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Columbia River #2
Silencio fatal
¿Cuánta gente debe morir para creer a un conspiranoico?
Un hombre muere asesinado brutalmente en las afueras de Portland. La víctima, Reuben Braswell, es un conspiranoico radical. El detective Mason Callahan halla en su casa varios documentos inquietantes que atacan a las fuerzas de la ley e incluyen una inesperada mención de su prometida, la agente especial del FBI Ava McLane. El fallecido era su confidente y tenía motivos de peso para ser paranoico.
Ava siempre había considerado a Braswell un tipo cansino pero inofensivo hasta que sus desvaríos se cruzan en el camino de su investigación de un tiroteo que se ha cobrado la vida de varios agentes de policía. Ahora tiene que encontrar el vínculo que los une. Y, por si fuera poco, su hermana gemela desaparece y una serie de pequeños sabotajes ponen en jaque sus planes personales de futuro.
Mason y Ava se enfrentan a una tormenta perfecta: un terrorista conspiranoico guiado por un objetivo muy personal y que aún no se ha cobrado su última víctima.
Un hombre muere asesinado brutalmente en las afueras de Portland. La víctima, Reuben Braswell, es un conspiranoico radical. El detective Mason Callahan halla en su casa varios documentos inquietantes que atacan a las fuerzas de la ley e incluyen una inesperada mención de su prometida, la agente especial del FBI Ava McLane. El fallecido era su confidente y tenía motivos de peso para ser paranoico.
Ava siempre había considerado a Braswell un tipo cansino pero inofensivo hasta que sus desvaríos se cruzan en el camino de su investigación de un tiroteo que se ha cobrado la vida de varios agentes de policía. Ahora tiene que encontrar el vínculo que los une. Y, por si fuera poco, su hermana gemela desaparece y una serie de pequeños sabotajes ponen en jaque sus planes personales de futuro.
Mason y Ava se enfrentan a una tormenta perfecta: un terrorista conspiranoico guiado por un objetivo muy personal y que aún no se ha cobrado su última víctima.
332 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 25, 2020
13095 people are currently reading
9416 people want to read
About the author
Kendra Elliot
40 books6,437 followersAn Amazon #1 selling author, Kendra Elliot has sold over 14 Million books and been on the WSJ best seller more than a dozen times.
She grew up in the lush Pacific Northwest and still lives, but spends most of the time in the high desert in flip flops.
She grew up in the lush Pacific Northwest and still lives, but spends most of the time in the high desert in flip flops.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 943 reviews
February 4, 2021
The Silence
by Kendra Elliot brings mystery and suspense to a police procedural and romantic suspense novel set in Oregon. This is the second book in the Columbia River series but brings in characters from other series as well as some characters from book one in this series.
Oregon State Police Detectives Mason Callahan and Ray Lusco are called to the scene of a brutally murdered man near Portland. Files found in his office show Reuben Braswell was a conspiracy theorist and did not like law enforcement. The papers also include names, including Mason’s fiancée, FBI Special Agent Ava McLane. When Ava’s newest case connects to Mason’s, the story is off and running.
Mason and Ava make great protagonists. Both are strong and skilled at their jobs, but each has weaknesses that keep them feeling realistic. Ava’s relationship with her identical twin is a source of constant upheaval for her and that is woven into the story line as well. Mason is several years older and went through a painful divorce that gives him depth. I also liked that there was continuity with the first book in the series with FBI Special Agent Zander Wells playing a great secondary role in this one. The chemistry between the characters adds to the enjoyment of the novel.
Overlapping cases make the plot suspenseful and very complex as well as a fast and entertaining read. However, it is somewhat over-the-top in its believability. Romance takes a back seat to the police investigations, blending well without detracting from the story line. There are no steamy scenes in this book, but there is plenty of violence and some graphic description, as well as twists and turns that keep the reader guessing. As always, this author did a great job of making this reader feel like they were on the Oregon coast. Additionally, there are moments of levity that give the reader a breather.
Overall, this was a compelling crime thriller that tackled some very serious themes including murder, family relationships and melodrama, domestic violence, conspiracy theorists, hatred, anger, and much more. The suspense was top-notch. This book can be read as a stand-alone, but the reading experience will be enhanced by reading the first book in this series and the Callahan and McLane series. This is the second book I have read by Kendra Elliott, but I am happy to say that I own four others and can’t wait to read them. If you enjoy crime novels and police procedurals with a small amount of romance, then I recommend that you check out this series.
I purchased a digital copy of this novel. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and are not biased in any way. Publication date was August 25, 2020. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
Oregon State Police Detectives Mason Callahan and Ray Lusco are called to the scene of a brutally murdered man near Portland. Files found in his office show Reuben Braswell was a conspiracy theorist and did not like law enforcement. The papers also include names, including Mason’s fiancée, FBI Special Agent Ava McLane. When Ava’s newest case connects to Mason’s, the story is off and running.
Mason and Ava make great protagonists. Both are strong and skilled at their jobs, but each has weaknesses that keep them feeling realistic. Ava’s relationship with her identical twin is a source of constant upheaval for her and that is woven into the story line as well. Mason is several years older and went through a painful divorce that gives him depth. I also liked that there was continuity with the first book in the series with FBI Special Agent Zander Wells playing a great secondary role in this one. The chemistry between the characters adds to the enjoyment of the novel.
Overlapping cases make the plot suspenseful and very complex as well as a fast and entertaining read. However, it is somewhat over-the-top in its believability. Romance takes a back seat to the police investigations, blending well without detracting from the story line. There are no steamy scenes in this book, but there is plenty of violence and some graphic description, as well as twists and turns that keep the reader guessing. As always, this author did a great job of making this reader feel like they were on the Oregon coast. Additionally, there are moments of levity that give the reader a breather.
