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Riley MacPherson #.5
The Broken String
In celebration of the forthcoming novel The Silent Sister, Diane Chamberlain introduces Riley MacPherson in the e-short story The Broken String.
As seventeen-year-old Riley MacPherson rushes to the side of her brother who has been gravely injured in Iraq, she recalls their growing up years when he was her protector and best friend. Why did that relationship fall apart? She longs for a second chance to connect with her brother, not realizing that family secrets may prevent them from ever having that closeness again.
As seventeen-year-old Riley MacPherson rushes to the side of her brother who has been gravely injured in Iraq, she recalls their growing up years when he was her protector and best friend. Why did that relationship fall apart? She longs for a second chance to connect with her brother, not realizing that family secrets may prevent them from ever having that closeness again.
35 pages, ebook
First published August 26, 2014
227 people are currently reading
4377 people want to read
About the author
Diane Chamberlain
79 books15k followersDiane Chamberlain is the New York Times, USA Today and (London) Sunday Times best-selling author of 28 novels. The daughter of a school principal who supplied her with a new book almost daily, Diane quickly learned the emotional power of story. Although she wrote many small “books” as a child, she didn’t seriously turn to writing fiction until her early thirties when she was waiting for a delayed doctor’s appointment with nothing more than a pad, a pen, and an idea. She was instantly hooked.
Diane was born and raised in Plainfield, New Jersey and lived for many years in both San Diego and northern Virginia. She received her master’s degree in clinical social work from San Diego State University. Prior to her writing career, she was a hospital social worker in both San Diego and Washington, D.C, and a psychotherapist in private practice in Alexandria, Virginia, working primarily with adolescents.
More than two decades ago, Diane was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, which changed the way she works: She wrote two novels using voice recognition software before new medication allowed her to get back to typing. She feels fortunate that her arthritis is not more severe and that she’s able to enjoy everyday activities as well as keep up with a busy travel schedule.
Diane lives in North Carolina with her significant other, photographer John Pagliuca, and their odd but lovable Shetland Sheepdog, Cole
Diane was born and raised in Plainfield, New Jersey and lived for many years in both San Diego and northern Virginia. She received her master’s degree in clinical social work from San Diego State University. Prior to her writing career, she was a hospital social worker in both San Diego and Washington, D.C, and a psychotherapist in private practice in Alexandria, Virginia, working primarily with adolescents.
More than two decades ago, Diane was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, which changed the way she works: She wrote two novels using voice recognition software before new medication allowed her to get back to typing. She feels fortunate that her arthritis is not more severe and that she’s able to enjoy everyday activities as well as keep up with a busy travel schedule.
Diane lives in North Carolina with her significant other, photographer John Pagliuca, and their odd but lovable Shetland Sheepdog, Cole
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews
May 1, 2016
Riley McPherson is on a flight to Germany to be with her brother, Danny, who was gravely injured in Iraq. She's 17-years old and thinks back on their childhood, analyzing their relationship.
This is a very short prequel to The Silent Sister and it did its job in setting up that book because I now am ready for more.
This is a very short prequel to The Silent Sister and it did its job in setting up that book because I now am ready for more.
September 20, 2014
It is hard to give a rating higher than three stars to these little prequels that introduce the reader to the characters in Chamberlain's soon to be released novel The Silent Sister. I did, however, love the way 10 yr. old Daniel protected his little sister, 6 yr. old Riley. I really enjoyed that part of this little story, and look forward to reading more about these characters.
ARC from Netgalley.
ARC from Netgalley.
August 26, 2014
Diane Chamberlain’s intriguing THE BROKEN STRING, an e-short story novella and prequel to her exciting drama of family secrets in her upcoming book, THE SILENT SISTER.(Oct).
As seventeen year old Riley MacPherson travels by plane alone, to visit her older brother, Danny who has suffered injuries in Iraq, she flashes back with fond memories of her childhood, a time when her brother had always been there for her to protect her from life’s messiness.
