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Bo Bradley #1
L'enfant du silence
Un enfant de quatre ans, de race blanche, a été retrouvé sur la réserve indienne des Barona, dans une bâtisse inhabitée, à cinq heures trente du matin. Il était attaché à un matelas par une corde à linge. Bo Bradley, du service de protection de l'enfant, a été chargée de son dossier.
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
January 29, 2020
Gritty and fantastic
Q:
She could sit on the floor and chat calmly with three-year-olds about unusual sexual practices. She could photograph burns left by lit cigarettes on the genitals of babies. She could even observe an occasional autopsy without popping Valium or gaining fifty pounds of buffering flesh as so many of her peers did.
Years of psychiatric treatment notwithstanding, she really lay the credit for her equanimity at the feet of Bach—that hypnotic sanity of sound her violinist mother had taught her to love.
(c)
Q:
She could sit on the floor and chat calmly with three-year-olds about unusual sexual practices. She could photograph burns left by lit cigarettes on the genitals of babies. She could even observe an occasional autopsy without popping Valium or gaining fifty pounds of buffering flesh as so many of her peers did.
Years of psychiatric treatment notwithstanding, she really lay the credit for her equanimity at the feet of Bach—that hypnotic sanity of sound her violinist mother had taught her to love.
(c)
May 9, 2022
Bo is a social worker in San Diego. Her new case is a little boy abandoned in an empty shack. He doesn't talk, and she realizes he is deaf. When he's being treated in the hospital, there is an attempt on his life. Who is this child, and why would anyone want to kill him? How is this tied to an election in another state? And will Bo, in the throes of a manic episode, be able to save him?
April 15, 2015
I noticed that the majority reviewers seemed to really like this book...sadly, I was not one of them.
I didn't particularly like the author's writing style but having said that I think she did a great job of describing the Bipolar protagonist's thoughts and reasons for doing things they way she does.
Unfortunately, it was still not enough for me to be interested in reading anymore of the "Bo Bradley" series.
I didn't particularly like the author's writing style but having said that I think she did a great job of describing the Bipolar protagonist's thoughts and reasons for doing things they way she does.
Unfortunately, it was still not enough for me to be interested in reading anymore of the "Bo Bradley" series.
May 13, 2007
One of my very favorite mystery writers and this series (she has 2) is my favorite of hers. Terrific well written first book in a relatively short series, and Padgett’s first book. The likeable sleuth protagonist has bipolar disorder and is a child abuse investigator. Takes place in southern California and includes interesting Native American characters. Unique and exceptional mystery series.
January 26, 2011
In a complex world of the juvenile court system in San Diego County, bureaucrats and individual social workers struggle daily to save the children in danger. For one social worker, Bo Bradley, the daily battle is enhanced because of her own condition of manic-depression (bipolar disorder). Only one person with whom she works knows of this condition—her friend and colleague, Estella Benedict. But whenever the symptoms begin to reappear, a difficult job becomes almost impossible.
When one day a four-year-old boy, tied to a mattress in an old shack on an Indian reservation, is rescued by an old Indian woman, life just got a whole lot harder. Saving the boy, who turns out to be deaf, from whoever hurt him and is still trying to kill him, becomes a full-time obsession for Bo Bradley. Like a one-woman army on a hunt-and-capture mission, she digs into the clues at hand, flies to a neighborhood in Houston, Texas, and begins to realize that the only way to save the boy is to hide him.
Intermingled with the tale of rescuing the boy called "Weppo," the author weaves a bit of Bo's history, including the loss of her own sister—also deaf and plagued with manic-depression—many years ago. A Native American theme casts "Child of Silence" and its characters into a tapestry of mysticism and spiritualism that lends beauty and hope to the story of one child and one woman on a collision course with danger.
Five stars!
When one day a four-year-old boy, tied to a mattress in an old shack on an Indian reservation, is rescued by an old Indian woman, life just got a whole lot harder. Saving the boy, who turns out to be deaf, from whoever hurt him and is still trying to kill him, becomes a full-time obsession for Bo Bradley. Like a one-woman army on a hunt-and-capture mission, she digs into the clues at hand, flies to a neighborhood in Houston, Texas, and begins to realize that the only way to save the boy is to hide him.
