An interesting premise was bogged down here by a strange lack of clarity around so much of what was happening, ranging from secrets that never needed to be kept in the first place (why did Louise hide her past from her wife?) to characters acting in ways that felt more like hitting plot beats to create conflict than behaving like a real human (then also why was Louise's wife SUCH a jerk about all of it?) to actual location-based confusion (why was it so hard to figure out Louise's physical location so often? is the entire UK a labyrinth?) and questions that weren't necessarily important but still left me confused (where did Louise's daughter come from and why does it seem like her wife is more the kid's stepmother?) and also choices that just felt INSANE (I don't care HOW you find your 14 year old daughter's nude selfies on her phone, you bring it up even if it makes her mad at you, ohhhhh my god!).

I did appreciate how seriously the trauma of sexual abuse was treated here, as well as the honest portrayal of how genuinely life-ruining it can be, and there were some interesting plot elements in here for sure. This book just needed a hell of a lot more editing to sand down a rocky beach's worth of rough edges.

My thanks to Flatiron Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

thank you, NetGalley and flat iron for an arc of this Slow Burn academia novel. I LOVE a school mystery, and had high hopes for this one after seeing high good reads ratings, but it honestly fell a little short for me. The story focuses on Lou in present day who was asked to testify against her high school as a student who suffered abuse at the hand of her swim coach, and the school turned a blind eye. We then go back to Lou’s high school days where we see the horrific abuse she suffered. This story had so much potential especially in the #metoo era, and the writing was beautiful, but it landed flat for me.

A brutally honest portrayal of the effects of abuse ( both sexual abuse and abuse of power) with a dark academia setting and a dual POV timeline that further embodies the lasting effects of both.

Great character development, an engaging plot/ mystery at the core of the novel, and an expertly navigated discussion and portrayal of difficult topics. I also loved the depiction of the 80’s timeline with the music and TV woven throughout for context. It was a stark contrast of the innocence ( before abuse) compared to the modern timeline’s presentation of how youth is already started to be tarnished with social media influences.

While hard to read at certain moments, you really feel the frustration and injustice through Louise’s emotions and experience at Highfield Manor. Powerful and poignant.

Wow, "When We Were Silent" is a powerful novel that revolves around a private school with terrible secrets it tried to bury three decades ago. In present day, the past resurfaces, and crucial decisions are once again made.

It is an incredibly engaging book that I couldn't put down! Although dark academia novels are not my usual reads, after reading the synopsis, I knew I had to read this one. The pacing was fast, and there were many twists and turns. I have not read anything by Fiona McPhillips before, but I eagerly look forward to reading more of her work in the future.

This sounds so good and I hope people enjoy however it’s a DNF for me. This is def a “it’s me not you situation”

Enter the world of Highfield Manor, Dublin's prestigious private school, through the eyes of Louise Manson. As the new student, Louise uncovers the seemingly perfect façade hiding dark secrets. The story unfolds with a blend of mystery, privilege, and a quest for justice.

The author paints a vivid picture of Highfield Manor, from its grand architecture to the complex dynamics within. Louise's outsider status, marked by her working-class background, sets the stage for a compelling narrative. The introduction of Shauna Power, a captivating character, adds layers to the plot.

Friendship and betrayal take center stage as Louise and Shauna navigate the intricate web of Highfield. The story takes an unexpected turn when a lifeless body alters the course of their lives. The suspenseful atmosphere keeps readers hooked, eager to unravel the secrets hidden within the school's walls.

Fast forward thirty years, and Louise receives a shocking call from Ronan Power, Shauna's brother. The Highfield Affair resurfaces through a lawsuit against the school, pulling Louise back into a past she tried to leave behind. The narrative cleverly weaves between past and present, building tension and anticipation.

Louise's character evolves as she confronts her history and the injustices she witnessed. The author explores themes of exploitation, privilege, and retribution with a deft touch. Readers witness the impact of the Highfield Affair on Louise's life, adding depth to her resilience and determination.

The storytelling is both powerful and compelling, creating an immersive experience for readers. The author's exploration of societal issues resonates, offering a thought-provoking reflection on privilege and accountability. The courtroom drama adds an extra layer of intrigue, drawing readers into the legal battle against Highfield Manor.

The pacing keeps the story engaging, balancing moments of tension with reflective insights. Dialogue plays a crucial role in character development and plot progression. The author skillfully crafts conversations that reveal the intricacies of relationships and the weight of untold truths.

As the narrative unfolds, the quest for justice becomes a driving force. Louise's journey is not just a personal one but a collective pursuit of truth and accountability. The resolution is both satisfying and thought-provoking, leaving readers with lingering reflections on the impact of silence and complicity.

In short, this is an unputdownable thriller that delves into the complexities of privilege, exploitation, and the quest for justice. Louise's story is both relatable and inspiring, making this novel a compelling read for those who enjoy suspenseful narratives with a strong societal undertone.

I just reviewed When We Were Silent by Fiona McPhillips. #NetGalley

Dark academia is one of my favorite thriller sub-genres and when I started this book, I thought it was going to be a great fit for me. And while I appreciate when the author is generous with suspense, it was a bit too much for me at the beginning of the story. Rather than grabbing my attention, the vague, under-explained references to what happened in the past made me feel a bit lost. By the time the story jumps to the past, I'd lost interest. Clearly I'm not the audience for this book, but I'm hopeful other readers will enjoy more than me.

This was a good read. Just make sure you check the content before getting started. It did feel as though something was missing but overall a great quick read.

A good overall read. I enjoyed the characters, but I was not amazed with the storyline. Don't get me wrong, it was good, but I thought it was missing something.

Check the content warnings on this one. Beautifully written. I'm not sure how I feel about this being classified as Dark Academia, but the plot is compelling and the characters are well drawn.

Dark academia, a new term for me, but one that describes this book exactly. Murder, suicide, coverups, teachers grooming and using young girls at the school, and lots of secrets. Throw in a student that knows what is going on and is trying desperately to set things straight and remain undercover and you have the ingredients for a captivating story. Although there was a lot going on to keep track of at times, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Thank you to NetGalley for the advance read copy.

Aye, well, it's hard isn't it? Worth doing though.

Here are some obligatory words to make the review the required length.

You know, sometimes when you finish a book, you feel like the earth moves beneath your feet. You keep feeling shaken to your core, your head spinning, and your eyes filled with tears. When you try to put your feelings into words, you find yourself choked up, your voice cracking, unable to express the profound impact the author has had on you. That’s how powerful this author’s work is, and that’s how deeply affected you are by the brilliance of their literature. This book is undoubtedly one of those exceptional reads.

I had read comments about this dark academia novel that would captivate numerous readers, plunging them into a thrilling, earth-shattering, and profoundly thought-provoking story set in Dublin’s most exclusive private school, Highfield Manor. Don’t be deceived by the tall granite pillars, the overflow of lilac at the front gate, the immaculate playing fields, the cheerful students, or the dusty, oak-lined library of the manor. Appearances are always deceiving, and nothing is as it seems. Dark, hidden secrets around the poolside may be exposed, altering the lives of the young female athletes.

Louise Manson is a new scholarship student at the manor, an outsider with a working-class background among privileged and wealthy students who have given her the cold shoulder since her first day at the academy. Unlike Shauna, who can brighten her day with her genuine smile.

Louise harbors a secret agenda related to her best friend, Tina, a highly accomplished swimmer at the academy who took her own life after a troubling incident with a teacher. Louise believes her friend was pregnant before she died and was abused by one of the teachers. She is determined to seek justice for her friend, even if it means putting herself at risk against the most dangerous predator.

The story alternates between Louise’s past at the manor, which culminated in a tragic event that changed her life, and the present, where she is happily married, working as a literature instructor in college, and raising her troubled teenage daughter, who keeps secrets of her own. When Shauna’s brother, Ronan Power, connects her to testify in another abuse case related to the manor, she fears that the past she has hidden may resurface and ruin everything she has worked for. She struggles to connect with Shauna, who holds the key to the truth about the fateful night that haunts Louise’s nightmares.

Will she face the consequences of revealing her past to protect students from another dangerous predator?

This is an intense, thought-provoking, and dark read, addressing feminism, #MeToo empowerment, abuse, mental health, class disparities, and the dangers that lurk in everyday life from a young woman’s perspective. It left me breathless. Some chapters are difficult to digest, but the honest, brutally honest writing, well-developed characters, and intriguing mystery will keep you engaged from start to finish. I wholeheartedly give it five stars and eagerly anticipate future works by this author.

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for providing me with a digital reviewer copy of this thrilling read in exchange for my honest thoughts.

This debut is fast-paced, smart, and full of surprises. Set in both present-day and 1980s Dublin, readers follow Lou, a stubbornly resilient woman who has worked hard for her current life. Present-day Lou is a professor and busy mother of a teenage daughter. Lou has put a lot of effort into shielding her family from her past by keeping secrets from her partner, her child, and everyone else. When past bursts into the present day, Lou will do anything to avoid dealing with what she’s buried for so long.
In the 1980s, Lou is a teenage girl herself in a world of strict moral codes that only apply to some. Lou attends Highfield, a pompous school full of wealthy girls, where her accent and class set her apart. She tries to make ends meet at home and cares for her mother, who struggles with alcoholism. Lou has just lost her best friend, Tina, to suicide. She embarks on an ill-conceived plan to take revenge on the man she believes drove Tina to her death. She and her friends soon realize how little power they really have over the events in their lives.
McPhillips’s prose flows smoothly and easily, immersing us in the past. The sounds and city of Dublin come alive in both timelines. McPhillips handles sensitive topics with care and weaves many different strands into a satisfying conclusion.