Today I am delighted to be sharing my review for Out Of The Silence by Owen Mullen as part of the Blog Blitz with Emma at Bloodhound Books. My huge thanks to Emma for the invite to the tour and also to the Publisher and Author for my e-copy.

Let’s see what the book is about…

Synopsis:

Star investigative reporter Ralph Buchanan’s glory days are behind him. His newspaper has banished him to Pakistan, not knowing the greatest moment of his long career is waiting for him there.

When Simone Jasnin asks him to help expose a grave injustice, he finds himself embroiled in a harrowing tale that began in a dusty settlement in rural Punjab, setting in motion a chain of events that will change the lives of everyone involved.

Seven years later in the city of Lahore, members of a prominent family are being brutally murdered one by one. The only clue is a hand-carved wooden bangle left at the scene of each crime.

As the list of suspects grows and the tension mounts, Ralph realises the answers might be closer to home than he ever thought possible.

Solving the mystery will put him back on top but at what cost?

Only when the smoke clears will the killing stop and honour be satisfied…

My Thoughts:

The story of disgraced Investigative Reporter Ralph Buchanan and how he discovers the story of Afra. Afra is a young girl who has left her village to live in Lahore. This story is harrowing and heartbreaking and ultimately leads to murder. But why?

OH WOW! Not sorry for shouting! I read this book in one sitting and I literally shut the world out as I was completely overwhelmed by what I was reading. This is going to be such a hard one to review as the synopsis only hinted at what I was in store for me. It gives a glimpse and that is all. So I am going to be vague and give nothing much away.

Yes, this is a murder, mystery story but that doesn’t even come close to explaining what else is included within the cover. It is about Pakistan’s culture and how the plight of some have to deal with in their daily lives. An unjust world existence with no support of any kind. When pushed to the edge by harrowing, heartbreaking and unwarranted treatment, does murder become justifiable?

This is a stunningly beautiful story as well as one that was hard to read at times. So many different layers and characters that had their story to tell. They are wrapped up and intertwined with each other and not necessarily aware of the existence of the other. The author has done an amazing job of highlighting an important issue and dealing with it in a balanced way. I did warn you this was going to be vague…

If you want a story that has heart, soul, humanity, resistance, and determination then you really should pick this book to read. It is emotional and heartbreaking from the very first page right to the very last. It had me in tears by the time I got to the end. It is one I would Highly Recommend.

About the Author:

Owen Mullen is a McIlvanney Crime Book Of The Year long-listed novelist.

Owen graduated from Strathclyde University, moved to London and worked as a rock musician, session singer and songwriter, and had a hit record in Japan with a band he refuses to name; he still loves to perform on occasion. His passion for travel has taken him on many adventures from the Amazon and Africa to the colourful continent of India and Nepal. A gregarious recluse, he and his wife, Christine, split their time between Glasgow, and their home in the Greek Islands where In Harm’s Way and the Charlie Cameron and Delaney series’ were created and written. His latest novel Out Of The Silence is a truly compelling thriller set in Pakistan. 

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Many thanks for reading, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx