Book Review

2098

J. Lee’s ‘The Silent Cardinal’ Keeps Readers Guessing 

By Joseph T. Willett

J. Lee’s exciting new thriller, “The Silent Cardinal” (Moonshine Cove Publishing, August 2021) begins with a prologue that offers equal parts action and mystery. A businessman sitting in a restaurant learns his nieces are in danger because of him, hangs up the phone, says a prayer and waits for gunshots out of nowhere to end his life.

After the head-scratching first few pages, Lee notches up the intensity even more, bringing back several characters from his award-winning debut thriller “The Hubley Case.” Terrorists inform FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Stevens that a bomb has been planted at Ogilvie Transportation Center in Chicago. After leading him to the device and providing deactivation instructions, the perpetrators inform him that unless William Knoble – a seemingly inconsequential local attorney – is dead in eight days, explosives like it will detonate in similarly public places.

With no leads or possible motives, Stevens turns to Ben Siebert. Siebert, a former Marine with a knack for getting things done, proved his capabilities in “The Hubley Case” when he solved a murder tied to international terrorism. It’s a risky move; Siebert will unapologetically do whatever’s necessary to save lives, but he has a connection to Knoble and Stevens is desperate for help.  

Then the terrorists change the stakes. Somehow aware Siebert has joined the case, in a chilling scene packed with just the right amount of detail and tension, they kidnap his son. Siebert is told if he doesn’t eliminate Knoble by the deadline, his son will be sent back to him in pieces. As evidence, they send Siebert a bloodstained locket his son never takes off, a gift from his late wife. 

The next day Siebert goes off the grid, leaving Stevens to wonder if he is friend or foe. Fearing the worst, Stevens calls on Nikki Benton, an FBI cyber security agent and Siebert’s ex-fiancé, to leverage her personal relationship to reign in the renegade former Marine. 

But they’re too late. After a series of elaborate – and believable – scenes where Siebert outsmarts the authorities, the audience learns the prologue was nonlinear. The man in the restaurant was Knoble and Siebert killed him. 

Or so Lee has the reader believing.

That’s when the terrorists contact Siebert and reveal their true motive. Siebert must assassinate the President of the United States within two weeks or lose his son forever. And when another murder hits close to home in a daunting surprise twist, it unleashes Siebert’s determination to render justice in a way that Moses himself would say is too eye-for-an-eye. With equal parts intelligence, experience and drive, Siebert shows just how far one father will go to save his son.

From its mysterious prologue to its unpredictable conclusion, this stand-alone novel is an intelligent, tight, bendy tale that will keep you guessing. Lee incorporates hints, red herrings and misdirection throughout; multiple points of view and biting dialogue keeps the perspective fresh.

“The Slient Cardinal” will challenge you and make you think: How far would I go if it were my child? 

For more information about “The Silent Cardinal,” “The Hubley Case” or J. Lee visit jleethrillers.com.

The article originally appeared in the September 30 – October 6, 2021 print edition of The Two River Times.