This was a one-sitting read! A complicated family drama is only made better by making the family ridiculously wealthy and slightly shady, right? As the story goes on, the reader can't help but wonder if the Boone family really is cursed.

It was hard to imagine Piper as a full grown adult. She still lived at home, happy to sponge off her family's business while not really seeming to be involved in it. Her strange habit of quoting movies was probably supposed to be cute and quirky...I found it annoying.

However, I loved the setting of this book. All of the wonderful references to Charleston and its surrounding area made me long for a beach trip. I found myself googling several recipes mentioned in the story.

This clean read carries a decent amount of suspense and a whopping bucketful of insta-love.

I love this story y'all! I like it even more than the last one she wrote. It's one of those stories that you zip through because you must know what is going to happen next! It is full of suspense, and is a great mystery. And, oh my word, I love Piper and Tucker!!
So, go ahead, pre-order it now, and you'll be able to read it as soon as it comes out!

I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley, but all opinions expressed are solely my own.

What a hurricane of emotions this book draws up! I could not stop thinking about this book when I wasn’t reading it. I was very drawn to the characters and the story and without spoiling the book… I had so many feelings. You can’t go wrong with any of Carrie Stuart Parks books.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the Publisher and was under no obligation to post a favorable review.

I had a hard time find this story believable. The plot was what kept me reading, and I was surprised with the ending, but none of the characters felt real.

Classic Carrie Stuart Parks. I have read all of her novels...and have loved them all. Full of suspense, twisty plots, well developed characters and interesting story lines. Five stars.

A great web of deceit and murder that will have you guessing until the very end. Piper's life comes apart when her young daughter is drowned in a terrible accident. fifteen years later, Piper witnesses her friend killed in shooting. Piper is saved by a man named Tucker. But as time goes on and more clues come to light, Piper begins to suspect that her "perfect" family is not so perfect after all. As more tragedy and death piles on, Tucker and Piper seek for the truth, no matter how painful.
The story line is well written and leaves clues to suspect most everyone involved. Even past accidents become suspect. And then, a hurricane hits causing more problems.

I was engrossed in this story from the start and instantly cared for main character Piper in the prologue flash back, “The piercing scream ripped up my spine. I dropped the spatula and spun.”

Readers are then brought to current time as Piper finds herself yet again in another life-threatening situation. In the first chapter - first line, “I couldn’t breathe. A man’s weight across my body crushed me to the sidewalk.”

The first chapter begins with a bang (literally) and has you and main character Piper ducking for cover. As she realizes an active shooter is on the loose, and the someone on top of her saved her life. Her savior/guy is whisked away in an ambulance before she has a chance to thank him. His name is Tucker Landry, who just so happens to be a sketch artist. The authorities ask him to work on a composite sketch for the active shooter he saw. I liked getting to know Tucker and Piper as they work together to chase down the shooter.

This is a brilliantly written, fast-paced engaging story with likable and unlikable characters in the mix. I enjoyed how the author has events swiftly unfold, moving readers along, but not too fast. The novel gradually builds, along with a massive hurricane threatening to hit land at a fierce speed. Things become dangerous in the investigation as a hurricane gets close to the island (Piper and Tucker are on), having them hunker down as they wait out the threatening storm.

I adored the authors use of enjoyable laughable moments between Tucker and Piper. As they test each other’s knowledge of movies and favorite lines from them. This light humor accentuates more serious themes and shows off witty dialogue that makes you smile. I loved that. Here’s an example: Tucker grinned. “What we have here,” he said in his best Southern drawl, “ is a failure to communicate.”

“Cool Hand Luke, 1967,” Piper smiled slightly.

I enjoyed this captivating, fun filled, nail-biting adventure; with lots of twists and turns I didn’t see coming (neither did the characters). There is a splash of wholesome romance, a mix of danger, and mystery to solve. I liked the natural, non-preachy thread of faith woven in, and the unforeseen quest that changes everything for Tucker and Piper. This is a novel I couldn’t put down, with a satisfying ending. So, be prepared to burn the midnight oil while reading this page turner. If you haven’t read a book by this author, I highly recommend this one. This would work well for you next book club pick. There is so much to talk about.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins! www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com

I wanted to like this book. But I was severely disappointed in it. There were too many cliched situations, starting with the "old wealth" of this Southern family where appearances matter too much. Then throw in a family business, a brother who's a state senator, the ultra loyal housekeeper, harassment from the paparazzi, and rumors of a family "curse."

