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Kate Burkholder #7
After the Storm
In this electrifying thriller by New York Times bestseller Linda Castillo, Kate Burkholder must uncover a family's long-hidden past to solve a brutal murder
When a tornado tears through Painters Mill and unearths human remains, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder finds herself tasked with the responsibility of identifying the bones—and notifying the family. Evidence quickly emerges that the death was no accident and Kate finds herself plunged into a thirty year old case that takes her deep into the Amish community to which she once belonged.
Meanwhile, turmoil of an emotional and personal nature strikes at the very heart of Kate's budding relationship with state agent John Tomasetti. A reality that strains their fragile new love to the breaking point and threatens the refuge they've built for themselves—and their future.
Under siege from an unknown assailant—and her own personal demons—Kate digs deep into the case only to discover proof of an unimaginable atrocity, a plethora of family secrets and the lengths to which people will go to protect their own.
When a tornado tears through Painters Mill and unearths human remains, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder finds herself tasked with the responsibility of identifying the bones—and notifying the family. Evidence quickly emerges that the death was no accident and Kate finds herself plunged into a thirty year old case that takes her deep into the Amish community to which she once belonged.
Meanwhile, turmoil of an emotional and personal nature strikes at the very heart of Kate's budding relationship with state agent John Tomasetti. A reality that strains their fragile new love to the breaking point and threatens the refuge they've built for themselves—and their future.
Under siege from an unknown assailant—and her own personal demons—Kate digs deep into the case only to discover proof of an unimaginable atrocity, a plethora of family secrets and the lengths to which people will go to protect their own.
320 pages, ebook
First published July 14, 2015
1035 people are currently reading
6572 people want to read
About the author
Linda Castillo
94 books6,607 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 1,461 reviews
September 27, 2021
After the Storm (Kate Burkholder #7)
by Linda Castillo (Author), Kathleen McInerney (Reading)
I promise, I enjoy these stories and will listen to the entire series. But part of the fun of the series, for me, is that I'm into the details and the first six books had enough dead bodies to carpet a small house. Serial killers, mass murderers, bodies, bodies, bodies. I can't count the times that Kate has run headlong (literally) into danger, alone, screaming, "Police, drop your gun" and nobody ever drops their gun or stops shooting at her or whacking her with some heavy farm implement. She's had so many broken bones, concussions, gun shot wounds and cracked noggins that she should look like Frankenstein's monster. But, unless the author is holding back on us, Kate looks normal.
So, in book 7, I laughed as John (Kate's budding romance...roll eyes...boyfriend of at least 3 years and living together for 7 months) and Kate talk about how safe her job is because she is the Chief of Police for such a small, quiet, idyllic, low crime area. And heck, she has 4 deputies (including Pickles, the barely 5 foot tall, 76 year old, 10 hour a week, usually crosswalk guard, part timer). Yes, we know that Kate will just be sitting in her office, doing paperwork, so very safe, so very much making good decisions...nothing to see here folks, remember, she had Pickles as backup last time. Right, Kate.
This time there's a tornado and pigs. And Kate gets in a fight with one of those adversaries. I'll be back for more, Kate!
by Linda Castillo (Author), Kathleen McInerney (Reading)
I promise, I enjoy these stories and will listen to the entire series. But part of the fun of the series, for me, is that I'm into the details and the first six books had enough dead bodies to carpet a small house. Serial killers, mass murderers, bodies, bodies, bodies. I can't count the times that Kate has run headlong (literally) into danger, alone, screaming, "Police, drop your gun" and nobody ever drops their gun or stops shooting at her or whacking her with some heavy farm implement. She's had so many broken bones, concussions, gun shot wounds and cracked noggins that she should look like Frankenstein's monster. But, unless the author is holding back on us, Kate looks normal.
So, in book 7, I laughed as John (Kate's budding romance...roll eyes...boyfriend of at least 3 years and living together for 7 months) and Kate talk about how safe her job is because she is the Chief of Police for such a small, quiet, idyllic, low crime area. And heck, she has 4 deputies (including Pickles, the barely 5 foot tall, 76 year old, 10 hour a week, usually crosswalk guard, part timer). Yes, we know that Kate will just be sitting in her office, doing paperwork, so very safe, so very much making good decisions...nothing to see here folks, remember, she had Pickles as backup last time. Right, Kate.
This time there's a tornado and pigs. And Kate gets in a fight with one of those adversaries. I'll be back for more, Kate!
February 17, 2017
What I love most about this series is the highly unusual mix of Amish culture with a very good murder mystery. A great taste of both.
Kate Burkholder is the Chief of Police in a small Ohio town surrounded by Amish communities. Born Amish, she left her family, religion and lifestyle to live among the English. As Chief of Police she is frequently called back to the Amish community for various reasons. (for a loving, peaceful community, there sure is a crazy amount of crime!).
"The Amish have all the same weaknesses as the rest of us, including the capacity for violence."
This time a tornado hits the small Amish town of Painters Mill. In the aftermath of the storm, human bones are discovered under the ruins of an old barn. It is up to Kate and her team to identify the remains that may have been hidden for over 30 years. Could this be foul play? Or just run of the mill forensics?
"A life based on deceit secrets and sin"
On the personal side... Can Kate and her love interest John Tomasetti's relationship overcome the most threatening of times?
A great addition to the series. A little gruesome at times but overall definitely 4+*!
Kate Burkholder is the Chief of Police in a small Ohio town surrounded by Amish communities. Born Amish, she left her family, religion and lifestyle to live among the English. As Chief of Police she is frequently called back to the Amish community for various reasons. (for a loving, peaceful community, there sure is a crazy amount of crime!).
"The Amish have all the same weaknesses as the rest of us, including the capacity for violence."
