Disappearances. Murder. The price of silence in a small town.
In dire need of a job, Todd Fielding accepts the offer to work at The Brindle Times—even if she has to move to the lackluster town of Brindle, Oregon. As she settles into her new home, Todd is fully prepared to adapt to the boredom of small-town life, but her preconceptions of Brindle are completely shattered when a local girl disappears. Even more shocking to Todd is the town's sheer indifference to the incident. No one—not even the police—appear particularly concerned.
When Todd looks deeper into the story, she discovers that five other girls have "run away" from Brindle under strange circumstances over the past twenty years, and no one seems interested in finding them. As she sets out to uncover the history of a town that has cloaked itself in secrecy for far too long, evidence of manipulation and cold-blooded murder begin to arise—and Todd may be the next victim to pay the deadly price of silence.
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"It was great to find this book! Audio Book Store is a goldmine of finding ‘older’ books!I first listened to this from local library when on cassette tapes, (that dates me, eh?) and have so wanted to “re-read” it. In any event it was nice to visit a favorite read from way back.While I really like this book you have to know it sort of verges on “Cozy” type of genre. E.g. Todd Fielding is drawn to a mystery of teen girls disappearing from the town of Brindle, OR where Todd has landed a new, (and most needed,) job doing editing, layout, troubleshoot computer problems.Like typical Cozy mysteries there is no overt violence or foul language or explicit sex. In any case, the story is intriguing with some psychological and minor “woo-woo” elements that makes it a fun and easy read.Also the narrator, Anna Fields does a very good job and has been a favorite narrator of mine over other Kate Wilhelm books."
— Quillee (5 out of 5 stars)
“One of the masters of psychological fiction in America.”
— San Francisco Chronicle“Wilhelm claims a leading place in the ranks of trial suspense writers.”
— Publishers Weekly“[Anna Fields] has the ability to alter her voice so that she becomes each character…Fields’ awards are well won. Her reading of The Price of Silence is a performance, not just a narration.”
— Ingram (Auditor’s Pick)“Combining oppressive isolation and creepy characters, genre veteran Wilhelm creates a genuinely eerie atmosphere that pulls readers in and keeps them turning the pages.”
— Booklist“A masterful storyteller whose novels have just the right blend of solid plot, compelling mystery, and great courtroom drama.”
— Library Journal“Wilhelm creates a deliciously terrifying atmosphere that grips the reader the instant Todd sets foot in Brindle. Added to the finely drawn characters and the riveting mystery, it makes for a story that begs to be read in one sitting.”
— RT Book Reviews (4½ stars, Top Pick!)" Kate Wilhelm knows how to write small town intrigue! I love the scary/thriller aspect of it. "
— Gwen, 1/27/2014" A good story for treadmill and nighttime reading. "
— Melanie, 1/23/2014" A very enjoyable mystery novel. This will be going to Meshe who picked it out of the Mystery VBB at BookObsessed. "
— Elsi, 1/4/2014" The story was ok, but the criminal was predicatble. I figured it out about half-way through the book. I listened to this on audiobook. "
— Amy, 1/4/2014" It was engaging and it was about Oregon, which is always fun. The climax was insipid however and at it introduces parts of the story which are never fully explained. It is a murder mystery masquerading as a ghost story. "
— Jef, 12/23/2013" Good book, I like the youthfullness of the characters and the accurate portrayal of their age and their thought process. It was quite riveting, check it out. "
— Chris, 12/16/2013" A good thriller... I'm going to have to read more of her! "
— Russeller, 12/13/2013" It was ok... good book for a rainy day... "
— Mitch, 12/10/2013" Blah, only waded four chapters, in to find that I knew who the kidnapper was. "
— C, 11/6/2013" BOOK 37 OF 2010 - This is not my favorite Kate Wilhelm novel. It was interesting, if a bit slow paced at times, but not my favorite. It seemed to lack a bit of the depth Wilhelm usually builds into her novels. "
— Lara, 10/2/2013" Not as good as the Barbara Holloways, but still a good tale well told with engaging characters and plenty of suspects. The spooky aspect and the serial criminal aspects are negatives for me. "
— Kathy, 7/14/2013" Todd Fielding, Barney, Ruth Ann Colonna, "The Brindle Times" "
— Ellen, 1/4/2013" The setting is a creepy, little town in Eastern Oregon that has unexplained cold air spells that remain unexplained. I made most of the correct assumptions early on in guessing the mystery. It isn't an altogether logical book but it is still reasonably entertaining. "
— Chana, 11/23/2012" Had a very hard time putting it down. I was able to figure out the killer early on but I'm a mystery buff it's hard to fool me. : ) Loved the past and present stories through out the book. Also fun to read and see all the local towns in print. "
— Kirsten, 11/16/2012" I listened to this as a book on tape and it was pretty good. I would recommend it as a good background book. "
— Serena, 8/5/2012" Compelling psychological fiction. "
— Michelle, 5/2/2012" Meh. It was okay. I read it on vacation so I needed something not-too-deep, and this fit the bill. It was an easy "mystery" to figure out about halfway through, but it remained entertaining at least. "
— Jeannette, 4/5/2012" An okay who-done-it mystery, set in Central Oregon. "
— Shauna, 3/30/2012" Intriguing mystery that takes place in a small Oregon town. A little "scary" at times but a good read. "
— Carolyn, 2/10/2012" The Kate Wilhelm books are so cozy and relaxing. At the same time they are page turners. Very much like the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency books. "
— Maithilee, 11/25/2011" Promising premise, but so shoddily written, it's barely worth reading. Storylines suddenly go missing and the resolution is almost nonsensical. "
— Victoria, 11/10/2011" A dark and spooky mystery set in a northwest real enough to be a character as much as the novel's setting. "
— Diana, 10/14/2011" Liked a lot. Always enjoy her books. "
— Shelly, 7/7/2011" Meh. It was okay. I read it on vacation so I needed something not-too-deep, and this fit the bill. It was an easy "mystery" to figure out about halfway through, but it remained entertaining at least. "
— Jeannette, 5/7/2011" I listened to this as a book on tape and it was pretty good. I would recommend it as a good background book. "
— Serena, 3/2/2011" I like Kate Wilhelm. This book stands independently of her other works, in the same manner as The Deepest Water. It makes a nice introductory work if you haven't read any of her other works. "
— David, 1/27/2011" Liked a lot. Always enjoy her books. "
— Shelly, 11/10/2010" Excellent as usual but not quite my style. It veers to the romance end of cozy. She makes all violence intelligently off screen. I'd recommend this one to those who are the more sensitive but like mysteries anyway. "
— April, 10/17/2010" BOOK 37 OF 2010 - This is not my favorite Kate Wilhelm novel. It was interesting, if a bit slow paced at times, but not my favorite. It seemed to lack a bit of the depth Wilhelm usually builds into her novels. "
— Lara, 9/22/2010" Kate Wilhelm knows how to write small town intrigue! I love the scary/thriller aspect of it. "
— Gwen, 7/28/2010" This book was more like a Nancy Drew for Adults -- okay but not quite up to Wilhem's best. I gave it extra stars because of Anna Fields excellent narration. "
— Kathy, 6/14/2010" Not her best. I figured out the killer about 1/3 the way in. Wouldn't recommend it. <br/> "
— Amy, 5/25/2010" Had a very hard time putting it down. I was able to figure out the killer early on but I'm a mystery buff it's hard to fool me. : ) Loved the past and present stories through out the book. Also fun to read and see all the local towns in print. "
— Kirsten, 2/1/2010" A light mystery, with an element of paranormal, which I don't usually like. However, this drew me in. I listened on my MP3 while walking or in the car. "
— Linda, 1/1/2010" Listening CD in car <br/>_________________ <br/> <br/>Eh. Story dragged with humdrum filler. Typical formulaic stuff. I've also decided I only do audio well when I have a very long drive. "
— Mike, 11/11/2009" Definitely one of Wilhelm's best!!!! "
— Linda, 11/8/2009" The Kate Wilhelm books are so cozy and relaxing. At the same time they are page turners. Very much like the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency books. "
— Maithilee, 10/26/2009Kate Wilhelm (1928–2018) was the bestselling author of dozens of novels and short-story collections. Among her novels are the popular courtroom thrillers featuring attorney Barbara Holloway. Her other works include the science fiction classic Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang.
Kate Fleming (a.k.a. Anna Fields) (1965–2006), winner of more than a dozen Earphones Awards and the prestigious Audie Award in 2004, was one of the most respected narrators in the industry. Trained at the Actors Theatre of Louisville, she was also a director, producer, and technician at her own studio, Cedar House Audio.