After the Silence: a twisty page-turner of deadly secrets and an unsolved murder investigation

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Hopefully the description of the book is enough, but in case it isn’t, seriously, massive trigger warnings for partner abuse, gaslighting, controlling and manipulative behaviour, murder, etc.

The book goes back and forth from the months just prior to the murder, the filmmakers interviewing islanders and those connected with the case, and the present day as Keelin sees it. The bad weather isn’t the only danger sweeping across the island that night though, with old resentments and new revelations leading to a worse tragedy than superficial storm damage. In a society where even women had to leave government positions on marriage (inference being that you were looked after by a husband) control passed along to men and showed it was institutionalised across society. This book isn't a 'thriller' in the basic sense of the word but that's not Louise O'Neill's style and this book feels more along the lines of Liz Nugent's crime-writing.Highly recommended if you enjoyed the West Cork podcast, or if you love books about family secrets, or books that make you sit up and want to take action. But what makes this book sublime is how O’Neill connects the dots for us between Henry’s behaviour and our patriarchal society. I loved the way the story was written, flitting between the present day and the past with some parts told in an interview style.

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The owners of a chic international artists’ retreat that attracts celebrities and artists to the island, they lead a seemingly perfect life of privilege and parties. Our protagonist Keelin Kinsella has a troubled past, having fled an abusive husband with her young son Alan in tow.Just like Louise, I listened to West Cork podcast last year and was very impressed at how i nvestigative journalist, Sam Bungey, and documentarian, Jennifer Forde conveyed the impact that Sophie Toscan du Plantier’s murder had on the small community.