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Inspector Reis #2
House of Silence
THE SECOND NOVEL FROM PATRICIA MARQUES, FOLLOWING ON FROM THE COLOURS OF DEATH
A woman's body is found in a river just outside of Lisbon. Inspectors Isabel Reis and Aleksandr Voronov identify the murder victim as Marta Nunes - a youth centre worker who, like Isabel, classifies as Gifted. Born with special abilities, the Gifted are often looked at with a certain level of suspicion.
In the search for her killer, Reis digs into Marta's past. She soon discovers that she is connected to a number of missing women. All young, all telepathic Gifted, all vanished off the face of the earth.
Marta might have been helping these missing girls, or she might have been hurting them. But Inspector Reis needs to find the truth about who killed Marta and why, and she needs to find where the missing girls go. Because some of them might still be alive out there . . .
*Preorder now*
Praise for the Inspector Reis series
'Breathtakingly original, and a captivating sense of place' Val McDermid, bestselling author of Still Life
'Compelling and original, this glints with freshness' Daily Mail
'A brilliantly inventive and twisty tale' Claire McGowan, bestselling author of The Push
'A good detective story . . . intriguing' Guardian
'A distinctive, intriguing, immersive debut' Mari Hannah, multi-award winning author of Without a Trace
A woman's body is found in a river just outside of Lisbon. Inspectors Isabel Reis and Aleksandr Voronov identify the murder victim as Marta Nunes - a youth centre worker who, like Isabel, classifies as Gifted. Born with special abilities, the Gifted are often looked at with a certain level of suspicion.
In the search for her killer, Reis digs into Marta's past. She soon discovers that she is connected to a number of missing women. All young, all telepathic Gifted, all vanished off the face of the earth.
Marta might have been helping these missing girls, or she might have been hurting them. But Inspector Reis needs to find the truth about who killed Marta and why, and she needs to find where the missing girls go. Because some of them might still be alive out there . . .
*Preorder now*
Praise for the Inspector Reis series
'Breathtakingly original, and a captivating sense of place' Val McDermid, bestselling author of Still Life
'Compelling and original, this glints with freshness' Daily Mail
'A brilliantly inventive and twisty tale' Claire McGowan, bestselling author of The Push
'A good detective story . . . intriguing' Guardian
'A distinctive, intriguing, immersive debut' Mari Hannah, multi-award winning author of Without a Trace
368 pages, Hardcover
Published August 30, 2022
10 people are currently reading
135 people want to read
About the author
Patricia Marques
5 books51 followersHalf-Angolan and half-Portuguese, Patricia was born in Portugal but moved to England when she was eight. As well as the MA in Creative Writing from City she holds a BA in Creative Writing from Roehampton. She lives in London and The Colours of Death was her first novel. House of Silence is her second.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
September 30, 2023
A solid, unhesitating recommendation. Definitely read it if you enjoy police procedurals in an urban fantasy setting.
Inspectors Isabel Reis, has found her psychic Gift growing and is no longer hiding her powers with mind-numbing drugs. Given her newly established, fragile connections with her family, work is her outlet, and her most stable, reliable relationship is her relatively new partner, Aleksandr Voronov. When they are assigned a new case involved a murdered Gifted woman, more of Aleksandr's history comes to light.
This book absolutely flows. There's a better balance this time between Isabel's personal life and the case. At the risk of sounding spoilery, it's nice to have a series where the question isn't immediately will they/won't they have sex; instead, that question manifests as to what extent can Isabel and Aleksandr trust each other? And yet, it is not particularly a relationship book; it's still very much about the case. The writing is solid and takes a few more opportunities this time to create atmosphere: an abandoned apartment, a busy residential street, a moment at home diving in the refrigerator. I enjoyed it a great deal, reading steadily all the way from Madison to Atlanta to somewhere above the Atlantic ocean, when I sat back and thought, 'wow.' I can't wait for this series to keep going.
Four and a half stars. Maybe I'll round up when I read it again.
Inspectors Isabel Reis, has found her psychic Gift growing and is no longer hiding her powers with mind-numbing drugs. Given her newly established, fragile connections with her family, work is her outlet, and her most stable, reliable relationship is her relatively new partner, Aleksandr Voronov. When they are assigned a new case involved a murdered Gifted woman, more of Aleksandr's history comes to light.
This book absolutely flows. There's a better balance this time between Isabel's personal life and the case. At the risk of sounding spoilery, it's nice to have a series where the question isn't immediately will they/won't they have sex; instead, that question manifests as to what extent can Isabel and Aleksandr trust each other? And yet, it is not particularly a relationship book; it's still very much about the case. The writing is solid and takes a few more opportunities this time to create atmosphere: an abandoned apartment, a busy residential street, a moment at home diving in the refrigerator. I enjoyed it a great deal, reading steadily all the way from Madison to Atlanta to somewhere above the Atlantic ocean, when I sat back and thought, 'wow.' I can't wait for this series to keep going.
Four and a half stars. Maybe I'll round up when I read it again.
