Best Selling Books by Linda Castillo

Now the subject of the Lifetime original movie, An Amish Murder Sworn to Silence is the first in Linda Castillo''s New York Times bestselling Kate Burkholder series. A KILLER IS PREYING ON SACRED GROUND.... In the sleepy rural town of Painters Mill, Ohio, the Amish and “English” residents have lived side by side for two centuries. But sixteen years ago, a series of brutal murders shattered the peaceful farming community. In the aftermath of the violence, the town was left with a sense of fragility, a loss of innocence. Kate Burkholder, a young Amish girl, survived the terror of the Slaughterhouse Killer but came away from its brutality with the realization that she no longer belonged with the Amish. Now, a wealth of experience later, Kate has been asked to return to Painters Mill as chief of police. Her Amish roots and big city law enforcement background make her the perfect candidate. 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 do so, she must betray both her family and her Amish past—and expose a dark secret that could destroy her. *BONUS CONTENT: This edition of Sworn to Silence includes a new introduction from the author and a discussion guide.

New York Times bestselling author Linda Castillo delivers an electrifying thriller in which Chief of Police Kate Burkholder must confront a dark evil to solve the mysterious murders of an entire Amish family. The Plank family moved from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to join the small Amish community of Painters Mill less than a year ago and seemed the model of the Plain Life—until on a cold October night, the entire family of seven was found slaughtered on their farm. Police Chief Kate Burkholder and her small force have few clues, no motive, and no suspect. Formerly Amish herself, Kate is no stranger to the secrets the Amish keep from the English—and each other—but this crime is horribly out of the ordinary. State agent John Tomasetti arrives on the scene to assist. He and Kate worked together on a previous case during which they began a volatile relationship. They soon realize the disturbing details of this case will test their emotional limits and force them to face demons from their own troubled pasts—and for Kate, a personal connection that is particularly hard to bear. When she discovers a diary that belonged to one of the teenaged daughters, Kate is shocked to learn the girl kept some very dark secrets and may have been living a lurid double life. Who is the charismatic stranger who stole the young Amish girl''s heart? Could the brother—a man with a violent past, rejected and shunned by his family and the Amish community, have come to seek out revenge? As Kate''s outrage grows so does her resolve to find the killer and bring him to justice—even if it means putting herself in the line of fire. Topping her own bestselling debut, Linda Castillo once again immerses us in the world of the Amish with a chilling story that is both a fast-paced thriller and intriguing psychological puzzle.

"While investigating a murder, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder finds herself chasing an elusive trail of evidence that points back to a terrible night thirty-five years ago, when an Amish father and his four children perished--and his young wife disappeared without a trace"--

"The Gingerich barn burns to the ground in the middle of the night and eighteen-year-old Daniel is missing. When Daniel''s body is found inside--burned alive-- Chief of Police Kate Burkholder''s investigation of the murder of the well-liked young Amish man reveals a plethora of secrets and a chilling series of crimes"--

In this electrifying new thriller in the New York Times bestselling series, a convicted murderer is on the run and Chief of Police Kate Burkholder must catch him before he strikes again.

Linda Castillo''s bestselling series has been called "gripping" [People] and "impossible to put down" [Bookpage] and the "teeth chattering suspense" [USA Today] continues with GONE MISSING—a deeply chilling novel about a rite of passage gone horribly wrong. Rumspringa is the time when Amish teens are allowed to experience life without the rules. It''s an exciting time of personal discovery and growth before committing to the church. But when a young teen disappears without a trace, the carefree fun comes to an abrupt and sinister end, and fear spreads through the community like a contagion. A missing child is a nightmare to all parents, and never more so than in the Amish community, where family ties run deep. When the search for the presumed runaway turns up a dead body, the case quickly becomes a murder investigation. And chief of Police Kate Burkholder knows that in order to solve this case she will have to call upon everything she has to give not only as a cop, but as a woman whose own Amish roots run deep. Kate and state agent, John Tomasetti, delve into the lives of the missing teen and discover links to cold cases that may go back years. But will Kate piece together all the parts of this sinister puzzle in time to save the missing teen and the Amish community from a devastating fate? Or will she find herself locked in a fight to the death with a merciless killer?

