Eadie B. (eadieburke) -
The Kate Burkholder Series is one of my favorite series and this 9th installment did not disappoint. It's always fun to visit Painter's Mill through her books each year. I found this one to be well-written about a childhood friend of Kate's who is accused of murdering his wife and Kate is bound and determined to prove his innocence. More about Kate's childhood and past is revealed and we are told that Joseph, the man accused of murdering his wife, was Kate's teenage love interest. In order to prove Joseph's innocence, Kate finds her life is also in danger and she has a close brush with death. There are lots of twists and turns which added to the suspense and kept the pages turning until the very surprise ending. Her relationship with Tomasetti continues to move forward as he is always there to help her through her rough moments. These books should be read in order as one builds upon the other. I now look forward to the next in the series and I would highly recommend this book to those who like mystery suspense.
Dianna (savingsinseconds) reviewed Down a Dark Road (Kate Burkholder, Bk 9) on + 52 more book reviews
I liked how this one brought us happy memories from Kate's childhood. Though the mystery wasn't too hard to figure out, it was fun to see how Kate would get out of a bad situation. I also loved how the author worked in an unlikely hero for Kate at the end.
I started this series out of order, but have gone back and read from the beginning which I highly recommend.
I started this series out of order, but have gone back and read from the beginning which I highly recommend.
Down a Dark Road by Linda Castillo is the newest A Kate Burkholder Novel. Kate Burkholder is the chief of police in Painters Mill, Ohio. Kate receives a call from Deputy Warden Jerry Murphy at the Mansfield Correctional Institute saying that Joseph King has escaped. Joseph was convicted two years prior of murdering his wife. His five children now live with their aunt and uncle on a farm outside Painters Mill. Kate grew up with Joseph until his family moved away when she was thirteen. She remembers the crush she had on Joseph and how he changed after his father passed away. Kate does not think Joseph will return to town, but she sets up a watch on Rebecca and Daniel Beachy's home. Around 3 a.m. Kate is checking the perimeter when she is attacked. Joseph gets the drop of Kate and forces her into the farmhouse. Joseph is holding Kate along with his five children hostage. Joseph swears to Kate that he is innocent, but he refuses to give himself up. He does not want to go back to prison and he will not let the children go. Joseph wants Kate to investigate and prove he did not murder his wife, Naomi. Kate is set free and faces the criticism of her colleagues. She remembers what Joseph was like as a young boy. Kate sets off on her quest for answers. Did Joseph kill Naomi as the evidence suggests? Kate is in for a bumpy ride in Down a Dark Road.
I look forward to reading the latest Kate Burkholder book each year and Linda Castillo did not let me down with this tome. Down a Dark Road captured and held my interest. I found the book to be well-written and have a steady pace. The mystery is complex with many twists and turns along the way. I did solve the mystery early in the story, but I enjoyed reading on to see how it would unravel. I would find dealing with the Amish very frustrating if I was a police officer (Kate is so patient). Their reluctance to talk and help the law astounds me. Kate Burkholder is a complicated person. I liked that more of her youth was revealed to us (Kate looks back remembering her time with Joseph). It is nice to see how Kate was as a girl (she grew up Amish). I also appreciated seeing a more vulnerable side of Kate. My rating for Down a Dark Road is 4.5 out of 5 stars. While Down a Dark Road is the ninth book in the series, it can be read alone. Personally, I am glad to have read the whole series, because each volume builds upon the previous. A new layer of Kate's character is exposed and we discover a little more about Kate. The epilogue was lovely and heartwarming. I look forward to reading the tenth book in A Kate Burkholder series when it releases next year.
I look forward to reading the latest Kate Burkholder book each year and Linda Castillo did not let me down with this tome. Down a Dark Road captured and held my interest. I found the book to be well-written and have a steady pace. The mystery is complex with many twists and turns along the way. I did solve the mystery early in the story, but I enjoyed reading on to see how it would unravel. I would find dealing with the Amish very frustrating if I was a police officer (Kate is so patient). Their reluctance to talk and help the law astounds me. Kate Burkholder is a complicated person. I liked that more of her youth was revealed to us (Kate looks back remembering her time with Joseph). It is nice to see how Kate was as a girl (she grew up Amish). I also appreciated seeing a more vulnerable side of Kate. My rating for Down a Dark Road is 4.5 out of 5 stars. While Down a Dark Road is the ninth book in the series, it can be read alone. Personally, I am glad to have read the whole series, because each volume builds upon the previous. A new layer of Kate's character is exposed and we discover a little more about Kate. The epilogue was lovely and heartwarming. I look forward to reading the tenth book in A Kate Burkholder series when it releases next year.
Elizabeth R. (esjro) -
I love this series, but this one was not the best. The beginning was exciting, but it lagged towards the end. I like it better when Kate and John's relationship is more dysfunctional.
Robin M. (robinmy) -
Police Chief Kate Burkholder receives notification that Joseph King has escaped from prison. King is an Amish man convicted of murdering his wife. Since his five children live near Painter's Mills with their aunt and uncle, Kate puts everyone on the lookout for King in case he shows up. While investigating an abandoned car, Kate is ambushed by Joseph King and taken hostage. King doesn't want to hurt her. He knows Kate from being children together. Joseph tells her that he did not kill his wife. He wants Kate to prove it.
Another excellent addition to the Kate Burkholder series. These books never disappoint. There are a lot of twists and turns in this investigation. I couldn't put this book down. My rating: 5 Stars.
Another excellent addition to the Kate Burkholder series. These books never disappoint. There are a lot of twists and turns in this investigation. I couldn't put this book down. My rating: 5 Stars.
Julie G. (renegadespiritcat) reviewed Down a Dark Road (Kate Burkholder, Bk 9) on + 198 more book reviews
Another fast paced script by Linda Castillo keeps you on the edge of your seat in a who done it story line.
