Remain Silent has a bit of a feel like it could be an ITV drama. You know, the kind of thing that isn't too heavy or depressing, it manages a few jokes despite the dead body, and every so often there's a little something thrown in to make it Serious with a capital S. And while that's a good summary of what to expect it also undersells it somewhat.

For a start, it's accessible. It's the kind of book you could even give to non-reader friends and be confident they'll not recoil in horror. if you just want a relaxing, simple read, it's here. If you want to put a bit more effort in, you'll find some nice details tucked away for your appreciation.

The characters are realistic. There are no intense backstories to wrestle with. Most of them are exactly as they seem, and there's no forcing substance into characters that don't need them. In fact, that light touch allows the concepts of the book to shine a bit brighter. Marital life and office politics both get a nice wry glance, with an acknowledgement of the, well, resignation, that creeps in.

Most interestingly though, is the book's look at immigration in East Anglia. Steiner's commitment to realism means that she allows characters to be less binary than is often presented in these debates. She doesn't excuse bigotry in any way, but she acknowledges the stresses that many faces these days and the way that can be provoked and directed at a target by certain people. She allows characters to exist between the far right and the far left, and that's healthy. And realistic.

And that's the duality of the book. Superficially it's a light, enjoyable crime story. But scratch the surface and it does offer more. It's a good balance.

Remain Silent (DS Manon Bradshaw #3) by Susie Stiner goodreads review


I got Remain Silent (DS Manon Bradshaw #3) by Susie Stiner, for free from NetGalley for a fair and honest review.

Remain Silent is a police procedeul crime novel, which though set prior to Britain leaving the EU, still has ramifications today about modern day slavery.

With migrant workers crammed into a terraced house living in squalid conditions, doing work without proper Health and safety laws and little pay,

In addtion to this Wisbech has a rightwing group protesting against the migrant workers saying that they are taking jobs from English workers.

When one of the migrant workers is found hanged, with an unusual note DS Bradshaw is brought in from the cold case group to investigate if it is murder or suicide.


I always get a little bit nervous when i read a book that is the 3rd book in the series, as i do like to read the books in order, however this is definitely one of those books that can be read as a standalone novel.


I really enjoyed how the writer, Sussie Stiner, was able to give information on each recurring character which allowed a first time reader like me to catch up on their lives. While I don’t think taking up too much of the book for readers that have already read the books in this series.

Remain Silent is a police procedural novel which takes the reader through the investigation of the crime in a number of ways.

The story is told from a number of peoples perspectives, both those investigating the crime and people who are affected by it. This was easy to follow as the reader as the point of view of the story only changed at the start of a new chapter, with the chapters name being that of the character which the chapter focuses on.

In addition to this there was at least two timelines to the story which were intermingled together, the reader knew what happened most of the time before the police had worked it out, or knew it even happened.

However I felt that while it worked in the story, it took me as a reader a little bit longer to work out where in the timeline of the story I was reading about, even though the change only ever happened at the start of a chapter.

What did work in the book however was the amount of the private life that was covered in the book, as there are times in crime novels, where the private lives of the detectives can take over the story.

This means the book becomes about their social lives rather than the main function of the book, in this case the crime. But what Suzie Stiner did was allow this book to have just enough background story which allowed the reader to understand why the detectives do what they do.

All this Makes Remain Silent by Suzie Stinner The 3rd book in the DS Manon Bradshaw series one of the best police procedural books I I have read in a while.

DI Manon Bradshaw is someone who experiences all the day-to-day hassle of modern life - juggling job with domesticity. Perhaps her personal life is a touch too predominant in this novel but it is nevertheless an enjoyable read. That being said, the grim depiction of the dreadful squalor and work conditions imposed on the Lithuanian immigrants makes for a grim background to murder and suicide Not the best Steiner novel but still a good example of the genre.

I found this very disappointing.

The characters seemed to lack life or maybe they were just to realistic.
I don't know.

I do know I did not enjoy this and found it to be very depressing.

Not for me.