Her mom, is sad and haunted. Her dad, distant and obsessed with collections and things, leaving two children without a warm and caring family atmosphere. Due to a suicide tragedy by their child prodigy and famous violinist daughter, Lisa, when she was seventeen. No one talks about her-- where secrets are dark and voices, silent.
Riley has no recollection of her older sister as she was only a baby. She recalls a time, when she was just a little girl, when she longed for her mom's smile, trying desperately to share in the happy place where memories were pure and happy, but she lacked the key to this door and had no clue where to look. An old photograph with the girl and the violin--her mom looked happy.
Riley always looked up to her older brother, who was always there to protect her, and she thought that his strength and confidence was a good thing. However, she has no idea it is the beginning of a defiance that would later rule him.
Her memories are a long string of events that bound her brother to her. Somehow though, that string had been broken –the anger that had been a part of him took over, finally pushing her away, as well as their parents. She longs to be there for him, as he has been for her, when they were children.
Fortunately, I had the opportunity of reading an ARC of THE SILENT SISTER (5 stars), by the publisher, and Diane once again delivers a riveting and suspense page turner. She skillfully crafts a complex family drama mystery, with multi-generational rich characters.
I wanted to go back and read the novella, rewinding to a time earlier to hear from Riley, before the setting of THE SILENT SISTER where we connect with Riley and Danny, years later after their parent’s death, when the secrets begin to unravel.
Highly recommend both THE BROKEN STRING and THE SILENT SISTER a moving story of a family tragedy, and the desperate attempt to pick up the pieces.
http://www.judithdcollinsconsulting.c...
As seventeen year old Riley MacPherson travels by plane alone, to visit her older brother, Danny who has suffered injuries in Iraq, she flashes back with fond memories of her childhood, a time when her brother had always been there for her to protect her from life’s messiness.
Her mom, is sad and haunted. Her dad, distant and obsessed with collections and things, leaving two children without a warm and caring family atmosphere. Due to a suicide tragedy by their child prodigy and famous violinist daughter, Lisa, when she was seventeen. No one talks about her-- where secrets are dark and voices, silent.
Riley has no recollection of her older sister as she was only a baby. She recalls a time, when she was just a little girl, when she longed for her mom's smile, trying desperately to share in the happy place where memories were pure and happy, but she lacked the key to this door and had no clue where to look. An old photograph with the girl and the violin--her mom looked happy.
Riley always looked up to her older brother, who was always there to protect her, and she thought that his strength and confidence was a good thing. However, she has no idea it is the beginning of a defiance that would later rule him.
Her memories are a long string of events that bound her brother to her. Somehow though, that string had been broken –the anger that had been a part of him took over, finally pushing her away, as well as their parents. She longs to be there for him, as he has been for her, when they were children.
Fortunately, I had the opportunity of reading an ARC of THE SILENT SISTER (5 stars), by the publisher, and Diane once again delivers a riveting and suspense page turner. She skillfully crafts a complex family drama mystery, with multi-generational rich characters.
I wanted to go back and read the novella, rewinding to a time earlier to hear from Riley, before the setting of THE SILENT SISTER where we connect with Riley and Danny, years later after their parent’s death, when the secrets begin to unravel.
Highly recommend both THE BROKEN STRING and THE SILENT SISTER a moving story of a family tragedy, and the desperate attempt to pick up the pieces.
http://www.judithdcollinsconsulting.c...
March 14, 2020
A short overview of the characters and the family dynamics that lead up to Book 1 of , The Silent Sister.
July 18, 2025
After Riley's older brother, Danny, is injured while serving in Iraq, she rushes to visit him.
Short and sweet prequel novella to The Silent Sister (4 stars). Even though this novella was only 26 pages, I appreciated the bonus inside look into Riley's childhood and her relationship with her parents and Danny.
"He would never let me fall. I wanted to be that net of safety for him now. For always."
Location: New Bern, North Carolina and Landstuhl, Germany
Own on Kindle
Short and sweet prequel novella to The Silent Sister (4 stars). Even though this novella was only 26 pages, I appreciated the bonus inside look into Riley's childhood and her relationship with her parents and Danny.