Intermingled with the tale of rescuing the boy called "Weppo," the author weaves a bit of Bo's history, including the loss of her own sister—also deaf and plagued with manic-depression—many years ago. A Native American theme casts "Child of Silence" and its characters into a tapestry of mysticism and spiritualism that lends beauty and hope to the story of one child and one woman on a collision course with danger.
Five stars!
June 13, 2013
Bo Bradley, a social worker with the San Diego’s Children’s Protective Services, finds more than expected as she investigates the case of a boy found tied to a mattress in an abandoned building on a Paiute Reservation. Because he doesn’t communicate or seem to understand what is said to him, he is labeled “retarded” and the system proceeds to institutionalize him. Because of her family history, Bo realizes the boy, who calls himself “Weppo” is not retarded: He is deaf. Apparently, no one has attempted to teach him to speak or use sign language.
As she tries to locate his family, she encounters the powerful Rowe family who seem to be willing to do anything to keep her from resolving the case.
She also has to deal with her own bipolar health condition, trying to balance the benefits of using lithium with the side effects it causes.
The book explains how “the system” works, the effect of bureaucracy, the roles of the supervisors, and what a dedicated social worker has to do to best serve her client’s interests. It also tells about the Paiute culture.
The first of a series of Bo Bradley books, CHILD OF SILENCE was well written and kept my interest. I found the main characters believable and cared about them.
As she tries to locate his family, she encounters the powerful Rowe family who seem to be willing to do anything to keep her from resolving the case.
She also has to deal with her own bipolar health condition, trying to balance the benefits of using lithium with the side effects it causes.
The book explains how “the system” works, the effect of bureaucracy, the roles of the supervisors, and what a dedicated social worker has to do to best serve her client’s interests. It also tells about the Paiute culture.
The first of a series of Bo Bradley books, CHILD OF SILENCE was well written and kept my interest. I found the main characters believable and cared about them.
Read
August 9, 2011I found this a bit of a departure from Padgett's two Blue books that I've enjoyed, though this series comes with higher recommendations. It's a more traditional mystery story, though the main character is still a far cry from your average sleuth.
Bo Bradley is an investigator into child abuse with the social services but her main characteristic is that she suffers from manic depression. I think Padgett did a pretty good job of portraying someone with a mental illness without making them out to be a complete loony. I liked Bo a lot and though I thought the story was a bit thin on the ground at times I'll be looking for the next book in the series. It seemed that Bo had too much of a personal connection to the case she was investigating in this book - it seemed as if the author put all their cards on the table in one book.
Bo Bradley is an investigator into child abuse with the social services but her main characteristic is that she suffers from manic depression. I think Padgett did a pretty good job of portraying someone with a mental illness without making them out to be a complete loony. I liked Bo a lot and though I thought the story was a bit thin on the ground at times I'll be looking for the next book in the series. It seemed that Bo had too much of a personal connection to the case she was investigating in this book - it seemed as if the author put all their cards on the table in one book.
August 9, 2017
Bo Bradley is quite the character. Riddled with her own issues the CPS investigator is one brave and quirky woman. Child of Silence features a young, deaf boy, which brings an interesting intrigue to the mystery. Why does someone one want that little boy dead?
February 17, 2016
Child of Silence
From the Book
A wise old Paiute woman finds a four-year-old boy tied to a mattress in an abandoned shack in the hills above San Diego. Child abuse investigator Bo Bradley gets the case. Staff at St. Mary’s Hospital for Children assume the boy is mentally impaired because he cannot talk, but Bo remembers a little sister named Laurie. She knows that the boy, like Laurie, is deaf.
Complicating things is Bo’s manic depressive disorder, a troubling but occasionally valuable problem for which she always, well sometimes, takes her meds. The prime directive in Bo's job is "Don't become emotionally involved with the child!" But the little boy is so bright inside his silence, and so alone. Bo feels the ominous first ripples of an oncoming manic episode and grabs her meds, but they won't have much effect for weeks and the child is in danger now!
