The Hidden One

Shirley J.                       Adult Fiction                         Former Amish Life, now, Lady Sheriff

The Hidden One (Book 14 in the Kate Burkholder Series) by Linda Castillo    336 pages

Good story!  Once Amish now Englisher, Sheriff Kate Burkholder, of Ohio, is requested by Amish elders from a Pennsylvania Dutch Amish community to come help an Amish man who she grew up with that is accused of murder.   It is an issue she isn't sure at first whether to get involved or not, afterall, she and the accused, Jonas Bowman, were once in love and caught by her father making whoopie in the haybarn after which due to the shame in the community Jonas' family moved away to Pennsylvania, Kate unable to bare the shame left the community and forsaking her religion went to live in the Englisher (non-Amish) world.  Lots of water under that bridge but the elders sought her out because of her reputation of once being Amish and now in law enforcement and Jonas is being tried in Englisher court.  They hope she can help him navigate the legal system and help to defend him or work with the local constabulary to find out what happened and who committed the murder which is not something an Amish man would ever do and knowing Jonas to be a firmly committed practitioner of the Amish religion and lifestyle she did not believe he was guilty, but the evidence against him sure made it seem so.   The local police blow her off.  She is not local, she is a woman and they basically dismiss her and won't share information with her even though she is a sheriff.   She ends up searching for clues in the local Amish community and the things she turns up almost get her killed in a brutal beat down and more.   An unlikely informant comes to her aid and when all the information comes to light it is so unlikely it boggles the mind.   Good story.   I like this character she is a flawed survivor and overcomer.  A strong female in a tough line of work.  I recommend this one to highschoolers on up.  If you like mysteries, murder mysteries and seeing behind the veil on the Amish you will especially enjoy this story.  Good writing, Linda Castillo.