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Paige Northwood #3

The Silent Suspect

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A FIRE. A MURDER. A SILENT SUSPECT…
On a quiet street, one house is burning to the ground…

By the time sign language interpreter Paige Northwood arrives, flames have engulfed her client’s home. Though Lukas is safe, his wife is still inside. But she was dead before the fire started…

Lukas signs to Paige that he knows who killed his wife. But then he goes silent – even when the police charge him with murder.

Is he guilty, or afraid? Only Paige can help him now…

384 pages, Paperback

First published April 29, 2021

55 people are currently reading
1075 people want to read

About the author

Nell Pattison

8 books269 followers
After studying English at university, Nell Pattison became a teacher and specialised in Deaf education.

She has been teaching in the Deaf community for 12 years in both England and Scotland, working with students who use BSL. Nell began losing her hearing in her twenties, and now wears hearing aids.

She lives in North Lincolnshire with her husband and son. The Silent House is her debut novel.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 261 reviews
Profile Image for Ceecee .
2,763 reviews2,327 followers
January 31, 2021
This is the third in the Paige Northwood series; she’s a British Sign Language interpreter working in this book with profoundly deaf social worker Sasha Thomas. Paige gets a phone call from Lukas Nowalk, a deaf client of Sasha’s to say that his house is on fire and his wife is trapped inside. The storyline reveals a plot with a web of lies and intrigue at the centre.

Having enjoyed the previous two books I looked forward to this one but I don’t think it has the same impact. The concept of Paige as an amateur sleuth is wearing a bit thin and though DI Forest is very unlikeable I believe she is right in her opinions on this one!! Paige claims she is reluctant to get involved but does so anyway and the consequences don’t seem to stop her either! Sasha is not very likeable, she’s pushy in this novel which becomes very annoying. Although the plot line is interesting as the novel expands the style it’s written in means it all falls a bit flat. There isn’t much suspense and tension as a consequence and the backtracking in time interrupts the flow. As Paige tells the story there is unnecessary detail which gets in the way although I do like the fact that she’s torn between her relationship with Max and her attraction to DS Rav Singh who is one of the most likeable characters in the series. As the end of the book approaches there are few surprises as I feel the ending is rather weak.

However, I do believe the concept behind the books with deaf characters at the centre of the storyline makes important points. There is pertinent commentary in the narrative about some people’s negative perceptions towards the deaf which in this day and age you would hope are in the past but sadly aren’t. I like the expansion of the plot into gangs, county lines and cuckooing which is very relevant.

Overall, my overriding view of the novel is that of disappointment, I didn’t connect with this one as with the previous ones but I hope other readers do. If the series is to continue then I think it needs to go up several notches in pace.

With thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books for the arc for an honest review.
Profile Image for Carolyn.
2,770 reviews757 followers
April 4, 2021
In this third novel in the Paige Northwood series, Paige, an interpreter for the deaf, now has a steady part time job working for Sasha, a social service worker who works with deaf clients. When one of Sasha's clients, Lukas Nowak is arrested for the murder of his wife Nadia, Sasha asks Paige to accompany her to the police station to talk to him.

There's a lot going on in this novel and the threads do not all pull together until close to the end when it will all make sense. Lukas is refusing to talk to police, or to Sasha and Paige, making it difficult for them to discover anything about his involvement in Nadia's death. Sasha asks Paige to help her find out more about what has been happening in Lukas' and Nadia's lives that could have led to her death. As we know from the previous novels, Paige can't help but follow up on clues even if it gets her into trouble. She's also struggling in her personal life, with her boyfriend Max wanting their relationship to become more serious, something she's not sure she's ready for.

