Silence for the Dead

By: Simone St. James

Narrated by: Billie Fulford-Brown

Length: 12 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

“Portis House emerged from the fog as we approached, showing itself slowly as a long, low shadow....”

In 1919, Kitty Weekes, pretty, resourceful, and on the run, falsifies her background to obtain a nursing position at Portis House, a remote hospital for soldiers left shell-shocked by the horrors of the Great War. Hiding the shame of their mental instability in what was once a magnificent private estate, the patients suffer from nervous attacks and tormenting dreams. But something more is going on at Portis House—its plaster is crumbling, its plumbing makes eerie noises, and strange breaths of cold waft through the empty rooms. It’s known that the former occupants left abruptly, but where did they go? And why do the patients all seem to share the same nightmare, one so horrific that they dare not speak of it?

Kitty finds a dangerous ally in Jack Yates, an inmate who may be a war hero, a madman… or maybe both. But even as Kitty and Jack create a secret, intimate alliance to uncover the truth, disturbing revelations suggest the presence of powerful spectral forces. And when a medical catastrophe leaves them even more isolated, they must battle the menace on their own, caught in the heart of a mystery that could destroy them both.

©2014 Simone Seguin (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Vivid, eerie and atmospheric. St James’ latest will simultaneously tug at your heart strings and send chills down your spine. Absolutely riveting.”—Anna Lee Huber, award-winning author of the Lady Darby Historical Mystery series

“Kudos for Simone St. James. I was swept away by this atmospheric and truly spine-chilling page turner, a riveting tale of dark suspense set in 1919 within a crumbling mansion turned mental hospital. If you love a good ghost story, you will be entranced.”—Mary Sharratt, author of Illuminations: A Novel of Hildegard von Bingen and Daughters of the Witching Hill

A Haunting Gothic Tale

Portis House has quite the history. A remote manor once occupied by a prestigious family until they mysteriously disappeared, now it's a hospital for soldiers left damaged by the war.
When Kitty enters Portis House as a nurse under false pretense, she soon realizes something isn't right there. There are noises in the night, and the patients are plagued by violent nightmares and mysterious voices. Are these the hallucinations of mad men, or is there something darker hidden within the walls of Portis House?

This is a wonderful story that has something for everyone, no matter what genre you prefer: historical fiction, gothic ghost stories, and romance. It's all there.
But, more importantly, this is a story about perseverance, lonely, and the aftereffects of severe trauma. I loved Kitty's tenacity and capacity for care regarding the patients. I loved the backstories of each of the patients. Their stories are heartbreaking and, even more heartbreaking, is their treatment due to their perceived mental weakness and trauma. It's an unfortunate true that many soldiers were, in fact, treated this way, and, unfortunately, some people still perceived mental illness in this way.
The underlying mystery was also intriguing. I couldn't put this book down until I found out exactly what was happening at Portis House. It was a nice spooky tale full of gothic atmosphere, but also one full of compassion.

Good Adventure

This was not my favorite book by the author but it was entertaining for sure. Good character development of the main character to a point. Fun read to pass the time. Bit slow and cheesy at points but that's okay.

Endearing story!

I accidentally purchased this book because I was so desperate to have a new book by the author. I didn't realize it was historical fiction...

However. The main character was absolutely amazing and made me super happy. She was so smart and determined and I was rooting for her through the whole book.

As for the mystery, it was okay. I wasn't totally shocked by what was going on but it was still enough to keep me engaged.

I thought the story was smart, not to give anything away but what the author did to isolate the main characters (which is really important in a mystery/horror) was very well done.

I also think, for someone who didn't want a historical mystery book, it was a perfect introduction to the genre. Likable characters, real stakes, vivid settings. Well done.

I typically LOVE Simone St. James' books but...

I waited so long for this book to come out and I was hoping for another Broken Girls maybe?? I am 4 hours in and this story is just stagnant at best! I have listened and listened and hoped something significant would happen and it's just not happening. There is NO "catch-you-and-grip-you-til-the-end" at ALL!!
I understand the importance of atmospheric description but it's "over the top" and so unnecessary. The description of nasty bathrooms, the nurses uniforms and the smell of vomit seem to last forever and I really still have no idea why because this book gives you nothing for the first 4 hours. I'm going to try to finish because I paid actual money for the book because I don't get my credit until the 16th and of course I couldn't wait til then. Ugh. I'm hoping something interesting and meaningful happens soon. That is all. Oh! The narrator is GREAT! I can't blame her for the content!