Breaking the Silence

This book was full of so many different stories, and they were all intertwined so well. I didn't have any idea of the relations of the characters to each other until it was all revealed toward the end of the novel. I suppose if I had been paying closer attention I might have, but I like to escape into most of the books I read rather than analyze them all.

It's hard to believe the craziness of the experiments in the 50's in regards to psychiatric facilities. Having taken several psychology courses in college though, I do know that they did exist, it's just shocking when they're related to characters that you get attached to.

I also have to say that I'm a sucker for happy endings. The marriage of Dylan to Laura at the end was sweet and show more what I was rooting for all along. I'm soft hearted, what can I say.

I gave this story 5 stars because it was well written. It had me laughing, and commenting out loud to myself as I read, and also gave me chills when everything finally comes together. Stories that can evoke those kinds of reactions from me are worth 5 stars in my book. show less

Laura Brandon was a happily married astronomer and a mother to Emma, that is until her husband Ray unexpectedly commits suicide. The problem is that now Emma, who was at home alone with Ray when he committed suicide, refuses to talk. What could be the secrets behind Ray's death that could cause Emma's select muteness? Could Laura ever bring herself to admit them?

I picked this book up when I saw that it was recommended to lovers of Jodi Picoult. I was not disappointed! In fact, I may even go as far as to say that she writes better than Picoult (at least in this book). It was easy to read in that it didn't feel like the author was putting on a show for her audience, it was natural and heartfelt. I liked that I couldn't figure out what was show more going to happen until it actually did and I was kept at the edge of my seat, finishing it in two sittings. There were also several storylines, but they were well put together so I still knew what was going on. show less

This book was a real attention grabber with a typically clever Chamberlain plot that hooks you as a reader right from the start. This novel actually has two narratives that cleverly interlink by the end of the story though at first it seems implausible that they are connected at all- one set in the present day and one forty something years previously. The structure works though, with clever flashbacks that really take you into the characters minds. Overall this was emotional and a story of real depth, combining suspense, intrigue and mystery against a family drama. Chamberlain is a writer that really grips you.

The premise of the story is a fairly simple one; a deathbed wish from successful astronomer Laura's father leads to deeply show more hidden secrets being uncovered that will have dramatic consequences for everyone involved. Though the premise is simple though, this is a novel with twists and turns, trauma and deceit. The plot is fluid and fast paced with lots of bolts out of the blue to keep you guessing. It is admittedly very bleak in parts but mostly emphatic and moving. You do have to wonder how you would handle the same situations if you were faced with them yourself which as an author is a really skilful question to pose your readers.

There were many plot devices that worked: one in particular was acknowledgement after people's deaths and how we really see them in hindsight which was quite insightful and layered excellent retrospective dimensions to the plot. The author has also clearly researched into mental illnesses, mutism, post traumatic stress disorders and their effects as well as the impact a debilitating illness like Alzheimer's can have and also how such cases were treated in the past- some of the archaic methods to treat such conditions were really horrific and made me shudder, but again were woven into the text skilfully.

Generally, all of the characters are excellently drawn with flaws and personality traits that make them believable, if not always likeable. I loved Dylan and Laura and Emma was such a beautiful child and I really felt for her predicament. Halfway through the novel there is the suggestion of what is eventually going to happen but that doesn't detract from the books enjoyment- if anything it makes you as a reader want to read faster to get to the end!

I have deducted one star because one plot twist that I never saw coming, I just felt that it wasn't really needed and it felt a bit creepy (you may understand when you read it)! All in all though, this was an excellent piece of contemporary fiction- suspense, mystery and family drama with a nice dash of romance. I would recommend this if you have never read a Chamberlain book before, or if you are a fan of Jodi Picoult, Kristin Hannah or Anita Shreve.

*This review also appears on Amazon.co.uk* show less

Laura promises her dying father to visit an elderly woman she'd never heard of before. Visiting Sarah results in her husband's death by suicide. Their five-year-old daughter, Emma, witnesses it and refuses to talk. Guilt ridden, Laura contacts someone who might help: A man who doesn't know he's Emma's real father. Guided only by a child's silence and an old woman's memories, the two unravel a tale of love and despair, of bravery and unspeakable evil.

This was a complex story that switches back and forth between Laura in the present and Sarah’s story in the past. There are disturbing things that Sarah witnessed as a psychiatric nurse in a mental institution. This is loosely based on real things that happened at some institutions. The show more characters are appealing and the story kept my interest. Some things weren’t believable but there were some interesting twists and I enjoyed it. show less

This is well written on the whole - which is typical of Diane Chamberlain, and I did enjoy the characters. However, I have to say the plot twists are simply ridiculously melodramatic and a couple of times I just had to laugh out loud and do a lot of groaning. This is the sort of thing a good editor should pick up on and tone down - so I do admit that I grew rather fond of the Evil Doctor (capitals deliberate) and thought he'd make a brilliant main character of his own novel. I think I was supposed to hate him, but I thought he was wonderful.

Not the best Chamberlain novel around then. Oh well.

I am so amazed with this book! It was truly unstoppable but then life gets in the way so I had to pause. From the start to the end, the story was filled with twists and turns that got me thinking who and where! In the end, who would have guessed that!!! This is definitely one of my favorite books thus far and this author has fast become one of my favorite authors for this genre.

"Emma is simply a healthy, normal child who suffered a trauma. She has what we call post-traumatic stress disorder."

I like the way the story panned out from the start and how it eventually ended. The romance was neatly done and it was expected by the way. However, the mystery of the past and the present was the one that got me worked up, trying to solve it. It show more sure did keep me engrossed until the end.

"She leaned against the wall, watching him go, and for the first time in her life, knew she was falling in love."

If you are looking for a cosy mystery with some family drama, this is one book you should try. show less

Another page turner by Diane Chamberlain! I stayed up until 3:30am so I could finish (the twist regarding Laura, Joe, and Ray/Gilbert, was brilliant). This book reminds me a little of Jodi Picoult’s subject matter as highlights (muteness, suicide, and Alzheimer’s, the mentally ill, and other controversial topics). If you begin reading and feel it starts a little slower than most Diane’s books, do Not give up, as trust me as you will find the same suspense and excitement as you move along and will not be able to put it down.

I loved Brandon and Laura’s characters as you fall in love with them and you could really sympathize with Sarah and Emma. Ray sounded like a jerk from the beginning, so never understood how Laura could fall show more for him (will not spoil this to say more). The Alzheimer illness was very realistic as my sister cares for a woman who is similar in that they remember the past, but not present.

A heartbreaking story about a dying father’s wish for his daughter Laura to locate a woman in a retirement home with Alzheimer’s with no clue of the relation or connection (which he has been funding for years) with warnings and threats from others to stay away. A husband with hidden secrets and mental problems commits suicide while his (adoptive daughter), Emma witnesses the tragedy and become mute.

In the meantime, as Emma begins therapy, Laura seeks the biological father Brandon, from nine years earlier, who has no idea he is a father and a bachelor. The request from her dying father was to take care of Sarah in the rest home and Laura enjoys her visits weekly and hears stories and experiences from Sarah set in the 50’s, detailing a time when she was married and in the middle of a huge scandal while working as a nurse in a mental hospital (which they were doing some very unethical procedures and research nightmare). Combine this with whistleblowing, and undercover work, and threats to your family and you have a nightmare!

It all comes together in the uncovering Emma’s silence, the memories of love, despair, and evil and the much awaited connection between Joe/Laura/Emma/Ray. A must read! show less