Assessment:
Plot/Idea: A Kind of Hush conveys the grief of a family’s tragic misfortune with great tenderness, but the forward momentum is blunted by a focus on day-to-day activities rather than forensic details pertinent to the novel's central mystery. When daughter Willa conveys a stunning revelation in a Wattpad story, the two prime suspects in the case quickly become red herrings, leaving readers with a sense of subtle disappointment over the time spent analyzing their involvement.
Prose: Neathery's prose is highly readable, with ample time for the relationships between the characters to be understood and developed over the course of the story. Long passages of extraneous exposition detract from the tension, and side plots—like the interlude when Kurtz spends time with the Jones family while in hiding—sometimes slow the action.
Originality: A Kind of Hush hosts a fascinating central mystery that will prove absorbing for readers. However, the work never seems to pin down its genre—missing details of the police investigation crucial to a mystery, while giving too much detail about people, places, and everyday activities which prevent a deeper emotional resonance one might expect in a family drama.
Character/Execution: Characters are well rounded, and Neathery allows them plenty of time to interact and develop emotionally, though not always with fruitful results. The dialogue, used as a conduit to dispense details, sometimes leans toward an overly formal tone.
Date Submitted: April 01, 2024
Assessment:
Plot/Idea: The "whodunit" element of this story takes over the narrative that begins as a nuanced examination of character psychology. Though the story moves at a steady clip, it can seem to be more focused on drama than actually understanding the roots of said drama and trauma.
Prose: Overtelling can dampen the otherwise convincing interactions and dialogue. The work would benefit from a lighter touch in this respect. Overall, the prose keeps the story going, but is flat concerned with merely character (inter)action.
Originality: Dysfunctional families are a cornerstone of literature, and the sudden loss of a parent can have real implications. Here, family dynamics and relations are moving and compelling, but not as subtle or investigated as they could be.
Character Development/Execution: Characters can sometimes come across as stiff and merely there to fulfill a function. This causes them to be less realistic and harder to sympathize with and relate to.
Date Submitted: August 05, 2022
"A Kind of Hush is about a moment in time that changes a family forever, surrounding it in tragedy, mystery, and unspoken challenges. Its special brand of intrigue and soul-searching engages readers from the beginning. With its compelling notes of crisis hidden pain, and discovery (the novel) winds through a circle of lives connected by perceptions, decisions, and change, bringing with it a breath of fresh air as it follows each character's journey towards a different life even as they hunger to return to the life they once had."
"This family drama is steeped in suspense, but its likable cast of characters is its main draw. Over the course of this book, Neathery immerses the reader in her world with lush metaphors and vivid descriptions. She is particularly deft at capturing the conflicting, layered emotions of grief and heartache while simultaneously weaving a fast-paced mystery into this narrative fabric. Readers will always find themselves rooting for the Mackie family members as they seek happiness."
A Kind of Hush was one of five finalists in the highly contested mystery category in the 2022 National Indie Excellent Awards contest.
