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    Breaking Silence: A Kate Burkholder Novel
    Breaking Silence: A Kate Burkholder Novel
    Breaking Silence: A Kate Burkholder Novel
    Audiobook9 hours

    Breaking Silence: A Kate Burkholder Novel

    Written by Linda Castillo

    Narrated by Kathleen McInerney

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    The New York Times bestselling series hailed as "gripping" (People magazine) and "compelling" (USA Today) returns with Police Chief Kate Burkholder called to the scene of a horrific tragedy on a peaceful Amish farm.

    The Slabaugh family are model Amish farmers, prosperous and hardworking, with four children and a happy extended family. When the parents and an uncle are found dead in their barn, it appears to be a gruesome accident: methane gas asphyxiation caused by a poorly ventilated cesspit. But in the course of a routine autopsy, the coroner discovers that one of the victims suffered a head wound before death—clearly, foul play was involved. But who would want to make orphans of the Slabaughs' children? And is this murder somehow related to a recent string of shocking hate crimes against the Amish?

    Having grown up Amish, Kate is determined to bring the killer to justice. Because the other series of attacks are designated hate crimes, the state sends in agent John Tomasetti, with whom Kate has a long and complex relationship. Together, they search for the link between the crimes—and uncover a dark secret at work beneath the placid surface of this idyllic Amish community.

    Chock full of twists and chills and set against the unusual world of the Amish, this series "will delight fans of Chelsea Cain and Thomas Harris" (USA Today).

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherMacmillan Audio
    Release dateJun 21, 2011
    ISBN9781427212344
    Breaking Silence: 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 Breaking Silence

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    322 ratings40 reviews

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    • 4/5

      Book Description
      The New York Times bestselling series hailed as “gripping” (People magazine) and “compelling” (USA Today) returns with Police Chief Kate Burkholder called to the scene of a horrific tragedy on a peaceful Amish farm.

      The Slabaugh family are model Amish farmers, prosperous and hardworking, with four children and a happy extended family. When the parents and an uncle are found dead in their barn, it appears to be a gruesome accident: methane gas asphyxiation caused by a poorly ventilated cesspit. But in the course of a routine autopsy, the coroner discovers that one of the victims suffered a head wound before death—clearly, foul play was involved. But who would want to make orphans of the Slabaughs’ children? And is this murder somehow related to a recent string of shocking hate crimes against the Amish?

      Having grown up Amish, Kate is determined to bring the killer to justice. Because the other series of attacks are designated hate crimes, the state sends in agent John Tomasetti, with whom Kate has a long and complex relationship. Together, they search for the link between the crimes—and uncover a dark secret at work beneath the placid surface of this idyllic Amish community.

      Chock full of twists and chills and set against the unusual world of the Amish, this series “will delight fans of Chelsea Cain and Thomas Harris” (USA Today).

      My Review
      This is the 3rd book in the series. Lots of twists and turns and the murderer was a complete surprise. There is something about Kate Burkholder that I really like, therefore, I will continue with this series and see where her demons take her.