An extraordinarily beautiful Amish woman, a dangerous femme fatale, is the central figure in a story that reveals a dark side of Painters Mill and its seemingly perfect Amish world A rainy night, an Amish father returning home with his three children, a speeding car hurtling toward them out of nowhere. What at first seems like a tragic, but routine car accident suddenly takes on a more sinister cast as evidence emerges that nothing about the crash is accidental. But who would want to kill an Amish deacon and two of his children? He leaves behind a grieving widow and a young boy who clings to life in the intensive care wing of a hospital, unable to communicate. He may be the only one who knows what happened that night. Desperate to find out who killed her best friend''s husband and why, Kate begins to suspect she is not looking for a reckless drunk, but instead is on the trail of a cold blooded killer amid the residents of Painter''s Mill. It is a search that takes her on a chilling journey into the darkest reaches of the human heart and makes her question everything she has ever believed about the Amish culture into which she was born.

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).

In this classic from New York Times bestselling author Linda Castillo, two people are destined to be together…if a killer doesn’t get to them first… Sara Douglas watched as Nick Tyson emerged from the heavy rain, broken and battered. She’d returned to Cape Darkwood, and the cliff side mansion that held her family’s secrets, to research her parents’ murder—and stop the nightmares. As chief of police, Sara knew Nick could help. But his mere presence had always left her breathless… Few people understood how much Nick had lost, but while Sara ran, Nick had nowhere else to go. Instead, he patrolled a divided town whose secrets lay dormant at the bottom of the cliffs. Nick wouldn’t let that be Sara’s fate, no matter how much it pained him to see her again. Their pasts linked by tragedy, the truth would finally give them a fresh start. But only if the keeper of that truth allowed it… Originally published in 2007

In this gripping installment of the Edgar Award winning series, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder investigates a brutal double murder that takes her into the dark underbelly of society and exposes the dangers of Amish lives gone wrong. Summer has arrived with a vengeance in Painters Mill, and a macabre discovery by three Amish children brings the quiet to a grinding halt. Chief of Police Kate Burkholder arrives on scene to find the dismembered body of 21-year-old Samuel Yutzy, a local Amish man who owned a successful landscaping business. What twisted individual murdered him in such a sadistic way? The investigation has barely begun when, miles away, a second body is found, stuffed into a barrel and dumped in a ravine. The deceased is 21-year-old Aaron Shetler, Samuel Yutzy’s best friend. What could these two young Amish men have been involved in that led to such violent ends? With a heat wave bearing down, Kate learns quickly that, for reasons she doesn’t understand, no one is willing to talk about what happened to the men. Just as she begins to fear the case may be hopeless, a mystery woman comes forward and reveals that fun-loving Aaron and Samuel had recently befriended some very unsavory characters—individuals who may have ties to a larger, more sinister, black market. To solve the case, Kate must delve into the most sordid corners of her community, but when she gets too close, the killers target Kate herself. Will the secrets simmering beneath the surface of Painters Mill take another life before she can expose the truth? Or will Kate be the final victim?

In this riveting new thriller in Linda Castillo''s New York Times bestselling series, Kate Burkholder races against the clock to find a missing Amish girl. An Amish grandmother is murdered on an abandoned farm, her seven year old granddaughter abducted. Chief of Police Kate Burkholder plunges headlong into a case that quickly becomes a race against the clock. She knows the longer the girl is missing, the more likely a tragic outcome. The family of the missing girl is well thought of—a pillar of the Amish community. Their pain is palpable and they cooperate in every way, but Kate soon learns they’re keeping secrets... The investigation takes Kate to an isolated Old Order Amish settlement along the river in southern Ohio. At first, the community seems upstanding and helpful. But when Kate starts asking questions, they stonewall her—and the situation soon becomes dangerous. What are they hiding and why? After an attempt on her life, Kate unearths a haunting and tragic secret that changes everything she thought she knew about the family for whom she is fighting, the Amish community as a whole—and everything she thought she knew about herself. Will she reach the girl in time to save her life?

In this short mystery from bestselling author Linda Castillo, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder must race through a dangerous blizzard to save an elderly Amish woman from a sinister foe. Newlyweds Chief of Police Kate Burkholder and John Tomasetti are happily spending their honeymoon at a beautiful Lake Erie cabin that was once part of an historic Amish settlement. But when a violent storm suddenly erupts, Lovina Nisley, the Amish owner of the cabin, goes missing. Lovina is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, so it initially appears the elderly woman simply took the wrong path, but her disappearance takes an ominous turn when her husband reveals that a developer has been threatening them if they refuse to sell him their home. With temperatures dropping and local law enforcement unable to reach them, Kate and Tomasetti must brave the perilous weather to find her. But will they reach Lovina in time to save her life?

In New York Times bestselling author Linda Castillo’s new thriller Fallen, a rebellious Amish woman leaves the Plain life, but the secrets she takes with her will lead Chief of Police Kate Burkholder down a dark path to danger and death. When a young woman is found murdered in a Painters Mill motel, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder is shocked to discover she once knew the victim. Rachael Schwartz was a charming but troubled Amish girl who left the fold years ago and fled Painters Mill. Why was she back in town? And who would kill her so brutally? Kate remembers Rachael as the only girl who was as bad at being Amish as Kate was—and those parallels dog her. But the more Kate learns about Rachael''s life, the more she''s convinced that her dubious reputation was deserved. As a child, Rachael was a rowdy rulebreaker whose decision to leave devastated her parents and best friend. As an adult, she was charismatic and beautiful, a rabble-rouser with a keen eye for opportunity no matter who got in her way. Her no-holds-barred lifestyle earned her a lot of love and enemies aplenty—both English and Amish. As the case heats to a fever pitch and long-buried secrets resurface, a killer haunts Painters Mill. Someone doesn’t want Rachael’s past—or the mysteries she took with her to the grave—coming to light. As Kate digs deeper, violence strikes again, this time hitting close to home. Will Kate uncover the truth and bring a murderer to justice? Or will a killer bent on protecting a terrible past stop her once and for all—and let the fallen be forgotten?

2024 EDGAR AWARD WINNER FOR BEST SHORT STORY A troubling discovery leads Chief of Police Kate Burkholder on a strange investigation ending at a long-abandoned Amish farm in this short mystery from bestselling author Linda Castillo. When a family dog brings home a human bone, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder finds herself on a desperate search for answers. Where did the bone come from? Who does it belong to? And perhaps most importantly, are the bones a result of foul play? With Halloween approaching, the unsettling questions garner uneasiness, rumors, and macabre theories among the residents of Painters Mill. Determined to get to the bottom of the case—and stop the ghost stories upsetting the town—Kate and her soon-to-be husband John Tomasetti embark on a sweeping investigation. Will their search for the source of the human remains uncover the truth? Or will it lead them to an even darker discovery buried on hallowed ground?

She’s a target and he’s her only hope chance at survival in this classic book of suspense by New York Times bestselling author Linda Castillo She has no name, no memory, nothing but the knowledge that she’s pregnant and someone wants her dead. Her only hope is John—the rescue medic who saved her life, the Good Samaritan who vowed to keep her safe, the sexy stranger who’s stealing her heart. Her hero. Saving lives is his job, but John Maitland learned long ago the cost of personal involvement. Risking his life he could handle, risking his emotions—his heart—is out of the question. Until he rescues “Hannah,” battered, bruised and scared for her life, off the side of a mountain. Suddenly things are very, very personal.... Originally published in 2001

Chief of Police Kate Burkholder is called upon by the sheriff''s department in rural, upstate New York to assist on a developing situation that involves a reclusive Amish settlement and the death of a young girl. Unable to penetrate the wall of silence between the Amish and "English" communities, the sheriff asks Kate to travel to New York, pose as an Amish woman, and infiltrate the community. Kate''s long time love interest, State Agent John Tomasetti, is dead set against her taking on such an unorthodox assignment, knowing she''ll have limited communication - and even less in the way of backup. But Kate can''t turn her back, especially when the rumor mill boils with disturbing accounts of children in danger. She travels to New York where she''s briefed and assumes her new identity as a lone widow seeking a new life. Kate infiltrates the community and goes deep under cover. In the coming days, she unearths a world built on secrets, a series of shocking crimes, and herself, alone... trapped in a fight for her life.

"When a tornado tears through Painters Mill and unearths human remains, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder is tasked with the responsibility of identifying the bones and finds herself plunged into a thirty year old murder case that takes her deep into the Amish community to which she once belonged"--

From Linda Castillo, the New York Times bestselling author of SWORN TO SILENCE and GONE MISSING, comes LONG LOST: a powerful and moving story about a troubled young woman and a decades old mystery set in the world of the Amish. It''s autumn in Painters Mill, and Chief of Police Kate Burkholder and John Tomasetti are taking a much-needed vacation at a small bed and breakfast an hour outside of town. After closing a difficult case, they''re looking forward to some down time, but their relaxation is cut short by rumors that the old house where they''re staying is haunted by a girl who disappeared twenty years earlier, leaving nothing behind but some bloody clothes by the river and rumors of a volatile relationship. Swept up in the girl''s story, and a need for justice, Kate and John begin looking into the mysterious disappearance of Angela Blaine. They discover long-buried secrets—and unravel a mystery with an unexpected outcome.

The discovery of an Amish bishop''s remains leads chief of police Kate Burkholder to unearth a chilling secret in The Hidden One, a new thriller from bestselling author Linda Castillo. Over a decade ago, beloved Amish bishop Ananias Stoltzfus disappeared without a trace. When skeletal remains showing evidence of foul play are unearthed, his disappearance becomes even more sinister. The town’s elders arrive in Painters Mill to ask chief of police Kate Burkholder for help, but she quickly realizes she has a personal connection to the crime. The handsome Amish man who stands accused of the murder, Jonas Bowman, was Kate’s first love. Forced to confront a painful episode from her past, Kate travels to Pennsylvania’s Kishacoquillas Valley, where the Amish culture differs dramatically from the traditions she knows. Though Bishop Stoltzfus was highly respected, she soon hears about a dark side to this complex man. What was he hiding that resulted in his own brutal death? Someone doesn’t want Kate asking questions. But even after being accosted and threatened in the dead of night, she refuses to back down. Is she too close to the case—and to Jonas—to see clearly? There’s a killer in the Valley who will stop at nothing to keep the past buried. Will they get to Kate before she can expose the truth? Or will the bishop’s secrets remain hidden forever?

THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Bestselling author Linda Castillo returns with Outsider, an electrifying thriller about a woman on the run hiding among the Amish. While enjoying a sleigh ride with his children, Amish widower Adam Lengacher discovers a car stuck in a snowdrift and an unconscious woman inside. He calls upon Chief of Police Kate Burkholder for help, and she is surprised to recognize the driver: fellow cop and her former friend, Gina Colorosa. Years before, Kate and Gina were best friends at the police academy and patrol officers in Columbus, but time and distance have taken them down two very different paths. Now, Gina reveals a shocking story of betrayal and revenge that has forced her to run for her life. She’s desperate for protection, and the only person she can trust is Kate—but can Kate trust her? Or will Gina’s dark past put them all in danger? As a blizzard bears down on Painters Mill, Kate helps Gina go into hiding on Adam’s farm. While the tough-skinned Gina struggles to adjust to the Amish lifestyle, Kate and state agent John Tomasetti delve into the incident that caused Gina to flee. But as Kate gets closer to the truth, a killer lies in wait. When violence strikes, she must confront a devastating truth that changes everything she thought she knew not only about friendship, but the institution to which she''s devoted her life.

