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The Silent Ones
This morning, I was packing up lunches, ironing, putting on the laundry I should have done last night. Now my precious daughter is accused of murder. When ten-year-old cousins Maddy and Brianna are arrested for a terrible crime, Maddy’s mother Juliet cannot believe it. How could her bright, joyful daughter be capable of such a thing? As the small village community recoils in horror, the pressure of the tragedy blows Juliet and her sister’s lives apart. And things get even worse when their daughters retreat into a self-imposed silence. Can anyone reach Maddy and discover the truth before her fate is sealed?Juliet is crushed. Nothing will ever be the same for her darling girl. But she knows that to find out what really happened that day, she and her sister must unlock the secrets of their own terrible past, a past they swore never to speak about again… The most unputdownable psychological thriller you’ll read this year from the bestselling author K.L. Slater. If you love The Wife Between Us or Gone Girl , you’ll be totally hooked on The Silent Ones. What everyone is saying about The Silent Ones: ‘ OH, WOW, WOW, WOW … KL Slater does it again… I’m absolutely dumbfounded and flabbergasted … A story full of lies, twisted family values, sibling rivalry… A perfect psychological thriller that you will not want to put down … Outstanding .’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars ‘ Amazing!! One of the best thrillers I have read this year . I have enjoyed all of this author’s books and I think the author is highly underrated. This book should be at the top of the best sellers list. A must read! ’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars ‘ If I could give this book 6 stars I would, that's how good it is … A finale with more twists and turns than a labyrinth… The author builds up the tension and anticipation leading to a shocking climax. Absolutely brilliant .’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars ‘ This book was SO GOOD! I couldn’t put it down! The twists, the family drama, the sibling wars, it was a total page-turner! This is by far the best psychological thriller I've read in a long time , and highly recommend it!’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars ‘ WOW. This is an outstanding story . I was totally gripped from the beginning and on the edge of my seat throughout. Twists, turns, it has it all. AMAZING. ’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars ‘Woah! What a story and a half this one is!!! ... I am a huge fan of this author’s and have to say, hands down, this is her best book to date and that is high praise indeed as her other books are fab also. Dark, twisted, brilliant! ’ By the Letter Book Reviews , 5 stars ‘ I absolutely could not put this book down! I read this book on one super hot day, and enjoyed every last bit. The book is full of suspense and keeps you guessing all the time . Just when you think that you know what is going on you are surprised yet again… Riveting .’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars ‘If you suffer from a pre-existing heart condition check with your doctor before reading!... I didn’t have a clue where the story was leading and I loved it. ’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars ‘ I devoured this book as it twisted and turned… If I had been standing up I would have been hopping from foot to foot as the surprises kept coming … An exciting psychological family thriller... The ending is breath-taking ... I LOVED it, enjoyed every page .’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars ‘This book was AMAZING … There were seriously like four twists at the end, all of which left me with my jaw on the floor…If you like psychological thrillers PLEASE read this. I'm begging. It was AMAZING. 5 stars!! ’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
302 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 24, 2019
About the author
K.L. Slater
23 books2,957 followersKim is the number one bestselling author of sixteen psychological crime thrillers. She has sold over two million copies of her books worldwide. She has also written four Carnegie-nominated Young Adult novels as Kim Slater for Macmillan Children’s Books. Kim has an MA in Creative Writing and lives with her husband in a small Nottinghamshire village.
Publishers: Bookouture, Sphere, Grand Central, Audible
Agent: Camilla Bolton at Darley Anderson
Author website: www.KLSlaterAuthor.com
Twitter: @KimLSlater
Facebook: KL Slater Author
Instagram: KLSlaterAuthor
Publishers: Bookouture, Sphere, Grand Central, Audible
Agent: Camilla Bolton at Darley Anderson
Author website: www.KLSlaterAuthor.com
Twitter: @KimLSlater
Facebook: KL Slater Author
Instagram: KLSlaterAuthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,093 reviews
July 26, 2019
3.5*
Maddy and Brianna are cousins and best of friends. As is typically the case, one is more of a leader, the other a follower. So which is which?
An elderly woman is discovered brutally beaten, and unbelievably, the 10 year old cousins are brought in for questioning. Oh come on…how could they do this to a helpless woman? Was it both of them? One of them? One thing is certain. The girls aren’t talking! Neither will utter a single word!
The girls’ parents and grandparents arrive at the police station and instantly take sides. Fracturing a family that is already teetering on the edge .
K.L. Slater is one of my go authors! Though this wasn’t a favorite for me I still enjoyed her style and pacing! It’s a quick read that has many surprising twists to keep you glued to the pages!
My only issue was the lifelong issue of dysfunction within this family seemed to take priority over the girls' looming incarceration.
A buddy read with Susanne!
Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and K. L. Slater for an ARC to read and review!
Maddy and Brianna are cousins and best of friends. As is typically the case, one is more of a leader, the other a follower. So which is which?
An elderly woman is discovered brutally beaten, and unbelievably, the 10 year old cousins are brought in for questioning. Oh come on…how could they do this to a helpless woman? Was it both of them? One of them? One thing is certain. The girls aren’t talking! Neither will utter a single word!
The girls’ parents and grandparents arrive at the police station and instantly take sides. Fracturing a family that is already teetering on the edge .
K.L. Slater is one of my go authors! Though this wasn’t a favorite for me I still enjoyed her style and pacing! It’s a quick read that has many surprising twists to keep you glued to the pages!
My only issue was the lifelong issue of dysfunction within this family seemed to take priority over the girls' looming incarceration.
A buddy read with Susanne!
Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and K. L. Slater for an ARC to read and review!
September 17, 2019
I’m a huge fan of this author. I heard some of my fellow book buddies not liking this one. So I went in with an open mind. Not expecting much and taking on board some sizzling gripes from other reviews. I expected to feel the same.
But I don’t.
Questioning two young children, how could they manage to kill a frail old woman?
This got me thinking. I then remembered several news headlines.
I also remember an event in a TV soap. Yes, it is plausible and yes it has been done. Evil things have been committed by youngsters. Nurture or nature, who knows.
Putting this aside this is a very well thought out thriller/mystery that will keep you chopping and changing your mind about one thing and another as the story develops.
I found the writing had absolute strength and the characters were well rounded.
It was easy to follow, I love how this author gradually reveals things then turns things around and keeps me guessing.
The two little girls although very different in character to each other I so felt sorry for.
Their mothers were sisters. Both as opposite to each other too.
This is a very dysfunctional family and the “boss” was surely the older sisters Mother who had so many secrets it was shocking.
I loved how it came out with a big BANG at the end. I would never have believed it.
Check it out, you may love it as much as I did.
But I don’t.
Questioning two young children, how could they manage to kill a frail old woman?
This got me thinking. I then remembered several news headlines.
I also remember an event in a TV soap. Yes, it is plausible and yes it has been done. Evil things have been committed by youngsters. Nurture or nature, who knows.
Putting this aside this is a very well thought out thriller/mystery that will keep you chopping and changing your mind about one thing and another as the story develops.
I found the writing had absolute strength and the characters were well rounded.
It was easy to follow, I love how this author gradually reveals things then turns things around and keeps me guessing.
The two little girls although very different in character to each other I so felt sorry for.
Their mothers were sisters. Both as opposite to each other too.
This is a very dysfunctional family and the “boss” was surely the older sisters Mother who had so many secrets it was shocking.
I loved how it came out with a big BANG at the end. I would never have believed it.
Check it out, you may love it as much as I did.
July 25, 2019
3.25 Stars
A terrible crime. 2 ten year old cousins accused. Their mothers both willing to do whatever it takes to protect their daughters. The problem? The girls refuse to speak and relationships are torn apart.
What on earth happened when Maddy and Brianna visited a family friend? Could they truly have inflicted harm on a little old woman? If only the girls would talk. When a therapist is brought in to help the walls come tumbling down, in more ways than one. What starts out as a tense read, quickly made my eyes roll as this story took a turn I was not expecting. My oh my! As we all know, far-fetched is not really my thing. That said, I love me a good K.L. Slater novel. While this wasn’t my favorite of her novels, it was still enjoyable.
This was another buddy read with Kaceey!
Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and K.L. Slater for an arc of this novel in exchange for an arc.
Published on NetGalley and Goodreads on 7.25.19.
A terrible crime. 2 ten year old cousins accused. Their mothers both willing to do whatever it takes to protect their daughters. The problem? The girls refuse to speak and relationships are torn apart.
What on earth happened when Maddy and Brianna visited a family friend? Could they truly have inflicted harm on a little old woman? If only the girls would talk. When a therapist is brought in to help the walls come tumbling down, in more ways than one. What starts out as a tense read, quickly made my eyes roll as this story took a turn I was not expecting. My oh my! As we all know, far-fetched is not really my thing. That said, I love me a good K.L. Slater novel. While this wasn’t my favorite of her novels, it was still enjoyable.
This was another buddy read with Kaceey!
Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and K.L. Slater for an arc of this novel in exchange for an arc.
Published on NetGalley and Goodreads on 7.25.19.
