What do you think?
Rate this book
On the Quiet
Twelve-year-old Tommy Bolton has only ever experienced the simple hang out with friends, crush on a pretty girl and enjoy summer vacation. Maybe finish the puzzle on the dining table and definitely avoid bossy Mrs. Gleeson at all costs.
But then he wakes up one morning and his mom's whereabouts are unknown. His father is acting...different. And there's a woman in the basement. She's scared, alone, and asking Tommy to save her. But saving her would cost Tommy his entire simple life. And he's not sure she's worth it.
A jarring suspense about a boy battling self-control, abandonment, and the struggle between nature vs. nurture.
This book contains explicit and sensitive content, including sexual abuse and child endangerment.
But then he wakes up one morning and his mom's whereabouts are unknown. His father is acting...different. And there's a woman in the basement. She's scared, alone, and asking Tommy to save her. But saving her would cost Tommy his entire simple life. And he's not sure she's worth it.
A jarring suspense about a boy battling self-control, abandonment, and the struggle between nature vs. nurture.
This book contains explicit and sensitive content, including sexual abuse and child endangerment.
- GenresThriller
255 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 3, 2025
4 people are currently reading
9217 people want to read
About the author
Ebony Easter
6 books122 followersTwenty-nine-year-old Ebony Easter is a growing author living in California. She loves reading and writing fiction, fantasy, young-adult, science fiction, and mystery. She wants to dedicate her life to writing novels.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 18, 2025
I received this book from the author as an ARC & let me just say…..
JAW IS STILL ON THE GROUND!!!!😳
This book was dark. Disturbing. Twisted. Sadistic. It had all the elements of a Friday night true crime Dateline episode. So good! I haven’t read a book in a long time that literally made me pause, put the book down, and process what I just read.
The first 3 chapters are character building, slower paced, and the POV is from the main character, Tommy. It really picks up after that, and I honestly couldn’t turn the page fast enough. The author has a great writing style that keeps you intrigued all the way to the end.
I will definitly be recommending to all my book friends!!
JAW IS STILL ON THE GROUND!!!!😳
This book was dark. Disturbing. Twisted. Sadistic. It had all the elements of a Friday night true crime Dateline episode. So good! I haven’t read a book in a long time that literally made me pause, put the book down, and process what I just read.
The first 3 chapters are character building, slower paced, and the POV is from the main character, Tommy. It really picks up after that, and I honestly couldn’t turn the page fast enough. The author has a great writing style that keeps you intrigued all the way to the end.
I will definitly be recommending to all my book friends!!
January 3, 2025
I received this book through a Goodreads Giveaway. This was a very disturbing and strange story and I was enthralled the whole way through! The ending felt rushed and that made it a little hard to believe as a result, but that is my only criticism. It was well written and I would read more from this author.
December 10, 2024
read if you like:
🙋🏻♂️ young protagonists/story tellers
👥 missing people
👯 strong character development
summary:
I loved this book! It follows twelve year old Tommy, who lives a simple life in the suburbs as an only child. He wakes up one morning to find his beloved mother missing, his father acting weird, and a naked woman in their basement. Told from Tommy’s perspective, he struggles to balance life as a twelve year old and facing the reality of what’s happening in his home, and the fact that maybe his parents aren’t who he thought they were.
The characters in this book are SO well developed! I loved Tommy — there is something so innocent and pure about a story (especially a mystery) being told from the eyes of a twelve year old. Instead of intense language and scene setting, we hear it exactly how he experiences it, which is both cute and compelling. I also loved Tommy’s mom — the author does such a great job of painting a picture of her that I felt like I vividly knew her. With characters this defined, it almost feels like you can predict what they’re going to do before they do it, and like you’re a part of their world. There’s also such an interesting way she tells an incredibly graphic and traumatic story from a child’s point of view. It’s an angle we almost never get in a thriller, and one that should be more widely adopted!
The ending of this book…OMG. I’m disturbed and fascinated and chilled all at once. You will NOT see it coming, and it’s both complex and satisfying in the best way.
THANK YOU to the author for this advanced copy, and I can’t wait to read her next book!!
