Cover Image: The Silent House

The Silent House

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Member Reviews

I found this book lacking in originality and the plot was both obvious and predictable with the exception of little Julie's strength. The characters while well written were for some reason difficult to relate to and overall it just wasn't for me. Sorry!

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Thank you Netgalley for an advance copy.
A marriage destroyed, an unexpected job offer to take care of a old and wealthy recluse who is recovering from a fire accident which had left him disfigured. Sophy's kids trying to cope with the trauma of their parents separation, their fathers gambling addiction, their moving to a creepy and crumbling mansion, to a new school. The story has been told mainly in the form of three main characters, Sophy the mother, Isobel the eldest daughter and Jack, the old recluse, who through his journals trying to recollect the events before the fire.
The second part where secrets starts tumbling out has been very well written and it kept me hooked and I just had to finish it in one sitting to know how the entire story gets closed. The ending is more or less what is expected but it has been handled well and that's what counts.
Recommended read

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This book kept my attention throughout. Sophy's marriage is in pieces and she accepts a position taking care of wealthy and disabled Jack, owner of Hyland Hall. Her husband had lost all the family's money with his secret life.
Sophy moves in to Hyland Hall with her two daughters, Isobel and Julie. Jack had been horribly disfigured in a fire at the stables and needs rehabilitation and care. There are some terrible secrets at Hyland Hall and mystery and drama ensues.

My favorite characters in the book were Jack and Luke. I disliked the ventriloquist obsession Julie had. Isobel was a strong character as well. The plot of the story was absorbing and I think would appeal to many. The story moved at a good pace and there was a lot happening in the second half of the book.

Thanks to Bookouture through Netgalley for an advance copy.

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Touted as a mystery/thriller, The Tinderbox was a fun and somewhat captivating read, but I’m not sure I would classify it as such. I figured out very quickly who was going to be the bad guy. There was a mysterious element to it; a woman leaves her husband after his betrayal. She takes a job playing nurse to a disabled and disfigured elderly man who lives in an equally disabled old house. Along with her goes her two traumatized daughters, who are still coming to grips with their broken family. She enters quickly into a relationship with her client’s charming nephew, who may be her way out of poverty and despair. Of course, as mystery/thrillers go, things are not as they seem.

In the second half of the book, things pick up quickly, strange things occur, and truths are divulged. Can a father’s love bring redemption and restore a family? In the final moments, will a cat and a ventriloquist’s dummy save the day? What an ending. I thank the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book. I gave it 3 ½ stars rounded up to four. I do recommend; it was an enjoyable read. #netgalley #thetinderbox

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This is a great read, though very much a slow burner. Well written and a good narrative throughout. I would recommend this one.

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A novel about long-hidden family secrets and the mystery surrounding a disfigured recluse, “The Tinderbox”, by Laura Elliot (Bookouture), features a separated mother and her two daughters trying to adapt to a new life in a new place.
This story might be compelling and intense for others, but it didn’t really work for me. I found the writing style flat and dull, the pace often dragged on and I didn’t really connect with any of the characters; even the two girls and odd Cornelia…
The romantic plotline seemed contrived, with Sophy and Victor’s quick relationship; I enjoyed Luke’s redemption and the reconciliation much more.
2.5 stars.

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Thanks NetGalley publisher and author for this copy.

I had a hard time putting this book down!
This book will keep you guessing till the very end.
Talk about an intense read!!!! This is it!

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Not sure what I thought if this I liked it.. didnt love it. The characters were well built up it was just missing something for me to make it a great thriller. Still a good read.

Thanks to the Author, the publisher and NetGalley for an early release of this book.

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Set in the picturesque Irish countryside, we follow Sophy and her two daughters, Isobel and Julie as they set out a new life after Sophy starts her job as the live-in nurse for ‘the recluse’ Jack Hyland in the once-beautiful family estate, Hyland Hall. But there are secrets between Sophy’s patient, Jack, and his Nephew, Victor. While trying to build a life for her daughters, face her estranged husband Luke after lies and deceit surfaced, causing them to separate, and keeping her children safe- will Lady Luck be on her side?
Content Warning – contains reference of gambling, death, and threat.
This book took me by surprise from the very first chapter… So much so, this turned into a single-sitting read!
I’ve not read any of Laura Elliot’s previous publications but, clearly, I’ve been missing out!
We follow a dual perspective of Sophy and her eldest daughter Isobel as they discover that not everything is as it seems. The cast of characters were well crafted with their own distinct voices throughout the novel. I loved the emotion that was portrayed by each one, from the small, brief rolls, to our leading-ladies and the third person dialogue was a great choice to reveal the inner turmoil of the characters. I very rapidly became invested in Sophy and Isobel as they continued to butt heads with each other.
The plot was something that has been done before but felt so original in its execution. I felt the shock and fear as each piece of the puzzle was slotted in to place but was kept on the edge of my seat as more questions were raised.
I struggled to find issue with the title, but the romance felt like more of an insta-love with only hints of the building flirtation, then suddenly its more. However, I think this was intentional giving you pause to the intentions and if it was purely personal gain or love.
I really would recommend this to anyone who enjoys great thriller/mysteries with an emotional twist.

-Review will be posted to my website on the week of the 23rd in anticipation of release.-

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#TheTinderBox #NetGalley
Twisty and Creepy.
Sophy accepts a job as a live-in nurse for Jack Hyland.
Once a magnificent house, Hyland Hall has fallen into disrepair and its owner, Jack, disfigured in a terrible fire that broke out on the property years ago, is now a recluse.As Sophy’s daughters struggle to adjust to their new surroundings, exploring every forbidden corner of the house, Sophy does her best to care for Jack and her broken family.But Jack has secrets of his own and Sophy’s arrival is about to set in motion a chain of events that will uncover the devastating truth of Hyland Hall’s past
I loved the characters of Sophy and Jack. I don't want to reveal much here. I just want to tell that this is a must read psychological thriller.
I'm doing more promotion once this book will be released among my fellow Authors Bloggers Family Friends and followers.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me an advanced copy of this psychological thriller.

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