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The Silent House
I’m lucky, but that’s exactly what scares me.
I have a handsome husband, a wonderful son, and soon we’ll own our dream home in the Cotswolds too. We’re in a good financial position.
I should be relaxed and happy, so why aren’t I?
What trouble do I sense coming?
Joanna Neal is a highly respected paediatric surgeon, her husband Daniel is a successful finance director – together with their wonderful son, they are the perfect family. The purchase and renovation of a romantic country house in the Cotswolds is set to seal their happiness.
But when Joanna vanishes without a trace on the evening of her 10th wedding anniversary, the beautiful facade begins to turn into a nightmare of blackmail and lies.
Daniel tries everything to get his wife back, putting himself and everyone he cares about in grave danger.
But whilst Joanna is held captive in a gilded cage, it turns out she is not the helpless victim the masterminds expected. And she is burning for revenge …
A gripping domestic thriller from the bestselling author of Remember Me, packed with twists, unreliable narrators and cold-blooded revenge – sophisticated, multi-layered and relentless right up to the very last page.
I have a handsome husband, a wonderful son, and soon we’ll own our dream home in the Cotswolds too. We’re in a good financial position.
I should be relaxed and happy, so why aren’t I?
What trouble do I sense coming?
Joanna Neal is a highly respected paediatric surgeon, her husband Daniel is a successful finance director – together with their wonderful son, they are the perfect family. The purchase and renovation of a romantic country house in the Cotswolds is set to seal their happiness.
But when Joanna vanishes without a trace on the evening of her 10th wedding anniversary, the beautiful facade begins to turn into a nightmare of blackmail and lies.
Daniel tries everything to get his wife back, putting himself and everyone he cares about in grave danger.
But whilst Joanna is held captive in a gilded cage, it turns out she is not the helpless victim the masterminds expected. And she is burning for revenge …
A gripping domestic thriller from the bestselling author of Remember Me, packed with twists, unreliable narrators and cold-blooded revenge – sophisticated, multi-layered and relentless right up to the very last page.
344 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 23, 2026
About the author
Lynda Renham
49 books255 followersLynda Renham has been writing for as long as she can remember and had her first work published in a magazine at age nine and has continued writing in various forms since. She has had several poems published as well as articles in numerous magazines and newspapers. Recently she has taken part in radio discussions on the BBC.
She has studied literature and creative writing and has a blog on her web page: www.renham.co.uk
Lynda lives with her second husband and cat in Oxfordshire, England. She is Associate Editor for the online magazine The Scavenger and contributor to many others. When not writing Lynda can usually be found wasting her time on Facebook.
She has studied literature and creative writing and has a blog on her web page: www.renham.co.uk
Lynda lives with her second husband and cat in Oxfordshire, England. She is Associate Editor for the online magazine The Scavenger and contributor to many others. When not writing Lynda can usually be found wasting her time on Facebook.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
June 1, 2026
The Silent House surprised me in the best way. I’ll be honest, halfway through, I thought it was going to be “one of those” thrillers that never quite lifts off. But the last few chapters completely changed the game for me. The payoff was sharp, satisfying, and exactly the kind of ending that I like. This story is fast‑paced and packed with multiple POVs which is more than I usually prefer. I normally max out at three, and this one had quite a few, so it took me a moment to settle in and keep track of everyone’s role in the chaos.
At its heart, this book explores the messy juggle of motherhood, professional identity, and the dream of building a perfect home, all while suspicion hangs over every character. Truly, everyone feels like a suspect until the story decides otherwise.
Likes:
* Strong final chapters that elevated the whole reading experience
* Compelling characters with believable motivations
* Themes of motherhood + career woven into the tension
Dislikes:
* Too many POVs which made the early chapters harder to settle into
* Slow connection-building due to the large cast
* Betrayal that’s gut wrenching
Breakdown:
• Setting: 3⭐️
• Characters: 4⭐️
• Writing: 4⭐️
• Message: 3⭐️
• Overall: 4⭐️
Overall Thoughts:
Despite a rocky start for me, The Silent House delivered a twisty, engaging ride with a killer ending. The themes, the tension, and the final reveal all worked together beautifully. A solid 4‑star read and one I’d recommend to thriller girlies who enjoy domestic suspense with layered characters and a punchy finale. Huge thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for my copy.
~JaNnA~
At its heart, this book explores the messy juggle of motherhood, professional identity, and the dream of building a perfect home, all while suspicion hangs over every character. Truly, everyone feels like a suspect until the story decides otherwise.
Likes:
* Strong final chapters that elevated the whole reading experience
* Compelling characters with believable motivations
* Themes of motherhood + career woven into the tension
Dislikes:
* Too many POVs which made the early chapters harder to settle into
* Slow connection-building due to the large cast
* Betrayal that’s gut wrenching
Breakdown:
• Setting: 3⭐️
• Characters: 4⭐️
• Writing: 4⭐️
• Message: 3⭐️
• Overall: 4⭐️
Overall Thoughts:
Despite a rocky start for me, The Silent House delivered a twisty, engaging ride with a killer ending. The themes, the tension, and the final reveal all worked together beautifully. A solid 4‑star read and one I’d recommend to thriller girlies who enjoy domestic suspense with layered characters and a punchy finale. Huge thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for my copy.
~JaNnA~
July 30, 2026
THE SILENT HOUSE BY LYNDA RENHAM
4 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s
This is a gripping and twisty psychological thriller and I was here for it.
A page turner for sure ☺
4 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s
This is a gripping and twisty psychological thriller and I was here for it.
A page turner for sure ☺
June 1, 2026
Review of Advance Reader Copy
Oh wow…. This got me out of my reading slump!!
This was such a page turner. It kicks off from page 1, the epilogue and the last chapter come full circle which is so satisfying.
The chapters are short (2-4 pages) which I think adds to the fast-paced suspense and makes it very moreish and easy to say “one more chapter”.
I thought it was written really well and cleverly done, but without giving too much away I think one part of the story goes on a little too long like yeah we get it I just want to get to the next part!!
Overall a great read, really satisfying ending, no unanswered questions loved it
“But is my life truly perfect? Or am I blind to the flaws hiding in plain sight?”
Oh wow…. This got me out of my reading slump!!
This was such a page turner. It kicks off from page 1, the epilogue and the last chapter come full circle which is so satisfying.
The chapters are short (2-4 pages) which I think adds to the fast-paced suspense and makes it very moreish and easy to say “one more chapter”.
I thought it was written really well and cleverly done, but without giving too much away I think one part of the story goes on a little too long like yeah we get it I just want to get to the next part!!
Overall a great read, really satisfying ending, no unanswered questions loved it
“But is my life truly perfect? Or am I blind to the flaws hiding in plain sight?”
June 11, 2026
The Silent House by Lynda Renham ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is my kind of book. A gripping psychological thriller that I couldn’t put down. Joanna disappears on the evening of her wedding anniversary. This book is addictive and has a cast of characters that keep you guessing. Some twists and turns. Great writing. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy. Publication date 23 July
This is my kind of book. A gripping psychological thriller that I couldn’t put down. Joanna disappears on the evening of her wedding anniversary. This book is addictive and has a cast of characters that keep you guessing. Some twists and turns. Great writing. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy. Publication date 23 July
July 24, 2026
Review of advanced reader copy from the publisher.
You know I enjoyed a book when I read it in one day!
This one is a wild ride for sure, with twists and turns revealed throughout. Nothing is as it seems and that ending was definitely an unexpected shock!!
This one is full of secrets, lies, suspicions, and suspense!
Thank you to DP Publishers for this advanced reader copy!
You know I enjoyed a book when I read it in one day!
This one is a wild ride for sure, with twists and turns revealed throughout. Nothing is as it seems and that ending was definitely an unexpected shock!!
This one is full of secrets, lies, suspicions, and suspense!
Thank you to DP Publishers for this advanced reader copy!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of The Silent House before publication. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
The Silent House is a tense domestic psychological thriller about a seemingly successful family whose carefully constructed life begins to collapse following a sudden disappearance. Joanna Neal is a respected paediatric surgeon, while her husband, Daniel, is a successful finance director. Together with their son, they appear to have everything, including plans to renovate a beautiful country house in the Cotswolds. However, beneath the surface of their privileged life, there is already a sense that something is wrong.
On the evening of Joanna and Daniel’s tenth wedding anniversary, Joanna disappears without warning. Daniel is desperate to find her, but the situation quickly becomes more complicated when blackmail, threats and long-held secrets begin to emerge. What initially appears to be a straightforward kidnapping develops into something far more personal, forcing Daniel to question how well he truly knows his wife and who might have had a reason to take her.
One of the most interesting aspects of the novel is that Joanna is not portrayed as a passive victim waiting to be rescued. Although she is being held captive, she remains intelligent, observant and determined to regain control of the situation. Her professional background and strong personality make her more resourceful than her captors expect, and the shift from fear to anger gives the story a darker revenge element.
The novel moves between different perspectives, allowing the reader to see the disappearance from both inside and outside the captivity. This structure creates suspense because the reader is given pieces of information that the characters themselves may not yet possess. At the same time, none of the narrators feels entirely reliable, and each new revelation raises further questions about what happened before Joanna vanished.
Daniel is presented as a devoted husband who is willing to do almost anything to bring his wife home. However, his determination to handle parts of the situation without involving the police places him and others in greater danger. His decisions can occasionally be frustrating, particularly when secrecy and fear begin to override common sense, but they also reflect the impossible pressure he is under.
I enjoyed the contrast between Joanna and Daniel’s outwardly perfect life and the increasingly disturbing reality beneath it. Their careers, financial security and plans for an idyllic home suggest stability, yet the kidnapping exposes weaknesses in their marriage and forces hidden resentments and past choices into the open. The book explores how easily a convincing public image can conceal complicated relationships and private unhappiness.
The Cotswolds house also carries symbolic importance. It is intended to represent the family’s successful future, but it gradually becomes connected to fear, secrecy and the possibility that their new beginning has been built on unstable foundations. The idea of a beautiful home becoming associated with confinement and danger suits the darker tone of the story.
The chapters are relatively short, and the narrative moves quickly between threats, discoveries and changing suspicions. This makes the book easy to read and gives it the addictive quality expected from a domestic thriller. There are frequent twists, and the balance of power repeatedly changes as different characters reveal what they know and what they are prepared to do.
Some of the developments genuinely surprised me, particularly as the reasons behind Joanna’s disappearance became clearer. The story contains blackmail, deception, toxic relationships and revenge, and there is rarely a point at which every character can be trusted. I appreciated that the situation was more complicated than it first appeared and that Joanna’s role in the story continued to develop.
However, some aspects required a significant suspension of disbelief. Certain decisions seemed designed primarily to extend the suspense, and there were moments when more direct communication or earlier police involvement might have resolved parts of the situation. A few twists also felt more dramatic than fully convincing, particularly towards the end, when several secrets and motivations had to be brought together.
I would also have liked greater emotional depth in some of the relationships. Joanna and Daniel’s marriage is central to the plot, but there were moments when I wanted a clearer understanding of their connection before the disappearance. Some secondary characters were intriguing but not developed enough for their actions to have the full emotional impact they might otherwise have had.
The revenge element was one of the stronger parts of the book. Joanna’s anger and refusal to remain powerless make her an engaging character, even when her actions become morally complicated. The novel raises interesting questions about whether seeking justice can gradually become something more destructive and whether revenge can ever truly repair the damage that has already been done.
The final section is fast and dramatic, with several confrontations and revelations arriving close together. Although I predicted some elements of the truth, there were still enough changes of direction to keep me reading. The conclusion fits the dark tone of the novel, even though some parts felt slightly rushed compared with the slower development of the mystery.
Overall, The Silent House is an entertaining and twist-filled psychological thriller about kidnapping, secrets, marriage and revenge. It has an intriguing central premise, an active and resourceful female protagonist and enough uncertainty to keep the reader questioning the motives of those involved.
It did not feel completely convincing in every respect, and some of the twists and character decisions weakened the impact for me. Nevertheless, it was a quick and engaging read that should appeal to fans of domestic thrillers involving apparently perfect families, unreliable narrators, dangerous secrets and women who refuse to remain victims.
The Silent House is a tense domestic psychological thriller about a seemingly successful family whose carefully constructed life begins to collapse following a sudden disappearance. Joanna Neal is a respected paediatric surgeon, while her husband, Daniel, is a successful finance director. Together with their son, they appear to have everything, including plans to renovate a beautiful country house in the Cotswolds. However, beneath the surface of their privileged life, there is already a sense that something is wrong.
On the evening of Joanna and Daniel’s tenth wedding anniversary, Joanna disappears without warning. Daniel is desperate to find her, but the situation quickly becomes more complicated when blackmail, threats and long-held secrets begin to emerge. What initially appears to be a straightforward kidnapping develops into something far more personal, forcing Daniel to question how well he truly knows his wife and who might have had a reason to take her.
One of the most interesting aspects of the novel is that Joanna is not portrayed as a passive victim waiting to be rescued. Although she is being held captive, she remains intelligent, observant and determined to regain control of the situation. Her professional background and strong personality make her more resourceful than her captors expect, and the shift from fear to anger gives the story a darker revenge element.
The novel moves between different perspectives, allowing the reader to see the disappearance from both inside and outside the captivity. This structure creates suspense because the reader is given pieces of information that the characters themselves may not yet possess. At the same time, none of the narrators feels entirely reliable, and each new revelation raises further questions about what happened before Joanna vanished.
Daniel is presented as a devoted husband who is willing to do almost anything to bring his wife home. However, his determination to handle parts of the situation without involving the police places him and others in greater danger. His decisions can occasionally be frustrating, particularly when secrecy and fear begin to override common sense, but they also reflect the impossible pressure he is under.
I enjoyed the contrast between Joanna and Daniel’s outwardly perfect life and the increasingly disturbing reality beneath it. Their careers, financial security and plans for an idyllic home suggest stability, yet the kidnapping exposes weaknesses in their marriage and forces hidden resentments and past choices into the open. The book explores how easily a convincing public image can conceal complicated relationships and private unhappiness.
The Cotswolds house also carries symbolic importance. It is intended to represent the family’s successful future, but it gradually becomes connected to fear, secrecy and the possibility that their new beginning has been built on unstable foundations. The idea of a beautiful home becoming associated with confinement and danger suits the darker tone of the story.
The chapters are relatively short, and the narrative moves quickly between threats, discoveries and changing suspicions. This makes the book easy to read and gives it the addictive quality expected from a domestic thriller. There are frequent twists, and the balance of power repeatedly changes as different characters reveal what they know and what they are prepared to do.
Some of the developments genuinely surprised me, particularly as the reasons behind Joanna’s disappearance became clearer. The story contains blackmail, deception, toxic relationships and revenge, and there is rarely a point at which every character can be trusted. I appreciated that the situation was more complicated than it first appeared and that Joanna’s role in the story continued to develop.
However, some aspects required a significant suspension of disbelief. Certain decisions seemed designed primarily to extend the suspense, and there were moments when more direct communication or earlier police involvement might have resolved parts of the situation. A few twists also felt more dramatic than fully convincing, particularly towards the end, when several secrets and motivations had to be brought together.
I would also have liked greater emotional depth in some of the relationships. Joanna and Daniel’s marriage is central to the plot, but there were moments when I wanted a clearer understanding of their connection before the disappearance. Some secondary characters were intriguing but not developed enough for their actions to have the full emotional impact they might otherwise have had.
The revenge element was one of the stronger parts of the book. Joanna’s anger and refusal to remain powerless make her an engaging character, even when her actions become morally complicated. The novel raises interesting questions about whether seeking justice can gradually become something more destructive and whether revenge can ever truly repair the damage that has already been done.
