It’s been two years since Joseph King was accused and convicted of murdering his wife, leaving their five children to be raised by their aunt and uncle. Now Joseph has escaped and Police Chief Kate Burkholder is certain that the Amish man will return to find his children. She’s got unique insight into the man as she grew up with him when she was Amish and he was her first crush. But, the man he grew into bears little resemblance to the boy she remembers.
This was an exciting though tragic story as Joseph strongly asserts his innocence, even after he ambushes Kate and holds her hostage. I’ve repeatedly lamented how Kate goes into situations without backup and gets into trouble. It happens again here but what is different this time is how she receives the scorn of her fellow members within law enforcement. It stung and felt realistic, including her reaction. Despite all this, Joseph’s denials have a ring of truth and Kate decides to do her own investigation of the murder and things got interesting and exciting.
The story deviated from the normal patterns I’ve experienced with the earlier books and I was all set to give this my highest rating until the final culmination of the investigation. Still, this was a great listening experience, one where I couldn’t put the book away. I continue to love everything about the narrator’s performance. Kate used her team effectively, using caution when needed and adeptly managing the politics. I think there’s hope for her yet!
Book Info
- Release Date: July 11, 2017
- Series: Kate Burkholder #9
- Narrator: Kathleen McInerney
- Audio Length: 9 hours, 58 minutes
- Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Blue Mood Café 
I think I would be rolling my eyes if the MC kept going into situations without back up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Several of us have😏
LikeLike
Fab review Jo! Maybe 2022 will be the year I read one of these books! 🤷♀️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Nicki💜 You will enjoy this series…one day😏
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry the ending was disappointing, Jo! You wrote once again a fantastic review!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Marialyce💜 It wasn’t bad enough to tank the story, thank goodness.
LikeLike
This series is so intriguing but Kate, oh Kate…when will she ever learn. Excellent review, Jo!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Tessa💜 Amazingly, these stories are SO good up until Kate forgets her training.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’ve sold me on this series. I just don’t know when I can read it.
Anne – Books of My Heart
LikeLiked by 1 person
We have SO many good books in the queue. One of these days…
LikeLike
Endings can make or break the story for me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This one was so good that even that last lapse of judgment couldn’t ruin the listening experience.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fabulous review Jonetta! Love ❤️ this series! Maybe one day Kate will surprise us and wait for her back up!🤣. Probably not!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Kaceey💜 This time she didn’t know she was walking into danger…but should have.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful review! xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Yvo💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
There is something about a dark and moody cover I love…great review 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jules💜 The cover fits the story perfectly!
LikeLike
I just went back to read my review and I started it with saying this one was the best Kate Burkholder book yet. I enjoyed how this one was a bit different from her other investigations. So glad you loved this one as much as I diid.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Carla💜 This was indeed different from the others to date. Glad we’re in agreement on this one.
LikeLiked by 1 person