I've lived in the Deep South (Georgia and Alabama) all my life. All the "Southern" things felt like stereotypes: the dialect, the food, the language that the characters use. It didn't come across as a genuinely Southern point of view, but rather the South as an outsider views it.

The writing felt so-so. Characters asked for explanations of things that the average person already knows. They also reacted in some unlikely ways at certain points. There were odd--and too fast--changes from Piper's 1st person POV to Tucker's 3rd person POV, often after only a few paragraphs. I felt jerked around by this.

If I had felt any emotional connection with the characters, I could've overlooked any perceived faults. (This has happened before, and I rate the books higher because I was genuinely moved by the characters and situation.) But I didn't.

I felt as though I was supposed to have sympathy for Piper because her young daughter dies, she's overwhelmed by grief, and she writes journal letters to her every day. But I didn't. I felt like I was being told to care about her, rather than being shown why I ought to care about her. (Sorry, having a child die in the prologue does NOT automatically make me sympathetic. In real life it would, but this is fiction. The rules are different..)

Tucker fared better. I found his job interesting. His job was the most fascinating aspect of the story, and I wanted to read more about it. (Since Parks is a forensic artist herself, this makes sense!) Unfortunately, there's not a whole lot about his current assignment; we never see him working on it. I did enjoy reading about his age progression drawing of a particular character.

I did enjoy reading about Hannah, though sometimes she sounded far too adult for a teenager (even a mature one). I liked the animals in the book, too.

The actual murder mystery aspect of this was unbelievable. Without giving spoilers, I can't say much, but when the killer is revealed, the whole thing becomes ludicrous and rather melodramatic. I didn't believe in the killer's motivation. That's not to say that a killer would never have this motivation, only that the author didn't put in the work to make me believe in it.

As a Christian, I'm torn on the "God-talk". On the one hand, I agree with everything that was said. On the other hand, the religious talk is never subtle. It's too overt, didactic, and preachy for me, like I was being told what to believe rather than shown why this is the right way to live. I wanted things to be toned down and more artfully interwoven in the story. This is fiction; the story comes first.

Like I said, I was disappointed by the book. I won't be posting this review to Goodreads, my blog, or any other site as I really don't like bashing other people's work. I don't mean to be horrible about it or denigrate the author, so if it comes across that way, I apologize. But I do think the issues are too much to overlook.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

4.5 stars
Wow, this book was intense! It started out with a bang and didn’t let up throughout the whole story. I have a toddler and a baby, but I managed to read this in one day, reading as fast as I could during naptimes, and then reading pages whenever I had a spare moment. I couldn’t keep away from it because I wanted to know what would happen!

The characters were well formed, and I did not guess who the villain was. I usually guess, and am often correct (I’ve read a lot of mysteries!), but I had no idea who to expect by the time of the reveal. The mystery was very well done!

I did take off a half star for one slight thing; Piper’s reaction to a story development felt a little overblown to me. I kept trying to reconcile her reaction with how she felt because of the development (trying not to spoil anything, haha), but I still think she jumps too quickly to conclusions in that part.

This book was highly enjoyable, and I had a really hard time putting it down! I recommend this to those who enjoy a good suspense novel. I always enjoy Carrie’s books, and I look forward to seeing what she writes next!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Relative Silence is another great read by Carrie Stuart Parks. It was full of suspense that kept me engaged throughout the book. I recommend it.
Five stars.

I absolutely loved this book. There are so many twist and turns in this mystery. The characters are great and strong. Couldn't put the book down. Highly recommended.

This page-turner set on an island off the South Carolina Coast chronicles the lives of Piper Boone Yates and her rescuer Tucker Landry as they face haunting past losses and present dangers. The well-crafted story is told in first and third person which works well for this narrative. The suspenseful story is fast-paced and easy to read with surprises around every corner and several “I didn’t see that coming!” moments. A shooting, a hurricane, and family betrayal add to the excitement of the drama. The characters are well-developed and relatable. Some I love, some I strongly dislike, and some I am not sure how I feel about! A bit of romance and humor are woven in, and the faith element is effectively sprinkled throughout the story. I thoroughly enjoyed my first read from Ms. Parks and will definitely be reading her other works.

I received a copy of this book in e-book form from the publisher via netgalley but am under no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley.
Relative Silence tells the story of Piper who tragically lost her daughter in a boating accident 15 years ago. When her neighbor goes missing, she begins to discover dark, family secrets.
I really enjoyed the beginning of this book. Piper is funny and self aware. Her encyclopedic knowledge of movie quotes was entertaining. The introduction of Tucker as the reluctant hero was perfect. The story was suspenseful and kept me guessing. The ending was a surprise. Recommended.

