In When We Were Silent, Fiona McPhillips has written a barnstorming novel about secrets, lies, privilege and the vile abuse of power by a swimming coach at a private Catholic school in Dublin. What makes the book so compelling and so interesting isn't simply the excellent writing and gripping plot, but the fact that so much of what McPhillips writes about in the book is mirrored in Irish society.

Many of you will be familiar with Derry O'Rourke, George Gibney and Frank McCann, Irish swimming coaches who groomed and abused teenage girls in the 1980s, the latter conceiving a child with one of them and hiding it from his wife and daughter by murdering them in their own home. O'Rourke served time for his crimes. George Gibney was indicted on 27 counts of abuse but charges were dropped following a controversial ruling by the Supreme Court and he left for the US where he continues to be protected by the Catholic Church.

Combine the rampant sexual abuse in Irish swimming with the prolific sexual abuse by members of the clergy of the Catholic Church in Irish private day and boarding schools (Blackrock College, Belvedere College, Castleknock College to name but a few) and the State inquiry into that abuse, and you have all the ingredients of an explosive story which McPhillips has fictionalised.

It's Dublin in the 1980s and Lou Manson is a working-class girl on a scholarship to Highfield Manor, a posh, Catholic all-girls boarding school in South Dublin. Her best friend Tina recently took her own life following a confession to Lou that Tina had been sexually abused by the swimming coach McQueen at Highfield. Determined to get to the truth of what happened to Tina, Lou sets out to entrap McQueen but faces more than she bargained for. Fast forward to the present, when a new scandal concerning Highfield is about to emerge and Lou feels justice was never served. Can she bring about the truth this time?

I was completely absorbed in this book from the beginning. McPhillips captures the zeitgeist of the 1980s very well, with music and cultural references from the time. The picture she paints of privilege and the discomfort that abuse causes in those who revere the schools they were educated in is noteworthy - it's as though the legacy of the school is more important than exposing the crimes that destroyed so many of those who passed through it. I think that's a notion that persists to this day in how we as a society have failed to confront some of these truths head-on.

Only one small issue with the plot for me - McQueen was so slippery that I felt he probably would have been at Tina's funeral and would have heard Lou mouthing off as we are told she did, and so would have been more cautious about targeting her I think, although having said that perhaps the arrogance and narcissism of the man meant he knew he was invincible.

Excellent thriller that I would highly recommend. Irish book clubs will love this one. 4/5 stars

*Many thanks to @penguinrandomhouse Transworld Publishers for the arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. When We Were SIlent was published yesterday.

God this was hard to read but brilliantly done. This is such a difficult topic but I felt FM navigated it very well and has written a story that is captivating but devastating at the same time. Thank you to the publisher for sending me an advanced copy

Louise Manson has recently enrolled at Highfield Manor, Dublin’s most exclusive private school.

Lou is seen as an outsider because of her working-class status, until she is befriended by some of her gorgeous and affluent classmates. Yet, Lou’s efforts to uncover the school’s secret result in a lifeless body lying before her, marking the end of her time at Highfield. A shocking phone call comes for Lou after thirty years. The school is facing a lawsuit and Lou has been called upon by a well-known lawyer to give testimony. It’s time for Lou to confront her past and finally uncover the truth about Highfield.

Although it had a slow start, this book eventually captivated me, and I couldn’t stop reading. It was sometimes tough to witness the hardships faced by these characters and the lasting effects on their lives. What makes this book important is the author’s bravery in addressing taboo topics that many avoid. However, we must take responsibility for our own education and acknowledge that these things exist and continue to occur in our world.

As the book progressed, my fondness for Lou grew and I empathized with her as she navigated the challenges of her teenage and adult life. I enjoyed the gradual and realistic development of the story, and the ending evoked a range of emotions in me.

All in all, such an impressive start. The compelling strength of Fiona McPhillips’ prose highlights her remarkable talent. Despite the difficult nature of her story, she handles it with great sensitivity.

Many thanks to @fionamcp @TransworldBooks @netgalley for a review copy.

This book completely took me by surprise. I thought this was a popcorn thriller and went into it blind but it brings some up some great topics.

Alternating between 80s Ireland from Lou's time at a posh boarding school and the present day, it was a fascinating read! Lou and Joe shine through the pages and all the characters are well crafted.

Given the sensitive nature of the story, I'm sure there will be parts of it that will continue to haunt me for a while but it's a powerful novel about power and perception. I did think the story was choppy in places and I had to go back and forth to make sure I hadn't missed anything but this could be because it's the ARC and hope it's ironed out in time for publication.

I'd definitely recommend this thriller and look forward to more from Fiona McPhillips. Thanks to Netgalley and Bantam for the e-copy!

Lou is an outsider at Highfield Manor, an exclusive fee paying Catholic girl’s school, run by Nuns, in Dublin. The daughter of a single mother, living not in the usual leafy suburbs, where the nice, good Catholic students live.

The story is told in a dual timeline. Initially, in the present day, we meet Louise Manson. A lecturer in English Literature, at the prestigious Trinity college. Happily married, with a teenage daughter. Thirty years have passed since the days that she endured in school, thankfully her life is very different now.

I had recently read another book in the dark academia genre, and found it to be lacking, so was nervous of reading another book in a similar vein; but I really didn’t need to be. I found the book to be extremely engaging, the pages turned quickly. Both of the timelines have very strong, gripping stories. The characters are really well written, varied, flawed, and believable.

The storyline set back at Highfield is hard to read in parts. Several times when reading certain passages, my husband asked me what was wrong. I had been shaking my head with a disgusted look on my face. Which is a good indicator that I am completely submerged in the book, the characters feelings are reaching through the pages into my mind.

When We Were Silent by Fiona McPhillips is a powerful story of abuse of power, control and fear; of a face that doesn’t fit, so therefore is not worthy of protection or belief. It is a fabulous 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ debut, and I look forward to whatever Fiona writes next.

Once I started this book I couldn’t put it down. It’s the story of Lou Manson who get a place at prestigious private school Highfield Manor, which is run by nuns. Lou is the only child of an alcoholic single mother who lives in Ballybrack, a rundown area of Dublin, and knows she isn’t going to fit in. All the other pupils come from wealthy families but Lou has her reasons for attending the school. Told in two timelines, the present and thirty years earlier - Lou’s time at Highfield Manor.

Briefly, when Lou, who is now married to Alex with a 14 year old daughter Katie, is contacted by Ronan Power, the brother of one of her closest friends at Highfield Manor, she know her life is about to be turned upside down and long hidden secrets are going to be revealed. At school Lou became close friends with Shauna Power, an elite swimmer, and the two girls were together when a fatal event took place. An event that would haunt their lives.

My partner is from Dublin and I’m aware that sexual grooming and child abuse was a big issue in many different institutions at this time. The author has dealt with this in a sensitive manner but has not balked at some of the more unpleasant aspects of the situation. My heart went out to Lou, Shauna and all the other abuse victims and the terrible consequences of the abuse on the victims was so sad, what a waste of young lives. I can’t say anymore for fear of spoilers but this really is a very compelling read. I loved it.

Fiona McPhillips’ debut novel is a terrific read. The many important themes were all handled sensitively but realistically , and although gut wrenching at times I couldn’t put the book down. The book and its characters will stay with me for a while.
Great writing and I will definitely seek this author’s next work out. Highly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publishers, Random House Uk, for this ARC.

An incredibly difficult read but also incredibly good and definitely worth sticking with. The subject matters are sensitive but are tackled head on and with real understanding. The main theme is sexual grooming and the intense abuse of power over young teenagers by people who they should be able to trust and the brutal and long lasting repercussions. The intensity and believability of the story is breathtaking and I took a few pauses just to take a breath and regroup but I equally raced to the end because I needed to see the answers and the truth with eyes wide open. The narrative is fantastic and I felt real empathy with the main characters and their harrowing predicaments and divided loyalties. Very easy recommend from me but brace yourself for a gritty and emotional journey.

This book covers some tough topics which are dealt with sensitively and rolled into a suspenseful debut thriller. However I found it to be quite slow in places and felt it could be wrapped up a lot quicker, I also thought the ending was a bit of a let down. I know others have loved this but for me the novel was middle of the road. Thank you to NetGalley, Random House UK and the author for the chance to review.

A bit slow moving to begin with but all in all a well written book touching on dark topics of grooming and sexual abuse.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

A powerful debut novel, detailing the systematic abuse and the failings of those in a position of trust at a top school in Ireland.
Lou is thrilled to be awarded a scholarship to Highfields but isn't prepared for the bullying of her fellow students, nor the attention from the esteemed Sports Teacher Mr McQueen.
Told in the past and present day this novel delves deep into feelings of teenage girls, decades of secrets and distrust. It's a sensitive matter but dealt with empathetically.
I'm grateful to Netgalley and Random House UK for the opportunity to read this advanced copy with no obligation to leave my review

Brilliant book - be prepared to be immersed in this powerfully written story
Love to hate characters,realistic and so well written
Hard to put down once started

** I highly recommend this gripping thriller; McPhillips is one to watch **

This is a brilliantly constructed, deeply unsettling and wholly captivating debut novel by Fiona McPhillips.

It follows the story of Lou Manson in two timelines, then and now. Although fiction, it tackles the horrific child abuse stories that have emerged in recent years. Through Lou’s tale, the novel hauntingly demonstrates the multiple layers that protect institutional abuse, it accurately captures the helplessness of victims, and it cleverly illustrates the resounding impact of abuse across the lives of those affected. It sustains a racy pace as the back story unfolds and remains gripping to its conclusion.

Another aspect to the writing that I wholly enjoyed was the interweaving of the sub-culture of indie-goth-esque 1980/90’s Dublin with references to mixtapes, the rise of Madonna, Capital Radio (OMG!), the Diceman, Walkman’s, Ghetto Blasters, White Musk ‘perfume’, and many many (old favorite) band references! As well as inducing fond memories, this added to the authenticity of the time and location setting, inserting a sidebar of pleasure to the read. Furthermore, the descriptions of the private girl’s school, including the environment, the culture, and the behaviors, are so accurate, I had to wonder if the story was based in my former school. Lastly, despite its heavy theme, this book is quite humorous in parts.

** This is a superb BOOK CLUB read, with lots of content to discuss **

** If you are looking for a solid well written story, this is the book for you **

When We Were Silent by Fiona McPhillips is a phenomenal depiction of the abuse suffered by students and athletes in 1980s Ireland at the hands of those in positions of power, while those in positions of authority stand by and the systems fail those in need. I think the author handled the themes of sexual abuse, substance abuse in the home, and Irelands systematic failure of our young people so well. She didn't shy away from the details, she made us sit in the discomfort of it all, and I really found this added to the authenticity of the story. The writing was gripping and immersive. I loved the dual timeline aspect of this book. It added so much to the character development and further highlighted the consistent issue we've had in this country with abuse over generations. I can't wait to read more from Fiona McPhillips. With thanks to the author, publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in advance in exchange for a review.

A gripping, evocative, dark thriller that I could not put down. Set in both the past and the present, "When We Were Silent" brings us into the world of Lou, a young woman who finds out what happened to her friend and is determined to make it right. The aftermath of that choice follows her for years.

This book will stick me for a while, in part because I know that element of the story are indeed non-fiction (there is a history of sexual abuse within the Irish swimming community) but also of how deftly McPhillips was in the telling. She captured Ireland perfectly in that time, showing the various axes of power that Lou was facing, from classism, to the church, to patriarchy. I think she also highlighted something that people sometimes forget, money and privilege don't always keep you safe and indeed can sometimes be the noose that prevents you from doing the right thing (as was illustrated by Shauna).

Overall, it's an incredibly well done book, one that handles a sensitive and hard topic with great humanity and insight.

This is one of those books I don’t think I will be able to forget it’s a heartbreaking story that will always linger in my mind. It’s quite hard to say I liked the book because it deals with some very disturbing subjects that the majority of us of never wish to have experience of but it is a book that I’m glad to have read.
The story is told in a past and present timeline and that works really well, the writing is superb and the whole of the book is extremely well crafted which can’t have been easy when dealing with a difficult subject.
So a powerful and intense read that was difficult to put down and praise for Fiona McPhillips for wring a story with wonderful empathy.
My thanks also to NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers, Bantam for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Out of the blue Lou Manson receives a call from someone in her past. After meeting up with the caller, Ronan Power, Lou realises that the events from the Highfield affair are going to be resurrected and her life will once again be thrown into turmoil.

A story that is as relevant today as it always has been. Though a work of fiction, this book has dealt with what could be a true story with empathy and care. A dark troubling tale of abuse, coercion, secrets and lies. Very much a case of “what if” and “only if I’d spoken up”, showing that those in power who shield the perpetrator are as guilty in a different way as those who commit the act.

Beautifully written, intense and powerful, a story with a conscience.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House.

Amazing book!
I was thoroughly engaged throughout this book and I didn't want to put it down! The author captured my attention from the get go! Five stars from me :)

I can't remember the last time a book had such a profound impact on me. 30 years after leaving school Lou is asked to testify against her old school. This book is just superb. It deals with serious incidents in a realistic manner. I can't stop thinking about Lou & her story. This is a book that has to be read & is set to be one of most important impactful books of 2024.

This is an intense, thought-provoking, and dark read, addressing feminism, #MeToo empowerment, abuse, mental health, class disparities, and the dangers that lurk in everyday life from a young woman’s perspective. It left me breathless. Some chapters are difficult to digest, but the honest, brutally honest writing, well-developed characters, and intriguing mystery will keep you engaged from start to finish. I wholeheartedly give it five stars and eagerly anticipate future works by this author.