Evil Heart

On a crisp autumn day in Painters Mill, Ohio, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder answers a call and finds a young Amish man killed with a crossbow, his body left on a dirt road. Aden Karn was only twenty, well liked, and from a respected Amish family. He was funny, hardworking and looking forward to marrying his fiancée, Emily. Kate, who was raised Amish herself, wonders who could do something so brutal to a young man whose life was just beginning.

As she gets to know his grieving family and the people, both English and Amish, who loved him, she grows more determined to solve the case. Her own wedding to John Tomasetti, an agent with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, is drawing near at the same time.

Then Kate starts hearing whispers that Aden had a dark side. Perhaps he was not the wholesome young man everyone admired, or perhaps the rumors are a cruel attempt to blame the victim. She follows every lead, sensing a secret no one will speak of. The case spirals when a young Amish woman comes forward with a horrific story that sets Kate against a dangerous and unexpected opponent.

An Evil Heart is the latest installment in Linda Castillo's bestselling series featuring Kate Burkholder.