Read in one sitting...almost.
I just finished Rage by Linda Castillo, and this one grabbed me by the collar and did not let go. Five stars, no hesitation. This was almost a one-sitting read. The only thing that pulled me away was the inconvenient human need for food. {heavy sigh}
First, let’s talk about the title, because I went in expecting anger, violence, maybe some explosive tempers. Instead, I learned something new: Amish teens sometimes throw impromptu parties called “rages.” And this particular rage came with big consequences.
From that one party, everything spirals into secrets, danger, and the kind of trouble that doesn’t politely knock before barging in. And once it starts, the pacing just goes. There’s no lull, no “safe place to stop,” just that constant pull of “one more chapter”… which is how you end up ignoring responsibilities and questioning your life choices around dinner time.
One of the reasons I keep coming back to this series is Kate Burkholder. She’s easily one of my favorite characters, and in this book, she gets banged up quite a bit. The bad guys do not take it easy on her, and I found myself wincing more than once.
Thankfully, John Tomasetti is right there with her, and he's another favorite. What I love about these two is how they work together. They talk through cases, they trust each other, and they respect each other enough to let the other do their job. There’s concern, sure, but no over-the-top drama or ridiculous demands. Just two people who care about each other, trust and respect each other, and know exactly who they’re dealing with. It’s refreshing.
I’ll admit, I suspected what was going on pretty early. But that didn’t take anything away from the story. If anything, it added a different kind of tension, watching Kate piece it all together, step by step, while I was sitting there thinking, “Oh no… please don’t let it be that.” Because I really don’t want to believe certain things can happen in tiny, rural, seemingly innocent communities.
That contrast is where this book really shines. Quiet setting, dark reality, and the reminder that trouble doesn’t care how peaceful a place looks on the surface.
This story would have kept me up too late. The only reason it didn’t is because I started it early enough to finish before I completely wrecked my sleep schedule. Note to self: Do this more often.
