I absolutely loved this book, the realism of the characters along with a totally believable investigation. I invested in the story right from the start.

This plot draws the reader into not only the police investigation, but also the lives of the police officers and those in the life of the victim, the ‘EE’s’ (Eastern Europeans).

All the issues raised in this could be true today, protesters against immigrants, people lying to police when questioned, trying to juggle family commitments with a job, the reality making it easy to relate to. I also enjoyed the settings which were described effectively, drawing clear pictures of the towns, houses and streets.

The case itself is a real conundrum, several times I thought I had worked it out, to find I was totally wrong.

Although this book is the third in a series, I haven’t yet read the first two, and this one stood easily as a standalone!

If you like police procedural books, I would thoroughly recommend this.

A really interesting and gritty read touching on elements that are quite hard, so sometimes it was a difficult read.

I didnt realise at the time that this was part of a series so that would have helped me with my understanding of the characters.

I was given a free copy by netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely my own.

Although brilliantly written and evocatively told, this book was a DNF for me. This is, however, more to do with my personal taste than the book itself, which is well-written and has a compulsive plot that centres around DI Manon Bradshaw's investigation into the death of a Lithuanian migrant worker.

Unfortunately it was a little too dark and gritty for my taste. I also hadn't realised this was the third in a series and, although the investigation is a standalone, this book focuses quite a lot on DI Bradshaw's domestic situation. As such, I think I would have been better starting with the first book in the series to really get a feel for her character and background that would have made that element more interesting to me.

I really enjoyed reading this book and having never read Susie Steiner before, it was great to get to know DI Manon Bradshaw.
She's a great character with some fantastic one-liners and punchy dialogue. When we meet her, she seems to be in the grip of a panic about the state of her life and her relationship with her partner, Mark. Manon worries that her life is too boring, but then resents the idea that she has to create some fake life for it to be judged more favourably. Basically she is worrying about getting older and grappling with the sense that life may be passing her by.
Steiner is brilliant at bringing Manon's character to life. I felt a lot of empathy with her. Her panic over the idea that, if she were single, there would be no one to talk to about the utterly mundane aspects of her life that no one is remotely interested in was very relatable.
So I loved reading this book for the character of Manon, but this is even before we get to the plot, which is also very good. A Lithuanian migrant is found hanged, presumably having killed himself. The investigation into his death takes the reader into the depressing and brutal world of migrants' lives - having to work menial, dangerous or exhausting jobs, sharing beds and rooms, and forever being at the mercy of their masters.
Plus there are the racists and fascists they have to contend with.
Steiner creates a very believable and textured set of characters that feel like they give a small snapshot of life in Britain. The dialogue and descriptions of events are well-written and often funny and intelligent. I would definitely recommend this book, and I'll look out for other Manon-featuring books too.

A great read and one that tackles some dark issues. I was gripped throughout and read it in two sittings.

This one was quite slow going. It could’ve been a bit shorter, I think. I was very interested at the beginning but then had to force myself to pick it up by the time I got half way. I didn’t particularly like any of the characters but did enjoy some of the plot.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC of this book.

This was my first book by the author and in this series. The description and cover really grabbed my attention, and the story didn’t disappoint at all.

I really enjoyed how the author has portrayed the main characters and how real and reliable are some of them. I love everything fiction but when an author brings to life so many real life traits, it’s always a bonus in my cards.

Immigration and human trafficking are always a hard topic, and as a person who lived surrounded by it most of my childhood life, it touched a few chords in me.

Loved all the twists and turns that the investigations took with each new chapter and, while i found the ending a bit too rushed, it made me want to check and add to my tbr list the previous books as well.

Very grateful to the publisher for my review copy.

Another fabulous instalment in the Manon Bradshaw series and another smashing read! Very enjoyable and at times thought provoking story.

It's great to be in a position to recommend much more diverse books to our young people at school. Building the senior school library as a place where students actually come and find books that they want to read as opposed to books that teachers think they ought to read is an important responsibility and one we take really seriously.
Books like this are such a positive move as they will appeal to a broader set of readers than we are usually attracting. Dealing with modern issues in a clear and captivating way with a strong narrative voice and characters that the students can relate to is critical as we move forwards. This book is both an intelligent and compelling read that will hold even the most reluctant reader's attention and keep them turning the pages long into the night. It keeps the reader on their toes and ensures that you give it your full attention too. I found myself thinking about its characters and events even when I wasn't reading it and looking forward to snatching kore time with it and I hope that my students feel the same. An accessible, gripping and engrossing read that I can't recommend highly enough. Will absolutely be buying a copy for the library and heartily recommending it to both staff and students.

This is the first book I’ve read by Susie Steiner. It covered some upsetting topics but it covered them well.

The relationship between Manon & Davy was great and Manon’s humour helped alleviate the terrifying subject of the slave trade. It also covered health issues which was touched on in Manon’s relationship with Mark.

I did feel story came to an abrupt end with the outcome being summed up in approximately a paragraph however I did enjoy the book overall.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harpercollins for the opportunity to read an advance copy in return for my honest review.

Having loved the first two in this series, I was happy to receive an ARC of Remain Silent. Manon and the whole crew are back to investigate an apparent suicide of a migrant worker from Lithuania. Interwoven in the case of the explotation of migrant workers is Mannon’s mid-life crisis with which women over a certain age can identify! I found both storylines interesting One of the themes is that most people are not black or white but rather are nuanced, displaying both good and bad behaviour. This really resonated with me.

Overall, an interesting continuation of the series with an engaging plot and which provided, for me, an eye opener of the horrors of migrant explotation. 4 stars.

Thanks to Harper Collins UK and Netgalley for a copy of this book.

Manon is drafted in to investigate a questionable suicide and blows open an underworld of trafficking and exploitation. Lukas and Matos travelled to the UK in search of a better life for them and their loved ones but what they actually got was abuse and hostility. The premise of this book explores whether Lukas driven to suicide or if something more sinister occurred.

This book was an eye opener for me, it was shocking to read about the hostility, bigotry and abuse experienced by some migrants. It was a real change of course for me after a few light hearted reads and it was a difficult read because of the subject matter but the writer tackled this effectively.

Thanks to netgalley for the advance read copy.

Remain Silent, the third in the brilliant Manon Bradshaw series, is a fantastic new instalment that had me feeling every emotion as I tore through its pages. With a gripping and very timely plot and truly engaging characters, I felt completely absorbed in the characters and their lives.

The plot centres around Manon and the Cambridgeshire Police department’s investigations into the death of a Lithuanian man, no doubt connected to the many Eastern European immigrants in Wisbech, an area not too far away from where I grew up (in Peterborough). It’s not clear if the death is suspicious or suicide, but some of the local community is resentful of these immigrants and what they represent.

I really liked that throughout the novel we get varying point of views, from Manon herself, her close colleague Davy, through to the men, such as Lucas and his friend Matis, who are living in horrendous conditions in houses of multiple occupancy, having been promised a better life in England but ending up trapped, working all hours for no pay and beaten if they don’t obey orders. I found it really difficult to read to be honest, feeling very emotional at times; at some parts I had to put the book down for a while and come back to it, but the way Susie Steiner writes is so engaging I couldn’t leave this novel closed for long!

Although so much of this novel is truly depressing, there’s also lots of humorous parts. Manon is a great character – acerbic, weary but dogged too – and some of her witty lines to other characters brought some very welcome light relief. We find out more about Manon’s personal life too.

No one in this novel is perfect which I really liked, and I have to say I wish the ending had turned out a bit happier, but that’s life for you… sometimes things end differently to how we’d hope.

Remain Silent really did blow me away – it’s brilliantly written and is a fitting third novel in this excellent series.

Remain Silent really reminded me why I love the mystery and thriller genre. From the characters that jump from the page to the heart rate increasing with every page you turn this book is perfect. Manon Bradshaw is executed brilliantly and unlike any other character, I read before. She came to life inside my mind as I read her dialogue and the way she interacted with the other characters. In fact, she even reminds me of my best friend who is as cynical as she is. I really hope there is going to be many more books in this series because I'm definitely going to pick them up.

Bit of a slow burn for me. Not sure it didn't help that I had not read the other books in the series first. It was ok read!

This is book 3 in the series. It can be read as a standalone but will be better read as part of the series.
This book tackles some hard topics like racism and xenophobia
This book is written so well but it made me feel all the emotions

Was ok.
Wasn’t a book I instantly got into but I stayed with it till the end.
I have read her other books and enjoyed them.
I certainly would read more by this author.
Thanks NetGalley.

I loved this book, the author manages to capture complex social issues without being too dramatic, and uses them to carry the story. It is one of those books that I'd read at least twice -the first one as an enjoyable read, the second one to pay attention to all the small details. The ending was satisfying. Thank you for my ARC.

Remain Silent is a quick, punchy read that cuts straight to the action.

A young Lithuanian man, Lukas is found dead, hung from a tree. With a note attached, that reads - 'the dead cannot speak'. DI Manon Bradshaw is moved from cold cases to SIO on the Major Crimes Unit and begins investigating. Manon is a world weary woman, cynical and hostile to idiots and UKippers. She's exhausted by motherhood and thoughts of no longer being desirable. But she's also tenacious and is determined to seek the truth. It's clear the migrants know more than they can say. They are scared.

Set against the backdrop of a town divided by anti-migrant feeling, rising right wing groups and a slash in police budgets, this story is reflective of the times we are living in. But as weary as Manon is, she is determined to seek the truth and bring to justice those who have exploited and ruined lives.

An entertaining and interesting read.

Third in the series of Manon Bradshaw police procedural books.
Current themes of immigration, prejudice, poverty and anger in English communities.
Ma in is working in Cold Cases and struggling with her home life, bringing up her toddler and teenage son.
Gritty, depressing and realistic about managing home and work lives with a bit of humour thrown in.
Recommended for anyone who is looking for something different from the norm.
4 Stars ⭐️
Thanks to Random House and Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in return for a fair review.