Fade To Red

by Linda Castillo

A chilling urban legend becomes a terrifying reality . . .

After receiving a frantic message from her estranged sister, Lindsey Metcalf travels to Seattle to find her--only to realize Traci has vanished without a trace.  As Lindsey delves into her sister's disappearance, she realizes young Traci has been leading a shocking double life.  Lindsey files a missing persons report but, having had her share of run-ins with the police, Traci isn't high on the department's list of priorities.  And the only man able to help Lindsey find the truth has his own trouble with the law . . .

Set to go to trial for a brutal assault charge, ex-cop turned private eye Michael Striker plays by his own rules. Facing conviction and a possible prison term, he's got nothing left to lose--except his final two weeks of freedom. The last thing he needs is more complications--and nothing about this case, or Lindsey Metcalf, is simple.

Their search for the truth will plunge them into a seedy world darker than they ever imagined--and  prove the existence of a chilling urban legend in which none of the victims survive . . .

Genres: Romantic Suspense, Mystery, Audiobook, Fiction, Thriller, Adult, Mystery Thriller

384 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 4, 2004

About the author

Linda 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.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like it more, but the narrator left me dissatisfied with her sometimes over the top narration. Plus, I thought the main character seemed judgmental at times.

[Donna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugh...this was a big fat "NO" for me. I wanted to give this 2 stars because I really like this author, but I just can't talk myself into it. This is a much older work of this author's...and I am so glad she didn't continue writing in this vein. This was truly dreadful. The dialogue. The characters. The narration. The predictability. The story. The romance. Everything. Well, I liked the idea of Striker but he felt more like puppet.

The biggest thing was believability. I have a hard time when the reader is told one thing, but the actions of the characters are constantly opposite of what is given. It takes me out of the story every time. It could have been the narrator of the audio, but whiny MCs are never my cup of tea. I struggled with this one...a lot. So 1 star.

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two-haiku review:

Sister disappeared
She hires private detective
He's got a bad past

Terrific suspense
Characters with depth and heart
Much evil happens

[A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[T P · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really like this author. This was not her best work;especially if you had the audio book. It was read with the same intensity throughout the book which became really annoying. In addition, there seemed to be a lot of superfluous narration & dialogue. I skipped whole chapters and didn't feel like I'd missed anything. If this is your first L. C. book and you didn't like it, give her another chance but read a Kate Burkholder book.

[Jenni Jacobs · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this one but the narrator was terrible and some of the dialogue made me roll my eyes so hard that I seriously thought about making an appointment w the eye doctor to check for extreme eye strain 🤦🏼‍♀️
Ugh

[Victoria Lau · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoy Linda Castillo's novels. This is the first outside of Kate Burkholder stories and just as marvelous. Keeps me wanting more. Thrill seeking. Love and sensuality! Always keep me wanting more.

[Janet · Rating 2 out of 5]

The prologue had me intrigued and I liked the suspense. Other than that, I would pass on this one.

[Ke* · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up.

The narrator was rather annoying, her voice being over the top from beginning to end...

[Leslie Whaley · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I was kinda torn when reading this. The beginning had me really interested and I liked the story line but sometimes the dialogues just seemed fake. This is my first book that I've read from this author. I'm willing to give another one of her books a shot, but if all of them have that same kind of tone to the dialogues, I'm probably not going to read too many others of hers. **SPOILER** However, I did like how at the end, it wasn't like "oh we love each other, let's move in together, even though it's only been a week and I barely know anything about you." I like how he says at the end that he'd like to start dating so they can get to know each other.

[Gina · Rating 1 out of 5]

I enjoyed every book of the Kate Burkholder series by this author, but this book was seriously disappointing. The narrator was so overly dramatic that I almost couldn’t listen to it. The plot was predictable and the romance between the two main characters felt contrived and corny. I wouldn’t even classify this as much of a suspense novel. More like a mindless beach read with sex and killing involve’d. Since this is one of the author’s earlier works, I guess it just took some years to get it right. Thankfully she did!

[Marseydoats · Rating 2 out of 5]

More like a 2 1/2. I picked this up thinking it was a book in the Kate Burkhalter series, which I like, but it's about a woman searching for her missing sister. The disgraced cop who helps her is a great character. Just a little too violent for me, but very well written.

[sandygroh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent.

I thoroughly enjoy reading Linda C. books. Especially the Amish. books. This book was gory. But had a good love story

[Alec Peche · Rating 1 out of 5]

Kept waiting for the story to move beyond the emotional system and then gave up.

[Pamela Coleman · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not finish. Love the Kate Burkholder series but this was a giant disappointment. Can’t believe it’s the same author???

