A Desperate Silence: A Dr. Sylvia Strange Novel [Mass Market Paperback]

Sarah Lovett (Author)

Book Description

Series: Dr. Sylvia Strange Novels | Publication Date: February 25, 2003

Forensic psychologist Dr. Sylvia Strange has matched wits with some of the most twisted minds in the American criminal system, and survived. Now, she finds herself struggling to reach a ten-year-old girl found by police who has been terrified into utter silence. As Sylvia slowly works her way into the girl's scarred psyche and gains her trust, she realizes that what her patient witnessed may still pose a threat to someone very powerful. Someone who may want the child dead.

Her suspicions are confirmed when an attempt is made on the girl's life by a hired assassin, and Sylvia discovers a conspiracy that reaches from a death row inmate to the drug lords of Mexico. Now, Sylvia must protect her helpless ward, and unravel the mystery of the young girl's life -- before a ruthless killer ends it....

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Lovett's third Sylvia Strange thriller (following Acquired Motives, LJ 9/1/96 and Dangerous Attachments, LJ 5/1/95) pits the Santa Fe forensic psychologist against a sadistic, heroin-addicted hit man out to murder a child who knows too much. Called in to evaluate the disturbed, frightened girl, who has withdrawn into muteness, Strange forms a bond with her that leads to an international Mexican drug trafficking and money laundering ring and a murderer on death row. As the cases coalesce and the graphic violence escalates, Strange gets help from her almost affianced lover, New Mexico police officer Matt England. Lovett deftly juggles various plot lines, illuminating the gritty border drug wars, the cops on both sides of the legal fence, and the psychological threads. Despite a few loose ends, this should appeal to readers who like their thrillers gory, complex, and at a breakneck pace.? Francine Fialkoff, "Library Journal"
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

Lovett's glittering, sharp-edged, gut-wrenching story reminds readers that easy answers are hard to find. A horrific car crash leaves a man dead and a 10-year-old girl mute and terrified. Forensic psychiatrist Sylvia Strange is called in on the off chance she can do what a team of talented physicians can't: get the child to talk. Eventually, Sylvia learns the child's name--Serena--and finds a few puzzling clues to her background. Then Sylvia discovers that Serena is linked to a death-row killer, a wealthy Santa Fe society matron, and a violent Mexican drug king. She also learns the child has been severely traumatized after witnessing her mother's death and that Serena's life--and now Sylvia's--may be in imminent danger. Sylvia is too fond of the child to abandon her in the face of such danger. Her only alternative is to try to protect Serena from the demons--real and imagined--that persecute her and find a way to bring her out of the living hell she has endured. This moving, mesmerizing story reveals a more humane and tender side of the enigmatic psychiatrist, adding depth to her character in the process. This must-have crime novel will hold particular appeal for fans of Patricia Cornwell. Emily Melton --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Pocket (February 25, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743463366
• ISBN-13: 978-0743463362
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,081,903 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better than Cornwell, December 30, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: A Desperate Silence: A Novel (Hardcover)

In New Mexico, a child driving a Honda crashes the car into a train. Miraculously the girl lives, but is unable to, or perhaps refuses to, explain who she is or why she was driving the car. The frustrated Santa Fe police assign forensic psychiatrist Sylvia Strange to learn what she can from the nameless child. Sylvia quickly finds out the hard way that the child is not mute when the little girl screams as she throws a punch at the doctor. Eventually, Sylvia learns that her very frightened patient's name is Serena.

As Sylvia gains the trust of the child, she realizes that the lass is scared that a demon is after her. Sylvia understands that Renzo Santos, a blood drinking hit man wants to take the kid out. It is up to Sylvia to help the child with her inner demons and her external devils if Serena is ever going to return to the land of the living and and become a healthy, well adjusted child.

The highly regarded Sarah Lovett (just read DANGEROUS ATTACHMENTS and ACQUIRED MOTIVES to realize the incredible depth and brilliance this author posesses) has written a brilliant Sylvia Strange mystery. A DESPERATE SILENCE is compelling and clever as a non-supernatural horror theme is weaved into the story line without taking away from the horror, dread, and ultimately fear associated with the human blood sucker. Adding to the delight of this tale is the way Sylvia (and ultimately the audience) gains some insight intoto her own childhood and parentage. Thisenables readers to understand the doctor's motives better. This book is a great addition to one of the most notable series in the psychological who-done-it sub-genre.

Harriet Klausner

5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Read!!!!, July 31, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: A Desparate Silence (Mass Market Paperback)

I agree. If you like Kay Scarpetta you will like Sylvia. I really enjoyed this wonderful book.