Republic of the PhilippinesCARLOS HILADO MEMORIAL STATE

COLLEGETalisay City, Negros Occidental

Name: Kemela Joy S. Biñas

Course: Bachelor of Elementary Education major in Genaral Education w/ specialization in Home Economics and Livelihood Education

Subject: GEN. ED. 12: Study & Thinking Skills 2

Name of Instructor: Mr. Rafael G. Acero

THOMAS PERRY

Born: Tonawanda, New York, The United States  January 01, 1947

Gender: male

Website: http://www.thomasperryauthor.com

Genre: Mystery & Thrillers 

Thomas Perry was born in Tonawanda, New York in 1947. He received a B.A. from Cornell University in 1969 and a Ph.D. in English from the University of Rochester in 1974. He has worked as a park maintenance man, factory labourer, commercial fisherman, university administrator and teacher, and a writer and producer of prime time network television shows. He lives in Southern California with his wife and two daughters.

The author of Jane Whitefield series as well as the bestselling novels Nightlife, Death, and Pursuit, the first recipient of The Gumshoe Award for Best Novel. He won an Edgar Award for the Butcher’s Boys, and Metzger’s Dog was a New York Times Notable Book of the Year. He lives in Southern Carolina.

Copyright ©2007 by Thomas PerryWww.HarcourtBooks.comPrinted in the United States of AmericaFirst Harvest Edition 2008

SYNOPSIS

Six years ago, Jack Till helped Wendy Harper disappear. Now, Till must find her before tango – dancing assassins Paul and Sylvie Turner do.

CHARACTERS

Wendy Harper- The one being chased by the assassins Paul & Sylvie Turner.

Eric Fuller- ex-boyfriend of Wendy who was accused of Wendy’s death.

Jack Till- retired detective who helped Wendy; the main protagonist of the story.

Paul & Sylvie Turner- assassins who were tasked to kill Wendy Harper

Michael Densmore- one who does business with Paul & Sylvie.

Linda Gordon- Prosecutor who’s in charge of the homicide of Wendy Harper.

Sgt. Max Poliakoff- Detective in-charge of the murder investigation.

Jay Chernoff- Eric Fuller’s attorney.

Holly- Jack Till’s daughter.

Ann Delatorre- Wendy’s name used when she ran away which later she gave to Louanda Rowan.

Ann Donnelly- Wendy’s married name.

Dennis Donnelly- Wendy’s husband.

Scott Schelling- boyfriend of Kit who killed her; President of Crosswinds Records.

Kit Stoddard- Scott’s girlfriend, Wendy’s friend, real name- Katherine McGinnis.

Carl Zacca- works for Scott; one who tried to kill Wendy w/ a baseball bat.

Officer Tim Fallon- forensics- expert in collecting & interpreting evidences.

Olivia & David- friends with Wendy.

SUMMARY

Jack Till, retired cop turned private detective, needs to find former client Wendy Harper, to keep a man from being trialed for her murder. Once he has found her he needs to protect her from tango dancing contract killers Sylvie and Paul Turner. Turn and dip, Till and Harper dance away from close encounters with the Turners, trying to get from northern California to Los Angeles to document Harper’s existence.

It’s said that long married couples experience increasing irritation with each other, and so it is with the Turners. Her jealousy and insecurity irritate Paul, and Paul’s controlling nature irritates Sylvia. True professionals, they put aside their differences when in a killing situation. The reader follows as Till and Harper tentatively reach out toward each other while dodging bullets, and the Turners pursue them while warily loving each other. 

CONCLUSION

"Silence" refers to the silence between people, but there are so many thoughts going through their heads that the reader is hardly aware of the physical lack of sound. Wendy Harper and Jack Till have been silent for years, ever since the former cop helped the battered woman to escape from unknown assailants.

Paul and Sylvie have an artificial silence, measuring everything they say to each other, as each is a kind of sociopath who could turn on the other at a moment's notice. Wendy's mysterious enemy is determined to finish her off and concocts a plan to draw her out of hiding, while hiring Paul and Sylvie to do the dirty work.

One of the better things about this novel is the way the characters' backgrounds, particularly Sylvie's and Jack's, are brought out. One thing I learned from reading the author's work: anyone can follow you anywhere. This is a very good read, but if you prefer a deeper emotional level, you might be put off by the low-key self-knowledge of the characters.

RECOMMENDATION

I really liked it. It has a good plot and momentum that keeps you hooked through the long entertaining reading. Another good thing about the book is the constant change of narrator. We seem to go inside every character's head in a circle with additional old stories and motives slowly surfacing.

The ending face-off between hero couple and the involvement of the lady who gets shot at the end are a bit of the mark. Well, again, easier said than done. Silence came at an opportune time and I must say that I really enjoyed it. The book is character driven more than plot driven, and the ending left me wanting more, but overall I enjoyed the journey.

Good reading everyone!