Sworn to Silence - Linda Castillo

Sworn to Silence - Linda Castillo (2009)

In the rural town of Painters Mill Ohio, the police chief it Kate Burkholder, who grew up there with her Amish family, until tragedy as a teenager made her move out into the world of the English. Returning to the town to bridge the gap between the two cultures, most of her days are made up of returning cows to fields.

Then bodies of girls are found, who have been mutilated and tortured, echoing a series of murders from years ago. Kate is forced to accept additonal police help, and is desperate to keep her own secrets buried.

I liked the strong central character being a woman, and felt in this book the echoes of early Patricia Cornwell (before she went mental), and Tess Gerritsen. Much like the Kay Scarpetta character, the end seemed a bit formulaic, with maybe too much involvement with the plot (sorry, trying not to give too much away). A bit off me, is quite turned off by the graphic descriptions of the crimes, as I consider it must give some sick people even more crazy ideas.

3.5/5 - because the story and police chief is memorable, but a bit of hesistation because of the ending.