Rage by Linda Castillo Summary, Characters and Themes
Rage by Linda Castillo is a gripping mystery that delves into the dark side of a small Amish community, where faith, family, and personal choices collide. The story follows Chief Kate Burkholder as she investigates the brutal murder and dismemberment of Samuel Yutzy, a 21-year-old Amish man.
As the investigation unfolds, secrets about Samuel’s life begin to surface, exposing complex relationships and a web of hidden motives. What starts as a local crime soon escalates into a tangled web of mystery, involving the Amish community, outsiders, and the dangerous world of human trafficking. The novel explores themes of loyalty, redemption, and justice in a tightly-knit, often insular world. It’s the 17th book in the Kate Burkholder series by the author.
Summary
Samuel Yutzy, a 21-year-old Amish man, has recently returned to his family’s tree nursery in Holmes County, Ohio, after a period of self-reflection. He had strayed from the Amish faith and now seeks redemption.
One day, while working at the nursery, Samuel is attacked by a man he recognizes. The man and his companion approach him, and before Samuel can understand the purpose of their visit, one of them shoots him in the abdomen.
Despite the pain, Samuel manages to escape into the barn, but he collapses before he can make it any further. Another shot seems imminent, but it’s unclear if he survives the attack.
Meanwhile, Mandi Weaver, a young Amish girl, is playing near the nursery when she stumbles upon a gruesome discovery: a buried body part. Disturbed, she runs to tell her siblings, and the local police, led by Chief Kate Burkholder, are called in to investigate.
The body parts, a severed hand and foot, are found in the woods, and further investigation reveals more remains, all pointing to a dismembered person.
As Chief Burkholder’s team begins questioning locals, they learn more about Samuel’s troubled past. His parents reveal that Samuel had recently been involved with a woman described as having tattoos and dyed black hair, who might have influenced his poor choices.
Samuel had also been embroiled in a dispute over a landscaping contract with a wealthy client, Carter Brooks, whose project went wrong due to flooding. Brooks had threatened legal action, making him a key figure in the investigation.
The authorities visit Yutzy’s tree nursery, hoping to find more evidence. They find signs of distress around the property, with bloodstains hinting that Samuel had been injured here.
However, Samuel is nowhere to be found. His parents share that he had been involved in rumspringa, a period when young Amish people explore the outside world, during which he had engaged in behaviors such as drinking and associating with non-Amish individuals.
He had recently planned to return to the Amish faith, but his past mistakes clouded his family’s views on him.
The investigation continues, focusing on Samuel’s connection with a woman named Cassidy, a stripper at a local club, The Cheetah Lounge. It is revealed that Samuel had been helping Cassidy, who had recently left the Amish community.
His close relationship with Cassidy raises questions, and Kate suspects that she may have played a role in Samuel’s death. The investigation also uncovers that Samuel was shot twice—once in the abdomen and once in the head.
His body was then dismembered posthumously with crude tools, suggesting the killer was methodical and possibly had knowledge of how to dismember a body.
As the case deepens, Samuel’s best friend, Aaron Shetler, disappears. Aaron had been acting suspiciously in the weeks leading up to the murder, flashing large sums of cash, which led to a falling out with his family.
The investigation becomes complicated as the police try to determine whether Aaron is another victim or if he was involved in Samuel’s murder.
A break in the case comes when another body is found in a barrel on a nearby farm. The body appears to be Aaron’s, but the situation is unclear.
The police are unsure whether Aaron was killed or if he met some other tragic fate. The body’s discovery only deepens the mystery surrounding Samuel’s death, and Kate’s investigation intensifies.
Kate’s team continues to search for leads, including investigating the connection between Samuel, Cassidy, and Aaron, but the case is far from straightforward. When they follow leads to Cassidy’s past, they discover that she had been kicked out of her Amish family’s home and had been struggling with her transition to the outside world.
Cassidy’s real name is Wilma Ann Borntrager, and her involvement with Samuel complicates the case further.
A confrontation between Kate and Wilma reveals more about their troubled relationship and the dangerous world that Samuel had become entangled in. Wilma admits that she had been working at The Cheetah Lounge and had been in a relationship with Samuel, but she denies knowing anything about the murders.
Despite her reluctance, Kate believes that Wilma knows more than she is letting on.
As the investigation unfolds, it becomes clear that the murders may be connected to a larger, more sinister trafficking ring. Samuel had helped several young women, including Wilma, find jobs at The Cheetah Lounge, which may have been a cover for a sex trafficking operation.
