The Secrets in Silence

Product Description A hard-hitting, stunning novel about secrets and silence—and how sooner or later the truth must be spokenThere was so much anger brewing in the child that sometimes Alicia feared for all of them. And now she had gone and done this terrible thing. This terrible, terrible thing. Tara has lost her voice. She knows there was pain and fear but she cannot remember anything else. Now she can only answer the questions with silence. Minnie has buried her voice for years, losing herself in silence and isolation, keeping her secrets safe and her broken heart concealed. Liam finds refuge in silence; it is a place to go to when he cannot get the words out. Kate cannot speak for herself just yet. People are only separated from each other by moments, fate, and coincidence. One teenage mistake, one shocking choice, and one terrible night will lead to courage found, voices raised, and the truth finally spoken. Review "Powerful and thought provoking writing with a telling edge of reality."  —Women's Weekly Pick of the Month"If you like knuckle-biting suspense, you will thoroughly enjoy this latest novel from one of the fastest-rising Australian writers of thrillers."  —Ballarat Courier"I loved this book, devouring it in one long lazy afternoon. You will too."  —Geelong Advertiser"If you’re looking for the Australian equivalent of Jodi Picoult, look no further than Nicole Trope, who is making a name for herself as a writer of provocative family dramas with hard-hitting issues at their core." —Hanna Richell, Australian Women’s Weekly About the Author Nicole Trope is a former high school teacher with a Masters Degree in Children's Literature. She is the author of I Ran Away First, The Boy Under the Table, and Three Hours Late. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. The Secrets in SilenceBy Nicole TropeAllen & UnwinCopyright © 2014 Nicole TropeAll rights reserved.ISBN: 978-1-74331-749-5ContentsAutumn, Winter, Spring, Summer, Other books by Nicole Trope, Acknowledgements, CHAPTER 1'Emergency services.''Yes, it's my daughter. I need an ambulance for her. I need an ambulance right now! My daughter is passed out and bleeding. She's bleeding everywhere.''Is she breathing? You can say you don't know?''Um, she's ... is she breathing? Yes, she's breathing, but there's blood everywhere — it's all over the bathroom.''Do you know where the blood is coming from?''I don't — I don't know. It's all over her pants. All over her pants. It's all over the floor. It's everywhere! Jesus, where's it coming from?''Sir, you need to calm down so we can help you.''My wife is a nurse. She says it's from ... where did you say? I don't know! I don't understand! Look, you need to send an ambulance now!''All right, sir. Take a deep breath. An ambulance is on the way. Can you confirm your address for me, please?'CHAPTER 2Minnie turned her body one way and then another, angling herself into the tight cubicle.'There should be a law,' she puffed to herself as she always did. Once she had managed to close the toilet door she stood for a moment and breathed in and out, swallowing the bitter taste of her shame at her unwieldy body. She waited patiently for her racing heart to resume its normal rhythm, dabbing at the sweat on her forehead and upper lip with the ends of her long red scarf. The short walk had brought on a hot flush, making her long for a bath of ice to sink into. She stood quietly until she felt her body calm itself.'Right, let's get this show on the road,' she muttered. She lifted her large bag with slightly trembling arms and hung it on the hook at the back of the door, pleased to find the small metal piece still there. She had no idea why anyone would want to steal the hook off the back of the toilet stall door, but it wasn't the strangest thing she'd ever heard of being stolen.Last year someone had stolen a plant right out of her front garden. It was an orchid and just beginning to bloom. The thi