Rage
- Judith D Collins
- Aug 14
- 6 min read
Series: Kate Burkholder #17
By: Linda Castillo
Narrator: Kathleen McInerney
Macmillan Audio
ISBN: 978-1250781147
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Publication Date: 07/08/2025
Format: Other
My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC) (ALC)
In this gripping new installment of the Edgar Award winning series, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder investigates a brutal double murder that takes her into the dark underbelly of society and exposes the dangers of Amish lives gone wrong.
Summer has arrived with a vengeance in Painters Mill, and a macabre discovery by three Amish children brings the quiet to a grinding halt. Chief of Police Kate Burkholder arrives on scene to find the dismembered body of 21-year-old Samuel Eicher, a local Amish man who owned a successful landscaping business. What twisted individual murdered him in such a sadistic way?
The investigation has barely begun when, miles away, a second body is found, stuffed into a barrel and dumped in a ravine. The deceased is 21-year-old Aaron Shetler, Samuel Eicher’s best friend. What could these two young Amish men have done to deserve such violent ends?
With a heat wave bearing down, Kate learns quickly that, for reasons she doesn’t understand, no one is willing to talk about what happened to the men. Just as she begins to fear the case may be hopeless, a mystery woman comes forward and reveals that fun-loving Aaron and Samuel had recently befriended some very unsavory characters―individuals who may have ties to a larger, more sinister, black market.
To solve the case, Kate must delve into the most sordid corners of her community, but when she gets too close, the killers target Kate herself. Will the secrets simmering beneath the surface of Painters Mill take another life before she can expose the truth? Or will Kate be the final victim?
Praise
"A gripping, shocking story―fortunately with some lighter moment to offset the violence and tension―from a gifted, award-winning writer who knows how to grab readers and keep them riveted from first page to last."
―Booklist, starred review
"Slippery suspects and evildoers among the usually private and quiet Amish."
―Kirkus Reviews
My Review
Intense. Gritty. Edgy!
Master storyteller Linda Castillo returns with the highly anticipated 17th installment of her beloved Amish cop procedural series featuring Kate Burkholder, entitled RAGE.
In this gripping narrative, Kate faces perhaps her most intense and harrowing cases to date. As she investigates the shadowy underbelly of Painter's Mill, she uncovers a web of deceit and danger that reveals how easily the Amish can become entangled with a perilous crowd.
Trusting the wrong person can have deadly consequences, forcing Kate to navigate treacherous waters where each decision could mean the difference between life and death.
About...
The book starts with a brutal murder when three Amish kids discover a dismembered body of 21-year-old Samuel Eicher, a local Amish man who owned a successful landscaping business.
Why would someone murder him in such a sadistic way?
Then, shocking news, miles away, a second body is found, stuffed into a barrel and dumped in a ravine. The deceased is 21-year-old Aaron Shetler, Samuel Eicher’s best friend.
What could these two young Amish men have done to deserve such violent ends?
Kate and her husband have their work cut out for them in solving the double brutal murder and the motive. However, the closer they get to the truth, the more danger they are in. There are more connections and more lives at stake.
Will the dark, sinister secrets simmering beneath the surface of Painters Mill take another life before she can expose the truth? Or will Kate be the final victim?
My reflections...
RAGE is an exhilarating tapestry of action, suspense, and corruption that ensnares readers from the very first page. The novel plunges you into a world populated by gritty realities and high stakes, where danger lurks just out of sight with every turn of the page. From The Cheetah Lounge and beyond, caught up in a trafficking ring, exploitation, violence, and damaged forever—a journey that will not be easy.
Even when you're young and Amish and ensconced in the protective web of your community, innocence can be a precarious thing. This is personal for Kate as she remembers her troubled teens and her trauma of that fateful summer when she was fourteen.
The author masterfully weaves vivid, evocative descriptions that paint a haunting picture of a disturbing and unsettling murder, intricately binding the lives of many as they navigate a world fraught with unseen monsters.
How could innocent Amish boys and girls find themselves ensnared in such a malevolent web that culminates in their brutal deaths or the survivors, trafficked, burdened with trauma? Their heartbroken families turn to the tenacious Kate for answers, hoping she can pierce through the shroud of darkness that surrounds their loss.
As is often the case, the tightly-knit Amish community remains reluctant to share its secrets, complicating Kate's quest for the truth. The walls of silence are thick, and each interaction feels like a dance around hidden truths.
In this gripping narrative, Kate, alongside her determined team and her husband Tomasetti, with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, finds herself deeply entwined in this heart-wrenching investigation. The killers are relentless, willing to go to any lengths to bury their secrets and evade justice.
Kate’s character shines with relentless determination, sharp intellect, and unwavering courage. The author expertly balances the tension, creating a pulse-pounding atmosphere while developing rich, complex characters that draw you in and make you care deeply about their fates. This intense cop procedural, steeped in crime fiction and suspense, will keep you perched on the edge of your seat, breathless with anticipation.
I have always appreciated the dynamic between Kate and her husband as they navigate their challenging personal and professional lives against a backdrop of darkness, grief, and the stark realities of human evil. Their journey and cases delve into profound themes of trust, greed, desperation, secrets, loyalty, innocence, and the intricate relationships within families and the Amish communities.
I wholeheartedly recommend this captivating series and eagerly await more enthralling installments in the future.
Audiobook ...
A Kate Burkholder mystery is incomplete without the remarkable talents of Kathleen McInerney, whose narration profoundly transforms the story. Her award-winning performance adds an intricate layer of emotion, suspense, and intensity that pulls listeners in from the very first moment. With each character she portrays, McInerney brings depth and nuance, creating an engaging and gripping listening experience that lingers long after the final chapter. I wholeheartedly recommend the audiobook for anyone seeking a thrilling auditory adventure.
Recs...
RAGE is a must-read for devoted fans of the author and the beloved Kate Burkholder series. It also caters to those who relish intelligent police procedurals and suspenseful thrillers that delve deep into the intricacies of human nature. The narrative is anchored by strong, complex female protagonists who bravely confront perilous situations, making it a compelling choice for readers who appreciate this dynamic. Additionally, fans of authors like Karin Slaughter, Lisa Unger, and Lisa Gardner will find much to enjoy within the pages of this thrilling installment.
Special thanks to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, Macmillan Audio, #MacAudio2025 via NetGalley and Google Play for an advanced reading and listening copy as well as a hardcover copy.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: July 8, 2025
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. Critically acclaimed as “the master of the genre” (People magazine), Castillo is the recipient of numerous industry 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 4.5 million copies worldwide.
In addition to writing, Castillo’s other passion is horses. She lives in Texas with her husband and a menagerie of animals, and is currently at work on her next book. WEBSITE
