Sworn To Silence
"This review could be written with just one word - Brilliant!"
Synopsis:
Sixteen years ago, a series of brutal murders shattered the peaceful farming community of Painters Mill, Ohio. A young Amish girl, Katie Burkholder, survived the terror of the Slaughterhouse Murders. In the aftermath of the killings, the town was left with a sense of fragility, a loss of innocence, and for Katie, the realization that she no longer belonged with the Amish.
Now, a wealth of experience later, Kate Burkholder is back. Her Amish roots and big city law enforcement background make her the perfect candidate for Chief of Police. She's certain she's come to terms with her past--until the first body is discovered in a snowy field.
Kate vows to stop the killer before he strikes again. But to name him, she would betray both her family and her Amish past--and expose a dark secret that could destroy her.
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Review:
The debut novel from new author Castillo, will I am sure put her firmly on the map as one of crime's best new writers. The book has a powerful opening chapter which will hook the reader from the first word. I found it interesting that it was not until some way into the book that any indication of the appearance of the lead character was given, but somehow I felt I already knew her by then and even without this description, had my expectation as to what she looked like. Chief Burkholder is an interesting and unusual character, being brought up in Amish society but having left when she was a young adult. But like many lead characters, she brought with her plenty of baggage from her past. The plot is particularly gruesome, and very gripping although I would have liked to read more about why the murderer chose his particular victims and perhaps a little more about them. I was expecting the 'secret' of Kate's when it was finally revealed to be a little more explosive or at least dramatic, but that was my only criticism of the book. This review could be written with just one word - Brilliant! I thoroughly enjoyed this book, was unable to put it down as I was so engrossed in both the story and the characters and the relationships between the characters. I eagerly await the next novel from Castillo.