"He would never let me fall. I wanted to be that net of safety for him now. For always."
Location: New Bern, North Carolina and Landstuhl, Germany
Own on Kindle
October 13, 2014
An introduction to Ms. Chamberlain's newest book, I really enjoyed this short prequel. We meet Riley, her father and mother and learn of her father's collections which include 5 violins, one very special. As soon as I finished this, I quickly picked up the book, The Silent Sister, to see what happens.
September 18, 2014
a quick introduction to Diane Chamberlain's new novel - The Silent Sister. It provided a lot of background to the main characters.
October 10, 2014
This novella is really a prequel to Diane Chamberlain's NEW RELEASE of "The Silent Sister" that just released this past Tuesday, October 7th, 2014. In my opinion, this truly is required reading prior to reading the novel, yet many people may not know this little gem of a novella exists, which is a shame.
This is one thing I disagree with that this author does. She puts these little novellas out there (like she did with the novella “The First Lie” which I believe should be read prior to full novel “Necessary Lies”, but it lingers out there practically unknown, OR, include the novella in the novel as a Prequel to the story.) I would love to see these novellas combined into the novels so the Reader gets the benefit of what that novella holds for those Readers who don’t know these novellas exist. Even though the novellas are short little things, they hold a LOT of important information that is vital to the novel, at least in my opinion, from reading them. I would like the publisher to know this, too. Bring both the novella and the novel together, marry them in later editions if necessary, if that is the way it needs to be done. Why not include these novellas as a Prequel IN the book? For instance, this novella could be a prequel in her novel because it shows us the very close knit relationship between little sister Riley and her big brother Danny which is what we do not fully understand when reading the novel, or at least I did not feel as if I really felt the bond between these two siblings until I read the novella, and that was AFTER I read the novel. Yes, we are told how close these two were while growing up, but it is not as detailed as it could have been in the novel, at least not to the extent it is in this novella. This is why this novella is so important to read prior to the novel and why I don't understand why this author doesn't include them with her novel, or go as deep into their relationship in the novel itself, or include this as a prequel. The author does not bring this feeling of closeness I felt of brother and sister to the novel itself. In the novel we are told they were close, but we didn’t get anything near what this novella holds. I understand getting everyone excited for the new release with a novella, but . . . I sure would have understood their relationship was much closer than what I understood it to be portrayed as it was in the novel. It wasn’t until I read this novella, and that was after I read the novel that I fully understood how close these two silings were. I understood how much Danny protected Riley as they grew up.
So yes, this novella gives us a very good look at the intimate relationship between little sister Riley and her big brother, Danny, four years her elder. This novella delves deep into their relationship and shows us just how close they really were, where the new novel falls very short in this area. I really missed this in the novel, and I did not have as clear of an understanding of ‘how close’ these two really were in the novel. If it weren’t for this novella, I would never have understood exactly how close these two really were just by reading the novel alone.
This novella is vital to read prior to The Silent Sister. Had I realized this novella was out prior to reading the novel, I would have had a completely different understanding between these two siblings' relationship while reading the novel. I love how the author shows us how these two interact, how Danny is the protector of Riley, the close knit bond of these two, and what happens when Riley is hurt how Danny cares for her, and vice versa when Danny is hurt while in Iraq and Riley goes to Germany to care for Danny.
I noticed in another review it stated this book is non-essential to this author's new book, The Silent Sister, but as I said above, I highly disagree because this book goes deeper into the relationship between this brother and sister. I am quite surprised that I read that. Again, this information was not given to us in the novel, and I feel this helps to truly show how close these two really were because we do not get this in the novel itself. That opinion kind of saddens me.
I’ll say it again, I hope in the future this author or the publisher decides to combine these two books together once the novel is released, or perhaps includes the information that is in this novella into the novel so the Reader gets the full understanding of the bond these two siblings have, or what they had at one point during their lives before their relationship really drifts apart.
