Customer Reviews

The Silent Scream (Hawkman Series) (Hawkman, Bk 3)

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How do you go on when everyone you love is gone? Can you ever 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 is number three in Betty Sullivan La Pierre's Hawkman Series. Although this one can be considered a stand-alone mystery, the main character Hawkman makes this a series worthy of backtracking. He has the typical private investigator traits -- skepticism and curiosity, but he's also loyal, intelligent, and compassionate.

Richard lives with his mother far away from the hubbub of the city. He's home schooled and socializing is pretty much nonexistence. After a ride on his cycle, Richard comes home to discover his mother and dog murdered on the kitchen floor. The scene is emotionally gripping, especially since seventeen-year-old Richard is deaf with no one to turn to. His parents' past loving guidance gives him wisdom to get through the crisis, and his pain gives him the courage to investigate his mother's murder on his own. When Hawkman becomes aware of the circumstances he takes up the deaf teen's cause, doing everything possible to keep the state and the police from taking him into custody.

La Pierre writes her deaf characters as lip readers with the ability to speak instead of using sign language. The influence of this choice comes from the BS degree in Speech Therapy she received from the Oklahoma College for Women -- now known as University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. In the OCW college town was the well-known oral deaf school, Jane Brooks School for the Deaf.

The Silent Scream is a clean, gripping mystery with a haunting lead character. The storyline moves smooth and quick. It's a read you won't forget it anytime soon. The three titles in the Hawkman series are The Enemy Stalks, Double Trouble, and The Silent Scream.

Silent Scream (Hawkman Series)

Richard Clifford Motored His Bike Into The Shed And Hurried To His Small House That He His Mom Shared Since His Dad Died Of Cancer Two Years Ago. Richard And His Mom Were Deaf And He Had Been Home Schooled As He Mom Had Taught The Deaf Before She Quit And Married Hus Dad. As Richard Opened The Back Door Of The Kitchen He Was Overcome By The Metallic Smell Of Blood And There His Mom And Dog Lay In A Pool Of Blood!

His Family Had Enjoyed Living Without Friends And The Only People He Sought For Help Were The Zankers And Jerome The Hermit But Neither Were Home And The Seventeen Year Old Boy Shook Off His Youth And Became A Man Hell Bent On Revenge!

In The Silent Scream, Ms.La Pierre Pulls Out All The Stops When Francine Clifford Is Slit From Ear To Ear And Brutally Raped; And Since She Was Found By Her Son Who Had No Alibi He Is Accused And Hounded By Deputy Alberts. A Bigoted Lawman. When Hawkman Saw The Police At The Tiny Farm House He Pulled Over To Help But Was Surprised With The Mass Of Confusion And One Look At The Boy Told Him That He Would Do All He Could To Help Him.

Ms. Sullivan La Pierre writes another intriguing Hawkman mystery that kept me turning the pages. I truly love this author's clean style and plot twists. She always keeps me guessing!

Richard Clifford, a deaf seventeen-year-old, comes home from a motorcycle ride to find his mother, Francine, and dog brutally murdered on the kitchen floor. Not having a phone to contact the police, he decides to wait until his neighbors, the Zankers, get home from vacation. Mr. Zanker would know what to do.

Private Eye Tom Casey, also known as Hawkman, spies Richard watching him and his wife, Jennifer, while they train a falcon to hunt and return to them. Hawkman is puzzled as to why the young man doesn't come out to at least say hello, and his suspicious nature kicks in. Later he discovers the boy's mother has been murdered and decides to help him find the killer.

Hawkman finds himself in a twisted mangled mystery to untangle with very few clues. Richard has some clues, but he's not in the mood to share, because he's bent on revenge and wants a whack at the killer before the police get there first. Only problem is, the police have Richard on their suspect list.

Frank Alberts, a new deputy in town, has a snotty attitude toward Richard, because Francine brushed off his romantic advances. Could Frank have been so mad he resorted to murder?

Richard's Uncle Joe Clifford fled town and doesn't want anyone to find him. Why? And what did Joe have to do with Frank Alberts?

Jerome, "hermit of the hills" Arnold disappeared for several days around the time of Francine's murder. Did he leave town the day before or the day after her death? And what is Jerome hiding in that shack he calls home?

I must admit while reading THE SILENT SCREAM late at night all alone at home I got spooked and had to get up to make sure all my windows and doors were locked! This is a fantastic mystery!

By TT reviewer John Richard

Richard Clifford, a deaf boy living on a farm with his mother, arrives home after a motorcycle ride.THE SILENT SCREAM is a fast read, blazing through the pages with the speed of a falcon in a dive. The main character, Tom Casey, and his wife are in a sense, the modern version of Nick and Nora Charles, only with their own unique bent. Tom's disfigurement for example only adds to his likeableness. Plus he's caring and compassionate, and almost non-violent, which are very rare elements in the modern PI story. The only downside though, is the ending, which slowed after the climax, though thirty pages remained! Despite this minor shortcoming, the novel is an amazing read, going back to the age where the PI often referred to his mental skills, got along well with the police, and often assisted them in the investigations. A delightful read for any mystery lover, though especially for those who miss the golden age of the thinking PI.

Seventeen-year-old Richard Clifford returns to his isolated ranch home from a motorcycle ride to find his mother and dog both slaughtered in their kitchen. Not having a telephone, he rides his motorcycle to the Zanker house ten miles away. The Zankers are gone and the only other neighbor, old Jerome isn't home either. Richard is deaf, his father died of cancer a year ago, he doesn't know where his only uncle is, he knows of no other neighbors but the Zankers and Jerome.

The smell in the house becomes nauseating. Richard buries his dog under his mother's favorite tree. After washing his mother's violated body and dressing her in a clean dress he wraps her in a quilt and a plastic table cloth and seals her body in a granary to protect it from rodents and insects. Richard cleans up the rest of the mess in the house and anxiously awaits the return of his neighbors. As soon as the crime is reported to the authorities he can begin to search for the murderer himself.

Private Detective, Tom Casey, better known as Hawkman assists the sheriff's office in their investigation. He alone is convinced of Richard's innocence. The boy does show an unusual ability with a knife, proven when he's attacked by a mountain lion and kills it, skins it and tans the hide. He becomes a focal point of abuse by an gang of outlaw bikers and since he can't hear, he can't anticipate the approach of predators whether two or four legged. Richard does perform his mundane chores as usual, milks the cow, does the chores, tends his mother's garden-appears to be going about life as usual, intent on staying on his own land. But he's a minor and unless his uncle can be found Richard will become a ward of the court.

Once again Betty Sullivan La Pierre has involved me in the lives of her characters to such an extent that after beginning, I didn't have the option of closing the book until the surprise at the end. Having a hearing disorder myself, I can attest to the authenticity of her character's struggles. This author consistently writes good clean, captivating mysteries peopled with substantial characters in sensorially credible scenes and settings that live in the reader's memory after the solution. I give THE SILENT SCREAM five stars.

Reviewed by ©Evelyn Gale 2/2002

Seventeen-year-old Richard Clifford already had two strikes against him, his father had died recently, leaving him, and his mother, alone. And he was deaf. But the worst was yet to come.

After a motorcycle ride in the hills, one afternoon, Richard opened the front door, of his home, to find his beautiful mother, and his pet dog, Ruffy, laying in pools of blood on the floor. Both had, had their throats slit.

Richard didn't know what to do. There was no phone in the house. The Zanker's ranch was at least ten miles down the hill from the Clifford's little farm, and the only other person living anywhere near, was an old hermit named Jerome who lived up the hill from them. Both were not home. What could he do other than to try and preserve all the evidence he could, and protect the bodies from predators until help could be found.

And so begins the story of a remarkable seventeen year old, and the people who came forward to help him.

After what to Richard seemed like months, but in actuality was only four days, Herb and Elsie Zanker returned home from a visit with one of their daughters. Herb thought he should take up some supplies to the Cliffords as they were probably running low on things since he and Elsie had been gone longer than they expected. Upon arriving at the Cliffords farm, Herb found out what had happened.

