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Critic's Corner
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DEADLY SILENCE Reviewed by:
Patricia Ann Jones
In a recent conversation, Larsen revealed that the idea for this story came 10 years ago after a frightening visit to La Fortune Park with her children. ''I was pushing my toddlers in the swings when I noticed a man hiding in the bushes taking pictures of the children with a telephoto lens,'' she said. At first she thought the man might be on an assigned photo shoot for a newspaper or magazine. But the next time she glanced in his direction, he had disappeared. She couldn't understand why a stranger would be taking pictures of her children. Larsen's writer's mind began spinning out horrific possibilities. One of these deadly possibilities sent the gifted novelist to her keyboard. The result was ''Deadly Silence'' - a story that portrays every parent's worst nightmare. ''It was a powerful feeling, the need to dominate, to prevail at any cost. In a matter of seconds, he could change the destiny of any of the children before him. Smiling, he knew at once that he was still invincible, a predator among his prey.'' Evan Peterson slid back into the bushes in a park in Savannah as he focused his camera with practiced precision. His choice for today was an infant, a boy. The baby seemed well cared for, healthy and was blond and blue-eyed. a perfect specimen. No, Evan Peterson is not a pedophile. He is a sharp-eyed businessman. He and his partner, Tony Montegra, have been in the field for 15 years photographing babies for their prospective clients. And when the order is received, they also deliver the live product. Meanwhile, in Oklahoma City, an up and coming attorney, Nick Hunter, is congratulating himself for landing a plum position at the prestigious firm of Kellars and Kellars. Angela Anderson, the firm's dynamic public relations director also thinks her future is made. Of course, this is before Nick and Angela are brought together on an important case...before their research arouses chilling suspicions about the firm and a possible link to a horrifying series of infant abductions. Larsen's tightly woven plot jumps to a sprint right at the starting line. After her first book, I was ready for the dizzying pace she would set, expected it and was not disappointed. Her plot development is flawless. as she unravels her complex story, complete with interesting subplots, all you have to do is sit back and enjoy a master storyteller at work. Another trait I've learned to appreciate with this author is her ability to bring into the mix a cast of intriguing characters enhanced by believable dialogue and adrenaline pumping suspense. For instance, the lovely Jamaican woman, Annissa Jamison. She manages an elite travel service next door to Kellars and Kellars, but there is an aura of mystery surrounding her. One that raises your antenna of suspicion. You won't know why until later when you meet her brother Jax. When Sen. Holt and his deceptive young wife enter the scene, you'll know the stakes are high, wild and handsome. Larsen's style and voice take you into places with such credibility there is no question of disbelieving the action taking place. You're present with these characters, experiencing the dangers, the unbearable grief, the avarice and the motivations behind all those involved. Something else Larsen uses to delight even the most persnickety readers is all six senses. That's right, six. Intuition comes to the front and warns of impending disaster, but those refusing to heed its call find themselves tangled in a web of deception from which no escape seems possible. ### |
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