What do you think?
Rate this book
Silent Source
SILENT SOURCE is an award-winning debut thriller inspired by one of Homeland Security’s top scenarios for terrorist attacks on America. Forensic mastermind, Damon Keane, investigates a series of bewildering cases of a fatal syndrome—a slow, excruciating death—cropping up in Atlanta. Now a priest is dying at Grady Memorial hospital. Delirious and in torment . . . hints of torture carried out within the walls of his sacred church. The only clue for the crime is the dying priest’s rosary beads: they’ve miraculously turned the color of blood. But Keane knows he’s not chasing something supernatural. He’s pursuing a killer—a man twisted by anger and a lust for vengeance.
The mystery races from Atlanta to London’s Hyde Park to the edge of Siberia, a place once home to the world’s most secret atomic city, now mecca for the international nuclear black market. The killer is making chilling preparations to submerge Atlanta in a cloud of death. Keane is always one step behind. Time is running out.
It all comes together on a bustling July 4th weekend at the world’s busiest airport—Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson. And Damon Keane has learned that the only way to take down this sinister madman is to outmatch his cunning in a face-to-face showdown.
SILENT SOURCE was one of three international finalists for the 2015 Clive Cussler Grand Master Award. The fast-paced thriller will appeal to fans of David Baldacci and James Patterson.
The mystery races from Atlanta to London’s Hyde Park to the edge of Siberia, a place once home to the world’s most secret atomic city, now mecca for the international nuclear black market. The killer is making chilling preparations to submerge Atlanta in a cloud of death. Keane is always one step behind. Time is running out.
It all comes together on a bustling July 4th weekend at the world’s busiest airport—Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson. And Damon Keane has learned that the only way to take down this sinister madman is to outmatch his cunning in a face-to-face showdown.
SILENT SOURCE was one of three international finalists for the 2015 Clive Cussler Grand Master Award. The fast-paced thriller will appeal to fans of David Baldacci and James Patterson.
266 pages, ebook
First published October 3, 2016
314 people are currently reading
1959 people want to read
About the author
James Marshall Smith
2 books209 followersJames Marshall Smith is a writer and scientist, whose novels are informed--and sometimes inspired!--by his varied research career, from space satellites to molecular biophysics. He was Chief of Radiation Studies for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta for over a decade and has served in consulting or advisory roles on nuclear-threat countermeasures for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, the G7 Global Health Security Action Group in Berlin, London and Paris, and for the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
His debut novel—Silent Source—was one of three international finalists for the 2015 Clive Cussler Grand Master Award. His other novel—Hybrid, another suspense/thriller—was a short-list finalist in the William Faulkner-Wisdom Creative Writing Competition and a finalist in the annual Colorado Gold Novel Contest. James lives and writes in Georgia with his wife June and their bossy Maltese.
His debut novel—Silent Source—was one of three international finalists for the 2015 Clive Cussler Grand Master Award. His other novel—Hybrid, another suspense/thriller—was a short-list finalist in the William Faulkner-Wisdom Creative Writing Competition and a finalist in the annual Colorado Gold Novel Contest. James lives and writes in Georgia with his wife June and their bossy Maltese.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
October 17, 2016
I had can't-put-the-book-down-syndrome with this one. This was a very edge of your seat, just one more page book. I found it very well written, with a good, believable storyline, and I like stories I can believe. Lots of unexpected twists and turns held my attention. Mr. Smith's expertise about the subject matter was evident throughout the book due to his impressive real life career. I thought the characters well developed, with their own struggles and issues apart from the main story. I would recommend this book to any and all that enjoy a good thriller. I received this book as an ARC from the author.
February 28, 2017
Unsettling story and gripping twists
The hero of this book is the suave and debonair scientist, Damon Keane. Although he has a large personal wealth, he enjoys helping the Atlanta P.D. to solve their most puzzling cases. In this case seemingly unrelated people are dying of radiation poisoning. Keane finds that the perpetrator is one lone individual with an agenda and that he has friends in high places who facilitate his crimes. He is planning a high-profile terrorist attack in his own homeland – he is a racist, pure and simple. The pace is break-neck, the plot convoluted and surprising. I really enjoyed it and am hoping for more outings for the attractive hero.
