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Dr. Samantha Ryan Mystery #1
Silent Witness
When female forensic pathologist Dr. Sam Ryan stumbles upon a mutilated body in a graveyard in the dark of night, the quiet English town of Northwick is changed forever. The evidence seems to point to a peculiar ritualistic killing linked to the black arts, and the murder bears an uncanny resemblance to a local crime committed years ago. Then another related death is discovered, and Sam's expertise is relied on to find evidence the police desperately need to solve the case. As Sam and her team delve deeper into the strange circumstances, elements that once seemed like coincidence soon appear to belong to a larger, more horrific plan.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1996
2 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
About the author
Nigel McCrery
66 books54 followersNigel Colin McCrery was an English screenwriter, producer and writer. He was the creator of the long-running crime dramas Silent Witness (1996–present) and New Tricks (2003–2015).
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 4, 2023
A weak addition to the crowded forensic pathology thriller genre
Having enjoyed the recent addition of England's Simon Beckett's to the intensely crowded North American forensic pathology thriller field, I was looking forward to another rural mystery with that uniquely British cultural flavour. Nigel McCrery set his debut novel, SILENT WITNESS, in East Anglia where pathologist Samantha Ryan assists the local constabulary in the hunt for a serial killer that seems to be dabbling in the occult. Not merely dispatched with mundane work-a-day strangulation, the first two victims, Mark James and Frances Purves, were garrotted and dumped in bizarre settings with a garland of ivy tied around their wrists and an upside down cross carved into their bodies.
The clues all seem to lead in only one direction - to club owner, Sebastian Bird, who was acquainted with both victims and seems to have had the requisite motive, means and opportunity for each case. But, and this is terribly obvious, while Superintendent Harriet Farmer would have been content to lock Bird up, toss away the key and call it a day, pathologist Samantha Ryan is unconvinced that Bird is their man and therein lies the story line.
Sadly, betwixt the idea and the execution lies a vast gulf. The writing and characterization are pedestrian and uninteresting. The science behind the forensics is dull and distinctly uninformative. While I wouldn't go quite so far as to suggest that it was an utter waste of precious reading time, I will say that I found SILENT WITNESS to be derivative and a weak alternative to the vast array of other choices in the genre. Samantha Ryan, who ought to have leaped off the page as a character, was a prissy, emotionless cold fish. Even when she placed herself in harm's way, I didn't feel it was out of conviction, courage or over-estimated bravado. It seemed more that she simply didn't have the wit to recognize that she was stepping over some very clearly dangerous or irresponsible lines.
I may give the series one more try to see if it improves at all but on the basis of this single novel, I'm withholding recommendation.
Paul Weiss
Having enjoyed the recent addition of England's Simon Beckett's to the intensely crowded North American forensic pathology thriller field, I was looking forward to another rural mystery with that uniquely British cultural flavour. Nigel McCrery set his debut novel, SILENT WITNESS, in East Anglia where pathologist Samantha Ryan assists the local constabulary in the hunt for a serial killer that seems to be dabbling in the occult. Not merely dispatched with mundane work-a-day strangulation, the first two victims, Mark James and Frances Purves, were garrotted and dumped in bizarre settings with a garland of ivy tied around their wrists and an upside down cross carved into their bodies.
The clues all seem to lead in only one direction - to club owner, Sebastian Bird, who was acquainted with both victims and seems to have had the requisite motive, means and opportunity for each case. But, and this is terribly obvious, while Superintendent Harriet Farmer would have been content to lock Bird up, toss away the key and call it a day, pathologist Samantha Ryan is unconvinced that Bird is their man and therein lies the story line.
Sadly, betwixt the idea and the execution lies a vast gulf. The writing and characterization are pedestrian and uninteresting. The science behind the forensics is dull and distinctly uninformative. While I wouldn't go quite so far as to suggest that it was an utter waste of precious reading time, I will say that I found SILENT WITNESS to be derivative and a weak alternative to the vast array of other choices in the genre. Samantha Ryan, who ought to have leaped off the page as a character, was a prissy, emotionless cold fish. Even when she placed herself in harm's way, I didn't feel it was out of conviction, courage or over-estimated bravado. It seemed more that she simply didn't have the wit to recognize that she was stepping over some very clearly dangerous or irresponsible lines.
I may give the series one more try to see if it improves at all but on the basis of this single novel, I'm withholding recommendation.