Chase Vickers never knew a day of fear. From one secret mission to another he''d stared down danger--until the blackout hit Boston, and Chase''s only love became the target of revenge. Lily Garrett, the woman he''d loved and walked away from eight months ago. Finding her wasn''t diffi cult; fi nding her pregnant was. Lily had always hated Chase''s secret, dangerous life, but now, on the run in a dark city, Chase knew he was her only hope for survival. And their baby''s. For the fi rst time, the daredevil-turned-daddy knew bone-chilling, pulse-pounding fear. This was one mission where he couldn''t fail. Not when his baby''s life was at stake....

When Deputy Sheriff Jake Madigan was called to duty to bring in an escaped convict, he thought it would be a routine search-and-rescue mission. He was wrong. Turns out capturing Abby Nichols was a cinch compared to hauling her out of the Rocky Mountains during a treacherous blizzard. His pretty-as-sin prisoner was not the hardened criminal he had expected but a violet-eyed seductress who could almost make him forget his by-the-book ways. Jake knew that come hell or high water he would turn this woman over to the authorities once the storm passed. So why was he dodging bullets on her behalf and buying into her claim of innocence? Why was he so willing to warm her shivering body with his heated caresses? Why was he foolishly falling for his fugitive?

HE AIMS FOR THE HEART Deep-cover operative Mike Madrid tracked Jessica Atwood with ease, but one look at her revealed her innocence. On the run with an orphan in tow, the spitfire called out to Madrid, stirring passions he thought long buried. But on this terrifying night, the secrets of Lighthouse Point would be exposed. And there were those who wouldn''t allow that to happen. Jess needed Mike''s protection from a desperate community, but could they reveal the truth about a dead mother without cutting to the heart of the growing attraction between them?

ANYTHING FOR HIS CHILD… Search-and-rescue leader Buzz Malone thought losing the only woman he''d ever loved was the worst blow life could deal. He was wrong. Finding out that he had a son—a son his ex-wife, Kelly, had kept secret—was worse. Especially when that child was lost in the Rocky Mountains, pitted against a raging forest fire. Tirelessly trekking through the mountains with Buzz by her side, Kelly soon realized that the wilderness wasn''t the only thing on fire. For the passion that had always flared between them now burned hotter than ever. If they ever made it through this ordeal alive, Kelly vowed to face an even greater challenge—convincing Buzz to give their love another try!

Lean, edgy former police detective Jack LaCroix had forty-eight hours to clear his name and keep his freedom. To do it, the escaped prisoner needed attorney Landis McAllister--the woman he''d once thought would share his life. The woman who thought he''d betrayed her. Landis had just pulled her life together. Now Jack was back, compelling her to believe in him despite the damning evidence, proving with a touch that the ashes of their fiery past still smoldered. With the law on their heels and bullets flying at their backs, could they rekindle their trust in each other and find the proof Jack needed before time ran out?

RETIREMENT FOR ONE COWBOY MEANT GETTING BACK UP ON THE SADDLE All Bo Ruskin wanted was to forget his tragic past and to reclaim his quiet cowboy life. Instead, he had orders to protect Special Agent Rachael Armitage. Furious and frustrated, Rachael would rather die than abandon her dangerous mission. For even in the safety of Bo''s Montana ranch, an international crime lord was out to grant her wish. Drawn to this mysterious, hardened cowboy from her past, Rachael was certain Bo was hiding something. But fi rst she''d have to learn the lay of the land if she were to live to learn the truth. Riding horseback through the wilderness, would these two desperadoes go down in a blaze of glory—or passion?

Working together to keep a deputy safe sparks an intense attraction in New York Times bestselling author Linda Castillo’s classic tale of romantic suspense After nine years as one of Chicago’s finest, Erin McNeal has come to sleepy Logan Falls for a second chance, not to be watched over by a man as infuriatingly overprotective—and disarmingly attractive—as Nick Ryan. She’s no damsel in distress, but someone wants her dead, and it’s his duty to protect her. Whether she likes it or not. Before long, though, this chief of police and his newest deputy are butting heads over every detail of the investigation. And it seems the only thing they can agree on is the one thing they can’t resist—each other. Originally published in 2001 as Cops and…Lovers?

HOSTAGE TO LOVE Taking gorgeous corrections officer Emily Monroe as his hostage, undercover CIA agent Zack Devlin was trying to escape with his life. But when he helped himself to Emily''s full red lips and her body melted into Zack''s hard edges, she didn''t know if she was in danger or in love. Both harboring old secrets and heartache, Emily and Zack were forced to run from dark intentions; finding solace in each other''s body heat, a shared passion driven by pure adrenaline. But as their search for evidence became a suicide mission, would they die having never said…I love you?

Agent: Robert Davidson Mission: Pinpoint exact location of the missing agent in Rebelia. Deepest Secret: He''s never recovered from the horror of watching the woman he loved die. Robert Davidson thought he could handle returning to Rebelia, the war-ravaged country that nearly cost him his life—and had cost him Lily Scott, the passionate journalist he''d fallen in love with. But nothing could have prepared him for the shock of finding Lily still alive—with a child. With Lily''s and her son''s life in danger, Robert must set aside his jealousy—and desire—in order to protect the only woman he''s ever loved. But Lily has one more secret—which will change his life forever.

Only one man can keep her and her baby safe in this classic book of heart-stopping suspense by New York Times bestselling author Linda Castillo! Originally published as The Phoenix Encounter in 2003. Agent Robert Davidson never recovered from the horror of watching the woman he loved die in a war-ravaged country. But he thought he could handle returning to Rebelia on a mission. Only nothing could have prepared him for the shock of finding Lily still alive—with a child. With Lily’s and her son’s life in danger, Robert must set aside his jealousy—and desire—in order to protect her and the boy. Except there is one more secret yet to be revealed—which will change Roberts’s life forever.

Marty Hogan was a good cop, until a shocking case sent her to the razor''s edge... A sadistic killer pushed Chicago cop Marty Hogan past her limits—and it was all caught on video. She lost her job, her sense of self, her entire world...until an open detective position in small-town Texas gave her a chance at redemption. But she''s about to learn that the past always catches up... Police Chief Clay Settlemeyer knows all about mistakes and second chances—he''s still earning his own, so he''s willing to give Marty the opportunity to prove herself. But when her ex-partner is murdered, it looks like Chicago is coming to small-town Texas with a vengeance! "Castillo''s novel resonates with its blend of stalking menace and rich characterization." — Romantic Times, 4 Stars "Linda Castillo writes with power, passion, and a voice you''ll never forget!"— New York Times bestselling author Maggie Shayne "OVERKILL is another winner from Linda Castillo. Having a great conflict and creating great characters are just two of the reasons Linda Castillo is quickly becoming one of my go-to authors for romantic suspense. I can''t wait to read more." — Romance Junkies "Ripped straight from the headlines and guaranteed to cause...There is a happy ending here, but Castillo makes them work for it. So when it comes, it''s worth it." — Paperbackreader.com

"Despite a happy childhood, successful entrepreneur Addison Fox has always yearned to find her birth mother. And with the unexpected death of her adoptive parents comes a renewed determination to fill in the missing pieces of her life to find her "other" family."--P. [4] of cover.