Got to be the worst so called ‘crime novel’ I’ve ever read. The author spent more time writing about her main character Manon and life with her family and friends. Did the reader really want to know about Davy’s fiancé’s plans for a very expensive wedding? Which he couldn’t afford any way! Had planned to give up on this novel but stayed with it to the end hoping for an exciting finish - alas this was not to be!

I have read Manons first two outings and I was a little apprehensive that the standard might dip a little .
Of course I had nothing to worry about. Mabon is as curt and sarcastic of ever but we see a softer underbelly in her this time. Its somewhat of a slow burner but hugely enjoyable.

This is a gripping and well written novel. It’s the first I am reading from Susie Steiner but this is the third in the series DI Manon Bradshaw series. Despite this, I did not struggle to read it without having read the previous books.

DI Bradshaw is out in a park with her son when she finds a man hanging from a tree. He is identified as Lukas, a migrant worker involved in a gang. Now DI Bradshaw, with the help of her team, need to figure out if this was a suicide or a murder.

The investigation is dark and at times difficult to read but DI Bradshaw funny personality makes it far more manageable and turns it into such a better reading!
Her personality is fantastic and I truly enjoyed seeing her loyalty and her “no filter” attitude. Her relationship with DI Walker is fascinating!

The setting is really atmospheric and so appropriate for the book, that narrates a dark and upsetting story. The writing is raw and so to the point. There are twists and turns as the team uncovers the truth.

Overall, a really good book that I quite enjoyed! I’m looking forward to reading the previous books from this author.

I would like to end up by thanking Netgalley and Harper Collins Uk for the opportunity to read this fantastic book prior to its publishing date.

An interesting and enjoyable story that keeps you involved from the beginning right through until the final page. Definitely recommended to those readers who enjoy reading this genre.

3.5 stars .

I have read the first two books in the series and really enjoyed them, so was excited to be given the opportunity to read the third instalment to catch up with Manon.
It's an interesting and topical look at economic migration into the UK, how this stirs up anger and violence in some people, and the way that a lot of these migrants are exploited and treated. Ms Steiner paints a picture that shows this is far from a black and white issue and shines a light on the grey areas that gave me food for thought.
However, the plot didn't grab me in the same way that her previous books did, and I found the pace slow and at times, a little sporadic. There were asides into Manon's life that in the first two books created a wonderfully 'real' character who I could imagine having a drink with. In this book though the asides often jarred with the flow, and in some instances felt unnecessary.

At the end of the book, Susie Steiner has written about her recent health struggles and the fear she is living with. I wish her the best going forward and salute her bravery in opening-up and sharing her situation publically.

My thanks go to the publishers and Net Galley for the advanced copy in return for an honest review.

I’ve enjoyed two of Susie Steiner’s earlier books so I was keen to read her latest book, Remain Silent and once more I was totally immersed in the story. It’s the 3rd Manon Bradshaw book and I loved it.

This is not just a police procedural and a gripping mystery it is a tragedy, a scathing look at modern life, centred on the exploitation of immigrant labour, racism and abuse that some of the foreign workers have to endure.

Manon Bradshaw is a Detective Inspector, a working mother with a young toddler, Teddy, her adopted teenage son, Fly and her partner, Mark Talbot who has recently been diagnosed with cancer. She is working in the Major Crime Unit on cold cases on a part-time basis and is not getting on well with her new boss, Detective Superintendent Gloria McBain. Despite that when she finds the body of Lukas Balsys hanging from a tree with a note attached saying ‘The dead cannot speak’, McBain puts her in charge of the investigation into his death – did he commit suicide or was he murdered?

The story, as in the earlier books, has a complicated plot. This one revolves around the plight of a group of Lithuanian immigrants living and working in terrible conditions under a cruel gang master, Edikas. There is a large cast of characters – as well as the Lithuanians and the police there is a local racist group leading a campaign of hatred with protest marches and the threat of violence. All come over as incredibly real people, with the star characters being Manon, Lukas, his friend Matis and Elise who falls in love with Lukas, despite her racist father’s hatred of the immigrants.

