Cover Image: The Silent Girls

The Silent Girls

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Member Reviews

I liked Detective Gwynne. The story passed the time just fine.

Free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Great start to a new series. What is not to like about a Detective chasing a serial killer. Liked the female lead Anna and loved the suspense. Look forward to next in this series!

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I've read this book as part of advance copy so thanks for letting me read it.

I found the first few pages slow but once you pick up the story line with Anna and the other detectives it very much keeps you intrigued.

When they brought shaw in the story I struggled to out the connection together but as the story went on I couldn't put it down. I can't wait for more in this series.

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This is the first book by Dylan Young that I have had the pleasure of reading. Rest assured that going by how much I enjoyed ‘The Silent Girls’, it certainly won’t be the last book by him that I read. I loved this book but more about that in a bit.
As a character, I really liked Anna. Anna has a complex personality with many different layers. She is one dedicated police officer, who is a fantastic problem solver and she has a keen analytical brain. Anna is somebody who dislikes social situations and I get the impression that if she can avoid socialising then she will. She is one strong young lady, who has experienced extreme sadness but she tries not to let it affect her ability to do her job. As the book continues, I gradually learned more about Anna. I think that we will learn even more about her character and her experiences in the second book. I would love to know more about her background. Anna works as part of a team but I think that if she could work on her own she would do.
‘The Silent Girls’ is one of those books that hits the ground running and maintains the pace throughout. As soon as I picked the book up, it was almost as if it was glued to my hand because I found that I just couldn’t put it down. The book came everywhere with me and I even begrudged having to take my two dogs out, which did not go down too well. I was so addicted to the book that I didn’t notice the speed with which the page numbers were flying by and before I knew what was happening, I had finished the book, which I had mixed feelings about. I was enjoying the writing style and story so much that I wanted the book to continue but I was pleased I had finished the book because at least I knew how the investigation concluded. The characters and descriptions were so vivid that I could imagine the action playing out in front of me and I felt as though I was an invisible participant in the investigation. Reading ‘The Silent Girls, was much like being on a very twisty and turning rollercoaster ride, that had the occasional stomach churning moments. A couple of times, I found myself not wanting to turn the page over because I genuinely feared what was going to happen next but I knew that I had to read on because I needed to know how the investigation concluded.
In short I really did enjoy reading ‘The Silent Girls’ and I can’t wait for the second book in the series, where I hope we will learn even more about Anna, her colleagues and her adversaries. I would recommend this writer and this series to anybody. The score on the Ginger Book Geek is an easy and very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

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First of all I would like to thank Bookouture for providing me with a copy of The Silent Girls to review. At the moment I am all for crime and thriller books, I just can’t get enough of them. I was excited when I saw this book mentioned as it sounded like the perfect read for me and it did not disappoint.
This book follows Detective Anna Gwynne as she hunts for the killer of Emily Risman. From the start this book grabbed my attention, with its dark beginning I was intrigued to discover what had happened and how the story would develop.
From the moment we meet Anna, its apparent she is a complex and fascinating character. Her ability to work things out and her ability to intellect, yet her avoidance of social situations really brought her character to life and made her fascinating, I really liked her although I am not sure why. I enjoyed discovering bits about her and her past and hope that this continues to build throughout the series.
The SIlent Girls focuses on the cold case of a young girl, Emily Risman who was murdered and raped 18 years earlier. Throw in to the mix Hector Shaw, a interesting and chilling character and this make The Silent Girls an explosive read. The plot has a good pace and story flows nicely, building suspense and giving us some cracking plot twists which kept me reading on long in to the night. This was truly chilling book and the more I read and the more I discovered the more intrigued I became with where the story was taking me.
There are some real heart pounding moments during the course of the novel, but I particularly enjoyed the parts of the story which were told from the perspective of the killer. This really added to the story and brought something extra chilling to the book.
This is a cracking start to the series, with a host of fascinating characters and personalities. I am excited to see where book two takes us and to learn more about Detective Anne Gwynne, as I feel there is some big things in her past to discover.

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Great book. Brilliant storyline and excellent main characters. I would not hesitate to recommend this book.

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A brilliant debut novel. Looking forward to reading book 2.

