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Matthew Ryan #1
The Silent Room
One fugitive. A deadly plot. No rules. Thus begins an ingenious and lightning-fast thriller that reviewers agree is “not to be missed.” Detective Sergeant Matthew Ryan wants to clear the name of his former boss, who stands accused of official corruption. But before he can do so, his boss disappears. Did he escape from police custody, or was he kidnapped? Or did something even worse happen to him? The Silent Room has everything a good thriller should have―compelling characters, a gripping plot and storyline, superb pacing, and a strong sense of place. In addition it has heart, something many thrillers sorely lack. Add some truly scary villains, vast uncertainty about whom to trust, and a loudly ticking clock, and we have ourselves a thriller that will grip readers from the first pages and never let go.
416 pages, Paperback
First published November 19, 2015
85 people are currently reading
1270 people want to read
About the author
Mari Hannah
25 books363 followersWhen an injury on duty ended my career as Probation Officer, I began writing. I am the author of the Kate Daniels and Ryan & O’Neil series published by Pan Macmillan and the Stone & Oliver series published by Orion. My debut, The Murder Wall, was written as a TV pilot for a BBC Drama Development Scheme - before the adaption. The novel won the Polari First Book Prize. Before becoming an author, I fell in love with scriptwriting and submitted speculative original dramas to the BBC Writersroom. I've also written a romantic comedy feature film that I hope will find a producer one day. In 2010, I won the Northern Writers' Award for my second novel, Settled Blood. And in 2017, I won the Dagger in the Library for my body of work. I'm represented by AM Heath literary agent, Oli Munson, and live in Northumberland with my partner, a former murder detective.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
February 13, 2018
3.5*
A transport van is enroute from a bail hearing to prison, carrying just one prisoner - disgraced Detective Inspector Jack Fenwick. Interestingly enough, having being arrested for possession of illegal firearms. Before the paddy wagon reaches the prison walls, the van is forcibly hijacked along a stretch of highway and its single prisoner removed. Accusations begin to fly. The more obvious scenario being that Det. Jack orchestrated his own escape. Or the more far-fetched theory…he was taken against his will.
When Detective Sergeant Matthew Ryan learns of the hijacking, he quickly realizes he may be the next target. He knows the game well - the authorities will soon be turning the spot-light on him, wanting answers. But he certainly didn’t expect their next move. He’s just been suspended from the force. On the trail to find and clear his friend’s name, as well as his own, Matthew understands he’s directly in the crosshairs.
Though enjoyable, this one just didn’t quite grab me the way I’d hoped. At times, I had trouble following along, the book not able to totally hold my attention. But if you like a good police procedural with a bit of international conspiracy thrown in, then this may be right up your alley!!
Thank you to NetGalley, St Martin’s Press -Minotaur Books and Mari Hannah for granting my wish for an ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
A transport van is enroute from a bail hearing to prison, carrying just one prisoner - disgraced Detective Inspector Jack Fenwick. Interestingly enough, having being arrested for possession of illegal firearms. Before the paddy wagon reaches the prison walls, the van is forcibly hijacked along a stretch of highway and its single prisoner removed. Accusations begin to fly. The more obvious scenario being that Det. Jack orchestrated his own escape. Or the more far-fetched theory…he was taken against his will.
When Detective Sergeant Matthew Ryan learns of the hijacking, he quickly realizes he may be the next target. He knows the game well - the authorities will soon be turning the spot-light on him, wanting answers. But he certainly didn’t expect their next move. He’s just been suspended from the force. On the trail to find and clear his friend’s name, as well as his own, Matthew understands he’s directly in the crosshairs.
Though enjoyable, this one just didn’t quite grab me the way I’d hoped. At times, I had trouble following along, the book not able to totally hold my attention. But if you like a good police procedural with a bit of international conspiracy thrown in, then this may be right up your alley!!
Thank you to NetGalley, St Martin’s Press -Minotaur Books and Mari Hannah for granting my wish for an ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
March 8, 2018
About: The Silent Room is a thriller written by Mari Hannah. It was recently published on 1/16/18 by Minotaur Books, an imprint of St. Martin’s Press, hardcover, 416 pages. The genres are thriller, crime, mystery, and fiction.
My Experience: I started reading The Silent Room on 2/23/18 and finished it on 3/7/18. This book is a great read! I definitely like being able to follow everyone’s thought process because I am always curious what each character thinks. I like the change in this thriller with police going against each other and suspecting bad of each other. I like following Ryan connecting the dots and getting closer to solving the puzzle. I like Ryan’s blind sister, Caroline and her guide dog, Bob. I like how capable she is and that she doesn’t let her disability slow her down. I like the importance of a guide dog.
This book is told in the third person point of view following Matthew Ryan, Detective Sergeant. His former boss, Jack Fenwick has been accused of concealing illegal firearms at his home, but during his transport to prison, Jack was either abducted or escaped. Detective Ryan was not at work during the hijack and he is now under suspicion as Jack’s co-conspirator and is put on suspension. He vows to prove his boss’ innocence and clears his name, but doing so is the tricky part. Another view is Eloise O’Neil, a Detective Superintendent investigating Jack’s guilt. Eloise’s team think that their fellow police officer decided to break the law for extra cash and it’s up to them to arrest him. Another view is Grace Ellis, a retired Detective who used to work with Jack. She and Ryan thinks Jack is being set up. Grace enlist Ryan and Newman, a spook and former love interest of Grace to help find Jack, but they will have the surprise of their lives! Readers will also be able to follow Jack’s view as he experience his whereabouts. There is a view from Newman as well as Roz, but the main views are Ryan and O’Neil. The mystery is the bad guy helping or hurting Jack.
This book is well written. I like Ryan and his love for his twin sister Caroline. I like his loyal friendship with Jack’s family. I like the involvement of different countries like Norway or Scandinavia because I don’t hear of them often. I like Eloise, a female police boss. I like how she handles jerks like Macguire. There is attempt at romance and humor in this book but somehow the whole plot just doesn’t grab me. There were close calls where Ryan could have been killed if it wasn’t for Roz’s quick thinking. I do like the spy’s careful actions. This thriller doesn’t thrill me but I do like many details than I dislike it so I would recommend everyone to read this book.
Pro: friendship, police against police, mystery, foreign countries,
Con: lack of thrill for me
I rate it 4 stars!
***Disclaimer: Many thanks to Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.
xoxo,
Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for more details
My Experience: I started reading The Silent Room on 2/23/18 and finished it on 3/7/18. This book is a great read! I definitely like being able to follow everyone’s thought process because I am always curious what each character thinks. I like the change in this thriller with police going against each other and suspecting bad of each other. I like following Ryan connecting the dots and getting closer to solving the puzzle. I like Ryan’s blind sister, Caroline and her guide dog, Bob. I like how capable she is and that she doesn’t let her disability slow her down. I like the importance of a guide dog.
This book is told in the third person point of view following Matthew Ryan, Detective Sergeant. His former boss, Jack Fenwick has been accused of concealing illegal firearms at his home, but during his transport to prison, Jack was either abducted or escaped. Detective Ryan was not at work during the hijack and he is now under suspicion as Jack’s co-conspirator and is put on suspension. He vows to prove his boss’ innocence and clears his name, but doing so is the tricky part. Another view is Eloise O’Neil, a Detective Superintendent investigating Jack’s guilt. Eloise’s team think that their fellow police officer decided to break the law for extra cash and it’s up to them to arrest him. Another view is Grace Ellis, a retired Detective who used to work with Jack. She and Ryan thinks Jack is being set up. Grace enlist Ryan and Newman, a spook and former love interest of Grace to help find Jack, but they will have the surprise of their lives! Readers will also be able to follow Jack’s view as he experience his whereabouts. There is a view from Newman as well as Roz, but the main views are Ryan and O’Neil. The mystery is the bad guy helping or hurting Jack.
This book is well written. I like Ryan and his love for his twin sister Caroline. I like his loyal friendship with Jack’s family. I like the involvement of different countries like Norway or Scandinavia because I don’t hear of them often. I like Eloise, a female police boss. I like how she handles jerks like Macguire. There is attempt at romance and humor in this book but somehow the whole plot just doesn’t grab me. There were close calls where Ryan could have been killed if it wasn’t for Roz’s quick thinking. I do like the spy’s careful actions. This thriller doesn’t thrill me but I do like many details than I dislike it so I would recommend everyone to read this book.
Pro: friendship, police against police, mystery, foreign countries,
Con: lack of thrill for me
I rate it 4 stars!
***Disclaimer: Many thanks to Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.
xoxo,
Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for more details
January 17, 2018
3.75 stars
Genre: Mystery/ Thriller
POV/s:
Triggers?
I liked this story but it was too light on grit for me. It was well-paced and nicely written, but felt so safe. I needed a wild card! A twist! Something to knock me off kilter!
I loved the playful and sometimes tense banter between Ryan and Eloise. Ryan’s emotionally sensitive side was put on display, too. Some of his thoughts?
There were times he’d have preferred to have been a woman with a licence to cry –no stiff-upper-lip macho bollocks that made your throat sore and your head pound so hard it felt like it would explode. He was drowning in sorrow, slipping under the surface, and had forgotten how to swim.
The pissing contest between McGuire and Ryan was amusing as well and this story was an entertaining debut read.
*NetGalley ARC provided by St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review.
Genre: Mystery/ Thriller
POV/s:
Triggers?
I liked this story but it was too light on grit for me. It was well-paced and nicely written, but felt so safe. I needed a wild card! A twist! Something to knock me off kilter!
I loved the playful and sometimes tense banter between Ryan and Eloise. Ryan’s emotionally sensitive side was put on display, too. Some of his thoughts?
There were times he’d have preferred to have been a woman with a licence to cry –no stiff-upper-lip macho bollocks that made your throat sore and your head pound so hard it felt like it would explode. He was drowning in sorrow, slipping under the surface, and had forgotten how to swim.
The pissing contest between McGuire and Ryan was amusing as well and this story was an entertaining debut read.
*NetGalley ARC provided by St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review.
June 16, 2017
Despite numerous word of mouth recommendations from hardened crime fiction readers this is my first read of Mari Hannah. Better known for her highly acclaimed Northumbria set series of police procedurals featuring Kate Daniels, in theory those novels should be a more natural fit for my reading tastes given my preference for plot and understanding character's motivations over fast and furious action. The Silent Room which is a billed as a tense, fast-paced thriller should have been a little more out of my comfort zone but in fact it won me over for a variety of reasons, primarily an involving and intelligent plot, a cast of fascinating characters and the credible emotions they display. So often well-fleshed out characters in thrillers play second fiddle to a high-octane plot, thankfully Mari Hannah has redressed the balance and delivered a winning and equally captivating cast. At the very top of this list is suspended Special Branch officer, DS Matt Ryan, although he is given a run for his money by newly retired Special Branch operative, Grace Ellis, a woman whose mind works at lightning speed and is ballsy enough to go up test against anyone. For comparison, think Miss Marple with a passion for speed and the determination and vigour of someone half her age! Set against the rugged coastal backdrop of Northumbria, the beauty of the relaxed surrounds is a contrast to the more significant matters at issue however it works a treat and the foray to the brooding Norwegian landscape is the icing on the cake.
Opening with the hijacking of a prison van on its way from the Crown Court to HMP Durham, the passenger inside is the now disgraced Special Branch officer, DI Jack Fenwick, a man who went from hero to zero in the eyes of the law when an investigation into illegal firearms saw him hung out to dry. Northumbria Police might have been quick to besmirch his impeccable reputation but for DS Matthew Ryan he doesn't doubt his superior and close friend for one moment. Fenwick's supposed guilt is based on an anonymous tip-off acted upon immediately that uncovered a stash of illegal firearms at his home. Launched without any warning the tip-off smells like a fit up job to DS Ryan who voices his opinion and swiftly makes him persona non gratis within Special Branch. That the Professional Standards officers overseeing the investigation suspect Ryan of having involvement in springing his former boss from the prison van sees him suspended and his warrant card rescinded, effectively shutting him out of aiding his colleagues in furthering his protestations of Jack's innocence. Leading the investigation into DI Jack Fenwick is Professional Standards officer Detective Superintendent Eloise O'Neil, a woman of integrity who is hindered by her jumped up and malicious partner, DS John Maguire who delights in bringing down his former colleagues, regardless of the truth. However, with Jack's wife, Hilary, convinced that he was onto something big with the potential to claim lives and Jack's solicitor confirming this theory it forces Matt Ryan to face that fact that his loyal colleague withheld information and was not yet ready to disclose his suspicions. With Hilary and Caroline, DS Ryan's blind since birth twin shaken to the core by Jack's arrest, Matt Ryan must man up to go into battle to clear his former bosses name. As he contemplates the bond they shared, a devastated Matt Ryan is awash with memories, particularly with regard to the very deep personal connections they shared.
Intent on righting the wrong and proving his bosses innocence sees Ryan teaming up with the feisty Grace Ellis a now retired stalwart of the Special Branch who Ryan and Fenwick both served under, and has since been shuffled off into retirement. This makeshift task force is completed by former MI5 spook, Frank Newman, a man who broke Grace's heart once upon a time, leaving some tension around the dining table that functions as their central HQ in Grace's home. From interviewing witnesses and sounding out colleagues, the trio realise that they might just be forced to go 'dark' to uncover the truth. Resurrecting Grace's home, once a satellite outpost for a functioning murder investigation room, to its original specifications with back door access to all the same computer systems as the investigating officers, is a huge risk to take but for everyone involved. All to aware that exposure would sound a death knell on his future career, Ryan has the most to lose from the discovery of the 'silent room' by enemies and authorities alike. Discovering Jack's notebooks could provide the shadow task force with a head start in unravelling the turmoil but with Professional Standards tailing Ryan, the clock is counting down. Despite knowing what at face value occurred during Jack's abduction and the preceding investigation I was most impressed with how Hannah reanalysed the facts and shed light on areas from a different angle and thus delivered real credibility to the idea of a top down review which I confess to always been rather sceptical of and unconvinced of the value added. Whether it be from posing different questions to enhancing videos or risking life and limb as in Ryan's case, The Silent Room sheds new and convincingly light on previously unexplored strands to the story.
The Silent Room's plot involves a strong understanding of internal investigations and Hannah effortlessly succeeds in leaving the distinct impression that she is more than comfortable handling the technological aspects of her plot, rather than simply bluffing her way, all adding an extra dimension to a compelling thriller. Hugely atmospheric, the sense of grief and betrayal for DS Matt Ryan and Grace Ellis by the force is acutely observed and ratchets up the tension into the close, well evinced by the plain-speaking dialogue and edgy tempers fraying. DS Ryan's sense of responsibility to Fenwick's wife, Hilary, and their three children is well conveyed and The Silent Room is a thriller with a real handle on the heartache of Fenwick's family, friends and allies. As the official and unofficial investigations come together, whether the two parties can work together is another matter... All in all, The Silent Room is an absolute page-turner with a cast of characters with potential for plenty more and seeing that a follow-up is in the works has put a spring in my step. I am most definitely on-board for DS Matt Ryan's further adventures!
The very good news is that I currently have three unread novels from the Kate Daniels series awaiting my perusal and on the strength of this exceptionally well-written thriller I shall be quickly redressing my priorities!
