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mackenzierm's review
4.0
4/5 stars
The Silent House is set in a small, rural (I think) village in Ireland and told in the perspectives of Sophy, mother, and Isobel, teenage daughter. The story begins with the experiences of selling their home after Sophy's marriage falls to pieces and Sophy finding a job as a live-in nurse for Mr. Jack Hyland at Hyland Hall. The Hall itself is in a state of disrepair and the host, is now a recluse, after a fire on the property nearly stole his life, leaving him permanently disfigured. You feel their despair upon arriving at Hyland Hall and as they learn to adjust to their new surroundings. It becomes quite clear their ever-increasing sense of suspicion and fear as they come to discover that not everything is at it may seem.
Okay, so where to begin with my actual review...?! I guess it may be easiest to start off with what initially was a turn off for me, but that as the novel progressed I came to enjoy. I started off really not enjoying the dual perspectives of Sophy and Isobel. I found it distracting to switch back and forth between the two, and I also couldn't get a firm grasp on how old Isobel was, and whether she was the eldest daughter, or whether her sister, Julie, was. As the story really picked up its pace, especially around part 3 of the novel, I began to see the relevance of the dual story perspective and truly appreciate it.
The Silent House is a truly engrossing novel and I was really captivated by it. I had a suspicion soon after the novel began of whom I should be wary of, but it became quite clear as the novel reached its climax. I was fascinated throughout the whole tail-end of the novel, not wanting to put it down as Elliot kept me on the edge of my seat, biting my nails, in suspense of what was going to happen.
I found it a bit hard to get into the story, but was quickly captivated once I got to part two where we begin to see more of Jack Hyland's history and thoughts in his self-written memoir. His perspective of things from the past and how they linked to the future was really interesting, and for me, definitely solidified the story.
Part one was grossly focused on the back story of the main characters, Isobel and Sophy; and how they got to where they are now. It also includes present day events that the characters are experiencing and ultimately leads the way through to the end.
I found the characters to be quite interesting, and I really enjoyed following their stories and seeing them develop further.
The plot was really well executed and kept me drawn-in right up to the end. I really enjoyed Elliot's writing and would be interested in reading more of her work in the future!
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher of this advanced digital copy for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review! I will also be posting my review to Amazon Canada upon publishing.
The Silent House is set in a small, rural (I think) village in Ireland and told in the perspectives of Sophy, mother, and Isobel, teenage daughter. The story begins with the experiences of selling their home after Sophy's marriage falls to pieces and Sophy finding a job as a live-in nurse for Mr. Jack Hyland at Hyland Hall. The Hall itself is in a state of disrepair and the host, is now a recluse, after a fire on the property nearly stole his life, leaving him permanently disfigured. You feel their despair upon arriving at Hyland Hall and as they learn to adjust to their new surroundings. It becomes quite clear their ever-increasing sense of suspicion and fear as they come to discover that not everything is at it may seem.
Okay, so where to begin with my actual review...?! I guess it may be easiest to start off with what initially was a turn off for me, but that as the novel progressed I came to enjoy. I started off really not enjoying the dual perspectives of Sophy and Isobel. I found it distracting to switch back and forth between the two, and I also couldn't get a firm grasp on how old Isobel was, and whether she was the eldest daughter, or whether her sister, Julie, was. As the story really picked up its pace, especially around part 3 of the novel, I began to see the relevance of the dual story perspective and truly appreciate it.
The Silent House is a truly engrossing novel and I was really captivated by it. I had a suspicion soon after the novel began of whom I should be wary of, but it became quite clear as the novel reached its climax. I was fascinated throughout the whole tail-end of the novel, not wanting to put it down as Elliot kept me on the edge of my seat, biting my nails, in suspense of what was going to happen.
I found it a bit hard to get into the story, but was quickly captivated once I got to part two where we begin to see more of Jack Hyland's history and thoughts in his self-written memoir. His perspective of things from the past and how they linked to the future was really interesting, and for me, definitely solidified the story.
Part one was grossly focused on the back story of the main characters, Isobel and Sophy; and how they got to where they are now. It also includes present day events that the characters are experiencing and ultimately leads the way through to the end.
I found the characters to be quite interesting, and I really enjoyed following their stories and seeing them develop further.
The plot was really well executed and kept me drawn-in right up to the end. I really enjoyed Elliot's writing and would be interested in reading more of her work in the future!
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher of this advanced digital copy for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review! I will also be posting my review to Amazon Canada upon publishing.
kirstyreadsthings's review
3.0
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review.
I was left a bit muddled with this one. The beginning really dragged me in and I couldn't wait to get started.
Sophies relationship with her husband has fallen apart due to his addiction to gambling. With no money, and no house, Sophie takes a job as a live-in nurse for Jack Hyland. With her two daughters she moves into the derelict home which has been ravished by disasters.
The setting is brilliant and adds atmosphere as well as acting as a problem topic between mother and daughter.
After the start though I started to loose interest a bit. The plot is dragged out and it turns from being a slow burner to their being too much detail where it is not needed. The ending is also made WAY too long, and I started to get a bit fed up.
I also wouldn't be able to categorise this book properly. It's not really a thriller, its not really a romance, nor a mystery. In fact I guesses the whole 'mystery' very very quickly which put me off a bit.
The use of different narratives is carried out well, and I especially enjoyed the glimpses into the past through Jack.
All in all it is not a bad book, however, I wouldn't read it again.
I was left a bit muddled with this one. The beginning really dragged me in and I couldn't wait to get started.
Sophies relationship with her husband has fallen apart due to his addiction to gambling. With no money, and no house, Sophie takes a job as a live-in nurse for Jack Hyland. With her two daughters she moves into the derelict home which has been ravished by disasters.
The setting is brilliant and adds atmosphere as well as acting as a problem topic between mother and daughter.
After the start though I started to loose interest a bit. The plot is dragged out and it turns from being a slow burner to their being too much detail where it is not needed. The ending is also made WAY too long, and I started to get a bit fed up.
I also wouldn't be able to categorise this book properly. It's not really a thriller, its not really a romance, nor a mystery. In fact I guesses the whole 'mystery' very very quickly which put me off a bit.
The use of different narratives is carried out well, and I especially enjoyed the glimpses into the past through Jack.
All in all it is not a bad book, however, I wouldn't read it again.
fictionophile's review
4.0
Anyone looking for a suspenseful, adrenalin-packed thrill ride, need look no further. Though there were a few parts of the book that were overly dramatic, and made me suspend belief, it was a page-turner. Part crime thriller and part romantic suspense, the novel had me gripped under its spell for two days.
The atmosphere and descriptions were very vivid. The characters quite easy to imagine, though at times I grew impatient with Sophy and her daughters, I came to like and understand them more towards the end.
The plot was well planned and executed. It spoke to what measures some people will go in the name of avarice. How difficult it is to trust after it has been lost, and also, to the randomness of fate.
This is my first Laura Elliot novel, and when time permits I will search out more of her work.
The atmosphere and descriptions were very vivid. The characters quite easy to imagine, though at times I grew impatient with Sophy and her daughters, I came to like and understand them more towards the end.
The plot was well planned and executed. It spoke to what measures some people will go in the name of avarice. How difficult it is to trust after it has been lost, and also, to the randomness of fate.
This is my first Laura Elliot novel, and when time permits I will search out more of her work.
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