Down a Dark Road

By: Linda Castillo

Narrated by: Kathleen McInerney

Length: 9 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's Summary

This program is read by series narrator Kathleen McInerney.

"McInerney's masterly technique makes aural sense of the plain and kind Amish people bewildered by the violence, thuggery, and corruption that have come among them. McInerney's characters are alive, all human and believable, even at a sometimes blistering pace." - AudioFile Magazine on Among the Wicked

In Down a Dark Road, this electrifying new thriller audiobook in Linda Castillo's New York Times best-selling series, a convicted murderer is on the run and Chief of Police Kate Burkholder must catch him before he strikes again.

Two years ago Joseph King was convicted of murdering his wife and sentenced to life in prison. He was a "fallen" Amish man and, according to local law enforcement, a known drug user with a violent temper. Now King has escaped, and he's headed for Painters Mill.

News of a murderer on the loose travels like wildfire and putting Chief of Police Kate Burkholder and her team of officers on edge. A nightmare scenario becomes reality when King shows up with a gun and kidnaps his five children from their Amish uncle's house. He's armed and desperate with nothing left to lose.

Fearing for the safety of the children, Kate leaps into action, but her frantic search for a killer leads her into an ambush. When King releases her unharmed, asking her to prove his innocence, she begins to wonder whether the police are hiding something, and she embarks on her own investigation to discover the truth.

©2017 Linda Castillo (P)2017 Macmillan Audio

Critic Reviews

"Murder in Amish country has a certain added frisson, and Castillo's the master of the genre." ( People)

Another Great Installment To The Series

I've enjoyed every book in the Kate Burkholder series so far.

I noticed a (very) few comments saying "Down a Dark Road" was too predictable, the same premise as previous works, etc.. Personally, based on what I've seen or read both on the news or read in novels; murder, mystery and suspense are, unfortunately, bottomless pit genres in both fiction and real life. If there WERE limits to the base category, we'd never have had a reason to form our own city's police forces let alone consider state or federal bureaus of investigation.

Consider the TV show, "Criminal Minds" and what we've learned about "un-subs" in the world of fiction. Also, "Law and Order" and its many spin-offs, "C.S.I., [name that city], etc." All were (or are) pretty predictable but look how long they were (and still are), on the air in both original formats and reruns. And many of us probably sit and watch them all, over and over.

I happen to feel comfortable with a familiarity of characters and settings. It allows me to try to figure out who, what, why, and so on, without trying to remember new background details about the settings every single time. And, while I can certainly understand how some people might find them predictable; to me, that makes them no less enjoyable to read.

So, I'll be watching and waiting for Ms. Castillo's next Kate Burkholder novel. She hasn't let me down yet and I seriously doubt she will because, regardless of the category, there are still many sub-plots, conclusions and stones left unturned.

7 people found this helpful

Not the Best but I LOVE Burkholder

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I am not sure I would have stayed engaged in the book had I not been a huge Kate Burkholder fan. It was not quite as good as the rest.

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

It was pretty suspenseful, overall I'm happy with it.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Kathleen McInerney?

Yes.

Do you think Down a Dark Road needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No. It ended in a way that needed no follow up.

Any additional comments?

I love Kate Burkholder series. Kathleen Mclnerney does a good job with narration but after listening to the whole series her voice seemed way different on this audio book. I wasn't thrilled with the disconnect.

2 people found this helpful

Too long and partly very boring

It was partly very difficult to stay awake. I do enjoy stories from a ‚different‘ world - Amish
The speaker was quit ok.

1 person found this helpful

So dull!

I listen to A LOT of audiobooks... and this one is a real snoozer! I tried to give it time and get into the story but it’s impossible... don’t waste your time or money!

1 person found this helpful

Save Yourself!

Linda Castillo has decided to turn Kate Burkholder into an airhead with no common sense and a Death Wish. The last several books have been terrible! I’m hoping she decides to have Kate open an Amish tourist shop after breaking up with Tomasetti (he deserves better) in future books. Unless you like stupid women who pull others into danger, give this a miss!

1 person found this helpful

Didn't have that edge that most in this series do

Struggled to finish.
Started out GREAT, but started to lag shortly after. I'm still a Kate Burkholder fan & love narrator as well for this series.
Look forward to next one.

1 person found this helpful

Good But Not The Best

Any additional comments?

I've listened to all of the books in this series and I think fans will mostly enjoy this offering, That said, I didn't think this story was as strong as the others, and was a tad short. Unfortunately, Castillo has started to pepper these novels with the F-word, which is fast becoming the most over-used word on the planet. I'm no prude, just tired of hearing every man/woman/child repeatedly say it in every show/movie/book. So, I've come to prefer offerings where characters can express themselves without frequent retreat to vulgarity which, sadly, no longer includes these novels.

1 person found this helpful

Not my favorite

Love this series and the book wasn't terrible however, all the action was in the last hour. I predicted the ending at the early stages of the book. Wasn't bad enough to put me off the series though.

1 person found this helpful

Same old same old, nothing new, More crooked cops

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

I have read all her books so far and I am finding them tedious. For a Chief of Police she hasn't learned not to constantly bite the bait from the bad guys. I always know when she is going to get herself in some preposterous situation and never has the sense to get back up or tell anyone where she is going. Dumbest Police Chief ever.

Has Down a Dark Road turned you off from other books in this genre?

Cannot abide her books anymore. Keep hoping she will develop her characters more but she just continues with the same old plots

Which character – as performed by Kathleen McInerney – was your favorite?

Kate Burkholder. She does an excellent job of speaking the Amish German

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Down a Dark Road?

I would have had sent the book back to her and had her develop a better storyline. Every surrounding police department is so evil and crooked but hers. BLAH!

Any additional comments?

Sorry but this one is going back. You have lost a fan.

1 person found this helpful

Down a Dark Road

Any additional comments?

A very suspenseful book that will kept you at the edge of your seat. It's worth the credit

3 people found this helpful

Thrilling

This series is still keeping me highly entertained, always suspenseful, with characters that you care about. With good varied plots . This has become one of my all time favourite series.

1 person found this helpful

great story,

loved this book. the storyline was gripping, once I started listening I couldn't stop. I will be waiting with anticipation for her next book!