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An Act of Silence
*** SHORTLISTED FOR THE CWA IAN FLEMING STEEL DAGGER AWARD 2018***
'Sensational' Clare Mackintosh, No 1 bestselling author of I Let You Go .
'The definition of a page-turner' Sun
'Truly scary' Marian Keyes
MOTHER. WIFE. POLITICIAN. LIAR.
How far did she go to conceal the truth?
Politician Linda Moscow sacrificed everything to protect her her beliefs, her career, her marriage. All she wanted was to keep him safe.
What will she risk to expose the lies?
When the voices she silenced come back to haunt her, Linda is faced with another impossible choice. Only this time, it's her life on the line . . .
An Act of Silence is about the abuse of power, the devastating effects of keeping the truth buried, and the lengths a mother will go to save her child.
'Fiendishly impressive structure; taut, evocative prose; gripping plot' Sarah Vaughan, author of Anatomy of a Scandal
'Brilliant, taut psychological thriller. Sensitive, muscular and it could be true. Unputdownable' Julia Crouch, author of Her Husband's Lover
'Colette McBeth is beloved of writers like Paula Hawkins, and with this twisty, clever novel, she's guaranteed to win more fans' Red
'Sensational' Clare Mackintosh, No 1 bestselling author of I Let You Go .
'The definition of a page-turner' Sun
'Truly scary' Marian Keyes
MOTHER. WIFE. POLITICIAN. LIAR.
How far did she go to conceal the truth?
Politician Linda Moscow sacrificed everything to protect her her beliefs, her career, her marriage. All she wanted was to keep him safe.
What will she risk to expose the lies?
When the voices she silenced come back to haunt her, Linda is faced with another impossible choice. Only this time, it's her life on the line . . .
An Act of Silence is about the abuse of power, the devastating effects of keeping the truth buried, and the lengths a mother will go to save her child.
'Fiendishly impressive structure; taut, evocative prose; gripping plot' Sarah Vaughan, author of Anatomy of a Scandal
'Brilliant, taut psychological thriller. Sensitive, muscular and it could be true. Unputdownable' Julia Crouch, author of Her Husband's Lover
'Colette McBeth is beloved of writers like Paula Hawkins, and with this twisty, clever novel, she's guaranteed to win more fans' Red
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 29, 2017
17 people are currently reading
703 people want to read
About the author
Colette McBeth
10 books185 followersColette McBeth had been a BBC News reporter for 10 years when she won a place on the Faber Academy Writing a Novel course and started her first book, Precious Thing. She lives in London with her husband and three children but dreams of being beside the seaside.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
May 23, 2017
An Act of Silence by Colette McBeth was a thriller about sex abuse and how it can be covered up. I found it quite hard to read in parts because I was shocked at the scale of the intimidation used to keep the story under wraps and how badly the victims were treated. This is a very relevant subject and one that people should know about.
I would like to thank NetGalley for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
I would like to thank NetGalley for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 6, 2019
What had been done could never be undone. They are untouchable.
Linda
He hasn't made a sound for over an hour, which makes me think he might have gone, slunk out as quickly as he crept in.
Inching upstairs, I'm careful to avoid the squeaky floorboards. If he's still here, I don't want to rouse him. I check the rooms, one, two, three, and finally I find my son lying on his old bed, curled up, fists in a ball, exactly how he slept when he was a child.
This vision of him overcomes me. Since morning I've tried to dampen my love, make space for logic and reason, but it bubbles up now, comes to the boil, overflows and burns my insides.
I hear the suck of his breath, watch the involuntary twitches of his body. What has happened to us? How did we get here? We are not the people we were supposed to be. I stare back into the past and see the many versions of us, ghosts of who we should have been and I can't shake the sense that everything that has gone before has built up to this, that all our decisions, our mistakes, the paths we chose to travel, one instead of another, have brought us to this point.
I reach out and touch his hair just as I did when he was a boy.
It is still soft.
My decision is made.
I retreat into the hallway, pick up the phone. My hands shake in defiance. I get the answerphone, a man's voice. 'I need to speak to you about Gabriel.... '
And then.
It happens quickly, much too quickly to explain or help myself. His presence unsettles the air and the last words, the only words I hear are 'You fucking bitch' before my head makes contact with the wood of the banister. Cracks.
******
An Act of Silence by Colette McBeth is a fast paced, gripping, chilling thriller that I found difficult to put down!
The twists come out of nowhere and I found myself saying 'What?' out loud more than once!
Colette's writing is deeply descriptive, leaving nothing to the imagination,making it all that more scary.
"My heart, a bird thrashing in a cage" pretty much sums it up for me! I got caught up in the story from the start, quickly turning the pages in anticipation of how it would end!
I'm a big fan of Colette McBeth and I've never been disappointed reading any her books!
I loved Precious Thing and I devoured the audiobook edition of The Life I Left Behind, narrated by Imogen Church, which is still my favorite.
Linda
He hasn't made a sound for over an hour, which makes me think he might have gone, slunk out as quickly as he crept in.
Inching upstairs, I'm careful to avoid the squeaky floorboards. If he's still here, I don't want to rouse him. I check the rooms, one, two, three, and finally I find my son lying on his old bed, curled up, fists in a ball, exactly how he slept when he was a child.
This vision of him overcomes me. Since morning I've tried to dampen my love, make space for logic and reason, but it bubbles up now, comes to the boil, overflows and burns my insides.
I hear the suck of his breath, watch the involuntary twitches of his body. What has happened to us? How did we get here? We are not the people we were supposed to be. I stare back into the past and see the many versions of us, ghosts of who we should have been and I can't shake the sense that everything that has gone before has built up to this, that all our decisions, our mistakes, the paths we chose to travel, one instead of another, have brought us to this point.
I reach out and touch his hair just as I did when he was a boy.
It is still soft.
My decision is made.
I retreat into the hallway, pick up the phone. My hands shake in defiance. I get the answerphone, a man's voice. 'I need to speak to you about Gabriel.... '
And then.
It happens quickly, much too quickly to explain or help myself. His presence unsettles the air and the last words, the only words I hear are 'You fucking bitch' before my head makes contact with the wood of the banister. Cracks.
******
An Act of Silence by Colette McBeth is a fast paced, gripping, chilling thriller that I found difficult to put down!
The twists come out of nowhere and I found myself saying 'What?' out loud more than once!
Colette's writing is deeply descriptive, leaving nothing to the imagination,making it all that more scary.
"My heart, a bird thrashing in a cage" pretty much sums it up for me! I got caught up in the story from the start, quickly turning the pages in anticipation of how it would end!
I'm a big fan of Colette McBeth and I've never been disappointed reading any her books!
I loved Precious Thing and I devoured the audiobook edition of The Life I Left Behind, narrated by Imogen Church, which is still my favorite.
June 29, 2017
Brilliantly compulsive, utterly heartbreaking, beautifully written. A psychological thriller of depth and beauty.
That was the soundbite review I put up on Goodreads after finishing this novel and the gap between then and now has only enforced that feeling – I have not read a psychological thriller that has as many beautifully layered themes to it for a long time. An Act of Silence is a true page turner, incredibly compelling storytelling, sublime writing, delivering just the right amount of unpredictability with some truly intriguing characters.
It is a character drama that is extremely thought provoking, looking at the parental relationship, how far we would go to protect our children, all embedded into a good old fashioned mystery story. The author takes you on a twisted journey, emotionally hard hitting, always authentic and plotted to perfection both in style and substance. Linda as a character is oddly likable despite often doing some rather unlikable things it seems – but I have to say Gabriel was the one I engaged with, his character voice resonated – so I attached.
Its difficult to say too much without giving things away, but as things progress you’ll get deeper and deeper into this – Colette McBeth just entwines you into the world she’s created – it is clever, fascinating, explores some very dark events that will touch your soul – utterly alluring, the delicate touch this author has with language sucks you in then throws you out the other side with thoughts that will linger in your head long after reading.
Really excellent. Truly so. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
That was the soundbite review I put up on Goodreads after finishing this novel and the gap between then and now has only enforced that feeling – I have not read a psychological thriller that has as many beautifully layered themes to it for a long time. An Act of Silence is a true page turner, incredibly compelling storytelling, sublime writing, delivering just the right amount of unpredictability with some truly intriguing characters.
It is a character drama that is extremely thought provoking, looking at the parental relationship, how far we would go to protect our children, all embedded into a good old fashioned mystery story. The author takes you on a twisted journey, emotionally hard hitting, always authentic and plotted to perfection both in style and substance. Linda as a character is oddly likable despite often doing some rather unlikable things it seems – but I have to say Gabriel was the one I engaged with, his character voice resonated – so I attached.
Its difficult to say too much without giving things away, but as things progress you’ll get deeper and deeper into this – Colette McBeth just entwines you into the world she’s created – it is clever, fascinating, explores some very dark events that will touch your soul – utterly alluring, the delicate touch this author has with language sucks you in then throws you out the other side with thoughts that will linger in your head long after reading.
Really excellent. Truly so. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
July 9, 2017
Having read and enjoyed both of Colette McBeth’s previous psychological thrillers, particularly The Life I Left Behind, I was keen to read An Act of Silence. The basic premise of this novel is based around the difficult relationship that exists between a mother and son which is tested to the limit when the son is embroiled in the matter of a murder. However this isn’t simply a test of a mother's love, it is an examination of unspoken mistakes of the past and their cumulative impact. Former Home Secretary Linda Moscow ended her career as a disgraced politician after the expose of the ‘cash for contracts’ scandal saw her retreat from public life and become a virtual recluse. The early hours and abrupt arrival of her son, Gabriel, anxious and dishevelled, sees her faced with a moral conundrum and forces Linda to tackle head on a undisclosed secret that has the potential to change everything. Now a successful comedian, Gabriel and his sexual conquests are never far from the tabloid headlines. When he tells Linda about meeting a woman called Mariela and taking her back to his bed for the night, the news that she has since been discovered murdered in the allotments that back onto his property sends Linda reeling. Gabriel insists that he is being framed and begs his mother for help, leaving her faced with a momentous decision. Having prioritised her son and compromised her principles in the past, how sure of her son's innocence can she be? Due to report to Camden police station in six-hours, the evident doubt writ large on Linda’s face results in an furious outburst from Gabriel and sends him running from the situation.
The arrival of DS Jay Huxtable from the Met Police attempting to ascertain Gabriel’s involvement sees him urging Linda to vacate her home in case her son returns and poses a threat to her safety. Meanwhile Linda’s own interest in a story that has become her life's work and a chance to rectify some of her previous mistakes regarding the shelving of a scandal into the sexual abuse of minors is at a crossroads. Prominent party donor and film-maker, Curtis Loewe, is the man under investigation and the abuse of his reputation as an respected political ally when Linda was in a position of power is unforgivable. Assisted by one of her former party colleague, Henry Sinclair, Loewe successfully backed Linda into a corner and ensured that any future investigations into his dalliances with underage girls were stifled. Encouraged by the former journalist who was instrumental in attempting to highlight the abuse claims, Linda has a choice to make. Having once let the young women in question down, whether Linda will have the chance to begin to repair her mistakes is at issue. Crucially, when faced with the question of choosing or damning her son which way will Linda turn and how will her actions be affected by the chequered history that they share? Due to the full extent of Gabriel’s situation not becoming clear until Linda’s own circumstances are brought to light it takes a while to fully immerse yourself in this novel and digest how circumstances have conspired to once again leave Linda facing the ultimate catch-22.
Whilst it is admittedly hard to ‘enjoy’ a novel which has at its origins the shameful legacy of the sexually abused children cared for by the state, this is the novel of McBeth’s which I found least satisfying. Perhaps this is because of how sickeningly familiar the whole subject matter feels after being dragged extensively through the media. Indeed it is a travesty that this story bears such a resemblance to real life events and will fail to surprise so many readers. That this went on and the fact that other such incidents will no doubt belatedly be discovered makes it a rather divisive subject matter. In this sense I was certainly uncomfortable with the fact that those whose experienced the abuse and were failed by the system are now presented as bit part players in a wider exploration of what is frankly a mother-son bond. The extensive media coverage that such miscarriages of justice have recently attracted means that McBeth adds little fresh food for thought to the subject matter. First hand reading of accounts of those involved and the whistleblowers who campaigned for recognition is more emotive than any fictionalised account can ever be and Linda’s self-interest and the associated repercussions on son Gabriel were not my prime concerns.
Although the book intuitively reads well without paying attention to the specific dates and narrators who recount the story, it is fair to say that the narration is all other the shop, not just between two timelines but back and forth as the two individuals story play out. Some readers may find these constant breaks in continuity detract from the power of the story, and I confess that I found it countered against the building of tension. I certainly did not feel the same urgency in the story as in in Colette McBeth’s previous novels and I suspect this is largely because the plot does become fairly transparent and an astute reader will be capable of inferring the majority of the historic storyline, so McBeth’s continued return acted as a brake on plot progression. That the same incidents are shown from several perspectives also necessitates repetition and this wasn’t a story that I found myself transfixed by and keen to return to. In comparison, I had similar issues with Peter Robinson’s When the Music’s Over which borrowed so heavily from prevailing events and relied on little imagination.
In summary, and rather contrary to prevailing opinion based on early reviews, I found this a bleak and unedifying read from Colette McBeth and although the denouement drew everything together cleverly, it felt like too little, too late. The fact that the reliability of the majority of the narrators is questionable sees the reader continually reassessing just what they are witnessing and is a factor that increasing starts to become evident as the story heads into its climax. However, I did appreciate McBeth’s sensitive and realistic observations that briefly tackle the aftermath and the associated collateral damage of such a storyline but this is a book that I would struggle to recommend as my overall feeling was one of being hugely underwhelmed.
The arrival of DS Jay Huxtable from the Met Police attempting to ascertain Gabriel’s involvement sees him urging Linda to vacate her home in case her son returns and poses a threat to her safety. Meanwhile Linda’s own interest in a story that has become her life's work and a chance to rectify some of her previous mistakes regarding the shelving of a scandal into the sexual abuse of minors is at a crossroads. Prominent party donor and film-maker, Curtis Loewe, is the man under investigation and the abuse of his reputation as an respected political ally when Linda was in a position of power is unforgivable. Assisted by one of her former party colleague, Henry Sinclair, Loewe successfully backed Linda into a corner and ensured that any future investigations into his dalliances with underage girls were stifled. Encouraged by the former journalist who was instrumental in attempting to highlight the abuse claims, Linda has a choice to make. Having once let the young women in question down, whether Linda will have the chance to begin to repair her mistakes is at issue. Crucially, when faced with the question of choosing or damning her son which way will Linda turn and how will her actions be affected by the chequered history that they share? Due to the full extent of Gabriel’s situation not becoming clear until Linda’s own circumstances are brought to light it takes a while to fully immerse yourself in this novel and digest how circumstances have conspired to once again leave Linda facing the ultimate catch-22.
Whilst it is admittedly hard to ‘enjoy’ a novel which has at its origins the shameful legacy of the sexually abused children cared for by the state, this is the novel of McBeth’s which I found least satisfying. Perhaps this is because of how sickeningly familiar the whole subject matter feels after being dragged extensively through the media. Indeed it is a travesty that this story bears such a resemblance to real life events and will fail to surprise so many readers. That this went on and the fact that other such incidents will no doubt belatedly be discovered makes it a rather divisive subject matter. In this sense I was certainly uncomfortable with the fact that those whose experienced the abuse and were failed by the system are now presented as bit part players in a wider exploration of what is frankly a mother-son bond. The extensive media coverage that such miscarriages of justice have recently attracted means that McBeth adds little fresh food for thought to the subject matter. First hand reading of accounts of those involved and the whistleblowers who campaigned for recognition is more emotive than any fictionalised account can ever be and Linda’s self-interest and the associated repercussions on son Gabriel were not my prime concerns.
Although the book intuitively reads well without paying attention to the specific dates and narrators who recount the story, it is fair to say that the narration is all other the shop, not just between two timelines but back and forth as the two individuals story play out. Some readers may find these constant breaks in continuity detract from the power of the story, and I confess that I found it countered against the building of tension. I certainly did not feel the same urgency in the story as in in Colette McBeth’s previous novels and I suspect this is largely because the plot does become fairly transparent and an astute reader will be capable of inferring the majority of the historic storyline, so McBeth’s continued return acted as a brake on plot progression. That the same incidents are shown from several perspectives also necessitates repetition and this wasn’t a story that I found myself transfixed by and keen to return to. In comparison, I had similar issues with Peter Robinson’s When the Music’s Over which borrowed so heavily from prevailing events and relied on little imagination.
In summary, and rather contrary to prevailing opinion based on early reviews, I found this a bleak and unedifying read from Colette McBeth and although the denouement drew everything together cleverly, it felt like too little, too late. The fact that the reliability of the majority of the narrators is questionable sees the reader continually reassessing just what they are witnessing and is a factor that increasing starts to become evident as the story heads into its climax. However, I did appreciate McBeth’s sensitive and realistic observations that briefly tackle the aftermath and the associated collateral damage of such a storyline but this is a book that I would struggle to recommend as my overall feeling was one of being hugely underwhelmed.
Read
May 27, 2019No rating as I gave up on this book. It annoyed me the way it kept jumping around. I didn’t care about any of the characters and just could not get into it at all. Persisted for a while but I’m over reading books that don’t engage me. It may not be the book’s fault. Maybe I am just not the right reader for this book.
August 6, 2017
4☆ Hard Hitting and Powerful
An Act of Silence sums it up really well.
Things are deeply covered up to such an extent people are willing to stop at nothing to make sure despicable acts stay covered up.
When Linda's estranged Son Gabriel turns up asking for he's mothers help... how far is she willing to go to protect her Son?
Gabriel is being charged for the murder of Mariela. She went home with Gabriel they had sex. The next day Mariela is found dead in one of the allotments backing onto Gabriel's house.
It doesn't look good. He was the last person to see her alive.
Did Gabriel kill Mariela?
I guess your just going to have to read it to find out!
You won't be disappointed.
This book is full of surprises, shocks, Full of twists, secrets, cover ups, lies, unsettling at times, heartbreaking, gripping.
There is so much more to this story than the murder of a young lady. It features some pretty shocking and unthinkable coverups! That threaten to be uncovered!
Would I recommend this book.... Yes I would.
It's very different from what I expected. It's a little slow to begin with but stay with it! As the story moves on the more secrets are revealed!
I received this book from the Publisher for free, in which I voluntarily reviewed.
An Act of Silence sums it up really well.
