Such a Quiet Place is the first novel by Megan Miranda that I have read. I would definitely read another based on the level of my enjoyment.
The story is set in Hollow’s Edge, a quiet and seemingly idyllic neighbourhood where everyone looks out for each other, until they don’t. Two years ago a reserved couple, Brandon and Fiona Truett, were found dead, and Ruby Fletcher, a resident of Hollow’s Edge was convicted of their murder and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Just 14 months later however, Ruby is back, freed after doubt was cast on some of the evidence, but just why has she returned?
This is a slow burn of a novel, a great example of character study, with the first half of the book introducing the reader to all the inhabitants of Hollow’s Edge. Narrated solely by Harper Nash, who used to share her house with Ruby, we learn how at the time of the Truett’s deaths the neighbours closed ranks so that everyone, or almost everyone, was protected.
With the return of Ruby to Harper’s house, there is much to be revealed about what happened on the night of the deaths. The neighbours are suspicious of Ruby’s return, fearful of what it means. Throughout the book, the reader is given glimpses of the neighbourhood message board; this makes it clear that there is much that has been hidden over the years, and that some people are covering up the truth.
About halfway through the book, events begin to move swifter following the annual 4th July party, where the plot takes an unexpected turn. It becomes more of a crime thriller at this point, but with Harper as the detective rather than the actual police force, who are depicted as being rather ineffectual. Although I enjoyed the slow burn to the start of the novel, the second half is more fun, being full of red herrings, erratic behaviour from some of the community, and surprising revelations. The denouement, when it came, both surprised and pleased me. I have often worked out ‘whodunnit’ in crime novels without trying to, but this one kept me guessing until the end.
As well as proving to be a satisfying murder mystery, Such a Quiet Place also exists as a social commentary; examining herd mentality within a close community, the power of the ‘Queen Bee’ over the actions of others, and the social hierarchy within such a neighbourhood.
Overall, this is a well crafted crime novel with complex and believable characters, a convincing plot and a satisfying conclusion.
The story is set in Hollow’s Edge, a quiet and seemingly idyllic neighbourhood where everyone looks out for each other, until they don’t. Two years ago a reserved couple, Brandon and Fiona Truett, were found dead, and Ruby Fletcher, a resident of Hollow’s Edge was convicted of their murder and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Just 14 months later however, Ruby is back, freed after doubt was cast on some of the evidence, but just why has she returned?
This is a slow burn of a novel, a great example of character study, with the first half of the book introducing the reader to all the inhabitants of Hollow’s Edge. Narrated solely by Harper Nash, who used to share her house with Ruby, we learn how at the time of the Truett’s deaths the neighbours closed ranks so that everyone, or almost everyone, was protected.
With the return of Ruby to Harper’s house, there is much to be revealed about what happened on the night of the deaths. The neighbours are suspicious of Ruby’s return, fearful of what it means. Throughout the book, the reader is given glimpses of the neighbourhood message board; this makes it clear that there is much that has been hidden over the years, and that some people are covering up the truth.
About halfway through the book, events begin to move swifter following the annual 4th July party, where the plot takes an unexpected turn. It becomes more of a crime thriller at this point, but with Harper as the detective rather than the actual police force, who are depicted as being rather ineffectual. Although I enjoyed the slow burn to the start of the novel, the second half is more fun, being full of red herrings, erratic behaviour from some of the community, and surprising revelations. The denouement, when it came, both surprised and pleased me. I have often worked out ‘whodunnit’ in crime novels without trying to, but this one kept me guessing until the end.
As well as proving to be a satisfying murder mystery, Such a Quiet Place also exists as a social commentary; examining herd mentality within a close community, the power of the ‘Queen Bee’ over the actions of others, and the social hierarchy within such a neighbourhood.
Overall, this is a well crafted crime novel with complex and believable characters, a convincing plot and a satisfying conclusion.