Opening with the hijacking of a prison van on its way from the Crown Court to HMP Durham, the passenger inside is the now disgraced Special Branch officer, DI Jack Fenwick, a man who went from hero to zero in the eyes of the law when an investigation into illegal firearms saw him hung out to dry. Northumbria Police might have been quick to besmirch his impeccable reputation but for DS Matthew Ryan he doesn't doubt his superior and close friend for one moment. Fenwick's supposed guilt is based on an anonymous tip-off acted upon immediately that uncovered a stash of illegal firearms at his home. Launched without any warning the tip-off smells like a fit up job to DS Ryan who voices his opinion and swiftly makes him persona non gratis within Special Branch. That the Professional Standards officers overseeing the investigation suspect Ryan of having involvement in springing his former boss from the prison van sees him suspended and his warrant card rescinded, effectively shutting him out of aiding his colleagues in furthering his protestations of Jack's innocence. Leading the investigation into DI Jack Fenwick is Professional Standards officer Detective Superintendent Eloise O'Neil, a woman of integrity who is hindered by her jumped up and malicious partner, DS John Maguire who delights in bringing down his former colleagues, regardless of the truth. However, with Jack's wife, Hilary, convinced that he was onto something big with the potential to claim lives and Jack's solicitor confirming this theory it forces Matt Ryan to face that fact that his loyal colleague withheld information and was not yet ready to disclose his suspicions. With Hilary and Caroline, DS Ryan's blind since birth twin shaken to the core by Jack's arrest, Matt Ryan must man up to go into battle to clear his former bosses name. As he contemplates the bond they shared, a devastated Matt Ryan is awash with memories, particularly with regard to the very deep personal connections they shared.
Intent on righting the wrong and proving his bosses innocence sees Ryan teaming up with the feisty Grace Ellis a now retired stalwart of the Special Branch who Ryan and Fenwick both served under, and has since been shuffled off into retirement. This makeshift task force is completed by former MI5 spook, Frank Newman, a man who broke Grace's heart once upon a time, leaving some tension around the dining table that functions as their central HQ in Grace's home. From interviewing witnesses and sounding out colleagues, the trio realise that they might just be forced to go 'dark' to uncover the truth. Resurrecting Grace's home, once a satellite outpost for a functioning murder investigation room, to its original specifications with back door access to all the same computer systems as the investigating officers, is a huge risk to take but for everyone involved. All to aware that exposure would sound a death knell on his future career, Ryan has the most to lose from the discovery of the 'silent room' by enemies and authorities alike. Discovering Jack's notebooks could provide the shadow task force with a head start in unravelling the turmoil but with Professional Standards tailing Ryan, the clock is counting down. Despite knowing what at face value occurred during Jack's abduction and the preceding investigation I was most impressed with how Hannah reanalysed the facts and shed light on areas from a different angle and thus delivered real credibility to the idea of a top down review which I confess to always been rather sceptical of and unconvinced of the value added. Whether it be from posing different questions to enhancing videos or risking life and limb as in Ryan's case, The Silent Room sheds new and convincingly light on previously unexplored strands to the story.
The Silent Room's plot involves a strong understanding of internal investigations and Hannah effortlessly succeeds in leaving the distinct impression that she is more than comfortable handling the technological aspects of her plot, rather than simply bluffing her way, all adding an extra dimension to a compelling thriller. Hugely atmospheric, the sense of grief and betrayal for DS Matt Ryan and Grace Ellis by the force is acutely observed and ratchets up the tension into the close, well evinced by the plain-speaking dialogue and edgy tempers fraying. DS Ryan's sense of responsibility to Fenwick's wife, Hilary, and their three children is well conveyed and The Silent Room is a thriller with a real handle on the heartache of Fenwick's family, friends and allies. As the official and unofficial investigations come together, whether the two parties can work together is another matter... All in all, The Silent Room is an absolute page-turner with a cast of characters with potential for plenty more and seeing that a follow-up is in the works has put a spring in my step. I am most definitely on-board for DS Matt Ryan's further adventures!
The very good news is that I currently have three unread novels from the Kate Daniels series awaiting my perusal and on the strength of this exceptionally well-written thriller I shall be quickly redressing my priorities!
January 27, 2018
What an intense book! I felt like I was on a thriller roller coaster and this novel was whipping me back and forth! The plot was pulse quickening and the characterisation was perfect! I felt like I could feel the intensity in the character’s emotions. This story sucked me in from the beginning and held my attention all the way through!
November 19, 2015
Well that was a read and then some – absolutely riveting, a rollercoaster bomb of a novel that totally gripped me from page one and really did not let up from there. This is one of those that I loved with a fiery vengeance and will be throwing at everyone I know. Not literally, I wouldn’t want to injure them before they can read it, but you know what I mean.
It is a tense, often claustrophobic thriller with an undeniable literary edge – a genuine page turner with some really terrific characters (if Ryan does not return Ms Hannah and I may fall out) and an absolutely excellent plot full of authenticity and high drama.
The Silent Room is the very definition of an unputdownable novel, the tension builds with every passing page and yet there is plenty of room within the narrative to get to know the characters and their world – the author has a fantastic eye for weaving a web of interpersonal relationships that fascinate the reader and allows for the emotional bonding required for you to really feel every moment.
There are some surprises along the way, no promise of an equitable outcome, I genuinely had no idea how it was all going to pan out until I actually got there – I pretty much devoured this book, inhaling caffeine along the way, I thoroughly enjoyed every single minute of it. And really you can’t ask for more than that when you pick up a book.
I’m currently hatching a plot with Christine (Northern Crime) to do a further feature on The Silent Room so keep an eye out for news on that coming soon. As soon as I’ve recovered from this adrenalin rush of a read.
Really excellent. From first page to last. Highly Recommended.
It is a tense, often claustrophobic thriller with an undeniable literary edge – a genuine page turner with some really terrific characters (if Ryan does not return Ms Hannah and I may fall out) and an absolutely excellent plot full of authenticity and high drama.
The Silent Room is the very definition of an unputdownable novel, the tension builds with every passing page and yet there is plenty of room within the narrative to get to know the characters and their world – the author has a fantastic eye for weaving a web of interpersonal relationships that fascinate the reader and allows for the emotional bonding required for you to really feel every moment.
There are some surprises along the way, no promise of an equitable outcome, I genuinely had no idea how it was all going to pan out until I actually got there – I pretty much devoured this book, inhaling caffeine along the way, I thoroughly enjoyed every single minute of it. And really you can’t ask for more than that when you pick up a book.
I’m currently hatching a plot with Christine (Northern Crime) to do a further feature on The Silent Room so keep an eye out for news on that coming soon. As soon as I’ve recovered from this adrenalin rush of a read.
Really excellent. From first page to last. Highly Recommended.
December 28, 2017
This was the first book I’ve read by Mari Hannah, and it was quite a detective thriller! Matthew Ryan is a sergeant detective, under suspicion of helping his boss (under arrest for illegal weapons possession) escape from his prison van. It soon becomes clear, however, that Jack has been taken hostage. Ryan vows to find his boss (and friend) at all costs, despite the obstacles the police force throws his way. He soon teams up with Grace, a retired detective with legendary police skills. And ... things quickly escalate from there.
This novel was hard to put down, and I liked that it took us in unexpected places. My initial guess of what was going on was very, very wrong! I understood the ties that bond Ryan, Jack, and Grace, which gave the plot a very balanced emotional center.
My only hesitation was Hannah’s writing style, which sometimes took me out of the story. This is just a personal preference, of course. I like a little more poetry in my prose (yes, even in detective novels), and here the writing was very cut and dry.
Thank you to Macmillan and Netgalley for an ARC.
This novel was hard to put down, and I liked that it took us in unexpected places. My initial guess of what was going on was very, very wrong! I understood the ties that bond Ryan, Jack, and Grace, which gave the plot a very balanced emotional center.
My only hesitation was Hannah’s writing style, which sometimes took me out of the story. This is just a personal preference, of course. I like a little more poetry in my prose (yes, even in detective novels), and here the writing was very cut and dry.
