His mother Lexi doted on the boy, but depended on Archer to physically deal with him. The family unit was put under even greater stress when they learned that Lexi had terminal cancer. Josie was determined to make the most of her remaining days and scheduled a trip to Pacific Park, California’s oldest amusement park.

Josie and Tim had visited the park many times because it was one of their favorite activities. Archer, reluctant to accompany the twosome because he really disliked Tim and found it almost impossible to be civil to him, came because Lexi was physically unable to help and control Tim. Disaster struck at the Shock & Drop, Tim’s favorite ride. Tim’s harness came loose and the youth plunged to his death. Labeled an unfortunate accident, no charges were filed, and several months later Lexi died.

Now two years later in, in the wake of a wrongful death suit against the amusement park, Tim’s biological father, Colin Wren, who had little or nothing to do with the boy during his life, has decided to file civil charges against the park and criminal charges against Archer.

Contrary to accepted protocol, Josie decides to defend Archer. She knows little of Archer’s former wife and until Archer’s detention did not know he had a disabled stepson. An unexpected fortuitous turn of events occurs. Colin Wren’s attorney, Jude Getts, convinces Colin to first pursue the civil suit against Pacific Park and post bail for Archer because he thinks Josie’s expertise may help them win the civil suit. Since the payoff seems to be Colin’s biggest concern and the return is higher for the civil suit, Jude believes this is the best plan. What Jude does not consider is Archer. Archer’s bullheadedness promptly lands him back in custody with the murder charge hanging firmly over his head.

Silent Witness appears to be the second in a series of mystery novels featuring California defense attorney Josie Baylor-Bates following Hostile Witness. There is obviously a fair amount of history between Archer and Josie from the earlier book. A lack of knowledge leads to some confusion at the outset of the book. Josie is caring for teenaged Hannah, probably the subject of the first book. Hannah has an attitude, and a desire toward self mutilation. Archer, meanwhile, although he obviously has romantic feelings for Josie, carries a lot of baggage from his former relationship as well as some past professional problems. Since the author devotes considerable space to previous happenings not explained in this volume, the story starts slowly.

Silent Witness is a plot driven novel. The major focus of the book is the search for the truth behind the unfortunate death of Timothy Wren. Since the case is essentially a cold one, much of the pertinent information is hidden in old records, or has been destroyed. The unlikely alliance between Josie and the opposing attorney interferes with the credibility of the story. There is also the serendipitous appearance of several sources which contribute much needed useful information toward Josie’s cause. She doesn’t seem to have to do much digging on her own.

A warning is issued to readers who like to match wits with the protagonists. There are several situations in which a principal player discovers useful bits of information but the reader is not allowed the same privilege. For instance, Jude needs some data (deliberately unspecified) which he asks his computer whiz friend, Wilson, to find. The reader has to assume Jude is looking for the same thing that the reader, wants. Or, the manager of the amusement park is described as destroying a copy of something, but the reader does not know what this something is.

The author assumes, perhaps correctly, that her readers are reasonably familiar with the law. There are two potential cases involved in the situation, a civil case and a criminal one. No explanation is given as to the difference between the two types of cases. Other points of law are similarly treated. If one is not in the legal profession, or doesn’t spend much time watching Court TV, some rough spots may be encountered.

A third volume in the series, Privileged Witness is “coming soon” according to the teaser at the end of Silent Witness. Obviously, witnesses figure prominently in this series. Having read Silent Witness and not being quite sure who the silent witness is, or that I even care, I have mixed emotions toward learning about a privileged one.

--Andy Plonka