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Lee Campbell Mystery #4
Silent Slaughter
THERE IS A METHOD TO HIS MADNESSHe chooses his tools with precision. Stalks his victims with cold efficiency. Plans his attack using mathematical logic. And now he is ready to play…THERE ARE RULES TO HIS GAMEWhen the killer’s first letter arrives at the station, NYPD profiler Lee Campbell suspects the writer is daring him to match wits with a dangerous—and brilliant—criminal mind. But once this "Alleyway Strangler" starts leaving specially targeted messages with each surgically carved corpse, Campbell realizes it’s not just personal. It’s perfectly calculated—to destroy him…Praise for the riveting thrillers of C. E. Lawrence"Criminally compelling…Lawrence nails you to your seat."—Gayle Lynds"Dark and atmospheric…unnerving."—Steven James"Startlingly suspenseful…an extraordinary page-turner."—Cody Mcfadyen"An intense psychological ride." —J. T. Ellison
417 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
60 people are currently reading
1372 people want to read
About the author
C.E. Lawrence
14 books100 followersC.E. Lawrence aka Carole Bugge' is the byline of a New York-based suspense writer, performer, composer and prize-winning playwright and poet whose previous books have been praised as "lively. . ." (Publishers Weekly); "constantly absorbing. . ." (starred Kirkus Review); and "superbly crafted prose" (Boston Herald). Silent Screams, Silent Victim, Silent Kills, and recently released Silent Slaughter are the first four books in her Lee Campbell thriller series along with her short novella Silent Stalker available on Kindle.
Her other works have been published under the name of Carole Buggé.
Titan Press recently reissued her first Sherlock Holmes novel, The Star of India.
She has also been a featured guest on Canned Laughter and Coffee with Renee Bernard, Comedy Concepts with Nancy Lombardo, ITW Thriller Roundtable Online Forum, WBAI FM 99.5 in NYC "In the Moment" with Ibrahim Gonzalez & Ahmad Adali, and Cafe Ali, WUSB FM 90.1.
Most recently C.E. Lawrence was selected as one of 21 authors featured in the 2012 anthology edited by Lee Child, and published by Mystery Writers of America Presents, called Vengeance.
Her story The Vly has also be chosen for the 2013 anthology titled What Lies Inside published by Mystery Writers of America and edited by Brad Meltzer schedule for release in 2013.
C.E. Lawrence also teaches classes at NYU, and holds regular writers workshops, all while writing, lecturing and writing about the craft of writing. She most recently taught a crime writing class at the San Miguel Writers Conference held in the lovely historic town of San Miguel d'Allende, Mexico and she had a cover article titled The Moral of the Story published in the July 2012 Mystery Writers of America's National Newsletter.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
July 13, 2012
Just got my copy in the mail. Thanks Goodreads. I thought this wa a good book. There is not real heavy lifting here but it is entertaining and creepy. Well writen and it delivers what you expect with a couple of twists to keep you on your toes. I will be snagging a couple more books by Lawrence. As Joe Bob would say, Check it Out.
January 31, 2013
I was in NY when I read this and I could tell the author knew enough to describe the settings and people very accurately. It's a little over 400 pages but I was captivated enough by his story-telling that I kept on saying to myself, "Just one more chapter, then I'll go to bed..."
February 15, 2013
I got this book for free in the Goodreads FirstReads program.
This book was great! It was intriguing throughout the whole book, and the way that the author wrote this book kept me entertained. I've read many books, but I haven't read very many that are quite like this. I think that reading Silent Slaughter changed my mind about these books. I'm definitely going to read more books by C.E. Lawrence, especially if I read this one in about 5 or 6 hours!
The main character, Lee Campbell, works at the New York Police Department as a profiler. He enjoys his job and even has some friends, like Detective Leonard Butts. Butts is described as being overweight but friendly, and absolutely loves bagels from a shop called Ess-a-Bagel.
In the first murder case and maybe the most important one, Detective Butts gets a note from the killer. The signature was from 'The Professor' and the note was also free of fingerprints. The note was also specifically sent to Detective Butts at a certain address. The 2 men (Lee and Butts) decide to not pay much attention to the letter.
When the first victim's body is found, there is no evidence of a killer but there was a note left behind. The victim was obviously strangled, and was also missing a finger. The note was signed, 'The Professor' just like in the first note, and also states that the Shinbone is connected to the kneebone for now. The 2 men decide that the killer is obviously intelligent.
Later on in the book, the occupation of 'The Professor' is revealed. He is a college professor, hence the name, and he teaches math. 'The Professor's name is Edmund.
Detective Butts loves his life. He lives in Nutley, New Jersey, has a son named Joey, and has a wife named Muriel. Detective Butts is also half Jewish and half Polish.
Since I like to cut to the ending events in the book reviews I write, that's what I will do in this one.
When the 2 men call 'The Professor' to come in for an interview, 'The Professor' says yes right away which the 2 men find peculiar. During the whole interview, 'The Professor' acts innocent like many others have done when they are actually guilty. Soon after the interview, Lee gets a note from him. The police team decide to go investigate at the campus 'The Professor' works at when Debbie Collins goes missing. 'The Professor' kidnapped her and was keeping her restrained.
Lee goes to 'The Professor' in his office and sees that he's there, sitting in a chair while smoking a cigarette. He tells Lee to sit down, all while he's pointing a gun at Lee's chest. 'The Professor eventually lets him go.
Later in the book, 'The Professor' comes to Lee and kidnaps him. 'The Professor' leads Lee to the place where he's going to kill Debbie Collins and tells Lee that he's going to witness it. A few pages later, he tells Lee that he's going to be the artist this time. That leads them into a bloody fight. Lee almost kills the professor, but then he knocks the professor down and he goes still. The police arrive soon enough. Lee receives news that the shock he gave 'The Professor' with the machines in the room they were in wasn't enough to kill him, but enough to give him possible brain damage.
I hope everyone who reads this book figures out why this book was as good as it was. I will definitely recommend this book to all of my friends because they love to read, and because they like to read books like this one.
I hope you enjoy my book review on Silent Slaughter by C.E. Lawrence, and I hope you enjoy the book too!
This book was great! It was intriguing throughout the whole book, and the way that the author wrote this book kept me entertained. I've read many books, but I haven't read very many that are quite like this. I think that reading Silent Slaughter changed my mind about these books. I'm definitely going to read more books by C.E. Lawrence, especially if I read this one in about 5 or 6 hours!
The main character, Lee Campbell, works at the New York Police Department as a profiler. He enjoys his job and even has some friends, like Detective Leonard Butts. Butts is described as being overweight but friendly, and absolutely loves bagels from a shop called Ess-a-Bagel.
In the first murder case and maybe the most important one, Detective Butts gets a note from the killer. The signature was from 'The Professor' and the note was also free of fingerprints. The note was also specifically sent to Detective Butts at a certain address. The 2 men (Lee and Butts) decide to not pay much attention to the letter.
When the first victim's body is found, there is no evidence of a killer but there was a note left behind. The victim was obviously strangled, and was also missing a finger. The note was signed, 'The Professor' just like in the first note, and also states that the Shinbone is connected to the kneebone for now. The 2 men decide that the killer is obviously intelligent.
Later on in the book, the occupation of 'The Professor' is revealed. He is a college professor, hence the name, and he teaches math. 'The Professor's name is Edmund.
Detective Butts loves his life. He lives in Nutley, New Jersey, has a son named Joey, and has a wife named Muriel. Detective Butts is also half Jewish and half Polish.
Since I like to cut to the ending events in the book reviews I write, that's what I will do in this one.
When the 2 men call 'The Professor' to come in for an interview, 'The Professor' says yes right away which the 2 men find peculiar. During the whole interview, 'The Professor' acts innocent like many others have done when they are actually guilty. Soon after the interview, Lee gets a note from him. The police team decide to go investigate at the campus 'The Professor' works at when Debbie Collins goes missing. 'The Professor' kidnapped her and was keeping her restrained.
Lee goes to 'The Professor' in his office and sees that he's there, sitting in a chair while smoking a cigarette. He tells Lee to sit down, all while he's pointing a gun at Lee's chest. 'The Professor eventually lets him go.