Thank you to Macmillan and Netgalley for an ARC.
July 12, 2020
As a police procedural, this was just okay 🤷🏻♀️ it had a lot of potential, but the end wasn't a very exciting one. It wasn't the sort of crime/mystery where you're trying to figure out the ending for yourself, more like just watching the characters follow the leads until they got the information needed to make an arrest. Which for me, personally, just felt a bit pointless!
It didn't help either that the writing wasn't great. It was overly descriptive when it came to the area (yes, we get it, you know the area around Newcastle very well - no need to constantly name roads) and the speech was clunky and disjointed.
Overall, although the characters were likeable and the story had potential, this will be my first and last book by Mari Hannah.
It didn't help either that the writing wasn't great. It was overly descriptive when it came to the area (yes, we get it, you know the area around Newcastle very well - no need to constantly name roads) and the speech was clunky and disjointed.
Overall, although the characters were likeable and the story had potential, this will be my first and last book by Mari Hannah.
January 25, 2018
Thank you to Minotaur Books for the advanced ebook copy in exchange for my honest review.
This was my introduction to Mari Hannah and her writing. I've heard great things about her other police procedural series, but this one is a standalone thriller! THE SILENT ROOM includes a hijacking, international conspiracies, and a cop accused of attempting to help free an inmate from prison.
A security van is en route to Durham prison. Aboard is the disgraced Special Branch officer, Jack Fenwick, but he never makes it to his destination. The van is hijacked by a group of men, and the prisoner is taken. Detective Sergeant Matthew Ryan is under suspicion of helping coordinate the escape for his former boss and isn't allowed anywhere near this investigation. Matthew is determined to prove that he wasn't involved in any way, so he begins his own investigation and manhunt for Fenwick.
With everyone on to him, he decides to drop off and go dark. He enlists the help of others to continue his own investigation into the escape. As they continue, they find connections to the death of a Norwegian national who died under suspicious circumstances. The deeper Matthew goes he begins to unearth an International conspiracy. How far is he willing to go to prove his innocence?
I thought this was a great edge-of-your-seat thriller. I love anything with a good International conspiracy element, or anything remotely in the political thriller genre. It's something that I don't see enough of and I know its more of a hit or miss type element for most readers. That being said, it's not too heavy in the political ties.
Overall, if you want a good page-turner, then you'll have to pick up THE SILENT ROOM. I will be keeping my eyes out for more Mari Hannah books on my next trip to the bookstore!
I give this one 4/5 stars!
This was my introduction to Mari Hannah and her writing. I've heard great things about her other police procedural series, but this one is a standalone thriller! THE SILENT ROOM includes a hijacking, international conspiracies, and a cop accused of attempting to help free an inmate from prison.
A security van is en route to Durham prison. Aboard is the disgraced Special Branch officer, Jack Fenwick, but he never makes it to his destination. The van is hijacked by a group of men, and the prisoner is taken. Detective Sergeant Matthew Ryan is under suspicion of helping coordinate the escape for his former boss and isn't allowed anywhere near this investigation. Matthew is determined to prove that he wasn't involved in any way, so he begins his own investigation and manhunt for Fenwick.
With everyone on to him, he decides to drop off and go dark. He enlists the help of others to continue his own investigation into the escape. As they continue, they find connections to the death of a Norwegian national who died under suspicious circumstances. The deeper Matthew goes he begins to unearth an International conspiracy. How far is he willing to go to prove his innocence?
I thought this was a great edge-of-your-seat thriller. I love anything with a good International conspiracy element, or anything remotely in the political thriller genre. It's something that I don't see enough of and I know its more of a hit or miss type element for most readers. That being said, it's not too heavy in the political ties.
Overall, if you want a good page-turner, then you'll have to pick up THE SILENT ROOM. I will be keeping my eyes out for more Mari Hannah books on my next trip to the bookstore!
I give this one 4/5 stars!
January 8, 2016
Reviewed on Crime Fiction Lover
The Northumbrian police’s Special Branch is thrown into an uproar when veteran DI Jack Fenwick, who is the soul of integrity on the force, is arrested for selling illegal weapons. When the prison van that escorts him is hijacked, Fenwick disappears, along with what was left of his reputation. Recent events have also tainted his close friend and partner of many years, DS Matthew Ryan. When Ryan himself is unaccounted for during the tumult of Fenwick’s arrest, it’s discovered that he’s been regularly looking in on his blind sister Constance on the company dime. The timing is unfortunate and Ryan’s closeness to Fenwick, coupled with a weak alibi and a jealous co-worker who already has it in for him, means he is temporarily relieved from duty pending an internal investigation.
Ryan is batting for his mentor, who he is sure was framed, but he can’t do much swinging without his badge. He is more troubled still that his partner left him in the dark about a secret investigation he’d been conducting before his arrest and disappearance. Fenwick’s lawyer informs Ryan that Fenwick was on the verge of busting open a far-reaching network of corruption with deep stakes, but wouldn’t divulge any details. Now with the internal inquiry breathing down his neck, Ryan is overcome by the troubling maelstrom of events. He bears the burden of getting Fenwick acquitted and retiring to his family alive – they are counting on Ryan to save the day.
Mari Hannah is known for her Kate Daniels series, but this is a standalone novel. You will see right away that one of the author’s strengths is in her characters. Her keen ear for dialogue helps render vivid characters whose identities are solidified through their relationships with others while their internal conflicts impel the suspense of the investigation. If her compelling portraits of grief, jealousy and betrayal were not enough, leave some room on your plate for a healthy dose of romance too.
Ryan is the protagonist, but the winning character in The Silent Room may just be retired Special Branch officer Grace Ellis, who enters the fray early on. She gets wind of Fenwick’s so-called jailbreak from her armchair telly in St Tropez and jumps on the first plane back, eager to clear her friend’s name and escape boredom. She and former colleague Ryan launch their own investigation with the help of Frank Newman, Grace’s lover and former MI5 operative. As Ryan and Grace’s contacts in the force clam up, the suspended cop, retired bloodhound, and ex-spook are forced to set up their own command center, the silent room, to uncover a deeper game of systemic corporate greed.
The internal review of Fenwick and Ryan, led by DS Eloise O’Neil, seems to be progressing in a fairly objective way except that O’Neil’s partner, the embittered Maguire, who pines for Ryan’s former girlfriend, insists that Ryan himself is involved. As further events unfold, the badgeless Ryan goes from hero to zero. In the throes of grief, the rogue cop and company must rush to clear Fenwick’s name and close his case.
Hannah checks off all the boxes for this satisfying thriller, including solid characters and compelling conflicts. When Ryan discovers a cache of Fenwick’s notebooks he decides to disclose his own notes and finally make common cause with the authorities. An unlikely romance is kindled between Ryan and his beautiful scrutineer DS O’Neil when they finally join forces. Hannah also throws in a veritable travelogue of the gorgeous Norwegian coast, where the investigation leads Ryan and O’Neil for the final confrontation with the truth.
The Silent Room is a very competent procedural built around the common theme of corporate greed, but it is notably free of the cynical and graphic violence prevalent in crime fiction. It stresses instead redemption and hope. The book doesn’t skimp on tragedy, however, and if you think the Scandinavians corner the market on landscape-fueled angst, think again. The grieving detective collapsed on the rugged shores of the North Sea is just as starkly beautiful in its rendering as any Nordic vista.
The Northumbrian police’s Special Branch is thrown into an uproar when veteran DI Jack Fenwick, who is the soul of integrity on the force, is arrested for selling illegal weapons. When the prison van that escorts him is hijacked, Fenwick disappears, along with what was left of his reputation. Recent events have also tainted his close friend and partner of many years, DS Matthew Ryan. When Ryan himself is unaccounted for during the tumult of Fenwick’s arrest, it’s discovered that he’s been regularly looking in on his blind sister Constance on the company dime. The timing is unfortunate and Ryan’s closeness to Fenwick, coupled with a weak alibi and a jealous co-worker who already has it in for him, means he is temporarily relieved from duty pending an internal investigation.
