From my blog: Always With a Book:

My thoughts: Heather Gudenkauf can write an edge-of-your-seat thriller like no other...and while I'm still relatively new to her work, having only read her more recent books, she is quickly becoming a must-read author for me. This latest book proves that she can spin a tale that grabs hold of you from the get-go and doesn't let up until the very end!

There are so many unique parts to this story that made it what it is. The main character, Amelia is one of the more interesting characters I've read about in a while - becoming deaf after a tragic accident certainly altered her life - how could it not? And she of course reacts as one might expect, struggling at first, making poor choices, but ultimately she becomes determined to get back on track - and it is that determination and that spunk that makes her so strong. She is without a doubt a complicated, flawed character, but a most memorable one for sure!

Then there is Stitch, Amelia's service dog. Being a dog person myself, I fell in love with Stitch and I loved the bond that Amelia and he had. While he doesn't always listen to Amelia's every command - commands that are given in Czech, which is quite cool! - he no doubt takes good care of her. Stitch really becomes quite the star in this book and reinforces the importance of service dogs. Amelia and Stitch really do make quite the team!

The mystery/crime that Amelia finds herself involved in is not only very intriguing, but it keeps things moving and with so many suspects and twists and turns, I found myself constantly suspicious of anybody and everybody. Every time I thought I had it figured out, something else would happen to make me rethink things...this really kept me on my toes. It's fast-paced and action-packed, and atmospheric - Heather Gudenkauf really knows how to use the setting to her advantage!

This is a fast-paced read that kept me engaged and captivated. It's intense and suspenseful and includes some of the most unique characters I've come across in a long time. Heather Gudenkauf is definitely on my list of go-to authors and while I still have some of her back list to read, this might be my favorite book of hers so far!

Heather Gudenkauf is a favorite of mine I think I have read all of her books, but one. See end of post for list and review links.

One of the things I love about her books is that she has unique plots, settings and characters. Not a Sound starts with the bang and quickly drew me. Amelia is putting her life back together after a hit and run accident that claimed her hearing, this book is told from her point of view.

I found this to be a fast paced story and while I enjoyed the mystery part and how that was resolved I really enjoyed getting to know Amelia and seeing what life is like for her on a day to day basis. Not being born deaf but as a result of an accident, the author did a great job with her struggles and coming to terms with her new way of life. I don't think I've ever read a book featuring a deaf protagonist, and I was interested in how she had to modify her surroundings - special phones, service dog and learning to lip read (just to name a few). Stitch was great and added the extra spark to the story.

Not a Sound is a suspenseful story with an interesting cast of characters in a unique setting. The ending wasn't what I expected, they were twists and turns along the way that have me guessing at the outcome. Definitely a book I highly recommend.

Thanks to the publisher (via Netgalley) for an advanced e-book copy.

Review goes live on the blog on May 29 at 20.00 pm gmt+2 and will show up on Goodreads sometime later.

In a Flutter: Atmospheric and engaging!
Fluttering Thoughts:
Worldbuilding: The Mathias setting was pretty cool. I mean, nature, kayaking, paddling – all creepy to me :)) Seriously though, it was a very interesting setting. Plus the medical world – it’s creepy too. Useful when needed, but creepy. There’s something about those white coats, lol.
Characters: I really enjoyed Amelia. I liked that she was flawed, and wasn’t trying for perfect at all. Despite going through a lot of tough crap, she holds her own. She’s independent and quick witted. Maybe her sharp instincts don’t steer her the right way immediately, but she does have the right idea and perseveres until she figures things out – even when that means putting herself in danger.
I also really like Jake and due to that loved that ending. But the real fav was Stitch xD
Plot: The mystery arc was interesting, with plenty of twists and turns as Amelia suspects one person after the other. Maybe it makes her come off as paranoid, and during the read I wondered just how unreliable a storyteller she was. But in truth, all the ones she suspects are a bit weird, so each suspect seems plausible at some point – which makes the mystery all the more fun to solve. The police came off a bit too weak, though, in my opinion. Essentially, they seemed to bumble about and manage to solve almost nothing. As a fan of detective stories, I kind of felt frustrated and at some point it came off as a bit too much. The romance angle was sweet too, though secondary. I enjoyed the active pace of events and the story was full of tension.
Writing: First person, present tense narrative, Amelia’s POV. Since she’s deaf, it makes her perspective on things even more interesting.
Curb Appeal: Awesome cover, hooking blurb – definite impulsive buy material for my thriller cravings.

I recommend Not a Sound to fans of amateur sleuths and stories about overcoming disability. It’s a tense, engaging read, and it comes to a satisfying ending.

An exciting story with well developed characters. I really loved the main character and found her fascinating. I think everyone has wondered what life would be like if they lost one of their senses, and she illustrated her struggles in a profound and sometimes terrifying way. Also loved her dog!

The twists in the plot were at times underwhelming, but overall this was a exciting, quick read!

3.5 Amelia had a job she loved as a nurse, a husband and stepdaughter she adores, but a tragic accident would leave her deaf and depressed. Her own actions while trying to come fingers with her new circumstances would cost her the job, her husband and the easy relationship with her daughter. Now basically alone, her only companion her service dog Stitch, she is trying foreclosing some parts of her life. Paddling on the river is her solace, that is until she finds the body of a fellow nurse, a friend from the past that she had lost contact with during her difficult years.

A case that strikes at the heart of many, corruption, greed and power, Amelia has trouble letting this go and investigates on her own. Although I felt much of this story was transparent, could easily follow the clues and figure out where it was going, the writing is solid and the characters wonderful. A solid 3.5 for me but rated up instead of down because of Amelia and Stitch. The author herself is hearing impaired and this gave a realism to the character of Amelia. The ways she manages in her life now and her hard won strength felt authentic. Stitch, such a brave Little dog, fiercely protective and loved that his commands where taught in Czech, so that is the language to which he responds. Good story, stronger characters.

ARC from Netgalley.

After a sweet book like Rise & Shine Benedict Stone, I am looking for something dark and suspenseful and Not A Sound by Heather Gudenkauf is exactly what I want. I became a fan of this author after reading her novel, Missing Pieces. SO GOOD.

Here’s the synopsis which intrigued me immediately:

When a tragic accident leaves nurse Amelia Winn deaf, she spirals into a depression that ultimately causes her to lose everything that matters–her job, her husband, David, and her stepdaughter, Nora. Now, two years later and with the help of her hearing dog, Stitch, she is finally getting back on her feet. But when she discovers the body of a fellow nurse in the dense bush by the river, deep in the woods near her cabin, she is plunged into a disturbing mystery that could shatter the carefully reconstructed pieces of her life all over again.

As clues begin to surface, Amelia finds herself swept into an investigation that hits all too close to home. But how much is she willing to risk in order to uncover the truth and bring a killer to justice?

This is the second book I’ve read by Heather Gudenkauf and while I struggled with my first attempt, I’m so pleased to say that I enjoyed this one much more. While this wasn’t one of those crazy, twisted thrillers that I’m usually drawn to, it was still a highly entertaining read.

This opened with a fantastic prologue, Amelia gets hit by a car and is badly injured and is now deaf. Fast forward to two years later and her life has changed drastically, and NOT for the better. Besides adjusting to life with a hearing impairment, she’s separated from her husband, David and stepdaughter Nora, she isn’t a nurse anymore, she’s battling an addiction to alcohol, and she’s living alone in an isolated house in the woods. Amelia was a highly original and unique protagonist and I’m always excited about something new and fresh in fiction. Seeing how she adapted to life with her impairment was really interesting and I think Gudenkauf handled the portrayal accurately and sensitively.

After Amelia finds her old friend Gwen’s body she develops an obsession with finding her killer and starts looking into it on her own. An amateur detective always draws me in and when they have a partner like Amelia did in her service dog, Stitch, I’m hooked. He was such a great addition to the story and I loved watching the bond between him and Amelia.

