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In the Shadow of Silence
Not yet published
Expected 17 Feb 26After a lonely childhood, this novel follows love and joy—until the descent untreated depression ends with unbearable loss, forcing a family to deal with the shocking and immediate aftermath of suicide.
Eva’s lonely childhood has given her an intuitive connection with kids and teenagers. She is a gifted child psychiatrist. Single, she dreams of having her own children, and she yearns for love. The future seems bright when she meets Lyman; They build a family. They share adventures. They meet life’s challenges as team. They navigate a bout of Lyman’s depression; treatment works.
They share rich, fulfilling years while their careers develop, and their children grow up.
When their sons enter adulthood and their daughter is a teenager, they plan an entire summer as a family. But Lyman abruptly stops both therapy and medication. He spirals into a dark and irritable isolation that none of them can penetrate.
After his brutal suicide, Eva is left to cope and to guide her children through the trauma, as they each rebuild their lives.
EDITOR'S PICK BookLife and Publishers' Weekly
Eva’s lonely childhood has given her an intuitive connection with kids and teenagers. She is a gifted child psychiatrist. Single, she dreams of having her own children, and she yearns for love. The future seems bright when she meets Lyman; They build a family. They share adventures. They meet life’s challenges as team. They navigate a bout of Lyman’s depression; treatment works.
They share rich, fulfilling years while their careers develop, and their children grow up.
When their sons enter adulthood and their daughter is a teenager, they plan an entire summer as a family. But Lyman abruptly stops both therapy and medication. He spirals into a dark and irritable isolation that none of them can penetrate.
After his brutal suicide, Eva is left to cope and to guide her children through the trauma, as they each rebuild their lives.
EDITOR'S PICK BookLife and Publishers' Weekly
264 pages, Paperback
Expected publication February 17, 2026
1 person is currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
Rae Dumont
2 books2 followersRaymonde Dumont, MD, LMFT, is both a pediatrician and a family therapist.
She practiced and taught for several years at Harvard Medical School, and at the Joslin Diabetes Center. She saw the impact of one person's illness through their entire family, and showed that mental health affects medical outcomes.
In private practice, as a family therapist, she helps families collaborate during difficulties, rather than becoming divided.
She is also a mother, a widow, and a friend to many. She now turns her years of experience into words that speak of resilience, and of the flawed road that leads us to becoming good enough.
Depression and suicide are on the rise, and the impact of tragedy reaches far beyond those immediately affected. They often create a broad circle of confusion, anger and guilt. She hopes her book will make readers feel less alone. Perhaps it will bring some insight and comfort.
She lives and practices in Montclair, New Jersey, within reach of New York City. Her short stories have been published in Persimmon Tree and in The Hemlock Journal.
She practiced and taught for several years at Harvard Medical School, and at the Joslin Diabetes Center. She saw the impact of one person's illness through their entire family, and showed that mental health affects medical outcomes.
In private practice, as a family therapist, she helps families collaborate during difficulties, rather than becoming divided.
She is also a mother, a widow, and a friend to many. She now turns her years of experience into words that speak of resilience, and of the flawed road that leads us to becoming good enough.
Depression and suicide are on the rise, and the impact of tragedy reaches far beyond those immediately affected. They often create a broad circle of confusion, anger and guilt. She hopes her book will make readers feel less alone. Perhaps it will bring some insight and comfort.
She lives and practices in Montclair, New Jersey, within reach of New York City. Her short stories have been published in Persimmon Tree and in The Hemlock Journal.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 2, 2025
Triggers: Mental Illness, Depression, Suicide, Grief and Loss
Uff, wow, buckle up if you're planning to dive into ‘In the Shadow of Silence’ because this one is a serious emotional gut punch (but in the best way possible). This is really intense. It hits you hard, like a freight train.
It is, admittedly, hard to get through at times because it's so emotionally raw, dealing extensively with loss, grief, and mental illness. It's a powerful, riveting read with themes that everyone can connect with.
The story follows Eva's journey after a devastating tragedy leaves her widowed. She's a child psychiatrist who always dreamed of having a wonderful family, and she got it: a loving husband and the children she wanted. But now, she's struggling to keep herself and her adult kids afloat amidst all the grief.
