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High Stakes #2
A Silent Fury
Tragedy strikes Palmetto Deaf School--twice. With one student murdered and another missing, it's up to homicide detective Catelyn Clark to find the killer--and probable kidnapper--"fast." She'll even work with her ex-boyfriend, FBI agent Joseph Santino, to solve the case...while keeping her distance. Relationships between cops never work; her parents taught her that. They also taught her that the only one she can rely on is herself. But when the killer starts targeting Catelyn, it's only by opening her heart to faith--and love--that she can finally bring the silent fury to an end.
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
439 people are currently reading
631 people want to read
About the author
Lynette Eason
183 books4,005 followersLynette Eason grew up in Greenville, SC. She graduated from the University of South Carolina, Columbia, and then obtained her masters in education from Converse College. Author of twenty inspirational romantic suspense books, she is also a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Romance Writers of America (RWA). In 1996, Lynette married "the boy next door" and now she and her husband and their two children make their home in Simpsonville, South Carolina."
Series:
. Amazon Adventure
. High Stakes
. Women of Justice
Series:
. Amazon Adventure
. High Stakes
. Women of Justice
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
January 14, 2022
I struggled with this book because of content. The author apparently assumes that a deaf person can read, write, and text message on a cell phone.
NOTE: Being around numerous deaf people in my life (as well as those who are expert signers) this is not possible unless they have some kind of highly specialized device that can completely translate sign language. Deaf people read lips and sign. They view all media by way of signers. They would only know written words IF they had known it BEFORE BECOMING DEAF or taught writing /reading as a 2nd language (but as they can't hear phonetics, the far majority don’t and wouldn't have that skill). It is SIGN language they know AS THEIR LANGUAGE - not WRITTEN or READ English. For example: If your spoken language is English, could you read and understand written Chinese?
So, since communication via Cell phone TEXT WAS mentioned throughout the book, sorry, that was kind of the deal breaker for me.
Overall, my opinion of this story was just average. Not overly mysterious. A little overdone on the drama of the relationship between the MC's. So if some of the details I pointed out wouldn’t bother you, you might still enjoy it. However, it wasn't one of Eason’s best works imho and it left me disappointed.
NOTE: Being around numerous deaf people in my life (as well as those who are expert signers) this is not possible unless they have some kind of highly specialized device that can completely translate sign language. Deaf people read lips and sign. They view all media by way of signers. They would only know written words IF they had known it BEFORE BECOMING DEAF or taught writing /reading as a 2nd language (but as they can't hear phonetics, the far majority don’t and wouldn't have that skill). It is SIGN language they know AS THEIR LANGUAGE - not WRITTEN or READ English. For example: If your spoken language is English, could you read and understand written Chinese?
So, since communication via Cell phone TEXT WAS mentioned throughout the book, sorry, that was kind of the deal breaker for me.
Overall, my opinion of this story was just average. Not overly mysterious. A little overdone on the drama of the relationship between the MC's. So if some of the details I pointed out wouldn’t bother you, you might still enjoy it. However, it wasn't one of Eason’s best works imho and it left me disappointed.
January 16, 2020
A short little mystery that I enjoyed trying to figure out. However, since the heroine's personal drama based only on her family experience often overshadowed the mystery, I can't say it's going to be a new favorite. She went from overreacting to stuff to suddenly be okay and that wasn't super realistic.
May 1, 2019
Did not like this one. So many implausible scenarios and the romance drove me bananas. The character's life goals and ambitions were such polar opposites, making them a terrible couple, but somehow "we are soooo attracted to each other!"??? Not to mention Catelyn was SUCH a jerk throughout pretty much the entire story. Ugh. The whole book also seemed to move at an incredibly slow pace for such a short book. A teen girl is missing, yet there seemed to be no urgency whatsoever to find her, and more effort was put into solving the murder than finding the girl. Um. No.
Overall, definitely not one of Eason's best.
Overall, definitely not one of Eason's best.
October 4, 2019
This was not my favourite suspene from Lynette, but still enjoyable.
