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Summary
New York Times bestselling author Linda Castillo delivers an electrifying thriller in which Chief of Police Kate Burkholder must confront a dark evil to solve the mysterious murders of an entire Amish family. The Plank family moved from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to join the small Amish community of Painters Mill less than a year ago and seemed the model of the Plain Life-until on a cold October night, the entire family of seven was found slaughtered on their farm.
I can't believe this book has an overall rating of 3.5 stars! As someone with Amish ancestors, I found it to be incredibly unrealistic in many aspects. It's like a puzzle that never quite fits together. The police work, character development, and accuracy are all sloppy. Plus, it's way too long for its own good and still manages to have an unsatisfactory conclusion. On top of that, the reader is monotonous and slow. I had to listen to it at double speed just to get through it. I actually enjoyed Castillo's first book, and now I wish I had stopped there.
If you're in the mood for a typical crime thriller with an Amish twist, I'd definitely suggest giving this book a go. The Amish aspect is actually the most captivating part of the story, although I have to admit, it feels a bit like being a curious onlooker at a circus. The police captain, who's gutsy and filled with angst, is a character I quite enjoyed, even if she is a bit too emotionally invested in her job. However, there's a bit too much of a "mills and boon" vibe for a crime novel.
The narrator did a decent job overall. Initially, I was annoyed by her high-pitched, girlish voice, but I eventually got used to it, and she did an excellent job distinguishing between the different characters' voices.
I really had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, it ended up being quite inconsistent. Kate is a commendable and resilient female lead, but her constant changes of mind left me feeling dizzy. Moreover, the excessive drama between her and John was overwhelming. It would be great if she could be a more put-together character who makes wiser choices; it would definitely enhance the overall quality of the series for me. Maybe in future installments, Kate will become less of a mess. I might consider skipping a few books and opting for a later novel instead.
I have a strong desire to be a fan of Linda's work since I found the first two storylines enjoyable, but her writing style comes across as lazy. She tends to repeat herself and relies heavily on cliches, which leads to a lack of cohesion. These novels are better suited for casual reading, particularly while lounging on the beach, as they can still be enjoyable in that context. However, personally, I doubt I would choose to listen to another one, as they tend to irritate me too much.
The book 'Pray for Silence: A Thriller' felt like it could've been condensed into a shorter story, as it seemed to have unnecessary and dull internal monologues. It made me think that maybe the sheriff should consider a different profession. The plot had several inconsistencies and lacked strength. While the idea of centering the story around the Amish community had potential, it didn't quite hit the mark. Unfortunately, it followed the trend of many mysteries where the troubled protagonist spends more time reflecting on their past than focusing on solving the mystery.
While the book was quite graphic, it wasn't any more intense than what we see on television nowadays. I couldn't give it a higher rating because it left me with a lingering sense of having experienced a disturbing event without ever truly connecting with the characters. They were never fully fleshed out, almost like they were just placeholders in the midst of an impactful occurrence.
The narration was solid, but unfortunately, the storyline dragged on at a snail's pace and lacked any surprises. The voice of the narrator was pleasant, yet it lacked the emotional depth needed to truly engage the listener.
I just can't wrap my head around why books lacking in plot and overflowing with depravity gain such popularity. Chief Kate is somewhat appealing, but the mystery element falls short and the police procedural aspect is weak. There isn't much focus on the Amish either. This book doesn't hold up well when compared to authors like DeMille, Connelly, or Stabenow. It's reminiscent of Nevada Barr's later titles, where she succumbs to the demand of ramping up the disturbing elements to conform with popular culture.
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