Deadly Quiet

by Cathleen Watkins

Eliza Fox must be smarter than the police and a step ahead of the killer.

When an exchange student is found dead in the music practice rooms of Wexford College, there are few suspects and no clear answers. Martina Noto's parents will fly into California from Rome as soon as they can, but until then the nearest relatives are Martina's cousins: Private Investigator Eliza Fox and her mother, Francesca Noto-Fox.

As detectives Byron Comstock and Jessica Fonseca get familiar with the case, Eliza is determined to help catch Martina's killer. She quickly begins her own investigation and is soon caught up in the twists and turns of finding the murderer, a far cry from her usual work as a paralegal. Often out of her depth, Eliza must overcome her own inexperience and learn to trust her instincts as she fumbles through her first high-stakes case.

Filled with both humor and suspense, this is one traditional mystery novel you don't want to miss.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

250 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 25, 2024

About the author

Dear readers,

I'm a licensed private investigator who crafted a debut mystery out of years of on-the-job training. The plot of ,Deadly Quiet. is drawn from decades of experience interviewing witnesses, looking for facts, and analyzing evidence.

In my early career, I studied journalism and worked as a writer, editor and public relations professional.

Now it's come full circle.

If you like this mystery, please post a rating/review. And reach out with questions or comments. I'm happy to hear from you. Let me know what you're reading.

--Cathleen

Reviews

[Deanna Loves to Read!!:) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the idea of this story. Amateur detective, small college town, tight community. Martina, a study abroad student from Italy, is murdered on Wexford campus in California. Her friend and roommate, Kendra, is the one that discovers her.

The murdered girl is the cousin of Eliza Fox, a single mom who works at a law firm as a research investigator. Martina's parents ask Eliza to investigate the case because they don't trust the police. This theme of mistrust is repeated over and over again. The problem is that I felt it was becoming a competition for her. And yet, when she got information, it was through eavesdropping through a bathroom vent on a police inquiry! Honestly, I felt the author did a really good job describing the police investigation- which was very thorough! So the book is a bit misleading, as it is both the police and Eliza who solve the mystery.

There are multiple POV's from a lot of characters, some not relevant. This got very confusing. And the story loses steam every time we read about one of the characters daily routines, personal thoughts, etc. There were a lot!

I think the mystery could have been better, and shorter, if it focused on the actual investigation.

I would like to thank BookSirens and TouchFlame Books for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Bonnie-Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eliza’s Italian cousin has been murdered on the Southern California college campus where she is attending for a year, and her cousin’s parents have asked her to use her P.I. License to find the killer while both campus police and San Vicente PD work to solve the murder too.

This was a quick, easy read, and a creative storyline. However, it was told from so many angles, I didn’t get the depth I craved. I feel like this series could develop into something good, and I would definitely read the next in the series.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well crafted crime novel that not only focuses on the victim but takes us through the procedure of discovery. Martina is an Italian woman studying in Southern California who is found dead - murdered - in what could be an almost locked room mystery. Her cousin, Eliza, is a local private investigator who is asked by the family to give the search for the guilty a hand.
Great detail in development of the characters, the local lifestyle and the assorted suspicious characters.

Thank you to BookSirens for an advance copy in return for an honest review.

[Christine Amoroso · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun page turner! I’m a fan. When do we get book 2? 🩵😊

[Bette Reith · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Italian exchange student Martina is murdered in the piano room at the local college. Both the campus and local police are on the case, but there are very few clues, and even fewer suspects. As it will take a bit for her parents to arrive from Rome, the parents ask Eliza, a local PI and cousin to look into the case. Detectives Comstock and Fonseca lead their team through the case, but they reach inconclusive results. As such, the decide to work with Eliza to solve this case. There are many twists, possible solutions, and dead ends. Is this the only murder the college has to deal with or are there more on the way? Do the student’s need to be concerned?
I enjoyed this novel, especially the characters, and look forward to the series moving forward. Thanks to BookSiren for the ARC of this book.

[barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Thank you BookSirens, Torchflame Books, and Cathleen Watkins for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.**

I love how this book just jumps into the storyline without making you work for it. Quick read, but definitely not lacking on movement.

I really liked how this book follows the investigative side of the story, wrapping you into multiple perspectives to figure out the whodunit. And being the first in a series, I'll definitely be looking for more Eliza Fox stories.

Highly recommend - especially for fans of Veronica Mars.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deadly Quiet by Cathleen Watkins. I extend thanks to the author and publisher for the Advanced Reader Copy that was gifted to me.

What I first noticed and really enjoyed is that the author jumps right into the action. She grabs the reader immediately and the story starts off with a proverbial bang. The transitions between character perspectives in the chapters roll smoothly with date and time noted in the titles.

The characters are developed and introduced masterfully. As the reader, you feel you are stepping into the physical story. I like this very much and consider this a huge plus in a novel when you can "lose yourself" in the story.

Two thirds through and my attention is fully held. So many angles, clearly going to finish this in one day, too good to put down.

Excellent build to the ultimate whodunit. Very impressed with this book and look forward to reading more by this author.

[Pam Watmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Martino Noto was murdered in WexfordCollege and was an exchange student. Her cousin isa Private Investigator Eliza Fox and Eliza's Mother Francessca Noto-Fox is also connected to the College and Eliza is asked by Martino's parents to investigate as they do not trust the Police to investigate properly. Eliza is methodical in her approach but also comes across as somewhat inexperienced on the ground. I got hooked into this book and wanted to read it in one go and was impressed that this is the author's first book. I found myself wanting to give her hints as what to do but she did it in her own time. In parts I was worried for Eliza and thought she was taking chances but the book kept me interested up to the end and there was several ways the story could have gone and it was easy to start to go down the wrong path. I look forward to reading her next book.

[Bruce Tamanaha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good murder mystery that kept me reading. I did not to put it down.

Eliza Fox, a single mother of Lucas, is asked to investigate the murder of her Italian cousin, Martina by her parents.

What follows is mystery, family, good old investigative work by Eliza, and Detectives Comstock and Fonseca. Suspects include some 'mean' sorority girls and cyberbullying, the ex-boyfriend, her soon-to-be business partner, and a potential admirer.

At the end, the murderer is caught. Eliza knows that she has the talent and brains to this work.

The book is entertaining and enjoyable.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not someone who reads mystery novels often but I read Deadly Quiet in a day and enjoyed every minute. A great story and really likable characters who I would have liked to just hang out with. The author has a grounding in the details of investigation and a narrative style that just flowed throughout. I got drawn in page by page, until I could not stop reading until the end. Reading it through was a day well spent.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Deborah Lennon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cathleen Watkin’s mystery, Deadly Quiet, kept me reading and guessing as the parallel investigations of a young woman’s murder unfold. The dance between the police detectives and the protagonist, Eliza Fox, reveal enough clues to implicate various characters, until they all target the actual killer. The college setting is a familiar one that is enhanced by the story’s connection to an extended, international family. After reading this book, I am curious about Eliza’s personal and professional journey and future cases to be solved. Looking forward to a sequel!

[Sharmani Jayaram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kendra Reid finds the dead body of Martina Noto in the Carter House practice room. Detectives Byron Comstock and Jessica Fonseca from San Vicente PD were working on the murder case But Martina's parents want their cousin Eliza Fox who was also a private Investigator to find the real killer. There were many suspects and lot of twist and turns to make this a very intriguing read. I received this ARC copy via booksirans and leave a honest review. I recommend this book to other readers.

[Merry Grissom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging and relatable!

The writer has done a great job of creating characters that we care about who seem like real people, rather than superhero-genius types. So while we are pulled into the story and keep turning the pages to solve the mystery, we also get invested in Eliza and Byron and their cohorts.

It keeps us intrigued and brings a more personal, human charm to the story- something that is often missing from mysteries.

A fun, fast read.

[Denzel Struchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and entertaining. Can you guess the villian before the last chapter? An exchange student is murdered while practicing piano in a secured building. She was also co patent for a new design for an artifical hand that was showing success. Was she killed by a jilted lover, sorority girls that didn't like her or her lab partner for the proceeds from, their invention?

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It’s a clever story. The characters are well developed, and it’s an engrossing read. I’d highly recommend it. I liked that the private investigator is a single mom. I can’t wait for the author to write another book with this main character.

FYI, I received an advance copy for free, and I am happy to leave this review voluntarily.

[Zulma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boy oh boy… this book is about Martina and exchange student from Rome in the US. Something happens to her that makes the plot thicken. The storyline is so good you find yourself jumping from 1 suspect to the next. This book was awesome I cannot wait to read more by this author.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Alison McLaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed the book the characters were all interesting and it was an intriguing storyline. Can’t wait to read more in the series.

I received an advance copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Jen Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this debut novel. Interesting and entertaining, had twists and turns, and it was an enjoyable read. Can't wait for the next Eliza Fox Files book!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Melinda Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting edge of your seat read. Lots of twists and turns. Excellent suspense.a absolute must read

[Gwen Chester · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about an exchange student from Italy that was found dead in the music practice rooms of Wexford College. Martina Noto is the student, and she was practicing for a recital that she was doing soon. Her parents will be flying in from Rome as soon as they can. In the meantime, they have asked Martina's cousin Eliza Fox to help with the investigation knowing that sometimes the police do not do their best work on this type of case. Normally Eliza is a paralegal so investigating this case will be a challenge for her. Eliza's mother Francesca Noto-Fox is a professor at the college so she will be helping when she can. She knows everyone and is very well liked so hopefully she can get more information out of the students, campus police and other staff. Eliza has taken vacation from her job so she can devote all of her attention to her 4-year-old son and this case. They have a few suspects but nothing or no one seems to stand out yet. Her roommate is the one that found her and she in total shock. She told us of boyfriends that Martina has or had and of some girls that were really giving her a hard time.

Detectives Byron Comstock and Jessica Fonseca are also working the case and with their help Eliza is determined to find the killer. When Eliza is at a standstill or stumped, she has learned to rely on her instincts, and they usually head her in the right direction. They are all worried that the killer might strike again. How did the killer get out of the music room without being seen, where is Martina's laptop. this is the 2nd laptop taken in just a few weeks and she was wearing a green and blue scarf that day where is it now. So many questions and clues that need to be answered.

I got this book from Book Sirens and will be happy to leave my review.

[Thai · Rating 2 out of 5]

Deadly Quiet é um bom pontapé pra se começar uma série de thrillers. A escrita entrega um mistério interessante com pistas falsas, plot twists e uma heroína com peculiaridades. Você torce bastante para que ela descubra quem é o assassino. Mas fica bem nítido que é um debut. Tem algumas coisas que a autora poderia melhorar, como por exemplo, o livro é vendido como uma investigação da Eliza Fox, mas a polícia tem muitas cenas em seu ponto de vista. E de vez em quando, o ponto de vista de um personagem aleatório surge por apenas algumas frases e isso deixou a história confusa. Além disso o ritmo foi um pouco lento para mim. O enredo era bom e a ideia nova era boa, mas mudava um pouco e às vezes eu não tinha certeza se o que estava sendo contado era necessário para a história.

Deadly Quiet is a good start to a series of thrillers. The writing delivers an interesting mystery with false clues, plot twists and a heroine with peculiarities. You're really rooting for her to find out who the killer is. But it's very clear that it's a debut. There are some things that the author could improve, for example, the book is sold as an investigation of Eliza Fox, but the police have many scenes from her point of view. And every now and then, a random character's point of view comes in for just a few sentences and it makes the story confusing. Also the pace was a little slow for me. The plot was good and the new idea was good, but it changed a little and sometimes I wasn't sure if what was being told was necessary to the story.