The hero of this book is the suave and debonair scientist, Damon Keane. Although he has a large personal wealth, he enjoys helping the Atlanta P.D. to solve their most puzzling cases. In this case seemingly unrelated people are dying of radiation poisoning. Keane finds that the perpetrator is one lone individual with an agenda and that he has friends in high places who facilitate his crimes. He is planning a high-profile terrorist attack in his own homeland – he is a racist, pure and simple. The pace is break-neck, the plot convoluted and surprising. I really enjoyed it and am hoping for more outings for the attractive hero.
April 21, 2017
Just finished reading “Silent Source” by James Marshall Smith. I received a signed copy as a win on Goodreads.com so I’d like to first say thank you James for that.
This was James’ debut novel. A Medical Thriller Suspense done with a great deal of expertise and based on actual science and facts. Throw in a bit of espionage, murder and world travel and you have quite an adventure. I could not put this book down...just sucks you in and won’t let you go. Great characters and a wonderful believable story that is packed with so much action and suspense. While this book came to a complete ending in that the story ended well, I can see there being other books born from this one. Dr. Damon Keane is a sleuth scientist with a whimsical attitude. I look forward to reading more of James Marshall Smith in the future. I highly recommend the book for anyone who just enjoys a great adventure. Excellent read.
Synopsis (from back cover): The hate is deep. The death is slow. The cause is silent.
You know that Atlanta PD has given up on a case when they call in Dr. Damon Keane. The sleuth scientist is quietly famous in forensic circles for unraveling the most daunting technical puzzles, but this case is bewildering. Two people are already dead. The third victim, a priest, is dying by inches in an Atlanta hospital, and the cause is a complete mystery to doctors and detectives alike.
As if matters weren't strange enough, the dying priest's rosary beads have suddenly turned the color of blood.
Despite that bizarre transformation, Keane knows that he's not chasing something supernatural. The killer is a man—twisted by anger and a lust for vengeance—but still very much human. As the death toll mounts, the story races to London's Hyde Park and on to the edge of Siberia and a place once home to the world’s most secret atomic city. For all of his perception and skill, Keane is always one step behind.
Time is running out. The killer is making final preparations to unleash a cloud of death over the entire city of Atlanta. By now, Damon Keane has learned that the only way to take down this villain is to outmatch his cunning in a face-to-face showdown.
It’s the most hectic travel weekend of the summer at the world’s busiest airport …
This was James’ debut novel. A Medical Thriller Suspense done with a great deal of expertise and based on actual science and facts. Throw in a bit of espionage, murder and world travel and you have quite an adventure. I could not put this book down...just sucks you in and won’t let you go. Great characters and a wonderful believable story that is packed with so much action and suspense. While this book came to a complete ending in that the story ended well, I can see there being other books born from this one. Dr. Damon Keane is a sleuth scientist with a whimsical attitude. I look forward to reading more of James Marshall Smith in the future. I highly recommend the book for anyone who just enjoys a great adventure. Excellent read.
Synopsis (from back cover): The hate is deep. The death is slow. The cause is silent.
You know that Atlanta PD has given up on a case when they call in Dr. Damon Keane. The sleuth scientist is quietly famous in forensic circles for unraveling the most daunting technical puzzles, but this case is bewildering. Two people are already dead. The third victim, a priest, is dying by inches in an Atlanta hospital, and the cause is a complete mystery to doctors and detectives alike.
As if matters weren't strange enough, the dying priest's rosary beads have suddenly turned the color of blood.
Despite that bizarre transformation, Keane knows that he's not chasing something supernatural. The killer is a man—twisted by anger and a lust for vengeance—but still very much human. As the death toll mounts, the story races to London's Hyde Park and on to the edge of Siberia and a place once home to the world’s most secret atomic city. For all of his perception and skill, Keane is always one step behind.
Time is running out. The killer is making final preparations to unleash a cloud of death over the entire city of Atlanta. By now, Damon Keane has learned that the only way to take down this villain is to outmatch his cunning in a face-to-face showdown.
It’s the most hectic travel weekend of the summer at the world’s busiest airport …
March 23, 2017
DEFINITELY RECOMMEND
What an excellent read! I'd recommend this book for anyone who is interested in reading a story with lots of suspense!
What an excellent read! I'd recommend this book for anyone who is interested in reading a story with lots of suspense!
September 14, 2016
In a genre full of eccentric detectives and narrative gimmicks, author James Marshall Smith distinguishes Keane with the plausible investigative processes he employs to get his answers. All Keane needs is a worthy adversary, and Smith gives him an exceptional one in a technician at a local oncology center that turns out to be far more than he seems. The ensuing race against the clock spirals into a breathtaking and readily believable global manhunt.
