“THE SILENT SCREAM” the third book of the ‘Hawkman Series’ is a story about Hawkman getting involved in the dilemma of Richard, a deaf boy who is suspected of murdering his mother and dog. The anguish the young man goes through will grip your heart.
When a young deaf boy returns home to find his mother murdered, he sets out to avenge her death. This proves to be a dangerous undertaking and the young man (Richard) doesn’t realize that it is his life that might be added to his mother’s. Can Hawkman and Jennifer (his mystery writing wife) protect Richard from the hatred and anger that threatens to destroy him?
This story is packed full of suspects from a crazy mountain man, hell’s angel bikers, a missing uncle, to a cop who wants pen the murder on Richard himself. As always, there is a race against time with lots of unexpected twist and turns.
Excerpt
"Richard had no more stepped into the kitchen than he staggered
backwards against the door jam. He sucked in his breath as he stared in horror at his mother's body sprawled on the floor in a pool of blood. And Ruffy's furry body lay beside her, blood still flowing from the slit in his neck.
He swallowed hard, then forced himself forward, stretching out his arm so that only the tips of his trembling fingers touched his mother's cold, lifeless body. As the smell of death invaded his nostrils, the taste of bile bubbled into his throat."
Richard bounced across the rough field on his motorcycle toward home. He peered in the direction of the front door and wondered why his mother hadn't poked her head out and waved as she usually did when he arrived. She must be busy over the stove, he thought, wheeling into the barn yard.
He jumped off the bike and glanced up at the roof of the house. No smoke curled out of the pipe vent connected to the wood burning stove. That worried him.
Quickly pushing the bike into the barn, he dusted off his jeans and hurried toward the back door. Sniffing the air, he thought it odd that he couldn't smell any food cooking. Mom always had something going on the stove that made his mouth water.
His dog Ruffy hadn't run to greet him either. As he raced up the rickety wooden steps, he glanced quickly under the raised back porch for his large Golden Retriever, but didn't see him. Giving his seat one more dusting, he opened the squeaky screen.
Richard had no more stepped into the kitchen than he staggered backwards against the door jam. He sucked in his breath as he stared in horror at his mother's body sprawled on the floor in a pool of blood. And Ruffy's furry body lay beside her, blood still flowing from the slit in his throat.
He swallowed hard, then forced himself forward, stretching out his arm so that only the tips of his trembling fingers touched his mother's cold, lifeless body. As the smell of death invaded his nostrils, the taste of bile bubbled into his throat.
Richard clutched his stomach and stumbled back outside where he leaned over the wooden railing and vomited until his insides ached from the dry heaves. Tears blurred his vision and sobs wracked his whole being. Who would do this horrible thing to his beautiful mother and gentle dog?
He took a deep breath and turned back toward the entry. Maybe what he'd seen was no more than a horrible figment of his imagination. He eased open the door, shot a quick look inside, then slammed it shut. His breath came in ragged spurts as he leaned his forehead against the hard wood. No, dear God. . .it really had happened. His mother and dog were motionless..
Fear slithered down his spine. Could the killer still be in the area?
Fans of Ms La Pierre’s will be delighted with this third novel in her Hawkman series. True to Ms La Pierre’s form this book is full of edge of your seat action. When a young boy returns home to find his mother murdered, he sets out to avenge her death. This proves to be a dangerous undertaking and the young man (Richard) doesn’t realize that it is his life that might be added to his mother’s. Can Hawkman and Jennifer (his mystery writing wife) protect Richard from the hatred and anger that threatens to destroy him?
This story is packed full of suspects from a crazy mountain man, hell’s angel bikers, a missing uncle, to a cop who wants pen the murder on Richard himself. As always, there is a race against time with lots of unexpected twist and turns. And by the way, did I mention that the young man is deaf?
This is a MUST read for all of Hawkman’s fans and I personally think, La Pierre’s best work so far.
Jonathan David Masters
Reviewer
www.booktrees.com
THE SILENT SCREAM
THE SILENT SCREAM by Betty Sullivan La Pierre
Elaine Broome
REVIEW:
How do you go on when everyone you love is gone? How can you avenge your mother’s murder? Who can you trust? In Betty Sullivan LaPierre’s THE SILENT SCREAM, seventeen year old Richard Clifford must find answers to these and other questions before he can be at peace.
After the violent murder of his mother Francine, Richard knows that his farming world has changed forever and that he must suddenly become a man. Deaf since birth, Richard is now more isolated than ever. He is stunned to learn that the Sheriff’s Department considers him a suspect in the murder, and terrified when one of the deputies seems determined to arrest him. Neighbor Tom “Hawkman” Casey firmly believes that Richard is innocent and knows that the boy’s freedom may depend on him. He fears that Richard is set on finding his mother’s killer and hopes that he can protect him.
Of all of the books in the wonderful “Hawkman” series, this is definitely the best. Hawkman is his usual steadfast self, full of kindness and decency, but the character of Richard is what really makes THE SILENT SCREAM shine. He is a young man struggling to cope with great tragedy and loss, all the while trying to figure out how to be a man. His courage and character are both poignant and inspiring. I loved the way the author wove Richard’s deafness into the story: it influenced his life in many ways, but it was not the only thing that defined him. As with all of Betty Sullivan LaPierre’s books, the story carries you along through many twists and turns: there’s lots of action, great mystery and precisely drawn characters. But most of all there’s Richard . . . and he’s the most unforgettable thing about this lovely book.
THE SILENT SCREAM
Reviewed by Mayra Calvani
Blue Iris Journal
On returning from a cycle ride, seventeen-year-old Richard Clifford walks into his kitchen to find his beloved mother and dog in a pool of blood, their throats slit.
He tries to find help, but living in a desolate country area doesn't make this easy. He rides several miles to his closest neighbors, only to find them gone. Frantic and still suffering from shock, he returns back home. To protect his mother's body from vermin, he cleans her wounds, changes her bloody clothes, wraps her in a blanket and carries her to the barn. He also buries his dog.
However, this act of love and compassion isn't appreciated later by the police. With important evidence destroyed, Richard becomes the main suspect.
Tom Casey, a private investigator better known as Hawkman, is instantly taken by the young man's situation and decides to help him. How can he not? Not only is Richard alone in this world, but he's also deaf.
Although this is the third book in the Hawkman series, it can stand alone perfectly. Ms. LaPierre doesn't waste time in hooking you to the story. Once you read the first paragraph you'll immediately find yourself in a turbulent yet deeply entertaining roller-coaster ride. The author has successfully created a set of interesting characters and situations which will keep you guessing for the solution from beginning to end. Fast-paced and filled with suspense, this is a story you won't forget for a long time.
The Silent Scream
By Betty Sullivan La Pierre
Dallas attorney Stan Turner hates criminal law but has a propensity for attracting murder cases anyway. So, it's no big surprise when a simple attorney-ad-litem appointment in family court evolves into a complex murder trial.
