Silent Night by C.J. Kyle

November 20th, 2014 Kimberly Review 68 Comments

20th Nov
Silent Night by C.J. Kyle
Silent Night
by C.J. Kyle
Genres: Mystery
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne Star

Christmas, Tennessee, is a town where no one locks their doors and the worst crime is a stolen bicycle. Until the night blood is found . . . but there's no body. Police Chief Tucker Ambrose hopes it's just a prank, but his years as a cop in Chicago tell him different. Then a body is discovered in the middle of the woods, staged with a bible, a crucifix, and a rosary . . . and Tucker knows something dark and sinister has arrived in his town. Miranda Harley knows exactly what's going on. In fact, she's been tracking this serial killer, hoping to gather enough evidence to convict him. Trouble is, no one will believe her, not even the sexy police chief whose heated gazes promise nights of sin. But when Miranda falls into the crosshairs of a psychopath, Tucker must put aside his doubts and race to stop the killer from striking again

Are you looking for a little something different to read this holiday season? Silent Night by C.J. Kyle offers up a suspenseful thriller set in the small town of Christmas, Tennessee. It comes complete with a serial killer, a woman on a mission and a sexy police chief trying to protect the innocent. Suspenseful with a side dish of slow-burning romance Silent Night, was an engaging holiday read.

Unexplained blood patterns in the snow, a missing teen, and a body found in the woods with a crucifix, rosary and bible. Something sinister has come to Christmas, Tennessee. I love a good serial murder and this case was an interesting one.

Police Chief Tucker Ambrose left the hustle and bustle of Chicago for the quieter life in Christmas where missing bikes and mischievous pranks are the most pressing cases. I liked Tucker; he was open minded, but thought things out for himself and was not averse to calling in outside help. I was a little disappointed that some of the department characters were cliché’ depicting small-town police officers as incompetent.

Miranda Harley is tracking a serial killer and has arrived in Christmas to gather evidence. A trained nurse, she has dropped everything to catch this killer. She failed once and refuses to fail again. Miranda is stubborn, a bit of a risk taker and not exactly open and honest with the local police chief. I know she was frustrated but I would have liked to see her open up more. Miranda was awkward at times but felt genuine.

I appreciated that the romance in Silent Night was delivered on the side and that solving the case took precedence. It allowed for an element of warmth as we hunted a killer. The relationship that developed was slow burning, with sexual tension as these two tangoed. The attraction felt genuine, and had just enough heat without too much detail thus, allowing this to appeal to a larger audience.

The serial killer is twisted, and I loved the religious angle and methodology the author used. The clues, red herrings and twists were delightful without getting too procedural making it a lighter read. Kyle shared the murders with us, giving us first hand experience with the killer. Silent Night flowed wonderfully and I was hooked from page one. Kyle offered some twists and turns to keep the reader guessing.

Silent Night will make a wonderful addition to the bookshelf for fans of suspenseful crime thrillers who don’t mind a dash of romance.

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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

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68 Responses to “Silent Night by C.J. Kyle”

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Someone has internet connection..woot! Yes, the mystery aspect was stronger in this, I liked that it was different from your typical holiday read.

  2. Tyler H Jolley

    I haven’t read a great serial killer mystery since 3 Gates of the Dead. This sounds like it’s along the same lines, I think I’d really enjoy it. Thanks for the review, Kimba!

  3. Lorna

    I really love a good serial murder mystery too and a romance only makes it better! I think I need to add this to my tbr stack for sure! Thanks for sharing 🙂

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Romantic suspense is one of my favorite genres and I love the serial killer aspect in Silent Night 🙂 enjoy!

  4. Olivia

    In my opinion it only makes sense that the romance was something off to the side, and seeing as there is a serial killer around, I am glad to know they don’t ignore it and simply fall into each others arms! I have seen quite a few positive reviews for this book, so I look forward to trying it out 🙂 Sounds like the kind of thing I would like!

    Check out my review: http://olivia-savannah.blogspot.nl/2014/11/carrier-review.html

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Agreed Olivia. I love romantic suspense and was glad the romance took a back seat to the murder. Hope you try it 🙂

  5. Trish

    Nothing like a good thriller. Sounds like a good book to turn to when Christmas gets a bit sickly sweet! Miranda sounds likeable and I’m curious about the religious angle.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      The religious angle comes from the mind of the serial killer…it is quite creep-tastic

  6. Alreem

    sound like a good book, but really the type i will read 🙂 lovely review

    • kimbacaffeinate

      ha..yes my Grinch-y friend it has a serial killer so all is good!

