Don’t you like finding new favorites? Because I can never get tired of it!
Title: Deadly Silence (Jane Phillips #1)
Author: OMJ Ryan
Date of publication: 27 October 2019
Publisher: Inkubator Books
Format: Advanced Reader Copy
Pages: 311
Some sins can never be forgiven.
DI Jane Phillips was a star detective driven by a relentless quest for justice. But then she stepped outside the law.
Now, demoted and suffering with PTSD, she finds herself facing the deadliest threat of her career — a serial killer who is preying on vulnerable women, murdering them in a shocking and bizarre ritual.
A master of deception, he selects his victims at random. Or so it seems. But as Phillips investigates, she begins to see a method in the killer’s madness. Perhaps these victims aren’t random at all…
As the pressure mounts, can Phillips find the link between these ritual murders before the killer strikes again — or will her dogged determination to solve the case bring his deadly silence to her door?
Silence can be a weapon. Sharper than a knife, as unforgivable as a lie.
Police procedurals are a hit or miss for me. After reading so many of them, it only takes a few pages to decide whether a novel and I are going to hit it off… O.M.J Ryan made it even shorter!!! Within a few sentences, I was fully in. A sense of dread, words dancing in the light to create a threatening shadow, and my head was on red alert. I couldn’t stop thinking “Oh my God, why don’t we pay more attention?” But who knows what lurks in the dark? The author does! If I am (mostly) immune to grisly murders and scene-of-crime procedures, there is a thrill to Deadly Silence that had me checking my door twice and looking suspiciously at the windows. I love this kind of thrill, especially when you get the chance to see the world and its details through a killer’s eyes, at the same time detached and fully drawn. Mr Ryan has a knack for tugging at the seams of normal life, stretching them, before using the fabric to hurt you! My innocence is fully gone!
Police procedurals can’t work without a strong main protagonist, and Jane Phillips is a hell of a woman! Meeting her as she navigates troubled waters, having been demoted and struggling with PTSD, was both exciting and scary. Would I warm to her? Would she prove to be one of the good ones? What on earth had happened to her? Those questions were swimming in my head as we got to meet a dead corpse, a horrid boss, a newbie, and a close-knit team. You might think it’s a lot to take in, but the narrative blew me away with its outstanding balance of important details, small bites of the past, snippets of blood, but also grains of hilarity. Before I knew it, my head was everything but silent! I was on Team Phillips, hating on her lousy and overly-ambitious boss, hoping I could find such loyal colleagues… And tracking a really cruel murderer.
Plot? Did you say plot? Wow! To say that it was fast-paced and totally captivating would not even do it justice. Random kills with no apparent link, signs of rituals, and the press pressing for answers. As if they came as fast as hunger strikes when I’ve just baked a cake!!! But Phillips and her team soon discern a pattern… A silent and deadly pattern (see what I did there???)
The author didn’t choose an easy path, and I am in awe of the way he handled things. There is no fast-track epiphany, but a trail of crumbs that will ring a bell and resonate with you as a member of our society. I can’t say more without giving away important clues, and there is no way I can ruin the surprises Deadly Silence holds. Just know that it takes a clever pen and a strong mind to walk through the doors of crime fiction with such an intense and cracking novel. OMJ Ryan has thrown me into Phillips’ world in the middle of her life and a chilling case. He has offered me a new kick-ass woman to support and a strong addiction to a new series!
I know crime fiction shelves are overflowing, but you MUST make room for Deadly Silence!!!
Pre-order your copy and lose track of time as soon as the 27th hits! Amazon
Hailing from Yorkshire, OMJ Ryan worked in radio and entertainment for over twenty years, collaborating with household names and accumulating a host of international writing and radio awards. In 2018 he followed his passion to become a full-time novelist, writing stories for people who devour exciting, fast-paced thrillers by the pool, on their commute – or those rare moments of downtime before bed. Owen’s mission is to entertain from the first page to the last.
Social Media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/OMJRYAN1 @OMJRYAN1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OMJ-Ryan-2449880305025779/
Website: https://www.omjryan.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omjryan/
A massive thank you to Emma at Damppebbles Blog Tours for having me on this great blog tour!
Thanks so much, lovely x
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Oh wow, sounds like a great read! I agree, police procedurals can be a bit hit or miss. I am glad you liked this one so much!
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Whoa this really sounds like an outstanding novel! I think it’ll tick all my boxes too. For one, I love it when killings seem random but there’s a pattern to discover! Wonderful review!
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Glad to hear that this turned out to be such a fab read. I think I’d like Jane Phillips. Adding this one to my TBR. Great review!
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I really recommend it! I’m so glad you’ll give it a try! xx
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Oh dear my TBR pile is going to sue you! xD I’m not sure how I’m going to balance this title on top of an already exploding TBR mountain, but you’ve convinced me I should. Fantastic review! xx
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Hahaha, I’ll find a good lawyer!!!!! xxx
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As I already read and reviewed Deadly Silence, my TBR decided to let it slip this time around. 😉 xx
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Phew!!!
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I love the sound of this. This will be a new detective to love and follow I think. By your review, the book has all the signs of a good detective and crime thriller.
I love that you felt it within the first paragraphs.
I think if you loved it, I will too.
Amanda xx
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It really is a superb police procedural. I was so impressed by the plot and characters! Thank you xxx
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I read Yvo’s post before yours but she mentioned that she’d chosen this one at your urging. That also pushed me over the edge and I bought the book! Excellent review, Meggy💜
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I’m so glad you’re going to give this novel a chance! Let us know what you think of it when you’ve read it! ❤
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