Silent Witness

By Lindsay McKenna

Book Overview

Silent Witness by Lindsay McKenna released on Nov 29, 2005 is available now for purchase.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0373770715
• ISBN13: 9780373770717
• Release Date: November 2005
• Publisher: Hqn
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.44 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 4.2" x 6.6"

Customer Reviews

Originally Posted on Romance Junkies in 2006

Lindsay McKenna is a master of military romantic suspense, and each subsequent story she writes proves why. SILENT WITNESS is no different, with its mix of intriguing characters, a thrilling story line, and ever-growing passion. Agent Ellen Tanner is a redhead who likes long denim skirts, loose blouses, Birkenstock sandals, and dangly earrings. She's also a licensed psychotherapist, not to mention employed by the Office of Inspector General in the Department of Defense. Until recently, she's resided in Washington, D.C., but now she's in California-and assigned to work with JAG Lieutenant Jim Cochrane. The Pentagon came up with the idea of using OIG agents to help out snowed-under JAG agents who are short-staffed and buried under work. With her new one-year assignment in California, Ellen is now the partner of Lt. Cochrane-a man who clearly sees her as nothing but the newest pain in his rear end. Jim Cochrane doesn't want help. He doesn't need it. Well, he might need it a little, because he is buried under piles of work. But now that he's saddled with a new partner-who just happens to be a woman, not to mention a civilian-he's less than pleased. As his drawl gets thicker and his height seems to increase, he's determined to do everything within his power to get this over with as quickly as possible. It might have worked, too, if it wasn't for the death of Top Gun instructor Susan Kane. Now Ellen and Jim are working in really close proximity, trying to find a killer. As if Jim's good ole boy demeanor and his obvious disdain of her weren't bad enough, the passion that keeps sparking up between them is driving Ellen mad. Sure, the guy's handsome, but they've got a killer to track, and she has no time-nor desire-to pursue personal relationships. Or so she thought. As these two hard-headed people-one military, one civilian-work together to catch a murderer, the danger becomes more and more real, as does their desire. Will Ellen and Jim find out who killed Susan Kane before the danger gets too close? Ms. McKenna has done an excellent job once again of combining military suspense with romance, and the result is a winner in SILENT WITNESS.

Mystery Romance

Lindsey McKenna has written a lively deeply disturbing look at the fate of women in the military. This is one of her best books to date. I was on the edge of my seat through most of this book and felt so much anguish and grief at the end, I was totally blown away by the book and the ending. Ellen Tanner is a profiler from Washington assigned to JAG in San Diego. She is a widow whose husband died two years ago. Still empty but finally moving on with her life she is caught up in the death of Susan Kane, a Top Gun in the Navy. She also is very drawn to Lt Jim Cochrane. Jim Cochrane is finding his way back to life through a bad divorce. For two years he has suffered and worked to have a relationship with his daughter. The very nastiness of his divorce has made him decide to never trust his heart to a woman again. Now he has a hot case and a partner who is just to attractive. Susan Kane is an exemplary officer and on the fast track to promotion so if she committed suicide the brass want to know why. And if she was murdered they want to know who. Wonderful plot and the revelations in the case come in very short and powerful ways. I couldn't put it down.

Another triumph...

I've been reading Lindsay McKenna since I picked up her first published novel in 1985. Silent Witness is another triumph for her. I loved this story. The mystery kept me enthralled for hours, I cared deeply about what had happened and how it would be resolved. The characters touched me, and I loved how the romance was handled in union with the mystery. The ending is very moving and NOT the standard resolution you see in many novels of this type. I'm hoping there will be a sequel for the youngest brother of one of the characters...I was left wanting much more of him. If you're looking for a thrilling mystery, realistic romance, and characters that you will care about until the very end, Silent Witness is for you.

A Great Read

Lindsay McKenna has done a great job with her romance/mystery novel. I hope that she will be asked to do more. Her characters are well developed and the story line is current. She skillfully weaves the romance and the murder mystery together. The flow of the story is well done. The ending is a surprize and I forced myself not to peek at the ending. The romance is sweet and builds from dislike to love. This is typical in a McKenna story. One hint about the hero is that he is from Missouri. This is a delightful interlude and helps to relieve tense situations within the story. This is a must have book for any Lindsay McKeena fan.

terrific military police procedural

Because the Navy JAG is overwhelmed with an enormous caseload and support in the war zone, the DOD Office of the Inspector General sends agents to assist on legal matters. Thus Jungian psychiatrist Agent Ellen Tanner, whose spouse died just over a year ago, leaves DC to work for one year at the San Diego naval Station. Her senior partner, divorced Lieutenant Jim Cochrane fails to hide his scorn that he does not want to mentor Ellen. They are assigned to assist the SDPD on an investigation into the homicide of Top Gun flight instructor Susan Kane; the brass worries about a media nightmare having their top female pilot murdered. As they enter the crime scene Jim remains hostile to his student until she becomes nauseous upon seeing the corpse; he becomes caring and nurturing. As they work the case together and he teaches her the tools to a successful investigation, they fall in love. However, he still burns from his ex-wife leaving him and taking their daughter with her; while Ellen still grieves her loss. This is one romance that looks like it will never leave the tarmac. The romance takes a back seat to the prime pilot, the terrific military (enhanced by the local cops) police procedural. Jim may pretend to be a Missouri hillbilly, but he is obviously sharp and his educating Ellen, provides the audience with a fantastic insight to the case. Ellen augments his findings with her Jungian psychological skill at classifying people. SILENT WITNESS is an engaging thriller. Harriet Klausner