This time a tornado hits the small Amish town of Painters Mill. In the aftermath of the storm, human bones are discovered under the ruins of an old barn. It is up to Kate and her team to identify the remains that may have been hidden for over 30 years. Could this be foul play? Or just run of the mill forensics?
"A life based on deceit secrets and sin"
On the personal side... Can Kate and her love interest John Tomasetti's relationship overcome the most threatening of times?
A great addition to the series. A little gruesome at times but overall definitely 4+*!
September 25, 2021
I'm finally caught up with this wonderful Kate Burkholder series, yay!!
I'm excited about how this one starts. I love the movie "Twister", and that's how the story begins in present day as Kate and John are having dinner with Kate's Amish siblings when Kate receives a call from her staff about an F3 heading towards Painters Mill, OH. The two rushed back to the police station when the tornado was on their tail.
A lot of destruction was done from strong winds. What's unexpected is the remains of a man who's been buried for 30 years underneath a destroyed barn at an old hog farm.
A cold case, a loss of life from the tornado, and tension between Kate and John personal matter made After the Storm hard to put down.
I'm excited about how this one starts. I love the movie "Twister", and that's how the story begins in present day as Kate and John are having dinner with Kate's Amish siblings when Kate receives a call from her staff about an F3 heading towards Painters Mill, OH. The two rushed back to the police station when the tornado was on their tail.
A lot of destruction was done from strong winds. What's unexpected is the remains of a man who's been buried for 30 years underneath a destroyed barn at an old hog farm.
A cold case, a loss of life from the tornado, and tension between Kate and John personal matter made After the Storm hard to put down.
September 18, 2019
4 stars for another entertaining mystery set in rural Northeastern Ohio. Kate Burkholder is the chief of police in fictional Painters Mill, Ohio. A tornado rips through the town and surrounding area. A body is discovered while cleaning up debris at an abandoned hog farm. Since there are remains of a garbage bag with the bones, the death looks suspicious. Kate starts asking questions, trying to find out what happened. She arouses hostility in the community and is twice attacked. While there are clues as to who the killer is, the reader is left guessing as to who did what, to whom, until near the end.
Kate was raised Amish, and is fluent in Amish, although she left the Amish community as a teenager many years before. Some of the possible suspects are Amish. This is book 7 in the series, and while it can be read as a stand alone, there are plot developments in Kate's personal life from previous books. I suggest reading this series in order if possible. Both my wife and I enjoy this series.
One quote about rural Ohio: "It's dusk and I'm sitting in a lawn chair on the small wooden dock, looking out over the pond, and there's no place else in the world I'd rather be. The cattails on the far side teem with dragonflies and a few early evening lightning bugs. A turtle snoozes on a rock a couple of feet from the bank."
Kate was raised Amish, and is fluent in Amish, although she left the Amish community as a teenager many years before. Some of the possible suspects are Amish. This is book 7 in the series, and while it can be read as a stand alone, there are plot developments in Kate's personal life from previous books. I suggest reading this series in order if possible. Both my wife and I enjoy this series.
One quote about rural Ohio: "It's dusk and I'm sitting in a lawn chair on the small wooden dock, looking out over the pond, and there's no place else in the world I'd rather be. The cattails on the far side teem with dragonflies and a few early evening lightning bugs. A turtle snoozes on a rock a couple of feet from the bank."
October 3, 2021
Kate Burkholder and her live-in love, John Tomasetti, are having dinner with her sister, brother and their families for the first time in years. However, they’re interrupted when alerts are sounded for a coming tornado. When it’s over, Kate and her team are out in the community assisting with the injured and rescue. The place she heads toward is a mobile home park where she has to make a critical decision in removing a gravely injured infant from the wreckage that later becomes an issue. Also, the tornado has unearthed human remains at an abandoned barn that appears to have been there for several decades. Kate’s investigation leads to some curious findings that become life threatening.
This is the tale of two stories. I was completely hooked through about 3/4 of the book because of the procedurals around the identification of the human remains and possible motives, which we have a clue from the prologue. The storyline involving the injured infant was also heartbreaking despite her awful parents. Kate’s thrust back into an extreme sect of Amish world and that of the Mennonites. The contrast was stark, reflecting poorly on the judgmental aspects of the religion in a way I’ve not experienced to date. But it was that last portion of the book where it seemed to devolve into Kate’s repeated poor decision making in placing herself at extreme risk when it wasn’t called for and protocol demanded otherwise. And, there’s a personal development that was poorly executed as it didn’t ring true to the characters.
I was loving the story until near the end. The forensic element was fascinating as the methodology was something new and educational. I will always marvel at how much science can reveal from bones even this old. The audio version continues to be outstanding as the narrator not only does a good job with the storytelling and pacing but manages the Pennsylvania Dutch skillfully. My hope is that the author will do better by Kate going forward because I’m getting weary of her always landing in physical danger due to her own bad judgment. She’s a smartly crafted character who deserves better. 3.5 stars
Posted on Blue Mood Café
This is the tale of two stories. I was completely hooked through about 3/4 of the book because of the procedurals around the identification of the human remains and possible motives, which we have a clue from the prologue. The storyline involving the injured infant was also heartbreaking despite her awful parents. Kate’s thrust back into an extreme sect of Amish world and that of the Mennonites. The contrast was stark, reflecting poorly on the judgmental aspects of the religion in a way I’ve not experienced to date. But it was that last portion of the book where it seemed to devolve into Kate’s repeated poor decision making in placing herself at extreme risk when it wasn’t called for and protocol demanded otherwise. And, there’s a personal development that was poorly executed as it didn’t ring true to the characters.
I was loving the story until near the end. The forensic element was fascinating as the methodology was something new and educational. I will always marvel at how much science can reveal from bones even this old. The audio version continues to be outstanding as the narrator not only does a good job with the storytelling and pacing but manages the Pennsylvania Dutch skillfully. My hope is that the author will do better by Kate going forward because I’m getting weary of her always landing in physical danger due to her own bad judgment. She’s a smartly crafted character who deserves better. 3.5 stars
Posted on Blue Mood Café
September 3, 2021
In this 7th book in the 'Kate Burkholder' series, the Police Chief is threatened by a stalker as she tries to solve a murder. The book can be read as a standalone, but familiarity with the series is beneficial.
*****
A ferocious tornado rips through Painters Mill, Ohio causing damage and fatalities.
Two consequences of the tornado are especially relevant to Chief of Police Kate Burkholder. First, Kate rescues a baby from a crumpled trailer. The baby later dies and the parents blame Kate.
Second, the bones of a man who disappeared decades ago are found among the ruins of an old barn on an Amish farm.
Kate - who was raised Amish but left the fold long ago - investigates with her detectives.
Though it takes the police some time to identify the dead man the reader can guess who it is pretty quickly from the book's prolog where a man is pushed into a pen of hogs and eaten.
Meanwhile, Kate is now living with her boyfriend, investigator John Tomasetti, from whom she's hiding a secret. To add to Kate's problems, someone is trying to kill her - and Kate suspects it's the baby's meth-head father. He's elusive, though, and the police can't track him down.
The investigation into the dead man requires Kate to question several Amish families, who are less than cooperative.
Nevertheless, Kate is able to put together a number of clues, connect the dots, and get on track to solve the crime. This isn't all smooth sailing because Kate tends to be reckless and keeps putting herself in dangerous situations - a bad idea when someone is trying to kill you.
The plot is well-crafted and the book's characters - including the various suspects, Kate's detectives, the police dispatchers, Kate's family, the baby's parents, and more - add interest to the story. I also liked the peeks into the Amish community, including aspects of their lifestyle and beliefs.
I enjoyed the book and recommend it highly to mystery fans.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot....
September 11, 2021
I was a little bit disappointed in this book because it seemed to swing back to the way the early books were written, with a little too much emotional drama and an overload of action. Just too many people shooting people for no apparent reason and Kate constantly rushing heedlessly into situations on her own. These were the reasons I originally left the series after the second book.
So I speed read all the many pages when two intelligent adults kept not telling things to each other. I guessed what was going to happen anyway, and I just sat back to enjoy the action. This kept coming and much of it was gruesome. I have come across the animal situation several times in books before but it is always equally disgusting.
Anyway I will hope for better things in book 8. And please Kate, when you have someone trying to kill you, don't go out to isolated farm houses on your own. Take a partner.
So I speed read all the many pages when two intelligent adults kept not telling things to each other. I guessed what was going to happen anyway, and I just sat back to enjoy the action. This kept coming and much of it was gruesome. I have come across the animal situation several times in books before but it is always equally disgusting.
Anyway I will hope for better things in book 8. And please Kate, when you have someone trying to kill you, don't go out to isolated farm houses on your own. Take a partner.
September 19, 2021
When a vicious tornado tore through Painters Mill, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder found herself and her team stretched to the limit. A caravan park on the edge of town took a direct hit and there were horrific injuries and devastation across the mobile homes. A message to Kate from dispatch alerted her to bones unearthed by the storm – boy Scouts and their teacher were helping with the cleanup and two young boys came across the bones. Kate’s immediate investigation into the identity of the remains, how long they’d been there and how they got there, involved her days and nights.
John Tomasetti of the BCI and Kate lived together on their farm – a fairly new part to their relationship but they were both liking being together. Tomasetti often helped Kate with her investigations, and this one was no different. With Kate being the focus of a person who was trying to stop her investigation, going as far as shooting to kill, Tomasetti was understandably concerned. What would be the outcome to this messy and emotional case?
After the Storm is the 7th in the Kate Burkholder series by Linda Castillo and I loved it once again. But I hope Ms Castillo gives our leading lady a bit of a break in the next book – she’s had a rough trot in After the Storm! I thoroughly enjoy reading about Kate and her team, Glock and TJ, Skid and Pickles, as well as Tomasetti and Kate and their volatile relationship! Highly recommended.
John Tomasetti of the BCI and Kate lived together on their farm – a fairly new part to their relationship but they were both liking being together. Tomasetti often helped Kate with her investigations, and this one was no different. With Kate being the focus of a person who was trying to stop her investigation, going as far as shooting to kill, Tomasetti was understandably concerned. What would be the outcome to this messy and emotional case?
After the Storm is the 7th in the Kate Burkholder series by Linda Castillo and I loved it once again. But I hope Ms Castillo gives our leading lady a bit of a break in the next book – she’s had a rough trot in After the Storm! I thoroughly enjoy reading about Kate and her team, Glock and TJ, Skid and Pickles, as well as Tomasetti and Kate and their volatile relationship! Highly recommended.
July 16, 2015
The book starts with a tornado and a big storm, will it be a direct hit or a near miss? A trailer park is hit and all but destroyed, very strange since a trailer park near my sons house in our state, Illinois, was hit by a tornado a few weeks back and almost totally destroyed. Found this coincidence chilling.
There are other mysteries out there featuring the Amish but I love this one. The character of Katie, who is the sheriff and a member of the Amish at one time. She left the church but her family all still belong and Katie is still trying to gain some acceptance back, a struggle that is ongoing. The storm reveals bones under the floor of an old barn and solving this case will cost her more than she bargained.
Well written series, with a closer look at the Amish, who manage to live almost totally off the grid and thrive. Good characters with just the right amount of mystery and the personal to keep the story interesting. Suspenseful, the tension in the book seldom lets up. All the ingredients necessary to create an enduring series.
ARC from NetGalley.
