"Silent to the Bone" deals with a number of issues; it confronts divorce, friendship, sexual attraction, parent and child relationships, second marriages and child abuse.

The book starts with a 911 call and the caller cannot speak, Branwell Zamborska is struck dumb from the moment he makes the call. Something traumatic has happened and now Branwell is silent to the bone.

Branwell's baby sister suffers from encephalitis and Branwell is blamed for causing the harm. Connor who is Branwell's friend knows that Branwell would not harm Nikki, so Connor becomes actively engaged in the solving of the mystery. With the help of his older half sister, Connor solves the mystery to Branwell's silence.

I found this book exciting and entertaining in some parts and then it would seem to get dull and then pick up again. The book definitely tries to deal with a number of issues and is quite successful in the way it handles them.