May 25, 2022
Patricia Marques follows up her debut, The Colours of Death, with this sequel in what is an unusual sci-fi crime fiction series set in Lisbon, Portugal, and featuring Policia Judiciara Homicide Inspector Isabel Reis, a 'gifted' officer in a society where there is strong prejudice against the gifted with their telepathic and telekinetic powers. Both Reis and her partner, a man she has come to trust, Aleksandr Voronov, have been placed on minor duties by their boss, Chief Bautista, after the fallout from their last case involving Gabriel Bernardo, who has been writing to her, correspondence she has been ignoring. At long last, they have been assigned a homicide case, the grisly murdered body of a gifted 32 year old woman, Marta Nunes, has turned up at a abandoned fishing port in Cascaio. Reis and Voronov find themselves in charge of a complex, dangerous and politically sensitive investigation and what is really strange is that the murder victim's brain has been fried, something that has Reis particularly worried.
To exacerbate matters, Reis can no longer use the tablets, provided by Michael, now her sister Rita's fiance, to help manage her 'gift'. She can feel her powers are increasing considerably and her sensitivities to the outside world make for difficulties in living a normal life, her struggles lead her to seek out her old trainer, Rosario, for help. As the police begin to dig into Nunes past life, they find she was a valued worker at a youth club for the gifted, but for some inexplicable reason she had resigned from the job that she loved, and it seems that a teenager, Alma Pontes, went missing around the same time as Nunes. There have been rumours and conspiracy theories focused on the numbers of the gifted that had disappeared for some time, there is some connection between the murdered Nunes and some of the vanished, did she help them or was her involvement a more sinister affair?
I really enjoyed this sequel, but there are problems in the storytelling, in the first half there are plotting, characterisation and pacing issues, making it a 3 star read, but the second half of the book improves so much that it was 5 stars. Overall, this is a great addition to the series, I loved the development in Reis and Voronov's relationship, and as police officers, they are lucky to have such a terrific battle hardened and able boss in Chief Bautista. Despite some issues with this sequel, I look forward with anticipation to the next in this offbeat crime series. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
To exacerbate matters, Reis can no longer use the tablets, provided by Michael, now her sister Rita's fiance, to help manage her 'gift'. She can feel her powers are increasing considerably and her sensitivities to the outside world make for difficulties in living a normal life, her struggles lead her to seek out her old trainer, Rosario, for help. As the police begin to dig into Nunes past life, they find she was a valued worker at a youth club for the gifted, but for some inexplicable reason she had resigned from the job that she loved, and it seems that a teenager, Alma Pontes, went missing around the same time as Nunes. There have been rumours and conspiracy theories focused on the numbers of the gifted that had disappeared for some time, there is some connection between the murdered Nunes and some of the vanished, did she help them or was her involvement a more sinister affair?
I really enjoyed this sequel, but there are problems in the storytelling, in the first half there are plotting, characterisation and pacing issues, making it a 3 star read, but the second half of the book improves so much that it was 5 stars. Overall, this is a great addition to the series, I loved the development in Reis and Voronov's relationship, and as police officers, they are lucky to have such a terrific battle hardened and able boss in Chief Bautista. Despite some issues with this sequel, I look forward with anticipation to the next in this offbeat crime series. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
May 26, 2022
Inspector Reis #2
The Colours of Death introduced us to Lisbon-based Inspector Isabel Reis who is a telepathic gifted. These are people born with one of two abilities – telepathy or telekinetic and they are regarded by many of the population with hostility or at the very least a certain amount of antipathy. Luckily for Isabel her partner Aleks Voronov ( who is non-gifted) has no problem working with her and they are building a trusting working relationship.
Their boss Chief Bautista summons them quickly to the abandoned port at Cascais where the body of a young woman has been brutally murdered by having her throat cut. In the autopsy the victims brain shows cognitive fatigue similar to burnout, was the victim gifted ? Investigations show the victim is connected to other missing girls all of whom are gifted. Isabel is determined to seek out the truth no matter the cost.
First of all, what a treat to read something that has an original if not unique angle in the police/mystery thriller genre blended with science fiction. The concept of the gifted is fascinating and via the character of Isabel you appreciate just how exhausting having these skills actually is, especially when in a crowded place. Hard to imagine the cacophony. Equally you can get the discomfort of the non-gifted.
The police team are excellent and very likeable, my favourite is Voronov although Isabel is very likeable too. The mystery they are investigating here is really good and the plot follows an intriguing and unpredictable path. It becomes murky and very dark as you realise what lies at the heart of the reasons for victims of murder, with the plot taking multiple twists and turns and you really have no idea what the outcome will be. The ending is really good, I’m so looking forward to number three as it leaves on a good cliffhanger.
Overall, I recommend this series if you want something different and I may be able to further entice you with an atmospheric Portuguese setting as you got a real flavour of that lovely country.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Hodder and Stoughton for their much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
The Colours of Death introduced us to Lisbon-based Inspector Isabel Reis who is a telepathic gifted. These are people born with one of two abilities – telepathy or telekinetic and they are regarded by many of the population with hostility or at the very least a certain amount of antipathy. Luckily for Isabel her partner Aleks Voronov ( who is non-gifted) has no problem working with her and they are building a trusting working relationship.
Their boss Chief Bautista summons them quickly to the abandoned port at Cascais where the body of a young woman has been brutally murdered by having her throat cut. In the autopsy the victims brain shows cognitive fatigue similar to burnout, was the victim gifted ? Investigations show the victim is connected to other missing girls all of whom are gifted. Isabel is determined to seek out the truth no matter the cost.
First of all, what a treat to read something that has an original if not unique angle in the police/mystery thriller genre blended with science fiction. The concept of the gifted is fascinating and via the character of Isabel you appreciate just how exhausting having these skills actually is, especially when in a crowded place. Hard to imagine the cacophony. Equally you can get the discomfort of the non-gifted.
The police team are excellent and very likeable, my favourite is Voronov although Isabel is very likeable too. The mystery they are investigating here is really good and the plot follows an intriguing and unpredictable path. It becomes murky and very dark as you realise what lies at the heart of the reasons for victims of murder, with the plot taking multiple twists and turns and you really have no idea what the outcome will be. The ending is really good, I’m so looking forward to number three as it leaves on a good cliffhanger.
Overall, I recommend this series if you want something different and I may be able to further entice you with an atmospheric Portuguese setting as you got a real flavour of that lovely country.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Hodder and Stoughton for their much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
June 25, 2025
IN A NUTSHELL
It was a joy to see that ‘House Of Silence‘ had all the strengths of the first book, ‘The Colours Of Death‘, (original, well-thought-through, character-driven) but with a much-improved control of the pace of the storytelling. The writing was quietly self-assured and the structure was tight and effective at maintaining tension while keeping the focus on the people involved. I enjoyed the first book but the second book was even better. I’ve already added the third book, ‘Broken Oaths‘ (2024) to my TBR pile.
‘House Of Silence‘ (2022) is the second of three books set in an alternative version of contemporary Lisbon where it has been known since the beginning of the twentieth century that a percentage of the population, referred to as ‘The Gifted’ in polite society, is born with telekinetic or telepathic abilities. Inspector Isabel Reis is Gifted and a homicide detective in Lisbon. She’s also very aware that the Gifted are treated as more of a threat than a treasure: assessed as children monitored throughout their lives and increasingly distrusted by ‘regular’ people.
The first book, 'The Colours Of Death', worked for me both because of how well thought through the impact on our contemporary society would have been if we had recognised the existence of people with telekinetic and telepathic skills and because the story was character rather than concept driven. My only criticism was that the pace of the book lagged a little in the middle.
'House Of Silence‘ had the strengths of the first book, ) but with a much-improved control of the pace of the storytelling. Where the first book was an investigation into a spectacular murder, the second book felt more like a thriller. Inspector Reis starts investigating the death of a gifted woman washed up on the shore and quickly becomes involved in trying to uncover the truth about the fate of a large number of Gifted girls who go missing, allegedly into 'Houses' that are patronised by Lisobon's elite.
Although it was structured as a thriller, the story remained character-driven. The secrets, abuses and concealments that Reis uncovers make her consider her own situation both as a Gifted person working for a government that doesn't trust the Gifted and working with a Gifted community that doesn't trust the police. Her relationship with her family and her colleagues continued to develop, rounding out her character and making everything feel more personal.
The writing in 'House Of Silence' was quietly self-assured. The structure was tight and effective at maintaining tension while keeping the focus on the people involved. Every scene moved the story forward and built up my understanding of Inspector Reis.
I had an even better time with 'House Of Silence' than I did with 'The Colour Of Death'. I’ve already added the third book, ‘Broken Oaths‘ (2024) to my TBR pile.
It was a joy to see that ‘House Of Silence‘ had all the strengths of the first book, ‘The Colours Of Death‘, (original, well-thought-through, character-driven) but with a much-improved control of the pace of the storytelling. The writing was quietly self-assured and the structure was tight and effective at maintaining tension while keeping the focus on the people involved. I enjoyed the first book but the second book was even better. I’ve already added the third book, ‘Broken Oaths‘ (2024) to my TBR pile.
‘House Of Silence‘ (2022) is the second of three books set in an alternative version of contemporary Lisbon where it has been known since the beginning of the twentieth century that a percentage of the population, referred to as ‘The Gifted’ in polite society, is born with telekinetic or telepathic abilities. Inspector Isabel Reis is Gifted and a homicide detective in Lisbon. She’s also very aware that the Gifted are treated as more of a threat than a treasure: assessed as children monitored throughout their lives and increasingly distrusted by ‘regular’ people.
The first book, 'The Colours Of Death', worked for me both because of how well thought through the impact on our contemporary society would have been if we had recognised the existence of people with telekinetic and telepathic skills and because the story was character rather than concept driven. My only criticism was that the pace of the book lagged a little in the middle.
