Conspiracy of Silence [Hardcover]

Martha Powers (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2008

On a sunny day in July, Clare Prentice arrives in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Although she is on assignment to interview the town's notoriously reclusive novelist Nate Hanssen, Clare is really in search of a different story-her story.Just months before, Clare was a bride-to-be, living in Chicago, and looking to the future.until the day she learned her entire life had been a lie.Not only was Clare adopted, but there is no record that she or her adoptive mother ever existed. The only clue is a class ring from Grand Rapids Senior High School. Unable to get on with her future until she reconciles her past, Clare breaks off her engagement.Unraveling the mystery is like trying to sculpt fog-until the first piece of the puzzle unexpectedly drops into place: Clare's birth mother, Lily Gundersen, was murdered in Grand Rapids.Lily's murder was one of the most talked-about events in the town's history, but no one is talking now. Clare doesn't know the whole story - and someone intends to keep it that way.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

When Clare Prentice, a Chicago journalist, discovers she's adopted in this cozy romantic thriller from Powers (Death Angel), she's disturbed enough to call off her impending wedding. The high school ring of her adoptive mother, who died two years earlier and was careful to keep Clare's true origin a secret, provides a clue that takes Clare to Grand Rapids, Minn., where she conveniently has an assignment to interview a reclusive novelist, Nate Hanssen. The pace picks up after Clare discovers that her birth mother, Lily Gundersen, was murdered in Grand Rapids. Clare becomes the target of a killer intent on silencing anyone who knows the real story behind Lily's untimely death. Meanwhile, a subtle romance develops between Clare and Nate. Full of red herrings, this suspense novel will appeal to those who also like traditional whodunits. (Nov.)
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About the Author

Martha Powers is an award-winning author, sought-after speaker, and humorist. She is the author of nine Regency novels and two thrillers published by Simon and Schuster. Her latest novel, Death Angel (Oceanview) was named a finalist in both the Royal Palm Literary Awards, and National Best Books 2006 Awards, and was selected as a Book Sense Pick.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Oceanview Publishing (November 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 193351518X
• ISBN-13: 978-1933515182
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,338,087 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Writing has always been a part of my life. In college I worked on the class musicals. My first job was in an advertising agency and I and a band of loonies wrote the twisted ads for the Christmas party. Then I worked on musical comedies for a theater group in Chicago and had a humor column in the local paper. I started writing romances but my heart belonged to the mystery genre and eventually I sold a suspense thriller to Simon & Schuster. I miss the humor writing so occasionally I write a column for the senior women's web online.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An average mystery-thriller, January 28, 2009

By 

Joy Kidd (McKinney, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Conspiracy of Silence (Hardcover)

When Clare Prentice discovers that she's adopted, after the death of the woman she thought was her mother, she sets off in search of who she really is. Of course, as she begins to dig into her past, there seems to be a malevolent stranger who doesn't want her to find out the true story of what really happened to her mother 25 years ago.

This is a pretty standard adoption/amnesia-themed thriller. It's certainly not bad, but I probably won't remember it 6 months from now.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Too predictable, March 6, 2009

By 

C. Peterson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Conspiracy of Silence (Hardcover)

This book was too predictable. I knew very early how the plot was going to develop and, from the first time the character appeared, who the "bad one" was. I can't say more without including spoilers, but hey, it's a spoiler in itself.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars great suspense thriller, November 7, 2008

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Conspiracy of Silence

Chicago reporter Clare Prentice is stunned to learn she is adopted when Dr. Craig calmly suggested after a physical she obtain medical information on her biological parents. Clare had thought Rose, who raised her was her biological mom. Now she knows her late adopted mom Rose hid the truth from her; her biological dad died before Clare was three. Her reaction to the disturbing news is to end her engagement to kindhearted Doug Kitridge.

She finds a high school ring amongst her late adoptive mother's stuff. With a need to know more, Claire heads to where the ring is from, Grand Rapids, Minnesota. While there she is assigned to interview reclusive novelist, Nate Hanssen, a resident who shuns publicity. Clare learns her birth mother was Lily Gundersen, who was murdered in Grand Rapids. Soon after her arrival someone stalks Clare who assumes her mom's killer wants his or her murderous secret kept quiet. Clare and Nate begin to act on their attraction to one another.

Outside of the interview occurring in Grand Rapids where the mysterious graduation ring comes from, CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE is a great suspense thriller. Clare uses her reporter skills to learn more about her mom's murder, but quickly learns nothing is quite like it seems and every one even the author she is falling in love with appears to have an agenda. With some nice twists along the way, readers will enjoy this exciting cozy with just the right amount of a romantic subplot to enhance the investigation.

Harriet Klausner