Genre: Mystery
Series: #1 in a planned series
Publication Date: 2009
Pages: 320
Challenges: Support Your Local Library Challenge #48
Source: Library
I first heard about this book in a Bookbrowse newsletter and it sounded intriguing. Then I started seeing several positive reviews so I got myself on the library waiting list. I was not disappointed.
Kate Burkholder is the chief of police in the small town of Painters Mill, Ohio. She grew up in Painters Mill within the close circle of her Amish family and culture. Sixteen years ago a series of brutal murders terrorized the town. By the time it was all over, teenaged Kate had decided that she did not want to join the Amish church. Placed under the bann by the church leaders she eventually left town and became a police officer. When she returned to take the job of Chief of the small police department her familiarity and history with the Amish members of the community was helpful. When a young woman is found brutally tortured and murdered, Kate has a major crime on her hands. Is it a serial killer? Is it the same killer from before? Will the secrets Kate and her family have kept for sixteen years come to light? Will those secrets cost Kate her job or even worse, the deaths of more women?
This is the first in a planned series and I can say I’m definitely going to be watching for the next book. I liked the character of Kate despite her flaws and issues. The other characters were interesting and it will be interesting to see how they’re developed in the next book.
I thought the mystery itself was well done. I didn’t figure it out early on and my best guess turned out to be wrong.
Be warned that there is a pretty high grisliness factor in this one. The crimes are brutal and it’s not for the faint of heart or nightmare prone.
Series: #1 in a planned series
Publication Date: 2009
Pages: 320
Challenges: Support Your Local Library Challenge #48
Source: Library
I first heard about this book in a Bookbrowse newsletter and it sounded intriguing. Then I started seeing several positive reviews so I got myself on the library waiting list. I was not disappointed.
Kate Burkholder is the chief of police in the small town of Painters Mill, Ohio. She grew up in Painters Mill within the close circle of her Amish family and culture. Sixteen years ago a series of brutal murders terrorized the town. By the time it was all over, teenaged Kate had decided that she did not want to join the Amish church. Placed under the bann by the church leaders she eventually left town and became a police officer. When she returned to take the job of Chief of the small police department her familiarity and history with the Amish members of the community was helpful. When a young woman is found brutally tortured and murdered, Kate has a major crime on her hands. Is it a serial killer? Is it the same killer from before? Will the secrets Kate and her family have kept for sixteen years come to light? Will those secrets cost Kate her job or even worse, the deaths of more women?
This is the first in a planned series and I can say I’m definitely going to be watching for the next book. I liked the character of Kate despite her flaws and issues. The other characters were interesting and it will be interesting to see how they’re developed in the next book.
I thought the mystery itself was well done. I didn’t figure it out early on and my best guess turned out to be wrong.
Be warned that there is a pretty high grisliness factor in this one. The crimes are brutal and it’s not for the faint of heart or nightmare prone.
Rating 4/5
6 Comments:
I just finished this one in the past couple of weeks and really enjoyed it as well. I agree, the grisly factor was huge, but it was still a great book. I did figure out the mystery though, when the profile was given.
I have the audio version, so I'll be listening soon. Great review.
I think the cover is interesting. I like getting in on the ground level of a mystery series, before their are 8-10 to catch up with.
I listened to (and finished)the audio book for the read-a-thon, and had similar reaction. Pretty darn gory, but good. Reminds me of Chelsea Cain's books...have you read her?
My husband read this a few months ago (ARC) and said it was really good. I was going to dive into it on Saturday during the read-a-thon, but never got the chance. I have it on the top of my stack, so we'll see if I get to it in the coming week or two. It sounds a little like Cody McFadyen's books (in the grisliness factor).
Kristie: Good for you for figuring it out. My guess turned out to be wrong.
Diane: I don't think I'd do well with gruesome stuff on audio. Yes - I have read Chelsea Cain's first one, I've got her second on my shelf to read soon.
Booklogged: I don't often get in early with series, but I'm looking forward to more of this one.
Les: I haven't read any of Cody McFadyen's yet, but thanks to you they're on my TBR list.
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