    • 4/5
      I do enjoy reading this series, but seriously I would not want to live in this town with the constant murders that take place (mostly against the Amish) every other month. The characters are great and I like the Amish aspect of it. Death by manure pit was a little rough on the stomach, doesn't seem like a great way to die and to voluntarily climb down into one of those pits full of all the yuck and nastiness is just crazy.
    • 4/5
      This is the 3rd in the series about Ohio Police Chief Kate Burkholder, who grew up Amish. I have not read the first two books in the series, but that didn't hinder my enjoyment of this one. When Amish people in the community are victims of hate crimes and ultimately murder, Chief Burkholder is determined to capture the perpetrators. She relates to the survivors of the murders which left four orphans, and gets involved more than she should. She is also establishing a shaky relationship with a state crime agent who has been sent to assist in the case. There is interesting information about the Amish community presented, but I felt like the motivation of the primary characters wasn't fully clear. There was suspense and plot twists, but some scenes were too gruesome and seemed to be dragged out for effect. Probably won't read more in the series.
    • 4/5
      This is another book in the series written by Linda Castillo whose books focus on the Amish people of Painter's Mill, Ohio. Detective Kate Burkholder is the head of a small and mighty group of police who solve crimes and heal the wounds of those in need.In this book, The Slabaugh family are well known and well liked. Much to the surprise of the community, the father, mother, and Uncle of the family are found dead as a result of a tragic accident. Their bodies are found in a cesspit. At first it appeared to be an accident, until the autopsy showed a large head wound on one of the dead.Kate Burkholder and her long acquainted boy friend Thomas Tomasetti are in charge of this case. This duo is a part of every book in the series. In a community of tight-knit Amish, it is unusual for murder to occur, but as this series stresses, The Amish are not exempt from crime.Sadly, children are left behind. Three are young, one the eldest is adopted, the oldest daughter is not married, but is pregnant. Increasingly, the adopted son is the one under suspcion.In addition to the dead family members, there are people who are taunting and harming the Amish community. Both circumstances are under the watch of the police.There are lots of twists and turns, and small town living is not immune from lies, and unexpected crime.Three and 1/2 Stars for this one!
    • 4/5
      Kate investigates the deaths of parents and an uncle of four siblings. All die in the farm's manure pit early in the morning. The mother died while trying to rescue the men. The Amish community wishes to adopt the children to keep them in the community, but Kate needs to follow protocol because a brother who left the faith remains in the area and is willing to adopt them. Social services places the children in his care. The daughter in the family reminds Kate of her own self, and Kate remembers her own secret demon during the investigation. Agent Tomasetti is sent to help with an investigation into Amish hate crimes in the area and becomes involved in the investigation. They are not sure whether or not it is linked to the hate crimes or not. As the novel progressed, the author lost sight of the Amish hate crime angle. They seemed to cease when the investigation into the case began to focus on another solution. Yet with the two things not being related, one would think they should continue. The author keeps the reader guessing with many twists. I listened to the audiobook.
    • 5/5
      There's something compelling about a flawed police chief that has Amish roots but is now considered an Englisher. Another in a series of a small-town police chief dealing with what first looks like an accident, but turns into a murder investigation -- with several twists along the way.
    • 3/5
      This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader as part of a quick takes post, the point of which is to catch up on my "To Write About" stack—emphasizing pithiness, not thoroughness..---Another horrific murder in Amish country. I'd love for a few books to involve other crimes in this community. I realize it's her shtick, but a little variety could help things.That aside—the villain of this piece is horrible and creepy, and you can feel the evil. Watching Kate and Agent Tomasetti try to figure out the motive behind the killing and the identity of the killer was a fun ride. I really do like these individually—even if I wonder about the series as a whole.
    • 4/5
      This is a book about some Amish families and some murders that occurred within their community.It will keep you guessing as to who is committing the crimes. It is well worth reading.Especially if you enjoy books about the Amish.
    • 4/5
      This book was good. The crime isn't as terrible as the first two books, but not every book has to have a bloody murder or serial killer. It did have a few twists that I did not see coming, especially the end.

      What made the book likeable is the character development. Kate is feeling the effects of the last couple of cases and dealing with the ongoing one in the book. She is showing signs of destructive behavior and it's being held back with help from Tomasetti.

      Speaking of him, we get to see more progression, in there relationship and there bond becoming stronger. I can't wait to see how there relationship grows and watch Tomasetti help Kate with her demons. It sounds like, that is something there going to address in the next book. I hope Kate can find a way to let go of the horrors she's seen recently.

      Overall I am pleased with the book and will be moving onto book 4.
    • 5/5
      A growing number of hate crimes against the Amish is proving to be troublesome to Kate, since the Amish are reluctant to cooperate with the English police. When the crimes escalate to bodily harm, Kate is determined to find the culprits. And when a tragic accident occurs at an Amish farm, Kate begins to be more involved than she should as a police officer. Digging deeper, she uncovers some rather disturbing facts. This book is every bit as compelling as the first two in the series. The characters are well-drawn and the plot is complex and intricate. But the crimes are gritty and graphic.
    • 4/5
      Love this series and that says a lot because I don’t normally read series. Kate is the chief of police in a town with an Amish population. She herself used to be Amish so it makes for great interactions. Good crimes, good characters, interesting Amish culture.
    • 4/5
      Breaking Silence
      4 Stars

      When an apparent accident on an Amish farm turns into a murder investigation, Painter’s Mill’s chief of police, Kate Burkholder, is surprised when the suspects start coming out of the woodwork. Who would want the Slabaugh’s dead? Is it the shunned brother, or a disgruntled worker, or is the case connected to a series of hate crimes plaguing the small town? With the help of State agent, John Tomasetti, Kate begins to unravel the clues and exposes a diabolical truth that will shake her to her core.