There are other mysteries out there featuring the Amish but I love this one. The character of Katie, who is the sheriff and a member of the Amish at one time. She left the church but her family all still belong and Katie is still trying to gain some acceptance back, a struggle that is ongoing. The storm reveals bones under the floor of an old barn and solving this case will cost her more than she bargained.
Well written series, with a closer look at the Amish, who manage to live almost totally off the grid and thrive. Good characters with just the right amount of mystery and the personal to keep the story interesting. Suspenseful, the tension in the book seldom lets up. All the ingredients necessary to create an enduring series.
ARC from NetGalley.
November 30, 2017
A decent police procedural with the biggest mystery being what will happen between Kate and Tomasetti. The ending on this book was not as strong as usual, in that one story line sort of trailed off and wasn’t fully resolved. Once again, there are some extremely graphic scenes that could bother some readers. I listened to this book and the narrator did an excellent job.
February 10, 2019
This has become one of my favorite series. Kate Burkholder is the Chief of Police in the small Ohio town of Painters Mill. Kate was raised Amish but left when she was young. She was hired as Chief of Police because of her ability to bridge the gap between the Amish and the English. It helps to a degree. Some in the Amish community haven't forgiven or forgotten Kate left the faith. In addition to terrific stories the reader gets to learn a lot about the Amish.
This story opens with Kate and her boyfriend, state agent John Tomasetti, going to her brother's farm for dinner. Kate's sister is also coming. This is unusual as they are no longer as close as they were when they were children. Before Kate left the faith. Things start out good but of course it doesn't take long before the tension starts. Then Kate gets a phone call. There is a tornado in the area and it is headed straight for Painters Mill. There is loss of life, including a baby that Kate could not save. A loss for which she is being blamed. A loss that haunts her.
After the storm comes the clean up. During the clean up human remains are discovered in an old barn. Evidence seems to point to murder. The remains appear to have been there for thirty years. Kate works to identify the remains and how they came to be in the barn. As she works on the cold case Kate finds herself deep in the Amish community that she left. She also finds that someone wants her dead. She is a target. Is it because of the death of the baby she tried to save but couldn't? Or is someone trying to prevent her from identifying the remains found in the old barn and learning what happened thirty years ago?
While these events are happening in Kate's professional life there is a storm brewing in her personal life. She discovers she is pregnant and is not sure how to tell Tomasetti. Tomasetti as readers of other books in the series know lost his first wife and children to a murderer. It almost destroyed him. Kate and Tomasetti are living together but marriage has never really been discussed much less children. Kate's pregnancy will test their relationship. Neither had planned or is ready. Each of them has emotional baggage and their relationship has been fragile. Will the relationship survive? Or could it be the breaking point?
This story opens with Kate and her boyfriend, state agent John Tomasetti, going to her brother's farm for dinner. Kate's sister is also coming. This is unusual as they are no longer as close as they were when they were children. Before Kate left the faith. Things start out good but of course it doesn't take long before the tension starts. Then Kate gets a phone call. There is a tornado in the area and it is headed straight for Painters Mill. There is loss of life, including a baby that Kate could not save. A loss for which she is being blamed. A loss that haunts her.
After the storm comes the clean up. During the clean up human remains are discovered in an old barn. Evidence seems to point to murder. The remains appear to have been there for thirty years. Kate works to identify the remains and how they came to be in the barn. As she works on the cold case Kate finds herself deep in the Amish community that she left. She also finds that someone wants her dead. She is a target. Is it because of the death of the baby she tried to save but couldn't? Or is someone trying to prevent her from identifying the remains found in the old barn and learning what happened thirty years ago?
While these events are happening in Kate's professional life there is a storm brewing in her personal life. She discovers she is pregnant and is not sure how to tell Tomasetti. Tomasetti as readers of other books in the series know lost his first wife and children to a murderer. It almost destroyed him. Kate and Tomasetti are living together but marriage has never really been discussed much less children. Kate's pregnancy will test their relationship. Neither had planned or is ready. Each of them has emotional baggage and their relationship has been fragile. Will the relationship survive? Or could it be the breaking point?
May 24, 2020
3.85 Stars
After a Tornado tears through Painters Mill, human remains are unearthed. A buried secret. Bones that are determined to be thirty (30) years old. Figuring out who they belong to is Chief Kate Burkholder’s job. Someone however, doesn’t like the fact that Kate is sticking her nose where it doesn’t belong and they’d like to shut her up any way they can, no matter how dangerous the situation.
Feeling pressure personally in her relationship with Tomasetti and professionally in her job as Chief of Police, Kate has her work cut out for her in “After the Storm.”
A taut character driven mystery / suspense, the Kate Burkholder series has my full attention. I love all of the characters and have truly enjoyed listening to the audiobooks.
Thank you to my local library for loaning me a copy.
Published on Goodreads on 5.24.20.
After a Tornado tears through Painters Mill, human remains are unearthed. A buried secret. Bones that are determined to be thirty (30) years old. Figuring out who they belong to is Chief Kate Burkholder’s job. Someone however, doesn’t like the fact that Kate is sticking her nose where it doesn’t belong and they’d like to shut her up any way they can, no matter how dangerous the situation.
Feeling pressure personally in her relationship with Tomasetti and professionally in her job as Chief of Police, Kate has her work cut out for her in “After the Storm.”
A taut character driven mystery / suspense, the Kate Burkholder series has my full attention. I love all of the characters and have truly enjoyed listening to the audiobooks.
Thank you to my local library for loaning me a copy.
Published on Goodreads on 5.24.20.
August 22, 2015
The tornado that hit Painters Mill and the surrounding area was one of the biggest in a long time – Chief of Police Kate Burkholder knew there were likely to be fatalities. The trailer park was particularly hard hit – the small Painters Mill police department was stretched to its limits. But when the call came in to Kate that a group of Boy Scouts who were cleaning up at an Amish property out of town had unearthed a human skull, she had no idea the direction the discovery would take her.
The evidence pointed toward the human remains being around thirty years old – a cold case that would prove every bit as difficult as Kate originally suspected. As Kate worked with her small team to identify the remains, her fledgling relationship with state agent John Tomasetti also came under pressure. Living together for the past seven months, Kate had felt secure in their love for one another – but were there problems in her personal world?
When Kate was attacked by persons unknown, Tomasetti was quietly frantic – but the entire police department was on alert. The danger was moving closer; the pressure building and tensions were rising. And when Kate unearthed a horror on an unimaginable scale she found herself in even more danger. The secrets and lies which spanned decades were slowly coming to the surface – would Kate survive unscathed?
I absolutely loved this latest instalment in the Kate Burkholder series! Linda Castillo is now firmly up there with my favourite authors. An intricate plot that has an extremely fast pace, lots of tension and heart racing moments; plus the characters are great! I really enjoy catching up with them all in each book. I have no hesitation in highly recommending After the Storm, but for the purpose of meeting the characters and growing with them, I would recommend starting at the beginning of the series.
The evidence pointed toward the human remains being around thirty years old – a cold case that would prove every bit as difficult as Kate originally suspected. As Kate worked with her small team to identify the remains, her fledgling relationship with state agent John Tomasetti also came under pressure. Living together for the past seven months, Kate had felt secure in their love for one another – but were there problems in her personal world?
When Kate was attacked by persons unknown, Tomasetti was quietly frantic – but the entire police department was on alert. The danger was moving closer; the pressure building and tensions were rising. And when Kate unearthed a horror on an unimaginable scale she found herself in even more danger. The secrets and lies which spanned decades were slowly coming to the surface – would Kate survive unscathed?
I absolutely loved this latest instalment in the Kate Burkholder series! Linda Castillo is now firmly up there with my favourite authors. An intricate plot that has an extremely fast pace, lots of tension and heart racing moments; plus the characters are great! I really enjoy catching up with them all in each book. I have no hesitation in highly recommending After the Storm, but for the purpose of meeting the characters and growing with them, I would recommend starting at the beginning of the series.
July 3, 2015
Tension builds quickly in this book with a tornado on the ground and headed Kate's way. In the aftermath, there are more storms brewing in Kate's life, both professionally and personally. The Kesters are out for blood and money, a human skeleton is found, someone wants Kate dead, and then there's Tomasetti.
This was a great addition to the Kate Burkholder series, and I enjoyed it a whole lot more than the last book. Most of us have only seen pictures of the devastation left in the wake of a tornado. Castillo describes it very well. There was more animosity toward Kate from the Amish community, and this book had characters from the Mennonite community as well. Kate's dogged determination to identify the skeleton leads to a disastrous conclusion. Well written and evenly paced. I am eager for the next book!
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
This was a great addition to the Kate Burkholder series, and I enjoyed it a whole lot more than the last book. Most of us have only seen pictures of the devastation left in the wake of a tornado. Castillo describes it very well. There was more animosity toward Kate from the Amish community, and this book had characters from the Mennonite community as well. Kate's dogged determination to identify the skeleton leads to a disastrous conclusion. Well written and evenly paced. I am eager for the next book!
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
August 6, 2016
Wäre der Fall zumindest noch ein klitzekleines bisschen spektakulärer bzw. die Aufklärung spannender gewesen, hätte es sogar ein 5* Buch werden können. Aber nichtsdestotrotz war es wieder ein wahres Lesevergnügen und viel zu schnell vorbei :((( Wann kommt endlich Band 8?? :)
March 10, 2017
This is the seventh book in the Kate Burkholder series, but the first that I read. All I can say is that I need to go back and start this series from the beginning. I really enjoyed this book. Kate is the police chief in the little town of Painters Mill, Ohio. She was raised in an Amish community but left the community to go to college and become a police officer. She speaks Pennsylvania Dutch so is able to speak and understand the Amish when they are involved in an investigation.
The book starts with a tornado that is heading towards Painters Mill and on track to hit the local trailer park. There is nothing anyone can do but hope for the best. When Kate and John Thomasetti (her live in companion) head to the trailer park they find a woman and baby in a trailer. The get them out, but this starts a chain of unfortunate events. Also as a result of the tornado, some old bones are unearthed at an abandoned farm. Kate sets out to identify the bones and again, sparks another tragic set of events to unfold.
This was a well written story and I assume the rest of the series is as well. I like the way she tells about the Amish community and how they live as well as how it feels to be an outsider. The characters are very real, with emotions that you would expect from anyone. They are not over the top, yet they are not afraid to show their feelings. I really enjoyed the mystery and suspense. I thought I knew who the culprits were, and I was right, but the story was more about how Katie is able to prove it. It was suspenseful and the tension in the book seldom lets up. The way the two story lines were put together was well done and made for a great book. All the ingredients necessary to create an enduring series. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.
The book starts with a tornado that is heading towards Painters Mill and on track to hit the local trailer park. There is nothing anyone can do but hope for the best. When Kate and John Thomasetti (her live in companion) head to the trailer park they find a woman and baby in a trailer. The get them out, but this starts a chain of unfortunate events. Also as a result of the tornado, some old bones are unearthed at an abandoned farm. Kate sets out to identify the bones and again, sparks another tragic set of events to unfold.
This was a well written story and I assume the rest of the series is as well. I like the way she tells about the Amish community and how they live as well as how it feels to be an outsider. The characters are very real, with emotions that you would expect from anyone. They are not over the top, yet they are not afraid to show their feelings. I really enjoyed the mystery and suspense. I thought I knew who the culprits were, and I was right, but the story was more about how Katie is able to prove it. It was suspenseful and the tension in the book seldom lets up. The way the two story lines were put together was well done and made for a great book. All the ingredients necessary to create an enduring series. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.
May 2, 2018
This is book #7 in the Kate Burkholder series and I really enjoyed it! From the first page to the last. Much better than #6 IMO and I’m glad of that since I love this whole series!
August 19, 2015
Quick, enjoyable read. Although Kate's recklessness is now detracting from the story rather than enhancing it. And when is she going to start calling Tomasetti by his first name?
July 26, 2015
I love this series! Each book gets better. This book had a lot more detail about Amish life which I think is interesting. I love the relationship between Kate and Tomasetti. Plenty of suspence to kept me reading late into the night with this book also.
I am getting attached to the characters. I hope their story continues.
I am getting attached to the characters. I hope their story continues.
March 9, 2021
Mein Highlight dieser Reihe, bis jetzt!
September 8, 2015
After the Storm, the title of Linda Castillo’s seventh Kate Burkholder mystery thriller, may be somewhat of a misnomer. This captivating caper is beset with one tempest after another.
The trouble begins when Painters Mill’s police chief Kate Burkholder brings BCI Agent John Tomasetti to an Amish family gathering at her brother Jacob’s farm. Because Kate left the Amish soon after her Rumspringa and is “living in sin” with Tomasetti, her family sharply disapproves of her choices. The tension is broken by a call from Rupert “Glock” Maddox, one of the Painters Mill P.D.’s four police officers, keeping Kate abreast of a tornado warning. There is little time. Soon all hell breaks loose.
In the aftermath of the destruction, Burkholder and Tomasetti race to a mobile home court and rescue an injured mother and her unconscious baby. The next day, a Boy Scout, whose troop is assisting with cleanup at an old farm, discovers a human skull. From there, Kate’s life gets even more tumultuous.
Despite my reservations about a number of aspects in Castillo’s books, her writing sucks me in because the author makes me care about Kate and the people around her. Does Kate take too many chances, as Tomasetti frequently rebukes her? Of course she does. And naturally, while she never comes out unscathed, she survives. Does she often care too much? Certainly. Tomasetti and her loyal police cohorts love and respect her for that. I continue to wonder how many murders this community of Painters Mill can realistically have, but I think that Castillo gets around that by dishing up 30-year-old unsolved disappearances and the long-hidden secrets of the survivors. In this novel, several characters question the plausibility of an Amish person being involved in a terrible crime because the Amish are known to be peaceful, non-violent, religious folk. As Kate points out, they can also be judgmental, rigid, stubborn, loyal – and very human.
Even though it may be repetitious to hear about Kate’s Amish upbringing, this time around I did not find it irritating. Maybe it was the addition of the Mennonite character as one of the main mysteries that piqued my interest. This added a third dimension to the plot, rather than the usual Amish/English relationships. Also fascinating was the unique and horrifying manner of death, and we actually see it through the eyes of a child in the prologue. Was it accidental, or was it murder? The party or parties involved didn’t take much guesswork, except that it was fascinating to watch who was lying and whom they were protecting.
Kate and Tomasetti have their own personal turmoil to weather as well. The outcome is predictable but unsettling. I have to say that the volleying back and forth between the two throughout this novel was one of the things I liked, although I would perhaps like to know more of what goes on in Tomasetti’s head.
As always, each member of the supporting cast of police officers all has great potential, and I wish that Ms. Castillo would take time to develop them more. They are devoted cops and public servants, each with wonderful little personality quirks. One of my favorite scenes is on page 226 when Burkholder and Skidmore (“Skid”) go out to talk to an Amish farmer who is castrating calves. Kate asks Skid, who grew up in the city, if he wants to wait outside, and he replies, “As long as Kaufman keeps his tools to himself, I should be okay.”
This is not the perfect storm. There are some details that got missed in the editing phase, and for those who want to figure out a couple of mysteries, the puzzle is not all that challenging. There is, however, a lot of action and suspense, and I didn’t want to put this book down. Tirades, assaults, ambushes, and inner unrest – Kate goes through her own F5 tornado in After the Storm. Does she land on her feet? I’ll be waiting to find out when book eight comes out!
4-1/2 stars
The trouble begins when Painters Mill’s police chief Kate Burkholder brings BCI Agent John Tomasetti to an Amish family gathering at her brother Jacob’s farm. Because Kate left the Amish soon after her Rumspringa and is “living in sin” with Tomasetti, her family sharply disapproves of her choices. The tension is broken by a call from Rupert “Glock” Maddox, one of the Painters Mill P.D.’s four police officers, keeping Kate abreast of a tornado warning. There is little time. Soon all hell breaks loose.
In the aftermath of the destruction, Burkholder and Tomasetti race to a mobile home court and rescue an injured mother and her unconscious baby. The next day, a Boy Scout, whose troop is assisting with cleanup at an old farm, discovers a human skull. From there, Kate’s life gets even more tumultuous.
Despite my reservations about a number of aspects in Castillo’s books, her writing sucks me in because the author makes me care about Kate and the people around her. Does Kate take too many chances, as Tomasetti frequently rebukes her? Of course she does. And naturally, while she never comes out unscathed, she survives. Does she often care too much? Certainly. Tomasetti and her loyal police cohorts love and respect her for that. I continue to wonder how many murders this community of Painters Mill can realistically have, but I think that Castillo gets around that by dishing up 30-year-old unsolved disappearances and the long-hidden secrets of the survivors. In this novel, several characters question the plausibility of an Amish person being involved in a terrible crime because the Amish are known to be peaceful, non-violent, religious folk. As Kate points out, they can also be judgmental, rigid, stubborn, loyal – and very human.
Even though it may be repetitious to hear about Kate’s Amish upbringing, this time around I did not find it irritating. Maybe it was the addition of the Mennonite character as one of the main mysteries that piqued my interest. This added a third dimension to the plot, rather than the usual Amish/English relationships. Also fascinating was the unique and horrifying manner of death, and we actually see it through the eyes of a child in the prologue. Was it accidental, or was it murder? The party or parties involved didn’t take much guesswork, except that it was fascinating to watch who was lying and whom they were protecting.
