This is one of the best debuts of the year! Very well written with characters that include history and the country, I enjoyed this very much. Cannot wait to see what's next!

This is a strong and well-structured exploration of love and family set in Northern ireland over dual timelines.
While I felt that the story was somewhat cliched, the writing is impressive and the book enjoyable.

It's 1994 and Sam Malin is in her final year at a small school in the north of Ireland and is determined to escape her life in whatever way she can - via music, drugs, and a dysfunctional relationship with Naoise, ten years her senior. Her life is chaotic, and not helped with a distant father at home, and distant memories of a mother who mysteriously walked out on them.

I could also relate to the small town in the book - everyone knowing your business, escaping the mundanity of it in whichever way you could, especially through drink and music. The claustrophobia and the sense that ‘the quiet whispers would never stop’ because people have long memories in small towns. There’s such a strong sense of place in it and that’s down to the strength of the writing.

Olivia Fitzsimmons definately has a way with the vernacular. - the book couldn’t be anywhere else but the north. Nuala, the absent mother, is the other voice in the story - a woman who Sam barely remembers, as she walked out on them when she was only five. The book is quite cleverly constructed, with sometimes alternating chapters between mother and daughter, who are more alike than Sam realises. Nuala was also desperate for freedom, and she also found escapism in a similar way.

Both women have distinctive voices, and the author is great at imbuing the pain and frustration they feel, especially Sam, as she careers towards disaster. Her story is particular raw and heartfelt, and definitely captures the freewheeling chaos of youth.

This is not always an easy read and there is a darkness to parts of it, but you do get pulled into the story and the characters are all too real. This is a really strong debut and I’ll be looking out for future releases by Olivia Fitzsimmons.

Bold, gritty and bleak we see the consequences of loss of self, of freedom, of love, over two separate time frames as experienced by Nuala and Sam, a mother and daughter, in rural Northern Ireland.

Light moments are few and choices are poor, even reckless, making this a difficult read but the writing, particularly the strength of the dialogue, are to be commended, and ‘the reveal’ halfway through compelled me to keep reading. The book’s weakness for me was the cast of predominantly unlikeable characters, particularly the young, female lead.

Not always an easy read, especially for those of us who grew up in NI and know only too well the claustrophobia she presents so authentically. The story was gripping, following Sam and hoping that she would be ok. The characters especially Patsy her father, and Becca her friend are exceedingly well portrayed and described. Sam is full of wit and wisdom about living in such a small place and the tension between north and south in Ireland. Evocative writing - or as we say powerful!

With thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Northern Ireland, 1982, is a violent static place, and Nuala Malin wants more. Years later, her daughter feels the same way, despite the heartbreak of being abandoned by her mother. The two women are bonded by more than blood and recklessness, however, as Fitzsimons will show us, with devastating consequences.
What a debut! Black as pitch and fizzing with rage, Fitzsimons' novel is a tour de force, a devastating look at the female pysche and the bonds that trap us as well as bring us together. I read a lot of fiction like this - complex, generally unlikeable protagonists, messy young women, rural Ireland and this is more fraught than any I have read.
Fitzsimons pulls no punches and a lot of the novel makes for uncomfortable reading. Sam's downward spiral is harrowing, but essential reading, though I did feel almost out of breath in parts from the intensity of it all. No one in this novel is given an easy ride at Sam's hand - she's a whirlwind that you've no choice to get caught up in.

Fitzsimons' depiction of Northern Ireland is also fascinating; there's none of the hurt-filled love many writers imbue their stories with. Sam rages against the "rotten to the core" place, longing to leave and endlessly frustrated by not being able to. Fitzsimons shows us a Northern Ireland that's brutal beyond bombs - Sam is introduced to drugs, older men, filthy dives and so much more horror that the Troubles seem almost secondary. But when they aren't, by god do they interrupt the narrative, filling us up with even more choking horror.

This debut is literary while still being compelling, ocassionally very very funny, and a must if you're fond of Messy Girl tropes. Dark as all hell but deeply enjoyable.

The Quiet Whispers Never Stop by Olivia Fitzsimons is the traumatic story of a girl's turbulent final year in convent secondary school and her difficult relations with her family, boyfriends, exams and school authorities.

Samantha does not remember her mother, who left home mysteriously when she was only 5 years old. Her father was barely able to cope and nowadays prioritises the farm animals ahead of his children. Sam goes off the rails to a degree and finds herself conflicted particularly in her on/off relationship with Naoise but also with the school authorities.

At times, I found this a difficult read as Sam was consistently faced with tough personal decisions though considering all that she had been through it is hardly surprising. I think it is a measure of how well written this book is that I felt so emotionally connected to the characters.

This is a heart breaking yet ultimately hopeful book, following the life of Sam, the protagonist, though her late teens and giving us a glimpse of her missing mother Nuala, and her life in the same small town after just having Sam. It’s a confronting read, which challenges just about every expectation in women, particularly then, and in doing so creates two exceptional characters, bit of whom I adored. Sam’s journey of self discovery/coming of age is fraught with difficulty, but she emerges, and she is wonderful! The writing is beautiful too. A real triumph of a novel.

I almost stopped reading this book several times as Sam's story was difficult for me to read but I am so glad that I stuck with it. The quality of the writing is amazing for a debut and the way the characters (mostly unlikeable) are devloped is very good too. It's an uncomfortable read. I am sure that the author has a very bright future and also several awards on the horizon for this one. It's fantastic. With thanks to NetGalley, the publishers and the author for the e-ARC of ths book to read and review.

This was a gripping read that was well written with a compelling and engaging storyline and a narrative that was almost lyrical - it is a beautifully written book and well developed characters. I couldn't put this book down and I am still thinking about it now.

The writing was well done but I found the book difficult to get into. Perhaps if I had a better understanding of the history of the troubles in NI I might have been able to show more empathy towards the characters. The attitudes of small towns and beliefs are well depicted. Perhaps the analogy that daughters are like their mothers no matter what was a little uncomfortable for me.

Thanks to John Murray and Netgalley for the ARC.

I found this a difficult read. It was hard to warm to the majority of the characters, other than Margaret.

The book jumps between different years and characters in Ireland between the 1980s (Nuala) and 1990s (Sam), which ultimately makes sense as the book progresses but it made it challenging to follow the narrative initially.

The relationship between Naoise and Sam is extremely problematic, for many reasons that become apparent. Without giving too much away, he seems manipulative and predatory, and she comes across as troubled and naive. The relationship between Sam and her dad, Patsy, is fraught. Some of the writing made me feel really uncomfortable. It’s not an easy read - it covers some really heavy topics.

The Quiet Whispers Never Stop by Olivia Fitzsimons.

I very much enjoyed this debut novel by Olivia Fitzsimons (genuinely hard to believe it IS a debut) Beautifully written, lyrical and tender, TQWNS had such a great sense of time and place. Although there were times I was uncomfortable reading it, I was always totally engrossed in the darkness and light of the characters lives. Well done!

On the face of it, The Quiet Whispers Never Stop has a very simple story, but the plotting and execution make this a stunning literary debut by Olivia Fitzsimons. Set amidst the anger and distrust at the peak of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, relationships within a dysfunctional family are explored over several timelines and perspectives. My only criticism was the writing, though elegantly crafted, was always too urgent - brief, minimal sentences create a sense of foreboding, but when overused become claustrophobic. An outstanding debut, I'm sure we'll be hearing from Olivia again.

I found it really difficult to get into this book, I'm honestly not sure why as I am from Northern Ireland so the places are places I know pretty well. Maybe it was the fact it was so close to home it was too much. I think it is one I need to come back to and read again. Still a good novel but not my favourite in sense of layout and how the story was set out.

With the conflict in Northern Ireland looming heavily on the shoulders of everyday people, this novel centres on the lives of mother, Nuala and daughter, Sam as they navigate coming of age, innermost desires, and life changing decisions. Both driven by a catalyst that links past and present, The Quiet Whispers Never Stop is a compelling debut, the writing succinct and unflinching. I’m still thinking about these characters! Very much look forward to reading more from the author.

This is such a fantastic and tender debut novel from Olivia Fitzsimons. As a contemporary novel it manages to expertly feel both refreshing and incredibly accomplished. because of her talent. Immediately transporting the reader to a very real Belfast in the 1980s and 1990s - the story switches between Nuala and her daughter Sam. In the 1980s Nuala is a young mother with two babies balancing her loss on a knife edge between the demands of her family and her desires. The long-lasting impact of Nuala’s departure on her teenage daughter Sam years later provides a wonderful interplay between the roles women and girls are expected to play in family and religious life, and what happens when these desires and dreams lie unfulfilled. Set around the Troubles in Northern Ireland, Fitzsimons takes such care to bring readers into the heart of Sam’s teen life alongside the political and religious divisions, the heartbreaking way she teeters on the edge of rebellion, showing her raw longing amidst gossip and expectation. Attracted to an older man Sam is yet to uncover so much about her mother and herself through her relationship with him. The story is tender and beautifully narrated, in two clear raw and original voices from Sam and Nuala. A cast of characters are tenderly woven in to make an impact and Fitzsimons writes so lyrically and tender that every lunge Sam makes is felt by honestly and deeply. Desire is explored so well, I was truly engrossed. I cannot recommend this novel enough to anyone seeking a clever, lyrical and explosive coming of age novel. Fitzsimons is a terrific writer and certainly one to watch!