      ***Warning***: The descriptions are dark and gritty although not as gruesome as the first two books in the series.

      The investigation moves more slowly in this installment with a slew of plausible suspects. Nevertheless, there is a distinct point at which It is possible to figure out the culprit, especially for those who have read In the Woods by Tana French. The final confrontation with the villain is both compelling and satisfying.

      Castillo’s characterization is excellent with each and every member of the cast well delineated and contributing both to the plot and its underlying message against extremism whether it be in the form of racial hatred, social exclusion or isolationism.

      Kate and Tomasetti’s relationship also moves to the next, more emotional level. This is a positive step as they seem to compliment one another and bring out the best each has to offer. They are also open and honest thereby preventing the silly misunderstandings trope, which can get exceedingly annoying very quickly.

      Kathleen McInerney’s narration is riveting and adds another layer of tension and suspense to the story.
      All in all, an excellent thriller with a disturbing twist and I look forward to Kate’s next case.
    • 4/5
      I love the stories and twists. However, her backstory is so repetitive and brought up way too many times in each book. As much as I love the surprises, I need to take a break from this series due to repetition.
    • 4/5
      This was a fast, exciting reading. Chief Kate Burkholder fights on different fronts. On the one hand, she has three Amishs, which were found dead in a cesspool; on the other hand, many rants are opposed to the Amish, be it beaten up Amish men, slaughtered animals, to a burned barnyard. Are these cases all linked to each other or are there several perpetrators at work? For Burkholder, it will be a race with time, so that no more innocent will find their death.
    • 4/5
      I can't believe how quickly I read through this book. I really enjoyed this one and couldn't have predicted the resolution. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series and being caught up.
    • 4/5
      I enjoy this series by Linda Castillo. The books are dark, but they have heart, and the characters tug at your emotions.
    • 4/5
      I did see some of what was coming as I read it but still it kept me hooked and kept me reading. There is a bit of a subtext of there is no ideal way of life and that into all communities comes crime, but it's interesting to read Kate Burkholder's interaction with those around her and the issues with bridging between two communities.This one starts with what I would have known as a slurry pit, but is known here as a hog pit, where a mother and father, along with the father's brother, die and their four children have to deal with the aftermath, but when Kate discovers that it wasn't an accident her mind turns to the hate crimes being perpetuated on locals; wondering if things have escalated. Agent John Tomasetti gets drawn into it, via the hate crimes and he deals with the issues that this all raises in Kate's mind. There are dark things lurking and they're only going to bubble up now.Kate does a good job of bridging the worlds and I found it an interesting read, there was a little bit too much of a gotcha in the end but overall I enjoyed it.
    • 5/5
      An excellent book. My favourite in the series so far. This book has plenty going on, with many twists and twists on twists. Never saw the ending coming! Very well written. I look forward to continuing this series.
    • 4/5
      Kate Burkholder is once again faced with crimes against the Amish in the third book of this popular series. This time they are hate crimes. Buggies have been run off the road, barns set on fire, and farm animals have been killed. When she gets an emergency call about the Slabaugh farm and finds Mr. and Mrs. Slabaugh as well as Mr. Slabaugh’s brother dead in the manure pit, she isn’t sure whether the deaths were accidental, a result of a hate crime gone wrong, or murder. In addition to the horrible crimes, there's the secondary plot of the trust and affection between Burkholder and John Thomasetti, both with their own weighty emotional baggage. When the small force of Painter’s Mill is stretched beyond capacity and John is asked to consult, Kate welcomes his assistance.

      Kate’s Amish background gives the author an opportunity to explore the cultural issues of a closed society that resists any interference from outside authorities, preferring to handle any issues among themselves. This wall of silence affects Kate’s ability to do her job and the future of the four orphans in question when an uncle who has broken from the Amish lifestyle demands legal custody in opposition to the community. The traumatized children, especially fifteen-year-old Sarah, pull at Kate’s heart, her childhood history is resurrected by the young woman’s fear and confusion.

      Kate also has become difficult for me. While her tortured soul was appealing in Sworn to Silence, she's progressed little in terms of character development. Her martyr complex must be a huge burden to bear in her job as police chief. When the main character in a mystery series is so personally involved in each case, there needs to be progression, and in this case, there hasn't been. I really enjoy the series even though I have problems with Kate. I'm hoping the next book in the series will let her move away from her tortuous connection to each crime.
    • 3/5
      Is there such a genre as violent cosy?
    • 5/5
      Wow even better than the last one. This one keeps you guessing until the end. An Amish Mother, Father & Uncle are murdered and some hate crimes are going on against the Amish in Painters Mills. Kate her officers and Tomasetti are all on the case again. So many twists and turns and new crimes popping up it is hard to figure out who the real killer is of the original murder and whether that is connected to the hate crimes going on in the area.
    • 4/5
      It kept me guessing who did the crimes until the very end.
    • 5/5
      Castillo just keeps getting better and better. In this book there are several things happening and it is up to Kate and her team, along with Tomasetti to determine if they are tied together or separate crimes.

      When a husband, wife and uncle are killed Kate is determined to find out who killed the mild mannered Amish people, and also to get some help for the four children ranging in age from 17 to about 8. At the same time there are a series of hate crimes being done around the area, also aimed at the Amish. The stories seem separate but are they? Kate must work the cases as individual incidents as well as keep an open mind about whether they are related.

      Kate feels a great deal of empathy for the 15 year old daughter which brings back a lot of the emotions she felt when she was that age and facing the problems of being Amish but not fitting in.

