A Dangerous Silence

by Catherine Palmer

When Dr. Marah Morgan returns to Cowley County, Kansas, she is surprised to find herself agreeing to run the family farm for her injured and difficult father. When government agents arrive and begin searching the farm for an Indian burial ground, Marah grows suspicious. A mysterious stranger appears, looking for work. Then Marah discovers alarming details about her mother's death more than twenty-five years earlier, making her wonder if reconciliation with her father is possible, or if bitterness—and silence—will destroy them.

Genres: Christian, Christian Fiction, Contemporary, Mystery, Fiction, Romance, Novels

432 pages, Paperback

First published February 27, 2001

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Catherine Palmer lives in Atlanta with her husband, Tim, where they serve as missionaries in a refugee community. They have two grown sons. Cathy is a graduate of Southwest Baptist University and holds a master's degree in English from Baylor University. Her first book was published in 1988. Since then she has published over 50 novels, many of them national best sellers. Catherine has won numerous awards for her writing, including the Christy Award, the highest honor in Christian fiction. In 2004, she was given the Career Achievement Award for Inspirational Romance by "Romantic Times" magazine. More than 2 million copies of Catherine's novels are currently in print. The Author's Work With her compelling characters and strong message of Christian faith, Catherine is known for writing fiction that "touches the hearts and souls of readers." Her many collections include A Town Called Hope, Treasures of the Heart, Finders Keepers, English Ivy, and the Miss Pickworth series. Catherine also recently coauthored the Four Seasons fiction series with Gary Chapman, the "New York Times" best-selling author of "The Five Love Languages."

Reviews

[Jeanette Durkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book! There were so many twists and turns; I was surprised and intrigued by how everything turned out.

The characters are complex and often act in unexpected ways. Marah is a successful pediatrician but she longs for love from her father. When he's injured and she has to help him on his farm all of those old feelings resurface. Ed is an enigma. He's a tough man, almost unlovable but as secrets unfold, his soft heart is revealed. Judd is hunkalicious!! He's not at all what he presents. He's smart, dedicated, and compassionate. Perky is my favorite! She's full of wonder, amazement, and curiosity.

I was completely flabbergasted when Dr. Gregory's awful plan was discovered. To pose as an archaeologist, studying the remains of Native Americans but plotting to kill thousands of people was diabolical. As I read the excerpts of Little Gray Bird and his tribes exposure to smallpox, my heart was touched.

I look forward to reading more books by this author!

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dr. Marah Morgan was asked by her father to help him on his farm after he was badly injured due to a fall. Reluctantly, Marah agreed. She didn't want to leave her practice to help her grouchy, elderly father, who had always been difficult to get along with. Duty called, however, and she answered.

Strange things were happening on the farm. Several men who claimed to be archeologists were doing research on the farm, and what appeared to be a lab was locked away secretively in the bunkhouse where the men were staying. Marah knew she had to get to the bottom of it and find out what was going on.

[Funmbi O · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, I didn’t see the twists coming. They were quite good and well done. Especially the true job of both the male lead and second male character — Dr. Gregory.

However, I expected more from the budding romance between Judd and …oops, I have forgotten the first daughters name. Anyway, the female lead. I wanted to see so much more but it was not focused on that much because this book was dealing with another genre and allodat.

That is why I am giving it this rating.

I really wanted more:

[Zoë Lindler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book in middle school. It is one of the books that made me fall in love with reading and the Christian fiction genre. There is mystery, romance, and character development. It's definitely one of the best Christian fiction books!

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had a little trouble getting into the book at first, but then couldn’t put it down.

[Sherry]

8.5 stars

[ashhh❤ · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book has a very slow beginning but gets better with each chapter. this book had me on the edge and anxious for the outcome!

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great story of suspense and mystery set on a former Indian reservation. Not my favorite Palmer novel, but I still enjoyed it and recommend it!

[Kerry Goerl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the storyline. It was different than I expected. The reason I rated this a 4 star rather than a 5, is because the characters were not quite believable to me. Actually, it was more like I had a hard time "liking" them. Also, I love the faith part of the story. Sometimes I think it could have been written better to weave it in. There were parts where I felt it was just thrown in the story. But with that all said, I could not put the book down. I would recommend to others.

After reading this book a second time, I have to say I liked it more than the first time reading it. Everything connected for me this time. I even liked the characters. The ONLY part which was unbelievable was when Marah and her Dad were being held hostage and her Dad says how much he loves her and how he had been wrong the entire time about his daughter. I could see him having a revelation due to the circumstances, but the words were almost too mushy for me. It was not believable to me. Otherwise, still a good book, and I still recommend it to others!

[Kristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Giving the book 3 stars just because it was a breath of fresh air. I liked its simplicity. I know the book is supposed to be a suspense, but I found it a relaxing read. There were just times when I felt like I was reading a typical telenovela. I bet this book would be hilariosuly cheesy if it were made into a movie or afternoon drama. It's an okay book, nonetheless. Not sure if I will dare read something of its kind again, but I don't regret reading this one.

[Jen Westpfahl · Rating 3 out of 5]

The rough outlines of the plot were a little too obvious/predictable for "suspense fiction" but the details were interesting enough to keep my going. I enjoyed the main characters and wanted to see them prevail. Some people might be turned off by the heavy-handed Christian messages, which I found a bit distracting from the action.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very intense book; set in Kansas and historically accurate. I love the twists and turns in the book along with the Gospel of Jesus Christ; a mended relationship with a father; revealing of the past to an estranged daughter; a secret kept by a young man whose heart is opened to Christ!

[Amanda Birdwell · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just... can't, with the writing in this book. People don't say these things! Things aren't actually how you are describing them! And I wanted to like it, so much. It was a really interesting story. Can someone please edit this author, so I can read more of her writing?

[Judy Savage · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good reading.

This book was only put down to make dinner and wash dishes and that was with much reluctance! It brought together Christ., forgiveness, evil, salvation, hope and so much more! Thanks to Ms. Palmer for an exciting read!

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

a great thriller. very suspenseful and well written.

[Cary · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am not sure if I can find a happy medium... either too much sex or too much Christianity!!

[Lanae · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I so love a good action/mystery with a little bit of a love story on the side. A great enjoyable read nothing to intense.

[Katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one far more than I expected and am now hooked on the author. Very interesting story line that kept me guessing, and good character development.

[Catherine Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know how plausible his is but it was a good book,

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little over the top, but I still enjoyed reading A Dangerous Silence. It was a good book to take camping, because it kept me engaged, but didn't demand much from me emotionally.

[Edna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping novel! Twenty years ago I wouldn't have heard of the PCR test, and a few other terms related to pathogens, bioterrorism, etc.

[Barbara Krumhardt · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little too much religious stuff