Risking her job and ultimately her life in a perhaps-delusional race to protect a four-year-old whose only word is his own name - "Weppo" - Bo finds herself alone with the child in a desert night fraught with terrors as she tries to reach an imagined safety among the Paiute. But political intrigue, desperate secrets and a relentless evil lurk in every shadow of a moonlit landscape in which Bo has only her own intense and uncanny perceptions as guide. She knows she's "crazy," but sometimes crazy sees what rational cannot. And "crazy" is now Weppo's only chance for a life!
My Review
I had this strange series in my Kindle library and I just happened to pick this to read. The Social Worker Bo is manic depressive and the series allows you to see into the mind of how someone with the condition thinks. I don't know how realistic it is because I've only had periphery exposure to people with this condition. Following this thought, to me the story was all over the place! Trying to follow the quirks of her mental illness while following the story of the little boy was at some points confusing. However, the author was able to bring it together into a chilling but exciting story. I read this rather quickly because it captivated me for several reasons: 1) that unfortunate truth that people are evil; 2) The fact that good wins in the end and 3) the fact that there is a lot of discomfort in between. I would recommend this book to the mature young adult and up, definitely not a book for the young reader.
From a Christian Perspective
This is obviously not a book in the Christian genre!! However there are brief references to an abandoned faith (Catholicism). This always makes me sad. Yes times do get hard, yes evil does affect our lives everyday and yes our loved ones get hurt. But there is a God that loves us forever, He will never leave us or forsake us (Deut. 3:16), we are not alone. Whether we face mental illness, the loss of a dear one, or just dealing with evil, we are NOT alone! I pray that you remember this as you go through each day.
This is a book from my personal collection, all opinions expressed are my own.
Love and blessings!
Margaret
From the Book
A wise old Paiute woman finds a four-year-old boy tied to a mattress in an abandoned shack in the hills above San Diego. Child abuse investigator Bo Bradley gets the case. Staff at St. Mary’s Hospital for Children assume the boy is mentally impaired because he cannot talk, but Bo remembers a little sister named Laurie. She knows that the boy, like Laurie, is deaf.
Complicating things is Bo’s manic depressive disorder, a troubling but occasionally valuable problem for which she always, well sometimes, takes her meds. The prime directive in Bo's job is "Don't become emotionally involved with the child!" But the little boy is so bright inside his silence, and so alone. Bo feels the ominous first ripples of an oncoming manic episode and grabs her meds, but they won't have much effect for weeks and the child is in danger now!
Risking her job and ultimately her life in a perhaps-delusional race to protect a four-year-old whose only word is his own name - "Weppo" - Bo finds herself alone with the child in a desert night fraught with terrors as she tries to reach an imagined safety among the Paiute. But political intrigue, desperate secrets and a relentless evil lurk in every shadow of a moonlit landscape in which Bo has only her own intense and uncanny perceptions as guide. She knows she's "crazy," but sometimes crazy sees what rational cannot. And "crazy" is now Weppo's only chance for a life!
My Review
I had this strange series in my Kindle library and I just happened to pick this to read. The Social Worker Bo is manic depressive and the series allows you to see into the mind of how someone with the condition thinks. I don't know how realistic it is because I've only had periphery exposure to people with this condition. Following this thought, to me the story was all over the place! Trying to follow the quirks of her mental illness while following the story of the little boy was at some points confusing. However, the author was able to bring it together into a chilling but exciting story. I read this rather quickly because it captivated me for several reasons: 1) that unfortunate truth that people are evil; 2) The fact that good wins in the end and 3) the fact that there is a lot of discomfort in between. I would recommend this book to the mature young adult and up, definitely not a book for the young reader.
From a Christian Perspective
This is obviously not a book in the Christian genre!! However there are brief references to an abandoned faith (Catholicism). This always makes me sad. Yes times do get hard, yes evil does affect our lives everyday and yes our loved ones get hurt. But there is a God that loves us forever, He will never leave us or forsake us (Deut. 3:16), we are not alone. Whether we face mental illness, the loss of a dear one, or just dealing with evil, we are NOT alone! I pray that you remember this as you go through each day.
This is a book from my personal collection, all opinions expressed are my own.
Love and blessings!
Margaret
December 23, 2014
An elderly Native American Woman finds an abandoned boy on the Barona Ranch Indian Reservation; he is tied up and unconscious. In the first mystery written and published by author Abigail Padgett, Bo Bradley, Juvenile Court Investigator working for Child Protective Services in San Diego, is assigned the case. What is supposed to be a slam-dunk case turns into a race for the little boy’s life as well as her own as Bo tries to unravel the mystery of who the boy is and where he came from with two hit man hot on her heels and the mania that is beginning to set in. As it happens, Bo also suffers from Bipolar Disorder, and in her mind, her medication cannot kick in fast enough.
Although I cannot remember how I first learned about Abigail Padgett’s social worker series, I made it my mission to track down all of the books in the series. Of the five books, four are out of print. Thanks to E-Bay and Half.com, I was able to get my hands on copies of all the books. Unfortunately, I was not able to read them in order, and I was reminded as I read Child of Silence why I like to start from the beginning of a series, if only to get to know a character from the very beginning. This is the fourth of this series I have read. I also have read two books from her other series about a social psychologist.
It has been a while since I have read the other books in the series, but I have to say that I enjoyed Child of Silence the most. The book is short enough to read in one sitting, and I had trouble putting it down when it came time to deal with the laundry. From the first page, the race against time was on and I wanted to know what would happen next. Ms. Padgett was able to weave Bo’s mental disorder in with the story in a very real way—I felt I was right there, experiencing exactly what Bo was going through. Ms. Padgett’s own experiences as a court investigator were very evident throughout the book. Having been a court investigator myself in a very similar capacity as Bo Bradley, I felt a kinship to the character. I could easily relate to her frustrations, feelings and thoughts in regards to her chosen profession. I found myself nodding and agreeing at times—she painted a realistic picture of what many of us in the profession face day in and day out.
Although I cannot remember how I first learned about Abigail Padgett’s social worker series, I made it my mission to track down all of the books in the series. Of the five books, four are out of print. Thanks to E-Bay and Half.com, I was able to get my hands on copies of all the books. Unfortunately, I was not able to read them in order, and I was reminded as I read Child of Silence why I like to start from the beginning of a series, if only to get to know a character from the very beginning. This is the fourth of this series I have read. I also have read two books from her other series about a social psychologist.
It has been a while since I have read the other books in the series, but I have to say that I enjoyed Child of Silence the most. The book is short enough to read in one sitting, and I had trouble putting it down when it came time to deal with the laundry. From the first page, the race against time was on and I wanted to know what would happen next. Ms. Padgett was able to weave Bo’s mental disorder in with the story in a very real way—I felt I was right there, experiencing exactly what Bo was going through. Ms. Padgett’s own experiences as a court investigator were very evident throughout the book. Having been a court investigator myself in a very similar capacity as Bo Bradley, I felt a kinship to the character. I could easily relate to her frustrations, feelings and thoughts in regards to her chosen profession. I found myself nodding and agreeing at times—she painted a realistic picture of what many of us in the profession face day in and day out.
November 10, 2012
Bo is a social worker who is bipolar and gets very involved with one of her cases - an abandoned deaf child.
First sentences "1 - 3: 00 a.m. Fog Wisps of fog drifting through the open balcony doors of Bo Bradley's San Diego beach apartment wafted aimlessly and then evaporated. But not before settling damply on her unruly mane of silvery auburn hair. And not before capturing the attention of an almond-shaped structure called the amygdala, nestled deep within Bo's brain. More highly evolved in dogs than in people, the amygdala responds to scent. In the more imaginative, it can create whole movies out of a whiff of yeast muffin or a hint of perfume. And prone toward the manic end of a manic-depressive disorder, Bo Bradley was never short of imagination, even in sleep. Irritated, she stretched her lanky forty-year-old frame beneath the Black Watch plaid sheets she'd found on sale at a linen outlet just last week. She pulled the edge of the top sheet over her nose. Too late. Images called by the scent of fog from inaccessible memory crowded into other landscapes and became mutations. Bo began to dream. It was the old cottage at Chequesset Neck on Cape Cod Bay where she’d gone every summer as a child. The salt-breezy cottage with its ships-prow porch where her grandmother told stories of Billingsgate sea witches and Gypsy fortune-tellers. Except in the dream the cottage was in ruins, its clapboard roof fallen in on hollow rooms strewn with broken glass. There was no one in the ravaged rooms but her sister, Laurie, screaming that eerie, croaking scream of hers. A child-Laurie, screaming alone in the ruined cottage. And she was wearing the dress. Gray velvet with the Carrickmacross lace collar that had belonged to their grandmother. The dress Laurie had really worn at twenty. The dress she would wear forever."
Padgett, Abigail (2011-02-07). Child of Silence (Bo Bradley Mysteries, Book One) (Kindle Locations 59-74). . Kindle Edition.
First sentences "1 - 3: 00 a.m. Fog Wisps of fog drifting through the open balcony doors of Bo Bradley's San Diego beach apartment wafted aimlessly and then evaporated. But not before settling damply on her unruly mane of silvery auburn hair. And not before capturing the attention of an almond-shaped structure called the amygdala, nestled deep within Bo's brain. More highly evolved in dogs than in people, the amygdala responds to scent. In the more imaginative, it can create whole movies out of a whiff of yeast muffin or a hint of perfume. And prone toward the manic end of a manic-depressive disorder, Bo Bradley was never short of imagination, even in sleep. Irritated, she stretched her lanky forty-year-old frame beneath the Black Watch plaid sheets she'd found on sale at a linen outlet just last week. She pulled the edge of the top sheet over her nose. Too late. Images called by the scent of fog from inaccessible memory crowded into other landscapes and became mutations. Bo began to dream. It was the old cottage at Chequesset Neck on Cape Cod Bay where she’d gone every summer as a child. The salt-breezy cottage with its ships-prow porch where her grandmother told stories of Billingsgate sea witches and Gypsy fortune-tellers. Except in the dream the cottage was in ruins, its clapboard roof fallen in on hollow rooms strewn with broken glass. There was no one in the ravaged rooms but her sister, Laurie, screaming that eerie, croaking scream of hers. A child-Laurie, screaming alone in the ruined cottage. And she was wearing the dress. Gray velvet with the Carrickmacross lace collar that had belonged to their grandmother. The dress Laurie had really worn at twenty. The dress she would wear forever."
Padgett, Abigail (2011-02-07). Child of Silence (Bo Bradley Mysteries, Book One) (Kindle Locations 59-74). . Kindle Edition.
October 25, 2013
“Child of Silence” stunned me. At first it seemed as if it would be another interesting mystery, so I was unprepared for the depth in Padgett’s characterization of the protagonist, Bo Bradley, and her profession. Having worked in Social Services myself for a short while, I understand how difficult it is. One must develop the skill of anesthetizing the spirit, preferably at will, in order to cope with the horrific things seen, heard, and experienced. It is almost as if one must put feelings into cryogenic storage in order to function successfully—especially in Child Protective Services—and remain sane.
I was particularly astounded by the eerily sensitive and intimate portrayal of a professional woman struggling with bipolar disorder. Before this, I had not read anything quite so expository about what life is like for someone who has been called manic-depressive.
Every case, I am sure, is different and in Bo Bradley’s case, I suspect her condition is a blessing as well as a burden. I think her manic tendencies (not the full-blown episodes) are what make her superb at her job as an investigator. Her grandmother may have called it “the sight,” but there may be a scientific basis for her hypersensitivity to details that might seem irrelevant to “normal” people, but which are crucial to perceiving the “reality” of a case.
All this having been said, “Child of Silence” is one doggone good mystery/thriller!! I will definitely be reading more of Abigail Padgett’s books.
I was particularly astounded by the eerily sensitive and intimate portrayal of a professional woman struggling with bipolar disorder. Before this, I had not read anything quite so expository about what life is like for someone who has been called manic-depressive.
Every case, I am sure, is different and in Bo Bradley’s case, I suspect her condition is a blessing as well as a burden. I think her manic tendencies (not the full-blown episodes) are what make her superb at her job as an investigator. Her grandmother may have called it “the sight,” but there may be a scientific basis for her hypersensitivity to details that might seem irrelevant to “normal” people, but which are crucial to perceiving the “reality” of a case.
All this having been said, “Child of Silence” is one doggone good mystery/thriller!! I will definitely be reading more of Abigail Padgett’s books.
February 29, 2012
Child of Silence is the first in Abigail Padgett’s Bo Bradley Mystery series. I believe there are eight other books out in the series. Child of Silence is very interesting with a lot of action. What most fascinated me was the main character, Bo Bradley. Bo, a child advocate deals with memories of her sister, as well as her own manic depression. Being in her mind brought her to life and kept me turning pages.
She’s called out to advocate for a young boy who’s found on the Barona Reservation tied to the mattress with a clothesline in an abandoned house. Although he’s been labeled as retarded, Bo realizes he’s deaf. She not only advocates for the boy, she sets out to find out what happened to him and keep him from those hunting him. Her efforts to protect him put her in danger, even as she sinks deeper into her own depression since she’s on the run without her medication. Along the way, she breaks rules and enlists others in her quest.
I liked Child of Silence. It took me to places I’ve never been and inside a mind both fascinating and unknown. I will look for more in this series.
I give Child of Silence a rating of Hel-of-a-Character.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FTC Disclaimer: I downloaded the book for free. This did not influence my review.
She’s called out to advocate for a young boy who’s found on the Barona Reservation tied to the mattress with a clothesline in an abandoned house. Although he’s been labeled as retarded, Bo realizes he’s deaf. She not only advocates for the boy, she sets out to find out what happened to him and keep him from those hunting him. Her efforts to protect him put her in danger, even as she sinks deeper into her own depression since she’s on the run without her medication. Along the way, she breaks rules and enlists others in her quest.
I liked Child of Silence. It took me to places I’ve never been and inside a mind both fascinating and unknown. I will look for more in this series.
I give Child of Silence a rating of Hel-of-a-Character.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FTC Disclaimer: I downloaded the book for free. This did not influence my review.
March 7, 2012
This book is an intelligent page-turner. The protagonist
is a child protection worker named Bo who has manic depres-
sive illness. The mystery deals with an abandoned deaf
child and Bo's attempts to rescue him and find some murder-
ers while in a manic phase and waiting for her lithium to
kick in. For thosee of you not familiar with manic depres-
sion, the manic phase is when you are all over the place -
needing no sleep, spending money you don't have, buying
things that you don't need, having grandiose ideas, etc.
Lithium is the medication that is used to stabilize the ill-
ness.)
This book provides a realistic and resectful portrayal of
someone with Manic Depressive Illness. On top of that, it
is a very good mystery. I also recommend The Caveman's Valentine.
It has a private eye who suffers from mental illness and is
a very well-written book.
is a child protection worker named Bo who has manic depres-
sive illness. The mystery deals with an abandoned deaf
child and Bo's attempts to rescue him and find some murder-
ers while in a manic phase and waiting for her lithium to
kick in. For thosee of you not familiar with manic depres-
sion, the manic phase is when you are all over the place -
needing no sleep, spending money you don't have, buying
things that you don't need, having grandiose ideas, etc.
Lithium is the medication that is used to stabilize the ill-
ness.)
This book provides a realistic and resectful portrayal of
someone with Manic Depressive Illness. On top of that, it
is a very good mystery. I also recommend The Caveman's Valentine.
It has a private eye who suffers from mental illness and is
a very well-written book.
October 6, 2014
This is a Bo Bradley book. Bo is a closet manic-depressive who gets an unusual case. A elderly Paiute woman found a 4 year old boy tied to a mattress in an abandoned house. Bo figures out that he is deaf, like her deceased sister, and begins to champion for him.
While the boy is in the hospital, some thugs try to kill him, and do succeed in killing a hospital orderly. Bo goes into manic mode while trying to figure out who this child is and gets involved in the treachery of ruthless politics and incest, and finds her own life and job in jeopardy. She hangs on by a thread while waiting for her lithium to kick in, barely able to function clearly as her manic mode deepens. She finds a surprise ally in a hospital doctor who develops feelings for her and figures out where she would run to with this boy while she is manic.
While the boy is in the hospital, some thugs try to kill him, and do succeed in killing a hospital orderly. Bo goes into manic mode while trying to figure out who this child is and gets involved in the treachery of ruthless politics and incest, and finds her own life and job in jeopardy. She hangs on by a thread while waiting for her lithium to kick in, barely able to function clearly as her manic mode deepens. She finds a surprise ally in a hospital doctor who develops feelings for her and figures out where she would run to with this boy while she is manic.
March 28, 2013
Really 2 1/2 stars. On the plus side, Bo is a very interesting character - a bipolar artist who works as a child protective worker to make money. While art is her passion, social work also feeds/relieves the guilt she feels at the death of her sister. Sounds promising, right? I thought so & I really wanted to love this book. But the plot is really thin and predictable and relies on my least favorite stock mystery character: the feelingless psychopath. Everyone else in this book other than Bo is 2 dimensional and does a lot of telling e.g. "He was trying to assuage the guilt from Sophie's death by saving every other child." Gosh, let the reader get there on her own- you don't have to spoon feed us. Really too bad. Maybe I'll try another but not sure.
June 9, 2010
3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting main character, try it. 3.5 stars!, May 23, 2009
This review is from: Child of Silence (Paperback)
A manic-depressive child abuse investigator with San Diego's juvenile court system rescues a deaf child from a diabolical plot to kill him. Bo Bradley teams up with some unlikely allies to save Weppo from death by killers who are intent on finding him. The child is discovered tied to a mattress on an Indian reservation by an elder, Annie Garcia, who helps Bo solve the mystery of who brought Weppo there and why.
Enjoyable and interesting read. I liked the character!
This review is from: Child of Silence (Paperback)
A manic-depressive child abuse investigator with San Diego's juvenile court system rescues a deaf child from a diabolical plot to kill him. Bo Bradley teams up with some unlikely allies to save Weppo from death by killers who are intent on finding him. The child is discovered tied to a mattress on an Indian reservation by an elder, Annie Garcia, who helps Bo solve the mystery of who brought Weppo there and why.
Enjoyable and interesting read. I liked the character!
April 21, 2010
The main character of this book is a woman named Bo Bradley who also happens to be a manic-depressive. Sounds strange - but it is fascinating. Seeing things through her eyes is educational, I learned a great deal about the prejudices and troubles that a person with this condition has to overcome - and the gifts that can come with it. We see it all through her eyes - the book is a quick read. The ending was a little complex and very unlikely, but I would like to read her other books.
July 1, 2012
I read this because it is taught by another instructor in English 301; I wanted to get a feel for the reading level of the students in the course. It is a mystery told by a woman of Irish descent with manic depression who recovers a lost boy with the help of Native Americans near San Diego. A predictable story but fascinating main character. I wonder, though, how much the class would connect with such a story or protagonist.
December 11, 2015
Good read
This was overall a good book. I found myself going backwards a few times just because some parts got to be a little confusing. The author did a great job at capturing the mindset of a manic depressive individual and being able to write about it with the character Bo Bradley.
This was overall a good book. I found myself going backwards a few times just because some parts got to be a little confusing. The author did a great job at capturing the mindset of a manic depressive individual and being able to write about it with the character Bo Bradley.
October 4, 2014
This has been on my WL for a long time and once I started reading, I didn't stop. I loved Bo! I can't wait to read the next in this series.
October 31, 2016
review to follow
May 1, 2022
Amazing
At the beginning I almost stopped reading as descriptions of child abuse was revealed. But as I read on I am so glad I did. Ms Padgett's writing just kept me involved as the book progresses. The story hits so close to my heart, having live with my husband who had all of the mental issues plus some, that described the wonderful and unique character "Bo". I was an immediate fan of hers and felt her struggle to help a young child against so many powerful odds. And then comes the famous and mysterious doctor that became her knight in shining armor! I love this book and admire Ms Padgett's passion she has for the hardships mental disabilities can have on anyone.
At the beginning I almost stopped reading as descriptions of child abuse was revealed. But as I read on I am so glad I did. Ms Padgett's writing just kept me involved as the book progresses. The story hits so close to my heart, having live with my husband who had all of the mental issues plus some, that described the wonderful and unique character "Bo". I was an immediate fan of hers and felt her struggle to help a young child against so many powerful odds. And then comes the famous and mysterious doctor that became her knight in shining armor! I love this book and admire Ms Padgett's passion she has for the hardships mental disabilities can have on anyone.
