Book Review: Sworn to Silence

  

Author: Linda Castillo
Publisher: Minotaur/St Martins, 2009
354 pages
Genre: Fiction, criminal investigation

Most of the time, it's true that a book is always better than the movie version. In this case, I watched a movie on Netflix called "An Amish Murder.'' Overall, the movie was an enjoyable watch, but just a bit too over-dramatized and melodramatic. It was a Lifetime Channel made-for-TV movie, and that's just their usual fare. I saw in the credits that it was based on a book. The mix of police investigation and Amish/English relations was interesting and different enough to make me want to read the book.

I'm glad I did. 

Sworn to Silence is the first book in a series of crime thrillers by Linda Castillo. There are 8 books in the series so far. The main character, Kate Burkholder, grew up Amish and left the faith after being raped as a teenager. She returns to her Ohio hometown years later, after becoming a police officer, to serve as police chief. 

Burkholder harbors secrets about her past. A series of murders threaten to reveal the truth about the incident that made her leave the Amish way of life. Burkholder has to deal with her past, deal with the strained relationship with her Amish family, and investigate a series of gruesome killings. 

The book is well written, and the story enjoyable. I definitely want to read the rest of the series. The crime genre can become formula with many authors writing books pretty much along the same lines. But, Castillo found a different niche here, setting her crime procedurals in the heart of Amish country, with a main character who is under the bann for leaving the Amish faith. Great character development and a good plot make this an enjoyable read! 

My rating:  7/10
Some gruesome descriptions of murder victims, but not over-done. 
Recommended for 16+ due to violence & sexual situations
A couple steamy sex scenes, but not overly descriptive. 

Can't wait to read the next book!!