The Silent House
by Nell Pattison
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Pub Date 1 Mar 2020 | Archive Date 7 Apr 2020
Avon Books UK | Avon
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Description
If someone was in your house, you’d know . . . Wouldn’t you?
But the Hunter family are deaf, and don’t hear a thing when a shocking crime takes place in the middle of the night. Instead, they wake up to their worst nightmare: the murder of their daughter.
The police call Paige Northwood to the scene to interpret for the witnesses. They’re in shock, but Paige senses the Hunters are hiding something.
One by one, people from Paige’s community start to fall under suspicion. But who would kill a little girl?
Was it an intruder?
Or was the murderer closer to home?
This mystery will keep you up all night – perfect for fans of The Silent Patient and Cara Hunter
Available Editions
EDITION | Ebook |
ISBN | 9780008361778 |
PRICE | £3.49 (GBP) |
PAGES | 400 |
Featured Reviews
I received an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review
Very well crafted police procedural- with an engaging look inside the Deaf community. I always like it when I learn something new from my pleasure reading. Would love to see more from this author.
There are few things as frightening as the thought of waking up to find an intruder in your house. But what if you didn’t know someone was in your home? The Hunter family are deaf and have no idea of the horror taking place just yards away from them. It’s not until the next morning that they discover the carnage and cal the police. While they seem to have little information to offer the police, local authorities call in Paige Northwood to communicate with the Hunters. Paige immediately senses the family is hiding something, but what? And more importantly, why? I don’t think I have read a mystery where the main characters are hearing impaired, and this added a whole new dimension to the story and its characters
This was a good book. I like the unique idea of using sign language. I did feel it was predictable as I guessed who the killer was, but didn't see all the steps lining up exactly as they did.
This is a really different idea for a novel of this type and I must admit, it works really well. I really enjoyed it, very well written and kept my attention throughout.
Very very very good!
Firstly, it's great to have books that are about and for Deaf people - its refreshing and inclusive.
Secondly, the tension in this book! Tension is really the mark of any thriller, and it nails it on the head. My heart was actually pounding!
I loved seeing the natural curiosity of the protagonist lead her into some pretty dangerous situations, and normally I'd be thinking, "duh! Why do that?!". But in this book, as she knew the victim and the family and it directly affected her sibling, it made sense. I would have done the same.
Altogether a very tightly paced and fun mystery thriller. Would read more of this authors work.
=my only niggle is that the budding romance between Paige and DC Singh went nowhere!=
#TheSilentHouse #NetGalley
Crime thriller of the Decade
The silent house is a brilliantly written book with a fresh concept. A murder is done in a deaf family. Who is the killer? Is everyone saying the truth? Or anyone hiding something?
Everything was brilliantly plotted. Highly recommended.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book.
I liked this one. There were lots of twists and turns in it, but it wasn't so farfetched that it wasn't believable. Paige was a reliable narrator, even when she was stressed. I like how something from her past was linked with a current crime.
I did figure out the killer before the end, but I admit it took more than half the novel. That's a pretty decent run, as usually the killer is evident fairly quickly. Good balance of results and suspense. A solid read.
I love the aspect of deaf characters. I felt like I was learning something new, while also engaged in a thriller. I did have some idea of who the killer could be, so wasn't overly surprised when that came out. Was a little shocked with some of the twists in the different relationships.
A chilling thriller set inside the world of the deaf a silent world that we are given an inside look at.So well written so tense a true page turner#netgalley#avonbooksuj
Awesome read 100 percent! I was hooked within the first few pages .
Great thriller! Thank you for this arc.
Great read definitely a page turner kept me absorbed from the first page! Would have liked a bit more of an ending but I suppose that is left open for a reason! Thankyou for the arc.
I very much enjoyed this tense thriller and the author did keep you guessing until the very end. There was a real twisted tragedy when you did eventually get there which was worth the wait. The only thing I slightly struggled with was this supposition that the community had this huge number of deaf people in it whose lives were all so intertwined, over 75% of the characters were deaf, which I don't know plays out in reality nor was necessary to the plot. However, I still enjoyed the story.
What would you do if when you woke up in the morning you found your child dead? You didn’t hear anything, your house doesn’t look like it was broken into and your husband slept on the couch by the stairs to go up, so how did this tragedy occur?
Police call in Paige Northwood to interpret for the deaf community, she should have opted out when learning who the victim was but she felt the need to try and help and ultimately find out who killed little Lexi. Nell Pattison does a phenomenal job of introducing us to characters and tying them together. She also does a great job of teaching the reader how the deaf community adapts to everyday life.
Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of The Silent House for an honest review. I give this book 5 stars.
Excellent book. Couldn’t believe it is the first book by this author. Selected this book for the different story with all the main players deaf. Learned about their community, modifications in their homes, interactions. The suspense is well maintained and I couldn’t be figured out.
Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for this ARC in return for an honest review.
I enjoyed this book. I liked the fact that it was a 'normal' family and the way the author explored the struggles within the deaf community. I also enjoyed the explanations of how sign language works along with facial expressions etc.
This was a crime/thriller and although I guessed who the killer was, I still really enjoyed this read.
Wow! This book was so good. Really enjoyed it. Will be trying this author again. Will recommend to others 5*** a very good read for me
Paige Northwood is a self employed sign language interpreter, she is used to signing at hospitals and schools but finds herself being employed by the police to sign for a deaf family whose child was found dead in her bed. This puts Paige in a dilemma as her sister Anna is the godparent to Lexie the child who died. Should she tell the police that she is aquatinted with the family, knowing they would use another interpreter or keep quiet as she wants to help.
This is a chilling read as the parents Alan and Alisha are both deaf and did not hear the possible intruder enter the house. Who would want to hurt the 18 month old child?
I enjoyed this book, as we find out more about the family, secrets are revealed and everybody seems like they could be the suspect.
I learned more about the deaf community and what life would be It was novel that most of the characters were deaf and it added a different dimension to the story.
I will definitely be looking out for Nell Pattison’s other books.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for my review.
The Silent House by author Nell Pattison is a thrill of a novel while asking throughout, “whodunnit”! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and definitely recommend it to everyone who loves a good domestic mystery! Pattison brings you into the world and lives of the deaf.. without under doing it.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
A really interesting thriller that had the added bonus of introducing me to the deaf community, language and struggles. The murder of a child in the middle of the night when the parents are physically incapable of hearing the attack is an interesting premise and I felt Pattison delivered well on it. Unlike several other reviewers, I didn't clock onto the real killer until the bitter end, although whether that says more about me than the delivery is up for debate.
I generally felt the characters were well developed, although one copper was a little too caricatured for my liking and I'd have enjoyed reading more about the children than was present. There is also some limited background on another child death some years previous which was interesting, but perhaps underutilised in the grand scheme of things. That said, the relationships between characters are carefully built and I certainly enjoyed reading about them. There is a wide net of potential suspects and they are all fleshed out well, with multiple red herrings and twists and turns.
