Silent Snow [Paperback]

Steve Thayer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 14, 2008

An investigative reporter has it all…a fabulous career…a beautiful wife…and a newborn son. But on the anniversary of the Lindbergh kidnapping…all of that is about to change. Kidnapped!

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this quirky and complex suspense novel, Thayer entangles some of the main characters from his debut thriller, The Weatherman, in a re-creation of the Lindbergh kidnapping in present-day Minnesota. While it begins with a provocative premise, the plot loses its edge in an overload of historical detail and an unconvincing conspiracy theory. The kidnapped child is Dylan Beanblossom, son of the famous, stunning ("beauty incarnate") Twin Cities news anchor (and former police officer) Andrea Labore, and star newspaper reporter Rick Beanblossom, an ex-Marine who, in a gothic flourish, wears a sky blue mask to cover a napalm-scarred face, a legacy of Vietnam. Dylan vanishes during a snowstorm on March 1, the anniversary of the Lindbergh kidnappingAthe same day Rick receives a mysterious parcel purporting to hold the missing Lindbergh ransom money. Predictably, Andrea and Rick investigate on their own when many people fall under suspicion: Jasmine, the baby's troubled nanny, who comes from the inner city; Stephanie Koslowski, the FBI agent with a tainted record; Les Angelbeck, a retired city cop; Dr. Freda Wilhelm, the hulking county coroner; Katherine Howard, the grande dame who owns Rick's newspaper; and newspaper pressman Swede Bjorenson, whose wife had ties to the Lindbergh kidnapping. As suspects and subplots accumulate, Thayer inserts a long section set in the 1930s, following Minneapolis reporter Grover Mudd (protagonist of Thayer's first book, Saint Mudd) as he investigates the Lindbergh case. Mudd's excellent analysis of the crime and the beguiling possibilities he raises about its perpetrator are enticing, but just when Mudd's tale gets interesting, readers are jolted back to the present-day events. Yet Thayer manages to pull off his somewhat unwieldy narrative on several fronts. The kidnapper's identity and the links between past and present crimes are real surprises, the laconic dialogue has a true Midwestern flavor and the atmospheric details of Twin Cities weather and landscape are rendered with biting clarity. True thriller fans will probably demand more action and livelier pacing, but history buffs will be intrigued. (Aug.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

This adept and fascinating novel revolving around the Lindbergh kidnapping explores the possibility that convicted kidnapper Bruno Hauptmann had an accomplice. This psychopath is alive today and living in Minneapolis. Now, his victims are Rick Beanblossom, investigative journalist, and Andrea Labore, TV anchor. Local color abounds, exposing Minneapolis' sordid past as well as its pristine present. Thayer flashes back to reporter Grover Mudd (Rick's counterpart or previous life), investigating the original Lindbergh story. Grover's world is in sharp language, reminiscent of Cagney films sans Hollywood censor. The change is jarring and teeters on the edge of heavy-handedness. Thayer does not step over the line, maintaining the integrity of the Beanblossom plot. But in weaving an intricate story line, Thayer may juggle too much. Little is made of a supernatural subplot in which the housekeeper receives messages from a ghost. Another subplot, dealing with the troubled career of an FBI agent, is resolved glibly. These are interesting forays into character, though. Denise Blank --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 308 pages
• Publisher: Infinity Publishing (March 14, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 074144609X
• ISBN-13: 978-0741446091
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,546,740 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars GRIPPING AND SUSPENSEFUL, September 23, 2000

By 

Nick G - See all my reviews

This review is from: Silent Snow (Paperback)

Top investigative reporter, Rick Beanblossom has it all...a great job, a wonderful wife and a brand new baby boy.

During a savage blizzard, and on the anniversary of the Lindbergh kidnapping his life will change.

Someone has kidnapped Rick's son, and to find him he must retrace the original crime of the Lindbergh kidnapping, and come full circle in the present day to bring his son back alive.

"Silent Snow" is an original thriller, blending historical fact with amazing suspense, that will leave readers breathless. The pacing is fast and the plot is chilling and surprising.

Steve Thayer, bestselling author of "the Weatherman" has taken a chance on creating a different type of suspense novel and he has succeeded.

Readers looking for an intelligent thriller that will keep them turning the pages should enjoy this!

Nick Gonnella

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow...read it cover to cover., October 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Silent Snow (Hardcover)

Most enjoyable book I've read in the past couple of years. Hats off to Steve Thayer...I read it from cover to cover. The complete horror of having their baby snatched from his crib could have been described with a bit more intensity, but this cast of characters kept me turning the pages. Can't wait for the next book. The hair on the back of my neck stood up as I drove by the St. Paul Cathedral on my way to work this morning...I may have to take a different route tomorrow.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great historical thriller, unique, great storyteller, December 29, 1999

By 

JCM (Chicago) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Silent Snow (Hardcover)

Thayer weaves the parallel storylines of the Lindbergh kindnappings with the Beanblossom plot well, with the period-setting of old St. Paul enhancing the quality of a good old mystery. Through it all, St. Paul is shrouded in the protective (although spooky) shadow of St. Paul's Cathedral, the central heart of the plot. Unlike some other readers, I did not guess the culprit until Thayer threw in some blatant clues, giving the reader a terrfied omniscience as the characters put the pieces together. This is clever and well-written. I only wish he would have gotten more in depth with the characters of Rick and Andrea--I felt like I knew Grover and Esther better.