Ryan is batting for his mentor, who he is sure was framed, but he can’t do much swinging without his badge. He is more troubled still that his partner left him in the dark about a secret investigation he’d been conducting before his arrest and disappearance. Fenwick’s lawyer informs Ryan that Fenwick was on the verge of busting open a far-reaching network of corruption with deep stakes, but wouldn’t divulge any details. Now with the internal inquiry breathing down his neck, Ryan is overcome by the troubling maelstrom of events. He bears the burden of getting Fenwick acquitted and retiring to his family alive – they are counting on Ryan to save the day.
Mari Hannah is known for her Kate Daniels series, but this is a standalone novel. You will see right away that one of the author’s strengths is in her characters. Her keen ear for dialogue helps render vivid characters whose identities are solidified through their relationships with others while their internal conflicts impel the suspense of the investigation. If her compelling portraits of grief, jealousy and betrayal were not enough, leave some room on your plate for a healthy dose of romance too.
Ryan is the protagonist, but the winning character in The Silent Room may just be retired Special Branch officer Grace Ellis, who enters the fray early on. She gets wind of Fenwick’s so-called jailbreak from her armchair telly in St Tropez and jumps on the first plane back, eager to clear her friend’s name and escape boredom. She and former colleague Ryan launch their own investigation with the help of Frank Newman, Grace’s lover and former MI5 operative. As Ryan and Grace’s contacts in the force clam up, the suspended cop, retired bloodhound, and ex-spook are forced to set up their own command center, the silent room, to uncover a deeper game of systemic corporate greed.
The internal review of Fenwick and Ryan, led by DS Eloise O’Neil, seems to be progressing in a fairly objective way except that O’Neil’s partner, the embittered Maguire, who pines for Ryan’s former girlfriend, insists that Ryan himself is involved. As further events unfold, the badgeless Ryan goes from hero to zero. In the throes of grief, the rogue cop and company must rush to clear Fenwick’s name and close his case.
Hannah checks off all the boxes for this satisfying thriller, including solid characters and compelling conflicts. When Ryan discovers a cache of Fenwick’s notebooks he decides to disclose his own notes and finally make common cause with the authorities. An unlikely romance is kindled between Ryan and his beautiful scrutineer DS O’Neil when they finally join forces. Hannah also throws in a veritable travelogue of the gorgeous Norwegian coast, where the investigation leads Ryan and O’Neil for the final confrontation with the truth.
The Silent Room is a very competent procedural built around the common theme of corporate greed, but it is notably free of the cynical and graphic violence prevalent in crime fiction. It stresses instead redemption and hope. The book doesn’t skimp on tragedy, however, and if you think the Scandinavians corner the market on landscape-fueled angst, think again. The grieving detective collapsed on the rugged shores of the North Sea is just as starkly beautiful in its rendering as any Nordic vista.
November 16, 2015
A disgraced Special Branch Officer, DI Jack Fenwick, is sprung from a prison van, which is on its way to HMP Durham. He is suspected of being corrupt and of arranging for this prison break. His close friend & colleague DS Matthew Ryan is under suspicion of aiding & abetting the escape. DS Ryan is suspended from duty and warned to steer clear of the investigation but when the investigation hits a snag, DS Ryan (with the help of a few shadowy characters) conducts his own investigation to clear his best friend’s name and catch the people who have kidnapped his best friend.
This is the BEST BOOK that I have read this year. I was hooked from the very first word of the very first page and I was spellbound right through until the last word of the last chapter.
Mari is a fantastic writer, who really does know how to write in such a manner that helps to bring the book alive. She knows how to ramp up the drama aspect and how to create a tense atmosphere & situation. The action builds throughout this book until a dramatic conclusion.
The characters are well written, well formed and totally believable. DS Matthew Ryan is a damaged person who has an air of vulnerability about him. He has lost his parents and as a result he is very protective of his twin sister, who is blind, but she doesn’t allow her blindness to hold her back. DS Ryan feels responsible for DI Fenwick’s family and he does what he can to protect them, whilst at the same time he tries to find those responsible for DI Fenwick’s kidnapping. DS Ryan has a big heart but he is no soft centre and he can be hard & ruthless when necessary.
I loved the setting in the North East of England which is where I live. So many books are set in London or Manchester, so a change of scenery is refreshing. In this book I recognised the place names & roads mentioned, which helped me to visualise the story in my head.
This is being described as a standalone but I sincerely hope that this is the beginning of a new series as there is so much scope for a Special Branch Officer based in the North East of England. I was so wrapped up in this book that I even began to imagine who could play the main roles when this is adapted for television &/ or film. Surely it must be a case of when not if as regards a tv adaption. I shall be amazed if the televisions & film rights to this book are not snapped up pretty darn quickly.
I LOVED this book and would definitely recommend it to others. I can’t wait to read more books featuring DS Matthew Ryan (if there are any).
This is the BEST BOOK that I have read this year. I was hooked from the very first word of the very first page and I was spellbound right through until the last word of the last chapter.
Mari is a fantastic writer, who really does know how to write in such a manner that helps to bring the book alive. She knows how to ramp up the drama aspect and how to create a tense atmosphere & situation. The action builds throughout this book until a dramatic conclusion.
The characters are well written, well formed and totally believable. DS Matthew Ryan is a damaged person who has an air of vulnerability about him. He has lost his parents and as a result he is very protective of his twin sister, who is blind, but she doesn’t allow her blindness to hold her back. DS Ryan feels responsible for DI Fenwick’s family and he does what he can to protect them, whilst at the same time he tries to find those responsible for DI Fenwick’s kidnapping. DS Ryan has a big heart but he is no soft centre and he can be hard & ruthless when necessary.
I loved the setting in the North East of England which is where I live. So many books are set in London or Manchester, so a change of scenery is refreshing. In this book I recognised the place names & roads mentioned, which helped me to visualise the story in my head.
This is being described as a standalone but I sincerely hope that this is the beginning of a new series as there is so much scope for a Special Branch Officer based in the North East of England. I was so wrapped up in this book that I even began to imagine who could play the main roles when this is adapted for television &/ or film. Surely it must be a case of when not if as regards a tv adaption. I shall be amazed if the televisions & film rights to this book are not snapped up pretty darn quickly.
I LOVED this book and would definitely recommend it to others. I can’t wait to read more books featuring DS Matthew Ryan (if there are any).
December 8, 2015
I’ve read many of Mari’s Kate Daniels books in the past and you can tell straight away that this is another of Mari’s books by the feel and tone of it, even though it’s separate from Kate Daniels and is a standalone. It has her voice. She knows what she’s doing, where she’s going and how she wants to handle it. You know you are in safe hands when you pair yourself with a Mari Hannah novel.
The Silent Room is a thriller from the get-go as the security van is hijacked by armed men and the disgraced Special Branch cop is taken out of the back and away. But, it’s a thriller with Mari’s very steady capable hand holding you there. You don’t feel rushed as though you’re falling over things, but you do feel the tension as it builds up.
DS Matthew Ryan wants to clear the name of his boss and starts to investigate but is officially stopped, this by no means stops him. He’s loyal to his friend and doesn’t believe what is being said about him. So, he continues to investigate with the help of others. I loved the side characters in The Silent Room. Mari not only built up great front-runners but she paid attention to each character she put on the page. They each had their own quirks, their own backstories. In fact, I’d struggle to say which person was my favourite, they all had something about them I liked. Though, actually, I do have to give a personal shout out to Bob the dog, as he has exactly the same name as the dog I lost only a couple of years ago. (She was a girl though – Bobbie, the Springer.)
This book will keep you turning the pages to see what happens next. You won’t be able to put it down. I know I couldn’t.
