John sits down for a question-and-answer session with dru’s book musings so that we, the readers, can get to know him better.

What is your full name?
John Tomasetti. Most people just call me Tomasetti.

How old are you?
Forty seven.

What is your profession?
I’m a recovering former detective. Seriously, though, I’m currently employed as an agent with the Ohio Bureau of Investigation.

Do you have a significant other?
I do and she is, indeed, quite significant.

If so, what is her name and profession?
Kate Burkholder is the chief of police of Painters Mill which is located in Ohio’s Amish Country. We met in the course of a pretty horrific homicide investigation a few years ago. After a rocky start—and a few stops and starts along the way—we were able to set our baggage aside and we got serious.

Do you have any children?
That’s a tough question. I had two daughters–Donna and Kelly. Both girls were murdered seven years ago as was my wife, Nancy. Those crimes were an act of revenge in relation to a case I’d worked when I was with the Cleveland PD. I didn’t think I was going to recover. I wasn’t sure I wanted to. Then I met Kate and in the months that followed, she helped me realize that life is good. That life always trumps death. And happiness, and the sense of well-being that goes along with it, has a hell of a lot more power than tragedy.

Who is your best friend?
Kate Burkholder hands down is the best friend I’ve ever had. She’s loyal and tough and one of the smartest people I’ve ever known.

Do you have any pets?
Chickens. For now. Don’t tell Kate, but there may be more farm animals on the way.

What town do you live in?
Wooster, Ohio.

Do you live in a small town or a big city?
Wooster is a medium size town, but we live on a farm south of town, in a rural area. A lot of farms in our neck of the woods.

What type of dwelling do you own or rent?
Kate and I own a farmhouse on six acres. It’s an old place with plenty of work to keep us busy. We’re slowly renovating the house. We’re also working on the old bank barn. The whole place is a work in progress.

What is your favorite spot in your home?
When it’s time to unwind or de-stress, I can usually be found on the wood dock at the edge of our pond. I’ve been known to have a beer there. Maybe do a little fishing. There are a lot of trees there. A lot of waterfowl and songbirds, and a few deer that come to drink. Perfect setting to recharge the battery.

What is your favorite meal and dessert?
I’m a red meat kind of guy, as long as there’s a nice Argentine malbec to go with it. For dessert, it’s all about rum raisin ice cream. Ask Kate. She’ll tell you.

Do you have any hobbies?
Hobbies and work sort of blur for me. When I’m not working on a case, I’m usually working on the property. We’re renovating the house and the old bank barn. I do have chickens, which qualify as a hobby. Don’t tell Kate, but I’m thinking about getting some goats next time I’m at the Amish auction in Kidron.

What is your favorite vacation spot?
Kate and I don’t take many vacations. We work a lot. However, we’re planning to be married soon and for a sort of mini honeymoon, I’m thinking about renting a remote cabin on the shore of Lake Erie.

What is your idea of a really fun time?
I enjoy the farm. Doing projects with Kate. I particularly love introducing her to the animals.

If you were to write a memoir, what would you call it?
How To Recover From Tragedy And Find True Happiness. That’s a little corny, but that’s me and Kate was a big part of it.

Amateur or professional sleuth and whom do you work with?
I’m a pro all the way. So is Kate. We’ve taken on some pretty tricky cases. Tough cases. Sometimes those cases—seeing the things people do to each other—take a toll. We get each other through, I think. So far, we have a pretty good solve rate.

What is a typical day in your life like in general and when you are on a case?
As I mentioned earlier, when I have a day off, I’m usually working on the farm. This weekend, for example, it’s all about installing livestock feeders in the barn. When I’m on a case, I can be required to travel almost anywhere in the state of Ohio, sometimes for days on end. When I’m on a case, it’s all about assisting local law enforcement. Giving them the tools or the expertise they need to do their jobs. Sharing my experience and knowledge, if I can.

The Hidden One, A Kate Burkholder Mystery #14
Genre: Suspense
Release: July 2022
Purchase Link

The discovery of an Amish bishop’s remains leads chief of police Kate Burkholder to unearth a chilling secret in The Hidden One, a new thriller from bestselling author Linda Castillo.

Over a decade ago, beloved Amish bishop Ananias Stoltzfus disappeared without a trace. When skeletal remains showing evidence of foul play are unearthed, his disappearance becomes even more sinister.

The town’s elders arrive in Painters Mill to ask chief of police Kate Burkholder for help, but she quickly realizes she has a personal connection to the crime. The handsome Amish man who stands accused of the murder, Jonas Bowman, was Kate’s first love. Forced to confront a painful episode from her past, Kate travels to Pennsylvania’s Kishacoquillas Valley, where the Amish culture differs dramatically from the traditions she knows. Though Bishop Stoltzfus was highly respected, she soon hears about a dark side to this complex man. What was he hiding that resulted in his own brutal death?

Someone doesn’t want Kate asking questions. But even after being accosted and threatened in the dead of night, she refuses to back down. Is she too close to the case—and to Jonas—to see clearly? There’s a killer in the Valley who will stop at nothing to keep the past buried. Will they get to Kate before she can expose the truth? Or will the bishop’s secrets remain hidden forever?

About the author
Linda Castillo is the author of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Kate Burkholder series, set in the world of the Amish. The first book, Sworn to Silence, was adapted into a Lifetime original movie titled An Amish Murder starring Neve Campbell as Kate Burkholder. Castillo is the recipient of numerous industry awards including a nomination by the International Thriller Writers for Best Hardcover, the Mystery Writers of America’s Sue Grafton Memorial Award, and an appearance on the Boston Globe’s shortlist for best crime novel. In addition to writing, Castillo’s other passion is horses. She lives in Texas with her husband and is currently at work on her next book.

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