OH MY GOODNESS! Had me hooked from the beginning.
In FATAL SILENCE by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson the suspension is like blowing up a balloon. If you keep putting that pressure in, sooner or later it’s going to blow!
After apprehending serial killer, Chip Stuart, Detective Rachel Ryder just wants her life to ge back to normal. But then she and her partners, Bishop are called to a crime scene where a body has been found and there are links back to Ryder and Bishop, and she begins to wonder if if she got things wrong in the Stuart case.
Then one of their own goes missing and secrets seem to be around every dark corner as they all race against time to find her before it’s too late.
While this is my first by this author I was very excited to see that this is part of a series. I really liked how the characters were so well drawn that I almost found myself riding along with them. Their quick wits and quibbles are part of what makes them human and so easy to invest in. What better compliment for an author! There WERE ALOT of names to remember but when I learned it was part of a series, I’m sure they will all become as familiar to me as my own family. I can’t wait to get to the prior Rachel Ryder books to read all of the back stories. I, personally hope that this series has a VERY long run! BRAVO!

Rachel and Bishop are enjoying the 4th of July celebrations when they are called to work on a murder where the victim has their name on a paper. Analyzing the scene they realize there are so many similarities with their last case (considered solved as the killer committed suicide), and later on, one of their team is abducted. Did they really catch the right killer? Were all the cases attributed to him really his? They have to work fast to solve another mystery. Fatal Silence gets your attention from the beginning and keeps you glued to the book till the end. The story is fast-paced, it has a good plot, and is well-written. Another good book from Ms. Aspenson!

This book was a good police crime mystery.
There were many characters, many suspects and lots of murders. At times it was confusing, but the lead character policewoman was very likeable. There were mentions of past events, that were likely from a previous book, as well as a bit of romance!
All in all, this was a good book, 4 star worthy.
Thank you to NetGalley and Severin River Publishers for the ARC in return for my honest review.

Fatal Silence will keep you guessing and guessing and guessing.
A story full of suspenseful moments and so many twists and turns you will be left wondering what is going to happen next.
Well written and solid characters.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Rachel and her co-workers are celebrating the 4th when she gets the call that she’s been dreading. A new murder tied to the rhyme. She knew in her heart that it wasn’t really over but she didn’t know how bad it could get. When her former evidence person goes missing, everyone is in an uproar. They’re on the search for the Mastermind. This has everything you love about a Rachel Ryder mystery and more. Loved it!

Fatal Silence by Carolyn Ridder-Aspenson
Rachel Ryder #6

Great addition to a wonderful series that gets better with each book I read – can’t wait to find out what happens next as Rachel and her colleagues continue to solve one heinous crime after another.

What I liked:
* The writing, plot, pacing, and location in Hamby, Alabama
* Getting to see how Rachel and the team are doing
* Rachel: homicide detective, transplant from Chicago, widow, in a relationship, strong hunches and gut feelings, many cases solved
* Bishop: Rachel’s work partner, seasoned homicide detective, level-headed, good with people, divorced, father, in a growing romantic relationship with Cathy
* Kyle: ex-Marine, DEA agent, in a relationship with Ryder, caring, good cook, supportive, like him with and for Rachel
* Mechels: detective, in a relationship with Ashley a previous team CSI now working for the DEA, invested in the outcome of the case in this story
* Nikki: CSI for the team, took Ashley’s position, skilled, intelligent, sees things others may not
* Jimmy: police chief, new father, married to Ryder’s BFF, good leader
* The comradery of the team and their interactions with other agencies
* Having read the previous books in the series that allowed me to know Rachel, her backstory, and the team in a way I otherwise would not have
* That this book could be read as a standalone but would recommend reading them in order
* That the thread left hanging at the end of the last book has been tied off
* Wondering what will happen in the next book – in relationships and on the job

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Having to wait to see what will happen in the next book

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Severn Publishing for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars

As usual, a solid procedural in the Rachel Ryder series with a satisfying conclusion to the Mastermine serial killer arc.

Detective Rachel Ryder and her partner Detective Rob Bishop thought (and hoped) they had seen the end to the “riddle” murders. The taunting riddle left for them, however, makes them wonder. When they are called to the scene of a dead body, it seems another killer is finishing the riddle by killing three more people and they have just found the first one. They have one lead, but that person ends up in the hospital, unable to speak. When a former member of her team goes missing, they must find her before she becomes the next victim. Searching for connections to the previous murders, they learn that the detective who worked the cases committed suicide; but did he or was he eliminated? Rachel has finally made a new life with Kyle Olsen, DEA Agent, after her first husband was murdered, years ago, in Chicago. She avenged his murder. A twisted and fascinating mystery as Rachel, who never gives up, “out masters” the mastermind behind the murders. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

Book 6 in the Rachel Ryder series picks up. not long after Book 5 (Body Count) ends. The Hamby PD team cornered a serial killer, who killed himself, but left a very disturbing riddle on the minds of the crew. So, when the 4th of July rolled around and a neighboring jurisdiction found a body with the names of Ryder and her partner in plastic bags nearby, they knew they weren't quite done with that older case. This latest crime is NOT in Hamby, as their Chief reminds them, but Ryder and Bishop can't stop working to connect the last 3 crimes to this new victim. And then, the unthinkable - a DEA evidence tech, and friend, has disappeared and the only surveillance video seems to link the crimes.

This is a serious police procedural series from Ms. Aspenson and it is fantastic. Read the series in order - you learn so much about Ryder's history, which puts some of her quirks and responses in context.

I love the character, Detective Rachel Ryder and @carolynridderaspenson’s series featuring her! The newest book in the series is Fatal Silence. It picks up where Body Count left off, after the death of a serial killer. However, another body shows up leaving Detectives Ryder and Bishop to figure out who else is involved in these killings. This book had me not wanting to put it down and was filled with twists. I can’t wait to see what else is next for Detective Ryder!

Thank you @severnriverpublishing and @netgalley for allowing me to read this book ahead of publication in exchange for my honest review.

Detective Rachel Ryder and her partner Detective Rob Bishop are still thinking about a case from six months ago where the suspect committed suicide after telling them a riddle. Was he responsible for all the murders they thought he was? It doesn't seem like it especially when more bodies killed and posed the same way start showing up now. Clues are left naming Ryder and Bishop. Then one of their own is taken. Will the detectives figure out the truth before more bodies are found...

Fatal Silence by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson  is the sixth in the Detective Rachel Ryder series.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Severn River Publishing and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


Series Background:    (Warning – May contain spoilers from previous books)
Detective Rachel Ryder left her 15 year career on the Chicago police force, and moved to Hamby Georgia, after the death of her husband. The people responsible are dead.   She still has a friend and father-figure in Chicago, and Lenny remains a true mentor.  She has fought both police corruption and the drug cartel since being in Hamby.  Her boss is Chief Jimmy Abernathy, and her partner is Rob Bishop, a veteran of 30 years.  Her best friend is Savannah, her boss's wife, and Rachel has started dating DEA Agent Kyle Olsen.


My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Rachel and Rob are called to a neighboring jurisdiction  when the body of a young woman is found on a golf course, with their names on vinyl cards placed near the body.  It feels too reminiscent of the Stuart murders for Rachel's liking.  She always thought that case wasn't finished, but it hadn't been their responsibility, and she was not allowed to keep on it.  Everyone else felt that the death of Stuart closed it.  She was not so sure.

Now, she fears the real person behind the murders is back, and he's playing games again.  Or, is it a copycat?  Either way, this has to stop.

When one of their team goes missing, Rachel fears that she is losing the game.


My Opinions:
Another good plot, carried on from the last book.

Again, Rachel annoyed me.  Again, she came across as cocky - she's always right (even when she contradicts herself).  I don't know how many people she was sure was the murderer -- without any evidence.  She is positive it is Johnson, then Baker, then Anderson.....  Her work attitude doesn't agree with me.  However,  she can be very caring, and I like her friendship with Savannah and her relationship with Kyle.

This author really writes dialogue well.  The banter between Rachel and Rob is classic!

Overall, the plot was really good, and the twists interesting, even when we knew the identity  of the culprit.  The ending was great!

The world of Rachel Ryder is dark and gritty with the bright spots of her friends on the force with her until one of them goes missing then it is a race against a serial killer who thinks they are a true mastermind! Rachel is such a realistic character that she feels like a real person. The author does an outstanding job of bringing the fear, frustration, anger and joy of each character to the forefront of the story which makes the plot all that much more satisfying and engaging! I absolutely can't wait for the next book in the series to come out and I've barely shut the book on this one! If you are looking for a truly good murder mystery series or cop drama, then this series needs to go on your must read list today!

I love this whole series! Once I started book 6 and realized it was in a series, I stopped, went back, and read all of the previous books. This book is so good and action packed. I am an avid reader of this genre and this was truly a fantastic book!

I thought the book was really well written! Tied in the other books very beautifully. I thought the riddle was intriguing.

Another story I couldn't put down! I was sucked in from the beginning and couldn't read fast enough. I love these characters and have become invested in them. The pacing was fast and the suspense is high. There were several twists. The investigation was interesting. And the end left me on pins and needless. I can't wait for the next book!

I love this series - what more is there to say. Another one I couldn’t put down until I finished it.

I can’t wait to read the next one.

Thank you #NetGalley and #Severn River Publishing for the eARC.

*5 Stars*

Copy kindly received via NetGalley for an honest review.

Wow! What a great read. I could understand Ryder and Bishops frustrations with all the lies and manipulations happening. Chasing leads, going on gut feelings, they had a lot of support. The scenes they had to go to would not have been easy. Everything ended the way many hoped for. I really want to read the next book to see how things play out.

Fatal silence has the detectives still trying to solve the murders with the cryptic clue and the suspect dead. The murders started again. Intriguing and the clues to follow will keep you reading until the end

This is a continuation of the last Rachel Ryder book. Although Rachel had solved a series of murders committed by a psychopath, his final words to her won't let her rest. The investigation of a new murder brings those words to the front of her mind. Why is this murder similar to the ones committed by the now dead perp? What did that rhyme mean? Is this another new killer or a copycat? When the murderer targets one of her colleagues, the race to solve this myster becomes intense. Will Rachel and her partner, Rob, be able to stop the killer in time? It's a great story, and I can't wait for the next book!