TEST
Sex, corruption, and politics are far from unusual subjects of suspense novels. In that respect, little is groundbreaking in Silenced, the fourth full-length novel in Allison Brennan’s series following Lucy Kincaid. However, compelling characters, a strong (if relatively minor, plot-wise) romance, and just enough mystery made the book hard to put down.
Lucy Kincaid is an analyst for the FBI, a hard-won position that is very much in the balance. She failed her initial psychological test, as she still struggles with some of the residual trauma of being kidnapped and raped live on the Internet at age 18. When the recently revealed mistress of a senator turns up dead, the FBI is called in. Less publicized is the murder of a young black prostitute in one of the seedier neighborhoods of DC; however, Lucy is at both crime scenes, and sees some similarities that have her asking what the lobbying firm secretary and the hooker have in common.
The book switches back and forth between the points of view of Lucy, her boyfriend Sean, the murderer, and the young madam/prostitute/savior of young hookers, Ivy. It is Ivy’s band of young women trying to get out of the life and off the drugs that are the targets of the killer and she is the most compelling character. The daughter of a televangelist, she ran away from home after her father began raping her, and now is trying to rescue her younger sister from the same fate. She may be a prostitute, and sometimes facilitates prostitution, but also works to help others in her same situation, and has reasonable fear of the authorities and anyone outside her immediate circle.
The blackmail/murder/corruption side of the plot was a bit convoluted. There are characters involved that don’t quite fit, at least not with the information we are given. A few extraneous things are thrown in, too, like Sean’s criminal history and some heavy interagency politicking and bribing that could cost Lucy her job.
Overall, though, the story was fast-paced and had enough pieces to put together, without being too easy. I really liked Lucy and Sean together. As this book is a few into the series, I didn’t see how they got together, but their relationship is strong. It was definitely a secondary plot line, but their mutual support and understanding provided a lovely base to the murders and more ordinary pressures of office politics.
I wish Sean and Lucy’s story had greater prominence, but I suppose that is why I usually read romantic suspense novels; this is suspense with romantic undertones. This book was enough to have me looking into Allison Brennan’s backlist, though, and I’m looking forward to starting at the beginning.
Grade: B
Book Type: Suspense
Sensuality: Subtle
Review Date: 14/05/12
Publication Date: 2012/04
Related Reviews
Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.