Things are deeply covered up to such an extent people are willing to stop at nothing to make sure despicable acts stay covered up.
When Linda's estranged Son Gabriel turns up asking for he's mothers help... how far is she willing to go to protect her Son?
Gabriel is being charged for the murder of Mariela. She went home with Gabriel they had sex. The next day Mariela is found dead in one of the allotments backing onto Gabriel's house.
It doesn't look good. He was the last person to see her alive.
Did Gabriel kill Mariela?
I guess your just going to have to read it to find out!
You won't be disappointed.
This book is full of surprises, shocks, Full of twists, secrets, cover ups, lies, unsettling at times, heartbreaking, gripping.
There is so much more to this story than the murder of a young lady. It features some pretty shocking and unthinkable coverups! That threaten to be uncovered!
Would I recommend this book.... Yes I would.
It's very different from what I expected. It's a little slow to begin with but stay with it! As the story moves on the more secrets are revealed!
I received this book from the Publisher for free, in which I voluntarily reviewed.
January 1, 2019
Though this wasn't as engaging to me as the other's previous book, The Life I Left Behind, but I did enjoy it and especially towards the last third, found myself eager to know how it would end. The author is good at creating multi-dimensional characters and building tension. I did think the multiple POVs, of which I am usually a fan, as well as the jumping around in time, took a little while to get used to, though. All in all, a solid mystery to start the new year:-)
Find more reviews and bookish fun at http://www.princessandpen.com
Find more reviews and bookish fun at http://www.princessandpen.com
January 18, 2018
I very much enjoyed the previous book by Colette McBeth, The Life I Left Behind and was excited by the news of a new book. An Act of Silence is a very different and a much darker read.
Centred around Linda Moscow, a previous incumbent of the post of Home Secretary, Linda now spends her days as a recluse after a political scandal that she was involved in ended her career. Her son Gabriel has had a chequered life but is now a successful stand-up comedian. When Gabriel appears in Linda’s kitchen one morning, telling her that he is wanted by the police on suspicion of murder, both of their lives are about to implode.
Linda and Gabriel have always had a strained relationship. Gabriel was a difficult child and not without his problems. He blamed his mother and her job for a lack of attention and love and seemed to think that she always thought the worst of him. However, in her own way, Linda loved him and protected him as best she could. Now Gabriel keeps his distance and only visits occasionally when he wants something. Like now. However will Linda be completely on his side, or will she let him down again?
The theme of politics is very much at the forefront of this story and even though Linda is no longer part of it, she is unable to escape the fallout of deeds done in past decades. There have been reports that historical acts of child abuse carried out by ‘the great and the good’ have been covered up at the highest level; and although not graphically described, the reader is left in no doubt that vile and depraved people are being protected and have been allowed to continue with the collusion of others. This same subject of course has been very much in the news in past months.
Machiavellian political characters and corrupt officials all play a part and they will stop at nothing to protect themselves – Literally. Nothing. Linda and Gabriel are caught up in the most horrific way and not for the first time, Linda has some very difficult decisions to make.
Being completely honest, as much as I was looking forward to it, An Act of Silence didn’t immediately grab me. The beginning had a much slower pace, particularly the chapters recounting Gabriel’s childhood and it took me a little while to get into it. However once I did connect, WOW. What a fabulous read this turned into. With betrayals and twists galore, this really is a rollercoaster of a story. The characterisation is excellent and frighteningly realistic with some truly vile people who you would hope to never encounter in real life.
I’m not going to give any detail of the plot as it really is one that you need to uncover for yourself. All I will say is that the complex storyline and intricately woven strands between past and present were so superbly done. With multiple narrators, and clearly defined timelines, you see the story from more than more perspective and so my opinion of each person shifted with each new revelation.
An Act of Silence is an exciting, intriguing and tension filled read – right up until the end, and my poor fingernails were bitten to the quick! Definitely one to recommend!
Centred around Linda Moscow, a previous incumbent of the post of Home Secretary, Linda now spends her days as a recluse after a political scandal that she was involved in ended her career. Her son Gabriel has had a chequered life but is now a successful stand-up comedian. When Gabriel appears in Linda’s kitchen one morning, telling her that he is wanted by the police on suspicion of murder, both of their lives are about to implode.
Linda and Gabriel have always had a strained relationship. Gabriel was a difficult child and not without his problems. He blamed his mother and her job for a lack of attention and love and seemed to think that she always thought the worst of him. However, in her own way, Linda loved him and protected him as best she could. Now Gabriel keeps his distance and only visits occasionally when he wants something. Like now. However will Linda be completely on his side, or will she let him down again?
The theme of politics is very much at the forefront of this story and even though Linda is no longer part of it, she is unable to escape the fallout of deeds done in past decades. There have been reports that historical acts of child abuse carried out by ‘the great and the good’ have been covered up at the highest level; and although not graphically described, the reader is left in no doubt that vile and depraved people are being protected and have been allowed to continue with the collusion of others. This same subject of course has been very much in the news in past months.
Machiavellian political characters and corrupt officials all play a part and they will stop at nothing to protect themselves – Literally. Nothing. Linda and Gabriel are caught up in the most horrific way and not for the first time, Linda has some very difficult decisions to make.
Being completely honest, as much as I was looking forward to it, An Act of Silence didn’t immediately grab me. The beginning had a much slower pace, particularly the chapters recounting Gabriel’s childhood and it took me a little while to get into it. However once I did connect, WOW. What a fabulous read this turned into. With betrayals and twists galore, this really is a rollercoaster of a story. The characterisation is excellent and frighteningly realistic with some truly vile people who you would hope to never encounter in real life.
I’m not going to give any detail of the plot as it really is one that you need to uncover for yourself. All I will say is that the complex storyline and intricately woven strands between past and present were so superbly done. With multiple narrators, and clearly defined timelines, you see the story from more than more perspective and so my opinion of each person shifted with each new revelation.
An Act of Silence is an exciting, intriguing and tension filled read – right up until the end, and my poor fingernails were bitten to the quick! Definitely one to recommend!
August 27, 2017
This is the third book I've read by Colette Mcbeth and in my opinion her best book so far.
An Act of Silence is a gripping page turner with several narrators retelling a clever, twisted tale of conspiracy, cover ups, murder, child abuse and politics.
A fabulous intricately woven story which kept me intrigued throughout from start to finish and my feelings towards the main characters Linda and Gabriel were constantly changing with each revealing chapter.
If you enjoy intelligent and twisty psychological thrillers with flawed but plausible characters and a fast moving storyline then I thoroughly recommend this book.
An Act of Silence is a gripping page turner with several narrators retelling a clever, twisted tale of conspiracy, cover ups, murder, child abuse and politics.
A fabulous intricately woven story which kept me intrigued throughout from start to finish and my feelings towards the main characters Linda and Gabriel were constantly changing with each revealing chapter.
If you enjoy intelligent and twisty psychological thrillers with flawed but plausible characters and a fast moving storyline then I thoroughly recommend this book.
June 20, 2017
I loved Colette McBeths first two novels but wasn’t sure about this one when I first read the blurb as it sounded like a political thriller which isn’t really my cup of tea! But as I’ve enjoyed her books so much in the past I thought I’d better give it a go and OMG I’m SO glad I did! I absolutely loved it from start to finish! This book has not only become my favourite book of hers so far but it has definitely reserved itself a place in my top books of 2017! Honestly, you need to put any preconceptions aside and READ THIS BOOK NOW!
I won’t talk about plot details, the less you know the harder it will hit you, but there’s a topical feel to this storyline that develops so slowly and intricately that to begin with you aren’t quite sure if you’re reading too much into it! There will be many recent cases that bubble up into your consciousness throughout your journey into this cleverly crafted storyline and also a feeling of helplessness that nothing and no-one is able to stop the sickening acts that take place here. There are plenty of twists and turns along the way, some I spotted coming whilst others had my jaw dropping firmly on the ground as it was a subject matter that I hadn’t been expecting, but it became one that lifted the narrative to pure brilliance at times. I’m not normally a big fan of seeing the same event told from different viewpoints, but here it was honed to perfection to give the reader a off centred insight into the toxic relationships between the main characters. And although the complex plotting was told in multiple viewpoints and time frames, it never felt messy or incomprehensible.
An Act of Silence is an unputdownable and gripping book that I also found utterly heart wrenching at times. And as the years flew past so quickly here on the pages, it was also a reminder that the past can never be revisited and a badly chosen word or act can have devastating consequences that can never be forgotten but can hopefully be forgiven.
Highly recommended by me!
I won’t talk about plot details, the less you know the harder it will hit you, but there’s a topical feel to this storyline that develops so slowly and intricately that to begin with you aren’t quite sure if you’re reading too much into it! There will be many recent cases that bubble up into your consciousness throughout your journey into this cleverly crafted storyline and also a feeling of helplessness that nothing and no-one is able to stop the sickening acts that take place here. There are plenty of twists and turns along the way, some I spotted coming whilst others had my jaw dropping firmly on the ground as it was a subject matter that I hadn’t been expecting, but it became one that lifted the narrative to pure brilliance at times. I’m not normally a big fan of seeing the same event told from different viewpoints, but here it was honed to perfection to give the reader a off centred insight into the toxic relationships between the main characters. And although the complex plotting was told in multiple viewpoints and time frames, it never felt messy or incomprehensible.