Paul Weiss
June 19, 2022
This year we saw the 25th season of the BBC series Silent Witness, and while the leading role has been played for quite a while by somebody else this season saw the return of forensic pathologist dr Sam Ryan. Which was for me reason enough to have a look of a few book that were written by the original creator of the TV show.
When dr Ryan is called out to a seemingly ritual murdered person she does not know that she is about to have a run-in with a serial killer of the ritualistic variety.
When the book is finished you will know more about Sams’ family, attention to detail and her nosey character and how close to be killed she got. Simply because not all is what seems to be.
A satisfying little thriller that is a decent enough book with characters that are interesting enough to keep reading.
When dr Ryan is called out to a seemingly ritual murdered person she does not know that she is about to have a run-in with a serial killer of the ritualistic variety.
When the book is finished you will know more about Sams’ family, attention to detail and her nosey character and how close to be killed she got. Simply because not all is what seems to be.
A satisfying little thriller that is a decent enough book with characters that are interesting enough to keep reading.
February 17, 2020
Скучновато и предсказуемо. Не съм сигурен дали да продължа да чета поредицата...
July 26, 2010
This novel is set in the English countryside, almost a classic whodunit, and the plot is strong with well developed, believable characters. But almost none of the characters are people one would wish to know in real life, and a lot of the 'twists' are easy to see coming. The author has a tendency to repeat himself and an annoying habit of writing run-on sentences, which would have been easy to overlook if the story had been a bit better. He also has a smug tendency to be self-righteous. Example: 'She was saddened and wondered if the Reverend Shaw would still be so certain of his faith after seeing what his God allowed to happen to the innocent and the pure.' Yes, although he is a Reverend, he is almost assuredly unaware that bad things happen to good people. Please. Also, the editing is terrible. There were so many missing words and wrong words mistakenly left in ('now' when the author meant 'know' and 'sore' when he meant 'more,' to name a couple) and I found myself rereading sentences, attempting to decipher their meaning, before realizing a word was not right. Annoying. Finally, the thing I disliked most isn't something I can write because it would give too much away; suffice it to say, it was part of the story and dealt with one of the few agreeable characters, and it was a big disappointment.
September 3, 2008
Finished. On a mystery reading kick right now. So this filled a void. Like his writing very much. Going to have to go back and look at his other stuff.
February 15, 2020
A good enough murder mystery. Outdated language. One word in particular really shocked me. I won’t repeat it here however. The twist ending was good and I didn’t really see it coming. My edition had some awful mistakes in the grammar. That aside... well worth the read!
November 19, 2017
Bit sexist and dated, but OK story
August 19, 2018
Been a huge fan of the TV series since the beginning so I was thrilled to find out that several books have been written as well1
June 13, 2021
I love this series, and I love the TV series (Amanda Burton version only, thanks).
2021 Pop Sugar Reading Challenge Advanced: #45 - The Book That's Been On Your TBR List Longest
2021 Pop Sugar Reading Challenge Advanced: #45 - The Book That's Been On Your TBR List Longest
March 31, 2023
Everything about this book was perfect maybe it’s just because I watched the show first but all the characters read so perfectly it was everything I could of asked for in this book and more
October 2, 2023
I love Nigel McCrery's Inspector Lapslie novels so much that I am going back and reading his earlier novels. In doing so I have discovered his Dr. Sam Ryan series
Dr. Sam is a pathologist who likes to stick her nose into solving crimes as well as being a pathologist. Her character is endearing and very likable. The story itself was intelligent, well paced and was exciting to the very end ... and full of memorable characters.
Dr. Sam is a pathologist who likes to stick her nose into solving crimes as well as being a pathologist. Her character is endearing and very likable. The story itself was intelligent, well paced and was exciting to the very end ... and full of memorable characters.
September 9, 2014
Läs några böcker av Patricia Cornwell, några av Elizabeth George, plocka det du gillar här och där och sen lite från andra kriminalhistorier. Lite mord, gärna med rituella inslag, en spännande karaktär från den kriminella världen för att få handlingen lite farlig. Skriv så kortfattat som möjligt så läsaren absolut inte får någon känsla för karaktärerna eller händelserna. Ja just det... Lite heta känslor mellan två personer också för att få in kärlek(?), romantik(?). Ja, sen var det slut.
June 12, 2011
Really enjoyed it. Didn't have it figured out at all!
January 23, 2013
Nice reading during commuting to work.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews