This is the second in the “Silent” series. The basic premise of the series is that the protagonist, Paige, grew up in a family with deaf parents and a deaf sister. Paige can hear but she also speaks sign language. She is a sign language translator for the police.

She also likes poking her nose in places and things that aren’t safe but manages to come out unharmed.

The basic premise is interesting in that the victims, witnesses and potentially the suspect may not be able to speak. But the protagonist is a translator so it seems, rather than adding an extra element of a communication gap to the story, the translator makes it so that it’s a regular crime book.

This one takes place in a school for the deaf where the head of school was murdered. The story is good and engaging. I also was effectively led in different directions, not knowing who the murderer is. In the end I was kind of surprised but the motive was never revealed until the end so there was no way to figure it out.

If you like mysteries, it’s a decent beach read. But considering the mastery in this genre, I wouldn’t yet put the author near the top of the list. At the same time, The writing is intriguing enough for me to pick up one of her other books if I needed a quick plane read or something.

#netgalley #silentnight

A school for the deaf. A murder. A missing student. It’s no surprise that no one heard a thing, but what if someone saw something?


This was such an enjoyable read! I truly loved learning about the deaf community, all the while reading a stellar thriller storyline! I did have a small complaint about the protagonist, because come on! So often she found a VITAL piece of evidence and didn’t think to tell anyone which drove me INSANE. But I would be more than happy to read this authors work again!

I really enjoyed this book it is super addictive and well paced. The story is really gripping. Set against the backdrop of a snowy winter landscape a number of murders take place amidst a group of hearing impaired young people. I love the main character Paige and the relationships she has with her sister and the police. I also love the extra dimension the story being immersed within the deaf community brings. This book follows on brilliantly from the first book and in fact I think it is even better than the first one. I don’t think you need to have read the first book in the series but if you get the chance it is worth it as it does tie in nicely and helps you to get to understand the characters and relationships even better,

Silent Night is a well crafted story. I was hooked all the way to the end thanks to all the twist and turns.

I didn't realise this is the second book in the series. Perhaps this needs to be made clearer, although I should have read the reviews part of the first book.

The premise is a good one. Books featuring the deaf community are obviously needed. I found the difference between interpretation and spoken word easy to follow.

I think the title and cover is misleading. It looks and sounds Christmas themed. It isn't. The nearest thing is lots of snow! I was expecting a Christmas read and was disappointed that it wasn't. This may be an issue for other readers too, particularly as the book is being released around that time.

I find it hard to review this one as not having read the first book, I missed plot details and had to fill the gaps. The plot overall was an interesting concept. Sad to say, this novel wasn't for me. I could see merit in the writing but the plot felt flimsy and a little contrived in places.

Having read book one in this series I was really looking forward to what the author had in store for the characters in book 2. Whilst I did enjoy seeing more of Paige Northwood as she worked as a sign language interpreter for the police there were times that I found her irritating, especially as some of the things she thought or did became very repetitive. She also almost became cleverer than the police as very nearly took control of the whole investigation or that’s how it felt. I didn’t feel the same tension and mystery that I had felt in book one.

However, the story had plenty of twists and turns keeping me reading to find out who the killer was. The story is told in two timelines one in the present after a body is found and when everyone realises that Leon a live in profoundly deaf student has gone missing whilst on a weekend away. The other timeline is 16 hours before the murder and counting down by two hourly increments interspersed within the chapters. How much do the other 4 students really know? When asked to be interpreter for the police the last person Paige had expected to see was her ex boyfriend Mike, this brings back some bad memories, and Mike doesn’t waste any time trying to manipulate Paige again.

Where is Leon? Is he dead? Or is he hiding? Did he witness the murder? Or is he the killer? DS Rav Singh is running the case, this being his first case since making DS so no pressure.

Overall a good story, but there are a number of characters I just didn’t personally warm to. You can read this as a stand-alone novel as the bits of background are filled in within the story except for the previous case Paige had worked on.

I look forward to seeing what happens in the next book I’m hoping that Paige will become a little more assertive. Just something missing in this one.

I would like to thank #netgalley and #Avonbooks for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest, fair and unbiased review.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

This book is the second in a series about a British Sign Language interpreter called Paige Northwood. She freelances her skills and works closely with Humberside Police. The story centres around a group of students and staff from Lincoln School for the Deaf, and they are on a weekend away staying in the grounds of Normanby Hall. It is noticed that a student, Leon, is missing. The Head Teacher, Mr Wilkinson, goes to look for Leon, but doesn’t arrive back. At this point the Police are called in, along with Paige Northwood.
We read the story in the present times, with backtracks to the past. It also includes some of the characters from the first book in the series.
The story is fast paced, with twists and turns all the way through, with characters that can be relatable, and diverse. The plot lines are very unique as I’ve never read a series of books before this series that focuses on the deaf community. And it works exceptionally well.
The book kept me engaged, and was really well written. Would highly recommend, but would also recommend reading the first book before this one, as there are references in this book to the previous story.