Thank you to book sirens, the author, and publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Torchflame Books for my advance electronic version via BookSirens. My opinions are my own.

When Martina Noto is found dead in the music department of Wexford College, her parents call on her cousin and legal investigator Eliza Fox to find her killer. Meanwhile, local police officers Byron Comstock and Jessica Fonseca are running their own official investigation. What drives them forward is not only justice, but the constant threat of the possibility that Martina may not be the killer's final victim.

I appreciated the realistic look at an investigation that this story provided. It definitely leaned heavily toward a procedural, rather than a character-driven plot. This was true from the multiple points-of-view as we follow those closes to the case and to solving it. And it was evident that the author put her own experience as a single mom and investigator into the soul of the book. I also appreciated that the book promotes good mental health and self-care. It seemed odd to me that Martina was investigating the case when there were already two competent police detectives who were doing a good job of it--I wonder if this happens more often than I think it does in real life? I did feel lost in some of the irrelevant details used to set the scene in many places, but overall I found the book very readable and interesting, connecting as it did with the reader early on and keeping me reading to see if justice was done in the end.

[HeatherREADS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Martina Noto, an Italian exchange student, is found dead on campus at Wexford College, shocking the community and baffling the police. She has blunt force trauma to the head and there is little evidence to help police. Eliza Fox is Martina’s cousin and she lives in the Wexford city of San Vicente. She is also a private detective who takes on the case when her Italian relatives arrive in town looking for answers.

This book is first in a new series by Cathleen Watkins about private detective Eliza Fox. I received an advance readers ebook from booksirens and these are my honest thoughts. I liked seeing a single mom working as a detective while balancing life and raising a kid at the same time. The struggle is real so it was nice to see it acknowledged and portrayed. The author’s style is fast paced and engaging. I found myself wanting to read “just a little bit more” which stretched on longer than that. This was a fairly straightforward case. It seemed much more realistic in its portrayal of an investigation than some other books I have read.

The reader was able to see the investigation play out from several perspectives, which I enjoy. It seems to build the tension. The characters were likeable for the most part, so I was cheering Eliza on, hoping she’d make sense of Martina’s death. I wanted to know what happened to Martina! Overall, this was a good read with characters that were easy to empathize with and a realistic portrayal of an investigation.

[Radhika Sheshashayee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Book Sirens and Cathleen Watkins for a free advanced reader copy of Deadly Quiet.

Deadly Quiet is the first book in a series about young mom and budding investigator, Eliza Fox.

Set in a university town in Southern California, the book begins with the death of an international student from Italy — Martina Noto— who also happens to be Eliza’s second cousin.

While the police begin their investigations, Eliza is asked by Martina’s parents to look into the matter. Was it an accident or was is murder? Where is Martina’s missing backpack and laptop?

There are suspects aplenty ….from Martina’s boyfriends to the mean girls who made her stay unpleasant. But was this jealousy or something darker?

Cathleen Watkins builds the story from different perspectives. From the police looking into various suspects, to a journalist trying to instigate the public, to Eliza trying to gather information about Martina’s college mates. The reader also gets to read Martina’s journal.

I thought the story was well crafted. The characters were (mostly) likeable. Some of the characters had back stories that weren’t fully developed, but this is the first book in hopefully a series and Watkins will have time to flesh out the characters more in subsequent books.

Thank you TorchFlame books. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[k mandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an entertaining book. It was well-paced and believable. One small thing that I got weary of was the oddly injection phrases in Italian. Martina, an Italian student studying in CA for one year, writes in a journal...in English. That alone was a stretch as she would have written in her native language since it was personal journaling. The Martina injects an occasional Italian phrase in the manner in which a new language learner would experiment with the use of phrases. For me, this detracted from the authenticity and did not add to it, as was most likely the intention. Eliza was developed well as a character and had some depth in her roles as an ex-wife, mom, daughter, cousin, and PI--this held to story together nicely. I wish Kennedy had been developed a bit more and, since the POV switches back and forth, the police detectives (Byron and Jessica) could have been developed a bit more. Overall, the book was enjoyable. I prefer standalone books and avoid series but I just might try another one of these.

[Readwithruchi · Rating 4 out of 5]

REVIEW
DEADLY QUIET
By Cathleen Watkins
 
 
Thank you to BookSirens for an Advanced Readers copy in return for an honest review!
 
An Italian exchange student Martina is murdered in the piano room at the local college. Both the campus and local police are on the case, but there are very few clues, and even fewer suspects. As it will take a bit for her parents to arrive from Rome, the parents ask Eliza, a local PI and cousin to look into the case.
As detectives Byron Comstock and Jessica Fonseca start working on the case and get nowhere, they decide to work closely with Eliza. What will ultimately unfold in this story filled with twists and turns?
To know more, read #deadlyquiet
 
Liked:
Definitely liked Eliza Fox – she is smart, active, someone you would like to root for.
The writing is very simple and it was an easy read for the same reason.
Quick, fast paced, constant momentum- totally a whodunit plot.
 
Bummer:
Even though it was a quick read, I felt I was a slow burn around the middle of the story – maybe it could have been a bit shorter.
 
Overall – 3.5/5

[Randy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one though good was a bit slow paced for me. I struggled more with the back and forth and keeping the players straight. The plot line was good, and the fresh idea was nice, but it jumped around a bit and sometimes I wasn’t sure if what was being told was necessary for the story. In general, a young foreign exchange student was working on a special project with another student that would revolutionize the prosthetic hand. She was found murdered and so the plot begins. There are a multitude of suspects, a much older lover and rich professor, a group of “I’m better than you girls” who cyberbullied her, her co-inventor who may or may not benefit from the device, and a police officer that seems to be too much Johnny-on-the-spot type of guy. The dead girl’s family has their own PI that they want looking into the death, so it keeps the heat on, and her case doesn’t go cold. It’s a decent read. I just got confused at times and had to go back and refamiliarize myself with the individuals and their role in the story.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Martina is an Italian foreign exchange student who is found dead in one of the piano practice rooms on the college’s campus. Her cousin, Eliza, works as a paralegal, but is also a private investigator and begins her own investigation while the police and campus police investigate as well. Will Eliza interfere with the police’s investigation? Will her emotions cloud her judgement while finding answers?

It was an easy read, with many suspects. I enjoyed reading the investigation from Eliza’s view and from the police’s. The added snippets of Italian conversation was a bonus (as a child of Italian immigrants). Mystery/thriller is one of my favorite genres to read because I love trying to guess what happens next. I enjoyed this novel but wish the relationship with the “clique” was exposed more. I can’t wait to see what Eliza takes on next!

I received a free advanced copy in return for my honest review.

[Libby Mckinmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Deadly Quiet is a good start to a new mystery series. The author provides the reader with an interesting mystery with twists, turns, red herrings and a heroine with enough quirks and life challenges to make her very relatable. You'll be cheering for her to succeed and bring the killer to justice.

There were a few small things the author may want to consider as the series progresses. It is described as an Eliza Fox mystery, but the police homicide team have many scenes in their point of view, so it doesn't feel like just "her" story and her solution. And every once in a while, a secondary character's point of view pops up in a scene for just a few sentences, so it can jar the reader out of the story slightly.

Neither of those things were enough to prevent me enjoying a well-told mystery with a heroine I'll look forward to seeing more of in stories to come.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am an ARC reader and this is my honest opinion. I enjoyed this book. Eliza Fox, as described in the blurb for the book, is a para legal, working with firm of private investigators and a single, divorced mum of a 5 year old boy. However, when a younger cousin of her mother's, studying at the local university is murdered, her Italian parents arrive from Italy and, not having much trust in the Italian police, ask Eliza to investigate. There are a number of suspects who could have had time and motive for some time the local police detectives are not keen on letting Eliza in on their investigation. But she proved her worth, ingesting on her own. This is book 1 so obviously there will be a series. In my opinion, worth reading