Overall, this was a compelling crime thriller that tackled some very serious themes including murder, family relationships and melodrama, domestic violence, conspiracy theorists, hatred, anger, and much more. The suspense was top-notch. This book can be read as a stand-alone, but the reading experience will be enhanced by reading the first book in this series and the Callahan and McLane series. This is the second book I have read by Kendra Elliott, but I am happy to say that I own four others and can’t wait to read them. If you enjoy crime novels and police procedurals with a small amount of romance, then I recommend that you check out this series.
I purchased a digital copy of this novel. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and are not biased in any way. Publication date was August 25, 2020. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
March 14, 2022
DISCLAIMER I have not previously read the other books in this series, but I didn't find I was left in the dark because the author summarized the characters/past events very succinctly. However, if you've been following this series, you might be annoyed by this because it's a lot of rehashing.
Writing: 3/5 | Plot: 5/5 TBH | Ending: 3/5
THE PLOT
Mason is at the scene of a brutal murder when the victim's plans to blow up the state capitol is found. SIKE, not a bomb, but a mass shooting targeted at cops. Who? And why? And why is the planner (also an FBI informant for his fiance, Ava) dead?
Simultaneously, Ava, is left reeling when she receives news her wild twin, Jayne, is up to her old tricks, AND her father is dead.
MY OPINION
This is the ultimate Honda Civic reliable police procedural. This isn't a 3 star review because it's bad, it's 3 stars because it's solid for what it's meant to be, but nothing extra. This book gave me Alafair Burke vibes: romance, intricate plot, simple and straightforward writing, and a lil social commentary. A 5/5 plot because it all came together nicely, without being too extra.
Now, with every 3 star read, this is NOT a literary masterpiece. It won't blow you away with a unique premise or deep characters. It's just a tasty grilled cheese of a novel. All in all, an enjoyable and easy read that won't rub you the wrong way.
I will read another book of this author if I need a lil palette cleanser in between a bad or heavy read.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: straightforward writing/characters, interesting premise, just wholesome vibes all around
Cons: Nothing really. It just doesn't WOW you. I guess the only thing that bothered me was victim-blaming a grandma but that was a blip in the overall story.
Writing: 3/5 | Plot: 5/5 TBH | Ending: 3/5
THE PLOT
Mason is at the scene of a brutal murder when the victim's plans to blow up the state capitol is found. SIKE, not a bomb, but a mass shooting targeted at cops. Who? And why? And why is the planner (also an FBI informant for his fiance, Ava) dead?
Simultaneously, Ava, is left reeling when she receives news her wild twin, Jayne, is up to her old tricks, AND her father is dead.
MY OPINION
This is the ultimate Honda Civic reliable police procedural. This isn't a 3 star review because it's bad, it's 3 stars because it's solid for what it's meant to be, but nothing extra. This book gave me Alafair Burke vibes: romance, intricate plot, simple and straightforward writing, and a lil social commentary. A 5/5 plot because it all came together nicely, without being too extra.
Now, with every 3 star read, this is NOT a literary masterpiece. It won't blow you away with a unique premise or deep characters. It's just a tasty grilled cheese of a novel. All in all, an enjoyable and easy read that won't rub you the wrong way.
I will read another book of this author if I need a lil palette cleanser in between a bad or heavy read.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: straightforward writing/characters, interesting premise, just wholesome vibes all around
Cons: Nothing really. It just doesn't WOW you. I guess the only thing that bothered me was victim-blaming a grandma but that was a blip in the overall story.
June 20, 2023
In this thrilling sequel, we are thrust into a world of shocking crimes, including a mass shooting, disappearances, and a wedding that propels Ava and Mason into a whirlwind of action. The story moves swiftly, skillfully weaving together various plot threads until they converge. As the number of murder victims rises the suspense climbs. Uncovering the motives behind these heinous acts becomes an irresistible quest. Unexpectedly, a case of mistaken identity takes the investigation down a completely new path, adding compelling twists to the storyline. I look forward to the third installment, eager to see what waits for us on the other side.
August 3, 2020
I enjoyed Kendra Eliot’s Mercy Kilpatrick series, so I jumped at a chance to get an ARC of this book. I hadn’t read the first book in the series. But Eliot gives enough background into the characters that I didn’t feel lost and it worked fine as a standalone.
Ava McLane is an FBI agent. Her fiancé, Mason Callahan, is a Portland detective. He’s called to a murder scene where the dead man has Information about a planned bombing and Ava’s name is mentioned in his paperwork. Turns out, he was an informant of Ava’s. He was also an anti-government, conspiracy believer.
Meanwhile, Ava’s disturbed twin sister had gone missing. And someone is causing problems for Ava’s personal life. Is there a link?
This is a very fast read. Not tons of depth to it, and the ending didn’t really work for me, but it’s entertaining.
Keep in mind that Eliot’s books always have a strong romance component to them. But she usually manages to not go overboard.
My thanks to netgalley and Montclair Romance for an advance copy of this book.
Ava McLane is an FBI agent. Her fiancé, Mason Callahan, is a Portland detective. He’s called to a murder scene where the dead man has Information about a planned bombing and Ava’s name is mentioned in his paperwork. Turns out, he was an informant of Ava’s. He was also an anti-government, conspiracy believer.
Meanwhile, Ava’s disturbed twin sister had gone missing. And someone is causing problems for Ava’s personal life. Is there a link?
This is a very fast read. Not tons of depth to it, and the ending didn’t really work for me, but it’s entertaining.
Keep in mind that Eliot’s books always have a strong romance component to them. But she usually manages to not go overboard.
My thanks to netgalley and Montclair Romance for an advance copy of this book.
February 19, 2025
The Silence is an entertaining book that bends under the weight of the unlikeliness of the plot.
