Pray for Silence
One family. One horrific murder. An entire town under suspicion…
The Planks moved from Lancaster County Pennsylvania to the small Amish community of Painters Mill, hoping to resume the comforts of the Plain Life in Ohio. Less than one year later, the family of seven is found dead―slaughtered on their own farm.
Police Chief Kate Burkholder and her small force have few clues, no motive, and no suspect. Formerly Amish herself, Kate is no stranger to the secrets the Amish keep from their "English" neighbors―and each other. When the diary belonging to the rebellious teenager Mary Plank turns up, Kate is surprised to find not only a kindred spirit but a murder suspect: the charismatic stranger who stole Mary's heart.
Then there's Mary's brother, Aaron. Shunned by his family and the rest of the Amish community, could he have returned to seek revenge? Now it's up to Kate to search for some dark truths about the Planks―and confront long-buried secrets of her own. As Kate's obsession with the case grows so does her resolve to bring the killer to justice―even if it means putting herself into the line of fire . . .
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Linda Castillo
Linda Castillo’s gripping, atmospheric thrillers have carved a space for themselves among the best in contemporary crime fiction. Known for her Kate Burkholder series, Castillo weaves tension, suspense, and emotional depth into every page, creating stories that haunt readers long after the final chapter. Set in the Amish community of Painters Mill, Ohio, Castillo’s work explores the complexities of faith, justice, and the darkness lurking beneath quiet, rural life.
Kate Burkholder
The Kate Burkholder series invites readers into a world where the lines between faith, justice, and morality blur, all set against the haunting backdrop of a small Amish town. With every twist and turn, this gripping crime series pulls you into the complexities of rural Ohio, where tradition clashes with the darker aspects of human nature. At the heart of it all is Kate Burkholder, an unflinching police chief whose Amish upbringing and gritty law enforcement career collide in powerful ways.
Kate Burkholder consists of seventeen primary books, and includes nine additional books that complement the series but are not considered mandatory reads and series is set to expand with the upcoming release of one more book. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
