropped to his knees beside the body. His first thought was that she might still be alive. Brushing at the snow, he set his hand against a bare shoulder. Her skin was ice cold, but he rolled her over anyway. He saw more blood and pasty flesh and glazed eyes that seemed to stare right at him. Shaken, he scrambled back. His hand trembled as he grappled for his lapel mike. "Dispatch! This is forty- seven!" "What now, T.J? One of them cows chase you up a tree?" "I got a fuckin’ body here at Stutz’s place." "What?" They used the ten- code system in Painters Mill, but for the life of him he couldn’t remember the number for a dead body. He’d never had to use it. "I said I got a dead body." "I heard you the first time." But the words were followed by a stunned pause as realization hit her. "What’s your twenty?" "Dog Leg Road, just south of the covered bridge." A beat of silence. "Who is it?" Everyone knew everyone in Paint ers Mill, but he’d never seen this woman before. "I don’t know. A woman. Naked as the day she came into this world and deader than Elvis." "A wreck or what?" "This was no accident." Setting his hand on the butt of his .38, T.J. scanned the shadows within the trees. He could feel his heart beating fast in his chest. "You’d better call the chief, Mona. I think we got us a murder." Excerpted from Sworn To Silence by Linda Castillo.
Copyright © 2009 by Linda Castillo
Published by St. Martin’s Press. All rights reserved. This work is protected under copyright laws and reproduction is strictly prohibited. Permission to reproduce the material in any manner or medium must be secured from the Publisher.
Continues...
Excerpted from Sworn to Silence by Linda Castillo Copyright © 2011 by Linda Castillo. Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
Product details
- Publisher : Minotaur Books; First Edition (March 15, 2011)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 384 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0312597169
- ISBN-13 : 978-0312597160
- Item Weight : 11.2 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.54 x 1.03 x 8.23 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #1,797,090 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #21,544 in Police Procedurals (Books)
- #40,951 in Women Sleuths (Books)
- #63,677 in Suspense Thrillers
- Customer Reviews:
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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 titled An Amish Murder starring Neve Campbell as Kate Burkholder. Castillo is the recipient of numerous industry awards including a nomination by the International Thriller Writers for Best Hardcover, the Mystery Writers of America’s Sue Grafton Memorial Award, and an appearance on the Boston Globe’s shortlist for best crime novel. In addition to writing, Castillo’s other passion is horses. She lives in Texas with her husband and is currently at work on her next book.
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Recommend for someone who likes thrillers!
FINAL DECISION: A good mystery mixed with a troubled and competent chief of police, secrets that threaten her career and perhaps her life and scary drama. Clear, well written and complex, this story kicks of the series and made me immediately want to read the next book.
THE STORY: Kate Burkholder grew up Amish in simple innocence until she was brutally attacked at the age of 14. The aftermath of her attack led her to rebellion and a crisis of faith and had her leave the Amish. She has now returned to her hometown -- no longer Amish but now the Chief of Police. When a serial killer murders a woman in a way that is reminiscent of the Slaughterhouse Killer from sixteen years ago, the town panics that the killer has returned. Kate, however, knows that the Slaugherhouse Killer is dead, but can't tell anyone else. What she doesn't know is who is killing women now and why are the killings so similar to those of the Slaughterhouse Killer?
OPINION: I ended up buying this book on a lark because Amazon had it as a Daily Deal at a reduced price. I like tough women who solve mysteries so I decided to try this book out. I am incredibly glad I did because this book was fantastic. I immediately bought the rest of the series and plan on reading them soon.
Having grown up Amish and then rejecting that life, Kate lives with a foot in each of the worlds that collide in the town of Painters Mill, Ohio. A small town with a significant Amish population, she has to navigate the tricky politics and cultures that intersect in the town.
Kate also has dark secrets that have haunted her and her family for years and which have caused a divide that along with her rejection of the Amish life, have left her alone even with her family living in the same town.
For a mystery novel, I ask that the solution not be obvious but also that once the reveal happens that the solution makes sense. This book meets that standard. Readers should also be aware that there are some graphic depictions of the crimes and some graphic violence during the novel. I didn't think it was overly graphic and it was appropriate for the subject matter and not gratuitous.
There are some quirky secondary characters that bring necessary humor to the story without taking over. Also, readers are introduced to John Tomasetti, who works with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation. John is addicted to prescription drugs and alcohol after the murders of his wife and children and is sent to help with the murder investigation under the assumption that he will fail. His own dark past is also an issue here and readers are left to wonder if John will help solve the crime or destroy Kate's career.
All the questions and problems with Kate and John's pasts are not resolved in this book -- neither is their relationship, but this is the first book in the series and it appears that more will be explored in future novels.
WORTH MENTIONING: After reading this book, I recommended it to my mother. I told her it reminds me of J.D. Robb's In Death series (without the futuristic elements) and Kay Hooper's SCU series (without the paranormal elements). So if you like either of those, try this.
CONNECTED BOOKS: SWORN TO SILENCE is the first book in the Kate Burkholder series.
STAR RATING: I give this book 5 stars.
Kate went back home to Painters Mill when her mother was ill. Shortly after, her mother died. Two town councilmen offered Kate a job as chief of police in Painter Mill. Kate was astonished that they would ask her, being a former Amish and female. Kate found out after she took the job as chief of police that it had more to do with politics. In Painters Mill, there were cultural problems between the Amish and the English. The town council wanted someone who could work with the Amish community. Kate was the right person for the job.
In Painters Mill, there was a serial killer, called "The Slaughterhouse Murderer," who raped and tortured his victims. When Kate was fourteen, she was raped in her parent's kitchen while her father and brother were working in the field. The rapist was an Amish man who was helping out on the farm. He went to the house with a knife and raped Kate. She took her father's rifle and killed him. Her father and brother took the body to an old defunct grain elevator in the next county. Since that time, the killings had stopped. Sixteen years later, Kate is chief of police and the serial killer is back in Painters Mill with the same signature. Kate doesn't know if it's a copycat, or if she didn't kill "The Slaughterhouse Murderer" who raped her. "The Slaughterhouse Murderer" was never solved sixteen years ago. The case is still open. She can't tell anyone what happened to her sixteen years ago. It's a secret she must keep to protect her family. The local police and FBI worked the case for years after the last murder, but the trail got cold.
The mayor and the town councilmen phoned the sheriff's department in the next county and Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI) behind Kate's back. They considered her incapable of handling the highly publicized case. John Tomasetti, a BCI agent, was dispatched to Painters Mill to assist with the investigation. When John was in the field office, he worked in narcotics. His wife, daughter and his partner were murdered. He spent two weeks in a psychiatric ward. John turned to alcohol and prescription medication for his solace.
Kate and John are mutually attracted to one another, but each realize they have a lot of issues to work out before they can have the relationship they hope for. They agree to a platonic relationship, remaining good friends.
I highly recommend Sworn To Silence. The first book in what is to be a series. The second in the series is "Pray for Silence."
Top reviews from other countries
One criticism is that I found it highly unlikely Kate would have clung to the belief that Daniel Lapp was the guilty party. There seemed little evidence that he was the serial killer in the first place, and when the killings restarted after a lapse of 16 years, surely any reasonable person would have immediately thought "I must have been wrong about him" instead of "he must still be alive" (when Kate knew that she had killed him). This seemed like a rather contrived plot device to cast doubt about Kate's integrity, and thus pave the way for Nathan Detrick and John Tomasetti to enter the investigation.
However, few books are perfect and this was still pretty damn good, hence I give it five stars.