An Act of Silence is an unputdownable and gripping book that I also found utterly heart wrenching at times. And as the years flew past so quickly here on the pages, it was also a reminder that the past can never be revisited and a badly chosen word or act can have devastating consequences that can never be forgotten but can hopefully be forgiven.
Highly recommended by me!
July 22, 2017
Funny man TV comic Gabriel Miller always lived in the public eye. His mother, Linda Moscow was a Home Secretary, when a scandal broke out. Gabriel was well-known for always dating lots of woman for the one thing sex. One evening Gabriel met a woman called Mariela in a Sushi bar. She went home with him where they had sex, but the next morning Mariela was found dead in an allotment. He needs his mother to believe him that he didn’t kill Mariela, but his mother wants to know how he got the scratch marks on his neck. So how did the scratch marks appear? And did the famous TV comic Gabriel Miller kill Mariela? Readers I adored reading this thriller with it lovely lots of twists that kept me turning the pages.
September 5, 2017
I'm giving this book 5 stars because I can't not. There is a 'but' - my usual one. That said, the criteria for 5 stars on GR is "it was amazing", and it was, so I'm awarding 5 stars because I have to. This doesn't mean that I enjoyed every scene. I didn't. Some of it was too explicit for my taste and that is my 'but'. I skim-read what I couldn't stomach (not a great deal of it to be honest and I'm sure it was handled as respectfully as possible) and would normally back out of a book at the point of discomfort, but the excellent writing gave me the confidence to continue. I instinctively felt it would be worth persevering. It certainly was.
I'm still a little stunned having reached the end. Not a wasted word in the whole novel (though she could have cut all the 'f' words for me). Subtle and perceptive, there were no flabby subplots or fleshy, pointless characters. Every scene meant something. Every character had a part to play. Every strand of plot - mosaic in presentation and leaping around time periods - contributed to what became an outstanding overall picture. One surprise after another as the story unfolded. Utterly spellbinding.
I'm sceptical about any tagline on any book that tries to convince me that what I'm about to discover is a shocking psychological thriller. I think - yeah whatever! We'll see. More often than not, I find a dull and irritating read that makes me wonder what publishers are playing at these days. Not this time. This one does what it says on the tin, and then some. It's the stuff that real thrillers are made of. We have a complexly-woven tale with delicate subject-matter, which, in the wrong hands, could have gone disastrously wrong. Only in skilful hands would any author risk spinning a story woven around teen grooming and underage sex masterminded by powerful men who prey on the innocent and vulnerable. However, this storyline is cleverly connection to the really heart-wrenching part of the tale, the protagonist and disgraced MP, Linda Moscow, and her relationship with her only son.
The positives - A terrific sense of place at all times. Fine descriptive narrative from an experienced handler of words. This was innovative, imaginative writing told from multiple view points. Not to skim over this. It was impressive. Colette McBeth is giving us a behind-the-scenes tour of the minds of her characters and she does this very persuasively in multiple voices without ever tipping into over-blown writing. Multiple viewpoints can be tedious and can sow confusion. Not in this case. The characters were sufficiently well established that I always knew who was speaking and what their particular dilemma was at any given time. The plot was multi-layered and entirely fascinating. She unwrapped it sheet by sheet. After a shaky start, the protagonist drew my sympathy and respect, which strengthened significantly as the end drew near. Oh to have more women like Linda Moscow. I forgave her for the messy house. Who'd want to clean and cook with their career and family in ruins and the press hounding ceaselessly?
The only negative for me was liberal use of words I never use and don't care to hear. I object to authors thrusting them at me, quite frankly. In modern literature, they're impossible to avoid though, so it forces me to be extremely selective in my reading. Not a bad thing. To end on a lighter note, maybe the most impressive part of this novel was just how moving it was. A mother's love for her son? Nothing on earth to compare. The characters fairly leapt from the pages and - to drege up an old cliché - I really felt the love. In terms of technical excellence - the perfect thriller. That it packed an emotional punch and nudged a tear too concluded what was, for me, an unforgettable novel.
I'm still a little stunned having reached the end. Not a wasted word in the whole novel (though she could have cut all the 'f' words for me). Subtle and perceptive, there were no flabby subplots or fleshy, pointless characters. Every scene meant something. Every character had a part to play. Every strand of plot - mosaic in presentation and leaping around time periods - contributed to what became an outstanding overall picture. One surprise after another as the story unfolded. Utterly spellbinding.
I'm sceptical about any tagline on any book that tries to convince me that what I'm about to discover is a shocking psychological thriller. I think - yeah whatever! We'll see. More often than not, I find a dull and irritating read that makes me wonder what publishers are playing at these days. Not this time. This one does what it says on the tin, and then some. It's the stuff that real thrillers are made of. We have a complexly-woven tale with delicate subject-matter, which, in the wrong hands, could have gone disastrously wrong. Only in skilful hands would any author risk spinning a story woven around teen grooming and underage sex masterminded by powerful men who prey on the innocent and vulnerable. However, this storyline is cleverly connection to the really heart-wrenching part of the tale, the protagonist and disgraced MP, Linda Moscow, and her relationship with her only son.
The positives - A terrific sense of place at all times. Fine descriptive narrative from an experienced handler of words. This was innovative, imaginative writing told from multiple view points. Not to skim over this. It was impressive. Colette McBeth is giving us a behind-the-scenes tour of the minds of her characters and she does this very persuasively in multiple voices without ever tipping into over-blown writing. Multiple viewpoints can be tedious and can sow confusion. Not in this case. The characters were sufficiently well established that I always knew who was speaking and what their particular dilemma was at any given time. The plot was multi-layered and entirely fascinating. She unwrapped it sheet by sheet. After a shaky start, the protagonist drew my sympathy and respect, which strengthened significantly as the end drew near. Oh to have more women like Linda Moscow. I forgave her for the messy house. Who'd want to clean and cook with their career and family in ruins and the press hounding ceaselessly?
The only negative for me was liberal use of words I never use and don't care to hear. I object to authors thrusting them at me, quite frankly. In modern literature, they're impossible to avoid though, so it forces me to be extremely selective in my reading. Not a bad thing. To end on a lighter note, maybe the most impressive part of this novel was just how moving it was. A mother's love for her son? Nothing on earth to compare. The characters fairly leapt from the pages and - to drege up an old cliché - I really felt the love. In terms of technical excellence - the perfect thriller. That it packed an emotional punch and nudged a tear too concluded what was, for me, an unforgettable novel.
January 3, 2018
Brilliantly ingenious and gripping. Wow!
July 5, 2018
A brilliant and sensitive exploration of the love between mother and son. Beautifully written. A great story.
April 25, 2017
All of my reviews can be found at: http://jacob-reviews-books.blogspot.c...
I read a sample of An Act of Silence by Colette McBeth when I attended the Killer Women Festival in London last October. After reading the first few pages I couldn’t wait to read the rest of the book and I was thrilled when my Netgalley request was approved.
In the novel we meet Linda Moscow, a former politician who was once the home secretary. When her son Gabriel returns home to ask for her help she is put in a difficult situation. Gabriel is a suspect in the murder of a girl who he slept with the night before her body was found in an allotment which backs onto his house. The police are building a strong case against him and Linda must decide if whether or not she believes her son. Is he really capable of something as heinous as this?
The direction that the novel took after the shocking opening really surprised me and added real depth to the story. An Act of Silence is an intricately plotted piece of work with great characters that were really well developed. The story is told from multiple viewpoints and at different points in time. There were times when I did find this a little confusing but it didn’t take me long to work out what was going on. Colette really made me feel for her characters, especially for Linda who is at the heart of this novel and her quest to get to the truth in this book was inspiring.
I loved the ending of this book. I thought it was a great way to wrap up the story and it left me feeling very satisfied. Colette McBeth is a very talented writer and I can’t wait to read more from her. I’ll be reading her previous novels very soon.
An Act of Silence is a powerful, emotional story. It is crime fiction at its very best. Thank you to Netgalley and Wildfire for providing me with a copy to read.
I read a sample of An Act of Silence by Colette McBeth when I attended the Killer Women Festival in London last October. After reading the first few pages I couldn’t wait to read the rest of the book and I was thrilled when my Netgalley request was approved.
In the novel we meet Linda Moscow, a former politician who was once the home secretary. When her son Gabriel returns home to ask for her help she is put in a difficult situation. Gabriel is a suspect in the murder of a girl who he slept with the night before her body was found in an allotment which backs onto his house. The police are building a strong case against him and Linda must decide if whether or not she believes her son. Is he really capable of something as heinous as this?
The direction that the novel took after the shocking opening really surprised me and added real depth to the story. An Act of Silence is an intricately plotted piece of work with great characters that were really well developed. The story is told from multiple viewpoints and at different points in time. There were times when I did find this a little confusing but it didn’t take me long to work out what was going on. Colette really made me feel for her characters, especially for Linda who is at the heart of this novel and her quest to get to the truth in this book was inspiring.
I loved the ending of this book. I thought it was a great way to wrap up the story and it left me feeling very satisfied. Colette McBeth is a very talented writer and I can’t wait to read more from her. I’ll be reading her previous novels very soon.
An Act of Silence is a powerful, emotional story. It is crime fiction at its very best. Thank you to Netgalley and Wildfire for providing me with a copy to read.
January 9, 2018
Wow i so enjoyed this book. It was such a chilling, tense and emotional story that I just couldn’t put down and it is one that will be staying with me for ages.
An Act of Silence explores the very difficult subject of abuse that was very difficult to read about. I think it’s the knowledge that situations like those mentioned in the book has actually happened in real life that makes this book quite so chilling. It’s amazing to me that abuse like this still happens and worse that some people can still get away with it.
The story alternates between the perpetrators and what they did and their attempts to push it all under the carpet and the victims, who are having to rebuild their lives and are trying to get justice for what has happened. This makes the book a very poignant and heartbreaking read as the reader is able to see both sides of the story and witness first hand the affect that such abuse can have on the victims. The callus, uncaring attitude of the perpetrators compared with the emotional effects that the victims go through makes for very emotional reading. That victims of such crimes may feel this way and blame themselves is a hard truth to realise.
I felt for the two main characters Linda and Gabrielle. Despite having a difficult mother/son relationship, you soon become aware that they are both quite complex characters that are just searching for love and acceptance. They are actually quite good people underneath it all but have been forced to make some difficult decisions. I did feel a lot of sympathy for the pair of them and the situation that they find themselves in. This increased as the story unfolds and it become more obvious how naive they have been and how deep and twisted the deception goes. I found myself hoping that they would find their way out of their current situation and have a happy outcome.
The author does a great job of slowly unraveling the story so that the facts are gradually revealed to the reader. The story told from multiple points of view also increases the readers understanding of the situation and increases the tension in the book as the reader becomes aware of things that other characters might not be aware of yet and as you start to get an understanding of just how deep and twisted the situation is. As cliche as it sounds I really couldn’t put this book down and found myself trying to hide away from the kids just so I could read a little bit more. I even downloaded the ebook so I could switch to the kindle and read at night when I was up with the baby as I was desperate to read more and find out what was going to happen.
This is Colette McBeth’s third book and I will definitely be going back and reading her other books as I thought this one was outstanding! It would make a great book club book as it would provide lots of great debates and talking points. I can’t wait for someone else I know to read it so I can discuss it with them. A fantastic book that I will be recommending everyone to read.
Huge thanks to Wildfire books and Anne Cater for my copy of this book and for inviting me onto the blog tour
An Act of Silence explores the very difficult subject of abuse that was very difficult to read about. I think it’s the knowledge that situations like those mentioned in the book has actually happened in real life that makes this book quite so chilling. It’s amazing to me that abuse like this still happens and worse that some people can still get away with it.
The story alternates between the perpetrators and what they did and their attempts to push it all under the carpet and the victims, who are having to rebuild their lives and are trying to get justice for what has happened. This makes the book a very poignant and heartbreaking read as the reader is able to see both sides of the story and witness first hand the affect that such abuse can have on the victims. The callus, uncaring attitude of the perpetrators compared with the emotional effects that the victims go through makes for very emotional reading. That victims of such crimes may feel this way and blame themselves is a hard truth to realise.
I felt for the two main characters Linda and Gabrielle. Despite having a difficult mother/son relationship, you soon become aware that they are both quite complex characters that are just searching for love and acceptance. They are actually quite good people underneath it all but have been forced to make some difficult decisions. I did feel a lot of sympathy for the pair of them and the situation that they find themselves in. This increased as the story unfolds and it become more obvious how naive they have been and how deep and twisted the deception goes. I found myself hoping that they would find their way out of their current situation and have a happy outcome.
The author does a great job of slowly unraveling the story so that the facts are gradually revealed to the reader. The story told from multiple points of view also increases the readers understanding of the situation and increases the tension in the book as the reader becomes aware of things that other characters might not be aware of yet and as you start to get an understanding of just how deep and twisted the situation is. As cliche as it sounds I really couldn’t put this book down and found myself trying to hide away from the kids just so I could read a little bit more. I even downloaded the ebook so I could switch to the kindle and read at night when I was up with the baby as I was desperate to read more and find out what was going to happen.
This is Colette McBeth’s third book and I will definitely be going back and reading her other books as I thought this one was outstanding! It would make a great book club book as it would provide lots of great debates and talking points. I can’t wait for someone else I know to read it so I can discuss it with them. A fantastic book that I will be recommending everyone to read.
Huge thanks to Wildfire books and Anne Cater for my copy of this book and for inviting me onto the blog tour
May 29, 2017
An Act of Silence picks at the scars of the past leaving them forever unhealed, as facts are creatively twisted to provide a sickening substitute for the truth.
The headline of “comic arrested on suspicion of murder” is no laughing matter. Multiple narrators step in and out of recurrent past and present time periods to raise their voices from an orchestrated hush to an almighty roar. They are each painted as wholly unreliable and their dependability remains cleverly disguised in plain sight throughout.
The story takes an outrageous turn when this funny man’s latest celebrity scandal bleeds into his mother’s disgraced political career and the most despicable of monsters groom dispirited residents of children’s home with the lure of fame and the wrong kind of attention.
I suspected the worst in people, questioned every motive, and sat a little further forward in my seat as their vulnerabilities were exposed wondering whether integrity would ever raise its head as the traumatising nature of the deception intensified.
Clever narration is applied too, allowing each of the characters to appear in a first person spotlight and crumble under its scrutiny. They are forever giving their secrets away, yet always holding just a little something back. Even though they each tell their own version of the same event I was left wondering if their judgement was overshadowed by what they had to lose.
An Act of Silence skilfully highlights just how easily someone from any walk of life can be betrayed in the worst ways imaginable. But how far these individuals would go to protect themselves can be very unpredictable for vastly different reasons. It dares to reveal the darkest side of a system that is meant to shelter, leaving the defenceless unguarded, their voices unheard. As overwhelming misery and discouragement invade, getting someone to believe your story is one thing, the price of justice is quite another.
Not an especially quick read for me was this one, but I do think that’s due to me taking a little while to settle into the 'revolving door' time switches. While it's not a complicated plot to follow, personally I found this a little distracting. Nevertheless this author has created a suspense-filled, cracking plot as An Act of Silence is an absorbing, multi-layered story where the distinction between a morally good or bad decision can only be determined by its consequences.
(My thanks to Millie Seaward and Wildfire Books for providing an early proof copy of this title. It was a pleasure to read and provide this unbiased review.)
The headline of “comic arrested on suspicion of murder” is no laughing matter. Multiple narrators step in and out of recurrent past and present time periods to raise their voices from an orchestrated hush to an almighty roar. They are each painted as wholly unreliable and their dependability remains cleverly disguised in plain sight throughout.
The story takes an outrageous turn when this funny man’s latest celebrity scandal bleeds into his mother’s disgraced political career and the most despicable of monsters groom dispirited residents of children’s home with the lure of fame and the wrong kind of attention.
I suspected the worst in people, questioned every motive, and sat a little further forward in my seat as their vulnerabilities were exposed wondering whether integrity would ever raise its head as the traumatising nature of the deception intensified.
Clever narration is applied too, allowing each of the characters to appear in a first person spotlight and crumble under its scrutiny. They are forever giving their secrets away, yet always holding just a little something back. Even though they each tell their own version of the same event I was left wondering if their judgement was overshadowed by what they had to lose.
An Act of Silence skilfully highlights just how easily someone from any walk of life can be betrayed in the worst ways imaginable. But how far these individuals would go to protect themselves can be very unpredictable for vastly different reasons. It dares to reveal the darkest side of a system that is meant to shelter, leaving the defenceless unguarded, their voices unheard. As overwhelming misery and discouragement invade, getting someone to believe your story is one thing, the price of justice is quite another.
Not an especially quick read for me was this one, but I do think that’s due to me taking a little while to settle into the 'revolving door' time switches. While it's not a complicated plot to follow, personally I found this a little distracting. Nevertheless this author has created a suspense-filled, cracking plot as An Act of Silence is an absorbing, multi-layered story where the distinction between a morally good or bad decision can only be determined by its consequences.
(My thanks to Millie Seaward and Wildfire Books for providing an early proof copy of this title. It was a pleasure to read and provide this unbiased review.)
July 23, 2017
Colette McBeth provides us with a nuanced and multi-layered tale in this story which could be plucked from the tabloids.
Linda Moscow is a former Home Secretary who resigned under a black cloud and of course had her disgrace splashed all over the red-tops. Imagine her horror when her son, Gabriel, a stand-up comedian, turns up in her kitchen informing her he is supposed to be presenting himself to the police in a few hours in connection with the death of a woman. Yes, Linda loves her son, can she trust in her son’s innocence? This strand of the novel is one that begs the reader to ask ‘What would I do?’ After all from what she is told Mariela who Gabriel shared the night with has been found dead on the allotment behind his house, for him it appears she was simply another notch on his crowded bedpost, tales of which have kept his face in the public eye ever since he became a famous comic. And then there is the secret that Linda has been nursing over the years.
I loved the way we learn more about each of the characters through their own narration and through other people’s eyes. When wisely used, this is one of my favourite ways for a story to unfold as I firmly believe it is how we learn about each other in ‘real’ life. The time jumps backwards and forwards as different details are revealed stretching way back into the past.
In the background there is the all too familiar story of sexual abuse by those in authority. Relieved of her ministerial duties Linda has joined with a journalist to investigate such abuse of young girls by those in positions of authority and is busy tracking the women down through social media to expose the truth.
Colette McBeth uses the various characters to examine relationships, most prominently in this case one between mother and son and what should be seemingly rock solid bonds can be stretched to the limits. How past experiences of guilt and betrayal colour apparently unrelated conflicts in the future and how interference from others can cast an insidious shadow on the way we view those that we are closest to.
Because of the nature of Linda’s quest to reveal the truth about historic sexual abuse, this is quite a sad book which made it a harder read than many in the psychological thriller genre however the plentiful twists and turns and action scenes meant that the book falls short of being a depressing tale about abuse. In fact by choosing two diametrically opposite characters, the child victim and the politician the author was able to make much wider statements about neither label coming close to summing up an entire person, each having far more layers and depth to them.
An Act of Silence lives up to its title, sometimes it is the unsaid that can cause far more strife than any words spoken aloud.
Linda Moscow is a former Home Secretary who resigned under a black cloud and of course had her disgrace splashed all over the red-tops. Imagine her horror when her son, Gabriel, a stand-up comedian, turns up in her kitchen informing her he is supposed to be presenting himself to the police in a few hours in connection with the death of a woman. Yes, Linda loves her son, can she trust in her son’s innocence? This strand of the novel is one that begs the reader to ask ‘What would I do?’ After all from what she is told Mariela who Gabriel shared the night with has been found dead on the allotment behind his house, for him it appears she was simply another notch on his crowded bedpost, tales of which have kept his face in the public eye ever since he became a famous comic. And then there is the secret that Linda has been nursing over the years.
I loved the way we learn more about each of the characters through their own narration and through other people’s eyes. When wisely used, this is one of my favourite ways for a story to unfold as I firmly believe it is how we learn about each other in ‘real’ life. The time jumps backwards and forwards as different details are revealed stretching way back into the past.
In the background there is the all too familiar story of sexual abuse by those in authority. Relieved of her ministerial duties Linda has joined with a journalist to investigate such abuse of young girls by those in positions of authority and is busy tracking the women down through social media to expose the truth.
Colette McBeth uses the various characters to examine relationships, most prominently in this case one between mother and son and what should be seemingly rock solid bonds can be stretched to the limits. How past experiences of guilt and betrayal colour apparently unrelated conflicts in the future and how interference from others can cast an insidious shadow on the way we view those that we are closest to.
Because of the nature of Linda’s quest to reveal the truth about historic sexual abuse, this is quite a sad book which made it a harder read than many in the psychological thriller genre however the plentiful twists and turns and action scenes meant that the book falls short of being a depressing tale about abuse. In fact by choosing two diametrically opposite characters, the child victim and the politician the author was able to make much wider statements about neither label coming close to summing up an entire person, each having far more layers and depth to them.
An Act of Silence lives up to its title, sometimes it is the unsaid that can cause far more strife than any words spoken aloud.
January 13, 2018
All reviews can be found on my blog at https://thewritinggarnet.wordpress.com
I have to say, unfortunately, that this book was such a slow starter for me. I was unsure whether I should continue reading, or whether I should give up and try again later as I just couldn't seem to gel with it. Seeing as I am writing this review, it's pretty clear which option I did - yes I finished reading it! I found the first five or six chapters quite confusing as there seemed to be a lot going happening, yet nothing seemed to stick.
I am really glad that I listened to my gut and continued to read this book as about halfway through, the pace started to quicken up and things became really interesting. In all honesty, it felt like I was reading a completely different book! The whole vibe of the storyline went up a notch, with the strength of the characters were close to rivalling The Hulk!
I had absolutely no idea which character to believe, especially since the story was told from various different characters points of view. One moment I was siding with one character, then as soon as the next chapter arrived with yet another character at the forefront, I soon changed my mind and got myself completely and utterly blindsided by the complex events.
I think Colette McBeth has hit the nail on the head in regards to the theme of her book as power and accusations are two, highly current and talked about at the moment. Whilst there were a lot of hard to read situations within the book, I found myself in awe of the author for approaching the subject with such realistic and relatable descriptions. I'm glad I felt uncomfortable at times because if I felt comfortable during the abuse of power moments, I would be questioning my morals one hundred percent.
Now, seeing as I don't do spoilers in my reviews, I will only say that I have a favourite character in the book who has not been mentioned in the blurb, therefore I won't mention who they are so I don't ruin anything for those who still need to read this book. I say favourite like I'm talking about my favourite pair of shoes, but, given the nature of this book it's not quite like that. I think that perhaps 'admired' might be a better way to phrase it. Yes, I admired this character!
Personally, the latter half of the book stole the show and made 'An Act of Silence' worth reading. I loved the grit, the intensity and the overall vibe of what the author set out to achieve.
A nail-biting, current, and exceptionally gritty read from Colette McBeth.
I have to say, unfortunately, that this book was such a slow starter for me. I was unsure whether I should continue reading, or whether I should give up and try again later as I just couldn't seem to gel with it. Seeing as I am writing this review, it's pretty clear which option I did - yes I finished reading it! I found the first five or six chapters quite confusing as there seemed to be a lot going happening, yet nothing seemed to stick.
I am really glad that I listened to my gut and continued to read this book as about halfway through, the pace started to quicken up and things became really interesting. In all honesty, it felt like I was reading a completely different book! The whole vibe of the storyline went up a notch, with the strength of the characters were close to rivalling The Hulk!
I had absolutely no idea which character to believe, especially since the story was told from various different characters points of view. One moment I was siding with one character, then as soon as the next chapter arrived with yet another character at the forefront, I soon changed my mind and got myself completely and utterly blindsided by the complex events.
I think Colette McBeth has hit the nail on the head in regards to the theme of her book as power and accusations are two, highly current and talked about at the moment. Whilst there were a lot of hard to read situations within the book, I found myself in awe of the author for approaching the subject with such realistic and relatable descriptions. I'm glad I felt uncomfortable at times because if I felt comfortable during the abuse of power moments, I would be questioning my morals one hundred percent.
Now, seeing as I don't do spoilers in my reviews, I will only say that I have a favourite character in the book who has not been mentioned in the blurb, therefore I won't mention who they are so I don't ruin anything for those who still need to read this book. I say favourite like I'm talking about my favourite pair of shoes, but, given the nature of this book it's not quite like that. I think that perhaps 'admired' might be a better way to phrase it. Yes, I admired this character!
Personally, the latter half of the book stole the show and made 'An Act of Silence' worth reading. I loved the grit, the intensity and the overall vibe of what the author set out to achieve.
A nail-biting, current, and exceptionally gritty read from Colette McBeth.
June 23, 2017
Linda Moscow is shocked to find her son Gabriel in her kitchen one morning. It emerges that he has been told to report to a police station after a woman’s body was found in an allotment at the back of his home. He has come to her for help. It wouldn’t be the first time she’s compromised her beliefs for her only child. But the past has a way of catching up with a person, and Linda’s past is catching up with her.
Having read and thoroughly enjoyed The Life I Left Behind I was keen to read An Act of Silence, the latest novel from Colette McBeth.
The story is not as it first seems and develops differently than I would have expected. It is difficult to say too much without giving away the crux of the story.
The story moves between time periods and focusses on a different character. This allows the story and characters to develop in layers, as slowly more and more is revealed about the past and how it has influenced the present.
Many of the characters are not particularly likeable, though they have reasons for their actions which makes them more understandable, and in some cases more acceptable. As the story progresses the characters become more rounded, more real and more poignant or repulsive as a result. Linda for example becomes less cold, less detached and more compassionate, loving and broken as the story progresses. Her son, Gabriel is a strange mixture of a boy unsure of his mother’s love, and a man not willing to take responsibility for his own actions.
The storyline revolves around abhorrent acts that have sadly become ever more real, as more and more cases occur and emerge in real life. The fact that this was fiction mirroring fact made it all the more impacting and emotive.
If I’m honest I’m not a big fan of stories that use narrative techniques such as mistaken identity, cover ups and conspiracy theories (and I’m not saying which one was used in this novel as I don’t want to spoil the story for anyone). That said, the more I read of An Act of Silence, the more I was drawn into the story, the writing strong and taut, compelling me to read.
This is not a typical whodunit. It’s more of an examination as to why people act as they do, be it motivated by self-preservation, revenge or love.
This is a story about secrets, and the lengths people will go to in order to protect them. A timely narrative on things that have for too long remained unspoken, it is also a tale that shows the truth will out eventually, not matter how much we try to keep it hidden.
I look forward to reading more from Colette McBeth soon.
Having read and thoroughly enjoyed The Life I Left Behind I was keen to read An Act of Silence, the latest novel from Colette McBeth.
The story is not as it first seems and develops differently than I would have expected. It is difficult to say too much without giving away the crux of the story.
The story moves between time periods and focusses on a different character. This allows the story and characters to develop in layers, as slowly more and more is revealed about the past and how it has influenced the present.
Many of the characters are not particularly likeable, though they have reasons for their actions which makes them more understandable, and in some cases more acceptable. As the story progresses the characters become more rounded, more real and more poignant or repulsive as a result. Linda for example becomes less cold, less detached and more compassionate, loving and broken as the story progresses. Her son, Gabriel is a strange mixture of a boy unsure of his mother’s love, and a man not willing to take responsibility for his own actions.
The storyline revolves around abhorrent acts that have sadly become ever more real, as more and more cases occur and emerge in real life. The fact that this was fiction mirroring fact made it all the more impacting and emotive.
If I’m honest I’m not a big fan of stories that use narrative techniques such as mistaken identity, cover ups and conspiracy theories (and I’m not saying which one was used in this novel as I don’t want to spoil the story for anyone). That said, the more I read of An Act of Silence, the more I was drawn into the story, the writing strong and taut, compelling me to read.
This is not a typical whodunit. It’s more of an examination as to why people act as they do, be it motivated by self-preservation, revenge or love.
This is a story about secrets, and the lengths people will go to in order to protect them. A timely narrative on things that have for too long remained unspoken, it is also a tale that shows the truth will out eventually, not matter how much we try to keep it hidden.
I look forward to reading more from Colette McBeth soon.
May 11, 2017
A cleverly plotted tale with disturbing themes that reflect stories of historical abuse that have hit the headlines in recent years.
"Linda Moscow loves her son; it's her biological instinct to keep him safe. But if she's not sure of his innocence, how can she stand by him? Should she go against everything she believes in to protect him?"
Prepare to be immersed in a story full of secrets and lies, scandal and cover-up. And be warned that things are most definitely not what they seem.
The characters are so real l felt, after finishing the book, that I wanted to keep in touch with some of them. The author drew me into their world - an uncomfortable place - but also made it impossible to turn away from the horrifying story that was unfolding. My sympathies jumped from one person to another, an effect achieved by switching narrator and timeframe.
This third novel is the author's best yet and I recommend it to fans of psychological thrillers who enjoy having to think about what's going on rather than having the action served up on a plate.
Thank you to the author and publisher for the proof copy to review.
"Linda Moscow loves her son; it's her biological instinct to keep him safe. But if she's not sure of his innocence, how can she stand by him? Should she go against everything she believes in to protect him?"
Prepare to be immersed in a story full of secrets and lies, scandal and cover-up. And be warned that things are most definitely not what they seem.
The characters are so real l felt, after finishing the book, that I wanted to keep in touch with some of them. The author drew me into their world - an uncomfortable place - but also made it impossible to turn away from the horrifying story that was unfolding. My sympathies jumped from one person to another, an effect achieved by switching narrator and timeframe.
This third novel is the author's best yet and I recommend it to fans of psychological thrillers who enjoy having to think about what's going on rather than having the action served up on a plate.
Thank you to the author and publisher for the proof copy to review.
August 14, 2017
Though well written and a comment on society, I didn't enjoy this novel at all due to the content matter.
However I would thank Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read and review.
However I would thank Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read and review.
January 21, 2018
Ride red highway,
child laying in the backseat,
breathe, not breathe, shallow
turn onto logging road,
ground frozen, dig, dig, shallow,
ride red highway.
Chris Roberts, God of Multiple Skies
child laying in the backseat,
breathe, not breathe, shallow
turn onto logging road,
ground frozen, dig, dig, shallow,
ride red highway.
Chris Roberts, God of Multiple Skies
January 1, 2019
I'm ashamed to say that I've had this book, my first read by Colette McBeth on my Netgalley TBR list for a long time now and all these naughty other books kept getting in the way, preventing me from starting it. After finally getting round to experiencing the author's style, I'm delighted to report that she writes precisely the sort of books I want to be reading. I was instantly pulled into the world of our lead female character, her son and her past and the story moved at such a steady pace (with some very clever reveals) that even when I wasn't reading it, I was THINKING about reading it, a sure sign that I'm invested.
An Act Of Silence is McBeth's third novel, following Precious Thing and A Life I Left Behind and although I can't make any comparisons as yet with her previous work, it reads like an established and very confident thriller writer with oceans of expertise under their belt. We follow our female protagonist, Linda Moscow in an utterly compelling opening where she is tasked with the ultimate quandary - her only son is accused of murder and she must decide first of all, whether she believes his protestations at his innocence. Secondly, as a can of worms from the past is well and truly opened up, she must protect herself and her family in the safest way possible whilst ensuring any villains have the potential to be finally unmasked.
I have to admit when I read initial reviews of this novel and I saw it marketed as a "political thriller," I was slightly wary. I'm not the biggest fan of politics, in or out of literature and novels that I've read in the past that tend to follow this particular narrative have more often than not, sadly fallen flat for me. However, I had no need to worry. The politics does play an important part in the narrative, specifically concerning Linda's past and a horrific scandal that she found herself embroiled in but, interestingly enough, the novel focuses much more on characters, the relationships between them and how events from the past have influenced their individual actions and reactions in the present.
From the very first early moments of this story, I was captivated by the relationship between Linda and her son Gabriel. If I had to describe it in three words I would say: complicated, fractured and uneasy. As a reader, I became desperate to know what precipitating events had led to the point where every word and movement they make around each other becomes so tentative and weary. There's so much more bubbling under the surface of An Act Of Silence than that which is initially suggested and the joy of reading this is discovering all those surprises for yourself. The author visits some very murky places and incredibly dark subject matters but this only results in an even more fascinating plot which unravels slowly, deliberately and quite brilliantly as all begins to be revealed.
For my full review and many more, please visit my blog at http://www.bibliobeth.com
An Act Of Silence is McBeth's third novel, following Precious Thing and A Life I Left Behind and although I can't make any comparisons as yet with her previous work, it reads like an established and very confident thriller writer with oceans of expertise under their belt. We follow our female protagonist, Linda Moscow in an utterly compelling opening where she is tasked with the ultimate quandary - her only son is accused of murder and she must decide first of all, whether she believes his protestations at his innocence. Secondly, as a can of worms from the past is well and truly opened up, she must protect herself and her family in the safest way possible whilst ensuring any villains have the potential to be finally unmasked.
I have to admit when I read initial reviews of this novel and I saw it marketed as a "political thriller," I was slightly wary. I'm not the biggest fan of politics, in or out of literature and novels that I've read in the past that tend to follow this particular narrative have more often than not, sadly fallen flat for me. However, I had no need to worry. The politics does play an important part in the narrative, specifically concerning Linda's past and a horrific scandal that she found herself embroiled in but, interestingly enough, the novel focuses much more on characters, the relationships between them and how events from the past have influenced their individual actions and reactions in the present.
From the very first early moments of this story, I was captivated by the relationship between Linda and her son Gabriel. If I had to describe it in three words I would say: complicated, fractured and uneasy. As a reader, I became desperate to know what precipitating events had led to the point where every word and movement they make around each other becomes so tentative and weary. There's so much more bubbling under the surface of An Act Of Silence than that which is initially suggested and the joy of reading this is discovering all those surprises for yourself. The author visits some very murky places and incredibly dark subject matters but this only results in an even more fascinating plot which unravels slowly, deliberately and quite brilliantly as all begins to be revealed.
For my full review and many more, please visit my blog at http://www.bibliobeth.com
July 2, 2017
An act of silence by colette mcbeth.
These are the facts I collect.
My son Gabriel met a woman called Mariela in a bar. She went home with him. They next morning she was found in an allotment.
Mariela is dead.
Gabriel has been asked to report to Camden Police station in six hours for questioning
Linda Moscow loves her son; it's her biological instinct to keep him safe. But if she's not sure of his innocence, how can she stand by him? Should she go against everything she believes in to protect him?
She's done it before, and the guilt nearly killed her.
Now, the past is catching up with them. As old secrets resurface, Lind is faced with another impossible choice. Only this time, it's her life on the line...
A lovely but emotional read. Fantastic read with brilliant characters. I really felt for Gabriel. 5*. Netgalley and headline.
These are the facts I collect.
My son Gabriel met a woman called Mariela in a bar. She went home with him. They next morning she was found in an allotment.
Mariela is dead.
Gabriel has been asked to report to Camden Police station in six hours for questioning
Linda Moscow loves her son; it's her biological instinct to keep him safe. But if she's not sure of his innocence, how can she stand by him? Should she go against everything she believes in to protect him?
She's done it before, and the guilt nearly killed her.
Now, the past is catching up with them. As old secrets resurface, Lind is faced with another impossible choice. Only this time, it's her life on the line...
A lovely but emotional read. Fantastic read with brilliant characters. I really felt for Gabriel. 5*. Netgalley and headline.
September 3, 2017
I found myself having to really concentrate to get through this book - I wonder if it's just me that felt this way?
*I feel that potential readers should be warned in advance that there is an unexpected, detailed sub-plot centred around horrific historic child abuse*
It was a good book, but the effort it took to read it detracted from my enjoyment.
Thanks to Headline for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.
*I feel that potential readers should be warned in advance that there is an unexpected, detailed sub-plot centred around horrific historic child abuse*
It was a good book, but the effort it took to read it detracted from my enjoyment.
Thanks to Headline for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.
June 21, 2017
With a highly troubled relationship between them, mother Linda and son Gabriel need each other more than they can know.
I thought An Act of Silence was utterly brilliant. I genuinely couldn’t tear myself away from it and resented every moment when I couldn’t read it. I had a real dilemma. I wanted to read quickly to see what happened next, whilst simultaneously wanting to read slowly to savour every word. I think it was the wonderful overall quality of the writing that so captivated me. The variety of sentence structure adds to the tension and the overall plotting is sublime. An Act of Silence is twisty, creepy and actually quite sad, with occasional humour that serves to enhance and underline the dramatic elements of the narrative. I have become quite bored of books with multiple viewpoints of late but An Act of Silence is multi-layered, fascinating and magnificent. It made me think of those coloured translucent shapes children have that slot together – the plot has different prisms of light and different shapes and perspectives but they all fit together into one hugely satisfying read that has fabulous resolution. I really enjoyed the contrast of first and third person perspectives too.
I found the relationship between Linda and Gabriel heart-breaking and became so enmeshed in their lives that I couldn’t avoid an emotional interest in what happened to them. Colette McBeth is so skilled in exploring relationships and why we behave as we do that I defy anyone reading An Act of Silence not to look at those around them and wonder what is really going on in their lives.
An Act of Silence reverberated with so much significance to today’s society. I kept thinking of Joseph Conrad’s ‘thin veneer of civilisation’ and how we often don’t know, or don’t care to know, the truth staring us in the face. Reading An Act of Silence made me feel almost as guilty as those who maintain an act of silence in the story. This is such clever writing that upends the reader’s morality and makes them ask, ‘What would I do?’. This was a very disturbing aspect so that I felt almost as tainted as some of the characters when I realised I would probably behave the same way as Linda.
If you want a book to thoroughly entertain you, then Colette McBeth’s An Act of Silence is for you. If, however, you want a book that is highly entertaining, skilfully plotted, interesting, beautifully written and completely compelling so that it really makes you think, then An Act of Silence is even more for you. It is brilliant and I loved it.
https://lindasbookbag.com/2017/06/21/...
I thought An Act of Silence was utterly brilliant. I genuinely couldn’t tear myself away from it and resented every moment when I couldn’t read it. I had a real dilemma. I wanted to read quickly to see what happened next, whilst simultaneously wanting to read slowly to savour every word. I think it was the wonderful overall quality of the writing that so captivated me. The variety of sentence structure adds to the tension and the overall plotting is sublime. An Act of Silence is twisty, creepy and actually quite sad, with occasional humour that serves to enhance and underline the dramatic elements of the narrative. I have become quite bored of books with multiple viewpoints of late but An Act of Silence is multi-layered, fascinating and magnificent. It made me think of those coloured translucent shapes children have that slot together – the plot has different prisms of light and different shapes and perspectives but they all fit together into one hugely satisfying read that has fabulous resolution. I really enjoyed the contrast of first and third person perspectives too.
I found the relationship between Linda and Gabriel heart-breaking and became so enmeshed in their lives that I couldn’t avoid an emotional interest in what happened to them. Colette McBeth is so skilled in exploring relationships and why we behave as we do that I defy anyone reading An Act of Silence not to look at those around them and wonder what is really going on in their lives.
An Act of Silence reverberated with so much significance to today’s society. I kept thinking of Joseph Conrad’s ‘thin veneer of civilisation’ and how we often don’t know, or don’t care to know, the truth staring us in the face. Reading An Act of Silence made me feel almost as guilty as those who maintain an act of silence in the story. This is such clever writing that upends the reader’s morality and makes them ask, ‘What would I do?’. This was a very disturbing aspect so that I felt almost as tainted as some of the characters when I realised I would probably behave the same way as Linda.
If you want a book to thoroughly entertain you, then Colette McBeth’s An Act of Silence is for you. If, however, you want a book that is highly entertaining, skilfully plotted, interesting, beautifully written and completely compelling so that it really makes you think, then An Act of Silence is even more for you. It is brilliant and I loved it.
https://lindasbookbag.com/2017/06/21/...
June 29, 2017
Linda, is a disgraced former MP living a sheltered life, she loves her son Gabriel very much but cannot always show it. Then Gabriel turns up at her door in need of her help, the police will be looking for him after a woman he spent the night with, Mariela, is found dead. Gabriel desperately needs his mother to believe in his innocence but Linda cannot be sure. However, Gabriel is her son and she will do whatever it takes to protect him, she went against her beliefs once for him and she will do it again if needed.
This book is very different to McBeth’s previous books. This is definitely a slow burn, especially the first hundred pages, after this I was gripped but it took a while to get there. For me, things were revealed too slowly, I like being kept in suspense but something needs to be dangled in front of me a bit quicker than it is here. Once McBeth got the plot started I was enthralled and could not put it down. Essentially this is about a mother’s love for her son and the lengths she is prepared to go to in order to protect him. However this is so much more than that.
McBeth explores some very dark, hard-hitting subjects, at times it made for uncomfortable reading but it is important to the story and as McBeth states at the end, important to raise awareness. Getting sucked into the dangerous world that Linda and Gabriel find themselves embroiled in is intense and certainly leaves you with plenty to think about. This book is also enjoyable, as much as it can be anyway, and McBeth builds the plot up until it explodes and everything is revealed.
Reading this, I did not feel an instant connection to the characters, probably to do with the lack of information at the beginning, but as we learn more about them and their lives I found myself connected with the trouble they were trying to extricate themselves from. I particularly liked the flashbacks that McBeth provides and this really helps the reader form a clear idea to their character.
‘An Act of Silence’ is a slow build but worth the wait. Be prepared for a dark, suspenseful read.
Thank you to Netgalley and Headline for an ARC.
This book is very different to McBeth’s previous books. This is definitely a slow burn, especially the first hundred pages, after this I was gripped but it took a while to get there. For me, things were revealed too slowly, I like being kept in suspense but something needs to be dangled in front of me a bit quicker than it is here. Once McBeth got the plot started I was enthralled and could not put it down. Essentially this is about a mother’s love for her son and the lengths she is prepared to go to in order to protect him. However this is so much more than that.
McBeth explores some very dark, hard-hitting subjects, at times it made for uncomfortable reading but it is important to the story and as McBeth states at the end, important to raise awareness. Getting sucked into the dangerous world that Linda and Gabriel find themselves embroiled in is intense and certainly leaves you with plenty to think about. This book is also enjoyable, as much as it can be anyway, and McBeth builds the plot up until it explodes and everything is revealed.
Reading this, I did not feel an instant connection to the characters, probably to do with the lack of information at the beginning, but as we learn more about them and their lives I found myself connected with the trouble they were trying to extricate themselves from. I particularly liked the flashbacks that McBeth provides and this really helps the reader form a clear idea to their character.
‘An Act of Silence’ is a slow build but worth the wait. Be prepared for a dark, suspenseful read.
Thank you to Netgalley and Headline for an ARC.
April 27, 2017
This story is a tense thriller set in a very relevant storyline to various things that have been revealed over the last few years in the media. Historical cases of sexual abuse that have been covered up and committed by the "friendly faces" of entertainment legends. To name a couple, Jimmy Saville and Rolf Harris spring to mind. ( like Bill Cosby if US readers are scratching their heads over the names I've mentioned)
My point is that these things happen for real and monsters lurk beneath the façade of respectability and power. This story is about a fictional children's film director (Curtis Loewe) and his powerful friends in government that not just partake in the abuse but facilitate it as well and cover facts up when they threaten to come to the surface.
The book is also about the many people involved in this story, the abusers, the abused and the attempts to bring them to justice by a disgraced Politician called Linda Moscow. She is involved much deeper in the story and has up until now been a puppet in Curtis's stranglehold. She has been silenced by her love for her only son Gabriel. When Gabriel shows up at her house telling her he has been accused of killing a girl, he wants his mother to believe his innocence.
After he flees the house events speed up and people are uncovered to be not what they first appear and others are exactly as they have always been. The book is told from many different perspectives and timelines leading up to the present day but they are all important pieces to the puzzle and the truths that have been repressed.
It is a fast paced thriller with plenty of food for thought about how far a mother will go to protect her child and as it is mentioned in the book a few times that good people are capable of doing bad things and it is very much the thing in this story. Some of the plot twists were more obvious than others, but it didn't detract from it in any way.
My point is that these things happen for real and monsters lurk beneath the façade of respectability and power. This story is about a fictional children's film director (Curtis Loewe) and his powerful friends in government that not just partake in the abuse but facilitate it as well and cover facts up when they threaten to come to the surface.
The book is also about the many people involved in this story, the abusers, the abused and the attempts to bring them to justice by a disgraced Politician called Linda Moscow. She is involved much deeper in the story and has up until now been a puppet in Curtis's stranglehold. She has been silenced by her love for her only son Gabriel. When Gabriel shows up at her house telling her he has been accused of killing a girl, he wants his mother to believe his innocence.
After he flees the house events speed up and people are uncovered to be not what they first appear and others are exactly as they have always been. The book is told from many different perspectives and timelines leading up to the present day but they are all important pieces to the puzzle and the truths that have been repressed.
It is a fast paced thriller with plenty of food for thought about how far a mother will go to protect her child and as it is mentioned in the book a few times that good people are capable of doing bad things and it is very much the thing in this story. Some of the plot twists were more obvious than others, but it didn't detract from it in any way.
September 1, 2017
All too often the strap line on a book leads to disappointment. So when I read "powerful psychological thriller", I raised an eyebrow and thought to myself, "hmm, we'll see"! Ohmidays, OHMIDAYS!! Powerful is an understatement, this book knocks you down and when you try to get back up you're floored all over again, (luckily I'm not bruised as I have an excellent coating of blubber). I could not put this book down. Tried to stop reading and go to sleep at 1 in the morning but within 20 minutes had to pick up the book and carry on until the end. From the first word until the last this is a gripping and emotional tale. Your emotions will lurch from sadness to fury, fear to tenderness. Each character is shown, warts and all. But I think the point here is how easy it is to slip into the moral quagmire, despite every effort to be a good person. This is a brilliant book and Ms McBeth is an eloquent and articulate writer who has delivered a powerful lesson through a beautifully constructed and effective story. I cannot stress strongly enough how much I recommend this book. I look forward to reading more by this author.
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