Hollywood, California – The Present

At her business partner and best friend’s funeral, police arrested Laurel Jennings for his murder. She and Jonathan Linton, of the famous, rich and politically influential Linton family, had partnered in Artifacts, an art restoration and reproduction company. Lately the firm (and the two partners) has been making exceptional profits. Through the efforts of people-person Jonathan, the firm has gained a reputation appreciated by museums worldwide. In fact, business has boomed since Jonathan landed the prestigious project restoring the Gates of Paradise, the eastern doors of the baptistery of St. Giovanni in Florence, Italy, a year ago. The politically motivated Assistant District Attorney thinks this case a slam-dunk career-maker -- her DNA was on the body, her fingerprints on the weapon -- except for a nonexistent motive.

After her mother’s death many years ago, Lauren was bounced between foster homes until she landed in one where her gifts were understood. Graduating high school at fourteen and earning her PhD in chemistry from MIT before most people earn their baccalaureate from anywhere set Lauren apart. She has always been alone, afraid to trust anyone, but especially after the betrayal she suffered. She escaped an important position designing defenses to biological weapons in Boston and moved to the Western coast. Her love, Damon Metcalf, followed her, taking a job in the DA’s office. For his own protection, she told him her feelings had changed. That was four years ago. After the drive-by shootings of a witness and her family in a case he tried, Damon quit his job and left for Montana. Now he has returned, prepared to defend Lauren from the largely circumstantial evidence pointing to her, but it is going to be an uphill battle. There are myriad people whose self-interest makes them want to see Lauren convicted, even given the death penalty. Not the least of these are some high stakes government power brokers.

REMAIN SILENT is fast, tightly plotted, suspenseful reading. Lauren is a genius, overly contained, and often emotionally withdrawn with secrets she can’t divulge. But if Lauren didn’t murder Jonathan, then who did and why? What was it about her former, aboveboard partner that made him a victim? One man who wants to discover the truth, all of it, is Damon Metcalf.

Author Jamie Denton made both Lauren and Damon very sympathetic characters who will appeal to all readers. The story leads in many directions, including an extremely dangerous situation for Lauren. Don’t read REMAIN SILENT to relieve your insomnia.

Robin Lee