Title: WHEN WE WERE SILENT
Author: Fiona McPhillips
ISBN: 978 1 7876 37375
Publisher: Random House UK, Transworld Publishers
Pages: 400
Source: NetGalley
An outsider threatens to expose the secrets at an elite private school in this suspenseful debut novel.
Louise Manson is the newest student at Highfield Manor, Dublin’s most exclusive private school. Behind its granite walls are high-arched alcoves, an oak-lined library … and the dark, festering secret Lou has come to expose.
Lou’s working-class background marks her as an outsider until she is befriended by some of her beautiful and wealthy classmates. But her attempts to reveal the truth about Highfield are met with disaster – and a dead body.
Thirty years later, Lou gets a shocking phone call. A high-profile lawyer is bringing a case against the school, and he needs Lou to testify. Lou will have to confront her past and discover, for once and for all, what really happened at Highfield.
Official Summary
25 January 2024
I could not resist this book’s blurb, thank you to NetGalley and Transworld Publishers for this review copy. This debut novel is guaranteed to keep you reading late into the night.
The author takes you on a suspenseful journey into the secrets and scandals that lurk within the walls of Highfield Manor, Dublin’s most elite private school. The story unfolds with Louise Manson, a working-class outsider, infiltrating the world of privilege at Highfield with a mission to expose a dark and festering secret. The contrast between Louise’s background and the wealth of Highfield sets the stage for a gripping tale of exploitation, privilege and retribution. As Louise befriends some of her rich classmates, her attempts to unveil the truth about the school lead to unexpected consequences, including the discovery of a dead body. The narrative weaves together elements of mystery and suspense, keeping you on the edge of your seat as you flip the pages.
The story takes a compelling turn as it fast-forwards thirty years into the future, where Louise receives a shocking phone call. A high-profile lawyer is bringing a case against Highfield and he needs Louise to testify. The prospect of confronting her past and revealing the long-buried secrets of the school adds a layer of complexity to the story, ensuring that you are engrossed in the present-day legal drama but also eager to unravel the events that transpired three decades ago.
The author’s writing is compelling, drawing you into the world of Highfield Manor with vivid descriptions of its granite walls, high-arched alcoves and oak-lined library. The exploration of exploitation and privilege adds depth to the story, making it more than just a suspenseful thriller. The novel prompts you to reflect on the consequences of unchecked power and the lengths individuals will go to protect their secrets.
“When We Were Silent” is an unputdownable tale that seamlessly blends elements of mystery and social commentary. The author’s ability to create a suspenseful narrative, coupled with themes of privilege and justice, makes this debut novel a standout in the genre. As the story unfolds, you will find yourself captivated by the intricate web of secrets at Highfield Manor and compelled to discover the truth alongside Louise Manson.
I would highly recommend this book and I am keeping an eye out for this author’s next release. I look forward to reading more from her.
About the Author
Author bio from the author’s site
Fiona McPhillips is a journalist, author and screenwriter. Her debut novel, When We Were Silent, which was runner-up for the 2021 CWA Debut Dagger Award, was pre-empted by Transworld (Penguin) in the UK and Flatiron (Macmillan) in the US and will be published in May 2024.
Her prose has been published in The Manchester Review, Barren, Litro and elsewhere and her poetry has appeared in Atrium, Headstuff and The Galway Review. Her screenplay Windmills was a finalist at the 2020 New Renaissance Film Festival in London and the Waterford Film Festival. She is the recipient of a 2021 Arts Council literature bursary.
Fiona started her writing life in music, then jumped to sport. With children came a freelance career, and she wrote features for The Irish Times, The Irish Independent, The Herald, The Huffington Post and other publications. She’d always talked about writing a novel… one day. In 2019, it was time to piss or get off the pot and she did an MA in Creative Writing at DCU, graduating with first class honours. She is a reader for the wonderful Forge literary magazine. Fiona is represented by Rachel Neely at Mushens Entertainment.
Thank you for visiting the blog and reading my review. It’s been a hectic start to the year for me. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I have, remember to let me know what you think of this one – leave a comment below.
