The Silent Places

The Silent Places

by James Patrick Hunt

To be honest, I picked this book because of the front picture - the St. Louis Arch. Having lived in St. Louis for 10 years, I thought it’d be fun to read a story in which I recognized landmarks, etc.

The opening chapter takes place as a hunting trip in southwest Missouri in the Ozarks, near Branson - another very familiar area.

After a couple of chapters, I began to wonder if I would really like the book as I noticed what appeared to be typos - but I realized that disjointed sentences seemed to be the author’s style and I continued. I was glad I did. This was my first James Patrick Hunt novel, and I was not disappointed.

Aside from enjoying that I was familiar with most of the areas noted in the book, the story was gripping. I found myself wondering exactly how this story would play out.

John Reese, a former veteran and CIA agent, was prosecuted as a traitor by now Senator Alan Preston who is interested in running for President. Reese has escaped from prison and Preston fears that Reese wants retribution. St. Louis Police Lieutenant George Hastings is assigned to protect Preston. Hastings soon realizes that there is more to the story - much, much more. One begins to wonder just how the story will end - two fairly nice guys pitted against each other through circumstances beyond their control.

Hunt actually has a nice way with words and his scene descriptions leave one feeling as though they are actually there.

Out of five stars, I’d give this book a four.