The strongest aspect of this series, is its portrayal of the deaf community and the challenges they face in their everyday lives. It makes for a very original background for the mysteries. However, I felt the plot was a bit rambling in this novel with the suspense never really building up. Paige's constant attempts to play amateur detective, is starting to wear a bit thin. Even when she has been hurt and warned off by Rav Singh, the friendly detective she is attracted to, she keeps naively going back to question someone she should instinctively stay away from. I think I would enjoy the novels more (and like Paige better) if she listened to everyone and wasn't constantly putting herself and others in danger's way. Hopefully she will have learned something from her latest adventure and will be somewhat wiser in the next one, particularly if she wants to see more of Rav. 3.5★

With thanks to Avon Books and Netgalley for a copy to read
Profile Image for Tonya.
790 reviews194 followers
September 20, 2021
This is the third book in the Paige Northwood series. A house is burnt to the ground with a body inside. Who is responsible and why did this tragedy happen? Paige is unwillingly pulled into danger as she gets closer to the truth behind a tragic death and string of fires. Paige is a sign language interpreter. Her client is arrested and she could hold the key to his freedom.
Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books for my copy.
Profile Image for Ellie Spencer (catching up from hiatus).
280 reviews395 followers
May 30, 2021
I am absolutely obsessed with this series by Nell Pattison. This instalment did not disappoint!

The Silent Suspect is the third book in a series following Paige who manages to find herself caught in the middle of another murder mystery scenario. Through her job as a sign language interpreter, she works with colleagues to try and find the killer, whilst her personal life starts to slip away too.

Paige is one of my all time favourite protagonists. I love a strong female lead, but I particularly love the focus these books have on the deaf community and the use of BSL. I have never before read books with such inclusivity for those with disabilities. Whilst I am reading I can picture the characters communicating in sign language (although I admit I do not speak it myself). The unique perspective this adds to the books is what keeps me coming back for more, I just can't get enough!

I am an avid thriller reader, what I loved about this book was how long it took me to guess the murderer. After reading so many thrillers, it is hard to surprise me or keep me on my toes, but this book managed to. I also LOVE the relationships between the characters, the ending left my heart aching. I can't wait to see what happens next in Paige's journey!

I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who loves thrillers or to anyone looking for a book with a unique perspective/protagonist. I am so grateful to NetGalley, Avon Books and the author for allowing me to read this book and give my personal thoughts.
Profile Image for Tina Loves To Read.
3,514 reviews1 follower
December 28, 2021
This is a Fast Pace Suspense Mystery, and this is the 3rd book in the Paige Northwood series. I have read and review the first and second books in this series before picking up this book. I have to say I was on the fence about if I should keep going with this series because I liked but I did not love the other books in this series. I really enjoyed this one, and I loved the twists in this book. I feel that Paige is in a better place, and that let me really get to understand the character. Paige is a British Sign Language interpreter, and she has a deaf sister. I do feel this is a series you need to read in order because the first two books has so much back story that helps this book really comes to life. I really loved that we got to know Paige's sister more in this book. I really cannot wait for the next book in this series. I listen to the audiobook of this book, and I love the narrators of this book. Their was two different narrators one for Paige's parts and one of the unknown deaf persons parts. I was kindly provided an e-audiobook of this book by the publisher or author (Nell Pattison) via NetGalley, so I can give honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.
Profile Image for Sarah.
1,641 reviews177 followers
October 27, 2021
Paige Northwood returns in the third instalment of this series and, with the fourth coming out pretty soon, I knew I had to review this one sharpish!

I have enjoyed the rest of the books of this series and feel that by now, I have a good understanding of Paige’s character. However, I couldn’t help but be annoyed and frustrated by Paige’s actions: repeatedly getting involved in the police investigations, being naively led by her boss, and not thinking when actions will put her in danger. If you have yet to read any of this series, there is enough information provided by Pattison that you don’t need to have read the other two books, but I think it helps to get a grasp of what Paige has been up against already.

Following a similar format to the previous novels, this time Paige is helping to interpret for a man who is arrested on suspicion of arson and murder. Although Lukas does not speak to defend himself, Paige and his social worker, Sasha, are convinced there is a reason for his silence. Through Sasha’s insistence, Paige reluctantly helps to try and find out why Lukas will not protest his innocence. Does it prove his guilt? Or is there more to his wife’s murder than they realise? The police appear to be stumped about what really happened, and, even though her police friend, Singh, warns Paige about staying away from the investigation, it seems like Paige has a taste of finding out more information and cannot stop herself.

I disliked Sasha very early on in the story. Pattison makes it clear how one-sided their relationship is. Even though Sasha is Paige’s boss, I think Sasha takes advantage of Paige’s willingness to help. It was this that made me feel quite frustrated by the story as I wanted to see Paige stand up for herself and allow the police to do their investigations. Of course, if this actually happened, there wouldn’t be much of a story featuring our protagonist.

Therefore, I think it would have been great if readers could see Paige formally working for the police. After being involved in two significant cases, I was anticipating Paige to be secure in her employment with the police. Although she is compromised on this case because she is a witness to the fire, I still yearned for her presence in the official investigation. I think this would have taken the plot inside the police station and offered an alternative perspective to the crime unit.

Leaving on a question about Paige’s romance, I wonder how Pattison will develop this element of the storyline in the next novel. I would like to see a bit more of a settled Paige but feel frustrated by her reckless actions. Furthermore, perhaps her questions in this story will enable her to work for the police? I can only hope this is what is in store next for our protagonist.

I enjoy reading this series because I think the sign language and involved characters make this a more varied read. It is certainly an alternative take on a crime story and it is not the violent, gritty type that you can come across. Pattison strikes a careful balance where this is not a book about the disadvantages that people hard of hearing face, but more about the community and how they are impacted when a crime takes place. It’s an interesting take on a well-established genre and I look forward to seeing what happens next in the series.

With thanks to Avon books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Sandysbookaday (on indefinite hiatus).
2,659 reviews2,479 followers
May 12, 2021
EXCERPT: There was broken glass on the floor. Nadia paused in the doorway. The house felt empty, but she had to check every room before she was certain. Once she was sure she was alone, she breathed a little easier. After fetching a dustpan and brush, she cleared up the glass, straightening the furniture that had been moved. She noticed a couple of cigarette burns on the sofa and swallowed down her anger.

When she was happy the house had been returned to a more orderly state, she went through to the kitchen and flicked the kettle on. Tea was always a good idea - and making it would give her some time to think. Nadia felt better, talking to Karen and getting everything off her chest, and now hopefully something would change. It had to. She wasn't prepared to just sit back and be taken advantage of, not this time. There was too much at stake. She knew that people assumed she would be a pushover, because she was deaf, and because she liked to keep herself to herself. But that didn't mean she was going to put up with this. She wasn't going to let herself be scared any more.

By the time she felt the cord begin to tighten around her neck, it was too late. The cup of tea in her hand crashed to the floor, liquid seeping into her skirt when she fell. Within a few minutes, flames were licking at the back door, creeping across the cheap vinyl flooring. Smoke began to fill the room slowly but surely, a grey cloud hanging above the body lying there. There was a cracking sound as the heat from the flames split open something on one of the shelves, then a sudden shower of glass and liquid as a bottle of vodka exploded. The small rain of alcohol fuelled the fire further, making the flames jump and spread along the worktop. Below it all, Nadia lay, unmoving, the only light in her unseeing eyes a reflection of the fire.

ABOUT 'THE SILENT SUSPECT': On a quiet street, one house is burning to the ground…

By the time sign language interpreter Paige Northwood arrives, flames have engulfed her client’s home. Though Lukas is safe, his wife is still inside. But she was dead before the fire started…

Lukas signs to Paige that he knows who killed his wife. But then he goes silent – even when the police charge him with murder.

Is he guilty, or afraid? Only Paige can help him now…

MY THOUGHTS: I abandoned listening to The Silent Suspect at 37%. At 22% I remarked that this felt like a very long book, and that I found the narrator's voice very soporific. At 37%, my comments were, 'Deliberating abandoning this. It's very long and drawn out, very slow and, I hate to admit this but, I have zero interest in any of the characters or the resolution of the mystery.' Although I left this sitting on my ipod for several days, I couldn't bring myself to resume listening.

What more can I say? Actually, I could say quite a bit more, along the lines of when you are missing a sense, in this case hearing, your other senses are said to be more highly tuned in an effort to compensate. So how did she not see/feel the cord being placed around her neck?

Sorry, not an audiobook that I will be recommending.



