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Down a Dark Road  By  cover art

Down a Dark Road

By: Linda Castillo
Narrated by: Kathleen McInerney
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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 bestselling 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

AudioFile Editors' Pick "The Most Intriguing Upcoming Releases"

"Past and present collide for Chief of Police Kate Burkholder in this compelling audiobook, and Kathleen McInerney is a strong narrator...McInerney speaks primarily from Kate's perspective but creates strong voices for all of the book's characters...Though part of a series, this title easily stands alone." -AudioFile

"Kathleen McInerne...brings all the versatility you'd hope for to the varied cast of men, women and children, giving each an undeniably distinct voice." -Inside New Jersey

What listeners say about Down a Dark Road

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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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.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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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

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4 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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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.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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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!

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2 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

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.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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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!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

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.

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1 person found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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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.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

As Expected from Linda Castillo.

Good as always expected from Linda Castillo. Worth purchasing and you won't want to stop listening.

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