The Unheard

by Nicci French

[Quirky Cat]

Nicci French is back with another thrilling tale – The Unheard. Does anyone else get chills just for reading that title? I know I did. That, combined with that stunning cover, was more than enough reason for me to give this book a try.

Tess has always been protective of her daughter – but especially when it comes time to drop her daughter off with her father and his new wife. That never sat right with Tess. Before now, she never had a reason to reconsider doing so.

Now, her daughter is back home, and something isn't right. Tess is convinced that Poppy saw something she shouldn't have. Something brutal and traumatic, and she doesn't know what to do with that information.

"Memory is a lie, a creative act, a flimsy shield against the truth."

The Unheard was a dark and fascinating read, one that was difficult to turn away from. Especially because, and I'm not sure why I thought this – but I went into it expecting Poppy (the daughter) to be a bit older than she was. That certainly added to the horror of it all.

The idea of a young child witnessing something so horrible – and not having the ability to convey what she saw... it's almost too real, you know? But I'll admit that it made a solid foundation for this story.

The frustration in this book is palpable, particularly because the whole situation is horrifyingly relatable on some level. Overall, I would say that this element was the crowning achievement of the novel.

The Unheard is a solid read – not the best thriller I've read, as there are some plot holes. But it is still very much a worthwhile read.

Thanks to William Morrows Paperbacks and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Read more reviews at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks