The Silent House | A gripping and twisty psychological thriller

by Lynda Renham

339 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication July 23, 2026

About the author

Lynda 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.

Reviews

[Janna (Bibliophile Mom) · Rating 4 out of 5]

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~

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

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?”

[Sara House · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Lori L (She Treads Softly) · Rating 5 out of 5]

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...

[Bo.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Shirley Schwartz · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Mary Polzella · Rating 4 out of 5]

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. 📖❤️

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Eleanor Jordan O'Farrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a thriller that completely pulls the rug out from under you. You think you’re settling into a familiar domestic noir about a perfect family with the flawless life, the brilliant careers, and the gorgeous renovation project. But The Silent House by Lynda Renham handles this with such sharp, claustrophobic precision that you’re instantly hooked.
​What absolutely makes this book is the brilliant subversion of the "helpless victim" trope. Just when the story threatens to turn into a predictable nightmare of blackmail and despair, Renham flips the script. Joanna is a spectacular protagonist—razor-sharp, resilient, and utterly furious. Watching a captive refuse to play the part assigned to her by her captors is incredibly satisfying.
​The pacing is relentless, shifting beautifully from the high-stakes panic of a husband in over his head to the cold, calculating rage of a woman burning for revenge. It’s tense, it’s clever, and it refuses to let you look away. If you’re looking for a psychological thriller with genuine bite and a fierce, commanding lead, I highly recommend picking this up.

[Irina · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Domilė · Rating 4 out of 5]

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🤌🏻✨

[Tina Dorr · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[TheVeePages · Rating 5 out of 5]

• 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

[Vanessa Wild · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Ranjit · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Kate Atkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Silent House was my first book by Lynda Renham, and it certainly won't be my last. At the beginning, I found the number of characters a little overwhelming, but it never became too confusing and, as the story progressed, everything started to fall into place perfectly.
This was a gripping psychological thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish, and I flew through it in just a few sittings. Renham does a fantastic job of creating suspense and keeping the reader guessing. At some point, every character came under my suspicion, which made the mystery even more engaging.
The plot twist was excellent and caught me by surprise, tying the story together brilliantly. If you enjoy psychological thrillers with plenty of twists, suspense, and red herrings, I would definitely recommend The Silent House.

[Jennifer TW · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the author and publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A gripping thriller tells the story of Jo (Joanna) a brilliant paediatric surgeon who is kidnapped for ransom.
Jo has the seemingly perfect life. A brilliant career, great friends, a devoted husband Danny, a successful CFO & beloved son Joel, living in beautiful Oxford and renovating a dream home in the Cotswolds. Is this life just too perfect?
Like a premonition it goes terribly awry when Jo is kidnapped for ransom. Her wealthy parents are willing to pay while Danny yields to the ransom demands not to involve the police, trusting that Jo will remain safe. But Jo’s best friend Gil thinks otherwise and confides in Josie, a detective. Then it all goes horribly wrong.
A gripping thriller that teaches a harsh lesson that harsh realities lie beneath a perfect facade. Highly recommend

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story of kidnap and the reasons leading up to the kidnap and then the story to find out who was responsible and why they did it

Joanna is a successful surgeon with multi millionaire parents, she and her hubby decide to buy their dream Cotswold home and why not, money is no object…

Then Jo is kidnapped and her family and friends lives are thrown into turmoil as a ransom is received and they need to work out what to do

But of course nothing is quite as it seems and the kidnapping is just the start of the story

Exciting and cleverly done this book kept me reading as the more truths were unearthed the more ‘WOAHHHH’ it got

Well written and good pacing made it a tense more than readable read with plenty of red herrings, twists, turns and exclamation marks!

[Zoe Kindle Queen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paediatric surgeon Jo Neal and her husband Danny have bought their dream home in the Cotswolds, they live a modest life with their toddler Joel. When Jo is kidnapped walking home from work, her millionaire parents jump at paying the ransom, but who is responsible and why?

Multiple povs from before and after the kidnapping unravel the story piece by piece. Short chapters were a great hook with this book too.

This is a very tangled web indeed, I seriously struggled to put this one down, from the first pages right through to the end, it was tense, shocking and a great thriller.

The author has another thriller titled ‘Remember Me’ which is a great read too if you enjoy this one.

Many thanks to NetGalley, publisher and author for my generous free eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Sheridan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. It drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked throughout.
The Silent House explores how a single mistake can set off a chain of events that spirals far beyond anyone's expectations. It's a powerful story that delves into grief, blame, guilt, and the far-reaching consequences of our actions.
The characters felt real, and the emotional depth of the story kept me turning the pages, eager to discover what would happen next. Lynda Renham does a fantastic job of showing how one moment can change so many lives.
And that ending! Brilliant. It was the perfect conclusion to a gripping and thought-provoking story.
If you enjoy psychological dramas with emotional depth and plenty to think about, I highly recommend this one.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed The Silent House by Linda Renham. It grabbed my attention from the start, and I found myself flying through the pages.

One of my favourite things about the book was the short chapters. I always love that style because it makes it so easy to think, “Just one more chapter…” before you know it, you’ve read far more than you planned!

The story kept me guessing throughout, and I genuinely didn’t see the twists coming, especially as the book headed towards its conclusion. I love a psychological thriller that can outsmart me and this one certainly did.

The pace built really well, with plenty of tension and unexpected turns that kept me invested right until the final pages.

If you enjoy twisty psychological thrillers, I’d definitely recommend giving this one a try.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say?
Wow!!
I haven't ever read any of Lynda Renham's books, but will definitely be on the lookout for more!

This blew me away. The writing is great, the story just flows. There are twists and turns, and I had no idea of who was responsible for kidnapping Joanna.
The finale is just so good!

To say I was hooked from the first page is not a lie. I read mainly at night, and started this book in the evening. I am bleary eyed today, as I read 'just one more chapter' and finished the book in the early hours of the morning.
Yes. It is that good.

Do yourself a favour and read this. I recommend and star rating is 5/5.

[Allison Valentine · Rating 5 out of 5]

BOOM, and there it is, how to write a psychological thriller with an ending the I certainly didn't see coming!

Joanna is a highly successful paediatric surgeon and her husband Daniel a financial consultant, they live a charmed life with their young son Joel.

But things take a sinister turn for the worst when Joanna is kidnapped and ransom is a eyewatering two million pounds!

Daniel has no choice but to ask Joanna's parents for the ransom money and for the police not to be involved.

But who would kidnap Joanna!?
Has her past finally come back to haunt her? Will she ever see her son again?

A brilliant psychological thriller that had me completely hooked.

[Sue Howat · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great book. The story follows Joanna and Daniel Neal who are a successful couple with one young child, about to move into their dream house. Joanna is however kidnapped and the search is on to find out who took her and where she is.

Without giving away any spoilers, this book had many twists and turns. The chapters were so well written and I couldn’t stop at the end of one because I wanted to know what was going to happen every time I did!

I was invested in these characters and couldn’t wait to get to the end to find out what had happened. I was also very sad to get to the end because it meant the story was finished for me!

I’d highly recommend this book as a page turner and twisty thriller. Easy to read and great characters.

Thank you to TBC Reviews 2026, the publisher and author for the chance to review this advanced copy. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

[A.A. Abbott · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, pacy read, 'The Silent House' focuses on the aftermath of a kidnapping. High-flyers Jo and Daniel are about to move into their dream home with their young son. Then tragedy strikes. Jo is kidnapped, and despite a ransom being paid, she doesn't come back. The story could end there, but instead, Jo's disappearance is the start of a seething mess of secrets and lies. However, there are some improbable elements - ask any accountant if a job like Daniel's would exist, for instance - and that lessened my enjoyment of the tale. I would recommend it if you're more interested in the overall shape of the story rather than the fine details.

[Tracy ann Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this author’s books—you just know it’s going to be an addictive read from the very first chapter. Joanna is married to Daniel, and they have a little boy. She’s thrilled they’ve bought their dream home, especially now that their finances are good and they’re fixing it up. While out with her friend, Joanna gets a feeling something is about to happen. She decides to walk home to clear her head before going out that evening, but she never makes it home. That’s all I’ll say—it’s so good, and the twists in this book will have you hooked.

[Leslie Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Digital Publishing for the advance copy

Just when your life seems so perfect you can't believe it's true, surely that's asking for trouble. The perfect little family of high achievers buy their dream home and begin the renovations, when on the eve of their 10th anniversary party, Joanna is kidnapped.
This book follows multiple POVs - made a little confusing by the similar character names (Jo, Josie, Joel, Nic, Nicola, Dan and Don) However, the storyline is excellent and I finished this in one sitting. Plenty of twists to keep you on your toes. Would recommend

[Sarah Bloomfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many thanks to netgalley, the author and the publisher for approving my request to read this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this fast paced, dark and twisty psychological thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. It's well written and definitely kept me guessing until the big reveal and I liked how it came full circle at the end.

I think this book would make an excellent holiday read, I can imagine myself by the pool reading this one. I'll definitely be recommending it to others.