Title: Remain Silent
Author: Susie Steiner
# of pages:365
Genre: Police Procedural
Expected Date of Publication: 28th May 2020
Published by: HarperCollins UK
Remain Silent by Susan Steiner is a mysterious and tragic tale of inhumanity, slavery and immigration.
The story follows DI Bradshaw, who’s moved from cold cases department to homicide to investigate the mysterious death of Luke Balys. The only evidence left is a card which reads “dead cannot speak.”
I did not realise that this book is a part of a series when I requested this book. It didn’t hinder my reading. The book yields a quite good insight into the personal lives of the detectives involved in the case.
Manon Bradshaw’s a very real. She’s not good at everything, she can be goofy and still give excellent advice. She is not a sweet talker. I think that’s what appealed to me. It is rare to find a character that you can connect with at that level. Though she is fun-loving, she possesses a strict sense of ethics and a moral compass and absolutely cannot stand injustice. In the book, she has also talked about DI Bradshaw’s School of Motoring Etiquette (you need to read the punishments for all the wrong things motorists do), to that her colleague states:
“I can see a promotion in the works for you. You are thinking outside the human rights box.”
Susie Steiner did a great job tying an actual social issue with the narration. The author painted a picture of contemporary issues without prejudice. She just provided us fact, so that the readers can shape their opinions.
The chapters shuttle back and forth to give the background of Lukas and Matis, Lukas’s best friend. How their life was in Lithuania and the circumstances they moved to the UK. We also get quite a clear background of DI Bradshaw (it was there too much).
Remain Silent is not a usual police procedural. Instead, it’s a slow burner. There are a few chapters to show the depth of Manon. There is more to her than just being a police officer. It also shows how she can handle things.
“……So move firms. Get a new job. ‘It’s not that easy’ he says. Yes it is. You’re a sales guy not a nuclear physicist. Go work somewhere else…..”
“..Life doesn’t owe you happiness, Peter. It’s not your God-given right….”
The interactions between DS Davy and Manon are humorous. They keep the tone and flow of the book in check, given the sensitive topic of the book.
I feel the flaw of the book, at certain points, is too much characterisation, especially in the beginning it was too much. I would rather get to the point more quickly than having a lot of background.
Remain Silent is an incredible police procedural that deals with social issues with finesse and style.
My rating is 3.5 stars.
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