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Karla M. Jay
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It Happened in Silence: A beautifully written, page-turning southern suspense novel Kindle Edition

by Karla M Jay (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 799 ratings
See all formats and editions
This is a powerful tale of family, a celebration of decency, and the heartbreak of society's injustices then that rings true today. ★★★★★

Set in a world where women of the KKK betray their neighbors, where horrors of unscrupulous foundling homes come to light, and buried mysteries are not all that hidden. It's Georgia 1921. Mute since birth, fifteen-year-old Willow Stewart has one task to complete—to leave her Appalachian homestead and find a traveling preacher and her brother, Briar. When a peddler kidnaps her, she escapes only to face an unjust arrest and penal servitude. The laws are not on her side. Or her brother's.
Briar is serving time on a chain gang with four months left. When an immigrant boy asks him for help, Briar must decide if he should jeopardize his freedom to help the penniless boy.
Soon Willow and Briar become ensnared in a world of cruel secrets, savage truths, deceitful practices, and desperate predicaments.
This novel delves into the gut and sinew of fairness, probing often inexplicable questions, as old and persistent as the forest itself.
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  1. Print length
    346 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    October 29, 2020
  5. File size
    14100 KB
  6. Page Flip
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  7. Word Wise
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  8. Enhanced typesetting
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From the Publisher

karla m. jay, header, historical fiction
karla m. jay, author

Karla M. Jay

International Award-Winning Author

Karla has written in a few genres from humor to neo-noir, but her adopted favorite is historical fiction. Honors include recognition from The Independent Press, the Jerusalem Post, Reader Views (the Tyler R Tichelaar Award), Book Excellence, NYC Big Book Awards, the US Review of Books, Independent Book Publishers Association, Indies Today, the “Hoffer,” and readers around the world, all acknowledging and giving value to contributions by an ever-growing community of self-published authors. It Happened in Silence is now a screenplay, thanks to Shaun Delliskave, an outstanding writer in his field. He’s placed IHIS in distinguished positions, including two official selection laurels and an invitation to represent at several international competitions.

Other noteworthy novels:

  • The Puppet Maker’s Daughter (WWII Historical Fiction - Newest Release)
  • When We Were Brave (WWII Historical Fiction)

awards

Willow and Briar

willow, briar, characters

Meet the Antagonist

kkk, wkkk, ardith, frederick douglass

Editorial Reviews

Review


  • 2021 Benjamin Franklin Silver Award
  • 2021 Distinguished Favorite Historical Fiction, Independent Publisher Award
  • 2021 Runner Up Historical Fiction, Top Shelf Award
  • 2020 Finalist for The Book Excellence Award
  • 2020 Wishing Shelf Finalist ★★★★★
  • "A hauntingly beautiful book. Against the backdrop of terror and heartache in America in 1921, Jay celebrates human resiliency, hope and redemption. ~ Firoozeh Dumas, New York Times best-selling author of Funny in Farsi"
  • Jay's book opens a window on a period of intense social change that is often only superficially explored in modern literature. Her deft characterizations alone make this novel a worthy read.-US Review of Books
  • "This interwoven tale of family, resilience, betrayal and the moral evolution of a nation is powerful and stirring. It's hard not to draw comparisons to Faulkner, both in the deep colloquial writing style, and a memorable narrator separated from the rest of the world. With breath-catching flashes of poetic grace, unexpected descriptive beauty and a meaning-laden flow of prose, It Happened in Silence is a captivating and ambitious achievement." ~ Self-Publishing Review, ★★★★★
  • A haunting tale of family, friendship, injustice, resilience, and hope...In her evocative latest, the award-winning Jay takes a fascinating look at the interplay of social upheavals in Georgia in the early 1920s as she tells the story of a young girl's struggles to reunite with her family. Jay remarkably depicts everyday life in the Appalachians, women's roles in the KKK, and discrimination... but perhaps best of all is her vivid portrayal of the remarkable Georgia setting. Lovers of women's fiction and historical fiction won't want to miss this page-turner. ~ Prairies Book Review ★★★★★
  • 'An inspiring story of injustice and family loyalty set in turbulent 1920s Georgia. Powerfully written and totally unputdownable!...If you happen to be a fan of Laura Frantz's Uncommon Woman or The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson, this novel is for you. Enjoy! This book's a gem!' ~ Wishing Shelf ★★★★★
  • The expertly interwoven plotlines and unexpected events will keep readers on their toes as they read on to find out what lies ahead for Willow, Briar, and Ardith. Readers who enjoy historical fiction will be thoroughly engaged with It Happened in Silence. - Review by the Book Excellence Awards
  • This gripping historical suspense that had me racing towards the end, hoping against hope for that happy ending. I was not disappointed. With authoritative prose and a compelling plot, It Happened in Silence by Karla M. Jay comes highly recommended by Chick Lit Café.
  • The gorgeous narrative flows like a peaceful river through this riveting and tumultuous tale." ~ Indies Today Review ★★★★★

From the Inside Flap


"Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe."
Frederick Douglass
"The web of our life is of a mingled yarn, good and ill together."
William Shakespeare

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08M9VBDVL
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Book Circle Press (October 29, 2020)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 29, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 14100 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 346 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 799 ratings

About the author

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Karla M. Jay

Karla M. Jay

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Karla M. Jay is the award-winning author of When We Were Brave, It Happened in Silence, The Puppet Maker's Daughter, a Shot at Justice, and The Speaking in Tungs series. She has wanted to write books since she was seven. Originally from the east coast, she makes her home in Salt Lake City. Over the years she has written in several different genres, ranging from humor to noir, but is always focused on stories of injustice. When she's not writing, she's reading, gardening, playing with her dog, or traveling to new places to try to find a story that has never been told.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
799 global ratings
Profound and
5 Stars
Profound and
Ah ... what can I say about this book that can do it justice? How about the way it made me go back and reread passages that were so beautiful they gave me chills? Or other passages that made me weep from the injustices and pain that went on during the early nineteen twenties? It is not easy to write characters who come from uncomplicated lives, but whose way of looking at their experiences is profound and poetic. Jay skillfully weaves a tapestry made of simple colors, and basic threads that when finished tells an unforgettable tale of hardship, betrayal, physical and mental abuse, contrasted with family unity, basic goodness and immovable faith. The prose is earthy and beautiful ... a walk in the forest. The plot drives you relentlessly forward. And you will remember the characters long after you put this book on your nightstand. I have never read the same book twice (there are way too many good books to explore) But It Happened in Silence will be an exception.
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Top reviews from the United States

Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Such a good book!
Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2024
Verified Purchase
I read slot and have read many good books over the years. This book has to be one of the best books I've ever read. I could not put it down. Superbly written and with some of the best characters I've met. Just awesome.
One person found this helpful
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PattyS
4.0 out of 5 stars I was surprised at how good this was
Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2023
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If you wanna read about north Georgia in the 1920s this is your book. It covers the discrimination of the disabled people of color women the poor the mountain people End orphans. I found it quite interesting
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Shirley McAllister
5.0 out of 5 stars Blood Makes you Kin, Loyalty Makes you Family
Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2021
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An awesome story, filled with the experience of the Appalachian way of life, the shadow of the Ku Klux Klan, and the sorrowful story of the baby farms that cropped up during the depression.

This book follows an Appalachian family in Georgia. The main characters in the story are Willow and Briar Stewart. Mrs. Ardith also is a prominent character in the story. The setting time period is the 1930's during the depression era.

The story is written in different chapters following the three characters of Willow, Briar, and Mrs. Ardith. The first half of the book follows the adventures of Willow and Briar after leaving Stewart Mountain. The second half still follow the Stewart siblings, but now Mrs. Ardith comes into the picture and the storyline of Baby farms and the Ku Klux Klan come into play as well as the great train wreck in Missouri.

I like the book because the characters speak the language of the mountain people. The stories and superstitions, the herbs and natural medicines. Most of all the contentment and love of family, kin, and neighbors. The customs they follow and how they live.

It is interesting on how the families involved with the Ku Klux Klan were all for the Klan, but one mistake, one thing that any of them did to anger or embarrass the Klan and they were banned, not only banned but destroyed. How they had to spy on their town, and their neighbors and find people that were doing things not okay by the Klan and they were beaten and sometimes murdered.

I was surprised to learn that young men like Briar could be arrested for having less than a dollar and sentence to two years on the chain gang. The information on the chain gang was new to me as I knew little of this practice.

It was an interesting time in history. It was revealing and page turning. The ending was perfect. I would like to see a second book following the characters, the Stewart family, Ardith's husband and Oliver, and the Russian boy that Briar rescued from the chain gang. I would recommend this book.

