Let’s talk about murder. Again.
Only the Lucky is a novella in the Kate Burkholder series, and even though it’s short, it packs a solid punch. Think of it as a bonus episode of a show you’re already obsessed with: Familiar faces, a new case, and just enough suspense to keep your coffee warm and your butt in the chair.
The story kicks off with a bang when a young Amish woman is found unconscious at a party in the Amish community. I mean, can we just have smoked ribs and potato salad like normal people? Apparently not. Especially not on Friday the 13th. As always, Kate shows up and starts asking the right questions, peeling back layers of small-town secrets while juggling that signature balance of grit and empathy I’ve come to really admire in her character.
What I loved most is how this novella still gives you everything you want from a full-length installment: Amish culture, moral complexity, and a satisfying resolution without the 300-page commitment. It’s fast, it’s tight, and it scratches the crime thriller itch just right. Definitely a great in-between read while working through the series.
If you're already into the Kate Burkholder books, Only the Lucky is a no-brainer. And if you’re not yet…well, consider this your sign to start.