🙋🏻♂️ young protagonists/story tellers
👥 missing people
👯 strong character development
summary:
I loved this book! It follows twelve year old Tommy, who lives a simple life in the suburbs as an only child. He wakes up one morning to find his beloved mother missing, his father acting weird, and a naked woman in their basement. Told from Tommy’s perspective, he struggles to balance life as a twelve year old and facing the reality of what’s happening in his home, and the fact that maybe his parents aren’t who he thought they were.
The characters in this book are SO well developed! I loved Tommy — there is something so innocent and pure about a story (especially a mystery) being told from the eyes of a twelve year old. Instead of intense language and scene setting, we hear it exactly how he experiences it, which is both cute and compelling. I also loved Tommy’s mom — the author does such a great job of painting a picture of her that I felt like I vividly knew her. With characters this defined, it almost feels like you can predict what they’re going to do before they do it, and like you’re a part of their world. There’s also such an interesting way she tells an incredibly graphic and traumatic story from a child’s point of view. It’s an angle we almost never get in a thriller, and one that should be more widely adopted!
The ending of this book…OMG. I’m disturbed and fascinated and chilled all at once. You will NOT see it coming, and it’s both complex and satisfying in the best way.
THANK YOU to the author for this advanced copy, and I can’t wait to read her next book!!
August 6, 2025
DISTURBING! CHILLING! FASCINATING!
This is a thriller book coming from a 12 year old boy’s perspective. You have to imagine you’re 12 to capture the story. Once you picture that you’re 12 then you will enjoy the book more.
Tommy is trying to balance being a 12 year old kid and figuring out what is going on his basement. He has his hand tied especially when his mom just “disappears”…. Now he has to be deal with his dad and this person in the basement.
It is a slow paced but once it gets started, you’re in for a wild ride.
On the quiet was a very interesting and extremely disturbing story. It was well written and I’m glad that Ebony was thoughtful to send me an arc of her upcoming book.
The plot twist at the end was so good. Definitely gave it an extra boost to the story. I do feel like the end was rushed, I wouldn’t have mind an epilogue.
I will definitely recommend to my book besties to read it.
This is a thriller book coming from a 12 year old boy’s perspective. You have to imagine you’re 12 to capture the story. Once you picture that you’re 12 then you will enjoy the book more.
Tommy is trying to balance being a 12 year old kid and figuring out what is going on his basement. He has his hand tied especially when his mom just “disappears”…. Now he has to be deal with his dad and this person in the basement.
It is a slow paced but once it gets started, you’re in for a wild ride.
On the quiet was a very interesting and extremely disturbing story. It was well written and I’m glad that Ebony was thoughtful to send me an arc of her upcoming book.
The plot twist at the end was so good. Definitely gave it an extra boost to the story. I do feel like the end was rushed, I wouldn’t have mind an epilogue.
I will definitely recommend to my book besties to read it.
January 22, 2025
I don't write reviews, but I won ARC from Good Reads, so I feel obligated.
The plot is good; it makes for a very quick read. Overall, it was very good, and I couldn't get enough - though I skimmed some of the "disturbing" parts. Even so, I could not stop reading it.
The ending was very rushed, left me hanging, and despite loving the book-- it just felt like it shouldn't have been over, and I needed and wanted to read more.
I read a lot of suspense, thrillers. I did make accurate conclusions with this read. There was some information or details I did not see coming too.
An epilogue would have made this a 5 star.... or maybe there are plans for a sequel.
The plot is good; it makes for a very quick read. Overall, it was very good, and I couldn't get enough - though I skimmed some of the "disturbing" parts. Even so, I could not stop reading it.
The ending was very rushed, left me hanging, and despite loving the book-- it just felt like it shouldn't have been over, and I needed and wanted to read more.
I read a lot of suspense, thrillers. I did make accurate conclusions with this read. There was some information or details I did not see coming too.
An epilogue would have made this a 5 star.... or maybe there are plans for a sequel.
June 10, 2025
I won this in a Goodreads Giveaway.
The beginning was slow and the main character, Tommy, definitely didn’t sound like a twelve year old. Which makes some sense later on.
The ending with the police interrogating him, would not have happened. I work in a juvenile detention center and that does not happen. Didn’t seem like research went into that part of the novel.
Otherwise it was a quick read and very interesting!
A lot of blood and gore, rape, abuse, and torture for those not into it.
