Linda Castillo

Linda Castillo is an American crime fiction author recognized for the Kate Burkholder series, a collection of crime thrillers set in Ohio's Amish country. Castillo wrote her first novel at age 13 and began her career with romance and romantic suspense novels published by Harlequin Intrigue and Berkley Sensation before transitioning to crime fiction.

Castillo launched her crime mystery work with "Sworn to Silence," the first Kate Burkholder novel, introducing a former Amish chief of police in Painters Mill, Ohio. The series follows the police chief as she navigates cases within the Amish community, exploring the intersection of tradition and crime. "Sworn to Silence" received starred reviews from Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, and Booklist, and appeared on the New York Times bestseller list. The novel was adapted into the Lifetime original movie "An Amish Murder." The series has sold more than 4 million copies worldwide and has been translated into 14 languages.

Castillo's approach to crime fiction is informed by immersive research, including time spent with Amish families and participation in Citizens Police Academy courses. These experiences contribute to the authenticity of her depiction of Amish culture and law enforcement procedures in her novels.

Castillo has received multiple honors, including the Edgar Award for Best Short Story for "Hallowed Ground" and the G.P. Putnam's Sons Sue Grafton Memorial Award for "An Evil Heart." She is also a recipient of the Daphne du Maurier Award and the Holt Medallion. "Her Last Breath" was a finalist for the International Thriller Writers Best Hardcover, and "The Dead Will Tell" was named a Boston Globe Best Book. With a portfolio of novels and short stories, Castillo is known for her work in the Amish thriller subgenre, blending detailed research, complex characters, and crime fiction storytelling.