Before Laura Brandon’s father died, he urges her to look after a woman called Sarah Tolley who's in a care home. Days later, Laura’s husband, Guy, shoots himself whilst caring for their daughter Emma. Emma, a bubbly 5-year-old is clearly traumatised and won’t speak.

Though obviously concerned about her daughter, Laura starts visiting Sarah, who suffers from Alzheimer’s. She learns something of her life including disturbing memories of her time as a nurse in a psychiatric hospital in 1956 where medical experiments took place on unsuspecting patients with apparent government authorisation.

This book had me gripped with the dual narratives of Laura and Sarah, the mystery around Guy’s suicide and the tragedy of Emma’s mutism amongst other things.

Breaking the Silence is the first book I’ve read by Dianne Chamberlain. It won’t be the last. It’s excellent! Highly recommended!

ugh my heart. one of my favorite books that I’ve read in a long time

I never saw where this book was going! Great twists!

This is one of those books that I have a love/hate relationship with. Very predictable, guaranteed happy ending, etc. I hats for young girls to read these because they always show the best possible end to every bad decision. But, that being said, I read it in one sitting. I just couldn't put it down. Such a sweet, albeit completely unrealistic story.

Another good read frame Chamberlain

As someone who battles with severe anxiety, this book is a terrifying look into the way mental health was dealt with in the past. I genuinely felt horror at some of the description of treatments.

That being said, this is a pretty good book. I was drawn in and it held my interest right up until the "big reveal" at the end. It's just too contrived and Ray's storyline is, frankly, ridiculous. I'd pretty much figured it out so it is illogical to me that Laura had no idea. I won't go into more detail as I hate giving spoilers even with an alert.

This one I liked! I am feeling like I felt after reading a few Jodi Picoult books in a row though, I need a break.

There were great characters in this one and a very good story. There were bits that were annoying and a little too convenient but overall it was fast, interesting and kept me reading right to the end.

I liked this book. I definitely didn't love it. It was a little slow in the middle. But, it was good and it got great at the end.
The beginning/middle was just a bit too weird with making the husband and then the brother overly obviously creepy/evil. It felt a bit sloppy and was not at all subtle.
But, good quick read.

Breaking the Silence must be right up there with Necessary Lies as one of Diane Chamberlain's best novels. As well as her usual great characterisations, she also brings mystery and suspense into this book. It is true that there is a fine line between genius and madness ...