Kate Burkholder Books in Order
Complete reading order for the Kate Burkholder series.
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How to Read the Kate Burkholder series
Best Read in Order
· Start with Book 1
Standalone stories, but characters and relationships develop across the series.
Publication order gives the best experience because character relationships and personal developments unfold gradually. Each book has a complete central mystery plot with its own resolution, but ongoing developments in Kate’s life carry across the series. Readers who read out of order miss important emotional context about Kate’s background and her evolving personal relationships.
About the Kate Burkholder series
Series Premise
Each book centers on a new murder investigation that Kate leads, frequently involving tensions between the Amish and “English” worlds. Kate must navigate cultural differences, community secrets, and her own history while solving the crimes.
Main Characters
Kate Burkholder serves as the determined chief of police, drawing on her Amish upbringing to understand the community. She works closely with state agent John Tomasetti, whose relationship with Kate grows significantly throughout the series, along with her small police department team.
Setting
The series is set in the fictional town of Painters Mill, Ohio, home to a large Amish population. Stories often move between Amish farms, rural roads, and the small-town police department, highlighting the contrast between traditional Amish life and modern society.
Tone & Themes
The books maintain a dark, atmospheric mystery tone with strong procedural elements. Central themes include cultural identity, the clash between tradition and modernity, justice, trauma, and the challenges of bridging two very different worlds.
Is This Series Worth Reading?
This series appeals to readers who enjoy police procedurals with strong cultural elements and character-driven stories. It suits fans of Amish mysteries or those who like layered investigations with personal stakes for the lead detective.
Content Warnings and Heat Level
The series includes moderate to graphic violence and descriptions of crime scenes. It contains adult language, emotional trauma themes, and some sexual content that becomes more prominent as the series progresses.
The Kate Burkholder series combines compelling murder mysteries with the unique setting of an Amish community. Following the books in order lets readers fully track Kate’s personal growth and key relationships. It offers a distinctive blend of procedural detail and cultural insight for mystery readers.
FAQ
How many books are in the Kate Burkholder series?
29 books total: 17 main + 12 extra stories
When will the next book in the series be released?
No new book in the series is currently scheduled. The latest book, Rage, was published in July 2025.
When was the most recent book released?
Rage was published in July 2025.
What was the first book in the series?
The first book in the series is Sworn to Silence, published in July 2009.
What genre is the Kate Burkholder series?
The series primarily falls into the Police Procedural genre.
Do you need to read the Kate Burkholder series in order?
It’s best to read the series in order. Each book has its own story, but ongoing character arcs and relationships develop across the series.
What is the Kate Burkholder series about?
Each book centers on a new murder investigation that Kate leads, frequently involving tensions between the Amish and “English” worlds. Kate must navigate cultural differences, community secrets, and her own history while solving the crimes.
Is the Kate Burkholder series finished?
The series does not currently have a new book scheduled.
Cover Art From the Kate Burkholder series
Browse covers from the Kate Burkholder series.
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