While on many days in August it was too hot to run, I did get a lot of books read! I read six books in August and while that’s not a lot for many readers it’s a good amount for me.
One of the questions I like to ask, when I’m summarizing the books I’ve read is: “where did my reading take me?”. Well in August it was to a variety of locales, including outer space. My first stop was southern Spain!
A Silent Death – Peter May
I requested this book from my library in January of 2020. Thanks to Covid 19 and the subsequent closing of the library, the book didn’t become available until July. Which is why it is an August read.
About A Silent Death
In A Silent Death Peter May took me to Spain. The book opens with John Mackenzie – an ingenious yet irascible Glaswegian investigator being sent to Spain to transport a known ex-pat fugitive Jack Cleland back to the U.K.
Cleland had been living in Spain under an assumed name. He was captured when police arrived at his home, they thought someone had broken in. When the police arrive and they enter the house the Cleland accidentally kills his pregnant wife. He then blames the young female arresting officer and vows revenge!
Prior to MacKenzie’s arrival Cleland escapes while being transported and vows to destroy the young officer Cristina Sanchez Pradell and her family.
An important member of Cristina’s family is her Aunt Ana. Anna has been deaf-blind for the entirety of her adult life: the victim of a rare condition named Usher Syndrome. Ana is the centre of Cristina’s world therefore a key paw in Cleland’s cruel plan.
Mackenzies quest becomes thwarting Cleland’s plan before he destroys Christina life and that of her beloved Aunt.
Thoughts About Peter May and A Silent Death
Peter May is one of my favorite authors. I particularly liked his Lewis Trilogy set in the Outer Hebrides Islands of Scotland. As well as, his more recent stand alone novels. His writing is always terrific and his stories original and exciting. Additionally his characters always memorable. John Mackenzie, Ana and to a certain extent Cleland join that group.
I enjoyed A Silent Death a lot. However, I would say it ranks below a few of his other stand-alones like Runaway, Entry Island and Coffin Road in my opinion. Of course, if I think about it longer, I’ll probably change my mind!
The bottom line any book by Peter May is well worth reading. So Check it Out!
Next stop the Mediterranean Sea and Greenland as James Rollins’ and his Sigma Force take me on The Last Odyssey. Ok
Links for Further Exploration of the Books of Peter May
Author’s Website
Wikipedidia
Amazon