This novel is heavy. It deals unflinchingly with emotions that we all can relate to so quickly and we instantly connect to all characters (we feel their pain, their struggles, we root for them, we suffer with them). What makes it so brilliant is that Eva, as both a wife/widow and a psychiatrist, gives us this unique, knowing perspective. The novel explores the constant yearning of searching for love and feeling loved, but it also delves into the difficult experience of caring for someone with a mental illness. It’s the perfect depiction of both the immense power of that affection and what one can do for a loved one, and the harsh reality of the limitations, especially when that loved one is fighting their own internal ‘demons’.
Truly a tearjerker novel that sticks with you long after you turn the final page. If you're looking for something deep and meaningful that unapologetically tackles real-life challenges head-on, definitely pick this up.
Many, many thanks to Rae Dumont, She Writes Press and NetGalley for the ARC. This is a voluntary review, reflecting solely my opinion.
Uff, wow, buckle up if you're planning to dive into ‘In the Shadow of Silence’ because this one is a serious emotional gut punch (but in the best way possible). This is really intense. It hits you hard, like a freight train.
It is, admittedly, hard to get through at times because it's so emotionally raw, dealing extensively with loss, grief, and mental illness. It's a powerful, riveting read with themes that everyone can connect with.
The story follows Eva's journey after a devastating tragedy leaves her widowed. She's a child psychiatrist who always dreamed of having a wonderful family, and she got it: a loving husband and the children she wanted. But now, she's struggling to keep herself and her adult kids afloat amidst all the grief.
This novel is heavy. It deals unflinchingly with emotions that we all can relate to so quickly and we instantly connect to all characters (we feel their pain, their struggles, we root for them, we suffer with them). What makes it so brilliant is that Eva, as both a wife/widow and a psychiatrist, gives us this unique, knowing perspective. The novel explores the constant yearning of searching for love and feeling loved, but it also delves into the difficult experience of caring for someone with a mental illness. It’s the perfect depiction of both the immense power of that affection and what one can do for a loved one, and the harsh reality of the limitations, especially when that loved one is fighting their own internal ‘demons’.
Truly a tearjerker novel that sticks with you long after you turn the final page. If you're looking for something deep and meaningful that unapologetically tackles real-life challenges head-on, definitely pick this up.
Many, many thanks to Rae Dumont, She Writes Press and NetGalley for the ARC. This is a voluntary review, reflecting solely my opinion.
November 8, 2025
How does severe and untreated depression impact a family? “Like an oil slick.”
This is a powerful, compelling, beautiful and heart-wrenching novel with universal themes about looking for love and lovability, and the more specific experience - told knowingly by a wife, widow and psychiatrist - of loving someone with mental illness, the power but also limitations of what you can do for someone if they’re ambivalent about their own treatment and wellbeing.
This is a powerful, compelling, beautiful and heart-wrenching novel with universal themes about looking for love and lovability, and the more specific experience - told knowingly by a wife, widow and psychiatrist - of loving someone with mental illness, the power but also limitations of what you can do for someone if they’re ambivalent about their own treatment and wellbeing.
November 4, 2025
What an incredible book with so many relatable themes. From family life and depression to suicide and its aftermath, this book touched my heart and broke it into pieces. I absolutely love the characters and felt like I got to know them so well. This was a hard book to put down as I wanted to stay and sit with this family. Beautiful writing, a realistic and raw plot, and fantastic character development. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 3, 2025
This book creates a feeling of dread from page one. You know what is coming, but are unsure about the "when." As a therapist, I have often asked myself the same questions in my personal relationships, "Is this therapist me wanting to intervene... ?" This is a book about a family who is not absolved from the depths of mental illness, despite the main character's training and expertise. The author "shows" the reader the intrusive thinking that occurs when someone you love struggles with severe depression. I probably shouldn't have read this in two sittings, but I couldn't put it down.
November 17, 2025
This story is powerful, emotional, and beautifully written. It follows a family through love, connection, and the deep impact of mental health, all told with incredible honesty and heart. Eva’s journey is gripping from start to finish, and the raw emotion woven through every chapter makes this book unforgettable.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews