I received this book from NetGalley, the description grabbed me from the start, its hard to imagine someone coming into your hoe and killing your child while you sleep. I liked the angle that most of the main characters are deaf and the story is told from the view point of the BSL interpretor
I liked the main character Paige however found it hard to like many of the others, that being said I felt that added to the mystery as I found myself blaming everyone at some point in the book.
Whilst it was enjoyable and the ending kept me guessing for most of the book I felt some of the interaction with the police both frustrating and at times not overly beleiveable
all in all a good read
4*

A fantastic setup, and an intriguing protagonist (BSL interpreter working for the police), but ultimately the book was a disappointment. First, because the the answer was obvious pretty early on (if you paid attention to the prologue).

Second, Paige and Anna’s relationship was bizarre. Anna seemed, and was treated like, a teenager by her older sister—I was gobsmacked when I figures she was 28!—and Paige was rather unlikeable as the protagonist, given her unprofessional behaviour.

Third, the writing. The flat narration seemed like a detailed outline rather than a final novel. “This happened and x felt this, then that happened, and it was scary, pleasant, sad, etc...” In other words, all telling, very little showing. I read through to the end only to check if I was right about the killer (I was), though the motive seemed far fetched.

I really enjoyed reading about Deaf culture, though. Despite being unimpressed, I hope this will turn into a series.

(Review copy from NetGalley)

I have mixed feelings on this book. The story was interesting and had potential but none of the characters were likable so I had a hard time really getting into the story. The story starts with the crime and is mostly told thru the perspective of the sign language interpreter. What bothered me about this book is that the interpreter had a minor connection to the victim and decided to use the knowledge she gained during police interviews to conduct her own investigation. When characters make silly decisions like that I have a hard time taking the book seriously. Also the book had an interesting angle because most of the characters were deaf and I was really hoping that that angle would be explored more. Other than the fact that a sign language interpreter was used there was nothing to bring in the deaf angle. Overall this was a good read but it didn’t have the pace or twists I was hoping for.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really was excited for this read. I learned American Sign Language early in my life and spent a lot of time in the deaf community growing up learning as much as I could. When I read the description for this book I had to read it. I was very disappointed. The book did not hold my interest. The writing style and characters seemed underdeveloped. I really wanted to like it but just could not get into this one. Thank you net galley and the publisher for an ARC of this title in return for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this eARC. All views and opinions discussed here are my own.

I was honestly so excited to read this book when I was approved for it because I haven't read any other books with representation of the hearing impaired but i'm so sad to say I just didn't enjoy this book. Considering that a brutal murder literally takes place in the first few pages you would expect that this would be a thrilling and exciting read but it honestly just wasn't. It was honestly just quite boring and i'd guessed who the murderer was as soon as their character turned up.

*
*
****SPOILER*****
The character of Bridget was just so OTT and her personality was all over the place that it just seemed obvious to me that it was her; also the fact that Jaxon went willing with the person who cleaned him up just made it obvious that he knew them well. There was nothing shocking or exciting about the reveal.
*****

One thing I really struggled with was the writing itself; it just felt very awkward and quite stilted and clunky at times. It didn't really flow well for me and the plot honestly just felt a bit insane. The characters had no defining qualities or personalities about them and they all just melded into one person. The police officers were honestly the worst characters of them all because they were so unprofessional throughout the book and just acted like caricatures; not only that but Paige would have been fired within two minutes for unprofessionalism and breach of confidentially, she spends the whole book being irritating and should have lost this job straight away.

I hate to say it but it just felt quite amateurish; the plot felt paper thin and.the characters weren't defined or developed. Honestly can't recommend this one.

An enjoyable crime thriller with good twists and strong characters, and an intriguing plot. Some of the subplots felt a little forced but didn't detract from the overall story line. It felt a little over long and drawn out at times and I didn't fully connect with the main character or her sister Anna. But overall, a good read!

I was looking forward to reading this book, but sadly found it lacking. The idea was good, a murder in a house where everyone is deaf, but the way that the interpreter - who had a link to the family -behaved was very unprofessional.
I guessed who the murderer was, pretty early on. It was so obvious. I did finish the book, but didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would. For a murder/thriller, there was a distinct lack of police procedures.

I am very sorry to say I did not enjoy this book at all.
The idea is amazing in the sense that having your main characters deaf and making them face the murder of their child which happened WHILE they were sleeping in the very same house really makes you think.
However the idea was executed very poorly.
We have a lot of beginnings and just one underwhelming ending. We have a bit of a plot, a teeeeeny tiny bit of character development and characterization, a very complicated web of relationships and past events troubling the waters.
What annoyed me the most was, firstly, the clear and obvious lack of professionalism and integrity from the main character but somehow she ends up all forgiven and a hero. That is wrong on so many levels and shows that any one with too much time on their hands, if they just care enough and are grieving enough, can interfere to their own liking with serious police murder investigation AND end up heroes. I found it both sad and amusing that at some point one character points out precisely this problem yet the author goes on to entitle the interfering character. I can not stand by such things.
Secondly, this was presented as a detective /police thriller. I expected procedures, investigations, police involvement. Not to read about a very lousy sister and a BSL interpreter playing Dora the explorer when her life and others 'are at risk.

The positive is that the writing is good. Although it annoyed me to no ends, I did finish it and some passages were written very, very well. Too bad they were so few.

Long story short, it was a let down and I would not recommend.

Such a great idea,you've got a murder in a house full of deaf people,who would not have heard an intruder coming in.
You've got a whole host of suspects in the deaf community all caught up in the tangled family lives.
You've got an interpreter,already somewhat involved with the family,who pretty much decides to play detectives.
The book never lived up to its promise for me,and I only found it ok throughout.Paige,our main character wasn't particularly likeable,and her references to Caitlin got irritating after a while.
Tell that story or don't. But don't go on about it with no detail just dropping vague clues.
The who of the story wasn't that hard to guess,so no surprises there.
I'd definitely read Pattison again,I like that he has new ideas,I just didn't love this particular story.

What can I say an intense book. Brilliant story line when reading this book I was trying to imagine what it would be like if I was the Parents. Would definetely read more by this author

Paige is an interpreters. She does sign language for the hearing impaired in her community. She helps when someone may have need of an interpreter for filing cases or even talking to teachers at school. Now she's working with the police. An eighteen month baby girl has been brutally murdered in a home where neither the parents or the children could have heard an intruder come into their home. The case hits close to home, the child is the goddaughter of Paige's sister. As Paige becomes more involved in being the interpreter for the child's family someone is threatened by what they think she knows. She begins receiving threatening text messages. The police and the community will have to come together to try and solve this tragic crime before more people are hurt or even killed.
Wonderful read. Loved reading a book about sign language and the difficulties of navigating in a hearing world. Makes us more aware of the situation.

3.5 stars.

I think this is the first book I've ever read where the story takes place within the deaf community, and it made a nice change. I can honestly say that it made so and consider the difficulties that dead people face on a day to day basis that hasn't ever crossed my mind before.

In terms of the plot, I found it engaging enough to make me want to get to the end, all though I did find the writing style wasn't particularly to my taste, and certain aspects of the story seemed a little unbelievable to me (such as the investigation work carried out by the sisters, and Paige's role as interpreted whilst being involved with the family etc). I did figure out who the perpetrator was, although I couldn't line up the motive or method until it was revealed in the last few chapters. I also enjoyed the way the crime was reveled through snapshot chapters starting in the hours before the crime.

Overall I found this a good, enjoyable read that although I probably won't reread I would be happy to recommend.

I really loved this book!! It had so many twists and turns. It kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next!! This was my first book by this Author, and it won’t be the last!! Quick read!! Highly recommended!! You won’t be disappointed!!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book.

The synopsis of this book really drew me in, I was very intrigued. Definitely strong trigger warning due to a murder of a baby.

I actually feel like I learned some things about the deaf community while reading this book, but also felt like some parts of this story fell flat.

The way it plays out, it ends up being easily guessed, but overall it was a pretty good novel.

Difficult to know what to say. I loved the concept of an entirely deaf family and learned quite a bit about the deaf community.

The murder itself was sickening and the idea behind it, motive, was truly obscene. Paige, the protagonist, is not the most likeable character you will ever find. Always tired and you sticking her nose in everywhere.

Strong elements of Nancy Drew in terms of amateur- really amateur sleuthing however there are elements of this narrative that you will enjoy. I feel if were to be 40/50 pages shorter it may work better. This is a promising debut work and I’m sure with good editing and experience this will be the start of a good writing career.

BOOK GIFTED BY NETGALLEY IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW

I really enjoyed the synopsis & tagline of this book however it fell really flat for me. I guessed who the murderer was within the first few chapters, the main character was highly unlikable & the overall plot was slightly far-fetched. I did really like the fact it had great deaf representation & it gave me a much wider understanding of the deaf community.

2.5 🌟

3.5*
I read this book in one sitting. I wanted to know who possibly could have killed an infant when all the suspects were close to the family. But I have to say that I figured it out pretty quickly, so that was a bit disappointing,I was hoping it would be something else. Also,what initially intrested me in this book was the idea that someone could be in your house and you might not even know it if you were deaf. The horror of it sent chills down my spine and I was hoping there would be a rich atmosphere of creepiness. But it was more of a series of interviews with weird love triangle interludes.
It was a quick and entertaining read with diverse characters in it, but it left me wanting more.
Thank you to netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately, this did jot work at all for me.
The writing feels very amateurish, with weak dialogue (including the signed ones) and characters with no depth or growth at all. The plot is thin as paper and the resolution feels of, so farfetched.
Besides, the police would have the main character fired by the second day in real life--and with good reason too! She is absolutely annoying and unprofessional. There's no way someone like that would be allowed yo continue contributing with an investigation. She could have thrown the whole case in the bin, the way she meddled with it all.
And finally, this is so much all tell, never show, that it seems like a non-fiction/manual kinda book at parts. Specially when Paige starts all of a sudden to explain every single detail about her work. It's always interesting to learn something new through a novel but it must be done in a subtle manner otherwise your reader will feel like there will be a test at the end of the book and they have to score properly…

I'd like to thank NetGalley and the Publisher for providing me with an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Right off the bat, I was looking forward to reading this because it centered around Deaf characters. I thought it was an incredibly interesting concept and I'm always excited to see more Deaf representation in books. But I was really disappointed with the main character in this book as well as the "climactic" ending.

I would like to start off this by saying that if you are at all triggered by violence against children, or death of children then DO NOT pick this book up.

I think that this had the potential to be an incredibly interesting book. To be told from the perspective of the interpreter was something that I haven't seen before and I was excited to see Deaf characters in a novel. I will say that I am not as familiar with interpreting and Deaf culture in Britain so I can't speak on that but reading from an American perspective of someone who has spent a lot of time learning sign language and interacting in the Deaf community I was appalled at the lack of professionalism from the interpreter in this story. And maybe it is completely different to work as an interpreter but even in terms of general police work I felt like everyone in their work roles acted incredibly unprofessionally.

In terms of the characters themselves it took me almost the entirety of the book to figure out which characters were which. The names constantly confused me and who was who and how everyone was related. I had my suspicions as to who the culprit was really early on and once we got to the climactic scene in which things really started to unfold I just felt like I was reading every other thriller. The plot was really cookie cutter and lackluster especially at times when things felt just outrageous for what the actual premise to the story was. Plus the random side romance plot felt forced and completely unrelated to the rest of the story. Overall it was just a meh story. If I hadn't been so frustrated with the main character and her completely uncalled for behavior and utter lack of professionalism as an interpreter within a criminal investigation I would probably have rated this three stars.

This book absolutely terrified me to my core.

It highlights how something most take for granted can greatly impact a crime. It highlights how people can take advantage.

I loved the use of sign language throughout. I loved the way the author conveyed emotion through this method of communication.

It was an absolutely unique read and although I guessed the twist midway through I was still gripped on how the characters worked it all out.

Excellent piece of work. I hope there will be another.