Don't Tell a Soul

by David Rosenfelt

When a drunken stranger confides in him that he had killed a young woman some three months earlier, Tim Wallace, already suspected of having murdered his wife, suddenly finds his life put under a microscope by the police.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Fiction, Suspense, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller, Crime

437 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2008

About the author

I am a novelist with 27 dogs.

I have gotten to this dubious position with absolutely no planning, and at no stage in my life could I have predicted it. But here I am.

My childhood was relentlessly normal. The middle of three brothers, loving parents, a middle-class home in Paterson, New Jersey. We played sports, studied sporadically. laughed around the dinner table, and generally had a good time. By comparison, "Ozzie and Harriet's" clan seemed bizarre.

I graduated NYU, then decided to go into the movie business. I was stunningly brilliant at a job interview with my uncle, who was President of United Artists, and was immediately hired. It set me off on a climb up the executive ladder, culminating in my becoming President of Marketing for Tri-Star Pictures. The movie landscape is filled with the movies I buried; for every "Rambo", "The Natural" and "Rocky", there are countless disasters.

I did manage to find the time to marry and have two children, both of whom are doing very well, and fortunately neither have inherited my eccentricities.

A number of years ago, I left the movie marketing business, to the sustained applause of hundreds of disgruntled producers and directors. I decided to try my hand at writing. I wrote and sold a bunch of feature films, none of which ever came close to being actually filmed, and then a bunch of TV movies, some of which actually made it to the small screen. It's safe to say that their impact on the American cultural scene has been minimal.

About fourteen years ago, my wife and I started the Tara Foundation, named in honor of the greatest Golden Retriever the world has ever known. We rescued almost 4,000 dogs, many of them Goldens, and found them loving homes. Our own home quickly became a sanctuary for those dogs that we rescued that were too old or sickly to be wanted by others. They surround me as I write this. It's total lunacy, but it works, and they are a happy, safe group.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/davidr...

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Rosenfelt’s first stand-alone book. So, if you were looking for Andy Carpenter, his criminal defense attorney, you will not find him here. Nor, will you find the typical snarky humor which is a centerpiece of the author’s writing that makes readers joyfully gravitate to his books. So, what will we find?

A young successful New York businessman, Tim Wallace suddenly finds himself widowed by an explosion that kills his new wife, Maggie on his boat, and a lot of people looking at him as the murderer. Not only that, but a conspiracy that seems to reach beyond this one death, to politics. What?

As pages turn, readers also wonder, why? Who? And, will it all make sense after all the dead bodies have been counted? Also, will Tim Wallace be vindicated when it seems like every turn is pointing to him as the perpetrator? How will this unassuming supposedly innocent “framed” guy get through this tangled mess? And, will readers be grateful for the final conclusion if and when he does?

Seemingly well-written, with short chapters, the story is fast-paced and somewhat inventive, but it fell flat towards the end. Like after all this time of getting readers to know what was finally going on, suddenly we are finding ourselves at an abrupt conclusion. In some ways, this end spoiled the feel of the original pace of the book that started out engaging with a complex mystery. Still, for love of the author, it was a worthwhile read, just not up to the standards that I have grown to love with his Andy Carpenter series.

3.5 stars rounded up

[Lata · Rating 2 out of 5]

In the beginning, I was impressed by the humorous narration. The plot seemed interesting. The 2 dogs were cute. But then, if I wanted 'cute' and 'funny', I would have read a chicklit or romance, why would I read a thriller?
The story was fast paced and there was a lot of things happening but I didn't feel the suspense, and excitement to know how it ends.

Everything was so conveniently placed and too many coincidences.
My complaints -


-- When the Hero realizes that he is into deep trouble and a suspect for killing 2 women, hides from the police and vows to get to the depth of the mystery. And how does he do that? - He hides in a safe house, watches TV and figures out things by calling his lawyer and his friend.

- when he is looking for information - some stranger just walks to him and tells him what they saw, without he having to ask ! It's as easy as that.

--Some attractive woman asks the IT guy to share the password of the facility and the details of the operation, he just gives it to her.

-- Stubborn police who has only one suspect and refuse to look anywhere else

--The detective Novack is divorced and still lives with his ex-wife. What was the need for this weird relationship and how is it relevant to the story

-- The conspiracy was huge, but there were only 2 bad guys (actually only 1 in the front) doing all the work. Poor guy might be so tired of multi-tasking. -- put up a surveillance, kidnap, torture, murder, rig up explosives, do some computer hacking......

-- This was after 9/11. You don't just hire someone without background checks and who doesn't have a verifiable address. Do you? That too in a company which undertakes federal contracts!


I have read positive reviews about this author's Andy Carpenter series. I hope they are better than this stand-alone. I might give it a try.

[LJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

DON’T TELL A SOUL (Susp.- Tim Wallace-NJ, Wyoming-Cont) – G+
Rosenfelt, David – Standalone
St. Martin’s Minotaur, 2008, US Hardcover – ISBN: 9780312373955

First Sentence: Friends have asked me why I’m telling this story, and for a long time I had no intention of doing so.

Tim Wallace‘s wife died when their boat exploded. Because Tim was found in the water wearing a life jacket, New Jersey Detective Jonathan Novak is certain murdered his wife despite the lack of evidence.

Tim’s friends and business partners are trying to help Tim re-join life by getting him out to their favorite bar on New Year’s Eve, but Tim’s life is thrown back into turmoil. A stranger comes up to him and tells him a secret that he murdered a woman and buried her body in the playground of a nearby town.

One of the things I like about Rosenfelt’s writing is his ability to create fully-developed characters. Tim is an appealing protagonist; a bit too stupid to live in the beginning and not overly macho but quite believable. His friends are classic guy friends and the relationship with them works. Novak begins as the stereotypical hard-nosed cop. All the characters come to life under Rosenfelt’s deft hand.

I did have some issues with the story. There are portents, which I hate, it is somewhat predictable, a few too many coincidences, is highly improbably and has a rather abrupt ending. However, it is also a fast-paced, page-turning, suspenseful read.

[Kinsey Breland .: avid_midnight_reader :. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the book that had been on my physical TBR pile the longest. I almost decided to just discard it and never read it. I’m so glad I changed my mind and did pick it up.

The only thing I didn’t get was why Novack was so sure that Tim had killed his wife on the boat. There was never any evidence to say that he was involved in what had happened to her. Every other police officer had cleared him after the investigation.

It was interesting how the author chose to tell us from the beginning that the guy who was claiming to be Jeff Cashman, and confessed to Tim about a murder, wasn’t his real name and was even disguising himself in heavy prosthetic makeup. First off, this told us right away that something big was being planned before Tim even reported the first body to the police. Second, this could have been used as a reveal later on in the story. That bit seemed like bad writing to me, and should have been left to be discovered later.

4.5 stars

[DjS · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started off strong, carried along with good pace and premise through four fifths of the story before it unravelling in a single chapter rush to an improbable, pointless, and disappointing conclusion. Could have been good, but wasn't.

[Teena in Toronto · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tim finally convinced his bride, Maggie, to go on his beloved boat. While on the water, the boat blows up, killing Maggie. Novak, the investigating police officer, is convinced Tim had something to do with it. Tim has been mourning many months later, throwing himself into his work. His two best friends convince him to go out on New Years Eve to their favourite bar. Tim's not in the mood and just before he's ready to head for home, a drunk stranger approaches him and unburdens him with a secret ... he murdered a woman a couple months go and buried her in a playground. Being a good citizen, Tim tells Novak about it but Novak automatically thinks Tim did it. When more people end up disappearing and/or getting killed, Novak continues to try to prove that Tim is the killer. Tim realizes he must do whatever he has to to prove his innocence.

I've read many books by this author, mostly his Andy Carpenter series which I enjoy, and this is a stand alone. I like the writing style and it is written in third person perspective. I thought the story was really convoluted, though, and think the "whodunnit" and why could have gone in a more interesting direction. And I am still confused as to why Tim's boat exploded in the first place. There were lots of characters, many ended up dead. The end wraps up rather quickly. As a head's up, there is swearing.

Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2021/11...

[Christy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not great, but not all that bad either. Rosenfelt defiantly picked a good plot here, very suspenseful and intriguing. Tim Wallace lost his wife in a tragic boating accident - cops suspect he's guilty; he is not. Several months later, still reeling his wife's tragic death, he decides to celebrates New Years with friends at a local bar when he is approached by a stranger who asks "Can you keep a secret?" Hmm, what would you do? Tim tries to blow him off, but the stranger is relentless and the stranger is persistent & admits to the brutal murder of a missing woman. Tim contacts the police, providing all the info the stranger provided. When a finger is found, cops suspect Tim. What will become of Tim? Read the book..

[Jenna · Rating 2 out of 5]

i really enjoy this writers Andy Carpenter series. I liked his 2 non-fic books as well.
so i decided to try his stand-alones.
this was the first stand-alone he wrote after previously starting his Carpenter series.

typical conspiracy/thriller mystery trope.  too many characters w/too much going on.
slightly dated, but i kept listening to see if i could figure out what the surprise at the end would be. (there's always a twist towards the end in these books, plus i couldn't skim ahead as it was an audio)


overall, it was so/so. i would recommend reading his series instead

[Kodakjack · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a decent whodunnit. Is everything written by this author a frame job? Instead of killing an innocent guy, the culprits decide it’s more profitable to frame him for their dastardly deeds. Surprise, all of this has political implications. Of course, this has to happen on a timeline and lives are on the line. All in all, it was a decent read, but not remarkable.

[Dick Whittington · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick, easy and exciting read. Keep you interested from beginning to end. Not the best written of books or the best developed of characters, but a good story with lots of twists and turns. The ending was too quick and neat. Makes for a good escape read. No real thinking or concentrating necessary.

[Barbara Blindauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a stand alone by David Rosenfelt who writes the Andy Carpenter series. Tim Wallace and his wife decide to go boating one day, when the boat explodes and Tim’s wife is killed. The police believe that Tim was responsible for killing her but ca not prove it. Tim’s partner and friend, Danny, and a coworker, Will drag Tim to a bar on New Year’s Eve where a stranger blurts out to Tim that he killed a woman and just wanted to get it off his chest. Will tells the police and things go downhill for Tim as the police now suspect he has killed several people. This is a political thriller and I didn’t suspect who helped to set Tim up.

[Carolina Imhof · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read and as always I like the style and the first impression of the characters (the author does not go too deep there). A few things seemed far fetched or illogical, but then it was an audiobook, so I could have been distracted at some key points.

[Joe Sandora · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don’t tell a soul, seriously, this book isn’t worth it.

[BeverlyB · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nail biter right till the end!

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bon livre avec bon suspense tout au long des pages. Finalité de l'intrigue un peu décevante à mon avis, de là pourquoi quatre étoiles au lieu de cinq.

[Jami · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a 3.5 for me. This was not my favorite of his stand-alone books. It started slow snd although it picked up, I didn’t find it as interesting as I had hoped.

[Patricia Moore · Rating 2 out of 5]

I listened while doing other things. There is no way I would have sat and read the book. I wasn't that involved with the characters or the situations. Too many times I had to suspend my disbelief; and because of that, there was quite a bit of eye rolling. This is supposed to be serious (we're worried about the characters because they are in danger and we're not sure how Tim will be targeted next). As I said this is serious and not a humor or cozy book, which can be fun because the characters and situations aren't taken seriously.

Examples of my disbelieve: People who don't know anything about investigating and undercover set out the solve the mystery (remember this is serious and not a cozy) and Tim is more clueless than most. How in the world did he end up owning a lucrative business and super successful in his profession? He carries a gun although he's afraid of them and often it's unloaded. The only time Tim shoots, he misses and lets the bad guy just turn around walk away. Also a finger is found and our big, strong, in-charge male characters (not just the main characters but almost the entire gym) scream-- not once, but without control. Cheez... man up!

Someone's uncle is a senator who wants to run for president. Maybe the book is a political thriller. If it were advertised as such, it might give too much away, although ruthless senators are introduced early and brought back throughout the narrative.

The author is known for humor in his books. Well, there is humor-- middle school kind. It's usually in the form of wise acre talk between men. I found it tiresome and sophomoric after a short while and not necessarily funny.

There are dogs in the book. That might be reason for some people to read with enjoyment. I'm more a cat person. Maybe I would have liked it better if there were cats instead of dogs. That wouldn't work because cats don't give the same shit as dogs so never mind with that suggestion! :)

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very fast paced and simplistic book. The plot was almost like a connect the dot kind of plot. There wasn't anything very unique about it. Tim Wallace watched his wife die as his boat exploded before his eyes a year ago. Ever since then, Detective Novack has had it out for Tim. He thinks Tim killed his wife even though all evidence pointed elsewhere. It was almost demented the way the cop was after Tim. I would think that a cop that obsessed would be put on suspension especially since his supervisor knew about and thought that Novack's behavior was over the top. Now someone is out to ruin Tim's life and he has no idea why. With Novack on his back and no one to turn to, Tim has to figure out why someone wants to ruin him quickly before something terrible goes wrong.

Like I said the book was fast paced with short chapters that lead right into the next but there was just nothing unique about the story. There was nothing that kept pulling me back to the story after I stopped reading. I just kept at it to finish the book rather than any real interest in the story. 3 stars.

[Johnnie Gee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book until the last 1/4 when it got down right rediciolus. To me there is a point where a story, be it a mystery or thriller, must have some legitamontlsy within the tale being told. If I am reading Harry Potter, that book has much more lattitude because the expectation is there will be magic, spells, enchantments, wands and many other things. When I read a thriller or mystery (hard for me to tell the difference sometimes) the same logical expectations follow it as they do other thrillers/mysteries. When a book gets things mixed and unbelievable things occur then I can't put myself in the story, things go wrong and the book is ruined.

So went this book. The story took an interesting turn, that turned into a fisaco, that in turn became unbelievable. I started to give the book one star, but being of fair mind today and the fact I did enjoy the first 3/4's if the book I will give it two stars..........Or should I go back to one??

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A reader can always count on David Rosenfelt to deliver an entertaining book. As Don't Tell a Soul is not part of the Andy Carpenter series it does not feature the charming cast of characters and witty repartee normally associated with a David Rosenfelt book. It does, however, deliver an engaging and action-packed procedural complete with emotional ups and downs as we struggle alongside with the main character, Tim, who has been framed for one, now two, now potential mass numbers of murders. The pace is quick and never lags as a bewildered and confused business man fights for his reputation, his freedom and the safety of those he loves (not to mention that mass of people in peril.) Once again, David Rosenfelt proves to be an author whose talent and consistency has made him one of my go to reads. I can only hope he keeps on writing!

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned that the people that are really behind terrorist attacks are the government and people who hope to profit from wars. I was annoyed that no one else besides me seemed to catch on to the fact that an impregnable fortress can be a death trap. That aside, I liked the characters and their normal names (what is it with thriller names, anyway?). They were just normal people caught up in a bad situation. I liked that.

[Dad · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an audio book listened to on a drive across the Midwest and it had all the qualities one needs dodging trucks and rainstorms across Ohio. Dogs, murders, suspense and sarcasm. While not an Andy Carpenter novel, it had striking similarities and most importantly keep my interest for about 13 hours. Oh, it ends happily and the dog gets a new master so everyone is happy...except for the dead souls and there were quite a number of them...but it was only a story after all.

[Lucimar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Um suspense que me surpreendeu. Uma intrigante história sobre a luta pelo poder e em nessa escalada muitos morrem para alguns alçarem ao poder máximo. Traições, tramas, armações e assassinatos. Em meio a isso, está Tim Wallace, e a perseguição de Novack, um policial obstinado por culpá-lo pelos assassinatos...

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really 3.5 stars. Most of the story raced along in typical Rosenfelt style - a touch of humor, a touch of menace - put the end seemed a bit too perfunctory and left me with a few too many unanswered questions.

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

The initial premise is so eye-rolling ridiculous that I almost DNF this book. About halfway through, I set aside the ridiculousness and the story picked up a bit. Beach trash, wouldn't seek it out if I left it on a plane and hadn't finished reading it.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's interesting that I will randomly choose books off my shelf to read and end up picking one with similar themes.. And that theme would be that a detective is so set on the wrong person for a murder investigation and that they try to make the evidence fit the person, even if it doesn't make sense. I picked this up after Pleading Guilty where Pigeyes was fixated with Mack being the murderer, and then after this in SK's You Like It Darker Jalbert was fixated with Danny being the murderer. And here, Novack is fixated with Tim and that he killed his wife and now 'Sheila'.

I was in a reading slump prior to this and while this isn't the best book ever, it was a very enjoyable read for me. You have to suspend your disbelief for some parts, but really nothing that outrageous compared to the cover ups and shit that happens in real life. It was an easy read, some twists and turns here and there. Sometimes middle of the road books seem better than they really are due to what prefaced them. And that's okay with me if this seemed better than it was because of what I'd read before it. Reading is mostly subjective anyway.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary: from the electronic source library:
Tim Wallace's wife died in a boating accident several months ago. Tim was the only eye witness, and one New Jersey cop is sure he killed her. He didn't, but even if the police eventually clear his name, he'll never get over this terrible tragedy. On New Year's Eve, his two best friends and business partners finally convince him to go out for the first time since Maggie's death, and at their neighborhood pub just a few minutes before midnight, things in Tim Wallace's life go from bad to worse. "Can you keep a secret? A really big one?" a drunken stranger asks him. Before Tim can say anything or turn away, the man confesses to a months-old murder, even offering as proof the location of the woman's body. "Now it's your problem," he says and walks away. When the man turns out to have been telling the truth, Tim's life and work are put under the microscope again by the cops, and this time they're not giving up. But neither is Tim, even when things keep getting worse for him, and eventually he realizes he's the only person who can figure out what's really going on?-even if it kills him.
I'd give it 4 stars except I thought it was too drawn out and you had to have a score card to keep track of the players. A lesson from the book - some people are not what they appear on the outside -one face for the world and one true self.

[Louise Hite · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tim Wallace's wife was killed in a boating accident several months ago--and one New Jersey cop is sure he did it. He didn't. But even if the police eventually clear his name, he'll never get over this terrible tragedy…
It's New Year's Eve. Tim's buddies convince him to go out for the first time since his wife's death. They're at a local pub when, just before midnight, a drunken stranger approaches Tim--and asks him a compelling question. Cashman.
Soon the man confesses to a months-old murder--even offering as proof the location of the woman's body. "Now it's your problem," he says to Tim before walking away. When the man turns out to have been telling the truth, Tim's life goes from bad to worse as he is put under the microscope again by the cops--and this time they're not giving up. But neither is Tim: He is the only one who can figure out what's really going on--and who murdered his wife…
An electrifying stand-alone thriller from David Rosenfelt, bestselling author of the Andy Carpenter novels.