{Review} Lost Causes: Silent Scream by Donna J. Thompson

ISBN #: 978-1478712862

Page Count: 256

Copyright: May 10, 2013

Publisher: Outskirts Press

Description:

(Taken from back cover)

When beautiful psychologist Casey West goes to Detective Karl Larkin with a wild story about the mental hospital where she works, he quickly dismisses it. He has worked in Springfield for twenty years and Lakeview has never had a complaint lodged against it. But when Casey's friend, a nurse named Trudy Madison, is brutally murdered and the management's story doesn't agree with the evidence, Detective Larkin begins to think Casey's story doesn't seem so far-fetched anymore. Having friends in high places, Jerry Connors, who runs Lakeview, uses his influence to stop the detective's investigation. Casey then begs Larkin to allow her to become his eyes and ears inside of the place. Will she help him crack the case, or will she wind up dead like her friend?

Charlene's Review:

When Casey West goes to work at Lakeview Psychiatric Hospital, for her "Uncle Jerry," a family friend, she finds things going on that don't add up. Befriending a nurse, Trudy Madison, they begin to look into the treatment of the patients. When Trudy is murdered within the halls of the hospital, Casey goes to the local police.

Unfortunately, "Uncle Jerry" puts a stop to the investigation and Casey feels she has no choice but to continue on her own, despite the danger. She soon realizes that there is no one she can trust, even her beloved "Uncle."

From the first chapter, Ms. Thompson begins to spin a tale of deception, conspiracy, and murder. She uses such detail in her characters and their surroundings that you feel as if you are a spectator to the action. I was immediately drawn into the storyline, and it held me to the very end. As I tried to figure out the cover-up going on, the story took on a whole new life, with a lot of background that slowly unraveled to keep me guessing as to who the "bad guys" were, and what their motives were. Casey is a heroine, and like every heroine, there is a love interest, although you wonder at his motives as well. Her emotions as she struggles to know who she can trust are palpable.

All together, this is a masterfully written story of suspense. I highly recommend this to mystery buffs.


*A physical copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.