Silence Is Golden: Connor Westphal Mystery

It's immensely satisfying to enjoy a book by an author who's new to me. Penny Warner is one of several "new" authors I've been lucky to find this year. Her entertaining novel, Silence is Golden, is part of a series featuring journalist Connor Westphal, a smart and funny woman who happens to be deaf. Set in the Sierra Nevada's Gold Country, the adventure begins when the town of Flat Skunk's oldest prospector, Sluice Jackson, discovers a gold nugget the size of a tooth on land owned by someone else. Soon, fortune seekers are everywhere. Also new to town, is Connor's old college boyfriend, Josh, his wife, Gail, and their daughter, Susie. When Gail is found dead in the trunk of her car, Josh is arrested and Susie taken away by Social Services. Connor's mission is to clear Josh's name. Adding to the excitement is the discovery of a corpse buried near old Buzzard Mine and Connor's suspicion that the appearance of more gold nuggets might be part of a scam. Given that Connor has a newspaper to run and lots of questions to ask, it's a good thing her sexy, P.I. boyfriend, Dan, is willing to help. Not that Connor needs much assistance. She's resourceful, tenacious, and an expert at lip-reading and interpreting facial expressions. Interesting characters, a great setting, and a look at life from a deaf person's perspective make Silence is Golden a unique and worthwhile read. I look forward to reading more of Connor's adventures.

Penny Warner has done it again! When an old boyfriend shows up in Flat Skunk, Connor Westphal is pulled into the murder of his ex-wife. With much at stake, and an amazing cast of colorful characters you'll devour this book in one sitting. Warner's writing is like great chocolate--you just can't get enough! Kathleen Antrim, Author of "Capital Offense"

Mysteries these days do a lot more than mystify. Penny Warner always give us something to learn---and ponder. Who would have thought there were two legitimate sides whether or not to have a cochlear implant to enable hearing for the deaf? The author neatly wraps this conflict into Silence is Golden. And when you read this Gold Country mystery, you simply aren't where you were. You're there. Silence is Golden also has lots more lovin' between Conner Westphal and her lover Dan than in previous Warner mysteries, and a third party enters who is a threat to their long-time relationship. My gosh, and what a terrific book cover! How she acquired this authentic mine photo I'd like to know.

She moved from San Francisco to Flat Skunk in the Sierra Nevada gold country to lead a serene life style. Lately life in the former boomtown is anything but peaceful. Connor Westphal is a bit skeptical when local resident Sluice Jackson, the town's eccentric and oldest living prospector, finds a gold nugget in the Buzzard Hill mine. The gold played out a long time ago but the owner is a little too quick, to Connor's way of thinking, to accept Sluice's claim and develop a plan that would invite investors.While most of the town is infected with gold fever, Connor is busy getting reacquainted with Josh, her ex-lover from college. He and his young daughter and ex-wife are in town to obtain a cochlea implant for the child. When Josh's ex-wife is murdered the sheriff arrests him for the crime; Connor promises him she will find evidence to clear him. While Connor is trying to clear Josh, she comes to the attention of the real killer who is determined to silence her permanently.Although the protagonist of SILENCE IS GOLDEN is deaf, she is much more aware of the world around her then people who aren't hearing impaired. She is very at ease in her own skin and leads a very extraordinary life (even if she could hear sound) as she jumps from one dangerous situation to another. Penny Warner is a creative writer who knows how to develop fascinating characters that turn her novels, especially this amateur sleuth tale, into action packed winners for readers.Harriet Klausner