Scan barcode
duchessofreadin's review against another edition
4.0
After a terrible crime, Gwen Collier is left without the memories of what happened. She was lucky to be alive. However, her best friend, Bethan, was not so lucky. As the town begins to come to grips with the terrible news, Gwen struggles to move on. As the years pass, she struggles to remember what happened that night, and who might have wanted to hurt either her or Bethan.
Then Gwen goes missing, again.
As Winter Meadows begins to investigate, there is no guarantee that there is anything new that can be followed up on. Trying to figure out what happened to Gwen, is hard enough. After she is found, and taken to the hospital, Meadows questions her. He then begins to wonder if the person who committed the crime all those years ago might still be in the area. If the perpetrator feels that her memories are returning, they might be forced to act, which could put Gwen in serious danger.
This was a great read! I enjoyed the different twists that were presented. Obviously, I am not going to tell you who committed the crime, but oh my. It was a great ending to an enjoyable book. There were a few areas where I felt that it could have either been deleted, or just shortened, but there was a good flow to the plot. As with any book, there are going to be a few characters that you are just going to hate.
I look forward to seeing what happens in the next handful of books. This series contains eight books.
Then Gwen goes missing, again.
As Winter Meadows begins to investigate, there is no guarantee that there is anything new that can be followed up on. Trying to figure out what happened to Gwen, is hard enough. After she is found, and taken to the hospital, Meadows questions her. He then begins to wonder if the person who committed the crime all those years ago might still be in the area. If the perpetrator feels that her memories are returning, they might be forced to act, which could put Gwen in serious danger.
This was a great read! I enjoyed the different twists that were presented. Obviously, I am not going to tell you who committed the crime, but oh my. It was a great ending to an enjoyable book. There were a few areas where I felt that it could have either been deleted, or just shortened, but there was a good flow to the plot. As with any book, there are going to be a few characters that you are just going to hate.
I look forward to seeing what happens in the next handful of books. This series contains eight books.
beags's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
maggymags's review
4.0
A good read and a series I will continue with. Fast paced, a likeable main character and goos story line. A few to and too mistakes, maybe a final proofread needed on the next book
anevayn's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
righteousridel's review against another edition
4.0
The Silent Quarry starts off slow... and I mean slow enough to echo any number of police procedurals. However, somewhere about halfway through the novel, it really picks up and the author starts surprising you. I was ready to give up on this novel as my personal reading style prefers cold opens and reader confusion, rather than the slow exposition required by the 'memory loss' mechanic. But somehow, somewhere, I found myself no longer begrudgingly finishing the novel but rather devouring chapter by chapter as I tried to guess where the plot would ultimately end. Recommended.
That said, adding Giles as a POV was fun, as I was convinced that the author was a bit simple and the story was about Meadows's journey to dispatching the villain we all knew. The twists were well-placed, and I was screaming at Meadows that it was clearly Matt's fault for the second half of the novel.
The final twist -- placing it back on Gwen (and truly making Beth an unredeemable character) -- I feel like this is the kind of stuff you can only find in novels. TV / Movies needs to aim at a general audience and this kind of thing is too shocking and depressing for broad market appeal. But I loved it. The ending singlehandedly made me want to give this 5 stars, but there are enough flaws that I settled on 4.
Spoiler
I really didn't care for the first half of the book, where they introduce the victims Gwen and Beth (in flashback and not) before the actual main character of DI Meadows. I don't find reading about teenagers, no matter how realistic, to be entertaining. I could have done without the constant scenes of teenage angst in high school in an alleged police procedural.That said, adding Giles as a POV was fun, as I was convinced that the author was a bit simple and the story was about Meadows's journey to dispatching the villain we all knew. The twists were well-placed, and I was screaming at Meadows that it was clearly Matt's fault for the second half of the novel.
The final twist -- placing it back on Gwen (and truly making Beth an unredeemable character) -- I feel like this is the kind of stuff you can only find in novels. TV / Movies needs to aim at a general audience and this kind of thing is too shocking and depressing for broad market appeal. But I loved it. The ending singlehandedly made me want to give this 5 stars, but there are enough flaws that I settled on 4.
philantrop's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I became aware of “The Silent Quarry” by Cheryl Rees-Price through the review of my Goodreads friend Barry. If Barry rates a mystery, police procedural or thriller highly, chances are high I’m also going to enjoy it.
I was intrigued by the novel's premise of a woman, Gwen Thomas, who survived a brutal attack as a teenager that killed her friend, but lost her memory of the event. When she starts to remember what happened, she becomes a target again. Tempted by Barry and having been looking for the next good read, I basically pounced upon it and finished it in a few hours as it’s a bit on the short side of novels.
I immediately related to DI Winter Meadows, a perceptive but reclusive detective (my wife calls me a hermit…), who tries to find the identity of the attacker before it’s too late. Beyond Meadows’ professional interest he’s further motivated by his teenage-crush on Gwen and the mutual metaphorical sparks are still flying between the two of them…
I really liked Meadows because he's empathic and kind. He’s an interesting character with a lot of (as of yet mostly hidden) depth. I also liked his interactions with his colleagues and the locals. He has a good sense of humour and a sharp mind. His casual weed consumption put a big (and, of course, entirely innocent!) grin on my face.
»He plucked a book from the shelf and opened it. The inside was hollow and held a small bag of cannabis, a grinder, tobacco, and extra-long rolling papers. He rolled a joint, plonked himself down in the armchair, and lit up.«
I also enjoyed how compassionately, fairly and understandingly Meadows treated Edris. He saw Edris’ potential and gave him a chance to prove himself which the latter immediately proved worthy of.
Gwen Thomas was also a very interesting character: Rees-Price’s depiction of Gwen felt very authentic and disarmingly honest. Gwen is disgusted with her marriage, her jerk of a cheating husband and yet she does all she can to help. Even if it puts her in danger and potentially comes at great cost to herself. I admired her courage and determination to face the truth.
There were quite a few twists that, I have to admit, I saw coming but still enjoyed - except for one that left me feeling sad…
Speaking of sad: There were a few rough edges; the interesting setting of Wales doesn’t really play a role at all. Apart from the names of the villages, this could have played anywhere rural. Apart from Edris, all of Meadows’ colleagues remain underdeveloped, indistinct and flat.
There also are a few loose ends: What is Carl Perkins going to do? What is Ariana going to do about Edris?
Nevertheless, this was an engaging, suspenseful, intelligent police procedural and certainly a good entrance into this series.
Four out of five stars.
maggymags's review against another edition
4.0
A good read and a series I will continue with. Fast paced, a likeable main character and goos story line. A few to and too mistakes, maybe a final proofread needed on the next book
hsk81's review against another edition
5.0
Gripping
After reading books by my favourite author I always find it difficult to get into something new. This book had good reviews so decided to give it a try. It had me interested after a few chapters and was fast-paced with likeable characters. Also had some excellent twists and turns. Will definitely read more from this author.
After reading books by my favourite author I always find it difficult to get into something new. This book had good reviews so decided to give it a try. It had me interested after a few chapters and was fast-paced with likeable characters. Also had some excellent twists and turns. Will definitely read more from this author.
vesper1931's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Two teenager girls are attacked at a Quarry but only one survived but with no memory of the day.
Bryn Melyn 1999. Twenty years later Gwen Thomas has gone missing. When found her memories are slowly return. Can the case be finally solved. DI Winter Meadows investigates.
An entertaining modern mystery.
Bryn Melyn 1999. Twenty years later Gwen Thomas has gone missing. When found her memories are slowly return. Can the case be finally solved. DI Winter Meadows investigates.
An entertaining modern mystery.
More...