The Girl Without a Voice is a thriller novel written by Sandra J. Paul, published by Datura Books. A psychological thriller that slowly builds the suspense while experimenting with a dread sensation, a plot partly inspired by true crime stories and a main character searching the truth while confronting her fears, discovering a total new world for her.

Alice, a 22-year-old woman, was born mute; her parents kept her isolated in their home, without a connection to the real world outside of books and soap operas. At her father's bedside (as he's dying from cancer), during his agony, she discovers that he might have been a serial killer; together with her neighbour Hayley, her first human contact outside of her family, she will start an investigative journey while trying to confront her fears and the real world, trying to tie the knots that connect his father with mysterious disappearances.

With Alice in the spotlight, we have a rather interesting and brave main character; one that is discovering the world at her 22 years, but also having to confront the reality that her parents have lied her all her life, almost abusing her to keep her tied to them. A reality that also brings her panic and anxiety, but in that regard is where Hayley enters. Her door to reality, but also the balance for those moments when everything is too much over Alice; she has her own motivations, but between our two characters a nice relationship is established.

Using a small town in the 1980s as the setting is a suitable choice; a start for what it is a big journey for the characters. During the novel, we can see how, among the thriller, Paul deals with themes such as trauma, healing and isolation; the weight of past wounds over the soul.
The pacing is fast, making you easily devour this book.

If you like psychological thrillers and true crime, The Girl Without a Voice is the perfect summer read for you; a smart and fast-paced novel with a fascinating main character.