Innocent silence

by Q.L. Hart

A child’s innocent hands unlock a secret meant to stay buried.
When a little girl falls into a coma after touching a mysterious USB drive, her principal, Grace Darby, refuses to believe it was chance. Teaming up with Detective Stephen Martel, she enters a labyrinth of lies that stretches from school hallways to the highest levels of power.
Their search uncovers a ruthless mastermind Julien Wagner also known as “Big Boss,” a traitor inside the police force, and a conspiracy that threatens everything they hold dear. But as danger closes in, Grace and Stephen discover something neither feelings that make every choice and every risk far more dangerous.
Innocent Silence is a gripping romantic suspense where justice and love collide in a race against betrayal, power, and time.

280 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2025

Reviews

[kay ೃ⁀➷ · Rating 3 out of 5]

✧ ⋆ ˚｡ Innocent Silence by QL Hart ✧ ⋆ ˚｡
★★★★☆ (3.0 ✩)
“But even the deepest sins don’t stay buried forever.”

Finished my ARC of Innocent Silence and I’m still reeling. Thank you to QL Hart for this haunting, lyrical debut that cracked me open in places I didn’t expect ♡

S P O I L E R S A H E A D ! !

✧ ⋆ ˚｡ The Story
A child in a coma. A town built on silence. A principal chasing redemption. A detective chasing ghosts.
When Stella McCartney falls unconscious after a tragic accident, her principal Grace is forced to confront the secrets she buried long ago. Detective Stephen Lang is assigned to the case—but his own past is tangled in the town’s rot. As the investigation unfolds, grief and guilt ripple through every character, and the truth refuses to stay hidden.

✧ ⋆ ˚｡ The Cast
Grace — a principal who’s made mistakes, but never stopped loving. Her guilt is palpable, but her strength is what carries the story.
Stephen — not your typical brooding detective. He’s emotionally exhausted, morally conflicted, and quietly heroic.
Stella — the heart of the novel. Her absence is louder than any scream. Her presence, even in silence, is unforgettable.
Vincent — Stella’s best friend. His tenderness and loyalty made me ache.
Danny — his arc is brief but devastating. A reminder that trauma doesn’t always look the way we expect.
Big Boss — enigmatic and unnerving. Every scene with him felt like a warning wrapped in charm.
Hale — the kind of character who slips under your skin. Quiet, calculating, and far more dangerous than he first appears.

✧ ⋆ ˚｡ Quotes I’m Never Getting Over
“Sometimes strength wasn’t about holding it together. Sometimes it was about letting yourself fall apart in the presence of someone who would never let you drown.”
“And now she just lies there… my little girl who hated silence. She’s silent all the time.”
“For Stephen, it was a reminder: the life he wanted to protect—and the woman beside him—was worth every risk.”
“Stella McCartney, all freckles and unmanageable red curls, was the kind of child who could make mischief sound like destiny.”

✧ ⋆ ˚｡ Thoughts
This book is a slow burn with emotional payoff. The pacing dips in places, and a few plot threads felt unresolved, but the emotional core is undeniable.
Grace and Stephen’s romance felt strained at times (Stephen, please answer your texts 😭), but their final scene was quietly beautiful.
Vincent and Stella’s bond? I need a novella. Or a spin-off. Or a thousand pages more.
Also: the way Hart writes grief—raw, unflinching, and poetic—left me breathless.

✧ ⋆ ˚｡ TL;DR
A quiet thriller with a beating heart. If you love small-town mysteries, emotionally complex characters, and stories that linger long after the last page… this one’s for you.

✧ ⋆ ˚｡ Playlist ♫
› “Safe and Sound” – Taylor Swift ft. The Civil Wars
› “The Night We Met” – Lord Huron
› “Cardigan” – Taylor Swift
› “Another Love” – Tom Odell
› “Ghost Town” – Benson Boone
› “Heavenly” – Cigarettes After Sex
› “Rescue” – Lauren Daigle
› “Murder Song (5, 4, 3, 2, 1)” – AURORA

✩ Thank you again to QL Hart for the ARC and for crafting such a powerful debut. I’ll be watching for whatever you write next <3

[Jessica Melby · Rating 1 out of 5]

ARC read....

My first ever DNF at 30%.
The story is all over the place. The chapters feel incomplete.
Stella is a 5 year old curious girl who runs into a stranger on the side walk. the stranger drops a wand (that a few chapters later seems to have a USB).
Stella and her friend Vince put the wand in the sandbox (or a bookbag still confused on where the wand ended up).
They go on a field trip where they are hiding in a bush (or i thought both were in there till Stella was counting in the middle of the field). a strange man shows up and attempts to steal her, but instead hits her in the head unconscious and runs away...etc etc. thw story line has potential in my eyes but I couldn't follow the story as it was written currently.

[Ash · Rating 1 out of 5]

I ended up DNF-ing this book because there were too many inconsistencies. There was too much going on. For starters; the description of this book is misleading, it sounds as though this should be a fantasy book. As an avid reader of local indie authors, it’s apparent that this has not been sent to an editor for review, I really, really wanted to like this book but the inconsistencies made it impossible to continue as I ended up completely lost. I made it about halfway through before I gave up. I am typically not a harsh critic when it comes to books, but I was SO excited for this book.
All in all, to each their own, as I’ve seen other reviews not mentioning anything I noticed, including the epilogue coming before the final chapter.

[Taylor Wyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Innocent Silence completely pulled me in the emotion, the vulnerability, the strength behind every word. Q.L. Hart has such a beautiful way of writing that feels raw and real. It’s the kind of story that makes you stop and reflect, the kind that stays with you long after you finish.

The characters felt so real flawed, strong, and trying to find their way through the pain and silence. I found myself feeling every emotion right along with them. It’s powerful, heartbreaking, and healing all at once.

This isn’t just a book you read; it’s one you feel. If you love stories that dig deep and remind you of the strength that comes from vulnerability, this one is a must-read.

[Kylie Karr · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING READ! Innocent Silence is a must read. I had the absolute pleasure of being an ARC reader for this book and I am glad I got my chance to read this book!

Little Stella finds a a golden flash drive. But she's a kid so unaware its a flash drive but is fascinated that its gold and gives it to her to best friend to hold... but this flash drive holds huge secrets that can never get out.. Big Boss finds out his flash drive is missing and will do whatever it takes to get this flash drive back.. and will stop anyone who gets in his way... however; the flash drive gets into the wrong hands at least for him, and he is forced to flea. While the police force is still after him. Grace who works at the school Stella goes to will do whatever it takes for justice for Stella after something goes wrong while on a trip one day. Grace and Detective Stephen form a bond like no other... While Stephen is working for justice for Stella and keeping her safe along with Grace safe things keep going wrong... to the point Stephen doesn't know who to trust..
Who is leaking important information? Who can Stephen trust? Where is Big Boss? What secrets are behind hidden? Who betrayed Stephen?

[Jeanette Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read. We have a bit of suspense and romance in this. The story was engaging from start to finish. I was locked in within the first chapter. I really enjoyed the story. Thank you to QL Hart for an eARC of this book! I’ll definitely be adding more of your books to my TBR!

[Shawn Burt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was able to I read this as an arc and this is my opinion. This book was amazing and the characters drew me into the story. I found myself feeling every emotion right along with them. If you love books that make you wonder what is going to happen next then this is the book for you.

[Gigi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Story had great potential but it jumped around a lot and was a bit confusing to me. The author did a great job with descriptions. I felt like the timeline jumped a bit too much. I would read more from this author though, I feel like they could write more that would appeal to me in the future.

[Alice Maxwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was given a copy to ARC Read for the publishing debut.

Characters: 3/5
Concept and Plot: 4/5
Pace: 2/5

!!!!SPOILERS AHEAD!!!!


I want to start off by saying that the Author had a wonder concept in mind when they wrote this and I can see the potential for it to be a 5 star rating if there had just been a little more diligence and due care with regards to the finer details and the pacing.

