Title: The Longest Silence by Debra Webb
Shades of Death Series Book Five
Publisher: MIRA
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Suspense
Length: 336 pages
Book Rating: B
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley
Summary:
A killer stole her voice. Now she’s ready to take it back. Don’t miss the chilling Shades of Death series from USA TODAY bestselling author Debra Webb.
Joanna Guthrie was free. She had been for eighteen years—or so she needed everyone to believe. What really happened during the longest fourteen days of her life, when she and two other women were held captive by a dangerous serial killer, wasn’t something she could talk about. Not with him watching. Not unless she wanted to end up like the ones who didn’t make it out.
But when more women go missing in an eerily similar manner, Jo knows her prolonged silence will only seal their fates. She’s finally ready to talk; she just needs someone to listen. FBI special agent Tony LeDoux can’t deny he finds Jo compelling—he’s just not sure he believes her story. But with the clock ticking, Jo will do anything to convince him, even if it means unearthing long-buried secrets that will land them squarely in the crosshairs of the killer…
Review:
The Longest Silence by Debra Webb is a suspenseful and surprisingly redemptive addition to the Shades of Death series. Although this latest release is the fourth in the series it can be read as a standalone although I recommend the previous installments as well.
FBI Agent Tony LeDoux has been on a downward spiral for quite some time. He is pretty much at his lowest point when his sister Angie calls to ask for his help in locating his nineteen year old niece Tiffany. Although not “officially” missing, the circumstances of her disappearance are alarming and very out of character for the college student. Tony does not waste any time beginning his search for Tiffany. He quickly crosses paths with Joanna Guthrie who knows all too well that Tiffany is in grave danger.
Following the horrific events of a case Tony worked on, he has lost pretty much everything. He is now divorced, drinking too much and his FBI career is essentially over. Despite his problems, he does not hesitate to begin searching Tiffany but he is not sure if the local police will give him any information. Tony is relieved when the police chief welcomes his assistance but once the FBI becomes involved, he is warned to stay out of the way. With his niece’s life on the line, Tony ignores their admonition to not interfere in the case and with Joanna’s help, they quickly unearth a few leads.
Eighteen years earlier, Joanna was a college student who also vanished in a manner eerily similar to Tiffany and fellow student, Vickie Parton. Although she returned from her ordeal, her life has never been the same. Joanna has uncovered several other cases that resemble her terrifying experience all those years ago. Although she has interviewed the survivors from these other cases, she has no idea who is responsible for the kidnappings or where the victims are being held. With Tiffany’s disappearance, Joanna decides it is time to face her demons once and for all and hopefully bring Tiffany and Vickie safely home.
The Longest Silence is an enthralling mystery that is quite puzzling. Joanna is slow to share her experience with Tony but she is committed to finding the kidnapped young women. Tony unexpectedly finds redemption as he briefly reconnects with Bobbie Gentry and Nick Shade. The investigation into Tiffany’s disappearance moves in fits and starts with some of the people whom Tony interviewed crossing paths with someone out for revenge. With unexpected plot twists and stunning turns, Debra Webb brings this fourth installment in the Shades of Death series to an action-packed conclusion.
