A Hidden Secret

A Kate Burkholder Short Story

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.

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.

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.

Would have liked it to be a full length story

Would you try another book from Linda Castillo and/or Kathleen McInerney?

I have listened to all of the books in the Kate Burkholder series and I have found them to be exciting, suspenseful, and well done.

What could Linda Castillo have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

I would have wished this short story to have been a full length novel but I realize that Linda Castillo just released a full length story, After the Storm. It was excellent by the way.

What three words best describe Kathleen McInerney’s performance?

Continue the series.

Do you think A Hidden Secret needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No not really. perhaps a mention in the next up-coming book so readers know who Baby Doe went to live with. Kate and Tomasetti?????

Great Story, Performance Not So Much

I wish the actor reading the story would have ventured out and actually talked to some Amish. While they do have their own unique accent, they do not sound like German immigrants. Good Lord she made them sound cheesy!

Excellent narration as always

Excellent narration I thought Kathleen was going to do an epilogue I guess not because it makes sense though because it’s one hour that makes sense if the books for longer she would’ve done an epilogue

My first Castillo

I can’t wait to listen to more. Narration was perfect. Storyline was engaging and I could not stop listening. Mystery, personal drama, a bit of police work, all blended into a very good story.

Doesn't Disappoint

I really enjoyed this book. It was short but there was no lack of content.

Uplifting

As always Ms. Castillo tells a poignant story with warmth and lovely characters who prevail.

Mystery

This was very different than the Amish books I usually read. I really enjoyed it . The narrator was excellent. Thank you Linda Castillo.