I can’t even put into words how I felt while reading this book. It’s a chilling yet emotional story that truly shows how deep a parent’s love for their children can be. Every new chapter had me on edge, I never knew what they were going to uncover next.

The past in this story is terrifying, and the thought of what might have happened if the truth hadn’t come to light still gives me chills. If it had stayed hidden any longer, I can’t imagine how many more victims there might have been.

I don’t like to compare books, but The Silent Woman gives off a similar vibe to The Wife Upstairs. Still, it has its own world and storyline that, in my opinion, feel more satisfying and complete.

The female lead in this book is incredibly loveable, and honestly, I found myself really enjoying most of the characters. It also serves as a subtle reminder ... sometimes, we need to be careful about who we trust, even within our own family.

I didn’t see the ending coming at all, my guesses were completely off! But I truly loved how the conflicts unfolded and how everything was wrapped up. It was such a satisfying read overall.

So, imagine this — you have your mom and dad, but every night before you go to sleep, there’s another “Mommy” waiting for you inside your closet, sometimes even inviting you to play before bed. Yeah … no thank you. After finishing this book, I’m officially terrified of closets. 😭

Even though this story mainly falls under the horror and mystery genres, it’s surprisingly full of emotional depth. It explores how trust and family dynamics shape a child’s world, especially the role of both parents in a daughter’s growth. There are moments that truly broke my heart and made me think, “How could this even happen?” It’s a reminder that the past always leaves a mark, and eventually, every child deserves to know the truth, no matter how painful it is.

I really love Josh Malerman’s writing style here. There are no clear dialogue tags to show who’s speaking, yet everything feels so vivid and easy to follow. The pacing is fast, the tension never lets up, and the story kept me hooked from beginning to end.

Just one warning though ... do not read this at night. You’ve been warned. 👀📚