There could perhaps be more depth here but I flew through this and found myself thinking of it when I should probably have been doing something more productive. I appreciated the depth that Pattison had put into the deaf community and the various different aspects and forms presented. It was a window into something I have never personally experienced and a kick in the backside to realise how little I know. With a near blind young sister, I am far more aware of braille and the struggles of finding affordable resources in large print than with hearing disabilities. Along with that depth, there is a definite sense of threat and danger here, which means that there is always an underlying tension to keep you reading.
Neil Pattison is an author I shall certainly keep an eye out for in the future and look forward to reading more of his works.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for my free advance copy of this title.
This book is a unique take on a who done it mystery. The crime occurs among the deaf community, and the main character is an interpreter for the police. She also happens to know most of the suspects involved, and becomes entangled in trying to solve the case herself.
I was curious of how the dialogue would work, but the author did a great job helping the reader differentiate between what was being signed and spoken during the book.
I guessed the killer early on in the book, but the book kept me turning pages to see if I was correct. This was a great read, except the confrontation with the killer at the end. I don’t want to lead into spoilers but I found that part less than satisfying.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the advanced review copy.
Very enjoyable to read the suspense was there until the end Was a little difficult to follow the characters at times but would definitely recommend to anyone who liked a good suspense novel
4.5 Stars. Paige Northwood is a sign language interpretor and is called on by the police to help with suspect interviews. A child has been murdered at home and the parents are deaf. How this could happen without the parents knowing makes the murder more unnerving.
This is the first book I have read which is related to sign language and deaf characters and I thought it was brilliant! It was very well told describing the scenes where there was interviews with the deaf characters. The story was thrilling and kept me reading faster and faster. I thought I had figured it out but I was wrong. So many twists and turns!
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy to review.
I will be looking out for more from this author. This is quite scary and opens up a multitude of questions.
A baby is found murdered in a home where all the occupants are deaf. The fact that nobody could have heard an intruder makes the murder seem all the more sinister and unnerving. The Police need an interpreter for the interviews and call Paige Norwood.
The deaf community is close knit and protective but it soon becomes apparent that some people are hiding facts to protect themselves or maybe others. Paige is part of this community and this makes her job difficult and duplicitous. The relationships are complex and the families do not necessarily like each other. All this adds to the intrigue.
I found myself learning about a community, which I knew very little about as well as becoming engrossed in the complexity and hatred which the murder brought to such a small group of people.
Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books and Nell Pattison for my ARC in return for my honest review.
A great read, highly recommended.
This book was fast paced. Hard to put down. It flowed well and it was very well written. It caught hold of me and had me hooked from the start . I was literally on the edge of my seat reading this book.
Wow! I could not put this book down. It was a brilliantly written book with many twists and turns. It was interesting to read about the deaf community and a brilliant idea for a book. Who could fail to be horrified about being so vulnerable in your own home; unable to hear as a child was murdered in the same room as your own. I cannot wait for Nell Pattison’s next book
WOW. This is a totally awesome book. Thank you Net Galley, Nell Pattison and Avon Books for the opportunity to read this wonderful book. This is the first novel by this writer and I can’t wait to read another. This author has the ability to pull you in to the story quickly and you won’t want to put the book down. The plot centres around the murder of a toddler, who may have killed her and the BSL interpreter who is brought in to help the police. . All of the characters are well thought out and many are deaf. The author has really opened my eyes on how difficult some things we take for granted can be for a deaf person. There are a lot of twists in who you think is responsible for the murder and the suspense kept me flipping through the pages quickly, not wanting to stop. I don’t want to give away any spoilers so I will just say you need to read this book as it will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Paige is a sign language interpreter hired by police to assist in taking statements from a deaf family after one of their children is killed while everyone else slept. Since Paige is familiar with most of the local deaf community, she vaguely knows the family and of course gets too personally involved, which I never like. I also pretty much figured out the ending, but even so, I really enjoyed this. 4 stars.
I loved this book. The unfolding story as well as the characters kept me interested until the end.
Thank you to netgalley, Avon publishing UK and the author Nell Pattison for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy.
This book gripped me from start to finish. This is a 5 star read for me, it has everything I love in a thriller: an engaging plot, an interesting issue, and a whole host of characters that engage me (for better or for worse!). Pattison crafted fully complex characters that I could empathise with, doubt, question, and feel anger towards; a sign of a crafted writer. Moreover, this book engages with issues of the Deaf community that enlightened me, as it was something I lacked awareness of. This book not only was a great read but it was enlightening to see how interviews and police cases are done in relation to deaf people. What an utterly enthralling book - I can't wait to read the rest of Nell Pattison's work!
I enjoyed this book.
I am a fan of the thriller genre and this one did not disappoint.
I will definitely read any further books from this author.
It was different for me because the book revolves around being deaf and the difficulties/issues that can present. This is something I know very little about,so for me it was thought provoking.
Family and it's dynamics are at the centre of this book,how not only a disability,but broken relationships and the loss of parents can alter those dynamics and shatter your trust in one another.
There were several scenarios and possible outcomes being played out within the story,which kept me guessing or changing my mind about what had happened and who had 'done it'.
I would happily recomend this book to my family and friends as one to be read.
4.5 Stars
Shhhh…close your eyes and be absolutely still…
Hush…
No sound…no sound at all…
No ability to hear your worst nightmare happening in the room right next to you…
The murder of your child…
The silent screams…
The chilling discovery…
The horrifying truth…
Nell Pattison has created both a satisfying mystery in The Silent House as well as a thought provoking tale. With the integration of both the victim’s family and the suspects being part of the deaf community, the reader is told the story through an interpreter. Each suspect is hiding something, and while I thought I had all the clues linked together, the author ended up surprising me in the end. Well done! Highly recommend!
**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. **
A gripping plot carries the reader through this murder mystery with twists and turns throughout the story. At stages these lead to nowhere but still keep the reader hooked.
The characters are interesting and because the family members are deaf this leads to a different dimension and exposes the challenges faced for them and the investigation team. The storyline is engulfed in suspicion through flashbacks to the present.
The interpreter becomes an unlikely focal point but this also gives a different viewpoint to the usual murder mystery. I recommend this book and thank you the NetGalley.
This is a NetGalley read, thank you for this e-arc.
The Silent House is about a little girl that is murdered in the middle of the night and the mystery is built around her deaf family. An interpreter helps police with the case but soon becomes a target as well. This Avon Books UK book comes out March 2020.
I thought this book was decent and the twist at the end wasn't too surprising but overall it was your average thriller/murder mystery. I felt that there was a lot of speculating dialogue that was repetitive and not adding to the story. By the end of it, it reminded me of a Scooby Do episode because of how the murder is explained in detail and didn't feel natural.
Again, overall i enjoyed the book for the most part. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys domestic thrillers and murder mysteries.
3.5/5
A gripping story, and an interesting idea to focus on the deaf community. I found it slightly off-putting that so much conversation was (obviously) translated, which slowed down the narrative, but I would still thoroughly recommend this book.
I liked the unusual storyline involving the deaf community, certainly gave me an insight. I really enjoyed the story and characters, was full of excitement and I never guessed the ending.
Difficult to know what to say. I loved the concept of an entirely deaf family and learned quite a bit about the deaf community.
The murder itself was sickening and the idea behind it, motive, was truly obscene. Paige, the protagonist, is not the most likeable character you will ever find. Always tired and you sticking her nose in everywhere.
