Never think you should pick up one of Linda Castillo’s Kate Burkholder mysteries just because it’s set in Ohio’s Amish country. If you’re looking for cozy, try Laura Bradford’s Amish mysteries. If you’re looking for riveting police procedurals, a strong female police chief and her team, and the investigation of gruesome, realistic crimes, check out Castillo’s books, including the fifteenth in the series, An Evil Heart.

The book opens with the violent killing of a young Amish man who is on his way to work on his bicycle. Everyone says Aden Karn was such a kind, gentle man with a good heart. The parents of the young Amish woman he hoped to marry approved of him. His parents were heartbroken when Police Chief Burkholder had to break the news to them. Aden was on rumspringa, living with a childhood friend who was like a brother. Who would want to attack him twice with a crossbow? Early on in her investigation, Kate says, “The only things I know for certain at this point is that the person responsible is a danger to the community and it’s my job to find him before he hurts anyone else.”

In the course of the investigation, Burkholder discovers another side of Aden Karn who seemed to present two faces to the world. Most of the Amish knew that gentle, hardworking young man. But, people who hung out at a local bar saw another side to him. And, when a young woman’s wrapped body was found in a creek, Kate wonders if two such brutal crimes in the small community of Painters Mill are connected.

Castillo alleviates tension with preparations for the upcoming wedding between Kate and Tomasetti. Kate’s family shoulders the preparations, and, because she’s deep into the investigation of two murders, she has little time to get involved. However, because she never thought she’d be close to her sister and brother again, she’s overwhelmed by the love and kindness they show at this time. Castillo shows the violence and evil of the crimes in this book, and contrasts it with the depth of feeling and emotions between Tomasetti and Kate. That love and kindness is extended from Kate’s family, and many of the people in the Amish community.

If you’re prepared for a compelling, violent police procedural, contrasted with kindness and love, pick up An Evil Heart. Linda Castillo shows us there’s tenderness, despite the viciousness in the world.

Linda Castillo’s website is https://www.lindacastillo.com/

An Evil Heart by Linda Castillo. Minotaur Books, 2023. ISBN 9781250781086 (hardcover), 320p.

FTC Full Disclosure – I received a galley through NetGalley to review the book for a journal.