Stay Silent

~Keeley Webb

When I received the latest ARC from Keeley, I genuinely didn’t know what to expect … but I can promise you this was not it – in the best possible way. Whether she somehow tapped into my exact reading mood or the book gods simply knew what I needed, Stay Silent landed at the perfect time. I’ve been buried in psychological thrillers, cozy mysteries, rom-coms, and finishing up my own book, and this was exactly the gritty, chaos-filled reset my brain was craving. I’d been itching for a zombie read – and wow, did this dedelive

The story kicks off innocently enough with sisters Kayla and Cristy spending the day shopping in the city. After retail therapy and pizza, they cross paths with a sweet little girl named Poppy, who leaves a lasting impression. But everything shatters when Poppy’s father collapses – and then rises. What follows is a moment straight out of The Walking Dead: violence, panic, and the horrifying realization that this isn’t an isolated incident. As the city erupts into chaos, the sisters make a split-second decision to grab Poppy and run.

From there, survival mode is fully activated. An ambulance escape gone wrong, traffic gridlock, another sudden turn, and eventually refuge in a restaurant mid-renovation with owners Nico and Luke – who are understandably skeptical at first. Once reality hits, though, all bets are off.

This book does not pull punches. Danger is everywhere – from evolving zombies to human survivors who are just as terrifying. The atmosphere is brutal, unrelenting, and deeply unsettling. I don’t say this lightly: I am not easily grossed out or triggered, but the sensory detail in this book came closer than anything I’ve read in a long time. The sounds, the smells, the sheer visceral horror – it’s immersive in the most uncomfortable way. Once the first zombie appeared, I was locked in and completely unable to put it down.

And the characters? Phenomenal. Cristy’s emotional vulnerability, Luke’s gruff strength, Kayla’s resilience, Nico’s steadiness – and Poppy. Sweet, brave, hopeful Poppy. She absolutely stole my heart. There’s a sizable cast, but every character has purpose, growth, and just enough backstory to make you care (even Jack … yes, he’s an arsehole). No one feels wasted or unnecessary, and that payoff matters.

Between the intense gore, the emotional gut punches, and the constant tension, Stay Silent is a journey you won’t forget. It’s raw, disturbing, heartfelt, and gripping in equal measure. Be sure to add this to your must read list! Releasing January 3, 2026 and available for preorder now on Amazon: https://amzn.to/44DSjXy

I would like to thank Keeley Webb for the opportunity to Alpha/Beta/ARC for Stay Silent. As always, all opinions and reviews are of my own volition. I have not been promised any compensation, current or future, by the author or publisher for a fair and honest review.

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