The Usual Silence, Arles Shepherd Thriller Book 1 By Jenny Milchman

In Jenny Milchman's gripping novel, psychologist Arles Shepherd confronts her haunting childhood trauma while striving to help troubled children at her newly established treatment center in the remote Adirondacks. One patient, a mute ten-year-old boy, captivates her as she seeks to unlock the silence surrounding his past, unaware that her own buried memories are intricately linked to his. Meanwhile, Cass Monroe grapples with a parent's worst nightmare: his twelve-year-old daughter has vanished without a trace, leaving him desperate and heartbroken. With the police stymied and his own health deteriorating, Cass turns to true-crime podcasters in hopes of finding answers. As Arles, Cass, and the boy's mother, Louise, navigate their intertwined fates, they unwittingly unearth a dark secret that has lingered for a quarter-century. The narrative masterfully intertwines themes of trauma, loss, and the complexities of human connection, revealing how the past can shape and haunt the present. As the story unfolds, the silence that binds these characters together screams louder than words, driving them to confront not only the mysteries surrounding the boy but also the shadows of their own lives. Milchman's lyrical prose and suspenseful storytelling create a chilling atmosphere that explores the depth of grief, the quest for healing, and the transformative power of uncovering buried truths.