Kate and her partner Tomasetti begin to uncover the scope of the trafficking, leading them to a man named Lance Wingate, who runs The Club at Paint Creek, a country club linked to the criminal operation.
The investigation reaches a dangerous turning point when Kate is ambushed by Wingate’s men at The Cheetah Lounge. She is injected with a drug but narrowly escapes, only to be taken to a secluded location where Wingate and Carter Brooks plan to kill her.
However, with the help of some of the women trapped in the trafficking ring, Kate manages to fight back and escape.
The authorities move quickly to arrest Wingate, Brooks, and their associates, charging them with trafficking and murder. The case reveals the extent of the trafficking operation, with multiple locations involved, including yachts and hotels.
Kate reflects on the toll the case has taken on her, her team, and the victims of the trafficking, especially the young women who were exploited.
Despite the arrests, Kate remains deeply concerned about the ongoing trauma these women will face as they try to rebuild their lives. She continues to think about the lasting impact of the case, particularly on Wilma, who struggles with guilt over her actions.
In the end, the case provides some measure of closure, but it leaves Kate with the heavy burden of knowing how difficult it will be for the victims to heal from their experiences.
Characters
Kate Burkholder
Kate Burkholder is the central figure in Rage. As the Chief of Police in Painters Mill, she carries a strong sense of duty and responsibility for her community, balancing the weight of her leadership role with her deeply personal connection to the Amish culture.
A former Amish woman herself, Kate’s perspective allows her to navigate the complexities of the case involving Samuel Yutzy, Aaron Shetler, and Wilma Borntrager with an understanding that most others might lack. She is determined, methodical, and often faces the emotional toll of the cases she works on, especially those involving the Amish community she grew up in.
Throughout the investigation, Kate’s strength is evident, as she faces danger from the criminals involved in the trafficking ring while trying to protect the vulnerable women ensnared by it. Her partnership with Tomasetti, both professionally and personally, develops as the case progresses, providing a sense of emotional support as they both endure the horrors surrounding the investigation.
Kate’s leadership and resolve are crucial in uncovering the truth behind the murders and trafficking operation, but she is also deeply impacted by the trauma experienced by the victims, especially the young women trapped in the ring.
Samuel Yutzy
Samuel Yutzy is a complex character who stands at the heart of the novel’s mysteries. A 21-year-old Amish man from Holmes County, Ohio, Samuel’s story is one of personal struggle and redemption.
Having strayed from his Amish faith during rumspringa, a time when young Amish people are allowed to explore the outside world, Samuel finds himself caught between his past and his future. His relationships, particularly with Cassidy, a woman with a troubled background, and his involvement in a disputed landscaping contract, lead to a series of events that ultimately lead to his tragic murder.
Samuel’s life reflects the tension between tradition and rebellion, as he tries to reconcile his mistakes with his desire to return to the Amish faith. His murder and the subsequent investigation reveal his internal conflicts, making him a tragic figure whose story is intricately tied to the darker undercurrents of the outside world that he had briefly embraced.
His death marks the beginning of the investigation, and as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Samuel’s past actions—his involvement with non-Amish people and his strained relationship with certain individuals—may have played a role in his demise.
Cassidy (Wilma Ann Borntrager)
Cassidy, whose real name is Wilma Ann Borntrager, is another key figure in Rage. She embodies the struggle of someone trying to escape the confines of Amish life, only to find herself ensnared in a web of violence and exploitation.
Initially introduced as a stripper at The Cheetah Lounge, Cassidy’s past is marked by trauma, rebellion, and vulnerability. She had been kicked out of her home after her father’s death, a moment that pushed her away from her Amish upbringing.
Her relationship with Samuel Yutzy, a man trying to help her despite her troubled past, becomes a focal point in the investigation. Wilma’s story is one of escape, but also of betrayal and manipulation as she becomes involved in a dangerous world of sex trafficking.
Although she initially keeps her distance from the investigation, her reluctance to fully cooperate with Kate Burkholder only adds to her mystery. Wilma is torn between her desire to escape the dangerous world she’s caught in and the guilt she feels over her involvement with people like Carter Brooks and her knowledge of Samuel’s death.
As the investigation progresses, Wilma’s role becomes clearer, and the trauma she carries is revealed, making her a tragic and sympathetic character caught between two worlds that both demand something from her.
Tomasetti
Tomasetti, Kate’s partner, plays an integral role in the investigation in Rage. While he is not as directly tied to the Amish community as Kate, Tomasetti’s sharp instincts and determination make him a valuable asset in unraveling the complex web of crime and deceit.
His partnership with Kate grows stronger over the course of the novel, especially as they face increasing danger from the criminals they are pursuing. Tomasetti’s stoic and calm demeanor balances Kate’s more emotional responses, making them an effective investigative team.
While much of his background remains shrouded in mystery, Tomasetti’s deep commitment to justice is evident in his relentless pursuit of the truth. His relationship with Kate also evolves beyond the professional, adding an emotional layer to the narrative that is crucial for both their personal development and the progression of the case.
Aaron Shetler
Aaron Shetler, Samuel Yutzy’s best friend, is a character whose disappearance adds a layer of mystery and intrigue to the plot. An Amish man who had occasionally worked with Samuel, Aaron becomes a suspect and potential victim as the investigation unfolds.
His disappearance is linked to Samuel’s death, and as Kate and her team uncover more about Aaron’s behavior in the weeks leading up to the murder, it becomes clear that Aaron was facing his own struggles, including issues with his family and an unexplained influx of cash. Aaron’s fate is uncertain, and the search for him adds tension to the narrative.
His connection to Samuel, along with his possible involvement in the events surrounding Samuel’s murder, raises important questions about his role in the overall mystery. Whether Aaron is a victim, a suspect, or something more complicated, his character adds depth and complexity to the investigation.
Carter Brooks
Carter Brooks is introduced as a wealthy client of Samuel Yutzy’s landscaping business, and his strained relationship with Samuel over a flooding issue becomes a central lead in the investigation. As the story progresses, it becomes clear that Brooks’ involvement goes beyond a simple business dispute.
His connection to the murder and the trafficking ring unfolds as the police dig deeper into his background. Brooks’ role as a suspect highlights the tension between wealth, power, and violence, making him a key antagonist in the story.
His interactions with both Samuel and Wilma reveal a man capable of manipulation and deceit, and his links to the larger criminal operation add layers of danger to the already complex case. Brooks’ cold and calculating nature makes him a formidable adversary for Kate and her team, and his eventual confrontation with them underscores the high stakes of the investigation.
Lance Wingate
Lance Wingate is a powerful figure whose involvement in the trafficking operation becomes one of the most significant revelations in Rage. The owner of The Club at Paint Creek, Wingate is a man whose wealth and influence shield him from suspicion for much of the novel.
However, as Kate and Tomasetti uncover the dark underbelly of his business, Wingate’s role in the exploitation of young women, including Wilma, becomes clear. His connection to the murders and the sex trafficking ring casts him as one of the central antagonists of the story.
Wingate’s manipulation of the women he traffics, as well as his attempt to eliminate anyone who gets too close to uncovering the truth, make him a dangerous and calculating foe for Kate. His eventual confrontation with Kate and her team reveals the extent of his criminal activities, marking him as one of the most malevolent characters in the novel.
Themes
Crime and Justice
The theme of crime and justice runs through Rage as the investigation into Samuel Yutzy’s murder slowly unfolds. The brutal and dismembered nature of the crime initially suggests a random act of violence, but as Chief Kate Burkholder delves deeper into Samuel’s past and connections, it becomes clear that his death is tied to darker, more complex issues involving deceit, betrayal, and revenge.
As Kate follows each lead, from Samuel’s broken landscaping contract to his involvement with a woman from a controversial background, the search for justice uncovers layers of secrets. The theme of justice is explored not just through the official investigation but through the characters’ personal struggles.
For instance, Samuel’s remorse for straying from his Amish faith and the distress of his family highlight how individual justice contrasts with the collective ideals of the community. While the investigation offers some resolution in the capture of suspects like Lance Wingate and Carter Brooks, the complexities of the case show how justice isn’t always clear-cut or easily attained.
The traumatic consequences of crime extend beyond the immediate victims, affecting even those involved in the investigation. The theme of justice in Rage reflects the emotional toll the pursuit of truth takes on all involved, as the investigation doesn’t just seek to punish wrongdoers but also aims to heal a broken community.
Faith and Redemption
Faith and the possibility of redemption are central themes that shape the story, particularly in the character of Samuel Yutzy. As an Amish man, Samuel’s initial feelings of guilt stem from his lapse in faith during his rumspringa, the period when Amish youth explore life outside the community’s strict boundaries.
His attempts to return to his faith after making mistakes, such as drinking and engaging with a woman from a different world, reflect his deep desire for redemption. His family’s sorrow over his choices reveals the tension between personal flaws and the rigid expectations of the Amish community.
