“What a thrill ride! Twisted plotline, a wonderfully villainous antagonist, and an oddly likeable cadre of assassins.” William Kent Krueger, NY Times bestselling author
Kill or be killed while US senators die. Siblings Chris Davis and Michelle Barton are atypical silent assassins. They are smart, introspective and caring. Their desperate goal is to escape decades of oppression from Irene Shaw. She is refined yet ruthless … the essence of evil. The thrilling sequel starts with explosive gunfire at Chris and Anna Monteiro, a woman he was hired to kill yet now protects. Together with Michelle and their former foster brother, the underdogs outrun bullets in Canada and the US while seeking vengeance against their tyrannical archenemy. Their teamwork is crippled by fear and mistrust.
Meanwhile, US senators are poisoned one by one. Irene’s plot threatens to ignite a national crisis prior to a presidential election. Action sizzles as the four struggle to save senators in Denver and Washington, DC. The final showdown against Irene’s brutality is do or die.
The twisting, character-driven thriller includes heroism, deceit, betrayal, romance and compassion, plus battles of wits and bullets.
Richard Ebert writes intriguing thrillers. Silentcide: The Art of Undetected Killing and the sequel – Silentcide 2: Vengeance – were released in 2024. The third in the trilogy – Silentcide 3: Freedom Quest – arrives on May 19, 2026
Richard started as a photographer and cinematographer before becoming the president of two advertising agencies and then president of a consulting firm serving Fortune 500 companies.
His three passions – writing, travel and photography – are reflected in his novel’s international settings and online photos showing where plot action takes place.
Visit his author website at RichardEbert.com. Richard also has created free travel guides covering 842 cities with over 11,000 places to see worldwide. Travel the world virtually at EncirclePhotos.com.
Richard Ebert lives in Saint Paul, Minnesota with his wife. He has two adult children plus two grandsons. His fingers are always busy at the keyboard or holding a camera.
Silentcide 2: Vengeance - A Gripping Tale of Intrigue and Betrayal
**I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.**
I was absolutely captivated from the very first page. The story kicks off with an action-packed opening that immediately pulls you in, making it impossible to put down. The pacing is spot-on, allowing the tension to build without ever feeling slow.
Richard Ebert does a remarkable job of exploring the complexities of the characters, particularly through Irene’s POV. Her history and villain origin story add layers to her character that are both intriguing and sympathetic.
Anna's experiences are written with an authenticity that you don’t typically see in thrillers. The author captures the true anxiety and panic she feels in dire situations, which adds a level of realism often overlooked in other books. I appreciated how this portrayal brought depth to her character as she navigated her challenges.
I found myself questioning loyalties throughout the narrative, unsure of who to trust—a hallmark of well crafted thriller. The sense of intrigue and the constant questioning of loyalties kept me on edge, making each chapter feel like a thrilling ride.
Ebert skillfully weaves together various plot threads, leading to a conclusion that is both satisfying and shocking.
Overall Silentcide 2 is a fantastic read filled with suspense, unexpected turns, and rich character development. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a gripping story that keeps you guessing until the very end.
A big thank you to the author for my copy received via giveaway win!
Silentcide 2: Vengeance picks up where the first novel ends, with the assassin-gone-rogue Chris protecting Anna, the target-apparent in Quebec City. After surviving an attack attempted to kill both of them, they meet up with Chris's sister, Michelle, and former foster brother turned assassin, Ansel. The four continue to thwart consistent attempts to eliminate them while hopping from city to city. Although focused on eradicating the source of their ire, Irene, they realize a larger political plot that would negatively impact America. High-stakes and lots of action propel you toward the climax.
First off, I'll admit that my rating is more based in the fact that action novels are not quite my taste. The novel is very well written, with an interesting assassin plot. Having not read the first novel, I didn't feel that much context was lost. The author ensures the reader can understand what events led to the circumstances in this book, but it's done through small bits of anecdotal conversation and occasional thought. You don't feel like you're being prefaced with the first novel's summary in one big swoop, but instead are informed in a seemingly natural way. The QR codes linking to pictures is an interesting bonus to add visual appeal to the settings, but it does not really add value while reading.
That being said, I felt the remainder of the tale was like all other action tales. Side plots are added to make it seem more intense than it is; the villain isn't really that crafty, just rich and opportunistic; and the main assassins who are so expertly trained continue to make random bad decisions. Anna's character added zero value, and the story would have had the same outcome even if she'd been assassinated. Michelle literally falls for Ansel and then disregards her good assassination judgment, and Chris often seems more worried about maintaining a good relationship with his sister than following his gut. It's just surprising that these characters choose to mess up assassination attempts by being hasty. The whole senator subplot is not as nefarious as it's made out to be, and had nothing to do with the motivation behind the MC's. Irene's character suffers from delusional pride, truly believing that she's untouchable while serving as an attorney that's never in the country to defend a client...interesting take. I also felt that the ending was lackluster. There's a big climax due to yet another idiotic decision to not avoid a trap, then the epilogue jumps into the future, explaining away things and making the whole premise of the novel obsolete? Sounds like there was potential for a third novel that was scrapped.
Again, the book is well written, but the subject material wasn't for me. If you're a fan of action books, you'll enjoy it.
This one was slower for me than book one BUT, it likely was because of the busy schedule I had and reading too many books at once. This book kept you on your toes!! The ending was absolutely perfect and I can’t wait for book 3. Get this book, just do it, you won’t regret it.
“Silentcide 2: Vengeance” by Richard Ebert is a thrilling roller coaster of a novel that masterfully blends heroism, deceit, betrayal, romance, and compassion into a high-octane narrative. This sequel not only lives up to the excitement of its predecessor but elevates the stakes with a gripping plot and multifaceted characters. The novel plunges readers back into a world of intrigue and danger, where our protagonist embarks on a relentless quest for vengeance. Ebert’s storytelling prowess shines through in the way he balances intense action with deep character development. The heroism displayed by the lead character is both inspiring and heartbreaking, highlighting the personal sacrifices and moral dilemmas faced in the pursuit of justice. “Silentcide 2: Vengeance” is driven by a plot full of unexpected twists and turns. Ebert’s narrative is a masterclass in suspense, weaving a complex tapestry of deceit and betrayal that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The twists are not only surprising but also intricately tied to the characters’ motivations and relationships, adding depth to the unfolding drama. Romance is intricately woven into the storyline, adding emotional richness to the high-stakes narrative. The romantic subplot is both passionate and poignant, reflecting the vulnerabilities and desires of the characters in a way that enhances the overall tension. Ebert handles this aspect with sensitivity, ensuring it complements rather than detracts from the main action. Compassion plays a significant role in the novel, depicted through the characters’ interactions and personal growth. Amidst the high-octane battles and strategic maneuvering, there are moments of genuine emotional connection that offer a counterpoint to the intense drama. This compassion adds a layer of humanity to the story, making the characters' struggles and victories even more resonant. The battles of wits and bullets are executed with finesse. Ebert’s attention to detail in both the intellectual and physical confrontations creates a gripping experience. The strategic duels between characters are as engaging as the action-packed sequences, showcasing a blend of clever plotting and visceral excitement. “Silentcide 2: Vengeance” is a standout thriller that combines relentless action with a deeply engaging character study. Richard Ebert’s skillful storytelling ensures that the novel is not just a thrilling ride but also a thought-provoking exploration of heroism, romance, and the human condition. For readers seeking a multifaceted thriller that challenges and entertains, this book is a must-read.
This is an excellent follow up to the first Silentcide book. The first book had left me wanting for more and this second book comes through in a big way. I strongly recommend reading the first book before reading Silentcide 2 as you’ll enjoy both of them much more that way.
The circumstances under which orphaned siblings Chris Davis and Michelle Barton become trapped into lives as assassins makes them entirely likable. They fall into the grip of their manipulative and thoroughly evil guardian who trains them to become assassins specializing in the art of undetected killing. They’re trapped in a world where failure to perform their assigned tasks guarantees their own demise.
The siblings' situation turns sideways when Chris becomes smitten with a woman he had been assigned to kill. He can’t bring himself to complete the contract, which makes both him and his sister targets to be killed themselves as punishment. Chris and Michelle try to avoid being rubbed out everywhere they go. In the process, they learn of a separate contract where the guardian’s network of other assassins has been hired to eliminate various U.S. Senators, causing the siblings to try to prevent the demise of the targeted Senators as well as saving their own necks.
The book is action packed, fast paced and has plenty of twists. The methodology of the assassins is often highly sophisticated, with technical twists and plenty of well explained pharmacology. Both the characters and the plot reeled me in and held my interest throughout. As with the first book, I found it to be a thoroughly enjoyable read.
Please note I received a preliminary copy of the book from the author. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
I thoroughly enjoyed the base that Silentcide, book 1 of Richard Ebert's trilogy set up for Silentcide 2, but was not expecting the crazy rollercoaster ride that he took me on throughout the second book. Just when I thought I had things figured out, there were new twists and turns, with unexpected outcomes. What a fun, exhilarating ride and great to have a refreshing new style of writing where I could actually "see" through his online photos where the action was taking place. I am sure Richard has broken ground for many other authors to follow in his footsteps. I was very fortunate to have been able to preview both of his books and absolutely can't wait for the final book to be written!
When I won this book which is out of my normal reading genres, I was skeptical about reading a book about assassins but I shouldn't have been. The story was intriguing and there was never a dull moment. It was about assassins, but also family, romance, and revenge. One interesting addition is that there are QR codes throughout the book, so that you can visualize where the action is taking place. Even if this isn't your normal reading genre, give this book a chance. It's book #2 of the Silentcide series but can definitely be read as a standalone. That's how I read it, but now I'm excited to get book #1, Silentcide The Art of Undetected Killing.
Suspense thriller fans you are in for another treat! The twists and turns in Silentcide2 will keep enchanting you until the very end. No matter how clever I thought I was in predicting what would come next, Ebert was even more so as he continued to spin new webs of events that would baffle me. He is a masterful writer who will make you feel you are right there with the characters. His vivid descriptions enabled me to picture the events in my mind, plus the QR codes to the online photos are a great addition. I received an ARC of Silentcide2 from Encircle Books, but this review is my honest opinion.
Silentcide 2 is a thriller from start to finish! There are so many plot twists and turns! Characters disappear and re-appear throughout the worldy adventures of Chris, Michelle, Anna, and Ansel.
Irene's cold-blooded plots thicken as her network of trained assasins grows...then shrinks.
Chris and Michelle stick together through thick and thin. So many questions are answered in the ending that ties everything together flawlessly.
Where to start…this book keeps you on the edge of your seat, waiting for the next turn of events. Book started out intense, gives you a break and back at the next “problem”. The sibling team will do whatever needs to be done to make that woman pay. The pictures with explanation of action scenes were amazing. Giving you a real feeling of being there. Mr Ebert should also consider writing a travel book as well.
*I won this Autographed Book from Goodreads. Thank you!
I received a copy of this novel to read and review. Silentcide book 1 left me on the edge of my seat. This novel continues the ride alongside the siblings while telling the back story I was eager to hear. The journey between past and present brings you closer to the characters and all their intrigue. Another great traveling action-thriller that keeps you enthralled to the very end.
This book picks right up where "Silentcide: The Art of Undetected Killing" left off. A page turner you won't want to put down. Lots of action and suspense. Photos that mirror the story line add a unique touch. The twists are not only surprising but also intricately tied to the characters’ motivations and relationships, adding depth to the unfolding drama. Highly recommend.
I loved Silentcide part 2. The author did a great job of reminding and catching the reader up to speed with the who and what of the characters in Silentcide part 1. The reader now has even more background on some of the characters which only adds to their « villain type « character. I can’t wait for part 3!!!
Great sequel to the original. Characters are very consistent personalities between the 2 books. I really loved in both books of this series seeing the pictures in the QR codes to see the locations of the scenes. Amazing and unique villain in these stories. Can’t get enough of her. Would love a book about her back story.
*Advance Copy Review* A fast paced book with strong characters who will steal your heart or make you want to run and hide. Just right, exquisite detail which brings all the action together. And enjoy the photos from the locations in Slientcide 2: Vengeance taken by the author, Richard Ebert.
another fantastic book by Mr Ebert. i was again suprised with the twists and turns of the book!! the ending was phenomenal as well!!! excited and curious to see where he goes with the third book as it seems to be pretty well wrapped up.