'House Of Silence‘ had the strengths of the first book, ) but with a much-improved control of the pace of the storytelling. Where the first book was an investigation into a spectacular murder, the second book felt more like a thriller. Inspector Reis starts investigating the death of a gifted woman washed up on the shore and quickly becomes involved in trying to uncover the truth about the fate of a large number of Gifted girls who go missing, allegedly into 'Houses' that are patronised by Lisobon's elite.
Although it was structured as a thriller, the story remained character-driven. The secrets, abuses and concealments that Reis uncovers make her consider her own situation both as a Gifted person working for a government that doesn't trust the Gifted and working with a Gifted community that doesn't trust the police. Her relationship with her family and her colleagues continued to develop, rounding out her character and making everything feel more personal.
The writing in 'House Of Silence' was quietly self-assured. The structure was tight and effective at maintaining tension while keeping the focus on the people involved. Every scene moved the story forward and built up my understanding of Inspector Reis.
I had an even better time with 'House Of Silence' than I did with 'The Colour Of Death'. I’ve already added the third book, ‘Broken Oaths‘ (2024) to my TBR pile.
July 17, 2022
90% of the time when i read this book i am digging for the chemistry i know the two detectives have. Nice plot and stuffs too, excited for whenever the next one emerges!
September 10, 2022
4+ stars.
August 24, 2023
I liked it less than the first one, but I still enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to continuing the series.
June 14, 2022
House of Silence is the 2nd in Patrica Marques series, featuring Inspector Isabel Reid and her partner Aleksandr Voronov of the Lisbon Police.
In this second instalment Isabel and Aleks are called to investigate the murder of a young woman fished out of the water shortly after her death. As they delve deeper they find that the woman is connected to various other people who have also gone missing. A trail that leads back to cases that Aleks worked on while he was in the Vice Squad but it is unclear if she was helping or luring the other victims.
What stands these books out from the crowd is a society where a small proportion of people are ‘gifted’ with either telepathy or telekinesis and those people are treated with suspicion throughout society. They are subject to regulation depending on the strength of their gifts. Isabel is a gifted individual and one of few serving in the police. The victim found at the start of the book is also gifted which adds an extra layer of complexity to the investigation. It is a clever and well used unique selling point.
I hugely enjoyed the first book in this series, House of Colours, and this one did not disappoint. The prose is well constructed and paced and I adore the characters. It would be a brilliant stand alone but I think the rich tapestry of the gifted individuals is likely better brought to life of reading both books in order. I won’t hesitate to read the next instalment.
With huge thanks to Hodder and Stoughton and Netgalley for an advance copy.
In this second instalment Isabel and Aleks are called to investigate the murder of a young woman fished out of the water shortly after her death. As they delve deeper they find that the woman is connected to various other people who have also gone missing. A trail that leads back to cases that Aleks worked on while he was in the Vice Squad but it is unclear if she was helping or luring the other victims.
What stands these books out from the crowd is a society where a small proportion of people are ‘gifted’ with either telepathy or telekinesis and those people are treated with suspicion throughout society. They are subject to regulation depending on the strength of their gifts. Isabel is a gifted individual and one of few serving in the police. The victim found at the start of the book is also gifted which adds an extra layer of complexity to the investigation. It is a clever and well used unique selling point.
I hugely enjoyed the first book in this series, House of Colours, and this one did not disappoint. The prose is well constructed and paced and I adore the characters. It would be a brilliant stand alone but I think the rich tapestry of the gifted individuals is likely better brought to life of reading both books in order. I won’t hesitate to read the next instalment.
With huge thanks to Hodder and Stoughton and Netgalley for an advance copy.
August 3, 2023
What an unexpected hidden gem! I'm so lucky I found this at a charity sale. This is the second book in a series but I didn't have any trouble picking up the story without having read the first book.
This is a world where some people have telepathy, others have telekinesis and others still have no superpowers at all. Tensions are high between the Gifted and the regular humans. Amidst this turmoil, Isabel is a telepathic cop working a complicated murder case.
Part Heroes, part Criminal Minds, part Silence of the Lambs... I thoroughly enjoyed this! I hope I can get my hands on the rest of the books.
This is a world where some people have telepathy, others have telekinesis and others still have no superpowers at all. Tensions are high between the Gifted and the regular humans. Amidst this turmoil, Isabel is a telepathic cop working a complicated murder case.
Part Heroes, part Criminal Minds, part Silence of the Lambs... I thoroughly enjoyed this! I hope I can get my hands on the rest of the books.
July 5, 2022
Wow, I'm blown away by this sequel to The Colours of Death. Marques' writing is sharp and has evolved since the debut and every page had me not wanting to put the book down.
The mixture of criminal investigation with the powers of the Gifted detective and world she has created make for such an interesting read. And the fact that I know there will be a third book, as well as that ending.....man I need more and I need it asap! I'm very excited to see what Inspector Reis gets into next and I have a strong suspicion it will blow my mind.
The mixture of criminal investigation with the powers of the Gifted detective and world she has created make for such an interesting read. And the fact that I know there will be a third book, as well as that ending.....man I need more and I need it asap! I'm very excited to see what Inspector Reis gets into next and I have a strong suspicion it will blow my mind.
May 25, 2022
I would like to thank Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an advance copy of House of Silence, the second novel to feature Inspector Isabel Reis of the Lisbon police.
A body is washed ashore, naked with her throat cut. Isabel and her partner, Inspector Aleksandr Voronov quickly identify her as Marta Nunes, a Gifted who works in a youth centre for young Gifted. Looking into her past they find she is associated with the disappearance of other Gifted women, the question being for good or bad.
I enjoyed House of Silence, which has an interesting and unusual concept that lends itself to some extraordinary investigative techniques. I was blown away by the inventiveness of the first novel in the series, but this one doesn’t have quite the same impact, perhaps because I have familiarity with the Gifted concept, but also because I don’t feel the plot is quite as strong. At this point I would recommend reading the series in order as a character from the first novel seems to be setting up as a thread.
The Gifted concept is interesting. The Gifted are either telekinetics or telepaths and are graded by the government from 1-10 according to their abilities. Isabel is a 5, but her powers are growing and she’s terrified of anyone finding out as it will put more restrictions on her lifestyle and may even lead to her being locked up. This is a novel take on state sponsored discrimination. Isabel is a telepath which means that she can reach into minds and read thoughts, emotions and experiences, both intentionally and unintentionally. It is a major feature of the novel, if not the main one, and yet I didn’t think the author was consistent in her treatment of it.
The plot revolves around Marta’s past involvement with Gifted young women when she worked for a local businessman. It gets a bit convoluted at times and is a bit slow initially, but an action packed finale overcomes any niggles and a final twist offers possibilities for the next novel.
House of Silence is a good read that I can recommend.
A body is washed ashore, naked with her throat cut. Isabel and her partner, Inspector Aleksandr Voronov quickly identify her as Marta Nunes, a Gifted who works in a youth centre for young Gifted. Looking into her past they find she is associated with the disappearance of other Gifted women, the question being for good or bad.
I enjoyed House of Silence, which has an interesting and unusual concept that lends itself to some extraordinary investigative techniques. I was blown away by the inventiveness of the first novel in the series, but this one doesn’t have quite the same impact, perhaps because I have familiarity with the Gifted concept, but also because I don’t feel the plot is quite as strong. At this point I would recommend reading the series in order as a character from the first novel seems to be setting up as a thread.
The Gifted concept is interesting. The Gifted are either telekinetics or telepaths and are graded by the government from 1-10 according to their abilities. Isabel is a 5, but her powers are growing and she’s terrified of anyone finding out as it will put more restrictions on her lifestyle and may even lead to her being locked up. This is a novel take on state sponsored discrimination. Isabel is a telepath which means that she can reach into minds and read thoughts, emotions and experiences, both intentionally and unintentionally. It is a major feature of the novel, if not the main one, and yet I didn’t think the author was consistent in her treatment of it.
The plot revolves around Marta’s past involvement with Gifted young women when she worked for a local businessman. It gets a bit convoluted at times and is a bit slow initially, but an action packed finale overcomes any niggles and a final twist offers possibilities for the next novel.
House of Silence is a good read that I can recommend.
June 29, 2022
I really loved The Colours of Death, so when I saw there was a sequel coming out (although House of Silence can easily be read as a stand alone) I was thrilled and, after finish reading it, I can say that I wasn’t disappointed. This series is part thriller and part paranormal. It is set in a world where a part of the population is Gifted, having the power of telekinesis or telepathy. Regulars (people without powers) and Gifted co-habit, but many Regulars don’t trust Gifted and what they can do with their powers so Gifted are constantly monitored by the government.
The protagonist of this series is Isabel Reis. She is an inspector in the police department of Lisbon and she is Gifted: her power of telepathy allows her to read other people’s thoughts and see their memories. In House of Silence, the story starts a few months after the ending of the first book. Following the high-profile murder case in The Colours of Death, Isabel and her partner Aleksander Vonorov have been relegated to minor cases until the body of a young woman is found washed up, her throat cut. As they investigate, they discover that the woman was Gifted and she was linked to the disappearance of other Gifted. Isabel and Voronov have to figure out who killed her what happened to the missing Gifted and, most important of all, if they are still alive.
I really like the character of Isabel Reis. She is relatable, determined, and authentic. Her struggle with her developing power is as much central to the story as the murder case. Through chapters set in the past, we see how she learned to control it when she was younger, but also how it affected her relationship with her family. In the present, as high-level Gifted seem to be disappear, Isabel tries to hide how much her power is growing.
I also enjoyed her relationship with Voronov. It is easy, trustworthy and I loved their witty banter, – and also how he constantly feeds her. We also learn a bit more about his past and it made me like this character even more.
The murder case is intense and darker than I initially thought and the story ends with a surprise that left me wanting for more. I already can’t wait for book number three to see what’s next for Isabel and those Gifted like her. Highly recommended!
The protagonist of this series is Isabel Reis. She is an inspector in the police department of Lisbon and she is Gifted: her power of telepathy allows her to read other people’s thoughts and see their memories. In House of Silence, the story starts a few months after the ending of the first book. Following the high-profile murder case in The Colours of Death, Isabel and her partner Aleksander Vonorov have been relegated to minor cases until the body of a young woman is found washed up, her throat cut. As they investigate, they discover that the woman was Gifted and she was linked to the disappearance of other Gifted. Isabel and Voronov have to figure out who killed her what happened to the missing Gifted and, most important of all, if they are still alive.
I really like the character of Isabel Reis. She is relatable, determined, and authentic. Her struggle with her developing power is as much central to the story as the murder case. Through chapters set in the past, we see how she learned to control it when she was younger, but also how it affected her relationship with her family. In the present, as high-level Gifted seem to be disappear, Isabel tries to hide how much her power is growing.
I also enjoyed her relationship with Voronov. It is easy, trustworthy and I loved their witty banter, – and also how he constantly feeds her. We also learn a bit more about his past and it made me like this character even more.
The murder case is intense and darker than I initially thought and the story ends with a surprise that left me wanting for more. I already can’t wait for book number three to see what’s next for Isabel and those Gifted like her. Highly recommended!
July 7, 2023
I must admit I’m a little ashamed of this rating. I really wanted to like the book, but, for some reason, it didn’t work for me.
I was baffled to find errors in this edition. It’s something that I’m honestly not used to. Things like mixing up characters’ names, sentences that didn’t make sense. Stuff that see a lot in Portuguese editions but not in foreign ones. It was weird.
There were also some odd dialogues, and I found the inclusion of some many Portuguese words and expressions quite grating. Why use the word “bairro” to refer to an anonymous neighbourhood in Setúbal? I don’t think this was any different from the previous book, but I found it annoying this time.
And is it possible that I’m a little fed up with Isabel and her issues? I felt there wasn’t much evolution with regards to relationships, her powers.
As for the story, it was ok. Just that. Maybe it promised more than what was delivered? I felt everything was wrapped up quite quickly. The scenes with the person behind everything were few and there was no confrontation. Isabel is taken, driven somewhere, then we have confirmation of who the villain is. But after that, Isabel is tied up, the villain explains why they did what they did and Isabel is left to die. She will have to make sure that doesn’t happen. Obviously, other things happen, but, overall, it felt rushed.
It wasn’t a good reading experience. I felt bored and impatient while I read. I like that Patricia Marques set up her story not only in Lisbon, but also in places like Setúbal and Baixa da Banheira. But I wasn’t hooked to the story and that was a pity.
I was baffled to find errors in this edition. It’s something that I’m honestly not used to. Things like mixing up characters’ names, sentences that didn’t make sense. Stuff that see a lot in Portuguese editions but not in foreign ones. It was weird.
There were also some odd dialogues, and I found the inclusion of some many Portuguese words and expressions quite grating. Why use the word “bairro” to refer to an anonymous neighbourhood in Setúbal? I don’t think this was any different from the previous book, but I found it annoying this time.
And is it possible that I’m a little fed up with Isabel and her issues? I felt there wasn’t much evolution with regards to relationships, her powers.
As for the story, it was ok. Just that. Maybe it promised more than what was delivered? I felt everything was wrapped up quite quickly. The scenes with the person behind everything were few and there was no confrontation. Isabel is taken, driven somewhere, then we have confirmation of who the villain is. But after that, Isabel is tied up, the villain explains why they did what they did and Isabel is left to die. She will have to make sure that doesn’t happen. Obviously, other things happen, but, overall, it felt rushed.
It wasn’t a good reading experience. I felt bored and impatient while I read. I like that Patricia Marques set up her story not only in Lisbon, but also in places like Setúbal and Baixa da Banheira. But I wasn’t hooked to the story and that was a pity.
July 26, 2024
On one hand, I loved this book so much. On the other, I felt a mixture of underwhelm and confusion.
Maybe it would have helped if I’d have read the first book in the series but alas, I didn’t realise it was a series at all!
The “gifts” some people within the book have, the levels and subsequent stigma surrounding them made for an interesting read once I wrapped my head around it. The different gifts, although only briefly mentioned, were fun and I hope the other books explore other gifts outside of Reis’. At times it was a triggering read; The stigma and abandonment from family/friends that gifted people experienced, mirroring that of queer people’s experiences was a lot to handle at times.
I also felt the story got wrapped up VERY QUICKLY. We’re talking the last 4 chapters and all the chapters are no more than several pages long. Going from 0 to 100 felt unnatural, when the rest of the book was a steady speed and (if I’m honest), I felt had been TOO slow for a chunk of the book.
That being said, I enjoyed it so much more than I expected and I’m hoping to pick up the others in the series. Recommended for sure.
Maybe it would have helped if I’d have read the first book in the series but alas, I didn’t realise it was a series at all!
The “gifts” some people within the book have, the levels and subsequent stigma surrounding them made for an interesting read once I wrapped my head around it. The different gifts, although only briefly mentioned, were fun and I hope the other books explore other gifts outside of Reis’. At times it was a triggering read; The stigma and abandonment from family/friends that gifted people experienced, mirroring that of queer people’s experiences was a lot to handle at times.
I also felt the story got wrapped up VERY QUICKLY. We’re talking the last 4 chapters and all the chapters are no more than several pages long. Going from 0 to 100 felt unnatural, when the rest of the book was a steady speed and (if I’m honest), I felt had been TOO slow for a chunk of the book.
That being said, I enjoyed it so much more than I expected and I’m hoping to pick up the others in the series. Recommended for sure.
February 25, 2023
Patricia Marques has done it again! The second instalment in the Inspector Reis (hopefully long) series is as good as the first one.
The plot did not disappoint: a girl’s body washes ashore near Lisbon and it is soon discovered that the victim had a strong connection to a few other missing women - all of them with a particular psychic power, or “gift” as it is called here.
In House of Silence we also get a glimpse, through flashbacks, of Isabel’s gifted past and her troubled relationship with her family.
I must say that I did figure it out once again who was behind the murder before it was finally revealed. However, the storyline still kept me entertained, and Patricia’s way of describing the Portuguese lifestyle and the country’s multicultural inhabitants is simply superb.
Yes, this book is a supernatural crime novel, but as a Portuguese migrant in a foreign country, it still reminded me of home… it certainly left a sweet taste of saudade and a yearning to read the next one.
The plot did not disappoint: a girl’s body washes ashore near Lisbon and it is soon discovered that the victim had a strong connection to a few other missing women - all of them with a particular psychic power, or “gift” as it is called here.
In House of Silence we also get a glimpse, through flashbacks, of Isabel’s gifted past and her troubled relationship with her family.
I must say that I did figure it out once again who was behind the murder before it was finally revealed. However, the storyline still kept me entertained, and Patricia’s way of describing the Portuguese lifestyle and the country’s multicultural inhabitants is simply superb.
Yes, this book is a supernatural crime novel, but as a Portuguese migrant in a foreign country, it still reminded me of home… it certainly left a sweet taste of saudade and a yearning to read the next one.
May 24, 2022
There's not much review on this one. In my personal opinion, I didn't enjoy this book at all. It is the second book of the series, the first book, which I have not read. Maybe that's why I am slightly lost with the book.
The story starts with the discovery of a body of a woman named Marta. She like Isabel is a "Gifted" woman. While investigating the case, Isabel realized that the Gifted women are being kidnapped by someone.
Initially, the first part of the story was interesting but then it got boring and slow paced. I really wanted to enjoy reading the book but ended up being bored with the whole story. However, the ending was unpredictable and left the readers to wonder what is going to happen next.
Overall, it's worth 2.5 stars
Many thanks to Netgalley and Hodder for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.
The story starts with the discovery of a body of a woman named Marta. She like Isabel is a "Gifted" woman. While investigating the case, Isabel realized that the Gifted women are being kidnapped by someone.
Initially, the first part of the story was interesting but then it got boring and slow paced. I really wanted to enjoy reading the book but ended up being bored with the whole story. However, the ending was unpredictable and left the readers to wonder what is going to happen next.
Overall, it's worth 2.5 stars
Many thanks to Netgalley and Hodder for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.
July 2, 2023
Isabel and Voronov are back. A gifted women is found washed upon the shore, murdered. The trail leads to other gifted, one of Voronov’s old cases, and potential exploitation. Behind the scenes Isabel begins investigate the disappeared high level gifted. With help from an unlikely source.
In this sequel to Colours of Death, Marques shows significant growth as a writer. Gone are the first novel’s issues of pace. House of Silence is clear, concise and beautifully crafted. She is a mystery writer who has arrived.
On my buy, borrow, skip scale: A definite buy at the $2-3 asking price on Kindle and Amazon. A third book in the series comes out in November, I’ll gladly pay full price for it if necessary. As with Colours of Death, Tana French readers would I think enjoy Marques.
In this sequel to Colours of Death, Marques shows significant growth as a writer. Gone are the first novel’s issues of pace. House of Silence is clear, concise and beautifully crafted. She is a mystery writer who has arrived.
On my buy, borrow, skip scale: A definite buy at the $2-3 asking price on Kindle and Amazon. A third book in the series comes out in November, I’ll gladly pay full price for it if necessary. As with Colours of Death, Tana French readers would I think enjoy Marques.
August 18, 2022
Patrícia Marques does it again.
"House of Silence" does really feel like a sequel of "Colours of Death", as the consequences of the previous book are not only show here but hint at a bigger plot line for the future.
As a Portuguese student living in Lisbon (and a fan of everything sci-fi and superpower-y related), it's very interesting to see a story like this set in a place I'm very familiar with.
The plot is very engaging and while i found the resolution to be a bit rushed at the end, the cliffhanger made it clear that there will be time for an actual resolution.
Can't wait for the third one!
"House of Silence" does really feel like a sequel of "Colours of Death", as the consequences of the previous book are not only show here but hint at a bigger plot line for the future.
As a Portuguese student living in Lisbon (and a fan of everything sci-fi and superpower-y related), it's very interesting to see a story like this set in a place I'm very familiar with.
The plot is very engaging and while i found the resolution to be a bit rushed at the end, the cliffhanger made it clear that there will be time for an actual resolution.
Can't wait for the third one!
May 26, 2022
House of silence by Patricia Marques.
A woman's body is found in a river just outside of Lisbon. Inspectors Isabel Reis and Aleksandr Voronov identify the murder victim as Marta Nunes - a youth centre worker who, like Isabel, classifies as Gifted. Born with special abilities, the Gifted are often looked at with a certain level of suspicion.
A brilliant read. I loved it.
A woman's body is found in a river just outside of Lisbon. Inspectors Isabel Reis and Aleksandr Voronov identify the murder victim as Marta Nunes - a youth centre worker who, like Isabel, classifies as Gifted. Born with special abilities, the Gifted are often looked at with a certain level of suspicion.
A brilliant read. I loved it.
February 13, 2023
I enjoyed the second in this series even more than the first book. Set in Lisboa you can imagine the streets full in the Chiado at night and the river plays an important role. We are now used to Isabelle’s gift and it’s implications for her as a Police detective. Good story which picks up pace and a fitting climax. Looking forward to number three.
May 27, 2022
Well written with a cast of well developed characters and a compelling storyline. This was a gripping read that I couldn't put down, it just wouldn't let me. Really enjoyable.
July 13, 2022
3.5* roudned up.
October 26, 2022
4.25 ⭐
May 25, 2024
I’m addicted to this series right now! Imagining Gifted politics and the parallels to real life is interesting. Excited to start the third which just came out
July 18, 2024
The ending was a bit..
Good book but didn’t like it as much as the first.
Good book but didn’t like it as much as the first.
December 9, 2024
I like the character development and plot. This would make a great tv series. I took off one star bc some phrases/bg info gets a bit repetitious.
January 15, 2026
INSPECTOR Isabel Reis and her partner, Aleksandr Voronov, have been assigned to investigate the brutal murder of Marta Nunes, a young woman, who like Reis, is a gifted member of society – individuals who either have telepathic or telekinetic powers. Gifted people are often mistrusted and treated with bigotry by ‘normal’ people.
As the investigation progresses, evidence starts to suggest that Nunes might have been involved in the disappearance of other gifted people.
The case becomes tricky when the duo find a link to one of Voronov’s old cases, which uncovers possible corruption within the police ranks. Then there’s the issue of Reis struggling to control her powers and the government’s monitoring agency opening inquiries into her previous case.
This was such a refreshing angle to crime fiction, and I absolutely loved the chemistry between Reis and her partner.
The book has the perfect pace, and I found myself devouring one chapter after another. While this is the second book in the Inspector Reis series, I had no issue following and immersing myself in the book.
It is a must read for any fans of the first book as well as crime fiction junkies.
As the investigation progresses, evidence starts to suggest that Nunes might have been involved in the disappearance of other gifted people.
The case becomes tricky when the duo find a link to one of Voronov’s old cases, which uncovers possible corruption within the police ranks. Then there’s the issue of Reis struggling to control her powers and the government’s monitoring agency opening inquiries into her previous case.
This was such a refreshing angle to crime fiction, and I absolutely loved the chemistry between Reis and her partner.
The book has the perfect pace, and I found myself devouring one chapter after another. While this is the second book in the Inspector Reis series, I had no issue following and immersing myself in the book.
It is a must read for any fans of the first book as well as crime fiction junkies.
August 2, 2022
Loved the second instalment just as much as the first one. Isabel is a very down to earth character and I like that people deal with their feelings and problems in a realistic way, especially in a work place setting (I mean who hasn’t hidden in the bathroom in order not to freak out in the middle of their open plan office before lol), and that quite a few characters are more guarded and don’t overshare. On the flip side of that though, I still don’t get what Voronov’s deal is so hopefully we’ll get another book to find out. I ship him and Isabel in either case but maybe that’s just me 😅
I would’ve liked to see Isabel use her telepathic powers more after the revelations at the end of the first book - I get that she’s scared to be discovered, but having some mind reading action giving her a leg up in her investigations would’ve been cool to read about. She basically only uses her supposedly high level “gift” once, pretty much just like in the last book.
Anyways, enjoyed it and will look forward to the next one in the series.
I would’ve liked to see Isabel use her telepathic powers more after the revelations at the end of the first book - I get that she’s scared to be discovered, but having some mind reading action giving her a leg up in her investigations would’ve been cool to read about. She basically only uses her supposedly high level “gift” once, pretty much just like in the last book.
Anyways, enjoyed it and will look forward to the next one in the series.
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