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Sworn to Silence

A Kate Burkholder Novel

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Sworn to Silence

By: Linda Castillo
Narrated by: Kathleen McInerney
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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.

A killer is preying on sacred ground....

In the sleepy rural town of 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. In the aftermath of the violence, the town was left with a sense of fragility, a loss of innocence. Kate Burkholder, a young Amish girl, survived the terror of the Slaughterhouse Killer but came away from its brutality with the realization that she no longer belonged with the Amish.

Now, 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.

 Mystery Police Procedurals Suspense Thriller & Suspense Women Sleuths Amish Crime Murder
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Just finished listening and feeling like I’ve been knocked out by a boxing champion. I will need to treat myself to more of this series.

Some bits were predictable, some were not. I totally recommend this book

Brilliant book

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I have read and enjoyed a couple of books from this series but decided nevertheless to read book 1. All the elements of the later books are there though the central character, Kate Berkholder is still relatively new in the job. The story is well written and moves along at a good pace which is good for a long journey or a holiday read. The interview with the author is a bonus at the end.

Good story.

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Introducing Kate Burkholder, an ex Amish member, now Chief of Police in Painter Mill where there is a large Amish community. Add a nasty murder ( or two, three ....), a damaged State Investigator and a tangled personal history and you have a great story.

Loved the book when I read it ages ago. Loved it even more when read by Kathleen McIerney.

Introducing Kate Burkholder

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This was my first experience of Linda Castillo and well done you, the story wove two different communities and their conflicts and similarities with skill and guile, keeping the suspense going till very nearly the end. And the twist {pause for effect} is great.



I am looking out for other work by this author, and would recommend this as a great read/listen. Kathleen McInerney wasn't the best reader I have ever come across but she kept it going without sending me to sleep as I drove along and I did feel her voice suited the "heroine". Plenty of room for developing the plot into a series with both lead protagonists. As I said before I would like to have more.

Sworn to read the next one ......

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I started listening to it on my run on a cold dark December morning and nearly gave up. Sorry, I really don't need detailed description what humans can do to another human being. Luckily I persevered and found this a gripping thriller located in an unusual community where Amish and English live side by side. The personal stories of the protagonists Kate Burkholder and Tomassetti however I found too unbelievable and hence couldn't really relate to them.

Gruesome detailed torture scenes

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