Kate and Tomasetti have their own personal turmoil to weather as well. The outcome is predictable but unsettling. I have to say that the volleying back and forth between the two throughout this novel was one of the things I liked, although I would perhaps like to know more of what goes on in Tomasetti’s head.
As always, each member of the supporting cast of police officers all has great potential, and I wish that Ms. Castillo would take time to develop them more. They are devoted cops and public servants, each with wonderful little personality quirks. One of my favorite scenes is on page 226 when Burkholder and Skidmore (“Skid”) go out to talk to an Amish farmer who is castrating calves. Kate asks Skid, who grew up in the city, if he wants to wait outside, and he replies, “As long as Kaufman keeps his tools to himself, I should be okay.”
This is not the perfect storm. There are some details that got missed in the editing phase, and for those who want to figure out a couple of mysteries, the puzzle is not all that challenging. There is, however, a lot of action and suspense, and I didn’t want to put this book down. Tirades, assaults, ambushes, and inner unrest – Kate goes through her own F5 tornado in After the Storm. Does she land on her feet? I’ll be waiting to find out when book eight comes out!
4-1/2 stars
August 8, 2019
The Kate Burkholder series is one of my favorites. Kate is the police chief in Painters Mill, OH. She grew up Amish but left the faith as a teenager after a traumatizing event. She walks the line between the Amish population of the county and the "Englishers'' as best she can, still feeling the sting of being chastised or even shunned for leaving the Amish way.
After the Storm is the 7th book in the series. A tornado touches down in the county. It destroys a trailer park and injures or kills several people, including an infant Kate tried to save from a damaged trailer. It also uncovers skeletal remains in an old barn. The remains might be a local man who disappeared in the 1980s. Kate jumps in to investigate how the remains ended up in the old barn and who might be responsible. While juggling this cold case, she's also trying to figure out her complicated relationship with John Tomasetti.
I enjoyed the investigation portion of this book....but the side plot of Kate and John's relationship left me cold this time around. Tomasetti acted like a pig most of the time.....and Kate acted incredibly immature. The plot line of Tomasetti brooding about his murdered family and saying/doing things to Kate that border on abuse using that past trauma as an excuse is just getting OLD. He went about four steps over the line in this book.... I really think Kate should have walked away from him at the end of this novel. Seriously. But she isn't golden either.....she pulled some serious crap herself. I realize the author is trying to build tension in their relationship....I just didn't like the tension she chose to build in this story between Burkholder and Tomasetti. They either need to figure it out -- or split up. Or their relationship needs to just fade to the background, secondary to the investigations. I'm getting seriously tired of Tomasetti.
Regardless of my feelings about the relationship side plot, I enjoyed this book. The mystery moved along at a nice pace, and had some surprises along the way. I did not expect the ending. Enjoyable story! On to the next book in the series!
After the Storm is the 7th book in the series. A tornado touches down in the county. It destroys a trailer park and injures or kills several people, including an infant Kate tried to save from a damaged trailer. It also uncovers skeletal remains in an old barn. The remains might be a local man who disappeared in the 1980s. Kate jumps in to investigate how the remains ended up in the old barn and who might be responsible. While juggling this cold case, she's also trying to figure out her complicated relationship with John Tomasetti.
I enjoyed the investigation portion of this book....but the side plot of Kate and John's relationship left me cold this time around. Tomasetti acted like a pig most of the time.....and Kate acted incredibly immature. The plot line of Tomasetti brooding about his murdered family and saying/doing things to Kate that border on abuse using that past trauma as an excuse is just getting OLD. He went about four steps over the line in this book.... I really think Kate should have walked away from him at the end of this novel. Seriously. But she isn't golden either.....she pulled some serious crap herself. I realize the author is trying to build tension in their relationship....I just didn't like the tension she chose to build in this story between Burkholder and Tomasetti. They either need to figure it out -- or split up. Or their relationship needs to just fade to the background, secondary to the investigations. I'm getting seriously tired of Tomasetti.
Regardless of my feelings about the relationship side plot, I enjoyed this book. The mystery moved along at a nice pace, and had some surprises along the way. I did not expect the ending. Enjoyable story! On to the next book in the series!
December 15, 2016
I really wanted to love this book. Many mystery fans whose opinions I respect love Linda Castillo, and I had never read her work. After reading a glowing review of After the Storm, I decided to take the plunge. The novel starts with an exciting Prologue in which a young girl witnesses a gruesome crime. Then it continues with a sort of Prologue Part II, written from another point of view, in which the entire motivation for the crime becomes quite apparent. Then, once I knew the motivation and met the cast of suspects, it was totally obvious who the killer must be. Unfortunately, the detective, Police Chief Kate Burkholder, did NOT have the benefit of reading the Prologue, so she spends half the book bungling along asking, "But why...??" when we as readers know exactly why. It's never a good thing for the reader to be two steps ahead of the sleuth. The author could have totally avoided this problem by leaving out the second bit of Prologue. Nevertheless, I kept reading because the characters are interesting and I thought there might be a twist coming. No such luck. The book ends as I predicted, and several loose ends are never tied up, including why the body was moved to the place where it was discovered when there were literally acres and acres of better places to dispose of it. Disappointing. Sigh.
September 25, 2021
This is an Amish Suspense, and this is the 7th book in the Kate Burkholder series. I have read and review books 1-6.5 book this series before I read this book. I think this series is one that you really need to read in order to get everything because this series is really about Kate and her solving cases. This book as so much in it. There was a big storm, Kate is having personal stuff going on, and there is a big murder case. I think this book is mostly this is all about Kate and John's relationship. I have to say this book has suspense, but the suspense is not as suspenseful as the other books. I really loved this book. I love the characters, and I love how much Kate cares about people. I also loved getting to get to know more about John. This book was very fast pace, and it kept we wanting to kept read it.
