Silent Lies (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"'Silent Lies' is a bold narrative, immensely readable...I was mesmerized by its realism. A first class piece of work." -- Jack Valenti, Former President and CEO of The Motion Picture Association of America

"'Silent Lies' is both a romantic rags-to-riches tale and a suspenseful thriller...drawing in and carrying the reader along effortlessly." -- Bookends

"Captivating....One of the 10 best novels of the year." -- The International Herald Daily News

"Dangerously captivating....One of the 10 best novels of the year." -- World Art Celebrities Journal (June 2005)

"Mesmerizing…’Silent Lies’ is pure magic..[Malcolm] would and could rival the best writers and storytellers of our generation." -- The Jewish Post

"SILENT LIES is a remarkable blend of history and fiction...a book meant to be read again and again." -- Bookpleasures.com

"[A] ‘page-turner’ in the very best tradition of historical fiction...a phenomenal achievement." -- The Midwest Book Review --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Description

Inspired by true stories from the author's family, Silent Lies tells the story of Leo Hoffman, a dashing young Hungarian with a gift for languages who inadvertently becomes embroiled in an international counterfeiting scheme during the general chaos following WWI.

When the botched plans end in a murder, Leo flees to the scandal-filled city of Shanghai, hoping to make a new life there for himself and the woman he loves.

However, one small compromise sets off a series of events that will eventually threaten everything he holds dear, as Leo discovers that the nefarious gangsters who run Shanghai from the shadows do not intend to let him escape his past.

Malcolm blends real historical figures with fascinating fictional characters to recreate an engrossing but rarely-explored piece of the past. Filled with intrigue, passion, history and adventure, Silent Lies recaptures a glittering world that no longer exits, while spinning the riveting tale of a family caught up in the tumultuous events of the decadent era between the two world wars.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 373 pages
• Publisher: Good Read Publishing (June 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0981572618
• ISBN-13: 978-0981572611
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #425,559 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "...an action romance saga...", July 6, 2005

By	Lillian Brummet (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Silent Lies: A Novel (Hardcover)

"Silent Lies is an action romance saga, that takes the reader through decades of a tumultuous time between the end of World War I and the beginnings of World War II. Excellent and intelligent use of actual historical events makes this piece both educational and entertaining.

Leo, a young Hungarian boy who sees too many horrors and deceit, barely survives while family and friends are slaughtered. He finds himself alone, again and again. Subsisting on his uncanny ability to mimic behavior and languages, a gift that keeps him alive - and in serious trouble, he travels from Hungary to Paris. Leo is innocently trapped by very ruthless and influential people and he is forced to run for the sanctuary of Shanghai. There, both his greatest hopes and greatest fears come true.

This is an endearing story of a love that many can only experience in dreams. It is about self-sacrifice - of enduring when all hope is gone and strength is fading. Readers witness the consequences of the political and personal choices that Leo is forced to make. Personally, I had to brush away a little water from my eyes a few times in the story.

Without hesitation, I give Silent Lies high ratings because the author has provided an exceptional piece of work. I look forward to the second book to find out what else will happen in Maggy and Leo's adventurous lives."

ISBN#: 1563527502
Author: M.L. Malcolm
Publisher: Long Street Press


~ Lillian Brummet - Book Reviewer - Co-author of the book Trash Talk, a guide for anyone concerned about his or her impact on the environment - Author of Towards Understanding, a collection of poetry. (http://www.sunshinecable.com/~drumit)

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Solid Showing, December 17, 2005

By	Tara Willis (Athens, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Silent Lies: A Novel (Hardcover)

I don't usually find myself reading either historical novels or romantic stories, but I'm glad I made an exception for Silent Lies. The writing is what grabbed my attention and held it throughout. M.L. Malcolm's words flow beautifuly, painting a stunning portrait of a troubled hero. Leo Hoffman has a gift for languages and uses this to lift himself out of poverty and, ultimately, to flee for his life to Shanghi during WWI. Malcolm's hero is one of the best I've encountered; he compromises his integrity out of his desire to protect his wife and daughter, as well as a desire to "better" himself. The imagery is breathtaking, from the gleam of a button, to Leo's heartbreak when leaving his beloved Martha. Silent Lies is, quite simply, a beautiful book. Let Malcolm take you to from Budapest to Paris to Shanghi. Let Leo Hoffman win your heart. Read Silent Lies; your only regret will be that the book has to end.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Modern Thriller, Really, December 20, 2005

By	R. A. Bauer - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Silent Lies: A Novel (Hardcover)

I almost didn't buy this book because some of the reviews made it sound more like a romance than a thriller, but I was swayed by the Amazon review that compared "Silent Lies" to "Casablanca." After staying up nearly all night to finish it, I have to say that's a pretty accurate comparison. While there is a romantic element in the book, it reads more like a thriller, and the author also managed to fill the pages with fascinating historical details that rarely slow the action down. The main character, Leo Hoffman, lives life on the run after getting involved in a counterfeiting scandal. He goes to Shanghai, thinking that is far enough away from his homeland (Hungary) to create a new life for himself and his wife. But his past catches up with him in the form of a Chinese gangster who blackmails him. If you enjoy Ken Follet ("Eye of the Needle," "The Key to Rebecca," etc.), you'll love this book.