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Kate Burkholder #4
Scomparsa
"Rumspringa" è il periodo in cui gli adolescenti amish sperimentano la vita fuori dalle regole della loro comunità, un momento di scoperte personali e di crescita. Ma un giorno una ragazza scompare senza lasciare traccia, e la paura si diffonde come un contagio. Un figlio scomparso è l'incubo di ogni genitore, tanto più in una società in cui i legami familiari sono così stretti, e quando la ricerca finisce tragicamente col ritrovamento del cadavere, il dipartimento di investigazione criminale è costretto a intervenire. Il capo della polizia di Painters Mill Kate Burkholder sa che per risolvere il caso dovrà impegnarsi con tutta sé stessa, non solo come poliziotto, ma anche come ex appartenente alla comunità amish. Insieme all'agente John Tomasetti, indagherà nella vita della ragazza, scoprendo strani collegamenti con casi irrisolti di un passato lontano. Ma radunare le tessere di quel sinistro mosaico la porterà troppo vicina a un killer senza scrupoli.
309 pages, Hardcover
First published June 19, 2012
885 people are currently reading
7799 people want to read
About the author
Linda Castillo
97 books6,565 followersLinda Castillo is the author of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Kate Burkholder mystery 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, a nomination for the Mystery Writers of America’s Sue Grafton Memorial Award, and a nomination for an “Audie Award” for best mystery audiobook. Her work has appeared on numerous bestseller lists and earned a spot on the Boston Globe’s shortlist for best crime novel.
In addition to writing, Castillo’s other passion is horses. She lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, three Appaloosas, and two feisty, but loveable Blue Heelers.
She loves hearing from readers. Contact her at books@lindacastillo.com.
In addition to writing, Castillo’s other passion is horses. She lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, three Appaloosas, and two feisty, but loveable Blue Heelers.
She loves hearing from readers. Contact her at books@lindacastillo.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,861 reviews
September 3, 2021
Gone Missing (Kate Burkholder #4) by Linda Castillo (Author), Kathleen McInerney (Narrator)
There is a change of scenery for Kate when she is asked to consult on a case with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Her expertise when it comes to the all things Amish is needed when an Amish teenage girl is found dead. Soon the team suspects that several missing teens may be related to this case and Kate's help with talking to Amish parents could reveal possible leads. Things get worse for Kate when her own family might be hit by this crime wave.
Kate's been sober for several months now, her relationship with John is still running hot, and she's still ready to run headlong into dangerous situations, at the drop of a hat. I would have liked this story to have more answers at the end but who knows, maybe we'll learn more in future books (many which have already been written). There is an interesting conversation between the author and the narrator at the end of this audiobook.
There is a change of scenery for Kate when she is asked to consult on a case with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Her expertise when it comes to the all things Amish is needed when an Amish teenage girl is found dead. Soon the team suspects that several missing teens may be related to this case and Kate's help with talking to Amish parents could reveal possible leads. Things get worse for Kate when her own family might be hit by this crime wave.
Kate's been sober for several months now, her relationship with John is still running hot, and she's still ready to run headlong into dangerous situations, at the drop of a hat. I would have liked this story to have more answers at the end but who knows, maybe we'll learn more in future books (many which have already been written). There is an interesting conversation between the author and the narrator at the end of this audiobook.
June 12, 2019
4 stars for a pulse pounding read. I read this library book in 2 days, unable to put it down. This is book 4 in the series, and I recommend that you read them in order, as there are some continuing elements, i.e, Kate's personal relationship with a lover and family ties strained because she left the Amish community. Kate Burkholder is the police chief of Painter's Mill, a fictional small town in Northeast Ohio. She grew up Amish but left the community when she was 18. She is no longer welcome in the community, even to her own family.
Kate is called in by the BCI(Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation) to help with a developing trend--3 missing Amish teenagers. The case hits close to home when a teenager from Kate's town disappears.
Kate does solve the mystery, with the help of other police officers. I thought that the book built the suspense very well and kept the identity of the criminal hidden until near the end.
I won book 8 in this series 2 years ago and liked it so much that I have gone back to read the rest of the books in the series. My wife also likes this series and has read all of the books in the series.
There is some violence, but there is a very satisfying ending, with a thread setting up book 5.
Kate is called in by the BCI(Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation) to help with a developing trend--3 missing Amish teenagers. The case hits close to home when a teenager from Kate's town disappears.
Kate does solve the mystery, with the help of other police officers. I thought that the book built the suspense very well and kept the identity of the criminal hidden until near the end.
I won book 8 in this series 2 years ago and liked it so much that I have gone back to read the rest of the books in the series. My wife also likes this series and has read all of the books in the series.
There is some violence, but there is a very satisfying ending, with a thread setting up book 5.
September 3, 2021
3.5 stars
In this 4th book in the 'Kate Burkholder' series, the police chief of Painter's Mill, Ohio assists the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) in their search for missing Amish girls. The book can be read as a standalone but familiarity with the series is a plus.
*****
Police Chief Kate Burkholder was raised Amish and speaks Pennsylvania Dutch, so she can help interview Amish people - who normally eschew interaction with 'the English.'
The book opens with a dramatic scene in which an Amish girl - distraught about long-term sexual abuse by her brother - commits suicide by jumping into an ice fishing hole on a frozen lake.
Leap ahead and Agent John Tomasetti of the BCI (who happens to be Kate's boyfriend) asks her to help investigate when two Amish teenagers - from different Ohio towns- are reported missing.
Information from a national database reveals that these incidents may be related to other local missing persons cases. Two Amish girls vanished in the past - 12 months ago and four years ago - and an Amish boy disappeared nine years ago. What's going on with these teens? Could they be runaways? Suicides? Abductees? Snatched by aliens? (Just kidding) 😊
When Kate and Tomasetti question the parents and friends of the missing youngsters, they learn that the teens had been taking advantage of Rumspringa - a time when Amish adolescents are allowed extra freedom - to act out.
Thus the kids may have been doing things like: hanging out with 'Englisher' friends; drinking; smoking; fighting; having sex; getting pregnant; and so on. This is all very 'un-Amish' behavior that goes against the Ordnung (set of rules).
While looking for the missing persons, Kate and Tomasetti consider various suspects and come across a photographer who uses a telephoto lens to snap inappropriate photos of unsuspecting Amish youngsters - at least one of whom has vanished.
Other possible suspects include an Amish girl's secret boyfriend and a jealous 'English' girl who made threats.
Eventually Kate makes a momentous discovery that helps solve the case.....and endangers her life. The book has a dramatic and bloody climax that's suspenseful and exciting.
Some readers will probably have suspicions about possible motives for the crimes, but the 'big picture' will elude even the most astute armchair sleuth.
The novel has an undercurrent of angst between Kate and Tomasetti who - though they care for each other - have a lot of baggage from their pasts. This is worrisome for Kate, who's on the cusp of getting REALLY serious with her sexy beau. So we'll have to see what happens there.
This is a solid, entertaining thriller that I'd recommend to mystery lovers, especially 'Kate Burkholder' fans.
You can follow my review at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot....
April 3, 2021
Another good book in this interesting series.