July 30, 2019
This was my first book by K.L.Slater and I hope not the last one. The premise is extremely interesting. Imagine a horrible crime and two children involved, children who wouldn't say a word to explain what happened, not even to defend themselves. Maddie and Brianna are first cousins. We know they are quite different (as any two children, even siblings, would be), but we also get slightly different descriptions (perceptions, perceptions, perceptions...) coming from their respective mothers Juliet Fletcher and Chloe Voce. Gradually, we understand that there is something else, a dark secret buried in the family past that made the mothers' characters and their relationships to their own parents what they are.
The book is so fast-paced, there's never a dull moment. There are twists and turns, and you do want to get to know what exactly the two girls did (or didn't do?) on that afternoon, even at the expense of your own sleepless night. Whenever a crime like this is concerned, there are rumours and wild accusations, and pointing fingers. In our day and age when news is just a click away and social media are ready to lynch the parents with hateful comments, you still have to trust that the investigation is going to be proper and unbiased. There are special procedures, designed to protect the rights of minors and they are there for good reasons. Guilty or not, children are vulnerable members of our society and this book brilliantly shows this vulnerability and the part families play in dealing with situations like this.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion.
My reviews can also be found on:
https://readingtonic.home.blog/
The book is so fast-paced, there's never a dull moment. There are twists and turns, and you do want to get to know what exactly the two girls did (or didn't do?) on that afternoon, even at the expense of your own sleepless night. Whenever a crime like this is concerned, there are rumours and wild accusations, and pointing fingers. In our day and age when news is just a click away and social media are ready to lynch the parents with hateful comments, you still have to trust that the investigation is going to be proper and unbiased. There are special procedures, designed to protect the rights of minors and they are there for good reasons. Guilty or not, children are vulnerable members of our society and this book brilliantly shows this vulnerability and the part families play in dealing with situations like this.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion.
My reviews can also be found on:
https://readingtonic.home.blog/
July 5, 2019
What a pleasure to pick up the latest novel of one of your favourite authors and feel the instant connection to both the writing and the novel. The author writes in a punchy style that makes the books hard to put down and a relatively quick read. Normally 1 or 2 sittings for me. This one was no different and I devoured it very quickly turning the pages as quick as possible wanting to know more
Ten-year-old cousins Maddy and Brianna are arrested for a terrible crime and Maddy’s mother Juliet cannot believe it. How could her intelligent well behaved daughter be capable of committing such a crime. The local people are appalled by the incident and the two sisters lives are torn apart when they are faced with defending their accused daughters. To make matters worse the two cousins refuse to give their side of the story and the police fear the worse for the girls. Juliet knows that she needs to find answers to the events to save her daughter from further trauma and arrest. The two sisters have other troubles they must confront when the business starts to feel the strain and they must also unlock their own secrets that remain locked up and not spoken about.
Excellent read and highly recommended.
I would like to thank both Net Galley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Ten-year-old cousins Maddy and Brianna are arrested for a terrible crime and Maddy’s mother Juliet cannot believe it. How could her intelligent well behaved daughter be capable of committing such a crime. The local people are appalled by the incident and the two sisters lives are torn apart when they are faced with defending their accused daughters. To make matters worse the two cousins refuse to give their side of the story and the police fear the worse for the girls. Juliet knows that she needs to find answers to the events to save her daughter from further trauma and arrest. The two sisters have other troubles they must confront when the business starts to feel the strain and they must also unlock their own secrets that remain locked up and not spoken about.
Excellent read and highly recommended.
I would like to thank both Net Galley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
June 28, 2019
2 Sisters, they run their own business, they have a daughter each, aged 10, they are best friends, they are all best friends, its a close knit family, life is good, no, life is great....
And then the 2 girls are accused of murdering an old lady in cold blood, they were there, there is evidence
Something very sinister and evil has happened
And its our job, as readers, wonderfully guided by the author to find out why, what, where and how these 2 young girls did such a dastardly deed
There is a major problem, the 2 girls
wont speak, not a word, to anyone..
The story follows the next tense 36
hourd as the girls families unravel and secrets, soooo many secrets come to light and what seems a loving extended family set up is anything but....
The characters are great, the awful Mum ( the girls Nan ) who takes to her bed with migraines is a classic character who I loved to hate, all are portrayed well and I got to know them quickly, the writing, as expected, reader welcoming and flowed from the first sentence
I devoured this book as it twisted and turned, led me to false conclusions and ( even though I read a fair bit ) shocked me, if I had been standing up I would have been hopping from foot to foot as the surprises kept coming
The atmosphere of the book is tense and the scene setting as the girls are interviewed portrayed brilliantly and all the other sub stories fit perfectly to make this an exciting psychological family thriller which in a busy market place manages to bring not just 1 or 2 but many new layers to a dramatic read
The endings are breathtaking and again had me foxed and managed
to bring together shock and emotion and something unexpectedly good out of this whole tragic affair
I LOVED it, enjoyed every page and K.L.Slater shows once again her story telling skills in this her 9th book
10/10 5 Stars
And then the 2 girls are accused of murdering an old lady in cold blood, they were there, there is evidence
Something very sinister and evil has happened
And its our job, as readers, wonderfully guided by the author to find out why, what, where and how these 2 young girls did such a dastardly deed
There is a major problem, the 2 girls
wont speak, not a word, to anyone..
The story follows the next tense 36
hourd as the girls families unravel and secrets, soooo many secrets come to light and what seems a loving extended family set up is anything but....
The characters are great, the awful Mum ( the girls Nan ) who takes to her bed with migraines is a classic character who I loved to hate, all are portrayed well and I got to know them quickly, the writing, as expected, reader welcoming and flowed from the first sentence
I devoured this book as it twisted and turned, led me to false conclusions and ( even though I read a fair bit ) shocked me, if I had been standing up I would have been hopping from foot to foot as the surprises kept coming
The atmosphere of the book is tense and the scene setting as the girls are interviewed portrayed brilliantly and all the other sub stories fit perfectly to make this an exciting psychological family thriller which in a busy market place manages to bring not just 1 or 2 but many new layers to a dramatic read
The endings are breathtaking and again had me foxed and managed
to bring together shock and emotion and something unexpectedly good out of this whole tragic affair
I LOVED it, enjoyed every page and K.L.Slater shows once again her story telling skills in this her 9th book
10/10 5 Stars
July 27, 2019
EXCERPT: ...she gasped when she saw the blood seeping steadily from the side of Bessie's head. It pooled neatly on the worn patterned carpet and sank into the grooves around the corner of the cream tiled fire surround.
'What happened?' She swallowed down a knot of panic.
'It...it was an accident,' her cousin stammered.
The girls backed out of the room and had just stepped into the kitchen when they heard it...a scuffling sound, like the movement of feet.
They froze as a shadow loomed in the hallway and advanced towards them.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: When ten-year-old cousins Maddy and Brianna are arrested for a terrible crime, Maddy’s mother Juliet cannot believe it. How could her bright, joyful daughter be capable of such a thing?
As the small village community recoils in horror, the pressure of the tragedy blows Juliet and her sister’s lives apart. And things get even worse when their daughters retreat into a self-imposed silence. Can anyone reach Maddy and discover the truth before her fate is sealed?
Juliet is crushed. Nothing will ever be the same for her darling girl. But she knows that to find out what really happened that day, she and her sister must unlock the secrets of their own terrible past, a past they swore never to speak about again …
MY THOUGHTS: I finished this overnight because I found that if I put it down, I kind of lost the impetus of the story. I am glad I did.
Set in a small, gossipy village with a grapevine that works faster than the internet, the story is told from multiple points of view, and in the case of Juliet, mother of one of the accused girls, over two timelines. Her childhood story runs in the background, but is an important one.
Slater takes the reader on a journey with what is a normal family situation today - both parents working and relying on family and friends for childcare - and then dumps them into the middle of a horrific situation. At a time when the family should all be pulling together and supporting one another, they are instead driven apart by secrets and old rivalries.
This is not a book that drew me in right from the start. In fact I was thinking 3 stars until the family dynamics started kicking in. Then by the time I had finished, I felt like I had been in the ring for a round against Mohammad Ali...the surprising revelations just kept on coming like that great boxer's fists.
I found it difficult to relate to, or feel anything for any of the characters except for Dana, the family therapist, yet this didn't stop me enjoying the read.
My favourite quote from The Silent Ones by K.L. Slater is - '...his western Irish lilt dripping down the line like honey into her ear.'
Definitely worth picking up.
🙂😍🙂😍
THE AUTHOR: Kim is the million-copy bestselling author of seven psychological crime thrillers. Her eighth thriller, FINDING GRACE, will be published 14th February 2019 and is now available for pre-order.
Kim's titles are also published in paperback by Sphere in the UK and Grand Central in the USA.
For many years, Kim sent her work out to literary agents and collected an impressive stack of rejection slips. At the age of 40 she went back to Nottingham Trent University and now has an MA in Creative Writing.
Before graduating in 2012, she gained literary agent representation and a book deal. As Kim says, ‘it was a fairytale … at the end of a very long road!’
Kim is a full-time writer. She has one daughter, two stepsons and lives with her husband in Nottingham and Yorkshire.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Silent Ones by K.L. Slater for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system, please refer to my profile page on Goodreads.com or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon and my webpage https://wordpress.com/post/sandysbook...
'What happened?' She swallowed down a knot of panic.
'It...it was an accident,' her cousin stammered.
The girls backed out of the room and had just stepped into the kitchen when they heard it...a scuffling sound, like the movement of feet.
They froze as a shadow loomed in the hallway and advanced towards them.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: When ten-year-old cousins Maddy and Brianna are arrested for a terrible crime, Maddy’s mother Juliet cannot believe it. How could her bright, joyful daughter be capable of such a thing?
As the small village community recoils in horror, the pressure of the tragedy blows Juliet and her sister’s lives apart. And things get even worse when their daughters retreat into a self-imposed silence. Can anyone reach Maddy and discover the truth before her fate is sealed?
Juliet is crushed. Nothing will ever be the same for her darling girl. But she knows that to find out what really happened that day, she and her sister must unlock the secrets of their own terrible past, a past they swore never to speak about again …
MY THOUGHTS: I finished this overnight because I found that if I put it down, I kind of lost the impetus of the story. I am glad I did.
Set in a small, gossipy village with a grapevine that works faster than the internet, the story is told from multiple points of view, and in the case of Juliet, mother of one of the accused girls, over two timelines. Her childhood story runs in the background, but is an important one.
Slater takes the reader on a journey with what is a normal family situation today - both parents working and relying on family and friends for childcare - and then dumps them into the middle of a horrific situation. At a time when the family should all be pulling together and supporting one another, they are instead driven apart by secrets and old rivalries.
This is not a book that drew me in right from the start. In fact I was thinking 3 stars until the family dynamics started kicking in. Then by the time I had finished, I felt like I had been in the ring for a round against Mohammad Ali...the surprising revelations just kept on coming like that great boxer's fists.
I found it difficult to relate to, or feel anything for any of the characters except for Dana, the family therapist, yet this didn't stop me enjoying the read.
My favourite quote from The Silent Ones by K.L. Slater is - '...his western Irish lilt dripping down the line like honey into her ear.'
Definitely worth picking up.
🙂😍🙂😍
THE AUTHOR: Kim is the million-copy bestselling author of seven psychological crime thrillers. Her eighth thriller, FINDING GRACE, will be published 14th February 2019 and is now available for pre-order.
Kim's titles are also published in paperback by Sphere in the UK and Grand Central in the USA.
For many years, Kim sent her work out to literary agents and collected an impressive stack of rejection slips. At the age of 40 she went back to Nottingham Trent University and now has an MA in Creative Writing.
Before graduating in 2012, she gained literary agent representation and a book deal. As Kim says, ‘it was a fairytale … at the end of a very long road!’
Kim is a full-time writer. She has one daughter, two stepsons and lives with her husband in Nottingham and Yorkshire.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Silent Ones by K.L. Slater for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system, please refer to my profile page on Goodreads.com or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon and my webpage https://wordpress.com/post/sandysbook...
August 6, 2019
This book is the story of two best friends who happen to be also cousins, Maddy and Brianna.
The interesting thing about this thriller is the fact that after an elderly woman is found beaten to death, the two 10-year-old cousins are brought in for questioning. Which is weird. You don't hear much about children being interrogated
From this moment on, the family becomes dysfunctional, everyone taking sides.
It is not a very plausible idea, this book, but it is not that bad either. It is readable nonetheless!
The interesting thing about this thriller is the fact that after an elderly woman is found beaten to death, the two 10-year-old cousins are brought in for questioning. Which is weird. You don't hear much about children being interrogated
From this moment on, the family becomes dysfunctional, everyone taking sides.
It is not a very plausible idea, this book, but it is not that bad either. It is readable nonetheless!
July 16, 2019
The Silent Ones once again shows why KL Slater is one of my favourite authors. When I requested this from Netgalley I did not even have to read the blurb, I had to have it and didn't care what it was about. I have read and enjoyed all of her books and recommend them all to readers of this genre. The way these stories are written make it very hard to put the books down. I read this one in 2 sittings - damn sleep and work getting in the way otherwise it would have been one! The stories are realistic and could very easily happen to anybody. The characters are flawed which makes them real. A story of family, lies and secrets. KL Slater has absolutely smashed it again - The Silent Ones is fantastic!
10 year old cousins Maddy and Brianna have been arrested for hurting an elderly lady a few streets away from their grandparents place. Their parents are called to the police station, all of them in shock and unable to believe that the girls would do such a thing. When they start to get questioned by police it becomes apparent that they have agreed to take a vow of silence and say nothing at all to anybody. They bring in Dana, a child therapist to try to break through. Outside the walls of the station their small village is recoiling at the news and making their feelings known. Sisters Juliet and Chloe start to realise that their own family secrets need to come out into the open in order for their children to be saved. Can their families start being honest with each other before their girls end up in prison?
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.
10 year old cousins Maddy and Brianna have been arrested for hurting an elderly lady a few streets away from their grandparents place. Their parents are called to the police station, all of them in shock and unable to believe that the girls would do such a thing. When they start to get questioned by police it becomes apparent that they have agreed to take a vow of silence and say nothing at all to anybody. They bring in Dana, a child therapist to try to break through. Outside the walls of the station their small village is recoiling at the news and making their feelings known. Sisters Juliet and Chloe start to realise that their own family secrets need to come out into the open in order for their children to be saved. Can their families start being honest with each other before their girls end up in prison?
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.
July 5, 2019
3.5 rounded down
The book opens with a riveting scene in which two cousins, Maddy and Brianna, aged 10, enter the home of an elderly neighbor and act in an unspeakable way. One is an unwilling accomplice, the other one-perhaps a ”bad seed?” (Google the 1956 movie, if you are unfamiliar with that tale!)
But which one is which?
Neither girl will speak about what has happened, and the whole village has turned against the families, so a family therapist is called in to help get to the truth.
But events from the past may have also played a role in this latest crime, so things aren’t as simple as they seem.
For me, this story was not the riveting psychological thriller advertised, but more of a domestic suspense novel.
It started out strong, but I did correctly guess who was good and who was bad!
The twist? Well, pretty far fetched in my humble opinion...which always sinks a rating for me.
But, I do find the author’s writing engaging and since the first book that I read by her (The Mistake) earned 5 stars, I will continue to look forward to her future work!
I would like to thank Netgalley, Bookouture and K. l. Slater for the digital arc I received in exchange for a candid review! This title will release on July 24, 2019!
The book opens with a riveting scene in which two cousins, Maddy and Brianna, aged 10, enter the home of an elderly neighbor and act in an unspeakable way. One is an unwilling accomplice, the other one-perhaps a ”bad seed?” (Google the 1956 movie, if you are unfamiliar with that tale!)
But which one is which?
Neither girl will speak about what has happened, and the whole village has turned against the families, so a family therapist is called in to help get to the truth.
But events from the past may have also played a role in this latest crime, so things aren’t as simple as they seem.
For me, this story was not the riveting psychological thriller advertised, but more of a domestic suspense novel.
It started out strong, but I did correctly guess who was good and who was bad!
The twist? Well, pretty far fetched in my humble opinion...which always sinks a rating for me.
But, I do find the author’s writing engaging and since the first book that I read by her (The Mistake) earned 5 stars, I will continue to look forward to her future work!
I would like to thank Netgalley, Bookouture and K. l. Slater for the digital arc I received in exchange for a candid review! This title will release on July 24, 2019!
July 26, 2019
Available Now!
Sensational, captivating, and unputdownable!
Slater's one of the best at keeping her readers guessing and she's proven it once again!
They found the old lady in her chair, snoozing. She looked thinner than when they’d seen her during the spring bank holiday week a couple of months earlier. On the small lamp table next to her were a few pound coins and a small piece of paper. To pay the milkman, she’d explained to them before.
Pressing her finger to her mouth, the girl with the ponytail tiptoed up to the chair and bent forward so her mouth was right next to Bessie’s ear.
‘WAAKE UUUP!’ she yelled.
She shouted so loudly, the other girl jumped back from the doorway in alarm.
Bessie let out a strangled yelp and lurched forward, tipping right out of her chair. The girl with the ponytail howled with laughter, bent over double, her eyes shining with mirth.
‘Oh! Oh no…please, help me…’Bessie pleaded, rocking slightly on her back like a dazed swatted fly.
The girl snatched at Bessie’s arm and roughly tugged at the pretty ruby and gold ring on her right hand before slipping it into the pocket of her shorts. Bessie had once told them it had belonged to her mother, but it was too nice to be stuck on the finger of an old lady who never went out.
‘I need the bathroom,’said the girl at the door, and hastily walked away. She wanted to leave now; it had all got out of hand and this wasn’t what she called fun. But her cousin seemed to be enjoying it. She would try and think of an excuse why they should go home.
When she got back from the bathroom, she gasped when she saw the blood seeping steadily from the side of Bessie’s head. It pooled neatly on the worn, patterned carpet and sank into the grooves around the corner of the cream tiled fire surround.
‘What happened?’ She swallowed down a knot of panic.
