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Suffer the Little Children #1
The Silence of Children
Twenty year ago, Deirdre's father, a paediatrician was implicated in a child-abduction scandal that cost him his job, forcing him to change his identity. As an adult, in discovering her father is involved in something decidedly shady, she confronts the horrific possibility that he is linked to a paedophile ring. When two men enter Deirdre's life, she's sure they're seeking her father. But are they paedophiles or FEDs? Loyalties torn, she feels compelled to learn the truth and stumbles into a conspiracy that threatens her own life. Is she prepared to save a child's life at the risk of her own? Even Deirdre doesn't know the answer to that, until confronted with its reality.
306 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2022
79 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
Chris Lewando
20 books11 followersThe author writes thrillers and contemporary novels as Chris Lewando, romance as Sue Lewando, and Irish dual timeline fiction as Daisy O'Shea. Published by Bookouture, this series is being sold in Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Norway, and is being translated into German for 2026.
She is a full-time author and lives in the south of Ireland. Some of her adventures of the move to buy and renovate an 'Irish wreck' are detailed on her website.
ChrisLewando.com and DaisyOShea.com
You can collect a free e-copy of her literary compilation from her website.
She is a full-time author and lives in the south of Ireland. Some of her adventures of the move to buy and renovate an 'Irish wreck' are detailed on her website.
ChrisLewando.com and DaisyOShea.com
You can collect a free e-copy of her literary compilation from her website.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
August 24, 2022
I really, really enjoyed this book. It was so easy to read, the writing was engaging and the pace and tension crept up throughout the story. Even so I was gripped from the first page.
At 32 years of age Dee (Deirdre) Harrison still doesn’t know what she wants to be when she grows up. She started studying psychology and then realised that listening to people’s problems all day long could be pretty depressing so she switched to law. At this point in her studies she needs a sponsor and Janine Dugotti pops up. She is a certifiable b1tch but Dee enjoys her work, which comprises paperwork and digging up the dirt on their clients or others. Until she one day she gets a message from her sister Lauralee (Laurie). Valerie Harold who went to the same school as the sisters is a journalist wanting to do an update on a story about a bunch of children that went missing from the area 20 years ago. But she soon starts fishing for info on the girls’ father, Dr Hamilton which is when Laurie shuts down the conversation.
Dr Harrison was a renowned paediatrician who left his job under a cloud when a baby disappeared from the hospital. Although he was cleared, mud sticks and he thought it best to move on. The FBI still hasn’t forgotten about him.
We’ll soon it becomes obvious that the woman is most certainly not Valerie Harold and Dee is convinced this about trying to find her dad. But who is after him - the law or somebody much worse. When her dad contacts her one night needing help urgently, Dee realises that everything she knew is questionable. Still convinced her dad is a good guy, she does get caught up in his dangerous schemes and that is when the story really ramps up. But her dad is clever and has many tricks up his sleeve.
The characters were excellent, most were very likeable and extremely relatable. One of the best supporting characters was Greg, a former bikie, drug runner and ex-con who never hid any of his faults but took a shine to Dee because he “hates paedos”. Greg is a very useful ally to have. The dialogue was sparkling. I loved everything about the book except the cover. I think it really gives the wrong impression. The story is not about children being abused but rather the people trying to prevent that happening. Many thanks to BookSirens for providing a much appreciated free copy of the book which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly. I now have the second book which I hope to read soon.
At 32 years of age Dee (Deirdre) Harrison still doesn’t know what she wants to be when she grows up. She started studying psychology and then realised that listening to people’s problems all day long could be pretty depressing so she switched to law. At this point in her studies she needs a sponsor and Janine Dugotti pops up. She is a certifiable b1tch but Dee enjoys her work, which comprises paperwork and digging up the dirt on their clients or others. Until she one day she gets a message from her sister Lauralee (Laurie). Valerie Harold who went to the same school as the sisters is a journalist wanting to do an update on a story about a bunch of children that went missing from the area 20 years ago. But she soon starts fishing for info on the girls’ father, Dr Hamilton which is when Laurie shuts down the conversation.
Dr Harrison was a renowned paediatrician who left his job under a cloud when a baby disappeared from the hospital. Although he was cleared, mud sticks and he thought it best to move on. The FBI still hasn’t forgotten about him.
We’ll soon it becomes obvious that the woman is most certainly not Valerie Harold and Dee is convinced this about trying to find her dad. But who is after him - the law or somebody much worse. When her dad contacts her one night needing help urgently, Dee realises that everything she knew is questionable. Still convinced her dad is a good guy, she does get caught up in his dangerous schemes and that is when the story really ramps up. But her dad is clever and has many tricks up his sleeve.
The characters were excellent, most were very likeable and extremely relatable. One of the best supporting characters was Greg, a former bikie, drug runner and ex-con who never hid any of his faults but took a shine to Dee because he “hates paedos”. Greg is a very useful ally to have. The dialogue was sparkling. I loved everything about the book except the cover. I think it really gives the wrong impression. The story is not about children being abused but rather the people trying to prevent that happening. Many thanks to BookSirens for providing a much appreciated free copy of the book which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly. I now have the second book which I hope to read soon.
July 15, 2022
I love stories about vigilante justice and psychological thrillers. This is my first Chris Lewando book and I am looking forward to reading it.
Deidre is a solitary creature. She cracks me up and I can totally relate to her. She studied psychology, but switched to law. She had stepped into her job not even knowing she would be good at it.
She’d had all she could want as a child, a privileged life, until her dad, a pediatrician, was pushed out because of a baby snatching scandal. There had been children, boys and girls, disappearing. Now, someone is asking questions. Why now?