Smith, founding chief of the radiation studies branch of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), obviously brings a wealth of knowledge to the subject, but he never lets the story get so bogged down in the details that it ceases to entertain. It’s not going too far to say that every note rings true. If you like medical thrillers based upon actual science, put Silent Source at the top of your reading queue.
Check out the rest of my review at BestThrillers.com
Smith, founding chief of the radiation studies branch of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), obviously brings a wealth of knowledge to the subject, but he never lets the story get so bogged down in the details that it ceases to entertain. It’s not going too far to say that every note rings true. If you like medical thrillers based upon actual science, put Silent Source at the top of your reading queue.
Check out the rest of my review at BestThrillers.com
August 11, 2016
Daemon Keane is a doctor. But instead of a regular practice, he is on call for cases that are rare and require special technical skills. In this case, the mayor of Atlanta asks Keane to consult on a situation in which two patients had already died and another, a priest, was just brought to Atlanta's Grady hospital with the same symptoms. The doctors are completely stumped, and the mayor decided to call Keane in to consult. When four Mexican laborers are found dead with similar symptoms, the police are also involved.
The chase to find what is causing the illnesses and then to stop the perpetrator becomes a very exciting read. Especially after learning that the man behind all this has much larger plans that include destroying the Atlanta airport. It is hard not to give away too much. I encourage reading "Silent Source."
The chase to find what is causing the illnesses and then to stop the perpetrator becomes a very exciting read. Especially after learning that the man behind all this has much larger plans that include destroying the Atlanta airport. It is hard not to give away too much. I encourage reading "Silent Source."
November 12, 2016
Captivated By The Intrigue and Suspense.
The book was fascinating - a true suspense thriller. The characters were superbly developed. It was easy to follow the unfolding plot. I had a hard time putting the book down. This story would easily lend itself to the big screen for its relevancy to today. James Patterson readers would love this book. Kudos to Jim Smith!
The book was fascinating - a true suspense thriller. The characters were superbly developed. It was easy to follow the unfolding plot. I had a hard time putting the book down. This story would easily lend itself to the big screen for its relevancy to today. James Patterson readers would love this book. Kudos to Jim Smith!
March 24, 2017
Silent Source
This is a very good read. Action all the way. Damon is a very likeable character as well as a smart sleuthing.
This is a very good read. Action all the way. Damon is a very likeable character as well as a smart sleuthing.
August 13, 2017
Silent Source is one good read! James Marshall Smith delivers a heck of a good story with plenty of explosive plot twists. Tiny spoiler: I am certain another Damon Keane novel is in the works, and I won't be missing out on it. As much as the story moves along at a steady and quick pace, the ending is more of a crescendo until....Okay, no more spoilers, large or small. This is a perfect thriller, with a very humane protagonist.
August 7, 2017
A killer is on the loose. Two people are dead and a third is dieing, a priest whose rosary beads mysteriously turned blood red.>> Dr. Damon Keane must take down his man before an entire city is annihilated by death.>>INTENSE>> THANKYOU GOODREADS FOR THIS FREE BOOK!!!!!
May 12, 2017
Really liked this book. Full of surprises!
October 8, 2016
‘All men should strive to learn before they die what they are running from and to and why.’ —James Thurber
Georgia author James Marshall Smith comes to his debut novel with a career that assures the reader that the quality of story and the sensitivity of the writing are well prepared. James is a scientist whose range of contributions is from space satellites to molecular biophysics. He was founding chief of the radiation studies branch of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, where he held a Distinguished Scientist/Consultant appointment. His strengths in his field resulted in his participation as a consultant following the Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear crises: he has served as an advisor on nuclear-threat countermeasures for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, the G7 Global Health Security Action Group in Berlin, London and Paris, and for the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Though SILENT SOURCE is his debut novel (after polishing his writing skills in writing workshops in LA, NYC, the University of Iowa, and at Oxford) it was one of three international finalists for the 2015 Clive Cussler Grand Master Award!
James’ writing skills are immediately apparent in his opening paragraphs – ‘Like fashion, torture comes in a variety of styles. The paramedic shoved the gurney into the ambulance. Why would anyone, he thought, force Father Michael O’Shannon to trample through a bed of burning coals? And in the name of Jesus? He’d never heard anything like the babbling of the old priest. There were plenty of outlandish stories about the church and Catholics, but he assumed tales from his drinking buddies were all bull****. He tucked the blanket around the priest’s vomit-stained collar. His partner with less than two months on the job collected the BP cuff and IV tube. Father O’Shannon struggled to breathe. He curled his knees into his chest in agony and then muttered as he reached toward his red swollen feet: “They keep shoving me.” The paramedic wiped foam away from the mouth of the priest with a tissue and leaned toward his ashen face. Words trickled from the old man’s lips with his drool. “They hold me back, then push at me again. I . . . I can’t take it anymore.” He uttered each word as if it were his last.’
