Dead Silent

by Robert Ferrigno

A single-hit ex-rock star, Nick Carbonne has settled into a comfortable married life, a home in a scruffy-but-chic section of southern California, and regular work producing bands whose members dimly recall hearing his gold record in sixth grade. When an old friend and former fellow band member shows up unannounced with his hot girlfriend, Alison, old memories, and older jealousies, are stirred. But Nick in no way anticipates how his life will be shaken when he returns home with Alison one evening to find his wife and Alison's boyfriend naked and oh-so-dead - murdered - their bodies floating in the hot tub.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Novels, Thriller

307 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 1996

About the author

Robert Ferrigno is an American author of crime novels and of speculative fiction. I've written twelve novels in the last twenty years, most crime thrillers. Sins of the Assassin was a finalist for the Edgar, Best Novel, by the Mystery Writers of America in 2008, and my comic short story, "Can I Help You Out?" won the Silver Dagger, Best Short Story, by the Mystery Association of Great Britain.

Series:
* Jimmy Gage Mystery
* Assassin Trilogy

My most recent book is The Girl Who Cried Wolf (2013), a contemporary crime thriller.

Reviews

[Mindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reminded me to not forget about all the older books on my TBR. I read this author’s book, Horse Lattitudes, many years ago and really enjoyed it. This one isn’t as good as that one but I just vibe with his style of writing. This book has some rough reviews but I was down with the quirky characters and I especially love the Southern California setting.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nick's best friend is visiting with his girlfriend for a few days. Nick's wife Sharon isn't happy about it, but puts up with it because of Nick. Nick and Allison go to a function together because Sharon had too much work to do. When they come back, they find Perry and Sharon dead, naked in their hot tub.

I actually thought this was pretty good, it had a good story and was a page turner but there were a lot of characters and some of them were superfluous. It was short on feelings about the dead friend and wife, a little mechanical in that area, but I would read more by this author.

[Ainabooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5. "The Angel" storyline is less interesting compared to the main plot. There are too many unnecessary characters in this part of the story. However, I enjoyed the relationship between Nick, Alison, and the police officer.

[Scott E · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed in this effort as I know Ferrigno can tell a better story. Dead Silent shouldn't take you more than three or four hours to read as you will quickly resort to skimming.

The most glaring error here, IMO, is that Ferrigno forgot to have his main character, Nick Carbonne, show the slightest grief in regards to his wife who was just murdered...which is the basis for the entire book. Instead, within minutes of receiving the devastating news, Nick was anxious to unleash his detective abilities (even though he's in the music biz) to solve his wife's murder (and his once band mate, Perry). The detection parts of the book were weak as well...typically, there is 4 or 5 pages of quirky dialogue and then a 1/2 page of: "hey, do you know who Doc is?" "No" "Thanks, see ya."

I can't speak for RF, but Dead Silent seems like a rush job to follow up the success of his earlier books. And while I didn't mind the odd/quirky characters (basically everyone except Nick)...their use was wasted in this one.

[Donna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed with this book. I was looking forward to reading this one but once I started reading it I was bored. I had to force myself to actually finish reading it. I kept hoping that if I read a bit more I would get into the story but it never happened.

[Jordyn Yaskowich · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was kind of a chore to read. The mystery of who the murderer was kept me reading but I overall found it fairly boring. It was a little confusing with random characters popping up, and the ending was lame.

[Bob Box · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read in 1996. Nick must find his wife's killer.

[Stacie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wasn't a huge fan of this book. Took me time to even get into it. The main character took some getting used to. Slow paced for me.

[Brucie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Completely adequate thriller story with an interesting character who has a remarkable sense of sound. Of course amateurs and professional crime fighters are not up to the skills of obsessive twisted vigilantes.

[DOMINIQUE BROOKS-KILCUP-RAMOS · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was amazing how they added mystery and horror to it it lets you know that there Are crazy people out there and they will attack when they feel like it so alwayz always stay prepared and watch your back and have friends with you at night time. and also lets you know that stuff can happen even if your there at that point of time

[Vickie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm working my way through the Robert Ferrigno novels, based on Bill's recommendations. I enjoy the references to local Long Beach and Orange County landmarks. Good crime fiction and each one seems to get better.

[Jeff · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was a huge disappointment.

[Robert Bell · Rating 1 out of 5]

Never finished

[Kathi · Rating 2 out of 5]

too violent for my tastes and a bit confusing

[beach horrorreader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just ok. Kind of dated with talk of cassette tapes and flip phones and caller id boxes. Some chemistry between the widow and widower, and a look at phone fetishes. Goofy ending.

[Penny Bohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed it. Couldn't put it down