“Silent Night” is is the second book in a series. I have not read the first, but other than some mentions of things that must have happened in the first book, I didn’t feel that reading out of order hurt me. The book was good and the twists did surprise me.

This book was very interesting and reminded me slightly of Neil Pattison's other book that I've read titled "The Silent House". There were a few similarities between the books, both books dealt with deaf people, a murder, and the need for our main character, Paige, an interpreter. The book starts out with a head teacher and a child missing. This case brings our main character to the story who is brought on to translate for the students to help see if anything jumps out for their case. When all of the people she talks to have an alibi she starts to wonder what is actually going on. There was so much going on in this book that it really kept me interested. I found all of the characters were very three dimensional and I enjoyed how they interacted with each other. This thriller is one that you wont want to miss. Even if murder stories really aren't your go to this one will have you dying to see what happens. While there were a little slow parts in the beginning one I got past that I couldn't wait to see what happens. Another great read by Neil and I'm so glad that I got the chance to check this one out. I can't wait to see what else he has in store for his readers because I know no matter what it is I will love it. This is a series that is fast growing on me and I can't wait to see what the next one is like.

What was meant to be a school outing quickly becomes a police investigation when one of the students from the Lincoln School for the Deaf goes missing.
What follows is a well crafted story full of twists and turns that kept me hooked all the way to the end.
The characters are diverse and believable, the sign language is fully embedded into the story and the continuing snowfall adds an eerie touch to the landscape.
Although part of a series, this book can easily be read as a stand alone.

Thank you Netgalley and Avon Books for the ARC.

I was hoping this would be better than the 1st book, but I'd say it's on the same level. The main character, Paige, has a tendency to become hysterical, which is grating. Now, the mystery is well-done and I couldn't figure it out. If Paige was written a little better, this would be a highly enjoyable story.

This is the second book in a series featuring Paige Northwood a British Sign Language interpreter who freelances for the Humberside Police when needed. Some students and staff from Lincoln School for the Deaf are on a weekend away staying in cabins in the grounds of Normanby Hall. It’s snowing quite heavily which leads to great concern when staff realise that fifteen year old student Leon is missing. Head Teacher Steve Wilkinson sets off in search of him and when neither return the police and Paige are sent for. Later Steve is found dead and Leon is still missing. As in the previous book this features DC now DS Rav Singh and his volatile boss DI Forest. The story is told in the present and backtracks to several students at the school before and during the trip.

This is a good series which features the deaf community at the heart of a crime mystery which I think makes an important statement. Members of my own family were profoundly deaf (my grandfather for example had to lip read) so the series really resonates with me. The novel is well written, the plot is good, the pace is fast from the beginning and draws you into the storyline straight away. There are so many secrets amongst the students and staff which adds big problems to the investigation but intrigued the reader. These secrets emerge piecemeal which only deepens the mystery further which keeps you invested in seeking the truth. The case has a personal element for Paige as an ex-boyfriend works at the school which is a really interesting addition to the story as we learn more about her and her background. Her ex is a character who makes your fists and teeth clench and though completely unlikeable he does add another layer to the storytelling! The characters are good in particular Paige and the police team, the students and teachers are well portrayed too and as the secrets emerge we learn just how manipulated they have been. I like the frisson of something between Paige and Rav and would dearly like that to go somewhere!!! The author creates some good moments of tension, some creepiness and uses locations and snowy weather to real effect. The conclusion is quite dramatic and maybe a bit left field and one I definitely didn’t see coming!

Overall, another gripping read from Nell Pattison and I look forward to seeing what deep water Paige gets into next!

With thanks to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC for an unbiased review.

What I have come to realize about this series is that it's less about the plot/storyline and more so the lead heroine, Paige, I dislike.

Not a strong character to begin with, I'm not exactly a fan on how she becomes too emotionally involved in the investigations. If she was a bit more 'detached', so to speak, she would have been better suited for the novel. Also another tidbit that became repetitive and annoying is how Paige is often times connected to at least 1-2 characters who later on become prime suspects in the murder mystery. I understand it's a small town and pretty much everyone knows each other in the deaf community, but c'mon! It was something minor that later turned to a pet peeve as the story progressed.

And let’s not forget to mention how Paige liked to play detective. Last I checked you were an BSL interpreter. Say it with me: in·ter·pret·er. Being fully involved in an investigation and attempting to discover who the murderer is yourself is a bit above your pay rate, don’t you think? Which leads me to point out that this novel probably would have been a stand out if the lead heroine was an actual detective with interpreting skills. The author missed the nail on that one.

Needless to say, this was not an improvement from ‘The Silent House’ and there is not much to rave about with the lackluster plot, eye rolling make believe detective and less than splendid mystery. Obviously with all that being said, there is a high chance of me not picking up on this series again.

This is a story about a missing boy and a murder. In the snow. On a trip. And the missing child is deaf.

Ok so this was incredible. The twists and the turns in this kept me guessing throughout the novel.

The representation of the deaf community is done really well. I am hearing so can't speak personally, but I appreciated the variations of needs of the students, as would be the norm for a school such as this one.

