Silent Witness: A Novel

Richard North Patterson continues his string of outstanding novels with this penetrating look at friendship, faith and love. Tony Lord, who we first met in "Private Screening" is the legal wizard who is called to his hometown after nearly three decades to defend his best friend of the murder of a sixteen year old girl. Tony himself left his hometown because he had been accused of murdering his girlfriend, Alison Taylor. Tony's guilt was never really clarified, because the only other person who could have murdered Alison was killed robbing a convenience store. We know Tony didn't kill Alison, but the townspeople believe he did.So now his best friend (who also may have thought Tony was guilty) is facing similar charges, only he gets to go to trial with Tony as his lawyer.A stunning novel, filled with secrets; heartbreaking scenarios that are so lifelike in their structure, you can't help but feel for those involved. The confrontational courtroom scenes, as always, are brilliant and riveting. The relationship between Tony and Sam is superbly etched; Tony's feelings about Sam's wife, Sue, are painstakingly real; the enigmatic Sam Robb is focal---is he capable of such a brutal murder; does he lie about everything? Is he really Tony's best friend? And is Tony justified in what he does to Ernie? The novel cruises along with such intensity and fervor, one can't help but gasp in awe at its structure. The finale is devastating, although you can see it coming, you just don't want to admit it.A brilliant, exceptional novel.HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Tony Lord is a successful criminal defense attorney in San Francisco, married to an Oscar-winning actress and living the life of the rich and famous. But thirty years ago, as a high school senior in a small Ohio town, he was a suspect in the murder of his girlfriend. He was never formally charged, but many townspeople, including the dead girl's parents, were convinced of his guilt. He soon went away to college and never returned.But now he has no choice. His old best friend Sam, the teammate who caught Tony's pass in the end zone in the final ten seconds of the biggest game of their high school careers, has been charged with murder. So Tony returns to his old home town to defend his friend. Inevitably, Tony is forced to confront the prejudices and nightmares he thought he had escaped decades ago. His dead girlfriend's parents are still there, and still convinced of his guilt. Sam's wife Sue is another issue. She was Sam's girlfriend back in high school, but she and Tony slept together one night toward the very end of their senior year, and Sam has always been suspicious of the relationship between Tony and his wife.By setting up the plot framework as he did, Patterson gave himself the opportunity for a richly textured exploration of some of humanity's most powerful emotions: love, jealousy, loyalty, and guilt. And he delivers the goods. The mystery element in this novel - although superb - is almost lost in the wonderfully evocative description of Tony Lord's struggle with his memories, loyalties, and relationships.I have never read a Richard North Patterson novel before. But this work is so outstanding that he has immediately jumped to the top rank of my favorite mystery writers - a group that includes Elizabeth George, P D James, and Dennis Lehane.This one is absolutely terrific.

Richard North Patterson doesn't get close to the amount of attention he deserves for his masterful way of writing. If you read a lot and think you can pretty much predict what is going to happen...well you are in for a surprise here. If you've ever wondered..."What If..." this book is for you. Patterson takes you from present day life and transforms you to the high school years of youth and freedom. From puppy love to vicious deaths, you will be surprised, intrigued and have a sick curiosity about everylife involved. You'll root for a killer and want him to be free, then realizing he's killed again, you'll want revenge. There's indepth autopsy information and plain and simple friendship. There's loyalties to be kept and betrayals that must be brought to light. You'll be enamored with each and every character, and when the last page is turned, you'll wish there were another hundred more.

This is the fourth book I've read by Richard North Patterson, following "Degree of Guilt," "Eyes of a Child" and "Final Judgment," all of which were very well written. With "Silent Witness," Patterson easily surpasses even the lofty expectations I developed based on the stories I had read earlier and joins Elizabeth George and Dorothy Sayers as one of my favorite mystery writers. The story is masterfully crafted, weaving two murder mysteries separated by nearly thirty years into a seamless web of intrigue, betrayal and misguided loyalties. It is reminiscent of "Lone Star" in rooting its two mysteries in the small town social fabric with conflicts between Catholics, protestants and Jews; and between blacks and whites. The characters evolve in very credible ways. One can see the teenagers we first meet in the middle-aged characters we later visit, with their basic traits sometimes mellowed, sometimes entrenched; with dreams shattered and realities acknowledged. The book actually begins slowly, unlike other Patterson novels which firmly hook the reader in the first three pages. I found the ending a little less than satisfactory. I correctly guessed the identity of the guilty party and expected another character to do the same. The ending was good, but more satisfying to one of the characters than to the reader. The book is a must read and a real page turner.

I recently discovered Richard North Patterson, and have been devouring his books. Each one has been excellent. Silent Witness is the best I've read. The story line is totally captivating, packed with surprises, and the ending couldn't have been done any better. On top of all this, the characterization was so deep and real that I had a hard time remembering it was fiction. This is truly one of the best books I've ever read. I'd enjoy hearing from other readers who felt the same, and would appreciate some recommendations from them.