The final section is fast and dramatic, with several confrontations and revelations arriving close together. Although I predicted some elements of the truth, there were still enough changes of direction to keep me reading. The conclusion fits the dark tone of the novel, even though some parts felt slightly rushed compared with the slower development of the mystery.
Overall, The Silent House is an entertaining and twist-filled psychological thriller about kidnapping, secrets, marriage and revenge. It has an intriguing central premise, an active and resourceful female protagonist and enough uncertainty to keep the reader questioning the motives of those involved.
It did not feel completely convincing in every respect, and some of the twists and character decisions weakened the impact for me. Nevertheless, it was a quick and engaging read that should appeal to fans of domestic thrillers involving apparently perfect families, unreliable narrators, dangerous secrets and women who refuse to remain victims.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Silent House by Lynda Renham is a very highly recommended domestic psychological thriller.
Daniel (Danny) and Joann (Jo) Neal are a successful couple with one son, Joel. Danny is a finance director while Jo is a paediatric surgeon. They have just bought and renovated a country house in the Cotswolds but will also keep their desirable apartment in the city for times when Jo is on call. Jo is looking forward to going out with Danny for their anniversary tonight so after Jo finishes her workout with friend and co-worker Gil, she walks home as it is nearby. Then she is abducted by a hooded man. Danny comes home to the nanny, Nicola, upset, not a word from Jo, and her friend Gil is shocked she didn't arrive home.
In the aftermath Danny receives a phone call demanding 2 million dollars to be delivered in 2 payments at sites to be shared in the future, and no police. Danny knows his in-laws, Donald and Julia have the money and will pay the ransom, but Donald does demand proof of life first. They receive a picture of Jo and make the first drop off. After this, unapproved by Danny, Gil and Nicola contact a friend, DS Josie Blackford and the police get involved. The second drop off site is set, but, while under surveillance by the police, the kidnapper calls Danny and changes the drop off location. Danny disables his wires and tracking while setting off for the new location. Jo is still not returned.
This is an extremely well written thriller which moves at a fast pace. It starts out following a familiar formula so you will think you know where the plot is heading and will have made predictions about what is going to happen. Trust me, you don't know. Once the first big twist hits, it shakes up everything, then more information and subsequent twists hit and you will find yourself reading as fast as possible trying to find out what could possible be revealed next. The multiple lies, secrets, and duplicity are all exposed one right after the other and everything you thought you knew just wasn't the case.
It is the many unpredictable twists toward the end that lead up to a shocking final denouement that totally changes the entire novel and make it a cut above other thrillers. It was an engaging and compelling novel at the start and then the narrative changed into thriller as it headed toward the end. Renham did an exceptional job misdirecting me and subsequently shocking me. I will admit that there are a lot of characters all introduced at the beginning of the novel and I had a little note pad nearby to write down names until I had everyone figured out.
The Silent House is an excellent choice for those who enjoy domestic psychological thrillers with surprising twists. Thanks to dp books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2026/0...
Daniel (Danny) and Joann (Jo) Neal are a successful couple with one son, Joel. Danny is a finance director while Jo is a paediatric surgeon. They have just bought and renovated a country house in the Cotswolds but will also keep their desirable apartment in the city for times when Jo is on call. Jo is looking forward to going out with Danny for their anniversary tonight so after Jo finishes her workout with friend and co-worker Gil, she walks home as it is nearby. Then she is abducted by a hooded man. Danny comes home to the nanny, Nicola, upset, not a word from Jo, and her friend Gil is shocked she didn't arrive home.
In the aftermath Danny receives a phone call demanding 2 million dollars to be delivered in 2 payments at sites to be shared in the future, and no police. Danny knows his in-laws, Donald and Julia have the money and will pay the ransom, but Donald does demand proof of life first. They receive a picture of Jo and make the first drop off. After this, unapproved by Danny, Gil and Nicola contact a friend, DS Josie Blackford and the police get involved. The second drop off site is set, but, while under surveillance by the police, the kidnapper calls Danny and changes the drop off location. Danny disables his wires and tracking while setting off for the new location. Jo is still not returned.
This is an extremely well written thriller which moves at a fast pace. It starts out following a familiar formula so you will think you know where the plot is heading and will have made predictions about what is going to happen. Trust me, you don't know. Once the first big twist hits, it shakes up everything, then more information and subsequent twists hit and you will find yourself reading as fast as possible trying to find out what could possible be revealed next. The multiple lies, secrets, and duplicity are all exposed one right after the other and everything you thought you knew just wasn't the case.
It is the many unpredictable twists toward the end that lead up to a shocking final denouement that totally changes the entire novel and make it a cut above other thrillers. It was an engaging and compelling novel at the start and then the narrative changed into thriller as it headed toward the end. Renham did an exceptional job misdirecting me and subsequently shocking me. I will admit that there are a lot of characters all introduced at the beginning of the novel and I had a little note pad nearby to write down names until I had everyone figured out.
The Silent House is an excellent choice for those who enjoy domestic psychological thrillers with surprising twists. Thanks to dp books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2026/0...
August 27, 2026
The silent House by Lynda Renham, after a swim with her best friend Gill, pediatrician surgeon Dr. Joanna goes missing her husband is devastated and her best friend Gill is unsettled when Danny doesn’t want to contact the police. when he finally gets a call from his wife’s phone the collar tells him do not involve the police and then let them know what he must do to get his wife back and that is the kidnapper wants €2 million. husband Danny wants to pay the money he knows his in-laws have it and gets their consent to go ahead with the deal so they can get Joanna back only that is not what happens. because thanks to Gill the police get involved in the kidnapper finds out but now he has the money and Joanna. This is just a lite summary of the book and trust me there is a lot more. For the most part in the beginning I thought this was a great book then I started noticing that things that would happen in certain chapters were never answered or talked about again not to mention the detectives marriage troubles and her new romance with her fellow detective I thought unnecessary not to mention they kept mentioning in abuse case we’re a little girl died and they mentioned it so much I thought it was going to have something to do with the story but no then in one chapter after they find out what ultimately happens to Joanne Danny gets missed calls from Joe and we never find out why what they were for etc I mean this book came so close to being a really good read but there was too much unanswered mixed up confusing storylines and I don’t like a story where when you find out what ultimately happens makes previous chapters outright lies or nonsensical happenings and that’s what happened with this book I wanted to really like it it started out great but in the end I just wanted it to be over I won’t even get into that screwed up ending because I hate when they take a character that’s not in the book that much and give them a pivotal part in the ending that irritates me to no end. #NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview,
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The premise of this one had me immediately, and honestly, I think the word Cotswolds caught my attention before anything else in the blurb. A beautiful country house, a seemingly perfect family, and the sense that something is about to go very wrong? I'm all in.
If there's one thing The Silent House delivered, it was that it was genuinely gripping. There were multiple moments where I was reading so fast I didn't even realise my head was wagging from side to side as I tried to work out who could be trusted and what was really going on. The red herrings and foreshadowing were particularly well done. There was always just enough there to raise suspicion without giving too much away, and I found myself constantly revising my suspect list as new information came to light.
This was my first time reading anything by Lynda Renham, so I went in not knowing what to expect. I’m glad to say I came away impressed. There were a couple of moments where I found myself pleasantly outsmarted, and the reveals made me look back at earlier events and realise just how much I’d overlooked.
It took me a little while to keep track of everyone because it felt like the cast was thrown at you pretty quickly. However, I also appreciated the complexity that added to the mystery. Having so many moving pieces made it difficult to know who to trust.
Some reveals had more impact than others, but never to the point where I lost interest in the overall story. If anything, each twist pulled me further into the mystery and made it even harder to put down.
All in all, this was an engaging domestic thriller packed with secrets, lies, revenge, and plenty of misdirection. A solid 4-star read that kept me turning the pages and introduced me to an author I'll happily read again.
Thank you to dp books and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.
If there's one thing The Silent House delivered, it was that it was genuinely gripping. There were multiple moments where I was reading so fast I didn't even realise my head was wagging from side to side as I tried to work out who could be trusted and what was really going on. The red herrings and foreshadowing were particularly well done. There was always just enough there to raise suspicion without giving too much away, and I found myself constantly revising my suspect list as new information came to light.
This was my first time reading anything by Lynda Renham, so I went in not knowing what to expect. I’m glad to say I came away impressed. There were a couple of moments where I found myself pleasantly outsmarted, and the reveals made me look back at earlier events and realise just how much I’d overlooked.
It took me a little while to keep track of everyone because it felt like the cast was thrown at you pretty quickly. However, I also appreciated the complexity that added to the mystery. Having so many moving pieces made it difficult to know who to trust.
Some reveals had more impact than others, but never to the point where I lost interest in the overall story. If anything, each twist pulled me further into the mystery and made it even harder to put down.
All in all, this was an engaging domestic thriller packed with secrets, lies, revenge, and plenty of misdirection. A solid 4-star read that kept me turning the pages and introduced me to an author I'll happily read again.
Thank you to dp books and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I would like to thank the publisher for DP books, and the author Linda Brenham for the opportunity to to review this book and to provide an honest review. This is a psychological thriller with a bit of a twist at the end. I found that the book dragged a bit through the main part of it. The first part of the book was good and kept my interest and then it dragged, and then it had a major twist at the end that actually got my attention again. The book is chock-full of unreliable narrators. In fact, it almost gets confusing because it doesn’t appear that anyone is telling the truth. The book is about a young family who seemed to have everything. They both have good jobs bringing in quite a bit of money and they also have a son that’s about six years old. Life looks good to Joanna Neal, until it doesn’t. On the way home after a tennis game with her friend, Joanna is abducted and held for a number of days. She did not see who the kidnapper was, and she does not know where she is being held. The book is told from a number of different points of view and at different times, and that gets a bit confusing at times. I found that the tension in the story suffered from these abrupt changes in points of view and it lost some momentum for me. I also figured out who arranged the kidnapping and guessed what the motive was before it was portrayed in the book. The end comes quickly, and there is a very surprising twist at the very end which redeemed the book a little bit in my eyes. If you like psychological thrillers, you might possibly enjoy this book. It is different enough from the many run-of-the-mill psychological thrillers that are out there. For me, though, it fell short and therefore I’ve given it two stars.
July 25, 2026
Thanks to DIGITAL PUBLISHERS I received an ARC of this book and it did not disappoint!
On the surface, this story follows a couple who appear to have everything: wealth, happiness and a loving family. But appearances can be deceiving. When the wife is suddenly kidnapped and a substantial ransom is demanded, the cracks beneath their seemingly perfect life begin to show, and it quickly becomes clear that not everything is as straightforward as it first appears.
Lynda Renham's writing style is immersive and incredibly easy to follow, making this a very addictive read. It immediately pulled me in and kept me wanting to know what would happen next. I ended up reading it in just two sittings — staying up far later than I intended because I simply had to keep turning the pages, before finishing the remaining 22% the next morning. For me, that's always a sign of a book that has successfully captured my attention.
The multiple points of view added layers to the story and helped build intrigue, although I can understand some readers potentially finding them slightly confusing at times. I also felt that one or two of the perspectives didn't add a great deal of depth to the overall storyline and perhaps could have been streamlined. That said, this didn't take away from my overall enjoyment of the book.
Overall, The Silent House is an engaging and suspenseful read that steadily unravels its secrets and keeps you questioning what is really going on beneath the surface. If you enjoy domestic thrillers filled with hidden truths, family secrets and unexpected twists, this is definitely one to add to your reading list.
On the surface, this story follows a couple who appear to have everything: wealth, happiness and a loving family. But appearances can be deceiving. When the wife is suddenly kidnapped and a substantial ransom is demanded, the cracks beneath their seemingly perfect life begin to show, and it quickly becomes clear that not everything is as straightforward as it first appears.
Lynda Renham's writing style is immersive and incredibly easy to follow, making this a very addictive read. It immediately pulled me in and kept me wanting to know what would happen next. I ended up reading it in just two sittings — staying up far later than I intended because I simply had to keep turning the pages, before finishing the remaining 22% the next morning. For me, that's always a sign of a book that has successfully captured my attention.
The multiple points of view added layers to the story and helped build intrigue, although I can understand some readers potentially finding them slightly confusing at times. I also felt that one or two of the perspectives didn't add a great deal of depth to the overall storyline and perhaps could have been streamlined. That said, this didn't take away from my overall enjoyment of the book.
Overall, The Silent House is an engaging and suspenseful read that steadily unravels its secrets and keeps you questioning what is really going on beneath the surface. If you enjoy domestic thrillers filled with hidden truths, family secrets and unexpected twists, this is definitely one to add to your reading list.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Silent House is one of those domestic thrillers that opens with everything gleaming — the perfect marriage, the perfect child, the dream house waiting in the Cotswolds — and then lets the shine peel back, layer by layer, until you’re staring straight into the rot beneath. Lynda Renham captures that creeping sense of dread so well: the feeling that a life can look flawless from the outside while something dark is quietly gathering at the edges.
Joanna Neal is a compelling centre to the story — brilliant, controlled, and uneasy in a way she can’t quite name. When she vanishes on her tenth wedding anniversary, the façade shatters instantly, and what follows is a tense unraveling of blackmail, betrayal, and the kind of secrets that thrive behind closed doors. The multiple perspectives add a sharp, restless energy, each one revealing just enough to keep suspicion shifting from chapter to chapter.
What I loved most is how the book refuses to let Joanna be a passive victim. Her captivity becomes its own battleground, and the simmering promise of revenge gives the story a deliciously cold edge. The short chapters make it incredibly moreish, and the final twist lands with that satisfying click that makes you rethink everything that came before.
A gripping, twist‑tight domestic thriller about the danger of perfect lives, the lies we build them on, and a woman who refuses to stay silent. A fast, addictive read right to the last page.
With thanks to Lynda Renham, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Joanna Neal is a compelling centre to the story — brilliant, controlled, and uneasy in a way she can’t quite name. When she vanishes on her tenth wedding anniversary, the façade shatters instantly, and what follows is a tense unraveling of blackmail, betrayal, and the kind of secrets that thrive behind closed doors. The multiple perspectives add a sharp, restless energy, each one revealing just enough to keep suspicion shifting from chapter to chapter.
What I loved most is how the book refuses to let Joanna be a passive victim. Her captivity becomes its own battleground, and the simmering promise of revenge gives the story a deliciously cold edge. The short chapters make it incredibly moreish, and the final twist lands with that satisfying click that makes you rethink everything that came before.
A gripping, twist‑tight domestic thriller about the danger of perfect lives, the lies we build them on, and a woman who refuses to stay silent. A fast, addictive read right to the last page.
With thanks to Lynda Renham, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A couple with a child.Loving each other,happy,living well,bought a house.Then this one of chance feeling things can go wrong and you're going to lose all of it....You find yourself trapped in a room with someone behimd the door who's there to feed you,supply you what you ask for and not there to harm you,so he says.In your head you draw thousand sof ideas how to escape,why is this happening ,why is this taking so long...And then the realisation .....You actually lived a lie for the past while.And the person to get blamed for this is closer to you than you could think of....Then you decide to take the revenge,and they say the best one is served cold.You died for the rest of the family,your funeral happened,not the way you'd like although you explained to him before.Your parents?They love you more than anything and will do more than anything to find out the truth.They have all the money in the world to do this.And one suspicion.....
You start reading the book and you think it will be alike others where she is the priness and he is the pauper.It starts this way but then twist after twist,and you're breathless as it is a well staggered story and till the end you hope for the good ending for both of them.What you need to remember is to not undermine the quiet ones,they always watch and sometimes have the last say,especially when it comes to protecting loved ones.
With the ending of the story I was like:OK.....ohhh......was not expecing that twist!!.Fell for this book and managed to read it in two long seatings.
You start reading the book and you think it will be alike others where she is the priness and he is the pauper.It starts this way but then twist after twist,and you're breathless as it is a well staggered story and till the end you hope for the good ending for both of them.What you need to remember is to not undermine the quiet ones,they always watch and sometimes have the last say,especially when it comes to protecting loved ones.
With the ending of the story I was like:OK.....ohhh......was not expecing that twist!!.Fell for this book and managed to read it in two long seatings.
July 30, 2026
A Tense Story of Love, Lies and Revenge
Lynda Renham has written a fast-paced psychological thriller that had me hooked from the opening chapters. What begins as a kidnapping mystery gradually unfolds into a tense story of betrayal, deception and revenge, with plenty of twists along the way to keep the pages turning.
The characters were what really made this book for me. Daniel was infuriating in the best possible way—constantly finding someone else to blame for the consequences of his own actions—which made him a brilliantly written antagonist. Neville quickly became my favourite character, and I found myself rooting for him more and more as the story progressed. Jo was also a strong, determined protagonist whose resilience kept me invested throughout.
The pacing is excellent, and I genuinely wanted to know how everything would unfold. Just when I thought I knew where the story was heading, another twist came along to prove me wrong.
The only reason this isn't a five-star read for me is that I wanted more from the ending. After becoming so invested in the characters, I would have loved a longer epilogue to show what happened afterwards and spend a little more time with them once everything had been resolved.
Overall, this is a thoroughly enjoyable psychological thriller with memorable characters, plenty of suspense and some very satisfying twists.
If you enjoy character-driven thrillers packed with tension and unexpected turns, I'd definitely recommend giving this one a read. 📚
Lynda Renham has written a fast-paced psychological thriller that had me hooked from the opening chapters. What begins as a kidnapping mystery gradually unfolds into a tense story of betrayal, deception and revenge, with plenty of twists along the way to keep the pages turning.
The characters were what really made this book for me. Daniel was infuriating in the best possible way—constantly finding someone else to blame for the consequences of his own actions—which made him a brilliantly written antagonist. Neville quickly became my favourite character, and I found myself rooting for him more and more as the story progressed. Jo was also a strong, determined protagonist whose resilience kept me invested throughout.
The pacing is excellent, and I genuinely wanted to know how everything would unfold. Just when I thought I knew where the story was heading, another twist came along to prove me wrong.
The only reason this isn't a five-star read for me is that I wanted more from the ending. After becoming so invested in the characters, I would have loved a longer epilogue to show what happened afterwards and spend a little more time with them once everything had been resolved.
Overall, this is a thoroughly enjoyable psychological thriller with memorable characters, plenty of suspense and some very satisfying twists.
If you enjoy character-driven thrillers packed with tension and unexpected turns, I'd definitely recommend giving this one a read. 📚
August 20, 2026
I received this as an ARC from DP Publishing in exchange for my honest review.
The Silent House is a tense and twisty psychological thriller that proves the perfect life can hide some very dark secrets.
Joanna (great name lol) Neal appears to have everything — a successful career as a paediatric surgeon, a loving husband, a wonderful son and a dream home in the Cotswolds on the horizon. But beneath the surface, Joanna can’t shake the feeling that something is wrong. Then, on the night of her tenth wedding anniversary, she disappears without a trace.
I really enjoyed how quickly the story pulled me in. There’s an unsettling sense of unease from the beginning, and as the lies, secrets and blackmail start to unravel, it becomes increasingly difficult to know who can be trusted. I particularly liked that Joanna wasn’t simply portrayed as a helpless victim. Her situation may be terrifying, but she has plenty of fight in her, and watching that determination — and desire for revenge — emerge was one of my favourite aspects of the book.
There were plenty of twists and revelations along the way, and although I worked out a few things before they were revealed, there was still enough uncertainty to keep me turning the pages. The Cotswolds setting and seemingly idyllic family life also provided the perfect contrast to everything darker happening beneath the surface.
A gripping, entertaining psychological thriller packed with secrets, deception, danger and revenge. Definitely one for readers who love stories where picture-perfect lives slowly begin to crack.
The Silent House is a tense and twisty psychological thriller that proves the perfect life can hide some very dark secrets.
Joanna (great name lol) Neal appears to have everything — a successful career as a paediatric surgeon, a loving husband, a wonderful son and a dream home in the Cotswolds on the horizon. But beneath the surface, Joanna can’t shake the feeling that something is wrong. Then, on the night of her tenth wedding anniversary, she disappears without a trace.
I really enjoyed how quickly the story pulled me in. There’s an unsettling sense of unease from the beginning, and as the lies, secrets and blackmail start to unravel, it becomes increasingly difficult to know who can be trusted. I particularly liked that Joanna wasn’t simply portrayed as a helpless victim. Her situation may be terrifying, but she has plenty of fight in her, and watching that determination — and desire for revenge — emerge was one of my favourite aspects of the book.
There were plenty of twists and revelations along the way, and although I worked out a few things before they were revealed, there was still enough uncertainty to keep me turning the pages. The Cotswolds setting and seemingly idyllic family life also provided the perfect contrast to everything darker happening beneath the surface.
A gripping, entertaining psychological thriller packed with secrets, deception, danger and revenge. Definitely one for readers who love stories where picture-perfect lives slowly begin to crack.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Joanna Neal is a highly respected paediatric surgeon and her husband Daniel is a successful finance director. Together with their wonderful son, they are the perfect family. The purchase and renovation of a romantic country house in the Cotswolds is set to seal their happiness. When Joanna vanishes without a trace on the evening of her 10th wedding anniversary, the beautiful facade begins to turn into a nightmare of blackmail and lies. Daniel tries everything to get his wife back, putting himself and everyone he cares about in grave danger. But whilst Joanna is held captive in a gilded cage, it turns out she is not the helpless victim the masterminds expected; and she is burning for revenge.
MY THOUGHTS ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A great domestic thriller whose central characters are a successful married couple with a young son, living a seemingly idyllic life. However, when Joanna is kidnapped but isn't released despite a hefty ransom being paid, friends, family and the investigating detectives start to question what went wrong. Told in multiple POVs, with great characterisation, there's an underlying tension in this story that has you questioning who is really responsible and suspecting almost everyone. A well-written and compelling read with a number of unexpected twists and a satisfying ending. A recommended read which I highly enjoyed reading.
Thank you @digitalpublishers for the opportunity to read and review this book. 📖❤️
MY THOUGHTS ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A great domestic thriller whose central characters are a successful married couple with a young son, living a seemingly idyllic life. However, when Joanna is kidnapped but isn't released despite a hefty ransom being paid, friends, family and the investigating detectives start to question what went wrong. Told in multiple POVs, with great characterisation, there's an underlying tension in this story that has you questioning who is really responsible and suspecting almost everyone. A well-written and compelling read with a number of unexpected twists and a satisfying ending. A recommended read which I highly enjoyed reading.
Thank you @digitalpublishers for the opportunity to read and review this book. 📖❤️
August 14, 2026
Surgeon Joanna is kidnapped. Her parents pay the ransom via her husband Daniel, but when will Joanna be returned...?
The Silent House is a psychological thriller set in the UK.
Joanna and Daniel have the perfect life together but she is kidnapped on the way to meet him for dinner. The kidnappers says not to involve the police but her friend eventually contacts them. Josie is the lead police officer, unhappily married to pub landlord Geoff. She is desperate for a happy outcome but the ransom is paid and everyone is on tenterhooks.
I really liked Joanna's character. She is easy to like, thoughtful and caring. Her husband Danny is not liked by his in-laws or me! He gets drunk a lot and enjoys an executive lifestyle which earns a lot of money. I felt desperately sorry for builder Neville Logan who strikes up friendship with Joanna but is dealing with being behind on child support and swindled by a property developer.
