Synopsis "In the Absence of Miracles"
A young man discovers a family secret that turns his world upside down in this dark, emotive, shocking psychological thriller ‘Beautiful, lyrical prose takes the reader through a perfectly constructed, often harrowing tale’ Denzil Meyrick ‘Engrossing, hard-hitting – even shocking – with a light poetic frosting. Another superb read!’ Douglas Skelton John Docherty’s mother has just been taken into a nursing home following a massive stroke and she’s unlikely to be able to live independently again. With no other option than to sell the family home, John sets about packing up everything in the house. In sifting through the detritus of his family’s past he’s forced to revisit, and revise his childhood. For in a box, in the attic, he finds undeniable truth that he had a brother who disappeared when he himself was only a toddler. A brother no one ever mentioned. A brother he knew absolutely nothing about. A discovery that sets John on a journey from which he may never recover. For sometimes in that space where memory should reside there is nothing but silence, smoke and ash. And in the absence of truth, in the absence of a miracle, we turn to prayer. And to violence.Shocking, chilling and heartbreakingly emotive, In the Absence of Miracles is domestic noir at its most powerful, and a sensitively wrought portrait of a family whose shameful lies hide the very darkest of secrets. ‘A chilling tale of secrets, lies and the ultimate betrayal’ Theresa Talbot . ‘Emotional. Brave. Dark. Raw. Utterly beautiful’ Louise Beech ‘Challenging and emotional, In the Absence of Miracles enthrals as it corkscrews to a shocking, yet ultimately rewarding end’ LoveReading ‘Malone’s latest is an unsettling, multi-layered and expertly paced domestic noir drama that delves into one family’s dark secrets, shame and lies’ Culture Fly ‘Malone is a poet, there are wonderful lyrical passages here and very skilful storytelling. Some issues are not spoken about enough, Malone raises a couple of those issues and sensitively but realistically addresses them in this novel’ New Books Magazine ‘Moving, chilling, gut-wrenching and completely engrossing. This might be my first Malone book, but it certainly won’t be my last’ Emmas Bookish Corner ‘In The Absence Of Miracles is a breathtakingly good book; powerful yet tender and an emotional master class in how to write about harrowing and difficult issues. An absolute must-read’ Hair Past a Freckle ‘’In The Absence of Miracles’ may be a dark, harrowing and destructive read, yet it is also a compelling, emotive, poignant and relatable story which describes the journey of locked away emotions, hidden agendas, as well as the miracle of learning how to protect yourself, even if you never realised you had to. An incredible read that will stay with me for a long time to come’ The Writing Garnet ‘Domestic noir at its darkest’ Books Life & Everything ‘A very emotional and devastating read. As the story nears its conclusion, you will find your feelings being tossed around like a tennis ball in a tumble dryer … I know I felt richer for having read it. Another brilliant read’ Jen Meds Book Reviews ‘Michael J Malone will capture the heart & soul of many readers with this his latest novel. It is affecting. It is dark. It is disturbing’ Swirl and Thread