The story started off with a little girl called Stella who was initially described has having black hair and brown eyes. she found a metal stick which later was revealed to be an important USB belonging to a bad man called 'big boss'. What kicks the story off at a racing pace is the moment Stella ends up in a Coma and 'Big boss' is responsible.
Detective Stephen Hawking and Teacher Grace, both work together to figure out what happened, they find the USB in another Childs, Vincent, school bag and the hunt begins to find and catch 'big boss' before he disappears forever.

I stopped reading around 50% of the way in.

The reason I stopped was due to the indecisive pace and the changing in details. one such example of change in details is regarding Stella's description (trust me, I went back to check) she was initially described as mentioned about but around the point where she is injured causing her to end up in a Coma, she is described as having red/light brown curly hair and different coloured eyes. this inconsistency showed me that editing had not been managed too well. the pace also seemed to shift from slow to rapid in different places and at the halfway point, there is a sudden stop to the hunt and the plot shifts to focus on the relation development between Stephen and Grace over a long periods consisting of weeks and months with, suddenly, barely any mention of looking for 'big boss' and just the events that unfolded because of him.

Please do not find this discouraging, the Author has shown a skill to come up with an incredible concept and characters which I truly felt intrigued by. the plot itself was leading down a thought provoking route and would have had me invested if I could look past the pace and detail consistency issues.

If you enjoy Crime, romance, detective style plots with a hint of Sci-fi, please still give this story a go. it is important to read things with an open mind and make up your own opinion.

I provide my reviews to help people feel prepared for what they're about to read :D

[Carol Losey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Q.L. Hart and Story Origin for an eARC of this book. That being said all opinions and thoughts are my own.

When I read the synopsis, I felt intrigued and was excited to read this story. The pace was quicker than I expected, but not necessarily a bad thing. Now, after reading the book, I feel the synopsis is a bit misleading, as the little girl, Stella, did not necessarily fall into a coma because of the thumb drive itself, but rather the man who attacked her. I understand it was over the USB drive, and maybe I am to blame for interpreting it differently, and that is okay.

Even though Stella is the main character at the start, she ends up in a coma, and it is soon realized that this story is about more than what happened to Stella. It goes deeper than that. I would have liked more mystery and suspense in this book rather than a quick romance, which I guess was not as quick as I thought, but the writing made it seem a lot of time had passed in some parts yet only a small amount had passed in other.

For me, some parts of the book were difficult to keep up with, mainly because of time lapses that were unclear or editing issues I struggled to get past. The main thing, for me, that this book was missing was more editing. I am not sure of others' copy of the book, but mine had the "Final Chapter" and "Epilogue" switched around and the epilogue basically repeated the final chapter with a bit more detail. There were a few typos but those were few and easy to read through. Around Chapter 9 the story jumps from standard storybook writing to scenes, and it was distracting for me.
With all that being said, and I realize it seems I am complaining a lot, I truly enjoyed the book and the plots. I am excited to see what else Q.L. Hart produces.

Favorite Quote: "This is what safe feels like."

[AM · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Innocent Silence* by Q.L. Hart is an ambitious romantic suspense novel that blends mystery, emotional depth, and a slow-burning relationship. The story begins with a gripping hook: five-year-old Stella innocently comes across a mysterious USB drive that contains explosive secrets, setting off a chain of events that embroils her, her principal Grace Darby, and Detective Stephen Hawking in danger, corruption, and unexpected emotional currents.

One of the biggest strengths of the book lies in its **emotional elements**. Hart explores themes of grief, guilt, and the weight of past mistakes with real heart. The relationship between Grace and Stephen unfolds with a sincere vulnerability that gives the narrative its emotional anchor.

However, while the premise is compelling, *Innocent Silence* doesn’t always deliver on its full potential. The pacing can feel uneven, especially in the first third, with shifts in focus and time that may leave the reader slightly disoriented. The plot occasionally jumps around or lingers on minor details that don’t always serve the central mystery — which can dilute tension rather than build it.

For fans of character-driven suspense and romance, there’s definitely plenty to enjoy here. The emotional stakes are high, and the relationships are believable and engaging.

[Paris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book to review.

This is a gripping crime novel that centers around a mysterious flash drive and the dark secrets tied to it, weaving suspense and emotional depth into every chapter. While the story begins from the perspective of two five-year-old children, a creative but initially challenging narrative choice. It ultimately provides rich insight into the character’s trauma and motivations as the plot unfolds. Once past the early chapters, the pacing really picks up, and the tension becomes impossible to ignore.

The writing itself is exceptionally well crafted. The prose is clean, engaging, and layered with just enough complexity to keep you thinking without slowing the momentum. The author handles heavy themes with sensitivity, though it’s worth noting that there are some disturbing elements. Child harm is present, but it’s minimal and not described in graphic detail. Still, readers who are sensitive to such topics may appreciate a trigger warning going in.

Overall, this book is absolutely worth a read. A smart, compelling crime story with emotional resonance and a satisfying depth. If you can push through the slightly disorienting early chapters, you’ll be rewarded with a powerful and well-executed narrative.

[Ashli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Innocent Silence has an intriguing premise — a mysterious USB drive, a child in a coma, and a high-stakes investigation that pulls together a determined school principal and a dedicated detective. The concept itself is strong and full of potential, blending elements of mystery, danger, and romance in a way that could appeal to fans of fast-paced romantic suspense.
That said, the execution didn't fully work for me.
The pacing felt uneven, with chapters moving so quickly that the story never had the chance to settle or fully develop. The writing style came across as unpolished and at times read more like early fan fiction, with dialogue that didn't always feel natural or realistic. Some descriptions also lingered on minor details that didn't serve the story, which pulled focus away from the more compelling parts of the plot.
Still, I admire the author's ambition and creativity.
The premise was engaging, and I can see real potential in their storytelling. As this is a debut, I hope to see the author continue to refine their craft because the spark of a good story is definitely there.

[Whitney Vockrodt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is an extremely interesting mix of crime/suspense and romance! It was extremely refreshing to read a story centered around more mature characters who handle and process situations logically. Grace and Stephen are two characters that the reader can root for, and they're written like real people with true fears, hurts, and feelings. Hart also does a great job of grounding their relationship in the emotional connection that the characters develop rather than purely physical expression.

The writing style and POV's of Innocent Silence were particularly interesting. I especially enjoyed how the story starts from the perspective of children and then grows wider as the stakes increase. It was a really interesting way to explore the narrative.

There are a few instances where the writing felt a little unnecessarily repetitive, or where certain details seemed slightly inconsistent, which is what kept this from reaching 5-star status for me as a reader. Overall, however, I really enjoyed this story and the characters that Hart created!

*NOTE: I received an advance copy of this book and am sharing an honest review.

[Samantha Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of arc reading this book for the author. After bumping into a mysterious man five year old Stella finds a golden flash drive on the ground. She takes it believing its treasure that’s now hers. The golden stick isn’t treasure at all, but a very important flash drive that belongs to the mysterious man.
After realizing the flash drive is missing Big Boss sends his men out to retrace their steps to find it. If it gets in the hands of the authorities his empire will crumble and he can’t let that happen. But it may be too little too late for that.
What’s a suspense book without a little romance? You will find yourself rooting for Stephen (the detective) and Grace (the principal) as they begin to fall for one another while trying to uncover the truth of what happened to Stella and how she got mixed up with Big Boss.
The author did a great job with this story. It’s well written, suspenseful, and the characters seemed more real in their decision making and problem solving. This is a faster paced story so if you love suspense but don’t like waiting too long to find out what happens then you will enjoy this one.

[Michelle Marsack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Innocent Silence by QL Hart is a slow burn romance story. It starts out with a girl named Stella bumping into a bad man who dropped a usb stick. Stella, wanting a new adventure, picks it up and walks away with the “shiny stick.” What she doesn’t know is that usb holds the power to take down corrupt powerful individuals. Now the bad guy is looking for the usb and won’t stop until he finds it. Stephen, the detective, and Grace, the school principal, team up to try and figure out what happened to Stella and why. Stephen and Grace start to have feelings for each other while working with each other but will their relationship hold up during the stress of trying to get answers? Will they find out what happened to Stella?

This book had my attention from the beginning and made me want to know what happens next the whole time. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who’s looking for a light romance and suspenseful crime novel.

[Jenny Leger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was an ARC reader for this book.

5 year old Stella and her best friend Vincent are at recess when Stella discovers a golden stick. Believing its magical, she runs to show her friend. The owner of the golden stick want it back and will stop at nothing to get it, even if it means harming an innocent child. Detective Stephen Hawking and the kids Montessori school principal, Grace Darby, race to find who’s behind this and to stop them. Neither are prepared for what they discover, both with the case and in each other.

This book kept me guessing the entire time! It was like a game of clue that I couldn’t figure out but needed to know the answers. The sweetest slow burn I have ever read. The story flowed effortlessly. The last 2 chapters were a little redundant, but other than that, its a really good story!

[Mandy Britt · Rating 4 out of 5]

​Innocent Silence is a powerful blend of suspense, action, and heartfelt romance. The core conflict is sparked when little Stella, a kindergarten girl, accidentally finds a golden flash drive that holds secrets so huge, the "Big Boss" will stop at nothing to get it back.
​When Stella is attacked, her principal, Grace, and Detective Stephen join forces to seek justice and expose the corruption. Their partnership forges an undeniable bond, yet their personal traumas threaten to keep them apart. Readers will be captivated by the intrigue, the dual POV writing, and the unexpected plot twists. This is a real page-turner that masterfully balances high-stakes suspense with a compelling, innocent romance and a message that it's "never too late to find love." A definite must-read!
​(I received a copy of this book from the author via Story Origin.)

[Lauryn Rohl · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

The witty remarks and the slow burn of the romance was well written and the story was very sweet, had its sarcasm and charm to it that I like and enjoy reading.

The emptiness portrayed you could feel, beautifully.

The action from Stephen job and cornering Big Boss, that was, ended to soon but Oh Boy did is keep you wanting to see what is next.

I couldn't even figure out the connection until the book was practically done, so it's not something you would be able to figure out immediately which is great.

She was able to involve loss, love, surprises, anger, and charm.
I had a lot of lines that resonated with me.

I would be reading another book by this author if I seen it anywhere in the world.

Thank you

3.5 Stars

[Jazmin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was incredibly unique—I can confidently say I’ve never read anything quite like it before!

It began as a fascinating blend of true crime and magic, which immediately pulled me in. As the story progressed, though, it leaned more heavily into the true crime and romance aspects. I really enjoyed the depth and detail of the mystery-solving throughout, but I did find myself wishing for a bit more explanation about the magical elements introduced early on. Where did the magic come from—and where did it suddenly disappear to? I also would’ve loved to see more follow-up on the two kids the story started with.

Overall, I truly enjoyed the read. If you love a good mix of crime and romance, this book is definitely worth picking up!

[Kathleen Mcdonnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was an arc reader for this book called the Innocent silence is about a little girl finding a USB drive and gets caught up with who was a high profile boss. Definitely had some romance, which I wish I saw would bloom into something. I had a little bit of mystery not a lot of suspense at first when I was reading this and when I heard one of the main characters names, I couldn't help but to laugh and I wish the author would've chose a different name for the detective. The concept was definitely there. I wish there was some more building on some of the chapters. It was a fast read, and it was good enough for me to get out of a reading slump.

[Kat Lopez · Rating 2 out of 5]

Innocent Silence features mystery, suspense and romance. The storyline is intriguing and interesting. I did however, have a hard time following the first third of the book. The writing style was not for me and didn’t flow all throughout the book. I felt as if there were a lot of holes in the story line. There were some points where I couldn’t tell how much time had passed. Overall, this book has great potential and I enjoyed QL Hart including multiple different genres in a book. I am grateful to have been able to read this as an ARC. I look forward to seeing QL Hart grow in her writing as an Indie author and read future books by them.

