This murder set in Illinois recalls a cold case in modern day. In 1982 Betty Jo Dean meets Pauly Pribilski for a drink; she's under age but gets away with a beer. Only finding part-time work in quiet Grand Point, she intends to leave for Chicago when she's saved enough for a beautician course. Pauly turns out to be hurrying to pay back a debt, and crosses some gamblers. Next thing, Betty Jo is missing and Pauly, who was seen driving with her, is dead.

SILENCE THE DEAD takes up with the investigation uncovering awful truths that shock the respectable residents. A reporter from the Chicago Sun-Times is on the spot and there are angry scenes in the courthouse. Jonah Ridy, the reporter, has an outsider's view and he suspects that the police are concealing evidence. But how much worse could the story get?

In present day, Mac Bassett, Grand Point's new mayor, is suddenly facing indictment on a financial matter when he is approached by a waitress with a suspicion about the old case, the biggest scandal in town. Should he really dig it all up again, or does it matter, since politically he has nothing to lose?

With some strong language, gruesome imagery and acceptance that some people who kill teenagers just get away with it, this evocative rural tale is no cosy mystery. The elderly reporter is revisited, and some local people's memories are fresh. The concept of letting sleeping dogs lie does however include a warning, so perhaps Mac Basset and Jen Jessup, an even more determined digger with a personal involvement, are being unwise to pursue the matter. Today's people have cell phones and digital recorders, but nothing will guarantee results except perseverance.

As the story sped up it became more gripping and I really liked Jen's character, a tenacious young woman with a good idea of how to check out evidence and eliminate possibilities. Tragedy touched the lives of everyone in Grand Point, and she's determined that it must end here. SILENCE THE DEAD by Jack Frederickson is a good one for serious murder mystery fans, especially those who like cold cases and plenty of danger.