Keeping Silent

Carla Damron has an incredible ability to write characterization. I was immediately taken in by the protagonist, Caleb Knowles, and enjoyed my glimpse into his world of social work. Caleb's brother Sam is deaf and it was intriguing to find a character like him in a murder mystery. I found it hard to put the book down.

This is a terrific first novel from up and coming author Carla Damron, a native of the South Carolina area she writes about. The story starts off slow and drowsy, like a hot, hazy summer day in a small southern town. Slowly but surely, you realize that not everyone's taking it easy, especially the protagonist, social worker Caleb Knowles, whose deaf brother Sam is accused of murdering his deaf fiance Ann visciously and brutally. With its finely drawn characters (including a few you love to hate), the author keeps the plot twists coming deftly and you think you know whodunnit until the last two pages! Ms. Damron has paved the way to the further adventures of Caleb Knowles with a second novel, Spider Blue due out in June 2003. A definite must have for any suspense lover.

Ms. Damron has with Keeping Silent, given us wonderfully real characters. She had me hooked from page one. I was pulling for Caleb and Sam. I forced myself to not read the last page first, just so I would see if I could guess who done it. I didn't. Major applause, this is a terrific mystery. Caution, once you start it, you won't put it down.

This is one of those books you covet finding because it allows you to immerse yourself in the locale and the characters and shut out the stress and mundane of everyday existence.Ms. Damron is a storyteller of the first order and anyone with any sense will buy this book and take advantage of that fact!

A deaf woman is found dead in the home of her deaf boyfriend, a sculptor. Her hands sign "No!" The murder weapon? A piece fashioned by the sculptor. Thus begins Carla Damron's first novel, a page turner. Her story centers on the efforts of the sculptor's brother to rescue him from a storm of suspicion that circumstance soon forms and directs at the sculptor. If you are looking for a companion to take with you to the beach, to accompany you to the waiting room or, indeed, to go with you anywhere there is time and space for you to read, Miss Damron's book surely is for you. A first-rate, well-plotted tale convincingly told with characters you will remember and want to hear more about in future works.