Silent Child

Silent Child, Book 1

By: Sarah A. Denzil

Narrated by: Joanne Froggatt

Length: 9 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

Winner of Audible UK’s 2017 Narrator of the Year Award

Introducing Audible's Thriller of the Year: Silent Child by Sarah A. Denzil, performed by Joanne Froggatt.

In the summer of 2006, Emma Price watched helplessly as her six-year-old son's red coat was fished out of the River Ouse. It was the tragic story of the year - a little boy, Aiden, wandered away from school during a terrible flood, fell into the river, and drowned. His body was never recovered. Ten years later Emma has finally rediscovered the joy in life. She's married, pregnant, and in control again...until Aiden returns.

Too traumatised to speak, he raises endless questions and answers none. Where has he been? What happened to him on that rainy afternoon? And now that he's back, whom can he trust?

At Audible we love listening to crime books. But every so often one comes along that we think is truly special. An Amazon Kindle number one best-seller, Sarah A. Denzil's Silent Child is taking Audible HQ by storm. In an Audible Exclusive production, Joanne Froggatt (Mrs Bates, Downton Abbey) delivers a powerhouse performance that will keep you gripped until the very last second.

©2017 Sarah A. Denzil (P)2017 Audible, Ltd

Critic reviews

"This self-published page-turner became essential poolside listening after Audible named it thriller of the year." ( Stylist)

Overwrought

I try not to write negative reviews but here goes:

I do not understand the rave reviews Silent Child received as I was able to predict who did it almost right away, although I didn't know the exact details or the why until they were later revealed. The main character of Emma possessed an over-active imagination and wildly over-reacted to everything she imagined; yet, she continually dismissed all of her suspicions. She seemed to trust all of the people in her life, even as she suspected them! I kept hoping she would grow a backbone instead of constantly devolving into hysterics.

While the narrator was very talented at conveying the overwrought mother, I quickly tired of the constant hysterical delivery.

A Fantastic Listen...

I was skeptical when I read the reviews from other people about this book. But it turned out to be probably one of my all time favorites. There were unexpected twists & turns - even the twists that were expected were exciting.

I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of this story. And Froggatt was spectacular! I remember her from Downton Abbey, but she completely transformed herself for this Audible production. She was engrossing & theatrical. Amazing.

I highly recommend this to anyone who loves a good "whodunit".

Couldn't stop listening!

Wow. Not only did I stay up WAY too late to finish this, but I also called my husband every few hours to bring him up to speed on what had happened. He got just as caught up as I did! Also, probably best narrator I've ever heard. Phenomenal all around!

Not that good (spoiler alert)

I don't mind implausible fiction when it's really well done, but this book asks the reader/listener to assume that approx. 60% of humans would fall under the category of either intentionally hurting an innocent child or helping someone that intentionally hurts children or blaming the mother when a well-cared for child is kidnapped straight from their school. Basically, when the plot wasn't being predictable, it was just too far-fetched.

However, it wasn't completely horrible; the author is good with description. Also, after I got about half way through, instead of simply quitting, I skipped to hear the last 30 minutes because I wanted to know the end. If it was all that bad, then I wouldn't have cared about the characters enough to be bothered to find out the conclusion. Also, the narrator was spot on.

First half very good but not the second half

This book starts off very engaging but really falls apart in the second half. I do not want to give any spoilers, but the ending and the characters just don't add up.

Bloody BRILLIANT!

This has to be hands down the best who done it thriller I have ever had the pleasure to read or listen too. It was devastatingly dark, yet compelling all in the same breath. I highly recommend this for anyone looking for redemption, fear, cruelty, and the strongest female character I have seen. You will be happy, pissed, shocked, horrified, and of course heartbroken.

Worth listening to

The main part of the story is captivating and well done, the beginning and end are somewhat dragged out. The ending especially, would have been much more suspenseful if it didn't take so long to get to the point. Overall, a good read and one whose ending isn't predictable.

Excellent performance

Good book. Not great. It's been done before. Well written tho. I enjoyed her other book also. Joanne Froggart performance was excellent I thought. I recommend it, Its a good read.

This was the BEST BOOK I've EVER read!

I am obsessed with Audible!! I've read a ton of good books and now have listened to some, but this has been amazing! The way she tells their stories and just becomes the characters, wow just wow...GREAT NARRATOR!!!

Stellar

I think I’d listen to ramen noodle package directions read by Joanne Froggatt...and I’d be rapt. Excellent writing that pulled me in from the first chapter.