The Silent Child - MJ White

When a body is discovered at an abandoned Suffolk farm, DS Rob Minshull and the squad believes it’s the latest casualty of the drugs war terrorising rural communities. But when the victim is identified as a well-respected local teacher, the case is thrown wide open.

While they hunt the murderer, the South Suffolk CID team face a new threat. A brutal vigilante group dispensing their own twisted justice puts the investigation in grave danger, as well as the detectives.

Educational psychologist, Dr Cora Lael, is called in to work with Lottie Arundel, a troubled teen who stopped speaking a year ago.

As Cora enters Lottie’s world, it seems that the teen’s silence might hold the key to the case. But as Cora and Rob work together to find a vicious killer, it’s clear that uncovering Lottie’s secrets will take Cora and Rob into the most dangerous of places – where the price to pay for the truth might be death…

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My Review:

The Silent Child is the second book in the Cora Lael series by MJ White (otherwise known as wonderful Miranda Dickinson). I thoroughly enjoyed the first book and eagerly awaited this next one and it did not disappoint. An author that has definitely succeeded in crossing genres and doing both well.

The discovery of a body in a barn sets us on gripping and dramatic journey to find the killer whilst we see Cora start working with a teenager who has stopped speaking. When Cora’s work starts crossing into the police investigation she is soon back in familiar territory of working with the police.

I was hooked from the start, I really enjoy the premise of Cora’s special talent and so love seeing how it can be put to use within these storylines. The author draws us in and makes us feel like we are part of it all, I really enjoy trying to solve the investigation as we read along, although I’m usually wrong!

With many twists and turns along the way, this storyline is dark at times with themes that could make some uncomfortable but it is well written and necessary for the storyline. Sensitive issues that have been very well handled by the author.

I think we have seen more character development in this book than the first, almost like the first setting the scene and now we are really getting into knowing more of the characters and lengths they will go to for justice. I believe we have more to see from them and look forward to more books in the series. 

A fantastic crime drama that I love in book form but believe would adapt well onto the screen. I highly recommend and eagerly await number three!

Author Bio:

MJ White is the pseudonym of bestselling author Miranda Dickinson, author of twelve books, including six Sunday Times bestsellers. Her books have been translated into ten languages, selling over a million copies worldwide. A long time lover of crime fiction, The Secret Voices is her debut crime series. She is a singer-songwriter, host of weekly Facebook Live show, Fab Night In Chatty Thing..

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Good Neighbours - Mary Grand

 

It was meant to be a safe place to start again... 

In need of an escape from her failing marriage, Nia agrees to house-sit her aunt’s cottage on the Isle of Wight. She feels sure the cosy close in a quaint harbour town will be a safe place to hide and figure out what to do next. 

But things are not all as they seem in the close, and the neighbours who welcome her with open arms, are keeping secrets. When Nia finds the body of one of her new friends lying on the beach, she feels sickeningly sure that the killer is dangerously near to home.

Who killed her friend and why did she have to die? And if Nia discovers the answers she’s looking for, is she next on their hit list? Good neighbours may become good friends, but they can also make deadly enemies… 

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My Review:

An atmospheric and tense read, I enjoyed this ‘whodunit’ style thriller. It caught my attention and I found I wanted to keep reading to find out who was behind it all.

This story is set on the Isle of Wight where, upon first impressions they are a close group of friends/neighbours but beneath it all secrets, resentments and arguments mean someone has become a killer and will do all it takes to keep their identity from every being revealed.

Nia, has left Cardiff and her husband, Chris, of 20 years and is seeking refuge in her Auntie Gwen’s vacant property on the island. It isn’t long before she’s part of the group, but a tragic discovery leaves her feeling unsure of who to trust and their motives for wanting to keep her close.

It’s full of red herrings, but the clues are there. You will read along as Nia tries to eliminate each neighbour whilst being under the spotlight herself. As secrets start coming to light, you will not know who she can trust or whether she will be the next victim.

This book will grab you attention and fill you with suspense. It was very well written and moved along at a good pace, which I like with this genre. Very enjoyable for fans of this genre.

Author Bio:

Mary Grand is the author of five novels and writes gripping, page-turning suspense,
with a dark and often murderous underside. She grew up in Wales, was for many years
a teacher of deaf children and now lives on the Isle of Wight where her novel, The House Party, which was published by Boldwood in July 2020, is set.

 

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