The SILO is a suspenseful, intense psychological thriller that delves deep into dark family secrets. The dynamic between Jacob and Detective Braun is fascinating, and the tension builds steadily throughout the book. However, I found the formatting, which is primarily done in dialogue, a bit challenging—it’s not my favorite style and made it harder for me to fully connect with the characters at times. Still, the unraveling of the Weaver family’s secrets and the compelling mystery kept me engaged. A solid read for fans of psychological thrillers, even if the narrative style isn't for everyone.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

Wow fantastic read. Easy five stars. Will definitely be recommending this on my Facebook group and buying for my mom who is an avid reader.

A tale that slowly builds before it hooks you with big twists of crimes committed in order for one person to create and to keep the family they desire. Mr. Heist creates character with a lot of depth in a fairly short story and creates a unique way for the crimes to be discovered via police interview. Different characters memory of the same events feels very true to life. Initially felt like a very slow start but that kept me captivated because I wanted so badly to know the twist!

A good novella. It's an interesting story, but I thought it dragged in parts. Yet, I would read another book by this author

This is not a normal police procedural following technical leads, but rather what was called "radio theater", because almost all of the book is dialogue, and in only a few settings. There are a few twists, and it's interesting reading if this genre is what you are looking for.

Once I started this one, I couldn't stop reading it until I'd finished, it's that good.

It focuses on an interview between Detective Frank Braun and Jacob Weaver. Braun is an expert on interviewing and interrogation, having taught seminars on the technique, and this is his last day at work. He is retiring. He doesn't want to conduct this interview, but Weaver had specifically asked for him. Yet Braun could not remember ever meeting the 29-year-old. As the interview unfolds, Weaver reminds Braun of the one time they had met, when Weaver was only 12 and had run away from home. Braun vaguely recalls this incident and the fact that he didn't carry through with an investigation because he was then suffering from PTSD.

Initially the interrogation proceeds slowly, as Braun believes in drawing out the story from the suspect gradually, letting him tell his story in his own words with a bit of prodding from the interrogator:

<i>...never tell suspects who or what they are. Never force out of them what you would like to hear. Let them reveal, in their own time, the answers to those questions and perhaps the crimes they have committed.</i>

The first few chapters of the story move slowly and readers anticipating a fast-moving action adventure are going to be disappointed; Weaver's background unfolds bit-by-bit, a background that becomes more horrifying as he stumbles along, disclosing the history of his life. This is not a fast-paced narrative; it is a slow insight into the psychology of a damaged man. As Weaver describes how he grew up, it gradually becomes obvious that he suffered greatly at the hands of his family—the small group of people who raised him—his grandfather, grandmother, aunt, and (seldom present) drugged-out mother. The main villain is obvious to the reader before the narrative shifts into high gear when Braun and Weaver finally travel to the farm where Weaver grew up.

The climax is not unexpected. But there is a codicil. A final chapter. That adds a very unexpected twist to the narrative, and explains much more than the knowledge conveyed in the interaction between Braun and Weaver.

This is a first story by Greg Heist. The author spent 31 years in law enforcement. It is a top-level <b>psychological thriller</b>. Given that it is novella length, it can be read in a few hours.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing an electronic copy of this book. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinions.

I really struggled to get into The Silo. I gave it a fair shot—read the first four chapters—but it just didn’t hook me. The pacing felt slow, the characters didn’t grab my attention, and I found myself constantly distracted. Ultimately, I had to set it aside. Not every book is for every reader, and this one just wasn’t for me.

Impossible to put down and had wonderful character development. I really liked the police interview aspect and how it weaves through the truth and lies but also had you second guessing yourself. However, I found myself wondering about the past and wanting to know more about the characters so maybe a novella could come in like life before?? Some parts did feel really rushed and others might’ve been a tad too long.

DNF @ 20%. I think the book has potential, but I would have preferred the story to be more descriptive and fleshed out opposing to condensing it into a novella. I was intrigued by the procedural aspect of the book; however, the way this author wrote it just was not for me

The story opens with Detective Frank Braun, who is working his final day before retirement. His desk sergeant alerts him that there is someone being held who wants to talk to him. And it has to be him. He agrees to hear what the person has to say. That person turns out to be 29 year old Jacob Weaver, who is being held on DUI and drug charges. Unfortunately for Jacob, who has prior offenses, the third strike rule means that he could be facing a very long time/life in prison. His only option is to give them something more significant. It is at this point that Jacob realizes that he needs to tell Frank about his family. Essentially, the story revolves around Detective Braun trying to unravel the mysteries behind Jacob's family and what dark things might have occurred at the Weaver farm.

Overall, the book was an average suspenseful read. As I was reading, I was very curious to see where the plot was going to go. The characters were so-so. I found it very easy to empathize with Jacob as the story progressed. Frank's character could have been a bit more fleshed out. I found myself wanting to know more about his past, including an allegation that comes up later in the story.

My biggest problem with the story was that much of the plot seemed a bit rushed. I understand that the book is short, but it feels like a lot was crammed into the pages rather than flowing naturally. There were also some places where the dialogue felt a bit forced. Regardless, the story does a good job of exploring how circumstances experienced during childhood make a big difference in the path someone's life can take.

Ultimately, I would recommend this book to folks who want a decent, suspenseful read.

This memorable book focused on the interview technique and a police procedural to discover the truth behind a crime or crimes. The book was short, less than 170 pages, but it packed more tension and suspense than most thrillers twice as long. It was a gripping psychological thriller with well-defined, engaging characters. The writing was direct, with no meandering or unnecessary fillers. The author, Greg Heist, has over thirty years of experience in law enforcement, making this a realistic story, and I hope he has plans for more books!

Frank Braun is due to retire that day and is looking forward to it. He is considered a hard-nosed, gruff detective who has always followed the rules. He has no empathy for wrongdoers but maybe some sympathy for their victims. He is packing up his personal belongings from his office when he is directed to interview a suspect who states that he will only speak to Braun. Braun is reluctant as he is in a hurry to get out of there, but figures that he will make the interview quick.

The interview will be conducted with Jacob Weaver, a man in his late thirties who looks younger. He was arrested and charged with drinking and smoking marijuana while driving. As the interview proceeded, we got to know each character. When Jacob was a boy, he ran away from the farm where he lived, and Braun learns he was the police officer who returned him home. At the time, Braun had symptoms of PTSD from his time in Vietnam and was drinking heavily to relieve the flashbacks.

He draws out Jacob's resentment of him and incidents of Jacob's harsh life on the farm. Jacob had heavy farm work as a child and a very harsh father. Jacob recalls one memory of a terrible, frightening punishment that amused his father. His mother was addicted to drugs and alcohol and would vanish for long periods. She would return for drug money and often with a useless, mean man who Jacob called his uncle. His father is now dead. He lived with a cousin whom he calls Aunt Rose. She acted as a mother figure but was extremely controlling of everyone and the farm property. Jacob seems vulnerable and suffers from stress due to his memories of his early life. He uses drugs and alcohol to help him forget.

Braun knows that the prosecution intends to use the three-strikes law, which would place Jacob in prison for a very long time, a confinement he is not strong enough to survive. Braun strongly feels there is information that Jacob is not revealing, and has developed empathy for the young man. He decides to remain and work with him to find clues that might save him.

Braun's next step is interviewing Aunt Rose, the only person left at the farm. He discovers her perched on top of the silo. What she tells him causes him to call in law enforcement to search around the base of the silo and grounds.
Highly recommended for readers who enjoy a well-constructed psychological thriller and compelling police procedural. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an electronic copy of The Silo. The book is now available.