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    After the Storm: A Kate Burkholder Novel
    After the Storm: A Kate Burkholder Novel
    After the Storm: A Kate Burkholder Novel
    Audiobook11 hours

    After the Storm: A Kate Burkholder Novel

    Written by Linda Castillo

    Narrated by Kathleen McInerney

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    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.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherMacmillan Audio
    Release dateJul 14, 2015
    ISBN9781427260970
    After the Storm: A Kate Burkholder Novel
    Author

    Linda Castillo

    Bestselling author Linda Castillo knew at a young age that she wanted to be a writer and penned her first novel when she was thirteen. In her spare time, Linda enjoys reading, showing horses and barrel racing. Her first three novels featuring Kate Burkholder are Sworn to Silence, Pray for Silence and Breaking Silence.

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    Reviews for After the Storm

    4/5

    205 ratings28 reviews

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    • 5/5
      I have read several of the Kate Burkholder series and this is a great addition. In the aftermath of a tornado, Boy Scouts who are helping out with the clean-up, find a human skeleton. Kate is soon trying to identify the body and then his killer. The skeleton is a young Mennonite boy who disappeared 30 years earlier. What connection does he have with an Amish family who live in the area? The conflict between the new Order Mennonites and the Amish becomes the center of the trouble in this book. The Amish are often seen as peaceful, but as these books show, they are people with weaknesses like everyone else. Kate also has personal problems. She and her boyfriend, Tomasetti, are living together and taking their relationship slowly. Then she realizes she is pregnant and suddenly their relationship is tested.I quickly was caught up in the story and the action kept my interest. Now I will be eagerly awaiting the next in the series!
    • 4/5
      I was really pissed off with this ending. I'll take a break from this series.
    • 4/5
      I continue to enjoy this series and this book doesn't disappoint. Very good character development, which is critical for me in enjoying mysteries.
    • 4/5
      I am new to the series and this is the first book I've read so far. I liked the book and loved the character of Kate. I'm soon going to go back and start reading from book one. I want to know more about the main character, her background, and the people in the town. I've read a couple of Amish themed books and this one is definitely different and I like it.

      The main storyline wasn't that big of a mystery, I guessed correctly on several things before the big reveal. It was still a good storyline, since it didn't keep me bored and I liked seeing Kate interact with the Amish community. I wonder if in her other books, how prominent they are, in the storyline.

      The ending left me sad, which is good, since it made me care for the characters. As I have not read any of the other books, it shows how good the Author made her character, that after one book, I'm already feeling for a character.

      Overall I'm pleased and now I'm off to catch up on the rest of the books. I've officially become hooked to the series.

      I won this book in a giveaway for an honest review.
    • 5/5
      The discovery of a skull by some boys doing cleanup after a storm sets Kate’s feet on the trail to solve a cold case. But by tracking down the identity of the bones, she stirs up a hornets’ nest that leads to new murders and puts herself in danger. The action is fast-paced, the characters are interesting, and the plot is intriguing, which makes the whole package a thrilling and entertaining tale.
    • 5/5
      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.
    • 4/5
      Another solid Kate Burkholder mystery! This one involves hogs and a missing man.
    • 4/5
      After the Storm
      4 Stars

      When human remains are discovered in the aftermath of a devastating tornado, Painter’s Mill police chief, Kate Burkholder soon learns that the death is not accidental and finds herself enmeshed in a 30 year old case that has surprising links to the Amish community.

      Series note: This is book #7 and should be read in order to fully appreciate the character backgrounds and relationship developments.

      Unlike most of the previous installments, which are compelling who-dun-its, this book is more like an episode of Colombo with the motive and culprits obvious from the start. Instead, the twists and turns of the investigation revolve around how the crime was committed (and Castillo does not spare the grisly details) and who played what role in its commission. While numerous reviewers have highlighted their dislike of this type of mystery, for me it is entertaining to see how the detective follows the clues and works it all out.

      That said, the true highlights of the book are the developments in Kate and John’s relationship as they face a life altering decision that may ultimately destroy their newfound love and happiness.

      All in all, a well-written mystery with wonderful primary and secondary characters. Kathleen McInerney’s narration is superb as always and I look forward to listening to the next book when it comes out next month.
    • 5/5
      Love these stories of a small Amish town and the women Police Chief and all that happens there
    • 5/5
      One of my favourite Linda Castillo's novels to date. A solid 4 1/2. It doesn't have a lot of surprises but it's a good grilling mystery/thriller with a touch of heartbreak.
    • 4/5
      Much better than the last book, the relationship actually progresses somewhat in this one. 4.5 stars
    • 5/5
      Loved this book as always. This is a great series on Kate Burkholder who is the Chief of police and is former Amish. Kate and her boyfriend, State Agent John Tomasetti, live together. This story begins with a tornado coming towards the town and Kate needs to check on how people in the trailer park survived. There are many twists and turns in this story once the bones are found unearthed in a barn that comes down during the tornado. You should read some of the other books in this series to really get to know Kate, John and the other main characters.
    • 4/5
      Kate Burkholder has her hands more than full in this installment. A tornado has ripped through Painters Mill and the surrounding communities. Unfortunately, in the midst of a rescue operation not everyone can be saved. And during the clean up a decades old body has the Burkholder and her PD hunting down a murder whose been in hiding for the past 30 years. All while her personal life has taken a dramatic turn and is weighing heavily on her mind and some mystery sniper is gunning for her. Topped off with a very grizzly death scene that is the thing of nightmares. As well as all the old beloved characters that bring these stories to life and that added bit of Amish interest and intrigue that Castillo brings to all her books in the series. I continue to highly recommend this series to anyone who loves a good mystery/thriller.
    • 4/5
      When a tornado touches down in the small town of Painters Mill, Ohio, it leaves a path of destruction and heartbreak. In the aftermath, a skull is found by members of the local Boy Scout troop while they are clearing debris. That skull is just one small part of a complex case going thirty years in the seventh book in the Kate Burkholder series. The bones tell the story of an unimaginable atrocity whose legacy continues to scar lives right into the present day. At the same time, Kate and her lover, John Tomassetti, have their own issues to deal with, as intense as the homicide case.

      Raised in the Amish way of life, Kate left the religion fifteen years ago but still feels protective of the Amish. Kate is an interesting character and very complex with her Amish background and her determination to do right by these people while also upholding the law. She’s an intelligent, compassionate police chief but also a strong woman emotionally, not an easy target for those who oppose her, especially the Amish who believe she betrayed their trust when she left their way of life.

      Her biggest flaw to me , personally, is the giant martyr complex she seems to suffer with. Sometimes it can get annoying but I admit that I like this series in spite of it. It's a fast and enjoyable read with some nice twists. The Kate Burkholder series, set in Ohio's Amish country, is one of my favorites and I recommend all of the books in this compelling series.
    • 4/5
      I love this series. Each book sucks me in and keeps me turning the pages. This book is filled with difficult choices, and secrets. I really appreciate how the author not only gives you a mystery to solve but also keeps pulling you along with Kate and Johns relationship and their struggles.
    • 4/5
      I was going to give this 4.5 stars but after sleeping on and needing to write a review for it, I've decided that this book is a 4 star book for me. It was a great book. I love the way Linda Castillo tells a mystery with such ease. I'm sure that it helps knowing the characters since this is the 7th book in the series but I still think the mysteries are easy to follow. Some authors get so caught up in making mysteries as messy as they can and it becomes hard for a reader to keep things straight.With all of that said, I didn't give it 5 stars because of the predictable nature of this one. Yes there are plot twists but I can't say that I didn't see most of them coming. The Lucy story line was also never complete, I mean we know what we know but there's still a court date hanging out there so I'm sure this will come into play in the 8th book.I love Tomasetti and I will never think of hogs the same as I did before I read this book. *shudder*Of course it's a recommend.
    • 4/5
      Kate is the Sheriff of a small town in Ohio and it has a large Amish community. Kate herself was once a member of that community many years earlier. Now she is doing more that upsets her family, she’s living with a man (another law enforcement agent) and they are not married.Kate gets a phone call about a tornado heading toward town. Letting her family know what’s coming she and John leave the party early to try and warn as many as they can and be prepared to help those who need it afterward. Like a compass toward a lodestone, the tornado hit the trailer park. Lots of people were hurt and lots of property damaged. During the cleanup, a boy scout troop was cleaning up an old farm yard, one where the barn was completely destroyed by the storm. The boys found some bones, that looked human. Turns out they were, and according to the coroner, it was likely he had a pretty gruesome death. The fact the bones were hidden under the barn suggests foul play might be on the table. So Kate has a 30 year old murder, the death of an infant and some relationship issues with John that all came out at the same time. She needs to juggle them all to do her job and at the same time someone is trying to kill her. I enjoyed this one just as much as the first 2 I read and I do plan to read the 4 I missed! While these do take place in Amish country and Amish often play important roles in the stories, these are not Cozy Mysteries. The crimes are often brutal (which murder generally is) and the descriptions could make the squeamish cringe, but that isn’t the focus of the book. Kate is always the focus and her fight to do her job well no matter what life throws at her makes these books good.
    • 4/5
      Ending was a little predictable.
    • 4/5
      This series isn't perfect (I get annoyed when Kate mentions her computer booting up, which seems to be at least 3 times every book!) and the plots can be somewhat predictable but I still enjoy each entry. The dynamics of Kate and her team are entertaining and Castillo's writing is easy and paced well. The relationship between Burkholder and Tomasetti can become tedious but it adds another element to Kate's already-difficult job. She could have used the aftermath of the storm more effectively but revealing the Amish mindset is especially interesting in this book.
    • 4/5
      Not my favorite of the Kate Burkholder series by Linda Castillo, but still a well-written book. Less suspense than some of the others in the series and more in-depth examination of the two main characters, but holds a place in the overall storyline. Look forward to additional books to come.
    • 5/5
      This is my first Linda Castillo book so I didn't know what to expect and I simply loved the it. There is so much going on in Painters Mill but not so much that you get confused. I loved how everything came together and the fact that it kept me guessing till the end. The characters from Kate all the way down to the people who work in the police station are so well written and likable. The book also brings out so many different emotions out of you. I have already checked on the first 6 and fully intend to get them. I have found another author and another series that I love to read. I received this from LibraryThing Member Giveaway for an honest review. I highly recommend this book.
    • 4/5
      After a tornado, a long dead body is found during the clean up. Kate and company are hoping to identify the body and bring closure to a family that has been missing someone for years. But soon the begin to think that this might be murder. I loved this book. The series is always really great but this is a really good one. It is all about secrets. Family secrets and how no matter how much time has passed that these secrets can cut deep. About hiding crimes and trying to shift the blame to others. About revealing secrets and bearing the hurt of that revelation. And as always, Kate is her stubborn but somehow lovable self. Tomasetti deserves a medal for his love and patience in this one as do some of her long suffering staff. I mean really, all they want is to keep her safe. In the meantime, I have a year until I find out what happens next.
    • 5/5
      Wow. All of the Kate Burkholder books are good, this one is excellent. When a tornado tears through Painter's Mill, an old barn is destroyed and a group of Boy Scouts doing clean up find a human skull.This is the beginning of a terrifying and complicate case for Police Chief, Kate Burkholder and involves old lies, old loves and so many secrets.Kate's love interest, John Tomasetti is mostly on the edges of this case but squarely in the middle of life with the events involving Kate.No spoilers here, this is one powerful book that needs to be read and savored by those who love this series. I wish Castillo wrote faster, but I'll take a book every year or two if they continue to be this good.
    • 5/5
      This is another great book in the Kate Burkholder series of mysteries. Castillo intricately weaves Kate's personal life with her professional life into the intrigue that keeps the reader devouring each page of this book. I highly recommend this book.
    • 4/5
      This is book 7 in the Kate Burkholder series by Linda Castillo. I really enjoy this series and the main character. Kate is the chief of police in Painted Mill, Ohio which has a very large Amish population. Kate grew up in an Amish home and left the Amish when she was a teenager so she understands the Amish and their way of life. This book has several story lines going on at once - a baby who died in a tornado, a body found in a barn and relationship issues between Kate and her live in boyfriend. Its a great book and a definite reason to read this series.
    • 4/5
      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.
    • 4/5
      Linda Castillo's newest book, After the Storm, has just released. It's the seventh entry her wonderful Kate Burkholder series.Kate is the Chief of Police in the town of Painters Mill, Ohio. The area also has a large Amish population. Kate was born into the Amish community, but chose to leave and live as an "Englischer". She has an understanding of both communities and it serves her invaluably in her work.A prologue from the past sets up the premise for After the Storm. And in the present, a tornado tears through the area of Painters Mill, wreaking havoc - and exposing that past. A set of bones is found under the wreckage of an old barn - and it was no accidental death.I loved settling in for what I knew would be a great read - and catching up with Kate.Kate's personal life is a continuing storyline across the books. Her relationship with State Agent John Tomasetti has reached a new level - and new hurdles. I like the continuity across the books as the personal lives of the characters change and grow with each new entry. The supporting cast is solid and dedicated to their Chief. Kate's own conflicts between the community she was raised in and the world she now lives in also provide a great secondary story line. Castillo use lots of detail to bring the Amish settings, culture and language to life.The whodunit is nicely played - not overly hard to solve, but still enjoyable. Castillo does provide lots of suspects along the way for the reader to choose from. Procedural details aren't overly employed, instead Castillo moves things along with deductions and action. I do wonder if these crimes (because some of them are quite ugly) happen in the Amish community? A quote from Kate: "The Amish have all the same weaknesses as the rest of us. Including the human capacity for violence."Castillo's premise and use of the Amish community and their way of life in her books is interesting and different enough to separate it from other series. After the Storm was an engaging, enjoyable read - a perfect porch read
    • 5/5
      Kate Burkholder, Police Chief of small town Painters Mill, is dealing with three main problems in this book: the aftermath of a devastating tornado that ripped through the small town, human remains unearthed by the tornado, and some deep personal issues. Going in to the personal issues would become a spoiler for the book, so I chose not to. Like the others in the series, the author has produced a fantastic story about a small slice of a strong, contemporary woman who works in law enforcement. I always eagerly look forward to reading Linda Castillo’s Kate Burkholder books, and this one did not disappoint. This time, we see more of Kate’s personal side, as she and her partner, John Tomasetti, grapple with relationship issues that threaten to tear them apart. The human remains unearthed in the tornado also provide an interesting turn of events for Kate to work with the Amish Community while also working through her own Amish past. Ever the concerned, dedicated police chief, in this book, Kate is also trying to help pull the devastated town together after the tornado. Kate has a lot on her plate, but, in her usual self, manages to handle everything with the confidence and aplomb she shows in her earlier books. I don’t know how Linda Castillo does it, but she always writes a fantastic, relatable, great mystery, while, at the same time, giving the reader a good glimpse at daily Amish life as well as at the life of one, Kate, who left the Amish Community but still remains connected. This book provided more insight into Kate and what motivates her as well as into John Tomasetti, and how or if their relationship can survive everything their competing lifestyles throw at them. I began to envision them together for the long haul, each working hard at their relationship, working through the many obstacles and pitfalls they encounter. The plot also gave me a new look at Amish life and culture, and how it affects everyone in the community as well as not in the community but around it. This book will appeal to anyone who has enjoyed the others in the series, to anyone looking for a strong female lead in a series that is a bit different from so many of the others, to anyone looking to get a good look at the Amish but prefer not to read a fact filled, non-fiction book on the subject, and to anyone looking for an outstanding mystery read this summer—or anytime. I received this from Library Thing to read and review.