Cover Image: The Silent House

The Silent House

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

There are a lot of similar concepts to this and I was worried I would find this quite samey but I was wrong, this was engaging and different to the usual, I found myself turning the pages quickly and couldn’t put this down

Was this review helpful?

I would firstly like to thank Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

While I was definitely intrigued by the premise of the book and mysterious story, overall this book was just a little slow for me. The reveal I didn't see coming, and the characters were written well, but the story just too long to unravel in my opinion.

Was this review helpful?

This one slowly built into a tight psychological story and it was worth waiting for as the last third was excellent. My first novel by Laura Elliott was a winner,

Was this review helpful?

Thanks toNetgalley, Bookoutre and Laura Elliot for this ARC. This was a fast paced thriller, that flowed well, characters were interesting and plot was well thought out. I enjoyed this one ..4 Stars

Was this review helpful?

This pulled me in from the very start. It was a slow burn really and although it had the potential to get very dark and all consuming it didn't quite get there in the last half. I still wanted to know what happened though and was gripped enough to not want to put it down.

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

One of the best reads of the year for me! Laura Elliot is one of my favorite authors who always manages to capture you in the story with unfolding details with every page. I will always pick up anything that she writes and can't say enough good things about this book.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

Was this review helpful?

I had the hardest time getting into this one and I just can't figure out why. I found the characters awfully irritable, some things came across as overly dramatic, some required suspending belief and considering the gothic mystery feel I expected, I didn't think The Silent House was dark or atmospheric enough. I think the psychological thriller genre and I just need to break up.

Was this review helpful?

This book was intense and I felt emotionally connected to the characters and plot. I couldnt put it down. The suspense built up little by little and it turned out to be a really good book.

Was this review helpful?

The story is told from two characters’ perspectives and draws you in slowly. Whilst it well developed the characters and plot, the tension is a slow burn until the surprising family revelations that herald dramatic action.

Was this review helpful?

The Silent House is next level good!

It’s dark, gritty and although it drags a little in places you need to stick with it since the pay off is worth it! I don’t want to give any secrets away so trust me when I say you NEED to read this book!

Was this review helpful?

In some ways I feel like this was a couple of different books rolled into one. First, it was very gothic, and those parts worked. But there’s another side to the book, and that’s family drama. This is the catalyst for why Sophy has to take a job at the titular house in the first place. There’s also a (sort of) romantic triangle for Sophy between getting to know Victor and her husband reappearing on the scene. All of it is put together into an epic story that sometimes drags but ultimately did keep me engaged up to the end. I wasn’t sure what to expect going into the book, but what I got (in spite of the differing genres it seems to fit) was an interesting read with good characters (some better than others) that took me out of real life for a while. For a detailed review, please visit Fireflies and Free Kicks. Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for a digital ARC of the book.

Was this review helpful?

This is classed as psychological thriller but it definitely has more of a gothic mystery/romance edge to it!

This one started off really well and had my sucked right in but it got to about 1/3 of the way through and seemed to just fall flat.

I really liked the characters, they were relatable which is always a massive bonus but I felt there were way too many filler characters and moments that just didn't need to be in there.

Personally I think if it had been classed in the right genre it's not one I would have read. There's things I expect from a psychological thriller and this one just didnt tick all the boxes for me.

Don't get me wrong, I didn't hate it but I didn't love it!

Please note I read as the original title of 'The Tinderbox'

Thanks to netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture on the arc of The Silent House by Laura Elliot.

4 Star Read- This follows Sophy whom is a Live in nurse at a place called Hyland Hall. The owner of this hall is called Jack Hyland he requires constant care and also has full body burns. So her and her children stay here after her leaving behind debt and a failing marriage.. as her husband ended up gambling everything away... but Jack has a hidden agenda... this is narrated by Sophy herself and Isobel. Such a gripping, emotional and distresssing read as all the twists and turns are gruesome but great!