      This one packs a wallop in emotion and in surprises. Looking forward to the next in the series.
    • 4/5
      Great series with interesting crimes, great characters and the Amish twist just to keep it all fresh. I found this one slightly disturbing with the sexual twist and murders in a manuare pit...not going to find that in a lot of books.
    • 4/5
      Another gruesome story in the Kate Burkholder series. I thought it was well done and unfolded nicely but I have to say by the end I was tired of the violence, there was just so much of it.The book is about an upstanding Amish family who finds themselves as the main characters in this book when the mom, dad and uncle were found dead in the barn due to gas asphyxiation in the manure pit (what a way to die). Of course the story doesn't end there. There are Amish hate crimes and lie after lie is told to cover up the awful truth. Kate pushes for answers and delivers and explosive ending.I will recommend.
    • 4/5
      Breaking Silence by Linda CastilloMacmillan, 2011Format? downloaded on my NookWhy? I've always been fascinated by the Amish, and I love a good detective novel...SCORE 2!What Now? this one's a keeper...but that brings me to a dilemma I've been having with both my ebooks and audiobooks. What do I do with keepers that can't go on the shelf? If I buy the book, I've essentially bought the book twice. That seems silly and of course, not very cost efficient. I haven't figured this conundrum out yet.Golden LinesA few feet away, the four Amish children huddle, their eyes filled with hope that the Englischers and all of their high tech rescue equipment will save their mamm and datt. I see faith on their young faces, and my heart breaks, because I know faith often goes unrewarded.By the time I leave the barn, the Amish have begun to arrive in force. Men wearing work clothes and insulated coats congregate near the barn. I know they're here to feed the livestock, clean the pens, and keep the farm up and running. The women will busy themselves with household chores - laundry, cooking, and caring for the children. In the coming days, the Slabaugh house will be overflowing with the help of a community that is as generous as it is selfless."Maybe this is God's way of bringing those children back to me. Maybe it's His way of punishing those with small minds."The statement takes me aback. It seems odd at a time like this - when he's just been informed of his brothers' deaths. Anyone who's ever lived any length of time knows God doesn't even the score and that sometimes that bitch Fate gets her way, right and wrong be damned.I swore long ago the one thing I would never be is the clinging-vine female.SummaryAmish don't press charges - "God will take care of us" makes Amish "easy pickins" according to Sheriff Rasmussen since everyone knows the Amish won't involve outsiders at all costs. In this, the 3rd installment of Linda Castillo's mystery series about former Amish community member, now Chief of Police, Kate Burkholder, what looks like a tragic accident involving a large Amish family's Mam and Datt, becomes a murder investigation when evidence shows one of the parents was bashed in the head before falling into the grain vat. This time the evil seems to be coming from inside the community somehow, and it's Kate's professional as well as personal responsibility to her former and current communities to figure out what's happening, no matter how much it costs. What I LikedBoth Tomasetti and Kate's point of view - since Tomasetti has become a huge part of Kate's life by now...and, possibly more importantly, an integral part of this series, it makes sense for the reader to begin to see inside the man...not just the man he is within his relationship with Kate...but the man himself, what makes him who he is, his history, his demons, etc. Separation of emotion from logic - whether it's their relationship, their jobs, the investigation, or Kate's ties to the Amish, both Kate and Tomasetti are able to fight (sometimes) through their emotions and look at the big picture. The title - the Amish have to communicate with the outsiders solve this crime and Kate and John finally talk about the way they feel about each other...I don't think this title was an accident :)The scene where Kate and John finally have their first "relationship" talk - I giggled a little here...they're both like little kids almost...neither really would like to admit that they need each other...but they do. Both are also wary of giving too much of themselves away before they know how the other person feels. Compatability - after Kate's nightmare - because of their demons...Tomasetti is able to really understand Kate's psyche. Whether they like it or not, these two are made for each other.Police procedure when someone is killed - Castillo goes into a lot of detail here...even more detail, I think, than what you see on crime show tv. I find the addition of these kind of details adds a lot of meat to the bones of a story...especially a mystery/detective/thriller type.What I Didn't Like2 months with no communication - ok, 'scuse me, what? This I can't imagine...of course I've never been in a relationship like this one either...?A couple of extraneous characters - when the case was finally closed, I wondered why Castillo included them...unless she was trying to take us as far off track as Kate got...due to emotions, false perceptions etc. when the murderer was really right under her nose.I wasn't ready for Kate to go all maternal on me - until I realized that her feelings were related to her past, not a yearning for a child. I honestly get tired of folks assuming all women are "baby crazy"...even though I think I'm a good mom, I don't look at other people's babies and go all gooshey bc I want another one....every now and then I like to read about other women who don't go around "yearning" for babies.Overall RecommendationsObviously, if you've read any of the books in this series, you'll want to tackle this one...I do think it's necessary to start from the beginning of this series in order to appreciate the evolution of both Kate and Tomasetti's relationship as well as Kate's coming to terms with her present and past lives.
    • 5/5
      What an intensely interesting mystery--the third in the series by Linda Castillo. The story deals with complex relationships in the Amish community and in the life of Police Chief Kate Burkholder. There were so many twists and turns to this story. It was a great read and i highly recommend it if you like a really good mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end.
    • 5/5
      Fast-paced mystery based in Ohio Amish country. Chief of police was brought up Amish. Hate crimes are being committed against the Amish. The police investigate the crimes. Really enjoyed
    • 4/5
      For being such a small Amish town, Painter's Mill certainly has it's fair share of homicides. Fortunately, Chief Kate Burkholder is strongly committed to ensuring the safety of the families in her jurisdiction, though it does seem to cause her a lot of stress, as she continues, in this novel, to bear the weight of her past traumas. In "Breaking Silence", Kate and her beau FBI hunk, Tomesetti, investigate the deaths of 3 Amish adults on a farm, though none of the Amish want to assist the police in providing information. At the same time, a number of hate crimes have been perpetuated against the Amish, who also refuse to press charges against the Englishers. As Kate and Tomesetti start to unravel the events that transpired on the Amish farm, they also begin to explore their relationship with eachother, which appears to be becoming more serious. Though the story was a little farfetched at times, particularly in regards to Kate's chronic inebriation and injuries in the story, this novel was fast-paced and exciting, much like the ones that preceded it. As such, if you are looking for an Amish homicide/romance to get your blood going, this novel will surely meet your need.
    • 3/5
      Whilst I enjoyed the plot and character development of this book, I found the use of irritating vocabulary distracting “I snagged my coat………, I snagged a glass, I snagged my keys……….” I don’t recall this being present in previous books. There were also repeated phrases though-out! This is the third book, covering a period of roughly 12 months, and it seems to me that three such violent crimes within a small Amish community is unrealistic. But that’s a minor point. Overall this a good read, with a compelling plot.