The beginning was slow and the main character, Tommy, definitely didn’t sound like a twelve year old. Which makes some sense later on.
The ending with the police interrogating him, would not have happened. I work in a juvenile detention center and that does not happen. Didn’t seem like research went into that part of the novel.
Otherwise it was a quick read and very interesting!
A lot of blood and gore, rape, abuse, and torture for those not into it.
April 8, 2025
“On the Quiet” by Ebony Easter is a story that should be a movie on the Lifetime Channel. It has all the ingredients of a psychological thriller.
Tommy Bolton is a twelve-year-old boy worrying about school, hanging out with his friends, and the budding feelings associated with puberty. He loves his mom and dad and sees nothing amiss in his life. One day, he returns home to find that his mother has left with no notice, and his dad just says she is staying with a friend. While Tommy struggles with his feelings about his mom, he ventures to the basement and discovers a naked woman. His dad explains the facts about the woman in the basement but never reveals where Tommy’s mom is. Tommy creates a plan to manage this situation and learns just how weird things can become for a twelve-year-old.
“On the Quiet” is unique because the story is told completely from Tommy’s point of view. The emotions he has are written in an innocent yet dark tone. He is always worried about what his dad will think and how much trouble he will get in, just like a child. In many scenes, the question “But then Dad – what about Dad?” presents itself. Even though home is not the happy place Tommy thought it was, he is still worried about what his parents will think of him. His goal was always to make his parents proud.
Each character is developed with depth and attention to detail. Tommy is a twelve-year-old with many thoughts running through his head. His mother is so likable. The description of a loving relationship with her husband and the home-cooked meals she provides paints a beautiful picture of a woman who genuinely cares for her family. Tommy’s dad is an industrious worker and provider for his family. Even the neighbors are crafted so well that you feel like you are living in the same neighborhood.
The plot of “On the Quiet” is innocently built up from the thoughts and emotions of a child. You are gripped from the beginning. As the plot thickens, you cannot help but feel for Tommy as he struggles between innocent thoughts and questions his own morality. The term page-turner is not enough to describe this book.
“On the Quiet” is for readers looking for something different. If you want a thriller with a young protagonist, depth of characters, and an ending you cannot see coming, then this is the book for you. Five stars for “On the Quiet” is given because Ebony Easter has crafted an excellent plot, well-crafted characters, and portrayed a graphic event with an innocent flair.
Tommy Bolton is a twelve-year-old boy worrying about school, hanging out with his friends, and the budding feelings associated with puberty. He loves his mom and dad and sees nothing amiss in his life. One day, he returns home to find that his mother has left with no notice, and his dad just says she is staying with a friend. While Tommy struggles with his feelings about his mom, he ventures to the basement and discovers a naked woman. His dad explains the facts about the woman in the basement but never reveals where Tommy’s mom is. Tommy creates a plan to manage this situation and learns just how weird things can become for a twelve-year-old.
“On the Quiet” is unique because the story is told completely from Tommy’s point of view. The emotions he has are written in an innocent yet dark tone. He is always worried about what his dad will think and how much trouble he will get in, just like a child. In many scenes, the question “But then Dad – what about Dad?” presents itself. Even though home is not the happy place Tommy thought it was, he is still worried about what his parents will think of him. His goal was always to make his parents proud.
Each character is developed with depth and attention to detail. Tommy is a twelve-year-old with many thoughts running through his head. His mother is so likable. The description of a loving relationship with her husband and the home-cooked meals she provides paints a beautiful picture of a woman who genuinely cares for her family. Tommy’s dad is an industrious worker and provider for his family. Even the neighbors are crafted so well that you feel like you are living in the same neighborhood.
The plot of “On the Quiet” is innocently built up from the thoughts and emotions of a child. You are gripped from the beginning. As the plot thickens, you cannot help but feel for Tommy as he struggles between innocent thoughts and questions his own morality. The term page-turner is not enough to describe this book.
“On the Quiet” is for readers looking for something different. If you want a thriller with a young protagonist, depth of characters, and an ending you cannot see coming, then this is the book for you. Five stars for “On the Quiet” is given because Ebony Easter has crafted an excellent plot, well-crafted characters, and portrayed a graphic event with an innocent flair.
