This Month's Selection: Sworn to Silence by Linda Castillo

Mystery Readers

Tuesday, March 18, 1 p.m.

Sworn to Silence

by Linda Castillo

Sworn to Silence is the first book in Linda Castillo’s New York Times-bestselling Kate Burkholder series.

Some secrets are too terrible to reveal. Some crimes are too unspeakable to solve. . . .

In Painters Mill, Ohio, the Amish and “English” residents have lived side by side for two centuries. But sixteen years ago, a series of brutal murders shattered the peaceful farming community. A young Amish girl named Kate Burkholder survived the terror of the Slaughterhouse Killer . . . but ultimately decided to leave her community.

A wealth of experience later, Kate has been asked to return to Painters Mill as chief of police. Her Amish roots and big-city law enforcement background make her the perfect candidate. She’s certain she’s come to terms with her past—until the first body is discovered in a snowy field.

Have you read Sworn to Silence? If so, please share your thoughts in the comments! If not, why not pick up a copy and read it along with us and share your thoughts in the discussion post after the face-to-face meeting????

We'd love to hear from you!

What We Thought: Suspect by Michael Robotham

Suspect by Michael Robotham

Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2015

Suspect is a psychological thriller with a story within a story about a psychologist who becomes the suspect in a criminal investigation. He keeps secrets which could implicate him in the crimes or clear his name. He waits until it is almost too late to reveal these details to his family and the detective who suspects him early on. 

The psychological insights and the recent diagnosis of psychologist Joe O’Loughlin’s Parkinson’s disease are right on. Readers appreciated the details of both story lines and said they that the author had done quite a bit of research to enhance the credibility of characters. Readers commented about one of the criminals who was revealed late in the story. They wanted more information about his background and what ultimately happened to him. It was thought that perhaps he may appear in a sequel.

 The discussion about self-mutilation being the result of child abuse raised questions of why the mutilation continued into adult life and why only some people suffer from it. The psychological impact of how parents influence children and can result in different behaviors of siblings in the same family was also noted. This topic drew readers to question the characterization of Lenny, the father of one of the original suspects. Some doubted that he killed himself and others wondered who could have killed him. Members thought the premise of the story would have changed if Lenny had not died. 

Readers agreed that the book kept their interest with the plot twists and turns. There were plenty of surprises to keep them turning pages to the breathtaking conclusion, leaving some wanting more.

What do you think? Do you agree with the group? Please tell us your thoughts in the comments!