The Silent Inheritance

by Joy Dettman

In The Silent Inheritance, the author of the bestselling Woody Creek series brings another unforgettable cast of characters to life in a brand new story."an adept storyteller" Sydney Morning Herald"Dettman writes compulsively readable stories" The AgeSarah Carter, mother of twelve-year-old Marni, is raising her daughter alone in a small granny flat in suburban Melbourne. A serial killer, dubbed 'The Freeway Killer', is headline news and when Marni's classmate is abducted from the mall where Sarah and Marni shop, their city no longer feels safe.Detective Ross Hunter's investigation into the abduction leads him to dead ends - until an unrelated incident sends him to the door of Freddy Adam-Jones, an unscrupulous barrister, who is guarding a secret that could ruin his life.When an unexpected windfall changes the lives of Sarah and Marni, their sudden wealth opens doors long closed, and threatens to cast light on history better left buried.What might Sarah's past reveal? What is her connection to Freddy? And can Detective Ross Hunter discover the link in time to save a young girl's life?Fans of Rosalie Ham's The Dressmaker will love Joy Dettman.

Genres: Crime, Audiobook, Fiction

416 pages, Paperback

First published February 23, 2016

About the author

Joy Dettman was born in country Victoria and spent her early years in towns on either side of the Murray River. She is an award-winning writer of short stories, the complete collection of which, Diamonds in the Mud, was published in 2007, as well as the highly acclaimed novels Mallawindy, Jacaranda Blue, Goose Girl, Yesterday's Dust, The Seventh Day, Henry's Daughter, One Sunday, Pearl in a Cage, Thorn on the Rose, Moth to the Flame and Wind in the Wires. Ripples on a Pond is Joy's fifth novel in her Woody Creek series.

Reviews

[Krisz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joy Dettman is back with a vengeance!
I loved this book, I loved the characters, the plot, the style, everything! It was a little creepy because I live in the area she described and it was such a perfect description!
I really hope this isn't the last we hear of Sarah & Marni and that this is the first of many novels about them. I want more of these two beautiful females.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too many unanswered questions left at the end. Does Danni end up with her Dad? Does Sarah form a relationship with Bob or Ross? Does Froggy Freddy get his act together? I don't mind inferring conclusions but there were a few too many loose ends. That said it was an enjoyable read.

[Libby Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dettman has a clever knack of unravelling her tale that puts those readers who like to think they've gamed the system back in their box. A child serial killer has Melbourne living in fear. For the first quarter of the book you are introduced to a number of tweens who are obviously potential next victims...but who? Dettman's too smart to do the big reveal early, and instead engages you in a number of other story lines, including that of Ross Hunter the detective, a child-killer defence lawyer, and a young mum trying to hide her past from her young daughter. This is a riveting read.

[Faye · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of my favorite authors, however, I only read 40 pages of this book and could not get into it. This is unfortunate as I have always liked Joy Dettmans books. I feel a little guilty for giving up, however, too many other books in the to be read pile. Maybe I will have another go later. Hope someone out there can prove me wrong.

[Gayle Beveridge-Marien · Rating 5 out of 5]

I confess I am a huge Joy Dettman fan and her latest book, The Silent Inheritance, does not disappoint. There is a killer on the loose, the threat ever present, but the killer's identity is not revealed until the last and it is indeed a surprise. Add to that an accomplished deaf women and her daughter, a lottery win kept secret, a kidnapped schoolgirl and a perhaps romance and yu will no doubt go without sleep to keep reading. There is little more to say other than - Superb!

[Tanya Boulter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved, loved, loved this book. joy dettman has a unique way of writing. my only struggle is keeping up with all the characters. As others have mentioned she's left the ending of this book open

[Lisa Glanville · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another cracking good tale from Joy Dettman.

[Tamara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Silent Inheritance - Joy Dettman - 3.5 stars

The Silent Inheritance, sees a change of genre for Joy Dettman. Whilst I currently work my way through the Woody Creek Series, the change of genre in The Silent Inheritance provides yet another enjoyable reading experience.

This novel contains a large cast of characters which challenged me a little. From time to time I had troubles keeping the known relationships and the suggested relationships correct in my mind. That said, this could be more due to my clunky reading period during this novel.

The various story lines, relationships, mysteries and secrets made for an engrossing and engaging read. Whilst not a Melbournian, I have spent much time there and really enjoyed relating to the various locations mentioned in the novel. With Dettman's descriptive writing, you can't but help to be transported to the location.

Whilst I became engaged in all the characters, and plot, I found the ending a little disappointing, hence the 3.5* rating. Regardless, this was an engaging read, great change of genre, and look forward to further novels from this author.

Recommend. Proudly supporting Australian Authors!!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been a Joy Dettman fan since the release of her first novel, Mallawindy. She has a way of writing that gives you enough clues to start off but then continues to drop little snippets, as the story unfolds, to expand on her characters lives.
The Silent Inheritance does not disappoint! I particularly enjoyed this one because of its primary setting around the Melbourne suburbs of Blackburn/ Forest Hill/Vermont, my backyard. It's always fun to identify the streets, buildings & businesses that are personally know to me.
I thought I had the killer figured out on page 266 but Dettman does like to leave you guessing until the end...
So now I've finished and yet again waiting for her next offering. As much as I love her works, she frustrates me no end with her conclusions- I usually hold the book with both hands, shake it, and cry out!

