Quietus

by David Chattaway

Seven months after the events at the lake, the Nelson family has returned to their lives in Chicago, Illinois. The horrific attack against their family and the death of Sally and Michael Thompson has taken its toll on every surviving person. Jeff has become a recluse, turning to the bottle to forget his pain. He spends his days drinking and staring across the street at the family he feels is responsible for his suffering and loss. Daniel spends his time training, working hard to build himself into a weapon so that he will never be a victim again. James struggles with the guilt of not protecting his daughter’s innocence and for not being the person to exact revenge. Ruth silently watches on as her family slowly drifts in different directions, powerless to do anything to stop it for fear of driving everyone further apart. At the centre is Jamal, seeing the Nelson family and Jeff struggling and scared for where Daniel is headed he decides to stay. As things begin to escalate within the home, and the family starts to communicate their feelings, they are forced to again struggle for their survival as Jamal's past finally catches up with him.

115 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 26, 2014

About the author

Adelaide-born David Chattaway has been writing since he was a teenager but only took his passion to the next level when he released his debut novella 'Singing Sand' in October 2013. Its sequel 'Quietus' quickly followed, released in February 2014, and not long after Chattaway re-released the books as one, complete volume - 'The Singing Sand Story'.

'Singing Sand' received warm reviews - even making it into Amazon's Top Ten thriller list.

recently released, Chattaway's newest novella - 'Blind Servitude' - is a step above his first books, with hand-drawn custom illustrations by a local artist. The young adult book explores a boy's search for inner strength in the face of adversity and manages to linger on the magical while pulling at the heartstrings.

Although his already released works are being well-received, Chattaway views them as a warm-up of sorts to his masterpiece 'Mal'akh' which is set to be released later this year. The supernatural fantasy opens the reader to a new world within our own and the endless battles and psychological warfare that ensues when good and evil collide amongst mankind.

Chattaway resides in Melbourne.