The death of a 15-year-old Amish girl and rumors of abuse in an isolated Amish settlement near Roaring Springs, in rural, upstate New York, have been brought to the attention of the BCI and New York State Police. Needing an undercover officer who knows the culture, religion and language to infiltrate the settlement, they approach Painter's Mill, Ohio, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder, the only cop who meets all the criteria. Born Amish, but having left the life at 18, Kate knows her religious roots make her the best person to gain acceptance in the remote community. Of course, her lover, State Agent John Tomasetti, strongly objects to this unusual assignment, which has the potential to be very dangerous. Nevertheless, Kate is determined to do what she can to protect the innocents.

Freezing cold in the dead of winter, Kate presents herself as a widow with no family seeking a new life, taking up residence in Roaring Springs with the local sheriff as her only backup. As she slides back into the Amish ways, Kate realizes the past she left behind years ago is still a part of her life. It does not take long for Kate to meet several local women and come to the attention of the charismatic, manipulative, self-ordained Bishop Eli Schrock, who rules with a set of strict edicts for his followers. Her clandestine investigation reveals the bishop's excessive level of control through intimidation, assault, abuse, alcohol and drugs. The situation is much worse than authorities imagined when the undercover plan was formulated. Even after things take a bad turn, Kate is determined to finish the assignment. However, she underestimates the enemy and finds herself fighting for her life.

AMONG THE WICKED is the eighth installment in Linda Castillo's remarkable Kate Burkholder thriller series, one of the best I have ever read. I am always anxiously anticipating the next exciting release. Castillo has established a unique leading character with a complicated background, given her a dangerous job in an unusual setting among an Amish community, then cleverly devised a variety of adrenaline-charged plots, while also providing thought-provoking insights into the Amish culture. Need I say more? Okay, I will! I love this thriller series by the brilliantly talented Linda Castillo, and I recommend it to everyone who loves reading first provoking insights into the Amish culture along with lots of twists and turns.