This is a terrific first novel from up and coming author Carla Damron, a native of the South Carolina area she writes about. The story starts off slow and drowsy, like a hot, hazy summer day in a small southern town. Slowly but surely, you realize that not everyone's taking it easy, especially the protagonist, social worker Caleb Knowles, whose deaf brother Sam is accused of murdering his deaf fiance Ann visciously and brutally. With its finely drawn characters (including a few you love to hate), the author keeps the plot twists coming deftly and you think you know whodunnit until the last two pages! Ms. Damron has paved the way to the further adventures of Caleb Knowles with a second novel, Spider Blue due out in June 2003. A definite must have for any suspense lover.

Ms. Damron has with Keeping Silent, given us wonderfully real characters. She had me hooked from page one. I was pulling for Caleb and Sam. I forced myself to not read the last page first, just so I would see if I could guess who done it. I didn't. Major applause, this is a terrific mystery. Caution, once you start it, you won't put it down.

This is one of those books you covet finding because it allows you to immerse yourself in the locale and the characters and shut out the stress and mundane of everyday existence.

Ms. Damron is a storyteller of the first order and anyone with any sense will buy this book and take advantage of that fact!