Strong elements of Nancy Drew in terms of amateur- really amateur sleuthing however there are elements of this narrative that you will enjoy. I feel if were to be 40/50 pages shorter it may work better. This is a promising debut work and I’m sure with good editing and experience this will be the start of a good writing career.
3.5*
I read this book in one sitting. I wanted to know who possibly could have killed an infant when all the suspects were close to the family. But I have to say that I figured it out pretty quickly, so that was a bit disappointing,I was hoping it would be something else. Also,what initially intrested me in this book was the idea that someone could be in your house and you might not even know it if you were deaf. The horror of it sent chills down my spine and I was hoping there would be a rich atmosphere of creepiness. But it was more of a series of interviews with weird love triangle interludes.
It was a quick and entertaining read with diverse characters in it, but it left me wanting more.
Thank you to netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book absolutely terrified me to my core.
It highlights how something most take for granted can greatly impact a crime. It highlights how people can take advantage.
I loved the use of sign language throughout. I loved the way the author conveyed emotion through this method of communication.
It was an absolutely unique read and although I guessed the twist midway through I was still gripped on how the characters worked it all out.
Excellent piece of work. I hope there will be another.
4 Stars from me
Such a clever story! I found myself truly quite fascinated by the introduction to the deaf community within this book - the deaf club, the signing during arguments (selfishly something I've never thought about before, but when we argue we shout over each other while walking away, stomping around, from different rooms etc but deaf people would have to have self restraint in order to keep watching and signing while arguing).
Paige and her sister were great characters, there was something quite sweet and naive about them and the way they set about trying to find the killer.
The elements of peril when Paige felt under threat were great and really unnerving. There were so many scenes were I was willing her not to do what she was doing! I devoured this book and just had to keep reading to see what happened next and ultimately which of these characters could murder a sweet child in cold blood.
The scenes with her love interests were fab too, again really quite sweet and I was routing for the policeman!
Overall, Nell Pattison, has created a clever little whodunnit style police procedural with the added dimension of a huge number of the characters and potential suspects/victims being deaf. I really enjoyed it.
Synopsis: If someone was in your house, you’d know. Wouldn’t you? But the Hunter family are deaf, and don’t hear a thing when a shocking crime takes place in the middle of the night. Instead, they wake up to their worst nightmare.
The police call Paige Northwood to the scene to interpret for the witnesses. They’re in shock, but Paige senses the Hunters are hiding something.
One by one, people Paige knows from the Deaf community start to fall under suspicion. But who would kill a little girl?
Was it an intruder?
Or was the murderer closer to home?
This mystery will keep you up all night – perfect for fans of The Silent Patient and Cara Hunter
A totally different story-line, set within the deaf community. Why would someone want to kill an 18-month-old child? The deaf community is torn apart by the murder which happened when the rest of the household was sleeping. Paige Northwood is a hearing sign language interpreter and she is called upon by the police to interpret when they are gathering information and interviewing suspects. There is little to go on and although Paige knows she shouldn't really be involved she needs the money and she is also intrigued by the case. I did enjoy the book but it was a little drawn out in places and my mind kept drifting off.
What can I say an intense book. Brilliant story line when reading this book I was trying to imagine what it would be like if I was the Parents. Would definetely read more by this author
Paige is an interpreters. She does sign language for the hearing impaired in her community. She helps when someone may have need of an interpreter for filing cases or even talking to teachers at school. Now she's working with the police. An eighteen month baby girl has been brutally murdered in a home where neither the parents or the children could have heard an intruder come into their home. The case hits close to home, the child is the goddaughter of Paige's sister. As Paige becomes more involved in being the interpreter for the child's family someone is threatened by what they think she knows. She begins receiving threatening text messages. The police and the community will have to come together to try and solve this tragic crime before more people are hurt or even killed.
Wonderful read. Loved reading a book about sign language and the difficulties of navigating in a hearing world. Makes us more aware of the situation.
A mystery for the books. Stories like these always intrigue me not for the content, but for how close to reality some things are. I love stories like this where you think you're on the track of finding a culprit or someone to blame, but it turns out being the person you'd least expect - the sweet old neighbor across the street, your best friend, always someone you'd least expect. Tru;y a great read.
I loved the premise of this book, BUT I found it so hard to believe so many people were deaf. It was very well written and I found it very interesting to learn more about sign language and interpreters, but just had a hard time that 75% of the community couldn't hear. Besides that aspect, it did keep me guessing until the end who the murderer was and I would recommend for a friend to read.
This book started out with a bang and never let up the whole time. The characters were very relatable and the story line grabbed me and I had to figure out what happened before the end. This is one thriller that you won't want to miss. It starts out with our main character Paige being called on to interpret for a deaf family after the cops have been called to an investigation of a murder of their daughter at their residence. Because the family is deaf they were unable to hear anything as their daughter was murdered in the room next to them. The couple tries their best to talk to detectives however Paige scenes that there is something else that they are hiding. What could it be? And how deep will Paige go in order to get the answers that she is looking for? It isn't very often that
I've read a book about a hearing imparted family so it was a nice change especially when they don't turn them into a joke but actually present them as real people. This was a very original plot and I've never read anything like it before. A very refreshing change of pace to a lot of murder thrillers that I've read. The characters in this story were all really well written and I found myself pulled into what was happening and rooting for them. Nice read
I'm I glad that I got the chance to check out this one.
Review for 'The Silent House' by Nell Pattison
Read and reviewed via NetGalley
This is a book about a child who is murdered in the deaf community and the self employed BSL interpreter for the police investigation Paige and how her personal life gets involved. This book has a unique storyline in the fact that it is based in the deaf community so most of the book is spoken through sign which definitely gave it 5/5 for ingenuity.
I thought it was very well written, I struggled to put it down and the characters were all very realistic. For this again 5/5 stars.
I loved the fact that throughout the book it gives each of the suspects a reason for the murder and things that they said and did for you to suspect them.
I found it an excellent psychological suspense thriller up until I figured out who did it which made it unfortunately lose a star for me. So there we have it I end the review on 4/5 stars but only losing a star due to me guessing the killer which all books Lose a star if I guess. However I would recommend this book to fans of crime, murder, mystery, thrillers, suspense and psychological books. I will add it wasn't an easy guess but I did still work it out but others may now.
Rated 4/5 on Goodreads and Amazon
I received this book from NetGalley, the description grabbed me from the start, its hard to imagine someone coming into your hoe and killing your child while you sleep. I liked the angle that most of the main characters are deaf and the story is told from the view point of the BSL interpretor
I liked the main character Paige however found it hard to like many of the others, that being said I felt that added to the mystery as I found myself blaming everyone at some point in the book.
Whilst it was enjoyable and the ending kept me guessing for most of the book I felt some of the interaction with the police both frustrating and at times not overly beleiveable
all in all a good read
4*
An enjoyable crime thriller with good twists and strong characters, and an intriguing plot. Some of the subplots felt a little forced but didn't detract from the overall story line. It felt a little over long and drawn out at times and I didn't fully connect with the main character or her sister Anna. But overall, a good read!
Not a false note is struck in this taut, well-crafted thriller. Paige Northwood is involved in the investigation of a horrific murder at the Hunter home, because of her work as a BSL interpreter. She is used to the more distressing aspects of this work but it’s made even more difficult by the fact she knows the family through the Deaf community.
To say more might involve spoilers, but what lifts this book above more run-of-the-mill thrillers is the way it revolves around a family who are Deaf and tendrils of danger and blame snake out into that community. The use of BSL flows naturally through the dialogue and any character actions which stem from being deaf/Deaf are also included without fanfare or being overwritten.
It is a refreshing take on a genre that can be hackneyed and dull in a bad author’s hands.
Lexie is killed in her bed and no one has heard anything as the whole household are deaf. Paige Northwood is brought in as a BSL interpreter to aid the police in communicating with the family during their investigations. Paige’s sister is Lexie’s Godmontger and Paige is caught in the middle as the investigation escalates.
A good book and different setting for a crime novel.
I absolutely loved this book, I couldn’t put it down! I was a bit suspicious when I saw the reviews in goodreads but I ed to give t a chance. It was a brilliant read, faced paced from beginning to end. Just when I thought I knew the murderer, everything was flipped on it’s head. Thank you for letting me review this title
When Paige receives a call to interpret in a murder within the deaf community she is upset as she knows the family and her sister is the child’s godmother. Using her knowledge of the deaf community she aids the police while investigating herself. Soon she is drawn into the case as more than an interpreter.
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were great and the difference in involving the deaf culture was brilliant. I really hope there is a second book.
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
I was really attracted to this book because of its premise. I love mystery books that will make my head hurt because of guessing and guessing of what will happen next.
I will do this one a spoiler free review.
When I started reading this boom, yes, it didnt fail to make my head swirl. In a good way. It was a weird setup for me. I couldnt relate with the protagonist much.
But the plot itself was intriguing and exciting enough for me. This was my first book from the author and I cant wait to read more.
I would definitely recommend this one. This is not your typical mystery books, trust me.
I love reading books that encompass a 'new-to-me' aspect. This book was so well written, the characters were relatable and the twists were crazy!
Wow. This book. I was shocked. A deaf family don’t hear a thing when a brutal murder takes place in their home! Who would kill a little girl? And intruder? Or someone closer to home.
Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this book, for my honest review.
This is a great thrilling read, and the characters are easy to get to know and you can resonate with through the book. It was interesting to learn more about the deaf community, the struggles that they can go through (especially with now understanding that they wouldn't know if someone burst through the door), and sign language interpreters.
If I could give this one 10 stars, I definitely would do so. Everyone should add this to their TBR list.
Bringing death into a deaf community, Nell Pattison's debut is a cleverly crafted and captivating thriller that sets the bar high for crime fiction in 2020.
This was a very well written and original book, which was absolutely unputdownable! I highly recommend to those who love thrillers, especially those that are original, disturbing, and shocking! Must read for my fellow thriller lovers! Grab your copy today, this is one you do not want to miss!
Will make sure I buzz it up!
The Silent House is a unique thriller that has a great storyline. The characters are well developed and the book is well written.
The premise of this book was excellent. The idea of a gruesome murder in the home of a deaf family sent shivers down my spine. It was fast-paced and thrilling, though Paige was a slightly difficult character to get on with. I personally preferred the third person chapters, and the big reveal was executed brilliantly.
Thank you to Netgalley and Avon for this advanced reader's copy. Chilling concept and a stunning read. My novel of the year.
The Silent House, is a novel about the police investigation of the death of a young child, Lexi. The family of the child are deaf and the book is narrated primarily in the first person by the BSL interpreter Paige. Paige herself is not deaf, but part of the deaf community through her deaf parents and her sister Anna. Paige struggles with the logistics and emotions arising from her role in the investigation, as well as the balance she needs to strike between being apart of the community and professionally working within it.
Interspersed between Paige’s narrative are snippets of time leading up to Lexi’s death that serve to provide a backstory for the wider narrative. The chapters are from the perspectives of various other characters, Lexi’s mother Laura, Lexi’s father Alan, Alan’s new partner Elisha, to name a few. The time frames start fifteen hours before the murder and culminate with Lexi’s murder revealing the offender.
We see Paige playing a larger role than she intended in the investigation and all the consequences.
I read this book on trains, planes and whilst waiting in line. Couldn’t put it down. Paige is an interesting lead, a little frustrating - shes a good listener but not such a great advice taker! But that’s what
Made for such a good read. A really interesting approach to a book and gave me pause around the challenges members of the deaf community, stereotypes, and what service provision could look like.
Thank you to The Author, Netgalley and Avon Books Uk.
For publication in 2020. I received an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
My review will also be posted online at my bookstagram @aplace_inthesun.
Thank you Netgalley, Avon Books UK and Nell Pattison for allowing me to read this advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
I can't even imagine a world without sound. To not know when someone knocks on your door, your phone rings or most importantly be able to hear if your child cries out for help.
This book made me think about things that I have taken too much for granted and helped me understand the obstacles and ways the deaf community navigate life.
As far as the story goes, I got through almost the whole book trying to figure out who the suspect is. I kept bouncing back and forth and then back again. Loved this book and will look for more books from this author again.
What a unique book it about an Interpret who signs for the Deaf community who becomes employed by the Police she ends up getting tangled in the investigate. The writer kept you guessing all the way through to who had killed the child to the very end and why it happen. I’m glad I chose this book as soon as I read the outline of the story I had to request this to be sent for me it is a very unique story.
I couldn't put this book down......I loved it! It kept me guessing all the time, and just when I thought I had it figured out another twist happened.
5/5 stars for sure!
I really enjoyed reading this book. I thought the characters were interesting and the mystery had me guessing all of the way through.
Because Paige is an interpreter, she is only privy to parts of the investigation and only takes part in some of the interviews. She only has part of the story, which really does add to the tension. And, because of how tight knit the Deaf community is, she quickly finds herself too closely involved in the investigation. The crime itself is particularly harrowing. A murder of a child, in a house where no one can hear it happen. I definitely recommend giving this book a read if you enjoy crime fiction!
I've never read a crime novel from the perspective of an interpreter before. Crime novels can be pretty formulaic, so it's always fun to read one that takes a different perspective. Sign language is used throughout the book as it is many of the characters' first language. I don't think I've ever read a book before celebrates the use of BSL in this way. I've read several where one or two characters sign, but usually they are deaf/hoh children in a hearing world. This book is about Deaf culture, and d/Deaf/hoh characters. It's fascinating. I feel inspired to seek out more literature that features Deaf culture.
It was a very insightful novel, with a strong cast of characters. I enjoyed the story line very much and would definitely recommend this book.
I read over 100 books a year and it isn't often that I encounter one with such a unique perspective that I can't think of another book that compares. The premise of Silent House, the narrator is a BSL translator helping the police investigate a brutal murder in a tight knit deaf community, gave this book an amazingly different perspective. Not only is it a great murder mystery that kept me guessing to the very end, but it also provides the reader with insight into some of the day to day challenges within the deaf community. Absolutely kept me reading late into the night and I hope it is the start of a series.. So strongly recommended that I'd give it more than 5 stars if I could.
Thank you as always to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an advance reading copy of this book.
I don't think I've read a book before where most of the main characters were deaf. Paige is a freelance British Sign Language interpreter brought in by the police when a young child is murdered at home. I found the storyline interesting and gripping and although I correctly worked out what happened, and by whom, I enjoyed the book. I thought it was a well written plot but I don't know if Paige would have had quite so much access to police procedures and information as she did. For me the author did her best to portray the frustration and isolation that must have surrounded the parents and other suspects.
This book certainly made me more aware of difficulties that may surround incidents that involve the police and the deaf/non hearing community.
This was an excellent read and different from the norm involving sign language interpreter Paige Northwood in assisting the police in the death of a young deaf child whose parents are also profoundly deaf. This is a unique plot as if someone has broken into the house how would anyone hear and what would be the reason for killing an innocent child.
The story is set at a slow pace gradually building the tension as Paige finds herself becoming more and more involved in the case despite the fact that she is only the interpreter leading to putting herself in quite some danger.
I did have a idea who the perpetrator may be but this in no way spoiled my enjoyment of the read and I found it an impossible book to put down. The characters were all well crafted and the writing was very good and I look forward to reading more books from Nell Pattison in the future.
So for me a gripping and chilling read given the subject and a story with a difference that I can recommend.
My thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
When I finished this book, I admit I felt a huge scare to be alone in my home. More, my dog kept barking so I wasn't at peace at all. If it was what Nell Pattison intended, then, she achieved her goal, especially knowing it's rare that I feel so strongly a scare so deep. The end of this novel leaves, for me, the door open to a sequel. The case is closed but I really think there's a big potential for Paige and Anna. Well, I'd love to find them in another adventure.
The Silent House is an enjoyable thriller! Filled with twists and turns, you need to pay attention to the details to figure this one out!
Thank you to NetGalley for my copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
A unique twist to a home invasion crime, the family is at home, but cannot hear the crime being committed. As a policewoman with ASL skills, Paige must work with the family and the police to solve the murder. Nell Pattison did a great job of describing how reactions differ between the hearing and hearing impaired. Her community of characters seemed true to life and kept the tension building until the end. Great read on this gloomy afternoon.
I really enjoyed this book so much. It has a really great plot, superb main characters and I read it in one sitting. I would highly recommend this book.
*Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.* This book was like no other mystery novel I have read (and there have certainly been a few). It focuses on the shocking murder of a baby girl, Lexi in her own home, an act made even more horrifying by the fact that her family were asleep in the house with her. However, as they are all deaf, no one heard the horrendous deed occur. Enter Paige Northwood, a BSL interpreter who ends up being a little too closely tied to the case, as her sister Anna is Godmother to the murdered child. I thoroughly enjoyed the book for the intrigue and mystery it presented, its exploration of relationships and human frailty and also its insight into the Deaf community.
A great story showing a huge amount of research into the world of the deaf. Loved the way that the sign language parts were in Italic so that it felt real. I cannot think of anything worse than waking up to find someone in your home but being deaf added so much more to this horrific thought. The twists and turns abounded throughout the story and although I fairly quickly thought I knew who committed the murder I kept getting my doubts as more actions were revealed. A beautifully paced book with the police investigation so realistically portrayed..
a book full of action, incriminations, twists and contradictory accusations throughout. A great book written by a great author and one which I highly recommend. Thank you Net galley for the Arc copy to give my unbiased review.
Being an interpreter for the deaf, I jumped at the chance to read this book. I really enjoyed it and felt it was portrayed the deaf community well.. It was a page turner and kept my attention! I will be buying this book for the library and will recommend it to my patrons.
This was a terrifying book! Just in the sense that someone is in your house and your unable to what the danger!
A chilling read with a great insight into the deaf community also, very tense in places and I raced through it until the end, highly enjoyable book.
This book was an excellent read, both for its nuanced and empathetic portrayal of the Deaf community and its magnificent storytelling. I was particularly impressed with the author's choice to use italics to indicate dialogue in British Sign Language -- that one choice served as a constant visual cue to remember that this dialogue was signed, but still very much being "spoken." Unlike many thrillers, where the resolution can feel forced with far too much exposition and explanation, Pattison guided the reader to the mystery's conclusion. A definite must-buy and must-read from me.
A very unique and deeply unsettling story. But so we’ll written. I loved it. Highly recommended for fans of dark psychological thrillers x
This book grabbed me from the very beginning. It held my attention throughout and kept me on the edge of my seat trying to guess what would happen next. A tense and chilling read.
A must read for thriller fans.
18-month-old Lexi is found in her bed, her dead body laying between her sleeping brother and half-sister.
No one has heard anything... the whole family is deaf.
Paige, a freelance British sign language interpreter is called to assist with the police interviews. But as she arrives at the crime scene, she realises with dread that the murdered girl was her sister's goddaughter.
Soon embroiled in the investigation, she starts receiving serious threats urging her to stay away.
Who killed Lexi? Was it a stranger or is the family somehow involved in the brutal act?
Such a fantastic and gripping debut.
I have never come across a novel where most of the characters were hearing impaired, and it was like a breath of fresh air.
I did have a good suspicion about who the killer was but although I had guessed correctly, I was forced to reconsider several times as new suspects were brought to light.
The one downside that got in the way of me fully enjoying this book was the fact that because the dialogues were written in italics, sometimes it got a little confusing where one person's dialogue started and the other one's began. But this might have been due to the copy of the book I received, being a proof one.
It was a thrilling read, nonetheless, and I couldn't put down, so I will be looking out for more from this author. I highly recommend you put this book and its author on your radar.
I was on the fence about the rating, but in the end decided that although it does deserve 5 stars, I will give it 4, because of the dialogue issues. Hopefully, it will be resolved in the final version.
After reading the blurb for this on Netgalley I had to request.
Promising storyline set in the deaf community which is something I’ve never read about before.
After 18 month old Lexi is murdered in her sleep at her fathers house, BSL interpreter Paige is asked by the police to assist during the police investigations and interviews. Struggling to make ends meet and dealing with her own problems Paige agrees.
As the story unfolds we meet all the suspects in the case who all seem to be hiding something. What’s more horrific is they are all family members. Surely one of them couldn’t murder a toddler in cold blood ?
As the investigation intensifies Paige finds herself and her sister Anna becoming a target by a sinister figure who wants them to stop their own investigation they’ve started. Will another life be lost?
I did enjoy this book and found I worked it out pretty early on, although this didn’t spoil it for me. My only complaint would be that is was a bit slow otherwise it would have been a full five stars.
This is the first book I have read which centres around the deaf community and what a story it is.
The Hunter family are sleeping soundly, hearing nothing.
On awakening the carnage that has taken place overnight is revealed. Murder!
Why would an outsider break in and kill an 18month old child?
Are the family telling the truth, they heard nothing and saw no-one, or are they hiding something?
A refreshing take on a police procedural that I thoroughly enjoyed and held my attention right to the very end.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Avon books for the chance to read this as an ARC. Look forward to reading more by this author.
Note: I received an advanced readers' copy in exchange for my honest review of this book!
