Secret, Silent Screams (Laurel-leaf suspense) (Paperback)

by Joan Lowery Nixon (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Marti's best friend Barry is dead and nearly all the evidence indicates suicide. Marti has good reason to believe that Barry was murderedbut the only person who will listen to her is Karen, a sympathetic policewoman. Because Barry's death has become the focal point of a national awareness campaign about teenage suicide, almost everyone to whom Marti turns has a great deal at stake in believing that Barry took his own life. Even well-meaning adults discount Marti's accurate detective work. Undeterred, she and Karen conduct their own investigation, unmasking the murderer just as he is about to strike again. The gradual revelation of the details behind Barry's staged suicide creates an atmosphere of enthralling suspense, even for those who have already deduced the killer's identity. And the moral that accompanies Marti's difficult but courageous stand is just as satisfying as the intricate plot. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal
Grade 7-10 High-school senior Marti Lewis' world comes to a shattering halt when her childhood friend Barry Logan supposedly puts a revolver to his head, apparently another in a series of suicides at her suburban high school in Texas. Only Marti believes that Barry was murdered. Enlisting the help of young police officer Karen Prescott, Marti tracks down Barry's killer, all the while not realizing that she is setting herself up as his next target. The book goes in two directionsone dealing with the problem of teen suicide and the other with Marti's murder investigation. It goes astray on both counts. There is some factual and theoretical thought on the symptoms and causes of teen suicide smattered throughout the story, but not enough to be helpful or informative to readers curious about the subject. Nixon also masterfully denigrates any person who might be considered as a source of help or accurate information. The guidance counselor is condescending and incompetent; the suicide psychologist pompous and self-serving; the police, except Karen, bungling and insensitive; the clergyman preoccupied with his campaign against rock music lyrics; and the parents well-meaning but ineffective. And since she doesn't provide any alternatives, Nixon makes the message clear that for young people in need of answers about suicide, there is no suitable confidant. As for the mystery aspect, readers who even dabble in the genre will find many flaws. The identity of the murderer leaps out within the early chapters of the book, and the heinousness of the crimes he commits far outweigh his motive. The inefficiency of police forces has long been fair game in mystery stories, but this group's disregard for the most elementary forensic data will grate on readers. Readers will find both the mystery and the discussion of teen suicide very run of the mill. Joanne Aswell, Long Valley Middle School, N.Y.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Laurel Leaf (December 1, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440205395
• ISBN-13: 978-0440205395
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #986,967 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book by a Great Author, May 30, 2001

By	A Joan Lowery Nixon Fan! "rsonsini" (The U.S. of A.) - See all my reviews

Ms. Nixon kept me reading all during school and up into the night with this one! The story strats out with Marti, who second guesses the police and everyone who believes that her best frined, Barry, had killed himself. Th only person who will believe her, however, is a young police woman by the name of Officer Karen Prescott. They uncover clues with the odds against them, and finally bring justice to the one that caused so much pain into everyone's lives. If you have the chance to read this book, then by all means, READ IT!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SPECTACULAR! - Rachele, October 10, 2000

A Kid's Review

THIS BOOK IS GREAT! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! After reading The Seance, which is a great book, I decided to read as many Joan Lowery Nixon books as I could. And Secret, Silent Screams was NO DISAPPOINTMENT! I strongly suggest that you read this book because I guarantee you will enjoy it!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Very Outstanding Story, July 29, 2000

By A Customer

Marti sets out to find the murderer of her dear friend. While everyone was led to believe that he committed suicide, Marti knows this is not true. With only the support of an officer, Marti is desperate to find the killer before he strikes again. An outstanding, bone-chilling suspense. Joan Lowery Nixon has done it again.