In Gone Missing Kate and Tomasetti are on the hunt for missing teenage girls, all of them Amish. Their work is made doubly difficult by the fact that the Amish community does not cooperate willingly with the police, but Kate's knowledge of their beliefs goes some way towards helping.
It is a good story with plenty of police work and a few red herrings to keep everyone on their toes. It builds to a dramatic ending although I do wish Castillo had not used the MC putting herself into danger by going in alone routine. I must admit I was surprised by the way events turned out at the end.
The romance with Tomasetti advanced a little which was nice and provided hope for the future! I am looking forward to the next book.
In Gone Missing Kate and Tomasetti are on the hunt for missing teenage girls, all of them Amish. Their work is made doubly difficult by the fact that the Amish community does not cooperate willingly with the police, but Kate's knowledge of their beliefs goes some way towards helping.
It is a good story with plenty of police work and a few red herrings to keep everyone on their toes. It builds to a dramatic ending although I do wish Castillo had not used the MC putting herself into danger by going in alone routine. I must admit I was surprised by the way events turned out at the end.
The romance with Tomasetti advanced a little which was nice and provided hope for the future! I am looking forward to the next book.
September 3, 2021
Kate Burkholder is called in as a consultant with John Tomasetti when several Amish girls have gone missing. What follows is an unsettling dive into the girls' activities prior to their disappearance and the troubling relationships they'd formed.
The prologue sets the tone for this disturbing story and was always in the background as the investigation proceeded. There are plenty of red herrings but the clues helped eliminate suspects and focus on the remaining. However, I was still surprised at the resolution.
While I really liked this story, I wasn't thrilled with the number of issues left unresolved. I'm hoping some of these are addressed in future stories. Kate and Tomasetti's relationship, however, was a real positive. It's moving slowly and consistent with the personalities of the characters. This remains one of my favorite series and I'm anxious to continue. Kathleen McInerney's narration is another highlight, making each of the characters more vivid with her performance.
The prologue sets the tone for this disturbing story and was always in the background as the investigation proceeded. There are plenty of red herrings but the clues helped eliminate suspects and focus on the remaining. However, I was still surprised at the resolution.
While I really liked this story, I wasn't thrilled with the number of issues left unresolved. I'm hoping some of these are addressed in future stories. Kate and Tomasetti's relationship, however, was a real positive. It's moving slowly and consistent with the personalities of the characters. This remains one of my favorite series and I'm anxious to continue. Kathleen McInerney's narration is another highlight, making each of the characters more vivid with her performance.
June 8, 2025
This is an Amish Thriller, and this is the 4th book in the Kate Burkholder series. I really loved this book. I have really loved following and getting to know the Kate Burkholder character, and the other character in this series. In this book Amish girls are going missing, and Kate is asked to help find them. I love that this book was more focus on the Amish then some of the other books in this series. This was not as fast pace as the first book, but I feel it was the perfect pace. I really love this book. I really love the ending of this book, and I did not see the twist coming. The only thing I hate about this series is Kate always gets herself in super bad problems right before the books ends.
April 17, 2021
The Fourth installment of this series brings us to another case of missing teenagers on Rumspringa- which is the timeframe before an Amish child truly takes to the religion. This time Kate is called upon given her Amish background to help out on a case of missing young women.
I appreciated the development between her and Tomasetti's relationship and the ending quite literally had me holding me breath to see how it would all come together.
I appreciated the development between her and Tomasetti's relationship and the ending quite literally had me holding me breath to see how it would all come together.
May 18, 2020
4 Stars
When it’s discovered that Amish teens from several different counties have “Gone Missing” during their Rumspringa, Kate Burkholder is asked to consult John Tomasetti and the BCI to find out what has happened to them, and to potentially bring them home, if at all possible. Things hit extremely close to home for Kate, when in the middle of the investigation, one Amish girl, goes missing from Painters Mill.
Tension mounts as Kate Burkholder investigates. A thrilling novel that leaves you breathless and a bit scared for the stunning conclusion.
Thank you to my local library for loaning me a copy of the audiobook.
Published on Goodreads on 5.17.20.
When it’s discovered that Amish teens from several different counties have “Gone Missing” during their Rumspringa, Kate Burkholder is asked to consult John Tomasetti and the BCI to find out what has happened to them, and to potentially bring them home, if at all possible. Things hit extremely close to home for Kate, when in the middle of the investigation, one Amish girl, goes missing from Painters Mill.
Tension mounts as Kate Burkholder investigates. A thrilling novel that leaves you breathless and a bit scared for the stunning conclusion.
Thank you to my local library for loaning me a copy of the audiobook.
Published on Goodreads on 5.17.20.
July 23, 2017
Didn't see that ending coming. Another worthwhile endeavor from Linda Castillo.
July 1, 2025
Last book of 2021 with 11 minutes to go.
Always good to leave on a high and this was a well-written mystery dealing with troubled Amish teens crossing paths with psychopaths. Throw in a few old cases, red herrings, and some relationship complications and you’ve got a pretty darn good mystery.
Not a bad way to ring out the old and ring in the new for good reads!!
(Reviewed 12/31/21)
Always good to leave on a high and this was a well-written mystery dealing with troubled Amish teens crossing paths with psychopaths. Throw in a few old cases, red herrings, and some relationship complications and you’ve got a pretty darn good mystery.
Not a bad way to ring out the old and ring in the new for good reads!!
(Reviewed 12/31/21)
April 18, 2021
When Chief of Police Kate Burkholder joined Agent John Tomasetti to search for missing Amish teenagers, it was the start of a horrific but frustrating time. The young Amish teens were in a time of Rumspringa when they had a period of rebellion against the Plain way. Once back in the fold, they would be baptized into the Amish way to continue the lifestyle for the rest of their lives. But not everyone wanted that commitment. When the husband of Katie’s sister found his niece was missing, Katie was shocked. Surely not – she knew Sadie was unhappy with the Amish way – Katie was determined to find her, hopefully before it was too late…
Gone Missing is the 4th in the Kate Burkholder series by Linda Castillo and it’s my second read of it. Once again, the fast pace and incredible action kept me turning the pages to find out what would happen next. It’s a long while since I first read it – 2014 – so it was only vaguely familiar, and I didn’t remember details. The ending blew me away! I’m looking forward to #5 in the series, which I’ll get to next month. Highly recommended.
Gone Missing is the 4th in the Kate Burkholder series by Linda Castillo and it’s my second read of it. Once again, the fast pace and incredible action kept me turning the pages to find out what would happen next. It’s a long while since I first read it – 2014 – so it was only vaguely familiar, and I didn’t remember details. The ending blew me away! I’m looking forward to #5 in the series, which I’ll get to next month. Highly recommended.
January 13, 2026
This series is only getting better!
A young Amish teenager has gone missing, and Kate is called in to consult with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. When a pattern emerges, it becomes clear there are more victims out there. Someone has been abducting young women for nefarious reasons. The clock is ticking, and Kate must do everything in her power to find them.
Linda Castillo knows how to write suspense. I’ve enjoyed every single book in this series. Kate is a great character—she’s smart and dedicated, but also deeply flawed, which makes her so relatable. John Tomasetti is the same. Together, they make a perfect match.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
A young Amish teenager has gone missing, and Kate is called in to consult with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. When a pattern emerges, it becomes clear there are more victims out there. Someone has been abducting young women for nefarious reasons. The clock is ticking, and Kate must do everything in her power to find them.