Was it too much?
It probably depends on where you are coming from. If you want a police procedural that's true to life, this isn't your book. But if you want some entertaining romantic suspense you'll probably love this book despite the few liberties the author takes.
Many thanks to Montlake and Netgalley for providing me with this review copy
Was it too much?
It probably depends on where you are coming from. If you want a police procedural that's true to life, this isn't your book. But if you want some entertaining romantic suspense you'll probably love this book despite the few liberties the author takes.
Many thanks to Montlake and Netgalley for providing me with this review copy
February 14, 2021
I really like this author. Good storyline that keeps you guessing. Characters are a little older - Mason is almost fifty! (oh the shock of it all - THAT old?)
Ava, Mason, Bingo!
If you are looking for hot sex scenes ... don't bother with this book - nothing! But I didn't mind. If the characters are well written the storyline is good, who needs them?
Ava, Mason, Bingo!
He understood every fiber of her. Her needs, her insecurities and her fears. And easily balanced them with love and patience ...
If you are looking for hot sex scenes ... don't bother with this book - nothing! But I didn't mind. If the characters are well written the storyline is good, who needs them?
May 3, 2020
I received a copy of this book via Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
A good read again. I’ve read her Callahan & McLane series first before starting this one’s previous book and I’m glad I started that way. The first book was Zander’s story, but this second one is Callahan & McLane story. The case was good, I’ve read excitedly. It was a quick paced story and I couldn’t put down. I really liked seeing Mercy more. I’ve only read two books of Mercy Kilpatrick series but I’m intended to read more of it. Overall, I liked it a lot. Her writing style and characters have made me read more of her stories, and I’ll definitely wait for the next one.
A good read again. I’ve read her Callahan & McLane series first before starting this one’s previous book and I’m glad I started that way. The first book was Zander’s story, but this second one is Callahan & McLane story. The case was good, I’ve read excitedly. It was a quick paced story and I couldn’t put down. I really liked seeing Mercy more. I’ve only read two books of Mercy Kilpatrick series but I’m intended to read more of it. Overall, I liked it a lot. Her writing style and characters have made me read more of her stories, and I’ll definitely wait for the next one.
August 25, 2020
Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.
Kendra Elliot is one of my favorite authors. She writes a wonderful mystery plot and her characters are fantastic. I especially like that she weaves characters from her older books into her new work. In "The Silence" we get a new McLane and Callahan update in this new series. I love it!
When Oregon State Police detective, Mason Callahan, catches a murder call, he has no idea what a can of worms has been opened and how it will affect him in ways he never imagined. The murder was brutal, but what Mason finds in the victim's office is even more chilling as it involves his fiancée, Ava McLane, and conspiracy plans to wreck havoc in the Portland area.
Ava McLane is an FBI agent who has finally gotten her life together. She has recovered from being shot last fall, is engaged to a man she loves deeply and the wedding is on track. Life is good, with some minor exceptions. When she is informed that one of her confidential informants has been brutally murdered and she was named in a conspiracy diatribe, she is glad that Mason caught the case. He would see that Ruben Braswell's killer is caught.
Ava's sister goes missing and so does Ruben's brother. Other people related and unrelated to the case are murdered and Ava and Mason find themselves at the center of it all trying to solve the case and keep anyone else from dying.
Kendra Elliot is one of my favorite authors. She writes a wonderful mystery plot and her characters are fantastic. I especially like that she weaves characters from her older books into her new work. In "The Silence" we get a new McLane and Callahan update in this new series. I love it!
When Oregon State Police detective, Mason Callahan, catches a murder call, he has no idea what a can of worms has been opened and how it will affect him in ways he never imagined. The murder was brutal, but what Mason finds in the victim's office is even more chilling as it involves his fiancée, Ava McLane, and conspiracy plans to wreck havoc in the Portland area.
Ava McLane is an FBI agent who has finally gotten her life together. She has recovered from being shot last fall, is engaged to a man she loves deeply and the wedding is on track. Life is good, with some minor exceptions. When she is informed that one of her confidential informants has been brutally murdered and she was named in a conspiracy diatribe, she is glad that Mason caught the case. He would see that Ruben Braswell's killer is caught.
Ava's sister goes missing and so does Ruben's brother. Other people related and unrelated to the case are murdered and Ava and Mason find themselves at the center of it all trying to solve the case and keep anyone else from dying.
August 27, 2020
I was so excited when I dove into the newest McLane and Callahan... and then I read it.
Jayne Jayne Jayne Jayne Jayne Jayne Jayne Jayne Jayne Jayne Jayne Jayne Jayne Jayne Jayne Jayne Jayne Jayne Jayne Jayne Jayne
Jayne Jayne Jayne Jayne Jayne Jayne Jayne Jayne Jayne Jayne Jayne Jayne Jayne Jayne Jayne Jayne Jayne Jayne Jayne Jayne Jayne
June 18, 2020
Thank You to NetGalley and Montlake Romance for this ARC!!
This is the second book in the Columbia River series and I really enjoyed both of them! While it is a part of a series, it can be read as a stand-alone book as well.
Detective Mason Callahan and his partner are called to investigate a savage murder. Investigation reveals that the victim was Reuben Braswell, a radical conspiracist. They find documents indicating a bomb attack that very afternoon at the County Courthouse, but, as the entire law enforcement gathers to prevent the attack, it turns into a mass shooting of law enforcement.
Investigators also find ties to Mason’s fiancée, FBI special agent Ava McLane. The murder victim was her informant.
Meanwhile, Braswell’s brother and Ava’s twin sister, Jayme, both disappear, and disturbing acts of sabotage target Ava’s personal life.
This book just like the first book in the series has a good plot and lots of amazing characters. There were a lot of twists and turns that kept me guessing throughout the book. And the ending was perfect.
Overall an enjoyable read and I'm eagerly waiting for the next book!
This is the second book in the Columbia River series and I really enjoyed both of them! While it is a part of a series, it can be read as a stand-alone book as well.
Detective Mason Callahan and his partner are called to investigate a savage murder. Investigation reveals that the victim was Reuben Braswell, a radical conspiracist. They find documents indicating a bomb attack that very afternoon at the County Courthouse, but, as the entire law enforcement gathers to prevent the attack, it turns into a mass shooting of law enforcement.
Investigators also find ties to Mason’s fiancée, FBI special agent Ava McLane. The murder victim was her informant.
Meanwhile, Braswell’s brother and Ava’s twin sister, Jayme, both disappear, and disturbing acts of sabotage target Ava’s personal life.
This book just like the first book in the series has a good plot and lots of amazing characters. There were a lot of twists and turns that kept me guessing throughout the book. And the ending was perfect.
Overall an enjoyable read and I'm eagerly waiting for the next book!
June 3, 2022
Después de leer la serie Callahan/Mclane completa pensaba que el tema de Jane ya quedaba un poco atrás, pero en este libro tiene mucho protagonismo de nuevo y aburre, así que le bajo una estrella por cansón.
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Mucho mejor que el anterior, por lo menos el caso me pareció más interesante. Me doy cuenta que este libro forma parte de la serie del detective Callahan y la agente McLane (sería el sexto), así que quiero ir al comienzo de la misma. Lectura fácil, entretenida (típica de casos FBI / policía con algo de romance).
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Mucho mejor que el anterior, por lo menos el caso me pareció más interesante. Me doy cuenta que este libro forma parte de la serie del detective Callahan y la agente McLane (sería el sexto), así que quiero ir al comienzo de la misma. Lectura fácil, entretenida (típica de casos FBI / policía con algo de romance).
September 1, 2020
FBI special agent Ava McLane is having a morning. Her twin is missing and Ava fears she is up to her old tricks. Then one of her informants has been brutally murdered and Detective Callahan, her fiancee’ has the case.
A mass shooting shakes things up and leaves Callahan’s partner injured and other officers dead. Callahan wants justice. He must be content working the Braswell murder case and looking for links there.
The FBI assign Ava to the mass-shooter task force. She and her partner are clever, and the two are soon chasing down leads.
Elliot is brilliant at weaving both the personal and case aspects of her stories together. This allows the reader to become immersed. Her characters are developed and often flawed. Ava and Callahan are both skilled at their jobs and completely likeable. Their romance felt genuine and strengthened our attachment.
There is a lot going on and Elliot had me flipping the pages. I knew the author would slowly weave all the threads of the cases together into one heart-pounding, action packed tapestry. It was brilliantly done while keeping things grounded and believable.
Ava and Callahan make a great team on and off the clock. Their chemistry, mutual respect, and unwavering support for each made the relationship feel genuine.
Elliot is quickly becoming a must read for me with her compelling cases and realistic characters. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
A mass shooting shakes things up and leaves Callahan’s partner injured and other officers dead. Callahan wants justice. He must be content working the Braswell murder case and looking for links there.
The FBI assign Ava to the mass-shooter task force. She and her partner are clever, and the two are soon chasing down leads.
Elliot is brilliant at weaving both the personal and case aspects of her stories together. This allows the reader to become immersed. Her characters are developed and often flawed. Ava and Callahan are both skilled at their jobs and completely likeable. Their romance felt genuine and strengthened our attachment.
There is a lot going on and Elliot had me flipping the pages. I knew the author would slowly weave all the threads of the cases together into one heart-pounding, action packed tapestry. It was brilliantly done while keeping things grounded and believable.
Ava and Callahan make a great team on and off the clock. Their chemistry, mutual respect, and unwavering support for each made the relationship feel genuine.
Elliot is quickly becoming a must read for me with her compelling cases and realistic characters. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
August 16, 2021
Oregon State Police Detectives Mason Callahan and Ray Lusco are investigating the death of Reuben Braswell, a man who was known by the police as hating law enforcement. While looking through his house, police find paperwork detailing a bombing at a downtown building. Mason's fiancée, FBI Agent Ava McLane, is also mentioned in the diatribe. All available police are downtown helping evacuate the building when things go horribly wrong.
Meanwhile, Ava has recovered from a gunshot wound and is planning her wedding when she learns that her twin sister Jayne has disappeared. Jayne is always causing some kind of trouble; so Ava is not surprised to hear that she hasn't been seen in over a week. As she searches for information on Jayne, Ava works a case that intersects with Mason's homicide case.
The second book in the Columbia River series has a lot of twists and turns. There are a few surprises that I didn't see coming at all. Several characters from past series make an appearance in this book. I was very happy to see Mercy Kilpatrick play a part in this story. My rating: 5 Stars.
Meanwhile, Ava has recovered from a gunshot wound and is planning her wedding when she learns that her twin sister Jayne has disappeared. Jayne is always causing some kind of trouble; so Ava is not surprised to hear that she hasn't been seen in over a week. As she searches for information on Jayne, Ava works a case that intersects with Mason's homicide case.
The second book in the Columbia River series has a lot of twists and turns. There are a few surprises that I didn't see coming at all. Several characters from past series make an appearance in this book. I was very happy to see Mercy Kilpatrick play a part in this story. My rating: 5 Stars.
June 10, 2022
This was better than The Last Sister the first book in the series. It brings back the Callahan & McLane duo which are good characters and make for enjoyable mysteries. Also, in these later books by Kendra Elliot, she thankfully passes on the mandatory cheesy sex scene, a requirement in her early novels. On the downside, Ava's twin sister Jayne plays a major role. Jayne is one of the most annoying stupidest fictional persons ever created. I had to take a star off my rating simply because of her.
March 26, 2021
This was the second I have read a book from this author and this one was better than the other one .I thought the story flowed pretty good and it moved at a pretty good pace. I liked the main characters and the secondary characters. I thought the main characters felt authentic and she did a good job with that aspect of the story. I give the book 4.1 stars. I thought the ending felt a tad rushed and maybe tied up to neatly but it was ok. At times in the book I felt maybe the story had to much pre-story to it for being the first book in the series, she wrote a previous series and maybe there was a connection between the two but I have not read the other series but it does not hurt the book to much. I say in the end give this book a spin.
September 25, 2020
3.5 stars.
Detective Mason Callahan is onsite at a murder scene in the opening chapter. Homeowner Reuben Braswell has been beaten over the head with a mallet and fingers cut off. Reuben was paranoid and thought the government was out to get him. Lots of murders in this story.
FBI special Ava McLane, Mason's fiancee, has a closer problem. Her twin sister Jayne has gone missing and not for the first time, although this one may mess up Ava's wedding.
There's a good bit of romance in this story, if that's the type of book you like. A few surprises occur before the end which I like in books. I read where this series is a spinoff from the Callahan and McLane series. I guess I should have known this from their last names. I have not read any of the books in that series but I didn't feel like I missed anything pertaining to this story.
Detective Mason Callahan is onsite at a murder scene in the opening chapter. Homeowner Reuben Braswell has been beaten over the head with a mallet and fingers cut off. Reuben was paranoid and thought the government was out to get him. Lots of murders in this story.
FBI special Ava McLane, Mason's fiancee, has a closer problem. Her twin sister Jayne has gone missing and not for the first time, although this one may mess up Ava's wedding.
There's a good bit of romance in this story, if that's the type of book you like. A few surprises occur before the end which I like in books. I read where this series is a spinoff from the Callahan and McLane series. I guess I should have known this from their last names. I have not read any of the books in that series but I didn't feel like I missed anything pertaining to this story.
October 18, 2020
I've given this a B at AAR
The Silence is book two in Kendra Elliot’s Columbia River series, but I don’t think I missed out on anything in terms of the plot by not reading the previous book, The Last Sister. Although the two principals in this story have featured in other books by the author – they’re an engaged couple – the mystery plot is completely self-contained, so you’d have no problems reading this as a standalone.
Detective Mason Callahan of the Oregon State Police is called to the scene of a particularly brutal murder at a house on the outskirts of Portland. Rueben Braswell was killed with a blunt instrument and his body was mutilated – the face bashed in, most of the fingers cut off and strewn around – which, if not for the fact that he was found in his own home, would normally have indicated that whoever killed him was trying to conceal his identity. Officers are carrying out a routine search of Braswell’s home when one of them finds a folder on his desk containing pages of anti-law enforcement rants and conspiracy theories – and blueprints of a building, the local courthouse, that indicate a bomb is set to detonate there that afternoon. As Mason gets on the phone to alert others to the threat, he and his partner notice one particular name among Braswell’s papers – that of Special Agent Ava McLane. Mason’s fiancée.
Ava isn’t having the best day either. She’s just about to leave for work when a young man she doesn’t know arrives on her doorstep and introduces himself as Brady Shurr – the man her troublesome – and troubled – twin sister Jayne had left a local drug and alcohol rehab centre with eight months earlier. Ava’s history with her wayward sister is complicated – it’s probably more detailed in the books in the Callahan and McLane series, but the author includes enough detail here for new readers to be able to catch up quickly. Basically, Jayne is selfish, conscienceless and manipulative – but she’s still Ava’s twin and no matter how much Ava wishes she could simply wash her hands of her… she can’t. Shurr tells Ava that Jayne has disappeared, and while Ava is intensely sceptical and is inclined to believe it’s yet another instance of her sister’s cruel and careless behaviour, when Shurr tells her that Jayne had told him to contact Ava if she ever disappeared, alarm bells start ringing in Ava’s head.
Things go from bad to worse when she arrives at the office to find out about the bomb threat and about Braswell’s murder. Braswell had been an informant of hers, although she’d quickly realised he had a huge chip on his shoulder about law enforcement and that he really just wanted someone to vent to. He’d insinuated he was associated with various anti-government factions, but most of their few meetings had yielded nothing useful; and at their last one, Braswell had crossed a line by grabbing her, and she’d walked away. Now Ava asks herself if she’d been too hasty – but she knows he never mentioned anything about a bomb.
When Mason and Ray arrive at the courthouse, the place is heaving with LEOs. They’re wading through the crowd when suddenly, shots are fired, chaos erupts and Mason realises the truth – there IS no bomb; the warning was a ploy to draw out cops and kill as many of them as possible.
Ava is given permission to work as part of the task force looking into the court house shooting, and I appreciated that the author addresses the potential conflict of interest by making it clear she’s on board under special circumstances; so often in novels like this, things like that are handwaved away. Mason’s investigations into Braswell’s murder reveal he had a brother he didn’t get along with – yet his car was seen parked in his driveway just days earlier. Could Shawn Braswell have killed his brother? Could he have been responsible for the shootings? Or are the two cases completely unrelated?
There’s a lot going on in The Silence, but the story never feels rushed or cluttered, and Ms. Elliot crafts a complex and fast-paced thriller as she juggles her various plot threads and begins to skilfully weave them all together. The investigations into the murder and shootings are nicely balanced by familial storylines, which provide some depth to Ava’s character, and the whole thing is slick, well-paced and engaging.
On the downside, I have to admit to feeling just a little bit disappointed because Ms. Elliot is generally billed as an author of romantic suspense, and the romance in this story has already happened (in the Callahan and McLane series), so it’s a kind of tying up of loose ends for the central couple. I liked Mason and Ava, but this is a plot- rather than character-driven story, and I didn’t feel as though I actually got to know either of them that well.
Those quibbles aside, The Silence was a suspenseful and entertaining page-turner with plenty of twists and turns that kept me guessing. It’s the first book I’ve read by Kendra Elliot, but I will definitely read her again.
The Silence is book two in Kendra Elliot’s Columbia River series, but I don’t think I missed out on anything in terms of the plot by not reading the previous book, The Last Sister. Although the two principals in this story have featured in other books by the author – they’re an engaged couple – the mystery plot is completely self-contained, so you’d have no problems reading this as a standalone.
Detective Mason Callahan of the Oregon State Police is called to the scene of a particularly brutal murder at a house on the outskirts of Portland. Rueben Braswell was killed with a blunt instrument and his body was mutilated – the face bashed in, most of the fingers cut off and strewn around – which, if not for the fact that he was found in his own home, would normally have indicated that whoever killed him was trying to conceal his identity. Officers are carrying out a routine search of Braswell’s home when one of them finds a folder on his desk containing pages of anti-law enforcement rants and conspiracy theories – and blueprints of a building, the local courthouse, that indicate a bomb is set to detonate there that afternoon. As Mason gets on the phone to alert others to the threat, he and his partner notice one particular name among Braswell’s papers – that of Special Agent Ava McLane. Mason’s fiancée.
Ava isn’t having the best day either. She’s just about to leave for work when a young man she doesn’t know arrives on her doorstep and introduces himself as Brady Shurr – the man her troublesome – and troubled – twin sister Jayne had left a local drug and alcohol rehab centre with eight months earlier. Ava’s history with her wayward sister is complicated – it’s probably more detailed in the books in the Callahan and McLane series, but the author includes enough detail here for new readers to be able to catch up quickly. Basically, Jayne is selfish, conscienceless and manipulative – but she’s still Ava’s twin and no matter how much Ava wishes she could simply wash her hands of her… she can’t. Shurr tells Ava that Jayne has disappeared, and while Ava is intensely sceptical and is inclined to believe it’s yet another instance of her sister’s cruel and careless behaviour, when Shurr tells her that Jayne had told him to contact Ava if she ever disappeared, alarm bells start ringing in Ava’s head.
Things go from bad to worse when she arrives at the office to find out about the bomb threat and about Braswell’s murder. Braswell had been an informant of hers, although she’d quickly realised he had a huge chip on his shoulder about law enforcement and that he really just wanted someone to vent to. He’d insinuated he was associated with various anti-government factions, but most of their few meetings had yielded nothing useful; and at their last one, Braswell had crossed a line by grabbing her, and she’d walked away. Now Ava asks herself if she’d been too hasty – but she knows he never mentioned anything about a bomb.
When Mason and Ray arrive at the courthouse, the place is heaving with LEOs. They’re wading through the crowd when suddenly, shots are fired, chaos erupts and Mason realises the truth – there IS no bomb; the warning was a ploy to draw out cops and kill as many of them as possible.
Ava is given permission to work as part of the task force looking into the court house shooting, and I appreciated that the author addresses the potential conflict of interest by making it clear she’s on board under special circumstances; so often in novels like this, things like that are handwaved away. Mason’s investigations into Braswell’s murder reveal he had a brother he didn’t get along with – yet his car was seen parked in his driveway just days earlier. Could Shawn Braswell have killed his brother? Could he have been responsible for the shootings? Or are the two cases completely unrelated?
There’s a lot going on in The Silence, but the story never feels rushed or cluttered, and Ms. Elliot crafts a complex and fast-paced thriller as she juggles her various plot threads and begins to skilfully weave them all together. The investigations into the murder and shootings are nicely balanced by familial storylines, which provide some depth to Ava’s character, and the whole thing is slick, well-paced and engaging.
On the downside, I have to admit to feeling just a little bit disappointed because Ms. Elliot is generally billed as an author of romantic suspense, and the romance in this story has already happened (in the Callahan and McLane series), so it’s a kind of tying up of loose ends for the central couple. I liked Mason and Ava, but this is a plot- rather than character-driven story, and I didn’t feel as though I actually got to know either of them that well.
Those quibbles aside, The Silence was a suspenseful and entertaining page-turner with plenty of twists and turns that kept me guessing. It’s the first book I’ve read by Kendra Elliot, but I will definitely read her again.
August 9, 2020
I loved this book as much as i loved the first one in the series.
The fast paced and never ending twists and turns made for a perfect afternoon with some of my favourite characters.
I love when i found authors that manage to make my imagination run wild and prove that my theories aren't correct even if they lead us to a different ending.
Suspenseful , thrilling and it felt like watching the best crime serial on tv.
The fast paced and never ending twists and turns made for a perfect afternoon with some of my favourite characters.
I love when i found authors that manage to make my imagination run wild and prove that my theories aren't correct even if they lead us to a different ending.
Suspenseful , thrilling and it felt like watching the best crime serial on tv.
February 25, 2021
As with book #1 I listened to this one and I enjoyed it! The narrator did a good job at portraying the characters. Though she has to work on her "Mason". :)
Talking about Mason. I love the guy. Always so calm, cool and collected. That is until something happens that Ava is involved with. He adores her. She is great! Their relationship is pretty sweet and relatable on a maturity level for me. Mason and Ava at the end of this book was perfect! ❤
The crime aspect kept me guessing a bit. Though I did surprise myself when I found that I had figured things out before the proverbial shit hit the fan.
I'll be reading book #3 for sure! If you haven't checked out this author I suggest you do.
August 15, 2021
My favorite of these interconnected series thus far! I love Mason and Ava and they return in a big way in this complex, twisted case. Anytime I can't figure out the identity of the villain, it's a fantastic read and I didn't see this one coming until Mason figured it out. All the feels are here with return appearances for some other old favorites. My only regret is the next book isn't coming until Aug. 2022. Too bad because this one is almost perfect!
September 17, 2020
The series is set in Oregon.... my home state..... and the Oregon State Police, my husband is a retired
OSP Trooper.... very enjoyable!
OSP Trooper.... very enjoyable!
August 28, 2020
I loved visiting with Mason and Ava. Lots of twists and turns in this one. And, Mercy Kilpatrick (a killer series, by the way) makes a welcome appearance. I love Mercy Kilpatrick's character. Another great read by a talented author. Can't wait for the third book in the series. ;)
August 26, 2020
Twists and turns and just when you think you have it figured out BAM! it turns again. Ava and Mason are tangled into the same case when Mason's murder case turns out to be one of Ava's CI. In the house there is evidence pointing towards a bombing and when law enforcement converges shots are fired and Mason's partner, Ray, is wounded before he can put his vest on and several other deputies are taken out. It was not a bombing but a targeted shooting. So begins the mystery of who, what, where, and why of it. Oh, and Ava's twin, Jane is back in the picture. All this with the wedding coming up. Will they make it to the wedding finally? This one was so good and I consumed it in one afternoon!
**Received this ARC for review from the publisher via NetGalley**
**Received this ARC for review from the publisher via NetGalley**
October 4, 2020
Another nail biter and this one incorporates Callahan & McLane and Mercy Kilpatrick. The chemistry works really well and the action is exactly how I love it. Some back story additions helps move the story along. Love Kendra Elliot's writing style, can't wait for the next addition!
2 thumbs up and 4.5 stars
From the blurb: A man is savagely murdered outside Portland, and Detective Mason Callahan finds blood-spatter evidence that tells a troubling story. Files reveal the murder victim, Reuben Braswell, was a radical conspiracist. In his home, investigators find pages of diatribes against law enforcement as well as ties to Mason’s fiancée, FBI special agent Ava McLane. The victim was her informant—and had strong reasons to be paranoid.
To Ava, Braswell’s rants were those of a wearying and harmless man…until they collide with her investigation into the murders of police officers and finding the connection becomes urgent. Meanwhile, Braswell’s brother and Ava’s twin sister both disappear, and disturbing acts of sabotage target Ava’s personal life.
For Mason and Ava, the brutal crimes and escalating mysteries create a perfect storm for a terrorist conspiracy that becomes dangerously personal—one that has yet to claim its last victim.
2 thumbs up and 4.5 stars
From the blurb: A man is savagely murdered outside Portland, and Detective Mason Callahan finds blood-spatter evidence that tells a troubling story. Files reveal the murder victim, Reuben Braswell, was a radical conspiracist. In his home, investigators find pages of diatribes against law enforcement as well as ties to Mason’s fiancée, FBI special agent Ava McLane. The victim was her informant—and had strong reasons to be paranoid.
To Ava, Braswell’s rants were those of a wearying and harmless man…until they collide with her investigation into the murders of police officers and finding the connection becomes urgent. Meanwhile, Braswell’s brother and Ava’s twin sister both disappear, and disturbing acts of sabotage target Ava’s personal life.
For Mason and Ava, the brutal crimes and escalating mysteries create a perfect storm for a terrorist conspiracy that becomes dangerously personal—one that has yet to claim its last victim.
August 18, 2020
Puedes encontrar esta reseña en español al final.
Mrs. Elliot has spoiled me rotten with her outstanding suspense, her terrific female characters, and her discreet, but no less interesting, romances. I compare any romantic suspense I read with one of hers and the former never come out well. This does not mean that sometimes I find some of her work, such as this one, lacking.
This series is not really a series per se. They are two new installments intended to tie up loose ends of the Callahan & McLane series.
In this one we got to see the MC´s wedding, who are accompanied by a diverse cast of characters from other series. If you haven't read Callahan & McLane series there's no point starting here.
As usual, the suspense has been good, very good. This author has enough imagination and experience to avoid repeating plots. But she also is fond of family melodrama (which, unfortunately, I don't like a lot) that had overshadowed both the romance and the suspense.
I understand that all the loose ends must be tied up nicely, but the plot about Ava´s twin was too much, and the HEA hardly credible, honestly.
So, it was a bittersweet farewell.
But I am looking forward to reading her next work.
e-ARC kindly provided by Montlake Romance via Netgalley.
La señora Elliot me ha malacostumbrado con sus suspenses fuera de serie, sus personajes femeninos fuera de lo normal y sus discretos, pero no menos interesantes, romances. Cualquier suspense romántico que leo lo comparo con uno de los suyos y los primeros nunca salen bien parados. Lo que no quiere decir que a veces no lea algunas de sus obras, como la presente, y la encuentre floja.
Esta serie realmente no es una serie en si. Son dos entregas destinadas a cerrar los hilos pendientes de la serie Callahan & McLane.
En esta última asistimos a la boda de los protagonistas, a los que acompañan un elenco de lo más variopinto de personajes de otras series. Si no has leído la serie Callahan & McLane no tiene sentido empezar por aquí.
Como de costumbre el suspense ha sido bueno, muy bueno. Esta autora tiene imaginación y tablas suficientes para no repetir tramas. Pero también tiene una fijación por el melodrama familiar (que, por desgracia, yo no comparto) que ha eclipsado tanto el romance como el suspense.
Entiendo que había que atar todos los cabos sueltos, pero la trama sobre la gemela de Ava ha sido demasiado, y el Final Feliz poco creíble, sinceramente.
Así que, ha sido una despedida agridulce.
Pero estoy deseando leer su próximo trabajo.
Mrs. Elliot has spoiled me rotten with her outstanding suspense, her terrific female characters, and her discreet, but no less interesting, romances. I compare any romantic suspense I read with one of hers and the former never come out well. This does not mean that sometimes I find some of her work, such as this one, lacking.
This series is not really a series per se. They are two new installments intended to tie up loose ends of the Callahan & McLane series.
In this one we got to see the MC´s wedding, who are accompanied by a diverse cast of characters from other series. If you haven't read Callahan & McLane series there's no point starting here.
As usual, the suspense has been good, very good. This author has enough imagination and experience to avoid repeating plots. But she also is fond of family melodrama (which, unfortunately, I don't like a lot) that had overshadowed both the romance and the suspense.
I understand that all the loose ends must be tied up nicely, but the plot about Ava´s twin was too much, and the HEA hardly credible, honestly.
So, it was a bittersweet farewell.
But I am looking forward to reading her next work.
e-ARC kindly provided by Montlake Romance via Netgalley.
La señora Elliot me ha malacostumbrado con sus suspenses fuera de serie, sus personajes femeninos fuera de lo normal y sus discretos, pero no menos interesantes, romances. Cualquier suspense romántico que leo lo comparo con uno de los suyos y los primeros nunca salen bien parados. Lo que no quiere decir que a veces no lea algunas de sus obras, como la presente, y la encuentre floja.
Esta serie realmente no es una serie en si. Son dos entregas destinadas a cerrar los hilos pendientes de la serie Callahan & McLane.
En esta última asistimos a la boda de los protagonistas, a los que acompañan un elenco de lo más variopinto de personajes de otras series. Si no has leído la serie Callahan & McLane no tiene sentido empezar por aquí.
Como de costumbre el suspense ha sido bueno, muy bueno. Esta autora tiene imaginación y tablas suficientes para no repetir tramas. Pero también tiene una fijación por el melodrama familiar (que, por desgracia, yo no comparto) que ha eclipsado tanto el romance como el suspense.
Entiendo que había que atar todos los cabos sueltos, pero la trama sobre la gemela de Ava ha sido demasiado, y el Final Feliz poco creíble, sinceramente.
Así que, ha sido una despedida agridulce.
Pero estoy deseando leer su próximo trabajo.
August 20, 2025
Listened to audiobook. Narrator was quite good. This is the 3rd book by Kendra Elliot that I have listened to and by far my favorite. If I was rating on her books alone it would get 5⭐️. I haven’t read the books in order (yet again, an annoying theme for me lately, although the first two books were the 1st in their series, good job me on that). There seems to be quite a bit of cross over between her series. I have not looked to see what order the various series should be read in. It would have probably been a little helpful to do them in order, but not completely necessary for me. I was able to follow along well enough.
There was more suspense in this one and I was much more engaged and interested throughout. The other two books I listened to were Hidden and Vanished.
This doesn’t seem to be a grisly, gruesome, mayhem and murder, on the edge of your seat kind of author. More calm suspense, but quite enjoyable. I would compare her to Melinda Leigh, whose books I have liked a lot.
I needed a break from some darker suspense/thriller books and this one in particular was a good choice for doing that. Definitely would recommend.
Review posted 4/4/25
Minor edit 8/20/25
There was more suspense in this one and I was much more engaged and interested throughout. The other two books I listened to were Hidden and Vanished.
This doesn’t seem to be a grisly, gruesome, mayhem and murder, on the edge of your seat kind of author. More calm suspense, but quite enjoyable. I would compare her to Melinda Leigh, whose books I have liked a lot.
I needed a break from some darker suspense/thriller books and this one in particular was a good choice for doing that. Definitely would recommend.
Review posted 4/4/25
Minor edit 8/20/25
April 15, 2025
Really boring
June 27, 2020
This is the second book in the Columbia River series and I have not yet read the first one although I have read the Mercy Killpatrick series and a couple in the Callahan McLane series which helped but I don't think was required to read the story. Detective Mason Callahan and his partner and fiance, Ava McLane, are called to investigate a brutal murder. The victim was Reuben Braswell, a conspiracy theorist with a particular hate for law enforcement and government. He was also one of Ava McLane's CI's. They find documents in his home indicating an imminent bomb attack at the County Courthouse, but, as the entire law enforcement gathers to prevent the attack, it turns into a mass shooting of law enforcement. The documents also mention Ava by name. It was a quick paced, intriguing story with a good number of plot twists and a nasty bad guy. I was nice to see Mercy again and the personal and professional friendship between the two women.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 2, 2022
3.5⭐
Ava's twin sister Jayne's character is written as being a textbook sociopathic antisocial personality disorder case which somehow when being shot in the book cures her of this in the real-world incurable disorder. Ah Uh ain't happening there is no coming to Jesus moments for sociopaths. The author in spending so much page time in portraying a character with a pronounced personality disorder shouldn't perform Disney style magic on them. It just doesn't work in a police procedural novel. I took off one-half point for this otherwise solid 4-star story.
Ava's twin sister Jayne's character is written as being a textbook sociopathic antisocial personality disorder case which somehow when being shot in the book cures her of this in the real-world incurable disorder. Ah Uh ain't happening there is no coming to Jesus moments for sociopaths. The author in spending so much page time in portraying a character with a pronounced personality disorder shouldn't perform Disney style magic on them. It just doesn't work in a police procedural novel. I took off one-half point for this otherwise solid 4-star story.
August 28, 2020
This was an all right addition to the Callahan & McLane series. I honestly never really felt the overwhelming love between the two of them, but romance aside, the mystery was solid. The twist was my favourite part about it, and for that I would put this book at a solid three stars. It was also nice to see the MCs from the previous book of the Columbia River series, Mercy, and even some of the MCs from Kendra Elliot's other series.
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