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When We Were Silent

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When We Were Silent

By: Fiona McPhillips
Narrated by: India Mullen
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

Discover the dark boarding school psychological thriller, an exploration of power, corruption and retribution, perfect for fans of
Girl A, My Dark Vanessa and Anatomy of a Scandal.

“I’m not here for prestige. I’m here for revenge.”

Lou Manson is an outsider when she joins the final-year class at Highfield Manor, Dublin’s most exclusive private school.

Beyond the granite pillars and the wrought-iron gates is a world of wealth, privilege and potential.

But Highfield is also hiding a dark secret – and Lou is here to expose it.

When she befriends the beautiful and talented Shauna Power, her plans are thrown into turmoil. Speaking out against the school would mean betraying Shauna, and Lou soon discovers that the Highfield elite will go to any lengths to protect their own reputation . . .

. . . Even when the consequences are fatal.

Thirty years later, Lou is called to testify in a new lawsuit against Highfield. But telling the truth means confronting her past.

And there is one story she swore she’d never tell . . .

'Excruciating suspense' Stephen King
‘One of the most compelling books I've ever read…compulsive, tender and chilling’ Jessica Bull, author of Miss Austen Investigates
‘A powerful, unforgettable read’ Andrea Mara, bestselling author of No One Saw A Thing

©2024 Fiona McPhillips (P)2024 Penguin Audio

©2024 Fiona McPhillips (P)2024 Penguin Audio
Friendship Genre Fiction Psychological Suspense Thriller & Suspense Revenge

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Critic reviews

'This book absolutely nails what it feels like to be young, female, powerless, and dead set on redemption' Julia Heaberlin, author of WE ARE ALL THE SAME IN THE DARK

'Taut, compelling, powerful and devastatingly relevant' Louise O'Neill, author of IDOL

All stars
Most relevant  
The nuance of the writing is spot on, contrasting the main character as a young naive teen and as an older woman, damaged by experience and being let down by those she loved. At the heart of this is a tale of sexual abuse and there is some description of this, as well as portrayal of those who should be protecting the kids, protecting abusers instead with all the nastiness they can muster. Well written, absorbing and it’s so good to get behind a character like Lou.

When we were silent

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I felt it took a while for the story and plot to get started, I struggled to stay with it for the first couple of hours, once the plot thickened I became invested the in the need for justice. I liked the characters and I loved the accent of the narrator.

It took a while.

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Good story - bringing attention again to the struggles girls face with predators - back in the 80’s and in today’s world.

Beautifully written, great story line

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The beautiful way the book is written only adds to the amazing but all too often true story.

I couldn’t leave this book down.

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