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rosa_inverno's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
Honestly, I think this is the best one so far. I sincerely could not stop reading and the twists were really good. I had an inkling about the first one, but didn't see the second one coming at all! I'm also warming up to Kate and Tomasseti's relationship. Some of the more toxic elements in the last book seem to have disapated; it's almost as if Tomasseti has matured *gasp!* and as such, I like him more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Incest and Religious bigotry
rosemaryandrue's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
There's been a terrible accident out at the Slabaugh farm - the parents and a visiting uncle have died in the manure pit, leaving four children orphaned. But as Kate Burkholder investigates the deaths and a recent slew of hate crimes against the Amish, she begins to suspect that they might be connected.
This is the third book in the series, and I feel that Castillo really hits her stride here. The mystery is compelling, and the various twists and turns genuinely shocked me. I felt that the characters did a better job of investigating this time round, and Kate's emotional investment is more intense, creating interesting tensions. I also liked how Kate and John's relationship grew stronger - even if I look askance at how she often calls him Tomasetti even in private!
I did think there were some mild pacing issues, perhaps because of the false climax of the car chase scene - things drag a little right after before they pick up again. I also wished we saw more of the Painter Mills police department, as Kate spends most of this book investigating alone or with Tomasetti.
I listened to the audiobook version of this book, which is narrated by Kathleen McInerney. At first I found her somewhat monotone performance jarring, but as the book goes on she brings out more nuance, and I ended up enjoying it and thought it was suitable for such a closed-off character as Kate.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Hate crime, Incest, and Murder
Moderate: Police brutality
Minor: Sexual violence
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