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Lincoln Perry #4
The Silent Hour
A convicted murderer asks Lincoln Perry to find the missing daughter of a Mafia Don in the fourth installment of the award-winning PI series - a dark tale of broken dreams and second chances.Whisper Ridge - Home to Dreams - 6 November 1992-27 April 1996So reads the strange epitaph carved beside the front door of Whisper Ridge, a multi-million-dollar mansion that once housed the beginnings of Alexandra Sanabria's unique program for parolled murderers. Uninhabited for twelve years, the home still stands as a strange monument to dangerous secrets.Private investigator Lincoln Perry's first involvement with the house and its legacy comes when Parker Harrison - a convicted killer and former parolee at Whisper Ridge - asks him to find Alexandra, who disappeared with her husband after the failure of the parolee program.Against his better judgment, Perry agrees to take on the case. When he learns that the skeletal remains of Alexandra's husband have been found, he wishes he'd trusted his initial instincts .With the police investigation reactivated and decades-old threats arising, Perry is confronted with a sordid family mystery that will challenge both his abilities as a detective and his commitment to that calling .
311 pages, Hardcover
First published August 4, 2009
95 people are currently reading
941 people want to read
About the author
Michael Koryta
51 books2,522 followersMichael Koryta (pronounced Ko-ree-ta) is the New York Times-bestselling author of 14 suspense novels. His work has been praised by Stephen King, Michael Connelly, Lee Child, Dean Koontz, James Patterson, Dennis Lehane, Daniel Woodrell, Ron Rash, and Scott Smith among many others, and has been translated into more than 20 languages. His books have won or been nominated for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, Edgar® Award, Shamus Award, Barry Award, Quill Award, International Thriller Writers Award, and the Golden Dagger. They've been selected as "best books of the year" by publications as diverse as the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Amazon.com, O the Oprah Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, People, Reader's Digest, iBooks, and Kirkus Reviews.
His recent thriller Those Who Wish Me Dead was named the summer's best thriller by both Amazon and Entertainment Weekly, and was selected as one of the year's best books by more than 10 publications. The audio version was named one of the best audio books of the year, as well, the second time that Robert Petkoff's narration of Michael's work has earned such an honor. The novel is currently being adapted as a major motion picture by 20th Century Fox.
Michael's previous work ranges from a trio of supernatural novels--So Cold the River, The Cypress House, and The Ridge, which were all named New York Times notable books of the year and earned starred reviews from Publishers Weekly--to stand-alone crime novels such as The Prophet (A New York Times bestseller) and Envy the Night (selected as a Reader's Digest condensed book), to a series of award-winning novels featuring private investigator Lincoln Perry--Tonight I Said Goodbye, Sorrow's Anthem, A Welcome Grave, and The Silent Hour.
Various film and television adaptations of the books are underway, with The Prophet, So Cold the River, The Cypress House, and Those Who Wish Me Dead all optioned as feature films, and the Lincoln Perry series and The Ridge being developed for television. Michael has written for the screen in both feature film and television. Oscar and Emmy winners are attached to every project.
Before turning to writing full-time, Michael worked as a private investigator and as a newspaper reporter, and taught at the Indiana University School of Journalism. He began working for a private investigator as an intern while in high school, turned it into his day job in the early stages of his writing career, and still maintains an interest in the firm. As a journalist, he won numerous awards from the Society of Professional Journalists.
Michael's first novel, the Edgar-nominated Tonight I Said Goodbye was accepted for publication when he was 20 years old. He wrote his first two published novels before graduating from college, and was published in nearly 10 languages before he fulfilled the "writing requirement" classes required for his diploma.
Michael was raised in Bloomington, Indiana, where he graduated from Bloomington North High School in 2001, and later graduated from Indiana University with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. In 2008 he was honored as a "distinguished young alumni" by Indiana University, and in 2010 he was named "distinguished alumni' by the criminal justice department.
Michael's passions outside of writing and reading involve a variety of outdoor pursuits - hiking, camping, boating, and fishing are all likely to occupy his free time when he's not working on a new book. Some of his favorite spots in the world are the Beartooth Mountains, the setting of Those Who Wish Me Dead and a place to which he returns at least twice a year; the flowages of the Northwoods in Wisconsin, where he began fishing with his father as a child and still returns each fall; St. Petersburg, FL, and the Maine coast.
His recent thriller Those Who Wish Me Dead was named the summer's best thriller by both Amazon and Entertainment Weekly, and was selected as one of the year's best books by more than 10 publications. The audio version was named one of the best audio books of the year, as well, the second time that Robert Petkoff's narration of Michael's work has earned such an honor. The novel is currently being adapted as a major motion picture by 20th Century Fox.
Michael's previous work ranges from a trio of supernatural novels--So Cold the River, The Cypress House, and The Ridge, which were all named New York Times notable books of the year and earned starred reviews from Publishers Weekly--to stand-alone crime novels such as The Prophet (A New York Times bestseller) and Envy the Night (selected as a Reader's Digest condensed book), to a series of award-winning novels featuring private investigator Lincoln Perry--Tonight I Said Goodbye, Sorrow's Anthem, A Welcome Grave, and The Silent Hour.
Various film and television adaptations of the books are underway, with The Prophet, So Cold the River, The Cypress House, and Those Who Wish Me Dead all optioned as feature films, and the Lincoln Perry series and The Ridge being developed for television. Michael has written for the screen in both feature film and television. Oscar and Emmy winners are attached to every project.
Before turning to writing full-time, Michael worked as a private investigator and as a newspaper reporter, and taught at the Indiana University School of Journalism. He began working for a private investigator as an intern while in high school, turned it into his day job in the early stages of his writing career, and still maintains an interest in the firm. As a journalist, he won numerous awards from the Society of Professional Journalists.
Michael's first novel, the Edgar-nominated Tonight I Said Goodbye was accepted for publication when he was 20 years old. He wrote his first two published novels before graduating from college, and was published in nearly 10 languages before he fulfilled the "writing requirement" classes required for his diploma.
Michael was raised in Bloomington, Indiana, where he graduated from Bloomington North High School in 2001, and later graduated from Indiana University with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. In 2008 he was honored as a "distinguished young alumni" by Indiana University, and in 2010 he was named "distinguished alumni' by the criminal justice department.
Michael's passions outside of writing and reading involve a variety of outdoor pursuits - hiking, camping, boating, and fishing are all likely to occupy his free time when he's not working on a new book. Some of his favorite spots in the world are the Beartooth Mountains, the setting of Those Who Wish Me Dead and a place to which he returns at least twice a year; the flowages of the Northwoods in Wisconsin, where he began fishing with his father as a child and still returns each fall; St. Petersburg, FL, and the Maine coast.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 165 reviews
March 7, 2011
Here’s what private detective Lincoln Perry’s Facebook updates would look like in this book:
“This freed convicted murderer wants to hire me? No way I’m working for that guy.”
“Murderer doesn‘t want me to look into his old case. He admits he’s guilty. Instead, he wants me to find the couple that ran the rehab program he was in when he got of prison. They vanished twelve years ago.
That sounds kind of interesting, but he’s still a convicted murderer that I don’t want to be associated with so I’ll tell him no.”
“OK, I took the case.”
“What? Lies! That damn murderer lied to me. Also left out a bunch of important stuff like a dead body and a connection to the Mafia. I am so not working for this guy anymore.”
“Uh oh. Just got a visit from scary Mafia guy. Good thing I’m not working on that case anymore.”
“OK, I’m working on the case again. But just a little. Another detective asked for my help. I’m going to talk to this cop with him.”
“That cop is an asshole. And this other detective is a good guy, but he’s dangerously inexperienced. I’m only going to help them a little, and then I am O-U-T!”
“Damn. Stupid murderer keeps insisting that I stay involved. Asshole cop yelled at me again. This sucks. I’m really going to quit this case soon.”
“Finally! I’m out.”
“Revenge time. Loading the guns.”
“Forget about revenge. This is stupid. I’m blowing town with my girlfriend. Off to Florida to talk to my semi-retired partner. And asshole cop yelled at me again.”
“Back in Cleveland! Quitting the detective game all together.”
“Still out of the detective business.”
“Still out of detective business. Getting some good workouts in.”
“OK, I’m kinda sorta back in the detective business but nothing dangerous this time.”
“Just got one last thing to do, and I’m out.”
“Seriously. One more thing and then I’m done for good.”
“Really mean it this time. Last time I’m doing any detective stuff.”
“OK, going to do one last really stupid, dangerous and unnecessary thing and then I’m finally done being a detective.”
“Sorry, I haven’t updated in a while. That last thing didn’t go so well. But I’m back now. Starting to think about quitting the detective business.”
“This freed convicted murderer wants to hire me? No way I’m working for that guy.”
“Murderer doesn‘t want me to look into his old case. He admits he’s guilty. Instead, he wants me to find the couple that ran the rehab program he was in when he got of prison. They vanished twelve years ago.
That sounds kind of interesting, but he’s still a convicted murderer that I don’t want to be associated with so I’ll tell him no.”
“OK, I took the case.”
“What? Lies! That damn murderer lied to me. Also left out a bunch of important stuff like a dead body and a connection to the Mafia. I am so not working for this guy anymore.”
“Uh oh. Just got a visit from scary Mafia guy. Good thing I’m not working on that case anymore.”
“OK, I’m working on the case again. But just a little. Another detective asked for my help. I’m going to talk to this cop with him.”
“That cop is an asshole. And this other detective is a good guy, but he’s dangerously inexperienced. I’m only going to help them a little, and then I am O-U-T!”
“Damn. Stupid murderer keeps insisting that I stay involved. Asshole cop yelled at me again. This sucks. I’m really going to quit this case soon.”
“Finally! I’m out.”
“Revenge time. Loading the guns.”
“Forget about revenge. This is stupid. I’m blowing town with my girlfriend. Off to Florida to talk to my semi-retired partner. And asshole cop yelled at me again.”
“Back in Cleveland! Quitting the detective game all together.”
“Still out of the detective business.”
“Still out of detective business. Getting some good workouts in.”
“OK, I’m kinda sorta back in the detective business but nothing dangerous this time.”
“Just got one last thing to do, and I’m out.”
“Seriously. One more thing and then I’m done for good.”
“Really mean it this time. Last time I’m doing any detective stuff.”
“OK, going to do one last really stupid, dangerous and unnecessary thing and then I’m finally done being a detective.”
“Sorry, I haven’t updated in a while. That last thing didn’t go so well. But I’m back now. Starting to think about quitting the detective business.”
January 19, 2019
This book was published in 2009. It appears this is the last and final of this series. To me, this was at best a 3 star read, but being that I enjoyed the series I threw in another star 'just because' . What I can say is, if you didn't read books 1-3 , don't pick this book up. If you like PI / detective type books , start with book number 1 .
I'll miss Lincoln Perry (LP for those who know him well) and of course his partner Joe. They were both great characters!! If they were 'true' friends of mine I would wish them both a great retirement, and to be happy in whatever comes their way. Hey! They are friends of mine!! So - Cheers to the both of you !! Good bye and good luck !!
I'll miss Lincoln Perry (LP for those who know him well) and of course his partner Joe. They were both great characters!! If they were 'true' friends of mine I would wish them both a great retirement, and to be happy in whatever comes their way. Hey! They are friends of mine!! So - Cheers to the both of you !! Good bye and good luck !!
March 3, 2015
This is the latest Lincoln Perry book that Michael Koryta has written. All six books since then are stand alones. I think maybe at the time, Koryta was feeling as lost as he made his protagonist. There's a strong sense in Perry of not knowing where to go next, what to do now. Perry's partner, Joe Pritchard, is getting older and his life is changing direction. Perry has Amy, but is questioning things. We may never know the answers, unless Koryta writes another Lincoln Perry book. This book, in any case, was well written and there was a secondary character that I really liked. I guess I got inside Lincoln Perry's head with this one.
December 18, 2018
Sadly: this wasn't a book for me. It didn't find it very interesting nor thrilling.
September 5, 2011
Cleveland-based private eye Lincoln Perry is asked by convicted murderer and former parolee Parker Harrison to investigate the 12-year old disappearance of the founder of a unique residential program for released killers. A woman whose brother is a suspected underworld kingpin, and whose husband’s skeletal remains, Perry quickly discovers to his dismay, have recently been unearthed. Perry finds himself scratching at the scab of a sordid family mystery, intertwined with decades-old threats and past and present police and FBI investigations, and unwittingly following a trail that leads to more deaths.
Koryta weaves a nicely-paced and engrossing tale with some unexpected twists, but like the very best in the genre, his storytelling is much more than just page-turning plotlines. Perry is an intriguing and complex protagonist, whose struggles with not only this investigation, but also his commitment to even being in a job that has brought danger to his few loved ones, give him a humanity that will resonate with many readers. The supporting cast is full of interesting and reasonably well-rounded characters; authentic and distinct personalities, perspectives and voices.
Koryta makes you want to turn the page, for the characters and the story, and when you get to the end, you want to go out and immediately find another of his books.
Koryta weaves a nicely-paced and engrossing tale with some unexpected twists, but like the very best in the genre, his storytelling is much more than just page-turning plotlines. Perry is an intriguing and complex protagonist, whose struggles with not only this investigation, but also his commitment to even being in a job that has brought danger to his few loved ones, give him a humanity that will resonate with many readers. The supporting cast is full of interesting and reasonably well-rounded characters; authentic and distinct personalities, perspectives and voices.
Koryta makes you want to turn the page, for the characters and the story, and when you get to the end, you want to go out and immediately find another of his books.
October 30, 2023
I enjoyed all four of the Lincoln Perry Series, particularly the audiobook performances by Scott Brick.
March 22, 2019
It’s pretty obvious that Koryta is winding down this series with Lincoln Perry. For the most part it is an interesting case Perry is involved with. But when it seemed to me that the case was pretty well wrapped up things bogged down. It seemed as though Koryta didn’t know how to end this one. Still, a good mystery.
January 3, 2017
Here it is-the last novel that I read in 2016!
The Silent Hour-the fourth installment of the Lincoln Perry series is another fascinating, standalone detective mystery novel by Michael Koryta narrating another superb case solved by the beloved fictional detective of the series-Lincoln Perry.
The story's starts with Whisper Ridge-a multimillion-dollar piece of architectural majesty that once housed a unique program for paroled murderers which never got off the ground due to the passion of Alexandra Cantrell, daughter of a notorious Mafia don, and her husband, Joshua for it. Now, 12 years later, the uninhabited house is in ruins. While everyone's confused and suspicious about this matter, suddenly one day, Joshua's bones are found buried in the forest. Now, here enters the protagonist of the series and famed detective Lincoln Perry into the scenario but he's not at all thrilled to investigate about this case which is getting a lot of media attention as his new client, Parker Harrison is no picnic either. He's a man who has served 15 years in the charge of murder on him.
This time Perry has really got himself in a case that challenges his abilities as a detective and his commitment to that calling. So, will Perry be able to solve the mystery like he does every time? What's the truth about Parker Harrison? What's the hidden secret about the program for paroled murderers? Who brutally killed Joshua and buried his bones in the forest? Read out to find the answer to all these questions.
A very interesting and intriguing story full of mystery and suspense throughout with totally unpredictable outcomes at crucial points. Now I really feel like reading all the remaining parts of Lincoln Perry series which I haven't. Michael Koryta really has superb writing skills when it comes to the mystery genre.
Overall superb novel. Recommended to all.
The Silent Hour-the fourth installment of the Lincoln Perry series is another fascinating, standalone detective mystery novel by Michael Koryta narrating another superb case solved by the beloved fictional detective of the series-Lincoln Perry.
The story's starts with Whisper Ridge-a multimillion-dollar piece of architectural majesty that once housed a unique program for paroled murderers which never got off the ground due to the passion of Alexandra Cantrell, daughter of a notorious Mafia don, and her husband, Joshua for it. Now, 12 years later, the uninhabited house is in ruins. While everyone's confused and suspicious about this matter, suddenly one day, Joshua's bones are found buried in the forest. Now, here enters the protagonist of the series and famed detective Lincoln Perry into the scenario but he's not at all thrilled to investigate about this case which is getting a lot of media attention as his new client, Parker Harrison is no picnic either. He's a man who has served 15 years in the charge of murder on him.
This time Perry has really got himself in a case that challenges his abilities as a detective and his commitment to that calling. So, will Perry be able to solve the mystery like he does every time? What's the truth about Parker Harrison? What's the hidden secret about the program for paroled murderers? Who brutally killed Joshua and buried his bones in the forest? Read out to find the answer to all these questions.
A very interesting and intriguing story full of mystery and suspense throughout with totally unpredictable outcomes at crucial points. Now I really feel like reading all the remaining parts of Lincoln Perry series which I haven't. Michael Koryta really has superb writing skills when it comes to the mystery genre.
Overall superb novel. Recommended to all.
June 28, 2015
I haven't read any of the other books in this series, but I have read Koryta before. This is a guilty pleasure. It's just for fun. Added bonus, the detective is from Cleveland, so it has a touch-of-home.
January 13, 2018
He never disappoints!
September 27, 2025
3.5 ⭐
After I finished reading this book, I have been thinking about the rating I would give to it.
And at the end of my thinking process I got to the amount you see here, for the following reasons.
First of all, I found the book confusing at times. Who was hiring who, working which case for what reasons. Who was looking for whom? And who suspected whom of doing which crime?
When you see these questions, it looks like the obvious questions detectives (in this book also PIs) should ask and the riddles to solve. But there were so many lines to so many people in past and present, that they got tangled in my mind.
Why did I rate this book rather high then? Because I loved the writing, the dialogues, the pictures/scenes painted with the words I read. It was just like I heard normal people talking, not the aggressive cop talk and that was great for a change.
All in all I had a great time reading it.
After I finished reading this book, I have been thinking about the rating I would give to it.
And at the end of my thinking process I got to the amount you see here, for the following reasons.
First of all, I found the book confusing at times. Who was hiring who, working which case for what reasons. Who was looking for whom? And who suspected whom of doing which crime?
When you see these questions, it looks like the obvious questions detectives (in this book also PIs) should ask and the riddles to solve. But there were so many lines to so many people in past and present, that they got tangled in my mind.
Why did I rate this book rather high then? Because I loved the writing, the dialogues, the pictures/scenes painted with the words I read. It was just like I heard normal people talking, not the aggressive cop talk and that was great for a change.
