I’m quite excited to participate in the Blog Tour for When We Were Silent, the first book from author Fiona McPhillips. Thank you so much to Flatiron Books and NetGalley for the ARC and the opportunity to share my (honest) review!

When We Were Silent 

Author: Fiona McPhillips
Publication Date: 5/21/2024

A dark and intricately woven tale of abuse, secrets, and retribution

When We Were Silent, the debut offering from new author Fiona McPhillips, explores what happens when winning is prioritized over protecting the innocent.

On its surface, Highfield Manor is a perfectly picturesque private school in Dublin; it is the premier school to send talented athletes and gifted students. At its core, it is full of dark secrets being kept hidden to protect its reputation and standing. However, Louise Manson is determined to change that, as she isn’t simply a new student; she is an outsider with knowledge of all the inside information.

Told in two timelines, the audience is taken back and forth from the present-day Lou, who is married with a daughter and a successful career, to the rebellious teenager she was when she attended Highfield Manor.  Lou has been able to move on from her past, but learning there are students again experiencing what happened during her time as a student is forcing her to explore personal trauma, along with the pieces she thought would never be part of her future.

The book’s structure is essential to character development, especially for Lou. To understand both the guilt and the apprehension she struggles with as an adult, her actions and experiences at Highfield must be explored and understood. Some pieces of the book are challenging to read, as they involve sexual assault and mentions of suicide, but these are handled well by McPhillips. She captures the fear victims often feel, particularly when there is an uneven power dynamic, and how differently they can react. This handling feels authentic and the way the characters respond is believable. Some characters opt for denial while others search for truth. Some victims blame themselves and others become angry; many do both simultaneously. The dynamic between Lou and her mother is particularly heartbreaking.

Ultimately, this is an emotionally powerful and atmospheric book comprised of challenging subjects. Some chapters are overlong and descriptive, particularly the ones taking place today. However, the story is so complex these parts do not read as superfluous.

McPhillips has created a well-written and impressive debut book, and it will be exciting to see what she comes up with next. In the meantime, this would make a fantastic pick for a book group, as the content will lead to interesting conversations.