Vanessa Menezes's Reviews > After the Silence

I loved the premise of this book, wherein a documentary crew decides to investigate and re-visit all evidence relating to a long unsolved murder.

The book focuses on Henry and Keelin Kinsella, whose lives changed forever when a young woman, Nessa Crowley's lifeless body lay in their garden after a wild birthday party at their big house.

No-one was charged with the murder due to lack of evidence and witnesses. But the islanders constantly blamed the Kinsellas. So, ten years later, when a documentary crew arrives, everyone hopes that they find evidence that will prove Henry's guilt and Keelin's complicity in the murder of beautiful Nessa.

This book was gripping and good. The narration shifts between the events leading up to the party, and the present day where the crew consisting of Noah and Jake interview the Kinsellas and other people involved. While the narration itself was good, I hope there was more clarity in the timeline of events.

It also focuses on Keelin's various family relationships. Her son, Alex, whom she loves and wants to protect but he seems distant to her. Her daughter, Evie, who worships her husband Henry but seems to blame Keelin for everything that happens. Her violent ex- husband from whom she is lucky to escape and find comfort in the arms of Henry, who slowly begins to control every aspect of her life.

While the final reveal was kind of predictable, the entire set up of the book was good. It kept me hooked on till the end to see what new evidence the crew will be able to reveal and whether the truth will actually be revealed or get buried again.

Thank You to NetGalley and Quercus Books for this ARC!!