I’ve genuinely loved every Minka Kent book I’ve read—until this one. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t bad by any means. The pacing was solid, the writing engaging enough to keep me turning pages, which is why I landed at a 3-star rating. But for me, it just didn’t deliver the kind of suspense and jaw-dropping twist I’ve come to expect from her.

The plot felt a little too familiar, too predictable. From early on, I had a strong suspicion of "who did it," and by the time the so-called twist arrived, it felt more like confirmation than a revelation. There was a twist, yes—but it lacked the punch. No gasp, no chills, just a soft “oh, okay.”

That said, if you're a fan of Minka Kent, I still think it’s worth the read. The storytelling is there, and she knows how to build an eerie, tense atmosphere. Plus, judging by other reviews, it seems I might be in the minority here. Maybe I just set my expectations too high based on how much I’ve loved her previous books. Still a decent story—just not the rollercoaster I was hoping for.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minka Kent for giving me a digital copy of “The Silent Woman?” in exchange for a review.

I love Minka’s books - they’re always fun, thrilling page-turners. She has a knack for writing strong female protagonists. Jade, the main character, was the weakest out of her characters, but she did a great job with Sylvia and Mary Claire. Mary Claire was a very surprising character, and she was the one twist I really didn’t see coming.

The plot is somewhat predictable - a Cinderella story where the prince may or may not be who he really is but again, we’re here for thrills. Either way, I will continue to devour MK’s books!

Minka Kent never fails to disappoint. Her popcorn thrillers are so easy to binge as evidenced by this one, which I listened to in one sitting. The story was entertaining and I was just waiting for Wells' true colours to be revealed after we heard about his first wife. Though predictable, the story was still enjoyable. It's another win for me for this author!

4.5 stars!

What a page-turner! If you’re a fan of *Verity* or Freida McFadden’s *The Wife Upstairs*, then you’re in for a real treat!

Newlywed Jade Westmore is happily married to architect Wells, who has a secret: his first wife, Sylvie, lives in the caretaker’s cottage on their estate after suffering a mysterious accident that left her unable to speak. Despite warnings to stay away from Sylvie, Jade visits her with flowers, only to receive a cryptic message in return: the word "Run."

In this gripping tale, we meet Jade and Sylvie—two women from different timelines whose lives intertwine in unexpected ways. Jade navigates the present, while Sylvie’s story unfolds in the past. As their narratives converge, we gain a deeper understanding of the plot and the events that have shaped their lives. Jade is sharp, ambitious, and a bit of a detective thanks to her writing skills, which ultimately lead her to uncover the truth about Sylvie’s past.

This book is nearly impossible to put down; you’ll find yourself racing through the pages, eager to unravel the mystery of how everything went so horribly wrong. The character development is refreshingly believable, making you feel as though these events could happen to anyone. The chilling atmosphere surrounding Sylvie adds an extra layer of suspense, and by the end, you’ll be questioning everyone’s motives—trust becomes a rare commodity!

If you’re intrigued by dark family secrets, a dash of obsession, and a wife determined to stand on her own two feet, then this book is calling your name. Although it was released a few years ago, it’s now available in paperback, making this the perfect opportunity to dive into this hidden gem. Prepare yourself to question everything and everyone—this rollercoaster of deception and secrets is one wild ride!

Thank you, Thomas & Mercer, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A fun little thriller! This book was super fast paced and felt like it flew by. It was a bit predictable at times but I still enjoyed my time reading this book!
My only complaint is that the end felt a bit rushed. The rest of the book was perfectly drawn out and the last 25% happened SO QUICKLY. But aside from that I don't have any other complaints! I didn't notice any editing issues and would pick up another book from this same author!

I was not wow'd by this one. I think I was wanting a bit more and the ending just fell flat. The ending felt very rushed. I will say that this book was not bad in any way and I would recommend this book for anyone who likes thrillers to read. I just wish there was more to this. The premise of the story was great, but the entire time I was just waiting for some intensity.

Newlywed Jade Westmore has finally found her forever in husband Wells, a charming, successful, and recently divorced architect—only there’s one condition. Behind the gates of their estate, hidden from street view in the caretaker’s cottage … lives Wells’ first wife, Sylvie.

I devoured this book in one day! And I think that is always the marker of a good thriller unputdownable. I was intrigued by the first couple of pages and the story had good pacing throughout.

Just when you think you had it figured out there would be a nice twist to keep you guessing!

Minka Kent’s The Silent Woman is a taut and unnervingly intimate thriller that thrives not on spectacle, but on simmering unease. At its core, it’s less about uncovering secrets than about the unnerving realization that some silences are chosen—and others, imposed.

The novel follows a woman whose mute, emotionless husband's previous wife —seemingly harmless at first—gradually becomes a mirror for everything the protagonist would rather not face. Kent weaponizes domesticity with eerie precision: the clatter of dishes, the creak of floorboards, the quiet weight of someone always being just there. These mundane details, in Kent’s hands, become instruments of psychological warfare.

What makes this story remarkable is its restraint. There are no car chases or dramatic reveals at every turn; instead, Kent builds dread through the slow erosion of certainty. Is the silent woman merely broken—or calculating? Is she a threat… or a warning?

The narration, tightly wound and achingly introspective, traps the reader in the protagonist’s growing paranoia. And yet, there’s a mournful tenderness running through the narrative too—a sorrow for the versions of ourselves we mute in order to survive.

The Silent Woman reads like a ghost story without a ghost: haunting, unresolved, and deeply human. Kent knows that sometimes, the scariest thing isn’t what’s said—it’s what no one dares to say.

Minka Kent is one of my go-to's when I’m in the mood for a twisty, bingeable thriller I can knock out in one sitting—and this one didn’t disappoint.

I went in thinking I had a pretty good idea of how things would unfold, but I’m happy to say I was way off. Sure, I guessed a couple of smaller things, but for the most part, the story kept me guessing and second-guessing with every chapter. It’s fast-paced, addictive, and one of those books you just don’t want to put down until it’s over.

I loved the old Hollywood noir vibes mixed with all the lies, betrayals, and tension. It had just the right amount of drama and suspense, and overall, it was another solid read from Minka Kent.

YES YES and YES, Minka is a favorite author for me when I see hers I grab them as fast as I can. This book did not disappoint, just when I thought I knew what the plot twist was it twisted even more and I loved it. I highly recommend this you wont regret it.

I love everything Minka Kent writes. I thought I had read this previously and as I continued through reading found that I was correct, it was a re-read. I still enjoyed it as I did the first time.
It's the story of a new wife and the old wife who suffers a tragic accident lives in the guest house on the property and all that goes along with the family dynamics in this thriller that could be a Lifetime movie.
If you enjoy Minka's books as much as I do, you'll enjoy this read.

I really, really like Minka Kent's books. Her writing is smooth, her characters come to life, and she tells a wicked story. The Silent Woman's twists didn't hit me the same as some of her other offerings. That said, this is still a really good story - I was totally engrossed - and didn't want to stop reading. Ms. Kent is becoming one of my favorite authors!

Thanks to Netgalley for the read.
Jade is the second wife to Wells, who has his first wife, Sylvia, living in the cottage in the backyard.
Strange, right?
Sylvia had an accident while they were married and cannot take care of herself, so Wells does it for her.
Again, strange.
Jade is very understanding of this, almost too much. She thinks its sweet.
Jade is an author and is writing a book regarding Wells' grandmother, with Wells approval, of course.
Along the way with research and visiting with the neighbor, Portia, Jade learns more than she was looking to about the first wife. And Jade starts to question so much about her husbands first marriage.

A great book with lots of twists and turns. This is the first book I read by this author and I'll definitely be reading more. This book was fantastic

3.5 stars

The Silent Woman by Minka Kent is a great, easy thriller that you will fly through.

Synopsis (from the book): Newlywed Jade Westmore has finally found her forever in husband Wells, a charming, successful, and recently divorced architect—only there’s one caveat. Behind the gates of their elysian estate, hidden from street view in the caretaker’s cottage … lives Wells’ first wife, Sylvie. Three years ago, the original Mrs. Westmore suffered an unfortunate accident—and hasn’t uttered a sound since. Not a physician, psychologist, or world-renown specialist has been able to elicit so much as a word from the silent woman … until now. On an ordinary Tuesday while Wells was away—despite instructions to never disturb the fragile woman—Jade visited her isolated predecessor bearing a peace offering: a bouquet of white lilies. Only she wasn’t expecting Sylvie to have something for her as well: a slip of torn notebook paper with a single word scrawled in shaky black ink. That word? Run.

My Thoughts: I enjoyed this book thouroughly. I thought it was an easy read - the type of popcorn thriller that will keep you turning the pages and you can probably finish in one day. I think this was my first book by Kent and I enjoyed their style of writing and the different POVs and timelines that I will pick up another from my library soon! Now, there are no real twists in this one, and most of the characters are a bit shady, but I think you'll enjoy this one! It's the perfect book to throw in your pool/beach bag!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

This was pretty good. the storyline line was strong and it was an easy read. However, very predictable. The ending could of also been done better it was weak compared to the rest of the story. I do enjoy minka Kent's book and looking forward to more. I received this from net galley for my honest opinion, thank you for the opportunity.

Secrets, lies, and psychological suspense really sums up this great novel;. I enjoyed the Jade character and her foray into a marriage that turns up the unexpected!

This was such a fast-paced, addictive read I couldn’t put it down! I loved the eerie setup: newlywed Jade moves in with her perfect husband… and his silent ex-wife living in the guesthouse. The old Hollywood noir vibes mixed with all the lies, secrets, and betrayals kept me hooked. That first note from Sylvie? Chilling. A solid suspense read and another win from this author!

Strong psych thriller that can be enjoyed in a couple of sittings! A re-release.

Thank you very much to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for the advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was a very fast read full- a thriller with lots of twists and turns and told from multiple perspectives. It was incredibly fast paced and is the first book I’ve read by this author, but it definitely won’t be the last!