M. L. Spurgeon

Death is Deafening: a John Holmes Johnson Mystery M. L. Spurgeon

Violence strikes a cord with Holmes when his Physical Therapist is killed. Seemingly a random shooting, it gradually takes on a more sinister personality as the man's deaf wife and handicapped son are harassed and threatened by forces not immediately understood. Nathan, a deaf, retired, Police officer teams up with the Holmes Detective Agency and puts his own life at risk to protect and interpret the sign language used by Cathy Ann Bantler. The agency is also working on a second case, seemingly unrelated but proves otherwise. The case becomes more and more difficult, with twisted tentacles reaching far back into the past of the dead man and a mad man bent on revenge. Holmes gets engaged and history seems determined to repeat itself. The gang of youthful hoods comes after the two of them for interfering in their business. Several other innocents die before the startling conclusion of this messy affair.