Dead Silence

The Foundlings Trilogy #2

by Wendy Corsi Staub

New York Times Bestselling Author Wendy Corsi Staub is the master of psychological suspense. Here, she delves into the twisted mind of The Angler, who lures his human prey the way he catches fish. Sometimes, he gets one worth keeping . . . for a little while . . .

No Such Thing as Coincidence . . .

Staring into his frightened blue eyes, investigative genealogist Amelia Crenshaw Haines vows to help this silent little boy who is unable—or unwilling—to communicate his past. Though her own roots remain shrouded in mystery, she relies on tangible DNA evidence to help fellow foundlings uncover theirs . . . until a remarkable twist of fate presents a stranger bearing an eerily familiar childhood souvenir.

NYPD Missing Persons Detective Stockton Barnes has spent his career searching for other people’s lost loved ones and outrunning a youthful misstep. Now a chance encounter with a key player from that fateful night leads him on a desperate quest to locate the one woman he’s ever regretted leaving—unless a savage killer finds her first. 

As Amelia and Barnes uncover intertwining truths—and lies—the real horror emerges not in crimes already committed, but in evil yet to come . . .

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Suspense, New York, Mystery Thriller

366 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 23, 2019

About the author

New York Times bestseller Wendy Corsi Staub is the award-winning author of more than ninety novels, best known for the single title psychological suspense novels she writes under her own name. Those books and the women’s fiction written under the pseudonym Wendy Markham have also appeared on the USA Today, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Bookscan bestseller lists.

Her current standalone suspense novel, THE OTHER FAMILY, is about a picture-perfect family that that moves into a picture-perfect house. But not everything is as it seems, and the page-turner concludes “with a wallop of a twist,” according to #1 New York Times bestselling author Harlan Coben.

Her critically acclaimed Lily Dale traditional mystery series centers around a widowed single mom—and skeptic—who moves to a town populated by spiritualists who talk to the dead. Titles include NINE LIVES; SOMETHING BURIED, SOMETHING BLUE; DEAD OF WINTER; and PROSE AND CONS, with a fifth book under contract.

Wendy has written five suspense trilogies for HarperCollins/William Morrow. The most recent, The Foundlings (LITTLE GIRL LOST, DEAD SILENCE, and THE BUTCHER’S DAUGHTER), spans fifty years in the life of a woman left as a newborn in a Harlem church, now an investigative genealogist helping others uncover their biological roots while still searching for her own.

Written as Wendy Markham, Wendy’s novel HELLO, IT’S ME was a recent Hallmark television movie starring Kellie Martin. Her short story “Cat Got Your Tongue” appeared in R.L. Stine’s MWA middle grade anthology SCREAM AND SCREAM AGAIN and her short story “The Elephant in the Room” is included in the Anthony Award-nominated inaugural anthology SHATTERING GLASS.

A three-time finalist for the Simon and Schuster Mary Higgins Clark Award, she’s won an RWA Rita Award, an RT Award for Career Achievement in Suspense, the 2007 RWA-NYC Golden Apple Award for Lifetime Achievement, and five WLA Washington Irving Prizes for Fiction.

She previously published a dozen adult suspense novels with Kensington Books and the critically-acclaimed young adult paranormal series “Lily Dale” (Walker/Bloomsbury). Earlier in her career, she published a broad range of genres under her own name and pseudonyms, and was a co-author/ghostwriter for several celebrities.

Raised in Dunkirk, NY, Wendy graduated from SUNY Fredonia and launched a publishing career in New York City. She was Associate Editor at Silhouette Books before selling her first novel in 1992. Married with two sons, she lives in the NYC suburbs. An active supporter of the American Cancer Society, she was a featured speaker at Northern Westchester’s 2015 Relay for Life and 2012 National Spokesperson for the Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation. She has fostered for various animal rescue organizations.

Reviews

[Quirkyreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off I won this as a goodreads giveaway. Thank you Harper Collins and William Morrow.

This was a fast paced and interesting read. I would have liked it much more if I had read other books in the series. This story could not be read as a stand alone because of that.

So, if you have read other books in this series, give it a try.

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not realizing it was part of a series, I found it hard to follow all the story lines. A lot of time there seemed to be no connection between the lines. I will try another and see what happens.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't mind reading out of order but I have found with trilogies that they are best understood if they are read in order... so I waited for the 2nd book in this trilogy, Dead Silence. I waited so long that I had actually forgotten almost everything about book #1...Little Girl Lost. Some short recap would have been helpful. The story here was good IF you didn't have to rely on information from the first book...so while I enjoyed the story I have to say that I found it to be jumbled and actually had no real ending...but I'm sure that will depend on the 3rd book which I see came out September 24th.

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read several books by this author, but I didn’t realize this was the second book in a trilogy, (I’ll have to go back and read the first). My two favorite characters, Amelia and Jessie. (I’m on the fence about Amelia’s husband Aaron). The storyline was very interesting, but I was confused what Stockton Barnes had to do with the story. For a while I thought it was filler to make the book longer, but at the end it all fell into place. Now I have to wait until book three comes out to see how everything ends up.

[Tonya (Rustic Book Reviews)]

UPADTE: 9/18 - Well I never got my ARC copy of this and was so excited that one book I was looking forward to I had won on goodreads. I waited since June and never got it. So disappointing. I reported I never got it on here on Goodreads but never got a response. I was so looking forward to this book. Oh well, this makes 2 books from this publishing company In 2 months that I never got my book. However, I did get some of the others. I don't blame them if they sent the item because it could have been my mail lady and she tends to deliver our mail to the wrong addresses. I am always loosing packages because she sends them to the wrong address but with out a tracking number the post office cant locate a package.
____________________________
I am excited to find out that I have won the Goodreads Giveaway for this book! I can't wait to get this book in the mail. I have read so many great books the last 2 months. I love a good Mystery/Thiller book!!

Goodreads Synopsis:

New York Times Bestselling Author Wendy Corsi Staub is the master of psychological suspense. Here, she delves into the twisted mind of The Angler, who lures his human prey the way he catches fish. Sometimes, he gets one worth keeping . . . for a little while . . .

No Such Thing as Coincidence . . .

Staring into his frightened blue eyes, investigative genealogist Amelia Crenshaw Haines vows to help this silent little boy who is unable—or unwilling—to communicate his past. Though her own roots remain shrouded in mystery, she relies on tangible DNA evidence to help fellow foundlings uncover theirs . . . until a remarkable twist of fate presents a stranger bearing an eerily familiar childhood souvenir.

NYPD Missing Persons Detective Stockton Barnes has spent his career searching for other people’s lost loved ones and outrunning a youthful misstep. Now a chance encounter with a key player from that fateful night leads him on a desperate quest to locate the one woman he’s ever regretted leaving—unless a savage killer finds her first.

As Amelia and Barnes uncover intertwining truths—and lies—the real horror emerges not in crimes already committed, but in evil yet to come . . .

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Though the book started out with promise I soon found myself slogged down with the bouncing back and forth storylines. Just as I became a part of the story with Mimi, her husband Aaron (still not sure what he added to the story) and Jessie along with Jessie’s husband Police Sergeant Billie another storyline is added. I was thrown off-kilter by the killer’s story and kept hoping he would get caught and die so the rest of the storylines would mesh. Then to add to the soon to be “what the heck is going on” storyline NYPD Missing Persons Detective Stockton Barnes is added in along with his mogul friend and the mogul’ s adult son. Seriously I could not believe that a father was dragging his 30 something son around with him. To say this book was a bunch of stories thrown together is an understatement. I kept reading because there would be flashes of suspense and then bam nothing. I was disappointed in this Straub novel.

[Icy-Cobwebs-Crossing-SpaceTime · Rating 3 out of 5]

I confess to disappointment in this suspense novel; I had read several novels by Wendi Corsi Staub, and adored her Lily Dale series. But DEAD SILENCE left me cold. The villain repulsed me and elicited not one moment of sympathy. Not one. Sure, he had a seriously bad childhood. Sure, his mother was absent. But other people have suffered either/or without becoming psychotic serial killers.


I did admire several of the other characters, including forensic genealogist (and foundling)
Amelia and her long-term bestie Jessie and Jessie's police department hubby Billy (Willard), but they just weren't sufficient to balance the reader-empathy scales against "The Angler" (the serial killer/villain).


I bought this book to read for the Rising Stars Book Club August selection #1 at writing.com.

[Brenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I started to read the book, I felt I was missing a lot. It turns out I picked up the 2nd in the series without reading the first. I did enjoy this book though. I did like the characters. The villain is someone that I "love to hate". Staub goes back and forth between the Angler, Amelia Barnes, and Stockon Barnes. The story goes from Canada, NYC, Cortland, NY, Ithaca, NY, and Cuba. I can't wait to go back and read the first in the Foundlings Trilogy, Little Girl Lost. The 3rd is not out yet, but with the loose ends of Dead Silence, it sounds promising.


***Thank you to William Morrow and the author Wendy Corsi Staub for this copy that I won in a Goodreads Giveaway in exchange for a fair review.***

[Sara ✨ Next Book Review Blog ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have purchased a few of Wendy Corsi Staub's audiobooks. I've really enjoyed them. I have found that Miss Staub's writing is layered. There seems to be stories inside of stories. Characters are extremely well developed and Staub really likes to dive into their lives, she gives us the who, what, where of our people. This can be a bit overwhelming in the beginning but it does serve a purpose so don't let it beat you down. The details Staub adds are generally pertinent... give it some time!

I feel like I should mention that I have not read the first book in the Foundlings Trilogy. With that said, I think it would be best for the reader to start at the beginning. We do get to know NYPD Missing Persons Detective Stockton Barnes. From checking out the first book briefly, it looks like when you just jump into Dead Silence you may end up missing some of his general information since he is the lead in the first book. However, I really feel like Miss Staub did a thorough job of introducing Barnes to us. He’s a bit brash… just like I enjoy my detectives!

I really liked Amelia. She's self aware. Bluntly honest with herself... if you can't be honest with yourself, can you be honest with anyone? She might be feeling a bit of the doldrums... kind of like she's stuck in the rut called life. Perhaps this is her mid-life crisis. She’s wanting things to shake up just a bit… she might get just what she’s asked for!

Dead Silence comes out swinging! That opening chapter… goodness! It had me rushing through the entire story. I thought the genealogy aspect was really a fascinating route to go. People are so obsessed with those internet sites that find your heritage and long-lost family. I feel like Staub put a compulsive, fast-paced spin on something nearly everyone is interested in these days. Plus, we get this human-feel for the people behind the genealogy studies. Besides being an unstoppable thriller, it was just an interesting story!

I received an ARC of this book with the hope that I would leave an Unbiased Opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that... my opinions.

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[Ayny · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is the second in a trilogy. You don't know that unless you look online or see the excerpt from the next book. As my copy had
that made it confusing and a disappointment.
story lines going on that connect in such convoluted ways it is hard to keep track. told from several viewpoints over a 30 year span was hard to keep track of.
I felt like I was reading the script to a mini series that I'm only going to see the middle of.

[Stephanie *Spunky Avenger* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Won via goodreads giveaways, all my opinions are my own.
---

Dead silence was really good, all the characters are linked together some how. The angler and kidnapping and killing. The little bit throws the family into a tizy. I absolutely love the story line.

[Cats W. Bats, Esq.]

I'd love to review this book I won in a Goodreads giveaway a few months ago but it was never sent to me and clicking "I never received my copy" did nothing. So you won't be getting that book review, Goodreads.

[Hastings75 · Rating 2 out of 5]

A combination of too many characters and a style of jumping between stories made for a confusing read.

A new author for me and not one I think I will be trying again.

[Beth Lechman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A hair raising ride from start to finish.

[Daryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

As I started reading Dead Silence, it seemed like a pretty common suspense thriller. It's well written, a bit of a page-turner with cliffhanger endings at various chapters. The narrative and point-of-view switched regularly between not just two, but about five different characters and stories. I waited patiently to see how these would come together and most of them do. However, one of the stories seems to have nothing to do with the rest and by the end of the book, no connection is revealed. The ending of the novel is pretty disappointing and then we're presented with an excerpt of the next novel (coming out next year) which contains "the rest of the story." After finishing, I found out that this is the second novel of a trilogy - that actually makes sense, as the one unconnected story (Detective Barnes in Cuba) mentions a bunch of characters who it felt like the reader should know (but I didn't, having not read the first book). Another character is introduced early on and seems like she holds a pretty important place in the story, but then isn't heard from again. I was leaning toward giving this book four or even five stars early on, but that dropped dramatically by the time I got to the end. (My 3-star rating is probably too generous.) The Goodreads giveaway, from which I obtained my copy, did not mention this being part of a series - or more specifically the middle book of a trilogy - or I wouldn't have entered the giveaway. Poor job, Goodreads. If I'd read the first book, I probably would have enjoyed it (Staub's a good writer), and looked forward to this one. As it is, not so much.

[Dani · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t realize that this was the second book in the trilogy. There were unanswered questions because I didn’t read the first book. And I really hate when I have to read the third book to get the answers to the questions posed in what I thought was a stand-alone. The writing was good. The story was OK. But I wish authors would put a warning on their books if they are part of the trilogy or part of a series.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd like to thank Edelweiss and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. I was excited to get this book as I read the first in the series and couldn't put it down. The plot line kept me engaged and the characters were interesting, the story line keeps you hooked and gives you just enough information to leave you hanging for the next installment.

[Irene · Rating 1 out of 5]

Received a copy from Goodreads Give Away.

There were multiple plots going on and too much bouncing back and forth.

Then you have to wait for the next installment to find out what happens. Very disappointing.

[Danielle Urban · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dead Silence is a new book in a series. I have not read the series from the beginning; however, I usually can dive into any novel out of order and get it. This is was not the case for this book. Not knowing more details about the forensic artist, I was a bit lost. Not too much but still lost.

The beginning it showed me the relationship she had with her husband. At that point, so early, I didn't really care if they got divorced or stayed married. I felt no emotional pull to either. Then there was this ring, a missing child, and a dead body. That was when I got interested in this book. Until this moment, I was not sure if I liked it enough to keep reading.

Dead Silence has mystery and surprises on its side. I was surprised at certain revelations. I kept wondering how the events would add up or connect.

Again, I was not excited to read this. Thanks to the plot, I did not feel connected to the main characters. They had a job to do; they did it. There was a purpose for others and I somewhat got it. No emotional pull towards the characters. The book was good. It could have been better.

I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is full of suspense. There are several mysteries to be solved, and just as the story reaches a thrilling point, the author takes us back to check in on the progress of other characters. The Angler seems to be the center point of the plot, and these sections are the most violent and disturbing, physically and psychologically. Amelia Crenshaw Haines, the investigative genealogist is also a central character as the various stories involve investigating and possibly reuniting long missing family members, both personally and through her business. All of the subplots come together at the end, but we are led to draw many of our own conclusions about how this is to be resolved, probably in future books starring Ms. Haines and those she associates with and works for in this book. It is a bit frustrating not to have final solutions, but the suspense is surely going to lead us to look for more books, hopefully soon.

[Susan Krich · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was given to me through Goodreads.
There are 3 sections and an epilogue.
Each section is a consecutive date ; the epilogue is four days later.
The first day is ninety pages long.
There are three stories intertwined through each day.
The topics include genealogy , adoption records, Asperger's syndrome, serial killing, drugs and police taking bribes.
One of the stories seems to be irrelevant to the main theme and is distracting.
The other two stories are connected, interesting and suspenseful.
I found the end of the third section abrupt and left me feeling as if it was unfinished.
After the epilogue, I realized that the third story was all leading up to the next book THE BUTCHER'S DAUGHTER which is being released in 2020.
I would have preferred that this story did not intertwine through the book.

[Eleanor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book from a Goodreads Giveaway in exchange for an honest review. This book has a complex, fast paced plot with interesting characters. It centers on an investigative genealogist and I was hoping that genealogy investigation and methods would play a more important part of the story. While genealogy investigation was discussed extensively in the book it played a small part in the resolution of the plot elements.

The book was a fast, easy read with lots of action and multiple plot threads. However, I found the dialogue and some of the plot twists to be difficult to follow. The author changed characters without helping the reader to know who was talking or who the plot was now focussing on. While this slowed down the reading and the flow of the story, it was not a major problem to enjoying the book.

Overall, I enjoyed the book and recommend it.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book from a goodreads giveaway. I really wanted to love this book because it sounded like something I would really enjoy. However (maybe because I didn’t read the first in the series) the amount of characters that is thrown at you in the first 5 chapters was hard for me to keep them all straight and even by the end of the book was having a hard time figuring out how they all connect. Then I felt the end was anti-climactic.. the author builds up the Angler and then he gets away from his “controlling and careful ways” when he makes a mistake. Then when he goes to finish his mistake he just gets killed with a hammer... and I feel we don’t know what happens to the little boy. The ending then goes to explain a connection between 3 other characters in the book (I assume to intro into the next book in the series).

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a newbie to reading Wendy Corsi Staub, but I will be reading again. I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway, and once again I am reading a little out of order but I will go back to read book 1 for sure! I really enjoyed this book. Since I didn’t read the 1st of the trilogy, some of the storyline is incomplete for me but I liked the fast pace and different POV’s being alternated with Amelia being a great stand out character to me! I won’t say much to dive into the story especially since I haven’t read the 1st book in the trilogy but the characters have been well developed, detailed, the writing and storyline is layered to unfold each layer as the story goes on, overall great!! I will be anticipating the 3rd book for sure waiting to see how the trilogy wraps up, and in the meantime I can fill in some of the gaps reading the 1st book.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

After finishing this book, I just realized this was book #2 in a series. Unfortunately, I found it really hard to follow and it felt like there were 4 different stories going on - Amelia, the Angler, Barnes, and Jessie/Billy. It took me about halfway through to connect Amelia with Jessie's story. I still don't really understand the Barnes story and his vacation in Cuba, although it seemed like he gave up a child at some point, so there was some connection to Amelia's line of work in genealogy.

The constant jumping from story to story left me disconnected to all of them. Although I kept reading to the end, it ended in a cliffhanger and all of the stories except the Angler's unfinished. Since I didn't like this one, I have no desire to pick up the others in the series.

[Roxann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.

I took some time before reading this book. My sister warned me to read the first book in the series before this book. I followed her advice.
This book had some of the same characters as the first one. As with the first book there are several mysteries to be solved. There is lots of suspense in the book, but I didn't find it a thrilling read. I didn't like all the different characters introduced again. I had a hard time keeping them straight. (This was a problem I found in the first book also.) Most of the smaller mysteries were finished at the end of the book, but still some questions remains. (I understand there is a third book-so maybe everything is cleared up in that book.)

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dead Silence
(The Foundlings Trilogy #2)
by
Wendy Corsi Staub

4 Stars

Dead Silence is an absolutely terrific follow-up to Little Girl Lost. It’s rare for a sequel to be better than the original, but Wendy Corsi Staub has pulled it off.

Dead Silence picks up the stories of Amelia Crenshaw Barnes and Stockton Barnes 29 years after we left them in Little Girl Lost, and introduces a new villain known only as The Angler who just may be the most vile, detestable, psychopathic killer ever to darken the pages of any thriller. It will have you turning pages late into the night, and then checking all of the doors and windows to make sure they’re locked!

https://mhassett23.blogspot.com/2020/...

[Amanda Epperson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this book from a Goodreads Giveaway in exchange for an honest review.

I began reading unaware that this was book 2 of a trilogy; however, it was still readable without getting totally lost. The mystery has more to do with Amelia's parentage than with the small boy's appearance. There are multiple story lines that feel more convoluted than necessary, like Wendy Corsi Staub had more to say than actually fit together in my opinion. The story line with Detective Barnes is completely separate than Amelia's whose story does not actually involve the little boy until maybe halfway through the book.

It has a fast pace, I read it in a day, but the story can drag a bit due to there not ever really being any sense of action or urgency or thrill.

[Louise Pledge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, I'm confused. I found this on one of my huge TBR piles and thought I must be reading it for the second time, since I was so sure I'd read every one of Wendy's books. But I kept waiting for something to seem familiar, and it never did. When I finished, I learned that this is part of a series. I scoured my WCS bookcase for the other two and didn't find them. WHAT? You mean I didn't own every book? Then I came to Goodreads to be sure I hadn't written a review about them (one thing I love about GR). Nope. So that has now been remedied, and they are on the way (since I insist on having hard copies of all her books). I still can't figure out how on earth I could have missed a whole series, though!

[Heaven Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even 200 pages into this book, there was nothing quite happening. I’ve been a Wendy Corsi Staub fan for a long time, so I persisted. I didn’t happen to find the main character’s “hidden past” to be the ultimate shock - which is usual of her books. I did still enjoy the characters and the amount of detail to each person’s life. I have a copy of the third book in the series, and I’m hoping everything will wrap up much better there. It does simply feel like this book could’ve held more twists and turns throughout instead of wrapping it all up in the final chapter within a few short paragraphs. The villain of the story is quite brutal though, so points for that. And if you know any French, this might make a little more sense for you.