James has created palpably real characters for this thriller. Everyone in the course of the book is so well identified and defined that they seem familiar to us. Most likely in James’ experience he has encountered such people, but his Forensic Specialist Dr. Damon Keane is so well crafted that we can only hope he will be a recurring character in James’ future novels.
But on to the terrifying story – ‘You know that Atlanta PD has given up on a case when they call in Dr. Damon Keane. The sleuth scientist is quietly famous in forensic circles for unraveling the most daunting technical puzzles, but this case is bewildering. Two people are already dead. The third victim, a priest, is dying by inches in an Atlanta hospital, and the cause is a complete mystery to doctors and police detectives alike. As if matters weren’t strange enough, the dying priest’s rosary beads have suddenly turned the color of blood. Despite that bizarre transformation, Keane knows that he’s not chasing something supernatural. The killer is a man—twisted by anger and a lust for vengeance—but still very much human. As the death toll mounts, the story races to London’s Hyde Park, to the edge of Siberia (home to a thriving black market in nuclear materials), to the backwoods of Georgia. For all of his perception and skill, Keane is always one step behind. Time is running out. The killer is making his final preparations to submerge an entire city in a cloud of death. And Keane has learned that the only way to take down this beast is to outmatch his cunning in a face-to-face showdown.’
Rarely has anyone matched the probing manner of developing a thriller to the degree that James has accomplished. This is a brilliant book, one that clearly belongs on the bestseller list for the year!
Georgia author James Marshall Smith comes to his debut novel with a career that assures the reader that the quality of story and the sensitivity of the writing are well prepared. James is a scientist whose range of contributions is from space satellites to molecular biophysics. He was founding chief of the radiation studies branch of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, where he held a Distinguished Scientist/Consultant appointment. His strengths in his field resulted in his participation as a consultant following the Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear crises: he has served as an advisor on nuclear-threat countermeasures for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, the G7 Global Health Security Action Group in Berlin, London and Paris, and for the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Though SILENT SOURCE is his debut novel (after polishing his writing skills in writing workshops in LA, NYC, the University of Iowa, and at Oxford) it was one of three international finalists for the 2015 Clive Cussler Grand Master Award!
James’ writing skills are immediately apparent in his opening paragraphs – ‘Like fashion, torture comes in a variety of styles. The paramedic shoved the gurney into the ambulance. Why would anyone, he thought, force Father Michael O’Shannon to trample through a bed of burning coals? And in the name of Jesus? He’d never heard anything like the babbling of the old priest. There were plenty of outlandish stories about the church and Catholics, but he assumed tales from his drinking buddies were all bull****. He tucked the blanket around the priest’s vomit-stained collar. His partner with less than two months on the job collected the BP cuff and IV tube. Father O’Shannon struggled to breathe. He curled his knees into his chest in agony and then muttered as he reached toward his red swollen feet: “They keep shoving me.” The paramedic wiped foam away from the mouth of the priest with a tissue and leaned toward his ashen face. Words trickled from the old man’s lips with his drool. “They hold me back, then push at me again. I . . . I can’t take it anymore.” He uttered each word as if it were his last.’
James has created palpably real characters for this thriller. Everyone in the course of the book is so well identified and defined that they seem familiar to us. Most likely in James’ experience he has encountered such people, but his Forensic Specialist Dr. Damon Keane is so well crafted that we can only hope he will be a recurring character in James’ future novels.
But on to the terrifying story – ‘You know that Atlanta PD has given up on a case when they call in Dr. Damon Keane. The sleuth scientist is quietly famous in forensic circles for unraveling the most daunting technical puzzles, but this case is bewildering. Two people are already dead. The third victim, a priest, is dying by inches in an Atlanta hospital, and the cause is a complete mystery to doctors and police detectives alike. As if matters weren’t strange enough, the dying priest’s rosary beads have suddenly turned the color of blood. Despite that bizarre transformation, Keane knows that he’s not chasing something supernatural. The killer is a man—twisted by anger and a lust for vengeance—but still very much human. As the death toll mounts, the story races to London’s Hyde Park, to the edge of Siberia (home to a thriving black market in nuclear materials), to the backwoods of Georgia. For all of his perception and skill, Keane is always one step behind. Time is running out. The killer is making his final preparations to submerge an entire city in a cloud of death. And Keane has learned that the only way to take down this beast is to outmatch his cunning in a face-to-face showdown.’
