Rating: 
Summary: Patterson at his best!!!
Review: This was one great read!!I even had to buy it on tape for my husband who does his reading that way, since he spends so much time in the car. After reading this one I had to go in search for other Patterson books on tape for him. We look forward to his next book, which I am sure will be as good as all his others!!
Rating: 
Summary: Grappling with the complexities of characters
Review: Each of us has situations and events in our past that we would like to change, to invent, to recreate perhaps. Novelists are fortunate in that manner; through their characters, they can redress the past, making up for lost chances or finding redemption. In this novel, Silent Witness, Patterson absolves his main character, Tony Lord, of a crime for which he had been blamed but did not commit.
The premise of the novel is simple:
a fairly competent lawyer receives a call for his services from friends, Sue and Sam Robb, from his distant past. The husband who at one time had been the best friend/competitor of Tony's had been arrested for a murder he says he did not commit. The wife, a one time lover of Tony, feels that he can help them get an acquital for the husband. The dilemma is that Tony had left behind the town and his friends after his girl-friend, Alison, had been raped and murdered. The townspeople believed Tony had killed Alison, as he was discovered bending over her bleeding body. Only the finesse of a lawyer and the "happenstance" of a derelict who had committed similar crimes saved Tony from being charged for the murder. Thus, when he receives the call of distress, Tony feels compelled to return to his hometown, to discover "who he had been in the hours before" when he was "still innocent of the knowledge that tragedy, like passion, could be summoned at random."
When he arrives in his hometown is faced with people who still believe his guilt, with friends who have changed in some ways and not in others. As readers we are led through the murders of Alison, then later of Marcie, the latest victim. We are privilege to the friendships that Tony had with the Robbs. Eventually we are led into the courtroom.
While Patterson always delivers excellent courtroom dramas, where the reader feels as if she is sitting sharing the tensions of the sacred chamber, there are problems with this novel that don't appear in his previous novels. Since the premise of this novel seems to be redemption of some sort a complexity of emotion and depth of character, especially in the true murderer is expected. However, Silent Witness falls short. Somehow, the cardboard feel of the rapist/murderer was troublesome. In our day in age, astute mystery readers come to expect intimate knowledge of their victims and their predators. The how and why of the predator in this story leaves much to the imagination which damages the believability of the redemption Tony seeks. In other words, the murderer is not bad enough nor has he experienced such sufferings to explain the motivation behind his crimes. Thus I really didn't believe it when Tony decides to change his life because he had experienced a catharsis of sorts.
Difficulties abound for mystery writers. We expect them to produce excellent, readable novels time after time. That is also the saving grace here. While this may not be Patterson's best novel, it shows his growth as he attempts to grapple with complexities of characters, not just those of the courtroom.
Rating:
Summary: EXCELLENT!!
Review: This was the first novel I have read by Richard North Patterson and it kept me on the edge of my seat! Actually, I listened to it in my car during my work commute and didn't want to turn it off when I arrived at work. The characters are intriguing and the plot is mysterious and dramatic, without becoming unbelievable. I highly recommend this book for a weekend read or a weekday drive
Rating:
Summary: Silent Witness pretty good, but not great
Review: This book, like all of Patterson's, kept me awake until well after midnight...the ending gave me goosebumps - totally unexpected. However what bothers me about the book is the "suspension of disbelief" element...the book purports to be realistic - Patterson is a great writer...no doubt about it, but why would Lord return to his hometown after 28 years to defend this guy (who is now an assistant principal) who was actually pretty much a loser in high school...also: what was their relationship over the years? Do we know? And what's up with Sue? Why would she stay with the guy? Wasn't she upset with him? Fighting with him? Would Saul really still be practicing law after 30 years in the same town? - a HUGE coincidence that he wound up assisting Tony. Many, many unanswered questions in an otherwise fairly strong and well-written book
Rating: 
Summary: Nostalgic thriller with good courtroom suspense
Review: This legal thriller can't help but take you back to your own hometown and your own dark secrets. It's full of jealousy, betrayal, murder, forbidden love and a good flash-back style. The characters are well-developed, although the plot is a bit predictable. But though you might guess who the killer is long before the end, you'll hang on to figure out WHY, which is what makes a good mystery. The characters are interesting and hit close to home. These are the now-forty-someting kids you went to high school with
Rating:
Summary: Good
Review: While not as good as his other books, Silent Witness kept me guessing. While I knew who killed the girl in the present, it really started getting you guessing as to who killed Tony's high school sweetheart. The ending was suspensful enough. I enjoyed it, wasn't the best book I read but it sure wasn't the worst either
Rating:
Summary: Well written, absorbing!
Review: This is really a good book and I am buying up all his previous works. Highly recommended
Rating:
Summary: NOTEWORTHY
Review: THIS IS A VERY GOOD BOOK. THE CHARACTERS ARE VERY BELEIVABLE. YOU CAN'T WAIT TO TURN THE PAGE. VERY HARD TO PUT DOWN
Rating:
Summary: captivating
Review: This is the first I've read of Richard Patterson and thoroughly enjoyed knowing and not knowing the final outcome. All through the book you knew who committed the crime but Mr. Patterson made you think you didn't know, then you knew, then you weren't so sure, then you knew. Oh the ride was great! I'm ready for his next one!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent read with a twist of fate to sum it all up
Review: The characters in this book were depicted well by Patterson. Tony Lord is reminiscent of the Architect in The Fountainhead, always inside but feeling outside. I have already recommended this book to others and most would enjoy
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