April 21, 2023
Bo Bradley is a child abuse investigator. Weppo is a four year old boy who has lived out his an entire life in an attic. When Bo is alerted to the fact that a four year old boy has been found tied to a mattress in an old house on an Indian Reservation, she responds and determines that Weppo is not retarded as suspected but is instead deaf. After attempts are made on Weppo's life and other events unfold, Bo, violating the cardinal rule of her profession decides it is up to her to save this boy. As well as dealing with the people tring to kill the little boy, Bo must also contend with her manic depression particularly as a manic episode begins to unfold.
June 23, 2020
A bipolar child abuse investigator becomes involved in the troubling case of a young boy apparently abandoned on an Indian reservation. She has an almost instant rapport with the child whom she recognizes as deaf. Bo, the investigator, springs into action after an attempt is made on the boy's life.
This is an engaging and interesting read. Bo is well developed and well nuanced. Her struggles with mental illness are intelligently presented. I liked the integration of Indian and Celtic mythology.Fast-paced and exciting, this book generates anticipation for the next in the series.
This is an engaging and interesting read. Bo is well developed and well nuanced. Her struggles with mental illness are intelligently presented. I liked the integration of Indian and Celtic mythology.Fast-paced and exciting, this book generates anticipation for the next in the series.
August 26, 2020
Great story!
I really enjoyed this book. It felt like a true story. The storyline was very unique and realistic. I fell in love with the little boy Weppo. This is the first book I have read from this author but I've already downloaded the second book in this series.
The characters were very well developed and believable. The dialogue flowed smoothly and was very realistic. The editing was clean. I would recommend this book to anyone. I'm looking forward to the next book.
I really enjoyed this book. It felt like a true story. The storyline was very unique and realistic. I fell in love with the little boy Weppo. This is the first book I have read from this author but I've already downloaded the second book in this series.
The characters were very well developed and believable. The dialogue flowed smoothly and was very realistic. The editing was clean. I would recommend this book to anyone. I'm looking forward to the next book.
June 19, 2022
Bo will take hold of you and wrap herself around you to the point that you will lose sleep. The author touches on those things that are kept in the closet in the back corner in a box no one wishes to open and look at in great detail. Bo Bradley is a woman that deals with personal issues and still finds a way to work with her flaws and succeed in what she inevitably knows she must do. This author writes a good story, I would hands down tell other to pick up this first book in what will be many about Bo. As for me I am heading off to pick up books 2 through 5 of this series.
March 18, 2018
3.5 stars for me. So much to like in this book. Interesting character, a CPS worker who is manic depressive. Plus a deaf child who is found mysteriously. Indian culture also plays a part in this first novel. The drawback is that it's a first novel, and at times doesn't run as smoothly as it could. With so many interesting features, it still made for a compelling read, and I will certainly read more by this author. There is also some very nice writing within this first book.
August 22, 2021
Abigail Padgett’s Bo Bradley mysteries are both in-depth enough to draw you in and quick enough reads for people who, for whatever reason, have trouble with concentrating on books.
She does not glamorise bipolar disorder in any way; having worked with people who I have BPD, I can say she writes her character well. (Keep in mind, everyone is different and present BPD in different ways.)
Padgett also seems to understand the psychology of children, too, and I very much enjoy these books.
She does not glamorise bipolar disorder in any way; having worked with people who I have BPD, I can say she writes her character well. (Keep in mind, everyone is different and present BPD in different ways.)
Padgett also seems to understand the psychology of children, too, and I very much enjoy these books.
August 31, 2023
A 4 year old boy is found tied to a mattress in an abandoned house. Bo Bradley
who is a child welfare worker gets the case. Bo has a mental illness that is controlled by medication if she takes t regularly. She investigates this little boy who happens to be deaf like Bo’s sister. There is a political element involved and of course lots of money for this little boy. A good story and not very ling. I liked it.
who is a child welfare worker gets the case. Bo has a mental illness that is controlled by medication if she takes t regularly. She investigates this little boy who happens to be deaf like Bo’s sister. There is a political element involved and of course lots of money for this little boy. A good story and not very ling. I liked it.
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