Please see the publishers warning about triggers.
3.5 rounded up

Gale Reynolds reports a terrifying sexual assault to the police with DS Shona White interviewing her. Although Shona believes her she is told to drop the case as Gail has previously made a “false report“. However, two years later Gail is trying to move on with her life, although it is understandably incredibly difficult. Then Gail meets another victim with an identical story to hers and one chilling “coincidence“. What will Gail do? Will she take what action she can before he strikes again? The story is told via three points of view.

This is a brave book and I commend the author for the job she does here. It’s obviously hard-hitting as it should be, it portrays the suffering and trauma also as it should but it’s not overdone though still makes for grim reading. There’s much to reflect on here as not only has Gail and others been forced to endure the trauma of an assault there is the trauma of reporting it and the trauma of what comes after making that report. It’s chilling how some victims can be treated, especially on social media and this is done horribly well in the book with keyboard warriors and incels doing their despicable worst. There is accuracy too in the amount of assaults that never make it to trial often due to insufficient evidence and your heart breaks for those people.

Gail’s perspective is very compelling and powerful, I like how she addresses her attacker making it so personal which hits all the harder. It makes you feel sad, shocked and moved in equal proportions. Shona’s point of view is also good and you feel the frustration of believing a victim with the inability to secure a conviction. The rapists narrative is horrifying as you’d expect sending shivers down the spine ,

As the story progresses, it encompasses a number of things such as female bonds and friendship, which gives the courage to take back control of your life, in this case dramatically.

Although there is much to praise it does get a bit repetitive and the writing is a bit flat on occasions and the pacing is somewhat uneven. I guess the perpetrator about halfway through so there’s no huge surprise there.

Overall though, it’s well worth reading if you can because it does make some very thought-provoking points.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Avon Books for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

I am a fan of this author and have thoroughly enjoyed her previous books. I struggled with this one.

Gail is single and wakes up in the night being attacked by an unknown male who has drugged her. Although the subject is sensitive it was treat with consideration and care by the author.

Gail finds out that she is not the only victim of this rapist and the police have not been keen to investigate as there is a lack of evidence.

There are many twists and turns but I couldn't connect with the characters and found much of the prose repetitive.

I will gladly read the next novel by this author.

Absolutely brilliant!! I love Katerina Diamond. There is no one else like her. Another book that I devoured in a day. As always with Diamond, it's definitely not for the faint hearted but an absolutely gripping police procedure story. Highly recommended xx

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

Gail is a single woman who wakes one night and is in the middle of being attacked by an unknown male. Flipping forward a couple of years and Gail is struggling to move on. After attending a group for women in her situation, she meets another woman who was also raped in disturbingly identical circumstances. Gail befriends this lady, and together they’re determined to hunt the perpetrator down, now that the police are finally listening to them.

This was a standalone thriller from this author, and a thriller this was. The storyline deals with rape and sexual assault, and is a taboo subject, but the author dealt with it honestly and with the care it deserved. The characters were well written, and I especially liked Shona, the detective. A well written storyline which was thought out and dealt with sensitively.

A scarily realistic take on what it means to be a victim of SA these days.

The plot os dark, but it's told in a respectful way that doesn't diminish or glamourose the crime. It's also honest about the fact that victims may not be believed for one of many reasons.

The characters are well written and well developed. They have human reactions to human trauma. Probably most wouldn't deal with it in quite the way that the MC does but its still a fiction book so anything goes

I was definitely hooked from the start. As a woman, you want to know that eventually justice will be done in some form and these women will survive and thrive.

There are a few twists and turns throughout the book aswell and the tension is really built rhroughout

I flew through this on a weekend and found it a really good read

The Silence by Katerina Diamond
Publication Date 8th June 2023

Being a huge fan of Katerina's Adrian Miles and Imogen Grey series, I was excited to read this new stand alone crime thriller.

First off, it's well worth mentioning that the storyline is centred around SA, and readers should take note of the trigger warnings.

This is a well written and well researched book, that moves along at an intense pace and made me so angry, especially in light of recent events that have played out in the news. The Silence is a highly topical read.

Katerina deals with horrific subject matter in a empathic and compassionate way, giving an insight into women dealing with severe trauma as rape survivors.

Victim blaming, incels, toxic policing and shocking conviction rates, no aspect is shied away from.

Whilst dark, graphic and hugely emotional I did find The Silence a compulsive if difficult read, and it has left me with a lot of things to reflect upon.

Told mainly from the perspective of Gail and DS Shona White, the characters are fleshed out and I was raging along with Gail and later Martha. I'm glad they were given their voices back. The main Dectective Shona White was very human and I enjoyed her storyline and character development. Despite some serious errors of judgement, I couldn't help but warm to her and I was pleased to see she was given the opportunity to redeem herself somewhat. There are some sections that are told from the rapists view point, where Katerina dives into their psyche and these parts were a chilling and difficult read, but relevant to the plot.

Considering the subject matter, I am hesitant to say I enjoyed this book, as that does not feel like the right word to use, but The Silence is certainly a gripping read with a twisty plot that I could not put down. I would recommend to all who like their crime novels dark and gritty.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon books for an ARC in exchange for a honest review.

DS Shona White, Gail Reynolds and an attacker. Ignoring the reports, revenge plots, and a call to action. TW: This book talks about a SA. The story follows the detectives that ignore the reports, the victims who struggle after being attacked and give a glimpse into the mind of the attacker.

Formatting was the only thing I would say threw me off when reading, other than that it was a pretty good book.

Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this in advance!

Diamond’s whodunnits just keep getting better and better! I love this lady detective and all the twists of this creeper. Five easy starts.

Gail wakes to find herself unable to move and being attacked by a stranger. But when she reports the assault, the police don't believe her. She tries to get on with her life as best she can, but then she meets another woman who was also raped in exactly the same way, and realises that this is another of his victims. They discover that the rapes happen on the same date each year, and that the next one is just days away. Can they stop him before he does it again?

A brilliant thriller that keeps you turning the pages until the shocking ending. I loved the characters and the tense and chilling plot. Loved it!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of the book in return for my honest feedback.

This is a difficult book. The subject matter is not just troublesome, it is horrific. The characters are realistic, and the red herrings keep the reader guessing. This book was sent to me electronically by Netgalley for review. It is not a quick read.

I am a big fan of Katerina Diamonds books and jumped at the chance to read her new stand alone, The Silence. What an emotional and unsettling story. This author is not afraid to tackle to tough subjects, and she does so with care and compassion. This is a very dark and graphic read and won’t be for everyone.

Gail and Martha find each other a support group for rape survivors. They realise that they have been abused by the same man, on the same date, 3 years apart. Both women have been let down by the system that is meant to protect them, so they take matters into their own hands.

It is an unsettling read and it is meant to be. Reading what these women have been through, and are still going through. How it has changed them and how they live. Their withdrawal from their life, their friends and family. Unable to sleep, unable to trust. It is heartbreaking. And so well written.

Thanks to Avon Books UK for my advanced copy of this book to read. Publishes on June 8th.

I feel mean saying it but I think this book would have worked so much better as a novella. I found myself getting really bored in the first half as it was mostly Gail's internal monologues - I felt as if I was reading the same chapter over and over again. The second half when we get to see a bit more action was definitely much better in my opinion.

Wow! Oh wow! I read this book in a day as I just couldn’t put it down. The whole book is based on women who have been raped but who’s cases weren’t believed, taken seriously or found guilty in court- and a predictor who preys on them, damaging further their already damaged souls.
The vile man messed with the wrong women, and without offering spoilers, the ending was most satisfying. Too many rape cases cannot be proven, but we must remember there are victims out there who don’t even tell anyone. Stories like these need to be told so that women feel empowered to speak out. A thoroughly dripping, yet heartbreaking read.

I really wanted to love this as I’ve loved all of Katerina Diamond’s other books but it was almost a DNF for me. I’m glad I continued as I feel the second half was better than the first. I found it hard to like any of the characters and the way the main character speaks to the reader as if they are her rapist made me uncomfortable. This was a stand alone novel but I prefer the author’s Imogen Grey series and eagerly await the next!

Thank you to Netgalley, Avon Books and Katerina Diamond for this ARC.

The silence by Katerina Diamond is a chilling and emotional novel that depicts the nightmarish reality of rape culture, victim blaming, and the devastating effects of trauma. The story follows Gail, a rape survivor, who struggles to be believed by the people she trusts and the authorities meant to protect her. With the help of Martha, another survivor who shares her pain, Gail finds solace and support.
The book is a page-turner, with a fast-paced plot that keeps readers engaged from beginning to end. The tension and suspense are palpable, and the author does an excellent job of immersing the reader in the characters' emotions. The book tackles heavy themes and could be triggering for some readers.
The characters are well developed, and the author shows the complexity of human emotions and motivations. The portrayal of Shona, the senior colleague who dismisses Gail's case, is particularly nuanced. While she is not entirely likable, the author makes it clear that she is a well-meaning person who is also a product of a flawed system.
Overall, "The silence" is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that sheds light on a pressing social issue.

A beautifully written book about a horrific crime.

Katerina really showcases her talent for writing with this book. It’s hard at times to believe that this might be the work of fiction given the level of detail and depth of emotion.

The story has good pace and although the twists are easily predicted the narration it totally captivating.

I can’t say I felt much towards the main character. As she changed from victim to vigilante I struggled to maintain a constant focus on who she was.

Really would no recommend this book if you or someone you know has been through a similar crime. This book is very detailed and graphic in all senses of the word.

I don’t know if I can label this book as ‘enjoyable’ but I was certainly hooked and found it hard to put down.

Thank you to NetGalley for my advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

With the advice of a senior colleague, Shona tells a rape victim that there is not enough evidence to investigate her case. The victim has previously reported a rape by her boyfriend, which was also not believed.

Gail, the victim, goes to survivor meetings and meets a woman, Martha who seems to have been raped by the same man, and they become friends, supporting each other.


A chilling book. Every woman's nightmare. To undergo such a horrific experience and not have the police, who are supposed to protect us, believe you.

I could believe the trauma that Gail was going through, cutting herself off from family and not having any friends. She needed help and didn't get it from those she loved, and those that she trusted.

I did like Shona, she seemed to be a caring person, and deeply guilty even years later, of not being able to do more for Gail.

I did, however, guess the identity of the rapist long before the end of the book, but it did not detract from the urge to get to the end to make sure that I was correct.

The online forum for men made me sick actually. Humanity really has sunk to the lowest depths, as I have read about similar forums/blogs that urge people to do the most horrible things, without a thought for the devastation of the victims.

The subject of the book could be a trigger for many women.

I do recommend the book, it was fast paced, tense, and full of suspense.

Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have never read this author, but I can guarantee I will read the entire series. The only negative I have is that there are a lot of triggers, but readers should know that by the summary and choose if they want to read it. I loved the flow and the fact that it didn't take twenty pages to describe a lamp. I never saw the end coming and applaud the author not just for a surprise ending but a book well written.

Gail is attacked by a stranger in the middle of the night but when she reports it to the police she isn’t believed. Later she meets another victim of her attacker. Can they find a way to stop this happening again to another woman?

The subject matter of this story is quite uncomfortable yet very important. I did feel some parts were difficult to read but I completely understand why the author chose to include these. I found myself wanting to continue reading the story to find out the outcome and read the book in a day. Although the story was compelling I did find some parts quite far fetched and I guessed the twists quite early on. I didn’t feel any close connection to the characters either. Overall it was an interesting story and definitely makes you think. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this early copy.

The Silence by Katerina Diamond is a poignant crime thriller that explores the depths of human depravity. The story revolves around Gail, a survivor of a brutal attack who is struggling to come to terms with what happened to her. Katerina's writing style is both engaging and respectful, capturing the raw emotions of her characters with a somber and reflective tone.

As a writer, Katerina's talent shines through in her ability to convey the weight of the story she's telling. The subject matter of The Silence is not an easy one to tackle, and Katerina's handling of it is commendable. She has delved into the minds of both survivors and predators, bringing a level of authenticity to the story that is both chilling and thought-provoking.

While The Silence is a captivating read with plenty of twists and turns, it's not without its flaws. The pacing can be a bit uneven at times, and some of the characters could have been developed further. Nonetheless, it's a strong effort that deserves recognition.

In conclusion, if you're a fan of crime thrillers that dive deep into the human psyche, then The Silence by Katerina Diamond is definitely worth reading. With its reflective tone, gripping plot, and well-crafted characters, it's a book that will leave an impression on you. I give it 3.5 stars.