Let me start by saying this: If you’ve ever thought your high school reunion was intense, you haven’t been hunted through the woods by your former Amish classmate-turned-convicted-murderer. That’s Down a Dark Road in a nutshell. Linda Castillo once again drops us into Painters Mill, where people apparently can't sneeze without uncovering some deeply buried secret involving a gun, a buggy, and a whole lot of trauma.
This time, Chief Kate Burkholder is literally face-to-face with her past. Joseph King, a man she once knew well (and might’ve shared a few long, moody glances with in their teens), has escaped prison and wants to clear his name… by kidnapping people at gunpoint. The usual “I’m innocent” move.
Kate insists on doing things the hard way, like staying overnight with the fugitive while she puzzles out whether he’s a misunderstood victim or a very charming psychopath with a well-maintained beard.
The pacing is solid: it starts with a simmer and builds to a full boil. And while I guessed a few of the twists, the unraveling of the truth still kept me locked in. Castillo is great at giving you Amish tranquility and then slapping it with a violent thunderclap of “Nope!”
We've got a full house of themes: trauma, guilt, redemption, powerful people doing shady things, and how your past can sneak up on you with a rifle. There’s also a heavy helping of “everyone has secrets”, and in Painters Mill, they usually involve murder.
It’s gripping, gritty, and full of tension. Kate is as stubborn, smart, and scarred as ever. If you’re already on board with this series, Down a Dark Road delivers what you came for: Amish noir with heart, history, and high-stakes justice. I would definitely recommend it, especially if you like your thrillers with a side of hay bale and your cops emotionally complicated.
