Murder

A Gathering of Secrets
4 Stars

Chief of Police Kate Burkholder is called in to investigate a barn fire on an Amish farm that soon turns out to be a case of arson and murder. The victim, an apparently hard-working and well-liked young Amish man seems an unlikely target. Yet, the more Kate reveals about his personality and life, the clearer the motive becomes.

The mystery is engaging with several compelling twists and turns although the actual explanation is not all that surprising. The motive for the murder is thought-provoking as it emphasizes the problems inherent to a patriarchal and segregated community, in which justice often eludes victims of heinous crimes.

There are also developments in Kate and John's personal life as well and it wonderful to see them functioning as a unit both personally and professionally. They have come a long way and found that communication is the key to a healthy relationship.

All in all, a solid addition to an excellent series. ( )

Inspiegabile appare la morte di Daniel Gingerich nell’incendio doloso di un fienile.
Il ragazzo era un amish devoto e benvoluto da tutti, gran lavoratore, simpatico e sempre disponibile una persona a cui nessuno avrebbe voluto fare del male.
Ma Kate sa che non c’è niente di accidentale dietro questa morte e che bisognerà scavare molto a fondo per scoprire cosa si nasconde dietro a questo tragico delitto.
Un’altra storia avvincente ed appassionante, ricca di colpi di scena, un altro libro imperdibile di una serie di cui spero di vedere presto tante altre pubblicazioni.
( )

This series is never boring. When she was still a teen, and a member of the Amish community in Painter's Mill, Ohio, Police Chief Kate Burkholder feel into the hands of a man who harmed her. She was banished from the community, and did not receive support from this close-knit group.

Years later, she returned and became a very good detective/inspector. This author's books are always fascinating, and often if I think I know who perpetrated the crime, I am wrong. The writing is good and portrays the Amish as a rule-filled and very closed society. Because Kate Burkholder knows the good and the ugly about the Amish. She misses some of the closeness, but not the rules that forbid a lot of contact with non amish.

When a well-known Amish teenaged boy is horridly killed when he is trapped inside a small room in a large barn, the autopsy results point to murder.

Untangling the life of the boy killed, she discovers he isn't as nice as he portrayed himself.

This is a fast paced who done it story.

Recommended. ( )

Will continue the series ( )