This has all the ingredients of a successful crime novel for me. Although it starts off slowly building up a picture of the characters and their situation, it is gripping and intense, dealing with problems of prejudice and downright hatred and xenophobia – a most thought-provoking and shocking novel.

#RemainSilent #NetGalley
Crime Fiction at its best.
Lukas Balsys’s body is found hanging from a tree. No one knows whether its a suicide or murder. DI Manon is called to investigate the case but upon investigating the crime scene, she comes to know that she's dealing with not so simple case.
This is a crime fiction at its best with a heart wrenching plot and dialogues. Its characters were intriguing and funny sometimes. It covers many issues that occur in small areas and description of everything is great.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK Harper Fiction for giving me an advance copy.

My thanks to NetGalley and publisher HarperCollins UK for the ARC.
I really am in two minds about this book. I must say I haven't read any previous of the series but that didn't cause any problems, it was the writing style which completely threw me. I was expecting a crime thriller but constantly felt I was in the middle of a comedy of sorts and found it difficult to reconcile the two until I realised I had watched a police series, written in the same vein, and was then able to enjoy it more.
Manon Bradshaw is a middle-aged D.I., happily (or not) working on cold cases for 3 days a week. Out with son Teddy in Hinchingbrooke Country Park, she discovers a body hanging from a tree. A warning note written in Lithuanian - The Dead Cannot Speak- is pinned to it. Manon subsequently finds herself as SIO of a murder investigation, exploring motives within the migrant community in Wisbech and within an anti-migrant group called One Wisbech alongside DS Davy Walker. for the death of Lukas Balsys.
Told from several points of view, leading the reader to understand the young men from Lithuania's desires for a better life and subsequent indebtedness to gangmasters; we learn of Manon's struggles in her personal life with husband Mark, toddler Teddy and adopted son Fly, as well as her irreverent thoughts about her boss; and Davy's personal struggles with impending marriage to Juliet whilst coveting a relationship with Bridget, and the incessant nagging he gets from Mannon.
Yes - all sounds a bit, well - comedic?

Nevertheless, there is the topical theme of migrant labour being exploited in the Fens; appalling living conditions and very little payment, and it's through Lukas's close friend Matis's point of view that the truth of the matter gradually emerges.

I have to admit to a lot of skim reading because I was more interested in the investigation than lengthy passages relating Manon's incurable angst against the world.

A Susie Steiner book is always a reason to celebrate. The main character, Manon, is a riveting and unusual detective, beset by the problems of age, family and self doubt. Very intricate plotting. This is the third book in this series and is hopefully not the last.

Susie Steiner's latest addition to her superb DI Manon Bradshaw of Cambridgeshire police is pure gold. Steiner invests Manon with the emotional truths, realities, and ennui of a middle aged woman, the constant fatigue, the chaotic tensions of family life with a hyperactive two year old toddler, Teddy, with the joys and maturity of her adopted black teen son. Fly, doing his GCSEs, and trying to keep a relationship alive with partner, Mark, particularly with the stresses of his cancer diagnosis. Working a 3 day week focusing on cold cases, should, in theory, make a work life balance easier, but as we observe, it ain't necessarily so, particularly when she becomes SIO of a ambiguous investigation of a man she finds hanging in a tree on a walk with her son, Teddy, a strange note is left at the scene that suggests it could be murder rather than suicide.

The victim is a Lithuanian migrant trapped by the inhuman slavery operated by illegal gangmasters who refuse to pay and confiscate passports, providing accommodation unfit for humans, creating a climate of fear and threats that has made it impossible for a police operation to get victims to turn evidence on the likes of the sadistic and abusive Edikas Petrov. The misery of the working conditions the Lithuanians live under is harrowing, cruel and horrifying, working all hours, moving from job to job, their lives at risk, with their families back home under threat if they fail to comply with orders or consider escaping. If all that is not enough, their terrors are exacerbated further with the intense febrile atmosphere of racism, with local hostility whipped up by swivel-eyed maniacs compelled to spew out their hatred, knee jerk reactions, and ignorant opinions in a political climate that grant them a gravitas and respect that makes a mockery of any concept of decency, or rationality.

If it wasn't for Manon's wit, banter, humour and spot on snark, I would have found the horrors of the plight of the migrant workers just too unbearable, not to mention the despair I feel at the rise of anti-immigrant populism in the country. She is a joy to accompany through the darkest of narratives, having to handle the ambition, incompetencies and ego of her over promoted boss, the woefully incompetent and good for nothing Nigel, whilst her relationship with the able DS Davy Walker, under the stress of wedding preparations, illustrates the depth of their friendship and loyalty to each other. Particular Manon highlights for me were her confrontation with Peter at his office, he is planning to leave her best friend, Bryony, and their children and I had hysterics over Bradshaw's School of Motoring Etiquette. This is superior British crime fiction, and if you haven't read any of the series, you are seriously missing out. In a world gone mad, this book is the tonic you need. Do I really need to say I highly recommend this??? Many thanks to HarperCollins for an ARC.

I have loved this series from the start, and was really excited to get the third book with DI Manon Bradshaw. Without a doubt this series just gets better and better.

Manon is out walking with her young son Teddy, in a country park, when she finds a man hanging from a tree. It is found the person hanging is from Lithuania, Lucas Balsys, he is a migrant worker, being used by the brutal gang master Edikas. Manon now has to find out if this was suicide or murder.

Manon finds this to be a tough investigation as she struggles with personal issues and some demons. I think from book one Manon has been a great character, it’s great to have seen her grow, I love her relationship with DS Davy Walker. The banter always flows. Manon knows how to be witty, she is brilliant at her job. I have just thoroughly enjoyed getting to know all the characters and hope this will continue. The story is told through various points of view, mostly Manon, but the other characters help to make the story work, and it works well.

This story hi lights the exploitation of Lithuanian workers, who are put on zero hour contracts, below minimum wage, for back breaking work, along with appalling living conditions. The story seems adequately relevant to the times we are living in.

I highly recommend this book just to read about Manon Bradshaw again, i absolutely love her humour. I loved the first two books and this one is another great one

I would like to thank #netgalley and #HarperCollinsPublishers for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest, fair and unbiased review.

This is the third outing in the crime series featuring DI Manon Bradshaw. Recalled from her post in the cold crimes unit, she investigates the apparent suicide of a Lithuanian worker whilst juggling a hectic personal life, sick partner, boisterous toddler and adopted teenage son. This is a brutal and topical novel, a vivid portrait of the vulnerability of immigrant workers and exploitation. There are also flashes of humour and Manon is a very real and recognisable character. I had read the two previous novels and enjoyed this one very much.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this ARC.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. It began with DI Manon Bradshaw finding a body hanging from a tree whilst out walking with her young son. She investigates this - is it murder - and is drawn into the world of migrant workers. The author describes their working and living conditions very well. I really liked Manon’s character, she is feisty, opinionated, funny, flawed and trying to juggle being a mum alongside her job and home life. I loved her working rapport with Davy, her DS. The book had many laugh out loud moments - Manon’s thoughts about herself, lazy Nigel, her boss. There were plenty of twists in the story, some I guessed, some I didn’t. Whilst there are a few references to the previous books, this book can still be read on it’s own. Overall I really enjoyed this book, the subject matter is current and it was well written with a sad ending. I was slowly drawn into the story and it held my attention from start to finish. I will be looking to read her two previous books. 4 stars.

I read the authors afterword. 😟

I’d like to thank HarperCollins UK, The Borough Press and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Remain Silent’ by Susie Steiner in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

During a walk in Hinchingbrooke Park with her young son Teddy, DI Manon Bradshaw comes upon the body of Lukas Balsys hanging from a tree with a note written in Lithuanian attached to his trouser leg reading ‘The dead cannot speak’. A murder investigation commences with Manon in charge, at the same time as she’s juggling the care of her family and coping with her husband Mark’s illness.

‘Remain Silent’, the third in the DI Manon Bradshaw series, is well-written with a gripping and involving storyline, suspense, drama, and twists and turns. Although slow to start I kept reading and soon became involved with Manon Bradshaw who isn’t your normal run-of-the-mill police officer, and the way the story’s been written has had me chuckling out loud at Manon’s view on life, love and marriage. It has an interesting plot that draws you in, a variety of interesting and likeable characters, and an ending that’s thoroughly in keeping with the story. It’s a thoroughly entertaining novel that’s easy to read and one I can recommend.

This was a bit of a slow burner for me. It didn’t thrill me.

I’m glad I stuck with it to discover the outcome of the story though perhaps it would have been more enjoyable had I read the previous books in the series.

I love the Manon Bradshaw series she is such a real character sometimes funny and so normal .She is now married to Mark with a small child Ted and of course Fly who she has adopted .Manon is back at work on Cold Cases when she is out walking with Ted and finds a man hanging from a tree .She is put back in charge of the case with her old team .I had no idea that male migrant workers were treated so badly quite shocking really .This book is gripping and fast paced full of Manon's sarcasm and humour which I love .I really enjoyed this book but I was very sad to read in the Acknowledgements of the Authors ill health and I wish her well .Many thanks to the Publisher the Author and NetGalley for my review copy in return for an honest review .

Marvellous novel dealing with the unfortunate reality on the UK and Immigration. It shows the hateful side some can have and the consequences that it can lead to.

This book had me laughing out loud at times, angry at others, and heart broken. I would recommend this book.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for the ARC of this book
This is the first book I have read by Susie Steiner and I didn't realise it was part of a series
I found it a bit hard going at first, but it was a gripping read and I would highly recommend. It certainly won't be the last book I read by this author

I love the character of Manon Bradshaw, the opposite of a stereotypical male action detective: slightly overweight, irreverent, brutally honest and devastatingly self-critical with a sharp wit and very un-PC sense of humour. In all three of Susie Steiner's books she is the shining light, and every scene she attends or oversees is a winner. However I found the gritty and uncompromising setting for this latest case rather too depressing, perhaps because of its nearness to recent contemporary situations. I felt there was rather too much focus on the Eastern European characters and their backstories, particularly in the first half of the book, unrelieved by Manon's leavening humour and perceptive comments. However as soon as Manon reappears the sun comes out, no matter how angry or frustrated she is. Thankfully the ending, however slapstick at times, made up for the dire reality of the slave-work setting.
May Susie recover quickly from her recent health issues and continue to write more cases for her wonderful detective.

I would like to thank Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction for an advance copy of Remain Silent, the third novel to feature DI Manon Bradshaw of the Fenland Police.

When Lukas Balsys’s body is found hanging from a tree nobody is sure if it is suicide or murder. Manon is asked to investigate but the fraught situation of exploited workers and anti-immigrant sentiment do not make her job easy.

I thoroughly enjoyed Remain Silent which not only has a good crime plot but is an interesting exposition of the issues surrounding immigrant labour and is extremely funny to boot. The novel is told from various points of view, not an approach I am overly fond of as it doesn’t always allow the reader to identify with the characters and really get involved in the read but, in this case it works well as Manon, a strong character, gets most of the attention and the other points of view flesh out the narrative in ways that Manon alone can’t.

I don’t work and live in a small town with little immigration so I have absolutely no understanding of the problems involved. It sounds harsh but it’s therefore not a subject that animates me or I have much interest in, other than a feeling that people shouldn’t be discriminated against. I found the novel enlightening as it discusses both sides of the argument and some of the practicalities involved. I also thought that it is one of the best novels I have read on the subject in terms of making the arguments human and relevant to the characters.

The plight of exploited immigrants is at the root of the crime and I liked the various avenues of investigation so they held my attention throughout. I thought the solution was a bit of a letdown and overly high minded for the setting but it makes a sort of sense.

The novel is all about Manon. It had me laughing out loud at some of her reactions and caustic takes on life. It should be noted, however, that I am in the same age group as her so her complaints and observations ring many bells but may be lost on younger or non middle aged female readers.

Remain Silent is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.