Down
A Dark Road
by Linda Castillo is an electrifying thriller. It seems with
each book, this being the ninth, she gets better and better.
Within a riveting mystery she is able to seamlessly blend
the Amish culture, giving glimpses and insights to their way
of life.
Once again small town Painters Mill police chief Kate Burkholder
is forced to re-visit her childhood past. She is notified
about the escape of Joseph King, convicted of killing his
wife while his children slept in the same house. This is personal
for her since he was her childhood friend and hero who she
looked up to. Knowing that Joseph had always denied killing
his wife Naomi, Kate begins to wonder if he is guilty or was
he railroaded? Although never leaving the Amish community
he has become a dark figure after losing his father in an
accident.
The tidbits about the Amish help make the plot realistic.
Family trumps all considering they are a strong and tightknit
community. When something bad happens they circle the wagons
and step in to help. Although Kate left the Amish she still
misses this. They try to maintain their culture by keeping
their children under their thumbs, which is something Kate
did not conform with. A scene in this book shows Kate’s
independent side as she played ice hockey after being encouraged
by Joseph, her childhood friend; yet, her parents tried to
steer her away. Probably because they are a male dominated
patriarchal society where the husband has the final say. The
scenes show this when Amish women interviewed by Kate are
told by their husbands to get inside the house. Also, the
phrases from their language, Pennsylvania Dutch add to the
authenticity.
Castillo comments about Kate, “She can be stubborn at
times and never gives up. I also think she can be imperfect
and impulsive. People should be aware that in the first book,
Sworn To Silence, her backstory was introduced. At that time
she was a little rough around the edges and a damaged soul
that drank way too much. In later books I speak about her
relationship with her siblings who have remained Amish. I
hope to present in future books more of her imperfect childhood.
Although she had a big heart Kate did lash out. At some point
I will examine her relationship with her mother and father
who knew she was a rebel of sorts.”
Regarding Joseph the author notes, “An imperfect and
flawed man who went down a dark road. He lost control of his
life. He was not a black and white person, but had a lot of
gray. I am hoping that over the course of the book readers
begin to care for and sympathize with him. I put in the scene
where he defends his horse after someone threw an egg at the
animal when he was only thirteen, and another time he comes
to Kate and her sister’s defense. These scenes show
how the English have participated in crimes against the Amish
that also include throwing live firecrackers, bottles, and
rocks into their buggies.”
In this book characters that come to life have readers caring
what happens to them. As the mystery unfolds it becomes obvious
this is not a cut and dry story, but one that weaves suspense,
humor, and a gripping tension.
Reviews of other titles in this series
Down
A Dark Road #9
A
Gathering of Secrets #10 |