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I enjoyed this book and liked the build up of the characters and their motivation. Anna is asked to look at the cold case of The woodsman who murdered a girl 17 years before. The alleged murderer, Neville Cooper, is released on appeal and then a second girl is murdered and Cooper is again implicated. At the same time Anna visits Hector Shaw a convicted killer about another girl who he may hive killed.
The Hector Shaw and Anna relationship has a strong undertone of Clarice Starling and Hannibal Lector from Silence of the Lambs but it still worked well.
I liked the characters and how the story evolved. I would definately read the next instalment by this author.

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I got this book from Net Galley in trade for an honest review. Thank you Bookouture for the opportunity to review this book.

This review is also posted in my blog : https://onewordtoomuch.wordpress.com/2018/01/21/the-silent-girls-detective-anna-gwynne-1/

“Does it take a killer to catch a killer?”

Apparently, it does. I love this book so much that I’m willing to give it a 5 star.

The story and plot

There’s a killer on the loose and DI Anna Gwynne is on pursuit. A young girl is missing and somehow it is related to a similar crime 18 years ago. But is it really the same perpetrator or a copycat? While the previous convict is being released based on a mistrial, the job is getting harder. Because all the signs of the murder is pointing to the freed convict. So many questions and it takes a word from another convict to open the Pandora box.

The story is interesting from the beginning. Things begin to unravel pretty fast with each chapter. Anna and her partner have to investigate their cold case that linked to the new case. But not until an interview with Hector Shaw, an inmate who still got some paid dues to reveal the burial site of his last victim that things started to get clear.

Things begin to change pretty quick since the middle of the book. Some new evidence is starting to come up. This is the moment when I can’t wait to quickly end my day and settle down to read the rest of the story. There’s a lot of a twist in the plot. Some things or characters that seemed good at first apparently change course in the end. You have to really follow the story to connect the dots.

The end is quite unpredictable. I try to guess the perpetrator, but I got it completely wrong. There are some false signs being thrown all over the place to mislead the reader, but that’s the fun of it.

The characters

I like the character Anna Gwynne. She’s strong, introvert but very driven in her work. A bit of a love story might be nice, but I think it won’t suit the character. For now, I like the way Anna is pictured in the book.
Hector Shaw character doesn’t look pretty important at first. But as the story goes, this proves to be a very important character. His interest in Anna is quite intriguing, since he just says that Anna reminds him of his daughter. Their relationship reminds me a bit of the movie Silence of the lambs.

All in all, I like how Dylan Young waved the relationship between each character. There are 2 sides : good and bad. And the bad are also on the good side. So, yes, it’s confusing at first. But in the end, not all the bad guys are too bad after all. And the good guys are not too good too. So it’s even.

I’m for sure to be waiting for the 2nd book on the DI Anna Gwynne series and review it here.

Recommend this book to those who like fast pacing story, a lot of surprises especially with the characters, a lot of twist in the plot and an unexpected ending.

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I love a good old crime novel - probably more than most, and I really wanted to love this, but I just couldn’t. Too much back story, too much jumping around and I found it really tricky to keep up at times! I have read some great books recently through NetGalley - this sadly isn’t one of them. I would have preferred it if Nia went missing and we spent the rest of the book looking for who took her - I didn’t need or want all the other stuff. Personally I felt it was trying too hard to be clever - but succeeded in confusing me!

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The Silent Girls by Dylan Young is the 1st in the Detective Anna Gwynne crime series. Note that it was originally entitled Come Out to Play.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

OMG! I loved it! Absolutely a page turner! Fast-paced mystery with a strong female lead.

Anna, working closely with her friend, boss, and mentor DCI Ted Shipwright, has been working cold cases with a small team. She seems to be making headway with convicted killer Hector Shaw, who has taken a shine to her, and may be willing to tell her where the body of a young girl is buried, thereby finally giving the victim’s family closure. Shaw may know much more than he is willing to share, and has his own agenda.

When a kidnapping occurs which is identical to a case from 18 years ago, the cold case team must co-ordinate with the detectives working this fresh one, and this time without Shipwright. It looks like the wrong person may have spent the last 17 years in jail, after being railroaded into a confession by the police, and false information planted. It looks like this may happen again if Anna can’t find the real killer in the original crime. But time is running out, and some of the old evidence, witnesses and police are no longer available.

Anna may have stumbled onto something much more extensive than anyone knew. If she doesn’t solve it soon, her own life may be in danger.

Anna Gwynne is what a strong woman should look like. She has the strength of her convictions, but is still humble. The ability to sympathize and empathize with people, and the words to knock others for a loop. She is determined to find the truth. Anna Gwynne is my new hero!

Dylan Young created a wonderful new detective in Anna Gwynne. He had her test INTJ on the Myers Briggs scale, and then stuck true to the findings. I was really impressed. Although an introvert, she didn’t hesitate to stand up and be heard when it was needed. As well, Young created a team around her who had faith in her abilities, but wasn’t afraid to ask questions. The writing was precise. The pace and plot of the story was great, with enough twists that you weren’t sure who was responsible until close to the end. I guess wrong a couple of times throughout the book. Loved that!

I am really looking forward to the next in the series. Highly recommend this book!

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Review: THE SILENT GIRLS by Dylan Young

I don't think I've ever met a British police procedural I didn't love. THE SILENT GIRLS is certainly no exception. Fast-paced and suspenseful, this mystery is also character-driven, including but not limited to, the female protagonist, Detective Sergeant Anna Gwynne, and the villain-killer adopting the appellation "The Woodsman." The novel also expertly sounds themes of criminal justice, including railroading of suspects in order to close a case, possible corruption in law enforcement, and the dangers of closed-mindedness (in which the truth cannot be discovered because one believes the truth is already known).

THE SILENT GIRLS is engrossing, and I anticipate reading more from this author.

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The Silent Girls is the first book in the Detective Gwynne series. The book starts really well with a disturbing scene. I was hooked and excited to read more. I devoured the book in one sitting, it’s a gripping police procedural which kept me guessing all the way through. The pace is fast, full of twists and turns. I’m looking forward to the next instalment.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for my advance copy in return for an honest review.

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What a read! This book is well written, with a great plot and characters. I was pulled in on page 1, you will not be disappointed! I loved following along with Anna Gwynne to try and figure out what was really happening. I also liked the cold case angle, creepy suspects, and the cover is Beautiful. I will definitely be reading book 2. I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from Netgalley.

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“What I like about you, Anna, is that you see patterns where others see mess, you ask questions no one else does, and you don’t let emotion cloud your judgement. That’s rare in this job.”

“It all starts here”, she said “The evil that men do lives after them”

Detective investigator, Anna Gwynne, is called to lead the investigation of the murder of a young girl taken from her family’s property. To celebrate her birthday, her parents arranged for a sleepover with her friend in the horse barn. The next morning, her father went in to wake them up. Except, his daughter was gone, missing without a trace. Her friend was assaulted and drugged and had no idea what happened!

As Anna investigates, making more connections between a similar murder taking place long ago and this one, she begins to feel that maybe the wrong man was convicted. During her investigation, she quickly learns that in order to solve this murder mystery, she has to get into the mind of a killer. It is when she interviews convicted killer, Shaw, she begins to discover the truth! How far is she willing to go before her own life is in danger?

“THE WRITHING, TWISTING TENTACLE OF AN IDEA REACHED OUT FROM THE MURKY WATERS OF HER MIND TO STRIKE. IT FLOATED TANTALISINGLY CLOSE BEFORE DRIFTING AWAY. SHE STOOD STOCK-STILL, AS IF SHE’D BEEN HIT BY A GORGON’S STARE, WAITING FOR IT TO DRIFT BACK AGAIN. IT DID AND SHE FELT HER PULSE TICK IN HER THROAT THE SECOND BEFORE SHE HAD IT.”
Haunting and suspenseful, Young manages to tell a story that will stay with you long after it’s over. It may just make you look at convicted murder cases differently. You may think, “but what if he really didn’t do it”… “where is the real killer and when will he strike next”!

A great beginning to a new detective series! Bravo for Dylan Young!

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The Silent Girls is the first in the series surrounding Detective Anna Gwynne by the fantastic author Dylan Young. Dylan opens with a crime which will have you gasping at the reality of how probable this violation of another human being could occur. The intense darkness drags you deeper into the depths of perpetual hell giving you a sense of bewilderment and a tangible feeling of suspense.

Two crimes, is there a historical connection, Detective Anna Gwynne is investigating both with the aid of an unlikely source, a serial killer Hector Shaw, who has a predilection for Gwynne. Can Gwynne save another girl before its too late, fingers point to the convicted killer of Emily Risman, but Anna believes there is more to the investigation and that the serial killer is still at large.