Thank you Netgalley for this copy

I would like to thank Netgalley and Avon Books UK for an advance copy of Silent Night, the second novel to feature British Sign Language interpreter Paige Northwood, set in the Humberside region.

When a party of deaf pupils and their teachers wake up on the first morning of a weekend away, one of the pupils, 15 year old Leon is missing. The police are called, along with Paige as interpreter, and discover the body of a murdered teacher during the search.

I have not read the first novel in the series, Silent House, so this may be part of the reason why I found that Silent Night did not immediately hold my attention. The premise is attention grabbing, missing teenager and dead teacher, but it loses its impact through the first person narrative from Paige. There are things in her life that get mentioned and discussed with no immediate explanation, which obviously refer to events in Silent House. They are puzzling and distracting to a reader who is new to the series. Gradually they are explained but the initial busyness of these mentions left me feeling adrift. The novel is also interspersed with clearly labelled chapters that chart the hours leading up to Leon’s disappearance. They are interesting and highlight motives but add nothing to the investigation.

I liked the fact that the perpetrator is well concealed and I couldn’t guess their motive or the reach of their efforts. Again, however, I feel that this loses its impact in the morass of Paige’s life. I don’t deny that the novel tackles important social themes, like the effect of being deaf in a hearing world, bullying and domestic abuse, and is effective in doing so but it definitely detracts from the crime element of the novel.

I don’t feel that I got a good handle on Paige’s mindset. I know all about her past troubles and current worries but I don’t know what drives her.

I like a strong procedural with crisp plot lines and a sense of destination. Silent Night is not that kind of novel and it feels too busy and preoccupied with others matters to appeal to me. Having said that, it is a solid novel with an interesting plot that I am sure will appeal to readers with a different mindset to mine.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. This book is about an overnight trip to the woods that turns deadly when a teacher at a deaf school winds up dead. This is the first book I gave read by this author and it won't be my last. It kept me guessing until the very end. Very well written.

When a school for deaf children takes an overnight trip to the woods, overnight everything changes. Five teenagers go to bed and one of them is missing by morning, and to make things worse there doesn't look to be a struggle and he looks to have left on his own accord. To make things worse while Leon, the student, is missing, the body of his teacher is found in the woods close to where the cabin was.
Paige, a sign language interpreter, comes in to help everyone in the group to the police and the kids to help everything go along to assist. While Paige is there to help the whole investigation she finds out that one of the teachers, Mike, is an ex boyfriend of hers, since that relationship ended horribly because of the situation it ended and all this will taint Paige's view of the whole situation.
Paige has the feeling that something more sinister is going on with the school and the kids and when the kids are back at the school she's not wrong the killer strikes again!
I love Paige as a central character, she's very balanced and while she comes close to letting her personal feelings get in the way of the investigation she doesn't.
This was a new type of story for me and I enjoyed it. I also haven't read this author before and I will definitely be looking into more novels written by this author.

This book was phenomenal from start to finish - a truly gripping Murder mystery with genuinely shocking twists and turns.

Interpreter Paige Northwood is called to a park to interpret for some students and staff from a school for the deaf. The head has been murdered and one of the students is missing. Is the student suspect or victim?

There are complications from an awful ex boyfriend and her feelings about a colleague to add to the volatile mix. Will Paige be able to solve this crime and keep her life?

What I loved most about this book was there were enough suspects, clues and red herrings to allow the reader to work it out for themselves if they were paying attention. It really gave my brain a workout. The whole thing built to a satisfying crescendo and the interspersed flashbacks leading to the murder offered valuable insights as the story unfolded.

This is a sequel to a previously published book, although you don’t have to have read that one first (I haven’t) and it doesn’t spoil the story either - I will definitely be reading that one next!

A school for the deaf takes an overnight trip to the snowy woods. Five teenagers go to sleep, but only four wake up. Leon is missing, and a teacher’s body is found in the forest.

Sign language interpreter Paige Northwood is brought in to help with interrogations. Everyone at the school has a motive for murder – but they all have an alibi.

As Paige becomes increasingly involved, she suspects there’s something sinister going on. With the clock ticking to find Leon, only one thing is certain: the killer is among them, and ready to strike again.

This is my first book by this author and I quite enjoyed it!

The idea of a sign language interpreter for a crime committed in the hearing impaired community was a unique and interesting concept.

The characterization was good where all the students are behaving suspiciously as if they are hiding something. Even the staff have motives, so as the investigation progresses, you end up suspecting multiple characters.

Though I finally did guess who was the murderer, I wasn't sure as to the reasons. There is quite a lot of suspense along with twists and turns throughout the plot to keep you engaged till the end.

Thank You to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for this ARC!

I loved this authors first book called The Silent House so I was very excited to get my hands on the next instalment featuring sign language interpreter Paige Northwood. I wasn’t disappointed and would say I even enjoyed this one more than the first. This is a fab whodunnit mystery that left me guessing right up until the end and I couldn’t get through it fast enough! Would definitely recommend and can’t wait for Nell’s next book in the series.