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The Silent Boy

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A brutal double murder. A traumatised little boy. Detective Jack MacIntosh tackles his most impossible case yet.

Detective Jack is standing at the graveside of his old friend and mentor, DCI Frank Tyler, when the call comes in. ‘Boss – we need you NOW!’

He arrives at a smart Richmond townhouse to a scene of unspeakable horror. There’s blood everywhere – soaking through the thick-pile rug, slashed across the curtains, sprayed across the ceiling. Two bodies lie side-by-side, next to the king-sized bed. They’re not fresh. They’ve been there at least two weeks.

Nothing adds up. A frenzied attack, yet meticulously executed. Carefully planned. No forced entry.

Then the most chilling discovery of all.

A six-year-old boy, hiding in the study. Clothes stiff with dried blood. Eyes blank. Silent.

Joshua is the only witness. And whatever he saw has trapped him deep inside himself.

Now Jack is in a race against time to unlock the little boy’s memories and coax out the truth - before the killer returns to silence Joshua for good.

Perfect for fans of Helen H. Durrant, Biba Pearce, Lynda La Plante, Angela Marsons and Rachel McLean.

350 pages, Paperback

First published March 5, 2026

36 people are currently reading
30 people want to read

About the author

Michelle Kidd

16 books73 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
Profile Image for Sandra Vdplaats.
597 reviews19 followers
March 5, 2026
A new Michelle Kidd – I buy her novels blindly. I received this one as a review copy from Joffe Books, for which I am grateful.

I have also read the previous books in this series, and recently received the first instalment featuring Jack, written by the same author.

Silent Boy is all about toxic family ties. The Maguire brothers run a family business, but things are not as they seem.
When the neighbours see the Maguires' six-year-old son wandering around his parents' garden in a daze, the police are alerted. It soon becomes clear that the boy's parents, Derek and Heidi Maguire, have been brutally murdered in their home.
I am a big fan of Michelle Kidd's novels. From the very first chapter, readers are drawn into the story, which leaves plenty of room for personal suffering and trauma.

Following the death of his parents, Joshua becomes so traumatised that he stops speaking. A child psychologist tries to reach the boy in the hope of discovering what he saw or experienced. It seems that Joshua witnessed the murder of his parents.
I love Jack, especially because he is a cat lover. I was halfway through and started to wonder about the identity of the Silent Boy, as there are two possible candidates. I felt sorry for Martin; it was terribly cruel of them to abandon him. This is typical of the family. I was bullied as a child too, and it affected me deeply.

I kept reading because I was desperate for Joshua to start talking again. I didn't see the twist coming at all — wow! (No, I'm not going to give anything away; you really have to read it for yourself!)
It's a brilliant story, and it's always the children who have to bear the sins of their fathers. It's sad, really. But I'm confident that Joshua will be fine as long as he doesn't have to grow up in this family.

This is an impressive story about a traumatised little boy who tugs at your heartstrings, with a great twist at the end. You will enjoy reading it right up to the last page, and it will be a pleasure to see Jack and his furry friend Marmaduke again. Five stars!
Profile Image for Bob Fendt.
165 reviews15 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 26, 2026
ARC Review

The Silent Boy

Author - Michelle Kidd

Release date 5th March 2026

My rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The 8th book in the truly gripping Detective Jack Macintosh crime thriller series.
Michelle Kidd has once again produced an exceptionally thrilling and fast-paced crime thriller that kept me in suspense and held me captivated throughout.

Jack Macintosh is at the funeral of his friend and mentor DCI Frank Tyler when he gets a call telling him he's needed, something urgent has come up.

At a posh house in Richmond the discovery of a brutal frenzied double murder, that looks to be an execution, laying in so much blood, and was committed at least two weeks before.

Searching through the house for anything that may help in the investigation they find the couple's six-year-old son who has been left mute from the traumatic events he has been through and may have witnessed who the murderer was.

The murdered man's brothers are all hiding something and telling lies, and have motives.

Jack still has that knack for trouble and threat finding its way to his doorstep and is trying to keep a crime boss from dropping him in it.

The Silent Boy is intense, full of twists and turns, with a stunning and surprising ending I certainly wasn't expecting.

The main characters, all well-known by now are incredible.
This brilliant series by Michelle (a favourite author of mine) is enthralling and exciting and never fails to leave you wanting more.

If you haven't yet read any of Michelle Kidd's books I truly recommend you check them out.
Profile Image for Diane Elizabeth Taylor.
353 reviews14 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
February 24, 2026
​Imagine being six years old and the only witness to a nightmare.
Michelle Kidd’s latest DI Jack thriller is a masterclass in balancing procedural grit with pure emotional heart.
When DI Jack is called to a harrowing double murder, the only witness is the victims’ six-year-old son, Joshua, a heartbreaking premise that Kidd handles with profound sensitivity. ​
As the investigation probes a dysfunctional and fragmented family, the complexity of the case pushes Jack’s team to their limits.
Kidd masterfully balances the grim reality of the crime with the deep emotional empathy of her lead detectives.
With relentless tension and a narrative that turns everything on its head, the story culminates in a truly shocking ending. It’s a haunting, brilliant read that lingers long after the final page.
Profile Image for Sam “My Cosy Book Nook”.
310 reviews23 followers
March 8, 2026
(4.5 stars)

If I tell you that I'm writing this whilst reclined on the sofa, a glass of wine on the coffee table and my dog curled up next to me, I hope that gives a pleasant picture of Saturday night comfort and relaxation. Because, God, is it needed. It's been one of THOSE weeks. Too many impossible deadlines to meet in the day job, and too many distractions outside it have meant that reading has been something that's been done mostly late at night in the hope that it will allow me to relax enough to stand a chance of falling asleep.

Thankfully, however, there has been one sizeable upside. I've been reading The Silent Boy by Michelle Kidd.

The plot is one that grips you from the very beginning and doesn't let go until the finish. DI Jack Macintosh is at the funeral of his old friend and mentor when he receives a phone call. "Boss, we need you NOW." The crime scene is an opulent townhouse in which the occupants, Francis and Heidi Maguire, have been brutally murdered and the only witness to the crime is their six-year-old son Josh. Who has been left alone in the house with his dead parents for two weeks. Whose clothes are stiff with blood. And who is too traumatised to speak.

What follows is, as another reviewer has so wonderfully put it, a psychological balance between horror and humanity. The pressure on Jack and his team to apprehend a double murder, whilst being unable, not to mention unwilling to place a small child under any pressure at all. And as the police investigation progresses, and attention turns to Francis' family, all of whom seem to have secrets to hide, the intrigue builds magnificently as we wonder, not only 'whodunnit', but also why ...

I really liked the character of Jack Macintosh, too. He's dedicated, yet haunted. Flawed, yet respected. He is - and I mean this as absolutely no insult - a sort of 'Ian Rankin's Rebus lite'. Which is just fine, because (a) nobody could, nor should create another Rebus and (b) in any case, Jack is easily portrayed strongly enough to be a character in his own right.

I also liked that attention has clearly been paid to some smaller details. Much like the same author's latest DI Nicki Hardcastle novel, Skin of Their Teeth, which I read recently, there are clearly aspects to the plot that have been thoroughly researched. And if I didn't already know from her social media posts that Michelle Kidd is a cat lover, I could guess it. Reading about Marmaduke - which is a great name for a cat, by the way - 's fickle eating habits brought a wry smile to my face.

Overall, I found The Silent Boy to be - and again, I mean this as absolutely no insult - almost the perfect book to read at a time when life seemed to threaten to become overwhelming. The plot is one that's tense enough to easily hold the reader's attention, without being so complicated as to lose it again. It's fast-paced, without being too frantic. And the characters, whilst not all likeable - and let's face it, you don't really want a murder suspect to be 'likeable' - are sufficiently relatable and well-portrayed to be interesting enough to keep on reading about.

The only slight problem I had with this book is probably more to do with me. There's a sort of back story going on that features an uneasy - relationship isn't really the right word, but my tired brain can't think of another that will do right now - between Jack and a drug dealer. It seems to be one that has been going on in the background for a while, in a series in which this book is the eighth instalment, and I quite accept that having an element of continuity between books might be something that other readers enjoy very much. The trouble is that this was my first read of any of the books in this series, and I have to say that the sub-plot felt like a distraction that I didn't particularly want, and that this particular book didn't seem to need.

Perhaps, as a newcomer to this series, my perspective is a little different to the norm. But my conclusion is simple. As a standalone novel, combining police procedural with psychology, The Silent Boy is wonderful. But as part of a series? I guess I'll have to somehow put life on pause and do some more reading before I can pass judgement on that.

My thanks to Zooloo's Book Tours for including me on the blog tour for this book, which was published in the UK by Joffe Books on 5th March 2026. My review is also published on my blog at www.mycosybooknook.wordpress.com and shared on my social media pages.
Profile Image for Leanne.
940 reviews93 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 26, 2026
The Silent Boy delivers a gripping blend of procedural tension and emotional depth, opening with one of the most arresting crime scenes I’ve read in a while. Detective Jack MacIntosh is pulled from a moment of personal grief straight into a case that feels impossible from the outset: a brutal double murder, a house soaked in violence, and a single witness—a traumatised six‑year‑old boy who cannot speak.

From the very beginning, the novel balances horror with humanity. The crime scene is shocking, but the heart of the story lies with Joshua, the silent child at its centre. His presence adds a quiet, aching urgency to the investigation, and Jack’s determination to protect him becomes the emotional anchor of the book. The relationship that forms—tentative, fragile, and deeply moving—gives the narrative a warmth that offsets the darkness.

Jack himself is a compelling lead. He’s steady, intuitive, and quietly burdened by the loss of his mentor, which adds a layer of vulnerability to his otherwise sharp investigative mind. Watching him navigate the contradictions of the case—frenzied violence paired with meticulous planning, no forced entry, no clear motive—keeps the tension high and the pages turning.

The pacing is excellent, with each new clue tightening the net around a killer who feels both calculating and disturbingly close. The sense of danger builds beautifully, especially as it becomes clear that Joshua may still be in the killer’s sights. The final stretch is particularly strong, weaving together psychological insight, procedural detail, and a genuine emotional payoff.

Atmospheric, unsettling, and unexpectedly tender, The Silent Boy is a standout crime thriller that blends suspense with heart. Fans of Helen H. Durrant, Biba Pearce, and Angela Marsons will find plenty to love here, but the emotional resonance makes it appealing well beyond the genre’s usual boundaries.

With thanks to Michelle Kidd, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Profile Image for Alyson Read.
1,181 reviews55 followers
March 6, 2026
A new case awaits DI Jack MacIntosh and his small team at the Met of DS Chris Cooper, DS Amanda Cassidy and DC Trevor Daniels. A well-off couple, Francis and Heidi Maguire, have been found dead in their home with multiple stab wounds and their bodies have lain there for fifteen days. No sign of a break in or robbery. Their six-year-old son Joshua has been home alone all this time, surviving on snacks from the kitchen, until spotted wandering in the garden in a daze by a neighbour. The boy is taken to his aunt Trudy and uncle Derek but has not spoken a word since. Could the murders be something to do with the acquisition company run by Francis and his brother Derek who is now frantically destroying paperwork? There’s another brother too, Nathan, who doesn’t want to take in Joshua, and the whole family appear to be harbouring many secrets with lots to hide, all hoping the boy will stay quiet. The killer knows they were seen and may have been recognised. A decision is made to bring in profiler Dr Rachel Hunter and psychologist Genete Hill (sister of Jack’s friend DS Rob Carmichael), well known characters from earlier books, in an effort to get the boy to open up about who or what he saw. This will be crucial for the team with only one witness who is not talking and may also be in danger from a brutal killer.
This is another excellent dark and thoroughly engrossing police procedural in a terrific series which I have loved all the way through. This is a brilliant story, full of twists and insights from the killer, and with plenty of red herrings to keep the reader guessing until the final pages. The whole investigative team of detectives, forensics and pathologist are all very capable and likable characters. Easily enjoyed as a stand-alone, I can highly recommend the entire series.
Profile Image for Jackie.
1,402 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 12, 2026
I went into this one without realizing it was part of a series, and while the premise pulled me in right away, the overall experience didn’t fully land for me.