The suspense plot was interesting and there was a few twists and turns I did not see coming. There was also a few things Jospeh and Catelyn did/did not react appropriately to which I felt an FBI agent shouldn't have missed/let go so easily.
The love plot I didn't really enjoy. I felt the thoughts/feelings of Catelyn was very repetitive through out the story which at the end started to be annoying.
The suspense plot was interesting and there was a few twists and turns I did not see coming. There was also a few things Jospeh and Catelyn did/did not react appropriately to which I felt an FBI agent shouldn't have missed/let go so easily.
The love plot I didn't really enjoy. I felt the thoughts/feelings of Catelyn was very repetitive through out the story which at the end started to be annoying.
August 30, 2017
Great book
I have reassuring Lynette Eason books . Because I was in law enforcement for a few years, I identify with the main characters. Great book about relationships and our relationship with God.
I have reassuring Lynette Eason books . Because I was in law enforcement for a few years, I identify with the main characters. Great book about relationships and our relationship with God.
May 10, 2023
I'm reading my way thru the 'High Stakes' series, and finding them mostly very enjoyable. Eason - as a former teacher at a deaf school - is familiar with Deaf culture as well as the dynamics within a school setting, which makes her story that much more believable.
In this book, a student is killed and her best friend abducted. There's gang activity, thefts, and other attacks on students that complicate matters. Two detectives (one FBI on loan, the other local homicide) are trying to unravel the connections and find the killer, thieves, BNE, and assaulters, all while racing against time to save the abducted teen.
I had to deduct two stars from this one, but still have to tell you that it is definitely not a bad book. The writing is solid, characterizations are good... it just gets *REALLY* convoluted. There's something like six or seven criminals, and some of them don't show up until the author decides she needs another person to blame something on. And I get that - in real life - crime is probably messy like that. But when you're trying to follow who's doing what in a book? It gets difficult to follow.
The other problem I had was with the Caitlyn/Joseph dynamic. First, it would be a conflict of interest for him to work with the girl he had a terrible break-up with. He wouldn't be put into a situation like that, because it would distract from the case. Second, it would be a conflict of interest for him to be put on a case in which the main suspect is his brother's best friend. So NO... Joseph wouldn't be brought in on this, all the way from NYC.
The other commenters had a point (one I concur with) about Cait being cold, too. She's not someone we could get on-board with, and her anger problems and iciness ruined any romance that Joseph's efforts tried to give us. He was wonderful, yes, FAR AND AWAY better than Ethan in the first book... but Joseph is absolutely NOT for Caitlyn. That ship sailed, and resurrecting it wasn't a good idea.
More, the reason for their initial break-up was convoluted and worse, conflicted. He "never asked her to quit her job", he said, but he had expectations that... she would quit her job, and admits to it. And he's confused as to why she's not okay with that. Meanwhile, Caitlyn doesn't want a relationship like her parents (two cops together)... so she... dates/falls in love with a cop? How about NO.
The faith in this, is REALLY well done, which is a huge thing for me, since it's *inspirational* fiction. So major kudos for that. More, the forgiveness and healing angles were done very well, as well as the thawing of our heroine's heart after years of pain. I loved all of it. THIS is what the book was about, for me. Well... I might've liked a stronger romance line, but it still worked, and VERY well.
So yeah, the story - particularly the love angle - had some SERIOUS problems. But the faith, healing, redemption and hope angles were done wonderfully. And as for the suspense part of things, I think Eason was true to life... just in a way that didn't translate well on paper. I still recommend it, but not as highly as book one.
In this book, a student is killed and her best friend abducted. There's gang activity, thefts, and other attacks on students that complicate matters. Two detectives (one FBI on loan, the other local homicide) are trying to unravel the connections and find the killer, thieves, BNE, and assaulters, all while racing against time to save the abducted teen.
I had to deduct two stars from this one, but still have to tell you that it is definitely not a bad book. The writing is solid, characterizations are good... it just gets *REALLY* convoluted. There's something like six or seven criminals, and some of them don't show up until the author decides she needs another person to blame something on. And I get that - in real life - crime is probably messy like that. But when you're trying to follow who's doing what in a book? It gets difficult to follow.
