(Ron Thom)"And so we remember, you got to get him talking so he
can't go silent when we Mirandize him. We can move the words around anytime. And bag these guys' hands."
What would you do if you overhear this conversation between two cops who are slated to interview you for a murder case? If it were me, I would have lost my faith in the cops.
Captain Abel Wallace finds himself in a similar predicament. A smoke bomb disrupts the peace on his dinner cruise. While he is busy taking care of the situation, his second mate, Bruce, calls him for another emergency. At first, he sends the first mate to check the situation. When even the calm first mate calls him, he goes to investigate the situation. A dead body is found on the fourth deck. Cops are called to take care of the situation. While the investigation is underway, the captain overhears the unscrupulous conversation between William Verdugo and his deputy, Jack. When he hears that his words could be used against him, he resolves to keep silent. He knows that he is innocent. Hence, he believes that the real culprit would be caught soon.
Who is the murderer? Would being silent truly help the captain or would it further implicate him? How long would he be able to remain silent?
Silent is a beautifully crafted novel. It is penned by Ron Thom. The writing style is so vivid that it makes the reader feel like a character in the story. We can feel Abel's hopes and frustrations. We are touched by Harvey's unquestionable loyalty towards his friend, Abel. Jodi's dedication towards Abel is impressive. She immerses herself in Abel's case without once listening to his voice. She is always there for the silent Abel. I would like to mention that Jodi is my favorite character.
I believe that one of the most important themes of the book is the bond between parents and children. Everyone has a different parenting style. However, we have to agree that most parents have the best interest of their children in their hearts. Children may not always understand that. They may even villainize their parents. The greatest happiness that a parent can get is from his or her child. Similarly, only a child can hurt a parent in the most despicable way. The author depicts the intricate relationship between a parent and a child in a wonderful manner.
I have to say that I loved the courtroom scenes. It was a treat watching Jodi cross-examining the witnesses. Abel's silence baffled everyone including the jury. It was interesting watching the back and forth between the jury members.
I did find a handful of errors. However, they can be easily fixed with round of editing and proofreading. As there were more than ten errors, I have to take off a star.
Keeping in mind the pros and cons, I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. This is a treat for readers who enjoy courtroom dramas.
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Silent
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