Sins of Silence

Yes! I found this mystery from new Northwest writer Valerie Wilcox to be a thoroughly enjoyable and suspenseful read. Wilcox has a wonderful sense of humor that comes through via her protagonist's personality, bringing to mind such memorable characters as Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta and DeMille's John Corey. Sailing instructor heroine Kellie Montgomery is a rich character whose may facets and foibles are woven into the plot fabric to create a more complex tapestry than is often found in the mystery genre. I highly recommend this book and hope Kellie resurfaces in future adventures.

Forty-year-old Kellie Montgomery lives by herself on a boat anchored at the Larstad Marina near Seattle. Kellie, who earns a living from teaching sailing, feels pretty good about the world since her neighbor, attorney Donald Moyer, found the daughter that Kellie had to give up for adoption over two decades ago. When Donald and his wife are found murdered, Kellie feels strongly that she owes it to him to uncover the identity of his killer. The police and her family want the amateur sleuth to mind her own business because they fear that her digging could make her the next victim sailing dead in the bay. However, Kellie believes she can solve the case and nothing, even the threat of being killed, can stop her from continuing to search for the culprit. In her debut novel, Valerie Wilcox shows much talent and clearly a love of sailing, the sea, and Seattle. Though readers must accept Kellie's reasons for investigation the killings, that shortcoming does not hurt the tale. The story line is as crisp as a chilly morning out at sea and the sub-plots add several leagues of depth. The characters, especially Kellie, bring to life living at a marina, turning SINS OF SILENCE into a fabulous sea cruise.Harriet Klausner

Kellie Montgomery, sailing instructor, live-aboard, and single mother of an adopted daughter, voluntarily investigates...snoops actually...into the deaths of a couple with whom she has a passing acquaintance. Her interest ostensibly stems from personal concerns involving her daughter, Cassie. But the truth is, Kellie is plagued with an inquisitive nature.Valerie Wilcox joins a growing cadre of Pacific Northwest authors capitalizing upon Seattle's scenic setting for their venue. In Sins of Silence the mystery takes a backseat to the adoption issues, undoubtedly due to the author's background as an adoptive mom. Her style is reminiscent of Sue Grafton's. Although this first novel suffers from predictability, I expect plot subtlety and complexity will improve with experience in subsequent novels. I anticipate she will prove a creditable peer with other local talent such as J.A. Jance and Mary Daheim.