‘It…it was an accident,’ her cousin stammered.
The girls backed out of the room and had just stepped into the kitchen when they heard it…a scuffling sound, like the movement of feet.
They froze as a shadow loomed in the hallway and advanced towards them.
Had Bessie jumped up and started coming after them covered in blood looking like a zombie from a horror film?
Alarmed, they let themselves out of the kitchen and darted around the side of the house until they were out in the front garden again. Behind them, through the open window, they felt sure they heard Bessie laughing.
They were halfway up the street, heading back home, when they heard the sirens.
********
The Silent Ones by K.L. Slater is a captivating read that crackles with menace, intrigue, and tension as thick as pea soup! There's a continuous and unmistakable undercurrent that there's something about this crime just doesn't add up. But what? The questions are many. The answers, too few.
Is the solution to this terrible crime only a whisper away?
Why won't the girls say anything?
What are the they hiding?
Are they just terrified little girls?
Is it possible that Maddy or Brianna could do something either alone or together that no one thought either girl would be capable of?
I've enjoyed every novel I've read by K.L. Slater and I've been highly entertained and thrilled each time! This one is no exception!
She's placed herself firmly on my favorite authors list!
With thanks and appreciation to NetGalley, Bookouture, and K.L. Slater for this advanced digital copy to read and honestly review.
Sensational, captivating, and unputdownable!
Slater's one of the best at keeping her readers guessing and she's proven it once again!
They found the old lady in her chair, snoozing. She looked thinner than when they’d seen her during the spring bank holiday week a couple of months earlier. On the small lamp table next to her were a few pound coins and a small piece of paper. To pay the milkman, she’d explained to them before.
Pressing her finger to her mouth, the girl with the ponytail tiptoed up to the chair and bent forward so her mouth was right next to Bessie’s ear.
‘WAAKE UUUP!’ she yelled.
She shouted so loudly, the other girl jumped back from the doorway in alarm.
Bessie let out a strangled yelp and lurched forward, tipping right out of her chair. The girl with the ponytail howled with laughter, bent over double, her eyes shining with mirth.
‘Oh! Oh no…please, help me…’Bessie pleaded, rocking slightly on her back like a dazed swatted fly.
The girl snatched at Bessie’s arm and roughly tugged at the pretty ruby and gold ring on her right hand before slipping it into the pocket of her shorts. Bessie had once told them it had belonged to her mother, but it was too nice to be stuck on the finger of an old lady who never went out.
‘I need the bathroom,’said the girl at the door, and hastily walked away. She wanted to leave now; it had all got out of hand and this wasn’t what she called fun. But her cousin seemed to be enjoying it. She would try and think of an excuse why they should go home.
When she got back from the bathroom, she gasped when she saw the blood seeping steadily from the side of Bessie’s head. It pooled neatly on the worn, patterned carpet and sank into the grooves around the corner of the cream tiled fire surround.
‘What happened?’ She swallowed down a knot of panic.
‘It…it was an accident,’ her cousin stammered.
The girls backed out of the room and had just stepped into the kitchen when they heard it…a scuffling sound, like the movement of feet.
They froze as a shadow loomed in the hallway and advanced towards them.
Had Bessie jumped up and started coming after them covered in blood looking like a zombie from a horror film?
Alarmed, they let themselves out of the kitchen and darted around the side of the house until they were out in the front garden again. Behind them, through the open window, they felt sure they heard Bessie laughing.
They were halfway up the street, heading back home, when they heard the sirens.
********
The Silent Ones by K.L. Slater is a captivating read that crackles with menace, intrigue, and tension as thick as pea soup! There's a continuous and unmistakable undercurrent that there's something about this crime just doesn't add up. But what? The questions are many. The answers, too few.
Is the solution to this terrible crime only a whisper away?
Why won't the girls say anything?
What are the they hiding?
Are they just terrified little girls?
Is it possible that Maddy or Brianna could do something either alone or together that no one thought either girl would be capable of?
I've enjoyed every novel I've read by K.L. Slater and I've been highly entertained and thrilled each time! This one is no exception!
She's placed herself firmly on my favorite authors list!
With thanks and appreciation to NetGalley, Bookouture, and K.L. Slater for this advanced digital copy to read and honestly review.
July 3, 2019
The Silent Ones by K.L. Slater was a psychological thriller that had me hooked from the start and I read it in one day as I did not want to put it down.
Two ten year old girls are accused of killing an old woman and are taken to the police station. Neither of the girls will speak to the police or even their family and no one can get them to tell the truth of what happened.
This story is full of secrets and lies. It also has a twist or two to keep you guessing.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
Two ten year old girls are accused of killing an old woman and are taken to the police station. Neither of the girls will speak to the police or even their family and no one can get them to tell the truth of what happened.
This story is full of secrets and lies. It also has a twist or two to keep you guessing.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 25, 2019
Well, this book came as a nice surprise. Juliet is on antidepressants, stressed and obsessed with building a successful clothing business. She is consumed by the time she spends on it, to the detriment of anything else in her life. Her business partner is her sister, Chloe. The sisters are not as close as Juliet would like. Chloe seems distracted lately and is becoming less and less involved in helping to run the business. The story is told from the stressed Juliet’s perspective. After reading many books of psychological suspense, we expect her to be an unreliable witness.
I found the writing easy to follow, moved along at a good pace, filled with tension, and difficult to put down. I thought I could easily see the twists coming, but was I ever wrong!. (not even close)!
Juliet is married to Tom. They have a young son, Josh and a 10-year-old daughter, Maddie. Juliet’s mother is a horrible person who is hateful to her. Their mother dotes on Chloe and her daughter, 10-year-old Brianna, who live with their parents. Their father tries to keep the peace, but is ineffective, and follows his wife’s commands.
To add to Juliet’s anxiety and depression, her 5-year-old brother was killed when he was put in her care while she was ill. Her family has never forgiven her for that. Juliet has a best friend, Beth, who helps with the clothing store and with child care. Chloe resents her, although she, herself has been neglecting the shop. There is a lot of family drama here.
One fateful day, Maddie and Brianna leave the grandparents’ house and decide to visit an 81-year-old lady who is suffering from dementia. Brianna seems like a brat with Maddie her follower. The plan is to play a trick on the old lady. The girls are seen coming out of the house with the woman’s blood on their clothing. The mortally wounded woman was well respected in the community.
The girls are taken into police custody and may be charged with murder. The parents are distraught. This puts further strain on the sisters’ relationship, as Chloe starts to put the blame on Maddie thinking that her beloved Brianna could do no wrong. The community, social media and the press are blaming the parents. Josh has to be taken out of school.
The two girls refuse to say a word, not to the parents, nor to the police who question them, or even to the kindly child psychologist who is called in to find out what happened. She is supportive of the girls. I found the parts about the psychologist’s personal life and new prospective romance very distracting, but found nothing in the plot is unnecessary filler.
As Juliet’s emotional stress increases, the legal system further incriminates Maddie. You feel nothing could get worse. Wrong! What is happening with the business? Is Tom having an affair? The tension and suspense were pervasive, and the resolution unexpected. This was a clever if far fetched plot.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this enjoyable ARC in return for an honest review.
I found the writing easy to follow, moved along at a good pace, filled with tension, and difficult to put down. I thought I could easily see the twists coming, but was I ever wrong!. (not even close)!
Juliet is married to Tom. They have a young son, Josh and a 10-year-old daughter, Maddie. Juliet’s mother is a horrible person who is hateful to her. Their mother dotes on Chloe and her daughter, 10-year-old Brianna, who live with their parents. Their father tries to keep the peace, but is ineffective, and follows his wife’s commands.
To add to Juliet’s anxiety and depression, her 5-year-old brother was killed when he was put in her care while she was ill. Her family has never forgiven her for that. Juliet has a best friend, Beth, who helps with the clothing store and with child care. Chloe resents her, although she, herself has been neglecting the shop. There is a lot of family drama here.
One fateful day, Maddie and Brianna leave the grandparents’ house and decide to visit an 81-year-old lady who is suffering from dementia. Brianna seems like a brat with Maddie her follower. The plan is to play a trick on the old lady. The girls are seen coming out of the house with the woman’s blood on their clothing. The mortally wounded woman was well respected in the community.
The girls are taken into police custody and may be charged with murder. The parents are distraught. This puts further strain on the sisters’ relationship, as Chloe starts to put the blame on Maddie thinking that her beloved Brianna could do no wrong. The community, social media and the press are blaming the parents. Josh has to be taken out of school.
The two girls refuse to say a word, not to the parents, nor to the police who question them, or even to the kindly child psychologist who is called in to find out what happened. She is supportive of the girls. I found the parts about the psychologist’s personal life and new prospective romance very distracting, but found nothing in the plot is unnecessary filler.
As Juliet’s emotional stress increases, the legal system further incriminates Maddie. You feel nothing could get worse. Wrong! What is happening with the business? Is Tom having an affair? The tension and suspense were pervasive, and the resolution unexpected. This was a clever if far fetched plot.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this enjoyable ARC in return for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 22, 2019
The mother's of two ten year old girls are taken into the police station after a serious incident. The mother's, Chloe and Juliet are sister's who run their own business. The daughters, Maddy and Brianna, are accused of murdering an elderly woman. The girls are silent and won't talk about the event. Their mothers are shocked that their daughters could do such a thing. But it brings back childhood memories of an accident when their brother, Corey died and Juliet was blamed. What really happened that day?
This is one roller coaster ride I did not want to get off. Each chapter brings something new. A story of lies and secrets that have devastating consequences. The plot is well constructed. The twist, I never saw coming. It's gripping, entertaining and you will keep turning the pages to find out more. The characters are well rounded and believable. I felt a bit emotional at the end.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and the author KL Slater for my ARC in exchange for a honest review.
This is one roller coaster ride I did not want to get off. Each chapter brings something new. A story of lies and secrets that have devastating consequences. The plot is well constructed. The twist, I never saw coming. It's gripping, entertaining and you will keep turning the pages to find out more. The characters are well rounded and believable. I felt a bit emotional at the end.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and the author KL Slater for my ARC in exchange for a honest review.
September 7, 2022
The Silent Ones by K.L. Slater is the first book by this author I have read. A psychological thriller. It was really enjoyable. I can't imagine what 2 10 year old girls went through. What psychological hell they went through. The end was actually unexpected. I will definitely be reading more by this author. The only thing I did not like was the different timelines that popped in and out as memories. It became confusing at times.
March 17, 2023
My 8th book in a row, by this author.
There are advantages and disadvantages binging on an author. I will only mention one of the advantages: you can see the evolution of his/her writing style.
I was very pleased with the concept and development of the storyline, and I thought that this time there was more depth in building a character.
The pace is slow but gripping. As like the previous books, the author held my curiosity from the beginning.
I needed to know how 2 ten years old girls ended up being suspects of attacking an octogenarian woman.
This ended up being a terrific domestic thriller, with some good twists.
The conclusion, although not predictable (or perhaps far-fetched) wasn’t to my satisfaction but I did enjoy the writing, hence my 4 stars.
There are advantages and disadvantages binging on an author. I will only mention one of the advantages: you can see the evolution of his/her writing style.
I was very pleased with the concept and development of the storyline, and I thought that this time there was more depth in building a character.
The pace is slow but gripping. As like the previous books, the author held my curiosity from the beginning.
I needed to know how 2 ten years old girls ended up being suspects of attacking an octogenarian woman.
This ended up being a terrific domestic thriller, with some good twists.
The conclusion, although not predictable (or perhaps far-fetched) wasn’t to my satisfaction but I did enjoy the writing, hence my 4 stars.
September 27, 2020
Audio 4.5 Stars
Story 4 Stars
Story 4 Stars
July 28, 2019
The Silent Ones was a book I simply could not put down. I read it in less than a day simply because I wanted to know what was going on in that family. It seems that a lot of families are dysfunctional, However this one took it to new heights.
Two ten year old girls Maddy Fletcher and Brianna Voce are suspected of killing an old woman, Bessie Wilford in her own home and in the days of the Internet, it only takes a whisper of truth to turn friends into foes. It is not helped by the girls stubbornly refusing to talk to anyone about their actions
While Detective Inspector Conor Neary and psychologist Dana Sewell try to find out how Bessie Wilford died and what part the girls had in her death, those closest to the girls, their own family, had their own share of dark secrets that they had been holding onto for years. Secrets that were coming to the surface. Secrets that had to be told no matter the cost
This story had enough twists and turns to keep the reader engaged right throughout the book. The author K.L.Slater certainly knows how to write a great psychological thriller. Although I had not read any other book by this author, I will certainly be reading more of her books. This is a book that I highly recommend to other readers.
I gave the book 5 Stars
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture who gave me a digital copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review.
Two ten year old girls Maddy Fletcher and Brianna Voce are suspected of killing an old woman, Bessie Wilford in her own home and in the days of the Internet, it only takes a whisper of truth to turn friends into foes. It is not helped by the girls stubbornly refusing to talk to anyone about their actions
While Detective Inspector Conor Neary and psychologist Dana Sewell try to find out how Bessie Wilford died and what part the girls had in her death, those closest to the girls, their own family, had their own share of dark secrets that they had been holding onto for years. Secrets that were coming to the surface. Secrets that had to be told no matter the cost
This story had enough twists and turns to keep the reader engaged right throughout the book. The author K.L.Slater certainly knows how to write a great psychological thriller. Although I had not read any other book by this author, I will certainly be reading more of her books. This is a book that I highly recommend to other readers.
I gave the book 5 Stars
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture who gave me a digital copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review.
September 14, 2019
Maddy and Brianna are cousins ... both 10 years old... and both arrested for a terrible crime against an elderly woman who lives down the street. When they were picked up, both sets of clothes had blood splatter .. and neither of them are saying a word. Not to the police...and not to their parents.
Juliet, Maddy's mother, just cannot fathom her daughter doing anything to hurt anyone else. Chloe, Brianna's mother, feels the same about her daughter.
The police bring in Dana, a therapist, to see if she can coax the children to talk .. it's imperative they find some answers soon. The entire small village is up in arms and much damage is being done. Juliet's business is set on fire and everything destroyed. Chloe and Brianna live with their parents and the house is covered with graffiti and windows broken.
And when the girls do begin to talk ... it rips the family apart even further. Juliet and her sister must unlock the secrets of their own terrible past, a past they swore never to speak about again …
This is not a new author to me and she never disappoints. It's a well-written story of a dysfunctional family torn even further apart by decades old secrets and lies. I thought I had this one all figured out early ... but I was so far off track. There are twists and turns that kept me glued to the pages. The ending was totally unpredictable and surprising.
Many thanks to the author / Bookouture / Netgalley for the digital copy of this Psychological Thriller. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
July 22, 2019
Kim Slater is the Queen of thrillers, and nobody can do eerie like she does. When the first four pages of the book grips, you know you are in for a rocking ride and K. L. Slater is magnificent.
2 ten year old cousins were accused of murder, and they refused to talk to each other or to anyone else. Their mothers were perplexed and they had to be the voice of their daughters to get to the truth. And in the process, secrets kept pouring out like molten lava burning from inside out.
Her penmanship and the word placement left me with a feeling of an impending doom. The shadows kept lengthening as I turned the pages I could feel the darkening of the skies before the bolt of lightning twists struck my being. Oh how I wish I could describe the excitement that arose in me when I read the lines.
The story may appear insidious but it packed a punch at the right places. Who other than Kim could make my breath hitch. The characters were vivid, their emotions starkly naked allowing me to dive into their depths to examine them and get to know them
My mind sped up with thoughts flowing nineteen to a dozen, wondering what the truth could be. And I couldn't have ever guessed. This book again proved I have conferred the right title to this talented writer - Queen of psychological thrillers!!
2 ten year old cousins were accused of murder, and they refused to talk to each other or to anyone else. Their mothers were perplexed and they had to be the voice of their daughters to get to the truth. And in the process, secrets kept pouring out like molten lava burning from inside out.
Her penmanship and the word placement left me with a feeling of an impending doom. The shadows kept lengthening as I turned the pages I could feel the darkening of the skies before the bolt of lightning twists struck my being. Oh how I wish I could describe the excitement that arose in me when I read the lines.
The story may appear insidious but it packed a punch at the right places. Who other than Kim could make my breath hitch. The characters were vivid, their emotions starkly naked allowing me to dive into their depths to examine them and get to know them
My mind sped up with thoughts flowing nineteen to a dozen, wondering what the truth could be. And I couldn't have ever guessed. This book again proved I have conferred the right title to this talented writer - Queen of psychological thrillers!!
October 16, 2019
I received a free e-copy of The Silent Ones by K.L. Slater from NetGalley for my honest review.
Two cousins (Maddy and Brianna) become involved in a murder investigation after an old woman is brutally killed. The girls refuse to talk to anyone at first. But then there are secrets that are revealed that will shock everyone and change their lives forever.
A thrilling and mysterious read that grips you from the beginning!
Two cousins (Maddy and Brianna) become involved in a murder investigation after an old woman is brutally killed. The girls refuse to talk to anyone at first. But then there are secrets that are revealed that will shock everyone and change their lives forever.
A thrilling and mysterious read that grips you from the beginning!
April 27, 2021
Two ten year old cousins Maddy and Brianna are arrested for a horrible crime.
As their small village community recoils in horror, the pressure of the tragedy blows their family apart. And things get even worse when the girls retreat into a self-imposed silence.
A twisted, dysfunctional family, some unspoken truths and long hidden secrets make this a gripping psychological thriller.
As their small village community recoils in horror, the pressure of the tragedy blows their family apart. And things get even worse when the girls retreat into a self-imposed silence.
A twisted, dysfunctional family, some unspoken truths and long hidden secrets make this a gripping psychological thriller.
July 9, 2019
Woah! What a story and a half this one is!!!
The story starts off with the two mother’s of two ten year old’s being taken into the police station after a serious incident. As a mother my heart was in my mouth as your head starts thinking straight away about what if that was your child. It really was quite frightening and I could easily understand the turbulence of feelings that both sisters, Juliet and Chloe were going through.
Understandably there is a lot of unrest with people in the area and I almost feared for the safety of Juliet and her family as much as she did. Whilst a lot of the story obviously focuses on what the girls have been accused of, there is also something going on with Juliet’s immediate family. Her mother for one is a very unlikable character and whilst I quite liked the dad, he infuriated me at times with how weak he is. I was just as much intrigued about their family life as I was with the what was happening in present day.
This is one storyline that just grabs you and doesn’t let go. I was well and truly hooked as the author takes us down a dark and twisted road of which I had no clue where it was going to take me but I enjoyed every minute of every thrill and oh those twists, K.L. Slater just keeps getting better and better.
The Silent Ones is a first rate psychological thriller. It truly is a brilliant read that kept me on my toes and just kept on delivering. I am a huge fan of this authors and have to say, hands down, this is her best book to date and that is high praise indeed as her other books are fab also. Dark, twisted, brilliant!
My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
The story starts off with the two mother’s of two ten year old’s being taken into the police station after a serious incident. As a mother my heart was in my mouth as your head starts thinking straight away about what if that was your child. It really was quite frightening and I could easily understand the turbulence of feelings that both sisters, Juliet and Chloe were going through.
Understandably there is a lot of unrest with people in the area and I almost feared for the safety of Juliet and her family as much as she did. Whilst a lot of the story obviously focuses on what the girls have been accused of, there is also something going on with Juliet’s immediate family. Her mother for one is a very unlikable character and whilst I quite liked the dad, he infuriated me at times with how weak he is. I was just as much intrigued about their family life as I was with the what was happening in present day.
This is one storyline that just grabs you and doesn’t let go. I was well and truly hooked as the author takes us down a dark and twisted road of which I had no clue where it was going to take me but I enjoyed every minute of every thrill and oh those twists, K.L. Slater just keeps getting better and better.
The Silent Ones is a first rate psychological thriller. It truly is a brilliant read that kept me on my toes and just kept on delivering. I am a huge fan of this authors and have to say, hands down, this is her best book to date and that is high praise indeed as her other books are fab also. Dark, twisted, brilliant!
My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
June 7, 2020
A one-day 3.5 stat mind-warping read!
The plot occurs over the course of a day and centres around sisters Juliet and Chloe; and their daughter's (cousins) Maddy and Brianna. Counting against the authenticity of the read is their ages, and being a little older (13 instead of 10) may have made the scenario a little more plausible.
Set in a small village the tragedy unfolds rapidly and spirals out of control very quickly (probably a little unbelievable but still a highly engaging to read). Rumour, innuendo, gossip, social media - all fuel the raging fire of who is guilty. Unfolding simultaneously is the tragic and terrible past of the adult sisters who have been sworn to secrecy.
The grandmother is one of the most despicable, narcissistic, manipulative women I have ever read in a book and she won't be easily forgotten. The novel delivers twist after twist, which I really enjoy in a psychological thriller, but the final twist probably pushed the boundaries a little too far. Overall a great one day read.
The plot occurs over the course of a day and centres around sisters Juliet and Chloe; and their daughter's (cousins) Maddy and Brianna. Counting against the authenticity of the read is their ages, and being a little older (13 instead of 10) may have made the scenario a little more plausible.
Set in a small village the tragedy unfolds rapidly and spirals out of control very quickly (probably a little unbelievable but still a highly engaging to read). Rumour, innuendo, gossip, social media - all fuel the raging fire of who is guilty. Unfolding simultaneously is the tragic and terrible past of the adult sisters who have been sworn to secrecy.
The grandmother is one of the most despicable, narcissistic, manipulative women I have ever read in a book and she won't be easily forgotten. The novel delivers twist after twist, which I really enjoy in a psychological thriller, but the final twist probably pushed the boundaries a little too far. Overall a great one day read.
October 5, 2020
THE SILENT ONES is the ninth psychological thriller by bestselling author of twelve psychological crime thrillers.by K.L. Slater. After being a huge fan of her novels, I noticed that I have two novels that I haven’t read, which include, The Silent Ones and her latest novel, The Girl She Wanted, so I am now catching up, as I love her novels. This is the review of The Silent Ones.
Her Novels Include:
Safe With Me (2016)
Blink (2017)
Liar (2017)
The Mistake (2017)
The Visitor (2018)
The Secret (2018)
Closer (2018)
Finding Grace (2019)
The Silent Ones (2019)
Single (2019)
The Apartment (2020)
Little Whispers (2020)
The Girl She Wanted (2020)
The Silent Ones is bound to be well received. and will keep you guessing right until the very end. Her novels just get better and better. This is a fabulous read, that will reel you in …one line at a time…
TWO LITTLE GIRLS. ONE TERRIBLE CRIME.
When ten-year-old cousins Maddy and Brianna are arrested for hurting an elderly lady, Bessie, a few streets away from their grandma’s house, Maddy’s mother, Juliet cannot believe it. How could her bright daughter be capable of such a thing?
It was a staff training day at their primary school, so the girls were bored, while staying with their grandparents, and wandered off to Bessie’s house. It was supposed to be fun, but this had got out of hand. When one girl came from the bathroom, she saw blood from the side of Bessie’s head. It was an accident. They ran home from the scene.
The locals are horrified by the incident. The two sisters are called down to the police station, and now begin the process of having to defend their daughter’s innocence. The police have reason to believe that one or both of the girls may have assaulted the victim.
But both girls are refusing to speak…
The police bring in a child therapist, Dana to deal with the situation.
Juliet knows that she needs to find out the truth, to save her daughter. The two sisters must confront their own secrets that remain locked up and not spoken about.
Love the family drama and the characters in this novel. Another enjoyable read.
Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and Net Galley for my digital copy.
Her Novels Include:
Safe With Me (2016)
Blink (2017)
Liar (2017)
The Mistake (2017)
The Visitor (2018)
The Secret (2018)
Closer (2018)
Finding Grace (2019)
The Silent Ones (2019)
Single (2019)
The Apartment (2020)
Little Whispers (2020)
The Girl She Wanted (2020)
The Silent Ones is bound to be well received. and will keep you guessing right until the very end. Her novels just get better and better. This is a fabulous read, that will reel you in …one line at a time…
TWO LITTLE GIRLS. ONE TERRIBLE CRIME.
When ten-year-old cousins Maddy and Brianna are arrested for hurting an elderly lady, Bessie, a few streets away from their grandma’s house, Maddy’s mother, Juliet cannot believe it. How could her bright daughter be capable of such a thing?
It was a staff training day at their primary school, so the girls were bored, while staying with their grandparents, and wandered off to Bessie’s house. It was supposed to be fun, but this had got out of hand. When one girl came from the bathroom, she saw blood from the side of Bessie’s head. It was an accident. They ran home from the scene.
The locals are horrified by the incident. The two sisters are called down to the police station, and now begin the process of having to defend their daughter’s innocence. The police have reason to believe that one or both of the girls may have assaulted the victim.
But both girls are refusing to speak…
The police bring in a child therapist, Dana to deal with the situation.
Juliet knows that she needs to find out the truth, to save her daughter. The two sisters must confront their own secrets that remain locked up and not spoken about.
Love the family drama and the characters in this novel. Another enjoyable read.
Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and Net Galley for my digital copy.
July 27, 2019
The Silent Ones
K.L. Slater
The Silent Ones is an intense psychological thriller from author, K.L. Slater.
Ten-year-old cousins Maddy and Brianna have been accused of viciously attacking an elderly woman in their small community. As far as the police are concerned, the girls aren’t helping themselves and are looking more guilty by the second. They’re refusing to speak. At all. Are they silent because they’re little monsters that have no regard for human life, or are they simply too afraid to tell what really happened to Bessie Wilford?
Juliet Fletcher is mother to ten-year-old Maddy. She cannot believe that her sweet, quiet, contentious daughter would commit the crime she’s been accused of. But why won’t she talk, even to her parents?
Chloe Voce is mother to ten-year-old Brianna. She is determined to prove her daughter had no part in the accused brutality? If she has to destroy her sister, Juliet, in the process, so be it.
Family therapist, Dana Sewell, has been brought in to evaluate the girls and get them to talk. Can Dana help Maddy and Brianna help themselves, or will their community get their wish that the girls be jailed for their crime?
The Silent Ones is a real thriller. The story is partially told through flashbacks to 2003. This method of providing backstory did not detract from the plot, which took unexpected twists that left me shocked. The characters are well-developed with complete backstories. Kudos to K.L. Slater. This is a 4 out of 5 star read that I recommend to everyone who loves a good psychological thriller.
My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. However, the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine and mine alone.
K.L. Slater
The Silent Ones is an intense psychological thriller from author, K.L. Slater.
Ten-year-old cousins Maddy and Brianna have been accused of viciously attacking an elderly woman in their small community. As far as the police are concerned, the girls aren’t helping themselves and are looking more guilty by the second. They’re refusing to speak. At all. Are they silent because they’re little monsters that have no regard for human life, or are they simply too afraid to tell what really happened to Bessie Wilford?
Juliet Fletcher is mother to ten-year-old Maddy. She cannot believe that her sweet, quiet, contentious daughter would commit the crime she’s been accused of. But why won’t she talk, even to her parents?
Chloe Voce is mother to ten-year-old Brianna. She is determined to prove her daughter had no part in the accused brutality? If she has to destroy her sister, Juliet, in the process, so be it.
Family therapist, Dana Sewell, has been brought in to evaluate the girls and get them to talk. Can Dana help Maddy and Brianna help themselves, or will their community get their wish that the girls be jailed for their crime?
The Silent Ones is a real thriller. The story is partially told through flashbacks to 2003. This method of providing backstory did not detract from the plot, which took unexpected twists that left me shocked. The characters are well-developed with complete backstories. Kudos to K.L. Slater. This is a 4 out of 5 star read that I recommend to everyone who loves a good psychological thriller.
My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. However, the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine and mine alone.
August 8, 2019
I am a huge fan of Kim Slater and I love her books, though I have yet to read them all. I had eagerly been awaiting it to land NetGalley and as soon as I did I requested it. The premise sounded interesting and I couldn't wait to dive into it. I've read "Blink", "Liar" and "Finding Grace" previously but this one was different. And I was not disappointed. For those who may remember, it had a hint of the Jamie Bulger murder case which occurred in the UK in the 90s. But in true Kim Slater fashion, it was so much more than that.
Two sisters - Juliet and Chloe - run their own kids clothing business and have a daughter each, Maddy and Brianna, both aged 10. The girls are best friends, having practically grown up together, as the family is a close-knit one. But as we delve further in, we discover that this family is not like other families. They are incredibly dysfunctional, taking the concept to a whole new level.
The story begins with Maddy and Brianna making their way to elderly Bessie Wilford's place, after stealthily leaving the safety of their grandparents' place, and letting themselves in through the back door. When they arrive Bessie is sound asleep in her chair and so the girls decide to have "some fun with Bessie". One of them leans forward with her lips close to Bessie's ear and yells "WAKE UP BESSIE!!" after which Bessie is jolted awake and falls backwards from her chair. At this stage, it isn't revealed which girl is which.
As the girls leave Bessie's house, they are picked up by authorities and taken to the police station. We, as readers, are left wondering what really took place and why the girls refuse to utter a single word.
Juliet and Chloe are in the midst of accounts and orders at the warehouse they have rented for their business when the police arrive. They are told simply that their girls are at the police station and they need to come. The sisters are worried something has happened to their girls and fire off questions to the officers who accompany them. But they are assured their girls are fine. So why are they at the police station?
When they are ushered into an interview room, Detective Inspector Conor Neary - SIO on the case - informs them that the girls have been arrested for the vicious assault of elderly victim Bessie Wilford. Juliet and Chloe cannot believe this of their girls. They are sweet, kind and gentle...and are only 10 years old!
But there is one major problem. Both Maddy and Brianna refuse to utter a single word. Even to each other.
Then they receive word that Bessie has died of her injuries and it is now a murder inquiry.
The girls' grandparents arrive, along with Juliet's husband Tom. All are at a loss as to the magnitude of the situation that the girls have found themselves in. If only they would talk... So it becomes Juliet and Chloe's job to try and encourage Maddy and Brianna to speak.
What ensues is a frantic 36 hours from start to finish as the truth of what really happened at Bessie's place eludes the police. Tensions rise, secrets unravel and the truth behind the seemingly loving family comes to light. There are sooo many secrets, deceptions and lies to be uncovered it will make your head reel.
The characters are all those you love to hate. Juliet is probably the exception - although she had her issues as well, as she tried to run from a past she could not escape. I found her sister Chloe to be entitled and bitchy. Their mother, Joan, is positively awful who takes to her bed with migraines whenever the mood took her, and didn't seem to care one iota for Juliet but doted on Chloe. That would probably explain Chloe's air of entitlement. Their father seemed to be ruled by their mother's moods and her every whim. And the girls? Maddy and Brianna? I found them to be horrible precocious entitled little brats. I did feel a little sorry for them in parts but their actions toward Bessie, just as a laugh, was cruel. But then having come from such a dysfunctional family, what hope was there for them?
Despite the unlikable characters, THE SILENT ONES was a compelling, intriguing and untputdownable thriller that I devoured. The twists and turns throughout which led to false conclusions were both tense and breathtaking. I had an inkling that fluttered at the edge of my brain as the story unraveled which, though I suspected, still shocked me upon revelation. The "how" was devious but the "why" was shocking!
A cleverly crafted psychological thriller, THE SILENT ONES analyses friendship, betrayal, family, deception, secrets and lies all wrapped up in a fast paced tale of enthralling domestic suspense.
I love every minute of THE SILENT ONES. Every page, every secret, every reveal.
I highly recommend you check this book out. I think you will love it as much as I did. In fact, I'd be surprised if you didn't.
I would like to thank #KLSlater, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheSilentOnes in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
Two sisters - Juliet and Chloe - run their own kids clothing business and have a daughter each, Maddy and Brianna, both aged 10. The girls are best friends, having practically grown up together, as the family is a close-knit one. But as we delve further in, we discover that this family is not like other families. They are incredibly dysfunctional, taking the concept to a whole new level.
The story begins with Maddy and Brianna making their way to elderly Bessie Wilford's place, after stealthily leaving the safety of their grandparents' place, and letting themselves in through the back door. When they arrive Bessie is sound asleep in her chair and so the girls decide to have "some fun with Bessie". One of them leans forward with her lips close to Bessie's ear and yells "WAKE UP BESSIE!!" after which Bessie is jolted awake and falls backwards from her chair. At this stage, it isn't revealed which girl is which.
As the girls leave Bessie's house, they are picked up by authorities and taken to the police station. We, as readers, are left wondering what really took place and why the girls refuse to utter a single word.
Juliet and Chloe are in the midst of accounts and orders at the warehouse they have rented for their business when the police arrive. They are told simply that their girls are at the police station and they need to come. The sisters are worried something has happened to their girls and fire off questions to the officers who accompany them. But they are assured their girls are fine. So why are they at the police station?
When they are ushered into an interview room, Detective Inspector Conor Neary - SIO on the case - informs them that the girls have been arrested for the vicious assault of elderly victim Bessie Wilford. Juliet and Chloe cannot believe this of their girls. They are sweet, kind and gentle...and are only 10 years old!
But there is one major problem. Both Maddy and Brianna refuse to utter a single word. Even to each other.
Then they receive word that Bessie has died of her injuries and it is now a murder inquiry.
The girls' grandparents arrive, along with Juliet's husband Tom. All are at a loss as to the magnitude of the situation that the girls have found themselves in. If only they would talk... So it becomes Juliet and Chloe's job to try and encourage Maddy and Brianna to speak.
What ensues is a frantic 36 hours from start to finish as the truth of what really happened at Bessie's place eludes the police. Tensions rise, secrets unravel and the truth behind the seemingly loving family comes to light. There are sooo many secrets, deceptions and lies to be uncovered it will make your head reel.
The characters are all those you love to hate. Juliet is probably the exception - although she had her issues as well, as she tried to run from a past she could not escape. I found her sister Chloe to be entitled and bitchy. Their mother, Joan, is positively awful who takes to her bed with migraines whenever the mood took her, and didn't seem to care one iota for Juliet but doted on Chloe. That would probably explain Chloe's air of entitlement. Their father seemed to be ruled by their mother's moods and her every whim. And the girls? Maddy and Brianna? I found them to be horrible precocious entitled little brats. I did feel a little sorry for them in parts but their actions toward Bessie, just as a laugh, was cruel. But then having come from such a dysfunctional family, what hope was there for them?
Despite the unlikable characters, THE SILENT ONES was a compelling, intriguing and untputdownable thriller that I devoured. The twists and turns throughout which led to false conclusions were both tense and breathtaking. I had an inkling that fluttered at the edge of my brain as the story unraveled which, though I suspected, still shocked me upon revelation. The "how" was devious but the "why" was shocking!
A cleverly crafted psychological thriller, THE SILENT ONES analyses friendship, betrayal, family, deception, secrets and lies all wrapped up in a fast paced tale of enthralling domestic suspense.
I love every minute of THE SILENT ONES. Every page, every secret, every reveal.
I highly recommend you check this book out. I think you will love it as much as I did. In fact, I'd be surprised if you didn't.
I would like to thank #KLSlater, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheSilentOnes in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
August 3, 2019
4.5★s
The Silent Ones is the ninth novel by British author, K.L.Slater. Stunned disbelief is the reaction of sisters Juliet Fletcher and Chloe Voce when they are brought to Hucknall Police Station to learn that their ten-year-old daughters, Maddy and Brianna, are implicated in the fatal beating of an elderly woman in their quiet Nottinghamshire village.
While forensic evidence indicates the girls were at the scene, Maddy and Brianna are maintaining a stubborn silence, making it impossible to know exactly what happened in Bessie Wilmore’s living room. Meanwhile, mere hours since the girls have been brought in, the media are clamouring for information, and social media already has the ten-year-olds tried and convicted. The Fletcher and Voce families are shocked at the level of vitriol and vandalism being exhibited by the villagers.
