Maggie has a perfect day with her husband Will, before heading to her job as a head trauma surgeon in a London hospital. They have a wonderful life, they love their house, and their careers - Will switched careers from working as a forensic pathologist to setting up a highly successful architects firm. Most of all, they love one another. So when Maggie is working her night shift and a man is brought in with gunshot wounds, she can’t believe her eyes when she sees Will on the stretcher. She goes into complete shock when he dies. She thinks it is a case of a mugging or a burglary gone wrong. Then the police inform her that Will is the person who pulled the trigger - it was suicide.

Maggie can’t and won’t accept this. Will would never commit suicide. He had so much to live for, and she knows that he would never do this to her. After the soul-crushing grief of attending Will's funeral, Maggie decides to fly to their holiday home in Croatia. Will designed it for them, and she feels a break is what she needs, somewhere close to Will. She has only just arrived when a letter arrives, addressed to Maggie, from Will. It contains clues to the hiding place of a secret that Will has kept from her for many years. Maggie struggles to reconcile this with the Will that she knows. But when accidents start to happen, that ramp up to full-on terrorisation, she soon realises this is not some sort of joke from beyond the grave on Will's behalf. Maggie is soon afraid for her life, and suddenly, being almost alone on a remote island doesn’t seem like such a good idea any more.

This book started out with drama and never let up. Maggie is running on adrenaline from the start of her work shift, almost to the end. At some points in the story, you may raise an eyebrow at the direction the plot is travelling. Yet, you are soon caught back up in the breakneck pace and racing along with Maggie and her struggle to uncover Will’s secret, and her fight to stay alive. The tension is drawn out, with the sense of isolation on a remote island played upon well, and a cast of characters whose motivations are unclear. We become as mistrusting as Maggie, just who do we want to help her? Who can we trust to help her?

As a stand-alone book from Robert Bryndza, this was an excellent read. Fast, engaging, an absolute page-turner that I couldn’t put down. I finished it in one day. It was different from his usual two series, but still the same excellent writing that draws you in, and keeps you there on the edge of your seat. Definitely a recommended read!

*I received this book for review from NetGalley, but all opinions are my own

Thanks to #Netgalley and Raven House Publishing for the advance copy.

I’m a big fan of the authors Erika Foster series and love the Kate Marshall books as well, so I was looking forward to this stand alone thriller.

Starting in London but set mainly on an island just off the coast from Split in Croatia, the action starts almost from the beginning when a doctor’s husband commits suicide and never really lets up from there! She struggles to believe he could have killed himself but then it becomes clear he’s been hiding secrets from her for more than 6 years. His family are wealthy, well connected and chilly, her mother is dead and she is estranged from the only man she knew as her father so she only really has friends to turn to for help.

The couple have a house on the island and she decides to go there to collect a few items but while there she receives a letter from her husband.

The result is explosive and deadly, the action is almost relentless and the book is tense and thrilling. It becomes clear her husband was caught up in something very deadly indeed and involving people who can call on government resources. Everyone is suspect and bodies stack up.

I enjoyed this rollicking thriller, it’s a great holiday read and although I feel the epilogue gets a little confusing the denouement generally is satisfyingly done. If you want to be on the edge of your seat, reluctant to put the book down until you know what happens next, you’ll love it!

Having previously read a couple of the Kate Marshall books by this author, I was really looking forward to reading this standalone thriller.
As ever, the author is brilliant with the amount of details that he provides and makes you keep wanting to read more. However, with this book things were a little different. This is due to some of the scenes being hard to believe and the main character gets involved in lots of things but (like all James Bond movies) she comes out alive. I think this would probably make a great film if done in the James Bond style of 'anything is possible' and many will find it a great action thriller due to all the location and scene details that are well explained, but for me it was hard to enjoy the book without wondering what crazy thing would happen next. The book does cover some important issues which I will not mention here as I do not want to spoil the story. So basically, enjoy the story but do not take it to heart that some parts would be difficult to make happen and at the end of the day it is fiction so sometimes it is good to escape the reality of life.
The book is published in e-book and audiobook formats on the 6th July. Many thanks to Raven Street Publishing, NetGalley and Robert Bryndza for providing me with an advance copy of the book, in electronic format, in return for an honest, unbiased review

Maggie leaves for work at the hospital one day. She's shocked when her husband Will is brought in, dead. She is told that he has committed suicide. He would never do that. After the funeral, she travels to their Croatian vacation home, where she finds a letter written by Will, alluding to a dark secret. This convinces her that Will has been murdered. She suddenly finds herself in danger as she tries to put the pieces together and solve the mystery surrounding Will's death.

This is not my first Bryndza novel, but it is my first standalone novel of his. While I did enjoy it, it was not my favorite. Bryndza always does a fantastic job setting up the mystery and leading us on a journey to figuring out who is responsible and getting us to the unveiling. I like that he chooses to have strong female leads and Maggie was no different. She had to pick herself up and she chose not to accept her husband's suicide.

Thanks to NetGalley and Raven Street Publishing for this ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Robert Bryndza has outdone himself in Fear The Silence.

I am a huge fan of his Erika Foster and Kate Marshall series.

Fear the Silence is my favourite to date.

The pace is fast, the action is non stop as you are crossing your fingers and holding your breath for Maggie.

Her husband Will was found dead, suicide says the police but she does not believe that and when she finds out his devastating secret no one is safe.

The pages flew by and I hated the book to end.

Thanks to NetGalley and Raven Street Publishing for a great read.

First class, murder, mystery and intrigue! You never know what is going to happen next as Doctor Margaret’s circumstances change so rapidly.
I found myself enjoying racing through the book to find all the answers- brilliant.

Robert Bryndza’s latest novel, Fear the Silence, immediately pulled me into Maggie’s life as a trauma doctor whose husband dies by suicide after she leaves for her evening shift. Maggie is adamant her husband was not suicidal, so the question arises, did he really die by suicide?

The story takes you from Maggie’s life in London to Croatia and beyond. Bryndza’s details of the locations he describes make you feel like you are right there. This books starts with a bang and the action continues and keeps the reader guessing until the end. What a fabulous ride!

Thank you, NetGalley and Raven Street Publishing, for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed above are my own.

With Fear The Silence, Robert Brydnza has delivered us another absolutely cracking read. Often chilling and jam packed full of suspense and intrigue, I found myself completely absorbed in this story from the very start.

To all of her friends, Maggie Kendall has pretty much the perfect life. Well, to Maggie too if she’s being honest. A loving husband in Will, a qualified doctor, a job she loves, a gorgeous home and, although missing the child she yearns for, which ever way s he looks, thinks are going pretty well for her. Until they aren’t. Until the day Will is brought into her hospital with fatal gunshot wounds. Everyone thinks that he has committed suicide but Maggie refuses to believe them.
 


Well, the truth is something we are going to learn over the course of the book. The author sets up the premise perfectly, ensuring that I was completely invested in Maggie as a character and her clear adoration of her husband. Even though we don’t have time to really get to know Will, you can still feel the impact of his loss quite keenly in the way in which it hits home with Maggie. Her insistence that he would not have left her willingly also adds into the mystery that slowly builds throughout the course of the book because, if not Will, then who?



Whilst Maggie’s life is built around her career in London, much of the action in this book actually takes place on a remote island in Croatia where Maggie and Will had a second home. Being out of season the place is practically deserted, and with bad weather closing in, Maggie’s arrival on the island to close up the house for the season is steeped in atmosphere and that sense of unease. Robert Bryndza has really managed to capture that sense of isolation and uses it to build the underlying menace that flows through the pages.



It’s fair to say that the cast of characters is small, and when it comes to the threats that face Maggie, this list of suspects is finite. The author still manages to pull off some cracking twists though, and though I did suspect certain people early on, the level of deception and conflict is greater than imagined.

Robert Bryndza always excels in creating setting and character, and this is no exception. I could almost map out the island in my mind as Maggie drove around, could picture every aspect of her home and feel the chill of the storm as it battered the shores. Imagery is so vivid, it’s hard to believe that the place is not real and, whilst it’s not the kind of write up any tourist board might want to feature in their publicity, it certainly creates an impact. As for character, there were those I loved, Maggie as an example, and those who created more concern or suspicion. Each person we meet is so authentic that their actions, or the fates they suffer, was very keenly felt.



The tension is perfectly balanced and whilst there are moments of emotion, there are many where the reactions are more muted. There are also scenes where I felt as though my heart was pounding and my anger building and the perceived injustices that were being witnessed. So many emotions I a short space of time. Just the way I like it.



