Ann Rule says: A Silence of Mockingbirds is beautifully written by a very talented investigative journalist. But, even more, this is Karen Zacharias’s  own story too, one of trust betrayed. A tragic book that we should all take to heart. We cannot change the past but we can save children who are in peril now. Karen has given us Karly’s legacy, that of a small, bright spirit who loved and was loved. And yet destroyed by heedless caretakers. A must read. Compelling and heartbreaking.

Chief of Police Stuart Roberts says: "I took a copy of A SILENCE OF MOCKINGBIRDS with me to my son’s basketball practice, and did not set it down until I finished it at about 2:00 a.m. My initial reaction is/was WOW! I have never been one to accept those things I cannot change. I am more of the mindset to change those things I cannot accept...I am not naive enough to think that something like this will never happen again…maybe even in my jurisdiction... I currently serve on several boards of organizations whose mission(s) are to serve children and families in crisis. I am more inspired today than ever before…you, Karly and David gave me that gift." 

Investigative journalist and author Karen Spears Zacharias never anticipated that she would become one of the characters involved in a high-profile murder. But when she reconnects with a young woman named Sarah,who lived in the Zacharias home at one time and was treated like family, Karen discovers that something unspeakable has happened to Sarah’s daughter, Karly. Compelled to consider her own culpability in this tragic case, Karen pieces together what happened to Karly through court documents, investigators’ interviews, and interviews with friends, family, law enforcement officials, and key witnesses.

As the terrible story unfolds, the hard question emerges for everyone involved, indeed all of us: Why was no cry raised to protect Karly?

This is also the story of a father’s unrelenting love for his daughter, an immigrant’s tragic struggle for redemption, and a journalist’s urgent call for change.

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Advance Praise for A SILENCE OF MOCKINGBIRDS (MacAdam/Cage):

“Riveting. Brilliantly plotted. I couldn’t put it down. A Silence of Mockingbirds will fill your eyes with tears, make you mad, and hopefully make you act.”- Robert Dugoni, New York Times Bestselling Author ofBodily Harm

“Karen Spears Zacharias has written a compassionate and comprehensive story of how abuse affects us all.”   - Sara O’Meara, Chairman & CEO and Yvonne Gedderson, President of CHILDHELP

“A Silence of Mockingbirds is an important book.  The message has stayed with me.  We are all family. This true story shines a laser beam on how children are failed in America by the very systems and people that exist to protect them.  Shame on us!”

-Wanda Jewell, Executive Director Southeast Independent Booksellers Association SIBA

“Karen Zacharias, using her own reporting skills files a crime story readers won’t put down and will never forget. A Silence of Mockingbirds will open eyes, raise voices, and save lives.”
- Winston Groom, New York Times Bestselling author of Forrest Gump

“A Silence of Mockingbirds is truly an addictive read…I took off work to finish it!  In typical Karen Zacharias fashion, it is impeccably researched, extremely well written and uniquely told. It is an important, affecting book about child abuse that I wasn’t sure I could read it at first, but then couldn’t put down.” -Karin Wilson, owner, Page & Palette Bookstore, Alabama.