M.L. Malcolm Reviews

Added September 4, 2006

Silent Lies

Author: M.L. Malcolm
Publisher: Longstreet Press
Available At: Bookstores Everywhere
Publishing Date: October 2005
Genre: Fiction: Historical
Format: Hardcover
Price: $24.95
ISBN: 1-56352-750-2
Author Email/Website: www.silentlies.com/index.html
Reviewer: Joyce Handzo
Rating: 7 Gargoyles

Truthfully, Silent Lies is a superbly crafted story, creatively capturing a slice of history with eloquence and realism. Set between two World Wars, the novel resonates with a sense of danger, which is played out in the lives of the rich and powerful. Intrigue and untruths abound, yet it's one man's secret that sets it all in motion.

Leo Hoffman was a child prodigy born into poverty. He had an uncanny ability with languages, which was his ticket into a world of wealth. Adopted by a Jewish family in Budapest, Leo rode the highs and lows in his life with the cunning of a chameleon and the ingenuity of a fox. Although he was able to reinvent himself for any situation, the stack of his silent lies steadily grew, while swaying with the winds of war. Living at the edge of a political powder keg, Leo had to make some dangerous decisions with far-reaching consequences.

Meticulously researched, these pages are filled with a glimpse into a world without boundaries. The inside look at those who ruled, from their palaces to the podiums, provided fascinating details. Historical facts smoothly entered the narrative, contributing motivational cues for the characters. The ebb and flow of the political situation set the tone for the story, allowing readers to see the enormity of the global situation.

Regrettably, the characters didn't live up to this reviewer's expectations. In a book so well written, these fictional people should have evoked more of an emotional response. Perhaps the fast pace of the plot, punctuated by jumps in time, contributed to this. The romantic element was disappointing, with Leo's love interest concentrating on the physical aspect. In fact, most of Leo's actions and decisions were too calculating, thereby distancing him from the reader.

The abrupt ending left a lot of loose ends. Hopefully, the next book will delve deeper into the emotional triggers that accompanied this volatile time in history.

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