If you love Robert Byrndza’s writing, whether series or stand alone, you’re going to love this. A twisty and chilling tale of deception and corruption that will keep you glued to each page. The perfect summer crime read, although I might give remote, secluded islands a miss for a while ...

Thank you, NetGalley and Raven Street Publishing, for my free copy for review.

To get straight to the point, Fear the Silence provides a gripping and suspenseful experience on every page. The author's vivid portrayal of Croatia transports readers to the enchanting island. The isolated island setting adds an atmospheric touch and foreshadows something ominous on the horizon. The locked room scenes maintain the suspense throughout.

As for Maggie, she's a determined individual who tends to overthink things. However, her unwavering perseverance in setting things right makes her a gritty and likable character.

The mystery surrounding Maggie's husband is intriguing, and the unexpected twist involving politics adds another layer of depth.

This thriller captivates readers, immersing them in the story rather than leaving them to speculate. It's a fast-paced, engaging, and suspenseful read that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Robert Bryndza has done it again with this stand alone thriller. He truly is a master writer of this genre. I will read any thriller he brings out because I know it will be fast paced, twisty and will make me wanting more.

Maggie's husband commits suicide but she is sure that he wasn't suicidal so she is on a mission to find out what really happened.

Unputdownable as always! Do I need to say more??!!

Another great novel by Robert Bryndza. I was intriqued that this was a stand alone novel and not part of is Erika Foster or Kate Marshall series. I love both series it was nice to have some new characters but the book still have Robert's same writing style.

This story starts strong and just continues to pick up the pace as it goes unravelying more and more of the mystery. There were a couple times where a things seemed far fetch but I loved how fast paced it was.

Hope to see some more stand alones from Robert because this was a fun ride.

I enjoy Robert Bryndza's Erika Foster and Kate Marshall series. Both are centered around strong female characters, always have riveting plots., and are well-written. When I saw this standalone book, I was immediately intrigued. I'm sorry to say I was a bit disappointed in this book. Although it grabbed me initially and Maggie promised to be an interesting character, it slowly evolved into a plot that was, at times, unbelievable and Maggie's actions not very plausible.

Maggie is a trauma surgeon in London who loves her job and her land developer husband, Will. Maggie's world falls apart when Will is found dead in his home office from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot. Retreating to their island vacation home off the Croatian coast, she finds herself being stalked and unable to get off the island. Things get worse for Maggie when she discovers Will had secrets and is convinced that Will was actually murdered because of what he knew. As she attempts to prove her belief about the cause of Will's death and expose some corrupt individuals, her life and those around her are put in peril. Who can Maggie trust? That's a dilemma she must solve to save herself and clear Will's name.

Again, Bryndza is a talented author whose body of works is amazing. His pacing and plots are excellent and his characters are believable. Not so with "Fear the Silence" and Maggie, however. Even though she is in a stressful occupation that calls for quickly making life-or-death decisions, I just couldn't quite believe she morphed into the superwoman as portrayed in the book. I did enjoy the first part of the book and the exotic locale for Maggie's and Will's vacation home.

Thank you, #NetGalley and Raven Street Publishing for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The publication date is July 6, 2023.

3.5/5⭐️


Set in London and a small Croatian island, this story follows Maggie, a trauma surgeon whose husband Will, by all accounts, committed suicide…but did he and if so, why? As Maggie begins to uncover secrets about her husband’s past, she is placed in danger and must go on the run from powerful people because of her knowledge. Who can she trust and just how far?

While this book was fine, I did find it a bit tedious and frustrating with the back-and-forth weakness/strength displayed by Maggie. Definite twists and turns, but a couple of twists towards the end (in Maggie’s private life) I found unlikely and unnecessary for the story, and the story ended up a bit too tidy at its ending.

My thanks to NetGalley and Raven Street Publishing for providing the free early arc of Fear the Silence for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

A stand alone novel by the well known author Robert Bryndza is just what I needed this week. It is a real tornado of a book. The plot is tightly woven, exciting and difficult to put down. This book is worth losing sleep over !

What is a wife to do, when her husband, who is a journalist, ends up dead and leaves her a clue that she doesn’t understand? They were to go to their newly built vacation home on the island of Croatia. Dr. Maggie Kendall decided to take leave and go by herself to get away from everything and to grieve the loss of her husband.

There were only a few families on the island, since it wasn’t tourist season yet. But while she was at the house mysterious things started happening. She was almost killed twice, which seemed to be accidents, but were they? Could she be in danger because someone thinks her husband shared a secret with her? Did he uncover something that he shouldn’t have? What could be so damning that her husband was murdered to cover it up? Will they find out who murdered him? Will Maggie be able to stay safe?

I enjoyed the plot of the book, as well as the characters. There was quite a bit of intrigue and lots of twists and turns to keep the reader on their toes. What a thriller!

I'm a big fan of Robert Bryndza's detective thriller series, so of course I couldn't resist adding this stand-alone to my TBR as soon as I first heard about it. The blurb of Fear The Silence sounded like it had so much potential, and I do always love a good international setting as well... I've been looking forward to pick it up, and I have to say that this book was everything I hoped it would be and more. WHAT a story!

The premise might seem to describe a slower-paced and more family drama focused psychological thriller at first glance, but you are definitely in the wrong place if you are looking for that kind of story. Instead, Fear The Silence is fast-paced, extremely engaging and a lot darker and action-packed than expected... But only in the best possible way. Danger is lurking around every corner, the story has that corruption/conspiracy plot vibe going on and the main character will not only have to uncover dark secrets but also fight for her life along the way. Fear The Silence turned out to be so much more than just a psychological thriller about a husband hiding secrets from his wife... And I loved every single moment of the ride.

I love a good story with an international setting, so of course having part of the story set in Croatia was a huge bonus. While the island itself is actually fictional, the general descriptions really made it come alive. On top of this, there are other European countries involved along the way as well, and I loved what the different locations added to the plot. Combined with the corruption/conspiracy plot vibe, it almost gave that action/spy thriller vibe, and I think it was one of my favorite parts of the plot.

The building up of suspense and the plot itself is very cleverly done. You do know from the beginning that there is something off about Maggie's husband Will's death and you know that he was hiding something, but not knowing the full truth for a long time really added to the suspense. The same goes for the escalation of the events at the house on the Croatian island; is Maggie just paranoid or is something darker going on? There are so many moments of tension, danger and action, making you fly through this story. I literally couldn't stop reading, because I HAD to know how things would end!

The story is told from Maggie's POV, and she was without doubt a very interesting character to spend time with. There were moments I was frustrated with her actions, but it was still very easy to connect to her and start rooting for her along the way. Maggie sure is in for a rough ride in Fear The Silence, and it was intriguing to see her react to the difficult situations and danger thrown at her. The rest of the characters aren't as developed, but I personally didn't mind as the the main focus of this story is on the plot and what is happening in the first place.

If you enjoy a well written, suspenseful and simply exhilarating psychological thriller that is both packed with action and darker than you would expect, Fear The Silence is the perfect choice for you. Robert Bryndza has once again proven to me why he is one of my favorite thriller authors!

This book takes you on such a wild ride!!! I enjoyed the fast pace. Maggie is determined not only to survive, but also to set things right! I admire her attitude and found myself cheering for her.

Robert Bryndza Comes thru again!
This novel concerns a couple, who seem to be content with their lives.
Then suddenly the husband dies. Worse,it is reportedly a suicide. She thought he was happy.
Later, after the funeral, she returns to their island getaway only to discover evidence that suggests it was not suicide.
After that things take a nasty turn towards danger and intrigue.
Unrelenting suspense. A great story.
I recommend. Thank you to NetGalley and the author for this ARC.

I love Bryndza’s work and was excited for a new stand alone book. The beginning was a bit slow but it picked up in the middle. I didn’t like Maggie as much as a lead character as I do Erika and Kate for his other series, but I was hooked into her story.

3.5 stars. The storyline focuses on Maggie Kendall, a London doctor who works in an A&E department and whose husband is brought in with a gunshot wound while Maggie is working. The gunshot proves fatal, and her husband’s death is ruled a suicide. Because Maggie finds his “suicide” as completely unbelievable and out of character, she aims to discover what really happened to her husband.

Although this is definitely a page turner, I often found myself rolling my eyes at some of the things that took place in this novel. Talk about the willing suspension of disbelief! Nonetheless, I enjoyed this read overall and looks forward to reading others by Robert Bryndza.