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pandasbookshelf 's review for:
The Silent Mother
by Liz Lawler
The Silent Mother is the latest standalone thriller from author Liz Lawyer. It’s the first I’ve read from this author.
Ruth hears the news that no mother wants to find out. Her adult son is found dead before he could be sentenced to a crime, she is sure he could never have committed. Desperate to understand and connect with her dead son, Ruth moves into her son’s apartment where she sets out to prove that his death was no accident, and he is innocent of what he has been accused.
The book is a good length coming in at 407 pages. Even still I read this in mostly one sitting. The pacing is a little slow for the first part but it picks up closer to the end. We get two storylines, one by Ruth, the mother and the other by a woman named Rosie who is searching for her missing friend. Initially, we are not sure how these two storylines or characters intersect but by the end all becomes clear. Ruth is presented as strong mother seeking justice for her son, but she also comes across a bit naïve, and I found it difficult to connect to her. I preferred Rosie’s character more than Ruth.
I think it’s worth mentioning the story does touch on suicide. It’s not a huge focus but it may be difficult for some readers. The book tackles themes of grief, loss and mother-son relationships.
The ending for me could have packed a bit more of a punch. I was expecting a really heart stopping twist, and while there were some parts which I felt shocked and intrigued by, overall I think I expected something a bit more. I was waiting for that last minute twist to really blow my mind, but it didn’t happen. The end felt a little rushed with everything coming together quite quickly and in a way which was quite convenient. There were some suspenseful and tense moments.
Overall, it was a decent solid mystery with some interesting characters and intriguing plot. I’d read more by this author in the future. It was a fun and enjoyable read to spend an afternoon on.
Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for an early copy of this book.
Ruth hears the news that no mother wants to find out. Her adult son is found dead before he could be sentenced to a crime, she is sure he could never have committed. Desperate to understand and connect with her dead son, Ruth moves into her son’s apartment where she sets out to prove that his death was no accident, and he is innocent of what he has been accused.
The book is a good length coming in at 407 pages. Even still I read this in mostly one sitting. The pacing is a little slow for the first part but it picks up closer to the end. We get two storylines, one by Ruth, the mother and the other by a woman named Rosie who is searching for her missing friend. Initially, we are not sure how these two storylines or characters intersect but by the end all becomes clear. Ruth is presented as strong mother seeking justice for her son, but she also comes across a bit naïve, and I found it difficult to connect to her. I preferred Rosie’s character more than Ruth.
I think it’s worth mentioning the story does touch on suicide. It’s not a huge focus but it may be difficult for some readers. The book tackles themes of grief, loss and mother-son relationships.
The ending for me could have packed a bit more of a punch. I was expecting a really heart stopping twist, and while there were some parts which I felt shocked and intrigued by, overall I think I expected something a bit more. I was waiting for that last minute twist to really blow my mind, but it didn’t happen. The end felt a little rushed with everything coming together quite quickly and in a way which was quite convenient. There were some suspenseful and tense moments.
Overall, it was a decent solid mystery with some interesting characters and intriguing plot. I’d read more by this author in the future. It was a fun and enjoyable read to spend an afternoon on.
Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for an early copy of this book.