In New Mexico, a child driving a Honda crashes the car into a train. Miraculously the girl lives, but is unable to, or perhaps refuses to, explain who she is or why she was driving the car. The frustrated Santa Fe police assign forensic psychiatrist Sylvia Strange to learn what she can from the nameless child. Sylvia quickly finds out the hard way that the child is not mute when the little girl screams as she throws a punch at the doctor. Eventually, Sylvia learns that her very frightened patientĘs name is Serena.

As Sylvia gains the trust of the child, she realizes that the lass is scared that a demon is after her. Sylvia understands that Renzo Santos, a blood drinking hit man wants to take the kid out. It is up to Sylvia to help the child with her inner demons and her external devils if Serena is ever going to return to the land of the living and and become a healthy, well adjusted child.

The highly regarded Sarah Lovett (just read DANGEROUS ATTACHMENTS and ACQUIRED MOTIVES to realize the incredible depth and brilliance this author posesses) has written a brilliant Sylvia Strange mystery. A DESPERATE SILENCE is compelling and clever as a non-supernatural horror theme is weaved into the story line without taking away from the horror, dread, and ultimately fear associated with the human blood sucker. Adding to the delight of this tale is the way Sylvia (and ultimately the audience) gains some insight into her own childhood and parentage. This enables readers to understand the doctorĘs motives better. This book is a great addition to one of the most notable series in the psychological who-done-it sub-genre.