Back today with another extract, this time from Book 2 Death’s Silent Judgement, it is an ominous one! But first, it’s the all-important blurb
Death's Silent Judgement by Anne CoatesSeries: Hannah Weybridge #2
Published by Urbane Publications on May 11 2017
Pages: 304
Amazon UK
Goodreads
Also by this author: Dancers in the Wind, Dancers in the Wind, Death's Silent Judgement, Songs of Innocence, A Tale of Two Sisters, Perdition's Child, Stage Call
Death's Silent Judgement is the the latest thriller starring London-based investigative journalist Hannah Weybridge.
Following the deadly events of Dancers in the Wind, freelance journalist and single mother Hannah Weybridge is thrown into the heart of a horrific murder investigation when a friend, Liz Rayman, is found with her throat slashed at her dental practice.
With few clues to the apparently motiveless crime Hannah throws herself into discovering the reason for her friend's brutal murder, and is determined to unmask the killer. But before long Hannah's investigations place her in mortal danger, her hunt for the truth placing her in the path of a remorseless killer...
Paul Montague stared at the man sitting opposite him. He thought he’d never recognise him again if seen in a crowd. He was nondescript with his grey hair and horn-rimmed spectacles but he exuded an air of menace that made Paul more afraid than he’d ever been before in his entire life. He had never thought of himself as particularly principled but this man was in a
league of his own. What he was asking…
“Do I have to make myself any clearer Mr Montague?” The silence stretched between them like an unplayed note on a violin string. “Either you do as we ask or we pull the plug on your company, your assets and your family…”
“My parents are dead,” he said as if that fact would save him.
“But not your daughter.”
“I don’t have a daughter.”
“Not what our intelligence leads us to believe. A liaison with a certain Hannah Weybridge
… Elizabeth born…”
“You contemptible shit.” Paul’s collar felt tight, his hands clammy. He’d known when he’d borrowed the money against his house and company that he was taking a risk. But that was how business expansion worked. He hadn’t known that the loan company had such dubious or frankly criminal connections. In fact how he’d got into this situation was a mystery. A decidedly scary one.
“How did you come to take over my loan. I wasn’t defaulting. There was no problem with repayments.” Paul was clutching at straws and he knew it.
The man before him in this pokey, grey office tucked away in a back street of Westminster, smiled. Icy fingers gripped his heart.
“No there was no problem.” Again that silence. “We made that company a very generous offer which they didn’t refuse. And now I’m making you an offer. A challenge if you like. All you have to do is ingratiate yourself with a certain journalist to find out what we need to know. Piece of cake for a man of your talents surely.”
Paul felt like a hooked fish gulping for air.
“What do you need to know?” He tried to keep his voice level but it betrayed his fear. Hi bespoke suit felt too tight. He undid the jacket button.
“It’s all here.” He pushed a large manilla envelope towards Paul. “That’s the background. Read it at your leisure. We need to know where certain information is or how far it has been disseminated. That’s all. Nothing too difficult for a man of your intelligence and connections.” That smile would curdle milk.
Paul picked up the envelope and stood up. He felt a trickle of sweat run down the inside of his shirt as he buttoned up his jacket.
“Don’t take too long, Mr Montague. Very powerful men are depending on you. Do I make myself clear?”
“You do.” Paul made his exit as quickly as he could without appearing to be running scared. Outside the door he put on his coat. It felt heavier than when he went in or maybe it was because he had withered inside. An hour ago he had not known of this man’s existence. An hour ago his life was on track. One phone call and a meeting later had put an end to all that.
Then as he walked out of the street door some of his previous confidence returned. He’d just find out whatever these people wanted – if he could – and then he’d be off the hook.
Woah there!!!!!!!!
What do other people think?
GoodReads Reviewer says:- I like the character Hannah, she’s so determined to search out the truth, quite often knowingly placing herself in danger though constantly keeping her young daughter in mind and as safe as possible. Her love and respect for the less fortunate is to be commended and I liked how in this story, her dedication in revealing the horrific nature of FGM and the trafficking of young girls was handled. Anne has obviously done a lot of research on these matters and also homelessness and has worked them into a fiction novel that truly gets across to the reader real life atrocities and the plight of less fortunates.
By The Letters Book Review says:- The story line in this book deals with a sensitive subject which is sadly something that shouldn’t happen in todays world. It’s something that horrifies and sickens me. As much as I wanted Hannah to find out who was behind it all and put a stop to it, I did fear for her and her daughters safety as Hannah always seems to manage to put herself in dangers way. Death’s Silent Judgement is a story very much of mystery and suspense. Thought not some fast paced crime thriller this still makes for a steady read that will keep readers hooked. With the ever complicated relationship between Hannah and Tom, the author makes sure she leaves the reader wanting more.
GoodReads Reviewer says:- There are some brilliant themes within this case. But to state them here would be to provide spoilers. but I personally think the author has really excelled herself. These themes are relevant to the case, complex yet well researched and make for fascinating reading in this multifaceted crime fiction novel.
GoodReads Reviewer says:- This is a story which grabbed my attention from the very beginning. I was thrown into a world of corruption, where those with money have the power. Hannah is a resourceful and strong woman, fighting for justice, with the need to find out who killed her friend. Although much of the subject matter was uncomfortable to read, this was a fascinating and enjoyable book. I had no idea what the outcome would be. The real joy gained by reading this book, is from walking side by side with Hannah as she slowly digs her way to the truth. She is such an interesting character, and because I believe in her, I believe in the story.
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