Diane Chamberlain is an excellent writer who doesn't miss a beat when it comes to including every little tiny detail to her stories, and if you're careful, you'll catch the little things that could go undetected! This is one of the things I love most about this author’s writing, the tiny details. I find most authors don't go as far as she does in this area. Reading a Diane Chamberlain book is quite an experience to read. I HIGHLY recommend reading just one of her books then I tempt you to not pick up another! She’ll have you hooked! Personally, I would pick up any one her twenty-three novels she has written almost over any other book(s) out there. She really writes superb novels that are full, rich and satisfying. Try one out and I think you'll agree with me! If you don't, let me know!
I chose to read this novella on my own once I found it because I have learned this author is like no other out there when it comes to women’s fiction, and I LOVE the way she writes! While reading any one of her books, you know you are reading a rich, full novel that leaves you very fulfilled and satisfied when they are over. Each book is a book you will never forget.
This is one thing I disagree with that this author does. She puts these little novellas out there (like she did with the novella “The First Lie” which I believe should be read prior to full novel “Necessary Lies”, but it lingers out there practically unknown, OR, include the novella in the novel as a Prequel to the story.) I would love to see these novellas combined into the novels so the Reader gets the benefit of what that novella holds for those Readers who don’t know these novellas exist. Even though the novellas are short little things, they hold a LOT of important information that is vital to the novel, at least in my opinion, from reading them. I would like the publisher to know this, too. Bring both the novella and the novel together, marry them in later editions if necessary, if that is the way it needs to be done. Why not include these novellas as a Prequel IN the book? For instance, this novella could be a prequel in her novel because it shows us the very close knit relationship between little sister Riley and her big brother Danny which is what we do not fully understand when reading the novel, or at least I did not feel as if I really felt the bond between these two siblings until I read the novella, and that was AFTER I read the novel. Yes, we are told how close these two were while growing up, but it is not as detailed as it could have been in the novel, at least not to the extent it is in this novella. This is why this novella is so important to read prior to the novel and why I don't understand why this author doesn't include them with her novel, or go as deep into their relationship in the novel itself, or include this as a prequel. The author does not bring this feeling of closeness I felt of brother and sister to the novel itself. In the novel we are told they were close, but we didn’t get anything near what this novella holds. I understand getting everyone excited for the new release with a novella, but . . . I sure would have understood their relationship was much closer than what I understood it to be portrayed as it was in the novel. It wasn’t until I read this novella, and that was after I read the novel that I fully understood how close these two silings were. I understood how much Danny protected Riley as they grew up.
So yes, this novella gives us a very good look at the intimate relationship between little sister Riley and her big brother, Danny, four years her elder. This novella delves deep into their relationship and shows us just how close they really were, where the new novel falls very short in this area. I really missed this in the novel, and I did not have as clear of an understanding of ‘how close’ these two really were in the novel. If it weren’t for this novella, I would never have understood exactly how close these two really were just by reading the novel alone.
This novella is vital to read prior to The Silent Sister. Had I realized this novella was out prior to reading the novel, I would have had a completely different understanding between these two siblings' relationship while reading the novel. I love how the author shows us how these two interact, how Danny is the protector of Riley, the close knit bond of these two, and what happens when Riley is hurt how Danny cares for her, and vice versa when Danny is hurt while in Iraq and Riley goes to Germany to care for Danny.
I noticed in another review it stated this book is non-essential to this author's new book, The Silent Sister, but as I said above, I highly disagree because this book goes deeper into the relationship between this brother and sister. I am quite surprised that I read that. Again, this information was not given to us in the novel, and I feel this helps to truly show how close these two really were because we do not get this in the novel itself. That opinion kind of saddens me.
I’ll say it again, I hope in the future this author or the publisher decides to combine these two books together once the novel is released, or perhaps includes the information that is in this novella into the novel so the Reader gets the full understanding of the bond these two siblings have, or what they had at one point during their lives before their relationship really drifts apart.
Diane Chamberlain is an excellent writer who doesn't miss a beat when it comes to including every little tiny detail to her stories, and if you're careful, you'll catch the little things that could go undetected! This is one of the things I love most about this author’s writing, the tiny details. I find most authors don't go as far as she does in this area. Reading a Diane Chamberlain book is quite an experience to read. I HIGHLY recommend reading just one of her books then I tempt you to not pick up another! She’ll have you hooked! Personally, I would pick up any one her twenty-three novels she has written almost over any other book(s) out there. She really writes superb novels that are full, rich and satisfying. Try one out and I think you'll agree with me! If you don't, let me know!
I chose to read this novella on my own once I found it because I have learned this author is like no other out there when it comes to women’s fiction, and I LOVE the way she writes! While reading any one of her books, you know you are reading a rich, full novel that leaves you very fulfilled and satisfied when they are over. Each book is a book you will never forget.
May 12, 2015
Original review can be found at http://kristineandterri.blogspot.ca/2...
The Broken String is an e-book short story that introduces some of the key players in Diane Chamberlain's full length novel The Silent Sister. I had the pleasure of reading The Silent Sister already but this short story can be read in either order.
It is really hard to talk about a short story because there are so few pages to discuss and I don't like to give anything away. I can say that if you read this story first, it will provide enough of a glimpse at the characters and enough mystery and intrigue that you will want to know the broader story. You will want to make sure that you have The Silent Sister at the ready for reading next. If you have already read it, as I did, you will enjoy getting a glimpse of the younger Riley and reading about her relationship with her brother.
In my opinion, you can't go wrong with anything by Diane Chamberlain. I do recommend reading both the short story and the full length novel as companions to each other. As always, you will be treated to an engaging and well written story that is sure to please readers of all ages.
The Broken String is an e-book short story that introduces some of the key players in Diane Chamberlain's full length novel The Silent Sister. I had the pleasure of reading The Silent Sister already but this short story can be read in either order.
It is really hard to talk about a short story because there are so few pages to discuss and I don't like to give anything away. I can say that if you read this story first, it will provide enough of a glimpse at the characters and enough mystery and intrigue that you will want to know the broader story. You will want to make sure that you have The Silent Sister at the ready for reading next. If you have already read it, as I did, you will enjoy getting a glimpse of the younger Riley and reading about her relationship with her brother.
In my opinion, you can't go wrong with anything by Diane Chamberlain. I do recommend reading both the short story and the full length novel as companions to each other. As always, you will be treated to an engaging and well written story that is sure to please readers of all ages.
September 12, 2014
The Broken String is a very good, very short novella that precedes The Silent Sister. I received ARC's of both through Netgalley, but received The Silent Sister first, so read them in reverse order. I loved The Silent Sister, and was very happy to read The Broken String and see some of the what happened earlier in Riley's life.
In The Broken String, seventeen year old Riley is on a plane headed to Germany, where her older brother, Danny, has been taken after being severely injured in Iraq. Riley is alone and scared, and thinks about how close she was to Danny when they were younger, a closeness that is no longer there. We get a sense of what Riley's family life is like in this novella, and much of it is her thinking back to some events from when she turned six years old.
I thought this was an extremely well written novella, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. It was good to get a glimpse of Danny as a child, and to see his protectiveness of Riley at that time. I found this novella very touching and poignant. It was a great accompaniment to The Silent Sister.
In The Broken String, seventeen year old Riley is on a plane headed to Germany, where her older brother, Danny, has been taken after being severely injured in Iraq. Riley is alone and scared, and thinks about how close she was to Danny when they were younger, a closeness that is no longer there. We get a sense of what Riley's family life is like in this novella, and much of it is her thinking back to some events from when she turned six years old.
I thought this was an extremely well written novella, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. It was good to get a glimpse of Danny as a child, and to see his protectiveness of Riley at that time. I found this novella very touching and poignant. It was a great accompaniment to The Silent Sister.
