Amy Robinson seizes the opportunity to have a break from an abusive relationship when she joins her cousin on a kayaking trip to the British Columbian wilderness. It is a wild world that offers the perfect adventure, even if that comes with hungry bears and inclement weather. Amy is slowly warming up to police detective Ben Malik. But everything changes when Amy’s ex-fiancé, Tyler, follows her. Pursued by drug gangs, Tyler is desperate for money and Amy just happens to be the one person he needs. Although Amy knows that Tyler can only bring her trouble, he succeeds in getting her away from her new friends. Pulled into a dangerous world filled with drugs and criminals, Amy’s life is in grave danger. Can Ben Malik locate Amy and save her and can he pin down the gangs after Tyler?

Ulla Hakanson’s The Price of Silence features a stunningly imagined and skillfully executed setting in Vancouver and the British Columbian wilderness. The characters are elaborately developed and readers will instantly love Amy, a character whose love for Tyler has thus far blinded her from fully taking care of herself and her personal interests. The novel features strong themes, following an adventure that offers unpredictable moments and delightful plot twists. Amy’s silence about her abduction might cost her a lot and the author uses this aspect of her personality to build suspense in the narrative. Ben’s interest in Amy is a plot element that grabbed my attention and I kept turning the pages to know what happens next.  Hakanson writes in prose that is gorgeous and has the ability to weave fascinating details that enrich both the setting and the characters. The author evocatively captures the underbelly of Vancouver’s crime world with captivating imagery. Readers will look forward to reading the next creation from this talented author.