They Fly Silent

by Barb Lanell

AT twenty-five Cass finds herself in the tabloids of the local gossip column accused of starting a strange, freakish fire, along with bizarre cultist behavior unbefitting to her bible belt small town which has the locals in a tizzy. Cass has no memory of the fire, only a bizarre gash on her palm in the shape of a seven.
BECAUSE of her declining mental state and lack of memory, the court orders Cass to undergo psychiatric evaluation for twelve months. Memories surface which sets off a series of events both harrowing, heartwarming and disturbing which throws Cass further into psychological turmoil. As her past comes back to haunt her, Cass realizes there is more at stake than she ever anticipated.
CASSIDY the adult, along with Cassidy the child will join forces as they come to terms with family secrets, generational curses and the haunting redemptive journey to finding their one true voice.
THEY FLY SILENT is a raw, revealing glance inside the brokenness of a mind under siege. A chilling portrait of mayhem, an unfamiliar magic and madness, its creative genius and its destructive tentacles. It captures the unbearable cost of undiagnosed mental illness, and the lasting effects of childhood suppression, trauma and sexual abuse long after we’ve become an adult. An unforgettable story of family, faith and tradition. A testament to the resilient power of the human mind to heal and thrive, even in brokenness.

Genres: Fiction, Mental Health

406 pages, Paperback

First published May 12, 2021

About the author

Barb Lanell is the author of THEY FLY SILENT.
This dark and mystical novel delivers a haunting prose of southern life with wisecracking, moving characters and the discovery of faith in unexpected places. It provides a raw and revealing portrait of mental illness, its creative genius, and its destructive tentacles.
THEY FLY SILENT is a southern psychological page turner chock full of family secrets, generational curses, maladies and haunting redemption. A captivating family saga with a beautiful reminder of hope, healing and letting go.

Reviews

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

They Fly Silent is a novel that follows the recovery of Cass Collard, a 25 year old woman with amnesia, trauma and a repressed childhood.

I had a very turbulent relationship with this story as I read it. Cass’ backstory was eerily similar to my own, which led to plenty of highs and lows as I read.
The way the book discusses therapy so candidly, and you can place yourself directly in the position of someone who feels vulnerable sharing their hurt out loud. It felt at times like the story was speaking to me directly, giving me advice on how to let go. It was so surreal, and I loved the experience of feeling like I had fallen in alongside Cass and was on her journey with her. It was so different to anything I've ever read before and I loved it.

You are taken on a journey filled with descriptive imagery and choppy sentence structure to truly place you inside the fractured mind of the protagonist. The story flicked between the mundane expectations of the town which were the very traditional “don’t be different” christian family values, and the absolute chaos of the otherness of Cass’ repressed internal monologue.

You’re flung from memory to memory to therapy to the news and back into a memory again. You can’t get your bearings on anything and I believe that’s intentional. The book is very artistically constructed. It felt like this structure represented the unstable sense of self in a mind touched by trauma.
You get to understand her younger self is so confident and accepting of what’s other about her, which is a direct contrast to the now where she is sarcastic and angry and disconnected. Societal conventions squashed her growth, and this story takes you on the uneven road to regaining herself.

The magic talked about in this book wasn’t the commercial kind you see in Harry Potter and the like, but rather an earthen spirituality that was woven into every single chapter. I feel like this book would be done a disservice if you didn’t read a physical paper copy. Something about it begs to be connected with physically. I love that aura.

I would absolutely recommend this to anyone to try. It’s a really detailed read full of depth and questioning and spirituality. It touches on trauma in a really healing way, and whether the reader connects with that or not it’s a very unique and worthwhile read.

[The Sassy Bookworm · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF @55%

First, I want to say that I adore the cover of this one. It's stunning. I wish it came in poster size!

So, okay. I am throwing in the towel on this one. I *maybe* will pick it up again the in the future because it is an amazingly written book. My issue is that it is super triggering for me. 😢 There are so many similarities to my childhood and relationships that it is bringing past traumas to the surface.

So yeah, not a terrible book at all. Just one that I would recommend people with "mental health issues" tip toe into.

**ARC Via NetGalley**

[Lexy Cabral]

After reading the synopsis, I thought this was going to be more of a mystery. I struggled with the length and detailed descriptions in this book. Unfortunately, I skimmed most of this book. It would’ve been a DNF for me if it wasn’t for the book tour / buddy read discussion group I was in.

[Caroline Bartlett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read my full review on my blog here: https://www.howdidthatbookend.com/boo...

If you are a fan of character-driven novels with lots of introspection, then this is the book for you!

I enjoyed Cass's growth throughout the book, as she struggled to retrieve memories that would help her explain her actions. She learns to open up to her therapist instead of covering her pain with sarcasm, and it's clear how much therapy helps her throughout the book. I found the clashing themes of christianity and tribal worship to be extremely interesting, especially as Cass struggled to reconcile her beliefs between the two.

I took a chance on this southern gothic novel as this genre is outside of my normal wheelhouse, and unfortunately it wasn't for me. I'm more of a plot-driven kind of girl, but this one was VERY character-driven. I think some of the finer points of the character analysis may have gone over my head.

TW: mental illness, rape, dysfunctional relationships, emotional abuse, family dynamics

[Margie Shaw · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I came across They Fly Silent by author Barb Lanell on NetGalleys Read Now section I thought it sounded like a book I would really enjoy reading. I’m sorry to say, it was not. I have tried several times to get into the story but just can’t seem to do it. It seems like a lot of jibberish to me. I know that it’s about a girl who suffered a tragic childhood and then marries young and is cheated on and abused by her husband. Other than that, I was really confused and lost by it all. I’m 41% into the book and have decided not to finish reading it. It was just too much of a struggle for me and I believe that I would much rather spend my time reading books that I truly enjoy. Perhaps I will try again another time. I do believe that not every book is for every reader and just because I don’t care for this story, there is someone out there that will enjoy it a lot. I’d like to thank NetGalley for the arc. I wasn’t sure since I didn’t finish the book if I should leave a review but I wanted to explain how I felt. I’m hoping for the authors sake that other readers find the book enjoyable. It just wasn’t for me.

[Victoria Zieger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. They Fly Silent by Barb Lanell is a really interesting book about a woman who blacks out while setting a fire to her ex’s things and a bowl of collared greens of all things. I thought this was going to be some sort of mystery but it was more of a paranormal type mystical story about the woman’s childhood and her spiritual beliefs and how they were shaped. I loved all of the literary quotations through the book and the writing was very descriptive and the author really gave a lot of background. This really is a very unique book with a solid story and ending.

[kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

They Fly Silent is a novel that follows the recovery of protagonist Cass Collard, a 25-year-old woman with amnesia, trauma and a repressed childhood.
First off it is important to say that this book contains the following which may be a trigger for some readers - mental illness, sexual assault, trauma, grief and animal.
They Fly Silent is a southern gothic story detailing a dysfunctional family. Growing up Cassandra listened to stories her great grandmother Maw Sue would talk about concerning mystical and cursed bloodlines, about the Seventh Tribe, spiritual beliefs, and the power of magic, and "seekers". Now twenty-five-year-old Cassandra's life is currently full of madness and chaos. Divorced and accused of starting a mysterious fire that she doesn't remember setting, she is having to face memories during therapy sessions with a psychiatrist.
The book itself, though it portrays as a mystery, has definite elements of psychological fiction as well as fantasy fiction and the elements of these three that were in the novel made it very interesting to read, the characters seemed to have real depth and I found myself drawn to them and likeable, the author certainly is able to create a world where it reflects everyday life even though it is fantastical at the same time.
As the book progressed the reader was introduced to more of the layers of the protagonist and her personality couple with the life she has lived are revealed. I found myself continually guessing whether she really did possess magical qualities and abilities or whether she needs to work through some very deep-seated psychological issues. The author also does a great job of setting the scene throughout the novel which allows the reader to see the sights, feel the heat and even smell the collard greens burning.
This book is by no means a gentle heart warming read but it is definitely a read that will stay with you for a while and will allow you imagination to run wild. It is a strong 4 star read.

#netgalley
#theyflysilent

[Rahel Charikar · Rating 3 out of 5]

"They Fly Silent" by Barb Lanell offers a compelling and introspective exploration of the complexities of mental illness, trauma, and the enduring power of the human spirit. The narrative follows Cass, a young woman grappling with accusations of involvement in a mysterious fire and a series of bizarre cultist behaviors that have the residents of her small Bible belt town in an uproar. As she confronts her own declining mental state and struggles to piece together fragmented memories, a haunting and emotional journey of self-discovery unfolds, revealing the deep-seated family secrets and generational traumas that have long plagued her life.

Lanell's raw and unflinching portrayal of Cass's psychological turmoil and her traumatic past serves as a poignant reminder of the profound impact of undiagnosed mental illness and childhood suppression. The author's adept handling of sensitive themes such as trauma, sexual abuse, and the lasting effects of familial dysfunction lends authenticity and depth to the narrative, highlighting the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

While "They Fly Silent" offers a compelling exploration of the intricacies of the human mind, the pacing of the narrative at times feels uneven, and certain plot elements could have been further developed to enhance the overall impact of the story. Additionally, the complexity of the themes addressed may be unsettling for some readers, requiring a degree of emotional preparedness to fully engage with the story.

Despite its challenges, "They Fly Silent" remains a thought-provoking and poignant tale that delves into the lasting effects of trauma and the transformative power of self-acceptance and healing. Lanell's evocative prose and insightful exploration of complex emotional landscapes create a compelling narrative that lingers in the mind long after the final page. "They Fly Silent" serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring strength found in confronting one's past in order to pave the way for a brighter, more hopeful future.

[Erica WhimsicalyMe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very impressed with the detailed writing in They Flew Silent. It follows Cass Collard a woman with a history of trauma that has repressed her childhood memories and suffers from amnesia.

The author realistically represents the mental health aspects of the book. Barb really did her research and eloquently described the feelings of fear and vulnerability Cass felt while sharing her story in a therapeutic environment. As someone that has experienced trauma and has been a part of group and one on one therapy I truly related to this aspect of the novel and felt a strong connection to Cass.

Barb writes the story in a way that really put me inside the mind of Cass. Sentences were at times broken, as we fly through memories, therapy sessions and news stories. I felt this style of writing and format really went along with and represented Cass’s fractured mind.

The aspect of magic in this book felt more like spirituality and a reverence to the healing powers of nature. The connection to the earth as a grounding point.

If you appreciate a well written, detailed story about a woman navigating trauma and healing through spirituality, I encourage you to pick this one up.

Thank you to Barb Lanell and Netgalley for my digital copy of the book to review,

[Rachel Ware · Rating 2 out of 5]

I started this book because I saw a tiktok about it from the author, saying that this was a book about mental health from someone who understands. I DNFed about 50% through, because it's clear that this author understands, and this felt like a trauma tour that I (as someone who has their fair share of trauma) didn't need to walk through. Though there is obvious growth in Cass through the half I read, her growth was slow and drawn out (as that feels in real life) and this book became painful to read rather than comforting that someone else truly understood.

I wouldn't recommend this book to someone who has trauma, because it felt like most of the book was a raw digging through those kinds of experiences and it simply brought up painful memories and times where I hadn't healed as much. I'm sure there's a point in the book where the healing is happening deeply, but it just took too long for me to get there.

I'd recommend this book to anyone without trauma because I think this book does an amazing job of describing how trying to remember those experiences comes in bits and pieces and mostly sensations rather than images at first and how scary it is trying to search for something inside yourself you don't necessarily want to find.

[Shannon (Ivy Bound Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up to 4 for goodreads

Thank you to @letstalkbookspromo, the author, and @netgalley for my review copy!

CW: mental illness, animal death, trauma, grief, sexual assault

First I want to say how important it is to read the authors note at the end as she addresses some of the content warning topics!

They Fly Silent is a very character driven story about Cass who is trying to get some of her memories back. I liked to read about her character development and see her growth.

I had a hard time in the beginning because I thought Cass was difficult and gave everyone a hard time for no reason which I found frustrating. BUT her growth throughout the novel is inspiring. I’m a big advocate for mental health wellness and I loved that she used therapy as a tool.

This book isn’t for everyone but if you enjoy character driven stories, character growth, and a touch of lore I think you would enjoy this!

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

The synopsis for this one was a bit vague, so I wasn't sure what to expect going into this book and was really impressed with the writing itself. The author has a great ability to build atmosphere with her descriptive writing. There is a bit of mystery in the novel with a character who is accused of setting a fire though she doesn't remember the fire at all, and a story told by the main character's grandmother of a curse that plagues the family.

The real focus, though, is on the character of Cass, her history and trauma and her mental health. It feels quite authentic in the way the writing portrays the mental health issues Cass is experiencing with a bit of choppiness and a lot of changes in direction. This sometimes left me a little confused along the way, but overall I thought it was a good portrayal.

TW: Rape, abuse, etc. (there is an author's note at the end discussing these)

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

They Fly Silent is a southern story about a dysfunctional family. Growing up Cassandra listened to stories her great grandmother MawSue told about mystical and cursed bloodlines, about the Seventh Tribe, spiritual beliefs, and the power of magic, and "seekers". Now twenty five year old Cassandra's life is currently full of madness and chaos. Divorced and accused of starting a mysterious fire that she doesn't remember setting, she is having to face memories during therapy sessions with a psychiatrist. I don't read much psychological fiction, but this book was interesting. Thanks to the author Barb Lanell, Parliament Press Publications, and NetGalley for providing a copy of this book for an honest opinion.

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me ages to get into this book, longer than I thought, however, it was well written. The book itself, though it portrays as a mystery, I'd say its more of a psychological fiction, though, I don't often read those sorts of books, I did find it interesting, the characters seemed to have real depth and I found myself drawn to them and likeable, the author certainly is able to create a world where it reflects everyday life.

There was a lot of jumping around and I didn't feel that really worked for me and also I was expecting the book to be fantasy / magical rather than psychological but it was worth read.

Thanks to the author Barb Lanell, publishers and NetGalley for providing a free advanced copy of this book for an honest opinion.

[Catie Koraleski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. It was a beautifully written and fascinating look at mental health and the effects that trauma has on us. I loved Mae Sue as she reminded me so much my grandmother who recently passed away. It made me miss her a lot but it also brought back many good memories.

Without spoiling anything, I feel that it’s fair to warn others that this book may be extremely triggering if you’ve experienced any sort or trauma or abuse such as sexual, emotional, and mental abuse. Those sections were difficult to get through but important for the story.

I’ve communicated with this author a little bit online and she is just so lovely and excited that people are enjoying her book. She’s very endearing and I’d definitely like to read more!

[Anna Marie Box · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, this book can be very heavy at times and it did leave me with an emotional hangover. However, the story is devastatingly beautiful and I found myself relating to Cass so much which just goes to show how much compassion the author put into the novel.

While it can be triggering, personally I found the more sensitive topics were written with caution and care which I did appreciate.

I really enjoyed this read, but I was also at a pivotal moment in my own healing journey where I was ready to explore those darker topics!

My heart goes out to anyone who found it a little too easy to place themselves into the main character’s shoes and I’m looking forward to getting more of the back stories on the other sisters and exploring more of the deep roots of familial trauma!

[Lyn Mckenzie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a DNF for me at 35% . This is a heavily emotional and psychological book that I believe that there should definitely be some trigger warnings attached to it. I picked this book because of the supernatural element but that really isn’t what this book is about, it’s more about childhood traumas and repressed memories

[Michelle Perruzzi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I unfortunately had to DNF this one. There was just too much going on and it was difficult to stay engaged or want to continue reading. I may try again at another point, but right now, it’s just a bit much for me to want to push through.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. Interesting story. It sure if it was for me. But someone might want to check it out.

[Karah Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the absolute best books i’ve ever read and a GREAT depiction of the real life of mental health. CHECK TRIGGER WARNINGS!! there’s a lot of potential triggers.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so fantastic, it makes you think about your own life and question your family curse.

[Jessica Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a beautiful portrayal of mental illness, growth, and healing🥺

[Alisha Janikowski · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't finish it because I felt like the ending was just repeating the beginning of the book. it just dragged on.

[DeAnna Ellison · Rating 2 out of 5]

The synopsis really drew me in and the first chapter had me anticipating an amazing book. However unfortunately it lost me and never recovered. I still enjoyed that first bit but that was about it.

[Cess · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about the dark descent of a person into mental illness. To read this is to get inside the mind of a mentally ill person. Although it is a fascinating read, you might want to consider reading the content warning first as they might potentially induce anxiety or distress. Because it’s about how an unstable mind works, there are a lot of streams of consciousness and repetition of thoughts. The timeline might be an issue for some as it jumps from past to present to back again in no particular order. It’s very character-driven, so I enjoyed how Cass transformed from a deeply troubled person into a mentally stable individual who was able to face her past trauma/fears with the help of intense psychotherapy. It was really interesting to read how her painful experiences in the past ultimately led her to have psychotic breakdown, which in turn forced her to face her demons. This novel also explores how the general population react to people with different beliefs/behaviors. Too often we shun what we don’t understand and blame it on being ungodly or say it’s the work of the devil. I think the author did a great job in writing this novel. As I mentioned earlier, this is not for everbody. But if you are open to trying something different, this might be for you.

TW: mental illness, rape, dysfuncional family, arson, self-harm, emotional abuse

[Eleanor · Rating 4 out of 5]

As usual, I didn't really know what I was getting myself in for with this book. It's a fictional novel featuring psychological disturbance/illness and repressed memories. But it is also magical, with spiritual elements intertwined throughout. Not magic as in wands or fairies or anything, but an almost tribal, religious magic. It was, I must say, quite a strange read - but not in a bad way.
I want to quickly point out that this does include details of trauma and some general mental health-related issues (such as hallucinations) that may be hard for some people to read about. I've seen other readers mention how they found it quite difficult and those who couldn't even finish reading it due to the nature of the topics covered.
Like many others, I was under the impression that this was kind of a mystery. Which I suppose it was, in a very loose manner of speaking. The book opens with details of a strange fire on someone's front lawn, with witnesses describing a woman acting in a strangely ritualistic way. On the doorstep, they left a bowl of collard greens and an extinguished match. Pretty odd. We are then introduced to a young woman named Cass, the accused perpetrator of this strange crime. After being found at the scene covered in blood and clearly in a bad mental state, she is ordered to undergo psychiatric treatment. Crucially, they want to know if she actually committed the crime - because she can't remember a thing.
With the help and guidance of her psychiatrist, Cass begins to unlock some of the childhood memories that she has kept locked inside herself for so many years. She remembers details about her mother, her father, her sister, and her great aunt 'Maw Sue' who taught her everything she knows about the Seventh Tribe from which her family is descended. She remembers the stories she told and the strange rituals and traditions she showed them. She also remembers how Maw Sue was locked away in a mental hospital for her odd behaviours and beliefs.
Along with all the memories, Cass has hallucinations. It can be a bit confusing to read, as it's sometimes hard to differentiate between the hallucinations and what's really happening, but I suppose that is just reflective of the nature of these illnesses. It's also a little strange but interesting how the religious/mystical beliefs and mental illness interact and overlap.
With the way Cass's memories pop up, it's difficult to keep track of the timeline, too. It jumps between different points of her childhood to her teenage years and back to her adulthood repeatedly. But I think I got the gist of it the further I read.
I felt very immersed in the Southern world of Cass's childhood in this. The only sort of criticism I have of the writing is that it's a bit repetitive, and the author uses a lot of very long lists. The ending was satisfying and neat, with an extra little twist I wasn't expecting that was actually quite nice. 3.5 stars!

[Mackenzie - PhDiva Books · Rating 2 out of 5]

With a southern gothic vibe and mystical undertones, this seemed like a book I would absolutely love. The book is very character-driven and I didn’t expect the context to be quite as heavy as it was.

In the late 1980s, Cassandra Cleo Collard has been accused of starting a fire and engaging in magic in front of her ex-husband’s girlfriend’s house. In the small town of Pine Log, Texas, this is a crime worse than murder practically, as fear of magic or satanism swirl. Cassandra has no memory of the incident, and a judge orders a psychiatric evaluation.

As Cassandra engages in therapy with Dr. Trish Telford, she begins to resurface memories from her past. Many of these circle around her family, including her relationships with her mother and the strange ritual that Cassandra now realizes she learned from her great-grandmother.

Through therapy, it becomes clear that Cassandra’s memory issues related to deep-rooted trauma from her childhood. On a journey of processing her trauma and healing, Cassandra faces troubling events from her past and finds more broken parts to herself than she realized.

I thought this would be stronger southern gothic and mystery vibes, but it is much more a raw portrayal of mental health. Cassandra is a very fragmented character and while I felt a lot for her, I also found her to be often tedious to read.

The memories around secret languages and mysterious power were the most interesting part, but ultimately I think they needed to be more prominent to lean into the genre.

The story itself is a bit meandering in the delivery. The magic was less witchcraft-y than I expected which was fine but dulled the impact of it. The message about mental health and the constraints on women in this town and time were interesting.

Worth a read for those who find character-driven stories focused on trauma and therapy to be engaging.

[Michelle Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

They Fly Silent is what I would call Southern Gothic. It is set in a small town in Texas and follows Cassandra Cleopatra Collard. Cass is accused of setting a fire on the lawn of. her ex, an event which she cannot recall. After her arrest she is ordered to undergo counseling. The counseling reveals that there are many instances in her life which she has buried deeply. Her grandmother had told her she had abilities and was part of a mystical Seven.
I found this to be a well-written book. As the book progresses more and more of the layers of Cass' personality and life are revealed. It keeps you guessing as to whether Cass has strange abilities or merely deep seated psychological issues. The also does a great job of setting the scene and you can almost feel the Southern heat. This is by no means a light fluffy read but one that you will think about and will test your
imagination.
I received the book from NetGalley and appreciated the chance to give a review.

[xyZeereads]

I gave this book a few chapters but I really couldn't get into it. There's something involving murders but the writing felt superfluous so I couldn't concentrate.
DNF

[Kerrie Jewell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite good. It kept my attention very well. I very much enjoyed the thorough details put in to researching mental illness and generational wounds.