I really enjoyed The Silent House! This is not your standard murder mystery, since it centers around the murder of a young girl with two deaf parents. I have never read any books with deaf characters, so I really learned a lot from this read. It was compelling and I breezed through it over the course of a week. The timing made sense and the ending was fun and surprising. A highly recommended read!
This is a complex well plotted, police procedural, psychological thriller. A child is murdered in her cot when the father and stepmother are in the house, as well as, a 6 year old and another young child. How could a murderer get in and out of a house, kill a child, and leave without anyone being disturbed.
Alan and Elisha are deaf, as is Alan’s 6 year old son Jaxon, It was Alan’s weekend to have his two children from his previous relationship to stay over. But now one of those two children 18 month old Lexie is dead. He had left his ex Laura the mother of Jaxon and Lexie, when his present partner found out she was pregnant despite both women being pregnant around the same time.
Paige Northwood is a BSL interpreter, she is asked by CID to come and interpret for them on the case of Lexie’s death. But Paige hadn’t told the police that she knew the family. Her sister Anna is also deaf, and is friends with Laura as well as being godmother to Lexie. She is distraught when she hears of Lexie’s death.
Di Forest and D.C. Singh are in charge of the investigation, if you are thinking good cop bad cop Forest is the bad cop, Singh is good co. I really didn’t like Forest at all. They don’t seem short of suspects in the case, then Paige starts receiving threatening messages, someone seems to think she knows more than she does.
The story is told in split timelines, some of the time it’s the present time then it goes from 16 hours before the murder and counts down. The -lot is good, lots of characters, Paige doesn’t know who she can trust. There is mention of someone known only as Caitlyn, but you don’t know who she is until almost at the end. But Paige’s having nightmares about Caitlin, whilst she is helping the police as an interpreter.
A good read, showing some of the difficulties that deaf people face, having a friend that is deaf, I know if a subject changes it’s difficult to know what people are talking about. Some good characters, who are relatable, believable. Some are nice and some not so.
I would like to thank #netgalley and #Avon for an eARC in exchange for an honest, fair and unbiased review.
This is an intriguing story of the brutal murder of a young child, Lexi in the home of a deaf family. A sign language interpreter is employed to interpret for the family and other people that the police investigating the murder need to question. However, Paige the interpreter happens to know many of the people involved and becomes more interested in finding out who the killer is than she really should.
Well done to Nell Pattison the author, who does a great job creating some very nasty characters other frustrating characters but also the sympathetic detective Singh. Paige finds herself in some very tense situations which is a credit to the excellent writing.
This was a fast paced totally transfixing thriller that was a total joy to read.
I loved it and I feel a little sad I have finished reading it.
I was really excited to get an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and Avon Books. Wouldn’t you be when you see the line ‘There’s someone in your home...but you can’t hear them’? So I was hoping for a really creepy intense psychological thriller, sadly on this count I was disappointed. Having said that this is a well written and thought out crime/family drama that is worth a read. You really are suspicious of everyone, and although I did have my suspicions which were proved right it isn’t too obvious and you really aren’t sure until the end.
The Hunter family are deaf and wake up to find that one of their young children has been murdered and they didn’t hear a thing. The story is then primarily told by Paige Northwood who is called to the scene and pulled into the investigation as a registered British Sign Language Interpreter. However as the Deaf community is relatively small Paige knows the family involved in the investigation and gradually becomes more involved than her professional role should allow. The story has flash backs counting down to the time of the murder which is really well done and helps build the story.
The uniqueness of this story which makes it stand out from others is that is that it centres around the Deaf community which I really don’t think has been the setting of any book I’ve read before. Without feeling patronising, as this isn’t the point of the book, it does make you think about life within the Deaf community and ultimately that it is just the same as every other community. If you liked Lies Lies Lies by Adele Parks then I think this for you.
A book to build up your own theories of whodunnit only to have them progressively knocked down right to the end. And although the ending makes you think "yes, that explains it all" it's none the less unexpected because of it. With a cast of damaged people, you can empathise with each of the potential culprits as well as having sympathy for the police as behind the scenes they work through a web of secrets and lies.
Not a bad book but unfortunately I guessed who the murderer was , there was a twist at the end that was a bit of a surprise. It rolled along at a good pace but it wasn’t a can’t put it down book . Well worth a read though . I will read more from this author in the future
A cross between a thriller and a police procedural, but with a difference. The main protagonist (a translator who acts as a bit of a rogue investigator) is deaf, as are many of the characters in this novel. That, for me, raised it above what it could otherwise have been in a market filled to brimming with similar detective stories. Yes, like most readers I had probably guessed who the murderer was half way through the novel, and what their motive was - but that didn't stop it from being engaging and entertaining. A rewarding, entertaining read.
I picked this out of my TBR on a whim and i had seen a bit of hype surrounding this pre release. Oh wow, it was a fantastic read. If someone broke into your house - surely you would know but as the Hunter family are all deaf, chances are they wont hear a thing and when they wake up, one of the children has been brutally murdered.
Paige gets a call to interpret for the witnesses, and despite knowing the family she doesnt own up, but instead starts to believe the police are not doing all they can to find the murderer and she too becomes involved in finding answers. The deaf community is a small one and Paige starts to suspect everyone.
As Paige gets more involved the narrative takes alot of twists and turns. It also means, someone is after Paige - they want to stop her searching for answers. I really enjoyed it, when sign language was been used - the author made it clear so we could differentiate. I thought i had this one all figured out from early on but nope,not at all. I found my heart racing at times especially towards the end.
I would recommend this book over and over, its a thriller with a difference.
Such an interesting premise!! Compelling and chilling but also a macabre kind of fun read (if that makes any sense...) Enjoyed each character and loved the ending. Would definitely recommend to fellow mystery fans!
Brilliant book very fast paced kept you gripped from the very first page with all the twists and turns hadn’t a clue who had done it, I liked all the characters apart from Forest who was too sure of herself. It gave me an insight on signing for the deaf and how exhausting it could be which I never thought before. Thanks to Netgalley for the book as I had never read this author before but now look forward to her next book.
“The Silent House,” begins with the murder of an 18-month-old little girl named Lexi. Right after, we are introduced to the main character in the novel, Paige Northwood. She is a British sign language interpreter and has been called to the scene of the crime by the police. The family of the little girl is profoundly deaf, and Paige will need to interpret for them in police interviews, as well for the suspects in the case. I’d never read a book about the deaf community before and this aspect immediately grabbed my attention when I was browsing Netgalley. I dove into this book right away, and from the first few pages I was intrigued and knew I would like it.
I have read my fair share of mysteries and psychological thrillers. Was I impressed with this particular one? Well, it’s definitely not “The Silent Patient,” but as we say in Spanish “en gustos se rompen generos.” (That means “we all like different stuff,” or something to that effect). No, it wasn’t as surprising as other thrillers I’ve read before, and here comes the but, it was highly entertaining.
I felt the mystery was not very or intricate or well-crafted, as I could clearly see where things were heading pretty much from the first few chapters. Most of the characters were one dimensional, separated into either good or bad with little wiggle room in between. It’s obvious the author wants the reader to suspect practically everyone in this book. At one point I was even suspecting Anna, the main character’s sister and godmother of the murdered child. Oops! But when the reveal came, I was not surprised because by that point I had already come up with that theory since way back. Then what did I like about this book? It kept me reading and it kept me engaged.
With mysteries and thrillers, being fully engaged in the reading is half the fun as not being able to easily guess the outcome of the plot. This book managed to keep me hooked. It’s short chapters that jump from the present to past (hours before the murder), make the reading fast paced and enjoyable. The plot has potential and even though it doesn’t get fully developed, I still found it interesting to read from Paige’s perspective. I have to add that it was refreshing to read a mystery/thriller where the main character is not heavily abusing alcohol and therefore is not an unreliable narrator.
This is perfect for readers who are trying to get into mystery and thrillers. An avid reader of the genre might find this title a bit predictable, but I’d still say to give it a try. I believe I read somewhere that this is the author’s first book, having enjoyed this one I will be on the lookout for future releases from her.
*Thanks to Netgalley and Avon UK for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
A very good gripping story that has you guessing all the way through. The story is told from the perspective of the BSL translator brought in to interpret for the police. Paige Northwood was the only hearing person in her family, and due to circumstances had "fallen" into interpreting as a job, and had recently gone self employed, so this first job working for the police was very important to her.
As part of the local deaf community it was inevitable that she might know the people involved but what she didn't expect was how involved she would become!
Rather a long book, but that didn't matter as I couldn't put it down!
This debut mystery has an interesting and unique premise with a sign language interpreter employed by the police to translate for a deaf family whose young child, Lexi, was found bashed to death in her bed. With the father, stepmother and two siblings all deaf no one heard anything during the night.
The interpreter, Paige Northwood, has normal hearing but grew up in a deaf household and learnt to sign and translate for the rest of her family. Although she knows the family from the local Deaf Club, the police find it hard to book available interpreters so allow her to be involved all the interviews with deaf family members. The novel is voiced from Paige's perspective and her thoughts on who might have killed little Lexi so that the police investigation is more hidden than usual in this type of novel.
Despite such a promising beginning, the rest of the novel was rather slow and dull. Little progress was made in eliminating suspects and it felt like we were going round in circles not getting anywhere and failing to build any suspense, until close to the end when it all suddenly fell into place. The characters were underdeveloped and it was difficult to warm to any of them. Paige was somewhat flaky and overemotional (for a professional used to dealing with confidential situations) and her supposedly close relationship with her sister Anna not evident. I enjoyed learning more about the deaf community and their issues in dealing with the hearing on a daily basis in this promising debut and, with stronger plot and character development, would read a follow up novel.
This was great crime thriller with a different twist since it took place within a home of a deaf family. I was able to absorb the story line and the characters which made for a great fast paced read. I felt that the ending was cut a little short and I was wanting more detail but over all a great read.
I really enjoyed this book. This book had me intrigued when I first read the blurb describing the book. What indeed would you do if you couldn't hear your attacker coming. And this book didn't disappoint at all. And reading a book which deals with deaf people was also a different experience. The story builds up slowly but steadily and gets more and more interesting with every page. I guessed who the culprit was but even then that didn't spoil the book for me. Really well created characters and a wonderfully crafted story. And one that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to anyone who likes a good mystery thriller. And a big thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for giving me this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
I'll give 5 stars and I'll admit I've enjoyed this book.
It's hard to stomach a crime that involves a child, but I'll give credit to the author as the subject it's really interesting, placing the crime in a Deaf community and building it around, keeping it always twisted and only at the end you get to reveal the real killer.
I do enjoy thrillers and I'm always looking for stories that are not easy to guess, no clichés, so this time I'm happy I've spent my time reading a book that really is worth it
I received this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review and I loved this book. The story is about a deaf family whose 18 months daughter is murdered and the protagonist Paige is called as an interpreter to the police department. Paige is a professional interpreter but she can't help herself and gets attached to the investigation because she knows the family through her sister Anna.
The story is very well fabricated so that not too much is revealed at a time. The story is interesting and I couldn't guess the killer upto 65 percent into the book. The story was intriguing to me and the characterization is very well framed.
The story was very well paced and did not felt rushing contrary to many murder mysteries that I have read before. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and would recommend it.
This book tells a really harrowing story, a family wakes up to find that someone has brutally murdered their 18 months old daughter during the night, but the entire family is deaf so no one heard anything.
So Paige, who’s hearing but comes from a deaf family gets employed to be an interpreter for the police. Cue lots of suspects, attempts to scare and hurt Paige and her sister Anna and a huge sad twist at the end.
I really enjoyed this book, I really could not put it down and once I got near the end had to stay up late to find what really happened.
The book is narrated in the present from Paige perspective, but alternates with a narrative of the events from before the murder, which I found really interesting and different than usual (although some I found a bit random, like the soft play scene).
I also found it very interesting that this book was about the deaf community and it felt to me that this was portrayed very well.
I highly recommend this book and a huge thank you to Avon Books and NetGalley for letting me review it.
Wow. I couldn't put this book down-- I had to know what was going to happen next.
This book is gripping, page turning and leaves you thinking wow! How didn't I think of that?
I especially enjoyed the originality of this story being a deaf thriller book. Honestly, it's heartbreaking, filled with all kinds of interesting characters, family that is controlling and wondering who can you trust.
The Silent House is definitely a read for those who love thrillers and a unique take on them.
I look forward to reading more books by this author!
4 stars from me
*Recv'd a copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
Dramatic, fast moving, roller coaster ride of a novel. A different storyline than usual as it involved the deaf community and the police.
An interesting take on a murder mystery - a child is killed in the night whilst the house - all of whom are profoundly deaf - sleeps on. Well plotted and executed perfectly, keeps you guessing until the end
The Silent House by Nell Pattison initially appealed to me because of its unique twist on the traditional mystery/thriller genre. The murder of an infant girl occurs under her very own roof, but it is undetected by her deaf family until the following morning. Paige Northwood is called in to act as a liaison between the police and the victim's family, members of the deaf community to which Paige is linked. But something does not sit right with the interpreter. Was this a random atrack, or is the perpetrator someone much closer to home?
This is a well-executed premise, although I did find the pace to be somewhat slow at various parts of the narrative. Kudos to Ms Pattison, however, for crafting an ambitious and thought-provoking read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for this ARC.
I want to start off by saying thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book, it was a very good read easy to follow along with storyline and characters. This was a new author for me but I very much enjoyed it, thank you for the opportunity and I look forward to reading more by this author again. I highly recommend this book to everybody.
This book was frightening! It took the term suspenseful thriller to the next level. I loved being able to learn more about the deaf community and use of sign language as well. I was able to figure out the killer before it was revealed but every small twist that led up to the big reveal made this book worth it to me! Kudos to the author for sucking me in from the first page!
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!
#NetGalley #TheSilentHouse
The Silent House was a unique read. It made me stop and think about how one would solve a crime when most persons involved are deaf. A twist on the norm thriller kept me hooked. Solid characters and plot.
Well, well. What a good little book that turned out to be. I really wasn't sure what to expect from this book, a new author for me, a debut and the family featured are deaf. I couldn't wait to start.
I do think the author has managed to write this book very well, It was intriguing and interesting. It kept my interest the whole way through.
I can't imagine waking and knowing someone had been in your house. But for someone to get in and commit murder while you are sleeping, wow, that's scary. More so when there was never any chance of you hearing anything because you are deaf. It's reading things like this that really make you sit up and realise what an honour it is to be able to hear.
Paige Northwood is a British sign language interpreter, she is called in to help the Hunter family and the police. Paige is effectively the voice for deaf.
Paige does seem to get herself a little too close to the investigation, she needs reminding occasionally that she is there to help. Yet Paige is convinced the family are not telling her everything. Someone is keepng secrets, can Paige get the police to listen to her before she's kicked off for interfering.
The tension and mystery in this book is put together very well, I think because it seems unique with the characters being deaf, it really adds to the story it adds to the tension, it helps the story flow really well. It's brilliantly written considering it's a debut and I know i'll be looking out for more books by this author.
I not only wanted to keep reading, i needed to keep reading.
Paige is just starting out as a freelancer as a BSL interpreter. Lexi an 18 month old baby has just been bludgeoned to death in her bed, but no one heard anything as all the occupants are deaf. Paige realises things are more closer to home when she is assigned to help the police with their investigations and Lexi is in fact her sister's goddaughter.
This was a real page turner for me and I was pulled in right from the first page. Although, I did guess who was guilty fairly early on it didn't ruin the book for me.
Would highly recommend!!
Thank you to Netgalley, Nell Pattison and Avon Books UK for this ARC copy in exchange for a honest review
I really enjoyed this book and read it in less than 24 hours. I was gripped from the start and had to find out who was responsible for killing Lexi. I was thrilled that I managed to work it out before the murderer was revealed! 5 stars.
In The Silent House, a murder takes place, but all of the inhabitants are deaf, so no one hears it. Paige is a sign language interpreter, having grown up with a deaf sister, and is brought into the investigation to help the police communicate with the many deaf suspects.
The story is well-written and the mystery holds until the very end. There is a second mystery in the background, a repeated mention of something in Paige's past, that creates an added twist.
If you enjoy a good mystery, and the added interest of learning about deaf culture, this book is for you.
As a freelance sign language interpreter, Paige Northwood is not completely surprised to receive a call from a police at the break of dawn for an emergency interpretation. However, nothing prepares her for the scene that lies ahead. Eighteen-month-old Lexi has been murdered. Her dad and her step-mother were home when it happened, but as a deaf family, no one heard anyone coming in or out of the house.
As the deaf community in this town is small, Paige knows the family in question quite well, as she does most of the people under suspicion. Lexi also happened to be her Paige's sister Goddaughter, so she is already emotionally invested in the case, more than an interpreter should be.
The Silent House is an intriguing story that has you suspecting a different character with the turn of the page.
*I received this ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
What a brilliant book.
Elisha wakes one morning to find her step daughter is dead in her bed. Murdered. Her stepson and own daughter are still asleep beside her. Why did no one wake up and how did the murderer get away. Well the whole are deaf. Nell Pattison has written a book set in the deaf community.
The main character is Paige. A BSL interpreter who is the only hearing person in her family. Paige is hired by the Police to be there interpreter at the crime scene and during interviews. However there is an added complication her sister Anna is also the godmother of the little girl Lexi. Brilliantly written we are taken on a journey through the investigation. Lots of characters who could have committed the crime. The ending is creatively brought together.
I look forward to reading more by this author.
#thesilenthouse #netgalley
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review
4.5 stars
Violent crimes happen every day, all around us. But what if it happened in your own home and you didn’t hear a thing? That’s exactly what happened to the Hunters, a deaf family reeling from the murder of their little girl. Paige is brought in as an interpreter, but she senses there is more to the story than they are letting on.
Nell Pattison did a great job of leading the reader to believe certain characters were suspects throughout the entirety of the book, but by the end, I was shocked by who had really done it. This was a suspenseful read for sure, and I loved that it included the deaf community in this story. I can honestly say I haven’t read many books with deaf characters, and it was a refreshing change of pace.
Highly recommend!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3168810208
"WHAT HAPPENED TO LEXI IS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS. KEEP YOUR NOSE OUT"
Paige is a BSL interpreter who has been asked by local police to help interpret for a family whose daughter has been found murdered in their home. The members of the household are all deaf so they weren't able to hear the attack. Being a part of the deaf community, Paige is going through the difficult task of having to be a part of interviews of suspects who are people she has been close to for many years. Was it an intruder who murdered the young girl or was it someone else who was already in the home?
This storyline was unique having been based around a deaf community. Other than thought it was right there along the lines of other murder mysteries. I was constantly back and forth trying to guess who the murderer was. The murderer in the end was someone who I suspected was at least involved the entire time. It didn't bother me that I was very close to figuring it out early on because it still made me doubt myself causing me to constantly change my guess.
Blown away from the minute I opened the first chapter! I sat down to read this during half term which was a big mistake because I couldn’t give it the attention it deserved. Thoroughly recommend you read this book!
WOW!! What a page turner! The description is what urged me to ask for this book. As it's unique.
The Hunter family are profoundly deaf. So when they find their 18 month daughter killed the next morning. It's not a surprise that they didn't hear anything.
DI Forest and DC Singh are straight on the case but with no witnesses and evidence it can be hard to find out what happened.
The police contact Paige Northwood. Who can hear but grew up in a dead family. Paige is there to help with the interviews and it is soon apparent that the killer is within the deaf community.
This book is great, it keeps you guessing until the end. And when you think you've got it, you haven't!
Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review. This story intrigued me from the start I haven't read anything like this before and was a wonderful insight into the deaf community. The story itself was unsettling who would kill an 18-month-old child? The parents are deaf so had no idea someone was in their house. Paige Northwood is a BSL interpreter and she is called by the police to interpret for the parents and suspects. The story was fairly interesting but I did find the conclusion a little underwhelming but overall I would read more by this author.
When a young child is murdered, a family is torn apart and everyone is a suspect. This book gives us a peek into a deaf community. When Paige, a BSL interpreter, gets called in by the police department to interpret the interrogations of the deaf family, she bites off more than she can chew when she becomes embroiled in the investigation. This novel had a unique premise and a captivating plot making it quite hard to put down. A very strong debut that I’m hoping will turn into a series!
Definitely one to read, buy for a friend /relative or just pass on.
The blurb caught my interest. The book itself didn't disappoint. Suspects kept on coming and the twist at the end wasn't what I was expecting. Great from start to finish.
I was given a pre-publication e-book, Formatting had it's problems but I was able to read past that and so glad I did. Would have hated to miss this one.
Well done Nell Pattison - look forward to reading more from you.
This is a brilliant debut novel with the original angle of being set within the deaf community. The plot centres on the murder of a toddler, who may have killed her and the BSL interpreter who is brought in to help the police. The reality of living with a hearing impairment is brought vividly to life and the narrative clearly illustrates the frustration of feeling excluded from situations when you cannot follow the dialogue around you.
This is an excellent thriller told from a new perspective. There are plenty of twists and turns, the characters are all very human and the plot is very clever. I recommend ‘The Silent House’ very highly.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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