THE SILENCE OF MURDER

Hope Long's older brother, Jeremy, hasn't spoken a word in over a decade. When he's accused of a murder Hope is certain he didn't commit, it's up to her to search for the truth. Emily Rankin has a soft, youthful quality to her voice that is well suited to the innocent Hope. Rankin's tone becomes appropriately harsh and raspy when portraying Hope's alcoholic mother. Rankin's male voices falter a bit the inexperienced young lawyer, Raymond, comes across as bumbling, and the macho police chief's bravado borders on unbelievable. However, Rankin's slow, almost nonchalant, pacing creates dramatic tension that adds to the air of mystery in this Edgar Award winner with an ending you never see coming. M.D. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2012]