Silent Killer by Tracy Burnett & Ross Weiland

SILENT KILLER

by Tracy Burnett & Ross Weiland

August 18 – September 26, 2025 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

Silent Killer by Ross Weiland & Tracy Burnett

Gordon Stone is an investigator assigned to the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force. He’s given an insignificant case—a charity scam out of Africa—and ordered to close it. For Gordon, it’s not that simple. Gordon has high-functioning autism. He’s socially awkward, but blessed with a superpower—extraordinary focus and attention to detail. That superpower allows Gordon to piece together a disparate puzzle: a Hunter-Killer drone; an illicit drug shipment; a Special Forces operation gone wrong; and illegal immigration linked to 9/11. When these pieces align, national security is at risk and hundreds of lives hang in the balance.

Praise for Silent Killer:

“A brilliant, awkward, relentless, and unconventional hero who will not take ‘no’ for an answer, saves the day. Get me Special Agent Gordon Stone for every difficult case and watch this man work.”
~ Chuck Rosenberg, Former U.S. Attorney, Eastern District of Virginia

“This is a fascinating story about real people, complex issues, and a world of many complicated challenges. It’s an interesting read that keeps you focused and anticipating the next page. I liked it and recommend it.”
~ Chuck Hagel, Former Secretary of Defense and U.S. Senator

“A truly innovative thriller with a refreshingly unique protagonist who will quickly have you rooting for him. A fast-paced tale told with imagination, fused with a realism that only insiders from the investigative world can bring. It will keep you guessing from page to page. Highly recommended.”
~ Kimberly Prost, Former Ombudsperson for the U.N. Security Council Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee

Book Details:

Genre: Crime Fiction
Published by: Down and Out Books
Publication Date: August 11, 2025
Number of Pages: 355
ISBN: 978-1-64396-413-3 PBK
Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub | Down & Out Books

Read an excerpt:

CHAPTER 1

What would be a landmark day for any other federal agent was an exercise in misery for Special Agent Gordon Stone. He sat, restless and uncomfortable, in the crowded auditorium inside the Albert V. Bryan US Courthouse in Alexandria, Virginia. Wesley Jay, the US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia (EDVA), was on stage addressing the capacity crowd. Jay extolled the virtues of his office and its extraordinary success in managing the Eastern District’s “rocket docket.” The court’s namesake had coined the term in the seventies, District Court Judge Bryan himself. What it meant for Jay and his stable of Assistant US Attorneys (AUSAs) was that they were forced to be one of the most efficient offices in the country when it came to prosecuting cases. They gathered annually to recognize the most successful investigations and prosecutions of the preceding year. Lawyers, law enforcement, and family members filled the auditorium. For an office that had prosecuted some of the most notorious spy and terrorist cases in the country—not to mention the occasional political scandal—the yearly awards ceremony always attracted a full house.

“Copied by many, mirrored by none,” said Jay. “We bring justice to the American people more quickly and effectively than anywhere else in the country. I take great pride in that fact and hope you do as well.”

Gordon tried to listen, but his discomfort just being there compelled him to tune out Jay’s speech. It wasn’t that he did not want to be there. On the contrary, his greatest desire was to be able to sit in the audience, listen to Jay, and enjoy a career highlight. Gordon was being recognized for his work as lead agent on an application fraud case with the Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations (FDA-OCI).

But Gordon did not fit in. He liked people, but he had trouble relating to them and was painfully aware of his social awkwardness. Way back in elementary school, he had been diagnosed with high-functioning autism, at the time referred to as Asperger Syndrome, or colloquially as Asperger’s.

Gordon appeared just like everyone else, but when it came to basic human interaction, it took a great deal of effort for him to engage with most people. It was always hard and frequently exhausting. Small talk, humor, and sarcasm often flew past him. Therapy had brought him a long way, but still, those who did not know him thought he was aloof. Some actually found his behavior offensive.

“Damn Asperger’s,” he said to himself.

The true irony, he knew, was however damning Asperger’s was to his social status, it was also his superpower, allowing him to focus on a particular topic—or investigation—to the point where he could see things no one else could see. He could anticipate what others viewed as unexpected. That focus bred unparalleled intuition, which was what made him a great investigator.

That was why he was here in this crowded hall, surrounded by people he did not know. He was a great investigator. But he was most definitely not a great socializer, and he was uncomfortable. As much as he wished he could enjoy the ceremony and embrace the praise of his peers, his Asperger’s would not allow it. In fact, a big group setting surrounded by strangers? That was pretty much the nightmare scenario.

Gordon’s brain was wired differently. At least that’s how Katherine, his longtime therapist, described it. He thought differently, acted differently, saw the world differently than most. She emphasized repeatedly to him he was not broken, just different, and Gordon knew it was okay to be different. Most of the time, that was enough. But even now, as a successful thirty-two-year-old federal agent, he could still feel broken. He hoped today would not be one of those days.

“The work we do—check that—the work you do for this country is, simply put, extraordinary,” Jay continued. “We put more cases before a judge than anyone else, and that means when it comes time to recognize our best work in a given year, the competition is tight. I salute those of you sitting in this room. Your work, your intellect, your dogged pursuit of justice places you at the top of what we do here. You are the best of the best. Thank you for all you do for our organization, our district, and our country.” Jay smiled to his audience. “Now then, let’s hand out some hardware.”

***

Author Bios:

Tracy Burnett:

Tracy Burnett began his law enforcement career as a Deputy Sheriff at the Palm Beach County, Florida Sheriff’s Department. His next stop was with the Drug Enforcement Administration where he became a special agent and went through training at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia as well as DEA US Army Ranger Training. That began a 25-year federal law enforcement career leading investigations on behalf of the US Departments of Justice, State, and Defense, among others, working both domestically and around the globe. Tracy now works as an Adjunct Professor for the School of Public Affairs in the Key Executive Leadership Program at American University in Washington, DC.

Ross Weiland:

Ross Weiland was a journalist in New York City before attending law school and joining the US Navy’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps in 1998. He served as a prosecutor, criminal appeals attorney, and civil litigator in the Navy before transitioning to federal civil service where he spent 21 years in the Office of Inspector General community as counsel, investigator, and senior executive at the National Archives, Department of Defense, and NASA. Ross now works as an administrative executive supporting oversight and law enforcement in the private sector in Washington, DC.

Follow Gordon Stone:

gordonstonerules.com
Instagram – @gordonstonerules
Facebook – @Silent Killer

Partners in Crime Presents: Author Interview

Tour Participant Reviews:

‘I really liked this novel. The plot is familiar, one man against terrorists. But there is such a different focus, the novel was very interesting and engaging. The different focus involves the hero, Gordon. He has Asperger syndrome. That makes him a very unusual agent. He sees connections others miss. It is informative and entertaining. I do hope there will be more adventures for this unusual hero.’
~ Book Reviews From an Avid Reader

‘I like how the stakes are high, the pressures and danger gradually build up, and the main character is awesome. A brilliant yet flawed MC makes this enjoyable to follow. I can’t wait to read more adventures with Agent Stone! I recommend this book to all crime fiction and thriller fans alike.’
~ The AR Critique

‘The plot grabbed me from the beginning. The authors do a great job developing their characters into real human beings, and their depiction of the manifestations of Gordon’s autism was realistic and emotionally affecting. Having said that, he makes for an engaging and memorable main character I enthusiastically rooted for.’
~ Guatemala Paula Loves to Read

‘Authors Tracy Burnett and Ross Weiland deliver a fascinating character with Asperger’s in Silent Killer. Silent Killer takes a crime thriller and puts the solution in the hands of an unlikely hero. Special Agent Gordon Stone leverages what other people see as a disability into a powerful tool, enabling him to focus intently and discover patterns.’
~ Novels Alive

‘Silent Killer has a little bit of everything within its pages. You have a mystery, a political thriller, and terrorists behind most of the mayhem. This novel is like a big puzzle, as readers will slowly piece things together along with Gordon… t felt like I was watching an exciting movie. This criminal thriller with an unconventional main character was a great read.’
~ Why Not? Because I Said So Book Reviews

‘I felt a sense of urgency, a sense of anticipation, as the story unfolded. The suspense kept me flipping the pages, having to know what comes next. Silent Killer, while a work in fiction, is as real as it can be. A little twist here and a little twist there, and voila, a story is born.’
~ fundinmental

‘Silent Killer by Tracy Burnett and Ross Weiland is a unique thriller that will keep readers immersed in it’s pages. Silent Killer is a thought-provoking read that explores how far people will go to get through life’s difficulties and will leave readers — ME!! —- eagerly anticipating the next installment in Gordon Stone’s story.’
~ Hott Books

‘The prologue alone sets the tone with an unexpected jolt, pulling you in and daring you to put the book down. The novel blends pulse-pounding suspense with an insightful look at how unconventional strengths can crack impossible cases wide open. Drawing on decades of authentic federal law enforcement and oversight experience, the authors deliver a story steeped in the gritty, high-stakes world of terrorism investigations, interagency clashes, and national security crises.’
~ FullyBookedInKentucky

‘I enjoyed this book, I especially appreciated the illustration of a neurodivergent character as the MMC. Gordon and his mentor are very likable characters. The plot was interesting and unique. The why behind the crime and outcome were a surprise and not predictable which makes for a good mystery.’
~ meloplanner

‘Sharp, tense, and smart, Silent Killer delivers action with a side of brainpower, and Gordon’s dogged determination makes him the kind of hero you can’t help but cheer for!’
~ The Page Ladies

Tour Host Info:

Book Formats: ePub, Print
Hosting Options: Review, Interview, Guest Post, Showcase
Giveaway: There will be a tour-wide PICT Giveaway
More: According to the authors Silent Killer does not include: Explicit Sexual Scenes, or Rape. However, readers may encounter content that is considered to be another trigger situation. Generally the content is considered to be no more than R-rated content. At this time, PICT staff have not yet read this book and cannot give additional information.