Author: Jordan Sawyer
Publisher: St Martin's Press / Minotaur Books
Publication Date: January 12, 2027
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
I went into Speechless expecting a clever premise, and I got one with staying power.
Leah Andrews is a communication facilitator who helps brain-damaged people type out the words trapped in their heads. Her newest client is Eliot, who has been in a vegetative state since a fall down a marble staircase. When he finally produces a message of his own, HELP ME, Leah begins to suspect his accident was no accident, and each new message is more chilling than the last.
The book is a little slow to start, but it picks up speed. It intertwines two stories: Leah helping Eliot find his voice and uncovering the truth behind his fall, and the backstory of Leah’s breakup and how she came to this new career. I saw the big twist coming as the stories progressed, but the final twist tied up the loose ends and felt satisfying.
I had trouble really rooting for any of the characters, since they all seem flawed and twisted. That fits a psychological thriller but it kept me at arm’s length emotionally. Overall, though. Speechless is a decent read with a high-concept hook and a satisfying payoff. I’d recommend it to fans of twisty psychological suspense.
A big thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
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