All in all I had a great time reading it.
May 11, 2020
Convicted murderer Parker Harrison pleads with Lincoln Perry to investigate a twelve year cold case involving the disappearance of a couple who sponsored him in the hard days after his release.
Koryta's fast paced thriller examines the effect on private investigators of unsolved cases that haunt them. As the desperation for a solution rises, readers will find themselves dwelling on the frustration of a case that cannot be filed away.
Koryta's fast paced thriller examines the effect on private investigators of unsolved cases that haunt them. As the desperation for a solution rises, readers will find themselves dwelling on the frustration of a case that cannot be filed away.
January 31, 2021
Probably 4.5. All of Michael Koryta's books are good. Just good solid murder and mayhem mysteries. Will be looking to read them all.
October 23, 2021
Very good book with interesting story, with action, suspense and intrigue.
September 6, 2024
Koryta really gets into the core of the main cast in this book. Sad the series is over.
February 12, 2024
2 stars
March 20, 2010
First Sentence: He’d sharpened his knife just an hour before the killing.
PI Lincoln Perry is on his own after his partner, Joe Pritchard, decided to spend the winter in Florida. Lincoln is receiving letters from a paroled killer wanting to hire him to find the missing daughter of mobsters. The woman and her husband disappeared a decade ago from a unique and valuable rural home where they ran an unlicensed half-way house for violent offenders. When the skeleton of the husband turns up, having a less-than-desirable client, and a case connected to the Mob, Perry questions his abilities and commitment to being a PI.
It is so frustrating to have an author whose previous books I’ve loved, write one I find disappointing. Perhaps because I liked the previous books so well, I didn’t notice them, but I did here: portents.
I intensely dislike the use of portents, particularly where they broadcast the plot and thus, detract from the suspense or surprise of the story. They were unnecessary.
The plot, itself, was interesting, but it bogged down in the middle. Lincoln’s introspection nearly overwhelmed the pace and appeal of the story, even though some of it was well done…”It stacked up on you, after a while. The violence.”
I understand wanting to focus on a single protagonist in a series where the protagonists have been a team. In this case, having Lincoln with Joe reminded me of soda without carbonation; flat. I like Lincoln as a character. I appreciated learning more about is background, particularly his mother. At the same time, without Joe, an older, ex-cop who brought Lincoln into his PI agency, Lincoln’s inexperience showed in a frustrating way. The scenes where Joe is present, is when the book came back to life.
The biggest challenge was that beyond Joe, Lincoln and his girlfriend, Amy, none of the rest of the characters was appealing or interesting. There was nothing in them to make me care whether the case was solved.
If you've not read Koryta, I do recommend the first four books in the series and his standalone "Envy the Night." Shall I continue reading Koryta? Probably, but I'll hope the next book is much better.
THE SILENT HOUR (PI-Lincoln Perry-Cleveland, OH-Cont) – Okay
Koryta, Michael – 5th in series
Minotaur Books, ©2009, US Hardcover – ISBN: 9780312361570
PI Lincoln Perry is on his own after his partner, Joe Pritchard, decided to spend the winter in Florida. Lincoln is receiving letters from a paroled killer wanting to hire him to find the missing daughter of mobsters. The woman and her husband disappeared a decade ago from a unique and valuable rural home where they ran an unlicensed half-way house for violent offenders. When the skeleton of the husband turns up, having a less-than-desirable client, and a case connected to the Mob, Perry questions his abilities and commitment to being a PI.
It is so frustrating to have an author whose previous books I’ve loved, write one I find disappointing. Perhaps because I liked the previous books so well, I didn’t notice them, but I did here: portents.
I intensely dislike the use of portents, particularly where they broadcast the plot and thus, detract from the suspense or surprise of the story. They were unnecessary.
The plot, itself, was interesting, but it bogged down in the middle. Lincoln’s introspection nearly overwhelmed the pace and appeal of the story, even though some of it was well done…”It stacked up on you, after a while. The violence.”
I understand wanting to focus on a single protagonist in a series where the protagonists have been a team. In this case, having Lincoln with Joe reminded me of soda without carbonation; flat. I like Lincoln as a character. I appreciated learning more about is background, particularly his mother. At the same time, without Joe, an older, ex-cop who brought Lincoln into his PI agency, Lincoln’s inexperience showed in a frustrating way. The scenes where Joe is present, is when the book came back to life.
The biggest challenge was that beyond Joe, Lincoln and his girlfriend, Amy, none of the rest of the characters was appealing or interesting. There was nothing in them to make me care whether the case was solved.
If you've not read Koryta, I do recommend the first four books in the series and his standalone "Envy the Night." Shall I continue reading Koryta? Probably, but I'll hope the next book is much better.
THE SILENT HOUR (PI-Lincoln Perry-Cleveland, OH-Cont) – Okay
Koryta, Michael – 5th in series
Minotaur Books, ©2009, US Hardcover – ISBN: 9780312361570
April 15, 2012
Michael Koryta has long been on my list of "authors to be read." (There never seems to be enough hours in a day to get to all of them.) I found THE SILENT HOUR for a good price and so it made its way to the top of my pile.
For the first hundred pages or so, I felt myself fully drawn in and captivated. The story is good - a fantastic house abandoned, for unknown reasons, by the couple who built it - and I really felt that Koryta is a very good story-teller and writer. I wouldn't say that he is a stylist per se, just that he writes good, clear, sharp prose.
The book did slow down in the middle, and the ending (won't go into it due to spoiler possibilities) was a disappointment. I felt the last half of the book just sort of dithered around, going off on tangents that weren't much fun to read.
As for Lincoln Perry himself, I expected to find him more appealing as a character than I actually did. There's nothing particularly unique about him - former cop, current PI, girlfriend, owns a gym that he lives over. He's not as appealing as Nameless (in Pronzini's books) or as Logan McRae (in Stuart MacBride's books), and I think I figured out why. Lincoln is self-righteous, or at least he is throughout most of this book. That not-very-appealing quality only ratchets up in the second half of the book, which made me withdraw from him as I continued turning the pages. It's purely a personal response, I know, but two characteristics I can't stand in people are self-righteousness and self-pity (and Perry does have a little of the latter, too).
So, ultimately, while I think Koryta is a good writer (and I liked the Ohio setting - not a place I visit much in fiction!) I'm not sure I'll be looking for other Lincoln Perry books. Also, does anyone have any idea what the title means or refers to?
For the first hundred pages or so, I felt myself fully drawn in and captivated. The story is good - a fantastic house abandoned, for unknown reasons, by the couple who built it - and I really felt that Koryta is a very good story-teller and writer. I wouldn't say that he is a stylist per se, just that he writes good, clear, sharp prose.
The book did slow down in the middle, and the ending (won't go into it due to spoiler possibilities) was a disappointment. I felt the last half of the book just sort of dithered around, going off on tangents that weren't much fun to read.
As for Lincoln Perry himself, I expected to find him more appealing as a character than I actually did. There's nothing particularly unique about him - former cop, current PI, girlfriend, owns a gym that he lives over. He's not as appealing as Nameless (in Pronzini's books) or as Logan McRae (in Stuart MacBride's books), and I think I figured out why. Lincoln is self-righteous, or at least he is throughout most of this book. That not-very-appealing quality only ratchets up in the second half of the book, which made me withdraw from him as I continued turning the pages. It's purely a personal response, I know, but two characteristics I can't stand in people are self-righteousness and self-pity (and Perry does have a little of the latter, too).
So, ultimately, while I think Koryta is a good writer (and I liked the Ohio setting - not a place I visit much in fiction!) I'm not sure I'll be looking for other Lincoln Perry books. Also, does anyone have any idea what the title means or refers to?
December 17, 2021
Lots of twists. Maybe too many. The narrator of this series isn't my favorite. The book kept me engaged enough to finish but I was anxious to finish to start on Go Tell the BEes that I am Gone. Maybe it was just me. Eh.
Whisper Ridge
Home to Dreams
October 2, 1992--April 12, 1996
So reads the strange epitaph carved beside the door of the home called Whisper Ridge, a multi-million-dollar piece of architectural majesty that once housed the beginnings of a unique program for paroled murderers. The program never got off the ground, however, despite how passionate a woman named Alexandra Cantrell, daughter of a notorious Mafia don, and her husband, Joshua, had been about it. Still uninhabited twelve years later, the house remains as a strange monument to dangerous secrets, falling into ruin as the forest grows up around it.
While the couple's abrupt exit was unusual, it was also not regarded as suspicious--until the bones of Alexandra's husband are found buried in the woods.
Private investigator Lincoln Perry isn't thrilled about the situation, or his client: Parker Harrison served fifteen years for murder but claims Alexandra's intervention saved his life. Now he wants to find her--and he's not the only one.
What seems at first like the simplest of jobs proves to be an undertaking that will challenge both Perry's abilities as a detective and his commitment to that calling. With a new partner to train and a case that leads straight to the heart of the Cleveland organized crime scene, Perry finds himself glancing over his shoulder at every turn, pushing the bounds of safety even as he backs away.
Whisper Ridge
Home to Dreams
October 2, 1992--April 12, 1996
So reads the strange epitaph carved beside the door of the home called Whisper Ridge, a multi-million-dollar piece of architectural majesty that once housed the beginnings of a unique program for paroled murderers. The program never got off the ground, however, despite how passionate a woman named Alexandra Cantrell, daughter of a notorious Mafia don, and her husband, Joshua, had been about it. Still uninhabited twelve years later, the house remains as a strange monument to dangerous secrets, falling into ruin as the forest grows up around it.
While the couple's abrupt exit was unusual, it was also not regarded as suspicious--until the bones of Alexandra's husband are found buried in the woods.
Private investigator Lincoln Perry isn't thrilled about the situation, or his client: Parker Harrison served fifteen years for murder but claims Alexandra's intervention saved his life. Now he wants to find her--and he's not the only one.
What seems at first like the simplest of jobs proves to be an undertaking that will challenge both Perry's abilities as a detective and his commitment to that calling. With a new partner to train and a case that leads straight to the heart of the Cleveland organized crime scene, Perry finds himself glancing over his shoulder at every turn, pushing the bounds of safety even as he backs away.
July 6, 2020
Had to finish the series and I'm glad that I did. Definitely enjoyed #3 better than the this book but was a fun ending to the series. Maybe someday he will write a fifth.
March 18, 2013
Micheal Kortya is a brilliant author and his Lincoln Perry series never fails to impress me. The Silent Hour (the latest book in the series) is a powerful and intelligent crime thriller that featured a strong plot (full of well-executed twists and turns), amazingly well-developed characters, detailed backstories, and haunting physical settings. I also appreciated Koryta's subtle blending of various tones (from world-weary cynicism to outright pessimism to hope). The Silent Hour is not only a fun and extremely fast-paced book, but also proof that the crime genre is so much more than the clumsy thrillers that typically define the best-seller lists.
May 15, 2014
Up 'til now, I'd only read Koryta's stand-alones and am thrilled with his Lincoln Perry series. Reading this series out of order doesn't seem to be a problem which is good as I rarely get them in order from the library. Lincoln becomes involved in a 12 year old disappearance/murder involving a Mafia family and several "rehabilitated" convicts, one of whom tries to hire him to locate the missing sister of a Mafia king-pin. An intricate plot with a quick pace, Lincoln finds himself looking over his shoulder as he embarks on a mystery he can't leave alone.
July 19, 2012
"The Silent Hour" is the fourth (and final? I hope not) in the Perry/Pritchard series by Michael Koryta, and, in my opinion, the best of the four. Intricately plotted story with extremely well-developed characters makes this a hard-to-put-down read. There's also a creepy old house (that supposedly actually exists somewhere in the Cleveland area), a 12-year-old unsolved murder case, and about a hundred murder suspects.
October 17, 2020
I really liked the six other Koryta books I read but this one was a real drag. With a Labour of love I struggled thru half the book and finally, exhausted with the weak plot and rambling repetitive theme, I cast it aside. Sorry but not worth your time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 21, 2015
A decent mystery, but it didn't really grab me. A bit slow paced, but it did have some interesting character development.
Read
January 1, 2016(Only got to 75% because I've been working 60 hour weeks, and then the library wanted it back. . It was okay but not so great I'll hunt it down to finish it. )
February 6, 2017
The Silent Hour was my first experience with Private Investigator Lincoln Perry, though it is clear from the story that this is not his first book - and I will be glad to add the others to my "want to read" list.
In this story, former police detective turned private investigator Lincoln Perry had been receiving letters from convicted murderer Parker Harrison, which he immediately trashed. Harrison had taken a plea deal for the bloody stabbing death of his ex-lovers new boyfriend, and never denied his guilt of the crime. When his letters went unanswered Harrison shows up at Perry's office insisting Perry help him find Mrs. Alexandra Cantrell. Her kindness and beautiful home are what Harrison credits for saving his life and successfully rehabilitating him.
Perry is reluctant but finds himself charmed by Harrison and intrigued by the twelve-year-old disappearance of the Cantrell couple...and the multi-million dollar home they abandoned. As he begins to investigate he discovers connections to the seedy underworld of murders, criminals and the mob; running into more than one dead body along his way.
This creates a solid crime fiction that is worth the read. Lincoln Perry himself was very well written and believable, though it is clear that some of his motivations were better explained in previous books.
That being said I found this to be a solid 3 star novel. It is weak as a stand alone, but interesting enough to keep me reading. That and the motivations of the characters that weren't overly complex or unrealistic made this a good read.
In this story, former police detective turned private investigator Lincoln Perry had been receiving letters from convicted murderer Parker Harrison, which he immediately trashed. Harrison had taken a plea deal for the bloody stabbing death of his ex-lovers new boyfriend, and never denied his guilt of the crime. When his letters went unanswered Harrison shows up at Perry's office insisting Perry help him find Mrs. Alexandra Cantrell. Her kindness and beautiful home are what Harrison credits for saving his life and successfully rehabilitating him.
Perry is reluctant but finds himself charmed by Harrison and intrigued by the twelve-year-old disappearance of the Cantrell couple...and the multi-million dollar home they abandoned. As he begins to investigate he discovers connections to the seedy underworld of murders, criminals and the mob; running into more than one dead body along his way.
This creates a solid crime fiction that is worth the read. Lincoln Perry himself was very well written and believable, though it is clear that some of his motivations were better explained in previous books.
That being said I found this to be a solid 3 star novel. It is weak as a stand alone, but interesting enough to keep me reading. That and the motivations of the characters that weren't overly complex or unrealistic made this a good read.
December 26, 2020
I like thinking about titles of books and why they were chosen. In this book, a character had served time in prison. When describing the experience, he talked about the noise. It is never-ending. Even in the middle of the night, you hear banging of doors, fellow prisoners groaning or screaming or talking . . . this continuous cacophony caused the character such agony that he began to plan suicide. Over time, he collected a substance that would kill him and hid it away until he had a sufficient amount. The night he was preparing to take his life, the prison went silent. For one hour. That silent hour gave him hope and he decided to live.
This is the last of the four novels featuring Lincoln Perry, cop-turned-private investigator. A beautiful house in the country, built into a hill and overlooking a pond on the back side, has been abandoned for 12 years but the taxes are paid and it is not for sale. It was owned by the sister of a mob boss and her husband. The husband's bones have recently been found buried a distance away from the house but her fate is unknown.
Lincoln gets involved via the ex-prisoner who experienced the silent hour. This story is full of twists and kept my attention throughout.
The door is left open for more Lincoln Perry stories, but this book also draws his saga to a tidy close of sorts. Well done, Mr. Koryta.
This is the last of the four novels featuring Lincoln Perry, cop-turned-private investigator. A beautiful house in the country, built into a hill and overlooking a pond on the back side, has been abandoned for 12 years but the taxes are paid and it is not for sale. It was owned by the sister of a mob boss and her husband. The husband's bones have recently been found buried a distance away from the house but her fate is unknown.
Lincoln gets involved via the ex-prisoner who experienced the silent hour. This story is full of twists and kept my attention throughout.
The door is left open for more Lincoln Perry stories, but this book also draws his saga to a tidy close of sorts. Well done, Mr. Koryta.
April 27, 2023
Lincoln Perry's PI partner, Joe Pritchard, has been in Florida for several months, recuperating after having been shot defending Lincoln. His girlfriend Amy has extra deadbolts on her apartment after having been attacked in her home, used as a bargaining chip in an investigation. Lincoln has become extremely cautious in what assignments he accepts. When he is repeatedly requested to locate a person who had gone missing 13 years ago, he repeatedly refused. Then another PI, who had actually been on the case, wants to team up with Lincoln to find that same person. He relents and agrees to be a back-up/support person only. After all, it's only a missing person's case: find the wife of the murdered man. Then a retired FBI agent, one of the original police detectives from Philadelphia, the mob (her brother was a mob boss), and members of a drug cartel become involved; people start to die; and Lincoln seemingly loses his will to continue. And a surprise ending.
July 18, 2023
st couldn’t get into this plot. I can’t figure out whether the author or I wanted the series to just end.
Alexandra Cantrell was an unusual woman who loved much and tried hard to help those around her. She was the daughter of a Mafia crime boss, and her brother had been involved in mafioso activities for years. But Alexandra and her husband, Joshua, want to create a system in which prison parolees can spend six months at a multimillion-dollar house they built—a house where the parolees can reconnect to nature by doing manual work free of any power tools. Parker Harrison is just one man who genuinely benefitted from the Cantrells’s work. But the couple went missing more than a decade earlier, and no one knows where they are. The case goes cold until someone finds the bones of Joshua Cantrell. Parker Harrison wants Lincoln Perry to take the case and find Alexandra if she’s still alive.
This is a twisty turny plot that felt hard for me to stay with.
Alexandra Cantrell was an unusual woman who loved much and tried hard to help those around her. She was the daughter of a Mafia crime boss, and her brother had been involved in mafioso activities for years. But Alexandra and her husband, Joshua, want to create a system in which prison parolees can spend six months at a multimillion-dollar house they built—a house where the parolees can reconnect to nature by doing manual work free of any power tools. Parker Harrison is just one man who genuinely benefitted from the Cantrells’s work. But the couple went missing more than a decade earlier, and no one knows where they are. The case goes cold until someone finds the bones of Joshua Cantrell. Parker Harrison wants Lincoln Perry to take the case and find Alexandra if she’s still alive.
This is a twisty turny plot that felt hard for me to stay with.
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