Title: Pray for Silence
Author: Linda Castillo
First published June 22, 2010
304 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780312374983 (ISBN10: 0312374984)
Rating: 3.99
Overview
The peaceful town of Millfield is shaken when the Plank family is found brutally murdered in their home. As the police investigate, they find very few clues and no clear motive.
Police Chief Kate Burkholder, a former Amish, knows the secrets that the Amish keep and understands the case is anything but ordinary. Enter state agent John Tomasetti, with whom Kate has a complicated past.
As they work together to solve the case, they realize the horrors of the crime will push them to their limits and force them to confront their own demons. Kate’s personal connection to the case makes it even more difficult to bear.
When a diary belonging to one of the daughters is discovered, Kate uncovers shocking secrets that hint at a double life. Who was the stranger that stole the young girl’s heart?
Was it her violent and shunned brother seeking revenge? Kate will stop at nothing to find the killer and bring them to justice, even if it means risking her own life.
About the Author
Meet Linda Castillo, an accomplished author known for her bestselling Kate Burkholder mystery series. These novels revolve around the Amish community and have earned her a spot on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists.
Sworn to Silence, the first book in the series, even became a Lifetime movie titled An Amish Murder with Neve Campbell playing the lead role of Kate Burkholder.
Linda has received numerous awards in the industry, such as a nomination for Best Hardcover by the International Thriller Writers, a nomination for the Mystery Writers of America’s Sue Grafton Memorial Award, and an “Audie Award” nomination for best mystery audiobook. Her work has also been featured on numerous bestseller lists, including the Boston Globe’s shortlist for best crime novel.
When she’s not writing, Linda is passionate about horses. She resides on a Texas ranch with her husband, three Appaloosas, and two feisty yet lovable Blue Heelers.
Linda loves hearing from her readers and encourages them to reach out to her at [email protected].
Editoral Review
Pray for Silence by Linda Castillo is a stunning thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. Castillo, who has written over 20 novels, is a master of the genre, crafting intricate plotlines and memorable characters that linger long after the book is finished.
Pray for Silence, published in 2010, is a tense, atmospheric mystery that plunges readers into the heart of Amish country, exploring both the beauty and darkness of this seemingly idyllic community. The book centers on Kate Burkholder, the chief of police in the small town of Painters Mill, Ohio.
Kate is herself a former Amish, having left the community years earlier after a traumatic incident. When a family of five is found brutally murdered in their farmhouse, Kate is called in to investigate, and quickly realizes that the killer is targeting Amish families specifically.
As the body count rises and the police department struggles to make progress, Kate finds herself facing ghosts from her own past, including the possibility that the killer is someone she knows. One of the strengths of Pray for Silence is its sense of place.
Castillo expertly captures the beauty and isolation of the Amish community, with its horse-drawn buggies and austere dress code. She also captures the tensions that exist between the Amish and the outside world, as well as the complexities of Kate’s own relationship to her former community.
Through her eyes, we see the struggles and joys of a way of life that is at once deeply traditional and increasingly challenged by modernity.
Another strength is Castillo’s skill in creating suspense.
The book is filled with heart-pumping action scenes, as well as quiet moments of reflection that allow readers to get to know Kate and the other characters more deeply. The plot is twisty and complex, with the killer’s identity remaining a mystery until the very end.
There are red herrings and false leads, but everything ultimately fits together in a satisfying way. That said, there are a few weaknesses to the book as well.
Some of the side characters, such as Kate’s romantic subplot, are not as well-developed as they could be, and there are moments where the pacing drags a bit. Additionally, some readers may find the Amish-specific details to be too much at times, slowing down the narrative.
Overall, however, Pray for Silence is an excellent thriller that will appeal to fans of the genre, as well as those interested in Amish culture. Castillo’s writing is taut and atmospheric, and her characters are multi-dimensional and compelling.
The book is both satisfying as a standalone novel and as part of a broader series, with Kate Burkholder remaining a fascinating protagonist throughout.
I highly recommend Pray for Silence to anyone who enjoys smart, suspenseful thrillers that delve into the complexities of human nature.
Whether you’re a fan of Linda Castillo’s previous works or new to her writing, this book is sure to impress. I give it a solid four out of five stars.