The other problem I had was with the Caitlyn/Joseph dynamic. First, it would be a conflict of interest for him to work with the girl he had a terrible break-up with. He wouldn't be put into a situation like that, because it would distract from the case. Second, it would be a conflict of interest for him to be put on a case in which the main suspect is his brother's best friend. So NO... Joseph wouldn't be brought in on this, all the way from NYC.
The other commenters had a point (one I concur with) about Cait being cold, too. She's not someone we could get on-board with, and her anger problems and iciness ruined any romance that Joseph's efforts tried to give us. He was wonderful, yes, FAR AND AWAY better than Ethan in the first book... but Joseph is absolutely NOT for Caitlyn. That ship sailed, and resurrecting it wasn't a good idea.
More, the reason for their initial break-up was convoluted and worse, conflicted. He "never asked her to quit her job", he said, but he had expectations that... she would quit her job, and admits to it. And he's confused as to why she's not okay with that. Meanwhile, Caitlyn doesn't want a relationship like her parents (two cops together)... so she... dates/falls in love with a cop? How about NO.
The faith in this, is REALLY well done, which is a huge thing for me, since it's *inspirational* fiction. So major kudos for that. More, the forgiveness and healing angles were done very well, as well as the thawing of our heroine's heart after years of pain. I loved all of it. THIS is what the book was about, for me. Well... I might've liked a stronger romance line, but it still worked, and VERY well.
So yeah, the story - particularly the love angle - had some SERIOUS problems. But the faith, healing, redemption and hope angles were done wonderfully. And as for the suspense part of things, I think Eason was true to life... just in a way that didn't translate well on paper. I still recommend it, but not as highly as book one.
March 5, 2012
Trouble again surrounds Palmetto deaf School - this time 1 girl is dead & 1 is missing. What's the connection between the girls, Palmetto Deaf School, the baseball team at neighbouring Esterman High, & the spate of gang burglaries that have recently started? That's what FBI Agent Joseph Santino & homicide Detective Catelyn Clark who have been partnered together on this case need to find out - & quickly, because time is running out for missing girl, Kelly Franklin.
That's not all Joseph intends to find out. During their rare & frequently interrupted breathing spaces, he is determined to find out why Catelyn pushed him away 2 years ago, what the cause is of the silent fury building inside her, & whether they can get back together again, because his heart has never been able to let her go.
Although "A Silent Terror" precedes this one, featuring Joseph's sister Marianna & where we first meet Joseph & Catelyn, you don't need to have read it before this one.
Other books in the series:
#1 A Silent Terror (Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense #141)
#3 A Silent Pursuit (High Stakes, #3)
#4 Protective Custody
#5 Missing
That's not all Joseph intends to find out. During their rare & frequently interrupted breathing spaces, he is determined to find out why Catelyn pushed him away 2 years ago, what the cause is of the silent fury building inside her, & whether they can get back together again, because his heart has never been able to let her go.
Although "A Silent Terror" precedes this one, featuring Joseph's sister Marianna & where we first meet Joseph & Catelyn, you don't need to have read it before this one.
Other books in the series:
#1 A Silent Terror (Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense #141)
#3 A Silent Pursuit (High Stakes, #3)
#4 Protective Custody
#5 Missing
January 15, 2015
I read the first one in the series and it was 'eh', but I decided to give the second one a go...it was also 'eh' worthy.
2 stars for A Silent Fury
Another incident at Palmetto Deaf School, this time one student is dead and another is missing. Homicide detective Catelyn Clark is on the case, and soon to be paired up with her ex flame FBI agent Joseph Santino. (What is with Love Inspired's and rekindling old flames?)
Let it be known that I have a biased view on books that involve old flames. You have to have a REALLY good reason for them to get back together. Otherwise, nuhuh. And unfortunately this book was one of those 'nuhuh' books. Are you seriously going to tell me it was all a bit of a misunderstanding....ugh.
Anyhow, making this review short before my blood pressure spikes. This is a decent fluff book for when you want something you can pick up and put down at will. I dare say you could probably live without finishing the story should you lose it. I am going to read the next one and pray that the cliché romance manoeuvres stop. I know this author can write a lot better.
2 stars for A Silent Fury
Another incident at Palmetto Deaf School, this time one student is dead and another is missing. Homicide detective Catelyn Clark is on the case, and soon to be paired up with her ex flame FBI agent Joseph Santino. (What is with Love Inspired's and rekindling old flames?)
Let it be known that I have a biased view on books that involve old flames. You have to have a REALLY good reason for them to get back together. Otherwise, nuhuh. And unfortunately this book was one of those 'nuhuh' books. Are you seriously going to tell me it was all a bit of a misunderstanding....ugh.
Anyhow, making this review short before my blood pressure spikes. This is a decent fluff book for when you want something you can pick up and put down at will. I dare say you could probably live without finishing the story should you lose it. I am going to read the next one and pray that the cliché romance manoeuvres stop. I know this author can write a lot better.
December 31, 2024
I have now read several romantic suspense thrillers by this author. Each of her stories are clean stories without foul language or other content that would not be considered clean, however, there is plenty of suspenseful content that keeps a reader engaged until the very end.
Catelyn Clark is a homicide detective who is determined to find a killer who has killed a student and kidnapped a second student. She is running against the clock to solve the crime and rescue the kidnapped student before another tragedy can occur. Joseph Santino is an FBI agent who has been assigned to assign Detective Clark in solving these crimes. Joseph is the former boyfriend of Catelyn and it will be a challenge for these two to work together to find answers to these crimes.
There is a romance woven through this story and as questions are asked, can answers be found? If you want to read a book that will keep you engaged and be a story with a happy ending, this might just be one to be put on your TBR list.
Catelyn Clark is a homicide detective who is determined to find a killer who has killed a student and kidnapped a second student. She is running against the clock to solve the crime and rescue the kidnapped student before another tragedy can occur. Joseph Santino is an FBI agent who has been assigned to assign Detective Clark in solving these crimes. Joseph is the former boyfriend of Catelyn and it will be a challenge for these two to work together to find answers to these crimes.
There is a romance woven through this story and as questions are asked, can answers be found? If you want to read a book that will keep you engaged and be a story with a happy ending, this might just be one to be put on your TBR list.
January 16, 2020
There is trouble at the Palmetto deaf School one girl is dead and one is missing. What is the connection between the girls, Palmetto Deaf School, and the baseball team at neighboring Esterman High. There is some gang burglaries that have recently started. FBI Agent Joseph Santino and homicide Detective Catelyn Clark who are partnered together on this case. They need to find out quickly where Kelly Franklin is because time is running out on the missing girl.
That's not all Joseph intends to find out. During their rare and frequently interrupted breathing spaces, he is determined to find out why Catelyn pushed him away 2 years ago, what the cause is of the silent fury building inside her. They need work things out so they can get back together again. Joseph's heart has never been able to let her go. The romance in the book was hot and cold at times.
I loved how the story had twists and turns that kept me guessing. I was able to figure out some of it. There were some of it that surprised me. The characters life struggles that came to light seemed very authentic.
That's not all Joseph intends to find out. During their rare and frequently interrupted breathing spaces, he is determined to find out why Catelyn pushed him away 2 years ago, what the cause is of the silent fury building inside her. They need work things out so they can get back together again. Joseph's heart has never been able to let her go. The romance in the book was hot and cold at times.
I loved how the story had twists and turns that kept me guessing. I was able to figure out some of it. There were some of it that surprised me. The characters life struggles that came to light seemed very authentic.
July 6, 2018
3 1/2 stars
Another great Christian mystery, I enjoyed Eason’s second book of the High Stakes series. Where I found the mystery to be a bit predictable at times, there were some surprises throughout. Unlike other Eason books, I felt like there were some loose ends or not clear conclusions for some of the elements of the mystery near the end. Usually I feel clarity from her writing.
There was a bit of romance sprinkled in and while I am glad that Joseph and Catelyn do find their HEA, Catelyn’s hot and cold moments were a bit frustrating. They have history, and I didn’t find the struggle between them to be as believable as I wanted. But each character brought depth to the story.
I enjoyed the narration of the audiobook.
Note: I received a review copy of this title courtesy of the audiobook publisher, Tantor.
Another great Christian mystery, I enjoyed Eason’s second book of the High Stakes series. Where I found the mystery to be a bit predictable at times, there were some surprises throughout. Unlike other Eason books, I felt like there were some loose ends or not clear conclusions for some of the elements of the mystery near the end. Usually I feel clarity from her writing.
There was a bit of romance sprinkled in and while I am glad that Joseph and Catelyn do find their HEA, Catelyn’s hot and cold moments were a bit frustrating. They have history, and I didn’t find the struggle between them to be as believable as I wanted. But each character brought depth to the story.
I enjoyed the narration of the audiobook.
Note: I received a review copy of this title courtesy of the audiobook publisher, Tantor.
June 5, 2025
This was a good story however it had the same negatives as the first book. The romance part of the book was repetitive to the point that it was boring.
I liked Catelyn in the first book but did not like her in this story. It was like she was a different person, harsh with no compassion. At one point she said, arrest him and let his lawyer prove him innocent. She should have been taken off the investigation. I liked Joseph and felt he could do better than Catelyn.
As for the crimes being committed. I knew who the ring leader was early on but did not know the why. Also, I felt like the ending was never wrapped up. What happened to Dylan? It was as if he never existed. And what about Kelly, Zachary, Billy and Alan?
The last chapter was a rehash of Catelyn and Joseph’s relationship and would have been better wrapping up the other characters.
I liked Catelyn in the first book but did not like her in this story. It was like she was a different person, harsh with no compassion. At one point she said, arrest him and let his lawyer prove him innocent. She should have been taken off the investigation. I liked Joseph and felt he could do better than Catelyn.
As for the crimes being committed. I knew who the ring leader was early on but did not know the why. Also, I felt like the ending was never wrapped up. What happened to Dylan? It was as if he never existed. And what about Kelly, Zachary, Billy and Alan?
The last chapter was a rehash of Catelyn and Joseph’s relationship and would have been better wrapping up the other characters.
January 16, 2025
Two cops rekindle their love for each other.
Loved being with this author again. Joseph and Caitlyn story was exciting from start to finish. Caitlyn had a rocky past full of anger and hurt. Joseph was apart of that past but with him there were happy memories for Caitlyn. Until her fear that she would be like her folks going into marriage caused her to push Joseph away. But he never stopped loving her. Forgiveness and letting go of the anger had to come for Caitlyn. As she was working with Joseph on this horrific case God love and Joseph love and compassion intervened. Looking forward to the other two in this series.
Loved being with this author again. Joseph and Caitlyn story was exciting from start to finish. Caitlyn had a rocky past full of anger and hurt. Joseph was apart of that past but with him there were happy memories for Caitlyn. Until her fear that she would be like her folks going into marriage caused her to push Joseph away. But he never stopped loving her. Forgiveness and letting go of the anger had to come for Caitlyn. As she was working with Joseph on this horrific case God love and Joseph love and compassion intervened. Looking forward to the other two in this series.
May 25, 2017
Even better than the first one!
I loved the the twists and turns that kept me guessing! And while some things I was able to figure out, there were still others that surprised me. The characters were perfect, because they weren't! The true to life struggles that came to light was very authentic. It was hinted at twice that Ethan and Marianna had news to share...but I don't thing it was shared...unless I missed it. Maybe in the next book! I haven't reasons of Lynette Season's books that I didn't love! Be sure to get both books, it's worth it!
I loved the the twists and turns that kept me guessing! And while some things I was able to figure out, there were still others that surprised me. The characters were perfect, because they weren't! The true to life struggles that came to light was very authentic. It was hinted at twice that Ethan and Marianna had news to share...but I don't thing it was shared...unless I missed it. Maybe in the next book! I haven't reasons of Lynette Season's books that I didn't love! Be sure to get both books, it's worth it!
December 23, 2020
The author did a good job with the suspenseful storyline. I enjoyed the characters but was disappointed with the constant inter turmoil of Catelyn. There was a lot of back and forth from her in the story. I felt Joseph went above and beyond what most men would have put up with.
The twists and turns were well executed and the suspense kept me guessing until the end. It wasn't my favorite book of hers, but still enjoyable.
The twists and turns were well executed and the suspense kept me guessing until the end. It wasn't my favorite book of hers, but still enjoyable.
May 10, 2021
I knew the second he was introduced who the bad guy was, it was too obvious. The shooting of Zachary was stupid, why not shoot the bad guy. I didn't like Joseph he was pushy and over bearing, he tried to force conversations on Catie when she was in the middle of a crisis, followed her twice when she had told him she had stuff she wanted to deal with alone and endangered them both by breaking procedure while working.
January 15, 2025
Not my favorite Eason book, but the story line is pretty gripping, so I’ll give it a 4.
Two cops, once a couple, come back together after two years working for different law enforcement agencies to solve the murder of one girl and the disappearance of another. Both girls went to both a high school for the deaf and a main stream high school.
Two cops, once a couple, come back together after two years working for different law enforcement agencies to solve the murder of one girl and the disappearance of another. Both girls went to both a high school for the deaf and a main stream high school.
May 21, 2017
A SILENT FURY
Another exciting read in the High Stakes series. Enjoyed the Santino family again, but really loved that this was Joseph's story. Good clean thriller romance with great characters.
Another exciting read in the High Stakes series. Enjoyed the Santino family again, but really loved that this was Joseph's story. Good clean thriller romance with great characters.
December 27, 2018
A student is murdered and one is missing from the deaf school. Catelyn Clark works with her former boyfriend, Joseph Santino, who has been elsewhere working with the FBI.
Easy to read and okay story, but not very meaty. Entertaining.
Easy to read and okay story, but not very meaty. Entertaining.
March 9, 2020
Not as good as book #1
I always like Lynette Eason’s books but this didn’t keep my interest as much as her other books have. There were many grammatical errors in the book also...not good.
I always like Lynette Eason’s books but this didn’t keep my interest as much as her other books have. There were many grammatical errors in the book also...not good.
May 26, 2020
When the Palmetto Deaf School is hit with Tragedy for the 2nd time Marianna Santino's brother the FBI agent come into work with homicide detective Catelyn Clark to find the missing student and who murdered the other one. Love this series.
October 25, 2022
The second in this High Stakes series. These are my first Lynette Eason books and will finish this series. My jury is still out on the continuation of her novels. I will say that I didn't see this end coming as the character was never mentioned in the story in more than a passing comment.
August 7, 2024
Catie and Joseph
Definitely had some hang ups from their first break up. Now they didn’t know if they could make it work the 2nd time. Joseph knew that he loved Catie with his whole heart but does Catie love him like he loves her? Only time will tell. Enjoy
Definitely had some hang ups from their first break up. Now they didn’t know if they could make it work the 2nd time. Joseph knew that he loved Catie with his whole heart but does Catie love him like he loves her? Only time will tell. Enjoy
October 7, 2025
Good book
This was a good book. I enjoyed the characters. It took me some time to figure out who did it, they were on my radar earlier in the book. I look forward to reading the next book.
This was a good book. I enjoyed the characters. It took me some time to figure out who did it, they were on my radar earlier in the book. I look forward to reading the next book.
June 10, 2017
Not her best book
This story was very predictable. I did like the signing aspect that gave me a renewed appreciation for the deaf.
This story was very predictable. I did like the signing aspect that gave me a renewed appreciation for the deaf.
June 15, 2017
Another great suspense by Eason! Gives you hints throughout the book but still leaves you unsure until the culprit is revealed. I look forward to reading the others in this series.
August 11, 2017
Faith! An interesting twist to an interesting mystery. A bit too many reminders of Catelyn's fears.
September 11, 2017
This 2nd book was like the 1st. I enjoyed learning about the deaf community in this story. I felt this book's story line fell flat.
January 19, 2018
A nice suspense/romance. Lynette Eason creates great plots and interesting characters. However, this book has words missing from sentences because of bad editing that distracted me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews