Doug Johnstone – The Great Silence

‘The Great Silence’ by Doug Johnstone is the much-anticipated third instalment in the addictive, unforgettable Skelfs series. A series that is darkly funny, tense and so engrossing.

We are back with the Skelf women and the family funeral director business along with the private investigation business is not a simple job. Dorothy, the matriarch of the family finds a human foot as she is walking the dog, it brings with it a complex case as well as potentially deadly results. Daughter Jenny and granddaughter Hannah have their hands full too: The mysterious circumstances of a dying woman lead them into an unexpected family drama, Hannah’s new astrophysicist colleague claims he’s receiving messages from outer space, and the Skelfs’ teenaged lodger has yet another devastating experience.

Nothing is clear as the women are immersed ever deeper in their most challenging cases yet. But when the daughter of Jenny’s violent and fugitive ex-husband goes missing without a trace and a wild animal is spotted roaming Edinburgh’s parks, real danger presents itself, and all three Skelfs are in peril.

I have loved the Skelfs since I read The Big Chill and since then have caught up with the series. They are books that can be read as standalone but I have an almost obsession-like need to read the full set. These women are like no other. They are so determined and they have a brilliant relationship with each other. I love the fact that they need no males to make a success of themselves, they are so fierce I just love them all for that! It does make these books stand out (along with the dark humour of course).

Doug Johnstone has created a story that covers many subjects with the multiple threads that run through it. He has the knack of bringing plenty of different themes within his books so everyone has something they can relate to. We are on a journey with the Skelfs and we are privy to the dangers they are up against as well as the emotions that run through this book. Loss, love, grief, loneliness, all these and more are touched on and explored throughout his books.

A unique series that I am utterly grateful to be able to feel like I am a part of through Doug Johnstone’s magnificent writing.

Thanks to Anne Cater and Orenda Books for the copy of the book.