STORY SUMMARY
Louise Manson (a.k.a. Lou) is a new student at Highfield School. It's a private all girls school in Dublin, Ireland. It's the most exclusive private school in Dublin. Most of the girls who attend, are very wealthy. Lou tells everyone she is on a scholarship as that is what her Mam told her. She is being raised by Mam (Rose) who is a single mother, and an alcoholic. Lou has never known her biological father. They have a small home that is often chaotic, messy and smells of alcohol. When her mother works, it's as a waitress/bartender at local pub. Lou works there part time sometimes too to help make ends meet.
Even though Highfield is Catholic, run by nuns, and is very ornate and proper, there are secrets in this school. And Lou has come to expose it.
Earlier in the calendar year, her very best friend, Tina commited suicide. Tina was pregnant. She was being sexually abused by the swim coach whom the entire school community respects and loves. Even the city folk know of Maurice McQueen and his award winning swim team. But what they don't know is that he has been grooming girls for years.....and getting away with it. Now Lou is determined to expose McQueen.
Lou comes from a working class family so this makes her an outsider at Highfield. But she soon befriends a few beautiful and wealthy classmates. One of those girls is Shauna Powers and Lou has a "crush" on her. Shauna is the star of the swim team and McQueen has some kind of power over her. Lou is determined to get to the truth. Meanwhile, McQueen notices Lou and suggests she try out for the hockey team. She does and she makes it. However, it comes with strings attached and a weekly ride from McQueen who tries his moves on Lou. When Lou discloses to the prinicpal of the school, she is shunned and not believed.
To make matter worse, a disaster happens with Lou, Shauna and McQueen and McQueen ends up dead. Who really killed him? and.....
Will she ever break this odd silence over this community?
Fast forward to 30 years later and Lou gets a shocking phone call from a high profile lawyer named Ronan who just happens to be Shauna's younger brother. He's bringing a lawsuit against Highfield with a case involving a 14 year old boy named Josh. And Ronan needs Lou to testify.
Lou will have to confront her past and she will finally discover what really happened at Highfield.
MY THOUGHTS
This book was very compelling and believable and it made me uncomfortable in spots due to the staff and community..even the police...not believing Lou or other girls who had tried to disclose McQueen's abuse.
The main themes in this plot are secrets/betrayal; grooming and sexual abuse of a minor; pedophilia; retribution; exploitation; privilege; single parenthood, same sex marriage, same sex relationships; alcoholism; mother-daughter relationship; friendship; perseverance; forgiveness and hope.
The characters are very believable and well developed.
The story moves quickly from past to present. There are 5 Parts to this book. Each part has a few chapters and is either Past or Present. It's very easy to keep track of each character as well.
The overall plot is fast and easy to read.
The only thing I did not like about this book is the over use of the "F" word and the taking the Lord's name in vain...using Jesus' name as a swear phrase. That does not jive with me nor is it necessary. This always shows me that the author just doesn't care to find synonyms to replace the crass and offensive words. I don't have a problem with an occasional f word to set up a character's character but this was a lot and I find it deplorable.
This would be a perfect 10 if not for that. There were also a few editing errors.
There were a couple of good quotes that jumped out at me:
"Silence falls across the hall as she leads us in prayer, our reverence as mechanical as our refrain. It's an illusion of control, the power the Church has over our lives. No matter how much they try to threaten and shame us, you can't stop teenagers being themselves. Sometimes the more you have to rebel against, the harder you push." (pg 32, When We Were Silent by Fiona McPhillips c. 2024).
"It's very easy to be an idealist when you never have to make any of the big decisions." (pg 76)
"In the end, we're the ones who have to live with the stories we tell ourselves. This is mine." (pg 307)
This book contains some content that could be triggering for certain people (see the themes above).
In my opinion, this book is appropriate for ages 17 and older (Due to mature content).
On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest, I rate this an 8.
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