Moore, Brian: 1921-1999

Lies of Silence, 1990 - Summary

The story revolves around Michael Dillon, a hotel manager in Belfast, and his wife Moira. They are taken hostage in their home by members of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA). The terrorists force Dillon to drive a car loaded with a bomb to the hotel he manages, with the intent of assassinating a Protestant reverend and members of a militant Protestant group attending a conference there.
Dillon is caught in an agonizing moral dilemma - if he follows the IRA's orders, he will be responsible for killing innocent people. But if he refuses, his wife will be killed.

The tension escalates as Dillon grapples with this impossible choice, mirroring the broader conflict raging in Northern Ireland. The novel also explores Dillon's crumbling marriage, as he was planning to leave Moira for his younger mistress Andrea before the hostage situation occurred.

Moira suffers a mental breakdown upon learning of Dillon's infidelity, adding another layer of personal turmoil.
Developed by Perplexity AI
Summary