Her Last Breath : A Kate Burkholder Novel

An extraordinarily beautiful Amish woman, a dangerous femme fatale, is the central figure in a story that reveals a dark side of Painters Mill and its seemingly perfect Amish world

A rainy night, an Amish father returning home with his three children, a speeding car hurtling toward them out of nowhere.

What at first seems like a tragic, but routine car accident suddenly takes on a more sinister cast as evidence emerges that nothing about the crash is accidental. But who would want to kill an Amish deacon and two of his children? He leaves behind a grieving widow and a young boy who clings to life in the intensive care wing of a hospital, unable to communicate. He may be the only one who knows what happened that night. Desperate to find out who killed her best friend's husband and why, Kate begins to suspect she is not looking for a reckless drunk, but instead is on the trail of a cold blooded killer amid the residents of Painter's Mill. It is a search that takes her on a chilling journey into the darkest reaches of the human heart and makes her question everything she has ever believed about the Amish culture into which she was born.

“This compelling mystery combines increasing nuance and complexity with heart-stopping action.” —Booklist (starred review)

“A fast-paced mystery that will leave readers stunned.” —Kirkus (Starred Review) on Her Last Breath

“Exciting . . . Castillo ratchets up the tension nicely before the disconcerting ending.” —Publishers Weekly on Gone Missing

“Castillo melds deeply flawed characters with a glimpse into a unique community in which isolation can hide a plethora of secrets.” —Publishers Weekly on Breaking Silence

“Shades of In Cold Blood . . . Another chilling thriller.” —People on Pray for Silence

“Compelling characters, excellent plotting and a hair-raising finale.” —USA Today on Sworn to Silence

“Absolutely stunning. . . . A perfectly crafted thriller.” —Lisa Scottoline on Sworn to Silence

“Exciting . . . Castillo ratchets up the tension nicely before the disconcerting ending.” —Publishers Weekly on Gone Missing

“Castillo melds deeply flawed characters with a glimpse into a unique community in which isolation can hide a plethora of secrets.” —Publishers Weekly on Breaking Silence

“Shades of In Cold Blood . . . Another chilling thriller.” —People magazine on Pray for Silence

“Compelling characters, excellent plotting and a hair-raising finale.” —USA Today on Sworn to Silence

“Absolutely stunning. . . . A perfectly crafted thriller.” —Lisa Scottoline on Sworn to Silence