October 1, 2025
I won the kindle copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway so thanks to Goodreads and the author for that. With that being said, heres my no spoiler review.
I want to start by saying I didnt really wanna rate this book by stars but I had to in order to leave a review, which I wanted to do since the author was gracious enough to give away free electronic copies of the book. I gave it 3 stars and this is why. Firstly, this genre (well book in general) is a little too gory for me. The are trigger warnings at the first of the book. I wont say the guts and the gore and the torture trigger me, but its just not my thing to enjoy reading. I know some people love that kind of stuff and to each his/her own but personally, not for me. Im more of a thriller/mystery/horror reader. This book would fall into a darker horror than I am into; what with all the torture and child abuse. Second, the ending was kinda left open ended; left to interpretation, or for the reader to kinda decide for themselves what happened. Im not a big fan of those types of endings either. But to each their own! Just be aware.
The viewpoint from a 12 year old boy I did find interesting. Thats honestly what kept me reading. Im sure there is a huge following for these types of books but they just arent for me. But if this sounds like something you would enjoy, happy reading!
I want to start by saying I didnt really wanna rate this book by stars but I had to in order to leave a review, which I wanted to do since the author was gracious enough to give away free electronic copies of the book. I gave it 3 stars and this is why. Firstly, this genre (well book in general) is a little too gory for me. The are trigger warnings at the first of the book. I wont say the guts and the gore and the torture trigger me, but its just not my thing to enjoy reading. I know some people love that kind of stuff and to each his/her own but personally, not for me. Im more of a thriller/mystery/horror reader. This book would fall into a darker horror than I am into; what with all the torture and child abuse. Second, the ending was kinda left open ended; left to interpretation, or for the reader to kinda decide for themselves what happened. Im not a big fan of those types of endings either. But to each their own! Just be aware.
The viewpoint from a 12 year old boy I did find interesting. Thats honestly what kept me reading. Im sure there is a huge following for these types of books but they just arent for me. But if this sounds like something you would enjoy, happy reading!
March 7, 2025
(I won the ebook through a goodreads giveaway. Thank you, goodreads.)
This book was released on 3/3/25, and I just finished it tonight on 3/6/25.
Wow. Extremely intense and graphic moments in this one. Pretty sure there's a warning at the beginning of the novel.
This was a real page turner for me. I kept wanting to see where this story might lead.
I will expand on this in the future, but first I need to process what I just read.
I will definitely be following Ebony Easter (is that her real name?), regardless of what genre her next book might be.
This book was released on 3/3/25, and I just finished it tonight on 3/6/25.
Wow. Extremely intense and graphic moments in this one. Pretty sure there's a warning at the beginning of the novel.
This was a real page turner for me. I kept wanting to see where this story might lead.
I will expand on this in the future, but first I need to process what I just read.
I will definitely be following Ebony Easter (is that her real name?), regardless of what genre her next book might be.
February 9, 2025
This book is super crazy. I just finished it and I don’t know what to think lol. I loved that it was from the point of view of a child but it also made me sad. I kind of saw where it might go with the parents but still it shocked me. Very dark, would recommend to fans of The Girl Next Door.
November 27, 2024
This was a very disturbing and interesting read. It was well-written and kept my interest until the end.
January 20, 2025
This book was dark and twisted! So good and page turning! The ending had me shocked and it was a great surprise! Definitely would recommend this to others!
April 7, 2025
This is a very dark book full of triggers for most people. I'm not sure why I finished it. It makes me sick to think people can do this to other people.
June 7, 2025
Thank you, ARC, for the opportunity to read this book. A genre I wouldn’t likely choose, but engaging nonetheless. Some details were disturbing, yet that’s how it needed to be presented.
March 11, 2025
This was a very disturbing book. I'm not sure who the target audience is but it was not for me. It's extremely violent.
January 28, 2025
“On The Quiet” held my attention from the first chapter. A normal family on a normal street …. A young boy growing up in a normal household; that is, until his mom leaves and he finds a woman tied up in the basement and he knows who she is! Is he brave enough to do the right thing or will he give in to his father’s mockery? And where is his mother? A good story! I liked it!😊
- [ ] Disclaimer - I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway.
- [ ] Disclaimer - I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway.
August 8, 2025
I received a free version of this book through good read and I gave it 4 stars
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews