Roberta Writes – Book review: Sounds in the Silence by D.L. Finn #Halloweenreads #bookreview #readingcommunity

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Picture caption: Cover of Sounds in the Silence featuring an old house against a creepy evening background.

What Amazon says

A dual timeline where murder has consequences forty years later for the living—and the deceased.

Maria and Logan Davis stumbled upon the perfect old house by a secluded lake—a prime candidate for their dream inn. They knew a renovation was involved but didn’t expect a persistent ghost that pleaded to be found. Determined, Maria delved into the mystery, only to uncover a haunting love story and murder from the Roaring Twenties. Yet, the young couple’s curiosity shifts to fear when they realize someone is taking a dangerous interest in their barn. With time ticking away, they must unravel the secrets of their home’s past before it’s too late.

My review

This dual timeline story is a perfect mix of devoted couples and creepiness. The happiness of the two couples from different eras, and their pleasure in each other, is strongly contrasted by the weird religious zealotism going on around them, intent on destroying their love.

Maria and Logan Davis have just purchased a large, old house which they are planning to convert into an inn. The story kicks off with Maria hearing an eerie voice in the evening and from there, the introduction to the ghost unwinds quickly. Simultaneously with Logan and Maria getting to know about the existence of the ghost and wanting to learn her story and help her, all sorts of strange and unpleasant occurrences start to happen in and around their house. Something evil seems intent on stopping the couple from helping the ghost.

Charles and Helen Elliot lived in 1924 during the prohibition. They have no children and are determined to live their version of a ‘fun’ and entertaining life. Despite the law prohibiting drinking, the couple acquire large stashes of alcohol and throw lavish and decadent parties. Initially, several of the local townspeople including the sheriff and his wife, attend the Elliot’s parties. As the story progresses, the local people fall under the intense spell of a newly arrived minister who is establishing a church in the town. A charismatic man, the minister successfully converts the locals and, when Charles and Helen refuse to capitulate and join the church, turns the town against them.

This is an interesting story of religious fantasist and its effect on people. I enjoyed the psychological aspects of certain characters slow erosion of their sense of wrongdoing under the spell of the minister. It reminded me of the memoir, Child of Satan, Child of God, by Susan Atkins, which told the story of the Manson girls who eventually became murderers in the name of their religion.

This is a great book, fast paced and exciting with lots of food for thought. It is especially topical in this current environment of war and social disruption.

You can purchase Sounds in the Silence by D.L. Finn from Amazon US here: https://www.amazon.com/Sounds-Silence-D-L-Finn-ebook/dp/B0D4C82RVQ

You can find all of D.L. Finn’s books on Amazon US here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/D.L.-Finn/author/B00ZBGJ08Q

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Published by robertawrites235681907

I am a writer of young adult fiction and poetry

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88 thoughts on “Roberta Writes – Book review: Sounds in the Silence by D.L. Finn #Halloweenreads #bookreview #readingcommunity”

  11. Thank you, Robbie 🙂 So thrilled you enjoyed. Doing my happy forest dance! I will have to read that Manson family book. I was thinking of all the cults when writing this. Xo

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  12. I love your review, Robbie. I agree with you that this story is a great read! I like your comparison to Child of Satan, Child of God. I hadn’t thought of that, but it fits. Thank you for sharing and a big congratulations to Denise!

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  13. Thank you, Jan 🙂 I appreciate you saying that! I haven’t read that book but have seen and read a lot on the Manson family. It’s scary when individuals control so many people, especially through religion.

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  23. Wow, this story might take place in the 1920’s, but it sounds like today.

    Nothing is more terrifying than a creepy creeping reality.

    Fab work, Denise! Thanks for the review, Robbie!

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