Grace Montgomery has not been able to accept her boyfriend’s proposal of marriage because of her past and has decided to go back home in order to put her past behind her for the sake of the future.

When Grace arrives in her hometown of Stillwater, Mississippi she realizes that not a lot has changed in the thirteen years she’s been gone. The town’s people never accepted her or her family when Reverend Barker married her mother and moved them to this small town. When the Reverend went missing that fateful night thirteen years ago, the people of Stillwater never let them forget that they believed her family was responsible for killing him, even though a body had never been found. With Grace’s return, the old rumors of murder start up again and it would seem that someone knows exactly what happened that night and is determined to bring it to light.

Grace has to decide how best to protect herself and her family, but the only way to do that is by trusting Kennedy Archer, the boy who didn’t pay any attention to her in school and the man who can’t seem to stay away from her now. Does Kennedy have Grace’s best interests at heart or will his need to protect his children and his campaign for mayor put Grace in the line of fire?


Dead Silence is the first in the new Stillwater, Mississippi series by Brenda Novak that is sure to be a captivating and thrilling hit with readers. In this exciting story you get introduced to the Montgomery family and the diverse people of Stillwater that provide the foundation for the series.

Dead Silence is a deeply emotional and touching story that had me desperate to learn more. Grace is a very strong woman that has been through so much in her life that you can just feel her pain as it radiates off the pages and has you hopeful that she will find some peace. Kennedy has also had his share of pain being a widower with two sons to take care of ; his love for his family shines through his pain. There seems to be a lot of darkness in the town of Stillwater, which gives it such a realistic, suspenseful feel, and will have you holding your breath waiting to see what will happen next. Brenda Novak has outdone herself with this first exhilarating story in what is sure to be another hit series. I cannot wait to get started on the next book Dead Giveaway.

Reviewed by: Tammy