Her Silence

by S.T. Ashman

She survived the night. The truth didn't.

Nicole gets the call at 4 a.m. Her daughter Lacey was found in the woods beside her friend's dead husband. He was stabbed forty-four times. Lacey is barely alive. Covered in his blood. And completely mute.

She hasn't said a word since. Not to the police. Not to her husband. Not even to Nicole.

Nicole had Lacey at seventeen and swore her daughter would have a good life. Now Lacey is sitting in a cell, and Nicole's three grandchildren are left behind with a father who is losing it.

But Nicole knows her daughter. She isn't a cold-blooded murderer. Guilt didn't silence her. Fear did. Whatever happened in those woods scared Lacey more than prison.

So Nicole starts digging. But some secrets don't save people. They destroy them.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Suspense, Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Audiobook

306 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 21, 2026

About the author

S. T. Ashman is an American-German author who calls the beautiful U.S. Seacoast home. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, she spent years working as a psychotherapist in the criminal justice system. The work gave her a rare window into the human mind, both the beautiful and the deeply shadowed. It's no wonder readers often say her characters feel real enough to step off the page.
When she's not crafting her next twisty tale, you'll find her chasing after her kids, nose-deep in a book, or curled up late at night with a horror movie and a husband who always falls asleep on the couch before the scary parts.

Reviews

[Caz · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ Wow, this book was incredible! I honestly don’t know how S. T. Ashman thought up some of these twists. I was constantly second-guessing everything, and the story kept me guessing throughout.

This is a gripping psychological thriller about Nicole, who receives a phone call telling her that her daughter, Lacey, has been found in the woods next to the body of her best friend’s dead husband. Naturally, everyone believes Lacey is responsible, especially when she leaves the hospital completely mute and unable to explain what happened.

But things become even more complicated when Lacey is taken into custody and doctors discover that she has cancer. Nicole is determined to prove her daughter’s innocence and will do everything she can to get her out of jail so she can receive the treatment she desperately needs. If she can’t, Lacey could end up dying in prison.

I really felt for Nicole. Her determination to fight for her daughter, even when everything seems to be against them, really came through. Lacey was also such an intriguing character because her silence leaves you wondering what she knows and what she is hiding.

What stood out most for me was the plot and all the twists. I loved how the author kept giving us little pieces of information without making it obvious where the story was going. There were so many moments that had me questioning what was really happening and who could be trusted.

S. T. Ashman’s writing is clever and kept me completely hooked. The story had me wanting to keep reading because I needed to know what had really happened and whether Nicole could prove Lacey’s innocence.

An absolutely brilliant psychological thriller that kept me guessing right to the end.

Publishing date: July 21st, 2026

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, and S. T. Ashman for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Sarah · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

⋆⭒˚｡⋆ TL;DR: Although it wasn’t perfect, I still had fun, especially whenever Dylan showed up. Poor kid. 😢


⋆⭒˚｡⋆ This was an interesting ride. Nicole wakes up to a phone call no one ever wants to hear. Her daughter, Lacey, was found in the woods, covered in blood and next to the body of her best friend’s husband. It seems like Lacey had something to do with the murder, but Nicole knows her daughter and wants to get to the bottom of what really happened that night, no matter the cost, because that’s what mothers do for their children. Fight for them, even when everyone else has given up.

What I appreciated most about the book was the short chapters. Granted, they did get longer towards the end, but the short and snappy chapters helped the story stay engaging. The writing was good, the story was pretty mysterious, and the characters were well-fleshed out, imo.

But, good lord, I hated Brian. Was I wishing that the sorry sob was also found in the woods? Maybe. I was just so disgusted and annoyed by him. Unfortunately, I know men like him and how pathetic they can be, so I did not care at all how he was feeling during the investigation. But he was worse at the end. Like, hold me back, y’all. I will be throwing hands with no mercy because that “man” does not deserve what he was given.


And what also upset me was how much Dylan was constantly compared to his “handsome” father. His eyes. His build. His charisma that can bewitch every woman they come across. Yeah, no, please stop. The kid does not need that in his life. I know what it’s like to be constantly compared to someone who isn’t the greatest human being in the world, so do not do that to poor Dylan. He is nothing like his dad, and I will not hear anymore nonsense about him being otherwise. Dylan was more of a man as a teenager than his dad was as a grown-ass adult.

Ooh, and don’t even get me started on the Attorney General. I won’t say anything about him because I don’t want to even think about that petty and horrible…thing. He sucked so much, and I could not believe the things that came out of his mouth. Unbelievable.


But what I did love was Nicole and how adamant she was in wanting to help her family and prove that Lacey was innocent. Do I think the ending did her dirty? Hell yes. I literally wanted to cry at how things turned out because it just didn’t seem fair at all. But that’s life, isn’t it? My family hates how pessimistic I am, but, I mean, it’s true. Life sucks, it’s unfair, and it’s unjust. And anyone who tells you otherwise is most definitely selling you something. But, again, that’s why I love Dylan. If you want to know why, you’re going to have to read the book. 😉

I’ve read reviews that say that the first half is better than the second half, especially Dylan’s POV at the end, and while I do agree, I really liked Dylan’s POV. Although it did slow down the pacing of the story, it was just so damn satisfying. It was exactly what I needed to feed the little vengeful and petty monster inside me that wanted true justice to be served. Did part of the ending disappoint me? Yeah, because even though I get it, it’s not what I expected and not in a good way, really. I’m not mad about it, but I’m not exactly happy about it either. I was like maybe 50% or 44% right, if that’s even possible. 😂

Oh, and I also liked Detective Nolan. He was cool. ☺ And Ginny the Doberman was amazing. Absolutely beautiful. I loved her, even though she showed up like two or three times. 🥰

Overall, this was an entertaining story, and I enjoyed it. It made me go through all the feels, so that definitely gets a recommendation from me. 💙

꩜ Thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own. ꩜

《 Content Warnings 》
Death, murder, blood, and mentions of trauma.
Swearing: Yes
Spice: Open door/steamy. (🌶🌶🌶/5)

[Nina (ninjasbooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

How could I ever do this justice ? It is so good that words fail me, and they would never be able to capture the amazement I felt while reading. It was such an interesting combination of an emotional draining journey with a plot unlike anything, with some crazy and mindboggling twists. It was also beautifully written, but what really made it memorable were the characters. They were so wonderful, with their loyal love that just oozed from their pores, transferring to me as well. I felt so heartbroken, angry for how they were treated, and amazed by their strength. I liked how they were complex as well, and that the author wrote about how the world and people aren’t black or white either. We do bad things, and sometimes for very good reasons. I could continue, but that will take time away from you actually getting this book and reading it.

[L A · Rating 5 out of 5]

"She survived the night. The truth didn't."

"Nicole gets the call at 4 a.m. Her daughter Lacey was found in the woods beside her friend's dead husband. He was stabbed forty-four times. Lacey is barely alive. Covered in his blood. And completely mute. She hasn't said a word since. Not to the police. Not to her husband. Not even to Nicole."

Move this psychological thriller up to the front of your list. I never saw this ending and still can't wrap my head around it. With several POV's, you are going to be thankful each one has an important story. I loved the characters, but the one that stood out the most is Nicole, Lacey's mother. While Lacey sits in jail, Nicole fights for her. Her emotional journey is what makes the book, but the ending you will never forget. Although the family has flaws, there are characters that will stand out you will be cheering for. Then there are gray areas that will have you questioning your own morals. How far do we go to protect our loved ones? It is fast-paced with so many broken and shocking motives. Thank you NetGalley, Victory Editing & NetGalley Co-op and Fishman Books for this incredible ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Youssra {very busy-review slumping} · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up purely for Jenny the Doberman! That dog was the real mvp here😅 Honorable mention to Nicole the grandma🥺 She was my personal fav🥺

Very gripping and addictive! You'll have to suspend some disbelief here and there and the whole plot was a little bit soapy, but it packed some serious emotion in there! The ending really brought it home for me and I had my suspicions in the beginning, so I was glad they panned out!

Rot in hell Bryan🤮
___________________________________________________________


pre-read:

Soooo excited for another book from this author!

[chantalsbookstuff · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐

This book grabbed me from the first chapter, and the pacing was perfect because there was always something happening. I also loved how the chapters switched between different characters. It helped build the mystery and kept me guessing the whole time. Every time I thought I knew what was going on, another surprise changed everything. The ending twist was absolutely crazy, and I never saw it coming.

The characters made this story even better. I loved Nicole and Dylan, and I was hoping they would finally get the answers they deserved. There were also a few characters I couldn't stand, but that just made the story feel more real. With all the suspense, there were some really emotional moments about family, loyalty, and the lengths people will go to for the ones they love. This was such a fast and exciting thriller, and I finished it so quickly. I definitely recommend this one!

[TheConnieFox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This thriller novel was extremely addictive, mysterious, and terrifying. I love that this story and the characters were both very multilayered. It is emotional and incredibly deep. It’s more than just a thriller novel; there are layers to it. What initially attracted me to this book was the cover and the story’s description. I was curious whether it would live up to my expectations, and it really did! I can tell the author really put a lot of effort and time into creating this! It is very well written, easy to read, and full of twists!

This novel is written from different points of view and across different timelines. This really gave me a good perspective on the main characters and what they were thinking and going through. I felt every emotion while reading this. It’s about not giving up on family, complex characters, and trauma. My favorite character in the story was, of course, Lacey’s Mom, Nicole. The love she has for her daughter is so precious. Nicole is a fighter, and she does everything it takes to protect her daughter and the family. She even risks putting her own life in danger. This is more of a fast-paced novel with strong character development! In my opinion, this one will definitely be getting a movie adaptation! It is powerful in so many ways! I give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley, author S. T. Ashman, and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

This book is expected to be released on July 21, 2026!

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was drawn to Her Silence due to this description: She survived the night. The truth didn't. I was rewarded with a gripping, emotional, dark, chilling, tense, and mysterious plot. S.T. Ashman has written another captivating page turner which kept me turning the pages and reading into the night!

Nicole received a call that her daughter, Lacey, had been found covered in blood next to her friend's dead husband. Since that night, Lacey has not said a single word. The police and almost everyone else believe that Lacey killed the man. But her mother, Nicole, believes someone else is to blame and vows to learn what happened the night the man died and her daughter was left for dead!

This book is brimming with tension, secrets, and dread. I loved how Nicole never gave up on her daughter and always sought to find the truth. I also enjoyed the multiple POV's which kept me engaged and fully invested in this book. Another plus is that there is more to this book than meets the eye. There is a lot going on, and I was there for every second of it. I love how this book looks at relationships, trauma, and family. The characters are fully fleshed out and flawed. There are the characters who I rooted for and those that disgusted me. This book had me feel all kinds of emotions while I was reading.

Wonderfully written, well thought out, gripping and hard to put down!

Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op | Ashman Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

[GCR | Book Realm]

Her Silence started off promising, and the mystery pulled me in pretty quickly, but that interest slowly faded as the story went on.

The constant POV switches made it hard for me to feel grounded in any one character, and because of that, I never really connected with anyone. Eventually, I stopped caring as much about the mystery or where the story was going.

The ending was okay, but it did not bring back the curiosity I had at the beginning. This was not a bad read, just one that never became as interesting as it first seemed like it would.

I’d recommend this to readers who enjoy slower mysteries, multiple POVs, and stories that focus more on gradually uncovering the truth than on fast pacing or strong character connection.

[Bo.reads · Rating 2.5 out of 5]

When Lacey Alderwyn is found unconscious in the woods, covered in blood, her best friend's husband is discovered stabbed to death nearby. Lacey wakes unable to speak and soon becomes the prime suspect, leaving her mother Nicole determined to find out what happened that night and prove her daughter's innocence.

This had a solid start, and I'd say I was fully into the mystery surrounding Lacey and Zach for the first 60% or so. It was addictive at times, but the time jumps kept interrupting the flow. We'd suddenly move ahead, leaving me wondering what had happened in between and whether those missing pieces would ever be filled in. Some moments felt too important to simply skip over, and I would've much rather seen them play out.

By the time Part Two came around, I wasn't nearly as interested in where things were heading. I missed the investigation and uncertainty around who could be trusted, and with one dramatic development after another, the story started to lose some of its appeal.

The twist surprised me, I'll give it that, but I wasn't convinced by the reasoning behind it. After everything we'd learned about these characters and their relationships, some of their decisions were hard to make sense of and seemed to suit the plot more than the characters themselves. The dialogue could be awkward at times too, with certain conversations feeling more scripted than natural.

I enjoyed trying to work out what happened far more than I enjoyed finding out, which is a shame because the earlier chapters really did have me turning the pages. It seems to have been a hit with plenty of other readers, though, so maybe this was just a case of the book finding the wrong reader.

[Sheri | HawksNestReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the perfect rainy-day-at-the-cabin read. I flew through Her Silence in just over a day because I couldn’t put it down. The story kept me engaged from the beginning, with unexpected twists woven throughout that had me constantly second-guessing what would happen next. Just when I thought I had things figured out, another surprise pulled me back in. I also found myself genuinely invested in the characters and eager to see how everything would unfold. If you enjoy fast-paced thrillers with plenty of twists and turns, this is one to add to your list.

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[suspenseisthrillingme · Rating 5 out of 5]

A binge-worthy psychological thriller packed sky high with morally gray characters, twist after twist, and über-dark secrets, Her Silence not only provided a fast-paced narrative, but a emotionally raw family drama that had me crying unstoppable tears. Filled with heartbreak, grief, rage, and desperation, I felt all of the feels in this high-stakes mystery. You see, this book was dark. Even darker, in fact, that I expected before diving in. Tragic and moving in the best possible way, Ashman tapped into emotion like few authors can. Pulling me into this broken family’s pain, she had me caught up in this powder keg from start to finish. Don’t get me wrong, she also shocked me but good over and over with a series of jaw-dropping twists. Shifting the plot just enough to keep me from guessing the truth, the tension just ratcheted ever-higher until I reached the explosive, adrenaline-fueled climax. The only thing better? That shocking yet satisfying *mic drop* of an ending.

So what was my absolute favorite piece of this utterly unputdownable murder mystery? Well, that had to be the characters—with Lacey’s mother, Nicole, topping the list. Fierce, protective, and emotionally compelling, she made this book what it was. I mean, her depth alone immersed me completely in the story as she held on for dear life like only a mother can. In addition to her, though, was a cast that ran the gamut from likable to hated. In fact, one in particular had me wanting to jump through the page just so that I could burn him to the ground. Paired with a relentlessly paced storyline that had me in a chokehold from beginning to end, and this masterpiece of storytelling easily earned a five-star rating. You see, through the shifting timelines and multiple POVs, it gave me a Noelle Ihli-meets-Jennifer Hillier feel that I absolutely adored. So go on. Order this book now. It was every bit of the raved-about read that you’re seeing online. Rating of 5 stars.

Read if you love:
- Toxic relationships
- Heartbreaking family dramas
- A relentless pace
- Well-written multiple POVs
- Super dark secrets
- Morally gray characters
- Nonstop chills
- Tear-jerking scenes
- Emotional depth
- A chilling atmosphere
- Amateur sleuthing
- Not knowing who to trust
- Binge-able books
- Intense family dynamics
- Shifting timelines
- Strong character development

BRIEF BLURB:

Please go into this story at least mostly blind. Even the official synopsis would ruin it a little. All you need to know is that a woman goes mute after being found in suspicious circumstances near a dead body. From there, the story becomes an emotional, high-stakes battle to find out the truth as her mother works to prove that she’s innocent of all charges. Don’t worry, I’m not going to say anything more. Well, except to add that if you’re one of *those* people who still want to read the synopsis, be sure to scroll to the end of my review. You’ll find it there…

Other than that, the only thing I want to add is that you need to read this one ASAP. An astounding novel that combined deep character development with poignant, heartfelt emotion and an intense, chilling storyline, you are guaranteed to want to read “just one more chapter” right up until the very last page. After all, I needed to know what happened in the woods that night just as much as Nicole and I’m positive that you will as well.

Thank you S.A. Ashman for my complimentary copy. All my opinions are my own.

PUB DATE: July 21, 2026

Content warning: murder, blood, mental illness, bullying, infidelity, alcoholism, cancer, domestic violence, physical abuse, sexual content, death of a parent, stroke, kidnapping, gun violence, mention of: rape, animal death, child abuse



FULL SYNOPSIS:

Nicole gets the call at 4 a.m. Her daughter Lacey was found in the woods beside her friend's dead husband. He was stabbed forty-four times. Lacey is barely alive. Covered in his blood. And completely mute.

She hasn't said a word since. Not to the police. Not to her husband. Not even to Nicole.

Nicole had Lacey at seventeen and swore her daughter would have a good life. Now Lacey is sitting in a cell, and Nicole's three grandchildren are left behind with a father who is losing it.

But Nicole knows her daughter. She isn't a cold-blooded murderer. Guilt didn't silence her. Fear did. Whatever happened in those woods scared Lacey more than prison.

So Nicole starts digging. But some secrets don't save people. They destroy them.

[Jack Ace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another one of those books I seemed to see everywhere. Every time I opened Goodreads or browsed thriller recommendations, Her Silence popped up. Eventually I gave in to the hype, wondering: is it all marketing, or is there a genuinely great story behind it? Well, the answer is somewhere in between—and in the best possible way. The author (I didn't read any other books by him) delivers a gripping, emotionally charged thriller built around a fantastic premise. A young woman is found covered in blood beside a brutally murdered man, yet she refuses to utter a single word. From there, the mystery unfolds at a satisfying pace, with each revelation raising the stakes.
What kept me reading was Nicole. Her determination to uncover the truth and protect her daughter gives the novel its emotional core, while the suspense never lets up for long. Does it deserve all the attention it's getting? I'd say yes. Maybe not quite a masterpiece, but it's certainly much more than just another overhyped thriller. A compelling page-turner with heart, mystery, and plenty of surprises. I really enjoyed reading it. You will miss something if you leave this one out.

[Jonetta · Rating 5 out of 5]

the setup…
Lacey Alderwyn is a married to Brian and they’re the harried parents of three children. Both are looking forward to getting away with their best friend Amanda and her wealthy husband Zach Nabb to their luxurious lake house. Her mother Nicole Kolter is taking care of her kids while they’re gone. Lacey picks up Zach since his office is near her job and they’ll ride together to the lake. However, Nicole gets a call at 4:00 am from the police to come to the station. Lacey was found unconscious in the woods covered in blood and with a head injury. Zach was nearby in his car, stabbed forty-four times. She’s completely traumatized…and mute. Lacey is unable to talk or do much more than stare ahead lifelessly but it doesn’t deter the police from charging her with murder. Nicole knows her daughter is innocent and begins the fight of her life to save her.

the heart of the story…
Nicole is a warrior and she’ll not let anything get in her way to get Lacey released. Meanwhile, Lacey still is silent, not uttering a word or doing anything other than existing. Nicole is up against relentless forces but never gives up and is just as formidable in her own way.

the bottom line…
This is that story that has extreme highs, lows and everything in between and I felt it all. Nicole is also that mother who fights with everything within her to protect her child no matter the odds and she was incredible. I’m so glad I listened to friends and got my hands on this book. I I went where it led without a clue how it would land, completely unprepared for that ending and emotional spent. A mother’s love has no boundaries.

(Thanks to Hambright PR and the author for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)

[Kelley · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

This was a blind read that pulled me in right away and quickly turned into a page turner that kept me up late!

Throughout the story, multiple characters show incredible strength and resilience in the face of trauma, pushing through their own pain to be strong for others while clinging to whatever hope they can find. At times, it feels like there’s no way things can possibly get better, which makes their perseverance all the more powerful.

For me, sacrifice is the heart of this story...what we’re willing to endure, give up, and carry for the people we love. An emotional, gripping read that has me wanting to read more of Ashman’s books. So glad I found this one!

[AmdynReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is exactly what I am wanting when I am craving a thriller!! Unputdownable, twisty and a story that kept me guessing till the very end. 5 ⭐️!!!!

☺️ Thank you to S.T. Ashman & HambrightPR for this ALC. As always this is my honest review.

What to expect:
🧵Multiple POVs- the main character seemed to switch as the story progressed
🪡 a murder mystery but the only survivor is mute
🧵 dark family secrets
🪡 morally gray/complicated decisions
🧵smart- characters thinking 2 steps ahead, but you don’t realize it till the perfect moment
🪡 true family, found family, emotional moments, grief
🧵check triggers (hard to list without spoilers)
🌶️ 0.5/5 - one open door scene but didn’t go into too much detail

☎️ [The Blurb]:
Nicole gets a phone call in the middle of the night that her daughter Lacey was found injured in the woods near her friend’s husband dead body. He was stabbed 44 times. She is covered in blood and will survive but she is completely catatonic. She won’t talk or look at anyone- won’t show any emotion at all and definitely isn’t answering any questions about what happened.
Nicole can’t get the police to help her (there’s a backstory there) so she takes it upon herself to prove her daughter’s innocence.

💬[My Thoughts]:
Did I stay up WAYYYY TOO LATE multiple times because I could not stop reading? Yes I did!
The short chapters and the fast pace of this book was so addictive. I had to know what was going to happen!

I’ve never read a book that switched main characters, other than The Last Mrs Parrish and the Housemaid. But this one switched between three generations and felt totally unique - Lacey (the suspect and daughter), Nicole (the grandmother and matriarch) and Dylan (the grandson). There was also unexpected time jumps that left my jaw on the floor.

If you are wanting a totally bingeable thriller, that will make you want to ignore your responsibilities, snatch this one up!

📆 [Pub Date]: July 21, 2026

[Rachel the Page-Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has so much packed into it, but I don’t want to reveal too much! Just as the synopsis says, Lacey and Brian are having marriage troubles, and decide to go away to their best friend’s lake house. They leave their three kids with Lacey’s mom, Nicole. Brian drove up alone and Lacey carpooled with Amanda’s husband, Zach.

Early the next morning, Nicole gets a call from the police. Lacey and Zach never made it to the lake house. They were found on a country road with Zach dead and Lacey with a head injury and covered in blood. They race to the hospital and soon realize there’s something wrong with Lacey. The blood isn’t hers, and she’s practically catatonic. She won’t/can’t speak, and she just stares at people with nothing in her eyes.

Eventually, she becomes the main suspect in Zach’s death. The blood covering her is his, there is no evidence of anyone else being at the scene, and the police eventually arrest her. As she sits in jail, mute, her family, friends and lawyer are all working hard to figure out what happened. So are the police, and with politics at play, Nicole is worried her daughter may never talk again, and may never step foot outside prison again.

The ending of the book was fantastic, and there is a lot more to the story than the synopsis reveals. There are a lot of characters, which normally I find tedious, but I didn’t in this story. They are all quite interesting, and necessary for that perfect ending. This covers a lot of subjects, but the main story of Lacey is very compelling and heartbreaking. I think it’s much deeper than the average mute murder mystery novel, and I really enjoyed this quick read. 4.5 stars!

(Thank you to NetGalley and S.T. Ashman for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on July 21, 2026.)

[ARK · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had all the ingredients to be a 4⭐+ read for me. It was fast-paced, emotional, and kept me turning the pages because I had to know what had happened. There were a few characters I genuinely liked, and a few (especially some of the male characters) that I absolutely hated.

Unfortunately, the ending completely fell apart for me. One reveal relied on a thriller trope I absolutely can't stand—convenient amnesia and suddenly remembering a crucial conversation at exactly the right moment. The conveniences kept piling up. The doctor suddenly remembers Dylan's mother's name at the exact moment Dylan is at Amanda's house, and somehow Amanda immediately knows what he's told Dylan and walks out to confess.

Then came what seemed to be the implication that Lacey had been able to communicate with Amanda after the incident, yet never spoke to her own children or the mother who moved heaven and earth fighting to save her. If that's what the author intended, I just couldn't buy it.

And then the biggest problem of all: Lacey is dying and wants her children to be cared for after she's gone, so she and Amanda decide the solution is to murder Amanda's husband so Amanda can marry Lacey's useless, misogynistic husband and raise the kids? I just couldn't make sense of that logic.

I'm genuinely surprised by how many people loved this book. Am I missing something, or were others simply able to look past these issues? Such a promising thriller, but the ending unraveled everything that had worked so well before it.

[Melanie Dubois · Rating 5 out of 5]

SIMPLY INCREDIBLE!!!

Wow! I absolutely love thrillers, usually as audiobooks, but when I tell you this physical book captivated every inch of my attention, i finished it in 2 sittings, I couldn't put it down!

There was so much planning that went into these plot twists, the reveals. It was truely a 1 of a kind thriller.

I am definitely going to need to check out more of S.T. Ashland books, b3cause I haven't loved a thriller this much since Fredia McFadden.

The multiple timeliness and way the story played out were just masterfal!

[_blondebooknerd · Rating 5 out of 5]

HER SILENCE ABSOLUTELY RUINED MY SLEEP SCHEDULE (AND I LOVED EVERY SECOND) 🌲📖
Her Silence by S. T. Ashman 🔪🖤

First things first — thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, and S. T. Ashman for the ARC in exchange for an honest review 🖤

NOW LISTEN. This book had me acting completely feral. 😭🔪

When S. T. Ashman personally asked me to join her street team, my response was basically:

💅 say less, babe

Because after reading Her Silence??? I would rep this book from the rooftops. She immediately approved my NetGalley request, and we’ve been chatting on Instagram ever since. She is genuinely such a gem AND an absolute thriller queen 👑🖤

This was one of those “just one more chapter” situations that turns into you staring at the clock at 2 a.m. questioning all your life choices because there was NO WAY you were sleeping without answers. I finished this in three sittings because putting it down felt illegal.

And this premise??? HELLO???? 🔥

She survived the night. The truth didn’t.

Nicole gets a call at 4 a.m. Her daughter Lacey has been found in the woods beside her friend’s dead husband — stabbed forty-four times. Lacey is barely alive, covered in blood, and completely mute.

She won’t speak to police.
She won’t speak to her husband.
She won’t even speak to her mother.

Yeah. inject this directly into my veins 🫠

What made this hit so hard was the emotional layer under the chaos. Nicole isn’t just solving a murder — she’s trying to protect her daughter while unraveling secrets that get darker and darker with every chapter. The family dynamics, fear, and tension made this completely addictive.

The pacing? Insane.
No filler. No lull. Just constant escalation and paranoia. Every time I thought I had something figured out, the book basically went absolutely not and ripped the rug out anyway 💀

And the twists??? rude. disrespectful. iconic. 😭👏

If you love:
🔪 psychological thrillers
🌲 dark secrets + family drama
😳 morally messy characters
📖 bingeable fast reads
🩸 staying up way too late because you need answers

…you need this on your radar.

S. T. Ashman officially has my full attention now because WHAT do you mean I need her entire backlist immediately??? 🖤

📅 Her Silence releases July 21, 2026 — but if you’re on NetGalley, go request this ASAP. And go follow the author because she deserves ALL the hype 👏🔥

[Marcie Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮 𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲! 😮‍💨

Twists, surprises, heartbreak, and characters I became completely obsessed with. I was so invested that sleep was simply not happening until I finished it. 😂

A few little niggles kept it from five stars, but damn… this one put me through it.

[The Morbid Mama ☠︎︎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear god. I have no words. I can’t even form a coherent thought. I have never felt so many emotions in a book in my life. Her Silence tore my goddamn heart out and twisted my guts in such a visceral way. With being a mother to two amazing kids, this book affected me in a way I didn’t even think possible. I sobbed, I laughed, I seethed, I felt every single emotion that Nicole felt when fighting to save her daughter. And the absolute RAGE I felt for all these awful men in this book was so immense I was literally shaking. This book.. this book PERFECTLY encapsulates the love a mother has for her child, and the love a CHILD has for their mother. I’m sorry this review is such a mess… but holy shit. Absolutely well done. Wow. I just… I loved this so fucking much. I’m not kidding when I say I’ve never felt emotions this strong after a book. S.T. Ashman, I don’t know what you did, but whatever it is, keep doing it and don’t ever stop.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for my arc of Her Silence. I will be thinking about this one for a VERY long time.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbelievable!!! Wow, just wow….Bravo 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 this was so GOOD! Epic storytelling that had me emotionally charged at times with another awesome pet moment. I’m not going to lie, I cried that dog was a hero 😩 This psychological thriller will leave you breathless and on the edge of your seat! I couldn’t put it down, I couldn’t do it. This is so well written and the character development was incredible.

Looking for a psychological thriller, that will snatch you up? Get your favorite drink and snacks and stop right here! This is a long one but worth every minute. By the end of this one I was just staring into space for about 10 minutes recovering from the perfectly executed twists and for that I say…..well done, thank you!

[kimberly ☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.2 stars!!!


y’all i’m so so shocked like this book is INSANEEEE

[Celeste | bookrecs_by_celeste · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

The hype is real with this one! It’s so good! I finished it in less than 24 hours because I just could not put it down and I just needed to know all of the answers. The plot was so engrossing and addictive it instantly hooked me from page 1. I had a couple of theories but overall I wasn’t completely correct which you all know I love being proved wrong when I’m reading a thriller. The characters were awesome I absolutely loved Nicole’s character she was a BA mom and grandma. Dylan melted my heart with his love for his mother. I’ll be thinking about these characters for a minute!

This one will definitely keep you on your toes, guessing, and your head spinning! There’s nothing better than a thriller that gives you whiplash and goes 100 mph. I cannot wait to read this authors other work now! Ashman is a solid voice in the thriller genre and delivered a thriller book lovers dream with this one!

[RootsfortheVillain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicole gets a call early in the morning and finds out her daughter Lacey was discovered in the woods, covered in blood, next to her best friend's husband, who had been stabbed over 40 times. Lacey is so traumatized she can't speak, but the police are sure she is responsible for the attack. With Lacey in jail and the District Attorney determined to keep her there, Nicole has to find out who the real killer is.

This book is a wild thriller. I enjoyed how the story is told from different points of view and shifts between timelines. Nicole stands out as a strong main character. Even though she is surrounded by unlikeable characters, Nicole never stops fighting for her daughter’s freedom. The story made me emotional as Nicole sacrifices everything to keep her family together and find the real killer. This book had so many twists and turns that I was hooked the whole time, and it is so unique that I’m still thinking about it days later. If you like fast-paced thrillers with lots of surprises, I highly recommend this book.

Thank you to S.T. Ashman for the opportunity to review Her Silence. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Beth Cortez · Rating 2 out of 5]

This had so much potential. The first half was great but the second half was….not so great.

In the second half, we skip ahead 8 years. Grandma Nicole was a HUGE part of things in the first half but is now in a wheelchair and mute…so her character just kind of falls off, which was a disappointment. Dylan suddenly becomes this super mastermind hero who plots this huge set up of his dad. The dad was portrayed as a huge ass throughout, so it’s logical to suspect him of something anyway. Dylan also finds Myers when apparently no one could for so many years. 🤷‍♀️ And then when talking to Myers, Dylan has the perfect flashback and can remember the argument between Luke and Lacey in the bowling alley parking lot from many years prior, when he could never remember it before…come on! I mean, how convenient, right?! So we go from thinking it was Lacey that planned everything (because that’s what Myers told Dylan), to thinking that the dad had something to do with it in order to be with Amanda and also to get Luke’s riches, and then back to Lacey PLUS Amanda.

And the kicker….apparently Lacey really could talk the entire time. Whhhhhaaaattttt?????? Do you realize how hard that would be to intentionally not speak for YEARS?! I don’t know, I just found it all too implausible and things just too “conveniently” revealed.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to review.

[Michael David (on hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one immensely, but I found the last 20% to be a bit unrealistic and ultimately corny. I would definitely read more from this author. 3.5 stars rounded up.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Edited this review with additional thoughts once I had processed fully the last quarter of the book)

When Lacy goes away for the night with her husband, best friend and her partner tragedy strikes and Lacy is left so traumatised she is unable to speak. Nicole Lacys devoted mother is determined to find out just what happened to render her daughter mute.

This pulled me in right from the start, short chapters, fast paced it had me gripped. I was on the edge of my seat wanting to know what had happened to Lacy to leave her so silent and traumatised. I can totally see why it’s getting all the hype it is. I especially loved Nicole and the way she thought for her daughter.

My only gripe probably would be that the last third of the book went on a little to long and we heard from POVs that I wasn’t necessarily invested in, I feel like if the story stayed on the present day and the two main characters (Lacy and Nicole) it would of been better.