A Shot in the Silence

By Lynette Ashton

A “screenplay” in words. Destructive greed-fuelled betrayal and intrigue is set against the backdrop of the amazing Australian outback. A contrast of good and evil keeps the reader anxiously turning the page.

A diverse cast of characters makes this “read” one that has the readers choosing decidedly their favourite character.

A trail of twists and double cross lead the reader across the outback to Sydney and back again.

A detective with justice on his mind is relentless in solving the case. His dedication sets an example to his team, and the “human” side of the law is revealed.

Lynette Ashton is a top-notch storyteller who brings the mystical outback vividly to life in this enthralling crime story. A Shot in the Silence is a fresh, modern, suspenseful story, keeping the reader on edge until the last page.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Oct 13, 2023
• ISBN: 9781035817436

Lynette Ashton

Lynette Ashton’s love of books began as a small child. Bedtime always included a story being read to her by her older sister. This developed a deep love of books. Lynette has a keen and lively interest in people, and this has led her into writing. Her observations are warmly transferred to her pages and her readers most often find a “character” they can relate to. She has travelled extensively overseas but her heart belongs to her beloved Australia and its wide brown outback. Her travels up the West Coast to the top of Australia have been her inspiration for this story.

Book preview

About the Author

Lynette Ashton’s love of books began as a small child. Bedtime always included a story being read to her by her older sister. This developed a deep love of books.

Lynette has a keen and lively interest in people, and this has led her into writing.

Her observations are warmly transferred to her pages and her readers most often find a character they can relate to.

She has travelled extensively overseas but her heart belongs to her beloved Australia and its wide brown outback.

Her travels up the West Coast to the top of Australia have been her inspiration for this story.

Dedication

For their love and support, thank you to my patient partner Joe, and daughter Rachael, son Matthew and my sister Joy.

Copyright Information ©

Lynette Ashton 2023

The right of Lynette Ashton to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

ISBN 9781035817429 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781035817436 (ePub e-book)

www.austinmacauley.com

First Published 2023

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd®

1 Canada Square

Canary Wharf

London

E14 5AA

Prologue

The Australian outback is a spiritual place. It holds many secrets deep in its varied rock formations which stand proud above the spinifex plains and cool, deep billabongs.

Aboriginal people are known to have occupied mainland Australia for at least 65,000 years.

‘The Dreaming’ is a system of belief held by many first Australians to account for their origins.

They have learned to survive in the harsh climate of Australia and live as ‘One’ with the land.

It is a privilege to visit there, and if your heart and soul are open to this unique and sacred place you will find a connection that never leaves you even when you return to your home or homeland.

A young couple from a bustling seaside town in Sydney have planned a much dreamed of adventure holiday with their precious 7 months old baby daughter, Isobel. They are excited about the journey up the West Coast of Australia in their 4WD and smart well-fitted out caravan. With 12 weeks leave from their jobs they are looking forward to a new daily routine on the road.

The west coast is very different from Australia’s heavily populated east coast with cities all the way and beautiful beaches to enjoy. This was to be very different being quite isolated at times with long stretches between towns.

It would be great if they found another family along the way to travel some of these isolated areas with and stop for the night together when they were not in a Caravan Park.

It was emotional saying goodbye to both sets of parents, however the benefits of all they would see and do was surely worth this wrench.

Detective Constable Taylor who solved the murder case in my first best-selling novel ‘Dark Obsession’ returns in this crime thriller to bring his experience and expertise to solve this mystery.

Chapter One

The river was clear like crystal. Alex was concentrating on his line in the water determined they would be having Barramundi for dinner tonight. He’d had a couple of good bites but they were still too tentative. He needed a good, solid bite to snare the fish quickly and securely. He stopped for a moment to take in his surroundings. His gaze shifted to his left and he noted Leonora relaxed sitting in the camp chair reading the novel she’d brought with her, and now finally had the time to read. Isobel was still asleep in her camping cot in the van, he could hear faint baby sounds she made in her sleep.

Suddenly piercing the silence and sheer tranquility of the golden afternoon came one terrifying crack of a gunshot followed by a second. Time stood still now and only the loud squawking of the cockatoos could be heard.

Alex was lying face down on the river bank with a gunshot wound in the back of his head but still alive. Leonora had slumped sideways in her chair with blood running down the left side of her face.

She was dead.

Isobel, wakened from her sleep started crying loudly and continued for a long time.

This was a scene of violence, and a horrific invasion of evil in a peaceful almost spiritual place.

Darkness was only an hour away, an eerie stillness cast its shadow over this tragedy.

Chapter Two

Syndey

Detective Constable Frank Taylor’s phone was ringing urgently over and over until finally he returned to his office and barked into the receiver, Yes, Taylor here. Dammit he was thinking, ‘Can’t a bloke even go to the men’s room without being harassed? Apparently not.’

Frank? Its Peter Clark here mate.

Pete, great to hear from you, how’re you doing? Yeah, I’m ok but I think I have a case for you. Something’s got us baffled and I could really use your help.

Frank’s mind was racing, he was getting flashbacks to his time working with Pete in Sydney on many crimes, and they had been a good team.

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