The theme of faith plays out not only in Samuel’s story but in the broader context of the Amish community’s reactions to tragedy. Chief Kate Burkholder, though not Amish, comes to understand the strong grip that faith has on individuals within this tightly-knit community, as it offers them both moral guidance and a sense of belonging.
Through Samuel’s journey, Rage examines how faith can both restrict and offer a path to personal redemption. However, this redemption is not without its costs, as Samuel’s untimely death, despite his desire to make amends, highlights the harsh realities of the world outside of the Amish faith, where one’s past sins can come back with devastating consequences.
In this way, the theme of faith and redemption highlights the complexities of spiritual healing, particularly when an individual is trying to reconcile their past with the moral expectations of a community.
Trauma and Recovery
Trauma and recovery are critical elements that shape the emotional depth of Rage, particularly in how the characters process the events surrounding the murders. Samuel’s tragic death and the subsequent investigation uncover layers of emotional trauma that affect not just the immediate victims but also the community at large.
For example, the discovery of his dismembered body is a brutal reminder of the psychological scars left by violence. For Mandi Weaver, the young Amish girl who finds the body parts, the trauma of stumbling upon such a gruesome scene is devastating.
As the investigation progresses, trauma surfaces in unexpected ways, especially in the lives of women like Wilma Borntrager, who were vulnerable to exploitation. Wilma’s escape from the Amish community and her subsequent involvement in the dark underworld of trafficking reveal how deep-rooted emotional scars, stemming from past violence and abuse, can push individuals to make life-altering decisions.
The character of Kate Burkholder herself becomes a victim of this theme as she faces her own struggles, particularly after an assault at The Cheetah Lounge. Though she is strong and determined, Kate’s physical and emotional recovery reflects the broader theme of personal healing amidst danger and adversity.
As the story weaves through traumatic events, Rage powerfully explores how trauma doesn’t only break people—it also motivates them to seek out healing and justice, even when the scars seem impossible to erase. Ultimately, the theme of trauma and recovery is one that emphasizes the human capacity to endure and rebuild, despite the profound impact of violence and loss.
Corruption and Exploitation
The theme of corruption and exploitation in Rage is explored through the dark underbelly of the world that the Amish youth, including Samuel, try to escape. As Samuel’s life becomes tangled with individuals who are deeply entrenched in corrupt systems, including Carter Brooks and Lance Wingate, the story exposes the intersections between personal choices and a larger system of exploitation.
Samuel’s involvement with Wilma Borntrager, who has been coerced into working at The Cheetah Lounge, shines a light on the ways in which vulnerable individuals are manipulated and controlled. The trafficking ring that operates under the guise of legitimate businesses, such as Wingate’s country club, offers a chilling look at how power dynamics are abused for personal gain.
The exploitation of Amish youth, especially women like Wilma, is framed as part of a larger societal issue that goes beyond the immediate setting of Painters Mill. As Kate investigates, she uncovers not just individual acts of corruption but a systemic problem that preys on the weak and the isolated.
The corruption in Rage also extends into the relationships between the characters, with figures like Carter Brooks representing the darker side of human greed and manipulation. The story ultimately critiques the exploitation of people’s vulnerabilities, especially within marginalized communities, while also showcasing the lengths to which individuals will go to escape or fight against these oppressive forces.
The pursuit of justice in the face of such corruption reveals the powerful human instinct to resist being controlled or exploited by forces larger than oneself.
The Impact of the Past
The past plays a pivotal role in Rage, particularly through the lens of the characters’ experiences, choices, and the long-reaching effects of their actions. For Samuel, his past mistakes are central to his sense of guilt and the motivation to change.
His troubled period during rumspringa, when he distanced himself from the Amish way of life, becomes a source of deep regret, especially in the wake of his tragic death. His past connections, including his disputes with clients and his romantic involvement with a woman outside the Amish community, eventually lead to his downfall.
For other characters, such as Kate Burkholder, the past serves as both a guide and a burden. As a former Amish woman, Kate understands the gravity of returning to one’s roots, but she is also shaped by the harsh realities of the present.
The past’s influence is further emphasized through the investigation as Kate uncovers how deeply the past affects the lives of the characters, from Samuel’s interactions with Cassidy to the unresolved conflict with Carter Brooks. Rage explores how the weight of past decisions can shape the future, whether through redemption, regret, or the consequences of unresolved issues.
In this way, the theme of the past reflects the broader struggle to reconcile one’s history with the present, as characters are forced to confront how their earlier choices continue to shape their identities and their fates.