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Let Her Be Silent: The House of Prey: Book 2 | A Small-Town Cult Thriller Romance with Supernatural Elements
Let Her Be Silent is a slow-burn psychological horror and cult thriller with gothic atmosphere, religious trauma, and a thread of quiet romance and found family. Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell’s cold-case suspense, Catriona Ward’s unsettling horror, and Simone St. James’s ghostly mysteries.
Rachel Bagwell’s ghost has found justice.
Bishop Biddle is dead.
But for Emily Lyles, the night of his death is only the beginning. When the shock fades, she’s left with a truth she can’t unsee—she was raised in a cult, and its rot runs deeper in her family than she ever imagined.
With Wanda’s fierce loyalty and Kade’s quiet strength at her side, Emily begins to investigate the decades-old disappearance of Rachel Bagwell, a teenage girl from her church. What starts as a search through rumors and forgotten letters soon stirs something restless in the shadows… something watching her.
The closer she gets to the truth, the more the past presses in—through half-remembered nightmares, whispered warnings, and the ghost of a lingering presence too warm against her skin. The trail leads to a small blue house, a retired schoolteacher with a steel-trap memory, and a truth so dangerous it’s been buried for thirty years.
Now Emily must decide how much she’s willing to lose to uncover what happened to Rachel—
…and whether she can survive knowing the answer.
The House’s Daughter is Book One of the Origins Duology in the haunting House of Prey series. Let Her Be Silent continues this story as we see Emily struggle to escape—and uncover—the cult’s darkest secrets.
A House of Prey Novel
Don’t miss the continuation of Emily’s journey in Book Three, Waiting at the Well—coming soon.
Rachel Bagwell’s ghost has found justice.
Bishop Biddle is dead.
But for Emily Lyles, the night of his death is only the beginning. When the shock fades, she’s left with a truth she can’t unsee—she was raised in a cult, and its rot runs deeper in her family than she ever imagined.
With Wanda’s fierce loyalty and Kade’s quiet strength at her side, Emily begins to investigate the decades-old disappearance of Rachel Bagwell, a teenage girl from her church. What starts as a search through rumors and forgotten letters soon stirs something restless in the shadows… something watching her.
The closer she gets to the truth, the more the past presses in—through half-remembered nightmares, whispered warnings, and the ghost of a lingering presence too warm against her skin. The trail leads to a small blue house, a retired schoolteacher with a steel-trap memory, and a truth so dangerous it’s been buried for thirty years.
Now Emily must decide how much she’s willing to lose to uncover what happened to Rachel—
…and whether she can survive knowing the answer.
The House’s Daughter is Book One of the Origins Duology in the haunting House of Prey series. Let Her Be Silent continues this story as we see Emily struggle to escape—and uncover—the cult’s darkest secrets.
A House of Prey Novel
Don’t miss the continuation of Emily’s journey in Book Three, Waiting at the Well—coming soon.
- GenresHorror
277 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 26, 2025
About the author
April Boulware
22 books107 followersApril Boulware is an author of cult and crime horror thrillers, specializing in stories that blend eerie hauntings, slow-burn romance, harrowing mysteries, and disturbing small-town cults.
Driven by her own personal survival story after escaping a high-control, abusive background, April writes with an unmatched authenticity, delivering the exact blend of chilling psychological danger and deep emotional romance that keeps readers turning pages late into the night.
A true low-steam, high-tension storyteller, she crafts characters who must fight both human and supernatural evils to protect the love they’ve found.
April resides in rural South Carolina with her husband, three children, and a handful of chickens, splitting her time between daytime homeschooling and late-night writing sessions fueled by strong coffee.
Driven by her own personal survival story after escaping a high-control, abusive background, April writes with an unmatched authenticity, delivering the exact blend of chilling psychological danger and deep emotional romance that keeps readers turning pages late into the night.
A true low-steam, high-tension storyteller, she crafts characters who must fight both human and supernatural evils to protect the love they’ve found.