This book got off to a slow start for me, but I kept reading since this was an ARC. I’m glad I stuck with it because it became exciting. I really liked the character named Tucker. He was kind & caring. There were a lot of twists and turns. There is a very surprising twist in the end. I enjoyed this book.

Enjoyable thriller that is good Christian suspense and can be a good read for anyone.
What I enjoyed about this novel was the twist and turns that made the book hard to put down.
It was a quick read!
Thanks NetGalley & Thomas Nelson for the ARC.

I always eagerly wait for a new CSP release and this one did not disappoint!

Piper Boone (short for Sandpiper - all the siblings in her family are named after birds) is one of the remaining members of the Boone family. They are wealthy, powerful, and politically connected; brother Tern is a Senator. What's left of the family has arrived on Curlew Island for their annual stockholders meeting and retreat.

Piper's toddler daughter died in an accident near the island 15 years ago and it has drastically changed her life's trajectory. Suffering from nightmares and likely depression, Piper is still trying to figure out what her next steps should be when the unthinkable happens - a mass shooting at a local café where she is having lunch.

Forensic artist Tucker Landry is just getting back on his emotional feet from his own tragedy when he saves Piper from the shooter. He is wounded in the process, but will recover. He and Piper connect over shared interests and a mutual attraction. They soon discover that the mass shooting was only the tip of the iceberg (or should we say island....?)

As Piper and Tucker navigate the dangerous mystery -people keep dying!- with the help of marine patrol Office Mandy Chou and teen Hannah Mueller, will they be able to solve who is behind it all before it's too late? And either way, will the hurricane kill them all first?

There are also numerous quirky and fun things that make this novel atypical. The movie quotes and how Piper uses them to self soothe and help solve the mystery; Four Paws Rescue; Nana the Newfoundlands (yes the plural is on purpose), and so much more. I totally did not figure out the antagonist before the truth was revealed, which I always appreciate. In hindsight there were enough clues to make it clever, but it was definitely not obvious. I will gladly recommend this book along with all other Carrie Stuart Parks novels.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book by Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion.

What a great book! It is full of mystery, suspense and family drama and will keep you on the edge of your set. Once I started reading I didn't want to stop. If you like christian suspense grab this book. It is an awesome read! Thank you Thomas Nelson--FICTION via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

I have read and enjoyed all of Carrie Stuart Parks books. The same is true of this one. I did appreciate the fact that she managed to set a different tone. While there were parts that lined up with her expertise (having one main character who is a forensic artist), this felt like a fresh read. Sometimes authors who have written for awhile end up writing repetitive books, and this is not the case at all.

The Boone family - one cannot help but admire and fear this family. Characters are intense. Some connections are brought to life - a few are predictable but many more are not. I did guess certain aspects, but Parks definitely threw in several unexpected twists.

How can one move on from loss? Not easily. Piper is still hurting. One cannot help but feel sorry for her yet the grief seems to make sense with her character. In the end, many relationships are still complicated, yet forward movement was evident. Not everything was wrapped up neatly, and I think that makes for a stronger book. This title is about family relationships and forgiveness. Suspense is plentiful and so is a hurricane. Both those elements get the reader's heart pumping. I do recommend this book for those who enjoy the Christian suspense genre.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for allowing me to read an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

Relative Silence by Carrie Stuart Parks
The author is one of my favorites, so I was eager to read this book. It centers around Piper Boone, daughter of a wealthy family, who has suffered a great tragedy—the loss of her daughter and her marriage.
As Piper tries to put together the pieces of the puzzle regarding her family, she realizes that someone has been murdering her family members and making it look like tragic accidents.
The suspense, along with the impending hurricane, carries the reader along into the story. Although I felt that some elements (a romance) were a bit predictable, others (the murderer’s identity) were not!
Readers who enjoy a suspenseful read with a touch of romance will enjoy this one. It was not my favorite—I miss former heroine Glenn Marcy—but I do want the author to continue writing. Her work is fascinating.
I am grateful to the publisher for a free copy of the book, for this, my honest review.

I had never heard of this author before and I'm usually not interested in "thriller/mystery/edge of your seat" books. However, the premise and title of the book intrigued me, so I decided to try it out. Once I got into the first few chapters, I couldn't stop reading! This book was awesome!! It's a great page turner, and I was really into the storyline and trying to figure things out along the way. If you're into thrillers, this one is an easy yet not-put-downable read. I will definitely be searching for more books from this author. Thank you!