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NoirNovels.com - A unique repository for all things noir
Silent Terror
Reviewed By RobG Silent Terror tells the story of Martin Michael Plunkett - deviant serial sex killer who has been sentenced to Life in Sing Sing prison. After his capture, Plunkett refuses to divulge the details of his murderous past until he is ready to do so. Silent Terror (also known as Killer on the Road) is written as an autobiographical account of Plunkett's crimes. As with all Ellroy's novels, his characterisations are sharp and believable. He gives Plunkett a real air of menace, and as the novel is interspersed with fictional newspaper stories, you have to keep reminding yourself that it is only fiction. Ellroy eschews some of the more extreme LA slang he has used elsewhere, particularly in the LA Quartet, and this serves to strengthen the impression that Plunkett is a real person, and not a mere cameo. The murders, and there are a lot of them, are described in intricate detail as befits Plunkett's persona (genius level intelligence). The plot, as one might expect, is more straightforward than any of Ellroy's other novels as it is a chronological storytelling, rather than a literary jigsaw puzzle. Consequently, Silent Terror would make an ideal introduction to Ellroy virgins. Ellroy apparently wrote Silent Terror because he was broke in the mid-80's, but this is far more than mere coffee table noir. Ellroy's distinctive style is there for all to see, and the pacy plot keeps you glued to the pages. In summary, while this may not be the cream of the Ellroy crop, it is still an excellent book and one which deserves your attention. So if you haven't already read it, go buy it (just click on the book cover to go straight to Amazon), and be prepared to be drawn into the disturbed world of Martin Michael Plunkett. Just be thankful he isn't for real. |
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