Linda Castillo knows how to write suspense. I’ve enjoyed every single book in this series. Kate is a great character—she’s smart and dedicated, but also deeply flawed, which makes her so relatable. John Tomasetti is the same. Together, they make a perfect match.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
August 19, 2018
"...this case is mostly about the lost ones who fall through the cracks, both Amish and English.
The fourth book in the Kate Burkholder series and going strong. A page turning, keeps you on the edge of your seat thriller.
In previous novels Chief of Police Kate Burkholder of Painter's Mill, Ohio called the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and John Tomasetti for assistance. In this story the roles are reversed. Tomasetti calls Kate for assistance. Two Amish girls are missing and he believes Kate, who was raised Amish, can assist. She speaks Pennsylvania Dutch and can help break the barrier between the Amish and the "Englisher". As Kate and Tomasetti pursue their investigation into the missing teens other cases of missing teens, some going back years, come to light. They appear to have a serial predator on their hands. The teens have all disappeared without a trace. Things escalate quickly. First the body of one of the missing teens turns up. Then another teen, this one from Painter's Mill, disappears. For Kate it is a race against the clock. She knows the teen from Painter's Mill. Can she remain objective and professional?
All of the teens had been taking advantage of Rumspringa - a time when Amish adolescents are allowed extra freedoms before being baptized and bound by Ordnung (the set of rules the Amish live by). Is someone taking advantage of the teens who are enjoying new freedoms? If so how is this someone finding them? The missing teens are located in different parts of the state. One was from Pennsylvania. There are plenty of suspects ... a photographer who uses a telephoto lens to take photos, some inappropriate, of unsuspecting youngsters; a man who helps the Amish escape the plain life; a church leader ... or is it a cult; the boyfriend with a record and bad temper?
There is a climatic ending when Kate stumbles on the location of the predator. But, just when you think there is a happy ending the author throws a surprise curve ball. I was thinking of giving this book 3 stars. I liked it but the ending alone deserves another star!
The fourth book in the Kate Burkholder series and going strong. A page turning, keeps you on the edge of your seat thriller.
In previous novels Chief of Police Kate Burkholder of Painter's Mill, Ohio called the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and John Tomasetti for assistance. In this story the roles are reversed. Tomasetti calls Kate for assistance. Two Amish girls are missing and he believes Kate, who was raised Amish, can assist. She speaks Pennsylvania Dutch and can help break the barrier between the Amish and the "Englisher". As Kate and Tomasetti pursue their investigation into the missing teens other cases of missing teens, some going back years, come to light. They appear to have a serial predator on their hands. The teens have all disappeared without a trace. Things escalate quickly. First the body of one of the missing teens turns up. Then another teen, this one from Painter's Mill, disappears. For Kate it is a race against the clock. She knows the teen from Painter's Mill. Can she remain objective and professional?
All of the teens had been taking advantage of Rumspringa - a time when Amish adolescents are allowed extra freedoms before being baptized and bound by Ordnung (the set of rules the Amish live by). Is someone taking advantage of the teens who are enjoying new freedoms? If so how is this someone finding them? The missing teens are located in different parts of the state. One was from Pennsylvania. There are plenty of suspects ... a photographer who uses a telephoto lens to take photos, some inappropriate, of unsuspecting youngsters; a man who helps the Amish escape the plain life; a church leader ... or is it a cult; the boyfriend with a record and bad temper?
There is a climatic ending when Kate stumbles on the location of the predator. But, just when you think there is a happy ending the author throws a surprise curve ball. I was thinking of giving this book 3 stars. I liked it but the ending alone deserves another star!
January 15, 2021
Amish teenagers are going missing in a Amish country outside of Cleveland, OH. Since, Chief Kate Burkholder was raised Amish and speaks Pennsylvania Dutch, John Tomasetti, detective with Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation, thought she would be an asset in solving this crime. Kate enters the investigation with both feet and head strong to find out who would want to abduct Amish teens and for what reason or purpose.
The missing so far.... are Annie King, Bonnie Fisher, Rachel Wagler, and Noah Mast. Later on a person close to the chief turns up missing and the idea of personal conflict intrigues the investigation. As the suspect list grows follow the chief as she starts to reminisce with feelings of growing up Amish, her teen years, and her faith to tackle this challenge. Further, she must confront her status and feelings for John Tomasetti both personal and professional. A Good Read.
Quote:
But if I've learned anything in my thirty-three years, it is that no matter how badly you want a redo, life never makes such allowances.
Descending into the tunnel is like being swallowed alive by a wet black mouth.
And I wonder how long this precarious happiness will last.
The missing so far.... are Annie King, Bonnie Fisher, Rachel Wagler, and Noah Mast. Later on a person close to the chief turns up missing and the idea of personal conflict intrigues the investigation. As the suspect list grows follow the chief as she starts to reminisce with feelings of growing up Amish, her teen years, and her faith to tackle this challenge. Further, she must confront her status and feelings for John Tomasetti both personal and professional. A Good Read.
Quote:
But if I've learned anything in my thirty-three years, it is that no matter how badly you want a redo, life never makes such allowances.
Descending into the tunnel is like being swallowed alive by a wet black mouth.
And I wonder how long this precarious happiness will last.
August 28, 2016
This is definitely one of my favorite series. Full of suspense and hard to guess killers. Highly recommended!
July 8, 2022
Ein guter, kurzweiliger Thriller für zwischendurch 👍🏻 Das Besondere an dieser Reihe ist, dass sie in der Gemeinde der Amischen spielt - was ich einfach super interessant finde. Der Fall war spannend & mir hat das Tempo sehr gut gefallen. Die Protagonisten machen für mich in diesem Band nicht die größte Entwicklung durch, aber sie sind auf dem Weg dahin. Das Ende fand ich sehr gelungen. Die letzten Seiten haben mich überrascht & schockiert zurückgelassen … Ich werde mit der Reihe aufjedenfall weitermachen & bin gespannt was mich noch erwartet!
June 2, 2019
Kate Burkholder is called in to investigate the disappearance of an Amish teenager. The girl was enjoying Rumspringa, a period of freedom for teens where they can experience the modern world before being fully baptized into the Amish faith. As Kate investigates the disappearance, she and Agent John Tomasetti discover similar cold cases going back several years. Amish teens in the region who were a bit rebellious, wanting to leave the faith or misbehaving have been disappearing for years. When a teen Kate knows and loves disappears, the case hits closer to home and Kate knows she has to solve the case fast.
Gone Missing is another great story in the Kate Burkholder series! Fast paced and action packed, this story definitely kept my attention from start to finish! And multiple twists and turns kept me guessing right up to the end. Awesome!
I enjoy this series. Each case involves the Amish, but it isn't just slight variations on one theme...each story is different and well-written. Kate is intelligent, driven and skilled at her job. Born Amish, she has an insight into that culture that others just don't have. Tomasetti is her best friend and lover. There is a bit of a romance angle there, but it doesn't overpower the main plot. It's just a bit of seasoning for character development.