Herb called the police. While the police were examining the scene for evidence, and recovering the bodies of the dog, and Richard's mother, Tom Casey, Private Investigator, otherwise known as Hawkman by his family and friends, was training the new falcon that his wife, Jennifer, had given him for his birthday in the woods nearby. He soon sees all the commotion up at the farm and decides to go investigate.

Standing in the shadows, and listening to the police talk to Richard, and to Richard's explanation of what happened, Hawkman decides that this young man needs someone to help him. Otherwise he doesn't feel that Richard has much of a chance against the legal system at all.

Ms. La Pierre has written a story that you absolutely will not be able to put down. She gets your total attention on the first page, and continues to hold it until you have finished the last page.

Her characters grab all of your emotions, from compassion to complete, and total hatred. I went through whole spectrum. I also went through a box of tissues before I finished the first chapter; it was so compelling.

I can't recommend THE SILENT SCREAM enough. To miss this wonderful book is something no one should do. You will not forget it even after you have finally put it down. It will stay in your memory for a long time to come.

I can't wait to read more of Betty Sullivan LaPierre's books. She is a very talented author, and I am so glad that she has decided to share her talent with the world. Her talent is one that should never be hidden, and she sure displayed it at it's best in THE SILENT SCREAM.

Richard Clifford returns home to his family farm one afternoon to find
his young life suddenly and horribly changed forever. His beloved mother

and loving dog Ruffy have been brutally murdered in his home and he
finds
their bodies in his kitchen. After tenderly washing his mothers
beautiful
face and trying not to disturb any evidence from her neck down he wraps
her body carefully and places her in the feed bin in the barn till he
can
summon the authorities. Then he lovingly buries his dog under his
mothers
favorite tree in the yard.

Although in a terrible state of emotional pain, something in the back of

his mind keeps Richard from destroying any evidence as he cleans the
kitchen and scours the property for evidence. Now he's fully responsible

for running his farm by himself. Plans of finding his mothers killer
and
exacting revenge for her begin to take root in his broken heart.

Hawkman and his wife Jennifer find themselves drawn to Richard. During
the
investigation to find his mother's killer, Hawkman uses his Gryfalcon to

earn Richard's trust and help him. Soon Hawkman realizes that he's doing

more than just help Richard find a killer. He's giving him a lifeline to

the outside world and friendship.

THE SILENT SCREAM will grab you from the very first page. Betty Sullivan

Pierre has a wonderful talent with words and description that will hold
you spellbound from the beginning to the very end.

Her cast of characters will keep you on your toes. You'll wish you had
half of them as close friends and the other half behind bars until you
could figure out if they're innocent or guilty. THE SILENT SCREAM is a
fantastic story and I recommend it to anyone who loves a great mystery!

Third in the Hawkman series, The Silent Scream weighs in as the best yet! Ex-Agent Tom Casey, aka Hawkman, and his wife Jennifer have become the eBook sleuths.

In her newest mystery, Betty Sullivan LaPierre tackles the difficulties of an investigation involving a deaf teenager whose mother has just been murdered. To complicate matters, this young fellow Richard lives in a house far removed from its neighbors. Protecting him while trying to catch the killer keeps Hawkman jumping.

The undercurrent of the daily challenges faced by the deaf demonstrates to those of us with unimpaired hearing how very fortunate we are. While reading The Silent Scream, one gains an appreciation for the courage it would take to face an existence alone with such a handicap. The youth in this story is brave enough to be worthy of Hawkman's, and our, admiration. His hurdles are far beyond what any 17-year-old should have to face, yet he shines in the face of adversity.

It is hard to get through this book without a tear welling up, and impossible to complete with less than half a dozen smiles breaking out and an occasional cheer when the underdog gains a small victory. The action is nonstop, emotions run high and injustice clenches your jaws. This is a book with good villains and great heroes. The author says she's working on the fourth Hawkman book. It can't come soon enough!