Review: “Conspiracy of Silence” by Ronie Kendig

Conspiracy of Silence is the first novel I’ve read by military fiction author Ronie Kendig, but it certainly won’t be the last! It’s book 1 in her new “The Tox Files” series, a riveting thriller following a former US Army Special Forces team as it battles a plague, politics, terrorists, and plenty of personal drama. Read on for more + my review!

Four years after a tragic mission decimated his career and his team, Cole “Tox” Russell is persona non grata to the United States. And that’s fine—he just wants to be left alone. But when a dormant, centuries-old disease is unleashed at an archaeological dig where three Bronze-era censers are found, Tox is lured back into action. Partnered with an archaeologist and an FBI agent who’s an expert in deception, Tox and his team are pitted against a secret society, a plague dubbed the New Black Death, and a revered codex—which may hold the key to stopping the deadly outbreak.

This book is a thrill ride from start to finish! If you’re reading this soon, you should buckle up and secure your armor and weapon before page 1 because you won’t want to stop reading until the final conflict is over. The location changes and hand-to-hand combat situations remind me of a Jason Bourne movie. With all the action, there is suspense and intrigue with a political thriller element. And, a slight family drama and romance plays out in the middle of it all!

Kendig expertly weaves Biblical history and modern Middle Eastern/Jewish culture into the story with skill and style. The ties to a plague in the days of Moses interestingly work into a twist on a biological weapon, of sorts. With mysterious characters and a possible secret organization behind it all, Kendig kept me anxiously guessing just what would happen next! Just when you think you can catch your breath, a surprise comes your way.

With all of the action and traversing the globe, the characters still have a strong presence throughout. “Tox”, in particular, is a steadfast example of honor and leadership with a classic guilty conscience, blaming himself for past calamities completely out of his control. He is an instantly likable hero to root for… especially where a certain prominent female is concerned. The ladies of this story, Tzivia and Kasey, hold their own in sticky situations, too.

I appreciated the subtle thread of faith and Divine orchestration in the events of the story. I suspect (and hope) we will learn more behind the layers of Tox and his team in stories to come because I still have some lingering questions. The interesting and brotherhood-like supporting cast of this novel promise more surprises to come. I don’t think I can come up with any more adjectives to describe this story without giving away too much. So, I’ll just say this is a military thriller to rush headlong into with both eyes open!

Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for the complimentary review copy. This review reflects my honest opinion.

Prequel Novella Info

If you’re interested in reading this series, I HIGHLY recommend you start with the prequel ebook novella, The Warrior’s Seal! It’s FREE! (click here for Amazon page)

It sets the series up very nicely with plenty of action and intrigue in itself. It’s the backstory, if you will, of this team and the events that lead up to Tox’s predicament.