This was my first time reading Michelle Kidd, and I have to say, the premise immediately caught my attention. The idea of a traumatized child being the only witness to such a brutal crime had a lot of intrigue, and I was really curious to see how it would all unfold. While I appreciated the strong character development and the unpredictable direction of the plot, I struggled more than I expected to stay fully engaged.

Not knowing this was part of an established series definitely played a role in my experience. There were quite a few characters to keep track of, many of whom seemed to have existing history together, and at times it felt overwhelming trying to remember who was who. Because of that, I found myself disengaging more than once, even though the overall mystery itself was interesting.

The biggest challenge for me was the heavy police procedural focus. I know that’s a main component of this style of story, but it just wasn’t my favorite element and made parts of the book feel slower than I would have liked. That said, I can absolutely see the appeal for readers who enjoy detailed investigative work and layered case dynamics.

Overall, even though this one didn’t fully land for me, I did appreciate the depth of the characters and the unexpected twists along the way. I’d be open to trying another book by this author, especially if I started from the beginning of the series for more context.

A big thank you to Joffe Books and NetGalley for the ARC in return for my honest feedback.
58 reviews3 followers
March 5, 2026
Suspenseful; Great Character Portrayal.
The Silent Boy by Michelle Kidd is the latest in a series, but if you have never tried a Detective Jack Mackintosh book before this is still very readable and enjoyable as a stand-alone.
The horrific, blood-soaked scene at a smart Richmond townhouse will immediately pull the reader into the story wondering how this could have been undiscovered for so long? And has poor little six year old Joshua really survived with only his brutally murdered parents for company? Or could he possibly have done this all by himself? Michelle does not disappoint us by taking us on a roller-coaster read where we think we know all the answers – however at the conclusion of the case we find that not only did we not guess correctly, but there are no unexplained twists to lead us to the correct conclusion. The resolution of “who dun it?” is quite logical, just surprising.
The setting with lots of blood and shifty relatives doing inexplicable - at the time – things, keeps the reader in suspense. Wondering if and when Joshua will start to speak or even remember the events of the tragedy kept me turning the pages until well after my bedtime. I recommend this as a very good read to anyone who enjoys this genre. The writing skill used to portray the suspects and keep the reader rivetted to this book deserves every one of the five stars.
Profile Image for Louise Wilson.
3,734 reviews1,699 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 23, 2026
Detective Jack is standing at the graveside of his old friend and mentor DCI Frank Taylor, when the call comes in. "Boss - we need you NOW!" He arrives at a smart Richmond townhouse to a scene of unspeakable horror. There's blood everywhere - soaking through the thick rug, slashed across the curtains, sprayed across the ceiling. Two bodies lie side-by-side, next to the king-size bed. They're not fresh. They've been there for at least two weeks. The most chilling discovery of all, a six-year old boy, hiding in the study. Clothes stiff with blood. Eyes blank. Silent. Joshua is the only witness. And whatever he saw has trapped him deep inside himself. Now, Jack is in a race against time to unlock the little boy's memories and coax out the truth - before the killer returns to silence Joshua for good.

Book 8 in the Detective Jack Macintosh series and this series just keeps getting better. Jack and his team are investigating the double murders at a Richmond townhouse. They discover on searching the house a young six-year-old by traumatised by the bodies covered in blood, he can't speak. The crime is shocking.