I literally couldn’t put this book down, I was completely gripped by the unfolding events. I loved the first person perspectives of the main characters which helps the reader to understand their emotions and actions. The pace is fast and the short chapters tempted me to keep going and read the whole thing in a few hours as I was so eager to see how events played out.
The Silent House is an excellent psychological thriller that will have you hooked from the first page!
The Silent House is a psychological thriller set in the UK.
Joanna and Daniel have the perfect life together but she is kidnapped on the way to meet him for dinner. The kidnappers says not to involve the police but her friend eventually contacts them. Josie is the lead police officer, unhappily married to pub landlord Geoff. She is desperate for a happy outcome but the ransom is paid and everyone is on tenterhooks.
I really liked Joanna's character. She is easy to like, thoughtful and caring. Her husband Danny is not liked by his in-laws or me! He gets drunk a lot and enjoys an executive lifestyle which earns a lot of money. I felt desperately sorry for builder Neville Logan who strikes up friendship with Joanna but is dealing with being behind on child support and swindled by a property developer.
I literally couldn’t put this book down, I was completely gripped by the unfolding events. I loved the first person perspectives of the main characters which helps the reader to understand their emotions and actions. The pace is fast and the short chapters tempted me to keep going and read the whole thing in a few hours as I was so eager to see how events played out.
The Silent House is an excellent psychological thriller that will have you hooked from the first page!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book had me hooked from the very beginning!
Joanna seems to have it all; a loving husband, a son who adores her, and a beautiful new home in the Cotswolds. But when she's suddenly kidnapped and disappears without a trace, everything starts to unravel. What follows is a tangled web of blackmail, lies, and secrets that kept me hooked. This was such a twisty, entertaining thriller. The short chapters made it so easy to fly through, and there was always something happening to keep the story moving. Every time I thought I knew where things were heading, another twist would come along and prove me wrong.
The characters were really compelling, and I found myself constantly questioning everyone's motives. The writing was gripping and created a real sense of tension that had me wanting to read "just one more chapter."
The reason this ended up being a 4-star read rather than a 5-star one for me was the number of POVs. At the start, there were so many characters being introduced that I occasionally struggled to keep track of who was who. Once I got settled into the story, it became much easier to follow, but the beginning felt a little overwhelming at times.
Overall, this was a fast-paced, addictive thriller full of twists, secrets, and deception that kept me guessing right until the end.
Thank you to NetGalley and dpbooks for the ARC
Joanna seems to have it all; a loving husband, a son who adores her, and a beautiful new home in the Cotswolds. But when she's suddenly kidnapped and disappears without a trace, everything starts to unravel. What follows is a tangled web of blackmail, lies, and secrets that kept me hooked. This was such a twisty, entertaining thriller. The short chapters made it so easy to fly through, and there was always something happening to keep the story moving. Every time I thought I knew where things were heading, another twist would come along and prove me wrong.
The characters were really compelling, and I found myself constantly questioning everyone's motives. The writing was gripping and created a real sense of tension that had me wanting to read "just one more chapter."
The reason this ended up being a 4-star read rather than a 5-star one for me was the number of POVs. At the start, there were so many characters being introduced that I occasionally struggled to keep track of who was who. Once I got settled into the story, it became much easier to follow, but the beginning felt a little overwhelming at times.
Overall, this was a fast-paced, addictive thriller full of twists, secrets, and deception that kept me guessing right until the end.
Thank you to NetGalley and dpbooks for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you @dp_books_uk @lyndarenham @netgalley for the early copy
Joanna, or Jo as she’s known to her close friends, appears to have the perfect life. She has a loving husband, Daniel, a son, Joel, a successful career and together they are planning their dream home. When Jo suddenly disappears one night, everything changes. Determined to bring her home safely, Daniel will do whatever it takes to find her trying to not involve the police.
But who kidnapped Jo? And who is hiding the truth?
This was my first book by Lynda Renham, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The story is told through multiple timelines and perspectives, which is a style I always find engaging as it allows the reader to gradually piece together the puzzle. Every time I thought I had worked out what was going on, a new revelation made me question my theory.
The suspense kept me turning the pages, eager to reach the conclusion and discover who was responsible. The plot is packed with twists and turns, making it difficult to predict what will happen next. I also appreciated the strong female characters and the theme of female empowerment woven throughout the story.
Overall, this was an entertaining and gripping thriller that kept me guessing until the end. If you enjoy fast-paced mysteries with plenty of surprises, this is definitely worth picking up.
Joanna, or Jo as she’s known to her close friends, appears to have the perfect life. She has a loving husband, Daniel, a son, Joel, a successful career and together they are planning their dream home. When Jo suddenly disappears one night, everything changes. Determined to bring her home safely, Daniel will do whatever it takes to find her trying to not involve the police.
But who kidnapped Jo? And who is hiding the truth?
This was my first book by Lynda Renham, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The story is told through multiple timelines and perspectives, which is a style I always find engaging as it allows the reader to gradually piece together the puzzle. Every time I thought I had worked out what was going on, a new revelation made me question my theory.
The suspense kept me turning the pages, eager to reach the conclusion and discover who was responsible. The plot is packed with twists and turns, making it difficult to predict what will happen next. I also appreciated the strong female characters and the theme of female empowerment woven throughout the story.
Overall, this was an entertaining and gripping thriller that kept me guessing until the end. If you enjoy fast-paced mysteries with plenty of surprises, this is definitely worth picking up.
July 23, 2026
If there's one thing I love in a thriller, it's a book that makes me question absolutely everyone... and The Silent House definitely delivered!
From the very beginning, I was completely hooked by the mystery surrounding Joanna's disappearance. Every time I thought I had figured out what was going on, the story threw another twist my way and had me rethinking everything. I love when a thriller keeps me guessing instead of making the ending obvious.
The atmosphere was one of my favorite parts of this book. The peaceful countryside setting creates such an eerie contrast with everything happening behind closed doors, giving the whole story a constant sense of unease. Combined with the short chapters, it made this one incredibly easy to binge.
What really stood out to me was how the suspense comes from the characters just as much as the mystery itself. Everyone seems to be hiding something, and I found myself constantly wondering who I could actually trust.
Overall, The Silent House is a twisty, addictive psychological thriller packed with secrets, deception, and plenty of surprises. If you love books that keep you guessing until the very last pages and leave you saying, "Wait... WHAT?!", this is definitely one to add to your TBR.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC. As always, these are my honest thoughts and opinions.
From the very beginning, I was completely hooked by the mystery surrounding Joanna's disappearance. Every time I thought I had figured out what was going on, the story threw another twist my way and had me rethinking everything. I love when a thriller keeps me guessing instead of making the ending obvious.
The atmosphere was one of my favorite parts of this book. The peaceful countryside setting creates such an eerie contrast with everything happening behind closed doors, giving the whole story a constant sense of unease. Combined with the short chapters, it made this one incredibly easy to binge.
What really stood out to me was how the suspense comes from the characters just as much as the mystery itself. Everyone seems to be hiding something, and I found myself constantly wondering who I could actually trust.
Overall, The Silent House is a twisty, addictive psychological thriller packed with secrets, deception, and plenty of surprises. If you love books that keep you guessing until the very last pages and leave you saying, "Wait... WHAT?!", this is definitely one to add to your TBR.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC. As always, these are my honest thoughts and opinions.
August 20, 2026
The Silent House by Lynda Renham is the type of thriller that creeps up on you oh so deftly and then spins you on a 180 before it pushes you into a door. A closed one
Now, in all honesty, it took me a few goes to get into, (probably more down to my taste than any failure on behalf of the writer) but when I familiarised myself with the style and the characters "voices" and their pov, I was engaged and away
The premise is one of perfection, the Perfect Surgeon, Joanna Neal, the perfect finance director (never met one I liked and Daniel was no exception) and their perft son, all wrapped up in the pretty little bow of an idyllic home in the Cotswolds. That is until Joanna disappears without a trace and the image begins to splinter and crumble
Honestly, it took me a minute to warm up to Joanna, but as the story develops, my appreciation for her grows along with my ire for another character. The web is so delicately woven that as it frays, you can almost here the ting, ting ting as your theories are disproved and when it finally snaps, the whiplash is one of a steel cable hurtling at great velocity
A great Novel that I am really glad I went back to
Thank you to the author and DP Digital Publishers for this gripping thriller. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own
Now, in all honesty, it took me a few goes to get into, (probably more down to my taste than any failure on behalf of the writer) but when I familiarised myself with the style and the characters "voices" and their pov, I was engaged and away
The premise is one of perfection, the Perfect Surgeon, Joanna Neal, the perfect finance director (never met one I liked and Daniel was no exception) and their perft son, all wrapped up in the pretty little bow of an idyllic home in the Cotswolds. That is until Joanna disappears without a trace and the image begins to splinter and crumble
Honestly, it took me a minute to warm up to Joanna, but as the story develops, my appreciation for her grows along with my ire for another character. The web is so delicately woven that as it frays, you can almost here the ting, ting ting as your theories are disproved and when it finally snaps, the whiplash is one of a steel cable hurtling at great velocity
A great Novel that I am really glad I went back to
Thank you to the author and DP Digital Publishers for this gripping thriller. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own
Review of advance copy
Silent House definitely took me on a journey.
It took me a little while to find my feet as there are a lot of characters introduced early on, and I found myself flicking back a few times to remember who was who. But I was hooked enough to read this over a couple of nights, and read past my bedtime to get all the way to page 212. WHAT?! No spoilers, but I genuinely didn’t see that coming! 🫣
The writing is where this book really shines. The atmosphere is beautifully crafted, with imagery that feels heavy and haunting. A grey sky is “silent, heavy with grief”; mist becomes “thick with unspoken guilt.” Every scene feels tense and I couldn’t stop reading!
By Chapter 45, though, a new character is introduced just as I felt I’d got to grips with everyone else. A cheeky little red herring there! Then when Book Two begins, with a shifting timeline, I found myself a little lost. That said, Book Two ends on a brilliant cliffhanger.
By Book Three, I had guessed who the guilty party was (although I didn’t work out the motive!) but that didn’t take away from the experience. There were still enough surprises along the way to keep me invested until the final page.
One line that stayed with me was:
“Sometimes, even in the darkest moments, a glimmer of humanity lingers.”
It took me a little while to find my feet as there are a lot of characters introduced early on, and I found myself flicking back a few times to remember who was who. But I was hooked enough to read this over a couple of nights, and read past my bedtime to get all the way to page 212. WHAT?! No spoilers, but I genuinely didn’t see that coming! 🫣
The writing is where this book really shines. The atmosphere is beautifully crafted, with imagery that feels heavy and haunting. A grey sky is “silent, heavy with grief”; mist becomes “thick with unspoken guilt.” Every scene feels tense and I couldn’t stop reading!
By Chapter 45, though, a new character is introduced just as I felt I’d got to grips with everyone else. A cheeky little red herring there! Then when Book Two begins, with a shifting timeline, I found myself a little lost. That said, Book Two ends on a brilliant cliffhanger.
By Book Three, I had guessed who the guilty party was (although I didn’t work out the motive!) but that didn’t take away from the experience. There were still enough surprises along the way to keep me invested until the final page.
One line that stayed with me was:
“Sometimes, even in the darkest moments, a glimmer of humanity lingers.”
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for this ARC.
This book is about the kidnap of Joanna Neal who apparently has a perfect life, with a doting husband, a young child, a great career and having just bought and renovated their dream house.
It was gripping for the most part and I found it quick and easy to read.
However, I have some niggles. We have about 6 povs plus third person narration here and there which can make it confusing but also doesn't allow the author to delve into the characters more than at a superficial level. As a result I didn't care much for the characters and found it easy to guess who the kidnapper was.
In addition, this must be the shoddiest, most superficial police investigation I've ever read about in a book so far. I found myself quite annoyed at that.
It seems like all the side female characters are there just to cry; and in the third part we have the same event told from the pov of different characters which can make it repetitive especially when the retelling is exactly the same.
All in all, 3 stars, if you're after a quick thriller and you're not one who wants to guess the twist(s), then you'll find this enjoyable.
This book is about the kidnap of Joanna Neal who apparently has a perfect life, with a doting husband, a young child, a great career and having just bought and renovated their dream house.
It was gripping for the most part and I found it quick and easy to read.
However, I have some niggles. We have about 6 povs plus third person narration here and there which can make it confusing but also doesn't allow the author to delve into the characters more than at a superficial level. As a result I didn't care much for the characters and found it easy to guess who the kidnapper was.
In addition, this must be the shoddiest, most superficial police investigation I've ever read about in a book so far. I found myself quite annoyed at that.
It seems like all the side female characters are there just to cry; and in the third part we have the same event told from the pov of different characters which can make it repetitive especially when the retelling is exactly the same.
All in all, 3 stars, if you're after a quick thriller and you're not one who wants to guess the twist(s), then you'll find this enjoyable.
July 27, 2026
Thanks to DP books for providing an advanced reader edition of this book. All opinions expressed therein are my own.
The novel follows Joanna Neal, a successful paediatrician whose seemingly perfect life with her husband and son begins to unravel quite early on in the plot. She is suddenly kidnapped on the night of her wedding anniversary in a familiar domestic setting. As her desperate husband tries to secure her release without involving the police, secrets, lies, and hidden tensions within their family and social circle start to surface. Told through multiple perspectives, the story builds suspense as the truth behind the kidnapping is revealed, with several twists along the way.
It’s a familiar, time honoured formula for the thriller genre, but this author pulls it off fairly well, with a few of the plot twists taking even me by surprise. It’s quite a lengthy novel for this type, but one that’s difficult to put down. I do recommend it for fans of the domestic thriller genre- it’s something new that diverges from the usual “Lady who lives across the street with the neighbours who ride the train” offerings which have permeated this genre.
The novel follows Joanna Neal, a successful paediatrician whose seemingly perfect life with her husband and son begins to unravel quite early on in the plot. She is suddenly kidnapped on the night of her wedding anniversary in a familiar domestic setting. As her desperate husband tries to secure her release without involving the police, secrets, lies, and hidden tensions within their family and social circle start to surface. Told through multiple perspectives, the story builds suspense as the truth behind the kidnapping is revealed, with several twists along the way.
It’s a familiar, time honoured formula for the thriller genre, but this author pulls it off fairly well, with a few of the plot twists taking even me by surprise. It’s quite a lengthy novel for this type, but one that’s difficult to put down. I do recommend it for fans of the domestic thriller genre- it’s something new that diverges from the usual “Lady who lives across the street with the neighbours who ride the train” offerings which have permeated this genre.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
First of all, I want to thank you for the ARC! This was such an interesting and easy read for the kind of days when you don’t really want to overthink or stress about every little detail. 🤍
The story begins with what seems like the perfect family life, until the wife is suddenly kidnapped. And from there, everything slowly started spiraling into madness
🤯
Even though I managed to predict the ending quite early on, I still found it enjoyable to see how everything unfolded and what led the characters to that point. The pacing kept me interested, and I was curious to see how all the pieces would come together.
My only issue was that the ending felt a little rushed. I would have loved more emotional depth, especially when it came to the family’s reactions. Throughout the book, I kept wondering how they would respond once the truth came out, so I really wanted to sit with that moment more and experience its impact alongside the characters. ❤️🩹
Overall, this was a quick, entertaining, and intriguing read🤌🏻✨
The story begins with what seems like the perfect family life, until the wife is suddenly kidnapped. And from there, everything slowly started spiraling into madness
🤯
Even though I managed to predict the ending quite early on, I still found it enjoyable to see how everything unfolded and what led the characters to that point. The pacing kept me interested, and I was curious to see how all the pieces would come together.
My only issue was that the ending felt a little rushed. I would have loved more emotional depth, especially when it came to the family’s reactions. Throughout the book, I kept wondering how they would respond once the truth came out, so I really wanted to sit with that moment more and experience its impact alongside the characters. ❤️🩹
Overall, this was a quick, entertaining, and intriguing read🤌🏻✨
July 22, 2026
The Silent House by Lynda Renham was my first book by this author, but it definitely won’t be my last.
Jo and Daniel Neal appear to have the perfect life. Jo is a paediatric surgeon, Daniel is a Finance Director, and they’re about to move into their newly renovated Cotswolds home. They’re also celebrating their tenth wedding anniversary, with their son Joel being looked after by their nanny while they enjoy a meal at an expensive restaurant.
But things take a very different turn when Jo is kidnapped on her way home from the gym and a ransom of £2 million is demanded for her safe release.
The chapters are short and the pace is fast, which made this a real page-turner for me. I kept telling myself I’d read just one more chapter, and before I knew it I was still reading!
There are plenty of secrets and twists along the way, and I definitely didn’t see everything coming. A gripping domestic thriller that kept me hooked from beginning to end.
My first read by Lynda Renham, but certainly not my last.
Jo and Daniel Neal appear to have the perfect life. Jo is a paediatric surgeon, Daniel is a Finance Director, and they’re about to move into their newly renovated Cotswolds home. They’re also celebrating their tenth wedding anniversary, with their son Joel being looked after by their nanny while they enjoy a meal at an expensive restaurant.
But things take a very different turn when Jo is kidnapped on her way home from the gym and a ransom of £2 million is demanded for her safe release.
The chapters are short and the pace is fast, which made this a real page-turner for me. I kept telling myself I’d read just one more chapter, and before I knew it I was still reading!
There are plenty of secrets and twists along the way, and I definitely didn’t see everything coming. A gripping domestic thriller that kept me hooked from beginning to end.
My first read by Lynda Renham, but certainly not my last.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I think one word can cover my feelings on this book …... Wow! I only read at night, and this took me just four nights, I couldn’t stop reading it.
A brief synopsis, so not to give the story away.
Joanna Neal, a paediatric surgeon and her husband Danny, a chief financial officer, seem to have it all. Great jobs, a beautiful apartment, a sumptuous new home being renovated and best of all, a beautiful son, Joel. Could life get any better?
However, their world comes tumbling down when Joanna is kidnapped, who would do this? Is it something to do with the fact that Joanna’s parents are multi-millionaires? the huge ransom seems to point in this direction. Suspicion also falls on the builder Neville Logan who has his own financial worries, but was it him?
This book has many twists and turns and when you think you might have figured it out, think again. The best thing I have read this year.
A brief synopsis, so not to give the story away.
Joanna Neal, a paediatric surgeon and her husband Danny, a chief financial officer, seem to have it all. Great jobs, a beautiful apartment, a sumptuous new home being renovated and best of all, a beautiful son, Joel. Could life get any better?
However, their world comes tumbling down when Joanna is kidnapped, who would do this? Is it something to do with the fact that Joanna’s parents are multi-millionaires? the huge ransom seems to point in this direction. Suspicion also falls on the builder Neville Logan who has his own financial worries, but was it him?
This book has many twists and turns and when you think you might have figured it out, think again. The best thing I have read this year.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
• ARC Review •
The Silent House by @lyndarenham
🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
This book literally had me saying "just one more chapter" every time I picked it up!
A psychological thriller where the plot thickens throughout until your mind is completely blown 🤯
The novel comes as three books in one but is an easy read and impossible to put down from the very first chapter.
It follows the story of Joanna who has a seemingly perfect life with her beautiful house in the Cotswolds, loving husband and an adorable son. She has this feeling that everything is a little TOO perfect and soon enough, her whole world is turned upside down when she is kidnapped for a large ransom sum.
I won't say anymore as I hate spoiling it for others. However, I highly recommend this novel and it is a solid 5/5 stars for me.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be an ARC reviewer for this one @lyndarenham @dp_books_uk @netgalley!
#arcreview #arcnovel #bookreviewersofinstagram #booklover
#psychologicalthriller
The Silent House by @lyndarenham
🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
This book literally had me saying "just one more chapter" every time I picked it up!
A psychological thriller where the plot thickens throughout until your mind is completely blown 🤯
The novel comes as three books in one but is an easy read and impossible to put down from the very first chapter.
It follows the story of Joanna who has a seemingly perfect life with her beautiful house in the Cotswolds, loving husband and an adorable son. She has this feeling that everything is a little TOO perfect and soon enough, her whole world is turned upside down when she is kidnapped for a large ransom sum.
I won't say anymore as I hate spoiling it for others. However, I highly recommend this novel and it is a solid 5/5 stars for me.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be an ARC reviewer for this one @lyndarenham @dp_books_uk @netgalley!
#arcreview #arcnovel #bookreviewersofinstagram #booklover
#psychologicalthriller
June 27, 2026
It’s Joanna and Daniel’s 10th wedding anniversary and Daniel has arranged an evening out at an expense restaurant. On her way home from the hospital where she is a surgeon, Joanna is kidnapped. A ransom of £2m is requested. Daniel tries his best to get his wife released without alerting the authorities, but then it all turns into a nightmare.
This is a cat-and-mouse, edge of your seat type of psychological thriller. It’s fast paced with short, snappy chapters. It kept me on my toes, it’s quite the page turner. It’s told by way of multiple viewpoints which can be a little confusing at first but soon settles down. There are plenty of twists and turns with the odd red herring thrown in as I would expect in a good thriller. I pretty much guessed what was going on but I thought the twist at the end was brilliant. Who doesn’t love a twist just when you think it’s all been solved!? A gripping, rollercoaster of a mystery.
This is a cat-and-mouse, edge of your seat type of psychological thriller. It’s fast paced with short, snappy chapters. It kept me on my toes, it’s quite the page turner. It’s told by way of multiple viewpoints which can be a little confusing at first but soon settles down. There are plenty of twists and turns with the odd red herring thrown in as I would expect in a good thriller. I pretty much guessed what was going on but I thought the twist at the end was brilliant. Who doesn’t love a twist just when you think it’s all been solved!? A gripping, rollercoaster of a mystery.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.
The Silent House by Lynda Renham is a domestic suspense thriller that opens with a scream and doesn’t let up. Joanna has the perfect life — brilliant surgeon, doting husband, a dream house waiting in the Cotswolds. Renham spends exactly one chapter letting you believe that, before she takes it apart.
This is a superbly paced page-turner. The twists come fast, and it pulls the rug out from you repeatedly. I read most of it in one sitting — the kind of book that makes you say “one more chapter” until suddenly it’s 1am.
As a crime thriller regular, I clocked the final twist a little before the reveal — but I suspect that won’t be true for most readers, and it doesn’t take away from the ride. My only tiny niggle: a couple of characters lean into melodrama a bit more than they needed to. Minor gripe, though.
Overall — a tense, addictive read and honestly the perfect pick for a trip.
The Silent House by Lynda Renham is a domestic suspense thriller that opens with a scream and doesn’t let up. Joanna has the perfect life — brilliant surgeon, doting husband, a dream house waiting in the Cotswolds. Renham spends exactly one chapter letting you believe that, before she takes it apart.
This is a superbly paced page-turner. The twists come fast, and it pulls the rug out from you repeatedly. I read most of it in one sitting — the kind of book that makes you say “one more chapter” until suddenly it’s 1am.
As a crime thriller regular, I clocked the final twist a little before the reveal — but I suspect that won’t be true for most readers, and it doesn’t take away from the ride. My only tiny niggle: a couple of characters lean into melodrama a bit more than they needed to. Minor gripe, though.
Overall — a tense, addictive read and honestly the perfect pick for a trip.
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