Silent as the Dead: A Crime Thriller Where a Missing Woman Triggers a Deadly Game

DCI Brendan Moran #4

by Scott Hunter

A call from an old friend whose wife has vanished from their home in Co.Kerry prompts DCI Brendan Moran to return to his Irish roots. The Gardai have drawn a blank; can Moran succeed where they have failed?
 
Moran's investigation leads him to a loner known locally as the Islander, who reveals that the woman's disappearance is connected to a diehard paramilitary with plans to hit a high profile target in the UK. 
 
Time is running out. Can Moran enlist the Islander's help, or does he have to face his deadliest foe alone?
 
Silent as the Dead is the fourth novel in the popular DCI Brendan Moran crime series

If you like Val McDermid, Ian Rankin, DCI Banks, and the Shetland TV series, you'll love this tense and exciting crime thriller from CWA-shortlisted author, Scott Hunter.

Genres: Mystery

304 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 23, 2018

About the author

Scott Hunter was born in Romford, Essex. His writing career was kick-started after he won first prize in the Sunday Express Short Story Competition. He divides his time between writing and drumming. He has recorded with internationally renowned rock band 'Jethro Tull' and appeared in concert with 70's popsters 'Mungo Jerry'.

He is currently working on his thirteenth novel and has recently published 'The Cold Light of Death', number eight in the very popular DCI Brendan Moran crime series. 'Black December', the first DCI Brendan Moran novel, has also been released in audiobook format.

He was long listed for the Times/Chicken House Children's Novel Competition for 'The Ley Lines of Lushbury' and won the Sunday Express Short Story Competition a few years back for his historical entry set in the English Civil War. His second novel, 'The Trespass' is a top 20 Amazon Bestseller. He has recently been shortlisted for the 2016 Crime Writers Association (CWA) Margery Allingham short story competition.

Scott Hunter lives in Berkshire with his wife Katherine and his two youngest children

Reviews

[Tom S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good detective series based in England and Ireland.

[Georgia Tumbleweed McNabb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one Was quite good, kept my attention well. Like the way the story split to 2 stories and then return to one final story. Narrator does a good job with the various characters voices and the entire storyline.

[David Knapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

As is usually the case with detective series, the DCI Brendan Moran series continues to improve with each installment. In fact, I debated a long time before settling on a four-star rating, because this work was close to deserving five stars.

The plot in books 2-4 has picked up not longer after the previous entry's ending. As you know, I stick to jacket descriptions/marketing blurbs in these reviews to avoid spoilers - so here's the one for this novel:

"A call from an old friend whose wife has vanished from their home in Co.Kerry prompts DCI Brendan Moran to return to his Irish roots. The Gardai have drawn a blank; can Moran succeed where they have failed?

Moran's investigation leads him to a loner known locally as the Islander, who reveals that the woman's disappearance is connected to a diehard paramilitary with plans to hit a high profile target in the UK.

Time is running out. Can Moran enlist the Islander's help, or does he have to face his deadliest foe alone?"

I liked that this work was set in Ireland (no surprise if you follow my reviews). Moran seemed right at home there, which undoubtedly contributed to his character being particularly engaging in this entry.

Having said that, a major plot component unfolds simultaneously in England. And that allows DI Charlie Pepper and the rest of Moran's team to shine as well.

Also, while this entry contained violence, it wasn't as over-the-top as it was in the first three entries. (Again, I think that's because Hunter continues to get more and more comfortable writing the characters and story lines.)

Completing this work means I've finished the first four e-books I had already purchased. Therefore, it's time to get entries 5, 6, and 7.

[Stacy Moll · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Silent as the Dead, DCI Brenden Moran returns to his native Ireland, only to be haunted once more by the traumatic memories of the explosion that killed his fiancé. What starts as a visit quickly turns into a tent investigation when a close friend goes missing and her husband begs Moran to help. True to form Moran‘s “vacation” spirals into danger and it seems he may not be allowed to leave England again - especially not if his getaways keep ending up in chaos and casualties.

Just like his last ill-fated holiday more and find himself relying on unlikely allies, and pulling his trusted team and to get another life-threatening case. The tension ramps up as the stakes grow higher: and attack on the royal family looms, and those empower refused to listen. The suspense is relentless and I was on the edge of my seat from start to finish.

Scott Hunter doesn’t shy away from high-stakes or hard losses. No character is truly safe, and that constant sense of danger keeps the series gripping. I’m relieved there are still plenty more DCI Brenden Moran books to dive into this one left me hungry for more.