  10. Katherine

    I’ve been wanting more romantic suspense/thriller type books and this sounds like a good choice! I like the holiday spin to this one. I see romances and cozies all the time with a holiday theme but I don’t think I’ve ever read a Christmas themed book with a serial killer! Going on the TBR!

  11. Sophia Rose

    I just got back into romantic suspense and romantic thrillers this year. I like the sound of this one even if its the typical RS heroine who holds her cards too close putting herself into deeper danger.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I enjoy romantic suspense, yeah she got burned once and doesn’t trust.

  12. Braine Talk Supe

    Christmas, TN… I wish that place is real! Well not the serial killer part but it would be such a great address. I’d read this for the TN alone. Go Vol State!

  14. Stephanie Faris

    Sounds interesting…and I love the idea of a murder mystery set against the peaceful backdrop of Christmas…I’d visit Christmas, Tennessee, if it existed! I live in Nashville.

  15. Debbie Haupt

    Wow nothing like a serial killer to say Merry Christmas, thanks Kimba this one sounds great, but I’m reading it with the lights on thank you very much 🙂

  17. Candace

    The term ‘crime thrillers’ is one that I think I’m a little scared of. I like mysteries and I like suspense but crime thrillers- I guess I just haven’t found the right ones? Maybe they are too dark? I’m not sure sure. One of these days I just need to go for it though, I’ll probably be surprised!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I love them this one is lighter than most since its a romantic suspense

  18. A Belle's Tales

    This is EXACTLY the kind of book I am digging right now! Love the sound of this one! Thanks for the wonderful review, my friend! I’m off to add it to the list 🙂

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I love romantic suspense if your looking for suggestions let me know 🙂

  19. R_Hunt

    I think this would be right up my alley! A suspense thriller, some romance, and with an added bonus of holiday time thrown in. I just wish she didn’t make the town named Christmas..unless there really is a town with that name there? That seemed over the top to me, but whatever. I will be looking to pick this one soon. I like that the author says she is a geeky nerd 🙂

  21. Lori

    Oh this sounds interesting! I love a good mystery, especially if it’s a stand alone I can read between my series. Sounds like I’ll be adding this one to my list, thanks for sharing Kimberly!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Standalone reads are refreshing and I hope you get to read this

  23. kindlemom1

    The whole first paragraph of your review hooked me Kim. I need some good holiday reads and I like that the romance is slow building and that the mystery aspect takes front ad center.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      That is exactly why I loved this..that and I love reading about serial killers..LOL

  25. Jenny

    “Suspenseful with a side dish of slow-burning romance Silent Night, was an engaging holiday read.”

    You sure know how to sell a girl on a book Kim! I’ve been on a bit of a mystery kick lately and am loving it, so this is going on the list for sure. Love the fact that there’s a slow burn romance in play as well. *runs to Amazon*

  26. Carmel

    One of my main beefs with holiday themed books is that they are eerily similar, so this story definitely stands out from the crowd with a serial killer thrown in along side the romance. I’m not sure about the religious angle though, it’ll depend on how the author spins it.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      The religion is part of the serial killers profile…there is no message or preaching…just a twisted killer.

  27. Nick

    Oh this sounds very interesting, Kim! I’ll have to check to see if it’s available at the public library already. I like that the serial killer is twisted. They always make for creepy stories. Lovely review!

  29. Jennifer

    Mystery is a genre I’ve not dipped my touch into yet. I love the mystery elements in many of the urban fantasy series I read so I don’t know why I’m not tried a straight mystery before. But I have a few on TBR and I’ll give the genre a go in 2015.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Go with suspense thriller mysteries to dip your toe in Jennifer. This isn’t straight up since it involves a serial killer..this is more crime suspense.

  30. Bookworm Brandee

    I’ve discovered in the last year that I really like suspense so I’ll add Silent Night to my tbr. I like the sound of it – and I like it when an author can keep me guessing.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      It is one of my favorite elements in a book. It can be historical to futuristic and if it has suspense or mystery it draws me in

  31. Glass

    I am not a big fan of holiday novels, but you’re right – this does sounds different.
    Great review!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      It doesn’t all have to be candy canes and goofy kisses under the mistletoe..it can be murder and mayhem!

  32. Jennifer Bielman

    Mysteries are not my thing but I love books about serial killers. I totally starting singing Silent Night and couldn’t figure out why until I realized I read the title of the book without even thinking about it.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      The serial killer is rather twisted Jen..I think you would like him.

  34. Melliane

    I always like a good investigation, a good thriller from time to time. I saw the cover but it’s the first review I read about it and I confess that I’m intrigued. Maybe one time if I come accross it. thank you!