[Lisbeth Zabihi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oplæser: Ann Marie Lee. Hold nu op en masse drama. Lee bliver lige lovlig dramatisk for min smag.

Jeg havde nok nogle forventninger til, at denne krimi skulle minde om serien om Kate Burkholder, så jeg blev overrasket, da det viste sig at være en helt anden type krimi: mørk, dyster, kvalmende, fængslende. Hele vejen igennem bogen, holdes spændingen ved lige. Uhyggelige billeder viser sig på nethinden, som så man selv de uappetitlige og kvalmende film, af ugerninger man hellere ville være foruden. De grusomme historier bindes sammen af historien om to mennesker med fortiden fyldt med grimme oplevelser og fremtiden uvis.

Spændende men uhyggelig krimi. Kvaliteten trækkes ned af den ophidsede oplæser.

[Elizabeth Pennington]

I haven’t finished it just yet, BUT, the sister Lindsey OMG!!!! She drives me so flipping crazy, to the point I may not be able to finish it. She is so dumb, she’s judgmental, a prude, and asks the most dumbest questions, sometimes
It’s like she has been living under a rock! I’m at the part where she is meeting Jamie at pier 47, and I don’t know if I can take lyns’ anymore. The questions she asked, she’s going to get them both killed, cause she can’t get it in her head what Jamie was trying to say.
Other than the big sister, I like the book, and would love to know what happens, I just don’t know if I’ll be able to get past her!! She’s got me shaking my heAd.

[Jan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is my first Castillo book and I won't be looking for more. This book came to me in a box of books a friend gave me. The storyline was predictable and the sex was unnecessary. This is the storyline:
Girl has problem.
Girl meets guy with personal demons.
Guy helps girl with problem.
They fall in love while they solve problem.
This occurs over only about 2 weeks - but it is true love
Then comes the happily ever >>>>>>> maybe

[Dianna (SavingsInSeconds blog) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like the Kate Burkholder series so I wanted to read a few of the author’s other books. Listened to this on audio so maybe it was the narrator that was the problem for me. I felt like she made Lindsey seem weak and kind of whiny. Was very surprised by the steamy scenes and prolific profanity since the KB series doesn’t have much of either. The events in this book are very graphic and sad. I liked the unique storyline, though.

[Nepagano · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really enjoyed other books written by the author so I assumed this would become another favorite. I struggled to finish it as it was not anything like her other works. The characters were weak and predictable . The narrator as I did an audio was I thought so over dramatic that it impeded on the flow of the story . Really disappointed in this book!

[Marsha · Rating 1 out of 5]

Normally I really like Linda Castillo's books. Not so much with Fade to Red. The female main character was so annoying. Not sure if it was due to being an audiobook or if it really was like a bad slasher film where there is always that one who just has to go into the woods despite the music ;-) If you decide to pick this book up, opt for the non-audio version to avoid the screaming.

[margaret corron · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not her best work

The only reason I rated this a two is because I allowed myself to read this book. Pretty much soft porn. I think I will stick with the Kate Burke holder novels, which I enjoy so much. This was a confusing book. Were their two different killers. Feel your publisher needed a quick novel.

[Lori Rohre · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars rounded up. While I really enjoy Castillo's books, this one was not my favorite. It was well-written, but the storyline of what Lindsay's sister had become was pretty dark and Lindsay was too naive to be putting herself in the dangerous situations she did - pretty unrealistic. That said, it was still an entertaining read.

[Carol Moore Kollar · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Lindsay's sister goes missing, she is determined to find her. After her sister's house is broken into and she is assaulted, she hires ex-cop Striker. Their search takes them into a dangerous world of drugs, pornography, and murder. A page turner!

[Lorrie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn’t finish this one. The narrator was exhausting and was starting to really grate on my nerves. I’m not even interested in trying it in print. Quite disappointing but I’ll just stick with her Kate Burkholder series.

[Babetta · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had a decent storyline, but it was unexpectedly graphic and violent. Many sections were hard to endure. The end was also a bit unfinished. I know this author from her Burkholder series. This was not that.

[Ada Iaboni · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only read the Amish series from this author, so this was a departure for me and a scary one too.
She taps into porn films and evil ways men do what they do. I see some things in the news of troubling trends of human trafficking and other horrible things, so this hit home!

[Ann Fleming · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Linda Castillo's books. This one did not let me down.
More graphic and more explicit than the Kate Burkholder series but a page turner.
Wish she had used these characters for a series

[Ti.Me · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fade To Red transformed from a nicely violent missing person thriller into a trashy romance novel. I threw in the towel at 82%.

2 stars.

[Molly Mendenhall · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did Not finish