November 12, 2019

I’ve often distinguished thrillers as either moving fast with lots of twists or slower with a more ominous build to the reveal. My Mother’s Silence belongs in the latter category.

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Amazon: https://geni.us/B07WFF194PSocial
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Skye is returning home after leaving 15 years prior, shortly after her twin sister died and she was in a horrible car accident. She grudgingly agrees to return only because her brother tells her that her mom has taken a fall and is asking for her. There are family secrets, town secrets, and a whole lot of messed up for her to deal with.

Her memories surrounding the accident are missing, but as she speaks with old friends, she starts having flashes that she comes to realize are memories resurfacing. This is when the story really takes off because everything that she thought comes into question, which in turn leaves the reader wondering what the real story is.

I particularly liked the Celtic themes and perspective of the townspeople. I thought the author did a very good job of illustrating how small towns work, where everyone has a connection and they stand up for their own. I also wish I could hear some of Skye’s songs because they sounded beautiful in my mind 😊

There were a few parts that seemed like a little bit of a reach, but only because they didn’t seem to be as detailed as others. Skye’s mother’s state of mind is something that I found particularly fascinating, as her lucidity appeared to be directly linked to the facts of the past. I know that sounds a little cagey, but I don’t want to give anything away.

I do wish that we could have had more of Ginny’s diary entries because I thought they were interesting and gave a new dimension to the events of the past. I think a few more of those placed at strategic points in the plot could have added to the questions that Skye was trying to answer.

All in all, this was a solid story and I would definitely recommend it.

My Mother’s Silence by Lauren Westwood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As psychological thrillers go, this belongs in the slow-build/reveal category. It is not particularly chilling as much as it is a story of family secrets and the consequences surrounding them. I liked the setting and thought the author did a great job of creating the small-town atmosphere. I also thought that Skye’s personality was very balanced and crucial for how she approached each new piece of information as she tried to piece her memories back together. This was a quick and intriguing read, and I would recommend it. For a full review, please visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a complimentary, pre-release, digital ARC of the book.

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Author Bio

Lauren Westwood writes dark and romantic women’s fiction and is also an award-winning children’s writer. Originally from California, she now lives in England in a persnickety old house built in 1602, with her partner and three daughters.

Lauren hopes you enjoy her latest book, My Mother’s Silence, which is a dark, emotional journey about homecoming and family secrets. Your opinions are important to her, so please do leave a review.