The Silence at Mystery Bay

A Thomas Austin Crime Thriller #8

by D.D. Black

A thousand people watched. No one saw a thing.Private investigator Thomas Austin is enjoying a relaxing holiday vacation in picturesque Port Townsend, Washington, accompanied by an intriguing new friend. But his tranquility is shattered when the nearby community of Mystery Bay is rocked by the death of a revered musician at an infamous counterculture The Rabbit Hole.The Rabbit Hole is an annual gathering of musicians, gamers, techies, and political radicals who revere music, art, technology, and—perhaps most highly—mind-altering substances. Bound by an unspoken code of silence, festival goers refuse to aid police in their investigation, raising tensions between law enforcement and dozens of tight-lipped witnesses.Desperate, the local sheriff enlists Austin to penetrate the stonewalling witnesses and unearth the truth. Navigating the unconventional beliefs and simmering conflicts permeating The Rabbit Hole, Austin nears a breakthrough. But as he does, the festival takes a deadly turn no one saw coming.In this community bound by defiance and dark secrets, Austin faces his most challenging case yet. A case that will leave him questioning everything he's ever been sure of, even his own sanity.The thrilling eighth installment in this acclaimed mystery series immerses you in a suspenseful journey into a quaint small town and a futuristic festival so strange—and so deadly—you'll have to read it to believe it.Series List (can be read in any order):• Book 1: The Bones at Point No Point• Book 2: The Shadows of Pike Place• Book 3: The Fallen of Foulweather Bluff• Book 4: The Horror at Murden Cove• Book 5: The Terror in the Emerald City• Book 6: The Drowning at Dyes Inlet• Book 7: The Nightmare at Manhattan Beach• Book 8: The Silence at Mystery Bay

Genres: Mystery, Audiobook, Fiction, Thriller, Crime, Detective

256 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 18, 2024

Reviews

[Holly · Rating 1 out of 5]

Okay, with such a great rating from other readers, I will be the dissenter. I hated this book. I found a lot of it boring, but worse, actually slipping into the category of what I would normally categorize by using a four letter word which is probably against the rules here. The effort to explain what has happened in the previous books in the series was annoying, since I've read them. The travelogue of a vacation that I didn't need to know about and which encompassed too many places, too far apart geographically to make sense, was pointless. Too much pretentious discussion about the perceived notes in mostly expensive over the top wines and a scene of the crime that made me want to throw up. This was a cluster. The overwhelming thought at the back of my mind while I was turning the pages was, why am I slugging through this obviously awful book? And I'm still wondering about that.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keep getting better

With every single Thomas Austin book I find myself being connected with Austin. It helps that I have a daughter and son in law in Seattle so I have been to some of the same places. I can’t wait to read Deception Pass since we hiked that once! Everyone needs to read

[Gail Duquesne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another one of the series done ! They just keep getting better! On to the next one .

[Jan Lehman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alice in wonderland twist

Glad Austin has returned to Seattle area, nice addition of new characters . glad Run got a starring role in this book and overall a good new,beginning for this series. I thought the Claire Anderson character was very interesting and a,good addition to the storyline, I all be looking how this character evolves in her own series. I seems like the author must have had fun creating the Rabbit whole festival,very groovy.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loving this series.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

A friend recommended this since I like mysteries and thrillers and also Northwest writer. My local NW library had nothing by the author so I wonder if, like another series I enjoy, if this was kind of local interest only thing. That may be right. There is a lot to like here. Detective Thomas Austin is a good guy and good character, and so are some of the folks he works with in this book. The base in Puget Sound/Port Townsend area is fun also. The mystery itself is okay; the involvement of an eccentric tech millionair type is a good idea. For me though the plot was silly and the mystery/drama became a bit muddled, whild the side personal story of Austin was nice. I can't say I liked the novel too much but may give another in the series a try.

[Erena Heino · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book.was well researched and an overuse of the thesaurus . The typical police and investigation was weak. Dialogue ok. A bit rushed in the writing inserting tidbits of Lewis Carroll and techno language to carry the story along. Liked the interaction of Symone and Austin. Again our protagonist comes from nowhere. The ending couple of chapters was the best part. Correction Run a.k.A Pearl was the best part of the story.

[Doretha Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining

I'm so very happy Austin and Sy are together! I thought she was the better fit when she was introduced in book #3. They just fit together!! Out of all of the Thomas Austin books I've read and enjoyed, this book was just ok. I liked the colorfulness of the characters Seafern and Kiko; but i was weirded out by the Alice in Wonderland references. Alternate realities are just too confusing for me. FYI, I'll read the next installment to complete the set.

[Ann Kingston · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scrambled brains!

Reading this book was like going on a really bad trip!!!
My brain was truly scrambled.
Psychedelic rainbow experiences and total confusion!
There is more lifestyle ruminating than murder solving .
After reading all of the series so far, this was not on the same level as the rest.

[Joseph Luo · Rating 1 out of 5]

Finished and won’t read any more of books from this author. Austin is stupid and keeps making ridiculous mistakes in every book. Not a waste of my time, but definitely won’t come back to more books from him.

[Shirley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve read all the books in this series. I didn’t care for this one. Hard for me to get into the characters at the music fest.

[Jill · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very convoluted plot and not very interesting

[John Fossett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Genre/Sub-Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Overview
Thomas Austin and the team survive another close call and bring the villains to justice!
Doorway
Story
Story
A couple of tech billionaires hold a dance festival, The Rabbit Hole, on Marristone Island each year, a kind of tune-out-and-turn-on exercise in dance, drugs and endurance while trying to reach the next level of being. Anyway, a body is found, someone calls 911 and Austin shows up with the Sheriff’s detectives and begins to probe. The challenge: the only possible witnesses have been dancing without rest for a few days in a drug-induced frenzy and reality may just be a social construct to them.
With the help of Claire Anderson, an FBI agent (and the central character in Mr. Black's newest series, FBI Task Force SWORD) who knows more than she is letting on, Austin and the crew navigate the wilds, survive dosing, dodge explosions and otherwise, never yield in their dogged pursuit of truth and justice.
Characters
Thomas Austin, Sy, Jimmy & Lucy, Run and Claire Anderson, who are living, breathing folks with motivations and mothers who love them. The characters are developed enough to tell a decent story, but the author is not as generous with character development as he is with his storytelling.
Setting
Contemporary Western Washington State in the winter
Language
Great storytelling, the tale moves along and the reader wants to know, “What happens next?”

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one pulled the rabbit out of a hat: a murder mystery mixed with a drug-trafficking mystery in an Alice-in-Wonderland weave set at a raucous Pacific Northwest winter festival with secrets and suspense and splintering scenes paced just right for a good read.

Thomas Austin tangles with an FBI agent as they work to find a dead redhead DJ’s murderer. Lots to love in this complex story told simply: social media hijacking that gave me chills, science and tech explanations that fed my love of fresh information, and especially memorable characters.

I love the descriptive visits to places on the Kitsap Peninsula in western Washington, and I love how alive the characters in the Thomas Austin series are—they have such depth and I feel like I know them! The plot sizzles even while saddening with the reality of the law enforcement fight against drug traffic.

The Alice in Wonderland connections and call-ups give the gritty plot an imaginative turn that is especially fun. And the nut to crack is the question of the silence at Mystery Bay.
Such a good read.

I was provided an Advance Review Copy by the author. That's why I'm able to give my personal and honest review of this book at publication.

[Ricki · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thomas is back in Washington State enjoying a vacation with a new girlfriend, visting towns, wineries etc in the area, when he is called by the Kitsap cty Sheriff to help in an investigation at "The Rabbit Hole" . It's an annual festival featuring music and all sorts of psychedelic drugs. Some so new no one has any info on them. The festival is sponsored by two tech billionaires and entrance fees are pricey.

A body has been found of a female DJ that died of a massive fentenyl OD. No sooner do Tom, Lucy, Jimmy and Sam begin to investigate, the FBI sends an agent to take over-turns out the dead DJ was undercover FBI. The entire book hints at parts of Alice in Wonderland and everyone is so high, no one seems to make sense. Those parts are a real slog to get thru. Not to mention, Tom gets dosed with an hallucinogenic- again seriously? Did no one tell him not to drink the "water"

Meanwhile, Tom has decided to go back to policing and has to submit an application to Lucy with his background- really after 7 books of him figuring out cases and training Lucy-very farfetched. Can't see him, reporting to her either.

My least favorite of the series.

[Teresa Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just keeps getting better and better. I have to admit that I enjoyed the Alice in Wonderland references associated with the Rabit Hole Festival. It was a total change of pace for Austin and his team while still showcasing their investigative skills. I also like the relationship that seems to be developing between Sy and Austin. I hope it continues. So, if you decide to pick up Mystery Bay, be prepared for a different, but typical Austin mystery. Typical in that there is plenty of action, great characters with great interpersonal interactions, and a great storyline. Different in that we've not seen Austin in this setting before among all the "out there" druggies with their otherworldly mindset and inability to carry on a straightforward conversation. I highly recommend it.
I received a review copy from the author at my request and this is my honest opinion.

[Jeff Benham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Take a deep breath and let it out slowly. That was quite a ride. Austin is back. That is good for Run, good for Sy, good for Austin and good for us fans. There is a Rabbit Hole festival going on in Port Townsend, so expect a lot of Alice In Wonderland references. Lots of drugs, experimental and otherwise. Think psychadelic. One of the goers is murdered and Kitsap Sheriff's department is ask to assist. By extention, that means Tom Austin, too. The victim was an FBI undercover agent, so they wasted no time taking over the investigating. Never stopped our group before. Turns out there is also a DEA agent undercover that is missing, so where are they? AI is now a reality. It was great to see Run get a more prominant role.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 8 of 9 THE SILENCE OF MYSTERY BAY by D.D. Black is an intriguing continuation of the Thomas Austin series. Austin is returning from a week’s vacation with his ‘new friend with benefits’ when he is requested to help Lucy and Jimmy solve a murder that took place at the nearby Rabbit Hole Festival. I felt a bit like Alice in Wonderland at all the references to that book. There was a man wearing a white rabbit pelt leading the event. I gave it 4 stars because it just wasn’t as good as the earlier books. But, it is still a good book and the next one will be even better. Run the Corgi is well cared for while Austin is away solving the murder and everyone else can take care of themselves.

[Brie Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one had the quickest solution to the case! I'm so glad Anna is out of the picture! Sy is just so patient with Austin, even though there wasn't much dialogue between them. I hope to see more of Sy in the next 3 books. I love that Rid is still there for the team, and I think Lucy is leaving her mark while being in charge. I loved her letter to Austin at the end. It couldn't have been anyone else. Sam, with her tech genius-ness, blows my mind, but all the fabrications with the videos from the Feds were unbelievable. But like seriously, who names their daughter Flamingo? Iykyk. Onto the next one!

[Cdub · Rating 3 out of 5]

After 8 books I feel Austin should take a self defense class. Whenever you think he has the jump on the bad guy it always goes against him. He's been hit in the head multiple times, thrown off the Brooklyn Bridge, grazed by a bullet and shot 4 times; not in that order. It drives me crazy, why does he have to be hurt at all? He should be suffering the effects of multiple TBI's. Also, some young woman, hits him in the head with a shovel, drags his 6'2" body into a closet with no difficulty, not believable. Will I keep reading? Most definitely. Sadly I can anticipate what's going to happen before Austin does.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my opinion, another great Thomas Austin mystery. And, of course he solves it! Along with two new FBI agents and his good friends in the Kitsap sheriff department.
Set in the Northwest is a festival similar to Burning Man. Two high tech billionaires sponsor a festival filled with drugs and loud music. In fact, Austin will be drugged at one point. They are called to investigate the death of a DJ. Though it appears to be an overdose, the sheriff suspects foul play. As the investigation gets started, in comes the FBI because the DJ was an undercover FBI agent.
A truly intriguing storyline with several similarities to today's tech and billionaire environment.

[Bianca · Rating 3 out of 5]

An entertaining story, but a lot of the story seemed far-fetched. If Kitsap County has been called in to help another team with an investigation, why are they taking the lead? What happened to Kendall, who was introduced two books ago? The rekindled romance between Austin and Sy is also thinly treated. She may respect that he's emotionally tied to law enforcement work, but she's come on vacation to be with him and they don't have one conversation about why he's spending all his time on a murder investigation? A fast-paced read but less satisfying than others.

[TXBRITGAL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two thumbs up!!

I never get tired of this thrilling series. Austin and this colorful cast of characters enters a *very* trippy case indeed. Entering a new phase of his grieving process after solving Fiona's case- it's interesting to watch as Austin is slowly evolving into this new version of himself. Never one to let a mystery pass...Austin is on call to help his friends with this "unique" case. Get ready for many twists and turns and oodles of suspense in this brilliant read. Such a fun read!

[Mary Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Personally I thought the plot was not particularly strong, so that often the core tem of law enforcers headed here or there on spec as it were. And the good old boy character of Ridley making cameo appearances was annoying, although I was never an admirer of this character. Of course, I have no exposure to music/drug festivals, the main venue of the book. And I really did not enjoy the way his new girlfriend, a capable investigators, stayed home waiting for her fella. The draw of these books for me is the local area as a venue for the plot.

[Debbie Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Down the Rabbit Hole

A festival that seeks to open one‘s mind using designer drugs and other drugs as well auditory and visual stimulation, because the setting as the DJ is murdered. It comes to light that she is an undercover FBI agent. Claire, FBI is joined by Austin and the Sheriff’s dept of Kitsap County to aid the local sheriff and FBI in search of the killer. Twists, turns, tension and new characters high light the story. I have breezed through 8 books of the 11 and plan to complete them prior to moving on to the FBI series.

[Liz Krummell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good addition to the series. It was very realistic. Why did Claire wear a cream colored suit when working a music festival “Claire stood about ten feet from the edge of the bank on a patch of high-bank waterfront. Crimson blood soaked through the back of the jacket of her cream-colored pantsuit. She had one hand outstretched to Apollo, who faced her, his heels only inches from the cliff.”
A lot of twists at the end. Liked the mix of the 2 series, enjoyed the strong female characters of Claire and Sy

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

After nearly dying Thomas Austin needs to recoup so he takes a vacation with a beautiful NCIS agent he worked with recently. The local sheriff in Mystery Bay asked for help after a big time musician died at the annual Rabbit Hole gathering. Rabbit Hole is the gathering of musicians, gamers, techy etc people floating around on some sketchy mind altering substances. Everyone saw it happen but no one spoke up or was willing to speak up. At least this time Austin didn't nearly die but did get higher than a kite.
Can he figure out who's behind the death and all the drugs. Good listen

[shawna sturch · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always can't put it down

Being from the PNW and especially the area this one centered in makes me feel like I'm getting a taste of home..
I feel like I am friends with Austin and Lucy, Jimmy and Samantha and Run o
f course. the books just keep getting better each one as the characters develop more and more I hope there are many more of the series to come, now off to read book 9.

[Bob Gaffney · Rating 3 out of 5]

My review of Silence at Mystery Bay

This is the 8th book I have read from the series. Unfortunately, it was probably my least favorite. I can’t put a finger on it, but I think the entire counter culture psychedelic atmosphere didn’t work for me. I think Thomas Austin is a great character and I have sincerely enjoyed the series. The 8th book was just ok to me. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the book.

[Darcy Speed · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Thomas Austin Crime Thriller series just keeps getting better and better. I thoroughly enjoyed The Silence at Mystery Bay. The story was so current and believable – I was on the edge of my seat throughout the entire book. I enjoyed the storyline between Austin and Sy, as well as the introduction of a new (very interesting) character, Claire Anderson. Keep ‘em coming!