Conspiracy of Silence

Reviewed by Sandie Kirkland for [...] Claire Prentice, a journalist, has come to Grand Rapids. Five months ago, her life was moving along steadily. She had a job she loved and was engaged to be married. Then she discovered that she was adopted, and that the woman she called her mother all her life, had kept this from her. Thrown by this news, and by her adoptive mother's death, she comes to Grand Rapids where she believes her birth family's story can be found. Her seemingly perfect life is in tatters. So upset that she can't work, she has also ended her engagement after her fiancé's reaction to her traumatic news. Her editor, who knows what is going on in Claire's life, gives her an assignment in Grand Rapids that can serve as cover while she searches for her personal story. She is to interview the reclusive novelist Nate Hansen for a magazine article. On her first day in Grand Rapids, Claire starts an intensive, exhausting journey of discovery. She discovers that her name is not even Claire Prentice, but Abby Claire Newton. Her adoptive mother turns out to have been her aunt. She adopted Abby and changed her name after a family tragedy. Claire's mother, Lily, was murdered, and the murderer was her father, Jimmy Newton. Jimmy had confessed to the murder, left town and been killed himself in a railroad accident. Reeling, Claire is determined to find out more. Along the way, she is helped by the local librarian, various townspeople, and most importantly, by Nate. They have an instant connection, which ripens into a romantic interest. His father had been the sheriff who investigated the murder, and as the sheriff, he never believed that Jimmy was the murderer. The book rackets up suspense with every chapter as the truth of that tragic night comes closer and closer to being revealed. I enjoyed this book quite a lot. The characters are well drawn, and the book moves along without straining the reader's incredulity. Reaching the climax of the book has the reader concentrated on the mystery, and satisfied when the truth is finally revealed. This book is recommended for suspense lovers and readers of romance.

This was very suspenseful. Kept you guessing until the very end. Excellent read!

Clare Prentice has had quite a rough time for the last couple of years. In the aftermath of her Mother's death, she soon is in the Doctor's office nervously awaiting the results of a needle biopsy and other tests. Her mother, Rose, died of breast cancer and Clare is terrified that she has it as well. Clare can't move forward with her engagement until she knows her health status. The fact she is cancer free is a relief. Then the Doctor drops a bombshell. Her mother was not her biological mother. Within weeks, Clare learns there are no records of her adoption and that everything she has always believed was a lie. Her only clue leads her to the idyllic town of Grand Rapids, Minnesota. For the folks there, she is in town to interview a very reclusive local author. For Clare, she is on the hunt to find out her own family history. A history tied into a sensational murder case. And for a murderer, Clare back home is a problem to be dealt with as quickly as possible. What follows is a complex and deeply layered tale that captivates the reader. Clare is both incredibly determined to find out her past no matter where the trail leads and incredibly vulnerable to the pain of such knowledge. She soon bonds with the reader in a unique way that makes the book come totally alive in every sense of the word. The main storyline involves the murder and the family legacy. At the same time, two secondary storylines are interwoven into the main one. One involves Clare and her interview assignment. The other, the beginnings of a romance between Clare and one other character. Therefore, the novel contains both a fascinating decades old mystery and her search for the truth involving the crime as well as the beginnings of a romance. Much like the legendary Phoenix who arose again from the charred ashes, Clare has been badly charred and yet flies again. Her flight is weak at first, but, as she slowly moves on from the burning lies of her past and fits the pieces of various puzzles together, she comes to find out that she can succeed. This is, simply put, one of the best books I have read this year. It wouldn't have been something I ordinarily would have picked up. It also isn't being done the justice it deserves by this review. All I can say is ... Read it. You won't regret it. Kevin R. Tipple (copyright) 2008

Clare Prentice, the protagonist in "Conspiracy of Silence," learns that her mother, who recently died, was actually her adoptive mother. She was not aware of the adoption previously and sets out to find out who she really is. Not able to find any records of her birth or adoption, the mystery of her identity starts unfolding when she finds a class ring, from Grand Rapids, MN, in her adoptive mother's possessions. Clare, unable to continue with her future until she resolves her past, sets out to Grand Rapids in hopes to discover her true identity. As soon as she arrives in Grand Rapids she discovers that her birth mother, Lily Gundersen, was actually murdered there twenty-five years ago and the story was still fresh in the old-timers' minds. The accused killer was her birth father, and since, was believed to have committed suicide. Clare doesn't believe her father was the murderer because she has flashbacks to when she was four-years-old, and starts remembering the scenario. As the truth starts unraveling, mysterious events take place in the attempt to prevent Clare finding out the truth about her mother's murder. Martha Powers offers a page-turner that is traumatic and unsettling. Well written, and with the best character development I've seen, "Conspiracy of Silence" is sure to keep you engrossed into all hours of the night. Each chapter ends with a hook to keep on reading. I finally decided if I was to go to sleep, I would have to put the book down in the middle of the chapter! "Conspiracy of Silence" by Martha Powers is highly recommended to anyone wanting to read a mystery that is compelling, has unexpected twists in the plot, and the murderers' actual identity kept secret to the end. Even all the guessing wouldn't reveal how the story ends.

Over the years, writer Martha Powers has entertained readers with books bursting with her own unique creativity, wit, and style. Yet despite her years of experience and number of works she continues to compose with fresh excitement, keeping her loyal fans happy as well as winning over new ones. With the release of "Conspiracy of Silence" Powers just may have outdone even herself. "Conspiracy of Silence" chronicles the harrowing journey of reporter Clare Prentice from the moment she learns that she'd been adopted to arriving in the little town of Grand Rapids, Minnesota where she hopes to find out about her biological parents. With her life on hold, Clare is bound and determined to find anything at all that could shed some light on her elusive past. Soon, what started as a harmless quest for information turns into a dangerous life-or-death struggle and Clare must decide how far she's willing to go for the truth. Can she risk her future just to learn about her past? "Conspiracy of Silence" is an adrenaline-packed page turner that will have you immediately hooked. Powers' breathes vibrant life into her characters so you really get to know them; you feel their fears, their pain, their helplessness, and their determination. Her plot is more of an experience and you are exhausted by the last page, having ridden the same emotional roller-coaster ride her characters have all experienced. By the time I finished, I realized I'd been holding the book with a white-knuckled grip. And the ending - completely and utterly unexpected and will have your mind reeling long after the last page. "Conspiracy of Silence" is absolutely perfect for adult readers of thriller, conspiracy, and mystery novels. Powers writes with a strength and intensity that will lure John Grisham and Robert Ludlum fans all while maintaining an overall feminine flavor that her readers have come to appreciate. If you've never read a Martha Powers novel, now's the time to start. Author Martha Powers new thriller, "Conspiracy of Silence" is sure to make plenty of noise upon its release. Jam-packed with vibrant details and non-stop action, it will keep you up reading; even keep you up pondering what will happen next if you manage to tear yourself away from its pages. Hands down and by far, "Conspiracy of Silence" the best novel I've read all year. Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant! --Vicki Landes, author of "Europe for the Senses: A Photographic Journal"