Rarely has anyone matched the probing manner of developing a thriller to the degree that James has accomplished. This is a brilliant book, one that clearly belongs on the bestseller list for the year!
September 5, 2017
Excellent read
Grabbed me and didn't let go until the last page of the Afterward. I was so hoping that there I would find that Mr. Smith had written yet another book! Please write another Mr. Smith.
Grabbed me and didn't let go until the last page of the Afterward. I was so hoping that there I would find that Mr. Smith had written yet another book! Please write another Mr. Smith.
November 7, 2016
I recently finished reading the book, Silent Source: A Medical Thriller: by James Marshall Smith, and I really enjoyed the read. It had a compelling plot, and well fleshed out characters, and kept me at the edge of my seat wanting to read more.
The book begins with an intruiging medical mystery that soon exposes a serial killer. Unfortunately this serial killer is shown to be more than just your average psychopath, and is exposed as a terrorist with plans to unleah more chaos into the world before he is done.
This book is well written with developed complex characters, and there was likely a lot of research involved in writing this book to make it as believable and compelling as it was. Terrorism is not exactly a subject that I can say I personally enjoy reading about, and I expected this to be a murder mystery and thriller, but with that being said, the topic was dealt with in a realistic and compelling way, showing the author to be very sensitive to the subject and for that I was quite impressed.
The bottom line however, is that I would recommend this book to others.
The book begins with an intruiging medical mystery that soon exposes a serial killer. Unfortunately this serial killer is shown to be more than just your average psychopath, and is exposed as a terrorist with plans to unleah more chaos into the world before he is done.
This book is well written with developed complex characters, and there was likely a lot of research involved in writing this book to make it as believable and compelling as it was. Terrorism is not exactly a subject that I can say I personally enjoy reading about, and I expected this to be a murder mystery and thriller, but with that being said, the topic was dealt with in a realistic and compelling way, showing the author to be very sensitive to the subject and for that I was quite impressed.
The bottom line however, is that I would recommend this book to others.
February 9, 2017
The idea at the heart of this thriller is that anyone with an agenda can get hold of radioactive material. In the afterword the author, James Marshall smith, comments that, “over a recent ten year period there have been more than fifteen hundred confirmed incidents of illicit trafficking of nuclear and radiological material worldwide….In some countries radioactive materials appear on the black market with drugs and contraband.” The author clearly knows what he is talking about, having been founding chief of the radiation studies branch of the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. I had no idea of this and find the idea deeply troubling. The plot of this book made me even more troubled, having as its premise the idea of a terrorist group planning a large scale nuclear bomb attack. It is a very gripping read with a charismatic hero. Since it ends on a cliff hanger I am sure there will be a sequel to read soon and I very much look forward to it.
July 6, 2016
Amazing thrill ride through Atlanta, Russia and London while the engaging Damon Keane and his sexy sidekick Jesse follow the trail of a madman who knows where to find nuclear waste and how to use it to build a dirty bomb. What I like most about this debut novel, in addition to the believable characters and well-drawn dialogue, is that it's not just idle speculation! The author is a biophysicist who bases the story on solid science. Smith was part of post 9-11 terrorist scenarios as a nuclear radiation specialist, among other studies. This is a realistic thrill ride, with good reason.
August 4, 2016
I was given this book for free, in exchange for an honest review
I enjoyed this book, it was fast paced, the characters were well written, and well described. I am a big YA reader, and I love New Adult too. So this book was a little out of my comfort zone. However, this book was enjoyable, which made it hard to put down. I feel like i was taking on an adventure. I was in London, and in Georgia. I amhappy I won it as a part of a Goodreads giveaway.
I enjoyed this book, it was fast paced, the characters were well written, and well described. I am a big YA reader, and I love New Adult too. So this book was a little out of my comfort zone. However, this book was enjoyable, which made it hard to put down. I feel like i was taking on an adventure. I was in London, and in Georgia. I amhappy I won it as a part of a Goodreads giveaway.
January 31, 2017
This was a Goodreads Giveaway and it was wonderful to read. Fast paced, easy to follow and short chapters which made me want to keep reading just one more each time! Damon Keane is on call to help police track down people and he was asked to help trace Felix Thornton. I don't want to spoil anything so people can read the synopsis of the book and decide for themselves if they wish to try.
May 27, 2022
Captivating, fast paced
This story combines medical thrillers with the true threats that face America and other countries who fight against terrorism both at a domestic and foreign level. Both Fast paced, and captivating the Author grabs the readers attention from the very beginning and takes you on a journey that exposes the potential for true evil in today's society
This story combines medical thrillers with the true threats that face America and other countries who fight against terrorism both at a domestic and foreign level. Both Fast paced, and captivating the Author grabs the readers attention from the very beginning and takes you on a journey that exposes the potential for true evil in today's society
July 27, 2016
I loved this book. Could not put it down! Thank you goodreads giveaways. I hope James marshall Smith writes a sequel. A great writer!
October 11, 2016
Brilliant. Thrilling. Well thought out. Engaging characters. Definitely a must read. I can't wait for further novels to come.
January 19, 2017
I didn't know this was on Goodreads...this is one of the authors from the GLA Author's Reception. He's very nice and I thoroughly enjoyed his book!
September 26, 2018
My original Silent Source audiobook review and many others can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.
Damon Keane is assigned to assist on a case of terrorism in Atlanta. The victims appear with terrible symptoms just to die shortly after. Keane is working with the Atlanta P.D., but at the same time, there is a struggle since they don't agree with Keane's decisions and ways.
From time to time I like to immerse myself in a thriller, feel the emotion of a page-turner. What I found different from this one to other stories is that we know who the killer is from almost the start, and the book revolves around Keane trying to demonstrate to the cops that this guy is the killer, and trying to catch him. There is plenty of action, a good amount of investigation, and a decent development of the main characters. I found it an entertaining book in a way that most thrillers are.
What I had issues with was the narration. The audio production was okay, but Peter Lerman's monotonous tone killed the story for me. It was like listening to a news presenter relating a very boring news. There was little differentiation between the characters voices, and it was good that there were few women, because Lerman's female voices sounded exactly like the men's. Action scenes were narrated just like others where nothing important happened.
It was a good story, and I would recommend it to anyone into thrillers but I would not recommend this version. I really struggled to finish this book, since the way it was narrated made me lose interest again and again, and I almost lost the point of the story. I have seen this style of narration mostly in non-fiction, and checking his Audible, it seems Peter Leman has narrated a good amount of those.
Damon Keane is assigned to assist on a case of terrorism in Atlanta. The victims appear with terrible symptoms just to die shortly after. Keane is working with the Atlanta P.D., but at the same time, there is a struggle since they don't agree with Keane's decisions and ways.
From time to time I like to immerse myself in a thriller, feel the emotion of a page-turner. What I found different from this one to other stories is that we know who the killer is from almost the start, and the book revolves around Keane trying to demonstrate to the cops that this guy is the killer, and trying to catch him. There is plenty of action, a good amount of investigation, and a decent development of the main characters. I found it an entertaining book in a way that most thrillers are.
What I had issues with was the narration. The audio production was okay, but Peter Lerman's monotonous tone killed the story for me. It was like listening to a news presenter relating a very boring news. There was little differentiation between the characters voices, and it was good that there were few women, because Lerman's female voices sounded exactly like the men's. Action scenes were narrated just like others where nothing important happened.
It was a good story, and I would recommend it to anyone into thrillers but I would not recommend this version. I really struggled to finish this book, since the way it was narrated made me lose interest again and again, and I almost lost the point of the story. I have seen this style of narration mostly in non-fiction, and checking his Audible, it seems Peter Leman has narrated a good amount of those.
May 4, 2020
The Atlanta medical community is baffled. There have been several cases of patients brought in complaining of feeling like they are burning up from the inside out. They have rashes and soon it progresses to multiple organ failures and death before a cause can be determined. When neither they or the police seem to be making any progress, Dr. Damon Keane is called in.
Keane is a technical consultant to the police. His forte is unraveling complex cases that don't seem to have a solution. In this case, he starts to realize that the symptoms match radiation poisoning, but the lab work shows no sign of any radioactive elements. Keane flies to London to research radiation that shows no sign and the closest case is that of a Russian operative poisoned by his superiors back in Moscow. This is a poison that hasn't been seen in the United States.
As Keane follows the clues, he starts to narrow the search to a former radiation tech in a hospital who was dismissed. The victims all seem to have a connection to him. Keane is helped by Jessie Wiley, a former helicopter pilot from the military in Afghanistan who is now trying to make a go of hiring out her own helicopter. She serves as Keane's backup and he gets closer to the man trying to take out as many victims as possible before he dies. Can the pair stop him in time?
Smith knows his subject well. He was Chief of Radiation Studies for CEC in Atlanta for more than a decade and has worked for various international agencies sharing his expertise. This is his debut novel and his knowledge of radiation and of the Atlanta area is demonstrated. The action is fast and furious and the reader will feel compelled to turn the pages to see if Keane and Wiley are successful. This book is recommended for thriller readers.
Keane is a technical consultant to the police. His forte is unraveling complex cases that don't seem to have a solution. In this case, he starts to realize that the symptoms match radiation poisoning, but the lab work shows no sign of any radioactive elements. Keane flies to London to research radiation that shows no sign and the closest case is that of a Russian operative poisoned by his superiors back in Moscow. This is a poison that hasn't been seen in the United States.
As Keane follows the clues, he starts to narrow the search to a former radiation tech in a hospital who was dismissed. The victims all seem to have a connection to him. Keane is helped by Jessie Wiley, a former helicopter pilot from the military in Afghanistan who is now trying to make a go of hiring out her own helicopter. She serves as Keane's backup and he gets closer to the man trying to take out as many victims as possible before he dies. Can the pair stop him in time?
Smith knows his subject well. He was Chief of Radiation Studies for CEC in Atlanta for more than a decade and has worked for various international agencies sharing his expertise. This is his debut novel and his knowledge of radiation and of the Atlanta area is demonstrated. The action is fast and furious and the reader will feel compelled to turn the pages to see if Keane and Wiley are successful. This book is recommended for thriller readers.
March 6, 2017
4 1/2 stars
I enjoyed reading this book. I thought the plot was interesting and scary. It made me wonder if this could happen. I recently listened to an audio book that touched on the same subject, and it makes you stop and think.
I thought the beginning of Silent Source was powerful and it grabbed my attention from page one. The story is a medical one; it's filled with action, unpredictable, alarming, suspenseful, filled with twists, turns, and tension. Lots of good stuff for a debate novel.
On top of all that, I could connect with most of the characters almost immediately. Who I didn't believe was the bad guy. There was something unbelievable about him. He knew everything about what he was doing. He was also always instantly able to know when one of the good guys came anywhere near him and could get the better of them. His biggest flaw was his thinking that he could outsmart everyone.
While I enjoyed this book, what it really needs is a good proofreader, someone who can read it through and catch all the grammar, punctuation, continuity, and word usage errors. There are quite a few of them, so blatant enough to interrupt the flow of my reading. One example that irked me to no end was the use of the word squat. I'm pretty sure that even in the south, it isn't the same as sit, but that's how it was used, repeatedly, in the last third of the book. He squatted on the bumper of his car. He squatted on the chair, on the bed. It's little problems like that that can ruin a book for a reader. So while this book does not need an editor in terms of plot, dialogue, or character development, it does need a good proofreader. Another example is in one location in the book, a character uses the term hauncho, in another it's honcho. (I'm fairly certain the latter version is the correct one.) One last example: When Jessie and Keane are sitting and talking over drinks, she's drinking a Bud Light, a beer. Toward the end of their discussion, "She tossed the paper sleeve from her straw at him." She was drinking a beer with a straw? That's a new one. It made me stop reading and sit and ponder that for a while. These things are easy enough to fix, and if this book goes into a second printing, I hope the author will consider hiring a good proofreader to work on the book, discover, and mend these errors.
I would be willing to read another book by this author, especially if he should decide to write a sequel to Silent Source. If he does, I want to see an apology from the police chief for discrediting Keane's spot-on information.
So, overall, this is an excellent book that I wholeheartedly recommend. The only reason I'm deducting half a star is because of the need for proofreading.
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
I enjoyed reading this book. I thought the plot was interesting and scary. It made me wonder if this could happen. I recently listened to an audio book that touched on the same subject, and it makes you stop and think.
I thought the beginning of Silent Source was powerful and it grabbed my attention from page one. The story is a medical one; it's filled with action, unpredictable, alarming, suspenseful, filled with twists, turns, and tension. Lots of good stuff for a debate novel.
On top of all that, I could connect with most of the characters almost immediately. Who I didn't believe was the bad guy. There was something unbelievable about him. He knew everything about what he was doing. He was also always instantly able to know when one of the good guys came anywhere near him and could get the better of them. His biggest flaw was his thinking that he could outsmart everyone.
While I enjoyed this book, what it really needs is a good proofreader, someone who can read it through and catch all the grammar, punctuation, continuity, and word usage errors. There are quite a few of them, so blatant enough to interrupt the flow of my reading. One example that irked me to no end was the use of the word squat. I'm pretty sure that even in the south, it isn't the same as sit, but that's how it was used, repeatedly, in the last third of the book. He squatted on the bumper of his car. He squatted on the chair, on the bed. It's little problems like that that can ruin a book for a reader. So while this book does not need an editor in terms of plot, dialogue, or character development, it does need a good proofreader. Another example is in one location in the book, a character uses the term hauncho, in another it's honcho. (I'm fairly certain the latter version is the correct one.) One last example: When Jessie and Keane are sitting and talking over drinks, she's drinking a Bud Light, a beer. Toward the end of their discussion, "She tossed the paper sleeve from her straw at him." She was drinking a beer with a straw? That's a new one. It made me stop reading and sit and ponder that for a while. These things are easy enough to fix, and if this book goes into a second printing, I hope the author will consider hiring a good proofreader to work on the book, discover, and mend these errors.
I would be willing to read another book by this author, especially if he should decide to write a sequel to Silent Source. If he does, I want to see an apology from the police chief for discrediting Keane's spot-on information.
So, overall, this is an excellent book that I wholeheartedly recommend. The only reason I'm deducting half a star is because of the need for proofreading.
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
December 24, 2017
I met this author at the 2017 Amelia Island book festival. I bought his book, but can’t honestly say I enjoyed it.
This is about a loony terrorist using chemical weapons to kill people. We know early that he is the killer, so there is no mystery here. Instead, we have a scientific consultant to the police trying to chase the guy, who is performing his crimes in Atlanta before escaping to Russia.
So, not much of a plot but a lot of characters, who we get to know only superficially. The rapidly-changing points of view made reading this laborious to me.
I see other reviewers think much more highly of this book than I do. This just wasn’t appealing to me.
This is about a loony terrorist using chemical weapons to kill people. We know early that he is the killer, so there is no mystery here. Instead, we have a scientific consultant to the police trying to chase the guy, who is performing his crimes in Atlanta before escaping to Russia.
So, not much of a plot but a lot of characters, who we get to know only superficially. The rapidly-changing points of view made reading this laborious to me.
I see other reviewers think much more highly of this book than I do. This just wasn’t appealing to me.
November 14, 2017
This was a thrilling read.
The story and plot are frightening and unfortunately quite realistic.
The story starts with Dr. Damon Keane as the main character, but we also get some passages where the main protagnist plays a major part. Without spoiling anything, the episodes where the "preparation" takes place are well written and page-turning.
The book is well written with a rich and varied language, even for someone who does not have English as a native language.
I enjoyed it and are expecting more from the author, James Marshall Smith.
The story and plot are frightening and unfortunately quite realistic.
The story starts with Dr. Damon Keane as the main character, but we also get some passages where the main protagnist plays a major part. Without spoiling anything, the episodes where the "preparation" takes place are well written and page-turning.
The book is well written with a rich and varied language, even for someone who does not have English as a native language.
I enjoyed it and are expecting more from the author, James Marshall Smith.
November 6, 2020
There was a lot to like for me in this book - set in Atlanta with many familiar settings in GA, medical thriller to stimulate my retired medical brain, an interesting, intelligent protagonist. But oh, so much more to turn me off! The fiendish and evil personality of the killer, the gory, and ghastly deaths and dead bodies... I finally decided I’d had enough! No more spending time facing the worst of human nature for lunch and dinner. Unappetizing dinner!
October 19, 2018
Very Real Very Scary Scenario
This book is very well written. It holds the readers attention from the beginning with the perfect blend of twists and turns. Truly a page turner with a nail biting climax
This is first book I've read by James Marshall Smith. Looking forward to reading his other books.
This book is very well written. It holds the readers attention from the beginning with the perfect blend of twists and turns. Truly a page turner with a nail biting climax
This is first book I've read by James Marshall Smith. Looking forward to reading his other books.
April 20, 2022
Overall, this is a good thriller by a writer who is definitely versed in the material. The reason I settled for 4 stars, was, that at some point the plot starts to get a bit fictional, and not so logical.
The main character in the book is faded and not so appealing. I would say a two-dimensional and uninteresting character
The main character in the book is faded and not so appealing. I would say a two-dimensional and uninteresting character
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews