Review: I Am Their Silence
From Europe Comics
Out now from Europe Comics is I Am Their Silence, which is the English translation of Je suis leur silence. Available in both languages it was pitched to me as:
It tells the story of a young and sarcastic psychiatrist who finds herself solving a murder after a Catalan winemaker from an illustrious family is found dead.
Thanks to Emma from Europe Comics I was immediately gripped and jumped straight in!
A cool, hip, wisecracking psychiatrist named Eva turns amateur sleuth after a rich Catalan winemaker is found dead at the luxurious family estate hours before the reading of the matriarch's will, and Eva is viewed as one of the prime suspects. As she embarks on a chaotic journey through a richly detailed and seductive Barcelona cityscape to uncover the real killer, she must deal with two different families and their troubled dynamics: the rich family that makes wine...and the family that talks to her in her head.
by Jordi Lafebre (Author, Illustrator), Montana Kane (Translator)
Kicking off this fantastic story, we get a brilliant framing technique to get us into it. It acts as a twofold aspect of the story, with the therapy session working to not only tell the story but also introduce Eva. Eva is an interesting character, and she is carrying a certain amount of her own baggage to this session.
As the story progresses, you will have some fun following Eva as she makes her way to the reading of a will and through the investigation into the murder.
Along we Eva, there is a strong cast of characters throughout, with the police, the therapist and the suspicious family members. I loved the characterisation of the family members; they all are acting only in some way or have their own issues, problems or dodgy motivations. It’s cleverly done, and the build throughout the story is excellent. We get some interesting amounts of family and business-related aspects, and I love the way the history - both recent and past for the family is brought into the story.
The therapist occasionally interrupts us with interesting comments. Eva carries with her a certain amount of problematic family issues, which follow her around. They are not exactly voices in the head but lingering—and commentating—presences who judge and advise her.
Family is a strong theme in this story, breaking both ways.
As the investigation continues, there is the police to contend with and a lot of tense action as Eva gets closer to the truth. It is a clever conclusion for the story for all of those involved.
I loved the art and the cover above is an excellent indicator of the story within. There are some brilliant angles and character action moments, in light, dark, land, country, city and at sea! I love the colouring and it really draws you to the whole story.
This is a brilliant story and an excellent murder-mystery. There are good amount of humour and tension.
