The Silent Ones by K.L. Slater
Genre: Psychological thriller, domestic thriller
Read: 24th July 2019
Purchase: Amazon
(release date: 24th July 2019)
★★★★★ 5 stars
I am a huge fan of Kim Slater and I love her books, though I have yet to read them all. I had eagerly been awaiting it to land NetGalley and as soon as I did I requested it. The premise sounded interesting and I couldn't wait to dive into it. I've read "Blink", "Liar" and "Finding Grace" previously but this one was different. And I was not disappointed. For those who may remember, it had a hint of the Jamie Bulger murder case which occurred in the UK in the 90s. But in true Kim Slater fashion, it was so much more than that.
Two sisters - Juliet and Chloe - run their own kids clothing business and have a daughter each, Maddy and Brianna, both aged 10. The girls are best friends, having practically grown up together, as the family is a close-knit one. But as we delve further in, we discover that this family is not like other families. They are incredibly dysfunctional, taking the concept to a whole new level.
The story begins with Maddy and Brianna making their way to elderly Bessie Wilford's place, after stealthily leaving the safety of their grandparents' place, and letting themselves in through the back door. When they arrive Bessie is sound asleep in her chair and so the girls decide to have "some fun with Bessie". One of them leans forward with her lips close to Bessie's ear and yells "WAKE UP BESSIE!!" after which Bessie is jolted awake and falls backwards from her chair. At this stage, it isn't revealed which girl is which.
As the girls leave Bessie's house, they are picked up by authorities and taken to the police station. We, as readers, are left wondering what really took place and why the girls refuse to utter a single word.
Juliet and Chloe are in the midst of accounts and orders at the warehouse they have rented for their business when the police arrive. They are told simply that their girls are at the police station and they need to come. The sisters are worried something has happened to their girls and fire off questions to the officers who accompany them. But they are assured their girls are fine. So why are they at the police station?
When they are ushered into an interview room, Detective Inspector Conor Neary - SIO on the case - informs them that the girls have been arrested for the vicious assault of elderly victim Bessie Wilford. Juliet and Chloe cannot believe this of their girls. They are sweet, kind and gentle...and are only 10 years old!
But there is one major problem. Both Maddy and Brianna refuse to utter a single word. Even to each other.
Then they receive word that Bessie has died of her injuries and it is now a murder inquiry.
The girls' grandparents arrive, along with Juliet's husband Tom. All are at a loss as to the magnitude of the situation that the girls have found themselves in. If only they would talk... So it becomes Juliet and Chloe's job to try and encourage Maddy and Brianna to speak.
What ensues is a frantic 36 hours from start to finish as the truth of what really happened at Bessie's place eludes the police. Tensions rise, secrets unravel and the truth behind the seemingly loving family comes to light. There are sooo many secrets, deceptions and lies to be uncovered it will make your head reel.
The characters are all those you love to hate. Juliet is probably the exception - although she had her issues as well, as she tried to run from a past she could not escape. I found her sister Chloe to be entitled and bitchy. Their mother, Joan, is positively awful who takes to her bed with migraines whenever the mood took her, and didn't seem to care one iota for Juliet but doted on Chloe. That would probably explain Chloe's air of entitlement. Their father seemed to be ruled by their mother's moods and her every whim. And the girls? Maddy and Brianna? I found them to be horrible precocious entitled little brats. I did feel a little sorry for them in parts but their actions toward Bessie, just as a laugh, was cruel. But then having come from such a dysfunctional family, what hope was there for them?
Despite the unlikable characters, THE SILENT ONES was a compelling, intriguing and untputdownable thriller that I devoured. The twists and turns throughout which led to false conclusions were both tense and breathtaking. I had an inkling that fluttered at the edge of my brain as the story unraveled which, though I suspected, still shocked me upon revelation. The "how" was devious but the "why" was shocking!
A cleverly crafted psychological thriller, THE SILENT ONES analyses friendship, betrayal, family, deception, secrets and lies all wrapped up in a fast paced tale of enthralling domestic suspense.
I love every minute of THE SILENT ONES. Every page, every secret, every reveal.
I highly recommend you check this book out. I think you will love it as much as I did. In fact, I'd be surprised if you didn't.
I would like to thank #KLSlater, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheSilentOnes in exchange for an honest review.
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