[Vainvt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose this book before visiting Ireland because it was about the Dingle Peninsula and the Blasket Islands. As it turned out, we visited the Dingle Peninsula, but the seas were too rough to go to the Blaskets, so I never got to experience this more remote terrain.
DCI Brendan Moran is an Irish detective who works in London, but he returns to his hometown on Dingle in order to help an old friend. The plot thickens and thickens as local paramilitary groups, independent survivalists, and friends interact to help solve the mystery of his missing friend.
Despite the fact that DCI Moran survives injuries that would keep me down for six months, despite the fact that he has a broken heart from his fiancee's murder years ago, and despite the fact that he is often without cell reception, he manages to solve the mystery and put the bad guys away.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 4 - Silent as Dead - Scott Hunter. Another terrific DCI Brendan Moran mystery. This one takes place in Ireland where he grew up. He gets a call from a childhood friend whose wife has disappeared. He wants Moran to find out what happened to her. He knows she would never leave on her own. So Moran goes to the village where he grew up. He finds not much has changed. Everyone is older but the IRA still has its hand in this village. So…he discovers several things. He finds his friend’s wife who happens to be the sister of Moran’s fiancée who was murdered by the IRA 30 years ago. He also finds a plot to take out one of the royal family while dedicating a hospital wing in London. These books are dark, the characters well developed, and Moran is one smart detective. If you enjoy the British persona, you’ll love these books.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am hooked on the books by this author. Although main character, Detective Moran is the unluckiest police officer in mystery literature, he is humble and kind. I find the story lines captivating and the support characters quite believable.
This last book , set primarily in Dingle, Ireland, doesn't disappoint as Moran faces a lethal plot set by
Irish rebels. Dingle was Moran's birthplace and he becomes embroiled in an age -old conflict involving a group of his old mates.

[Casey Mullin · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.3 ⭐️⭐️

Better than the last book which had WAY too many characters to keep track of. But I still got bored since political cases like this one that Moran was investigating, with MI5 and all that, aren't that interesting for me personally. I skimmed through much of the book, but I could see why other people might like it more than I did: good descriptions of places, some action here and there, undercover agents and nefarious plans, etc.

[Brian Mackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Silent As The Dead is the fourth in the DCI Brendan Moran series buy brilliant author Scott Hunter.This fast paced story sees Brendan heading home to the old country which turns out to be a very dangerous visit as Brendan meets a few of his old enemies and enlists the help of the man only known as the islander.Scott Hunter has again produced a fast paced and often explosive read.

[Colleen M. Moran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth the Read

I like Brendan Moran. So, that’s why I read these novels. He reminds me of what my dad would be like as a law enforcement officer. He has intelligence and has flaws, but I am always sure he is one of the good guys. Sometimes the plot is slow, yet confusing. But, this series is worth reading.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story

As usual, lots of moving parts and complex plotting make this an enjoyable read. Moran heads back home to Ireland at the request of an old friend and has to face up to some personal ghosts. Meanwhile, there's a dangerous plot in England that the rest of the team is attempting to diffuse.

[Carmel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another goid one

Easy read with good plotline and excellent characters. The plural of Garda is Gardaí and O'Donoghue has two 'o:s'. Attention to detail please for those of us from Dingle.

[Deedra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a terrific book. Old family bonds and feuds pop up years later when a woman goes missing. DCI Moran is out of his jurisdiction ,trying to help a friend and getting no help himself. Aubrey Parsons was a wonderful narrator. I was given this book free for an honest review

[Caroline 'relaxing with my rescue dogs' · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first listen in this series so it took me a while to get into it. But now I am intrigued and will most likely go back and listen to more.
The narration worked well.
I liked the way it unfolded in two locations - worked well

[Glyn Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is better than no 3 and i enjoyed it, we have bombs, murder, missing person and royalty(no spoilers). Brenan and his team have their hands full in this story. Brendan is in ireland and his is home based, so dig in and enjoy no 4.

[Laura Poppenwimer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is still as engaging as the first book, one of those that you binge read. Each book has unique plots that go in many different directions and keep you in suspense. The author ties the loose threads neatly at the end, but never so soon that you lose interest in the plot.

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read. Brendan Moran stories just keep getting better and better.

[Lucretia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Something about the writing of this series puts me off. I just can't get pulled into the plot enough to feel concerned about the outcome! Maybe it's the characterization or description.

[Denny · Rating 5 out of 5]

#4 KINDLE

[Trevor · Rating 4 out of 5]

DCI Brendan Moran returns home to Ireland, after thirty five years, to help an old friend find his missing wife. As old wounds are opened, Moran soon finds himself caught up in a terrorist plot.

[E'Who'Reads'a'Thousand'Mysteries · Rating 5 out of 5]

This high quality thriller is loaded with suspense. The interesting characters and wildly intense investigating had me on the edge of my seat. Great series!

[Brian W · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how the author keeps the reader guessing all the way to the end. Great stuff. I am seriously hooked on this series. Great job Scott!!!

[Brad Audiobibliophile · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fourth installment in the DCI Brendan Moran series maintains the familiar formula established in previous books: Brendan finds himself on holiday, yet somehow becomes embroiled in more police work while away from his jurisdiction than during his actual shifts. The protagonist clearly possesses more lives than the proverbial cat, as his frequent violent encounters would prove fatal to any ordinary person.
Unfortunately, other characters—particularly police officers who work alongside or encounter Brendan—aren't blessed with such resilience. The author seems to take particular pleasure in repeatedly killing off or seriously injuring these secondary characters throughout the series.
Aubrey Parsons delivers solid narration that makes this an enjoyable listen, provided you're willing to suspend disbelief. However, some of the action sequences and violence veer into over-the-top territory that may strain credibility for some listeners.
While entertaining enough for fans of the series, the predictable pattern and excessive violence may leave readers wanting more substance alongside the spectacle.

[Martin Pingree · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW ! DI Stella Cole takes revenge to a new level. Great story, great characters and great action. How far would you go if you lost your husband and daughter ? You gotta read this !

[Sherry Parsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

As good as the others, with twists and turns unexpected

DCI Moran is real cop. I like the descriptions of the landscapes and explanations of the police procedures used there.