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Owen McKenna #5
Tahoe Silence
SalAnne "Silence" Ramirez was an exceptional artist, and, according to one of her teachers, brilliant. She was also autistic and mute and had not spoken a single word in her 17 years. When Silence is kidnapped for a priceless secret that she possesses, Tahoe Detective Owen McKenna investigates.
McKenna discovers that the likely kidnappers belong to a motorcycle gang with ties to an ancient Aztec religion. As he learns more, he comes to a horrifying realization. The gang plans a ritual sacrifice at the next full moon, and Silence is to be the victim...
McKenna discovers that the likely kidnappers belong to a motorcycle gang with ties to an ancient Aztec religion. As he learns more, he comes to a horrifying realization. The gang plans a ritual sacrifice at the next full moon, and Silence is to be the victim...
- GenresMystery
362 pages, Kindle Edition
86 people are currently reading
106 people want to read
About the author
Todd Borg
29 books144 followersTodd Borg and his wife moved from Minnesota to Lake Tahoe in 1990. After his fourth Tahoe novel, he sold his business to write full time.
In addition to winning the Ben Franklin Award for Best Mystery of the Year, Todd Borg's Owen McKenna mysteries have been chosen for Top 5 Mystery lists by the prestigious Library Journal, and by Mystery News Reviewer G. Wedgwood. He's won Best Mystery and Best Thriller honors from the Bay Area Independent Publishers Association and received Best New Fiction accolades from libraries. His novels have also received starred reviews and raves in major trade journals and newspapers across the country.
Todd Borg and his wife live on Lake Tahoe's South Shore.
Series:
* Owen McKenna Mystery
In addition to winning the Ben Franklin Award for Best Mystery of the Year, Todd Borg's Owen McKenna mysteries have been chosen for Top 5 Mystery lists by the prestigious Library Journal, and by Mystery News Reviewer G. Wedgwood. He's won Best Mystery and Best Thriller honors from the Bay Area Independent Publishers Association and received Best New Fiction accolades from libraries. His novels have also received starred reviews and raves in major trade journals and newspapers across the country.
Todd Borg and his wife live on Lake Tahoe's South Shore.
Series:
* Owen McKenna Mystery
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
October 4, 2025
insane and terrible as usual. also this one was too long. the second half of the book reads completely different than the first half but it really seems that Todd is hitting his stride here. I will continue to read these.
December 12, 2015
Met him at a craft show in Pleasanton but had never heard of him which is odd since I am a mystery lover. Enjoyed the book although he doesn't fall into my favorites category
August 14, 2014
Someone is killing people around Lake Tahoe. And the chase is on.
In Tahoe Chase, PI Owen McKenna is hired by Joe Rorvik to find out who tried to kill his wife by pushing her off the deck of their mountain home. Rorvik is an elderly Olympic skiing medalist who doesn’t believe the police reports that say his wife’s fall was an accident. McKenna is sympathetic, but Rorvik is at a loss to name anyone who might even remotely want to hurt his wife.
Suspects are initially scarce save for a 6-foot, 3-inch, 220-pound knife-throwing wife abuser who seems intent on not only getting McKenna off his trail, but off the planet. Before long, a murder, possibly related to the assault on Rorvik’s wife, puts more emotional strain on McKenna’s 92-year-old client who now regrets ever calling the detective and threatens suicide.
“Everything was wrong, and I was at the epicenter, the cause,” McKenna tells himself. “Without seeing it coming I had become the new agent of Joe’s misery.”
Later, the Tahoe detective seems to have a better grasp of what’s happening–but it’s only temporary. In a crucial scene late in the book, he and his cop friend, Diamond Martinez, frantically chase clues and suspects around in their heads until it’s clear neither has a good idea of where the case is going.
Clues are not the only things chased here. The novel’s title could refer to chases in cars, boats, skis and on foot, all of which add action and suspense throughout the book and keep the plot moving ahead swiftly. Author Todd Borg’s unusual, quirky–sometimes bizarre–characters add to the complexity of the story, keeping the PI chase fresh and appealing, not to mention puzzling.
McKenna occasionally mentions a previous case and he even borrows a cabin cruiser from a former client. The detective has lots of previous cases to ponder, if he chooses, as Tahoe Chase is Borg’s 11th Owen McKenna whodunit. Fans of McKenna will appreciate the ways this case is different from previous novels. Yet the familiar cast of characters is still here including McKenna’s entomologist girlfriend Street Casey, his Great Dane, Spot, and his law enforcement friends from California and Nevada jurisdictions around the lake.Tahoe Chase
Tahoe Chase, like Borg’s other books, has background subjects, areas of specialization related to suspects or victims and readers gain insight on new topics as they work on the case with McKenna. In Chase, readers learn details about such diverse topics as skiing and domestic abuse. In one of his earlier novels–and one of my favorites–Borg took up the topic of autism. In Tahoe Silence, a young autistic girl is kidnapped and terrorized by a biker gang. McKenna–and readers–learn valuable lessons about autism delivered in a more sensitive way than you might expect in a PI novel.
Borg’s sensitivity comes through in his books. McKenna has a code. Not only does he not use firearms–as a result of a tragic shooting when he was a San Francisco cop–but McKenna treats his girlfriend (as well as most everyone else) with respect and no matter how depressing a case may be, he never gets drunk or beats up on people except in self-defense or defense of others. This is not to say that McKenna is a schoolboy. He’s devised ingenious (and sometimes quite painful) ways of dealing with criminals, he sleeps with his girlfriend (although readers never get in bed with them) and he loves a good bottle of wine or a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.
Along the way to solving a crime, McKenna usually offers simple wisdom in the form of observations or occasionally as advice to friends. In a scene in Tahoe Silence he finds himself on the losing end of a misunderstanding with his girlfriend.
I suddenly stopped as I remembered the proverb that says when you find that you’re digging yourself into a hole, stop digging.
In Tahoe Chase, while McKenna is talking to Joe Rorvik in Rorvik’s home, he thinks he sees movement outside. But he’s not certain, so he waits as he thinks to himself:
I’d learned long ago that patience was often rewarded. Certainly impatience rarely was.
When McKenna and Casey are trying to console a young woman who’s been brutalized and is now facing a daunting journey, McKenna is impressed with his girlfriend’s supportive technique.
Talk only about trivial stuff, and it communicates that you’re worried about the big issues and are afraid to focus on them. Talk only about the major stuff, and it clutters the traveler’s mind with too many concerns. Strike a medium balance, and the person knows that you understand the scope of the mission, but you are still relaxed about it. The relaxed manner telegraphs confidence in the person who is about to embark on the big event.
McKenna’s philosophical observations aren’t always designed to advance the plot, but you get a more clear understanding of the protagonist as a fully developed character.
Meanwhile, back at the Chase, Borg keeps McKenna, Martinez and Rorvik guessing until almost the final scene when the complex plot twists back on itself and the murderer is revealed. Tahoe Chase is not a sprint but a marathon giving readers cerebral and emotional exercise along the way. Borg fans will enjoy the chase and eagerly await the ending, and first-timers will want to find the early books in the McKenna series and start following Lake Tahoe’s coolest character.
In Tahoe Chase, PI Owen McKenna is hired by Joe Rorvik to find out who tried to kill his wife by pushing her off the deck of their mountain home. Rorvik is an elderly Olympic skiing medalist who doesn’t believe the police reports that say his wife’s fall was an accident. McKenna is sympathetic, but Rorvik is at a loss to name anyone who might even remotely want to hurt his wife.
Suspects are initially scarce save for a 6-foot, 3-inch, 220-pound knife-throwing wife abuser who seems intent on not only getting McKenna off his trail, but off the planet. Before long, a murder, possibly related to the assault on Rorvik’s wife, puts more emotional strain on McKenna’s 92-year-old client who now regrets ever calling the detective and threatens suicide.
“Everything was wrong, and I was at the epicenter, the cause,” McKenna tells himself. “Without seeing it coming I had become the new agent of Joe’s misery.”
Later, the Tahoe detective seems to have a better grasp of what’s happening–but it’s only temporary. In a crucial scene late in the book, he and his cop friend, Diamond Martinez, frantically chase clues and suspects around in their heads until it’s clear neither has a good idea of where the case is going.
Clues are not the only things chased here. The novel’s title could refer to chases in cars, boats, skis and on foot, all of which add action and suspense throughout the book and keep the plot moving ahead swiftly. Author Todd Borg’s unusual, quirky–sometimes bizarre–characters add to the complexity of the story, keeping the PI chase fresh and appealing, not to mention puzzling.
McKenna occasionally mentions a previous case and he even borrows a cabin cruiser from a former client. The detective has lots of previous cases to ponder, if he chooses, as Tahoe Chase is Borg’s 11th Owen McKenna whodunit. Fans of McKenna will appreciate the ways this case is different from previous novels. Yet the familiar cast of characters is still here including McKenna’s entomologist girlfriend Street Casey, his Great Dane, Spot, and his law enforcement friends from California and Nevada jurisdictions around the lake.Tahoe Chase
Tahoe Chase, like Borg’s other books, has background subjects, areas of specialization related to suspects or victims and readers gain insight on new topics as they work on the case with McKenna. In Chase, readers learn details about such diverse topics as skiing and domestic abuse. In one of his earlier novels–and one of my favorites–Borg took up the topic of autism. In Tahoe Silence, a young autistic girl is kidnapped and terrorized by a biker gang. McKenna–and readers–learn valuable lessons about autism delivered in a more sensitive way than you might expect in a PI novel.
Borg’s sensitivity comes through in his books. McKenna has a code. Not only does he not use firearms–as a result of a tragic shooting when he was a San Francisco cop–but McKenna treats his girlfriend (as well as most everyone else) with respect and no matter how depressing a case may be, he never gets drunk or beats up on people except in self-defense or defense of others. This is not to say that McKenna is a schoolboy. He’s devised ingenious (and sometimes quite painful) ways of dealing with criminals, he sleeps with his girlfriend (although readers never get in bed with them) and he loves a good bottle of wine or a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.
Along the way to solving a crime, McKenna usually offers simple wisdom in the form of observations or occasionally as advice to friends. In a scene in Tahoe Silence he finds himself on the losing end of a misunderstanding with his girlfriend.
I suddenly stopped as I remembered the proverb that says when you find that you’re digging yourself into a hole, stop digging.
In Tahoe Chase, while McKenna is talking to Joe Rorvik in Rorvik’s home, he thinks he sees movement outside. But he’s not certain, so he waits as he thinks to himself:
I’d learned long ago that patience was often rewarded. Certainly impatience rarely was.
When McKenna and Casey are trying to console a young woman who’s been brutalized and is now facing a daunting journey, McKenna is impressed with his girlfriend’s supportive technique.
Talk only about trivial stuff, and it communicates that you’re worried about the big issues and are afraid to focus on them. Talk only about the major stuff, and it clutters the traveler’s mind with too many concerns. Strike a medium balance, and the person knows that you understand the scope of the mission, but you are still relaxed about it. The relaxed manner telegraphs confidence in the person who is about to embark on the big event.
McKenna’s philosophical observations aren’t always designed to advance the plot, but you get a more clear understanding of the protagonist as a fully developed character.
Meanwhile, back at the Chase, Borg keeps McKenna, Martinez and Rorvik guessing until almost the final scene when the complex plot twists back on itself and the murderer is revealed. Tahoe Chase is not a sprint but a marathon giving readers cerebral and emotional exercise along the way. Borg fans will enjoy the chase and eagerly await the ending, and first-timers will want to find the early books in the McKenna series and start following Lake Tahoe’s coolest character.
November 21, 2024
Absolutely amazing!
The pictures that Mr. Borg draws with words makes the story feel alive. I can see the lake, the forest, Owen, Spot, the bikers and Silence. This novel is like an intricate painting that has many parts to make a perfect composition. Excellent writing and story.
The pictures that Mr. Borg draws with words makes the story feel alive. I can see the lake, the forest, Owen, Spot, the bikers and Silence. This novel is like an intricate painting that has many parts to make a perfect composition. Excellent writing and story.
April 7, 2025
This book is an excellent read. I enjoy reading Todd Borg's because they are based in Tahoe, I like understanding where he is and recognizing when he describes the area. This book kept me guessing to the end as to who Todd's main character was looking for. Thanks for another great read, Todd.
October 10, 2024
The best Owen McKenna book I have read to date.
November 3, 2024
Fun read!
December 30, 2024
This was my favorite of my books so far! If I had to recommend one it would be this one!
March 30, 2024
what a story
This is a story for the ages. Autism is so prevalent in our society and Todd does a wonderful job of describing the differences. Everyone needs to read this.
This is a story for the ages. Autism is so prevalent in our society and Todd does a wonderful job of describing the differences. Everyone needs to read this.
December 5, 2007
I think this book is one out of a series so I might be a little harsh, not knowing all the background.
