Silent Survivor

By: Deborah Shlian

Narrated by: Laura Wills Mooney

Some secrets can be deadly....

Stepping into the darkened hospital clinic, Mackenzie (Mac) Dodd hears the faint click of a revolver before spotting the barrel pressed against the young marine’s temple. Unable to stop the suicide, Mac blames herself. Encouraged by her idealistic neighbor, she posts the incident on Silent Survivor, a blog in which she encourages veterans with PTSD to share stories. When the marine’s widow reveals there may be more to her husband's suicide, Mac begins an investigation, risking her life to expose secrets and betrayals as she uncovers the unintended consequences of covert government research.

©2018 Deborah Shlian (P)2019 Deborah Shlian

Engaging and Powerful

Silent Survivor is a military fiction where our MC, Mackenzie, is a nurse returning from the Iraq war. After everything she’s seen and had happen to her, she’s desperate to get back to life as normal. To help her cope with PTSD, she writes a blog about her experiences. When soldiers begin to mysteriously die of suicide, she is brought in to investigate.

Overall, this is a thrilling listen that kept me on the edge of my seat. The characters were all very well fleshed out, making it easy to root for the MC especially.

Narrator had a good variety of voices and emotions for the different characters and emotional situations. Very easy to listen to.

This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

Tense, engaging and eerily possible

Silent Survivor is the story of a young nurse who has just returned from Iraqi, damaged by what she's seen there and what's been done to her. Somehow, she breaks through the tough time she's had to investigate the deaths of a number of soldiers who've been treated poorly by the government that sent them into battle. Shlian obviously has a substantial knowledge of medicine, biology and human nature and brings that to bear in creating a page-turning thriller that will keep you on a series of emotional highs and lows. It's an intelligent read that will keep you thinking ... all night.

PTSD

Mackenzie (Mac) Dodd is an ex-Army nurse who has just returned from the battle zones of Iraq. Mac witnesses the suicide of a young veteran soldier while at a Vet therapy group for those suffering from PTSD. Mac also suffers from emotional distress from her time in the military. Her young friend Viv is an expert at social media and talks Mac into writing a blog called “Silent Survivor” in hopes of helping others who have been in her shoes. While delving into the reasons so many veterans are committing suicide she investigates the side effects of a drug that the military has given their soldiers. I loved this story and the narrator did an excellent job. I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Action Thriller

Mackenzie Dodd has served in the military, suffers PTSD, divorced, and now finds herself knee-deep in a mystery that may prove to be her end. Witnessing a veteran’s suicide, Mackenzie encourages other veterans with PTSD to discuss their experiences via her blog, “Silent Survivor.” After all, talking about things helps with the healing process. It also reveals secrets that some prefer to stay secret. Mackenzie makes some powerful enemies who want to see her dead!

The author, Deborah Shlian builds a mystery that has several plot twists and breath-taking moments. Her character development is well done as is the dialog. Her detailing of the emotional moments is perfectly done, it is not overboard or underdone. She walks a fine line balancing the story and emotions this story might elicit.

The narrator, Laura Wills Mooney gives a quality performance with a steady rhythm and clear voice. She injects appropriate emotions throughout the performance. I enjoyed her performance.

Overall, the book is a good and interesting listen. I had a hard time shutting it off. I thought the premise of the story was intriguing and genuine.

There were no issues with the quality or production of this audiobook. The sound was clear and well done.

Disclaimer: This Audiobook was provided free of charge by the author, narrator, and/or publisher in exchange for a non-bias, honest review.

Incredible Medical Thriller

I am an avid audio book “reader” since I do a lot of driving on the weekends and nothing makes the ride go faster than being engrossed in a really good thriller. I finished Silent Survivor yesterday — sitting in my car for 10 minutes after reaching my destination because I couldn’t put it down. The plot twists and turns and never fails surprise and to keep you transfixed. Every path the characters take is better than the one before. The writing is beautiful, with attention to interesting details that add life, adventure and credibility to the story. A medical thriller, it deals with a very timely subject matter — fresh and unique vs. so many of the thrillers out there today that are cookie-cutter, formulaic plots. One of the best I have read in a long time.