Fiona McPhillips captures the claustrophobic nuance of teenage loyalties, lies and privilege on every page. A twisting, turning dive into a web of long-buried secrets, When We Were Silent marks Fiona McPhillips as one to watch * Jane Harper, New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author of EXILES *
I love a great literary psychological drama. I devoured Fiona McPhillips's debut, a lovechild of Tana French and Patricia Highsmith, but also totally original. Absolutely brilliant! * John Boyne, bestselling author of THE HEART'S INVISIBLE FURIES *
A stunning debut beautifully written, tender and poignant, but pulls no punches. A powerful, unforgettable read * Andrea Mara, bestselling author of NO ONE SAW A THING *
With a dark and poetic pen, Fiona McPhillips snakes through the waters of a tony private school, peeling away secrets in tiny waves until they crash into a powerful ending. This book absolutely nails what it feels like to be young, female, powerless, and dead set on redemption. A wonderful, relevant, and beautifully written debut. * Julia Heaberlin, bestselling author of WE ARE ALL THE SAME IN THE DARK *
Taut, compelling, powerful and devastatingly relevant. A sensational debut * Louise O'Neill, bestselling author of IDOL *
I raced through this spellbinding, gripping thriller about scandal and secrets at a prestigious girls school. Its gripping, shocking and enraging, a story of lost youth, redemption and the power of speaking out, and its so beautifully written * Cressida McLaughlin *
One of the most compelling books I've ever read. Fiona McPhillips has woven a story that is compulsive, tender and chilling in its familiarity. I was hooked all the way through, and had an enormously cathartic sob at the end! * Jessica Bull, author of MISS AUSTEN INVESTIGATES *
A heart-pounding, gripping, fury-inducing, all-consuming emotional rollercoaster of a story * Jennie Godfrey, author of THE LIST OF SUSPICIOUS THINGS *
Such achingly beautiful, lyrical writing. Its no mean feat to develop a teenage character of such depth and complexity, and I was utterly enthralled by Lous journey. The prose was at once defiant, vulnerable and deeply compelling. I found myself holding my breath so many times and the slow burning rage of Lous voice gripped me throughout. * Natalie Chandler, author of BELIEVE ME NOT *
Brilliantly written, compelling and harrowing in equal parts. I absolutely loved it. You don't want to miss it * James Oswald, author of NATURAL CAUSES *
Broken bonds, betrayal and breaststroke. With shades of My Dark Vanessa, this moving thriller set at an elite private school dives into dark, emotional depths I couldn't tear myself away from. Top marks from me * Chris MacDonald, author of THE ACTOR *
An urgent and suspenseful read that asks important questions about consent, agency and complicity. It will keep you gripped * Katie Bishop, author of THE GIRLS OF SUMMER *
Fiona McPhillips suspenseful debut is a taut, beautifully written exploration of the burden of guilt and grief and the scarring effects of misogyny, abuse, and long-buried pain. When We Were Silent with its poetic prose and unsettling tension, strikes the perfect balance of discomfort, despair, and ultimately, hope * Ashley Tate, author of TWENTY-SEVEN MINUTES *
If you enjoyed My Dark Vanessa, this is definitely one for your TBR. Phenomenally tense and very, very well written * Elle Machray, author of REMEMBER, REMEMBER *
Utterly amazing . . . Powerful, moving, enraging * Marian Keyes, bestselling author of AGAIN, RACHEL *
McPhillips deftly alternates between past and present, maximizing suspense by playing multiple mysteries in each timeline off one another. With the added urgency of Lous first-person-present narration, the author wrings her powerful plot for maximum impact. This is a triumph * Publishers Weekly *
Such a compelling read - it's brave, dark, and thought-provoking, fast-paced with several twists that completely surprised me, and the writing is fantastic. * Kristen Perrin, author of HOW TO SOLVE YOUR OWN MURDER *