Psychologist and therapist Dana Sewell is no stranger to ostracism, having endured it from this village herself quite recently. This initially gave DI Conor Neary pause when requesting her services in this case, but the priority is to get the girls talking: “‘We’ve got to find out from the kids exactly what happened in that house, Dana.’ He fixed his red-rimmed eyes on her. ‘The super isn’t going to let me wait around forever. The press are frenzied, the locals are already baying for blood. I’m not going to be able to shield the girls for much longer.’”
It's already clear to the reader early on that, despite being in business together, Juliet and Chloe don’t get on well, but once she has met the girls, their parents and grandparents, Dana senses a great deal of tension between the members of this dysfunctional family. Once the girls do talk, Dana feels it’s essential to understand the source of this to be certain that what they are saying is the truth.
Slater gives the reader a cleverly plotted page-turner with a number of twists and red herrings leading to an exciting climax and, because, apart from the prologue, the narrative is from the perspective of the sisters or the therapist, the reader is not privy to some key pieces of information, maintaining the intrigue. Long-held family secrets, selfishness, guilt and blame all feature.
Against the real-life background of child murderer cases like Mary Bell and those of Jamie Bulger, this is both a topical and thought-provoking premise, and the story also deftly demonstrates the power of the online press and social media. Some of Dana’s actions may strike reader as unprofessional, but this serves to illustrate that these clinicians have the same human flaws and weaknesses as anyone else. This is a gripping read.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Bookouture
The Silent Ones is the ninth novel by British author, K.L.Slater. Stunned disbelief is the reaction of sisters Juliet Fletcher and Chloe Voce when they are brought to Hucknall Police Station to learn that their ten-year-old daughters, Maddy and Brianna, are implicated in the fatal beating of an elderly woman in their quiet Nottinghamshire village.
While forensic evidence indicates the girls were at the scene, Maddy and Brianna are maintaining a stubborn silence, making it impossible to know exactly what happened in Bessie Wilmore’s living room. Meanwhile, mere hours since the girls have been brought in, the media are clamouring for information, and social media already has the ten-year-olds tried and convicted. The Fletcher and Voce families are shocked at the level of vitriol and vandalism being exhibited by the villagers.
Psychologist and therapist Dana Sewell is no stranger to ostracism, having endured it from this village herself quite recently. This initially gave DI Conor Neary pause when requesting her services in this case, but the priority is to get the girls talking: “‘We’ve got to find out from the kids exactly what happened in that house, Dana.’ He fixed his red-rimmed eyes on her. ‘The super isn’t going to let me wait around forever. The press are frenzied, the locals are already baying for blood. I’m not going to be able to shield the girls for much longer.’”
It's already clear to the reader early on that, despite being in business together, Juliet and Chloe don’t get on well, but once she has met the girls, their parents and grandparents, Dana senses a great deal of tension between the members of this dysfunctional family. Once the girls do talk, Dana feels it’s essential to understand the source of this to be certain that what they are saying is the truth.
Slater gives the reader a cleverly plotted page-turner with a number of twists and red herrings leading to an exciting climax and, because, apart from the prologue, the narrative is from the perspective of the sisters or the therapist, the reader is not privy to some key pieces of information, maintaining the intrigue. Long-held family secrets, selfishness, guilt and blame all feature.
Against the real-life background of child murderer cases like Mary Bell and those of Jamie Bulger, this is both a topical and thought-provoking premise, and the story also deftly demonstrates the power of the online press and social media. Some of Dana’s actions may strike reader as unprofessional, but this serves to illustrate that these clinicians have the same human flaws and weaknesses as anyone else. This is a gripping read.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Bookouture
July 20, 2019
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
Ten-year-old cousins Maddy and Brianna are rather bored and have managed to sneak away to visit an elderly woman named Bessie. This was something the girls often did. They were watched by their grandmother, who obviously wasn't paying close enough attention. The girls were up to no good and have just been arrested for harming Bessie. When Bessie succumbs to her injuries, the charge is raised to murder.
However, neither girl will talk, not to the police, not even to their parents. Their mothers, Juliet and Chloe, feel their daughters could never have committed this act. Juliet and Chloe had a bit of a strained relationship as it was, but with their girls not saying a word, things begin to deteriorate between them.
Time drags on while they are trying to get the girls to talk, Juliet is especially haunted by the family's past. This very past has affected Juliet more than any member of the family, and this ultimately has changed her relationship with husband Tom. The combined strain of the murder accusation, their daughter's silence and her childhood past is about to unravel Juliet.
I was on tenterhooks while reading The Silent Ones. It was so tragic with the girls being so quiet, but as the recollections of the past were revealed, my sadness increased. The story was a fast-moving one and had some powerful revelations and long-hidden secrets revealed as well as a shocker a conclusion, one that left me applauding and a bit emotional.
This was another excellent book by K.L. Slater, and I literally lost sleep as I read it from cover-to-cover. I look forward to reading more by her soon.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.
Ten-year-old cousins Maddy and Brianna are rather bored and have managed to sneak away to visit an elderly woman named Bessie. This was something the girls often did. They were watched by their grandmother, who obviously wasn't paying close enough attention. The girls were up to no good and have just been arrested for harming Bessie. When Bessie succumbs to her injuries, the charge is raised to murder.
However, neither girl will talk, not to the police, not even to their parents. Their mothers, Juliet and Chloe, feel their daughters could never have committed this act. Juliet and Chloe had a bit of a strained relationship as it was, but with their girls not saying a word, things begin to deteriorate between them.
Time drags on while they are trying to get the girls to talk, Juliet is especially haunted by the family's past. This very past has affected Juliet more than any member of the family, and this ultimately has changed her relationship with husband Tom. The combined strain of the murder accusation, their daughter's silence and her childhood past is about to unravel Juliet.
I was on tenterhooks while reading The Silent Ones. It was so tragic with the girls being so quiet, but as the recollections of the past were revealed, my sadness increased. The story was a fast-moving one and had some powerful revelations and long-hidden secrets revealed as well as a shocker a conclusion, one that left me applauding and a bit emotional.
This was another excellent book by K.L. Slater, and I literally lost sleep as I read it from cover-to-cover. I look forward to reading more by her soon.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.
July 4, 2019
Of the books I’ve read by the prolific K.L. Slater, I think this is probably my favourite - the plot was really intriguing, with a couple of genuine surprises. (Though it took me far too long to make a certain connection which, in retrospect, was obvious. Must’ve been off my game.)
Ten year old cousins, Maddy and Brianna, are accused of a horrific crime - a brutal assault on a vulnerable elderly woman, Bessie. Whether they’re guilty or not is unclear - their mothers, sisters Juliet and Chloe, certainly can’t believe it - but there’s no doubt that they were there and that they know something. But nobody knows what, because the girls aren’t talking.
Unable to get a word out of either girl, the police bring in family therapist Dana - a character I really liked - in an attempt to communicate with them. But it soon becomes clear to Dana that issues in the girls’ apparently normal family run deeper than anyone suspected.
What we are told of the attack on Bessie is harrowing and I did feel this sometimes got a bit lost among Juliet’s worries about her business and what people are saying on social media. Still, Juliet was far less annoying than her sister Chloe, who was a massive pain in the neck, and mother Joan (ditto). Although there was some attempt at showing the impact on Bessie’s family, I never really felt we got to know the victim.
I’d like to think the description of the hate and harassment aimed at the girls and their families, both on the dreaded social media and in real life (and before any guilt has been proven) is excessive... but sadly, I’m not sure that’s the case.
While the ending scene was quite touching (and the twist leading up to it excellent), I found the actual ending, i.e. the very last lines, to be a bit trite, as if the author hadn’t really put any thought into her closing lines. This took me out of what should have been quite an emotional moment.
All in all, though, a compelling and intriguing read.
Ten year old cousins, Maddy and Brianna, are accused of a horrific crime - a brutal assault on a vulnerable elderly woman, Bessie. Whether they’re guilty or not is unclear - their mothers, sisters Juliet and Chloe, certainly can’t believe it - but there’s no doubt that they were there and that they know something. But nobody knows what, because the girls aren’t talking.
Unable to get a word out of either girl, the police bring in family therapist Dana - a character I really liked - in an attempt to communicate with them. But it soon becomes clear to Dana that issues in the girls’ apparently normal family run deeper than anyone suspected.
What we are told of the attack on Bessie is harrowing and I did feel this sometimes got a bit lost among Juliet’s worries about her business and what people are saying on social media. Still, Juliet was far less annoying than her sister Chloe, who was a massive pain in the neck, and mother Joan (ditto). Although there was some attempt at showing the impact on Bessie’s family, I never really felt we got to know the victim.
I’d like to think the description of the hate and harassment aimed at the girls and their families, both on the dreaded social media and in real life (and before any guilt has been proven) is excessive... but sadly, I’m not sure that’s the case.
While the ending scene was quite touching (and the twist leading up to it excellent), I found the actual ending, i.e. the very last lines, to be a bit trite, as if the author hadn’t really put any thought into her closing lines. This took me out of what should have been quite an emotional moment.
All in all, though, a compelling and intriguing read.
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