There are 10 books in the Kate Burkholder series with a new book, Shamed, coming out in July 2019. I started reading this series several years ago and lost track of it while waiting for book 4 to come out. Glad I finally read this story! I'm reading my way through the whole series so that I can read the new book! Moving on to a short story, Long Lost....Kate Burkholder 4.5!
Gone Missing is another great story in the Kate Burkholder series! Fast paced and action packed, this story definitely kept my attention from start to finish! And multiple twists and turns kept me guessing right up to the end. Awesome!
I enjoy this series. Each case involves the Amish, but it isn't just slight variations on one theme...each story is different and well-written. Kate is intelligent, driven and skilled at her job. Born Amish, she has an insight into that culture that others just don't have. Tomasetti is her best friend and lover. There is a bit of a romance angle there, but it doesn't overpower the main plot. It's just a bit of seasoning for character development.
There are 10 books in the Kate Burkholder series with a new book, Shamed, coming out in July 2019. I started reading this series several years ago and lost track of it while waiting for book 4 to come out. Glad I finally read this story! I'm reading my way through the whole series so that I can read the new book! Moving on to a short story, Long Lost....Kate Burkholder 4.5!
July 9, 2022
I really liked this book (original title “Gone missing”). It is a very well articulated and intriguing crime novel. The protagonist, Commissioner Kate Burkholder, must investigate the disappearance of a girl, whose disappearance appears to be linked to those of other teenagers, who despite living a few kilometers away are all united by the fact that they belong to Amish families. Kate is called to take part in the case precisely because she too was an Amish, even if she, as an adult, made the choice to abandon that religion; Kate immediately understands that the reason for the disappearances is precisely that linked to religion and she, by digging into the case, together with detective Tomasetti, will be able to arrive at the solution of the mystery. The whole storyline is very well built and the writing style really nails you to the pages. There are some rather cruel descriptions, but the whole book is more played on the psychological aspects than on the too gory details placed there to easily strike the reader. I would say that the author has found an excellent balance. Four stars.
June 12, 2012
I won this ARC copy of Gone Missing on a Goodreads Giveaway which did not influence my review.
I am fan of this series, but this latest entry was a disappointment to me on various levels. First off, I hope that the book goes through another editing before the final edition goes to print, because there were so many dropped words and misspelled words or incorrect words used that I had to stop myself from grabbing a red pencil and correcting them. Next, the writing was repetitive. I lost count of how many times John Tomasseti grimaced, or snarled out his words, or used the "F" word to show frustration. Even Kate kept swearing and sighing endlessly. And at one point, Kate is observing an Amish man with a long beard down to his belly that overhangs his pants, telling her the man is married and well-fed by his wife. And a few scenes later, she observes another Amish man, describing him in exactly the same way. How strange.
As for the story itself, again, it was repetitive of other books in the series. I thought that it was going to be different with Kate assisting John with an investigation outside her little town of Painters Mill. But it was the same murder and mayhem involving the Amish. How much serious crime can such a community support? Way too much, it seems. And this time around, the crime spree was way over the top, stretching the story's credibility and in my opinion, showing the Amish in a poor light. And please, oh please, do not have a sequel to this story as it seems there might be. Enough is enough. Time to take this series in a different direction.
I think that the author has created some very interesting characters in Kate and John and all the people who populate Painters Mill. That is why I keep coming back and reading the next book. But she has backed herself into a corner, having a little town for Kate to police. Painters Mill isn't Chicago or Atlanta or Los Angeles where so much crime can run rampant. I would like to see some more personal stories involving the Amish and the Englishers in that town, ones that don't rely on serial crimes and mass destruction. That would intrigue me and have me eager to read another book in this series.
I am fan of this series, but this latest entry was a disappointment to me on various levels. First off, I hope that the book goes through another editing before the final edition goes to print, because there were so many dropped words and misspelled words or incorrect words used that I had to stop myself from grabbing a red pencil and correcting them. Next, the writing was repetitive. I lost count of how many times John Tomasseti grimaced, or snarled out his words, or used the "F" word to show frustration. Even Kate kept swearing and sighing endlessly. And at one point, Kate is observing an Amish man with a long beard down to his belly that overhangs his pants, telling her the man is married and well-fed by his wife. And a few scenes later, she observes another Amish man, describing him in exactly the same way. How strange.
As for the story itself, again, it was repetitive of other books in the series. I thought that it was going to be different with Kate assisting John with an investigation outside her little town of Painters Mill. But it was the same murder and mayhem involving the Amish. How much serious crime can such a community support? Way too much, it seems. And this time around, the crime spree was way over the top, stretching the story's credibility and in my opinion, showing the Amish in a poor light. And please, oh please, do not have a sequel to this story as it seems there might be. Enough is enough. Time to take this series in a different direction.
I think that the author has created some very interesting characters in Kate and John and all the people who populate Painters Mill. That is why I keep coming back and reading the next book. But she has backed herself into a corner, having a little town for Kate to police. Painters Mill isn't Chicago or Atlanta or Los Angeles where so much crime can run rampant. I would like to see some more personal stories involving the Amish and the Englishers in that town, ones that don't rely on serial crimes and mass destruction. That would intrigue me and have me eager to read another book in this series.
July 7, 2014
Chief of Police Kate Burkholder received a call from Agent John Tomasetti with a request for her to join his colleagues to assist in a case that was puzzling them all – young teenagers were going missing, and it seemed their only connection to each other was that they were Amish. With Kate having been informed of a missing Amish teen just that morning in Painter’s Mill, the likenesses were chilling.
Leaving Detective Glock in charge, and only a phone call away 24/7, Kate drove the one hundred miles to join John and his team to investigate – Kate’s knowledge of Pennsylvania Dutch, the language of the Amish, was to be an advantage; it would help to break down the reserve between the Amish and the Englischers…their mistrust ran deep. Kate had been born Amish and had left the way of life as a teenager – she knew how their minds worked and could empathise with them, even while it frustrated her.
When the body of a young girl was found then another young girl went missing their determination to catch the monster who was preying on young Amish teenagers was great. Discovering evidence of cold cases going back years, the tenuous link was definitely there, but the depth of the puzzle was ominous. Suddenly Kate’s gut feeling and intuition was leading her in a dangerous direction – would she find the killer before he struck again or would she be too late?
Once again Linda Castillo has not disappointed! Absolutely brilliant! That incredible twist at the end….I found myself reading faster, holding my breath, not knowing what would happen. The pace of Gone Missing is full-on, the emotion is deep. This is a deep and heart pounding thriller, one which I have no hesitation in recommending.
Leaving Detective Glock in charge, and only a phone call away 24/7, Kate drove the one hundred miles to join John and his team to investigate – Kate’s knowledge of Pennsylvania Dutch, the language of the Amish, was to be an advantage; it would help to break down the reserve between the Amish and the Englischers…their mistrust ran deep. Kate had been born Amish and had left the way of life as a teenager – she knew how their minds worked and could empathise with them, even while it frustrated her.
When the body of a young girl was found then another young girl went missing their determination to catch the monster who was preying on young Amish teenagers was great. Discovering evidence of cold cases going back years, the tenuous link was definitely there, but the depth of the puzzle was ominous. Suddenly Kate’s gut feeling and intuition was leading her in a dangerous direction – would she find the killer before he struck again or would she be too late?
Once again Linda Castillo has not disappointed! Absolutely brilliant! That incredible twist at the end….I found myself reading faster, holding my breath, not knowing what would happen. The pace of Gone Missing is full-on, the emotion is deep. This is a deep and heart pounding thriller, one which I have no hesitation in recommending.
September 10, 2023
This is one of the best mystery/suspense series with a female lead around. It's fresh, the characters are believable, well-drawn, well-fleshed, and likable, the series teaches about a different culture without being preachy, and each new book in the series leaves me breathless. Ms. Castillo is an amazing author to have created something so finely written and something that you can rely on to keep you not only entertained but also something that will engage your brain. This is no light fluff reading. This is cold, hard murder set within a group of people that the rest of the world looks at as if they may be beyond this sort of thing. Of course, we all know better. Even the most naive of people are capable of the most heinous of murders, and Ms. Castillo puts it out there.
With Rumspringa, a young adult/teen is trying to find a way in their life. They are trying to see how the other half (the Englishers)live, what with our electricity, cars, drinking, naughty behavior between the sexes, etc.
And someone has taken it into their own two hands to teach these kids a lesson.
As Kate and her sort of boyfriend, John, try to help out at another crime scene - things start escalating with someone close to Kate coming up missing.
This book, nor any of the others, is really for the faint of heart. Descriptive passages and vivid detail can bring you to your knees. But occasionally, you can see the tender sides of both Kate and John emerge, and that somehow makes it all worthwhile. This is not a 'romance' book, but there is romance in the air, and that makes for a wonderful side story—something to take the tension down a notch occasionally.
Clever plotting will leave you almost wondering just how the heck it ended, as it did--- sure to read to the very last page. Ms. Castillo is sure to surprise you as she did me.
With Rumspringa, a young adult/teen is trying to find a way in their life. They are trying to see how the other half (the Englishers)live, what with our electricity, cars, drinking, naughty behavior between the sexes, etc.
And someone has taken it into their own two hands to teach these kids a lesson.
As Kate and her sort of boyfriend, John, try to help out at another crime scene - things start escalating with someone close to Kate coming up missing.
This book, nor any of the others, is really for the faint of heart. Descriptive passages and vivid detail can bring you to your knees. But occasionally, you can see the tender sides of both Kate and John emerge, and that somehow makes it all worthwhile. This is not a 'romance' book, but there is romance in the air, and that makes for a wonderful side story—something to take the tension down a notch occasionally.
Clever plotting will leave you almost wondering just how the heck it ended, as it did--- sure to read to the very last page. Ms. Castillo is sure to surprise you as she did me.
March 25, 2020
Police Chief Kate Burkholder has been contacted by the Bureau of Criminal Investigation to assist in a case involving a missing Amish teenager. Kate is excited to be once again working with John Tomasetti, with whom Kate has a complicated relationship. When the teenager's dead body is found, and an Amish teenager goes missing in Kate's hometown of Painter's Mill Ohio, the case escalates. It also opens up some cold cases of missing Amish teens, putting them on the hunt for a deranged kidnapper. As they follow the leads and track down the killer, Kate and John grow closer. Kate will go to any extreme to rescue the missing teens and get justice for the others.
Frought with tension, "Gone Missing" is a gripping page turner with a twist at the end.
This is book four of the series, looking forward to book five.
Frought with tension, "Gone Missing" is a gripping page turner with a twist at the end.
This is book four of the series, looking forward to book five.
August 10, 2012
My looooong thoughts on "Gone Missing":
I enjoyed the latest in this Amish mystery series (I've read all the previous books as well). The story was complex and had enough twists to keep me guessing for a bit who the murderer(s) was/were. I definitely recommend the book to anyone who is interested in detective stories or those set in Ohio and/or with Amish settings. I also really enjoyed the dialogue between Tomasetti and Kate.
I do have a few quibbles though.
Linda Castillo needs a better editor.
There were a few grammatical errors that jumped out at me, but more importantly there were problems with repetitive ideas, sentences, and expressions of feelings. Kate thinks/talks a lot about her complex relationship with Tomasetti and his dead children and wife. She reiterates the same points multiple times particularly the thought that she's not sure if she's just a stand in woman for his wife. I understand that characters do ruminate over the same ideas - it's what people do - but after a while I found it a bit unnecessary. Likewise, there are many scenes where Katie thinks about how helpful she will be because she speaks Pennsylvania Dutch and used to be Amish. Everyone is always astonished that she used to be Amish, I understand it is unusual but after a while, I was thinking, yeah you *used* to be Amish, big whoop. Moving on. I'm not entirely sure that her reasoning (Amish families will be more willing to talk to an essentially exiled member of their faith, than English men and women) is realistic. As far as they are concerned she has sinned in an extremely big way so why would they trust her more? Also, she makes a point to mention that Amish people are distrustful of Amish even from other communities which means that she could possibly be an impediment to getting the truth from them, yet she mostly ignores this and instead focuses on the fact that she used to be Amish and is therefore awesome.
I really do enjoy the series and the books but I do think that the author needs to think a bit more about realistically how people actually react to others, their motives etc.
Additionally, I have two more quibbles. :p
An example of repetitiveness that drove me up the wall is Katie's description of Rumspringa. On the book jacket the blurb reads: "Rumspringa is the time when Amish teens are allowed to experience life without rules. It's an exciting time of personal discovery and growth before committing to the church."
Fair enough. Page 14: "Rumspringa is the time when young Amish people are allowed to experience life without the constraints of the Ordnung, while all the adults look the other way. Most teens partake in some drinking and listening to music - small infractions that are generally harmless. I wonder if this girl will be one of the 80 percent who eventually become baptized."
Page 162: "Rumspringa is the time when Amish teens are allowed to experience life without all the constraints of the Ordnung, while all the adults look the other way. It's an exciting time of personal discovery and growth before a young person commits to the church."
Page 193: "Some had entered rumspringa, which is basically a period of one to two years when the teenager is granted the freedom to experience the outside world before being baptized."
(Additionally she mentions her 80% fact at least one if not two more times, including another description on page 195: "Sure, you hear about Amish kids misbehaving during rumspringa. But something like eighty percent of them go on to be baptized and join the church.")
After the first description I was good, especially since the book jacket describes what Rumspringa is and it's relation to the mysteries, the repetitive descriptions were unnecessary and lead me to believe, like I said, that an editor is needed.
On a second note, I wish that Castillo had delved into the attitude of the Amish towards sexual abuse and rape a bit more. She mentions in the first section one twisted view but she never expresses if that is indeed the collective opinion of the Amish as a whole or not. She opened the door to have a potentially interesting discussion about the Amish and rape, abortion, etc. but then she fails to follow through.
My second quibble deals with Kate and her amazing abilities. She is sometimes on the verge of becoming a Mary Sue. When Kate discovers the motives behind the murders she says this: "I found the connection," I say without preamble. "The missing teenagers were breaking the rules. They were misbehaving. Acting out." Well.... that's what she and Tomasetti have been focused on pretty much the entire book. It's not amazing to realize that someone who has a problem with Amish teenagers breaking the rules is targeting them. I was pretty underwhelmed by this moment which should have been pivotal to the plot.
Also, when is Kate going to learn that if she wants to live past 40 she needs to follow proper protocol and not go into dangerous situations where she is forced to grapple one on one with murderers? Of course, at this part of the book amazing Kate shows up who gets scalded with burning water and doesn't feel a thing at all. Indeed she does not even apparently get medical attention for what are described as pretty substantial second degree burns on her blistered arm, hand, neck etc. A little more realism would go a long way in grounding Kate and making the reader fear for her safety.
When Kate went into the tunnel I was thinking, yeah she'll probably run into the Masts, say fuck a lot, and escape with a few bruises, maybe a conveniently placed gunshot. :p Kate doesn't have to be super woman to be an engaging and dynamic main character that we want to stick with and follow as she figures out and solves the crime. Make her a bit more human and understandable and your readers will still want to know what happens to her.
Last I must admit that I was hoping that Sadie would leave the Amish community and come live with Kate as a sort of relative outside the Amish world. Unrealistic perhaps but more fitting than the explanation that after being kidnapped and abused, Sadie would feel more at peace with the Amish lifestyle and be extremely willing to give up the one thing that had nourished her soul and fueled her passion for life.
I really enjoyed the book, and look forward to the next book in the series which will hopefully have better editing, a more realistic Kate, and some progression in the relationship between her and Tomasetti. And how about letting her sleep one night through?! That's not too much to ask for, right? lol.
I enjoyed the latest in this Amish mystery series (I've read all the previous books as well). The story was complex and had enough twists to keep me guessing for a bit who the murderer(s) was/were. I definitely recommend the book to anyone who is interested in detective stories or those set in Ohio and/or with Amish settings. I also really enjoyed the dialogue between Tomasetti and Kate.
I do have a few quibbles though.
Linda Castillo needs a better editor.
There were a few grammatical errors that jumped out at me, but more importantly there were problems with repetitive ideas, sentences, and expressions of feelings. Kate thinks/talks a lot about her complex relationship with Tomasetti and his dead children and wife. She reiterates the same points multiple times particularly the thought that she's not sure if she's just a stand in woman for his wife. I understand that characters do ruminate over the same ideas - it's what people do - but after a while I found it a bit unnecessary. Likewise, there are many scenes where Katie thinks about how helpful she will be because she speaks Pennsylvania Dutch and used to be Amish. Everyone is always astonished that she used to be Amish, I understand it is unusual but after a while, I was thinking, yeah you *used* to be Amish, big whoop. Moving on. I'm not entirely sure that her reasoning (Amish families will be more willing to talk to an essentially exiled member of their faith, than English men and women) is realistic. As far as they are concerned she has sinned in an extremely big way so why would they trust her more? Also, she makes a point to mention that Amish people are distrustful of Amish even from other communities which means that she could possibly be an impediment to getting the truth from them, yet she mostly ignores this and instead focuses on the fact that she used to be Amish and is therefore awesome.
I really do enjoy the series and the books but I do think that the author needs to think a bit more about realistically how people actually react to others, their motives etc.
Additionally, I have two more quibbles. :p
An example of repetitiveness that drove me up the wall is Katie's description of Rumspringa. On the book jacket the blurb reads: "Rumspringa is the time when Amish teens are allowed to experience life without rules. It's an exciting time of personal discovery and growth before committing to the church."
Fair enough. Page 14: "Rumspringa is the time when young Amish people are allowed to experience life without the constraints of the Ordnung, while all the adults look the other way. Most teens partake in some drinking and listening to music - small infractions that are generally harmless. I wonder if this girl will be one of the 80 percent who eventually become baptized."
Page 162: "Rumspringa is the time when Amish teens are allowed to experience life without all the constraints of the Ordnung, while all the adults look the other way. It's an exciting time of personal discovery and growth before a young person commits to the church."
Page 193: "Some had entered rumspringa, which is basically a period of one to two years when the teenager is granted the freedom to experience the outside world before being baptized."
(Additionally she mentions her 80% fact at least one if not two more times, including another description on page 195: "Sure, you hear about Amish kids misbehaving during rumspringa. But something like eighty percent of them go on to be baptized and join the church.")
After the first description I was good, especially since the book jacket describes what Rumspringa is and it's relation to the mysteries, the repetitive descriptions were unnecessary and lead me to believe, like I said, that an editor is needed.
On a second note, I wish that Castillo had delved into the attitude of the Amish towards sexual abuse and rape a bit more. She mentions in the first section one twisted view but she never expresses if that is indeed the collective opinion of the Amish as a whole or not. She opened the door to have a potentially interesting discussion about the Amish and rape, abortion, etc. but then she fails to follow through.
My second quibble deals with Kate and her amazing abilities. She is sometimes on the verge of becoming a Mary Sue. When Kate discovers the motives behind the murders she says this: "I found the connection," I say without preamble. "The missing teenagers were breaking the rules. They were misbehaving. Acting out." Well.... that's what she and Tomasetti have been focused on pretty much the entire book. It's not amazing to realize that someone who has a problem with Amish teenagers breaking the rules is targeting them. I was pretty underwhelmed by this moment which should have been pivotal to the plot.
Also, when is Kate going to learn that if she wants to live past 40 she needs to follow proper protocol and not go into dangerous situations where she is forced to grapple one on one with murderers? Of course, at this part of the book amazing Kate shows up who gets scalded with burning water and doesn't feel a thing at all. Indeed she does not even apparently get medical attention for what are described as pretty substantial second degree burns on her blistered arm, hand, neck etc. A little more realism would go a long way in grounding Kate and making the reader fear for her safety.
When Kate went into the tunnel I was thinking, yeah she'll probably run into the Masts, say fuck a lot, and escape with a few bruises, maybe a conveniently placed gunshot. :p Kate doesn't have to be super woman to be an engaging and dynamic main character that we want to stick with and follow as she figures out and solves the crime. Make her a bit more human and understandable and your readers will still want to know what happens to her.
Last I must admit that I was hoping that Sadie would leave the Amish community and come live with Kate as a sort of relative outside the Amish world. Unrealistic perhaps but more fitting than the explanation that after being kidnapped and abused, Sadie would feel more at peace with the Amish lifestyle and be extremely willing to give up the one thing that had nourished her soul and fueled her passion for life.
I really enjoyed the book, and look forward to the next book in the series which will hopefully have better editing, a more realistic Kate, and some progression in the relationship between her and Tomasetti. And how about letting her sleep one night through?! That's not too much to ask for, right? lol.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 21, 2014
As a big fan of the Kate Burkholder Amish thriller series by Linda Castillo, I was excited to get started on the fourth installment, Gone Missing. It begins promising enough with the prologue: “Becca had always known her life would always end in tragedy. As a child, she couldn’t speak to her certainty of her fate or explain how she could foresee such a thing. She believed in providence, and it came as no surprise when she realized she would also die young.”
Castillo sets the scene as in the previous three novels, in Ohio, although much of it takes place away from Chief Burkholder’s town of Painter’s Mill because her John Tomasetti, her CBI colleague/friend/lover requests her assistance in a case of missing Amish teenagers. Kate grew up Amish and speaks Pennsylvania Dutch; Tomasetti and local law enforcement officials are looking for an edge in obtaining information from the missing girls’ families, so Chief Burkholder travels from Painters Mill to “consult” on the case.
Because the girls are in their teens and are all rebelling against Amish rules and traditions, it is unclear whether they have met with foul play. After all, we are told (over and over) “rumspringa is the time when Amish teens are allowed to experience life without the rules. It’s an exciting time of personal discovery and growth before committing to the church. “ Then the body of one of the missing girls emerges, and the hunt becomes more urgent.
The pace of this book felt much different from the three previous Painters Mill novels. For the first 17 chapters, the investigation plods along. Kate and John question parents, teens, and potential suspects. Kate returns home when a local teen goes missing, and suddenly, in chapter 18, the heart-pumping, nail-biting action begins.
I have mixed feelings about Gone Missing. For the most part, I enjoyed it, but I found parts of it very repetitive. Kate constantly reminds her colleagues and the reader that rumspringa is a time for – well, rebellion – but that 80% of Amish adolescents return to their communities and are baptized. The plot seems less complex, but no less evil or psychotic, than previous works. Castillo skillfully weaves Becca’s disappearance from the prologue into the plot eventually. I was not surprised at the revelations at the end, although I was somewhat disappointed at the finale. I suppose it’s normal to want everything tied up in a neat, tidy package, but the conclusion felt strange to me. Yet I suppose the real world does not always hand us our packages tied up with pretty red bows.
Also, there are problems with what is realistic. Yes, Amish folks are human and flawed, like any other portion of the population. Despite the fact that much of this occurs away from Painter’s Mill, there seems to be a lot of Amish crime in this little part of Ohio. There is also the matter of Chief Burkholder’s lack of adherence to police protocols. Time and again, she fails to go by the book, puts herself in danger, gets injured; but of course, she saves the day and recovers nicely, thank you. Maybe that’s why we love her so much? At least for now, she is not drinking vodka.
There was not nearly enough Kate and John in this story. I really liked what there was, but there wasn’t enough. Just saying. I haven’t even peeked at Her Last Breath, but I’m guessing that their relationship takes a major turn in one direction or another in that next venture.
I look forward to reading the fifth in the Kate Burkholder series because I do enjoy the writing, the characters, and the setting. This one, however, did not quite measure up to the earlier ones. If I could, I would give it 3-1/2 stars.
Castillo sets the scene as in the previous three novels, in Ohio, although much of it takes place away from Chief Burkholder’s town of Painter’s Mill because her John Tomasetti, her CBI colleague/friend/lover requests her assistance in a case of missing Amish teenagers. Kate grew up Amish and speaks Pennsylvania Dutch; Tomasetti and local law enforcement officials are looking for an edge in obtaining information from the missing girls’ families, so Chief Burkholder travels from Painters Mill to “consult” on the case.
Because the girls are in their teens and are all rebelling against Amish rules and traditions, it is unclear whether they have met with foul play. After all, we are told (over and over) “rumspringa is the time when Amish teens are allowed to experience life without the rules. It’s an exciting time of personal discovery and growth before committing to the church. “ Then the body of one of the missing girls emerges, and the hunt becomes more urgent.
The pace of this book felt much different from the three previous Painters Mill novels. For the first 17 chapters, the investigation plods along. Kate and John question parents, teens, and potential suspects. Kate returns home when a local teen goes missing, and suddenly, in chapter 18, the heart-pumping, nail-biting action begins.
I have mixed feelings about Gone Missing. For the most part, I enjoyed it, but I found parts of it very repetitive. Kate constantly reminds her colleagues and the reader that rumspringa is a time for – well, rebellion – but that 80% of Amish adolescents return to their communities and are baptized. The plot seems less complex, but no less evil or psychotic, than previous works. Castillo skillfully weaves Becca’s disappearance from the prologue into the plot eventually. I was not surprised at the revelations at the end, although I was somewhat disappointed at the finale. I suppose it’s normal to want everything tied up in a neat, tidy package, but the conclusion felt strange to me. Yet I suppose the real world does not always hand us our packages tied up with pretty red bows.
Also, there are problems with what is realistic. Yes, Amish folks are human and flawed, like any other portion of the population. Despite the fact that much of this occurs away from Painter’s Mill, there seems to be a lot of Amish crime in this little part of Ohio. There is also the matter of Chief Burkholder’s lack of adherence to police protocols. Time and again, she fails to go by the book, puts herself in danger, gets injured; but of course, she saves the day and recovers nicely, thank you. Maybe that’s why we love her so much? At least for now, she is not drinking vodka.
There was not nearly enough Kate and John in this story. I really liked what there was, but there wasn’t enough. Just saying. I haven’t even peeked at Her Last Breath, but I’m guessing that their relationship takes a major turn in one direction or another in that next venture.
I look forward to reading the fifth in the Kate Burkholder series because I do enjoy the writing, the characters, and the setting. This one, however, did not quite measure up to the earlier ones. If I could, I would give it 3-1/2 stars.
December 4, 2020
It’s a great thriller !!
It’s the fourth book of this series that I read and so far I never been disappointed.
A friend recommended this series to me , so I tried it. I didn’t know what to expect. I never read Linda Castillo books .
I was really pleased by all the three previous books.
Each book is about a crime to be resolve , by Chief Kate Burkholder a former Amish .
I didn’t know much about the Amish community and I couldn’t understand how it could have been mysterious and thrilling. Linda Castillo showed me how.
All the characters in this series are really interesting and damaged. The bad guys are so evil it’s almost scary. For me it’s a plus, I love dark thriller and those books are really dark.
Thanks to Linda Castillo I know more about the Amish community. And what I like about her stories is that she was always respectful about their believes ,even if her stories are dark and sometimes disturbing.
In conclusion , "Gone Missing" is a great book , well written with well developed and attaching characters. I highly recommend this book , and the three first ones.
It’s the fourth book of this series that I read and so far I never been disappointed.
A friend recommended this series to me , so I tried it. I didn’t know what to expect. I never read Linda Castillo books .
I was really pleased by all the three previous books.
Each book is about a crime to be resolve , by Chief Kate Burkholder a former Amish .
I didn’t know much about the Amish community and I couldn’t understand how it could have been mysterious and thrilling. Linda Castillo showed me how.
All the characters in this series are really interesting and damaged. The bad guys are so evil it’s almost scary. For me it’s a plus, I love dark thriller and those books are really dark.
Thanks to Linda Castillo I know more about the Amish community. And what I like about her stories is that she was always respectful about their believes ,even if her stories are dark and sometimes disturbing.
In conclusion , "Gone Missing" is a great book , well written with well developed and attaching characters. I highly recommend this book , and the three first ones.
January 22, 2026
5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Another gripping suspense story by Linda Castillo. This is #4 in this Amish series, and once again the Amish community of Painters Mill in Ohio are having “troubling occurrences.” There are missing teenage girls from families and no one is reporting them missing. Why not!
These Amish people are not known to turn to law enforcement with their problems unless it is a last resort. Even though Kate Burkholder, chief of police, grew up Amish that does not pave the way for her to do her job efficiently when it comes to the needs of the Amish community.
In this saga there are six Amish girls that have gone missing up and down the corridors of a few local towns. It has came into light that the disappearances seems very similar. The cases spread out over a year, so two are cold cases by now. Is it possible we have a serial killing on the loose? Bodies have not turned up which is making the cases harder to classify as a murder..hard to make headway with no bodies. The Missing girls, and the leads they receive, are being investigated by Chief Kate Burkholder and John Tomasetti of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Things are tense. They have a few people in their scope.
As with each one of these series of books, the climax of suspense is mind blowing. Kate Burkholder doesn’t hold herself back when and if, it comes to possibly rescuing a teenager by herself. I was glued to the story at that point. I love her character. She is flawed and has a messy past which makes her more realistic and probably good at her job.
John Tomasetti and Kate have a past together from investigations and they “get” each other, but have been skittish about calling it a relationship.
So without giving anything away, know that Kate is at her best once again solving murders and missing child cases. John is once again charming, and I ask are they ever gonna be a permanent item together?
Another gripping suspense story by Linda Castillo. This is #4 in this Amish series, and once again the Amish community of Painters Mill in Ohio are having “troubling occurrences.” There are missing teenage girls from families and no one is reporting them missing. Why not!
These Amish people are not known to turn to law enforcement with their problems unless it is a last resort. Even though Kate Burkholder, chief of police, grew up Amish that does not pave the way for her to do her job efficiently when it comes to the needs of the Amish community.
In this saga there are six Amish girls that have gone missing up and down the corridors of a few local towns. It has came into light that the disappearances seems very similar. The cases spread out over a year, so two are cold cases by now. Is it possible we have a serial killing on the loose? Bodies have not turned up which is making the cases harder to classify as a murder..hard to make headway with no bodies. The Missing girls, and the leads they receive, are being investigated by Chief Kate Burkholder and John Tomasetti of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Things are tense. They have a few people in their scope.
As with each one of these series of books, the climax of suspense is mind blowing. Kate Burkholder doesn’t hold herself back when and if, it comes to possibly rescuing a teenager by herself. I was glued to the story at that point. I love her character. She is flawed and has a messy past which makes her more realistic and probably good at her job.
John Tomasetti and Kate have a past together from investigations and they “get” each other, but have been skittish about calling it a relationship.
So without giving anything away, know that Kate is at her best once again solving murders and missing child cases. John is once again charming, and I ask are they ever gonna be a permanent item together?
March 4, 2015
Another gripping, tension filled book by Linda Castillo, number four in the Kate Burkholder books.
Rumspringa is the time when Amish teens are allowed to experience life without the rules. It’s an exciting time of personal discovery and growth before committing to the church. But when a young teen disappears without a trace, the carefree fun comes to an abrupt and sinister end, and fear spreads through the community like a contagion. A missing child is a nightmare to all parents, and never more so than in the Amish community, where family ties run deep. When the search for the presumed runaway turns up a dead body, the case quickly becomes a murder investigation. And chief of Police Kate Burkholder knows that in order to solve this case she will have to call upon everything she has to give not only as a cop, but as a woman whose own Amish roots run deep, and for the first time leaving her local town behind to work as part of a team with Tomasetti.
Kate and state agent, John Tomasetti, delve into the lives of the missing teen and discover links to cold cases that may go back years. But will Kate piece together all the parts of this sinister puzzle in time to save the missing teen and the Amish community from a devastating fate? Or will she find herself locked in a fight to the death with a merciless killer?
A tense filled, suspenseful read, with the relationship between Kate and Tomasetti growing and the same time the characters growing as well. An action packed last few chapters as the plot builds to a shocking ending, with no glues at all throughout.
4 stars for me, another great book.
Rumspringa is the time when Amish teens are allowed to experience life without the rules. It’s an exciting time of personal discovery and growth before committing to the church. But when a young teen disappears without a trace, the carefree fun comes to an abrupt and sinister end, and fear spreads through the community like a contagion. A missing child is a nightmare to all parents, and never more so than in the Amish community, where family ties run deep. When the search for the presumed runaway turns up a dead body, the case quickly becomes a murder investigation. And chief of Police Kate Burkholder knows that in order to solve this case she will have to call upon everything she has to give not only as a cop, but as a woman whose own Amish roots run deep, and for the first time leaving her local town behind to work as part of a team with Tomasetti.
Kate and state agent, John Tomasetti, delve into the lives of the missing teen and discover links to cold cases that may go back years. But will Kate piece together all the parts of this sinister puzzle in time to save the missing teen and the Amish community from a devastating fate? Or will she find herself locked in a fight to the death with a merciless killer?
A tense filled, suspenseful read, with the relationship between Kate and Tomasetti growing and the same time the characters growing as well. An action packed last few chapters as the plot builds to a shocking ending, with no glues at all throughout.
4 stars for me, another great book.
January 17, 2026
Second time I’ve read this, just as good this time!
October 18, 2023
Gone Missing is the fourth book of Kate Burkholder series. In this book Amish girls and boys aged between 14 to 17 year old was randomly missing without a clue. Kate Burkholder with her team investigate and found out that an amish family was kidnapping the children and locked them out in a tunnel until they died or were killed. When Kate locate the missing children and the known kidnappers died. Only then did she found out that they have the wrong suspect. Will they be able to find and locked the perpetrator? Or will he be free to kidnapped random children again?
Loved the characters, also how the amish children differs from each other. Different personalities, different dreams. Glad that Kate explored more outside Painters Mill this time. 4/5
Loved the characters, also how the amish children differs from each other. Different personalities, different dreams. Glad that Kate explored more outside Painters Mill this time. 4/5
April 26, 2012
In her latest novel, Linda Castillo again creates a world of thrilling suspense and intrigue flavored with a spicy side of sizzle that leaves readers hungry for more!
Her strong protagonist,Kate Burkholder, approaches her latest case with tenacity tempered with compassion. Her complicated and precarious balance as a small town police cheif, who happens to be formerly Amish,is challenged in new and uncertain directions as her relationship with the edgy state agent John Tomasetti begins to take on a life of its own, threatening to tear down some very hard won barriers she's built around her soul.
Unwilling to let her tumultuous feelings for Tomasetti become a distraction, Kate never loses focus in her search for a missing Amish teen. As the investigation unfolds, several cold cases rise to the top, adding a fresh sense of urgency to all involved in the hunt. Can they find the missing girl in time? Or will the innocent fall prey to the same evil as the others?
I am in love with Kate and Tomasetti, as well as the well-rounded supporting cast of this Amish series. Linda Castillo builds a world I eagerly visit and reluctantly leave with each book.
Her strong protagonist,Kate Burkholder, approaches her latest case with tenacity tempered with compassion. Her complicated and precarious balance as a small town police cheif, who happens to be formerly Amish,is challenged in new and uncertain directions as her relationship with the edgy state agent John Tomasetti begins to take on a life of its own, threatening to tear down some very hard won barriers she's built around her soul.
Unwilling to let her tumultuous feelings for Tomasetti become a distraction, Kate never loses focus in her search for a missing Amish teen. As the investigation unfolds, several cold cases rise to the top, adding a fresh sense of urgency to all involved in the hunt. Can they find the missing girl in time? Or will the innocent fall prey to the same evil as the others?
I am in love with Kate and Tomasetti, as well as the well-rounded supporting cast of this Amish series. Linda Castillo builds a world I eagerly visit and reluctantly leave with each book.
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