The Hidden One

Chief of Police Kate Burkholder must confront the disappearance of an Amish man in her small town of Painters Mill, Ohio. When human remains are found on an Amish family's property 18 years after the man went missing, the case is reopened with Kate leading the investigation. The investigation forces Kate to navigate between her former Amish community and her current role in law enforcement. She questions members of the reclusive Amish settlement while working with state investigators to piece together what happened nearly two decades ago. Kate's personal connection to the Amish way of life provides insight into a community that values privacy and separation from the outside world. The case challenges her understanding of both her past and present as she pursues justice across cultural boundaries. The novel explores themes of secrets, loyalty, and the complex relationship between isolated religious communities and the modern world. Through Kate's dual perspective as both insider and outsider, the story examines how past actions echo through generations and impact present-day relationships.

Most readers found this to be a solid addition to the Kate Burkholder series, though not among the strongest entries. The Amish murder case storyline engaged readers, with many noting they finished it in one or two sittings. Readers liked: - The Pennsylvania setting provided a fresh change from Ohio - The balance between the murder investigation and Kate's personal struggles - The authentic portrayal of Amish communities - The pacing in the final third of the book Readers disliked: - Slower start compared to previous books - Less interaction between Kate and Tomasetti - Some found the killer's identity predictable - A few repetitive passages about Kate's past Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (12,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (4,800+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.5/5 (450+ ratings) Multiple reviewers specifically praised the detailed descriptions of Amish customs, while others noted the book works well as a standalone despite being part of a series.

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🔍 Linda Castillo spent significant time with the Amish community in Holmes County, Ohio, to ensure authentic representation in her Kate Burkholder series. 📚 The book's protagonist, Kate Burkholder, left the Amish community at age 18, making her uniquely qualified to bridge both the "English" and Amish worlds in her investigations. 🏆 "The Hidden One" is the 14th installment in the Kate Burkholder series, which has collectively sold over 2 million copies worldwide. ⚡ The plot revolves around a cold case from 18 years ago, investigating the murder of an Amish bishop in Pennsylvania's Kishacoquillas Valley. 🔎 Author Linda Castillo worked as a romance novelist for over a decade before switching to crime fiction, publishing her first Kate Burkholder novel in 2009.