Published 5th March 2026

I would like to thank #NetGalley #JoffeBooks and the author #MichelleKidd for my ARC of #TheSilentBoy in exchange for an honest review.
120 reviews2 followers
March 5, 2026
Detective Inspector Jack MacIntosh is at a funeral for his friend and mentor when he gets an urgent call saying he is needed.
The call involves a crime scene in which 2 bodies were discovered by a neighbour. After she spots the couples six year old son Joshua wondering alone in the back garden covered in blood in a kind of trance state. The murdered couple who are identified as Francis and Heidi Maquire have been stabbed to death and were found side by side on the bedroom floor. Their 6 year old son Joshua was unharmed and is a potential witness to the crime. Joshua hasn't spoken since being found and is now in the care of his Aunt and Uncle Derek and Trudy Maquire.
Its up to Detective Inspector Jack Macintosh and his team to investigate this heinous crime. It also appears that the murder took place a week or so previously so its rather unusual that the boy was able to fend for himself in that time. A very complex case as well as a complex family. Jack and his team will have to find the truth. With only a witness to the crime who is terrified as well as vulnerable Jack and his team will have their work cut out. A very good book with lots of theories and suspects. Another fantastic instalment from Michelle Kid.
Profile Image for Paula.
1,325 reviews48 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 16, 2026
The Silent Boy by Michelle Kidd is a dark crime thriller. From the chilling discovery of a brutal double murder to the haunting image of a traumatized child hiding in silence, the author creates an atmosphere of emotion and drama.

Detective Jack MacIntosh is a well-drawn protagonist. The investigation is as much an emotional journey as a procedural one, particularly in the careful, compassionate attempts to reach six-year-old Joshua—the novel’s most heartbreaking and memorable character. The tension is well-paced, balancing police work with an ever-present sense of danger, as the clock ticks toward the possibility of the killer returning to finish the job.

There were lots of red herrings and some good twists, which kept me guessing. The Maguire family was unlikeable, which was the point, and the stakes were real, and the resolution was satisfying. One thing that irritated me was the usage of “Francis and his wife.” She had a name, and, for me, using "his wife" diminishes her identity.

Overall, a very good crime thriller with emotional twists and a satisfying ending. I would recommend this book.

#TheSilentBoy #NetGalley @JoffeBooks
Profile Image for Vanessa.
3,292 reviews27 followers
March 5, 2026
‘The Silent Boy’ by Michelle Kidd is the 8th book 8 in the excellent DI Jack MacIntosh series and a good psychological thriller and a police procedural book. It started of slow and then it became a roller coaster ride with good twists and turns, that made it a good page turner.

Detective Jack MacIntosh arrives at the scene of a smart Richmond townhouse. only to witness unspeakable horror. There is blood everywhere and soaking through the thick-pile rug, slashed across the curtains and sprayed across the ceiling. Two bodies lie side-by-side, next to the king-sized bed. They’re not fresh. They’ve been there at least two weeks.

There is only one survivor!! Their young son Joshua, who is six year old and he is hiding in the study. All his clothes are stiff with dried blood, his Eyes are blank and he sits there in Silent and scared!!!
Whatever he saw has trapped him deep inside himself, hopefully not forever!!!

WoW. . . . . I highly recommend this book and can be read as a Stand alone, but do recommend to read the other books within this series as you learn more about Detective Jack MacIntosh.
30 reviews1 follower
February 12, 2026
The Silent Boy by Michelle Kidd is a police procedural that follows the investigation into the murders of a wealthy couple in their home. The only survivor? Their young son. This story takes us on a journey through the investigation and the therapy of the boy, attempting to get him to share what he saw. Overall, this book was great! I was expecting it to be more fast-paced but it’s definitely a slow-burn. The characters are likable when they’re supposed to be and not when they’re not which proves to me that it’s written well.

I did feel like I had picked up in the middle of a story at some points, but not so much so that I didn’t know what was happening. The story was nicely wrapped up, as well. I just felt like I was supposed to know these characters and that’s because there are 7 other books in the DI Jack Macintosh series. I’ll definitely have to go back and read through them! There is also a glossary of English Usage at the back of the book for US readers!! I thought that was super helpful and cool as a US reader! I’ll definitely be recommending this one!
Profile Image for Sonja Charters.
2,870 reviews142 followers
March 8, 2026
I know that I'm still yet to catch up with most of this series, but given I've read books 1, 6 & 7 now, I just had to pick up this latest release.

 

So, this is now the 8th book in the Detective Jack Macintosh series - and I've really enjoyed the other books and Jack's character so much.

 

This time, Jack was facing a complex and brutal case and this one really did get to me more because it focuses on poor Joshua, a six year old boy who had seen way too much.

Being a mum, I'm always more affected by the stories where children are involved and I really felt for Joshua and the treatment he'd suffered so far and then to see the brutal murder - I'm not surprised that he withdrew completely and became mute. 

 

This story unfolds gradually feeding us more and more about the family and at each turn I was rooting for Joshua to come out of the other side relatively unscathed.

However, the mental scars would be there long after this case was solved.

 

I love the way this balanced the horrifying crime scenes with the sensitivity of the main characters towards the case ...and obviously the writing style too.

 

This was fast-paced as ever and full of twists throughout - but as much as I thought I'd worked things out, this ending still shocked me.

 

A great read that had me eager to grab book 9 already...
162 reviews4 followers
March 5, 2026
An excellent addition to the DI Jack MacIntosh series .Easily read as a stand-alone
Joshua, a 6 year old infant, is found wondering around his garden by a neighbour. He is
dressed in his pyjamas and clutching his soft toy giraffe. His clothing and hair are
matted with dried blood. The neighbour enters the house and discovers the bodies of
Joshua's parents lying side by side and surrounded by blood. Forensics reveal that the
bodies have lain there for up to two weeks and the young lad has been fending for
himself amidst the gruesome scene. The shock has resulted in the lad being struck
dumb but the police suspect that he may have witnessed the slaying. The dysfunctional
extended family of the Joshua Maguire slowly reveals a motive and opportunity for all
the victims brothers. The Maguire's all have a chequered past and their only motivation
is money.
This is a clever twisty Whodunit with a fascinating backstory that will make want to read
more of the MacIntosh serie
Profile Image for Faye Morris.
174 reviews11 followers
March 9, 2026
The Silent Boy by
🌟🌟🌟💫

A first for me from this author and is part of a series, but can be read as a standalone

I really enjoyed the book. Each chapter had you thinking more and more as the Maguire family unraveled.

I was torn between 2 characters as to who it was. So cleverly written with drops of hints along the way.

I did think some of the characters could of been explained and developed more. Especially Michael and his relationship with his siblings.

Derek was a vile man! Controlling the family business and his wife. None of the Maguire men favoured well in the book. Did get me thinking if their parents had actually died in an accident or not?! Wouldn't put it past any of them!

Poor Joshua. It's amazing what the mind can block out with trauma. With help, kindness and love you can be bought back and open up to those who support you.

I look forward to reading more from this author
Profile Image for Jennifer TW.
118 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 27, 2026
Another instalment in the DI Jack Macintosh series sees the frenzied murder of a husband and wife with their young son as the only potential witness. The deceased husband ran a business with his 2x brothers and it would appear there are strained family relations. Jack & his team investigate aided by the fantastic Genete, recently moved to London, and whom is tasked with interviewing the child witness, Joshua. It seems things took a sour turn in the family following a 40th birthday party, and by all accounts everyone in the family seems to have their problems and secrets. Then out of nowhere, someone from the past appears that throws the team off guard. So what did happen that night and can Genete help the child to open up and reveal who might be responsible?
Huge thanks to the author and publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Profile Image for Alison Taylor-Muhl.
254 reviews5 followers
February 17, 2026
This is the first book I have read by this author, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. What I got was a well written, slow-burning psychological thriller, with a host of strong main characters and an unpredictable plot. There are many secrets in play, and it’s clear that all the family members are telling lies, and whilst obviously the authors intent was to mislead, this made it harder for me to connect with these characters. On the flipside, there is a heavy focus on the procedural aspects of the case, which really held my attention. I wasn’t aware that The Silent Boy is the eighth in the Detective Jack MacIntosh series, and I wholeheartedly think that to fully understand the ins and outs of the main characters the previous seven books should be read first. All in all, this book is well written with a fascinating premise.
1,530 reviews25 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
February 20, 2026
What a brilliant and riveting book this is. It's intense as every Jack MacIntosh book is and all revolves around a little boy who witnesses the murder of his parents and has not spoken since. Jack and the team have their work cut out for them trying to solve this and enlist Genete to work with the boy to gradually get the information from him.

I liked how Genete has come to the fore in this book. The emotional anguish just leapt off the pages as I read this. There are no likeable characters from the victim's family but is it enough to make them a murderer? I loved how the story has excerpts throughout from the killer's perspective as they wait with fear to see what the boy will reveal, and the unveiling of the killer only became clear to me at the same time as it did to the team. It was really cleverly done.
Profile Image for Victoria.
198 reviews5 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 28, 2026
Title: The Silent Boy
Author: Michelle Kidd
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Publication Date: March 5, 2026

That Prologue... Chef's Kiss!!! 👩🏽‍🍳

The author did a great job leading the reader to believe one of the main characters was the killer. After several twists and turns, I was surprised to read who had actually killed Francis and Heidi.

Many of the main characters were very unlikable. I was actually hoping all of them were guilty!!! Joshua was super sweet, and I just wanted the best outcome for him.

What i found quite odd was a secondary storyline that only popped up every so often. For the life of me, I cant figure out why the author included it. I felt that it really detracted from the main storyline.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion/review.
458 reviews13 followers
March 8, 2026
Such a sad start to a thriller but draws you in immediately. It's a slow-burn police procedural with switches between character, including our unknown culprit. Very much a family affair but with no clear motive at first.

Joshua is at the very heart and you find yourself wondering whether he's at risk, whether he'll be ok or if he's going to be able to help the police solve it all.

Joshua's family aren't the best people and their dynamics show that it isn't hard to see why something has gone wrong. Jack and his team work through the case with their sights fixed on the family as more and more about their characters are revealed. Theres a few skeletons in the closet which gives a number of motives with a few different possibilities of who the culprit might be. It doesn't give things away too easily so reels you in.
Profile Image for Khris Sellin.
805 reviews7 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 1, 2026
Six-year-old Joshua has witnessed the most horrible crime -- the brutal killing of his parents. The crime is not discovered until two weeks later, when a neighbor sees the young boy wandering around the yard on his own and realizes she hasn't seen his parents around in a bit.

The dead couple are Francis and Heidi Maguire, and it soon comes out that the Maguire brothers -- Francis, Derek, and Nathan, and another estranged brother -- are something less than stellar citizens.

The investigation focuses on the brothers early on, while new social worker Genete tries to get Joshua to open up to her. (He hasn't spoken since the murders.)

Many twists and turns on this one before coming to the shocking conclusion. A gripping read.
Profile Image for Ali.
406 reviews11 followers
February 26, 2026
The end of this book took me by surprise . I thought they had hinted as to who the killer was earlier on but I was shocked to find out who it was. The second murder was not premeditated it was just due to circumstances. I thought it was written well but I skipped the autopsy descriptions . When you finally thought you knew all the secrets they slam you with some more .
The people in this book are all out to get each other. A cheating spouse a backstabbing brother and a brother who murdered at a young age . The son was unfortunately witness to the murder of his parents and affected deeply . Joshua coming out of his shell was my favorite parts of the book
If you like police procedural then you’ll like this one.
Profile Image for Sally Winsor.
67 reviews1 follower
March 5, 2026
When neighbours see the six year old son of the next door occupants wandering alone and investigate why, they discover the bodies of the boys parents in their bedroom, drenched in blood. DCI Jack MacIntosh and his team are tasked with investigating the murders and the first questions they have to ask are - Did the boy see anything? If so, did he recognise the killer? With the boy suffering selective mutism brought on by the trauma, Jack is struggling getting any answers. If the killer knows that the boy saw what happened, will they try to neutralise the threat?
This next instalment in the Jack MacIntosh Murder Mystery series is another fast paced, gritty police procedural that will keep you enthralled.
Profile Image for Mrs C.
77 reviews1 follower
March 7, 2026
The book opens with the frenzied double murder of a wealthy couple in their bedroom. Their 6 year old son witnesses this and the trauma literally strikes him dumb.
D I Jack Cartright investigates and starts by questioning the husbands 2 brothers who are also his business partners. Meanwhile the boy is placed in the care of his eldest uncle & his wife and also undergoes therapy with a psychologist to attemp to treat his mutism & hopefully tell what he witnessed that night.
Lies and intrigue aplenty in this excellent book, so many twists and turns in the plot.
Was it a brother was it both ?.
The truth when it comes out is not what I was expecting at all.
So taken with this author and her writing I am determined to start from book 1 and read the entire series. 11 out of 10 for me.
Profile Image for Michelle Parker.
355 reviews4 followers
January 25, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, author Michelle Kidd, and Joffe Books for the ARC and the opportunity to review this novel.

This was a solid police procedural with a deliberately paced, slow burn storyline.

While the investigation was well structured, the plot unfolded at a slower pace that at times lacked urgency.

The novel centres on a class driven, wealthy family whodunit, which will likely appeal to readers who enjoy traditional crime fiction and methodical storytelling.

Overall, an adequate read, though it did not fully capture my attention or stand out within the genre.

3⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publishes March 2026
Profile Image for Martha Brindley.
Author 2 books35 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 30, 2026
This is a good addition to the exciting series, featuring Detective Jack Macintosh and as usual, it's a very good read. Jack is a likeable character and the team dynamics are very good. He is investigating a double murder which is witnessed by a young boy who is rendered mute by the horror he has witnessed. The writing is very atmospheric and the pacing is steady throughout. The ending was satisfying, but with an unanswered question, which left me wanting just a little bit more. It's a good crime thriller which I would recommend to fans of police procedurals and crime fiction. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.
469 reviews5 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
February 8, 2026
Another great Jack MacIntosh adventure.
I've read a number of the previous books in this seari3s and enjoyed them. This is far more than another police procedural with some psychological pressure thrown in. Here the DI and his team have to deal with a young boy, so traumatised by witnessing the gruesome death of his parents that he becomes mute. As the case unravels there are further complications., including the reappearance of a foe from Jack's past. He is not known for his tolerance, but he and his team, and others that are co-opted show a great deal of compassion.
This book is high on tension and pace. Readers also learn more about Jack's tangled personal life. It's a very good book.
54 reviews
March 6, 2026
A brutal murder , a shocking crime scene and a six year old boy who has witnessed the crime set the scene in the latest book in the Detective Jack Macintosh series. A boy so traumatised having witnessed the deaths of his parents that he is no longer able to speak but is a potential witness . Who was the killer and is the child in danger . It is up to DI Mackintosh and his team to get a result . This was a well thought out investigation as they follow various lines of enquiry relating to the murdered couples family and work colleagues with a punch of a twist at the end . Easy to read as a standalone but worth while reading the earlier books as well
526 reviews12 followers
March 6, 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, which captured me from the start. This is one of those books you are reluctant to put down, as you are caught up in a well written, mysterious, gripping, page-turner, of a storyline and plot.
There are plenty of revelations, strong characters, and many twists.
There's plenty of suspects to choose from, and at one time, I thought it was obvious, but how wrong I was.
Although this is book 8 in DI Jack Macintosh Mysteries and I thoroughly enjoyed the others. I feel this could be read as a standalone in its own right.
My thanks to Joffe books for the advanced copy. This is my honest and unbiased review of this book.
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