Sworn to Silence

A Thriller

By: Linda Castillo

Narrated by: Kathleen McInerney

Length: 11 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

Now the subject of the Lifetime original movie: An Amish Murder

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 16 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.

©2009 Linda Castillo (P)2009 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"Deeply flawed characters in a distinctive setting make this a crackling good series opener, recommended for fans of T. Jefferson Parker and Robert Ellis, whose books take place in very un-Amish settings but who generate the same kind of chills and suspense." (Booklist)

Very Good

emotional, tear jerking, are you ready for chills, standing up, pull your hair, gut turning kind of book.

Promising setting, over the top violence

I'm mixed about this book -- found the juxtaposition of Amish and "English" very interesting but the vicious brutality of the killer was hard to stomach.

Very Descriptive and Realistic

This book takes you on a roller coaster ride. You feel like you know these characters. My eyes watered for them more than once. Very descriptive and Realistic. Right from the first paragraph to the last, it is sitting on the edge of your seat. Could not wait to hear the next chapter. I would have liked to get the book and follow along. Nicely read as well.

On the Edge of my Seat Listening

Just finished this book, and I am relieved this one is over. Not because I disliked it, but that the suspense is over...for now. I'm a big series listening, and I saw that the newest Chief Kate Burkholder book had been released. I didn't want to start there, so bought Sworn to Silence: A Thriller...and boy, was it! I will give no spoilers other than what others have said. The graphic descriptions of the murders are difficult, and I had to purposely think of other things while trying to go to sleep this week. I had seen the movie a while ago, so knew what was to come. However, the movie script is quite different than the actual book so was relieved at the end. Surprises around every turn. Had to keep telling myself that this was just the first of the series and Chef Burkholder is the heroine of a bunch more books coming up so she will be alright. I recommend this highly...but start the series with this book, like I did.

I’m glad this is a series

I like the characters a lot and I’m glad there are more books to come. Well written and intelligent

Good Story...wordy telling

The plot and overall story performance here was good..sadly my short attention spanned wouldn't allow me to listen to the book in it's entirety because of Castillo's lengthy descriptions which seem to prolong the action. I discovered that Lifetime made a movie based on the book so I purchased it from my Amazon Prime account and watched the ending instead - lol. Would recommend however.

Loved this book!

This book was awesome. After reading her first two books Linda Castillo has become one of my favorite authors. Plan to read all the books in this series. Kate Burkeholder is such an interesting character,

story

Exdelleng storyline, really enjoyed this book. couldn't put the book down. will definitely read more of the authors books

You won't put it down!

I loved everything about the book; I will continue this series! You won't be disappointed.

Very good

Excellent writing and excellent narrator . Story line interesting. Never lags. Going to order Book 2 to find out about a budding romance