Thanks to Karla M. Jay, IBPA Publishing, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a copy of the book for an honest review.
18 people found this helpful
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E. R. Blair
5.0 out of 5 stars Unbelievably good!
Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2022
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I love historical fiction but have seen some that was quite mediocre and sometimes even inaccurate. This book is a gem among gems in my opinion. There’s nothing else I can say that hasn’t been said in the other reviews. I agree this should be a classic. The author tells about her research on several topics addressed in the book, which I really appreciated. It added to my confidence that I was really learning something about American history that I’d never known before. NOTE: My experience of this book was greatly helped by an article I found at JSTOR, a non-profit journal storage site I hadn’t known about. Not sure if it’s ok to put all this info in a review, but here’s the article:
Reconsidering the Southern "Hillbilly": Appalachia and the Ozarks
JOHN SOLOMON OTTO
Appalachian Journal
Appalachian Journal
Vol. 12, No. 4 (SUMMER 1985), pp. 324-331 (8 pages)
Published
It’s concise, readable and very informative; and helped me understand the main character much better. You’ll be glad you read this book.
4 people found this helpful
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Andrew B Walker
5.0 out of 5 stars Truly EPIC storytelling!
Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2020
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Another absolutely STUNNING Book! Karla M. Jay does it again with “It Happened In Silence”, but this time chooses the KKK, specifically the WKKK (Woman’s Klan) to explore. There are several praiseworthy things I enjoyed about this book:

Except maybe for Mark Twain, I can’t think of another author that can have you talking in the dialect of the story's characters within a chapter or two (and stick with you for days!). I don’t know how Karla learned the dialect or Georgia mountain folk circa 1920 so well but it seems utterly convincing.

I also can’t think of an author that invokes descriptions so well and completely you can smell the pine needles, turpentine, sweat, and even fear! She has a unique gift in this and many other disciplines of creative writing. I found scents, scenery, and sounds so compelling and embracing, I would have been thrilled to read the story without a plot or plan - just to see, feel and hear the unfolding mountain, river and cityscapes before me. Truly REMARKABLE writing.

I assure you however, there is a plot that would keep you plowing page by page even without such extraordinary writing skills. I often ponder my predicaments with a certainty that they’re nothing compared to the plight of others: present, past, and future. I’m left doubtless that all the troubles I’ve seen, even at their worst, are but a quiet walk in the park by comparison to the downtrodden and abused folks unlucky enough to be born on the south side of colorblindness. Even today, but in our past, the injustice and prejudice were magnitudes worse.

I found tremendous interest and texture in the first person story telling that changes character by character as each chapter rolls by.

While Karla writes fictional novels (at least that’s all I’ve read), they are pegged closely to stark, painstakingly researched, reality. I feel like I come away from her novels with better than a history class would impart.

For a horrifyingly new perspective of women’s societies in the south that allied with their male counterparts to blossom the WKKK in the early 1920s, and the callous treatment of those that stray from white, Protestant ethos, this book is a real eye opener. A southern story of loss, suffering, and heroics, this book blows through the top the charts!
7 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Disturbingly poignant
Reviewed in Canada on February 1, 2021
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I must preface my review with a caveat. I struggled to finish this book and wrestled with my review not because it was written poorly or the author failed to draw robust and interesting characters, quite the contrary, but because of the disturbingly poignant subject matter which assaulted my sensibilities filling me with dread at the turn of every page.
It Happened in Silence is a disturbing historical fiction told from multiple points of view and based closely upon events and people in 1920s Georgia. A time when Ty Cobb batted his 3,000th hit, Georgia permitted women to vote and the Ku Klux Klan might have died in obscurity if a sinister, racist woman hadn’t come along. Elizabeth Tyler was a public relations mastermind for the Ku Klux Klan and, arguably, the most influential person in the KKK at the time.
Karla M. Jay is a gutsy and consummate wordsmith painting word pictures so vivid you will smell the convicts’ sweat and wilt under the sultry heat. Her character images both real and imagined are so well crafted and so powerful you’ll find yourself empathizing with their profound personal demons in a world where God, family and food are some of the most important aspects of a southern life and in Georgia you can include tradition.
She describes an oppressive milieu where racism is woven into the social fabric, political and social institutions and born and bolstered in classrooms, bedrooms and bars, town halls and assembly lines and stitched together with the threads of faith, love and courage.
Karla M. Jay is truly a master of her craft.
2 people found this helpful
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Divya
4.0 out of 5 stars A well written novel
Reviewed in Australia on January 23, 2022
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This was a well written novel with some interesting characters and situations. The story follows mute girl Willow and her struggles in life due to some unfortunate circumstances.
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Kerry Gubb
4.0 out of 5 stars Cracker of an Author!
Reviewed in Australia on April 24, 2021
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I collect colourful phrases by highlighting them and saving to my Kindle account. Karla Jay's work has been a goldmine of these. What an original, creative writer!
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