Highly Recommend- 4 stars- ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Was this review helpful?

What a thrilling edge of your seat read. This was a quick paced gothic thriller type. Plot was well thought out and the flow was suspenseful with a slow build which was perfect for a book of this length. I really enjoyed this and definitely recommend.

Was this review helpful?

Anyone looking for a suspenseful, adrenalin-packed thrill ride, need look no further. Though there were a few parts of the book that were overly dramatic, and made me suspend belief, it was a page-turner. Part crime thriller and part romantic suspense, the novel had me gripped under its spell for two days.

The atmosphere and descriptions were very vivid. The characters quite easy to imagine, though at times I grew impatient with Sophy and her daughters, I came to like and understand them more towards the end.

The plot was well planned and executed. It spoke to what measures some people will go in the name of avarice. How difficult it is to trust after it has been lost, and also, to the randomness of fate.

This is my first Laura Elliot novel, and when time permits I will search out more of her work.

Was this review helpful?

3-4 stars. This was a well written book, with great character development, but was a bit slow paced for me. Overall, I think most will enjoy, as it does offer some great thrills, chills, and shocks, but at a slower pace than I prefer. I would recommend though, as it is a fun, quick read!

Was this review helpful?

When Sophy is forced to take a job working at Hyland hall, she discovers that the owner Jack is disfigured after being caught in a fire. Sophy's marriage has also broken down due to her husbands gambling ways, and soon after she settles in at Hyland Hall, she quickly discovers there are many secrets lurking.

This was such a gripping, chilling read from the start! Sophy's character was realistic and easy to connect with, and her daughter Isobel was charming.
The authors brilliant writing style really captivates you from the start, and you find yourself fully immersed in the world that they have created, along with being fully Invested in Sophy's life and the safety of both herself and her daughter.

This was an absolute page turner that I couldn't tear myself away from. An absolute must read for all who love a thriller!.

Was this review helpful?

A ok booking not sure if I like or not but I keep thinking about the plot so I must of like it it stat in my head so that good plot was ok characters good very strong a good read

Was this review helpful?

In short: Sophy, a newly single mother, needs to find somewhere for her and her daughters to live, following a separation which left them homeless. They go to live with an elderly recluse in his gothic mansion so that Sophy can care for his medical needs whilst providing her girls a home. This man and his home are not all they first seem, and a tale spanning 40 years unfolds.

This story had me gripped from the get go, full of mystery, ambience and it came to life like a motion picture in my mind. I am new to Laura Elliot as an author and she has a talent for submerging you into a new place which feels entirely real, that you can hear each creak, touch each piece of furniture- I can honestly say I've not experienced such certainty and vivid pictures of each scene in any book I've read before and she is remarkably able to do so without all the waffle which would usually tire me. In terms of a thriller, this is not out and out suspense... I foretold the outcomes early into the book however this made no difference to wanting to see how they were played out and to be immersed in the plot.

I incidentally preferred the first name initially assigned to this work- (The Tinder Box) feeling it was more relative to the tale, however assume it was changed so not to be mistaken for the fairytale. In many ways this is a work of literary fiction, romance and suspense; however regardless of which genre it has been branded, I enjoyed it very much. I do feel chapter 60 was far too advanced from 59 and something was missing between the two or that possibly chapter 60 should have been incorporated into the epilogue.

Wonderful use of language and creation of atmosphere. I thoroughly enjoyed the diary entries. With thanks to Laura Elliot, Bookouture and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

Was this review helpful?

Well-written Gothic thriller/mystery about a woman who loses everything after her husband gambles away their life savings, and is forced to take a job as caretaker for a reclusive older man disfigured by a fire. She lives in the dark mansion with her two daughters. This was one of my favorite 2020 reads. As you read, more and more twists and turns occur that I never would have thought of. The ending was very surprising and satisfying. If you like atmospheric and haunting books, you will enjoy this book.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Was this review helpful?