I’m a fan of Gudenkauf’s writing style, it’s sharp but still conveys a wide variety of emotions and fantastic descriptions. The visual descriptions were outstanding and I like to think Gudenkauf used this as a tool to show how Amelia had to rely more heavily on her other senses due to her hearing loss. This was pretty fast paced and suspenseful but not your typical thriller, I would say it’s an emotional thriller rather than a classic thriller. The author created an unforgettable cast of characters who I really liked and felt connected to and delivered a solid mystery that I didn’t quite figure out.

Two years ago, Amelia Winn’s life was changed when a car hit her as she was escorting a patient to her car. Amelia is working to rebuild her life again after losing her hearing, her job, and eventually her marriage. However, she finds herself smack in the middle of a murder investigation when she and Stitch, her hearing dog, find a dead body while she is out paddle boarding. Worse yet, the dead body is a nurse who had reached out to Amelia since her accident. Amelia can’t stop thinking about Gwen’s death, but is she willing to risk everything to uncover the culprit?

Heather Gudenkauf is a master at finding the emotional heart of a story and wrapping you up in it. NOT A SOUND thrusts us right into the middle of Amelia’s recovery, just as she’s finally pulled herself together after a horrible accident. I love how Heather Gudenkauf shows us Amelia’s strengths without ignoring her struggles. In fact, her challenges demonstrate just how determined and strong Amelia is as she doesn’t give up. Amelia’s deafness is an integral piece of the storyline as we see her struggles to adjust in a world where the nuances of sound are critical. Heather Gudenkauf does a beautiful job at introducing readers to a world without sound.

Heather Gudenkauf is quickly becoming one of my go-to authors when I want to read an emotional story that makes me look at a situation differently. NOT A SOUND is a thriller but the characters are the heart and soul of the storyline. Besides, who couldn’t help but love Stitch and his decidedly independent streak? Stitch truly steals the show as his fierceness and loyalty are ever-present. If you haven’t read a book by Heather Gudenkauf before, then NOT A SOUND is a great place to start.

*Review is in the editing queue at Fresh Fiction*

This was certainly a VERY scary book. The author does a great job with the description and reactions of the main character, Amelia Winn, who just happens to be deaf. I was doubly scared everytime this woman was threatened. She has a service dog, but still, a dog can be taken out and then your left all alone with just your sight.

A very scary book that I could not put down as I whipped through the pages with goosebumps all over me. I certainly can recommend this book!

Thanks to Harlequin for approving my request and to Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

Two years ago Amelia Winn was injured in a shocking collision with a car when she was escorting a patient back to her parked car. The patient had been admitted into her care at the hospital following domestic abuse, treated and then discharged. Her patient was killed and Amelia was injured, unfortunately losing her ability to hear. In the aftermath of the collision, Amelia took to drink in an effort to forget the trauma of what had happened to her. She was left reeling, lonely and unemployed, her marriage eventually breaking down, and her returning to living alone in her father’s remote lodge.
Amelia made a decision to pull herself together, take control of her alcoholism and rebuild her life, hoping to eventually go back to crisis care, a career that she adored and had great talent for. She had already lost so much; her hearing, her husband David and her stepdaughter Nora, her home and her job. Living with her now is her hearing dog Stitch and they are a partnership; an invincible team that enjoy a very active and outdoorsy life. But it was time for Amelia to get back to work, to start again and work her way back into nursing. She applies for a clerical job in the local Cancer care unit, reorganising their record keeping from documentation to digital files.
The day of the interview Amelia is out on her paddle board on the river when Stitch discovers the body of a former friend of hers, a lady who shared her passion for crisis care. They had even worked and socialised together, until Amelia’s accident. Although used to seeing dead bodies she is severely shocked. The body in naked and has become tangled up near the shore. If this hadn’t happened it would have almost certainly been washed downstream and lost in the nearby vast ocean. Amelia calls for help and the body is soon recovered, but Amelia’s interview appointment has come and gone. She has missed her chance of employment.
Saddened by the death of her friend, Amelia is further stunned to discover that the nurse had been the victim of a cold, calculating murderer. As the investigation escalates she becomes convinced she knows who the murderer is and she soon becomes embroiled in the intrigue, placing her life in peril. She will need to keep all of her wits together in order to escape with her life.
'Not a Sound' is a fast-paced and absorbing novel full of action and twists and turns. I literally couldn’t put it down. With superb storytelling and a host of well crafted and charismatic characters, this is an excellent read. Fizzing with tension and amazing but terrifying fight or flight scenes, this is an unmissable, unique read with a complex and involving storyline. I can guarantee that you will not be able to predict the outcome of this tense and chilling novel. It left me totally in awe of the carefully planned plot and the timing and execution of the unexpected plot twists. I absolutely loved it. I would like to thank NetGalley and publisher HQ for my copy, sent to me in return for an honest review. I’m sure this will be a massive hit.

Another great thriller by Heather Gudenkauf; she really knows how to create a sense of tension and anxiety.

I really don't know what to think about this book. If you are a fan of Nora Roberts and have read Angels Fall then you will be as astounded as I was that "Not a Sound" was so similar to the other. The only main differences between the two books is that the protagonist in this book was deafened in an accident and that she knew the murdered woman.

I liked the idea of a deaf protagonist and the author was very adept at making us see the world through Amelia's eyes, and the author does a great job of making us understand the nursing world, However, I was annoyed at some of the plotting - the great leaps of logic that Amelia made seemed nonsensical to me; the rehashing that she did of certain things just seemed like filler to me and did nothing to add to my enjoyment of this book.

Angels Fall:

The protagonist Reece, was a chef and was traumatically changed by being in a mass murder.

Reece was considered 'nutty' because her behavior changed after the murders.

She moved to a small town and there she witnessed a murder.

Nobody believed her.

She was stalked by the murderer and had things done to here that made her seem crazy.

Hot romance.

She over-thought things and put herself into the investigation of the murder.

Chase scene at the end of the book.

Not a Sound:

Amelia was a nurse who became deaf due to an accident.

She became a drunk due to the ramifications of her deafness and even when she became sober nobody really believed what she had concluded about the murder.

Mild romance.

She was stalked by the murder.

Chase scene at the end of the book.

Do you see what I mean? I liked the book well enough, I just couldn't seem to read it without thinking and comparing it to Angels Fall.

*ARC supplied by publisher

This was an interesting story, not one I've heard before. A nurse Amelia finds herself deaf after an accident and is left to pick up the pieces after her life changes. Her husband leaves her, taking with him her stepdaughter who she loves dearly. She isn't without fault though as she spiraled after the accident.

She is now trying to get her life back together but finds a body on the river she uses as therapy. Her therapy dog Stitch plays an important role in helping her get back her life, and a good insight into the tools used for her everyday life. As things shift and twist in the investigation Amelia finds her newly established life crumbling.

Twists and turns that left me not wanting to stop reading!

I'm always on the lookout for books featuring competent, true-to-life characters with disabilities. Unfortunately, these aren't as easy to find as one might think. So, when I heard about Not A Sound, the latest novel from author Heather Gudenkauf, I was eager to get my hands on it. Ms. Gudenkauf crafts wonderfully suspenseful novels, and I was hopeful she'd create a deaf heroine I could truly root for.

Ex trauma nurse Amelia Winn lost her hearing as the result of a hit and run accident. Unable to cope with her profound deafness, she spiraled into a deep depression made worse by copious amounts of alcohol. Amelia isolates herself from friends and family, and soon loses everything that matters to her including her job, her husband, and her young stepdaughter. Now, two years after her world fell apart, she's well on her way to picking up the pieces of her life. She's got her first job interview, and her husband has started letting her see seven-year-old Nora again.

Then, one morning as she and her service dog, Stitch, are paddling down the river in her kayak, Stitch catches sight of something almost completely submerged in the water. Amelia is stunned to see a dead body there, and even more astonished to realize the body belongs to someone she knows. Of course, she calls 911, and, from that moment on, she finds herself pulled into an investigation capable of shattering the life she's so painstakingly trying to rebuild.

I really wanted to like Amelia as a heroine, and I was able to do so on many levels. She's strong, resourceful, and determined, all traits I love in my heroines. At first, it seems like she'll let her deafness get the best of her, but the bulk of the story shows us that she's ready and willing to come to terms with her life as a disabled woman. I loved the way she works hard to get back on her feet without making excuses for the poor choices she made in the past. Instead, she moves on from them, determined to build a future based on sound decisions. She does have a tendency to act rashly, and this is where my problems with her character come into play. It's obvious she wants to get to the bottom of the murder, especially once she discovers she has an extremely personal connection to the crime, but I couldn't get behind some of her methods. She basically throws away every speck of common sense she has, putting herself in extreme danger again and again without seeming to view this as a problem. She blew off all of her friends after the accident, but then, when she needs information from them, she wonders why they don't instantly respond to her emails.

My quibbles with Amelia's character aside, I was completely engrossed in the story. I wanted to know who was behind the murder, and I found myself holding my breath during many of the more tension-filled scenes. I may not have liked the fact that Amelia did stupid things, but I definitely wanted her to come out on top, a fact that speaks volumes about Ms. Gudenkauf's skill as a writer. Normally, I have zero patience for characters who act without thinking first, but I found myself quite invested in Amelia, despite her flaws.

So, if I loved the mystery and cared about the protagonist, why didn't I give this a higher grade? To be blunt, I found Ms. Gudenkauf's depiction of the relationship between Amelia and Stitch to be quite problematic. I am not deaf, so have never worked with a dog trained to mitigate that particular disability, but I have worked with three different guide dogs over the past twenty years and have a reasonably good grasp of service dog training and etiquette. First off, service dogs are never trained to attack or kill on their handler's command. They're supposed to remain calm and show no aggression when in public, but Ms. Gudenkauf falls into the all too common trap of making Stitch Amelia's protector. His obedience is also quite deplorable, and he's almost never on a leash. Instead, he wanders around all manner of public places, getting petted and fed a variety of treats. All of these things are completely unrealistic, and would usually result in the disabled person and their dog being asked to leave the premises.

I was also quite displeased to see the dog used more as a plot device than as a genuine help to Amelia, such as when he’s used as a distraction when she's poking her nose into something she shouldn't be. She conveniently uncovers important information as a result of his unruly behavior, and does a host of other things that serve only to move the plot forward in unbelievable ways. I would have much rather the author had created a character who used her service dog responsibly and who helped bring the bad guys to justice without all manner of high jinx.

I realize my issues won't be shared by everyone, and I definitely encourage readers to give this book a try. If you love a good mystery, I'm sure you'll find Not a Sound quite enjoyable. Just be prepared to suspend your disbelief when it comes to Stitch.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Park Row Books, and Heather Gudenkauf for the advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review. When domestic abuse nurse Amelia Winn was run down by a hit-and-run driver, her life was forever changed. Losing her hearing was just the beginning of her downward spiral. Depression led to severe drinking which in turn led to her divorce, loss of visitations with her step-daughter Nora, and the loss of her job, Now, 2 years later, she is sober and ready to get her life back. With the assistance of a specially trained dog by her side, she begins a new job at a local cancer clinic. One morning while Amelia was out kayaking, she discovers the body of a former colleague. With the help of her brother's childhood friend and local detective, she and Jake start to unravel what may have happened to the dead woman that was found along the shore. As Amelia gets closer to the truth, she and her dog, Stitch, find themselves in a dangerous game of cat and mouse. Was it her soon to be ex-husband, the victim's spouse, or someone unknown? This is a great thriller to spend a few days unraveling.

Heather Gudenkauf has written another edge-of-your-seat thriller with Not a Sound. An unsolved hit-and-run accident left nurse Amelia deaf, and, after turning to alcohol to deal with the pain in the resulting months, left her without a job, a husband and daughter, or a home. She now lives in a remote cabin with only her assistance dog, Stitch, but things are starting to look up as she has job interview scheduled. Unfortunately, she'll miss that interview when she discovers the body of a former friend that same day.
The tension in this book is so good, and Gudenkauf handles difficult topics and situations wonderfully. I found the pacing to keep up pretty well throughout, and I found it to be a book I wanted to really tear through. It's another great one from an author that's kept her place on my must read list since I read her first book.

When a tragic accident leaves nurse Amelia Winn deaf, she spirals into a depression that ultimately causes her to lose everything that matters—her job, her husband, David, and her stepdaughter, Nora. Now, two years later and with the help of her hearing dog, Stitch, she is finally getting back on her feet. But when she discovers the body of a fellow nurse in the dense bush by the river, deep in the woods near her cabin, she is plunged into a disturbing mystery that could shatter the carefully reconstructed pieces of her life all over again.

As clues begin to surface, Amelia finds herself swept into an investigation that hits all too close to home. But how much is she willing to risk in order to uncover the truth and bring a killer to justice?


My Thoughts: As we begin Not a Sound, we are swept back to the moments before Amelia’s life changed drastically. It was an ordinary night serving as a nurse in the ER, tending to injured and battered women, collecting evidence, and offering comfort.

As she walks the latest patient to her car, another car comes screeching through the parking lot and slams into Amelia and her patient.

Two years later, we awake to another scenario. Amelia with her kayak and her dog Stitch. She runs and kayaks along the river near her home, a simple A-frame cabin. Everything she had before is gone. Her hearing, her husband, and her home. After the tragedy, she had turned to drinking, and her husband tossed her out.

Today she has a job interview at the cancer unit. Not as a nurse, but as a clerk scanning files. It is a start.

But finding a body in the river that day changes everything again. Not just a body, but a friend, another nurse who also worked with sexual assault victims. Amelia is immediately caught up in the case, and before she knows it, she is in the midst of another catastrophe.

Her best friend Jake is a cop, and he is wonderfully supportive, but even he is getting tired of the clues she brings to him. She thinks she has found another suspect for him, but then someone else rings the alarm bells. By the time she is really on the right track, she is in serious danger.

Why is Amelia’s husband David acting nice all of a sudden? Who has planted a bottle of wine on her counter at home? How did a bottle get into her drawer at work?

Finding out who is trying to sabotage her might just bring her face to face with a killer. A wonderfully captivating novel that kept me glued to the pages. 5 stars.

***I received an e-ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

Heather Gudenkauf can write a thriller like no other, and this is one of her absolute best! This book caught my attention right away and kept me captivated. It tells the story of Amelia, a former nurse who lost her hearing and so much more after being run over in a parking lot. When she turned to alcohol, she lost her husband and stepdaughter. Now she is trying very hard to pick up the pieces of her life when her dog, Stitch, finds a body floating along the river. Amelia so happens to know the woman, whom it soon becomes clear is a victim of murder. As Amelia begins to wonder if the murder connects to her own hit and run, very strange things begin to happen.

Amelia is a wonderful character, as is the detective, Jake. This was a great thriller, and I found it to be suspenseful and fast paced. I highly recommend it to lovers of the genre. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a copy of the book in return for an honest review.

Thanks so much to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read and review this book!

I'm a huge fan of this author and have read all her books - her latest did not disappoint. A well-crafted suspense novel with a great main character (or really 2!).

The opening chapter is a shocker and hooks you right away. Amelia is a sexual trauma nurse and is involved in an accident that leaves her deaf. She has to step away from the profession that she loves and struggles with her new reality. Trying to cope, she loses herself in alcohol. It destroys her marriage and her relationship with her step-daughter becomes threatened.

Two years later, Amelia is living on her own in a remote cabin, now using running and sports on the nearby river to heal instead of alcohol. Jake, her childhood friend, is there to encourage her sobriety. But her best friend is Stitch, a therapy dog trained to help Amelia navigate her deafness. He is trained to accept commands in Czech but has a totally lovable mischievous side to him also.

While out on the river, Amelia discovers the dead body of someone she once worked with. Could it be related to her own accident? Is someone targeting nurses? Is her ex-husband involved?

I loved Amelia and Stitch - Amelia is so strong, independent, loving and Stitch is amazing! I raced through this book - a real winner!

I could not put this book down, which is what I've come to expect from this author. This book did not disappoint.

Really interesting to read from the perspective of a deaf narrator as well.

Free ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.