Because THE SILENCE is Susan Allott’s debut novel, I am sure she is a new author to you. She was for me, too. But you don’t need to be apprehensive about picking this book for your next read, as I was. It's a safe bet.

Maybe the biggest reason is that this is not a simple story. It is multilayered, as the best stories are, but I would say there are mainly three things going on here.

First, Isla (pronounced EYE-la), a 35-year-old Australian now living in England, goes back to Australia to look into the police suspicion that her father killed their neighbor, Mandy, 30 years ago. So there’s that mystery, which you’ll learn about little by little, from beginning to end of this book.

Second, one of the secrets Isla discovers while she is in Australia is about Mandy’s husband and one of his shameful "duties” as a policeman. This actually is a sad part of Australian history.

Third is the issue of alcoholism and its effect on all other issues and families. This is one of Isla's family's secrets.

Go ahead and try THE SILENCE. I recommend it and look forward to Allott's next book.

Thanks to librarything.com for this great read.