Helpful Score: 5
This book actually gave me shivers! I read the whole book straight through in 4 hours.
Helpful Score: 4
After reading "The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes" I fell in love with this author and started ordering more of her books.
I LOVED THIS BOOK. Seriously, it is one of the best books I have read in a long time... very hard to put down, suspenseful with an ending that I didn't see coming.
Very enjoyable :)
I LOVED THIS BOOK. Seriously, it is one of the best books I have read in a long time... very hard to put down, suspenseful with an ending that I didn't see coming.
Very enjoyable :)
Helpful Score: 2
Great book with a lot of surprises. Easy read.
Helpful Score: 1
This is a very intense book, written very well by Diane Chamberlain,a great writer of woman's fiction. This book is very engaging and kept me turning the pages until I'd finished it. When Laura Brandon adheres to her father's dying wish to visit an elderly woman named Sarah Tolley at a nursing home, she finds her life spiraling out of control. Unaware as to why her father made this request, Laura has to trust her instincts in order to fulfill this deathbed request. In the process Laura loses her husband, who inexplicably kills himself while Laura is visiting Sarah at the nursing home. As Laura tries to pick up the pieces of her life she must deal with her young daughter's silence (she hasn't spoken since her husband killed himself), reconnect with her daughter's biological father and unravel the mystery of Sarah Tolley.
Helpful Score: 1
Fantastic book! Lots of twists, it will keep you reading all night long.
Helpful Score: 1
Solid but predictable mystery..., January 28, 2010
After reading a few of Diana Chamberlain's more recent novels, including my favorite, The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes, I could tell immediately when I started this one that I was reading one of her earlier books That's not to say that this novel isn't good, it is -- but it is a fairly predictable story and the revelations at the end come as no surprise to any mystery reader. There are multiple things going on in the book but it all comes together to wrap up the various pieces. It's a story of family relationships including great love and loss and getting answers.
I enjoyed the book well enough -- it's fast paced and the narrative draws the reader in with the topic -- torture and experimentation on patients at psychiatric facilities circa 1950s. It's hard to believe that many of those "treatments" were allowed and even encouraged!
In another note, however, I must say that the sudden muteness experienced by the child, Emma, in the book was never fully explained and then mysteriously disappeared. I'm assuming it was some sort of traumatic guilt-like reaction.
All in all, this is an easy read, an early work by an author who has since become more accomplished!
After reading a few of Diana Chamberlain's more recent novels, including my favorite, The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes, I could tell immediately when I started this one that I was reading one of her earlier books That's not to say that this novel isn't good, it is -- but it is a fairly predictable story and the revelations at the end come as no surprise to any mystery reader. There are multiple things going on in the book but it all comes together to wrap up the various pieces. It's a story of family relationships including great love and loss and getting answers.
I enjoyed the book well enough -- it's fast paced and the narrative draws the reader in with the topic -- torture and experimentation on patients at psychiatric facilities circa 1950s. It's hard to believe that many of those "treatments" were allowed and even encouraged!
In another note, however, I must say that the sudden muteness experienced by the child, Emma, in the book was never fully explained and then mysteriously disappeared. I'm assuming it was some sort of traumatic guilt-like reaction.
All in all, this is an easy read, an early work by an author who has since become more accomplished!
Helpful Score: 1
Great book!
Helpful Score: 1
Well writen book. Woman's 5 yearod daughter witnesses the suicide of her step-father and hasn't spoken since. Also, her father, while he was dying, made her promise to take care of a woman she had never heard mentioned before.
Helpful Score: 1
great book, not your typical "mystery" with a little romance
Helpful Score: 1
Couldnt put it down!
This story was riveting and fast moving. An outstanding, detailed story with unexpected twists and turns.
Great book! Very interesting reading about mental hospitals and treatments in the 1950's. Loved the characters and was very surprised by the ending, I didn't see it coming! Would highly recommend!
This is one of the best books I've ever read! I read it straight through, could not put it down! I shared it with my reader friends who also loved it! If you are looking for a great read, something to hold you till then end and make you want to keep reading till you've finished, get this one!
Breaking The Silence is the first book by Diane Chamberlain I have read. I will be reading more of her books. Her writing style has an easy flow to it. With the twists and turns in the story I was kept intrigued and willing to keep reading. The story has the type of ending I like...happy.
I read this in one night. Of course, I got little sleep, but the plot was so intriguing I had to keep going.
This was a good fast read, but I found it to be predictable. I finished it fast, mostly because I just wanted to be done with it once I felt I had figured most of the plot twists out. I liked The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes by this author so much better.
Okay I guess. Too much romance for me.
Another GREAT Diane Chamberlain book!
I LOVED this book!! The twists and turns kept me reading all night long. The plot of this book stays with you for a long time!!
Loved every page of this book. Very engaging story with lots of twists that I didn't see coming.
Never read anything by this author before, that I can remember, but I really enjoyed this little jewel and will check out other books she's written.
In "Breaking the Silence", we are introduced to Laura Brandon, whose father has just died, leaving her with one final request: to visit an elderly woman she has never met. The request leaves her curious and her husband unreasonably upset. After his suicide (not a spoiler, since it's revealed in the blurb), her little girl becomes mute. The twin mysteries of the latter's sudden inability to speak and the identity of the elderly woman Laura's father asked her to visit, combine to create a well-paced novel with a teensy bit of romance sprinkled in.
I especially liked the slow reveal of the elderly woman's poignant history, a fascinating horror story in its own right. Stayed up till 2AM to finish this one! I can recommend it as a solid vacation or airplane read. Enjoy!
In "Breaking the Silence", we are introduced to Laura Brandon, whose father has just died, leaving her with one final request: to visit an elderly woman she has never met. The request leaves her curious and her husband unreasonably upset. After his suicide (not a spoiler, since it's revealed in the blurb), her little girl becomes mute. The twin mysteries of the latter's sudden inability to speak and the identity of the elderly woman Laura's father asked her to visit, combine to create a well-paced novel with a teensy bit of romance sprinkled in.
I especially liked the slow reveal of the elderly woman's poignant history, a fascinating horror story in its own right. Stayed up till 2AM to finish this one! I can recommend it as a solid vacation or airplane read. Enjoy!
This was soooooo good! The story line was fantastic! I can't believe I had this on my shelf for so long, if only I'd known! Kept me guessing up until the end. Absolutely recommend this book to anyone.
This is not a boring book and it kept me turning the pages. The subject matter of the torture and experimentation on patients at psychiatric facilities back in the 50's was interesting and a bit disturbing to say the least. And the mystery within the story was well rounded.
Why then did I give this book only 3 stars? I feel my reading interests have matured and I prefer a book that stimulates my brain a bit more. The story was just a little too simple for me. I do know if I had read this book in my 20's I would have rated this book 4-5 stars.
It is definitely a beach time, summertime book and perfect if you want to take a break and read something light.
Why then did I give this book only 3 stars? I feel my reading interests have matured and I prefer a book that stimulates my brain a bit more. The story was just a little too simple for me. I do know if I had read this book in my 20's I would have rated this book 4-5 stars.
It is definitely a beach time, summertime book and perfect if you want to take a break and read something light.
excellent book, I couldn't put it down!!
Another great book by Chamberlain. I believe this is my favorite of hers that I have read yet. Chamberlain is one of the best there is at writing of difficult relationships.
From Publishers Weekly: "Chamberlain explores psychiatric tensions in this disturbing story of dark secrets and redemption. Before astronomer Laura Brandon's father dies, he asks her to visit Sarah Tolley, an elderly woman he's never before mentioned. This seemingly simple request sets off a series of alarming events, most dramatically the suicide of Laura's husband, Ray, and the subsequent emotional withdrawal of her five-year-old daughter, Emma. Laura tries to help her daughter by contacting Emma's birth father, Dylan Geer. Laura and Dylan's affair had been short-lived, and Dylan never knew he had a child. A bond is formed when the three get together, and Dylan decides to help Laura solve the mysteries. Despite minor flaws (the connection between Sarah and Laura's husband is obvious early on), the story offers relentless suspense and intriguing psychological insight (Chamberlain is a former psychotherapist) as well as a satisfying love story." Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Diane Chamberlain is an excellent writer. This is the second of her books that I have read. I couldn't seem to put this one down. The story is wonderful with ups and downs and rich characters. I'm on my way to order more of her books.
While there were some elements of the book that were predictable, I found this to be a very good read and had a hard time putting it down. I love a story that is partly told in flashbacks and Chamberlain does that well. She is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.
I could not put this book down! Excellent, excellent, excellent! Diane Chamberlain's books are the best by far! Love, love, loved it!!!!!!!!
I think you can see in plenty of places what this book is about. It is about Laura, who agrees to do what her dying father asks, which is to take care of a woman, named Sarah. Then Laura's husband who suffers from chronic depression commits suicide. The suicide causes the 5 year old daughter to stop talking. Add to this mix, the little girl's real father coming into their lives.
So that is the summary, but is it worth reading? I read the entire 409 pages in one day. It was such an engaging story, that was well written.
I was more than a 3rd of way through the book when I light bulb went off in my head, and I thought I finally knew the connection between Laura's dying father and the elderly woman Sarah. I was close, but didnt exactly expect the final outcomes as all these lives merge. The ending was very satisfying.
So that is the summary, but is it worth reading? I read the entire 409 pages in one day. It was such an engaging story, that was well written.
I was more than a 3rd of way through the book when I light bulb went off in my head, and I thought I finally knew the connection between Laura's dying father and the elderly woman Sarah. I was close, but didnt exactly expect the final outcomes as all these lives merge. The ending was very satisfying.
Different cover but the same book. Great Read.
