Reviews

The Weight Of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf

oliviachase59's review against another edition

5.0

This book was a surprise for me!! Never heard of the book or author before, my mom’s coworker just gave me her copy. I figured it would be something to read before bed to help me fall asleep. Instead, I ended up pushing my bedtime because I was so engrossed!! I loved how fleshed out the characters all are, how it jumped jumped back and forth in the time line, the multiple perspectives, the backstories. I’m truly invested in Willow Creek!! I’d love another book set in this town. As a mystery, I thought she did a wonderful job of keeping you guessing, despite many chapters being told from the perspective of one of the missing children. And there are multiple smaller mysteries buried in the larger one: why doesn’t Callie speak, what happened between Antonia and Louis, what’s the one word Callie says in the first chapter? Overall a wonderful book.

briefcasey's review against another edition

dark emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

shannontay's review against another edition

4.0

Another where I wish 4.5 stars was an option. I really, really liked this book. About families, 2 girls are missing in a small Iowa town. While learning the mystery of the girls' whereabouts, we also learn about family dysfunction, addiction, love, etc. This was interesting and I enjoyed it.

the_heather_martin's review against another edition

4.0

I really liked this book. It was a well-told story that was at times difficult to read. I wish I had known some trigger warnings before I started. I’m certain the author wanted us to need closure on 1) does Callie speak again 2) how did the girls get injured…but all i cared about was does Griff get sent packing? Grateful the story tied up neatly.

bookhoarder76's review against another edition

4.0

Very different writing style that I normally read. Lots of characters but it was easy to get to know them and remember who was who I wasn't ever confused so that was good. Each chapter was a diff character's POV and usually that would annoy me but for this story it totally worked! I was drawn in almost immediately and couldn't wait to get to the end to see how it all played out. Very enjoyable read for me!

sfoster2309's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

natalie_a1203's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful mysterious tense slow-paced

2.5

jfrog77's review against another edition

3.0

This book started out really strong. The first pages grabbed me and pulled me in, but then it seemed like the story got bogged down in details and flashbacks from each of the characters. The middle moved very slowly, but then the pace picked back up in the end.

I thought the characters were well-developed. I wish the author gave us the story from the alcoholic father’s POV too. It just seemed like we got a lot from all of the major players - except him.

The one other thing that annoyed me was Louis’ wife. Good grief; why throw a fit and leave your husband while he’s smack-dab in the middle of a potential double abduction situation? It just seemed far-fetched, especially when compared with the rest of the story. But then, maybe it’s just me.

cassiekayvazquez's review against another edition

emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

5.0

cpriley401's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0