[&#x1f437;Shay loves books&#x1f437; · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It’s def a page turner and keeps you on the edge of your seat, waiting to see when the next strike is gonna happen.

The lengths that the principle and the detective go through to get answers and justice for 2 of her students turns into a romantic adventure with lots of suspense, was so good.

There is a few twists I didn’t see coming but were very well plotted perfectly in the story. 2 innocent lives forever changed by greedy and horrible people. A mob boss and a dirty cop at the helm of it all. Can the detective and the principle get this case solved or will power and money save the bad guys from serving the justice they deserve? You will have to read to find out.

[Julie Simpkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

The way the author writes and the flow of how she writes is lovely.

The way she wrote about Stephen and Grace was lovely and she described their feelings beautifully.

I do have some unanswered questions in regard to the magic/aliens, and I felt that “The Big Boss” ended just kind of abrupt.

I did like the twist with who was helping him (the big boss). She did a good job of tying old trauma with present day stuff.

I did feel that some of the story didn’t flow that well at times.

I would like to read more about Stella and Vincent… I feel a story could come out of their storyline. As well as the “alien”.

Overall it was a good starting author’s debut book.

[Loren · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75-4 stars!
Innocent Silence delves into themes of trust, vulnerability and the baggage we bring into relationships in this romantic suspense. Hart creates a moody, tense atmosphere with the proper amount of mystery to keep you interested. The characters' slow burn connection developed organically and felt incredibly human, flaws and all. I really appreciated how trauma and healing were woven into the story without slowing down the pace. Overall, a captivating read with emotional depth and mystery. This is romance with high emotional stakes. Excited to see what Hart does next!

Thank you to the author for the ARC! All thoughts are my own.

[Mary S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Innocent Silence is a compelling must read!!

Stella discovers a mysterious flash drive, unknowingly holding secrets that must remain hidden, and she soon finds herself entangled with a determined boss intent on reclaiming what was lost. As you dive into this story, you'll find yourself eager to uncover the fates of the characters involved.

Q.L. Hart's writing captivates with its authenticity and emotional depth. This story prompts reflection and lingers in your thoughts long after you've turned the last page. It's a book you won't want to miss.

[Lisa Budzynski · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was given the opportunity to be an ARC reader for this book. I loved the concept of the plot, combining romance and suspense. I feel like this would be a good opening book to a series, as it felt like it was setting the groundwork for the next book. For my taste, I wanted less of the minor details and more of the details regarding the Grace’s past or why the kids were seemingly so close. I can’t wait to see if this continues into a series or not!

[Lady T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Innocent Silence grabbed me from the very first chapter and did not let go. What starts as an innocent moment on a playground spirals into a tense, emotional thriller full of danger, mystery, and heart.The writing is cinematic. The opening scene in the Montessori school was so vivid I could see the sunlight, smell the chalk dust, and feel the innocent joy before everything turns dark.The pacing is fast but intentional—moments of heart-racing danger are balanced with quiet, emotional scenes full of vulnerability.
If you love emotionally gripping crime thrillers with heart, morally complex characters, and a storyline that mixes innocence with darkness in the best way—this book is absolutely worth reading. I’ll be thinking about Stella and Vincent for a long time.

💬 Would I recommend it? Yes

[Julie Koehler · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 Thank you to QL Hart and Evan at StoryOrigin for this ARC. This book took me a minute to get into. But I liked it. I liked Grace and Stephen a lot. I’m guessing the ending had alternative endings, if that’s the case I liked the 2nd option and if not I’m very confused. I wish that we had a better update about Stella. There did seem to be a lot of characters toward the end but it as explained. I would definitely read this author again.

[DrkR4lyfe · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is good, I enjoyed it. Easy read and yet moments keeping me on the hook.
Some of the set-up though was repeated, and i found often the main message of the chapter would literally be spoon fed nor giving me a chance to build the plot myself. Having said that, it was a great companion story for the way to work though! The MMC and FMC were good easy to like. I would have liked to know more about the villain's back story though.