4.5 rounded up because of the quality of the writing.

We start with Sam in 1994, is she as difficult as her da Patsy says? She plans her escape from Patsy‘s side of the mountain. Does she find it in Naoise (pronounced Nee-Sha) who is over 10 years older than her? Then attention switches to Patsy in 1982 with a day that does not start well for him and his two young children when it becomes clear that his wife (Fion)Nuala has gone. Switch back to 1981 and Nuala, tired and exhausted from the demands of motherhood and of Patsy who doesn’t ‘see’ her anymore but the young stranger at the door clearly does. Sex (maybe, maybe not, after all Sam is educated at the Sister of Perpetual Succour Grammar School in Newcastle, Northern Ireland), drugs (yes, also cigs and alcohol) and rock ‘n’ roll (substitute Nirvana), looming A-level exams, UCAS entry, love for a bad boy, The Troubles, a mother who walks out when she’s a little girl and a very messed up dysfunctional family life. This is a coming-of-age story of Sam Malin with the story of Nuala which is woven together as they make decisions that denote their futures.

The novel captures all the characters so well especially Sam, her feelings about Nuala, her obsession with Naoise, her youth, her friendships and lusts. She’s definitely challenging and complex but also contradiction, tough and angry but not always confident and at times needy. The intertwined story is tense, sad, despondent, at times depressing, honest and very raw. The damage, guilt and fall out of Nuala‘s actions are harsh and the reality contrasts with Sam’s daydreams.

The smalltown views, the quiet whispers that never stop, twisted thoughts and blame allocated rightly and wrongly are done exceptionally well. Some of the dialogue is absolutely brilliant, Sam can be extremely darkly funny and very wise. She makes some great analogies with key political figures of Northern Ireland at the time which makes me laugh out loud . Some of her diatribes on the peace process are genius as she wraps some up with the death of Kurt Cobain.

The historical context is used extremely effectively showing the divisions of Northern Ireland society with the shock and horror of some events with one touching especially close to Sam‘s home, these events will live forever in memories. Sam reminds me to have some of the ridiculous things I’d forgotten such as actors dubbing voices but we can still hear the words…

There’s a bit of a dip in the storytelling in the middle when it gets a bit repetitive but it soon picks up again. I enjoy the way the truth semi emerges (it’s easy to guess part) and it builds dramatically and at times quite shockingly .

This is not an easy read at times but the way it’s written is superb, this author sure can write well. She gets to the heart of the characters, their issues and conveys the story in a variety of ways which works really well and you do feel some of what they feel. You certainly sense Sam's youth and her conflicted feelings.I look forward to seeing what the author writes next.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially John Murray Press for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

It's really great to see another female writer from Northern Ireland get published and this is a fantastic debut novel. Sixth former, Sam Malin lives on a farm near Newcastle with her younger brother and father. Her mother, Nuala, is presumed dead having disappeared when Sam was 4 years old and her brother just a toddler. Sam is constantly being told she "is just like her mother." She is oppositional and defiant and feels suffocated by small town life. One day she spies the handsome, but 10 years older local "bad boy", Naiose and feels drawn to him. He is a drug dealer and user, he cheats on Sam and they have a toxic, push me, pull me relationship. Sam starts to stay out late, plays up at school and then her "mother" figure dies and she starts to spiral out of control.

I enjoyed the book overall but I preferred the first third when there were alternating chapters from Sam's point of view in 1994 and then her mother's in 1981. The narrative felt really well balanced and engrossing. Increasingly the story became about Sam and some of her behaviour and thoughts became a bit "ranty" and repetitive and I felt the book lost some momentum and focus. It was still well worth reading and I'll look out for future books from Olivia Fitzsimmons.

I really enjoyed this book, it was beautifully written and a real change from the thrillers which I usually read. I found the characters very relatable and I enjoyed the way the story unfolded.

Many thanks to netgalley and Olivia Fitzsimons for the advanced copy of this book. I agreed to give my unbiased opinion voluntarily.