This is the latest outing for Manon Bradshaw, and addresses some difficult subjects, labour brought in from East Europe and living in slave-like conditions, far right racism.
Manon is working on cold cases after returning from maternity leave, and is desperate to get back to a proper investigation, rather than face the daunting task of running a house and looking after a toddler. She gets her chance when she discovers the body of a Lithuanian migrant worker hanging in a tree.
I enjoyed some of the book, the background and motives of the Lithuanians coming here in the hope of a better life, was very well drawn, as was the conditions they had to endure. Also the daughter of the far-right leader, who wanted to help them was a very believable character.
I found Manon a problem – there were so many diversions, which didn’t really help the plot – her friend’s unfaithful husband, lazy Nigel at work (not sure of the point of him), Fly’s problems at school, various domestic crises, which just muddied the plot.

All in all, it was a good read, but not her best.

Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction for the opportunity to read this book.

Your world feels like it's is falling apart and new anxieties creep in hourly but work has to be prioritised, murders continue and life must go on. Manon is the ultimate characterisation of the middle aged working mother carying the weight of the world in her handbag and carrying on regardless. A fascinating and compelling story exploring very current people trafficking and societal change issues.

The body of a young migrant is found hanging from a tree. No signs of struggle. No indication that it is anything other than a tragic suicide. Except for a note, pinned to his trousers, that reads ‘The dead cannot speak’. A murder investigation begins with DI Manon Bradshaw at the helm. But with the other migrants unwilling to speak, and protests on the streets, hatred is starting to drown out the facts. Can Manon uncover the truth before it happens again?

I adore Manon Bradshaw, she is one of my favourite character creations of recent years and so far I have thoroughly enjoyed her series. Unfortunately this was different. I found this boring, lacking sparkle and missing action, it just did not seem to fit in with other Manon books.

We start quite strong but I soon felt the plot was lost to events happening in Manon's personal life, the plot was swallowed up by this. I persevered with the read, hoping things would improve, but for me, they sadly did not. The plot lacked twists or anything of interest really, I thought it was quite straight-forward and not as gripping as I was hoping for. I just did not find this plot to be particularly engaging or interesting.

I have mentioned Manon's personal life playing a major part in this read and to this I now return. Manon, Mark and their family are a great little creation and in this read, Steiner has them reflect a very sad aspect of her own life. Does it work for entertainment purposes? No, but then it should not do, it does endear the reader to them more and shows that they are all only human.

'Remain Silent' was a disappointment for me, I did not find this to be gripping or entertaining. However, I did enjoy being back with Manon.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for an advance copy.

This book is magnificent. It should be thrust into the hands of anyone who ever says, ‘Ahh, it’s JUST genre fiction.’ On the bones of a very solid and satisfying police procedural is built an earthy and honest tragedy, laced with comedy and insight into the mess that is modern life, humanity, relationships and society. The novel highlights and brings to life the painful truths about people trafficking and everyday racism that lie behind the headlines and placards. By taking us into the heads of individuals living the daily reality, it avoids easy platitudes about good and bad, right and wrong, to show the full ugly mess of lives destroyed by prejudice and exploitation. The situation and every one of the characters is achingly real - and Manon is the most fabulously real of all. (I want her to be my best friend.) The writing is beautiful and clever, using just the right words to put you right there. Whilst shining a spotlight on so much that is crap about humanity and the world, it leaves you hopeful.

The latest offering in the Manon Bradshaw is heavy on unhappiness - that of Manon regarding her relationship and age; of some members of society towards immigrants and of the afore-mentioned immigrants in the lives they led before and the lives they have now.

The narrative is conveyed from multiple characters’ viewpoints, which creates depth and empathy. The feelings of frustration and stagnation emanate from the page at times, making the reader sympathise with most characters and their plights.

Steiner wrote this novel at a time of deep personal worry, and her feelings of helplessness pervade. It is an enjoyable book and is recommended.

This book deals with an important contemporary issue,the exploitation of immigrant workers. In that regard,it has a theme which could be compelling and that story line is dealt with convincingly. The lead detective,Manon,has a dysfunctional present and past life,the details of which keep popping up as a distraction from the main story. Then again we are treated to the details of one of her friend's separation from her philandering husband. It is not part of the main story and is an irrelevant distraction. If this book was pared down to telling the real story,it would be an engrossing read. As it is,without that editing,it is too full of irrelevant page filling. That is a missed opportunity.

Great to be back in the cynical, black-humoured company of Manon Bradshaw. She tells it as is it, leaves no details unspoken and through the awfulness of modern society and criminal activity, still finds humour and compassion. There were passages of this book about modern-day slaves from Lithuania that were difficult to read and it all turned out quite differently from what I expected but the characterisation is excellent and the tale very relevant. The setting being my own patch makes it even interesting. Fingers crossed tightly that we get more in this series, thoughts and best wishes go to Susie Steiner.

I love the character of DI Manon Bradshaw. She’s normal. She makes mistakes, has rows and has a chaotic family life to deal with on top of her police work. Remain silent was a thrilling read as a crime novel, but also highlighted so much about relationships and how to cope with adversity. The descriptions of the appalling work and living conditions of the Lithuanians were harrowing and made the reader reflect on how such practices can take place. A great read which I’d thoroughly recommend.

This gripping and well written novel is the third in the brilliant DI Manon Bradshaw series. Shockingly, while out in a country park with her young son Teddy, Manon finds a man hanging from a tree. This proves to be Lukas Balsys, a Lithuanian migrant worker, whose gang master Edikas is brutal. Is it suicide or murder? Detective Chief Superintendent Glenda McBain(ofherlife) instructs Manon to find out. The ensuing investigation is a very challenging one as Manon struggles with some personal issues and demons.

First of all, Manon! I just love her and I’m contemplating remodelling myself and channeling her she actually says the things that on occasion I’d dearly love to!!😂. She’s funny, so funny, loyal, very good at her job though she doubting herself and is feeling somewhat bleak, she doesn’t tolerate fools, she’s loose lipped, wide hipped, a bit misanthropic, ambivalent, impatient and so darned entertaining and never, ever dull!!! As a lead character I think she’s one of the best and I love the banter with DS Davy Walker who is another terrific character. The rest of the team are excellently crafted even Glenda McDifferentAgenda, who is a brilliant foil for Manon. Mark, her partner, son Fly (divine) and son Teddy (utterly gorgeous) are fabulous too.

The setting of the East Anglian Fens is so appropriate for this relevant inquiry. The big moody, atmospheric skies of this fertile, flat landscape matches the tone of this investigation into this dreadfully exploited, abused Lithuanian gang of workers with their crazy long hours of backbreaking work with zero hour contracts and below minimum wage. Everyone who reads this should feel anger and shame. The writing is gritty and doesn’t hang back as it shouldn’t. There are twists and turns as the team alongside the Fenland Exploitation Team and the desperate situation they uncover is peppered with Manon humour. The Bradshaw School of Motoring Etiquette for instance, is hilarious and I think the humour is very cleverly used as when you read the awfulness they find it forces a sharp intake of breath.

Overall, another brilliant book from the amazing Susie Steiner and just like the previous two books, I could barely tear myself away from this one. Highly recommended.

With very big thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the privilege of the ARC.

This is the third book in the Manon Bradshaw series and now we find her married with a twp year old son and her adopted son. She is now working for the Cambridge Police Force in the cold case department. This is a much easier, part-time role which suits her domestic situation. Bliss! But is it? Manon is struggling with the reality of her situation; it isn’t easy to manage work, domestic chores, caring for a young child and she is struggling with her relationship. Mark just doesn’t seem committed.

Manon is in the park with her baby son when she discovers a man hanging from a tree. He was a Lithuanian immigrant but the note pinned to his trousers clearly indicates that this was not a suicide but a murder and Manon soon finds herself involved in the investigation.

I love the character Manon, but I am somewhat uncomfortable about the changes in her personality in this plot. She seems to be much less confident, full of doubts and I suspect what is bothering me is that it is perhaps an indication of many women in her situation – juggling with life-work balance – added to which her husband is ill – and she must be all things to all people, particularly in relationship to her job.

The issues surrounding the exploitation of the immigrants working in the UK were well handled and interesting, leaving me with a simmering anger and bewilderment of how people can treat each other this way.

All in all a very satisfying book.

Thank you to the author, publishers and NetGalley for providing an ARC via my Kindle in return for an honest review.

I remember thoroughly enjoying the 1st book in this series so I was delighted to find a 3rd had been written. Manon is still a wonderful character. The Lithuanian storyline is truly well written and it breaks my heart to think that this really goes on. I only wish Manon were real.

DI Manon Bradshaw is a brilliantly created character: middle-aged, carrying extra pounds, knackered and horribly self-critical. Readers of her generation will certainly relate to her daily niggles and concerns. However, with the aging process comes the confidence to speak out more at work, to highlight crazy bureaucracy and hypocrisies – and she’s very funny too! At home Manon’s going through another sort of mid-life crisis. Does she still love her partner, Mark; is this all there is til death us do part? And then the possibility of death arises and Manon has never felt more desperate to be with him.
Whilst Manon is very much at the centre of this novel, Susie Steiner’s latest police procedural deals with important topical issues. ‘Remain Silent’ exposes the dreadful living conditions of imported agricultural workers who are no more than slaves. The police are keen to arrest their gang masters but the latter are so ruthless that the labourers are terrified into silence. Set in the Fens, it is easy to imagine that the descriptions Steiner gives us are very close to reality. And the rise of nationalism, hand in hand with outright racism, produces some very ugly scenes on the streets of Wisbech. Steiner’s epigraph is a quotation from The Times of 1853 which hails the UK as ‘the asylum of nations and it will defend that asylum to the last ounce of its treasure and last drop of its blood.’ How very sad that not everyone thinks like this anymore.
This novel should appeal to a wide audience. Steiner’s assured plotting ensures that those keen to be hooked by a ‘whodunnit’ are led down a variety of paths before the final reveal. Those who enjoy strong, realistic female characters need look no further than Manon and anyone who has wondered who takes on all the back-breaking jobs that no one else wants, and at what cost, will learn much from this story. And then there’s the Acknowledgements. It’s unnerving to see that the theme of loss that runs through the novel continues into the author’s life. Rather like Manon, Steiner is currently in a position where the future looks uncertain. Heart-breaking.
My thanks to NetGalley and The Borough Press for a copy of this novel in exchange for a fair review.

DibManon Bradshaw is back third in the series. Another fantastic book in the series a book that kept me up way too late couldn’t put down.Already looking. forward to next in the series.#netgalley#harpericollinsuk

Sadly I really wanted to like this book but I struggled to actually finish it. I liked Manon and Davy but the rest were almost surplus. A very topical subject.

Absolutely brilliant, the best book so far in this wonderful series! If you haven't discovered DI Manon Bradshaw, you are missing out!

Given the recent news re immigrants this book rings true

Going back to work part time in a cold case department Manon Bradshaw is not quite prepared for what she is theown into after discovering a body hanging from a tree

Quite hard to get into at first but preserve and your in for a gripping read

I have loved both of the previous books in this series, and this did not disappoint one iota. An excellent who dun it, together with Mason Bradshaws uniqueness throughout

I just hope that Susie regains her health and is able to delight us with another instalment

I struggled with this one and it took me days longer than usual to get through it. I’m not quite sure why , the story was well enough written, but it just didn’t grab my attention. I found the pace too slow. It did have an interesting storyline re the exploitation of immigrant workers.

This is the third book in the excellent DI Manon Bradshaw series and it doesn't disappoint. If you have followed the series from the start, this is as cleverly plotted and engaging as you would hope.

The story opens with the death of a Lithuanian man in the town of Wisbech. DI Manon Bradshaw and her team are called in to investigate, but start to uncover something even more chilling. As they start to look deeper into the people trafficking among the town's Lithuanian community, they encounter the racism and intolerance of a divided nation.

The reason this is 4 stars for me rather than 5 is that it is so depressingly current. Everything wrong with modern Britain is here (I rather suspect I am in tune with the author's thoughts on matters here): the Nigel Farage-a-like whipping up anti-immigration feeling, the media bias, the divisions caused by Brexit, the rise of UKIP and the like... It's all just too raw. Add in the idea of people trafficking after the recent terrible deaths of the Vietnamese people in the news and it's all too much. Current and relevant but uncomfortable.

However, it's well written as usual and Manon is a very engaging and likeable character. The plot unfolds beautifully and there are lots of supporting characters who bring variety and interest to the novel. The story is bleak, but it will also keep you reading long into the night.

If you haven't read any of these books before, I'd really recommend that you start at the beginning of the series as there is a lot of back story that you do really need to fully appreciate this. Read and enjoy!

Another decent instalment in this well established series. Whilst it's unique and funny to have insight into Manon' s thought processes I would prefer slightly more focus on the case and characters involved.
Best of luck and best wishes to the author