[Helen Gazzara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been waiting to read Joy Dettman's latest book since I first saw it on the bookshelves. I hope it's not a stand alone because, despite the killer's identity and motive being disclosed, there are many loose and maybe even superfluous threads left dangling. I must be a pragmatic soul, because I did wonder why Sarah did not just take her windfall and leave everything behind - Mrs Vaughn's seedy old place and her ungrateful workplace. I'm not a fan of this latest style of writing - it's frustrating to read and doesn't do justice to the plot. I'm wondering about Freddy's inclusion, despite the fact that he turns out to be a long lost relative; what happens with the Bob/ Ross conundrum and just who now owns the infamous farm. There needs to be a sequel, but please don't take us into the past.

[Christine Riches · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book hooked me straight in. It had several plot lines happening and quite a few characters so I had to concentrate.
It tied up with a fast and dramatic conclusion. I really liked the two lead characters and loved their dialogue.
My only gripe is that in reading this there appears to be a total of about 20 people living in Australia, some coincidences were just a bit too much of a stretch.
Well worth a read.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Joy Dettman loved this book! Different than Woody Hill series but the same intertwining of characters with dubious pasts and family secrets. Story of a serial killer and a deaf single mother and her 12 year old daughter. Their lives connected in unexpected ways. Great read. Highly recommend.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

After a nervous start, I continued reading this story of a serial killer of 12 year old girls. This book is more than that. It is family, resilience and very much like the layers of an onion. I loved that the story was sent in my home town of Melbourne, so very familiar. A great read.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable read

[Lisa Birch · Rating 2 out of 5]

Look, it was ok. I adored the Woody Creek series of books and was expecting big things with this book. I read it and was disappointed. Such a shame.

[Marisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy Joy Dettmon's story telling. The Silent Inheritance brings great characters to the page and twists that gradually weave them like single threads that bond to make a twine.

[Maria Magdalena · Rating 1 out of 5]

I finished the book, but only because I have read all Joy Dettman's books and am a huge fan. This one was disappointing. I did not recognize her in the writing. The story telling was confusing (why call mother and daughter 'the girls' - half the time I did not know who she was talking about. Even after reading the last chapter, where the perp explains why he took the girls, it still did not make any sense to me. Too many unanswered questions at the end. This one I am not going to recommend to any of my friends. Sorry.

[Kerryn Forsyth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a few of Joy Dettman's books including the Malawindy series and thoroughly enjoy her novels. This one certainly didn't disappoint. I loved the story of Sarah Carter, a young deaf mother and her amazing daughter Marni so much that I didn't want to put the book down. Enticing snippets throughout were gradually unfurling the story of Sarah's troubled past, her dysfunctional family, workmates and a serial murderer kidnapping young girls of Marni's age.
I hope there is a sequel.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

How often do we have as the main characters a deaf woman and a 12 year old girl. So well written, as with dettman’s other works, but to me elevated somehow by the satisfying conclusion of this extremely readable thriller.

This book is like a novel about two interesting characters who through history and chance fall into another book, a mystery. And how they resolve it. Great characterisations.

I would love another of these over more Woody creek (excellent though that series is).

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first Joy Dettman read. I loved the characters (especially Marni, such a strong, capable young girl) and the different story lines,all the way up to where everything was wrapped up in a couple of chapters, it just felt rushed. I was disappointed Detective Ross Hunter didn't feature more prominently in the book, I would have liked to see his relationship with Marni and Sarah develop a lot more. Overall enjoyable read and I will definitely seek out some more of Joy's books.

[Di · Rating 3 out of 5]

Talking book well performed by Deidre Rubinstein. Dettman draws on her own experiences of the deaf world to create interesting characters, Sarah, who is deaf and her plucky, hearing daughter Marnie. Sarah is a single mother with a mysterious past, living a very ordinary life. The plot involves a creepy kidnapper of prepubescent girls and the race to find his final victim who attends school with Marnie. Very enjoyable

[Kerrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel had all the makings of a good 'un but I came away with strong feelings of dissatisfaction. On reflection I've ended up thinking that the author tried to do too much, tried to create too much mystery. It seemed that there were too many plot strands and that they never finally got wound together. At the end I had strong feelings that I had missed something. The story seemed to finish but I had a number of confusions and unanswered questions.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are only human.. and Ms Dettman has nailed that. Loved Sarah, Marni and Ross. In every book I have read from Ms Dettman, so far.. there has been a gem of a sentence that is pure genius. A sentence that I want to write down and remember forever. I found one in this book, well done Ms Dettman. I love the way you write.

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

We are introduced to a serial killer and then to Sarah and her daughter Marni. What is the connection between them? Who is the serial killer and what is in Sarah's past that she has hidden from her daughter? I did find this a bit of a struggle to read as I found the writing chunky, the sentences a bit abbreviated. I enjoyed the way the story unraveled, bringing it all together at the end.

[Gay Harding · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two and a half stars. A style of writing that made it a bit hard for me to follow. I was kept guessing, thinking I had missed something, thinking I was supposed to know who or what was making this happen and then suddenly it was revealed. A bit clunky. It made reading a task, not thoroughly enjoyable, but ok.

[Kaaren Matthewson · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow! this author really knows how to tell a story - several great characters - a deaf single mother hiding her past from her daughter, a grumpy landlady and terrible son, a serial killer and detective makes for an edge of your seat ride. Throw in an unexpected lottery win and anything can happen!

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything a good thriller should be - twists and turns, great characterisations and great writing. Really enjoyed this and loved the local setting too. One minor squabble - Museum station has not been known by that name for years.

[Carmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much, I couldn’t put it down and read it in 3 days. It was by far the best book I have read in a long time. I thought the characters and story line was so cleverly done. I was intrigued from start to end. Highly recommend it.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love how Joy tells a story that seemingly just flows along, you can’t be quite sure which pieces are just distraction vs an important part of the story. Listened to is as an audiobook and the auditor did a great job bringing the story to life.

[Anna Pelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the Woody Creek series but I couldnt get into this one. I gave up half way through the book as i found it boring.