Thursday, June 21, 2012

Gone Missing - Linda Castillo - Review AND Giveaway

Linda Castillo's latest release - Gone Missing - is the fourth book in her popular Kate Burkholder series.

Kate is the Chief of Police in Painters Mill, Ohio, home to a large Amish population. Kate herself was raised Amish but has chosen to leave and lives as an "Englischer".  Her background makes her invaluable in dealing with the Amish community.

State Agent John Tomasetti asks Kate to consult on a case he's working - a missing teenage Amish girl. As they delve deeper into the case, it appears there are more missing Amish teenagers. But have they met with foul play? Or are they experiencing Rumspringa - a time when young Amish can 'sow their wild oats' with no repercussions before deciding if they will commit to the community.

Castillo combines many elements, making her books easy, interesting and engaging reads. First off, Kate is a very likeable character. She is respected by her staff, respects the Amish and comes across as a 'real' person. She is conflicted about many things in her personal life, most notably her burgeoning relationship with Agent Tomasetti. This definitely adds some 'spice' to the novel.

The case is a good whodunit. I do wonder if these crimes (because some of them are quite ugly) do happen in the Amish community? Is Castillo basing her plots on facts or creative license?

The pacing is quite quick, with lots of action - especially at the end. (which was a good gotcha as well)

Those looking for a hard bitten crime novel won't find it here. But those looking for a easy, engaging summer read will enjoy Gone Missing. Fans of  Julie Garwood and Tess Gerritsen would enjoy this character.  The first book in the series, Sworn to Silence, will soon be a two-hour original movie starring Neve Campbell as Kate Burkholder.   You can find Linda Castillo on Facebook.

Sound like something you'd enjoy? Well, you can read an excerpt of Gone Missing......

OR

....enter to win one of two copies I have up for grabs, courtesy of St. Martin's Press! Open to US only, ends July 17/12. Good luck!

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27 comments:

  1. AngieJune 21, 2012 at 7:22 AM

    I have always been fascinated by the Amish way of life. Please enter me!

    ReplyDelete
  2. LindaJune 21, 2012 at 7:50 AM

    This sounds very good. I read a couple of Amish related books a year or so ago, learned about 'rumspringa' - thanks for the giveaway.
    lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Carol N WongJune 21, 2012 at 8:50 AM

    I love to read Amish fiction and mysteries both! I had always thought that 'rumspringa might not be as safe as thought before. This book makes perfect sense! I would love to read it.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

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  4. bermudaonionJune 21, 2012 at 9:03 AM

    I sure hope Castillo is using creative license. I don't want my image of the Amish to be tarnished.

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  5. Auntie sezzzzzz...June 21, 2012 at 9:30 AM

    Thank you for another interesting suggestion...

    "The implements of the little feast had been disposed upon
    the lawn of an old English country-house, in what I should
    call the perfect middle of a splendid summer afternoon."
    ~Henry James, "The Portrait of a Lady"

    ReplyDelete
  6. travelerJune 21, 2012 at 9:36 AM

    Thanks for this interesting and intriguing giveaway. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  7. petiteJune 21, 2012 at 9:46 AM

    This author has written many excellent novels set in Amish country. Many thanks. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  8. Karen BJune 21, 2012 at 11:08 AM

    This sounds like a fascinating book/series by a top-notch author. Adding 4 more books to my wishlist!
    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

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  9. Carl ScottJune 21, 2012 at 11:50 AM

    Gone Missing sounds very interesting. Thanks for letting me know about a series of which I was previously unaware. I be very pleased if I could win a copy. Thanks.

    carlscott(at)prodigy(dot)net(dot)mx

    ReplyDelete
  10. rossjencJune 21, 2012 at 1:05 PM

    Please consider me for the contest! Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  11. LieneJune 21, 2012 at 1:44 PM

    I would love a copy, but am intrigued enough to check out the local library to see if I can find this series...

    ReplyDelete
  12. Maureen K.June 21, 2012 at 2:12 PM

    I would love to read this book! Sounds like just the type I love. Please enter me!

    maureen(dot)kopper(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  13. AnonymousJune 21, 2012 at 3:20 PM

    I would love a chance to win! Theis is a great series...

    ReplyDelete
  14. The Many Thoughts of a ReaderJune 21, 2012 at 3:57 PM

    I love this series! I think I've read each book in a day!

    ReplyDelete
  15. scottsgalJune 21, 2012 at 8:28 PM

    I just recently started reading Amish fiction and really enjoy it
    msboatgal at aol.com

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  16. Sue FarrellJune 21, 2012 at 11:45 PM

    The Amish lifestyle just makes a book so interesting.
    suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

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  17. UnknownJune 22, 2012 at 7:50 AM

    Sounds interesting - I do like books with Amish characters/themes - please enter me - tomesofthesoul@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Martha LawsonJune 22, 2012 at 1:59 PM

    The Amish are a fascinating people! I'd love to read this one, I have always enjoyed Miss Castillo's books.

    mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

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  19. holdenjJune 22, 2012 at 2:17 PM

    I think the Amish aspect makes this Kate B. novel sound very good! Thanks for the chance to win!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

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  20. MaureenJune 22, 2012 at 8:51 PM

    I do enjoy Julie Garwoods stories and this looks like an interesting story.
    mce1011 AT aol DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  21. ~Enamored Soul~June 26, 2012 at 8:18 PM

    I love books like these...where there is an element of mystery, but the book is still refreshing and not too heavy. Plus, I enjoy both mysteries and Amish fiction, so this would be absolutely PERFECT! Thank you SO much for this opportunity to win/read Linda Castillo's work :D

    Name: Hira Hasnain
    Email: Enamoredsoul(at)gmail(dot)com

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  22. NancyeJune 28, 2012 at 8:22 PM

    Sounds like an awesome book! Thanks for the giveaway!

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  23. rubynrebaJune 29, 2012 at 9:24 PM

    I really like Amish fiction and this looks like a very interesting book.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  24. skkormanJuly 2, 2012 at 1:28 PM

    I would love to read this book—thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!

    skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  25. Jessica T.July 2, 2012 at 8:16 PM

    I love to read and this looks like a great book. Thanks for the chance!
    reklaw422 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  26. AnonymousJuly 10, 2012 at 7:45 PM

    I enjoyed two of her previous books, thanks for the opportunity!
    pambartholomew(at)runbox(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  27. Teresa YoungJuly 10, 2012 at 9:36 PM

    I enjoy reading Amish fiction but most of those have a romantic slant - definitely interesting to read an Amish mystery!
    tmyoung at rochester dot rr dot com

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for stopping by - your comments are much appreciated!