Her sister has a busy life, a husband and children, so an impromptu visit is not a simple thing. But there is more to the visit than just catching up. These questions and Deidre’s need for answers has her worried.
This is one of those books I find hard to share, because I don’t want to spoil anything for you I will say, we have our share of bad ‘guys’ and good ‘guys’. How it will al unravel I cannot say, but I am definitely eager to find out. We have subterfuge, danger, some trying to do the right thing and some trying to stop them.
Children’s lives are on the line. Kidnapping, sex trafficking, unfit parents that hate their children they brought into the world…and who is going to stand up for them, save them from evil?
It’s not easy to tell who to trust. I have a good feeling about one man, because she needs someone to love, someone to show her the good things in life. Someone to show her there is more to life than work and a glass of wine while reading vampire romances. Love that touch. Now, maybe you can see why Deidre speaks to me.
Chris Lewando has kept the pacing moving right along with mystery, suspense and, yes, some disgusting villains who I wished the worst. The one surprise I figured out pretty early, but I still loved the twist. I will definitely keep my eye on Chris Lewando.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Silence of Children by Chris Lewando.
Deidre is a solitary creature. She cracks me up and I can totally relate to her. She studied psychology, but switched to law. She had stepped into her job not even knowing she would be good at it.
She’d had all she could want as a child, a privileged life, until her dad, a pediatrician, was pushed out because of a baby snatching scandal. There had been children, boys and girls, disappearing. Now, someone is asking questions. Why now?
Her sister has a busy life, a husband and children, so an impromptu visit is not a simple thing. But there is more to the visit than just catching up. These questions and Deidre’s need for answers has her worried.
This is one of those books I find hard to share, because I don’t want to spoil anything for you I will say, we have our share of bad ‘guys’ and good ‘guys’. How it will al unravel I cannot say, but I am definitely eager to find out. We have subterfuge, danger, some trying to do the right thing and some trying to stop them.
Children’s lives are on the line. Kidnapping, sex trafficking, unfit parents that hate their children they brought into the world…and who is going to stand up for them, save them from evil?
It’s not easy to tell who to trust. I have a good feeling about one man, because she needs someone to love, someone to show her the good things in life. Someone to show her there is more to life than work and a glass of wine while reading vampire romances. Love that touch. Now, maybe you can see why Deidre speaks to me.
Chris Lewando has kept the pacing moving right along with mystery, suspense and, yes, some disgusting villains who I wished the worst. The one surprise I figured out pretty early, but I still loved the twist. I will definitely keep my eye on Chris Lewando.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Silence of Children by Chris Lewando.
September 18, 2021
Sacha's Book Reviews Blog
This was my eleventh book I chose via the Reedsy Discovery program, for which I am the single approved reviewer for this new book. This review also appears on Reedsy.
If you're interested in becoming a Reedsy reviewer (and have the chance to get paid "tips" to review books!) check it out here.
The Premise
Deirdre’s past is shrouded in a scandal she never quite understood as a child — her father, a pediatrician, was implicated in a child-abduction scandal that cost him his job and forced him to change his identity. The past comes knocking on her door when her sister Lauralee says she’s been contacted by someone looking into their father’s past, including a former classmate who had disappeared. The child kidnappings had a possible connection to an elusive pedophile — could this have been their father?
Compelled to learn the truth, Deirdre soon finds herself embroiled in a dangerous situation with multiple players in a game she doesn’t know how to play. Luckily, she’s a fast learner — and braver than she ever knew she could be, when a rescue mission goes wrong and she has to break the law to save a child. Suddenly in over her head with both law enforcement and dangerous criminals, can she figure out who to trust, before it’s too late?
The Pros
This was a sensational thriller about vigilante justice, self-sacrifice, and the ties that bind.
Despite her childhood memories being a blurry haze of pampered indulgence and vague notions of paternal love, the adult Deirdre still bears the weight of gut-wrenching doubt:
He’s my father for God’s sake, he can’t be a pedophile. But what if he is?
Her sister’s unease at an unwelcome visitor dredging up the past summons Deirdre’s sleuthing skills, and she sets off to investigate if there may have been any truth to the rumours about their father.
Far from your typical damsel-in-distress, Deirdre is a former psychiatrist turned legal investigator who has never quite found her niche in life, and shudders at the memory of a time she’d once contemplated marriage as “an alternative to boredom”.
Her life pivots swiftly from this “boredom” into a thrilling action ride when a rescue mission goes wrong, and her mettle is tested when she must break the law to save an endangered child. In the aftermath, she feels energized — a feeling that stays with her, even as the world around her seems to be devolving into madness as law enforcement and dangerous criminals are hot on her heels.
As she stumbles down an illegal path of no return, she is torn between loyalty to her father, and her own reticence to ever step beyond her comfort zone. Even as she faces death, she worries at the mark — or lack thereof — that she’s left on the world:
I have to ask myself: before Dad brought me into his world, what had I done to help anyone else? I’ve never deliberately harmed anyone, but actually, have I done anything at all philanthropic?
Deirdre was a refreshing female protagonist with an engaging voice that echoes traits of women’s fiction interwoven into this thrilling joyride of a novel. As she careens from one suspenseful moment to the next, putting her faith in the sketchiest characters to be her guardian angels, her aplomb is awe-inspiring.
I appreciated the character development of all the players in this game of catch-me-if-you-can. Small touches breathed life into the details: her father’s double life that he hid from his children to protect them, her sister’s banal cookie-cutter marriage and motherhood that Deirdre somewhat despises, the good-guy-bad-guy-combo cop, her boss’ shady manipulations — and of course, the enigmatically enticing Greg, who always keeps you guessing.
The writer’s talent is undeniable as it weaves a plausible, visceral tale that effortlessly injects a dose of self-reflection alongside the soaring and plummeting of the plot points. It leaves you wondering if you, too, would rise to the occasion if you had the opportunity to sacrifice yourself to save the innocent.
Conclusion
This was an excellent, fast-paced thriller that felt all too real, with the poignant, relevant subject matter of child abduction and exploitation. Despite the overarching oppressive elements of criminality, there are also darkly funny streaks in the main character’s acerbic wit that string together to thoroughly engage the reader and put you right there in the moment with her — terrified for your life, but also wondering if your life has ever been that worthwhile in the grand scheme of things. With unforgettable characters and a riveting story with more than enough meat to lock your jaw into, I can see this being turned into an absolutely amazing film or dramatic series, and I can’t wait to read the follow-up to this novel (or anything else!) by this author.
___________
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December 19, 2025
I love a thriller about vigilante justice and I haven’t read one in quite a while, so I really enjoyed this one! This was a lot different than the thrillers I’ve been more used to reading recently, so this book was a nice change, and it definitely kept me hooked from start to finish.
I feel like this is a really hard book to describe and explain without spoiling the plot, so I won’t say too much but I will say that the plot was very clever and well written and there were a lot of curveballs and twists along the way. The characters in this book were also some of my favourites I’ve come across in a thriller! They were all extremely well written and all had very intriguing personalities that really made the book even better. I’d definitely recommend this to thriller fans!
Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I feel like this is a really hard book to describe and explain without spoiling the plot, so I won’t say too much but I will say that the plot was very clever and well written and there were a lot of curveballs and twists along the way. The characters in this book were also some of my favourites I’ve come across in a thriller! They were all extremely well written and all had very intriguing personalities that really made the book even better. I’d definitely recommend this to thriller fans!
Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 16, 2021
This was the first time I read anything by this author and I'm impressed. I look forward to more. Writing style is polished and appropriately moves the plot along. The characters are well developed and believable. I enjoyed the slightly different twisty plot. The psychological aspect snagged me hard. I must say the book started off slow and dry and somewhat disjointed -- like it took the writer some time to get up to speed? This passes quickly and it is well worth staying with it to get into the meat of the book. And maybe it was just me. Seems odd in retrospect. Fantastic read - highly recommend.
I gave this honest, voluntary review after being given a free copy of the book with no monetary compensation
I gave this honest, voluntary review after being given a free copy of the book with no monetary compensation
November 15, 2025
thank you to netgalley for a copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review. i’m definitely in the minority when it comes to how i feel about this book. i have to say my experience with this one was just not good. i didn’t feel connected to the characters whatsoever and found everything to be extremely unrealistic (which, this is a work of fiction, but i just couldn’t suspend my belief enough to have a positive experience here). i’m not sure if it was just my ebook that had problems, but it was basically unreadable. in every sentence there were grammatical errors, spelling errors, and words jumbled up without spaces so i had to spend forever on one sentence just trying to decode what it is actually supposed to say. this, of course, threw me off completely, so i just couldn’t get into this one. i’m so glad everyone else seems to love this book, but unfortunately, i did not.
June 24, 2021
I am voluntarily reviewing this novel after receiving a free copy.
Actual rating: 4.65 stars
This novel was a ride! It had me thoroughly hooked from start to finish. Half of that was the well-paced, unique plot. This isn't a thriller that focuses on the female protag being unstable/whiny, or having problems with her husband/children/whatever. It's not a murder mystery. It's about child abduction, which is something I hadn't read before. The initial twist regarding her father's involvement was easy to spot, but after that, the novel is a rollercoaster, moving from one conflict to the next while steadily building the reader's paranoia. Eventually even I started to wonder if someone was watching my every move...
The other half of my enjoyment was the characters. Our main protag has a very strong, unique voice. It's not always pleasant, and not always PC - at times she definitely comes off as a bit of a d-bag - but it's fun to read, especially as she has her moments of growth over the story. I especially liked how she eventually pulled back the curtain on her own life for a moment to realize her own petty feelings/conflicts were small in the big picture of things, and how she had never really done anything to benefit anyone but herself. Her selfishness is a big theme in the story, and it was nice to see her have that revelation.
I did have to knock off a few points for the boy troubles (yawn) and the sloppy climax. There's basically a kidnapping, rescue, and then another kidnapping in quick succession, which just felt unnecessary, and the resolution to both ended up feeling a bit silly.
Overall, though, this was a well-paced, gripping novel with strong characters. I would read more books from this author.
Actual rating: 4.65 stars
This novel was a ride! It had me thoroughly hooked from start to finish. Half of that was the well-paced, unique plot. This isn't a thriller that focuses on the female protag being unstable/whiny, or having problems with her husband/children/whatever. It's not a murder mystery. It's about child abduction, which is something I hadn't read before. The initial twist regarding her father's involvement was easy to spot, but after that, the novel is a rollercoaster, moving from one conflict to the next while steadily building the reader's paranoia. Eventually even I started to wonder if someone was watching my every move...
The other half of my enjoyment was the characters. Our main protag has a very strong, unique voice. It's not always pleasant, and not always PC - at times she definitely comes off as a bit of a d-bag - but it's fun to read, especially as she has her moments of growth over the story. I especially liked how she eventually pulled back the curtain on her own life for a moment to realize her own petty feelings/conflicts were small in the big picture of things, and how she had never really done anything to benefit anyone but herself. Her selfishness is a big theme in the story, and it was nice to see her have that revelation.
I did have to knock off a few points for the boy troubles (yawn) and the sloppy climax. There's basically a kidnapping, rescue, and then another kidnapping in quick succession, which just felt unnecessary, and the resolution to both ended up feeling a bit silly.
Overall, though, this was a well-paced, gripping novel with strong characters. I would read more books from this author.
August 27, 2022
The book is about a new topic - paedophiles, a subject I have always avoided reading about and knowing about. I have always considered it a subject that is not worth investing time in.
I picked up this book at random and started reading it and immediately wondered what I got myself into. I wanted to complete it, even though the subject was something I abhor.
However, this book is about a single-man vigilante who rescues children who have been abducted and forced into such heinous acts for the pleasure of a few depraved individuals. It also highlights how a person, with money at his disposal, can gather a team who aids him in such an act to satisfy the whims of such individuals, just for money.
The book is very slow and takes some effort to go continue reading it. They say, in cricket, Ravi Shastri's batting is like a car being in 1st gear and suddenly switches to the top gear, namely he puts everyone to sleep with his ordinary, mundane(?) batting and suddenly takes off like a rocket blasting his way through to a respectable total. So also this, book, from a slow sedate pace suddenly takes off with the protagonist helping her father in a rescue mission. It again dies down and towards the end gathers pace to a final climax when all the loose ends are neatly tied up and delivered as a complete novel
I give it a four-star rating for its theme and the beautiful description of the normal, ordinary life of a single girl fighting for her father in her implicit trust in her father's innocence. You can read it over the weekend to lend variety to your reading
I picked up this book at random and started reading it and immediately wondered what I got myself into. I wanted to complete it, even though the subject was something I abhor.
However, this book is about a single-man vigilante who rescues children who have been abducted and forced into such heinous acts for the pleasure of a few depraved individuals. It also highlights how a person, with money at his disposal, can gather a team who aids him in such an act to satisfy the whims of such individuals, just for money.
The book is very slow and takes some effort to go continue reading it. They say, in cricket, Ravi Shastri's batting is like a car being in 1st gear and suddenly switches to the top gear, namely he puts everyone to sleep with his ordinary, mundane(?) batting and suddenly takes off like a rocket blasting his way through to a respectable total. So also this, book, from a slow sedate pace suddenly takes off with the protagonist helping her father in a rescue mission. It again dies down and towards the end gathers pace to a final climax when all the loose ends are neatly tied up and delivered as a complete novel
I give it a four-star rating for its theme and the beautiful description of the normal, ordinary life of a single girl fighting for her father in her implicit trust in her father's innocence. You can read it over the weekend to lend variety to your reading
February 4, 2021
Great story. Did the Pediatrician really help in an infant abduction. That's what they thought when they took his license away. Now his two daughters are grown but don't know what really happened. This story grabs your interest and keeps it. His daughter finds out more than she wanted to know. What will she do with this knowledge" What would you do. There is an underground for abused women. could there be more undergrounds we don't know about? I received an ARC of this book and am glad I did. Hope you enjoy as much as I did.
March 19, 2023
Wow! I’m still reeling from this book. The plot is well developed and thought out. It starts off slow but picks up fairly quickly to where I couldn’t put it down. It’s fast paced once it picks up. The story is well written. Characters were well developed and easily relatable. This was so well written that I kept flipping with who the good and bad guys were. The twist and turns throughout the book kept me guessing. I can’t wait for book 2.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book
January 22, 2021
This is one super good book. I can not believe how much it made me really think about what can happen to our children.
The characters are great and this is a straight plot. You will not believe how this book will make you feel. I did enjoy this book very much even though it made me quite sad.
With that being said, this is one book that you really should read. There is a big twist that takes you by surprise and the ending is very good.
The characters are great and this is a straight plot. You will not believe how this book will make you feel. I did enjoy this book very much even though it made me quite sad.
With that being said, this is one book that you really should read. There is a big twist that takes you by surprise and the ending is very good.
April 30, 2021
I enjoyed this book. This is a newer author for me, I look forward to reading more in the future. This is a well written story that has characters that brought the story to life on each page. The twists and turns left me turning pages fast. This is a fast paced story that brings action and even various emotions throughout the story. I enjoyed watching the characters grow throughout and they really made the story for me. I highly recommend this book.
February 3, 2021
I enjoyed this psychological thriller. I liked the way the author pulls you in and drags you through the surprise twists and turns to the shocking ending. I would highly recommend this book. This is my first time reading anything from this author, but it won't be the last. I received this book as an ARC and this is my honest review.
November 15, 2025
📚The Silence of Children
✍🏻Chris Lewando
Blurb:
Twenty year ago, Deirdre's father, a paediatrician was implicated in a child-abduction scandal that cost him his job, forcing him to change his identity. As an adult, in discovering her father is involved in something decidedly shady, she confronts the horrific possibility that he is linked to a paedophile ring. When two men enter Deirdre's life, she's sure they're seeking her father. But are they paedophiles or FEDs? Loyalties torn, she feels compelled to learn the truth and stumbles into a conspiracy that threatens her own life. Is she prepared to save a child's life at the risk of her own? Even Deirdre doesn't know the answer to that, until confronted with its reality.
My Thoughts:
This was a book that I seriously could not put down .The story was very creative it was not predictable in any way which I really appreciate and enjoy.. This isn't a thriller that focuses on the female protag being unstable/whiny, or having problems with her husband/children/whatever. It's not a murder mystery. It's about child abduction, which is something I hadn't read before. The initial twist regarding her father's involvement was easy to spot, but after that, the novel is a rollercoaster, moving from one conflict to the next while steadily building the reader's paranoia. Eventually even I started to wonder if someone was watching my every move.. There's basically a kidnapping, rescue, and then another kidnapping in quick succession, which just felt unnecessary, and the resolution to both ended up feeling a bit silly.. This was a well-paced, gripping novel with strong characters. I would recommend to those that enjoy reading dark, fast paced, tense and adventurous add this to your TBR List.
Thanks NetGalley, Drombeg Press and Author Chris Lewando for the advanced copy of "The Silence of Children" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#DrombegPress
#ChrisLewando
#TheSilenceofChildren
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✍🏻Chris Lewando
Blurb:
Twenty year ago, Deirdre's father, a paediatrician was implicated in a child-abduction scandal that cost him his job, forcing him to change his identity. As an adult, in discovering her father is involved in something decidedly shady, she confronts the horrific possibility that he is linked to a paedophile ring. When two men enter Deirdre's life, she's sure they're seeking her father. But are they paedophiles or FEDs? Loyalties torn, she feels compelled to learn the truth and stumbles into a conspiracy that threatens her own life. Is she prepared to save a child's life at the risk of her own? Even Deirdre doesn't know the answer to that, until confronted with its reality.
My Thoughts:
This was a book that I seriously could not put down .The story was very creative it was not predictable in any way which I really appreciate and enjoy.. This isn't a thriller that focuses on the female protag being unstable/whiny, or having problems with her husband/children/whatever. It's not a murder mystery. It's about child abduction, which is something I hadn't read before. The initial twist regarding her father's involvement was easy to spot, but after that, the novel is a rollercoaster, moving from one conflict to the next while steadily building the reader's paranoia. Eventually even I started to wonder if someone was watching my every move.. There's basically a kidnapping, rescue, and then another kidnapping in quick succession, which just felt unnecessary, and the resolution to both ended up feeling a bit silly.. This was a well-paced, gripping novel with strong characters. I would recommend to those that enjoy reading dark, fast paced, tense and adventurous add this to your TBR List.
Thanks NetGalley, Drombeg Press and Author Chris Lewando for the advanced copy of "The Silence of Children" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#DrombegPress
#ChrisLewando
#TheSilenceofChildren
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
May 14, 2022
Child stealing as a method to save children's lives - 5 stars
Diedre (Dee) Hamilton eases into a new career as a legal assistant and gumshoe. Dee has been searching for the right job almost forever. She is a college grad but her back story is important - her father lost his hospital affiliation after being accused in a high-profile child-snatching incident.
In the 21st century, pedophiles are willing to pay for sex with children. For people who supplied children, it is easy money. Children are swept up and used until they are too old, too sick, die or, run away.
Dr. Hamilton (Dee's father), had made a career of saving children. Neither Dee nor her sister Lauralee had not seen their dad for 20 years. When Dee gets a short call indicating that Dr. Hamilton needs her help.
There was an underlying knowledge that Dr. Hamilton was a good man but now he seems to be an outlaw, fearing the FBI as well as an organized crime organization that profited on the sale of children for sex. Dr. Hamilton has been trying to fix the world one person at a time - hiding from the authorities and arranging for battered children to have a better life. After 20 years, one pedophile ring seemed to realize that Dr. Hamilton was a threat and planned to eliminate that threat.
Dee got involved and quickly got over her head. She accepted assistance from an unlikely guy - Greg - a motorcycle tough. Technology has made electronic surveillance as common as gun ownership. In this story, you will meet people who you probably would not meet in normal life - it is doubtful that pedophiles will study this story; you will probably watch your children more carefully after living through this adventure. Well done.
Diedre (Dee) Hamilton eases into a new career as a legal assistant and gumshoe. Dee has been searching for the right job almost forever. She is a college grad but her back story is important - her father lost his hospital affiliation after being accused in a high-profile child-snatching incident.
In the 21st century, pedophiles are willing to pay for sex with children. For people who supplied children, it is easy money. Children are swept up and used until they are too old, too sick, die or, run away.
Dr. Hamilton (Dee's father), had made a career of saving children. Neither Dee nor her sister Lauralee had not seen their dad for 20 years. When Dee gets a short call indicating that Dr. Hamilton needs her help.
There was an underlying knowledge that Dr. Hamilton was a good man but now he seems to be an outlaw, fearing the FBI as well as an organized crime organization that profited on the sale of children for sex. Dr. Hamilton has been trying to fix the world one person at a time - hiding from the authorities and arranging for battered children to have a better life. After 20 years, one pedophile ring seemed to realize that Dr. Hamilton was a threat and planned to eliminate that threat.
Dee got involved and quickly got over her head. She accepted assistance from an unlikely guy - Greg - a motorcycle tough. Technology has made electronic surveillance as common as gun ownership. In this story, you will meet people who you probably would not meet in normal life - it is doubtful that pedophiles will study this story; you will probably watch your children more carefully after living through this adventure. Well done.
December 23, 2025
Accomplished.
Addictive.
A genuinely bloody good read.
It’s rare to find a book that ticks every single box — and rarer still when it does so with such confidence and skill. “The Silence of Children” achieves this with an ease that feels quietly impressive rather than showy.
The writing is smooth, assured, and beautifully controlled. The plot tackles one of the most challenging subjects imaginable — the abuse and mistreatment of children — and does so with sensitivity, restraint, and a clear respect for the gravity of the material. This is careful, considered storytelling, never exploitative and never overwrought.