April resides in rural South Carolina with her husband, three children, and a handful of chickens, splitting her time between daytime homeschooling and late-night writing sessions fueled by strong coffee.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 27, 2025
Screaming, crying, she did it again!!! Absolutely devoured this book, second in the series and now I need more of Kade and Emily’s story!!!!
Emily has faced a lifetime of lies, coercion, brainwashing, the list goes on. Let Her Be Silent captures the essence of this book….keep her silent, keep her quiet, don’t let the secrets out. Emily wanted, needed answers of who she was and why was her house speaking to her and it all unraveled in this book with partial justice of what her “father” had done in his life.
April continues to amaze me with her writing. Especially with this series glimpsing into a life she grew up in and how cults can go under the radar claiming they are something greater. Thank you for another great read!!!
Emily has faced a lifetime of lies, coercion, brainwashing, the list goes on. Let Her Be Silent captures the essence of this book….keep her silent, keep her quiet, don’t let the secrets out. Emily wanted, needed answers of who she was and why was her house speaking to her and it all unraveled in this book with partial justice of what her “father” had done in his life.
April continues to amaze me with her writing. Especially with this series glimpsing into a life she grew up in and how cults can go under the radar claiming they are something greater. Thank you for another great read!!!
June 5, 2026
This series was good! It wasn’t the greatest writing of all time, but the plot, the imagery, and cult had me HOOKED. Okay, lemme be real… The cult was truly the best part about this book.
I was introduced to this book on Instagram from a reel where the author explained that she used her own PERSONAL UPBRINGING in a religious cult to write this book series. How interesting!!! The cult elements in this story felt so raw and were very well thought out and established. I commend the author for being able to write about such a difficult part of her life. This is easily the best depiction of a cult in my opinion (as a person who seeks out thrillers about cults)!
HOWEVER, it is very clear that this is the author’s first attempt at writing book series. There was a lot of “telling” instead of “showing” in both books. The narrator would just tell us flat out whenever something was happening, rather than describing it. BUT there were moments when the author attempted to set the stage and describe a scene in detail, but there was no context, so I just got lost.
Additionally, there were some plot holes or just moments when I was taken out of the reality of the book because it was so ridiculous. And the elements of racism? I was so confused! Why was this even brought up? The people didn’t even act racist towards Cade and Wanda. They were more focused on their “worldliness”, so why even mention the cult’s racist beliefs???
IDK! Overall, I enjoyed this series! It was a nice, quick, and easy read! I’d definitely recommend it if you need something spooky yet tame to fill your time between your current reads!
I was introduced to this book on Instagram from a reel where the author explained that she used her own PERSONAL UPBRINGING in a religious cult to write this book series. How interesting!!! The cult elements in this story felt so raw and were very well thought out and established. I commend the author for being able to write about such a difficult part of her life. This is easily the best depiction of a cult in my opinion (as a person who seeks out thrillers about cults)!
HOWEVER, it is very clear that this is the author’s first attempt at writing book series. There was a lot of “telling” instead of “showing” in both books. The narrator would just tell us flat out whenever something was happening, rather than describing it. BUT there were moments when the author attempted to set the stage and describe a scene in detail, but there was no context, so I just got lost.
Additionally, there were some plot holes or just moments when I was taken out of the reality of the book because it was so ridiculous. And the elements of racism? I was so confused! Why was this even brought up? The people didn’t even act racist towards Cade and Wanda. They were more focused on their “worldliness”, so why even mention the cult’s racist beliefs???
IDK! Overall, I enjoyed this series! It was a nice, quick, and easy read! I’d definitely recommend it if you need something spooky yet tame to fill your time between your current reads!
October 21, 2025
Let Her Be Silent, the second book in the House of Prey Origins Duology by April Boulware, picks up where The House’s Daughter left off. But it does so much more than continue the story. Emily’s determination to discover the truth is wrapped with layers of suspense and chilling realism.
Emily and Kade come face-to-face with the manifestation of her cult-leader-father’s murky past. Things he’s tried to hide come to light while he blusters and demands to be left alone because “The church already handled the issue!”
Witnessing Emily’s growth as she recognizes the toxic nature of the family that uses spiritual abuse as a way to control every aspect of her life is eye-opening and life-affirming. The reader pulls with her on every page, anxious to see her escape their clutches even as they cheer her thirst for the truth.
April Boulware was a new-to-me author when I picked up The House’s Daughter. Now that I’ve read her first two insightful and unputdownable books, I’ll be sure to read everything she publishes from now on.
*Contains strong language.*
Emily and Kade come face-to-face with the manifestation of her cult-leader-father’s murky past. Things he’s tried to hide come to light while he blusters and demands to be left alone because “The church already handled the issue!”
Witnessing Emily’s growth as she recognizes the toxic nature of the family that uses spiritual abuse as a way to control every aspect of her life is eye-opening and life-affirming. The reader pulls with her on every page, anxious to see her escape their clutches even as they cheer her thirst for the truth.
April Boulware was a new-to-me author when I picked up The House’s Daughter. Now that I’ve read her first two insightful and unputdownable books, I’ll be sure to read everything she publishes from now on.
*Contains strong language.*
May 28, 2026
This was such a dark, emotional, and intense read. Pulled me in immediately with the religious trauma, cult-like control, family secrets, and the way Emily slowly begins questioning everything she was raised to believe.
What really stood out to me was how realistic the emotional side of healing felt. The fear, confusion, guilt, and struggle to separate truth from manipulation were written so well. It was heartbreaking at times, but also powerful watching her slowly find her voice and start thinking for herself after being controlled for so long.
The atmosphere throughout the book felt unsettling in the best way possible. There was this constant tension that made me keep turning the pages because I needed to know what was really happening. Some moments genuinely shocked me, and the deeper the story went, the more invested I became.
Definitely not a light read because it deals with heavy topics, but it was gripping, emotional, and very thought provoking.
What really stood out to me was how realistic the emotional side of healing felt. The fear, confusion, guilt, and struggle to separate truth from manipulation were written so well. It was heartbreaking at times, but also powerful watching her slowly find her voice and start thinking for herself after being controlled for so long.
The atmosphere throughout the book felt unsettling in the best way possible. There was this constant tension that made me keep turning the pages because I needed to know what was really happening. Some moments genuinely shocked me, and the deeper the story went, the more invested I became.
Definitely not a light read because it deals with heavy topics, but it was gripping, emotional, and very thought provoking.
September 10, 2025
I like this second book even more than the first! I read it in one day...unstoppable. April seems to be a natural writer all around. She's excellent with dialogue, foreshadowing, and suspense in nearly every page, which I love. You grow to really know and love her characters, the good ones, and the bad ones. She shines a light on the internal struggle someone can face if they have been "imprisoned" in life, abused. The fear, dependency and even guilt. She shares her protagonist's internal struggle so all can understand, sympathize and not judge. I'm usually not a fan of supernatural themes being woven into novels (except of course for Harry Potter!), however, after reading J.D. Barker and April Boulware, I really am enjoying it and looking at it through a new lens.
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May 26, 2026Ooph, I loved it, and even when I hated what the characters did (no spoilers), I understood why they made those choices. I wanted to wrap Em up and give her a safe place to rest.
The author did an amazing job of capturing the sense of being in your early 20s and of struggling to figure out how to live as you leave a high control environment.
The author did an amazing job of capturing the sense of being in your early 20s and of struggling to figure out how to live as you leave a high control environment.
September 3, 2025
Page turner for sure!
The way the author weaves together the fiction gives a small window into the inner world of mental health after trauma. The story is gripping, full of suspense and flows well. Addition of a sweet forbidden romance makes it even better.
The way the author weaves together the fiction gives a small window into the inner world of mental health after trauma. The story is gripping, full of suspense and flows well. Addition of a sweet forbidden romance makes it even better.
September 30, 2025
wow.
What a series. I found many things weirdly relatable to my life and yet was curious about what happened next. The author kept my attention. I read both books in less than 24 hours.
Intriguing read. Lots to think about.
Looking forward to book 3.
What a series. I found many things weirdly relatable to my life and yet was curious about what happened next. The author kept my attention. I read both books in less than 24 hours.
Intriguing read. Lots to think about.
Looking forward to book 3.
October 5, 2025
Tidily tied up
The mystery was convoluted, but did get wrapped up nicely by the end. Have two different characters who disassociate AND two different entities caused me some confusion.
The mystery was convoluted, but did get wrapped up nicely by the end. Have two different characters who disassociate AND two different entities caused me some confusion.
November 28, 2025
great suspense
I read both of these books in 24 hours so quick reads if you have nothing else to do I really enjoyed them and didn’t want to put it down. Recommend both of them. This is not my normal genre, but I decided to read both of them and I’m glad I did
I read both of these books in 24 hours so quick reads if you have nothing else to do I really enjoyed them and didn’t want to put it down. Recommend both of them. This is not my normal genre, but I decided to read both of them and I’m glad I did
December 11, 2025
Great read
Minor typos here and there, but wonderful story in combination with the first. Gave me a considerable amount of self reflection and a fairly secure sense of companionship- like I wasn't alone in my own past. Thank you, April. I didn't know I needed that.
Minor typos here and there, but wonderful story in combination with the first. Gave me a considerable amount of self reflection and a fairly secure sense of companionship- like I wasn't alone in my own past. Thank you, April. I didn't know I needed that.
December 29, 2025
Continued to toe the line between supernatural and real life horror to perfection. Not sure how I wound up on this series over Christmas because it really deserved a crisp fall day, but it was fantastic.
August 27, 2025
great conclusion to the first half of the story! could not put it down! can't wait to see where the rest of the series takes us
August 29, 2025
Scary and exciting
What an awesome book. Both The House’s Daughter and Let Her Be Silent were both scary and exciting. I can’t wait to read the next book when it comes out.
What an awesome book. Both The House’s Daughter and Let Her Be Silent were both scary and exciting. I can’t wait to read the next book when it comes out.
September 15, 2025
Had to follow up with the 2nd book. Devoured it in 1 sitting! Go read this series if you like psychological horror! Ok April, when is Book 3 coming out...Im waiting!
November 25, 2025
love love!
Seriously, it was so good. Great 2nd part to one of the best horror stories I have read in a very long time.
Seriously, it was so good. Great 2nd part to one of the best horror stories I have read in a very long time.
May 18, 2026
So proud of “new” Emily! Will there be a book coming out with Gracie’s perspective? I would love to read that!
June 18, 2026
Just the right amount of spooky, mystery. Added in with a dash of love.
June 21, 2026
Loved it.
Great sequel, had a hard time putting it down! On to the third book and looking forward to what's next!
Great sequel, had a hard time putting it down! On to the third book and looking forward to what's next!
January 28, 2026
I read this book in two sittings. So many questions answered, yet so many threads left unresolved- will definitely snatch up the next book as soon as I can.
November 4, 2025
Emily’s former “Bishop” is dead, but she is still trying to bring Rachel justice.
This book was a bit shorter than the first, and I felt like we knew the “answer” to the mystery in the first book. But I still enjoyed reading more of Emily’s story (especially the romance!)
Seeing Emily start a life outside the cult was eye-opening. The things she struggled with made me think of all the people living that life right now. The mental aspect of confronting such a traumatic childhood cannot be understated.
The ending felt somewhat realistic, yet satisfying after seeing Emily and Kade’s hard work to bring justice to Rachel for so long. Can’t wait for book 3!
This book was a bit shorter than the first, and I felt like we knew the “answer” to the mystery in the first book. But I still enjoyed reading more of Emily’s story (especially the romance!)
Seeing Emily start a life outside the cult was eye-opening. The things she struggled with made me think of all the people living that life right now. The mental aspect of confronting such a traumatic childhood cannot be understated.
The ending felt somewhat realistic, yet satisfying after seeing Emily and Kade’s hard work to bring justice to Rachel for so long. Can’t wait for book 3!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews