My Review of “A Gathering of Secrets” by Linda Castillo

My Review of ” A Gathering of Secrets” by Linda Castillo Minotaur Books July 2018

“A Gathering of Secrets” by Linda Castillo is an intriguing and suspenseful novel. The Genres for this Novel are Mystery, Suspense , Thriller and Fiction. This happens to be a series written by Linda Castillo, but it is the first time I have read any of the author’s books. It is possible to be read as a stand alone. The timeline of the story is mostly in the present, and only goes to the past when it pertains to the characters or events. Most to the story occurs in the Amish Community.

The author describes her characters as complex and complicated. Chief Kate Burkholder was once  part of the Amish community, so she speaks the language and knows the ways of the people. Now an outsider and law enforcer, Kate has vivid nightmares of past events that occurred when she was part of the community.

Kate is called when there is a suspicious fire in an Amish barn, and an 18-year-old young man is found dead.  As Kate and the police force, and other agencies investigate  there is evidence that it was arson. Who would want to harm a young man who the community has considered a “good boy”. What secrets did the deceased have? Questions arise as to  who is the victim?

There are twists and turns, and dark deep secrets.  Many of the people in this community  seem to have motives and revenge for the death. Things get dangerous when Kate is shot at. Is her getting to close to the truth? I would recommend this novel to those readers that are a fan of Linda Castillo, or enjoy a mystery filled with intense suspense.