Relative Silence

 

GIVEAWAY

PARKS, CARRIE STUART

RELATIVE SILENCE

A powerful family with lots of secrets. A forensic artist with his own tragedies. And a hurricane bearing down on their private island.

Fifteen years ago Piper Boone's only child died in a boating accident, and Piper's almost perfect life came to an end too. After living through a divorce and losing her job, she retreats to Curlew Island and her childhood home -- a secluded mansion for the politically powerful Boone family, who are practically American royalty.

But Piper's desire to become a recluse is shattered when a mass shooter opens fire and kills three women at a cafe where Piper is having lunch. The crisis puts her family in the spotlight by dredging up rumors of the so-called Curlew Island Curse, which whispers say has taken the lives of several members of the Boone family, including Piper's father and sister.

Forensic artist Tucker Landry also survives the shooting and is tasked with the job of sketching a portrait of the shooter with Piper. They forge a bond over their shared love of movies and tragic pasts. But when police discover a connection between the shooting and two more murders on Curlew Island, they face a more terrible lineup of suspects than they could have imagined: Piper's family.

Unraveling the family's true history will be the key to Piper's survival -- or her certain death.

My Review:

Groping for words to use in a review again. This was one thrilling, mind-boggling, emotional roller-coasting, gah-there-are-too-many-suspects kind of suspense. My brain is still addled and I'm feeling bereft because I've now read all of Carrie Stuart Parks' books. Someone please tell me she has a new release coming out soon!

One of this author's strengths (and she has many) is the way she brings broken characters to life. They are real and raw and hurting -- and, as my friend is always saying, 'hurt people hurt people.' Love the gritty honesty portrayed in both Piper and Tucker. They are wounded and scarred, limping through life as they grapple with the enormity of overcoming. But they are brought together for such a time as this and the way they connect is thrilling. There is so much depth to the emotional and spiritual aspects of their lives that I'm still reeling from it all.

And pay attention to the details, readers. Because that's another of Parks' strengths -- the way she weaves together seemingly random bits of flotsam until you suddenly see something solid taking shape. 

The suspense is compelling -- the kind of edge of your seat stuff that transform a good plot into something exceptional. I'm still a little light-headed from all the breath-holding! :-)

A definite must-read for the discerning suspense aficionado who loves intense suspense with a side of romance.

 GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

Winner can choose between a paperback copy or an ecopy

If you would like a chance to win a copy of one Relative Silence, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday October 23 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!