The Silence of
the Dead: A Charlie-316 Novel by Colin Conway and Frank Zafiro is a complicated
book that spans a period from 1951 to more recent months. Set in 1951, 1973, 2005
and more recently, it considers the idea of a generational serial killer and
the repercussions involved in opening cases long ago declared solved. Set in
the Charlie-316 Universe, this sixth book in the series isn’t an
easy book to review as revealing details of the situation early in this read
would ruin the book.
Suffice it to
say, and it has to as this reviewer does everything possible to avoid spoilers,
the book begins in 2023. Major Crimes Detective Wardell Clint is a good cop,
even though he has a large axe to grind with many people inside and outside the
Spokane Washington Police Department. One of those people he dislikes, and the
feeling is fairly mutual, is former Police Chief Robert Baumgartner. Not only
does he think the former chief is a bit racist, he also thinks that the chief
did everything from a political perspective first, and as a cop a distant
second. So, he does not trust the man at all. But, Detective Clint is on the
track of a killer that has been active for decades and the former chief has the
knowledge and thereby the answers he needs. So, he heads out to the lakehouse
to see the former chief, have a chat, and surreptitiously record what answers
he gets.
Detective Clint
is investigating the 2016 murder of Melaine Paz back when Baumgartner was still
chief. Sexually assaulted and left dead behind a dumpster, her case is
classified as a cold case and one of several Detective Clint is working. While
still in the Major Crimes Unit, he has been put on cold cases only due to
recent events. He’s not in the active current rotation and has been
professionally sidelined. A man who is known for his conspiracy theories, he
believes a conspiracy of some type is at work here with this murder case and others,
and intends to expose all to get his status back.
If nothing else,
Detective Clint is thorough. He has found links to other murder cases going
back as far as 1951. All the cases share a common denominator and were
classified as solved even though he sees inconsistences and holes in the investigations.
Thus, he believes there is a coverup and wants know what really happened and
why Baumgartner and others apparently covered it all up
Baumgartner
eventually agrees to tell all that he knows, unofficially, this one time. As
the hours pass, he starts telling it all from the very brutal beginning in
1951.
There is a lot
to tell. It all is very complicated and shows how some things have changed and
others have not.
The Silence Of
The Dead: A Charlie-316 Novel is an incredibly complicated read.
Unlike a lot of police procedurals, this book as well as the series, do not
push a pro police agenda. Instead, the read highlights that there are times
when no matter what you do, the choices are horrible.
While this was not my favorite read in the series to date that began with Charlie-316, it was an interesting and entertaining read. If you like complicated police procedurals steeped in shades of grey and black, this book, is well worth your time.
Amazon Associate
Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4ivGpUc
My ARC reading copy came from author Frank Zafiro back in October 2024 and with no expectation of a review.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2025
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