Risingshadow
Speculative Fiction Books
  • About
    • Home
    • Articles
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Service
    • Staff Members
    • Newsletter
    • Finnish (FI)
  • Books
    • New Releases
    • Coming Soon
    • Books of the Year
    • Bookshelves Activity
    • Recently Added
    • Advanced Search
    • Reviews / Comments
    • Genres and Tags
    • * Submit Book
  • Community
    • Discussions
    • - Recent Messages
    • - Recent Topics
    • - Hot Topics
    • - Popular Topics
    • - Search
    • CHALLENGES
    • - Reading Challenge
    • - Book Trivia Quiz
  • Home
  • Books
  • Linda Castillo
  • Kate Burkholder
  • Outsider

Outsider

Kate Burkholder #12 / 18
by Linda Castillo
Outsider (Kate Burkholder #12) by Linda Castillo
Unrated

Bestselling author Linda Castillo returns with Outsider, an electrifying thriller about a woman on the run hiding among the Amish.

While enjoying a sleigh ride with his children, Amish widower Adam Lengacher discovers a car stuck in a snowdrift and an unconscious woman inside. He calls upon Chief of Police Kate Burkholder for help, and she is surprised to recognize the driver: fellow cop and her former friend, Gina Colorosa.

Years before, Kate and Gina were best friends at the police academy and patrol officers in Columbus, but time and distance have taken them down two very different paths. Now, Gina reveals a shocking story of betrayal and revenge that has forced her to run for her life. She’s desperate for protection, and the only person she can trust is Kate―but can Kate trust her? Or will Gina’s dark past put them all in danger?

As a blizzard bears down on Painters Mill, Kate helps Gina go into hiding on Adam’s farm. While the tough-skinned Gina struggles to adjust to the Amish lifestyle, Kate and state agent John Tomasetti delve into the incident that caused Gina to flee. But as Kate gets closer to the truth, a killer lies in wait. When violence strikes, she must confront a devastating truth that changes everything she thought she knew not only about friendship, but the institution to which she's devoted her life.

Amazon: Check Best Offer

ThrillerMysteryCrime FictionSuspense ThrillerAdult
Release date: July 7, 2020

Book Order
Amazon
Kindle
Audible
Amazon CA
Amazon UK
Amazon Europe

Your Rating
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
Standard Shelves

Readers also enjoyed

The Name of the Rose
★ 8.18 / 27
I Will Find You
★ 8.34 / 3
Zero Days
★ 8.66 / 3
Holmes, Marple & Poe (Holmes, Margaret & Poe #1)
★ 8.66 / 3
One Perfect Couple
★ 8.66 / 3
Simply Lies
★ 8.34 / 3
A Calamity of Souls
★ 8.34 / 3

Join the Discussion
You can post as a guest or sign in for more features.
Have questions about this book or want to share your thoughts? Join the conversation!
Linda Castillo

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.

Read more ...

Raised in Ohio, Castillo’s connection to her stories runs deep—her upbringing provided a unique window into the traditions and struggles of Amish life. This background, combined with her fascination with the contrasts between the peaceful and the violent, laid the foundation for her bestselling series. Her portrayal of Kate Burkholder, an Amish-raised police chief with a haunted past, captures the struggle of reconciling the peaceful teachings of her upbringing with the gritty realities of law enforcement.

Castillo’s novels are more than just crime stories; they delve into the human psyche, offering readers complex, morally ambiguous characters and situations that challenge notions of right and wrong. Kate Burkholder is a testament to this, as she faces personal demons while solving crimes that often touch the very heart of her community’s values. Her intricate plots are balanced by poignant moments of introspection and the raw, unapologetic portrayal of trauma and recovery.

With multiple award nominations and critical acclaim, Castillo’s books have captivated readers worldwide, drawing them into the tension-filled, brooding atmosphere of Painters Mill. Her storytelling is praised for its authenticity, relentless pacing, and the profound emotional impact it leaves behind. Castillo’s work resonates not only with fans of thrillers but also with anyone who appreciates the nuanced portrayal of characters and communities in crisis.

Linda Castillo's voice in the world of crime fiction is distinctive and essential, offering a unique lens into the world of the Amish while unraveling the darker threads that run through society. Her books are a perfect blend of suspense, character development, and emotional depth—taking readers on a journey where nothing is as simple as it seems, and every revelation is bound to leave a lasting impression.

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.

Read more ...

As a woman raised within the Amish community, Kate Burkholder offers a unique perspective—both a part of the insular world she serves and an outsider, navigating the complex relationships and unspoken secrets that permeate it. Her deep ties to the people and traditions of Painters Mill make her an empathetic yet relentless force as she uncovers hidden truths and faces the darker sides of a seemingly peaceful life. The cases she tackles often delve into the very heart of the Amish community, exploring themes of faith, retribution, and the struggles between adherence to tradition and the need for justice.

Each book in the series plunges readers into a new, pulse-pounding mystery, carefully crafted with tight suspense and an immersive atmosphere that leaves you holding your breath. Castillo’s sharp storytelling brings to life the tension between the Amish and the outside world, creating a world where danger lingers just beneath the surface of everyday life.

In this series, the stakes are never just about solving the crime—they’re about grappling with the personal, moral, and emotional cost of seeking justice. Kate Burkholder’s internal struggles with her past, her role as a law enforcer, and her complex relationship with the community she serves create a multi-layered narrative that resonates deeply with readers. This compelling blend of psychological depth and high-stakes drama keeps fans of the Kate Burkholder series coming back for more, each installment adding another layer to this unmissable story.


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.

Sworn to Silence (Kate Burkholder #1)
Unrated
Pray for Silence (Kate Burkholder #2)
Unrated
Breaking Silence (Kate Burkholder #3)
Unrated
Gone Missing (Kate Burkholder #4)
Unrated
Long Lost (Kate Burkholder #4.5)
Unrated
Her Last Breath (Kate Burkholder #5)
Unrated
The Dead Will Tell (Kate Burkholder #6)
Unrated
A Hidden Secret (Kate Burkholder #6.5)
Unrated
After the Storm (Kate Burkholder #7)
Unrated
Seeds of Deception (Kate Burkholder #7.5)
Unrated
Among the Wicked (Kate Burkholder #8)
Unrated
Only the Lucky (Kate Burkholder #8.5)
Unrated
Down a Dark Road (Kate Burkholder #9)
Unrated
A Gathering of Secrets (Kate Burkholder #10)
Unrated
Shamed (Kate Burkholder #11)
Unrated
The Pact (Kate Burkholder #11.5)
Unrated
Outsider (Kate Burkholder #12)
Unrated
Disappeared (Kate Burkholder #12.5)
Unrated
Fallen (Kate Burkholder #13)
Unrated
Blood Moon (Kate Burkholder #13.5)
Unrated
The Hidden One (Kate Burkholder #14)
Unrated
Hallowed Ground (Kate Burkholder #14.5)
Unrated
An Evil Heart (Kate Burkholder #15)
Unrated
Dark Storm Rising (Kate Burkholder #15.5)
Unrated
The Burning (Kate Burkholder #16)
⧗ 8.00 / 1
Rage (Kate Burkholder #17)
⧗ 9.50 / 4
Kate Burkholder Book 18 (Kate Burkholder #18)
⧗ 9.50 / 4


^ Top
Follow Us: Newsletter | Facebook | X | Mastodon | RSS
Hosted by Planeetta Internet Oy
© 1996 - 2026 Risingshadow. All rights reserved.
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.
Privacy Policy