'Don't Say a Word': An Enjoyable Read for Allison Brennan Fans

Disclosure: I received a free advance review copy of this book from the NetGalley. This post also contains Amazon affiliate links [*]. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

I've lost count of how many times I’ve spotted Allison Brennan’s name on book covers in both cozy bookstores and the sprawling expanse of the Kindle store. There have been moments when I’ve almost caved and bought one of her titles out of sheer curiosity. I know she’s quite popular, but I can't help but wonder: Why? So when I had the chance to get an eGalley of her latest release, Don't Say a Word, I jumped at it. Sure, it’s not the most original title—there are plenty of books out there sharing the same name, including that old Michael Douglas film. But hey, it’s catchy enough to grab your attention.

Dont Say a Word ^[*] pitches us straight into the world of murder detective fiction—a classic police procedural, to be exact. I know what you’re thinking: “Not another procedural!” Trust me, I'm right there with you when it comes to TV shows or streaming dramas that seem stuck in the same ol’ rut. But with books, I tend to keep an open mind. The beauty of reading is that I can conjure vivid images of the story in my mind, shaping it as it unfolds. Sure, I can’t tweak the author’s narrative style, so if there are some clichés sprinkled throughout, I just have to roll with it. Still, I like to believe there’s a little magic in using my imagination.

Now, let’s delve into the core of the plot. The police have ruled Elijah Martinez’s death an accidental drug overdose, but his grieving mother is unconvinced. With the case officially closed, she turns to Angelhart Investigations, hoping they can uncover the truth. Margo Angelhart, ever the determined investigator, thinks this is going to be a straightforward case—interview some friends, chat with Elijah’s boss, retrace his final steps. Simple, right?

Except, with each conversation, Margo finds a tangled web of disbelief among Elijah’s friends; they insist he wasn’t involved with drugs. And just when things couldn’t get murkier, the very teacher who raised a ruckus about the police’s handling of the case winds up dead. It appears that every lead she pursues circles back to a sinister drug ring that once thrived in the school’s shadows.

Margo’s brother, Jack—a former cop—tries to pry some answers from the police, but their reticence leaves him questioning whether it’s due to an ongoing investigation or something more sinister, like a cover-up. One thing Margo knows for sure: she has to unravel the mystery of Elijah’s death before more teens become unwitting players in a dark and twisted game.

This is the second installment in the Angelhart Investigation series. I’ll admit, I normally shy away from sequels without knowing the previous story, in this case, You'll Never Find Me. ^[*] But to my surprise, Don't Say a Word stands tall on its own, even with a few returning characters; I had no trouble jumping right in.

The narrative weaves a murder mystery with its share of predictable beats, although none of these detracted from my enjoyment. I devoured this book in one sitting; it was a lifeline on a rough day when I desperately needed some escapism. It’s not without its flaws—clichés abound, and it often sticks to the safety of the familiar procedural formula. Honestly, I yearned for more risks, more unexpected twists. But then again, I have explored numerous stories, so discovering something that truly surprises me is increasingly rare.

Despite a little nitpicking, Don't Say a Word delivers an engaging murder mystery that diligently adheres to the genre without ever straying outside its lines. If you’re searching for something groundbreaking, you might leave feeling a bit let down. However, I believe that steadfast fans of Allison Brennan will not be disappointed—and perhaps, in the end, that's what truly matters. ╌★★★★✰

〜B.J. Burgess