Walls of Silence by Susan N. Swann
Susan N. Swann is no stranger to the world of writing. But while her previous novel, Angels in the Fog, told the heartrending wartime story of four siblings and their struggles in the Pacific theater of World War II, her newest book is something else entirely. Described as her first foray into romantic thrillers — and the mind of a killer — Walls of Silence is a gripping tale of a woman torn between tradition and a manipulative, abusive husband.
Paradise Hills is a small town in the Texas Hill Country where the local residents love to chatter. Prominent in the tight-knit community are Annie Kingman, landed Texas gentry, and her husband Frank Graves, a narcissistic local attorney.
Enter Kent Winder: a guarded and broken man who moves from California to the Texas Hill Country after his life on the Coast fell apart. He and Annie connect in unexpected ways — but when her father dies under suspicious circumstances, Annie is thrown into the investigation and struggles with who she is and what she wants.
In this Q&A, Swann reveals behind-the-scenes insight into her process, as well as what she hopes readers will take away from Walls of Silence.
Q: Walls of Silence is your introduction into the world of romantic thrillers. What inspired you to explore this new genre?
A: I was inspired to explore this new genre by several women I knew who kept going in spite of it all. The lucky ones found true love in the middle of absolute chaos in their personal lives.
Q: Tell us a bit about Annie Kingman, your main protagonist — a character described as being “torn between tradition and a manipulative, abusive husband” in a small-town ranching community. How does she try to navigate her unfortunate circumstances?
A: Annie’s life is a story of the stark contrast been public personas and private realities, terrifying hidden secrets and personal resilience. The best way to discover how she navigates through it all is to read the story.
Q: How exactly did you get into the mind of a killer for this novel?
A: I actually got into the mind of a killer by meeting with a professional criminologist. He was helpful in helping me craft the villain and uncovering his motivations.
Q: Do you find that your background in clinical psychology helped you during the writing process?
A: My background in clinical psychology was very useful when it came to writing about narcissism, gaslighting and ways to heal.
Q: What do you hope readers enjoy about Walls of Silence?
A: I hope readers will enjoy both the way justice is served, and how love and community can enrich our lives.
Q: Is there anything you can share with us about your next project?
A: Walls of Silence has a smart, determined and persistent personal investigator. I’m considering carrying her into my next book.
Susan N. Swann graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in English and taught English literature to high school students for 7 years. She completed a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology at Pepperdine University. She is both a proud mother and grandmother and a member of the Atlanta Writer’s Club.
Visit Susan’s website at authorsusannswann.com.