Hector Shaw a convicted serial killer draws Anna in but what are his intensions, does he really know who is responsible, Anna has to traverse the mind of a serial killer and hope that she is not leading herself into danger. There are so many suspects, I couldn’t believe how Dylan managed to lead me a merry dance. I mentally pointed my finger, eradiating suspects but with twists I didn’t see coming I always seemed to come full circle, doubting my powers of deduction. For all my speculations Dylan bamboozled me and he won out, bravo, a definite sign of spanking good thriller.

A fantastic 5*police thriller in which I thoroughly loved, delving deep into the dark mind of a serial killer, chilling my very soul. The Silent Girls drips with intense and insatiable criminal desire, pulling you deeper into the darkest of minds.

Thank you to Dylan Young, Bookouture and Noelle for allowing me to read and review an advanced readers copy of The Silent Girls and to be part of the #BlogBlast on publication day.

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Where do I start?!

Hold onto your hats for a heartpoundlingly gripping read that will knock your socks right off!

I loved every aspect of this book, from the cover to the blurb, from the relationship between Anna and her team. But my absolute favourite parts were the ones where Hector Shaw was involved….. does that make me a little twisted? Never would I imagine that he would be so involved in helping…. I mean who asks a killer to catch a killer?!!

The plot was thick and fast. The characters very well though out and the story was just amazing. It seriously is a heartpoundingly gripping read!

Dylan, you hit every nail firmly on the head for me and I CAN NOT WAIT to see what you bring us next!

*** I would like to point out that each and every ! was needed in this review  ***

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Those who know me know that I have always been infatuated with anything to do with serial killers. I was the girl with my nose in a serial killer book whether it was fiction or nonfiction. I wanted to get into the mind of a serial killer to find out what made him or her tick. What was their motivation for killing? I knew that after reading the blurb for THE SILENT GIRLS I just had to sink my teeth into it! Another book with a serial killer….wait …what? There are two serial killers?! Double score for me!

Detective Sergeant Anna Gwynne of the The Southwest Major Crimes Review Task Force is following up on a cold case from seventeen years ago. Emily Risman was taken and murdered and her killer was dubbed “The Woodsman.” Neville Cooper was convicted of the crime and spent seventeen long years in prison until new evidence presented itself which lead to Cooper being released from prison. Now, a new girl has been taken under eerily similar circumstances and Cooper is back in the cross hairs of the local task force. Can Anna solve the case of the first murder that occurred so many years ago and what ties if any are there to the new case of the missing girl? Is Cooper really guilty on all counts?

Anna Gwynne also has something else to worry about. She has captured the attention of another serial killer behind bars, Hector Shaw. Hector dangles bits and pieces of information her way in a sort of cat and mouse game. His tidbits of information really gets the ball rolling in Anna’s mind as she tries to come to terms with solving her cold case and linking the old case and the new case together.

I can’t express how much I really loved this book. Dylan Young really took great care in making each of his characters seem real and relatable right down to the secondary characters. Anne Gwynne was definitely the stand out character for me. If you are familiar with the Kay Scarpetta series by Patrica Cornwell, then you will really love Anna Gwynne. She reminds me so much of Kay Scarpetta in demeaner and class. Gwynne is ambitious, smart, and working her way up in her department. Nothing stands in her way. She doesn’t let others, especially men in the field, intimidate her. She stands her ground and she is great at what she does. Dylan Young outdid himself as Gwynne is a phenomenal character.

The suspense really has you guessing who the serial killer really is and I was pretty shocked at the outcome when I was leaning towards a whole other scenario. Speaking of serial killers, Hector Shaw was creepy as far as creepy can get. Although he is a serial killer in every sense, you can sometimes find something slightly redeeming in what he has done and how he landed in prison. If you have ever watched or read about Hannibal Lectar (Silence of the Lambs….oh come on EVERYONE has seen the movie!)) then you will really find yourself liking Hector Shaw as he takes a particular interest in Gwynne and becomes sort of a mentor to her along the way. I really hope to see more of Hector Shaw as the series progresses. He was so awesome!

THE SILENT GIRLS is a fantastic start to a new series full of vivid characters and a meaty plot that you will want to sink your teeth into. I am so happy to have immersed myself in right at the beginning and I can’t wait for the next installment to the series. I need more!

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This book was a complete let down.
The book started well and I really thought the story was going to be totally gripping, but the book seemed rushed and it felt like it was written by different people a big let down.
The book did not grip me and I found it boring I did not finish it.

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