A Hidden Secret

By: Linda Castillo

Narrated by: Kathleen McInerney

Length: 1 hr and 45 mins

Publisher's Summary

When a baby - only hours old - is discovered on the Amish bishop's front porch in Painter's Mill, Ohio, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder is called in to investigate. The newborn is swaddled in an Amish crib quilt, and the only other item found with the child is a hand-carved wood rattle, which Kate also recognizes as Amish.

The little girl seems healthy and whole, but who would abandon her and why? Though the quilt and rattle could have been purchased, Kate suspects the mother is Amish, possibly young and unmarried, both of which would be powerful motives for such a desperate act.

With the rattle and the baby quilt as the only clues, Kate must call upon her own Amish roots and, with the help of state agent John Tomasetti, search the Amish and "English" communities of Painters Mill for clues to unravel the poignant, puzzling mystery.

©2015 Linda Castillo (P)2015 Macmillan Audio

Really Liked the Pace

This was an excellent novella and has motivated me to begin reading the series. The book lasts only 105 minutes, so the pace is quick. I look forward to learning more about the background of the various characters in this book.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

A wondeerful, beautiful story!

Listening to A Hidden Secret and being able to give it only 5 stars makes me want to downgrade other books which I gave 5 stars. This novella is that good!

A Hidden Secret is part of the Kate Burkholder series. Burkeholder is chief of police in Painter's Mill, Ohio which is Amish country. The book is about the story of a newborn baby left on the steps of an Amish bishop and ultimately the baby's teen parents and their families.

This is my first book by Linda Castillo, but I will add her to my list of authors that I have purchased copies of all of their books. I have the complete works of more than 25 modern authors in my Audible library now. I always pre-order their new novels.

This book cost less than $1. It's worth much more than that to me.

6 of 8 people found this review helpful

I like a good mystery. very good story. Good one!

Most heartwarming part was the cemetery. She loved him so. I knew the grandparents would take Baby Doe.

a good detective

What made the experience of listening to A Hidden Secret the most enjoyable?

the story was interesting and had quite a few personalities involved.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

no, not on the edge of my seat, but i stayed focused gathering clues right by the side of the detective. this was a comfortable story to read.

What does Kathleen McInerney bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

she was able to capture the feelings of the characters in a way that it enhanced the experience.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

yes when the female detective was handed the baby and she was mighty uncomfortable. it made me laugh several times.

Hidden Secret

Presented well. I was interested in story. I felt the ending left me hanging. What Did become of Baby Doe?

A Hidden Secret<br />

Couldn't put this short story dowm, a moving story that makes you sad. The reading was excellent. Will definitely read more books from Linda Castello

This One May Have Been Phoned In

While the story, like all of Ms. Castillo's books, grabbed me & brought me right in; this wasn't a short story as billed, it had the makings of a great book, given some effort. The bit of a story left many unanswered questions, left so very many avenues where additional material could have been added. Additionally, when doing z series, even if many are capable of standing on their own, they do so at the expense of the reader; who, if had read previous books in the Series, would have been enriched by that knowledge since it directly effects the character's decisions, responses to others & the actions the character follows thru on.

This is the very first book that she has written that I've been disappointed & feel as if the time was wasted.

Actually, the 3 stars were pretty much a gift~ based on the former books she wrote & I read.

Great Addition to Ongoing Series

I enjoyed this short story in the Kate Burkholder series. This should be read/listened to prior to book 7. The narrator's voice is just right and overall this is a really good audio book.

Kate Burkholder solves another one!

Short story that further develops the ongoing life of Chief Kate Burkholder life overlapping the Amish & the English & crime.

Great short story for kate burkholder fAns

Gripping yet smooth to hear story about a girl, an Amish boy, and an abandoned baby.

Kathleen mcinerney is a terrific narrator! Listen to the rest of the series-they are great!