March 11, 2021
Wieder ein spannendes Buch aus der Amish Reihe von Linda Castillo
April 27, 2018
Sworn to Silence was the first book in this series- a 5 star read- now after reading number 7 - another 5 star read - and books 2-6 all pretty much 5 and 4 star reads. This series keeps getting better and better. For those of you who never picked up a Kate Burkholder series book... you are missing out- I highly recommend staring with the first book and then just sit back, read, and enjoy the ride.
A police procedure book with an Amish twist to it. Don't let the Amish part throw you..... I can only hope that Linda Castillo keeps on writing this series.... it is one of the best ones out there!!!
A police procedure book with an Amish twist to it. Don't let the Amish part throw you..... I can only hope that Linda Castillo keeps on writing this series.... it is one of the best ones out there!!!
July 16, 2018
I continue to enjoy this series. It is difficult for me to tear myself from the book. So this is another great mystery along with the continuing love relationship that flounders from time to time.
September 15, 2025
Ich muss leider sagen, dass mich „Grausame Nacht“ nicht so richtig überzeugt hat. Der Einstieg war eigentlich super – der Tornado und die ersten Szenen haben direkt Spannung aufgebaut. Aber leider hat sich das für mich nicht gehalten. Ab einem gewissen Punkt wurde mir alles einfach zu übertrieben und zu kitschig. Besonders das Ende fand ich unnötig und irgendwie unpassend zur Geschichte.
Ich habe die Fälle aus der Kate-Burkholder-Reihe bisher immer sehr gern gelesen. Gerade die Mischung aus amischer Kultur und spannendem Kriminalfall hatte für mich einen ganz eigenen Reiz. Doch bei „Grausame Nacht“ hat mich gestört, dass der Fall selbst total in den Hintergrund gerückt ist. Stattdessen ging es viel zu sehr um Kates Privatleben. Ich bin generell kein Fan davon, wenn in einem Krimi das Private zu sehr im Mittelpunkt steht, und hier war es für meinen Geschmack einfach zu viel.
Die Auflösung am Ende war zwar überraschend, aber richtig mitgefiebert habe ich trotzdem nicht. Vieles war mir zu dramatisch, zu actionreich und teilweise auch einfach zu unglaubwürdig. Es wurde wieder vermehrt in diese Richtung geschrieben wie in den frühen Bänden, mit überladenen Action-Szenen, emotionalem Drama und ehrlich gesagt zu vielen Momenten, in denen Leute grundlos aufeinander schießen. Und warum Kate ständig alleine loszieht, obwohl sie weiß, dass jemand hinter ihr her ist, werde ich wohl nie verstehen. Vielleicht sollte sie wirklich mal überlegen, sich einen Partner mitzunehmen.
Ich hoffe einfach, dass der nächste Band wieder mehr Fokus auf einen starken Kriminalfall legt, ohne allzu viel privates Drama und ohne Kates Alleingänge in dunkle, verlassene Farmhäuser.
Ich habe die Fälle aus der Kate-Burkholder-Reihe bisher immer sehr gern gelesen. Gerade die Mischung aus amischer Kultur und spannendem Kriminalfall hatte für mich einen ganz eigenen Reiz. Doch bei „Grausame Nacht“ hat mich gestört, dass der Fall selbst total in den Hintergrund gerückt ist. Stattdessen ging es viel zu sehr um Kates Privatleben. Ich bin generell kein Fan davon, wenn in einem Krimi das Private zu sehr im Mittelpunkt steht, und hier war es für meinen Geschmack einfach zu viel.
Die Auflösung am Ende war zwar überraschend, aber richtig mitgefiebert habe ich trotzdem nicht. Vieles war mir zu dramatisch, zu actionreich und teilweise auch einfach zu unglaubwürdig. Es wurde wieder vermehrt in diese Richtung geschrieben wie in den frühen Bänden, mit überladenen Action-Szenen, emotionalem Drama und ehrlich gesagt zu vielen Momenten, in denen Leute grundlos aufeinander schießen. Und warum Kate ständig alleine loszieht, obwohl sie weiß, dass jemand hinter ihr her ist, werde ich wohl nie verstehen. Vielleicht sollte sie wirklich mal überlegen, sich einen Partner mitzunehmen.
Ich hoffe einfach, dass der nächste Band wieder mehr Fokus auf einen starken Kriminalfall legt, ohne allzu viel privates Drama und ohne Kates Alleingänge in dunkle, verlassene Farmhäuser.
August 22, 2015
For the first time, in what I believe is an amazing series, where every installment is brilliant, thoroughly engaging and intriguing, and worthy of ten stars, “After the Storm” was a huge disappointment. I thought the story was lacklustre, boring and mundane. I can’t believe I’m using these words to describe this novel written by Linda Castillo. I don’t know what happened. The mystery was anything but thrilling or engaging. If anything, it was predictable. You had a great story of a young man who’s murdered, and an act of violence witnessed by a young girl. Surprisingly, very little is written about the victim. And the witness? We’re introduced to her briefly thirty years after the murder. I would’ve thought she’d have a larger presence. Whatever the reason, it was a letdown as the subplot was wrapped up too quickly. Kate never got an opportunity to face her accusers. Then Kate is shot at on more than one occasion. It’s questioned whether it’s the couple suing her or the person(s) who murdered the young man. No matter, the subplots were weak and poorly executed. I can’t believe what a disappointment this novel was. Since it’s the only one in the series to disappoint me, I can honestly say I’m looking forward to the next installment. I hope it’s much better than what I just read. In the meantime, the three-star rating stands.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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