Later in the book, 'The Professor' comes to Lee and kidnaps him. 'The Professor' leads Lee to the place where he's going to kill Debbie Collins and tells Lee that he's going to witness it. A few pages later, he tells Lee that he's going to be the artist this time. That leads them into a bloody fight. Lee almost kills the professor, but then he knocks the professor down and he goes still. The police arrive soon enough. Lee receives news that the shock he gave 'The Professor' with the machines in the room they were in wasn't enough to kill him, but enough to give him possible brain damage.
I hope everyone who reads this book figures out why this book was as good as it was. I will definitely recommend this book to all of my friends because they love to read, and because they like to read books like this one.
I hope you enjoy my book review on Silent Slaughter by C.E. Lawrence, and I hope you enjoy the book too!
November 1, 2022
In New York City a sadistic serial killer is murdering young women after pricking elaborate designs onto their backs. The investigation team, which includes forensic psychologist Lee Campbell, is aided by the fact that the killer constantly taunts them with messages. He calls himself "the Professor," and the investigators identify him relatively quickly. Coming up with evidence, however, proves to be more difficult.
While Campbell works on the case, he is also haunted by another one that is more personal---the mysterious disappearance of his sister several years before. Someone is trying to discourage anyone from pursuing this cold case, going so far as to murder a retired police officer who wants to help Lee find the truth.
I hope the author picks up this series again at some point.
While Campbell works on the case, he is also haunted by another one that is more personal---the mysterious disappearance of his sister several years before. Someone is trying to discourage anyone from pursuing this cold case, going so far as to murder a retired police officer who wants to help Lee find the truth.
I hope the author picks up this series again at some point.
March 13, 2024
NYPD criminal profiler Lee Carpenter is himself a target of a serial killer who seeks to match wits via taunting letters while he systematically kidnaps and tortures his victims and leaves unexplained patterns cut into their torsos and digits missing. Campbell and his team are joined by another detective whose autistic brother will play a pivotal role in apprehending the “perp”.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2022
Proof
The book was better than the first 3 of its series. I'm hoping we find out what happened to his sister in the 5th book. The books are poorly proofread! A couple of times character names used in places where they were not.
The book was better than the first 3 of its series. I'm hoping we find out what happened to his sister in the 5th book. The books are poorly proofread! A couple of times character names used in places where they were not.
December 4, 2023
Started to get pretty interesting near the middle/end of the book. To me it took too long and had plenty of unnecessary background/filler
July 19, 2015
Though I suspect this book might be a part of a series (considering there were too many leftover plots to close like Lee's missing sister, Kathy, etc.), the book in itself is a terrible mystery.
Most of it focuses on Lee's family, friends, and relationship drama instead of actually being about the Alleyway Strangler case. Even then, Edmund is a sorry excuse for a villain. His methods are bland. His motives are bland. Overall there is no coherent thought process behind the way he kills or the significance of it; rather, the fact that he drugs girls and pokes fancy swirl patterns through their torsos while they're alive is used as a way to build shock value (where there is none). There are a lot of characteristics/ coded words being thrown around to describe him like 'smart', 'organized', etc. that are typical of every crime show ever that honestly are exaggerations. The guy literally does himself in by tripping on an electrical wire.
The author uses way too much telling instead of showing. Even though Lee is a profiler, his profession has little impact on the overall "mystery". Most of what we learn about the killer is through flashbacks instead of the protagonist actually discovering or learning anything about him. In fact, the case is rather solved by a deus ex machina in the form of Jimmy Chen's younger autistic brother who conveniently gives away important plot points when necessary.
I started this book because it had potential; I liked Lee's character and thought that the entire cast was diverse and interesting, and I continued reading hoping that the plot would be the same. However, it didn't and I am disappointed.
Most of it focuses on Lee's family, friends, and relationship drama instead of actually being about the Alleyway Strangler case. Even then, Edmund is a sorry excuse for a villain. His methods are bland. His motives are bland. Overall there is no coherent thought process behind the way he kills or the significance of it; rather, the fact that he drugs girls and pokes fancy swirl patterns through their torsos while they're alive is used as a way to build shock value (where there is none). There are a lot of characteristics/ coded words being thrown around to describe him like 'smart', 'organized', etc. that are typical of every crime show ever that honestly are exaggerations. The guy literally does himself in by tripping on an electrical wire.
The author uses way too much telling instead of showing. Even though Lee is a profiler, his profession has little impact on the overall "mystery". Most of what we learn about the killer is through flashbacks instead of the protagonist actually discovering or learning anything about him. In fact, the case is rather solved by a deus ex machina in the form of Jimmy Chen's younger autistic brother who conveniently gives away important plot points when necessary.
I started this book because it had potential; I liked Lee's character and thought that the entire cast was diverse and interesting, and I continued reading hoping that the plot would be the same. However, it didn't and I am disappointed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2012
A note arrives for Detective Leonard Butts signed by the Professor. After consulting with profiler, Dr. Lee Campbell, they decide to wait and see what the obviously intelligent man does next. They don’t have to wait long before the first known victim is discovered with a missing finger and a note. Now the case pulls in Forensics Linguistics Specialist Elena Krieger and Jimmy Chen and his autistic brother Barry. Dealing with a sophisticated psycho is nothing new for this group but without Barry’s help that might not discover the pattern until it is too late.
The reader knows early on the identity of the serial killer (Edmund) and this leads to an increased creep factor for the reader with detailed descriptions of what goes on in his psychotic head. We also discovers how Edmund became the sick and twisted psycho he is today yet clearly highly intelligent and able to hold a high level job. With each new victim he leaves a new message directed at a different member of the group.
Another fast-paced, action-packed read from Lawrence. Not having to figure out who the killer is enables the reader to become invested in the characters and their lives and we are taken on the roller coaster investigation right along with them. I recommend this and any other novel by C.E. Lawrence; she doesn’t let the mystery/thriller lovers down.
(book was received by publisher in exchange for an honest review)
The reader knows early on the identity of the serial killer (Edmund) and this leads to an increased creep factor for the reader with detailed descriptions of what goes on in his psychotic head. We also discovers how Edmund became the sick and twisted psycho he is today yet clearly highly intelligent and able to hold a high level job. With each new victim he leaves a new message directed at a different member of the group.
Another fast-paced, action-packed read from Lawrence. Not having to figure out who the killer is enables the reader to become invested in the characters and their lives and we are taken on the roller coaster investigation right along with them. I recommend this and any other novel by C.E. Lawrence; she doesn’t let the mystery/thriller lovers down.
(book was received by publisher in exchange for an honest review)
August 7, 2012
SILENT SLAUGHTER by C. E. Lawrence
I do love a good tale of good vs. evil. I do love a novel of unflinching suspense where a serial killer is loose and preying on the weak and eventually get their just desserts.
Unfortunately, this SILENT SLAUGHTER by C. E. Lawrence is not one of them.
I swore I would ‘never’ write a review about a book I didn’t like…so I won’t.
On the positive side, the premise was solid. I know I don’t have the ‘chops’ to write so this will be brief.
I feel that since I have read SO many thrillers about serial killers I can derive the best from the worst…this is NOT the worst. The feel of SILENT SLAUGHTER is so garbled and lacking in characterizations that even though there is a madman loose. As the reader, I really didn’t care about the lead detective Lee Campbell or his ex partner Leonard Butts.
Even the serial killer was not that exciting or even remotely scary!
I do love a good tale of good vs. evil. I do love a novel of unflinching suspense where a serial killer is loose and preying on the weak and eventually get their just desserts.
Unfortunately, this SILENT SLAUGHTER by C. E. Lawrence is not one of them.
I swore I would ‘never’ write a review about a book I didn’t like…so I won’t.
On the positive side, the premise was solid. I know I don’t have the ‘chops’ to write so this will be brief.
I feel that since I have read SO many thrillers about serial killers I can derive the best from the worst…this is NOT the worst. The feel of SILENT SLAUGHTER is so garbled and lacking in characterizations that even though there is a madman loose. As the reader, I really didn’t care about the lead detective Lee Campbell or his ex partner Leonard Butts.
Even the serial killer was not that exciting or even remotely scary!
February 2, 2013
Silent Slaughter by C.E. Lawrence is an outstanding murder mystery/thriller pitting NYPD profiler Lee Campbell against a psychopath calling himself The Professor. In a game of cat vs. cat Campbell races against time as The Professor kills victim after victim while leaving very cryptic clues, including letters directed to Campbell. Gruesome at times, this book keeps the tension high and the action swift. Great characters in the supporting cast keep the book from becoming just a 1 on 1 duel between Campbell and The Professor with help arriving from an unexpected direction. My only complaint is that now I have to read the rest of the books in the series, because I am hooked.
October 12, 2012
Silent Slaughter by C.E. Lawrence is the fourth book in the Lee Campbell series. Full Disclosure: I received this book through a LibraryThing giveway and have not read the previous books – something I plan to soon remedy.
This book is a fast-paced thriller where the NYPD criminal profiler is chasing a brilliant serial killer who taunts him with letters and the disfigured bodies of his prey. The killings soon escalate, drawing Lee further and further into the hunt for this sadistic killer. The search for his long-missing sister and his niece’s problems must take a backseat for now.
Even though I’ve never read any of the previous books, Silent Slaughter is perfectly readable on its own, though the hints of backstory tantalize you to start from the beginning of the series. If you like Lee Child or other criminal thrillers in the same vein, you will love this book.
This book is a fast-paced thriller where the NYPD criminal profiler is chasing a brilliant serial killer who taunts him with letters and the disfigured bodies of his prey. The killings soon escalate, drawing Lee further and further into the hunt for this sadistic killer. The search for his long-missing sister and his niece’s problems must take a backseat for now.
Even though I’ve never read any of the previous books, Silent Slaughter is perfectly readable on its own, though the hints of backstory tantalize you to start from the beginning of the series. If you like Lee Child or other criminal thrillers in the same vein, you will love this book.
September 16, 2012
As serial killer/murder mysteries go, I found Silent Slaughter okay. The overall premise of the book was good, but I found it lacking in suspense. If I'm really enjoying a book I want to keep reading, and I will stay up until I finish reading because I cannot stand the suspense. In this case, the story didn't hook me, and I often found the level of detail to be distracting. If you are describing a neighborhood, I do not need a list of all of the restaurants in the area. This time and space could have been used to further develop the characters and other aspects of the plot.
This was a good, quick read with an interesting premise, but in the end it didn't live up to it's full potential.
This was a good, quick read with an interesting premise, but in the end it didn't live up to it's full potential.
November 30, 2012
Actually 3.5 stars....
I received a copy of Silent Slaughter by C.E. Lawrence from Library Things as an early reviewer. I was unaware that Silent Slaughter was the fourth book in the series and while I enjoyed many aspects of Silent Slaughter, I do not feel compelled to go back and read the previous three books in Lawrence’s Lee Campbell Mystery series. Silent Slaughter is a faced paced book which and an enjoyable psychological thriller, yet I found myself wishing there had been a tad more to the book. Again, I must point out I did not read the previous three in the series and that could indeed cloud my judgment. I enjoy this genre immensely and would recommend others who enjoy suspenseful thrillers to give Silent Slaughter a try.
I received a copy of Silent Slaughter by C.E. Lawrence from Library Things as an early reviewer. I was unaware that Silent Slaughter was the fourth book in the series and while I enjoyed many aspects of Silent Slaughter, I do not feel compelled to go back and read the previous three books in Lawrence’s Lee Campbell Mystery series. Silent Slaughter is a faced paced book which and an enjoyable psychological thriller, yet I found myself wishing there had been a tad more to the book. Again, I must point out I did not read the previous three in the series and that could indeed cloud my judgment. I enjoy this genre immensely and would recommend others who enjoy suspenseful thrillers to give Silent Slaughter a try.
March 22, 2013
As a an acquaintance of Carols, I found this an engaging thriller. The mysterious and intriguing interaction between the villian and NY Police Dept profiler Lee Campbell continues to excite and frighten her audience. C.E. Lawrence does a fine job teasing, pushing and pulling the reader back and forth between the highs and lows being felt by Campbell. Ever-troubled by his sisters unexplained dissappearance and the ever changing dynamic of his family, his lover(s) and his associates, I found C.E.'s use of vivid characteriztions, wonderfully painted descriptive passages and striking insights into the head of a manical serial killer superb and integrated with precision. This is my firat of her novels but will not be the last. I highly recommend it!
April 30, 2013
C.E. Lawrence has done it again and given the reader an unforgettable ride with a twisted serial killer who succeeds in outwitting New York’s Finest with his savage rampage of death and destruction. Once again, Lee Campbell, the only police profiler in the city, seeks to stop the all too successful psychopath. As the killer becomes more daring, the reader literally feels the fear of the victims as if it were his own.
The individual characters come alive with Lawrence’s skillful descriptions, and if you have any interest in New York City, you have the added bonus of fascinating details of its eateries, alleys, and byways. Once you start Silent Slaughter, you will not readily put it down except to eat or sleep. It is The Thinking Woman’s thriller!
The individual characters come alive with Lawrence’s skillful descriptions, and if you have any interest in New York City, you have the added bonus of fascinating details of its eateries, alleys, and byways. Once you start Silent Slaughter, you will not readily put it down except to eat or sleep. It is The Thinking Woman’s thriller!
November 8, 2012
Even though I knew this was part of a series and I haven't read the earlier books, I decided to read this. Now, I wish that I'd read the other books first because I'm sure I would have enjoyed this more if I had.
I enjoyed the main story but was more intriqued by the sub-stories involving Lee's sister and niece. I plan to read the prior three novels and may reread this one before the release of the next book in the series.
I received this book through the GoodReads First Reads program.
I enjoyed the main story but was more intriqued by the sub-stories involving Lee's sister and niece. I plan to read the prior three novels and may reread this one before the release of the next book in the series.
I received this book through the GoodReads First Reads program.
February 10, 2013
The premise of the mystery was good, and I did finish the book. However, for me the author at times was way too
wordy with things not relating to the mystery or the plot. There was too much detail about the characters homes,
family lives, etc.
I did enjoy the main character, and tend to disagree with reviewers who felt they should have read the other books in
this series first. I didn't feel like the author packed too much in about the previous books at all, or left out too much
information.
Not a "stay up all night" story, but a decent mystery/suspense read.
wordy with things not relating to the mystery or the plot. There was too much detail about the characters homes,
family lives, etc.
I did enjoy the main character, and tend to disagree with reviewers who felt they should have read the other books in
this series first. I didn't feel like the author packed too much in about the previous books at all, or left out too much
information.
Not a "stay up all night" story, but a decent mystery/suspense read.
February 14, 2013
Read this book pretty fast. There was a LOT going on in the story........ too many people to follow in one book. Not sure if the author actually tied up all the loose ends, or gave a good finish to all the parts where the author left the reader hanging! The majority of the story was good........I just think the author could have put maybe 2 of the side stories into a different book.......... and maybe this one would have flowed better. Still.........it was OK to read.
January 2, 2013
I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway, and I'm so happy that I did. I found it to be very entertaining, and the honesty of the main character was so refreshing. I really appreciate such honesty. I look forward to reading C.E. Lawrence's other books! He writes great thrillers.
September 18, 2012
Pretty good book for the most part. Enjoyed the characters, plot, and how it was written. Need to read more of her other works to get a better feel, so can't wait to see what her other works are like.
September 5, 2012
What a puzzle! Keeps you on your toes, and gives you new admiration for math...
February 20, 2013
Very hard to put down, flowed very well. Enjoyed immensely
August 23, 2015
I enjoy Dr. Lee Campbell. Fast paced and an even flow.
February 14, 2013
I really liked it! Not my usual genre, but the cover was intriguing to me so I read it and enjoyed it a lot:) It was a great giveaway & since donating it to my library it has been circulating!
January 26, 2016
The ending didn't wrap up the entire sto. Leaves you wondering why the story was so bogged down with two other events that where left wide open at the end of the book.
September 25, 2012
I loved It!!!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews