Part of Kate Burkholder, book 7
First published 2015
Chief of Police Kate Burkholder faces a grim discovery when a tornado rips through Painters Mill and exposes human remains. What begins as identifying old bones quickly turns into something far more sinister. The evidence points to murder, not natural death, and Kate finds herself investigating a crime that happened thirty years ago. The case pulls her back into the Amish community she left behind, forcing her to navigate old connections and buried secrets. As she digs deeper, Kate uncovers proof of terrible crimes and discovers how far families will go to protect themselves. The investigation takes a personal toll as her relationship with state agent John Tomasetti faces serious strain. Their new love becomes fragile under pressure, threatening the stability they have built together. Kate must battle both an unknown enemy and her own inner struggles while pursuing justice for a decades-old atrocity.
Genres: suspense, mystery, crime, thriller
Vibes: atmospheric, intimate, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, personal-stakes
Setting: Painters Mill
Period: 30 Years Ago
320 pages · Hardcover · Minotaur Books