November 4, 2014
I was pleasantly surprised on how fast this narrative grabbed me. In prelude to the Silent Sister by Diane Chamberlain, the Broken String is about the broken family of Riley our protagonist. In this short story, we find Riley flying to Germany to see her brother who has been injured in the Iraq war. During her flight, she is thinking on her past, the relationships that were not quite right, and the fears that still haunt her. The story ends with the reunion of sister and brother and the task of recovery. Your heart is tied in knots, feeling the despair that Riley feels but also wanting to know more of the story.
The Silent Sister is the sister that Riley never knew and her older brother resents. The Silent Sister is the sister that Riley’s parents worship and still mourn. The pain so great that Riley’s parents never talk about her. All the ingredients for a great read.
A special thank you , St. Martins Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Silent Sister is the sister that Riley never knew and her older brother resents. The Silent Sister is the sister that Riley’s parents worship and still mourn. The pain so great that Riley’s parents never talk about her. All the ingredients for a great read.
A special thank you , St. Martins Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 5, 2015
I read this quick little novella well after reading "the silent sister". Sometimes I am a little detached reading little novellas, you don't really have that much time to get involved with the characters but I really enjoyed this little glimpse of Danny and Riley's relationship as children. It's sad how we sometimes lose sight of the importance of family, sometimes we need a reminder. Diane chamberlain is one of my favourite authors and always tells a great story.
October 11, 2014
As good as a prequel can be...this one ensured that I read the actual book as soon as I can get my hands on it...however, I won't mark it as read for it can't be called a stand alone book and was too short to cheat with for my this year's book challenge :)
September 2, 2017
I enjoyed this but feel these short stories shouldn't be sold separately, they should be included as an introductory chapter instead.
January 12, 2018
This is a prequel to The Silent Sister. It is a short story so you could not know much. Riley was 6 years old when she knew about her older sister, Lisa. She was told that Lisa drowned herself at the river when she was 17 years old. The story started with Riley being on a plane to see her injured brother, Danny after a few years did't see each other.
December 27, 2023
This is a prequel to The Silent Sister, which I’ve read but don’t actually remember. I had to read some spoilers in a few reviews to try to refresh my memory.
August 24, 2020
It’s always hard to judge such a short story but I’m hopeful the extra background will make my experience reading the Silent Sister more enjoyable.
May 29, 2024
Looking forward to reading The Silent Sister for book club!
January 19, 2015
I have enjoyed many of Diane Chamberlain’s full length novels so huge thanks to St Martin’s Press for providing me with a copy of this short story in exchange for an honest review.
This story acts as an introduction to Chamberlain’s new novel, the Silent Sister. As it opens we meet Riley, who is flying to be with her brother Danny, who we learn has been injured in Iraq.
What the blurb says:
Some secrets need to be told . . . As a child, Riley always suspected there was a secret her parents and brother protected her from, a secret that ruined the bond between her and her brother and threatened to tear her family apart. Now seventeen years old, Riley is flying out to visit her brother Danny who has been wounded whilst fighting in Iraq. And she's is determined to find out what this secret is. But will uncovering the truth bring her and her brother together again and give her the answers she craves, or will it simply lead to more questions . . .
Chamberlain is a master of creating tension and intrigue. There are so many elements in this story that pique the reader’s interest that you just HAVE to keep reading: ‘“Yes, we’re close,” I said, although it wasn’t the truth. Somehow my brother and I had lost our closeness. I felt as though I didn’t know him’. You just have to find out why. And why aren’t Riley’s parents on this flight?
The story is interspersed with flashbacks to Riley’s childhood which help fill in the blanks. We learn that family life has been far from perfect with a cold, materialistic father and an often mentally absent mother: ‘She was in her own world, a place where the memories were happy and pure. I tried hard to get in there with her’. As the story unfolds we start to learn why.
Riley seeks (and finds) solace in her big brother: ‘He was so brave! I couldn’t imagine watching those streaks of lightning on purpose’. But the road ahead is far from smooth – why did their relationship break down? As she travels to meet him she resolves to mend their rift: ‘He would never let me fall. I wanted to be that net of safety for him now. For always’.
Chamberlain perfectly captures the innocence of childhood in this story and I actually found myself quite choked reading the descriptions of neglect. The story packs a punch – particularly considering it is less than 50 pages in length. I will definitely be reading The Silent Sister as I need to know more...
This story acts as an introduction to Chamberlain’s new novel, the Silent Sister. As it opens we meet Riley, who is flying to be with her brother Danny, who we learn has been injured in Iraq.
What the blurb says:
Some secrets need to be told . . . As a child, Riley always suspected there was a secret her parents and brother protected her from, a secret that ruined the bond between her and her brother and threatened to tear her family apart. Now seventeen years old, Riley is flying out to visit her brother Danny who has been wounded whilst fighting in Iraq. And she's is determined to find out what this secret is. But will uncovering the truth bring her and her brother together again and give her the answers she craves, or will it simply lead to more questions . . .
Chamberlain is a master of creating tension and intrigue. There are so many elements in this story that pique the reader’s interest that you just HAVE to keep reading: ‘“Yes, we’re close,” I said, although it wasn’t the truth. Somehow my brother and I had lost our closeness. I felt as though I didn’t know him’. You just have to find out why. And why aren’t Riley’s parents on this flight?
The story is interspersed with flashbacks to Riley’s childhood which help fill in the blanks. We learn that family life has been far from perfect with a cold, materialistic father and an often mentally absent mother: ‘She was in her own world, a place where the memories were happy and pure. I tried hard to get in there with her’. As the story unfolds we start to learn why.
Riley seeks (and finds) solace in her big brother: ‘He was so brave! I couldn’t imagine watching those streaks of lightning on purpose’. But the road ahead is far from smooth – why did their relationship break down? As she travels to meet him she resolves to mend their rift: ‘He would never let me fall. I wanted to be that net of safety for him now. For always’.
Chamberlain perfectly captures the innocence of childhood in this story and I actually found myself quite choked reading the descriptions of neglect. The story packs a punch – particularly considering it is less than 50 pages in length. I will definitely be reading The Silent Sister as I need to know more...
August 26, 2014
Seventeen-year-old Riley, on a turbulent flight to Germany, anxiously awaits visiting her injured brother, Danny, hoping he'll still be alive when she arrives. As she waits, the lightning and thunder, rocking the plane, she reminisces about her relationship with her big brother, her parents, and an older sister who committed suicide when Riley was an infant, while fearing Danny will die before she arrives at the army hospital.
I am a huge Diane Chamberlain fan. I've read all her books, given them mostly 5 star reviews. Every year I look forward to her next release. I was thrilled to receive an ARC copy of THE SILENT SISTER (TSS)which I finished a few weeks before reading THE BROKEN STRING (TBS). Last year the short story Diane released prior to NECESSARY LIE was a stand alone story and contributed to my enjoyment of the book. I was glad to read TBS, the story held my attention, although I don't feel like it adds to my enjoyment or understanding of TSS. I don't think I'll remember the story, unlike last year's. As always, the Chamberlain's writing was engaging and held my interest. I was immediately drawn to Riley, her background, and found rooting for her to be easy.
Without a doubt, read THE SILENT SISTER. THE BROKEN STRING you can read or not read and it eons affect your enjoyment of TSS.
I am a huge Diane Chamberlain fan. I've read all her books, given them mostly 5 star reviews. Every year I look forward to her next release. I was thrilled to receive an ARC copy of THE SILENT SISTER (TSS)which I finished a few weeks before reading THE BROKEN STRING (TBS). Last year the short story Diane released prior to NECESSARY LIE was a stand alone story and contributed to my enjoyment of the book. I was glad to read TBS, the story held my attention, although I don't feel like it adds to my enjoyment or understanding of TSS. I don't think I'll remember the story, unlike last year's. As always, the Chamberlain's writing was engaging and held my interest. I was immediately drawn to Riley, her background, and found rooting for her to be easy.
Without a doubt, read THE SILENT SISTER. THE BROKEN STRING you can read or not read and it eons affect your enjoyment of TSS.
March 1, 2016
This is a very brief short story that introduces you to the characters of Riley Macpherson and her brother, Danny, from the novel The Silent Sister. At least, it does if you read it first... I wasn't aware this short story existed before I read The Silent Sister. If I had, I would have read it first.
My favorite part of the tale is when Riley is thinking back to when she and Danny were children. There is a sweet memory of Danny comforting her when she is afraid of a storm, and another when he saves her from what could have been a painful injury, which serve to illustrate how close Riley and Danny were when they were children. One childhood memory in particular is not such a happy one, and is something that (to my memory) is never referenced in The Silent Sister, so I won't mention it in this review other than to say it quite interesting.
I'm giving this one three stars. I'm glad I read it, and I enjoyed it, but even for a short story, it was a wee bit too short for my liking.
My favorite part of the tale is when Riley is thinking back to when she and Danny were children. There is a sweet memory of Danny comforting her when she is afraid of a storm, and another when he saves her from what could have been a painful injury, which serve to illustrate how close Riley and Danny were when they were children. One childhood memory in particular is not such a happy one, and is something that (to my memory) is never referenced in The Silent Sister, so I won't mention it in this review other than to say it quite interesting.
I'm giving this one three stars. I'm glad I read it, and I enjoyed it, but even for a short story, it was a wee bit too short for my liking.
November 17, 2014
Thanks Net Galley and St Martin's Press for providing me a copy to read and review.
I had totally forgot that I requested this book. It had already been published so it kept moving down my TBR pile. While I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and then I ended. It was only 35 pages long. I hadn't realized it was the prequel to The Silent Sister which I read in October. It did clear up a few things for me. However, it also made me want to read The Silent Sister all over again.
I had totally forgot that I requested this book. It had already been published so it kept moving down my TBR pile. While I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and then I ended. It was only 35 pages long. I hadn't realized it was the prequel to The Silent Sister which I read in October. It did clear up a few things for me. However, it also made me want to read The Silent Sister all over again.
November 1, 2014
I am not usually a fan of "novellas" or short stories that are now all the rage with publishers. However, I am beginning to read The Silent Sister by Chamberlain and decided to read this first. It was a good background story before you read The Silent Sister and gives you some perspective of the relationship of Riley and Danny when they were children.
January 10, 2015
This novella was short, but boy did it ever pack a punch.
November 2, 2014
I read this short story from Netgalley. A short prequel to the novel Silent Sister gives a sneak peak to the characters. I can't wait to read the
October 28, 2021
I read this as a follow up to The Silent Sister. This was pretty good but I felt like it fell flat a little. I was expecting more from this after reading the novel. Was not super impressed.
May 31, 2018
Perfect title
I love the way Diane Chamberlain writes. Always pertaining to some form of dysfunctional family. The hidden secrets and agendas...the Broken String portrays a good view of many people who accumulate possessions just for their own pleasure, this in my opinion is a form of hidden secrets being covered up. Would love to have read a fuller version where the brother continues on with his life in normal society...
I love the way Diane Chamberlain writes. Always pertaining to some form of dysfunctional family. The hidden secrets and agendas...the Broken String portrays a good view of many people who accumulate possessions just for their own pleasure, this in my opinion is a form of hidden secrets being covered up. Would love to have read a fuller version where the brother continues on with his life in normal society...
May 23, 2022
This short story e-book is the prequel to The Silent Sister. It gives a little insight into the young lives of Danny and Riley. It was heartbreaking how close these two were because of the neglect that came as a result of their parent’s grief. It also shares a powerful allegory in the value we place in things over people. Loved. So glad I found this prequel and that it was available at my local library.
March 13, 2017
Although I read
first, reading this one didn't take anyth NG away from the story. It was actually nice to have a little background into Riley's story.
Can easily be read in an hour or less.
first, reading this one didn't take anyth NG away from the story. It was actually nice to have a little background into Riley's story.Can easily be read in an hour or less.
June 7, 2019
This is a short novella that takes place when Riley is 17 years old when she travels to Germany to help her mentally and physically injured soldier brother, Danny. Takes place before The Silent Sister
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