Don't Say A Word
by Rita Herron
Suspense
Thrills, Courage, and the Redemptive Power of Love
Publisher: HQN (September 2007)
Rita Herron's DON'T SAY A WORD is a thrilling
read that combines both elements of the genre of Romantic Suspense and
adds a touch of the supernatural. The suspense twists and turns and
keeps the reader guessing so that even the epilogue presents new
surprising details. The hero and heroine struggle against darkness and
demons, internal and external, and yet the chemistry between the two is
so powerful that their struggle manifests the redemptive power of love.
Antwaun Dubois, the black sheep of his family, has been arrested for
the murder of Kendra Yates. His brother Damon, an FBI agent and former
member of the E-Team, a trained covert group of elite assassins,
investigates the gruesome murder hoping to discover the serial killer
and free his brother. His trail leads to a mysterious Jane Doe in a
hospital. Her eerie resemblance to the victim and cutting edge medical
technology complicate the case. Crystal, as she has been named, has
amnesia and terrible injuries caused from a horrific fire and yet she
might hold the secret to the case, a case that threatens to reveal the
deadly dark secrets that Damon has held at bay since he left the
E-team. As her memories emerge, can Crystal put together the pieces
quickly enough to save herself from the madman? Whom can she trust when
all those around her seem to want something from her? Is the passionate
chemistry between her and Damon enough to survive both their inner
secrets and the killer as he stalks new victims or will their love only
put them at greater risk?
Rita Herron magnifies the level of romance and suspense in DON'T SAY A WORD through the hero's
fight against some deep inner demons as he feels drawn to this woman
--- so much that the desire to protect her encourages him to face those
demons which he has tried very hard to repress previously. In addition,
Crystal feels an inexplicable growing trust for Damon despite her
amnesia and the forces putting her very life at risk. The suspense and
the plot intricacies that emerge through the investigation, twisting
and turning so that the suspense itself is a finely constructed,
multi-leveled creation. Although fast-paced, DON'T SAY A WORD is not a
simplistic easy-to-figure-out thriller but rather a carefully layered
mystery whose details and interconnections only unfold as the last page
is read. For suspense lovers, the surprises are thrilling!
In addition, Rita Herron develops important themes for our times that
make this book expand beyond just a fun thrilling read. The chemistry
and developing love between the hero and heroine is so strong, despite
the darkness that threatens to engulf them, that the reader captures a
glimpse of the redemptive power of love. This theme of love and
redemption expands in ripples outward to other characters, not only in
the Dubois family, but beyond. As several characters wrestle with their
past secrets, Herron creates an idea of heroism includes an individual
hero's possible shortcomings and experience. Even the minor characters
of Lex and Esmerelda make this story unforgettable. Although labeled as
heroes by the community of New Orleans, the Dubois men know that the
label of hero too easily turns to condemnation when the public
discovers the truth of the real men behind the label. In wrestling with
the issues of heroism, Rita Herron has created a tribute to all the
true heroes, the soldiers and emergency personnel, that encompasses not
only the moments of triumph but the darkness and difficulty of their
work. Although DON'T SAY A WORD
has a darker element than some of her shorter works of romantic
suspense, this novel heightens the dimension of redemption, romance and
courage beyond that of her earlier works. As always, Rita Herron is a
master at creating a landscape that becomes a character itself in the
book. The scene and date of some of the last scenes of this book are no
accident. Beautiful!
Rita Herron's DON'T SAY A WORD
is the sequel to Say You Love Me,
but is an excellent stand-alone story.
Reviewed by Merrimon,
Merrimon Book Reviews