#TheSilentSuspect #NetGalley

I: @writernell @harpercollinsuk

T: @Writer_Nell @HarperCollinsUK

THE AUTHOR: After studying English at university, Nell Pattison became a teacher and specialised in Deaf education.

She has been teaching in the Deaf community for 12 years in both England and Scotland, working with students who use BSL. Nell began losing her hearing in her twenties, and now wears hearing aids.

She lives in North Lincolnshire with her husband and son. The Silent House is her debut novel.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harper Collins Audio UK, Avon via Netgalley for providing an audio ARC of The Silent Suspect written by Nell Pattison, narrated by Lara Steward and Louise English, for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com

This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
Profile Image for Barbara Behring.
513 reviews178 followers
April 5, 2022
The silent suspect was a suspenseful read. I didn't realize this was a series and now I have to go back and read the others! I loved her characters and can't wait to read more.
Profile Image for Michelle.
1,771 reviews165 followers
March 12, 2021
The silent suspect is book three in the Paige Northwood series. But you can read it as a standalone. As, I have not read the previous two books.
Paige Norwood is a BSL interpreter and works part time with a social worker called Sasha. When she gets a call from one of her clients Lukas Novak that his house is on fire. Paige rushes to the scene of the fire where Lukas has been frantically searching for his wife but unfortunately, they recover the body of Lukas’ wife Nadia. When an autopsy is performed, they find out that Nadia was dead before the fire started.
When Lukas is questioned, he refuses to say anything and is eventually accused of his wife’s murder. Paige doesn’t believe he would do such a thing and she goes out of her way to find out what happened and who wanted Nadia dead.

Thank you, Avon, for a copy of The silent suspect by Neil Patterson. Regardless of the slow start I did enjoy this book. It had a unique storyline and a great plot, and it was an easy read, and I read it quite quickly. The only thing that was bugging me is that what kind of jurisdiction did Paige have to get involved the murder case as she is only and Interpreter? But maybe there is more to it in previous books that I am not aware of. As I haven’t read them, but I will sure now and go investigate the other books in this series. 4 stars from me.
Profile Image for 8stitches 9lives.
2,853 reviews1,723 followers
April 29, 2021
This is a captivating and thoroughly original series and this latest offering is even better than the previous. The mystery is exciting and compelling and is so, so rich in atmosphere. It's a quick, enjoyable read which flows nicely, from page to page making it perfect to curl up with and devour in a single sitting as the spring evenings ebb away into more summery ones. There are twists and turns I could never have predicted as the plot unfolded and a lot of the characters cannot be trusted or taken at their word as many seem to be hellbent on hindering the investigation. An inclusive, compulsive and gripping must read. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Louise Wilson.
3,698 reviews1,696 followers
April 21, 2021
Paige Northwood #3

By the time sign language interpreter Paige Northwood arrives, flames have engulfed her clients home. Though Lucas is safe, his wife is still inside.

With this being the third book in the Paige Northwood series, i would advise you to read the first two books in the series if you haven't already done so. I like that this series is set amongst the deaf community. It shows the difficulties in communication between the deaf and the people who can hear clearly. The plotline is good and there is some surprises and twists along the way. Paige Northwood i s a BSL interpreter works alongside social worker, Sasha. We learn about the hours before the house fire and the present day. Although i enjoyed this book and it held my attention throughout, i did not enjoy it as much as much as i did the first two books. It was as if something was missing. The story starts off slowly but the pace soon picks up. An interesting mystery.

I would like to thank #NetGalley, #AvonBooksUK and the author #NellPattison for my ARC PF #TheSilentSuspect in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Linda Strong.
3,878 reviews1,710 followers
May 18, 2021
3.5 STARS

Nadia and Lucas are both deaf. By the time Sign Language Interpreter Paige Northwood is contacted and arrives at a burning house, Lucas comes running out. His wife is still inside. It is later determined that Nadia was dead before the fire started.

Lukas signs to Paige that he knows who killed his wife. But then he goes silent – even when the police charge him with murder.

This is suspenseful from the very first page and maintains a high level until the unexpected ending. What comes in between is a bit of choppy writing .. the plot does not move smoothly .. and contains repetitiveness in the telling. Otherwise, this is a interesting insight into the world of deafness. As the author has been teaching in the Deaf community for many years, I expected a certain amount of credibility .... I was not disappointed. Paige is a unique character, solidly drawn.

Many thanks to the author / Avon Books UK - Harper 360 / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Profile Image for Amanda.
947 reviews304 followers
January 27, 2021
This is the third in the series and I have to say every book has had me hooked, desperate for more!!

We meet Paige again, she is now working as a sign language interpreter for Social Worker Sasha and freelances for the local police. She is dating Max who wants to take their relationship to the next level.

Paige is drawn into a murder case involving one of Sasha’s clients. Lucas arrives home to find his house on fire and his wife Nadia murdered. Lucas is arrested for the murder but his silence is making him look guiltier.

Paige and Sasha are adamant that Lucas is innocent and start to investigate into Lucas’s life to see what he is hiding..

I love Paige, the way she throws herself into being an amateur detective, even putting her own life at risk. I do find myself screaming at her NO, as she does not always think before jumping into danger!!

A series that I am hoping will continue.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
Profile Image for Yvonne (the putrid Shelf).
1,014 reviews385 followers
April 23, 2021
They say fire cleanses, but fire also leaves a bottomless pit of destruction in its wake. The Silent Suspect is the third book in the Paige Northwood series. I’ve only read this one, but you don’t feel like you’re missing chunks of her backstory. Its rounded up nicely and you are given snippets of her story through-out. She’s a British Sign Language Interpreter working with profoundly death social worker, Sasha Thomas. I really felt that the first half of the book was exceedingly slow, although there was action it was drawn out, and the investigating seemed to last an age.

The social worker, Sasha Thomas, is seriously grating. She just has one of those personalities that pick at your nerves. As a professional I found her very unprofessional. Some of the decisions she took endangered her life and the lives of others. As a social worker it just didn’t add up. I get that she wanted to get to the truth but some of the things she done was just plain dumb.

Paige receives a phone call from one of Sasha’s clients, Lukas Nowalk. He contacts her in a panicked state telling her his house is on fire and that his wife, Nadia is trapped inside. There is so many layers to this story, with intrigue and lies at its core. I do want to say that it was so refreshing to have a series set within the deaf community. It is a much-needed dose of accurate representation. It’s a series that I will be watching closely. The Silent Suspect has moments of heartache and pain with twists to keep you turning that next page.

One thing that didn’t sit right with me was Paige’s outright disregard for her own safety. Now, as I haven’t read the other two books in the series, I don’t know if this is her pattern of behaviour, but I did find it just out rightly reckless. I found it very frustrating, and it did take me away from the story a bit. The book was quite slow, and I just wanted more to happen, it just didn’t have me as enthralled as I would have liked. I can’t fault the writing though and the dialogue of sign language was superbly done.

The Silent Suspect heralds’ characterization. Strong women and characters that hide their genius. the writing was brilliant, I just had a few issues with how the story was progressing.

Profile Image for Vanessa Menezes.
550 reviews167 followers
May 6, 2021
On a quiet street, one house is burning to the ground…

By the time sign language interpreter Paige Northwood arrives, flames have engulfed her client’s home. Though Lukas is safe, his wife, Nadia, is still inside. But she was dead before the fire started…

Lukas signs to Paige that he knows who killed his wife. But then he goes silent – even when the police arrest him on suspicion of murder.

Is he guilty, or afraid? Only Paige can help him now…

This is the third in the Paige Northwood series; and like the other two previous books, the plot is unique and original in highlighting and portraying the challenges faced by the deaf and mute community.

The action starts off right from the first page. Once Lukas was in custody, Paige goes all out to search for clues to prove his innocence, even if it includes putting herself in danger.

While I truly love Paige and I know genuinely cares for her clients, I felt that this time around, I wasn’t that impressed by her actions and found her slightly unrealistic. Sasha, the social worker, also comes across as too pushy and annoying. DS Singh is the only likeable character this time.

The plot does have some exciting twists, thrills and everything is not as straight forward as it looks. The suspense and excitement slightly drop in the middle, which makes you slightly disappointed. However, the pace does pick up, and the ending is quite a surprise!

Overall, even though it is my least favorite of the series, it was a pretty good read. I would definitely be looking forward to next book, hoping it will be better and as good as the first two books!

Thank You NetGalley and Avon Books UK for this ARC!
Profile Image for Jen.
1,149 reviews108 followers
March 19, 2021
This is the 3rd book I have read in this series and it was my least favorite. This time, Paige is interpreting (and getting herself over-involved yet again) in the mystery of a fire that killed a woman named Nadia, leaving her husband, Lukas, as the primary suspect. Lukas is deaf and Paige interprets for his social worker, Sasha.

I found this story to be a tad boring and predictable, especially compared to the earlier books. Paige severely oversteps and puts herself in major danger, which frustrated me and also required me to suspend my disbelief a bit. There were a couple twists but overall, I didn't feel that there were that many surprises.

I must say, though, that I really enjoy the focus on the deaf community, which is rarely covered in the books I read, and I find the conversations in sign language to not be distracting in any way. I am not deaf, so I am not any sort of expert, but it feels to me to be a good representation of the kinds of things that this population has to deal with; and I always enjoy a perspective into the challenges people face.

Overall, I think this is a good series but this book didn't really do it for me. Looks like I am in the minority with this one, and I still look forward to reading the next one in the series. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Fizah(Books tales by me).
725 reviews69 followers
January 23, 2021
Thanks to Netgalley and Publisher for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The synopsis made me request it on Netgalley. I didn't know that it was the part of a series until I started to face a few flashbacks.  Though the main story is different there are different references from other books. 

Paige is an interpreter who works for a social worker, Sasha. Lukas is Sasha's client who contacted Paige one day when his house is on fire and Nadia, his wife, is stuck inside. Police suspect Lukas as the killer, Paige is his interpreter so she has to be there.

I like that author focused on sign language and psychology, she also incorporated problems these people face in daily life. I couldn't feel to any of the character, the duo of Sasha and Paige was so irritating. Sasha was so unlikeable, I didn't feel a thing for Lukas so naturally, It was hard to connect with the story. The writing style was also not my cup of tea, there were way too many details for my test. The ending was so boring and there'll be another book so It was kind of a loose end.
Profile Image for Mickey.
845 reviews300 followers
October 28, 2021
"By the time she felt the cord begin to tighten around her neck, it was too late. The cup of tea in her hand crashed to the floor, liquid seeping into her skirt when she fell. Within a few minutes, flames were licking at the back door."

This is the third book in the Paige Northwood series and having loved the first two, I couldn't wait to start this one. I bumped it to the top of my TBR and I'm so glad I did. I absolutely loved it and think it was the best one so far. My only issue is that we have to wait for book four to find out what happens with Paige and Rav.
The story was great, and there was plenty twists unfolding along the way.
Overall, an excellent read.
Profile Image for The Girl with the Sagittarius Tattoo.
2,961 reviews401 followers
December 13, 2024
Typically I'm not interested in arson plots, but I was pretty engaged in this one! Unfortunately, I can't stand Paige Northwood. She is a menace to herself, the people she's trying to help, and her friends and family. She's super curious and won't butt out of police investigations, but she's not actually good at solving anything.

This is the third book (and final published to date) where the climax is her stumbling into deadly peril and the cops have to rescue her, arresting the bad guy by default. It's always the same setup for the ending, yeesh.

On the other hand, the series is refreshing for centering on the deaf community - definitely an interesting twist. Going by these books, they sure are a horny bunch! 🤣🤣🤣
Profile Image for OutlawPoet.
1,814 reviews68 followers
January 19, 2021
This book 3 in the series. I’ve read 2 out of the 3 and I’m definitely on board with it.

In this latest installment, we have a very suspenseful murder mystery with a lot of moving parts. The various bits and pieces end up blending together well to give us a very satisfying read!

Now, I will say that one particular reveal wasn’t a surprise at all. I think I was supposed to be surprised at what a certain character was up to, but I was mostly surprised that our main character didn’t see it.

As always, the insights into deaf culture and wonderful. I loved reading it and look forward to more books in the future!

• ARC via Net Galley
Profile Image for Bookworm Blogger.
940 reviews33 followers
May 5, 2021
I would like to thank NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for approving me for an ARC of this book.

This is the third in a series featuring Paige Northwood, a British Sing Language interpreter but if you haven’t read any of the others, which I haven’t, then this works as a standalone.

I thought the narration was done very well and it made the story very easy to listen to. Lara Steward in particular did a fantastic job and whilst it took me a little time to get used to the listen I have complete admiration for the chapters she read. It gave me an insight into how it must feel for deaf people to try and understand hearing people when they are talking.

The story started with a bang and we were thrown straight into the action. From the minute Paige’s phone rang and she answered the video call I was on the look out for clues, suspects and trying to piece together the investigation. I loved learning all about Paige’s job as a BSL interpreter and the different challenges deaf people face. I can’t imagine how scary it must of been for Lukas and commended Paige’s forcefulness at the scene of the fire.

As the story went on there were a few characters that I really didn’t like. Aside from the obvious ‘meanies’ I warm to Max or Sasha. I felt that Max was very clingy and I didn’t like his relationship with Paige. Quite often I found myself willing Paige to end it with him because it was obvious to me, from the start that she didn’t feel the same way. Sasha was pushy and from the moment she entered the story I knew she as hiding something. At many points I felt like she emotionally blackmailed Paige into helping her, knowing that it could get them into trouble!

Lets face it thought, Paige was her own worst enemy. Once Lukas was in custody she could not help but get involved even if it meant putting herself in danger. She definitely fancied herself as an amateur detective and whilst she did make some interesting discoveries, I didn’t like the way she always handled it. The developing relationship between Paige and Singh was interesting and I thought they were more realistic as a couple. Perhaps we will see that develop more in future?

All in all this was a fast paced read shone a light on the lives of people in a deaf community. With a dramatic finale the whole story drew to a satisfying conclusion
Profile Image for LianaReads blog.
2,802 reviews248 followers
May 9, 2021
The third book in the series, The silent suspect carry on in the same place and mostly same characters that I’ve got to enjoy reading about in the previous stories.
There’s so much to take in here, all the Deaf characters and how they have to go through so much due to all the stigma that surrounds them even nowadays.
Another house on fire and another prime suspect that keeps the story interesting and intriguing.
My only negative comment in here must be for the pace of all the action, it’s much slower than I was used to from the first one and the ending was more predictable.
That being said, it’s still a great story that many readers will enjoy.
Profile Image for Kristen.
2,098 reviews161 followers
September 4, 2021
In Nell Pattison's the Silent Suspect, the third installment in the Paige Northwood thriller series, this would hook you from the first page to the last to keep you in suspense. It all started when Paige, a BSL interpreter, received an urgent call from one of her clients, Lukas Nowak. When she rushed to the scene, he was trapped inside his burning house with his wife Nadia. Shell-shocked, the fire department rescued him when it was too late to save Nadia who was already dead before the fire started. As he grieved the loss of his wife, it was up to Paige to contact his social worker, Sasha Thomas, to help him through this difficult time. At this same time, Paige's boyfriend Max asked her to move in with him, though she wasn't too sure if it would be a good move in their relationship. During the investigation into the fire and Nadia's murder, Lukas is on the hot seat as the culprit when both Paige and Sasha try to approve his innocence and did a bit of sleuthing on their own. She also becomes face to face with DS Rav Singh, someone she has had strong feelings for, and while they dig into Nadia's and Lukas's silent life, they learn some shocking truths about their past and discover the true culprit was right under their nose all along in the end in a life-and-death battle for Paige.
Profile Image for Natalie "Curling up with a Coffee and a Kindle" Laird.
1,407 reviews102 followers
May 10, 2021
This was a great installment in the Paige Northwood series, and always provides a great insight into the deaf community.
I listened to the audiobook of this title, and it was thoroughly enjoyable. The chapters narrated by the deaf narrator was a fantastic addition, and although I struggled to follow parts of those chapters, I loved the inclusion. I just needed to pay closer attention during those sections. It helped having the ebook too, although I appreciate some readers wouldn't have been so fortunate.
Paige is a fairly likeable character, although I do roll my eyes a little with her decision making skills! Also, I'm a tad baffled by her relationship with Max, as it seems a little one-sided, and I don't see much of a romantic connection there between them. I like Singh though, and I love the way he tries to reign Paige in.
An enjoyable series, and I look forward to the next installment.
Profile Image for Alisa.
500 reviews36 followers
January 27, 2021
My least favorite book in this series. I just couldn't stand Paige in this one. For the most part she was a doormat and a stupid one at that. She was told on many many occasions not to get involved in this investigation, to not do anything stupid. And what did she do? You guessed it: she got involved anyway. She got physically hurt because of it three times in this book. On top of that, her personality in here was volatile at times. Her sister Anna started dating this guy and, instead of being happy for her, Paige was jealous, because, you see, her sister was happy but Paige's love life was a disaster. Speaking of that, maybe her boyfriend Max ultimately wasn't for her, but she was with him for over a year while having feelings for someone else. Not a nice thing to do. And then, to top it off, she managed to get the person she has feelings for in a lot of trouble.
I don't even know. The previous book was really good and was looking forward to this one. I hoped there would be a lot of character development, but it ended up being a hot mess. And speaking of the next book, I don't know how it's supposed to go. Paige is not a detective, she is just an interpreter, she can't solve these crimes anyway but especially now when in puts others in crossfires. As a reader of mysteries you're supposed to enjoy the investigating process but all I wanted here was for Paige to stop being so goddamn arrogant and just mind her own business. So how is it entertaining when you want the so-called investigator to stop investigating? The next book better redeem this series. Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Diane Merritt.
970 reviews200 followers
March 16, 2021
Such a great read... pulled me right in. Loving all the characters and living it with them. Had nne guessing on who was responsible. Great great ending.

Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an early release of this book.
Profile Image for Kay Oliver.
Author 11 books198 followers
June 28, 2021
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.

So, as I'm writing this review, I realized this was book three in a series--I hope the first two books were significantly better than this one. The characters were horrible, totally unlikeable and totally unbelievable. The story was flat and boring. I hated the style of the writing. It's confusing and there's one info dump after another.
Profile Image for Nila (digitalcreativepages).
2,672 reviews223 followers
July 21, 2021
Paige was back and called in when the suspect refused to speak. This was quite slow to start with then picked up. The audio version was pretty bad, I didn't enjoy it at all. I picked up this book and skimmed through the parts which went slow. There were a few discrepancies as the book took up creative liberties. Overall, it was a good read, barring a few things that had me questioning.
Profile Image for Pavitra (For The Love of Fictional Worlds).
1,304 reviews81 followers
June 23, 2021

Disclaimer: An eARC was provided by The Publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. The Thoughts, opinions & feelings expressed in the review are therefore, my own.

This is the third book in the Paige Northwood series but can be definitely be read as a stand-alone!

Paige Northwood who works as a freelance as a British Sign Language Interpreters for hearing impaired.

Silent Suspect starts off with a murder -
and the main suspect is one of Sasha, her profoundly deaf colleague’s clients.

After the previous two books, where Paige found herself in the middle of murder investigations - she really doesn’t want to get into any trouble this time, after her near misses in the past.

Now, Paige is working as an BSL interpreter for the profoundly deaf social worker, Sasha Thomas. So when she gets a call from one of Sasha’s clients, Luke who says that his house is on fire, and that his wife is trapped inside.

When she reaches Luke’s house, it’s to realise that Luke is being arrested for his wife’s murder. All she wants to do is turn over the case to the police - but Sasha convinces her that the police won’t be on Luke’s side, especially when they realise that Luke isn’t talking to anyone; not even to his social worker or his interpreter.

There are also a whole lot of upheavals going on in Paige’s personal life (I know who I am rooting for!) and the stress of handling both does get to her at times.

However, the writing still seems to be a little stilted - the flow doesn’t really run smoothly for the plot and this, does create problems especially when you just want to get lost in a mystery.



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