Another blockbuster of a thriller from Linwood Barclay! I dare you to read the first chapter and put the book down. From those first pages right through to the end, Not A Word will have you on the edge of your seat wondering what on earth is going on here.

Granted, I am a huge fan of Barclay’s work, but it just gets better and better. What really stood out for me in this novel was the Canadian setting. As a reader/writer from Ontario, I was thrilled to see Toronto as the home of the story. Added to the familiar locale is the family drama we can all relate to. Buried secrets come to the surface years later to test relationships, trust, and loyalty. The consequences of working in the drug industry come with a high price for Brent Chartwell and his family.

I loved the multiple points of view, mixed 1st and 3rd person narration, and the dual timeline with just the right amount of flashbacks to keep the story moving at breakneck speed. The past and present intertwine perfectly with Barclay’s seamless storytelling. I had the pleasure of listening to the audiobook version, a first for me with this author. To be honest, I tend to fall asleep when listening to books. There wasn’t much chance of a nap with this thriller. The narration was spot on, immersing me into the lives of the Chartwell family.

You won’t get any spoilers from me. Suffix it to say there are some killer family secrets at play. With shocking revelations throughout the chapters, Not A Word is a non-stop thrill of a read. And the final truth exposed—Wow. Just wow. Read it.