Rage

A Novel (Kate Burkholder, Book 17)

By: Linda Castillo

Narrated by: Kathleen McInerney

“McInerney's performance and the strong story make this a compelling and worthy addition to the series.”—AudioFile

In this gripping installment of the Edgar Award-winning series, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder investigates a brutal double murder that takes her into the dark underbelly of society and exposes the dangers of Amish lives gone wrong. This program is read by classically trained actor and Earphones and Audie Award-winning audiobook narrator Kathleen McInerney.

Summer has arrived with a vengeance in Painters Mill, and a macabre discovery by three Amish children brings the quiet to a grinding halt. Chief of Police Kate Burkholder arrives on scene to find the dismembered body of 21-year-old Samuel Eicher, a local Amish man who owned a successful landscaping business. What twisted individual murdered him in such a sadistic way?

The investigation has barely begun when, miles away, a second body is found, stuffed into a barrel and dumped in a ravine. The deceased is 21-year-old Aaron Shetler, Samuel Eicher’s best friend. What could these two young Amish men have been involved in that led to such violent ends?

With a heat wave bearing down, Kate learns quickly that, for reasons she doesn’t understand, no one is willing to talk about what happened to the men. Just as she begins to fear the case may be hopeless, a mystery woman comes forward and reveals that fun-loving Aaron and Samuel had recently befriended some very unsavory characters—individuals who may have ties to a larger, more sinister, black market.

To solve the case, Kate must delve into the most sordid corners of her community, but when she gets too close, the killers target Kate herself. Will the secrets simmering beneath the surface of Painters Mill take another life before she can expose the truth? Or will Kate be the final victim?

“An exceptionally engaging audiobook, delivered by a masterful narrator.”—AudioFile on A Simple Murder (Earphones Award winner)

A Macmillan Audio production from Minotaur Books.

©2025 Linda Castillo (P)2025 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"A gripping, shocking story—fortunately with some lighter moment to offset the violence and tension—from a gifted, award-winning writer who knows how to grab readers and keep them riveted from first page to last."—Booklist, starred review

"Slippery suspects and evildoers among the usually private and quiet Amish."—Kirkus Reviews

Great Story

I love this series! Worst thing is when you reach you the end of the book!

Heartbreaking story

Castillo takes us on a journey to Painters Mill, OH, once again. This time a young Amish man has been killed and found dismembered in the nearby woods. A couple of days later, another body is found. Chief Kate Burkholder has her work cut out for her as she tries to pull the pieces of an ever-growing list of victims and suspects together and make sense of it all. The realization that something dark and insidious may be in Painters Mill is scary. What that is and how Chief Burholder, John Thomesetti, her officers and the other law enforcement agencies solve the case will have you sitting in your car at work listening for more. An excellent book. A horrifying case.

Great plot

No dislikes Always love Chief Burkholder adventures Lots of suspense. Issues very up to date -sex trafficking

Good story….rough narrative

The story was great. I did not like listening to this book. I had a hard time finishing it because of that. It was like listening to a robot. I listen to a lot of books because I’m constantly driving, so had I realized that the entire book was going to be like this I probably wouldn’t have purchased it.

Love this series1

I’m always impressed by how this narrator does the Pennsylvania Dutch speech. In the past books I’ve been disappointed by her lack of research into how to pronounce various Ohio place names. She knocked it out of the park on this one though. Anyone who can pronounce Tuscarawas without tripping over themselves has done their homework. Great story that is very timely.