AUDIOBOOK REVIEW - Fallen

Title:  Fallen

Author:  Linda Castillo

Series:   Kate Burkholder #

Publisher:  Minotaur

Genre:   Mystery & Thrillers

Format: Audiobook ALC and Kindle ARC

Narrator:  Kathleen MacInerney

Length:   10 hrs

No. of Pages:   320

Date of Publication:  July 6, 2021

My Rating:   5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

In New York Times bestselling author Linda Castillo’s new thriller Fallen , a rebellious Amish woman leaves the Plain life, but the secrets she takes with her will lead Chief of Police Kate Burkholder down a dark path to danger and death.

When a young woman is found murdered in a Painters Mill motel, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder is shocked to discover she once knew the victim. Rachael Schwartz was a charming but troubled Amish girl who left the fold years ago and fled Painters Mill. Why was she back in town? And who would kill her so brutally?

Kate remembers Rachael as the only girl who was as bad at being Amish as Kate was―and those parallels dog her. But the more Kate learns about Rachael's life, the more she's convinced that her dubious reputation was deserved. As a child, Rachael was a rowdy rulebreaker whose decision to leave devastated her parents and best friend. As an adult, she was charismatic and beautiful, a rabble-rouser with a keen eye for opportunity no matter who got in her way. Her no-holds-barred lifestyle earned her a lot of love and enemies aplenty―both English and Amish.

As the case heats to a fever pitch and long-buried secrets resurface, a killer haunts Painters Mill. Someone doesn’t want Rachael’s past―or the mysteries she took with her to the grave―coming to light. As Kate digs deeper, violence strikes again, this time hitting close to home. Will Kate uncover the truth and bring a murderer to justice? Or will a killer bent on protecting a terrible past stop her once and for all―and let the fallen be forgotten?

Link to shop the series

MY THOUGHTS:

Painters Mill has claimed their newest victim, Rachel Schwartz. Rachel had left the Amish years ago. She was a troubled woman in the Amish community, and apparently didn’t do so well with the English. Detective Kate Burkholder will have to uncover layer after layer when Rachel is found dead in a hotel room. 

As former Amish, Kate was all too familiar with Rachel, as she often babysat for her when she was younger. Yet, she had not seen her for years. Kate is not always welcome by the Amish, but she must talk to as many of the Amish as possible, because she is certain that Rachel’s murder ties into the community. 

One of my favorite narrators, Kathleen MacInerney. can’t get enough praise from me as she brings Kate to life time after time as she narrates this series. This story and series has some dark and serious crimes taking place. One recurring character is Kate’s boyfriend John Tomasetti, of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. The two often have occasions where they work together. All the while, their relationship is going strong.

Many thanks to Minotaur and to Macmillan Audio and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Linda Castillo is the author of the New York Times and internationally 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.

Critically acclaimed as “the master of the genre” (People magazine), Castillo is the recipient of numerous awards including an Edgar Award, the Sue Grafton Memorial Award, a nomination by the International Thriller Writers for Best Hardcover, a nomination for an Audie Award for best mystery audiobook, and an appearance on the Boston Globe’s shortlist for best crime novel.  Her books have sold over four million copies worldwide and been translated into fourteen languages.

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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