Who is AMZ and why are they texting bizarre messages to Claire Deveraux? Busy with her work at the American Embassy in Paris, Claire has little time for scammers, spammers, or time-wasters, which is exactly what AMZ is to her. Through their annoyingly persistent texts, AMZ claims to know something that would significantly impact Claire’s immediate family. Claire has a twin sister, Megan, and they shared their birthday with a brother who met an untimely death. But this meddling stranger says they have proof of a fourth sibling, a quadruplet. Claire tries to ignore the messages at first. But the implications for her convoluted family tree won’t allow her to leave it alone for long. With only their determination as a guide, Claire and Megan head back to the States to confront whatever buried past this mysterious AMZ is trying to unearth. They are short on time, unaware of the rising danger, and left without help from local authorities. As they dig deeper into what happened in a small Texas hospital 28 years ago, the Deveraux sisters uncover a conspiracy that could drive a man to murder.
If you enjoy a protagonist who can overcome almost anything thrown at her, you’ll love Claire Deveraux in Breaking Silence. Deaf from birth, this fearless woman goes to every length to defend her family, and she’s had no shortage of obstacles in her path. Alan Brenham opens the story with a dramatic burst, crafting a reverse mystery where readers are privy to some of the who, what, when, where, and why upfront. What is left to discover is exactly how the fourth brother was taken and more significantly, the identity of AMZ. Character development is kept to a minimum, relying on a cast introduced in earlier volumes in the series. Instead, the author maintains momentum with meaningful clues that point to a desperate father who repeatedly does the wrong things for the right reasons, leaving readers wondering what they might do in a similar situation. Though the prose sometimes lacks finesse, the bones are good in this restrained thriller and the unrelenting suspense will keep readers invested. A family-centric drama about a shrouded adoption, Breaking Silence is a whirlwind tale of blackmail, guilt, redemption, and murder.
