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Rachel Alexander & Dash #8
Without a Word
Critics around the country have consistently praised Shamus Award-winning author Carol Lea Benjamin for her razor-sharp writing, stylish plotting, and characters so rich and fully fleshed that you feel as if you've known them all of your life. Now, in a tale of family secrets and heartbreaking betrayals, Benjamin lifts the private-eye novel to new heights -- planting herself firmly in the ranks of the most respected crime novelists writing today.
In a city where enemies are as easy to come by as friends and where paranoia is the norm, private investigator Rachel Alexander is surprised to see someone waiting for her at New York City's Washington Square Park dog run, where she takes her pit bull, Dashiell, for his daily R&R. When the distraught man asks her to find his missing wife, Rachel accepts the case reluctantly. After all, the chances of finding a woman who disappeared without a trace -- and without a word -- five years earlier are slim. But Rachel is touched by the missing woman's daughter, a troubled young girl who has been mute since her mother disappeared and who is now suspected of the brutal stabbing murder of her doctor.
Although the girl can't, or won't, speak for herself, Rachel believes she is innocent and is determined to find a way to communicate with her in order to discover the truth and clear her name. Against a backdrop of infidelity, neglect, and a city at times as lonely and frightening as a child's worst nightmares, Rachel's involvement in the case uncovers issues more complex, and more tragic, than she's ever seen, eventually exposing problems that someone is willing to die, or even kill, for.
Mining the underbelly of New York City's oldest and most fascinating neighborhoods and exploring its rich tapestry of people, Without a Word is a gripping and unforgettable work from one of mystery's most talented authors.
In a city where enemies are as easy to come by as friends and where paranoia is the norm, private investigator Rachel Alexander is surprised to see someone waiting for her at New York City's Washington Square Park dog run, where she takes her pit bull, Dashiell, for his daily R&R. When the distraught man asks her to find his missing wife, Rachel accepts the case reluctantly. After all, the chances of finding a woman who disappeared without a trace -- and without a word -- five years earlier are slim. But Rachel is touched by the missing woman's daughter, a troubled young girl who has been mute since her mother disappeared and who is now suspected of the brutal stabbing murder of her doctor.
Although the girl can't, or won't, speak for herself, Rachel believes she is innocent and is determined to find a way to communicate with her in order to discover the truth and clear her name. Against a backdrop of infidelity, neglect, and a city at times as lonely and frightening as a child's worst nightmares, Rachel's involvement in the case uncovers issues more complex, and more tragic, than she's ever seen, eventually exposing problems that someone is willing to die, or even kill, for.
Mining the underbelly of New York City's oldest and most fascinating neighborhoods and exploring its rich tapestry of people, Without a Word is a gripping and unforgettable work from one of mystery's most talented authors.
273 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2005
73 people are currently reading
187 people want to read
About the author
Carol Lea Benjamin
38 books50 followersA noted dog trainer and former detective, Carol Lea Benjamin is the author of books on canine behavior and training as well as the Rachel Alexander and Dash mystery series. She has been honored by the International Association of Canine Professionals with her election to their Hall of Fame. Ms. Benjamin lives in Greenwich Village with her husband and their dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 24, 2017
Sort of a literary mystery. Or literary fiction, with a mystery thrown in. The mystery was interesting, but I got distracted by the character development literary angle. Very well written.
July 13, 2010
Very quick read. Held my interest. Might check out the other books.
December 13, 2020
I liked this one more than some of the others in this series (although at times, it seems like it was written before The Long Good Boy, it turns out to take place afterwards), and in spite of the somewhat misleading blurb.
A lot about the therapy that dogs provide.
Three parallel stories of mothers and children. Some glimpses of Rachel's own childhood that are pretty stark. Also some reminders of The Fall Guy.
I cared a lot about Madison by the end of this one.
The Long Good Boy The Fall Guy: A Rachel Alexander Mystery
A lot about the therapy that dogs provide.
Three parallel stories of mothers and children. Some glimpses of Rachel's own childhood that are pretty stark. Also some reminders of The Fall Guy.
I cared a lot about Madison by the end of this one.
The Long Good Boy The Fall Guy: A Rachel Alexander Mystery
November 22, 2017
This is only my second book in the series to have read. I enjoyed the character, Rachel Alexander and her dog, Dashiel. This story had a lot of mystery and murder too. Yet it involved a little girl who didn’t talk, her father and her mother who had been missing for five years. Rachel is hired to find the little girl’s mother in hopes that the little girl would talk again. This book was very entertaining and so easy to read. I had difficulty putting it down. I wasn’t sure how the story would end and in fact I had to reread the last few pages to make sure I hadn’t missed anything. The ending was one I didn’t expect. I will definitely read another book in her series!
November 24, 2018
Have Dog will Travel!
Fun book, dog is the sort of PI’s companion on all her jobs, actually everywhere. Madison doesn’t talk and at 12 she is being accused of murder. Dash wins over the girl immediately and they see what happens from there.
Great character development. You get to know the people with their quirks. Makes the story more alive.
Fun book, dog is the sort of PI’s companion on all her jobs, actually everywhere. Madison doesn’t talk and at 12 she is being accused of murder. Dash wins over the girl immediately and they see what happens from there.
Great character development. You get to know the people with their quirks. Makes the story more alive.
May 29, 2017
Captivating read
This is my first encounter with Carol Lea Benjamin, Rachel Alexander and Dash. I can say that it won't be my last. Well though out, interesting characters, a real page turner. Kept me up past my bedtime more than once reading "just one more chapter."
This is my first encounter with Carol Lea Benjamin, Rachel Alexander and Dash. I can say that it won't be my last. Well though out, interesting characters, a real page turner. Kept me up past my bedtime more than once reading "just one more chapter."
August 6, 2017
Awesome book! I love this series! I enjoy reading about Dash's adventures and the way Rachel's mind works to solve things. The way she and Dash worked together to help Madison with her issues was so real and well done.
November 25, 2018
Excellent
I enjoyed the book from the beginning to end. Kept me wondering what would happen next. A good step by step by the author on how the Private Investigator solved the case.
I enjoyed the book from the beginning to end. Kept me wondering what would happen next. A good step by step by the author on how the Private Investigator solved the case.
May 18, 2017
New writer for me
Really enjoyed the book it kept me reading . I also liked how she brought the dog into the story
Really enjoyed the book it kept me reading . I also liked how she brought the dog into the story
July 20, 2017
Girl in a bubble
Excellently written, except for the ending.
This is a new author for me and now I'm not sure if I should
Go on. Certainly not predictable.
Excellently written, except for the ending.
This is a new author for me and now I'm not sure if I should
Go on. Certainly not predictable.
September 5, 2017
Good read.
Good read. Love this dog he reminds data me of my own best friend,who stole my heart and is the Best Ever.
Good read. Love this dog he reminds data me of my own best friend,who stole my heart and is the Best Ever.
June 13, 2022
Good story, well written
Surprised even this old mystery fan. I liked that she didn't have the cliched ending. Okay, here's five more words, and a bonus, Amazon.
Surprised even this old mystery fan. I liked that she didn't have the cliched ending. Okay, here's five more words, and a bonus, Amazon.
June 7, 2023
Great read, kept me guessing who the killer was! 3rd book I’ve read in the series. If you’re a dog lover and mystery reader you’ll totally enjoy!
May 17, 2025
I rather like these. There are dogs. And a neighborhood very close to where I used to live. And mostly nice people trying to get by. Good series.
May 15, 2016
Book #8 in the series, this is my favorite one so far. I think the author showed a lot of insight into the young girl's character and drew a very interesting picture of a complex family situation. Much better than your average whodunnit!
January 16, 2025
classic Carol Lea Benjamin
Riveting characters, vivid writing, a plot twist that makes perfect sense, but not one that I saw coming. A perfect cozy with a (psychological) twist of noir.
Riveting characters, vivid writing, a plot twist that makes perfect sense, but not one that I saw coming. A perfect cozy with a (psychological) twist of noir.
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December 28, 2007a Rachel Alexander Mystery (Rachel Alexander & Dash Mysteries
September 7, 2010
So neat that P.I. Rachel Alexander has a pit bull named Dashiell for a sidekick.
March 4, 2013
This is the best of the Rachel Alexander & Dash series. I discovered this author recently and I am hooked on these mysteries. I have enjoyed all of them. Keep them coming!
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August 9, 2014Great quick read. Held my interest the whole time. Really liked it alot.
August 8, 2015
Another excellent story.
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August 3, 2018A quick read in which the investigator is asked to locate a woman missing for five years, as her troubled, mute twelve-year-old daughter has now come under suspicion of murder and dad thinks finding ma might help somehow.
It has some rather odd leaps, but overall is not a bad read. I was relieved that the investigator's dog did not take on a huge role--he had an role appropriate to the story here rather than an irritatingly cute one.
And now I believe I am caught up on the summer's books, for the moment.
It has some rather odd leaps, but overall is not a bad read. I was relieved that the investigator's dog did not take on a huge role--he had an role appropriate to the story here rather than an irritatingly cute one.
And now I believe I am caught up on the summer's books, for the moment.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews