I love historical fiction books and this one was a different focus than what I typically read. I found this to be a wonderful addition to that genre. Plus it is a dual timeline story and I love that aspect of a book. Imagine being present at an event that will change your life forever. And then the fact that the decisions that you make about the event will influence your life and family for years to come is astounding. Such an emotional read that deals with a lot of issues … from PTSD to dementia to sister relationships to motherhood to grief. As Raine and Jessica explore the contents of their grandmother’s hope chest, I cannot begin to imagine the emotions they experience. I can’t recommend this book enough as a potential book club book. So many aspects to be discussed!

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

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The jumping between time periods and narrators really got in the way of me enjoying this book. The first chapter was captivating, and I kept reading to see how the story would end.

I started off really liking this one, the complications trauma can lead us into, the difficulties of families....but as we got deeper into the 'family secret' i found that i was getting annoyed, and at times, angry with how the men in this story treated the women, how their feelings and how they wanted to deal with situations was controlled by the men in the story. How the men forgave each other their disgusting behaviour but the women had to suffer.
This would have worked if this book was intended as a study in how wrong society had it, being lead by a male dominated system, how NOT to do things from now on....but I don't think it was.

I ended this book feeling frustrated and wanting to shake some of the women to have more of a back bone!

Two sisters fulfilling their grandfather’s dying wish uncover decades of secrets in a powerful novel about family, truth, and forgiveness.

Dallas, Dealey Plaza, 1963. Nineteen-year-old Mariah Byrne is following her dream of a career in photography. One moment she’s filled with joy and hope watching the president and Mrs. Kennedy drive past. In the next, the world—and Mariah’s life—is split into before and after. What follows, and the unconventional decisions Mariah makes, will affect her and her family forever.

Sixty years later, sisters Raine and Jessica grieve the death of their grandfather. For both his beloved grand girls, Papa leaves behind a last wish and an unexpected the key to their grandmother Mariah’s hope chest. Explore its contents, he writes, and follow where they lead. But what secrets can their family history possibly hold?

Raine and Jessica unite to piece together the mystery of a past they never knew existed. But facts can’t reveal the whole story. With Mariah’s memories fading, the sisters struggle to understand her choices before the truth disappears forever.

I was drawn into the timeline of Dallas 1963. I've visited before and have been interested in reading more details about Kennedy's assassination. I enjoyed the photographer connection and the dual timeline was very fitting for the time period and the novel's premise.

I will definitely recommend this one to my historical fiction fans- it's well done!

A Captivating Journey of Self-Discovery and Redemption

Elizabeth Langston's "The Measure of Silence" is a breathtaking exploration of identity, forgiveness, and the power of love to heal even the deepest wounds. Set against the backdrop of a charming Southern town, Langston masterfully crafts a narrative that is both hauntingly beautiful and deeply moving.

The protagonist's journey is nothing short of mesmerizing as she grapples with the ghosts of her past and struggles to find her place in the world. Langston's prose is elegant and evocative, drawing readers into the innermost thoughts and emotions of her characters with remarkable clarity.

What sets "The Measure of Silence" apart is Langston's keen insight into the complexities of human nature and the intricacies of relationships. Each character is skillfully rendered, with their own flaws and vulnerabilities, making them instantly relatable to readers.

As the story unfolds, themes of redemption, second chances, and the transformative power of forgiveness emerge, weaving a tapestry of hope and healing that resonates long after the final page is turned. "The Measure of Silence" is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and a reminder that even in our darkest moments, there is always light to be found.

With its compelling storyline, richly drawn characters, and poignant themes, "The Measure of Silence" is a masterpiece of contemporary fiction that will capture the hearts of readers everywhere. Elizabeth Langston has created a timeless tale that speaks to the universal truths of the human experience, leaving a profound and lasting impression on all who encounter it.

4/5 Stars. Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for a chance to read for an honest review.

I am sorry for the inconvenience but I don’t have the time to read this anymore and have lost interest in the concept. I believe that it would benefit your book more if I did not skim your book and write a rushed review. Again, I am sorry for the inconvenience.

If you enjoy family dramas/mysteries centered around a family secret that ends up bringing characters closer together, then this is the new book for you!

The Measure of Silence is not perfect by any means, but it does deliver a sound, entertaining story that will keep readers intrigued until the very end. I did feel like the big "secret" was a bit overreacted once it was revealed, but that did not take away from the enjoyment of the story.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. This was a fabulous read! The storyline was sad but also profound and endearing. I love the way this author used alternating timelines to reveal the family's secrets. I am looking forward to more from this author. Highly recommend

THE MEASURE OF SILENCE by Elizabeth Langston is a work of historical fiction that merits broader readership. The story, set in Texas and North Carolina, spans multiple generations of a single family but mainly centers on life events for Mariah, and her granddaughters, Jessica and Raine. Mariah, who faces abuse as a child, comes of age in the 1960s. November 22, 1963 is a memorable day for so many Americans, but particularly for Mariah who witnesses JFK's assassination and the birth of a child. Langston uses flashbacks to describe those events and Mariah's troubled childhood while also setting several chapters in the present day and highlighting work and relationship challenges for Jessica, a news producer, and Raine, a forensic accountant. The sisters are well-positioned to unravel a shattering family secret and readers will empathize with those involved. Deftly writing about forgiveness ("Good people do bad things, but their reasons matter."), Langston also explores attitudes towards mental health in the 1960s, specifically PTSD and post-partum depression, and towards neurodivergence today. THE MEASURE OF SILENCE could function well as a book club selection and several thoughtful discussion questions are included.

The Measure of Silence is a story of loss, grief, family, secrets, and finding a way to build your life again. At the core, this book is about second chances and relationships.

Set in two time periods, Raine and Jessica are given a task of unearthing a family secret by their deceased beloved grandfather. Mariah is their grandmother, and she has dementia. The story is of Mariah and her life. Mariah has gone through a lot, and will the granddaughters understand and find in themselves to forgive their family members for keeping these secrets?

This story just broke my heart, and it will take some time for me to recover from the grief. Mariah's struggle to come out of terrible situations is endearing, and her struggle in the 60s as a woman is heartbreaking. To witness a horrible strategy, your own life affected by it like a domino effect and see it tumbling without any support is devastating on so many levels. I wanted more, to be honest. I wanted Kenny's viewpoint. I didn't want this book to end. Be prepared to cry because you will.



Content Warnings: PTSD, grief, postpartum depression, child abandonment, description of physical assault, a historic tragedy, family secrets, loss

Embarking on 'The Measure of Silence' as my introduction to both this author and the genre proved to be a captivating experience. The narrative, focusing on family secrets and the impact of historical events, especially Mariah's journey in the 1960s, held my attention from the start. The idea of a key unlocking hidden family truths added an intriguing layer, and the emotional challenges depicted in Mariah's story felt authentic to the era. Witnessing the growth of present-day characters, Jessica and Raine, influenced by their grandmother's past, added depth to the narrative. This heartfelt exploration has piqued my interest in exploring more works by this author and delving further into this genre.

This was a fascinating tale of family secrets, woven together with one of those historical moments that divides the world into before and after. Sisters Raine and Jessica are dealing with the death of their grandfather when they find he has left them something - a key to their grandmother Mariah’s hope chest. He asks them to read it’s contents and follow where it goes, suggesting a family secret yet to be uncovered. Sixty years earlier, Mariah was a struggling photographer. In Dealey Plaza, Dallas, she’s waiting for the arrival of President Kennedy’s motorcade. She’s full of hope, thinking this may be the picture that starts her career. What she actually captures is a moment in history, an event so seismic it will define a generation. Everyone will remember where they were when Kennedy was shot. Yet this is only part of the story. The shock of that day sends Mariah into premature labour. Alone, miles from her home and struggling with her mental health she has kept quiet but can she continue to cope? The events that follow are something that the girl’s grandmother has kept to herself. She’s lived in silence. Now the girls must choose what to do with the information they’ve found, This is a hard read in parts, but it needs to be to put across the reality of Mariah’s experience in that time period. I loved her story, in fact it made me emotional but I also loved how their grandmother’s story affected Jessica and Raine, and helped them grow.

Elizabeth Langston has written an engaging, gripping story of family, devotion and history in her exception novel “A Measure of Silence.” The summer release is so timely as we approach the 60th anniversary of the Kennedy assassination in November.

In 1963, Mariah Byrne witnesses the assassination of President John F. Kennedy at Dealey Plaza in Dallas. The excitement to see Mrs. Kennedy up close gives way to horror for Mariah, an aspiring photographer, and her fiancé Hal. Circumstances cause their baby to be born a month early on a day that will never be forgotten.

Fast forward 60 years as Mariah’s two granddaughters Raine and Jessica face the loss of their beloved Papa. He has left them with a last wish to discover the truth about their family and its history. The truth can be found in three boxes of memorabilia stored in Mariah’s hope chest.

It's a story that the young women have never heard. It’s a past that’s disappearing as Mariah’s dementia erases memories of what her life once was.

Langston tells the family’s story through past and present perspectives that weave together a family that’s breaking apart from long-kept secrets. The sisters are polar opposites with their own memories of a loving grandfather, a once-powerful grandmother and divorced parents who are hiding their own stories.

Raine struggles with emotional overload while Jessica hides her feelings through work. Both know that there’s more to know about their lives, and they’ll only find the answers if they work together. As their grandfather requested, they have to put judgment aside and not settle for partial answers. They must come to grips that women have not always had the freedom to make their own decisions or find their true paths.

The story is raw and sad. “The Measure of Silence” feels like something that could have happened to a friend. It’s that “real” in its substance. One minute you’re angered by the past, then you’re saddened but finally you’re glad that the pieces have finally come together.

This is a novel that tugs at the heart on so many levels. It’s an excellent choice for a book club selection because all those family and generational dynamics are begging to be discussed! Luckily for readers, there’s a reader guide to help you understand all the emotions that surface from reading this work of historical fiction. And don’t forget the tissues!

Two sisters (Jessica and Raine) are on a mission to fulfill their grandfather's last wish in the form of a note that leads them to a chest full of family secrets.

This book felt raw and real with a lot of emotion.

The Measure of Silence was quite the roller coaster. Following the story of Mariah in the past and present filled me with excitement, anticipation, and sadness. She faces so many different obstacles and the trauma and trauma response during the 60s is hard to read about. I felt like I was uncovering her story along with Raine and Jessica. This is a mystery that needs to be uncovered.

Thank you @netgalley and @amazonpublishing for sending me this book for review. Opinions are my own.
“Two sisters fulfilling their grandfather’s dying wish uncover decades of secrets in a novel about family, truth, and forgiveness.”
I love historical fiction book with a dual timeline that includes family secrets. I was especially interested because this book starts on the day JFK was shot in Dallas (which I did a paper on in high school) and I’ve never read a book from the perspective of someone that was actually in the crowd that day and the ramifications of being a witness to that tragic event. The timing of this book is also significant given that this November will mark the 60th anniversary of JFK’s death.
I love that the idea of PTSD and mental health in 1963 was explored. It’s very clearly different from what would have happened today, although you obviously have to factor in the fact that Mariah didn’t have any resources or support system.
In the present day, it’s hard to tell what the relationship is actually like between Jessica and Raine. They seem surprised to be working well together but there’s not really any indication that this wouldn’t be the case. Raine is clearly neurodivergent, which the author mentions in her acknowledgements, but this isn’t discussed and I found that frustrating.
On that note, many of the relationships and characters seemed to be kind of surface-level and one-dimensional. I wish these had been explored further. I didn’t really get the relationship between Jessica and Luke, but I did love Mariah and Gregor.
Speaking of Gregor, I’m not sure why he left a such a specific and secretive process for Jessica and Raine to follow to figure out the family secret. I guess they discovered other things along the way but it seemed a bit dramatic.
Overall, this book had flaws but it was an interesting story that kept me reading.

This book is about a Grandfather leaving clues for his granddaughters to learn the big family secret as his dying wish. The sisters join forces in different ways because they are quite opposite of one another. Along the way they learn about an uncle they didn’t know about. The two also learn about one another and form a wonderful sister-bond. They also discover love and how to grow in marital relations.

I am interested in all things related to the Kennedy family so I was thrilled to read this novel! It was such a good read. The mystery, the family connections, the emotional roller coaster....all made for a wonderful reading experience!

Thank you so much for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

This historical fiction from the dual timeline put me in a melancholic, almost lyrical atmosphere. Beautifully written, full of emotion and with well-characterized main characters, this story grabs your attention from the beginning. The story centres around family secrets, trauma, grief and mental illness. Anyone looking for a book to move them to the core should read this story.