The Quiet People

 

By Paul Cleave
Psychological Thriller | Crime

My Review

Successful New Zealand crime writers Cameron and Lisa Murdoch are devastated to discover their seven-year-old son Zach missing from his bed early one morning. A search of the house, garden and local area proves fruitless. When the police uncover an adult's footprint in the soil beneath Zach's bedroom window, it leads them to believe he's been abducted. But when the clues don't add up, Cameron and Lisa find the finger of suspicion pointed at themselves. The question on everyone's lips is: can crime writers get away with murder?

I really enjoyed The Quiet People and its unusual plot. What I didn't enjoy quite so much was the extremely slow-paced first half. However, I'd heard it was an excellent read so I carried on regardless. Now, looking back at the entire 'bigger picture', I can appreciate what a fantastic, carefully crafted book this is. There are multiple red herrings and jaw-dropping moments that really are genius but sadly, for myself, the pacing let it down.        

Book Source: Purchased copy

My Rating ⭐⭐⭐

Paperback: 343 pages
Publisher: Orenda Books (25th Nov 2021)

ISBN-13: 978-1913193942

The Blurb

Cameron and Lisa Murdoch are successful New Zealand crime writers, happily married and topping bestseller lists worldwide. They have been on the promotional circuit for years, joking that no one knows how to get away with crime like they do. After all, they write about it for a living.

So when their challenging seven-year-old son Zach disappears, the police and the public naturally wonder if they have finally decided to prove what they have been saying all this time…

Are they trying to show how they can commit the perfect crime?