The Silent Woman: The USA TODAY BESTSELLER – gripping historical fiction (Cat Carlisle, Book 1)

It took me just a bit longer to sink into my seat to read this. Probably because, as with much literary writing, the writer wants to soothe the reader’s nerves by slipping the story roots into the subconscious.I don’t frequently read works that I regard as literary. Nor am I going to often read books of the period between the two world wars. I think this is because I’ve seen a lot of movies set then. At any rate, when I do sit down to read such a book, I want to feel as though I am an eye witness.“The Silent Woman” works because it is an absorbing thriller written in a literary style. Much as I enjoy books written by Michael Creighton, Stephen King and Elmore Leonard, one would never anticipate that either of them could have written this sensitive historical thriller.BLUSH FACTOR No worries here. You can feel free to read this to fellow members of your prayer group.EXCERPT‘...Let go of my purse!’ Cat cried out.The woman yanked on the bag. When that didn’t work, she reached inside, her fingers grasping Reginald’s envelope. Cat pulled her bag close to her chest and held fast. Her attacker persisted, but Cat held on.‘Give it to me,’ the woman said.‘Let go of me,’ Cat said.‘You there!’ a man called out from down the street. He took off at a run towards Cat and her assailant, his tie flapping in the wind.‘Just give me the envelope and you won’t get hurt,’ the woman said through gritted teeth.With one final pull, Cat jerked the bag free of the woman’s grasp. The woman growled like a dog. The punch came hard and fast, like the strike of a snake. The woman’s fist connected with Cat’s cheek, knocking Cat’s head back. Stars swam before her. Her knees started to buckle. She clung to the bag as she sank to the hard pavement. Once she was down on the ground, she sat dazed and unable to move. Through the crowd of legs that stood around her, she recognised the scuffed brown shoes that belonged to the woman as she walked away, her gait sure and steady.‘Call the police,’ someone said.‘Is anyone a doctor? I think she’s...’Taken from location 451, Chapter 1, “The Lost Woman” by Terry Lynn Thomas.BOTTOM LINENot often do I read a literary work. In “The Lost Woman” we have an historical thriller that puts us squarely in a most fascinating, dreadful, period in which good faces evil. What I most appreciate is that it subtly crept into my subconscious. By around 15 percent into the book, I was hooked.Four stars out of five.Did this review answer most of your questions and concerns? I encourage you to leave a comment below to help me provide reviews that work for you. Further, I am writing a book for aspiring reviewers and for product suppliers seeking reviews in an effort to help improve the process and to understand the value of Amazon’s Customer Review process.Together, you and I can build something great within the Amazon Customer Review program. Will you join me?One request: Be respectful and courteous in your comments and emails to me. I will do likewise with you.Thank you.

I love this book and the strong main character, Cat Carlisle. Even if you don’t normally read historical fiction, author Terry Lynn Thomas will make you a believer. She immerses her readers in the WWII time period without a barrage of “reminders” nailed into the prose. Instead, she eases those period references into the plot with a deft hand, enhancing the tale she’s weaving. As with Ms. Thomas’s other novels, this one settles you right into life with her characters, living alongside them rather than watching from a safe distance. It is this that keeps me reading her books, and she just keeps getting better and better. I strongly recommend The Silent Woman—and all of Ms. Thomas’s books—to any reader. You'll thank me later!

I'm interested in historical fiction set in this time frame but bought this book by mistake. Having invested $0.99, I opened the novel and was struck immediately by the great opening sentence. By the time I finished the preliminary chapter, I knew I was in the hands of a fine writer. The story itself is well told and suspenseful, but a bit Agatha Christie for my taste (that may be a good thing). Excellent novel!

I couldn't stop reading this book! Set against the gripping backdrop of a WWII espionage spy ring, Thomas weaves an intricate tale of both political and personal drama, peopling it with character's whose actions and motives will keep you constantly guessing. With a mood subtly reminiscent of du Maurier's Manderly, and a well-developed case of characters, The Silent Woman will keep you turning pages long into the night, and eagerly awaiting the next installment of Catherine Carlisle's story.

I flew through the pages of this well-crafted historical thriller. Set against the backdrop of WWII, this first book in the Catherine Carlisle series draws the reader in from the onset.Thomas skillfully unfolds this mysterious drama with a vivid cast of characters, captivating pace, while weaving a number of surprising twists until the final crescendo.I cannot wait to read the second book of this series!!!

I finally put aside a weekend to tear into Terry Lynn Thomas' new one - so much fun to read! I page turned way past bedtime and was not disappointed. This isn't my usual genre so I was pleasantly surprised that I cared what happened to Catherine.

Infrequently one reads a book that has all the elements of a good book. This book has mystery,suspense, history,& characters you love and others you hate..Each element was like a good recipe,just the right amount. It kept my attention to the point I couldn't stop reading. I want to read more from this author.

I am hooked on historical fiction, especially women in World War II. This book includes all the intrigue of espionage, secrets, German paperwork – and of course, murder. It was just what I was looking for!

(review by Cat, not Phil) I started this book hopefully, having seen some good reviews. The characters are two dimensional, and we don't learn anything else as the story continues. Unfortunately it's another Kindle edition with an annoying number of typos, 'of' instead of 'off' etc. Why on earth would a lady say that a policeman should have photo ID in the 1930s? He offered his warrant card. We don't measure distances in blocks, not even in London; and we never put cream in tea (ugh!). I'm not an anachronism spotter, but this story doesn't ring true and I wonder if anachronisms are the problem or whether it just doesn't feel securely 'British'.

A most interesting tale of false grandeur, espionage, and family quarrels. Set in the turbulent years before the outbreak of the second world war. For reasons unknown the atrocities occurring abroad were not in the newspapers but spies infiltrated Britain and it is these happenings that the main character is caught up in. I found this story most interesting with more than a touch of reality in it. A really clever plot which made for an enjoyable read.

Look, I'm not the sort of reader who's going to obsess over a character in a historical book driving a car that wasn't yet made, or saying OK when the word didn't exist....but this book has so many bloopers it's a total distraction (incluidng centring on a spy agency that didn't exist in this period), and it's poorly written and generally preposterous. I was hoping for a classy spy thriller a la The ALice Network - and this is really not it.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is a different style and subject to the other books written by Terry, but I liked this. It is set just before WW2 and I thought oh no, not another WW2 book, but it was a very different subject and an exciting read. Give it a go, you will not be disappointed.

I loved this book. It had me gripped from page one. Very much enjoyed how the author expressed how Cat had to deal with espionage, murder, Benton, Isobel and her past. So pleased that she's taken in Annie and that she has Lydia to turn too. I really enjoyed Cat's character, she's a strong woman. Would like to read more by this author. I would highly recommend reading this book.