The plot itself was a bit trite, but had a few novel (haha, I made pun) elements. There is some interesting discussion about autism (an autistic girl is kidnapped and so much of the story revolves around Detective Owen McKenna trying to understand the affliction), but if you know some psychology you can tell the author only has an awkward understanding of it.
The characters didn't seem all that memorable to me, but that may be because I haven't read any other books in the series. The dialogue seemed kind of forced. No one uses contractions and they sound super stiff when they discuss autism.
The book also got a little on my nerves because it's a pet peeve of mine when authors make you feel as though you are reading their wet dream. I shouldn't finish a book and know what kind of girl the author wants to bang. Well, I think I could guess what this guy likes.
All that aside, I'd still say it's an ok read. If you want to kill time on a detective book, I'd say it's worth it to look into. It just happened to touch a couple of pet peeves of mine. It gets extra points, too, for mentioning my hometown.
The plot itself was a bit trite, but had a few novel (haha, I made pun) elements. There is some interesting discussion about autism (an autistic girl is kidnapped and so much of the story revolves around Detective Owen McKenna trying to understand the affliction), but if you know some psychology you can tell the author only has an awkward understanding of it.
The characters didn't seem all that memorable to me, but that may be because I haven't read any other books in the series. The dialogue seemed kind of forced. No one uses contractions and they sound super stiff when they discuss autism.
The book also got a little on my nerves because it's a pet peeve of mine when authors make you feel as though you are reading their wet dream. I shouldn't finish a book and know what kind of girl the author wants to bang. Well, I think I could guess what this guy likes.
All that aside, I'd still say it's an ok read. If you want to kill time on a detective book, I'd say it's worth it to look into. It just happened to touch a couple of pet peeves of mine. It gets extra points, too, for mentioning my hometown.
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July 6, 2017Looking for 2 children kidnapped from a quiet mountain street, Tahoe detective McKenna starts out this novel chasing after bikers, and searching for a very creative autistic girl.
The baffling clues, the exploding action, the the nail biting conclusions and surprising turns of events...it is again written in the fast and informative suspense i have come to expect from author Todd Borg.
He does't disappoint in TAHOE SILENCE.
The characters are well developed and the private life of Owen McKenna continues to tease us with moments of love between Owen and his Great Dane Spot, and yes, his girlfriend Street, too.
The unusual subject of childhood authism is weaved into this case of Tahoe crime mysteries, along with details of mountain living, around Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada.
Volume 15 is about to be released end of July 2017!
The baffling clues, the exploding action, the the nail biting conclusions and surprising turns of events...it is again written in the fast and informative suspense i have come to expect from author Todd Borg.
He does't disappoint in TAHOE SILENCE.
The characters are well developed and the private life of Owen McKenna continues to tease us with moments of love between Owen and his Great Dane Spot, and yes, his girlfriend Street, too.
The unusual subject of childhood authism is weaved into this case of Tahoe crime mysteries, along with details of mountain living, around Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada.
Volume 15 is about to be released end of July 2017!
June 18, 2016
I really liked this book. It was one I had to stay up till midnight to finish, and I pretty much fall asleep by 10:30 at the latest. I thought the writing was very good and enjoyable. I didn't feel I needed to get my red pen out and correct all the grammatical errors. The descriptions were wonderful, the research was awesome, the characters were believable. It is #5 in a series and the first I have read, but I didn't feel I was dumped into the middle of a story that I didn't know the beginning of. All my guesses and suppositions as to who the kidnapper was were wrong. I never guessed the evil-doer. And, for dog-lovers, there is a Great Dane, very true to life.
January 6, 2015
Best Owen McKenna novel yet. Todd Borg has found out just how to plot them and his characters are getting fleshed out and full. His continuing characters are excellently portrayed and he manages to find different angles to portray the beauty of Lake Tahoe. This one is a real thriller, with Owen and Street looking for an autistic kidnap victim. I'm proud to say I saw the one clue that Borg inserts early in his novels during character introduction and I watched the mastermind work the situation. Awesome story!
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October 11, 2014Another WINNER!!
There are writers and then there is Todd Borg. This is another book in a series that you can depend on. So far they are all great. I loved this book, and it's pace as well as the various characters that have become like old friends from reading the series. He just keeps putting out great mystery/suspense books. I can't wait to start the next one. Highly recommend.
There are writers and then there is Todd Borg. This is another book in a series that you can depend on. So far they are all great. I loved this book, and it's pace as well as the various characters that have become like old friends from reading the series. He just keeps putting out great mystery/suspense books. I can't wait to start the next one. Highly recommend.
December 17, 2016
An autistic teenage girl is kidnapped and the girl’s mother asks Tahoe private investigator Owen McKenna for help. By default, suspicion falls on a biker gang associated with an Oregon prison. The leader of the gang, Tony Go, is a very bad man – or is he? The narrative mentions him attending a play at the Shakespeare festival in Ashland. Beautiful setting and a sympathetic portrait of the autistic girl.
August 6, 2018
Owen McKenna is hired to investigate the disappearance of two children (teenagers) at Lake Tahoe.
The story follows all the leads and clues in trying to solve the crime. It's a fast moving crime story that I enjoyed--for the story--and also for the fact that I live close to all the action!!!! Being familiar with Lake Tahoe and all the surrounding towns just adds to the adventure---for me at least!
The story follows all the leads and clues in trying to solve the crime. It's a fast moving crime story that I enjoyed--for the story--and also for the fact that I live close to all the action!!!! Being familiar with Lake Tahoe and all the surrounding towns just adds to the adventure---for me at least!
July 5, 2011
A great mystery involving an autistic teen in Lake Tahoe. I loved this story and is probably my favorite of his I've read so far. I learned more about autism and more about the Lake Tahoe area. The author stirred my emotions on many levels and made me laugh also, which I like in a book. Some great intense scenes. Well done.
September 20, 2013
I enjoyed this book very much. Third book I've read about private detective Owen McKenna and his Harlequin Great Dane Spot. Love the Lake Tahoe location. Very smooth read that holds your attention. Hard to put down. I recommend this book to the readers who enjoy reading books with a central recurring character but also an entirely new story each time
February 13, 2014
An inspiring story
An inspiring story
I absolutely love the Tahoe series. They capture you and give such good details of everything that I never want to set the book down until I'm through reading! Todd Borg is a phenomenal success in the writing process and the Tahoe series is a must read!!!!
An inspiring story
I absolutely love the Tahoe series. They capture you and give such good details of everything that I never want to set the book down until I'm through reading! Todd Borg is a phenomenal success in the writing process and the Tahoe series is a must read!!!!
May 23, 2018
This entry in this clever series offers several red herrings to keep the reader guessing. Children are kidnapped, one is killed, the other, disabled by her autism, can't help herself. Owen McKenna keeps the action moving as he sorts through clues with his helpful sidekicks, girlfriend Street, and Great Dane Spot.
December 23, 2010
this was wonderful. In addition to Borg's usual competence at managing the thriller, hiis handling of the autistic character is masterful. With the usual joys of his animal and human friends, Borg is a must read for me.
June 4, 2012
I lived in Carson City, Nv. at the time I read this book which takes place in the Lake Tahoe area. I enjoyed the characters developed in this book, and the ongoing adventures Owen McKenna and his Great Dane.
November 12, 2015
I was really enjoying this book until the end of Chapter 40 when my nook version suddenly went to the epilogue. I'm not sure how many chapters were missing but I missed the solution to the crime. I guess I'll have to buy a copy so I can "finish" the book.
January 21, 2018
Interesting, the insight that Borg brings to autism in this book. Owen and Street continue to exercise their demons by helping others. As I have mentioned before, it’s also enjoyable to read stories set where you live.
April 21, 2018
Not good sped ahead and finished early
Not good sped ahead and finished early unusual for me! Not to kill off main character so early or at all!
If negative review apparently you don't take it too bad very dishonest what's new!
Not good sped ahead and finished early unusual for me! Not to kill off main character so early or at all!
If negative review apparently you don't take it too bad very dishonest what's new!
January 29, 2020
Great story with excellent characters. He really does an amazing job of describing one favor of autism! We have several grandchildren with it, but all are verbal and high functioning. Lots of twists and never expected the outcome.
May 14, 2022
Another Tahoe thriller
This time Owen rescues an autistic girl who is non communicative. Love his lady, Street and his dog, Spot. A great series taking place in North Eastern California.
This time Owen rescues an autistic girl who is non communicative. Love his lady, Street and his dog, Spot. A great series taking place in North Eastern California.
March 4, 2009
Tough to read about peoples teatment of this autistic girl, in general and of course in the setting of the mystery itself.
May 18, 2010
Any book written by Todd Borg in this series is going to be a 5 star.
April 17, 2013
My favorite of the first 5 Owen McKenna series books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews