Book Review: Out of the Silence by Owen Mullen

Available here

McIlvanny Crime book of the year 2017 long-listed author, Owen Mullen may be better known for his gritty PI Charlie Cameron series or his psychological thriller In Harm's Way, but I suspect that Out of the Silence will become his best known and most highly acclaimed novel to date. 

Set in Pakistan moving between rural villages and Lahore, it is one of those books that really does transport you to another country, another culture, a different way of life ... and it does so with sensitivity and aplomb. 

It is one book that I won't forget in a hurry, that's for sure.









The Blurb 

Star investigative reporter Ralph Buchanan’s glory days are behind him. His newspaper has banished him abroad, not knowing the greatest moment of his long career is waiting for him there.

When Simone Jasnin asks him to help expose a grave injustice, he finds himself embroiled in a harrowing tale that began in a dusty rural settlement, setting in motion a chain of events that will change the lives of everyone involved.

Seven years later, members of a prominent family are being brutally murdered one by one. The only clue is a hand-carved wooden bangle left at the scene of each crime.

As the list of suspects grows and the tension mounts, Ralph realises the answers might be closer to home than he ever thought possible.

Solving the mystery will put him back on top but at what cost?

Only when the smoke clears will the killing stop and honour be satisfied…

My thoughts

Owen Mullen tells a story that could be told a thousand times over ... and surely should be told a thousand times over until there is no need for such stories. Out of the Silence  is one of those rare novels that changes perspectives, challenges the way we think and allows normal ordinary people to choose whether to rise to the occasion or fall by the wayside. 

By using two parallel dual timelines, Mullen allows the reader access to both the tragedy of the failed reporter Ralph Buchanan's life to date and the series of events that lead to Afra's needless and horrific death. 
These two narratives expose many stark differences that are pivotal to the story. The difference between the Western reporters life of excess and the village children's simple lives of hard work and innocent friendships. The way the disenfranchised are so easily ignored, the fact that necessity often results in flawed decisions being made. 

Without giving too much of this beautifully crafted story away - it's too good it needs to be experienced without any spoilers - I was in awe of the many complex relationships Mullen managed to portray. Sure there were those that were unhealthy in the extreme - ones that's sheer toxicity was almost tangible but, juxtaposing those there were others that were beautiful and restorative in nature - ones that made me smile, even though I was moved to tears on more than one occasion (Hands up though- I am a crier at the best of times).  

The underlying theme of the power of love and loyalty, and friendship was explored so delicately in and among the horror of the murders that it felt like a warm cloak, even when dark things were happening. In so many ways I was reminded of the powerful film Lion as Mullen manages to traverse the minefield between exposing the injustice of a political system that offers little protection for those who need it and celebrating the heartwarming passion of a country's people. 

 Mullen captured the contrast between rural Pakistan and the cultural city of Lahore. I could almost hear the hustle and bustle of the busy city and feel the warm earth on my bare feet in the village scenes. 
By the end of Out of the Silence you will be questioning all you think about love and friendship, revenge and justice, right and wrong. Beautifully written, poignant and very relevant - I bloody loved it. 

  

This is an easy 5 whopping big stars from me.