The Silent Room is a thriller from the get-go as the security van is hijacked by armed men and the disgraced Special Branch cop is taken out of the back and away. But, it’s a thriller with Mari’s very steady capable hand holding you there. You don’t feel rushed as though you’re falling over things, but you do feel the tension as it builds up.
DS Matthew Ryan wants to clear the name of his boss and starts to investigate but is officially stopped, this by no means stops him. He’s loyal to his friend and doesn’t believe what is being said about him. So, he continues to investigate with the help of others. I loved the side characters in The Silent Room. Mari not only built up great front-runners but she paid attention to each character she put on the page. They each had their own quirks, their own backstories. In fact, I’d struggle to say which person was my favourite, they all had something about them I liked. Though, actually, I do have to give a personal shout out to Bob the dog, as he has exactly the same name as the dog I lost only a couple of years ago. (She was a girl though – Bobbie, the Springer.)
This book will keep you turning the pages to see what happens next. You won’t be able to put it down. I know I couldn’t.
October 24, 2016
This is a belter of a crime thriller. One of those books where I’m all agog at the brilliance of it all.
A security van with a disgraced Special Branch officer Jack Fenwick in the back is hijacked by armed men. The prisoner is taken. His close friend and colleague DS Matt Ryan is suspended from duty and under suspicion of being complicit in the escape.
Action packed right from the start and gripped me from the front page. Couldn’t look away in case I missed something!
After the prisoner abduction or escape depending on who believes which scenario, we’re off on the journey alongside DS Ryan, an old retired Special Branch colleague of his Grace Ellis, a spook associate of hers Frank Newman to try to first find Frank and discover who is holding him and why.
Some shocking parts of the book I really didn’t want to happen and I was shouting out “No, no”, but happen they did and the consequences were devastating.
DCI Eloise O’Neill and her not very likeable colleague DS Maguire from the police professional standards unit are also investigating the case and are not so convinced of the abducted prisoner’s innocence. There’s a Scandinavian connection and at times this is Northumbrian Noir meets Nordic Svart (I looked that up)
Now and then I have a thought that I might have a go as a crime fiction writer. I can visualise the headlines “Grandmother of five starts writing successful crime fiction novels in her sixties”, then I read books like this and think ‘Ha, who am I kidding’
Think I’ll stick to reading and enjoying them and this one was a very enjoyable read and the first one in a new series I hope.
A security van with a disgraced Special Branch officer Jack Fenwick in the back is hijacked by armed men. The prisoner is taken. His close friend and colleague DS Matt Ryan is suspended from duty and under suspicion of being complicit in the escape.
Action packed right from the start and gripped me from the front page. Couldn’t look away in case I missed something!
After the prisoner abduction or escape depending on who believes which scenario, we’re off on the journey alongside DS Ryan, an old retired Special Branch colleague of his Grace Ellis, a spook associate of hers Frank Newman to try to first find Frank and discover who is holding him and why.
Some shocking parts of the book I really didn’t want to happen and I was shouting out “No, no”, but happen they did and the consequences were devastating.
DCI Eloise O’Neill and her not very likeable colleague DS Maguire from the police professional standards unit are also investigating the case and are not so convinced of the abducted prisoner’s innocence. There’s a Scandinavian connection and at times this is Northumbrian Noir meets Nordic Svart (I looked that up)
Now and then I have a thought that I might have a go as a crime fiction writer. I can visualise the headlines “Grandmother of five starts writing successful crime fiction novels in her sixties”, then I read books like this and think ‘Ha, who am I kidding’
Think I’ll stick to reading and enjoying them and this one was a very enjoyable read and the first one in a new series I hope.
June 30, 2023
I always think books set in my home town hilarious. It’s a good book though.
September 10, 2017
This is a stand alone thriller from a writer who already proved herself with a series about a female policewomen. This thriller starts with a DSI from counterespionage who gets arrested and then is seemingly freed in transport from court to jail. His second in command does not accept anything about his boos being a criminal and gets suspended for his efforts. He gets some help from somebody who previously did work for the police and then moved on to a more exotic career and is now retired. How ever he retirement house does have something interesting namely an active connection in the police mainframe and it needs only an expert to reactivate and then start looking for answers instead of following the apparent clear evidence. When the policeman who on all appearances looked guilty is found death even the agents in charge of the investigation can no longer deny that something seems to be very off.
A well written thriller that has a good plot and seems to be a story in two separate paths, one the blame game and then the actual investigation. A nice read that does not always feel original and free of cliche's of the police thriller. However the writer does not fail to entertain and show her skills in delivering a fairly decent thriller. A nice first meeting with an interesting writer who seems to know her shit.
Always nice to find a new interesting writer.
A well written thriller that has a good plot and seems to be a story in two separate paths, one the blame game and then the actual investigation. A nice read that does not always feel original and free of cliche's of the police thriller. However the writer does not fail to entertain and show her skills in delivering a fairly decent thriller. A nice first meeting with an interesting writer who seems to know her shit.
Always nice to find a new interesting writer.
January 1, 2018
It has the foundation for a good story. In short a police officer's partner is abducted and his partner and a small team set out to find him off the grid. They accomplish very very little in the 72 hours-ish before he comes up dead. This bugged me the most. One day is spent driving around getting over an internal spat between the team. For feeling like the guy's life is in danger they don't act quickly. The other thing that really irked me is they don't make any real attempt to figure out what he had been working on that caused his kidnapping. Instead of working from two angles they went in one weird inefficient one. There is also a lot of emphasis on food. Weirdly so.
That being said the action scenes are well written and overall the writing is good. The plot just has gapes. I think the writer shows a lot of promise and I look forward to what she will produce in the future.
NB: I make all these critiques as someone who didn't even finish the NaNoWriMo. I am not saying writing these genre is easy. My intent is not to discourage the author. I also thank you for the free book as a giveaway.
I won a copy of this book during a Goodreads giveaway and I am under no obligation to leave a review and do so voluntarily.
That being said the action scenes are well written and overall the writing is good. The plot just has gapes. I think the writer shows a lot of promise and I look forward to what she will produce in the future.
NB: I make all these critiques as someone who didn't even finish the NaNoWriMo. I am not saying writing these genre is easy. My intent is not to discourage the author. I also thank you for the free book as a giveaway.
I won a copy of this book during a Goodreads giveaway and I am under no obligation to leave a review and do so voluntarily.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 27, 2018
Writer Mari Hannah's partner is an ex-murder detective. In the fictional novel, The silent Room the storyline begins with Jason Irwin who drives a prison van. When Jason was talking Jack Fenwick a former Special Branch from Newcastle Crown Court to Durham prison, following an unsuccessful bad hearing. The security van was hijacked in broad day light and the detective Jack Fenwick had escaped. A great page turning novel. Mari Hannah is certainly is a new voice in crime fiction to keep a look out for.
January 3, 2018
Such a good book! Utterly engrossing.
January 20, 2021
The mystery underlying this absorbing book is not about who the perps are and what they are up to (there are no clues about that until nearly the end) but about why Detective Sergeant Matthew Ryan's beloved boss seems to be involved with them and why contraband firearms he denies knowing about were found in his house.
As Jack Fenwick's best friend, Ryan is under suspicion, too, and manages to get himself suspended when he most wants to be part of the investigation. He can't understand why Fenwick told him nothing about a secret operation, given that they were so close.
When Fenwick is abducted from police transport between prisons, Ryan joins forces with retired cop Grace Ellis and a mysterious government spy to uncover what's going on by using whatever means they can, illegal or otherwise. Who would have set Jack up? Are they "bent" colleagues within the government or are they outside?
I loved the characters in this book and I loved how I could get completely lost in a story (much needed these days) even though I had recently read the sequel and already knew quite a lot about it.
This is the third book by Mari Hannah that I've read (one was about different detectives in her northern England locale), and I'm noticing that she likes protagonists to have complicated backstories they don't share with coworkers. Since Hannah once worked in law enforcement herself, I guess she knows firsthand that police officers often play things close to the vest.
As Jack Fenwick's best friend, Ryan is under suspicion, too, and manages to get himself suspended when he most wants to be part of the investigation. He can't understand why Fenwick told him nothing about a secret operation, given that they were so close.
When Fenwick is abducted from police transport between prisons, Ryan joins forces with retired cop Grace Ellis and a mysterious government spy to uncover what's going on by using whatever means they can, illegal or otherwise. Who would have set Jack up? Are they "bent" colleagues within the government or are they outside?
I loved the characters in this book and I loved how I could get completely lost in a story (much needed these days) even though I had recently read the sequel and already knew quite a lot about it.
This is the third book by Mari Hannah that I've read (one was about different detectives in her northern England locale), and I'm noticing that she likes protagonists to have complicated backstories they don't share with coworkers. Since Hannah once worked in law enforcement herself, I guess she knows firsthand that police officers often play things close to the vest.
January 9, 2018
Thank you Netgalley and Minotaur Books for the eARC.
This was quite a nailbiter! A standalone, after the Kate Daniels books, this had a different feel, but is just as good as the series.
Jack Fenwick, a disgraced police officer accused of arms smuggling, is on his way to prison when the transportation van is stopped by hijackers who bundle Jack into their vehicle. Was it a kidnapping or an organized escape. The powers that be insist it's an escape...
Matthew Ryan, Jack's colleague and friend, is suspended from duty, believed to have aided Jack's escape. Furious and upset, Matthew vows to clear Jack's name and starts an off the books investigation with the help of retired policewoman Grace and an ex-spook.
Matthew is a sympathetic character, loyal and tenacious, he is willing to risk his career for his friend. He looks after Jack's family and is extremely close with his twin sister who happens to be blind as well as being sharp as a tack.
The international aspect was intriguing, with a side trip to Norway, looking into crime involving oil platforms and the cover ups of fatal accidents.
A really enjoyable book, highly recommended.
This was quite a nailbiter! A standalone, after the Kate Daniels books, this had a different feel, but is just as good as the series.
Jack Fenwick, a disgraced police officer accused of arms smuggling, is on his way to prison when the transportation van is stopped by hijackers who bundle Jack into their vehicle. Was it a kidnapping or an organized escape. The powers that be insist it's an escape...
Matthew Ryan, Jack's colleague and friend, is suspended from duty, believed to have aided Jack's escape. Furious and upset, Matthew vows to clear Jack's name and starts an off the books investigation with the help of retired policewoman Grace and an ex-spook.
Matthew is a sympathetic character, loyal and tenacious, he is willing to risk his career for his friend. He looks after Jack's family and is extremely close with his twin sister who happens to be blind as well as being sharp as a tack.
The international aspect was intriguing, with a side trip to Norway, looking into crime involving oil platforms and the cover ups of fatal accidents.
A really enjoyable book, highly recommended.
September 12, 2018
Solid police procedural, but nothing too exciting.
March 19, 2017
I didn't like it as much as the DCI Daniels books, but can see another good series ahead!
May 22, 2018
****Thank you to NetGalley and Mari Hannah for providing me this copy in exchange for my review.****
I thought this book was pretty good it kept me interested. There were not many twists I would have enjoyed better maybe with some twist. I enjoyed learning a little background information on DS Ryan's life, I would have really wanted more info on DS O'Neil but it was pretty good.
I thought this book was pretty good it kept me interested. There were not many twists I would have enjoyed better maybe with some twist. I enjoyed learning a little background information on DS Ryan's life, I would have really wanted more info on DS O'Neil but it was pretty good.
January 10, 2025
This was great. A really good plot, brilliant characters and the narrative made it difficult to stop at the end of a chapter. Really enjoyed it.
November 19, 2015
Thriller set in Newcastle and Northumberland (with a little bit of Norway…)
The Silent Room is a stand alone thriller from Northumberland author, Mari Hannah (i.e. it is not in the successful Kate Daniels series). It is pacey, fast moving – and a real page turner. A disgraced Special Branch officer, Jack Fenwick, is being transferred from the Newcastle Courts to Durham prison when the security van he is in is hijacked. Is he being freed by the gang he was in cahoots with, or is he being kidnapped? His Detective Sergeant, Matthew Ryan, investigates – first as a serving officer, then as a serving officer under suspension for his association with his ‘freed’ friend, and finally again as a serving officer working alongside Eloise O’Neil, the DI in charge of Professional Standards. They are a great team. The investigation takes them up and down Northumberland and then to Norway… and a thrilling finale back on Tyneside. I can’t really say much more without giving too much of the plot away (always an issue when reviewing a thriller). But, trust me, The Silent Room is a great and exciting read that you will find hard to put down.
For me The Silent Room illustrates perfectly the rational behind TripFiction. Yes, the book is a really good read for anyone who likes thrillers. But I happen to live in Northumberland just outside Newcastle – and that gives an added dimension. ‘See a location through the eyes of an author’ could not ring truer. I was mesmerised as the action moved from the Newcastle Crown Court on the Quayside, over the iconic Tyne Bridge, and then around several familiar parts of Newcastle and Northumberland. Mari’s home is in South Northumberland (not far from where I live…) and her descriptions of the locations in the book are both accurate and evocative.
The location-based bit is, of course, the icing on the cake and not the cake itself. The book has to be good and stand alone – and The Silent Room certainly is. Mari used to be a Probation Officer and her partner just happens to be an ex murder detective. She writes with authority and understanding of the police service (flaws and all…). A very ‘real’ account…
The Silent Room is a genuinely worthwhile read. I thoroughly recommend it.
This review first appeared on our blog: http://www.tripfiction.com/thriller-s...
The Silent Room is a stand alone thriller from Northumberland author, Mari Hannah (i.e. it is not in the successful Kate Daniels series). It is pacey, fast moving – and a real page turner. A disgraced Special Branch officer, Jack Fenwick, is being transferred from the Newcastle Courts to Durham prison when the security van he is in is hijacked. Is he being freed by the gang he was in cahoots with, or is he being kidnapped? His Detective Sergeant, Matthew Ryan, investigates – first as a serving officer, then as a serving officer under suspension for his association with his ‘freed’ friend, and finally again as a serving officer working alongside Eloise O’Neil, the DI in charge of Professional Standards. They are a great team. The investigation takes them up and down Northumberland and then to Norway… and a thrilling finale back on Tyneside. I can’t really say much more without giving too much of the plot away (always an issue when reviewing a thriller). But, trust me, The Silent Room is a great and exciting read that you will find hard to put down.
For me The Silent Room illustrates perfectly the rational behind TripFiction. Yes, the book is a really good read for anyone who likes thrillers. But I happen to live in Northumberland just outside Newcastle – and that gives an added dimension. ‘See a location through the eyes of an author’ could not ring truer. I was mesmerised as the action moved from the Newcastle Crown Court on the Quayside, over the iconic Tyne Bridge, and then around several familiar parts of Newcastle and Northumberland. Mari’s home is in South Northumberland (not far from where I live…) and her descriptions of the locations in the book are both accurate and evocative.
The location-based bit is, of course, the icing on the cake and not the cake itself. The book has to be good and stand alone – and The Silent Room certainly is. Mari used to be a Probation Officer and her partner just happens to be an ex murder detective. She writes with authority and understanding of the police service (flaws and all…). A very ‘real’ account…
The Silent Room is a genuinely worthwhile read. I thoroughly recommend it.
This review first appeared on our blog: http://www.tripfiction.com/thriller-s...
December 3, 2015
Mari Hannah provides us with a dazzlingly good read in The Silent Room. The police investigate a crime committed by one of their own and there’s a race to find the true story of events. We have a plot that grabs you from the start and superbly written characters to which the reader can quickly relate. I can certainly recommend this to you; it’s a well written book that thrills from start to finish.
Senior Special Branch officer, Jack Fenwick is accused of being a bent copper but his Detective Sergeant Matthew Ryan doesn’t believe a word of it. Ryan is out to prove Fenwick’s innocence for himself, their close friendship and for Fenwick’s family. The evidence suggests he’s guilty and then it looks even worse as Fenwick escapes custody when the security van he’s being held in is ambushed, and he calmly leaves and disappears with the gang.
There is now suspicion that Ryan is involved with his bosses escape so he’s suspended and his police badge withdrawn. Determined not to be shut-out he sets up his own investigation with the help of allies, retired ex-special branch Grace Ellis and her old friend ex-spook operative Frank Newman. Together they set up the silent room as a base to seek out the truth, try and find Jack Fenwick and prove he’s not guilty of the charges against him. It’s fascinating, gripping and with plenty of action and surprises as they slowly uncover a conspiracy that has cost innocent lives.
Along with the excellent story-line the author creates interest and reader involvement with clever developments of the character relationships. We learn of their past love connections and friendships and it draws the reader in and adds to the novel overall. The main character Matthew Ryan is a really likeable guy and by the end of the novel we know a lot about him and it would be good to see him back again in a future book. A thoroughly absorbing story that I’m sure any crime thriller reader would love. Thank you to the publisher for a review copy in return for an honest opinion.
December 1, 2015
Booktrail locations
A prisoner sprung from a van on a Newcastle road will lead to a trail of conspiracy reaching all the way to murder.
Well Mari, you certainly know how to ramp up the tension and create a police team that pulls no punches! With her paintbrush speckled with North East colour, she washes it over the gritty, punchy story, interspersed with action, fast moving events and a trail which leads to a very interesting and unique conclusion!
This is no Kate Daniels. Heck I’m sure she could work in the team but then I was rather afraid of O’Neill and Maguire myself so kudos if the three of them should ever meet. These are the tough guys – the hard men of Northumbria police. These guys mean business – violence, double dealing and a dark dark core makes this a thrilling, bumpy and dangerous ride.
I liked Ryan. He had guts and determination to find out what really happened and the premise of the silent room was intriguing. I shall now wander down Nuns Moor Road where Grace lived and wonder where this place could be…hmm and in quiet Fenham who would have guessed?
The splashes of local colour such as Ian Payne, mention of Gazza, the Quayside and the heritage of the old pub in Central station makes this a novel which stands proudly on the NE literary map.
This is a gritty read and it was a real surprise to see how events took them to Norway and a whole other area of intrigue. Being a language fan, it was great to read the smattering of Norwegian which added to the overall sense of place. The conspiracy unravelled and there were some unexpected and neatly done twists.
Mari I am now going to rest a little, my heart thumping as it is. I need to lie down somewhere quiet although maybe not in the silent room that you write about.
A prisoner sprung from a van on a Newcastle road will lead to a trail of conspiracy reaching all the way to murder.
Well Mari, you certainly know how to ramp up the tension and create a police team that pulls no punches! With her paintbrush speckled with North East colour, she washes it over the gritty, punchy story, interspersed with action, fast moving events and a trail which leads to a very interesting and unique conclusion!
This is no Kate Daniels. Heck I’m sure she could work in the team but then I was rather afraid of O’Neill and Maguire myself so kudos if the three of them should ever meet. These are the tough guys – the hard men of Northumbria police. These guys mean business – violence, double dealing and a dark dark core makes this a thrilling, bumpy and dangerous ride.
I liked Ryan. He had guts and determination to find out what really happened and the premise of the silent room was intriguing. I shall now wander down Nuns Moor Road where Grace lived and wonder where this place could be…hmm and in quiet Fenham who would have guessed?
The splashes of local colour such as Ian Payne, mention of Gazza, the Quayside and the heritage of the old pub in Central station makes this a novel which stands proudly on the NE literary map.
This is a gritty read and it was a real surprise to see how events took them to Norway and a whole other area of intrigue. Being a language fan, it was great to read the smattering of Norwegian which added to the overall sense of place. The conspiracy unravelled and there were some unexpected and neatly done twists.
Mari I am now going to rest a little, my heart thumping as it is. I need to lie down somewhere quiet although maybe not in the silent room that you write about.
September 17, 2018
Underwhelming.
This is the first book I've read by this author and I'm afraid to say I was far from blown away. Police procedural novels are my favourite genre and in that respect this, for me, just didn't hit the mark.
The story was pretty slow and not particularly gripping. There seemed to be a lot of unnecessary sub plots and I really didn't enjoy the tedious discussion about the various possible romantic liasons.
An aspect I did enjoy was the short chapters which, early in the book had some decent cliff hangers, but which wasn't effectively continued throughout the rest of the book.
Something that particularly annoyed me about this book was the seemingly unimaginative character names. We had the main character being Matthew Ryan and then a character appearing later called Alan Matthews. We then had the wives of two of the "victims" being Hilary and Hilde!
Overall this just simply wasn't gritty enough or exciting enough for an avid fan of this genre such as myself.
This is the first book I've read by this author and I'm afraid to say I was far from blown away. Police procedural novels are my favourite genre and in that respect this, for me, just didn't hit the mark.
The story was pretty slow and not particularly gripping. There seemed to be a lot of unnecessary sub plots and I really didn't enjoy the tedious discussion about the various possible romantic liasons.
An aspect I did enjoy was the short chapters which, early in the book had some decent cliff hangers, but which wasn't effectively continued throughout the rest of the book.
Something that particularly annoyed me about this book was the seemingly unimaginative character names. We had the main character being Matthew Ryan and then a character appearing later called Alan Matthews. We then had the wives of two of the "victims" being Hilary and Hilde!
Overall this just simply wasn't gritty enough or exciting enough for an avid fan of this genre such as myself.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 7, 2020
Great story. This is the start of a new series
I really liked the characters. The story begins when Jack Fenwick, a Special Branch Officer who has been arrested, is being transferred from court to Durham prison. The security van he is in is hijacked. The question becomes is he guilty and was he freed by the gang he was working with, or is he innocent and being kidnapped?
JAck's partner and Detective Sergeant, Matthew Ryan, investigates the incident – first as a serving officer, then as a serving officer under suspension because of his association with his ‘freed’ friend, Jack. Matthew Ryan hooks up with retired police officers to try and work the case "outside the law."
In the process he meets Eloise O’Neil, the DI in charge of Professional Standards, and the DI in charge of the case
It is a new series
I really liked the characters. The story begins when Jack Fenwick, a Special Branch Officer who has been arrested, is being transferred from court to Durham prison. The security van he is in is hijacked. The question becomes is he guilty and was he freed by the gang he was working with, or is he innocent and being kidnapped?
JAck's partner and Detective Sergeant, Matthew Ryan, investigates the incident – first as a serving officer, then as a serving officer under suspension because of his association with his ‘freed’ friend, Jack. Matthew Ryan hooks up with retired police officers to try and work the case "outside the law."
In the process he meets Eloise O’Neil, the DI in charge of Professional Standards, and the DI in charge of the case
It is a new series
December 27, 2015
This is not your ordinary international spy thriller or all-action, all-out conspiracy - which is a good thing, in my book. I am not often entranced by action thrillers, because it's all plot, fight, shoot, run, improbable coincidence... and this most certainly is not. There are chilling moments of real menace, though, to keep lovers of 'normal thrillers' happy. It's a bravura mix of action, puzzling motivations, and in-depth characters. Al of the main (and many of the secondary) characters were so well drawn, carefully described, with hints at so much backstory and real depth, and the dynamics between them were completely believable. Another solid novel from Hannah: you can see she must have had fun with a new set of characters and a new storytelling style.
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