As the narrative unfolds, it broadens intelligently, adding depth and complexity without ever straining credibility. The pacing is spot-on, the structure well thought out, and every development feels purposeful and earned.
The characters are particularly strong — fully fleshed, flawed, and entirely believable. Whatever their motivations, they feel human and authentic, crafted with care rather than convenience.
I’m writing this while still reading (currently at 67%), which is something I almost never do. Usually I need time after finishing a book to reflect. With this one, I was invested early on and stayed there — emotionally engaged and thoroughly absorbed.
There’s nothing contrived here. Just confident, accomplished storytelling that knows exactly what it’s doing and delivers it beautifully. The kind of book that reminds you why you love reading in the first place.
My thanks to NetGalley and Sue Lewando for the ARC of “The Silence of Children” by Chris Lewando.
Addictive.
A genuinely bloody good read.
It’s rare to find a book that ticks every single box — and rarer still when it does so with such confidence and skill. “The Silence of Children” achieves this with an ease that feels quietly impressive rather than showy.
The writing is smooth, assured, and beautifully controlled. The plot tackles one of the most challenging subjects imaginable — the abuse and mistreatment of children — and does so with sensitivity, restraint, and a clear respect for the gravity of the material. This is careful, considered storytelling, never exploitative and never overwrought.
As the narrative unfolds, it broadens intelligently, adding depth and complexity without ever straining credibility. The pacing is spot-on, the structure well thought out, and every development feels purposeful and earned.
The characters are particularly strong — fully fleshed, flawed, and entirely believable. Whatever their motivations, they feel human and authentic, crafted with care rather than convenience.
I’m writing this while still reading (currently at 67%), which is something I almost never do. Usually I need time after finishing a book to reflect. With this one, I was invested early on and stayed there — emotionally engaged and thoroughly absorbed.
There’s nothing contrived here. Just confident, accomplished storytelling that knows exactly what it’s doing and delivers it beautifully. The kind of book that reminds you why you love reading in the first place.
My thanks to NetGalley and Sue Lewando for the ARC of “The Silence of Children” by Chris Lewando.
December 27, 2023
This is a brand-new author to me. The book I just read was true to life full of constant intense action. I read it in the space of a couple hours. I could not put it down! Two sisters, Dee and Laurie, for short, lost their mom at a young age. Their father was a doctor accused of something horrible…he left. Now they are older, not that close, and Laurie is the one with a family. The past will come out to haunt them even though they know nothing~ The life Dee knows is one that will come tumbling around her when she slowly becomes involved in things that play out like a movie series.
She will meet people she never thought she could trust. She will have to do things that go against her morals and grain. Who are the good guys? The bad guys? Where does she fall into the scheme of things? How can doing something so right be considered wrong? Who will be the ones she can rely upon? Is her dad bad or good? Was he guilty in the past? With bodies piling up, her life in danger, kidnapping a family member, and mystery and intrigue on a spy level…what will be the end game and costs? I KNOW I am already hooked on this author’s skillset of writing a book, keeping you guessing, intensity that has you squirming in your seat, sweating at certain points, disbelief at other times, and not wanting to stop until the end…but her end is only the beginning…where this will end up…only the books and the journey of reading them will tell us!
She will meet people she never thought she could trust. She will have to do things that go against her morals and grain. Who are the good guys? The bad guys? Where does she fall into the scheme of things? How can doing something so right be considered wrong? Who will be the ones she can rely upon? Is her dad bad or good? Was he guilty in the past? With bodies piling up, her life in danger, kidnapping a family member, and mystery and intrigue on a spy level…what will be the end game and costs? I KNOW I am already hooked on this author’s skillset of writing a book, keeping you guessing, intensity that has you squirming in your seat, sweating at certain points, disbelief at other times, and not wanting to stop until the end…but her end is only the beginning…where this will end up…only the books and the journey of reading them will tell us!
September 23, 2022
A Highly memorable read…
So many well-written and entertaining books are still easily forgotten once you’ve gone on to the next one. Silence of the Children, however, will stick with me for a long time. I took a chance on a new author for me and I am so glad that I did. Deirdre’s character and thought process is quite intelligent, witty and realistically thought provoking. We are immediately drawn into her rapidly changing and increasingly risky circumstances. Are we meant to just get by in life and “fit in” or boldly (even with some hesitancy) step out of line and stand up for what we believe is right despite what the so-called law says is illegal?
This story is a refreshing way to reflect on the under-belly of society and our own inability to see what is actually in front of us and often ignored. Is our life worth living if we choose not to make a difference? We all are on different paths and have different rolls to play. All the characters in this novel fit the real world perfectly and add depth and intrigue to the story. I especially grew fond of Greg, the ”bad-boy”, and hope to see more of him in this new series and new beginnings for my newly acquired book friend, Deirdre…I received an arc and this is my honest and voluntary review.
So many well-written and entertaining books are still easily forgotten once you’ve gone on to the next one. Silence of the Children, however, will stick with me for a long time. I took a chance on a new author for me and I am so glad that I did. Deirdre’s character and thought process is quite intelligent, witty and realistically thought provoking. We are immediately drawn into her rapidly changing and increasingly risky circumstances. Are we meant to just get by in life and “fit in” or boldly (even with some hesitancy) step out of line and stand up for what we believe is right despite what the so-called law says is illegal?
This story is a refreshing way to reflect on the under-belly of society and our own inability to see what is actually in front of us and often ignored. Is our life worth living if we choose not to make a difference? We all are on different paths and have different rolls to play. All the characters in this novel fit the real world perfectly and add depth and intrigue to the story. I especially grew fond of Greg, the ”bad-boy”, and hope to see more of him in this new series and new beginnings for my newly acquired book friend, Deirdre…I received an arc and this is my honest and voluntary review.
Read
January 11, 2023Deirdre has a lot on her plate she is a researcher for a divorce lawyer she recently found out people snooping around asking about events that happened to her dad decades ago and she was almost raped. thankfully her neighbor interceded in save the from actually being a salted until now she had never spoke to her neighbor but it seems since he rescued her he always seems to be around at first she thinks he must like her but she’ll find out from an unlikely source that is far from being the case. This book is so much to it I am finding it difficult to give it a good summary. Just know in this book nothing is as it seems and although they have family secrets we find out not all secrets are bad and some are even necessary. I totally enjoyed this book I found the plot to be new and refreshing and not a trope we’ve seen before at least I have it. I think the author is very talented and has created a puzzle piece of a mystery that once put all together you can truly see the genius of Chris Lewando. I highly recommend this book if you love a good mystery with some wow moments you need to read this book. I received it from Book Sirens but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
November 26, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Twenty years ago, Deirdre’s father, a pediatrician, was accused of a crime that forced him to quit his job and change his identity. As an adult, the past refuses to let her go, pulling her into a dangerous conspiracy. Unsure whom to trust, Deirdre risks her life to uncover the truth and save a child.
I found the storyline both strong and refreshingly unique. I also really enjoyed the characters; Deirdre felt incredibly realistic and easy to connect with, and Greg was a great addition. The author doesn’t shy away from the darker elements of the story, presenting them raw and unfiltered, which I found impressive. The writing also builds suspense gradually in a way that kept me engaged.
"How far would you go to save innocent lives?” This book explores that question beautifully. Deirdre’s character development, driven by her determination to protect others, was compelling and at times emotional to read. My only issue was that the pacing felt a bit slow in the beginning.
Overall, this was a four-star read for me. This was my first book from this author, and I am looking forward to reading more.
Twenty years ago, Deirdre’s father, a pediatrician, was accused of a crime that forced him to quit his job and change his identity. As an adult, the past refuses to let her go, pulling her into a dangerous conspiracy. Unsure whom to trust, Deirdre risks her life to uncover the truth and save a child.
I found the storyline both strong and refreshingly unique. I also really enjoyed the characters; Deirdre felt incredibly realistic and easy to connect with, and Greg was a great addition. The author doesn’t shy away from the darker elements of the story, presenting them raw and unfiltered, which I found impressive. The writing also builds suspense gradually in a way that kept me engaged.
"How far would you go to save innocent lives?” This book explores that question beautifully. Deirdre’s character development, driven by her determination to protect others, was compelling and at times emotional to read. My only issue was that the pacing felt a bit slow in the beginning.
Overall, this was a four-star read for me. This was my first book from this author, and I am looking forward to reading more.
August 2, 2022
First, excellent story and thank you. Second, I was initially turned off with so much stereotyping and then references to stereotyping but then I let that go. This was a book that I seriously could not put down. I enjoyed the characters, and their interesting interactions, and the way they developed. When I saw this book as an arc, I saw the second book in the series was available as an arc as well. Before even leaving this review, I rushed to get the second book. That's how much I enjoyed it.
Now for the review portion.
The story was very creative it was not predictable in any way which I really appreciate and enjoy. There were things that I thought I was predicting that I was not. Other than the stereotyping issue which did bother me and then reared it's ugly head again at the end, the writing style and grammar and spelling and all that was fabulous.
This is only the second arc that I am reviewing. The first was very disappointing very juvenile and uncreative. I did not have high hopes for this one, but I am surprised and happy and will be doing another one. And I'm now following this author. 😁
Now for the review portion.
The story was very creative it was not predictable in any way which I really appreciate and enjoy. There were things that I thought I was predicting that I was not. Other than the stereotyping issue which did bother me and then reared it's ugly head again at the end, the writing style and grammar and spelling and all that was fabulous.
This is only the second arc that I am reviewing. The first was very disappointing very juvenile and uncreative. I did not have high hopes for this one, but I am surprised and happy and will be doing another one. And I'm now following this author. 😁
August 29, 2025
First, excellent story and thank you. Second, I was initially turned off with so much stereotyping and then references to stereotyping but then I let that go. This was a book that I seriously could not put down. I enjoyed the characters, and their interesting interactions, and the way they developed. When I saw this book as an arc, I saw the second book in the series was available as an arc as well. Before even leaving this review, I rushed to get the second book. That's how much I enjoyed it.
Now for the review portion.
The story was very creative it was not predictable in any way which I really appreciate and enjoy. There were things that I thought I was predicting that I was not. Other than the stereotyping issue which did bother me and then reared it's ugly head again at the end, the writing style and grammar and spelling and all that was fabulous.
This is only the second arc that I am reviewing. The first was very disappointing very juvenile and uncreative. I did not have high hopes for this one, but I am surprised and happy and will be doing another one. And I'm now following this author.
Now for the review portion.
The story was very creative it was not predictable in any way which I really appreciate and enjoy. There were things that I thought I was predicting that I was not. Other than the stereotyping issue which did bother me and then reared it's ugly head again at the end, the writing style and grammar and spelling and all that was fabulous.
This is only the second arc that I am reviewing. The first was very disappointing very juvenile and uncreative. I did not have high hopes for this one, but I am surprised and happy and will be doing another one. And I'm now following this author.
February 4, 2023
Review Copy
I was looking for something different and the title of this book caught my eye. I enjoy - for some bizarre reason - stories that deal with child abuse. This is the first book in a series so curiosity, and good reviews convinced me to try it,
Mistake. The writing was tame. There were allusions to pedophile rings and how hated they were. There were mentions of abuse and kidnappings and returns., but no actual scenes or discoveries of any kind, It was full of angst of the protagonist worries that her father may be snatching kids.
The other item that bothered me was that the author seemed to be acting as if she were American rather than British and I couldn't figure out why someone would do that. There were so many errors of grammar, idiom and geographic problems, I wondered where her beta readers were located.
In this end, I was very disappointed that I chose to review this book, and gave it 2.5 stars. I won't finish the series.
I was looking for something different and the title of this book caught my eye. I enjoy - for some bizarre reason - stories that deal with child abuse. This is the first book in a series so curiosity, and good reviews convinced me to try it,
Mistake. The writing was tame. There were allusions to pedophile rings and how hated they were. There were mentions of abuse and kidnappings and returns., but no actual scenes or discoveries of any kind, It was full of angst of the protagonist worries that her father may be snatching kids.
The other item that bothered me was that the author seemed to be acting as if she were American rather than British and I couldn't figure out why someone would do that. There were so many errors of grammar, idiom and geographic problems, I wondered where her beta readers were located.
In this end, I was very disappointed that I chose to review this book, and gave it 2.5 stars. I won't finish the series.
January 16, 2023
This was an interesting book with mystery, action,romance and humor. I liked the protagonist, Deidre or Dee, she seemed very authentic.
The story has her father as a renegade hero, with Dee, at first, reluctantly later, when passionate about the cause, helping him. We get to speculate who is on her side and who is lying.
I would have preferred no anti-Religious references . The violence was not too graphic, which I appreciate in a book. I enjoyed the last half of the book, sorry the first half went a bit slow for me.
Emotionally I connected with Dee and her father. I could feel their closeness. Greg was a fun addition! He was all swagger, leather and tough guy but Dee could really depend on him.
I will look for the next book that follows the story. I received an advance review copy free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The story has her father as a renegade hero, with Dee, at first, reluctantly later, when passionate about the cause, helping him. We get to speculate who is on her side and who is lying.
I would have preferred no anti-Religious references . The violence was not too graphic, which I appreciate in a book. I enjoyed the last half of the book, sorry the first half went a bit slow for me.
Emotionally I connected with Dee and her father. I could feel their closeness. Greg was a fun addition! He was all swagger, leather and tough guy but Dee could really depend on him.
I will look for the next book that follows the story. I received an advance review copy free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 26, 2022
Paedophilia is a very sensitive topic. Chris Lewando has written The Silence of Children in a way that covers the seriousness of this crime and the ruthlessness of those who make their fortunes from it, without going into explicit detail. Like the author has depicted, I would love to believe that for every paedophile ring, there are those like Dr. Hamilton trying to rescue children from this fate. In no way is The Silence of Children an "easy" or "enjoyable" read. What it is, is a story that needs to be told as this is a danger that all parents need to be aware of. I hope to read more from this author in the future.
I received a free copy of The Silence of Children through BookSirens and have chosen to leave a review.
I received a free copy of The Silence of Children through BookSirens and have chosen to leave a review.
September 29, 2025
This is an emotionally charged thriller filled with family drama and psychological suspense. The story follows a family who are keeping secrets, and in order to survive, you must keep these secrets.
The writing is evocative and immerses the reader in a world of trauma, where children are caught in the crossfire of adult choices. The pacing builds gradually with tension growing and a feeling of unease as the reader is introduced to the suspense of not just what happened, but how people choose to live with their trauma.
This book is atmospheric, haunting, and thought-provoking. It is a true reminder of the saying, “silence often speaks louder than words”. I found this to be a very powerful story.
The writing is evocative and immerses the reader in a world of trauma, where children are caught in the crossfire of adult choices. The pacing builds gradually with tension growing and a feeling of unease as the reader is introduced to the suspense of not just what happened, but how people choose to live with their trauma.
This book is atmospheric, haunting, and thought-provoking. It is a true reminder of the saying, “silence often speaks louder than words”. I found this to be a very powerful story.
June 10, 2022
The Silence of Children is Book 1 in the Suffer the Little Children by Chris Lewando. I think that this story could be taken from today's news. It is not an enjoyable topic to read about children disappearing and paedophilia. I found this story to be gripping and hard to put down. I found the characters to be well written and interesting. I often did not know who was good and who the "bad guys" were. The ending was a total surprise and I am excited to read book 2. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.
December 17, 2025
The Silence of Children is a gripping, morally complex thriller that refuses to shy away from uncomfortable truths. Chris Lewando crafts a story where suspense is driven not just by danger, but by conscience. Dee is a reluctant, believable heroine whose courage grows out of fear rather than bravado. The novel exposes how abuse hides behind respectability and silence, making the threat feel disturbingly real. Tense, intelligent, and emotionally grounded, this is suspense fiction with both heart and teeth.
January 8, 2026
This was a well written book, with a captivating premise. The characters are well established and you are easily pulled into their cause. Although I felt this was a good read, I also felt that it was a little to slow paced. There could have been much more added to the story to make it a gripping thriller. All and all a very good story and I would be willing to read another title by this author.
This honest review was given in exchange for an ARC provided by NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
This honest review was given in exchange for an ARC provided by NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
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February 6, 2022This book deserves every one of five stars! I'm an avid reader and this book took me by surprise -- I couldn't put it down, neglected other things, stayed up late....One of the few novels about abduction that isn't rife with colourful language, the author has good command of her prose and doesn't need it. It's difficult not to get caught up in the life if the protagonist! I would read this book again in a heartbeat.
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