I really enjoyed the previous two books by Susie Steiner and was looking forward to the third novel in the series. I wasn't disappointed. The reason why I enjoy the books so much is because I really like Manon Bradshaw. Not only is this a police procedural, but the insight into Manon's interior life is what I find most entertaining. The thoughts in her head as she makes her way through her day to day life and work really appeals to me. It's not often that this happens in any police procedural. (Elly Griffiths Ruth Galloway is another example I can think of.)
It's what happens in real life; the drudgery of housework, having to care for small children, trying to keep all your ducks in a row whilst having a career.

Manon is having to deal with plenty in her personal life, but at work she's called to a crime scene to find a man hanging from a tree, with a note pinned to him which reads "the dead don't speak".
She discovers the man is a Lithuanian, and from there the story of Matis and Lukas is revealed -.migrant slave labourers who are living an awful life. Manon and Davy begin their investigation which results in a chilling end.

The style of writing puts me in the mind of novels by Belinda Bauer - serious subjects, but written with a dry humour that keeps me hooked throughout.
Looking forward to the next instalment....

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy in return for an honest review.

Enjoyable storyline. Well worth reading. Seems I had read it before and only realised about half way through. Kept reading as it was very good.

A body found hanging in the woods brings DI Manon Bradshaw on as lead in a live potential murder inquiry instead of her usual cold case work. The body quickly leads the detectives to a house full of Lithuanians brought into the UK with the promise of a new life only to be forced to work for gangs in unsafe conditions and at all hours of the day to pay off debts for their journey and substandard accommodation. Debts which only ever seem to go up.

The novel looks at immigration, UKIP supporters (including a very thinly disguised Nigel Farage-esque character), the struggle to get out of poverty, to achieve dreams, depression, and more.

It also examines the midlife crisis of DI Bradshaw as she feels her marriage is stale and struggles to achieve the work-life balance her part-time hours are supposed to offer.

Remain Silent is part of a series, but I didn’t feel that was an issue. Any references to previous books were either subtly done or delivered in a way which didn’t make them stand out from the way character backstory is delivered in a first in series or standalone book.

Unfortunately I really didn’t like the main character. As a 40-something professional and mother myself maybe it’s just too close to the bone, but really I found little that I could recognise in DI Bradshaw’s approach to life, and her approach to work just grated on me.

Overall I found this to be a fairly middle of the road crime novel.

This is the third book in the Manon Bradshaw series and the first for me. I felt I was missing out on the main characters' back stories and relationships, so recommend that you read all three!
The book revolves around the murder/suicide case of a Lithuanian worker. Exploring the horrific world of migrants trapped in an England that many won't recognise. Manon and her team struggle against language barriers, minders and intense fear in their struggle to unravel the case.
Graphic and dark in places, this is a good read with some much needed humour thrown in.

This is crime writing at it's best. Susie Steiner goes from strength to strength with the Bradshaw series.
After a body is found hanging from a tree Bradshaw is moved from her job investigating cold cases to being the SIO in a potential murder investigation.
The story begins with two Lithuanian friends and there journey to the UK and part of the book is narrated by them.
It takes you to the dark side of today's human slavery and how Bradshaw and police partner Davy deal with the case.

I really enjoyed Susie Steiner’s ‘Missing, Presumed’ and was certainly loving the prospect of a DS Manon Bradshaw series. Alas, I somehow missed ‘Persons Unknown’ when all of a sudden ‘Remain Silent’ arrived. I went on to read ‘Remain Silent’, knowing that having missed a book would bother me endlessly, but ultimately knowing that I could always go back and read the missing story (which is exactly what I will do).

I really love Steiner’s ability to portray sensitive topics and struggles, issues themselves that are exceptionally vast and real, but yet balance it with what could be considered the trivial personal battles of DS Manon, with her family struggles, marital questioning, authoritative anguishes and her toil to juggle life and work.

Perhaps this book could be considered a bit depressive, but what it is, is honest. With a touch of brilliant humour, great characters, and an interesting plot to round it off as a great read.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for a review copy.

I thought that Remain Silent was a good read. I struggled to get into it for quiet a while because of the depressing insight into Manon's light that initially overshadowed the actual murder.
The plot was well conceived and set out, though it slowed a little too much for me at times. I did think that the stories overall plot was a good one. I would definitely read more by Susie Steiner.

Remain Silent is the third book featuring DS Manon Bradshaw. I haven't read the previous books so I was a little lost at first but then easily caught up to the characters and their relationships. I thought the story involving immigrants is timely and thought-provoking, and I liked that aspect of the book best. The characters resort to terrible things to survive and their actions have a ripple effect towards others, leading to tragic and shocking circumstances. I really felt for the characters, especially Matis. The inclusion of anti-immigration characters showed them to be worthy antagonists and they provided some really tense scenes. The book handles xenophobia and racism in a stark, unflinching way.

While I liked the core mystery, I wasn't enamoured by Bradshaw and the other detectives. I found Bradshaw's voice hard to warm up to and her personal life takes a lot of space. There's a side storyline involving Davy, whose main problem is deciding whether to sleep with another co-worker while feeling guilty about his fiancee. I really didn't care about his story and I kept wanting to go back to the immigrants. This isn't a feel-good book by any means and I can see it appealing to readers who prefer their thrillers gritty and realistic.

I didn't take to this book at first, it is set in the fens in Eastern England and the victim is a Lithuanian, lured by the promise of a good job in the Uk, but trapped in what amounts to slavery. Reading about living conditions and the treatment of these workers is grim though as the book progresses, the author does address the discrimination political situation and the hopelessness of the situation of these economic migrants and the uprise of protest in this region.
It also took me a while to warm to the detectives., Manon, the main detective, is middle aged and bogged down by family life and responsibilities, Her co-worker Davy also has relationship problems . As the book moved on, I grew to like both of these characters more. I found their boss, Glenda, was poorly portrayed. This may be because I have not read the other books of the series. Some of the personal detail of their lives, and conversations seemed a little superfluous. i did like the descriptions of Lithuania and the side stories there added depth to the story.
I will look out for more from this author and will try to read the other parts of this series
Thank you to net galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review . Not an easy read, but plenty of food for thought now that I have finished

I really enjoyed this, I hadn't read any other books in the series but that wasn't a problem. A good plot very entertaining

I have read Steiner's previous books, and enjoyed them. However, if I really didn't enjoy this one. If I hadn't of known it was a Susie Steiner book I certainly wouldn't have guessed.
The subject matter was dull, and the pacing was super slow.
I really just couldn't get into this book.
Not for me

Police procedurals can be challenging reads, as they demand from the reader the knowledge of the relevant police officer’s backstory and character. Happily, Steiner’s latest novel is one that is so compelling that it can also be read as a stand-alone book. At the beginning of the novel, Steiner’s fictional detective, Manon Bradshaw, plans to continue her work in the Cambridgeshire cold cases division. Dealing with a disintegrating marriage and two sons with a big age gap, Manon is tired of the complexities of life. When Manon and her son go for a walk and come across the body of a Lithuanian immigrant, as well as a mysterious written note, she is determined to live no stone unturned to find out whether murder or suicide lie at the heart of this tragedy. As Manon’s life picks up even more pace and she is drawn deeper into the case, it soon becomes clear that this will be no easy investigation.
Written in a fast-paced, accomplished style, Steiner’s latest novel must be a long-awaited sequel for fans of her work but would serve equally well as an introduction to her work. I am grateful to the publishers and NetGalley for the free ARC provided in exchange for this honest and unbiased review.

Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins UK for the copy of this book.
I must say that I absolutely loved the book. The characters were so believable and I was blown away by the storyline. The research that must have gone into the subject was amazing. We all overlook the plight of the immigrants that carryout these menial jobs that we do not want to do and the way these people were treated was an eye opener.
Will certainly be looking out for more books by Susie Steiner as I understand that there are more books that feature Mahon.

Fantastic story, very well written and I really enjoyed! Thank you to net galley for allowing me to read this early!

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC
This book is well written and good characterisation but I did find it hard to get into. I wasn't overly keen on Manon. I found her a bit whiny. However. a lot of important issues are raised which is good but it does make for some tough reading at times-a combination of slow pace and subject.
This is the first book from this author that I have read and I think I will give others a go

The Fens. Immigrants working the land. The work and conditions are brutal.
A body is found hanging from a tree. Is it suicide or is there more to it? No-one wants to give answers but someone needs to talk.
DI Manon Bradshaw is in charge of the case, but her private life is hectic and she works part time. She needs to find out the truth before more people die.